Short- and long-term outcomes of laryngeal cancer care in the elderly

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To examine associations between pretreatment variables, short-term and long-term swallowing and airway impairment, and survival in elderly patients treated for laryngeal squamous cell cancer (SCCA).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data.

METHODS

Longitudinal data from 2,370 patients diagnosed with laryngeal SCCA from 2004 to 2007 were evaluated using cross-tabulations, multivariate logistic regression, and survival analysis.

RESULTS

Dysphagia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5 [1.2-1.7]), weight loss (OR = 1.3 [1.1-1.6]), esophageal stricture (OR = 3.8 [2.5-5.9]), airway obstruction (OR = 1.9, [1.6-2.3]), tracheostomy (OR = 1.5 [1.2-1.9]), and pneumonia (OR = 1.8 [1.4-2.2]) increased 1 year after treatment. The odds of airway obstruction, esophageal stricture, and pneumonia increased over subsequent years, with significantly increased risk at 5 years for airway obstruction (OR = 3.3 [1.8-5.8]) and pneumonia (OR = 5.2 [2.5-10.7]). Pretreatment dysphagia, chemoradiation, and salvage surgery were significant predictors of long-term dysphagia, weight loss, tracheostomy, and gastrostomy, with pretreatment dysphagia and salvage surgery also associated with pneumonia. Surgery and postoperative radiation was associated with long-term dysphagia (OR = 1.4 [1.0-1.9]) but reduced odds of long-term pneumonia (OR = 0.7 [0.5-0.9]). Long-term dysphagia, gastrostomy or tracheostomy dependence, weight loss, airway obstruction, and pneumonia were associated with poorer survival, with pneumonia associated with the greatest risk of death at 5 years (hazard ratio = 2.6 [2.4-2.9]).

CONCLUSIONS

Airway and swallowing impairment is common after laryngeal SCCA treatment in elderly patients, increases over time, and is associated with poorer survival-with pneumonia associated with the highest risk of long-term mortality. Patients with pretreatment dysphagia, initial treatment with chemoradiation, and salvage surgery represent a high-risk group with an increased risk of disability and death.

Utilization of single-fraction radiotherapy for the treatment of bone metastases before and after the “Choosing Wisely” campaign

245

Background: Multiple studies have demonstrated equivalence of single vs. multi-fraction regimens for palliation of uncomplicated bone metastases, but single fraction (SF) radiotherapy (RT) remains under-utilized in the United States. To increase physician and patient awareness of RT options for bone metastases, both AAHPM and ASTRO participated in the “Choosing Wisely” campaign. AAHPM recommended 8 Gy X 1 for uncomplicated bone metastases. ASTRO recommended against routine use of courses > 10 fractions and supported strong consideration for the use of SF RT for patients with limited prognosis or transportation difficulties. To identify possible changes in prescribing patterns following “Choosing Wisely”, we evaluated utilization rates of SF (8 Gy x 1) for treatment of bone metastases via treatment requests submitted for preauthorization over a 3 year period. Methods: A proprietary web-based application (eviti Connect ) enables oncology providers to obtain real time automated precertification for patients insured by payers across the U.S. that utilize the platform. All preauthorization requests for RT of bone metastases were evaluated for the prescription of 8 Gy X 1. The overall rate of SF use was calculated as were quarterly rates within the study period. Results: From 6/1/11-6/30/14 7,524 requests were submitted; 658 were for bone metastases. Overall SF was used in 7.6 % of cases. Prior to Q4 of 2012 no prescriptions for 8 Gy X 1 were used. In 2013 SF was prescribed in 9.6% of cases (30/314): 2.8%, 7.3%, 7% and 20% for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 respectively. During 2014 use of 8 Gy X 1 was 23.9% in Q1 and 19.5% in Q2. Protracted schedules > 10 treatments were prescribed in 31% of cases, but decreased over the study period (from 40% prior to Q4 2012, to 28% in 2013, and to 23% in the first half of 2014). Conclusions: Within this unique dataset of working aged insured patients, utilization of 8 Gy X 1 for treatment of bone metastases has increased. Increases were most pronounced in 2013. This coincides with the announcement and dissemination of the “Choosing Wisely” initiatives. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if increased provider uptake of SF RT as a componant of patient-centered quality care persists.

Overutilization of IMRT/IGRT in treatment of rectal cancer: Cost implications of deviation from evidence-based practices

34

Background: Current evidence-based guidelines for management of rectal cancer (RC) caution against routine use of IMRT and do not address the role of IGRT. To explore patterns of care and cost implications for treatment of RC in commercially insured patients, we assessed treatment requests submitted for preauthorization through eviti Connect. Methods: A proprietary web-based application enables oncology providers to obtain automated precertification for patients insured by payers across the US that use the platform. All requests for pelvic radiation for treatment of RC submitted from 6/1/11-5/31/14 were reviewed. Treatment delivery costs for 3D CRT + weekly port films and for IMRT + IGRT were calculated based on average reimbursement rates from 3 payers for a typical course of 50.4 Gy/28 fractions. Results: A total of 195 cases for treatment of RC were submitted. At submission, 50.3% (98/195) of cases met evidence based standards and received automated preauthorization; 49.7% required treatment justification. Ninety-eight percent of deviations involved use of IMRT and/or IGRT. Upon review, 34.9% (68/195) had a medical rationale for the variance. Justification for IMRT/IGRT use included treatment volumes comparable to anal cancer, inadequate bowel displacement by routine techniques, and obesity. Fifteen percent (29/195) contained unwarranted deviations. In 23/29 cases peer to peer discussion resulted in the provider altering the plan to be compliant. Providers did not agree to changes in the other 6 cases. Cost for a course of 3D CRT + weekly port films was $6,591 vs. $32,292 for IMRT + daily IGRT. For these 195 cases, the estimated cost of overutilization of IMRT/IGRT was $745,000 ($25,700 X 29). Conclusions: Despite lack of endorsement by consensus group guidelines, IMRT and IGRT were prescribed for treatment of RC in nearly 50% of cases. Case review and peer to peer discussion clarified the rationale for treatment deviations from guidelines and allowed providers to bring plans into compliance with evidence based practices, reducing inappropriate use of IMRT/IGRT from 15% to 3%. Reduction in unwarranted use of high cost technologies can improve quality and yield significant cost savings.

Phase II study of cetuximab in combination with cisplatin and radiation in unresectable, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Eastern cooperative oncology group trial E3303

PURPOSE

Treatment with cisplatin or cetuximab combined with radiotherapy each yield superior survival in locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer (LA-SCCHN) compared with radiotherapy alone. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial E3303 evaluated the triple combination.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Patients with stage IV unresectable LA-SCCHN received a loading dose of cetuximab (400 mg/m(2)) followed by 250 mg/m(2)/week and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) q 3 weeks ×3 cycles concurrent with standard fractionated radiotherapy. In the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, patients continued maintenance cetuximab for 6 to 12 months. Primary endpoint was 2-year progression-free survival (PFS). Patient tumor and blood correlates, including tumor human papillomavirus (HPV) status, were evaluated for association with survival.

RESULTS

A total of 69 patients were enrolled; 60 proved eligible and received protocol treatment. Oropharyngeal primaries constituted the majority (66.7%), stage T4 48.3% and N2-3 91.7%. Median radiotherapy dose delivered was 70 Gy, 71.6% received all three cycles of cisplatin, and 74.6% received maintenance cetuximab. Median PFS was 19.4 months, 2-year PFS 47% [95% confidence interval (CI), 33%-61%]. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 66% (95% CI, 53%-77%); median OS was not reached. Response rate was 66.7%. Most common grade ≥3 toxicities included mucositis (55%), dysphagia (46%), and neutropenia (26%); one attributable grade 5 toxicity occurred. Only tumor HPV status was significantly associated with survival. HPV was evaluable in 29 tumors; 10 (all oropharyngeal) were HPV positive. HPV(+) patients had significantly longer OS and PFS (P = 0.004 and P = 0.036, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent cetuximab, cisplatin, and radiotherapy were well tolerated and yielded promising 2-year PFS and OS in LA-SCCHN with improved survival for patients with HPV(+) tumors.

Predicting survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from TP53 mutation

For TP53-mutated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), the codon and specific amino acid sequence change resulting from a patient's mutation can be prognostic. Thus, developing a framework to predict patient survival for specific mutations in TP53 would be valuable. There are many bioinformatics and functional methods for predicting the phenotypic impact of genetic variation, but their overall clinical value remains unclear. Here, we assess the ability of 15 different methods to predict HNSCC patient survival from TP53 mutation, using TP53 mutation and clinical data from patients enrolled in E4393 by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), which investigated whether TP53 mutations in surgical margins were predictive of disease recurrence. These methods include: server-based computational tools SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and Align-GVGD; our in-house POSE and VEST algorithms; the rules devised in Poeta et al. with and without considerations for splice-site mutations; location of mutation in the DNA-bound TP53 protein structure; and a functional assay measuring WAF1 transactivation in TP53-mutated yeast. We assessed method performance using overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) from 420 HNSCC patients, of whom 224 had TP53 mutations. Each mutation was categorized as "disruptive" or "non-disruptive". For each method, we compared the outcome between the disruptive group vs. the non-disruptive group. The rules devised by Poeta et al. with or without our splice-site modification were observed to be superior to others. While the differences in OS (disruptive vs. non-disruptive) appear to be marginally significant (Poeta rules + splice rules, P = 0.089; Poeta rules, P = 0.053), both algorithms identified the disruptive group as having significantly worse PFS outcome (Poeta rules + splice rules, P = 0.011; Poeta rules, P = 0.027). In general, prognostic performance was low among assessed methods. Further studies are required to develop and validate methods that can predict functional and clinical significance of TP53 mutations in HNSCC patients.

A 3'-UTR KRAS-variant is associated with cisplatin resistance in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

A germline mutation in the 3'-untranslated region of KRAS (rs61764370, KRAS-variant: TG/GG) has previously been associated with altered patient outcome and drug resistance/sensitivity in various cancers. We examined the prognostic and predictive significance of this variant in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 103 HNSCCs collected from three completed clinical trials. KRAS-variant genotyping was conducted for these samples and 8 HNSCC cell lines. p16 expression was determined in a subset of 26 oropharynx tumors by immunohistochemistry. Microarray analysis was also utilized to elucidate differentially expressed genes between KRAS-variant and non-variant tumors. Drug sensitivity in cell lines was evaluated to confirm clinical findings.

RESULTS

KRAS-variant status was determined in 95/103 (92%) of the HNSCC tumor samples and the allelic frequency of TG/GG was 32% (30/95). Three of the HNSCC cell lines (3/8) studied had the KRAS-variant. No association between KRAS-variant status and p16 expression was observed in the oropharynx subset (Fisher's exact test, P = 1.0). With respect to patient outcome, patients with the KRAS-variant had poor progression-free survival when treated with cisplatin (log-rank P = 0.002). Conversely, KRAS-variant patients appeared to experience some improvement in disease control when cetuximab was added to their platinum-based regimen (log-rank P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The TG/GG rs61764370 KRAS-variant is a potential predictive biomarker for poor platinum response in R/M HNSCC patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

NCT00503997, NCT00425750, NCT00003809.

Induction cetuximab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin followed by chemoradiation with cetuximab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin for stage III/IV head and neck squamous cancer: a phase II ECOG-ACRIN trial (E2303)

BACKGROUND

E2303 evaluated cetuximab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin used as induction therapy and concomitant with radiation therapy in patients with stage III/IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) determining pathologic complete response (CR), event-free survival (EFS), and toxicity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with resectable stage III/IV HNSCC underwent induction therapy with planned primary site restaging biopsies (at week 8 in clinical complete responders and at week 14 if disease persisted). Chemoradiation (CRT) began week 9. If week 14 biopsy was negative, patients completed CRT (68-72 Gy); otherwise, resection was carried out. p16 protein expression status was correlated with response/survival.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were enrolled; 63 were eligible. Forty-four (70%) were free of surgery to the primary site, progression, and death 1-year post-treatment. Following induction, 41 (23 CR) underwent week 8 primary site biopsy and 24 (59%) had no tumor (pathologic CR). Week 14 biopsy during chemoradiation (50 Gy) in 34 (15 previously positive biopsy; 19 no prior biopsy) was negative in 33. Thus 90% of eligible patients completed CRT. Overall survival and EFS were 78% and 55% at 3 years, respectively. Disease progression in 23 patients (37%) was local only in 10 (16%), regional in 5 (8%), local and regional in 2 (3%), and distant in 5 patients (8%). There were no treatment-related deaths. Toxicity was primarily hematologic or radiation-related. p16 AQUA score was not associated with response/survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction cetuximab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin followed by the same drug CRT is safe and induces high primary site response and promising survival.

CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER

NCT 00089297.

Prognostic significance of human papillomavirus in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer: an analysis of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trials

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this article was to study the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Archival baseline tumor specimens were obtained from patients treated on two clinical trials in recurrent or metastatic SCCHN: E1395, a phase III trial of cisplatin and paclitaxel versus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, and E3301, a phase II trial of irinotecan and docetaxel. HPV DNA was detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) with a wide-spectrum probe. p16 status was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Clinical outcomes of interest were objective response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

We analyzed 64 patients for HPV ISH and 65 for p16. Eleven tumors (17%) were HPV+, 12 (18%) were p16+, whereas 52 (80%) were both HPV- and p16-. The objective response rate was 55% for HPV-positive versus 19% for HPV-negative (P = 0.022), and 50% for p16-positive versus 19% for p16-negative (P = 0.057). The median survival was 12.9 versus 6.7 months for HPV-positive versus HPV-negative patients (P = 0.014), and 11.9 versus 6.7 months for p16-positive versus p16-negative patients (P = 0.027). After adjusting for other covariates, hazard ratio for OS was 2.69 (P = 0.048) and 2.17 (P = 0.10), favoring HPV-positive and p16-positive patients, respectively. The other unfavorable risk factor for OS was loss of ≥5% weight in previous 6 months (P = 0.0021 and 0.023 for HPV and p16 models, respectively).

CONCLUSION

HPV is a favorable prognostic factor in recurrent or metastatic SCCHN that should be considered in the design of clinical trials in this setting.

CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER

NCT01487733 Clinicaltrials.gov.

Prognostic biomarkers in phase II trial of cetuximab-containing induction and chemoradiation in resectable HNSCC: Eastern cooperative oncology group E2303

PURPOSE

We sought to evaluate the correlation between tissue biomarker expression (using standardized, quantitative immunofluorescence) and clinical outcome in the E2303 trial.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Sixty-three eligible patients with operable stage III/IV head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) participated in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 2303 phase II trial of induction chemotherapy with weekly cetuximab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin followed by chemoradiation with the same regimen. A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed and EGF receptor (EGFR), ERK1/2, Met, Akt, STAT3, β-catenin, E-cadherin, EGFR Variant III, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, NF-κB, p53, PI3Kp85, PI3Kp110a, PTEN, NRAS, and pRb protein expression levels were assessed using automated quantitative protein analysis (AQUA). For each dichotomized biomarker, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and event-free survival (EFS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate HRs and test for significance.

RESULTS

Forty-two of 63 patients with TMA data on at least one biomarker were included in the biomarker analysis. Tumor extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 levels were significantly associated with PFS [HR (low/high), 3.29; P = 0.026] and OS [HR (low/high), 4.34; P = 0.008]. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, ERK1/2 remained significantly associated with OS (P = 0.024) and PFS (P = 0.022) after controlling for primary site (oropharynx vs. non-oropharynx) and disease stage (III vs. IV), respectively. Clustering analysis revealed that clusters indicative of activated RAS/MAPK/ERK and/or PI3K/Akt pathways were associated with inferior OS and/or PFS and maintained significance in multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results implicate PI3K/Akt and RAS/MAPK/ERK pathways in resistance to cetuximab-containing chemoradiation in HNSCC. Large prospective studies are required to validate these results.

Clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy to predict success of adjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal adenocarcinoma

137

Background: Evidence informing current guidelines advising postoperative chemotherapy following trimodality therapy for esophageal cancer are limited. Our objective was to identify patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with trimodality therapy who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: A single institution retrospective study was performed in 308 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery between 1989-2012. Kaplan-Meier analysis compared postoperative survival by clinical response to trimodality therapy and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated the association of adjuvant chemotherapy with survival. Results: After trimodality treatment, 93 out of 308 patients(30%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. Partial response to trimodality treatment was observed in 150(48%) patients; 50 of whom received adjuvant therapy. The median survival for partial responders who received adjuvant therapy vs. those receiving trimodality therapy alone was 53.2 vs. 27.6 months, respectively (p=0.047). Patients with complete response or no response to trimodality therapy showed no difference in median survival with the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy. Univariate Cox regression revealed a 26% decrease in relative hazard for long-term survival amongst patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy compared to no adjuvant therapy (HR=0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.98). This association remained stable after adjusting for clinical response to trimodality therapy, age, and ASA score (aHR=0.75, 95% CI 0.55-1.01). Conclusions: Adjuvant therapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma was associated with a 26% decrease in relative hazard for mortality compared to trimodality treatment alone. Long-term survival following adjuvant therapy was dependent on initial response to trimodality therapy. Partial responders may benefit most from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Measuring the impact of chemotherapy cost discussions between patients and providers at the time of prescribing

257

Background: In 2007, the ASCO Cost of Care Task Force was established to deal with the soaring costs of cancer treatment in the United States. One of the key recommendations was that the cost of chemotherapy should be introduced into the patient-physician discussion from the outset. It is unknown if these discussions are occurring in academic Institutions and what if any is the impact on the doctor/patient relationship. Methods: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines and the Eviti advisor platform were jointly used in an academic oncology center during the patient/doctor consultation to demonstrate treatment options to patients and display the costs at the time of prescribing to providers and patients alike. Questionnaires measured oncology providers attitudes to cost discussions and assessed physician satisfaction with the shared decision making process when costs are introduced into the patient/doctor relationship. Patients were interviewed before and after their doctor consultation to measure their satisfaction with the process using modifications of the shared decision making scale, satisfaction with decision scale and decisional conflict scale. Basic descriptive statistics were applied. Results: Only 5/18 oncologists (28%) reported feeling comfortable discussing costs with patients and just one (6%) admitted to regularly asking patients about financial difficulties. The majority (83%) of doctors reported that the NCCN guidelines should contain cost information. Seventy-one patients (42 females, 29 males) with metastatic breast (27%), lung (49%), and colorectal cancer (24%) have been interviewed. Interestingly, 70% of patients responded that no health care professional has ever discussed costs with them despite 57/71 (80%) rating this as very important information. The majority of patients (75%) had no negative feelings to hearing cost information. Only 4% admitted to developing significant negative feelings. Conclusions: In an era of rising co-pays, patients want cost of treatment discussions and these do not lead to negative feelings in the majority of patients. Additional training to prepare clinicians for how to discuss costs with their patients is needed.

Compliance with evidence-based guidelines for radiation of vertebral metastases

36

Background: Evidence based guidelines pertaining to the management of bony metastases have been published. However, up to 30% of oncology treatments deviate from evidence based standards and widespread variations in clinical practice continue to exist. To explore patterns of care in the treatment of vertebral metastases in a group of working age, insured patients, we assessed treatment plans submitted for preauthorization through eviti Connect. Methods: Eviti Connect is a web-based application that enables oncology providers to obtain automated precertification for patients. The platform evaluates treatment plans for consistency with EBM and compliance with payer policies and plan language. All requests for radiation treatment submitted during a two year period from 6/1/11-5/31/13 were reviewed. Peer to peer discussions were conducted in cases that deviated from EBM. Results: A total of 229 cases for the treatment of vertebral metastases were submitted. 46/229 plans (19.8%) did not meet EBM standards. Some cases displayed more than one deviation. Reasons for non-compliance included atypical treatment schedules (8.69%), SRS/SBRT (36.9%), IMRT (32.6%), and IGRT (58.7%). In 26/46 cases (56.5%) the treating physician provided a medical rationale for the deviation. In 9 cases the physician altered the plan to be compliant; in 5 cases the physician did not agree to a change. The most common dose fractionation schedules were 30 Gy/10 fractions (48.9%) and 37.5 Gy/15 fractions (20.5%). 17 cases were treated using 20 Gy/5 fractions and only 2 cases were treated using 8 Gy X 1. Conclusions: Radiation of vertebral metastases was prescribed in accordance with EBM in the majority of cases. The main reasons for deviation were patient-specific issues that justified the medical necessity of the variance. Case review and peer to peer discussion contributed to understanding the rationale for treatment deviation from guidelines and allowed providers to bring plans into compliance with EBM. Overall only 5% of plans were non-evidence based or lacked a medical justification for deviation. Consistent with patterns of care across the US, within this group of patients, single fraction and hypofractionated radiation regimens were underutilized.

Activity of cetuximab (C) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients (pts) with PTEN loss or PIK3CA mutation treated on E5397, a phase III trial of cisplatin (CDDP) with placebo (P) or C

6028

Background: Abnormalities in EGFR signaling targets are associated with C resistance but no biomarker of C resistance has been identified in HNSCC. We hypothesized that cases with loss of PTEN protein expression (PTEN null) or PIK3CA mutation would display C resistance in HNSCC. Methods: E5397 was a phase III trial of CDDP plus P or CDDP plus C and enrolled 117 eligible and evaluable pts. PIK3CA and PTEN were analyzed for 52 and 67 consented pts, respectively. PTEN expression (PTEN Cell Signaling Technology, Cat. 9559) was determined by automated quantitative analysis (AQUA) on the PM-2000 (HistoRx, New Haven) using a cutpoint generated in 5 HNSCC tissue microarrays, each consisting of HNSCC as well as positive (small intestine, median AQUA score 2833.2) and negative controls (breast and colon carcinoma, median AQUA score 205.5). A cutpoint of 570 provides 100% specificity, 100% sensitivity, and identified 30% of the HNSCCs as PTEN null, consonant with the literature. The 3 most common PIK3CA mutations (E542K and E545K in exon 9 and H1047R in exon 20) were determined by BEAMing (Inostics, Heidelberg, Germany). Response, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between PTEN null or PIK3CA mutated pts and all others. Log rank and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to calculate p values. Results: 23/67 (34%) tumors were PTEN null and 2/52 (4%) had PIK3CA mutations (E542K and E545K). Both tumors with PIK3CA mutation had PTEN expression. No statistically significant differences in response, OS or PFS were noted in this small sample. However, among PTEN expressing/PIK3CA WT pts, median PFS increased to 4.2 months (m) for C (N=22) from 2.9 m for P (N=26) (Wald p=0.07), compared with 4.6 m for C (N=12) and 3.5 m for P (n=13) among the PTEN null/PIK3CA mutated (Wald p=0.60). Conclusions: The PTEN loss or PIK3CA mutation signature warrants further investigation as a predictor of C resistance.

Association of the 3'-untranslated region KRAS-variant with cisplatin resistance in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

6016

Background: A germline mutation in let-7 complementary site 6 (LCS6) within the KRAS 3'-untranslated region (rs61764370, the KRAS-variant: TG/GG) is known to associate with poor outcome and drug resistance in various cancers compared to the wild type allele (TT). We examine the prognostic significance of the KRAS-variant in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: The KRAS-variant was determined in 116 tumor DNA samples from HNSCC patients enrolled in 3 clinical trials and a tissue collection study using a previously validated PCR-based assay. Results: KRAS-variant status could be determined in 108/116 (93%) samples and an allele frequency of TG/GG was 28.7%. These results were correlated with patient demographics, p16/human papillomavirus (HPV) status and clinical outcome. There was no association between p16/HPV status and the KRAS-variant status (Fisher’s exact test, p=1.0). The KRAS-variant was associated with poor progression-free survival in patients treated with cisplatin+/-cetuximab (log-rank p=0.002) but this association was not observed in docetaxel/bortezomib treated patients (log-rank p=0.89). Conclusions: KRAS-variant is a potentially promising biomarker of poor prognosis and a predictive biomarker of cisplatin resistance in R/M HNSCC. Prospective validation is warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT00003809.

Analysis of HPV and ERCC1 in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN)

6006

Background: We studied the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) and excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) tumor expression with clinical outcomes in patients (pts) with R/M SCCHN. Methods: Archival baseline specimens were obtained from pts on ECOG trials: E1395, phase III trial of cisplatin/paclitaxel (CP) vs. cisplatin/5-FU (CF), and E3301, phase II trial of docetaxel/irinotecan. HPV DNA was detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) with a wide spectrum HPV probe. Tumor p16 status was defined as positive if immunohistochemical staining for p16 was strong and present in >80% of tumor cells. ERCC1 expression was measured (HistoRx PM-2000) and data analyzed using AQUA algorithms, after tissue was stained with ERCC1 ab (1:5000 HPA0297731, Sigma), and a wide-spectrum cytokeratin ab (Dako Z0622) for tumor mask. A prior determined cut point for nuclear staining was utilized. Fisher's exact test and log-rank test were used to compare categorical variables and survival. Stratified logistic regression and Cox regression model were used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR), respectively, adjusting for potential confounding factors. p-values were two-sided. Results: Tissue was evaluable from 65 tumors (T) for HPV, 66 for p16 (E1395 and E3301), and 43 for ERCC1 expression (E1395). 11 T were HPV+ (12 p16+), and 54 were HPV-/p16-. HPV+ tumors were similarly represented in all treatment groups (p=0.58). Objective response rates (RR): 67% for HPV+, 22% for HPV- (p=0.013); 60% p16+, 22% p16- (p=0.05). RR rates were calculated excluding cases with unevaluable/unknown responses. HR for OS was 2.66 (HPV, p=0.02) and 2.27 (p16, p=0.04), favoring HPV+/p16+ pts. 18 T were ERCC1 high (H) and 25 ERCC1 low (L). HR for OS (H vs. L) was 1.96 (p=.11) RR: CF, 58% (L), 29% (H); CP, 33% (L), 56% (H). A test of ERCC1 by treatment interaction (p=0.12) suggested the effect of ERCC1 may be different for taxane vs. non-taxane regimens. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that HPV+/p16+ status is associated with a significant improvement in RR and OS among pts treated for R/M SCCHN. ERCC1 L was associated with a trend towards a better OS.

Predictive biomarkers in a phase II trial of weekly carboplatin (CBDCA), paclitaxel (P), and cetuximab (C) induction and chemoradiation (CRT) in patients (pts) with resectable stage III/IVa,b head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group E2303

6081

Background: We studied the addition of C to a sequential regimen of weekly CBDCA and P followed by CBDCA-P-radiation in pts with locally advanced resectable HNSCC. Tissue-based biomarkers may aid in pt selection for such approaches. Methods: Sixty-three eligible pts withoperablestage III/IV HNSCC participated in E2303, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) phase II trial of induction chemotherapy with weekly C, P and CBDCA x 6 followed by CRT with concurrent weekly C, paclitaxel, carboplatin. A tissue microarray was constructed and b-catenin, E-cadherin, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Variant III (EGFRVIII), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R), NF-kappa b, p53, PI3Kp85, PI3Kp110a, PTEN, ΝRAS, and pRb protein expression levels were assessed using automated quantitative protein analysis (AQUA). For each marker, time-to-event distributions (OS, PFS, and EFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared using log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios and test for significance, with primary site (oropharynx vs. non-oropharynx), disease stage (III vs. IV), and other important markers adjusted in the model. All p-values are two-sided. A level of p < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: Based on the continuous scale, pRb tended to association with EFS (p=0.05). On multivariable analysis, low pRb level was a significant predictor for improved EFS (p=0.048). Our pRb data analysis was based on 32 pts with marker data available. Conclusions: pRb level is a potential predictive biomarker for response to cetuximab. HPV E7 oncoprotein binds and degrades pRb; therefore, low pRb protein level might be a surrogate marker for HPV association.Large prospective studies will be required to determine the association between pRb, HPV status and response to cetuximab in HNSCC.

The cost per patient of deviations from evidence-based standards of oncology care

6515

Background: Practice variation contributes to the high cost of healthcare and wasteful spending; by contrast, adherence to evidence-based (EB) clinical guidelines is advocated to improve quality and potentially lower cost. We sought to estimate the average cost per patient associated with unjustified deviations from EB national standards for use of chemotherapy, supportive drugs, and radiotherapy. Methods: The ITA Partners/eviti, Inc. database of oncology treatment plans (TPs) reviewed for payers for adherence to national guideline recommendations (e.g. ASCO, ASTRO, NCI, NCCN Compendium, FDA) was used to calculate the variance in cost between submitted TPs with unwarranted deviations from EB standards and EB care. For prospective reviews, the final EB treatment given was known and for retrospective reviews, the variance was estimated based on the EB alternative with the lowest cost. AWP pricing was used to calculate chemotherapy and supportive drug costs, and Medicare pricing for radiotherapy. First order savings were calculated. An annual trend of 8% was applied from the mid-data period to 2013 (Milliman Client Report 2010). Results: From March 2009 to March 2012, a total of 2775 consecutive patients had TPs submitted and of these, 730 patients had unjustified, non-EB TPs. All cancer types, stage and treatment intent (curative, non-curative) were included. The cost of EB treatment was less than the submitted TP for 622 (85%) patients, more for 9 (1%), and zero (could not be taken due to payer plan definitions) for 99 (14%). Descriptive statistics for the cost per patient of non-EB TPs trended to 2013 showed: mean $25,579, median $13,882, standard deviation $40,958. Conclusions: In this unselected population comprising all cancers, 26% had TPs that did not conform to EB standards or could not be medically justified. Our conservative estimate of the average per patient overspend (first order) on inappropriate treatment validates the potential for quality care to lower cost and deliver huge value to patients, physicians, and payers. [Table: see text]