Comparison of patients with high-risk nonmetastatic clear cell renal carcinoma in adjuvant therapy trials versus nonclinical trial patients

361

Background: Characteristics of patients with high risk for recurrence non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (nmRCC) participating in adjuvant therapy clinical trials post-nephrectomy have not been well described. We evaluated high risk nmRCC patients in the CKCis database to explore differences between trial and non-trial patients. Methods: Adult patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy for clear cell nmRCC between January 1, 2011 and March 31, 2021 were included. CKCis is a prospective cohort of patients from 14 Canadian academic institutions. Patients with high risk nmRCC (using modified UCLA Integrated Staging System) were included. Demographic, clinical, and survival statistics were analyzed for all patients and comparatively for the trial and non-trial groups. Results: 1459 patients, including 63 in adjuvant trials, were evaluated. 71% were male, 91% had pT3N0M0 disease. Disease characteristics including tumor size, stage, grade, location, necrosis, and margin status were similar between groups. Trial patients were younger (mean age 58.1 vs. 63.6; p < 0.0001) and had lower Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (median 4 [3,6) vs. 5 [4,6] p < 0.001). Estimated overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 80.8% (95% CI, 65,90) for trial patients and 74.8% (95% CI, 71,78.2) for non-trial patients. Recurrence-free survival at 5 years for trial patients was 48.6% (95% CI, 34,61.7) and 39.2% (95% CI, 35.2,43.1) for non-trial patients. Conclusions: Patients in adjuvant trials were younger and healthier at baseline than the average high risk nmRCC CKCis patient. Trial patients appear to have had longer time to recurrence and longer survival compared to non-trial patients, although not reaching statistical significance. Selection bias is common in clinical trials and evaluation of real-world population-based evidence of patients receiving adjuvant therapy will be important to ensure phase 3 trial results have external validity.

Effectiveness of first-line therapy in patients with advanced non-clear renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC)

304

Background: Current treatment principles for advanced nccRCC have been largely extrapolated from guidelines for clear cell RCC. Given the emerging randomized data for select nccRCC subtypes, real-world outcomes for these patients are informative particularly in the contemporary checkpoint inhibitor era. Methods: We performed an analysis using the Canadian Kidney Cancer information system (CKCis), a prospective database involving 14 academic centers, on nccRCC patients undergoing first-line systemic therapy between January 2011 – December 2019. Treatment groups were defined as receipt of: vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGF-TKI), mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi), and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI, mono- or combination therapy). Primary outcome was 1-yr overall survival (OS) rate. Secondary outcomes were median time to treatment failure ((TTF, months), defined as treatment discontinuation, change or death) and objective response rate (ORR, %). Results: We identified 265 nccRCC patients: 204 (77.0%) received VEGF-TKI, 19 (7.2%) received mTORi and 42 (15.8%) received ICI-based first-line therapy (Table). Overall, median age was 64 years, 75% were male, 84% were classified as IMDC intermediate/poor risk, and 16% underwent prior nephrectomy. Twenty-three percent of patients were enrolled in clinical trials. Patients received primarily sunitinib (81%) or pazopanib (15%) in the VEGF-TKI group (other: 4%), while mTORi-treated patients received temsirolimus (74%) or everolimus (26%). For the ICI-based treatment group, most patients received combination therapy as ipilimumab-nivolumab (71%) or pembrolizumab-axitinib (26%), with 3% receiving ICI monotherapy. 1-yr OS was 65.2% for VEGF-TKI, 57.9% for mTORi and 69.0% for ICI-treated patients. Median TTF was 3.3 for VEGF-TKI, 3.5 for mTORi and 7.1 mos for ICI-treated patients. ORR was 17%, 5%, and 37% respectively for the VEGF-TKI, mTORi and ICI-treated groups. Conclusions: We describe the effectiveness of first-line therapy for patients with nccRCC from a national database. This real-world data suggests an association between first-line ICI-based therapies and improved outcomes, albeit with cabozantinib not available for the indication during this time. Our data supports consensus recommendations for preferred use of ICI-based or VEGF-TKI over mTORi as first-line therapy in nccRCC.[Table: see text]

Efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) after combination ipilimumab plus nivolumab (I/N) in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccmRCC) patients: Results from the Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System (CKCis)

346

Background: The use of I/N is a proven first-line option for patients with intermediate/poor IMDC prognostic criteria. The use of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors such as sunitinib have shown activity in the treatment of ccmRCC, but their effectiveness post I/N needs better characterization. This study aims to demonstrate the efficacy of sunitinib, and other TKI agents post I/N in ccmRCC in a real world setting. Methods: Patients with ccmRCC who had received I/N and were subsequently treated with TKI between Jan 1, 2011 and December 31, 2019 were identified from CKCis. Time to treatment failure (TTF – time from start of first subsequent TKI to discontinuation for any reason) and overall survival (OS) – time from first subsequent TKI to death) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression was performed to adjust for IMDC criteria. RECIST criteria was used to determine best overall response (ORR) of TKI radiographically. Results: 64 patients were treated with TKI post I/N. Characteristics and outcomes are listed in the table. Of the second-line TKI patients, 51 received sunitinib, 10 received pazopanib and 3 received other TKI. Reasons for second-line TKI discontinuation are: 28% toxicity, 34% progression, 7% other reasons while 31% remain on treatment. Median follow-up time was 12.9m. ORR for second-line TKI overall and second-line sunitinib was 30.0% and 29.4%, respectively. Conclusions: These data show that TKI are active after I/N in ccmRCC. TTF may underestimate PFS due to the large number of patients discontinuing treatment for toxicity and not progression. Efficacy of second-line TKI post I/N in this dataset is similar that of first-line sunitinib from recent randomized phase III trials, suggesting that there may be no significant loss of TKI activity after having received first-line I/N. Overall, these data support the use of TKI after I/N.[Table: see text]

Association of cabozantinib dose reductions for toxicity with clinical effectiveness in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): Results from the Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System (CKCis)

316

Background: Cabozantinib (cabo) is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with activity in mRCC. TKI toxicity, an indicator of adequate drug exposure, has been associated with clinical effectiveness for sunitinib, pazopanib, and axitinib. We explored whether cabo dose reductions (a surrogate for toxicity) were associated with improved clinical outcomes in mRCC. Methods: Using the CKCis database, we performed an analysis of patients treated with cabo in the second-line or later between 2011-2021. We divided the cohort into those needing a dose reduction (DR, defined as less than the starting dose at time of treatment discontinuation) and those who did not (no-DR). We compared outcomes by dose reduction status, including objective response rate (ORR), time to treatment failure (TTF), and overall survival (OS). Results: We identified 260 patients who received cabo, of which 103 (41.0%) needed a DR. Across all lines, the ORR was similar between the DR and non-DR groups: 19.6% vs. 18.9% (p = 0.903) respectively. The median TTF was 12.75 months (95% CI 10.38 – 17.64) in the DR group vs. 6.44 months (95% CI 5.49 – 8.67) in the no-DR group. After adjusting for IMDC risk, the hazard ratio (HR) for TTF comparing DR vs. no-DR was 0.69 (95% CI 0.50 - 0.97, p-value = 0.03). The median OS was 29.6 months (95% CI 19.58 – 42.64) in the DR group vs. 15.28 (95% CI 11.04 – 22.64) in the no-DR group. After adjusting for IMDC risk, the HR for OS comparing DR vs. no-DR was 0.65 (95% CI 0.43 - 0.98, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Cabozantinib dose reductions, a surrogate for toxicity and adequate drug exposure, appear to be associated with improved TTF and OS in mRCC. Toxicity driven/individualized dosing strategies for cabo alone and in combination with immunotherapy, warrant further investigation.[Table: see text]

Stage I testicular cancer: Five-year follow-up rates and reasons for non-adherence

412

Background: For stage I testicular cancer patients, active surveillance or follow up (f/u) post treatment is an integral part of quality care. Most guidelines recommend a minimum of 5 years of f/u however, it is known that a significant proportion of patients do not meet this milestone. The goal of this project was to determine what proportion of patients did not undergo ≥ 5 years of f/u in Nova Scotia (NS) and to document the reasons why. This would allow one to develop strategies to improve compliance and quality care. Methods: A review of all patients from NS diagnosed with testicular cancer between 2006-2015 was conducted. REB approval was obtained. Data from the provincial registry and electronic medical records was used to determine date of diagnosis, relapse/death, and f/u dates. Complete f/u was defined as: a patient having tumor markers, imaging studies, and/or clinical documentation ≥ 5 after initial diagnosis or relapse. The adequacy of f/u investigations was not recorded. If follow up was < 5 years, the reason for this was recorded. Results: In this cohort, 151 patients had stage I testicular cancer; 108 with seminoma (75% on surveillance) and 43 with nonseminoma (93% on surveillance). The median age was: 35.8 years. 48 pts (31.8%) were not seen at a cancer center (until relapse in 5 pts). Excluding 2 pts who died of unrelated causes, 44 patients (29.5%) had < 5 years f/u in NS. The most common reasons were: moved or probably moved in 17 (38.6%) and patient compliance/missing ≥2 appointments in 10 (22.7%). Modifiable reasons for incomplete f/u include: discharged too early from the cancer center in 3 patients, f/u never arranged post orchiectomy in 2 patients, and care transferred to primary care which did not occur in 1 patient. 22 patients relapsed: 3 in patients with lack of ≥ 5 years of f/u causing excess morbidity in 1 case. No patients died of testicular cancer. Conclusions: The majority of men with stage I testicular cancer had ≥ 5 years of f/u in NS as recommended by guidelines. However, 30% did not, with the most common reason being that the patient moved in 39% (where they may or may not have had f/u) and noncompliance in 23%. This study reinforces the need to have a seamless transition of care for this young, mobile patient population and easy, automated, regular appointment reminders. These results have led us to explore the creation of a phone-based app to improve follow up care and transition of care.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy and exposure to sunitinib - a post hoc analysis of the Immediate Surgery or Surgery After Sunitinib Malate in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer (SURTIME) trial

OBJECTIVE

To analyse if exposure to sunitinib in the Immediate Surgery or Surgery After Sunitinib Malate in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer (SURTIME) trial, which investigated opposite sequences of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) and systemic therapy, is associated with the overall survival (OS) benefit observed in the deferred CN arm.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A post hoc analysis of SURTIME trial data. Variables analysed included number of patients receiving sunitinib, time from randomisation to start sunitinib, overall response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, and duration of drug exposure and dose in the intention-to-treat population of the immediate and deferred arm. Descriptive methods and 95% confidence-intervals (CI) were used.

RESULTS

In the deferred arm, 97.7% (95% CI 89.3-99.6%; n = 48) received sunitinib vs 80% (95% CI 66.9-88.7%, n = 40) in the immediate arm. Following immediate CN, 19.6% progressed 4 weeks after CN and the median time to start sunitinib was 39.5 vs 4.5 days in the deferred arm. At week 16, 46.0% had progressed at metastatic sites in the immediate CN arm vs 32.7% in the deferred arm. Sunitinib dose reductions, escalations and interruptions were not statistically significantly different between arms. Among patients who received sunitinib in the immediate or deferred arm the median total sunitinib treatment duration was 172.5 vs 248 days. Reduction of target lesions was more profound in the deferred arm.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison to the deferred CN approach, immediate CN impairs administration, onset, and duration of sunitinib. Starting with systemic therapy leads to early and more profound disease control and identification of progression prior to planned CN, which may have contributed to the observed OS benefit.

Outcomes in Black and White Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With First-Line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Insights From Two Large Cohorts

PURPOSE

To investigate whether black race is an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective 2-cohort (International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium [IMDC] and trial-database) study of patients with mRCC treated with first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Unmatched (UM) and matched (M) analyses accounting for imbalances in region, year of treatment, age, and sex between races were performed. Cox models adjusting for histology, number of metastatic sites, nephrectomy, and IMDC risk compared time to treatment failure (TTF; IMDC cohort), progression-free survival (PFS; trial-database cohort), and OS.

RESULTS

The IMDC cohort included 73 black versus 3,381 (UM) and 1,236 (M) white patients. The trial-database cohort included 21 black versus 1,040 (UM) and 431 (M) white patients. Median OS for black versus white patients was 18.5 versus 25.8 months in the IMDC group and 21.0 versus 25.6 months in the trial-database group. Differences in OS were not significant in multivariable analysis in the IMDC group (hazard ratio [HR]_M, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.7 to 1.5; HR_UM, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.4) and trial-database (HR_M, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.8 to 2.7; HR_UM, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.8 to 2.6) cohorts. TTF for black patients was shorter in the UM IMDC cohort (HR_UM, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.8; P = .003), but not in the M analysis. PFS was shorter for black patients in both analyses in the trial-database cohort (HR_M, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.9; P = .002; HR_UM, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.9; P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Black patients had more IMDC risk factors and worse outcomes with TKIs versus white patients. Race was not an independent predictor of OS. Strategies to understand biologic determinants of outcomes for minority patients are needed to optimize care.

Outcomes of first-line (1L) ipilimumab and nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) and subsequent therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): Results from the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC)

4554

Background: IPI NIVO is approved for 1L treatment of IMDC intermediate/poor risk mRCC based on the CHECKMATE 214 trial. Herein, we report the clinical effectiveness of 1L IPI NIVO and second line (2L) therapy in the real-world setting. Methods: Using the IMDC dataset, patients (pts) treated with 1L IPI NIVO were identified. The outcomes of interest were 1L and 2L overall response rate (ORR), treatment duration (TD), time to next treatment (TTNT), and overall survival (OS). Results: 706 pts were included: 9% (57/614), 58% (354/614), and 33% (203/614) were IMDC favorable (fav), intermediate (int), and poor risk, respectively. Median age was 61 years. The majority of pts were males (71%), had clear cell histology (85%), and underwent nephrectomy (61%). 36%, 19%, and 8% of patients had bone, liver, and brain metastases, respectively. The 12-month OS for pts with IMDC fav, int, and poor risk disease was 92%, 79%, and 56%, respectively (p<0.01). The corresponding estimates for 24 months were 80%, 69%, and 38% (p<0.01). Pts who responded (39%) were more likely to have better IMDC risk category (p=0.02), received nephrectomy (p=0.04), normal neutrophil count (p<0.01), and clear cell histology (p=0.01). Pts with progressive disease as best response (27%) were more likely to have not received nephrectomy (p<0.01), worse IMDC risk category (p=0.02), bone metastases (p=0.01), liver metastases (p=0.04), and non-clear cell histology (p=0.01). Of the 66% (466/706) of pts who discontinued 1L IPI NIVO, 51% (236/466) received 2L therapy: sunitinib (40%), cabozantinib (25%), pazopanib (18%), axitinib (8%), and others (9%). The ORR, median TD, and median OS for those who received either sunitinib, cabozantinib, pazopanib or axitinib was 16%, 4.5 months (mo) (95% CI 3.7-5.6), and 14.5 mo (95% CI 10.9-25.9), respectively. 33% (129/386) of pts discontinued IPI NIVO due to irAEs. Conclusions: Our study benchmarks the real-world experience of 1L IPI NIVO in mRCC. IMDC criteria is prognostic for clinical outcome. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have clinical activity post IPI NIVO.[Table: see text]

Active Surveillance in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results From the Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System

BACKGROUND

Active surveillance (AS) is a commonly used strategy in patients with slow-growing disease. We aimed to assess the outcomes and safety of AS in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used the Canadian Kidney Cancer information system (CKCis) to identify patients with mRCC diagnosed between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016. The AS strategy was defined as (1) the start of systemic therapy ≥ 6 months after diagnosis of mRCC, or (2) never receiving systemic therapy for mRCC with an overall survival (OS) of ≥1 year. Patients starting systemic treatment <6 months after diagnosis of mRCC were defined as receiving immediate systemic treatment. OS and time until first-line treatment failure (TTF) were compared between the two cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 853 patients met the criteria for AS (cohort A). Of these, 364 started treatment >6 months after their initial diagnosis (cohort A1) and 489 never started systemic therapy (cohort A2); 827 patients received immediate systemic treatment (cohort B). The 5-year OS probability was significantly greater for cohort A than for cohort B (70% vs. 33.6%; P < .0001). After adjusting for International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium risk criteria and age, both OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.70; P < .0001) and TTF (HR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60-0.85; P = .0002) were greater in cohort A1 compared with B. For cohort A1, the median time on AS was 14.2 months (range, 6-71).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the largest analysis of AS in mRCC to date, our data suggest that a subset of patients may be safely observed without immediate initiation of systemic therapy.

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

Lymph node dissection during radical nephrectomy: A Canadian multi-institutional analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between lymph node dissection (LND) at the time of radical nephrectomy and survival in a large, multi-institutional cohort using a propensity score matching design.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The Canadian Kidney Cancer information system was used to identify patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma. Associations between LND with overall survival , recurrence free survival and cancer specific survival were determined using various propensity score techniques in the overall cohort and in patients with varying probabilities of pN1. Cox models were used to determine association of lymph node removed with outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 2,699 eligible patients, 812 (30%) underwent LND. Of the LND patients, 88 (10.8%) had nodal metastases. There was no association between LND and improved overall survival, recurrence free survival or cancer specific survival using various propensity score techniques (stratification by propensity score quintile, matched pairs, inverse treatment probability weighting and adjusted for propensity score quintile). There was no association between LND and a therapeutic benefit in patients with increased threshold probabilities of nodal metastases. Increased number of lymph nodes removed was not associated with improved survival outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

LND at the time of radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma is not associated with improved outcomes. There was no benefit in patients at high risk for nodal metastases, and the number of nodes removed did not correlate with survival. Further studies are needed to determine which high risk patients may benefit from LND.

The Impact of a Bedside Medication Scanning Device on Administration Errors in the Hospital Setting: A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction

The medication administration process is complex and influenced by interruptions, multi-tasking and responding to patient’s needs and is consequently prone to errors.1 Over half (54.4%) of the 237 million medication errors estimated to have occurred in England each year were found to have taken place at the administration stage and 7.6% were associated with moderate or severe harm. The implementation of a Closed Loop Medication Administration solution aims to reduce medication administration errors and prevent patient harm.

Aim

We conducted the first evaluation to assess the impact of a novel optical medication scanning device, MedEye, on the rate of medication administration errors in solid oral dosage forms.

Methods

We performed a before and after study on one ward at a tertiary-care teaching hospital that used a commercial electronic prescribing and medication administration system and was implementing MedEye (a bedside tool for stopping and preventing medication administration errors). Pre-MedEye data collection occurred between Aug-Nov 2019 and post-MedEye data collection occurred between Feb-Mar 2020. We conducted direct observations of nursing drug administration rounds before and after the MedEye implementation. Observers recorded what they observed being administered (e.g., drug name, form, strength and quantity) and compared this to what was prescribed. Errors were classified as either a ‘timing’ error, ‘omission’ error or ‘other’ error. We calculated the rate and type of medication administration errors (MAEs) before and after the MedEye implementation. A sample size calculation suggested that approximately 10,000 medication administrations were needed. Data collection was reduced due to the COVID 19 pandemic and implementation delays.

Results

Trained pharmacists or nurses observed a total of 1,069 administrations of solid oral dosage forms before and 432 after the MedEye intervention was implemented. The percentage of MAEs pre-MedEye (69.1%) and post-MedEye (69.9%) remained almost the same. Non-timing errors (combination of ‘omission’ + ‘other’ errors) reduced from 51 (4.77%) to 11 (2.55%), which had borderline significance (p=0.05) however after adjusting for confounders, significance was lost. We also saw a non-significant reduction in ‘other’ error types (e.g., dose and documentation errors) following the implementation of MedEye from 34 (3.2%) to 7 (1.62%). An observer witnessed a nurse dispense the wrong medication (prednisolone) instead of the intended medication (furosemide) in the post-MedEye period. After receiving a notification from MedEye that an unexpected medication had been dispensed, the nurse corrected the dose thus preventing an error. We also identified one instance where the nurse correctly dispensed a prescribed medication (amlodipine) but this was mistakenly identified by the MedEye scanner as another prescribed medication (metoclopramide).

Conclusions

This is the first evaluation of a novel optical medication scanning device, MedEye on the rate of MAEs in one of the largest NHS trusts in England. We found a non-statistically significant reduction in non-timing error rates. This was notable because incidents within this category e.g., dose errors, are more likely to be associated with harm compared to timing errors.2 However, further research is needed to investigate the impact of MedEye on a larger sample size and range of medications.

References

1. Elliott, R., et al., Prevalence and economic burden of medication errors in the NHS in England. Rapid evidence synthesis and economic analysis of the prevalence and burden of medication error in the UK, 2018.

2. Poon, E.G., et al., Effect of bar-code technology on the safety of medication administration. New England Journal of Medicine, 2010. 362(18): p. 1698–1707.

Real-Word Experience of Cabozantinib in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC): Results from the Canadian Kidney Cancer information system (CKCis)

BACKGROUND: Cabozantinib is an oral multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that has demonstrated efficacy in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC) randomized trials. OBJECTIVE: To explore the real-world effectiveness of cabozantinib in pretreated patients with mRCC, including patients who progressed on immune-oncology checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. METHODS: Using the Canadian Kidney Cancer information system (CKCis), patients with mRCC treated with cabozantinib monotherapy as second-line or later from January 1, 2011 to September 1, 2019 were identified. Patients were stratified based on line of cabozantinib received. We reported overall survival (OS), time to treatment failure (TTF) and disease control rate (DCR). Prognostic variables were analyzed using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: 157 patients received cabozantinib (median TTF 8.0 months; median OS 15.8 months): 37 (24%) in the second line (median TTF 10.4 months; median OS 18.9 months) 66 (42%) in third line (median TTF 5.9 months; median OS 13.3 months) and 54 (34%) in either 4th or 5th line (median TTF 9.4 months; median OS 16.8 months). One hundred sixteen patients (74%) received cabozantinib after prior ICI therapy (median TTF of 7.6 months; median OS of 15.8 months). DCR in all patients was 63% with 46%, 65% and 72% in 2nd line, 3rd line and 4th/5th line patients respectively. DCR in patients who received cabozantinib after prior ICI therapy was 64%. CONCLUSIONS: Cabozantinib is effective in a real-world, unselected population of mRCC patients, including in those who have progressed on prior ICI therapy, and in those exposed to multiple lines of therapy.

Outcomes of first-line (1L) immuno-oncology (IO) combination therapies in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): Results from the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC)

276

Background: Ipilimumab and nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) and IO/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor combinations (IOVE) are now standard of care 1L treatment options for mRCC. However, there is limited head-to-head comparative evidence between these strategies. Methods: Using the IMDC dataset, patients treated with a 1L IOVE combination (pembrolizumab axitinib, avelumab axitinib and nivolumab cabozantinib) were compared with those treated with IPI-NIVO. The outcomes of interest were overall response rate (ORR), treatment duration (TD), time to next treatment (TTNT), and overall survival (OS). A preplanned subgroup analysis of the IMDC intermediate/poor risk population was conducted. Hazard ratios were adjusted for IMDC risk factors. Results: 723 patients were included for analysis (N=571 for IPI-NIVO and N=152 for IOVE). The median age was 60 in both groups. The proportion of patients with IMDC favorable, intermediate and poor risk disease in IPI-NIVO vs. IOVE groups were 9% vs. 33%, 58% vs. 53%, 33% vs. 14%, respectively. In the intermediate/poor risk groups (Table), ORR and median TD were lower and shorter in IPI-NIVO vs IOVE while no difference in median TTNT and OS was detected. The HR for death adjusting for IMDC criteria for IPI-NIVO vs. IOVE was 0.92 (95% CI 0.61-1.40, p=0.71). IMDC risk groups and the presence or absence of sarcomatoid histology, brain, liver or bone metastases were not associated with differences in OS between these treatments (all p>0.2). Patients that had dose delays or steroid use (defined as >40mg of prednisone equivalent/day) for immune related adverse events (irAEs) were associated with longer median TTNT (21.6 vs. 9.5 mons, p=0.02) and OS (NR vs. 44.4 mons, p=0.01) despite similar treatment durations (7.6 vs. 8.9 mons, p=0.77) compared to those without dose delays or steroid use. Conclusions: We were unable to detect any differences in OS between IPI-NIVO and IOVE regimens in the IMDC intermediate/poor risk groups and amongst various subgroups. Patients who experienced irAEs requiring dose delay or steroids had longer overall survival. [Table: see text]

The very favorable metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) risk group: Data from the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC)

339

Background: The IMDC criteria have been used as a prognostic tool for patients with mRCC receiving single agent VEGF-targeted drugs, and more recently combination immuno-oncology (IO) +/- VEGF-targeted agents, which improve outcomes over VEGF TKI monotherapy. We sought to identify a subset of patients with very favorable outcomes, for which less intensive therapy might be considered. Methods: Utilizing the IMDC dataset, 1638 patients with IMDC favorable risk disease received first-line systemic therapy. Patients were randomly selected in a 2:1 ratio to the training and testing sets, stratified by year of systemic therapy initiation. Multivariable Cox regression estimated prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Results: Median age was 63 (range 21-95) years and 98% had received prior nephrectomy. First-line systemic therapy consisted of targeted therapy (91%), IO-combination regimens (8%), or other (1%). From the training data, three variables (primary diagnosis to systemic therapy <3 vs ≥3yr; Karnofsky Performance Status 80 vs >80; presence of brain, liver, or bone metastasis) significantly predicted for OS in the multivariable model (hazard ratio 1.4~1.5, p-values<0.05). The model had similar performance in the test dataset (C-index=0.64). Using the 3 included risk factors, patients were classified to very favorable risk (0 risk factors, 29% of patients) or favorable risk disease (≥1 risk factors, 71% of patients). Clinical outcomes for the two risk groups are presented in the table below. Conclusions: We identified a very favorable risk group in the IMDC criteria in RCC patients treated with first-line therapy. External validation including populations receiving IO containing therapies is ongoing. [Table: see text]

Effectiveness of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in advanced non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)

316

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have demonstrated impressive activity in metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and have become standard treatment options in this setting. Data supporting the effectiveness of ICI based therapy in non-clear cell RCC (nccRCC) is more limited. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis using the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC). Patients with nccRCC were classified into 3 groups based on first-line therapy: ICI based therapy (in monotherapy or in combination), vascular endothelial growth factor targeted therapy (VEGF-TT) monotherapy, or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor monotherapy. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were time to treatment failure (TTF) and objective response rate (ORR). We used Kaplan-Meier method to compare OS and TTF between treatment groups and Cox proportional hazards models to adjust for prognostic covariates. Results: We identified 1181 patients with nccRCC. In first-line, 78.2% received VEGF-TT, 15.8% mTOR inhibitors, and 5.5% ICI based therapy, of which 41.5% in monotherapy, 30.8% doublet-ICIs and 27.7% an ICI combined with VEGF-TT. Median OS in the ICI group was 28.6 months, compared to 19.2 and 12.6 in the VEGF-TT and mTOR groups, respectively. Median TTF was 6.9 months vs. 5.1 and 3.9 and ORR was 25% vs. 17.8% and 5.8% in the ICI, VEGF-TT and mTOR groups, respectively. After adjusting for IMDC risk group, histological subtype, and age, the hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 0.58 (95% CI 0.35-0.94, p=0.03) for ICI vs. VEGF-TT and 0.48 (95% CI 0.29-0.80, p=0.005) for ICI vs. mTOR. Conclusions: In advanced nccRCC, first-line ICI based treatment appears to be associated with improved OS compared to VEGF and mTOR targeted therapy. These results need to be confirmed in prospective randomized trials. [Table: see text]

Adjuvant Pazopanib Versus Placebo After Nephrectomy in Patients With Localized or Locally Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: Final Overall Survival Analysis of the Phase 3 PROTECT Trial

Most studies indicate no benefit of adjuvant therapy with VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PROTECT (NCT01235962) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study to evaluate adjuvant pazopanib in patients with locally advanced RCC at high risk of relapse after nephrectomy (pazopanib, n = 769; placebo, n = 769). The results of the primary analysis showed no difference in disease-free survival between pazopanib 600 mg and placebo. Here we report the final overall survival (OS) analysis (median follow-up: pazopanib, 76 mo, interquartile range [IQR] 66-84; placebo, 77 mo, IQR 69-85). There was no significant difference in OS between the pazopanib and placebo arms (hazard ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.80-1.26; nominal p > 0.9). OS was worse for patients with T4 disease compared to those with less advanced disease and was better for patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² compared to those with lower BMI. OS was significantly better for patients who remained diseasefree at 2 yr after treatment compared with those who relapsed within 2 yr. These findings are consistent with the primary outcomes from PROTECT, indicating that adjuvant pazopanib does not confer a benefit in terms of OS for patients following resection of locally advanced RCC. PATIENT SUMMARY: In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 PROTECT study, overall survival was similar for patients with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at high risk of relapse after nephrectomy who received adjuvant therapy with pazopanib or placebo. Pazopanib is not recommended as adjuvant therapy following resection of locally advanced RCC. This trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01235962.

Epicardial adipose tissue CD4+ T cells as novel drivers in the development of atrial fibrillation

Background

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is now a well-established independent risk factor for all forms of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the cellular profile and immune mediators within EAT remain poorly defined.

Purpose

This study sought to define the immunological signature of EAT critical to its role in the development of both persistent AF and de novo post-operative AF (POAF).

Methods

Adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with no prior AF history and those with pre-existing AF were recruited to undergo EAT sampling alongside subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and pre-operative blood (adipose tissue and systemic controls respectively) sampling. The blood and tissue samples were immediately taken to the laboratory for immune cell isolation, flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis.

Results

A total of 71 patients were recruited including 9 patients with a prior history of AF. Of the 62 a priori sinus rhythm (SR) patients, 42 remained in SR post-operatively and 20 developed de novo POAF. No differences in absolute numbers of immune cells in the blood, EAT or SAT were detected on flow cytometry analysis between the three groups of patients. However, there was a significant increase (p&lt;0.01) in EAT-resident CD4+ memory T cell populations in pre-existing AF patients and a trend towards significance (p=0.09) in POAF patients. qPCR analysis of immune mediator expression in EAT demonstrated pre-existing AF patients uniquely showed a significant reduction (p&lt;0.005) in the pro-fibrotic mediator transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) compared to the pre-existing AF patients (graph 1).

Conclusions and implications

Resident CD4+ memory T cell populations are locally and exclusively elevated in the EAT of pre-existing AF and POAF patients. This would suggest primed antigen-specific CD4+ T cells are present prior to the development of AF in patients who go on to develop de novo POAF. The reduced TGF-β levels observed in the EAT of AF patients indicates the EAT immune mediator profile differs to the underlying myocardial tissue, where increased TGF-β levels have previously been described in the persistent AF cohort. Therapies targeting this EAT-resident CD4+ T cell population would provide a novel approach to the management of the inflammatory components of AF genesis.

Graph 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Barts Charity, Abbott

Rare case of upper urinary tract squamous cell carcinoma presenting with significant paraneoplastic syndrome

Squamous cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is a rare entity associated with rapidly progressive disease and poor outcomes. Here, we describe a case of a squamous cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract associated with significant progression and paraneoplastic syndrome. Post-operatively, the patient had near complete resolution of her paraneoplastic syndromes with significant improvements in her functional status.