tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Allele frequencies of two dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (<i>DPYD</i>) risk variants, c.1905+1G&gt;A (*2A) and c.2846A&gt;T (D949V), in a direct-to-consumer genetic database.
Authors: Cindy Kosinski, Jingran Wen, Hoang Nhan, Alison Chubb, Shirley Wu
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

2 Background: Pharmacogenetic (PGt) testing holds great potential for supporting clinical decision making and optimizing medication outcomes for cancer patients. Genetic variants in the DPYD gene are associated with reduced dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase enzyme activity, and can cause severe fluoropyrimidine-related toxicity. However, the clinical uptake of PGt testing has been slow. Recent FDA authorization for a direct-to-consumer (DTC) PGt test will improve access to PGt testing. This study assessed the frequency of two DPYD variants, c.1905+1G &gt; A (*2A) and c.2846A &gt; T (D949V), in a generally unselected group of genotyped individuals who have used DTC genetic testing (23andMe, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA). Methods: Study participants were genotyped using Illumina genotyping arrays that included the DPYD c.1905+1G &gt; A and c.2846A &gt; T variants. Eligible subjects were 23andMe U.S. customers who were at least 18 years of age and consented to participate in research. IRB approval was obtained from Ethical &amp; Independent Review Services. Results: Out of approximately 6.4 million eligible participants included in this analysis, the overall allele frequencies of DPYD c.1905+1G &gt; A and c.2846A &gt; T were 0.42% and 0.47%, respectively. People of Ashkenazi Jewish, South Asian, and European descent had the highest frequencies (0.56%, 0.56%, and 0.47%, respectively) for the DPYD c.1905+1G &gt; A variant, and people of European and Hispanic/Latino descent had the highest frequencies (0.55% and 0.43%, respectively) for the DPYD c.2846A &gt; T variant. Conclusions: This is the first description of an unselected cohort of individuals with DPYD c.1905+1G &gt; A and c.2846A &gt; T variants identified through DTC genetic testing. Preemptive DTC PGt testing can help disseminate potentially clinically useful information to a large number of consumers.
Enhanced efficacy and limited systemic cytokine exposure with membrane-anchored interleukin-12 T-cell therapy in murine tumor models
Authors: Ling Zhang, John S Davies, Carylinda Serna, Zhiya Yu, Nicholas P Restifo, Steven A Rosenberg, Richard A Morgan, Christian S Hinrichs
Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2020)

Background Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent, proinflammatory cytokine that holds promise for cancer immunotherapy, but its clinical use has been limited by its toxicity. To minimize systemic exposure and potential toxicity while maintaining the beneficial effects of IL-12, we developed a novel IL-12-based therapeutic system that combines tumor-specific T-cell-mediated delivery of IL-12 with membrane-restricted IL-12 localization and inducible IL-12 expression. Methods Therapeutic T cells targeting a tumor antigen were genetically engineered to express membrane-anchored IL-12 (aIL-12). Expression, function, and shedding of the aIL-12 molecule was assessed in vitro. Tumor treatment efficacy was assessed in vivo with T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic murine tumor models and a tumor xenograft model. Key outcomes were change in tumor size, circulating levels of IL-12 and other cytokines, and survival. Toxicity was assessed via change in body weight. Tumor growth curve measurements were compared using repeated-measures two-way analyses of variance. Results Retroviral gene transfer resulted in cell membrane expression of aIL-12 by transduced T cells. In each of two transgenic murine tumor models, tumor-specific T cells constitutively expressing aIL-12 demonstrated increased antitumor efficacy, low circulating IL-12 and interferon-γ, and no weight loss. Expression of aIL-12 via a NFAT- inducible promoter resulted in coordinate expression of aIL-12 with T cell activation. In an OT-I TCR transgenic murine tumor model, the NFAT -inducible aIL-12 molecule improved tumor treatment and did not result in detectable levels of IL-12 in serum or in weight loss. In a human tumor xenograft model, the NFAT -inducible aIL-12 molecule improved antitumor responses by human T cells coexpressing a tumor-specific engineered TCR. Serum IL-12 levels were undetectable with the NFAT -inducible construct in both models. Conclusion Expression of aIL-12 by tumor-targeting therapeutic T cells demonstrated low systemic exposure and improved efficacy. This treatment strategy may have broad applications to cellular therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and TCR T cells.
Economic burden and patterns of care in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Authors: Abdalla Aly, Elisabetta Malangone-Monaco, Virginia Noxon, Caroline Henriques, Fernando Benavente, Amy K. Kim
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

487 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often diagnosed in advanced stages. While sorafenib has been the standard of care for advanced HCC, treatment guidelines are not clearly defined. We studied real world systemic lines of therapy (LOT) and economic burden in HCC patients. Methods: The MarketScan database was used to identify patients newly diagnosed with HCC (ICD-9 155.0, ICD-10 C22.0, C22.8) from 2011-2018 and continuously enrolled for ≥6 months prior and ≥1 month post HCC diagnosis. Patients with prior liver transplantation or metastasis, or other primary cancers, pregnancy, or clinical trial participation at any time were excluded. Systemic LOT were identified and ended due to discontinuation, switch, or end of follow up. Transarterial procedures (chemoembolization [TACE], radioembolization [TARE]) were also reported. Results: A total of 1,558 patients (mean age, 62; 78% male; median follow up, 8.8 months) were studied. The first LOT was mostly sorafenib (78%). The median time from HCC diagnosis to start of sorafenib was 43 days. The median duration of therapy on sorafenib was 60 days, with patients ending sorafenib use due to discontinuation (40%) or switching (6%). Only 16% of patients received second LOT, of which 10% were PD-1 inhibitors. Use of TACE and TARE over the follow up period was 15% and 12%, respectively. TACE was more prevalent prior to first LOT (11%) compared to during first LOT (4%) and between first and second LOT (6%). This trend was also observed for TARE (7%, 3%, and 4%, respectively). Patients incurred a mean all-cause total cost of $181,036 and $17,235 per-patient per-month (PPPM), of which $9494 were HCC-specific (Table). Conclusions: Most patients received sorafenib as first line in advanced HCC, but only for 2 months. Only 16% of patients receive second line therapy. HCC patients have a high economic burden and there is a need for more effective and safe treatments. [Table: see text]
Phase Ib study of regorafenib (REG) plus pembrolizumab (PEMBRO) for first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Authors: Anthony B. El-Khoueiry, Richard D. Kim, William P. Harris, Max W. Sung, Dirk Waldschmidt, Syma Iqbal, Xiaojing (Amily) Zhang, Keiko Nakajima, Peter R. Galle
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

564 Background: REG is a multikinase inhibitor with immunomodulatory activity and PEMBRO is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody. Both are approved as monotherapy for patients (pts) with HCC previously treated with sorafenib. Based on their potential synergistic effects, we conducted a phase 1b study of REG plus PEMBRO for first-line treatment of advanced HCC. Methods: This is an ongoing, open-label, dose-escalation study in pts with advanced HCC who had no prior systemic therapy. In the first cohort, pts received REG 120 mg/day PO for 3 weeks on/1 week off plus PEMBRO 200 mg IV q 3 weeks. In later cohorts, the REG dose could be escalated (160 mg) or reduced (80 mg) based on the modified toxicity probability interval design; the PEMBRO dose is fixed. The primary objective is safety and tolerability. Secondary objectives are to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose, and to assess antitumor activity. Results: As of August 23, 2019, 29 pts have been treated at the REG 120 mg level. Median age is 65 years (range 32–81); 41%/55% of pts are BCLC stage B/C; 100% are Child–Pugh A; ECOG status 0/1 is 72%/28%. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 4/18 evaluable pts: grade (Gr) 3 increased ALT/AST with Gr 2 increased bilirubin (n = 2); Gr 3 rash (n = 2). The MTD of REG in the combination was 120 mg. Most common Gr 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) are shown (n = 29). There were no Gr 5 TEAEs. 59%/31% of pts had REG/PEMRO-related Gr 3 or 4 TEAEs. Dose modifications (reductions or interruptions) of REG/PEMBRO for drug-related TEAEs occurred in 59%/31% of pts. Of 23 evaluable pts, 7 (30%) had a partial response (PR) and 14 (61%) had stable disease (RECIST v1.1); 1 additional pt had PR by mRECIST. Conclusions: The combination of REG plus PEMBRO for first-line treatment of advanced HCC showed no unexpected safety signals and encouraging antitumor activity. Accrual is continuing at REG 120 mg dose and an expansion cohort evaluating REG 80 mg plus PEMBRO is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT03347292. [Table: see text]
Therapeutic targeting of extracellular FGFR2 activating deletions in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Authors: James M. Cleary, Srivatsan Raghavan, Yvonne Y. Li, Liam Spurr, Qibiao Wu, Lei Shi, Lauren K. Brais, Zunelly Odhiambo, Lipika Goyal, Anuj K. Patel, Atul B. Shinagare, Thomas E. Clancy, Geoffrey Shapiro, Ethan Cerami, William R. Sellers, William C. Hahn, Andrew D. Cherniack, Nabeel Bardeesy, Matthew Meyerson, Brian M. Wolpin
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

567 Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathway alterations have been identified in approximately 20% of patients (pts) with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC), most commonly by FGFR2 fusions. Early phase clinical trials have demonstrated encouraging efficacy of FGFR inhibitors in pts with FGFR2-translocated cholangiocarcinoma, but efficacy in pts with other FGFR2 activating alterations is less clear. Methods: Pts with cholangiocarcinoma underwent CLIA-certified next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) to identify actionable alterations. FGFR2 fusions and other FGFR2 genomic events were assessed, with genomic characterization performed before and after treatment with FGFR inhibitors in appropriate pts. Novel extracellular domain in-frame deletions (INDELs) of FGFR2 and apparent resistance mutations were investigated for oncogenic activity and inhibitor resistance in vitro and in vivo. Results: Cholangiocarcinomas from 284 pts (136 male, 148 female; median age, 64 [20-89], including 139 IHCCs, were sequenced. Among the IHCCs, 16 (11.5%) had FGFR2 fusions, with 9 different gene partners. Surprisingly, 5 (3.6%) IHCCs harbored extracellular domain FGFR2 INDELs. Two of these IHCCs harbored an exon 5 deletion FGFR2 p.H167_N173del. Expression of FGFR2 p.H167_N173del in 3T3 cells resulted in oncogenic transformation. In the clinic, two pts with FGFR2 p.H167_N173del were treated with Debio1347, an oral FGFR-1/2/3 inhibitor. Both patients achieved a durable partial response (PR) of 11 months, with one of the pts still on active treatment with Debio-1347. The patient who developed acquired resistance underwent repeat biopsy, and NGS identified a secondary mutation ( FGFR2 p. L617F) in the kinase domain. In vitro studies demonstrated that this mutation confers resistance to Debio1347. This patient was subsequently treated with another FGFR inhibitor and again experienced a PR lasting 17 months. A third biopsy after disease progression demonstrated a previously undetected L597Q BRAF mutation. Conclusions: Extracellular domain FGFR2 in-frame deletions are a novel genomic alteration in IHCC that are transforming and predict clinical sensitivity to FGFR inhibitors.
Correlation of plasma exosomal microRNAs with the efficacy of immunotherapy in<i>EGFR/ALK</i>wild-type advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xiao-Xiao Peng, Ruoying Yu, Xue Wu, Shu-Yu Wu, Can Pi, Zhi-Hong Chen, Xu-Chao Zhang, Cun-Yi Gao, Yang W Shao, Li Liu, Yi-Long Wu, Qing Zhou
Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2020)

Background Immunotherapy has become an important treatment option for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, none of these existing biomarkers can effectively stratify true responders and there is an urgent need for identifying novel biomarkers. Exosomes derived from the serum of patients with cancer have been proven to be reliable markers for cancer diagnosis. Here, we explored the possibility of using plasma-derived exosomal microRNAs as potential biomarkers for optimal selection of patients with advanced EGFR/ALK negative NSCLC to immunotherapy. Methods From June 2017 to February 2019, 30 patients with advanced EGFR/ALK wild-type (WT) NSCLC who received PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were enrolled. The efficacy evaluation was conducted after every three cycles of treatment according to RECIST 1.1. Plasma samples of these patients were collected before the administration of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as baseline, and after every three cycles if the patients achieved partial response (PR) or complete response. Plasma from seven healthy individuals was also collected as normal control. Exosomes were prepared by ultracentrifugation followed by total RNA extraction, and exosome-derived miRNAs were profiled using small RNA next-generation sequencing followed by differential expression analysis. Results In order to identify biomarker for better response, all five patients who achieved PR and four patients with progressive disease (PD) at efficacy evaluation were included for differential expression analysis. Based on unsupervised hierarchical clustering, exosomal miRNA expression profile was significantly altered in patients with NSCLC compared with normal controls with a total of 155 differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs. Interestingly, hsa-miR-320d, hsa-miR-320c, and hsa-miR-320b were identified significantly upregulated in the PD groups compared with the PR group at baseline before the treatment. In addition, we identified that hsa-miR-125b-5p, a T-cell suppressor, showed a trend of increased expression in the PD group at baseline and was significantly downregulated in the post-treatment plasma exosomes compared with pre-treatment samples of the PR patients. Conclusion Patients with NSCLC represent unique plasma exosomal miRNA profiles. Hsa-miR-320d, hsa-miR-320c, and hsa-miR-320b were identified as potential biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in advanced NSCLCs. When T-cell suppressor hsa-miR-125b-5p was downregulated during the treatment, the patients may obtain increased T-cell function and respond well to immunotherapy.
Observational retrospective evaluation of treatment with liposomal irinotecan plus fluorouracil/leucovorin for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients: An Italian large real-world analysis.
Authors: Antonio Pellino, Chiara Manai, Valeria Merz, Mario Scartozzi, Michele Milella, Ferdinando De Vita, Lorenzo Antonuzzo, Clizia Zichi, Maria Antonietta Satolli, Michele Panebianco, Silvia Noventa, Guido Giordano, Floriana Nappo, Camilla Zecchetto, Marco Puzzoni, Vanja Vaccaro, Annalisa Pappalardo, Elisa Giommoni, Davide Melisi, Sara Lonardi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

660 Background: In the NAPOLI I phase III trial, Nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) showed better outcome compared to 5FU/LV in patients with metastatic Pancreatic Cancer (MPC) progressed to 1st- line gemcitabine-based therapy. Aim of this study is to explore the real-world efficacy and safety of 5FU/LV-nal-IRI by a compassionate use programme and to identify potential prognostic factors that could affect survival in this setting. Methods: This is a retrospective multi-center analysis including patients with MPC who received 5FU/LV-nal-IRI after failure of a gemcitabine-based therapy. Survival analyses were carried out by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by using the log-rank test and the Cox regression. Results: A total of 296 pts (median age, 69 years, range 30-82; 50% male; ECOG PS 0, 44%) were treated at 11 Italian institutions from June 2016 and November 2018. 34% of the pts have been previously resected on their primary tumor, and 76% received gemcitabine-nabpaclitaxel as 1st - line treatment. 5FU/LV-nal-IRI has been administered as 2nd - line in 72% of the pts, while in 23% of the cases as 3rd - line or more. The median OS was 7.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.1 - 8.1] and the median PFS was 3.3 months (95% CI 2.9 - 3.6). At six months, OS and PFS rate were 53.4% and 31.4% respectively. ORR was 12% and DCR was 40%. 52% of pts received more than 4 cycle with dose reduction in 148 pts (50%). Most common grade 3 toxicities were neutropenia (14%), diarrhea (11%), anemia (3%), nausea (3%), fatigue (3%), mucositis (2%) and vomiting (1%). Baseline characteristics associated with better OS were ECOG PS 0, normal CEA, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤5 and haemoglobin ≥11 g/dL. Conclusions: These real-world data confirm the efficacy and safety of 5FU/LV-nal-IRI in patients with MPC progressed to a gemcitabine-based therapy, with outcome comparable to NAPOLI-1 even in a less selected population and with more active 1st - line combination therapy. In this cohort, well known prognostic markers has been confirmed, as expected.
Clinical impact of primary tumor location in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with regorafenib or trifluridine/tipiracil as later-line.
Authors: Hiromichi Nakajima, Shota Fukuoka, Toshikazu Moriwaki, Toshiki Masuishi, Atsuo Takashima, Yosuke Kumekawa, Takeshi Kajiwara, Kentaro Yamazaki, Masato Komoda, Akitaka Makiyama, Tadamichi Denda, Yukimasa Hatachi, Takeshi Suto, Naotoshi Sugimoto, Masanobu Enomoto, Toshiaki Ishikawa, Tomomi Kashiwada, Eiji Oki, Masahiko Gosho, Yasuhiro Shimada
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

105 Background: In the recent years, primary tumor location (PTL) is considered as an important prognostic and predictive factor in first-line treatment of mCRC. Although regorafenib (REG) and trifluridine/tipiracil (TFTD) have been available recently, the prognostic value of PTL in later-line with these agents is not well understood. TFTD improved survival regardless of PTL in the RECOURSE trial, while REG did not show survival benefit in the patients (pts) with rectal cancer in the CORRECT trial. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated pts with mCRC who were registered in a multicenter observational study (the REGOTAS study). The main inclusion criteria were ECOG PS of 0–2, refractory or intolerant to fluoropyrimidines, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR therapy (if KRAS wild type), and no prior use of REG and TFTD. The impact of PTL on overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models based on baseline characteristics and propensity score matching. Results: A total of 550 pts (223 pts in the REG group, 327 pts in the TFTD group; 122 pts in the right-sided, 428 pts in the left-sided) were included in this study. Although the right-sided pts was significantly shorter OS compared with the left-sided pts by univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.99, P = 0.04), multivariate analysis revealed that PTL was not an independent prognostic factor (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.69-1.1, P = 0.26). The similar results were obtained in each treatment group. In subgroup analysis according to PTL, OS were comparable between REG and TFTD groups regardless of PTL (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.62-1.39 in the right-sided; HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.83-1.39 in the left-sided [excluding rectum]; and HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.62-1.62 in the rectal cancer pts). These results were similar in sensitivity analysis using propensity score-matching. Conclusions: In the present study, PTL is not a prognostic factor in patient with mCRC treated with either REG or TFTD as later-line. No difference in OS was observed between REG and TFTD groups irrespective of PTL.
Prognostic impact of immune-related adverse events with nivolumab in patients with advanced gastric cancer: A multicenter retrospective analysis.
Authors: Yuno Ohya, Takayuki Ando, Akira Ueda, Kohei Ogawa, Iori Motoo, Shinya Kajiura, Kenichiro Tsukada, Takuo Hara, Nobuhiro Suzuki, Naokatsu Nakada, Shunsuke Takatori, Naoki Horikawa, Tsutomu Fujii, Ichiro Yasuda
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

347 Background: Nivolumab was established as one of the standard treatments for previously treated advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with Nivolumab and its impact on treatment efficacy in clinical practice. Methods: We performed multicenter retrospective analysis, which included 90 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received Nivolumab treatment between October 2017 and September 2019. The frequency of irAEs and its treatment outcome were evaluated, and survival was compared during Nivolumab treatment. Results: The characteristics of 90 patients in this analysis were as follows: median age (range), 68 (36-85); male/female, 56/34; ECOG PS 0-1/≥2, 62/28; number of metastatic sites 1/≥2, 36/56; treatment line 3/≥4, 63/27. Median treatment cycle of nivolumab treatment was 3 (range 1-26). The overall response in 68 patients with target lesions was 6.3% (4/68), and the median PFS and OS was 1.5 and 4.3 months, respectively. IrAEs were observed in 8 patients (8.8%), including grade 4 pneumonitis, grade 2 or 3 adrenal insufficiency, and grade 2 hypothyroidism, encephalitis, and immune thrombocytopenia. Median time to onset of irAEs was 1.3 (range 0.6-10.5) months. Six were treated with systemic corticosteroid therapy, and all irAEs were relieved. The median PFS and OS were 4.7 months (95%CI, 1.2-9.3) and 12.2 months (95% CI, 3.2-not reached) in patient with irAEs, and 1.4 months (95%CI, 1.1-1.9) and 4.1 months (95%CI, 2.6-6.6) in those without, respectively. There was significant difference in the PFS (p=0.005) and OS (p=0.03). Conclusions: Nivolumab was effective and well tolerated even in clinical practice. Development of irAEs may be associated with better outcome of Nivolumab in patients with AGC.