Analysis of time-to-treatment discontinuation of targeted therapy,immunotherapy, and chemotherapy in clinical trials of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

BackgroundPragmatic end points, such as time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD), defined as the date of starting a medication to the date of treatment discontinuation or death has been proposed as a potential efficacy end point for real-world evidence (RWE) trials, where imaging evaluation is less structured and standardized.Patients and methodsWe studied 18 randomized clinical trials of patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), initiated after 2007 and submitted to U.S. Food and Drug Administration. TTD was calculated as date of randomization to date of discontinuation or death and compared to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) across all patients, as well as in treatment-defined subgroups [EGFR mutation-positive treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), EGFR wild-type treated with TKI, ALK-positive treated with TKI, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), chemotherapy doublet with maintenance, chemotherapy monotherapy].ResultsOverall across 8947 patients, TTD was more closely associated with PFS (r = 0.87, 95% CI 0.86–0.87) than with OS (0.68, 95% CI 0.67–0.69). Early TTD (PFS—TTD ≥ 3 months) occurred in 7.7% of patients overall, and was more common with chemo monotherapy (15.0%) while late TTD (TTD—PFS ≥ 3 months) occurred in 6.0% of patients overall, and was more common in EGFR-positive and ALK-positive patients (12.4% and 22.9%). In oncogene-targeted subgroups (EGFR positive and ALK positive), median TTDs (13.4 and 14.1 months) exceeded median PFS (11.4 and 11.3 months).ConclusionsAt the patient level, TTD is associated with PFS across therapeutic classes. Median TTD exceeds median PFS for biomarker-selected patients receiving oncogene-targeted therapies. TTD should be prospectively studied further as an end point for pragmatic randomized RWE trials only for continuously administered therapies.     

Transarterial chemoembolization plus immune checkpoint inhibitor as postoperative adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: A multicenter cohort study

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE) plus immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).Patients and methodsThis study was conducted on three centers from June 2018 to December 2020. Patients were divided into the PA-TACE (n = 48) and PA-TACE plus ICI groups (n = 42). The recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) curves were depicted by Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences between the two groups were compared using log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for RFS and OS. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for AEs (CTCAE) version 5.0.ResultsThe median RFS of the PA-TACE plus ICI group was significantly longer than the PA-TACE group (12.76 months vs. 8.11 months; P = 0.038). The median OS of the PA-TACE plus ICI group was also significanfly better than the PA-TACE group (24.5 months vs. 19.1 months; P = 0.032). PA-TACE plus ICI treatment was an independent prognostic factor for RFS (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32–0.9, P = 0.019) and OS (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.26–0.86, P = 0.014). Only one patient experienced grade ≥3 immune-related AEs in the PA-TACE plus ICI group.ConclusionsPA-TACE plus ICI treatment had better efficacy in preventing recurrence and prolonging survival than PA-TACE alone for HCC patients with PVTT after R0 resection. This novel treatment modality may be an appropriate option for HCC with PVTT.     

Time interval from primary melanoma to first distant recurrence in relation to patient outcomes in advanced melanoma

Since the introduction of BRAF(/MEK) inhibition and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), the prognosis of advanced melanoma has greatly improved. Melanoma is known for its remarkably long time to first distant recurrence (TFDR), which can be decades in some patients and is partly attributed to immune-surveillance. We investigated the relationship between TFDR and patient outcomes after systemic treatment for advanced melanoma. We selected patients undergoing first-line systemic therapy for advanced melanoma from the nationwide Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry. The association between TFDR and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed by Cox proportional hazard regression models. The TFDR was modeled categorically, linearly, and flexibly using restricted cubic splines. Patients received anti-PD-1-based treatment (n = 1844) or BRAF(/MEK) inhibition (n = 1618). For ICI-treated patients with a TFDR <2 years, median OS was 25.0 months, compared to 37.3 months for a TFDR >5 years (P = .014). Patients treated with BRAF(/MEK) inhibition with a longer TFDR also had a significantly longer median OS (8.6 months for TFDR <2 years compared to 11.1 months for >5 years, P = .004). The hazard of dying rapidly decreased with increasing TFDR until approximately 5 years (HR 0.87), after which the hazard of dying further decreased with increasing TFDR, but less strongly (HR 0.82 for a TFDR of 10 years and HR 0.79 for a TFDR of 15 years). Results were similar when stratifying for type of treatment. Advanced melanoma patients with longer TFDR have a prolonged PFS and OS, irrespective of being treated with first-line ICI or targeted therapy.     

Impact of Radiotherapy on the Efficacy and Toxicity of anti-PD-1 Inhibitors in Metastatic NSCLC

BackgroundThe impact of radiotherapy (RT) on the efficacy and toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear.Materials and MethodsWe identified patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with the anti-programmed death 1 antibodies nivolumab or pembrolizumab between January 2016 and May 2019 at 3 tertiary centers, who were also treated with palliative RT either during or within 3 months of starting anti-programmed death 1 treatment. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment history were collected. Response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed and correlated with RT use.ResultsA total of 269 patients were identified, with a median follow-up of 19.4 months. The median age was 70 years (range, 35-90 years), and they were 63% male, 60% smokers, and 65% had adenocarcinoma histology. At the commencement of ICI treatment, the majority (86%) had ≥ 1 line of prior therapy and 34% had brain metastases. A total of 102 (38%) patients received RT within 3 months of starting ICI or subsequently during ICI treatment. Of patients that received RT, 86 (84%) received conventional hypofractionated RT, and, in the majority, 81 (79%) the intent of RT was symptom control. The use of RT did not increase grade 3/4 immune-related adverse events. The overall median PFS was 2.0 months (95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.6 months) and the median OS was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval, 6.4-9.5 months). There were no significant differences in median PFS (3.0 vs. 2.0 months; P = .515) and median OS (9.0 vs. 9.0 months; P = .917) in the patients who received RT versus those that did not.ConclusionsIn patients with metastatic NSCLC, the addition of RT to ICI was not associated with increased toxicity or improved survival.     

Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in SMARCA4-Deficient Thoracic Tumor

BackgroundSMARCA4-deficient thoracic tumor is a novel disease entity characterized by mutations in SMARCA4 resulting in loss of its expression. They could be divided according to their phenotypes; carcinoma or sarcomatoid. It remains unclear how many patients with these SMARCA4-deficient tumors could benefit from inhibitors of programmed death 1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1).MethodsSMARCA4-deficient thoracic tumor cases were retrospectively identified from pathology and gene expression databases at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan. Clinical outcomes of patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were reviewed.ResultsEighteen patients with SMARCA4-deficient thoracic tumor [carcinoma (n = 10), sarcomatoid (n = 7), and ambiguous type (n = 1)] were identified. Of the twelve [carcinoma (n = 7), sarcomatoid (n = 5)] who had received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), 5 [carcinoma (n = 3), sarcomatoid (n = 2)] showed a partial response, all of whom had received an ICI as the first-line therapy. The overall response rate was The PD-L1 tumor proportion scores of the 5 responding patients were 100%, 80%, 5% (n = 2), and less than 1%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of all the patients was 2.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1 months–not achieved (NA)], while the median PFS of the 3 patients who received first-line ICIs was not reached (95% CI, 1.1 months–NA).ConclusionPD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors showed promising results in the treatment of SMARCA4-deficient tumor. Further studies, especially on patient selection and combination therapy, are needed.     

Long Term Survival With Regorafenib: REALITY (Real Life in Italy) Trial - A GISCAD Study

BackgroundRegorafenib is a key agent in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but no validated factors predicting longer survival are available.Patients and MethodsREALITY was a retrospective multicenter trial in regorafenib-treated mCRC patients with overall survival (OS) ≥ 6 months. We aimed to assess the association between clinical parameters and outcome to define a panel identifying long term survivors among regorafenib candidates. Primary and secondary endpoints were OS and progression free survival (PFS), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with MedCalc (survival distribution: Kaplan-Meier; survival comparison: log-rank test; independent role of significant variables at univariate analysis: logistic regression).ResultsHundred regorafenib-treated mCRC patients with OS ≥ 6 months were enrolled. Median OS was 11.5 m (95%CI:9.60-12.96); median PFS was 4.2 months (95% CI:3.43-43.03). The absence of liver progression and of dose and/or schedule changes during the first 4 cycles (mainly for good tolerability) were independently correlated at multivariate analysis with OS (Exp(b)1.8869, P= .0277and Exp(b)2.2000, P = .0313) and PFS (Exp(b)2.1583, P = .0065 and Exp(b)2.3036, P= .0169). Patients with neither of these variables had a significantly improved OS (n = 14, 20.8 months; 95% CI:12.967-55.267) versus others (n = 86, 10 months; 95% CI:8.367-12.167; HR = 0.4902, P = .0045) and PFS (11.3 months, 95%CI:4.267-35.8 vs. 3.9 months, 95% CI:3.167-43.033; HR = 0.4648, P = .0086).ConclusionThese 2 factors might allow clinicians to better identify patients more likely to benefit from regorafenib. Toxicity management remains crucial.     

Benefit Versus Risk Assessment of Melflufen and Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Analyses From Longer Follow-up of the OCEAN and HORIZON Studies

IntroductionMelphalan flufenamide (melflufen), a first-in-class alkylating peptide-drug conjugate, plus dexamethasone demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) but directionally different overall survival (OS) favoring pomalidomide (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10) in OCEAN.MethodsThese analyses further investigated prognostic subgroups impacting survival in updated data from the randomized, phase 3 OCEAN study (NCT03151811; date: February 3, 2022) and the phase 2 HORIZON study (NCT02963493; date: February 2, 2022).ResultsIn OCEAN, subgroups prognostic for OS were age (P = .011; <65 years favored pomalidomide) and no previous autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or progression >36 months after ASCT (P = .001; favored melflufen). Overall, 245 of 495 (49%) patients randomized had received a previous ASCT, of which 202 (82%) had progressed within 36 months following their ASCT. When excluding patients who had progressed <36 months post-ASCT (melflufen group, n = 145; pomalidomide group, n = 148), median OS was 23.6 months with melflufen and 19.8 months with pomalidomide (HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.62-1.12]; P = .22). Among patients with triple-class refractory disease in HORIZON, patients who had progressed <36 months post-ASCT (n = 58) had a lower response rate and shorter duration of response and PFS than the remaining patients (n = 52). Safety was consistent with previous reports.ConclusionThese analyses demonstrate a consistent benefit for melflufen and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who have not received an ASCT or progressed >36 months after receiving an ASCT (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03151811).     

Efficacy of Pembrolizumab in Patients With Variant Urothelial Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

IntroductionAlthough variant urothelial carcinoma (VUC, defined here as urothelial carcinoma with any histological variant) is a clinically aggressive disease, the efficacy of pembrolizumab against VUC is not well characterized. This study assessed the therapeutic response and survival outcomes in patients with advanced VUC treated with pembrolizumab for unresectable recurrent or metastatic disease.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 103 patients with advanced bladder and upper urinary tract cancer who received pembrolizumab after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy at 6 institutions between January 2018 and June 2021. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients with pure urothelial carcinoma (PUC) and those with VUC.ResultsWe identified 81 and 22 patients with PUC and VUC, respectively. Squamous differentiation (n = 14) was the most common variant element, followed by glandular differentiation (n = 3) and micropapillary variant (n = 3). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. Patients with VUC showed significantly better ORR (59.1% vs. 29.6%, P = .014) and comparable DCR (68.2% vs. 49.4%, P = .150) compared to those with PUC. There were no significant differences between the PUC and VUC groups with respect to PFS (median 5.0 months vs. 10.4 months, P = .222) or OS (median 13.5 months vs. 23.8 months, P = .497).ConclusionResponse of VUC to pembrolizumab was not inferior to that of PUC in patients with advanced-stage bladder and upper urinary tract cancer.     

Prognosis of Japanese patients with previously untreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of molecular‐targeted therapy

A multicenter cooperative study was conducted to clarify the prognosis of Japanese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of molecular‐targeted therapy and the clinical usefulness of the Japanese metastatic renal cancer (JMRC) prognostic classification. Of 389 consecutive patients for whom treatment was started between 2008 and 2010 at 23 hospitals in Japan, 357 patients who received vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR‐TKI) or cytokine as initial systemic therapy were the subject of the present study. Patients were classified into three prognostic groups according to the JMRC prognostic classification. The endpoints were progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after the start of the initial treatment. The median PFS and OS for the entire cohort of 357 patients were 9.1 and 27.2 months, respectively. VEGFR‐TKI were selected for patients with multiple organ metastases, those with liver metastasis, and those with bone metastasis. The median PFS and OS were 11.0 and 23.2 months and 5.4 and 38.2 months in the VEGFR‐TKI group and the cytokines group, respectively. The JMRC prognostic classification was useful as a prognostic model for PFS and OS (c‐indexes: 0.613 and 0.630 in patients who initially received VEGFR‐TKI and 0.647 and 0.642 in patients who received cytokines, respectively). The present study showed for the first time the prognosis of Japanese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of molecular‐targeted therapy. The JMRC prognostic classification may be clinically useful as a prognostic model.     

Atezolizumab in Combination With Carboplatin and Nab-Paclitaxel in Advanced Squamous NSCLC (IMpower131): Results From a Randomized Phase III Trial

IntroductionCytotoxic agents have immunomodulatory effects, providing a rationale for combining atezolizumab (anti-programmed death-ligand 1 [anti–PD-L1]) with chemotherapy. The randomized phase III IMpower131 study (NCT02367794) evaluated atezolizumab with platinum-based chemotherapy in stage IV squamous NSCLC.MethodsA total of 1021 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive atezolizumab+carboplatin+paclitaxel (A+CP) (n = 338), atezolizumab+carboplatin+nab-paclitaxel (A+CnP) (n = 343), or carboplatin+nab-paclitaxel (CnP) (n = 340) for four or six 21-day cycles; patients randomized to the A+CP or A+CnP arms received atezolizumab maintenance therapy until progressive disease or loss of clinical benefit. The coprimary end points were investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. The secondary end points included PFS and OS in PD-L1 subgroups and safety. The primary PFS (January 22, 2018) and final OS (October 3, 2018) for A+CnP versus CnP are reported.ResultsPFS improvement with A+CnP versus CnP was seen in the ITT population (median, 6.3 versus 5.6 mo; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60–0.85; p = 0.0001). Median OS in the ITT population was 14.2 and 13.5 months in the A+CnP and CnP arms (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.73–1.05; p = 0.16), not reaching statistical significance. OS improvement with A+CnP versus CnP was observed in the PD-L1–high subgroup (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29–0.81), despite not being formally tested. Treatment-related grade 3 and 4 adverse events and serious adverse events occurred in 68.0% and 47.9% (A+CnP) and 57.5% and 28.7% (CnP) of patients, respectively.ConclusionsAdding atezolizumab to platinum-based chemotherapy significantly improved PFS in patients with first-line squamous NSCLC; OS was similar between the arms.     

Skin toxicity and efficacy of sunitinib and sorafenib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a national registry-based study

BackgroundA retrospective, registry-based analysis to assess the outcomes of metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC) patients treated with sunitinib and sorafenib who developed dermatologic adverse events was performed.Patients and MethodsData on mRCC patients treated with sunitinib or sorafenib were obtained from the Czech Clinical Registry of Renal Cell Cancer Patients. Outcomes of patients who developed hand–foot syndrome (HFS) of any grade and/or grade 3/4 rash during the treatment were compared with patients without HFS and no, mild, or moderate rash.ResultsThe cohort included 705 patients treated with sunitinib and 365 patients treated with sorafenib. For sunitinib, the median overall survival (OS) was 43.0 months versus 31.0 months (P = 0.027) and median progression-free survival (PFS) 20.8 months versus 11.1 months (P = 0.007) for patients with versus without dermatologic toxicity, respectively. For sorafenib, the median OS and PFS were 27.9 and 24.6 months (P = 0.244), and 12.2 and 8.8 months (P = 0.050), respectively. In multivariable Cox regression, the skin toxicity was significantly associated with longer OS in the sunitinib cohort.ConclusionThe presence of skin toxicity is associated with improved OS and PFS in patients with mRCC treated with sunitinib.     

Immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity and associated outcomes in older patients with cancer

IntroductionIncreased immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use in various advanced cancer types has led to a parallel rise in immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Despite widespread use, ICI data in older patients remains limited. We investigate irAE prevalence in older patients receiving ICI and whether irAEs and survival are associated.Materials and MethodsOur retrospective study included patients aged ≥65 years with advanced malignancies who had ≥1 dose of ICI from January 2011 through September 2019. We evaluated irAE cases and their respective grades and assessed oncological response by progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsMean age of 210 patients was 75.0 ± 7.2 years, 58.1% were men, and most were white. IrAE prevalence was 41.4% (n = 87); 9.5% (n = 20) developed multisystem irAE. Most irAEs were grades 1 and 2 (27.6% and 49.4%, respectively), while grades 3 and 4 accounted for 17.2% and 5.8%, respectively. No grade 5 irAE occurred. Compared with patients with no irAEs, those with irAEs had improved OS (HR [hazard ratio], 0.41; 95% CI [confidence interval], 0.282–0.597; p < 0.0001) and PFS (HR, 0.311; 95% CI: 0.213–0.453; p < 0.0001). Improved OS was seen with irAE grades 1 and 2 versus grades 3 and 4 (HR, 0.344; 95% CI: 0.171–0.694; p = 0.0029). Similarly, improved PFS was seen with lower grade irAE (HR, 0.489; 95% CI: 0.247–0.965; p = 0.0391).DiscussionThe irAE prevalence in older patients was similar to that in younger patients. To our knowledge, this is one of few studies that confirms a positive association of irAE on both OS and PFS in older patients with cancer, and improved OS and PFS with lower versus higher grade irAE.     

Systemic metastases from low-grade and high-grade pseudomyxoma peritonei: Treatments and outcomes

BackgroundThe metastasizing potential of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is largely unknown. We assessed incidence, impact on prognosis, treatments, and outcomes of systemic metastases after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC).MethodsA prospective database of 327 patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC for PMP of appendiceal origin was reviewed. PMP was graded according to the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) classification. Haematogenous metastases, and non-regional lymph-node involvement were considered as systemic metastases.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 74.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 68.0–94.8), systemic metastases occurred in 21 patients. Eleven patients were affected by low-grade PMP, and ten by high-grade PMP. Metastatic disease involved the lung (n = 12), bone (n = 1), liver (n = 4), distant nodes (n = 3), both lung and distant nodes (n = 1). Systemic metastases independently correlated with PSOGI histological subtypes (P = 0.001), and incomplete cytoreduction (P = 0.026). Median OS was 139.0 months (95%CI = 56.6–161.9) for patients who experienced systemic metastases, and 213.8 months (95%CI = 148.7-not reached) for those who did not (P = 0.159). Eight of eleven patients who had curative-intent surgery are presently alive at a median of 52.5 months (range 2.0–112.7). Seven are disease-free at a median of 27.4 months (range 2.0–110.4). At multivariate analysis, PSOGI histological subtypes (P = 0.001), completeness of cytoreduction (P = 0.001), and preoperative systemic chemotherapy (P = 0.020) correlated with poorer survival. Systemic metastases did not (P = 0.861).ConclusionsAfter CRS/HIPEC, systemic metastases occur in a small but clinically relevant number of patients, and the risk increases with incomplete cytoreduction and aggressive histology. In selected patients, surgical resection of metastatic disease can result in long survival.     

Postprogression survival for first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer

BackgroundWith the increasing availability of active agents, the importance of postprogression survival (PPS) has been recognised for several malignancies. However, little is known of PPS in advanced gastric cancer.Patients and methodsA literature search identified 43 randomised trials in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced gastric cancer. We partitioned overall survival (OS) into progression-free survival (PFS) and PPS, and then examined the correlation between median OS and either median PFS or median PPS. The correlation between differences in OS (ΔOS) and those in PFS (ΔPFS) between trial arms was also investigated.ResultsThe average median OS was significantly longer in recent (2006 and later) trials than in older (2005 and earlier) trials (10.60 versus 8.64 months, P < 0.001), as was the average median PPS (5.34 versus 3.74 months, P = 0.001). Median PPS was correlated with median OS for all trials (r = 0.732), and this correlation was more pronounced in recent trials (r = 0.850). By contrast, the correlation between median PFS and median OS was less pronounced in recent trials (r = 0.282), as was that between ΔPFS and ΔOS (r = 0.365).ConclusionAn increase in median PPS was found in accordance with an increase in median OS in recent trials compared with older trials for patients with advanced gastric cancer.     

Veliparib Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Versus Investigator's Choice of Standard Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Non–Squamous Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

BackgroundThis open-label Phase III trial (NCT02264990) evaluated the PARP inhibitor, veliparib, combined with carboplatin/paclitaxel versus chemotherapy alone for first-line treatment of patients with advanced non–squamous non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). A 52-gene expression classifier (LP52) previously shown to identify patients more likely to respond to veliparib was evaluated as a planned correlative analysis.Materials and MethodsAdult current or former smokers with advanced non–squamous NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to veliparib (120 mg daily for 7 days/cycle) with carboplatin and paclitaxel or to investigators’ choice of platinum doublet chemotherapy (up to 6, 21-day cycles), with optional pemetrexed maintenance. Prospective analysis of the LP52 signature was conducted using a clinical Qiagen/HTG assay. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) in LP52+ patients.ResultsOverall, 595 patients received veliparib + carboplatin/paclitaxel (n = 298) or chemotherapy alone (n = 297); 13% (n = 40) in each arm were LP52+. The primary endpoint was not met; median OS was 11.2 months with veliparib + carboplatin/paclitaxel versus 9.2 months with chemotherapy alone in the LP52+ subgroup (hazard ratio [HR] 0.644, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.396-1.048; P = .113). In the overall population, median OS was 12.1 months in both arms (HR 0.986, 95% CI: 0.827-1.176; P = .846). No new safety signals were observed.ConclusionIn patients with non–squamous NSCLC, there was no significant improvement in OS with veliparib + carboplatin/paclitaxel versus chemotherapy alone, although a trend toward improved OS in the LP52+ population suggests this subgroup may benefit from veliparib. Statistical power was limited due to the small sample size.     

Open-label phase 2 trial of first-line everolimus monotherapy in patients with papillary metastatic renal cell carcinoma: RAPTOR final analysis

BackgroundPapillary histology accounts for 10–15% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and treatment options for patients with this subtype are limited. The RAPTOR (RAD001 in Advanced Papillary Tumor Program in Europe; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00688753) study evaluated first-line everolimus in patients with papillary metastatic RCC (mRCC).MethodsThis phase 2 trial enrolled previously untreated patients with type 1 or type 2 papillary mRCC. Papillary histology was confirmed by central review and was performed for every patient. Patients received oral everolimus 10 mg once daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months among the first 44 patients of the per protocol (PP) population. Secondary end-points included PFS, tumour response, overall survival (OS), and safety.FindingsAnalysis sets included safety (N = 92; 100%), intent-to-treat (ITT) (n = 88), and PP populations (n = 46). In the safety population, most patients were men (78%) and the mean age was 60 years (range 23–84). Papillary histology was confirmed in 78% of patients (type 1, 32%; type 2, 64%; missing information, 4%). PFS rate at 6 months was 34% (80% confidence interval [CI] 25–45). In the ITT population, median PFS was 4.1 months (95% CI 3.6–5.5), 65% of patients achieved stable disease, and median OS was 21.4 months (95% CI 15.4–28.4). Among patients with type 1 or type 2 histology, median PFS was 7.9 months (95% CI 2.1–11.0) and 5.1 months (95% CI 3.3–5.5), respectively, and median OS was 28.0 months (95% CI 7.6–not estimable) and 24.2 months (95% CI 15.8–32.8), respectively. Common grade >2 adverse events were asthenia (13%), anaemia (7%), and fatigue (5%).InterpretationResults of this large prospective study in papillary mRCC demonstrated that everolimus provides some clinical benefit to this patient population and highlight the need for central pathological review of this rare tumour.     

An International Real-World Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Lorlatinib Through Early or Expanded Access Programs in Patients With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor–Refractory ALK-Positive or ROS1-Positive NSCLC

IntroductionLorlatinib, a next-generation central nervous system–penetrant ALK/ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is approved to treat TKI-refractory ALK-positive (ALK+) NSCLC based on results from a phase 2 study.MethodsA real-world analysis was performed on ALK+ or ROS1-positive (ROS1+) patients with NSCLC enrolled in lorlatinib early or expanded access programs in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.ResultsA total of 95 patients with NSCLC (76 ALK+ and 19 ROS1+) were analyzed. Among ALK+ patients treated with less than two previous TKIs, two or more previous TKIs, and three or more previous TKIs, the objective response rates (ORR) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) were 42% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26–59; n = 38) and not reached (NR) (95% CI: 4.5–NR; n = 45), 35% (95% CI: 22–49; n = 55) and 11.2 months (95% CI: 4.5–NR; n = 66), and 18% (95% CI: 4–43; n = 17) and 6.5 months (95% CI: 3.5–11.6; n = 21), respectively. The ORRs and mPFSs were 13% (95% CI: 0–53; n = 8) and 9.2 months (95% CI: 3.3–NR; n = 9) for patients treated with one second-generation ALK TKI as the only ALK TKI received. For ROS1+ patients, ORRs and mPFSs were 41% (95% CI: 18–67; n = 17) and 11.9 months (95% CI: 6.4–NR; n = 19). The intracranial ORRs were 35% (95% CI: 22–49) and 55% (95% CI: 23–83) for 52 ALK+ and 11 ROS1+ patients. mPFS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 1.0–NR; n = 13) for patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. No new safety signals were noted.ConclusionLorlatinib exhibited meaningful activity in TKI-refractory ALK+ or ROS1+ patients with NSCLC enrolled in early or expanded access programs.     

The association between antibiotic use and survival in renal cell carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy: a multi-center study

BackgroundImmunotherapy improves overall survival (OS) in the second and later lines of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment. Recent studies have suggested that antibiotic (ATB) use either shortly before or after the start of immunotherapy could lead to decreased OS. Herein, we evaluate the impact of ATB use on OS in RCC patients treated with nivolumab in a multi-center cohort from Turkey.MethodsThe data of 93 metastatic RCC patients treated with nivolumab in the second line or later were retrospectively collected from 6 oncology centers. Previous treatments, sites of metastases, International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium risk classification, and ATB use in the three months before (-3) or three months after (+3) the start of immunotherapy were recorded together with survival data. The association of clinical factors with OS and progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed with univariate and multivariable analyses.ResultsThe median age was 61 (interquartile range 54-67), and 76.3% of the patients were male. The median OS of the cohort was 23.75 ± 4.41, and the PFS was 8.44 ± 1.61 months. Thirty-one (33.3%) patients used ATBs in the 3 months before (-3) or 3 months after (+3) nivolumab initiation. In the multivariable analyses, ATB exposure (HR: 2.306, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.155-4.601, P = 0.018) and the presence of brain metastases at the baseline (HR: 2.608, 95% CI: 1.200-5.666, P = 0.015) had a statistically significant association with OS, while ATB exposure was the only statistically significant parameter associated with PFS (HR: 2.238, 95% CI: 1.284-3.900, P = 0.004).ConclusionIn our study, patients with ATB exposure in the 3 months before or 3 months after the start of immunotherapy had shorter OS. Our findings further support meticulous risk–benefit assessments of prescribing ATBs for patients who are either receiving or are expected to receive immunotherapy.     

Phase I Trial of Cisplatin,Pemetrexed, and Imatinib Mesylate in Chemonaive Patients With Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

BackgroundWe conducted a phase I trial of cisplatin/pemetrexed/imatinib mesylate, an oral platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) inhibitor, in chemonaive patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).MethodsA standard 3 + 3 dose-escalating trial was used with the end points of maximum tolerated dose (MTD), response rate, survival, safety/toxicity, and tumor PDGFR levels.ResultsSeventeen patients with MPM were enrolled. The most common (any grade) side effects were nausea, fatigue, hypomagnesemia, and anemia. The MTD was established at dose level 3 (imatinib 600 mg) with a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of nausea and vomiting. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.9 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 8.8 months. Patients with a sarcomatoid subtype had worse PFS (P = .01) and OS (P = .009), whereas they had a better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-1 predicted for improved OS (P = .001) and PFS (P = .013). The 6 patients who completed all 6 treatment cycles had better OS (P = .006); the median PFS was 9.6 months and the OS was 22.4 months. In the translational studies, 14 patients had adequate tumor tissue that could be assessed for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Patients with higher than median p-PDGFRα IHC expression had a better OS (P = .013). When assessed as a continuous variable, higher p-PDGFRα in tumor cells correlated with an improved OS (P = .045). None of the other 4 IHC biomarkers were predictive or prognostic for survival. Twelve patients had successful PDGFRB FISH results, but none met the criteria of ≥ 4 copies of the PDGFRB gene; thus a correlation with clinical outcomes could not be done.ConclusionThe cisplatin/pemetrexed/imatinib mesylate combination had clinical benefit in some patients with MPM but was not well tolerated. Further investigation into alternative antiangiogenic agents, including PDGFRα inhibitors, is warranted.     

Real-world Data of Nivolumab for Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Netherlands: An Analysis of Toxicity,Efficacy, and Predictive Markers

BackgroundNivolumab, a programmed death 1 inhibitor, has been approved as second-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Europe since 2016. We investigated the toxicity and efficacy of nivolumab as well as potential predictive biomarkers in the Dutch population.Patients and MethodsThis was a retrospective, multicenter study of the Dutch national registry of nivolumab for the treatment of advanced RCC. The main outcome parameters included toxicity, objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), and time to treatment failure (TTF). In addition, potential predictive and prognostic biomarkers for outcomes were evaluated.ResultsData on 264 patients were available, of whom 42% were International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) poor risk at start of nivolumab, 16% had ≥ 3 lines of previous therapy, 7% had non–clear-cell RCC, 11% had brain metastases, and 20% were previously treated with everolimus. Grade 3/4 immune-related adverse events occurred in 15% of patients. The median OS was 18.7 months (95% confidence interval, 13.7-23.7 months). Progression occurred in 170 (64.4%) of 264 patients, with a 6-and 12-months TTP of 49.8% and 31.1%, respectively. The ORR was 18.6% (49 of 264; 95% confidence interval, 14%-23%). Elevated baseline lymphocytes were associated with improved PFS (P = .038) and elevated baseline lactate dehydrogenase with poor OS, PFS, and TTF (P = .000). On-treatment increase in eosinophils by week 8 predicted improved OS (P = .003), PFS (P = .000), and TTF (P = .014), whereas a decrease of neutrophils was associated with significantly better TTF (P = .023).ConclusionsThe toxicity and efficacy of nivolumab for metastatic RCC after previous lines of therapy are comparable with the results in the pivotal phase III trial and other real-world data. On-treatment increase in eosinophil count is a potential biomarker for efficacy and warrants further investigation.