tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Metformin inhibition of mitochondrial ATP and DNA synthesis abrogates NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pulmonary inflammation
Authors: Hongxu Xian, Yuan Liu, Alexandra Rundberg Nilsson, Raphaella Gatchalian, Timothy R. Crother, Warren G. Tourtellotte, Yi Zhang, German R. Aleman-Muench, Gavin Lewis, Weixuan Chen, Sarah Kang, Melissa Luevanos, Dorit Trudler, Stuart A. Lipton, Pejman Soroosh, John Teijaro, Juan Carlos de la Torre, Moshe Arditi, Michael Karin, Elsa Sanchez-Lopez
Journal: Immunity (2021)
SMARCA4-mutated lung adenocarcinoma, a distinctive non-small cell lung cancer with worse prognosis.
Authors: Longfeng Zhang, Weijin Xiao, Fangjun Wu, Ran Peng, Jialong Shi, Chao Li, Gen Lin
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

e20548 Background: SMARCA4 gene is one of the catalytic subunits of the SWI/SNF chromosomal remodeling complex, which can regulate important cellular processes and functions and is closely associated to tumors. The clinical features, therapeutic efficacy, prognosis and pathological features of lung adenocarcinoma with this genetic variation are still unknown and controversial. Methods: The study recruited 274 patients (pts) with lung adenocarcinoma whose samples were sent to perform parallel hybridization-based next-generation sequencing. Two categories of SMARCA4 mutations were divided into Type1 mutations (frameshift mutations, nonsense mutations, splice-3 mutations, copy number amplification) and Type2 mutations (missense mutations and copy number loss) based on whether the mutation may result in defective protein. Furthermore, comparative analysis by using the clinical outcome data, the genomic and pathological characteristics were be performed in SMARCA4 Type 1 alterations corhort and Type 2 alterations corhort. Results: Among 274 pts were recruited, the mutation rate of SMARCA4 gene in lung adenocarcinoma was 9.1%. Furthermore, the presence of SMARCA4 alteration was associated with smoking (P＜0.05). Missense, nonsense, frameshift and splice were the most common types of mutations (92%). The pts with SMARCA4 Type1 alterations which probably lead to defective protein expression, had a worse prognosis compared with pts with SMARCA4 Type1 alterations (The role leading to defective protein expression is uncertain) and SMARCA4 Wild groups (P＜0.05). In addition, EGFR alterations were strongly associated with SMARCA4 Wild corhort compared to SMARCA4 Type1 alterations corhort (67% vs. 31% ), and SMARCA4 Type1 alterations was more associated with the absence of TP53, RB1, and Robo3 alterations. GO enrichment analysis suggested that the differentiated mutated genes between SMARCA4 Type1 alterations corhort and SMARCA4 Wild corhort were mainly enriched in cell cycle regulation. Pathologically, The SMARCA4 Type1 alterations was mostly poorly or moderately differentiated and strongly accompanied by the loss of expression of TTF-1(83.3%) and BRG1(80%) in immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: SMARCA4 Type1 alterations which probably lead to abnormality of protein was associated with poor prognosis and having different the genomic and pathological characteristics.
Short-course neoadjuvant intratumoral immunotherapy establishes immunologic memory in murine melanoma.
Authors: Taylor J. Aiken, David Komjathy, Mat Rodriguez, Arika Feils, Stephen D. Gillies, Amy K. Erbe, Alexander L. Rakhmilevich, Paul M. Sondel
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

e21561 Background: GD2 is disialoganglioside preferentially expressed in neuroblastoma and melanoma and anti-GD2 directed therapies are used clinically in neuroblastoma, with ongoing clinical trials in melanoma. We are currently developing an in situ vaccination approach using intratumoral (IT) delivery of an immunocytokine (IC) consisting of IL-2 linked to an anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody. While IT-IC monotherapy does not cure mice bearing established B78 melanoma tumors, it is effective when combined with local radiation therapy (RT). Here, we tested whether short course IT-IC monotherapy prior to surgical resection could result in a robust adaptive immune response preventing tumor recurrence following rechallenge after surgery. Methods: Mice bearing 50-100mm 3 GD2-expressing melanoma (B78) tumors were treated with a 5-day course of 50μg IT-IC and complete surgical resection was performed 3 days following the final treatment. The immune infiltrate of resected tumors was assessed by flow cytometry. Rechallenge experiments consisted of either 2x10 6 B78 cells injected into the contralateral flank or 2x10 5 B16-GD2 cells injected via tail vein for pulmonary metastasis rechallenge. Results: IT-IC treated tumors had fewer viable tumor cells, increased CD8 T-cells, and an improved CD8:Treg ratio. Rejection of B78 contralateral flank rechallenge (implanted 40 days following surgical resection of the primary tumor) was observed in 78% (7/9) of mice treated with IT-IC compared to 50% (5/10) that received surgery alone and 0% (0/5) of naïve mice. Immunologic memory was potent in neoadjuvant-treated mice early after surgery, with all mice (5/5) rejecting contralateral B78 rechallenge that occurred on the day of surgery compared to 0% (0/5) in both surgery-alone and naïve mice. Neoadjuvant IT-IC also prevented the development of B16-GD2 lung metastasis compared to naïve mice or the surgery-alone group (when the IV injected experimental metastases were given 80 days following surgery). Conclusions: While ineffective in curing large B78 melanoma flank tumors as monotherapy, mice receiving neoadjuvant IT-IC developed robust immunologic memory preventing recurrence following surgery. The memory response was present as early as the day of surgery and was sufficient to prevent pulmonary metastasis. IT-IC should be further investigated as a neoadjuvant therapy for preventing recurrence in high-risk settings.
Phase II trial of soluble EphB4-albumin in combination with PD-1 antibody (pembrolizumab) in relapsed/refractory head neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Authors: Alexandra Jackovich, Barbara J. Gitlitz, Justin Wayne Wong Tiu-lim, Vinay Duddalwar, Kevin George King, Anthony B. El-Khoueiry, Jacob Stephen Thomas, Denice Tsao-Wei, David I. Quinn, Parkash S. Gill, Jorge J. Nieva
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

6016 Background: EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand EphrinB2 are highly induced in head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HN SCC) tumor cells and vessels, particularly in HPV negative tumors. Each are predictors for poor survival with worse prognosis when both are induced. EphB4 provides tumor cell survival and EphrinB2 inhibits immune cell invasion. Soluble EphB4-Alb blocks bidirectional signaling, enhances immune cell recruitment alone and when combined with PD-1 antibody. Methods: A phase II trial of sEphB4-Alb combined with pembrolizumab accrued HN SCC patients after failure of one or more prior regimens. IHC positivity for p16 was used as a surrogate for HPV infection. Treatment regimen was sEphB4-Alb 10 mg/kg weekly IV infusion with pembrolizumab 200 mg IV infusion every three weeks. Study endpoints were toxicity, overall response rates (ORR) and overall survival (OS). Response to therapy was based on RECIST 1.1 criteria. Patient tumor samples were collected at baseline with a 2 nd biopsy at week 8 on therapy, for tissue analysis of PD-L1, EphrinB2 and other biomarkers. Results: Twenty-four patients were accrued to the phase II trial combination of sEphB4-Alb and pembrolizumab. Age, sex, prior treatment, HPV status, and response data are summarized in the table below. The most common toxicity was hypertension with 8 patients experiencing grade 3 HTN. No grade 4 or above toxicities were observed. Among HPV negative cases, partial and complete responses were observed in 6 of 14 patients (43%) with complete response (CR) observed in 3 of 6 responders. Additionally, rapid response was observed in 3 of 14 HPV negative patients. Response was associated with increase in immune markers on 2 nd biopsy. Median overall and progression-free survival in all patients was 12.6 months and 8.6 months, respectively. Conclusions: 1. sEphB4-Alb was well tolerated in combination with PD-1 antibody. 2. sEphB4-Alb was associated with increased immune response to tumor, when combined with PD-1 antibody. 3. sEphB4-Alb appears to have substantial activity (including complete remission) when combined with PD-1 antibody in relapsed/refractory HPV negative HN SCC. Clinical trial information: NCT03049618. [Table: see text]
VEGFR2 expressions in Th1 and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in colon cancer patients.
Authors: Mehmet Artac, Ayca Ceylan, Melek Karakurt Eryılmaz, Murat Araz, Mustafa Karaagac, Hasibe Artac, Melike Emiroglu
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

e15535 Background: VEGF receptors have an important role for inhibiting adaptive immun response in colon cancer. Therefore, we analyzed VEGF receptors in circulating T cell subsets according to stage in colon cancer patients. Methods: The prospective study group consisted of 50 patients with histologically confirmed colon cancer and 30 person without any cancer history as a control group. Peripheral blood specimens were collected from the patients after the diagnosis before inducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Patients with active infections or autoimmune disorders, who were treated with steroids and antibiotics in the last four weeks before the study enrollment were excluded from the study group. VEGFR2 expressions in circulating T cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17, CTL) were analyzed by flow cyctometry. Results: Age and gender were not different between the all study groups. Mean circulating CD4+ folicullar cells were less in colon cancer patients (9.54%±3.99) than the control group (12.03%±4.34), (p &lt; 0.01). Mean circulating CD8+ follicular cells were higher in metastatic colon cancer (n = 26) 2.48% ± 1.68, than the non-metastatic colon cancer patients (n = 24) 1.63% ± 1.37, (p = 0.02). Mean VEGFR2 expressions in Th1 cells were higher in colon cancer patients 248.8 (Mean Flourescein intensity-MFI) than the control group 224.6, (P = 0.006). Mean VEGFR2 expressions in CTL were higher in colon cancer patients (381.8) than the control group (284.7), (p &lt; 0.001). PD-1 expressions were not different between the colon cancer patients and the control group in all circulating T cell subsets. Mean VEGFR2 expressions in Th17 cells were higher non-metastatic colon cancer patients than the metastatic colon cancer patients (326.5 and 268.4 MFI, respectively, p = 0.02). Conclusions: VEGFR2 expressions are increased in circulating Th1 and CTL subsets in colon cancer patients. Whereas PD-1 expressions were not different in circulating T cell subsets than the control. VEGFRs may play an important role for the inhibition of circulating T cell subsets in colon cancer.
Phase II study of ceralasertib (AZD6738), in combination with durvalumab in patients with metastatic melanoma who have failed prior anti-PD-1 therapy.
Authors: Minsuk Kwon, Seung Tae Kim, Simon Smith, Claire Smith, Peter G. Mortimer, Bienvenu LoembE, Iwanka Kozarewa, Emma Dean, Jeeyun Lee
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

9514 Background: Alterations in DNA damage response (DDR) and repair are associated with genomic instability and increased somatic tumor mutational burden, and modulating DNA repair is a promising strategy to boost the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Ceralasertib is an oral inhibitor of the serine/threonine protein kinase Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3 Related (ATR), which is crucial to the cell’s response to replication stress. Methods: This phase 2 trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ceralasertib in combination with durvalumab in patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) who had failed to anti-PD-1 therapy. The study drug schedule was: ceralasertib at 240 mg BD on days 15 to 28 in combination with durvalumab at 1500 mg on day 1 in a 28-day cycle. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR) by RECIST (v1.1). To investigate markers predictive of clinical outcome, fresh tumor biopsies were obtained from all enrolled patients before treatment. Results: From August 2019 to May 2020, 30 MM patients (median # of lines, 2; range, 2 - 5) were enrolled. All enrolled patients were exposed to prior anti-PD-1 treatment (immediate failure, n = 23). The ORR was 30.0% (9 PRs, 10 SDs, 10 PDs), DCR 63.3%, median PFS 7.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.6-10.6), and median OS was 14.2 months (95% CI, 9.3-19.1). Common adverse events of any grade were anemia (n = 23, 76.7%), anorexia (n = 20, 66.7%) and thrombocytopenia (n = 19, 63.3%). Common adverse events of grade 3 or more included anemia (n = 10, 33.3%). One death occurred due to febrile neutropenia in a patient with a pre-existing wound infection. Conclusions: Ceralasertib in combination with durvalumab demonstrated a promising anti-tumor activity, particularly in melanoma patients who failed to standard of care including anti-PD1 treatment. Clinical trial information: NCT03780608.
Propensity weighted indirect treatment comparison of nivolumab (NIVO) versus placebo (PBO) as adjuvant therapy for resected melanoma: A number needed to treat and overall survival analysis.
Authors: Jeffrey S. Weber, Tayla Poretta, Brian Stwalley, Leon Sakkal, Ella X. Du, Travis Wang, Yan Chen, Yan Wang, Keith A. Betts, Alexander Noor Shoushtari
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

9572 Background: The CheckMate 238 trial demonstrated that NIVO improved recurrence free survival (RFS) vs. ipilimumab (IPI). The EORTC 18071 trial demonstrated that IPI improved RFS and overall survival (OS) vs. PBO. The current study pooled data from these two trials to indirectly assess the RFS and OS of NIVO vs. PBO and the numbers needed to treat (NNTs) for one additional recurrence-free survivor and survivor over 4 years. Methods: Patients with resected AJCC 7th edition stage IIIB/C cutaneous melanoma from CheckMate 238 (NIVO vs. IPI) and EORTC 18071 (IPI vs. PBO) were pooled together with inverse probability weighting to balance between-trial differences in baseline characteristics. NNTs were calculated for RFS and OS comparing NIVO vs. IPI and PBO over 4 years. To account for improved post-recurrence survival over time, a sensitivity analysis that adjusted for post-recurrence survival in the PBO arm of EORTC 18071 was performed. Results: A total of 278, 643, and 365 patients treated with NIVO, IPI, and PBO, respectively, were included. In the weighted samples, patients treated with NIVO had consistently higher RFS rates than those treated with IPI (HR [95% CI]: 0.69 [0.56, 0.85]) and PBO (HR: 0.49 [0.39, 0.61]). NIVO was associated with similar OS as IPI (HR: 0.80 [0.60, 1.08]) and superior OS compared to PBO (HR: 0.45 [0.33, 0.60]). At 4 years, the weighted RFS rate was 53.1% for NIVO, 41.8% for IPI, and 29.1% for PBO. The NNT to achieve one additional recurrence-free survivor was 4.2 for NIVO vs. PBO and 8.9 for NIVO vs. IPI. The NNT to obtain one additional survivor was 4.8 for NIVO vs. PBO and 22.2 for NIVO vs. IPI. The OS rate for PBO after adjusting for differences in post-recurrence treatments at 4 years was 64.1%, and the corresponding NNT of OS comparing NIVO vs. adjusted PBO was 8.5. Conclusions: In patients with resected AJCC 7th edition stage IIIB/C cutaneous melanoma, this indirect comparison showed that NIVO improved RFS and OS vs placebo, with OS improvement maintained after adjustment for post-recurrence therapy.[Table: see text]
Patient reported sexual concerns in routine cancer care.
Authors: Brittany Lees, Smitha Vilasagar, Jubilee Brown, Peter E Clark, Maxim McKibben, Patrick Meadors, Sasha Sabir, Shannon M Smith, Beth York, Declan Walsh
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

12128 Background: Sexual health is an important component of overall well-being and can be adversely impacted by chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, in addition to the psychological effects of cancer treatments. Sexual health is challenging to discuss and may be overlooked or avoided during cancer care. Methods: Patients presenting for consultation in an outpatient multisite cancer center completed electronic distress screening (EDS) between January 2017 and December 2020. The EDS contains 42 questions; demographic information, cancer symptoms and side effects, and psychosocial factors. The EDS is completed by patients before a clinical encounter for early symptom identification and intervention. We conducted a retrospective data analysis of sexual health concerns (&gt;5; scale 0-10) and evaluated patient characteristics and clinically relevant distress (&gt;4; NCCN Distress Tool), depression risk (&gt;3; PhQ2), and anxiety risk (&gt;3; GAD2). Our primary aim was to identify the prevalence of sexual health concerns. The secondary aim was to examine the relationship between sexual health and emotional well-being. Results: 57,375 EDS screens were completed. 13,950 patients (24%) reported sexual concerns or lack of interest in sex (&gt;5) within the last 2 weeks. The frequency of these concerns at specific clinics ranged from 12% to 48%, with the highest rates at Palliative care (39%) and Psycho-Oncology (48%) clinics. Genitourinary (30%), Gynecologic (27%) and Gastroenterology (26%) reported the highest frequency of sexual concerns from cancer site specific clinics. Males reported a higher rate of sexual problems compared to females (30% vs 21%, p &lt; 0.001), but a lower rate of relationship concern distress (12% vs 13%, p &lt; 0.05). Patients with a risk for depression (n = 9,126) or anxiety (n = 10,809) had higher rates of self-reported sexual concerns than those with a negative screen (44% vs 21% depression, p &lt; 0.001; 40% vs 21% anxiety, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Sexual health is a concern for approximately one-quarter of patients presenting for cancer care. Sexual health concerns were prevalent across cancer sites. Patients with positive screens for anxiety and/or depression have nearly double the rates of reported sexual health concerns. Sexual health is a current unmet need that impacts cancer patients and warrants attention.
Prognostic impact of obesity in cancer patients with COVID-19 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Robin Park, Elizabeth Marie Wulff-Burchfield, Kathan Mehta, Weijing Sun, Anup Kasi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

e18578 Background: Obesity is a bona fide risk factor for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and mortality in patients (pts) with COVID-19 in the general population. However, whether obesity is a risk factor in cancer pts remains unknown. Herein, we have conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis of obesity and all-cause mortality in cancer pts with COVID-19. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines,a systematic search of PubMed and Embase as well as major conference proceedings (ASCO/ESMO/AACR) was conducted for publications from inception to 14 January 2020. Observational studies that reported all-cause mortality in cancer pts with lab confirmation or clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 and BMI (obese (&gt;30 kg/m 2 ) vs. non-obese) were included in the analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated with the fixed-effects model based on low heterogeneity. Small sample publication bias was evaluated using the Begg’s Funnel Plot and Egger’s test. Results: After reviewing 3387 studies,3 retrospective cohort studies of 419 obese and 1694 non-obese cancer pts (N=2117) with COVID-19 in both inpatient/outpatient settings that reported outcomes based on obesity were found. The 3 studies were conducted multi-nationally in North America, in France, and in the Netherlands respectively. The median ages of the cohorts ranged 66-68. All studies included various cancers of various stages and were of high quality per Newcastle Ottawa scale (scores 7-9). Fixed effects meta-analysis showed no association between obesity and all-cause mortality (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.74-1.23) in cancer pts with COVID-19. Heterogeneity was low (I 2 = 33%). No significant funnel plot asymmetry was detected per Egger’s test (P=0.2273). The reported OR of each study is outlined in the table. Conclusions: In contrast to the general population, our analysis reveals that obesity is not associated with increased all-cause mortality in cancer pts with COVID-19. Limitations of this study include a limited number of included studies, reliance on retrospective studies, non-use of ethnicity-specific WHO BMI criteria, and limited granularity of the study-reported BMI. Future prospective studies are warranted to assess the complex interplay among anthropomorphic measures, cachexia/sarcopenia, comorbidities associated with the metabolic syndrome, and COVID-19 outcomes in the cancer pt population.[Table: see text]
Reductions in cancer screening: The consequence of changes in routine care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authors: Ashley Kim, Matthew Gitlin, Ela Fadli, November McGarvey, Ze Cong, Karen Chung
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

10550 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic imposes significant impact on daily activities with regard to public health orders and individual responses to the pandemic. Much of the direct or indirect impact is potentially in reductions in healthcare encounters for services such as preventive care. Here, we quantified changes in cancer screening rates to better understand the impact of the evolving COVID-19 implications and shifts in health-seeking behaviors. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of cancer screening rates during March-June 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and March-June 2020 (post-COVID-19 restrictions), using Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database which includes Medicare and commercially insured members. Members meeting age and/or sex criteria as detailed in the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and cervical cancer screening represented the eligible membership for screening. Procedure and laboratory services were used to identify those who received cancer screening. Analyses were conducted cross-sectionally by cancer screening type. Results: Eligible cohorts were identified from insured members within March-June 2019 and 2020 (2019: 17,931,318; 2020: 17,521,411). The percent of eligible members screened in March-June 2019 was 19.3%, 9.4%, 16.7%, 0.4%, and 7.8% for breast, cervical, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer, respectively. Changes in screening rates from 2019 to 2020 are summarized in Table, with the sharpest decline in April. The percent change from 2019 to 2020 during the combined March-June period for each cancer screening type was statistically significant (p&lt;0.0001). Conclusions: Routine cancer screening rates from March-June 2020 showed meaningful reductions when compared to the same period in 2019, with substantial declines during the initial peak of the pandemic in April. These declines may be impacted by variations in regional restrictions with tighter restrictions leading to larger screening declines and loosening restrictions reflecting catch-up screening. Efforts to promote cancer screening in a safe and timely manner are crucial given individual risk factors, to reduce later stage cancer diagnoses and improve clinical outcomes.[Table: see text]