SEOM-GECOD clinical guideline for unknown primary cancer (2021)

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) is defined as a heterogeneous group of tumors that appear as metastases, and of which standard diagnostic work-up fails to identify the origin. It is considered a separate entity with a specific biology, and nowadays molecular characteristics and the determination of actionable mutations may be important in a significant group of patients. In this guide, we summarize the diagnostic, therapeutic, and possible new developments in molecular medicine that may help us in the management of this unique disease entity.

Electrochemotherapy as palliative treatment in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck tumours: features analysis for an early determination of the partial responsive patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify features mainly involved in determining the partial response (PR) to the Electrochemotherapy (ECT) in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck (H&N) tumor; the identified features were also used in a decision chart in order to provide the clinician with a support tool in deciding further therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

131 patients (186 treatment sessions) with recurrent and/or metastatic H&N neoplasm were subjected to ECT. Treatment response was evaluated based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v. 1.1 two months after the ECT. The grade of bleeding and pain before, at the end and one week after ECT treatment were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify features involved in determining the patient PR.

RESULTS

In the context of the univariate analysis, tumor size significantly influenced the response to ECT, with higher PR rate of 58.3%: 28 among 48 patients with lesion size ≤ 3 centimeters (p-value < 0.001 at Chi-square test). Pain and bleeding pre-treatment were positively correlated to PR (p-value < 0.001 at Chi-square test). A difference in the current flowing in the tissue during treatment was also observed in partially responsive patients, where the median current value (6.6 A) was higher than that achieved in patients that did not show PR (3.3 A). In the context of the multivariate analysis, the best performances are achieved with the BART method (accuracy of 84%). The main clinical factors to predict the partial response, among investigated features, that have shown to be considered were the pain value felt before performing the treatment and the median current delivered during the ECT treatment. A decision-making support tool to predict the patient prognosis in terms of response rate could be represented by the decision tree obtained with CART algorithm, where a pain pre-treatment more than 5 and a median delivered current not less than 2.8 A led to the prediction a partial responsive patient with an accuracy of 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirmed that ECT is an interesting antitumoral therapy in advanced chemo- and radio-refractory H&N neoplasms, able to reduce frequent symptoms and to improve the quality of life. Pain pre-treatment and delivered current are the most important variables when predicting the partial response of patients.

Efficacy and safety of trifluridine/tipiracil in older and younger patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: subgroup analysis of a randomized phase 3 study (TAGS)

BACKGROUND

Trifluridine and tipiracil (FTD/TPI) demonstrated survival benefit vs placebo and manageable safety in previously treated patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC) in the randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 TAGS study. This subgroup analysis of TAGS examined efficacy/safety outcomes by age.

METHODS

In TAGS, patients with mGC/GEJC and ≥ 2 prior therapies were randomized (2:1) to receive FTD/TPI 35 mg/m² or placebo, plus best supportive care. A preplanned subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes in patients aged < 65, ≥ 65, and ≥ 75 years.

RESULTS

Among 507 randomized patients (n = 337 FTD/TPI; n = 170 placebo), 55%, 45%, and 14% were aged < 65, ≥ 65, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Overall survival hazard ratios for FTD/TPI vs placebo were 0.67 (95% CI 0.51-0.89), 0.73 (95% CI 0.52-1.02), and 0.67 (95% CI 0.33-1.37) in patients aged < 65, ≥ 65, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Regardless of age, patients receiving FTD/TPI experienced improved progression-free survival and stayed longer on treatment than those receiving placebo. Among FTD/TPI-treated patients, frequencies of any-cause grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were similar across age subgroups (80% each), although grade ≥ 3 neutropenia was more frequent in older patients [40% (≥ 65 and ≥ 75 years); 29% (< 65 years)]; AE-related discontinuation rates did not increase with age [14% (< 65 years), 12% (≥ 65 years), and 12% (≥ 75 years)].

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this subgroup analysis show the efficacy and tolerability of FTD/TPI treatment regardless of age in patients with mGC/GEJC who had received 2 or more prior treatments.

Major arterial and venous thromboembolic complications in patients with COVID-19

Background

Cardiovascular complications; myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke, and pulmonary embolism (PE), represent an important source of adverse outcomes in COVID-19 disease.

Objectives

To evaluate the incidence of thromboembolic events, specifically PE, MI and stroke; risk factors, management patterns and outcomes in patients who tested positive for COVID-19 through RT-PCR in a regional hospital.

Methods

We included 1125 adults patients admitted for COVID-19 infection between April 1 and October 30, 2020. The total cohort was analyzed by site of care: Intensive care (n=124) and nonintensive care (n=1001).

Results

Cardiovascular risk factors prevalence in patients with COVID-19 were: hypertension (25.5%), hyperlipidemia (23.2%) and diabetes (12%). Prophylactic anticoagulation and therapeutic anticoagulation was prescribed in intensive care group (91.1% and 33.1%, respectively) versus (84.8% and 12.5%, respectively) in nonintensive care setting. Frequencies of major arterial or venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction were highest in the intensive care group (29%, 20% and 8%, respectively) than nonintensive care cohort (1.4%, 0.7% and 0,5%, respectively). Hospital mortality was 29% in intensive care group and 1.3% in nonintensive care group.

Conclusions

Patients admitted for COVID-19 had a high risk of major arterial or venous thromboembolism events, especially in the intensive care setting, despite the use of thromboprophylaxis with heparin.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Synergies of THESEUS with the large facilities of the 2030s and guest observer opportunities

The proposed THESEUS mission will vastly expand the capabilities to monitor the high-energy sky. It will specifically exploit large samples of gamma-ray bursts to probe the early universe back to the first generation of stars, and to advance multi-messenger astrophysics by detecting and localizing the counterparts of gravitational waves and cosmic neutrino sources. The combination and coordination of these activities with multi-wavelength, multi-messenger facilities expected to be operating in the 2030s will open new avenues of exploration in many areas of astrophysics, cosmology and fundamental physics, thus adding considerable strength to the overall scientific impact of THESEUS and these facilities. We discuss here a number of these powerful synergies and guest observer opportunities.

A review of minimally invasive fracture stabilization in dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE

To summarize and discuss peer-reviewed studies on minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) of long bone, physeal, and articular fractures in dogs and cats.

STUDY DESIGN

Invited review.

METHODS

A critique of literature was performed to assess MIO feasibility, outcomes, and complications through PubMed, Scopus, and CAB abstracts research databases (2000-2020).

RESULTS

More than 40 MIO articles have been published in the last 15 years, but most studies had small numbers, lacked control groups, and used limited outcome measures. Studies generally showed that MIO was feasible in dogs and cats with low complication rates. The current evidence does not demonstrate superior bone healing or functional outcomes with MIO when compared to standard methods. Although treatment principles, case selection, and techniques varied depending on the anatomical location, there were no salient differences in complication rates among long bones, physeal, and articular fractures treated by MIO.

CONCLUSION

The current available evidence and the personal experience of the authors support MIO as a promising fracture management modality. MIO can yield excellent outcomes when applied in carefully selected cases, performed by surgeons experienced in the technique. We cannot, however, conclude that MIO is superior to open fracture stabilization based on the available evidence in veterinary literature. Randomized controlled studies are warranted to prospectively compare MIO with other osteosynthesis techniques and thereby validate its role in fracture management for dogs and cats.

Impact of interval timing to surgery on tumor response after neoadjuvant treatment for gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION

neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by radical surgery is the optimal approach for locally advanced gastric cancer (GC). Interval timing to surgery after NACT in GC is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of NACT interval time on tumor response and overall survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

a retrospective analysis from a prospective database was performed at a single referral tertiary hospital, from January 2010 to October 2018. Patients were assigned to three groups according to the surgical interval time after NACT: < 4 weeks, 4-6 weeks and > 6 weeks. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed in order to clarify the impact of NACT on post-neoadjuvant pathological complete response rate (ypCR), downstaging (DS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

of the 60 patients analyzed, 18 patients (30 %) had an interval time to surgery < 4 weeks, 26 (43.3 %) between 4-6 weeks and 16 (26.7 %) > 6 weeks. Two patients (3 %) had achieved ypCR and 37 patients (62 %) had achieved DS. There were no differences in DS rates among the interval time groups (p: 0.66). According to the multivariate analysis, only poorly differentiated carcinoma was significantly related to lower DS rates (p: 0.04). Cox regression analysis showed that the NACT interval time had no impact on OS. According to the multivariate analysis, > 25 lymph node harvested (HR: 0.35) and female sex (HR: 5.67) were OS independent predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

the NACT interval time prior gastrectomy for locally advanced GC is not associated with ypCR or DS and has no impact on overall survival.

Intratumoral nanoplexed poly I:C BO-112 in combination with systemic anti-PD-1 for patients with anti-PD-1-refractory tumors

Intratumoral therapies, especially Toll-like receptor agonists, can trigger both the innate and adaptive immune systems. BO-112 is a nanoplexed form of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) that induces local and systemic immunotherapeutic effects in mouse models. In a multicenter phase 1 clinical trial, repeated intratumoral administrations of BO-112 induced an increase in tumor cell necrosis and apoptosis, as well as augmented immune reactivity according to gene expression profiling. The first three cohorts receiving BO-112 as a monotherapy resulted in a recommended dose of 1 mg that could be safely repeated. Two grade 3 to 4 adverse reactions in the form of reversible thrombocytopenia were reported. In a fourth cohort of 28 patients with tumors that had primary resistance to anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), the combination of intratumoral BO-112 with nivolumab or pembrolizumab was also well tolerated, and 3 patients (2 with melanoma and 1 with renal cell carcinoma) achieved partial responses, with 10 more patients having stable disease at 8 to 12 weeks. Thus, local BO-112 combined with a systemic anti-PD-1 agent might be a strategy to revert anti-PD-1 resistance.

External validity of clinical trials with diverse trastuzumab-based chemotherapy regimens in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: data from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab combined with cisplatin and fluoropyrimidines, either capecitabine or 5-fluorouracile (XP/FP), is the standard first-line treatment for advanced, HER2-positive, gastric cancer patients based on the ToGA trial. Despite the lack of phase III trials, many clinicians administer trastuzumab with alternative regimens. One meta-analysis suggests that substituting cisplatin for oxaliplatin might lead to greater efficacy and less toxicity.

METHODS

594 patients with HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma were recruited from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry. The objective was to evaluate the external validity of clinical trials with chemotherapy and trastuzumab.

RESULTS

The regimens used in at least 5% of the patients were XP (27%), oxaliplatin and capecitabine (CAPOX) (26%), oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) (14%), FP (14%), triplet with anthracycline/docetaxel (7%), and carboplatin-FU (5%). Median exposure to trastuzumab was longer with FOLFOX (11.4 months, 95% CI, 9.1-21.0) versus ToGA regimens (7.5, 6.4-8.5), p < 0.001. Patients with HER2-IHC 3+ cancers had higher response rates than those with IHC 2+/FISH+, odds-ratio 1.97 (95% CI, 1.25-3.09). The results achieved with CAPOX-trastuzumab were comparable to those attained with ToGA regimens. FOLFOX-trastuzumab was superior to ToGA schemes in terms of overall survival (OS), with a greater magnitude of effect in IHC 2+/FISH+ tumors (HR 0.47, 0.24-0.92) compared with IHC 3+ (HR 0.69, 0.49-0.96), and in diffuse (HR 0.37, 0.20-0.69) versus intestinal-type tumors (HR 0.76, 0.54-1.06).

CONCLUSION

We have updated the external validity of clinical trials with trastuzumab in first-line treatment of gastric cancer. Our data confirm the comparable outcomes of ToGA regimens and CAPOX-trastuzumab in clinical practice and point toward a possible benefit of FOLFOX-trastuzumab, contingent on the subtypes typically less sensitive to trastuzumab, to be confirmed in clinical trials.

LEAP-005: A phase 2 multicohort study of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in patients with previously treated selected solid tumors—Results from the gastric cancer cohort

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Background: Lenvatinib, an anti-angiogenic multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with the anti‒PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab, has demonstrated promising antitumor activity with manageable safety in the first- or second-line in a phase 2 trial of patients with advanced gastric cancer. LEAP-005 (NCT03797326) is a phase 2, multicohort, nonrandomized, open-label study evaluating efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in patients with previously treated advanced solid tumors; here, we present findings from the gastric cancer cohort of LEAP-005. Methods: Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years with histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic and/or unresectable gastric cancer, received at least 2 prior lines of therapy, had measurable disease per RECIST v1.1, ECOG PS of 0‒1, and provided a tissue sample evaluable for PD-L1 expression. Patients received lenvatinib 20 mg once daily plus pembrolizumab 200 mg Q3W for up to 35 cycles of pembrolizumab (approximately 2 years) or until confirmed disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. Treatment with lenvatinib could continue beyond 2 years in patients experiencing clinical benefit. Primary endpoints were ORR (per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review) and safety. Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR; comprising CR, PR, and SD), duration of response (DOR), PFS, and OS. Tumor imaging was performed Q9W from treatment initiation for 54 weeks, then Q12W to week 102, and Q24W thereafter. Results: 31 patients were enrolled in the gastric cancer cohort; 87% were male, 58% were aged < 65 years, and 71% had PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥1. Median time from first dose to data cutoff (April 10, 2020) was 7.0 months (range, 1.9‒11.9); 19 patients (61%) had discontinued treatment. ORR was 10% (95% CI, 2‒26); 1 patient had CR (3%), and 2 had a PR (6%). 12 patients (39%) had SD. Median DOR was not reached (range, 2.1+ to 2.3+ months). DCR was 48% (95% CI, 30‒67). Median PFS was 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.8‒4.2). Median OS was 5.9 months (95% CI, 2.6‒8.7). 28 patients (90%) had treatment-related AEs, including 13 patients (42%) with grade 3‒5 AEs. 1 patient had a treatment-related AE that led to death (hemorrhage). 8 patients (26%) had immune-mediated AEs: hypothyroidism (n = 5), hyperthyroidism (n = 2), and pneumonitis (n = 1). There were no infusion-related reactions. Conclusions: In patients with advanced gastric cancer who received 2 prior lines of therapy, lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab demonstrated promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile. Based on these data, enrollment in the gastric cancer cohort has been expanded to 100 patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03797326.

MONEO: A phase II study of avelumab (Av) plus FLOT in the peri-operative treatment for patients (pts) with resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC)

TPS4155

Background: GC represents a worldwide problem; radical surgery remaining the gold standard of curative treatment. In the West, even with peri-operative chemotherapy, 5-year survival rate is approximately 40%. GC is a heterogeneous disease, well characterized by different molecular classifications, all having in common the role of the immune system and a T-cell inflamed phenotype across all subtypes. The anti-PD-L1 Av antibody has demonstrated efficacy in GC with response rates of around 10% in the refractory setting. The addition of other immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy have demonstrated efficacy in the metastatic setting. The combination of Av to perioperative chemotherapy may increase pathological responses by a synergistic effect, and then improving the survival (OS). Methods: The MONEO is an open-label, non-randomized, multicentric, phase II study that explores the combination of Av plus peri-operative FLOT (docetaxel, oxaliplatin, fluorouracil/leucovorin) in resectable GC pts. EudraCT 2019-000782-21; ClinicalTrials NCT03979131. Main inclusion criteria require pts with histologically proven GC, stage Ib (T1N1 only) - IIIC (7th AJCC Ed), available paraffin block from diagnosis and surgery, evaluable disease (RECIST 1.1) amenable to radical surgery. Significant comorbidities and active autoimmune diseases are excluded. Treatment consists of surgery with 4 peri-operatory cycles of FLOT + Av, followed by Av up to one year. The primary objective is the pathological complete response (pCR) rate, compared to historical data. Secondary objectives include OS, disease-free survival, R0 resection rate, tolerability and biomarker analysis. Key point is the comprehensive biomarker analysis from tissue and blood samples (pathological immune response, TCR clonality, immune contexture characterization, immunodynamic monitoring). Statistics for an estimated 33% pCR (historical 16%), 82% power, 0.1 one-side type I error. 37 pts will be recruited from 10 Spanish centers. The sponsor is Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), principal investigators Dr. Melero and Dr. Alsina. In compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. At a data cut-off day of 5th of February 2021, 38 patients have been enrolled, 27 of them have had the surgery. Although the difficulties during the COVID19 pandemia, only two patients had been withdrawn from the study. Clinical trial information: NCT03979131.

Pembrolizumab in microsatellite instability high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) cancers: Updated analysis from phase 2 KEYNOTE-158 study

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Background: Approval of pembrolizumab for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors that have progressed on prior therapy was supported by data from KEYNOTE-158 (NCT02628067). At the data cutoff of Dec 6, 2018, the ORR was 34.3% among 233 patients (pts) with MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors enrolled in all cohorts of KEYNOTE-158, 77.6% had duration of response (DOR) ≥24 mo, median PFS was 4.1 mo, and median OS was 23.5 mo. We present results from 351 pts enrolled in KEYNOTE-158 cohort K at the data cutoff of Oct 5, 2020. Methods: Cohort K of this phase 2, open-label study enrolled adults with any previously treated advanced noncolorectal MSI-H solid tumor, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1, and ECOG PS of 0–1. MSI-H/dMMR status was assessed locally from a tumor tissue sample and defined as ≥1 of 4 MMR proteins absent by immunohistochemistry or as ≥2 allelic loci size shifts of 5 microsatellite markers by PCR. Pts received pembrolizumab 200 mg Q3W for up to 35 cycles or until PD, unacceptable toxicity, investigator decision, or withdrawal of consent. The primary endpoint was ORR per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary endpoints were DOR and PFS per RECIST v1.1 by BICR, OS, and safety. Efficacy was assessed in all pts who received ≥1 dose of treatment with ≥6 mo follow-up; safety was assessed in all treated pts. Results: 351 pts were enrolled in KEYNOTE-158 cohort K across multiple tumor types, including endometrial (22.5%), gastric (14.5%), small intestine (7.4%), ovarian (7.1%), cholangiocarcinoma (6.3%), and pancreatic (6.3%). 41.0% had 1 prior line of therapy; 55.6% had ≥2 prior lines. Median time from first dose to database cutoff (Oct 5, 2020) was 37.5 (range, 0.2–55.6) mo; 16.0% were continuing treatment. The ORR among the 321 eligble pts was 30.8% (CR, 27; PR, 72); median DOR was 47.5 mo (Table). Treatment-related AEs occurred in 64.7% of pts (grade 3–5, 12.0%), led to discontinuation in 6.6%, and led to death in 3 pts (myocarditis, pneumonia, and Guillain-Barre syndrome). Immune-mediated AEs and infusion reactions occurred in 20.2% of pts (grade 3–4, 4.3%) and led to death in 2 pts with no other contributing factors (myocarditis [AE start, day 26; death, day 33] and Guillain-Barre syndrome [AE start, day 22; death, day 41]). Conclusions: Pembrolizumab demonstrated a high ORR (30.8%), durable clinical benefit, and a manageable safety profile in this heavily pretreated advanced MSI-H/dMMR noncolorectal pan-tumor population. Clinical trial information: NCT02628067. [Table: see text]

Evaluation of bintrafusp alfa, a bifunctional fusion protein targeting TGF-β and PD-L1, in cervical cancer: Data from phase 1 and phase 2 studies

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Background: The accelerated FDA approval of pembrolizumab validated the efficacy of anti–PD-(L)1 therapy for pts with recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer; however, the objective response rate (ORR) with pembrolizumab was 14.3% in pts with PD-L1 expressing tumors. HPV infection is implicated in > 95% of cervical cancers and is linked to upregulation of TGF-β signaling. Bintrafusp alfa is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of the TGF-βRII receptor (a TGF-β “trap”) fused to a human IgG1 mAb blocking PD-L1. We report pooled safety and efficacy in pts with immune checkpoint inhibitor–naive, recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer treated with bintrafusp alfa in phase 1 (INTR@PID 001; NCT02517398) and phase 2 (study 012; NCT03427411) studies. Methods: Pts with pretreated, immune checkpoint inhibitor–naive, recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer received bintrafusp alfa 0.3-30 mg/kg (phase 1 dose escalation) or 1200 mg Q2W (phase 1 expansion/phase 2) until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Treatment past progression was allowed. Primary endpoints were safety for the dose-escalation part of the phase 1 study and best overall response per RECIST 1.1 for the expansion part of phase 1 and phase 2 studies. Secondary endpoints for the expansion part of the phase 1 and 2 studies included safety. Results: As of May 15, 2020 (phase 1) and December 22, 2020 (phase 2), 39 pts had received bintrafusp alfa for a median duration of 2.8 months (range, 0.5-19.3). The median follow-up to data cutoff was 35.0 months and 24.1 months for the phase 1 and phase 2 studies, respectively. All pts had received prior anticancer therapy; 16 pts (41.0%) had received ≥3 prior anticancer regimens. There were 2 complete responses and 9 partial responses (PRs; ORR per RECIST 1.1, 28.2%). Median duration of response was 11.7 months (range, 1.4-41.2), and 5 pts (45.5%) had ongoing responses (duration 1.5-41.2 months). An additional delayed PR was observed (duration 23.7 months). Reponses occurred irrespective of tumor histology or prior bevacizumab or radiation treatment. Median overall survival (mOS) was 13.4 months (95% CI, 5.5 to not reached); 24-month OS rate was 33.2%. Any-grade treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 33 pts (84.6%). Grade 3 TRAEs occurred in 8 pts (20.5%; anemia, colitis, gastroparesis, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, keratoacanthoma, cystitis noninfective, hematuria, pneumonitis, rash macular [n = 1 each]); 1 patient (2.6%) had a grade 4 TRAE (asymptomatic hypokalemia related to the above grade 3 gastroparesis). No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: Bintrafusp alfa had a manageable safety profile and demonstrated clinical activity in pts with heavily pretreated, immune checkpoint inhibitor–naive recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT02517398 , NCT03427411.