Randomized phase II studies comparing pathological responses observed on colorectal cancer metastases resected after preoperative treatment combining bevacizumab or cetuximab with FOLFOX or FOLFIRI

TPS795

Background: Even if the use of targeted therapies combined with chemotherapy has demonstrated increase response rate and survival benefit in non resectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the administration of these combinations in frontline resectable disease is source of debate and optimal association is still unclear. Based on a retrospective analysis, we previously reported thatthe chemotherapy partner combined with VEGF or EGFR inhibitors influenced pathological responses (pR) on the resected colorectal cancer metastases (CRCM) with a significant advantage for oxaliplatin with anti-VEGF or irinotecan with anti-EGFR combinations. We aimed to design 2 parallel studies (BEV-ONCO, CET-ONCO) to prospectively precise optimal combination between oxaliplatin and irinotecan with bevacizumab or cetuximab before CRCM resection. Methods: The 2 studies are open label randomized multi-centric trials and concern mCRC patients with resectable disease in whom a preoperative treatment is considered. The primary objective is to assess the CRCM pR rate according the Tumor Regression Grade classification (Rubbia-Brandt) after allocated preoperative treatment (bevacizumab combined with FOLFOX vs. FOLFIRI without consideration of RAS/BRAF for BEV-ONCO trial (EUDRACT 2012-005376-34) and cetuximab associated with FOLFOX or FOLFIRI only for RAS/BRAF wild type tumor for CET-ONCO trial (EUDRACT 2012-005249-19)). According investigator’s choice, patient will received 3 to 6 treatment cycles before CRCM resection. Patient’s survival, safety, surgical complications and treatment associated liver-toxicity are secondary end-points. Up to 60 patients (30 per treatment group) will be randomised in each study (power: 80%, type I error of 5% to detect a difference in proportion of pR rate between FOLFOX or FOLFIRI association of 0.40). Formal comparison will not be done across studies. Translational research projects are ongoing (CRCM immune response, tumour specific genetic rearrangements as new specific biomarkers). Clinical trial information: NCT01858649 (BEV-ONCO); NCT01858662 (CET-ONCO). Clinical trial information: NCT01858649 (BEVONCO) NCT01858662 (CETONCO).

Subgroup analysis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with regorafenib (REG) in the CORRECT trial who had progression-free survival (PFS) longer than 4 months

710

Background: In the CORRECT phase III trial (NCT01103323), the multikinase inhibitor REG significantly improved overall survival (OS) and PFS vs placebo in patients with mCRC who had disease progression after other standard therapies (HR for OS: 0.77; 1-sided p =0.0052; Grothey 2013). A post-hoc exploratory subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate patients in the REG treatment group who had a PFS longer than 4 months (long-PFS) defined as patients who progressed, died, or discontinued treatment for other reasons after 4 months. Methods: Of the505 patients randomized to REG in CORRECT, 98 (19.4%) were classified as having a long-PFS benefit. Baseline characteristics, safety, and dosing parameters were analyzed descriptively. Results: The long-PFS subpopulation was representative of the overall study population (Table). Long-PFS patients received a median of 6 cycles of REG (1-12), 92% received ≥5 cycles, and 20% had > 8 cycles. Overall 34% of patients had dose reductions and 87% had dose interruptions. The actual mean daily dose was 139 mg and the mean percent of the planned dose was 81%. Adverse events (AE) of any grade were experienced by all long-PFS patients, and the most common grade ≥3 AEs were hand-foot skin reaction (20%), hypertension (17%), diarrhea (17%), and fatigue (16%). Conclusions: A subset of 98 (19.4%) patients treated with REG in the CORRECT study had a PFS > 4 months, confirming the clinical benefit and tolerability of REG as a treatment option for patients with mCRC. Prospective validation of these findings in conjunction with biomarker analysis from real-life clinical experience is needed. Clinical trial information: NCT01103323. [Table: see text]

Preoperative treatment to modify the immune microenvironnement of liver colorectal metastases

602

Background: We previously reported that an adaptive Th1 immune response (CD3/CD8/CD45RO T-cells) observed in resected primary colorectal tumor and liver colorectal metastases (LCM) is an important prognostic factor. B and FoxP3 regulatory lymphocytes participate to the modulation of this response. We aimed to investigate whether the preoperative treatments influenced the quality and the density of the immune infiltrates previously reported in the LCM. Methods: We used a cohort of metastatic colorectal patients (n=107) engaged for curative liver surgery with available FFPE blocks for all resected LCM to confirm the prognostic impact of the immune response. Among this cohort of 338 LCMs, 46 were completely resected after chemotherapy (CT) alone, 130 after CT + anti-VEGF, 118 after CT + anti-EGFR and 44 after surgery alone. LCMs were analyzed for histological response according the Tumor Regression Grade (TRG) and regrouped as Response (R, TRG1-3) or No Response (NR, TRG4-5). The density of CD3+ (T-cells), CD8+ (cytotoxic), CD45RO+ (memory), CD20+ (B-cells) and FoxP3+ (regulatory) in the core (CT) and invasive margin (IM) of all LCM was quantified on immunostained slides. The mean density value (CT/IM) was calculated for each marker with a dedicated image analysis software on whole-slide imaging. Comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Results: LCMs showing R (compared to NR and untreated LCM) were more frequently associated with a high immune infiltrate for CD3+ (CT: p<0.005; IM: p<0.05), CD8+ (CT: p<0.005; IM: p<0.005) and CD20+ (CT: p<0.05). Conversely, high FoxP3+ density in the CT and IM was related to NR and untreated LCMs (p<0.01). LCMs treated with an anti-EGFR therapy showed higher densities of CD3+ (CT: p<0.005; IM: p<0.01), CD8+ (CT: p<0.005), CD45RO+ (CT: p<0.005), CD20+ (CT: p<0.005) and FoxP3+ (CT: p<0.05; IM: p<0.005) compared to other treatments and untreated LCMs. Conclusions: Preoperative treatment modifies the LCM immune microenvironnement. LCMs with a histological response show a cytotoxic immune response (CD3+/CD8+) with associated B-cells (CD20+) and downregulated Tregs (FoxP3+). The use of an anti-EGFR therapy significantly increases immune infiltration in the CT.

Final results from PRIME: randomized phase III study of panitumumab with FOLFOX4 for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The Panitumumab Randomized trial In combination with chemotherapy for Metastatic colorectal cancer to determine Efficacy (PRIME) demonstrated that panitumumab-FOLFOX4 significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus FOLFOX4 as first-line treatment of wild-type (WT) KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the primary end point of the study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomized 1:1 to panitumumab 6.0 mg/kg every 2 weeks + FOLFOX4 (arm 1) or FOLFOX4 (arm 2). This prespecified final descriptive analysis of efficacy and safety was planned for 30 months after the last patient was enrolled.

RESULTS

A total of 1183 patients were randomized. Median PFS for WT KRAS mCRC was 10.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.3-11.4 months] for arm 1 and 8.6 months (95% CI 7.5-9.5 months) for arm 2; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.80; 95% CI 0.67-0.95; P = 0.01. Median overall survival (OS) for WT KRAS mCRC was 23.9 months (95% CI 20.3-27.7 months) for arm 1 and 19.7 months (95% CI 17.6-22.7 months) for arm 2; HR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.73-1.06; P = 0.17 (68% OS events). An exploratory analysis of updated survival (>80% OS events) was carried out which demonstrated improvement in OS; HR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.98; P = 0.03 for WT KRAS mCRC. The adverse event profile was consistent with the primary analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In WT KRAS mCRC, PFS was improved, objective response was higher, and there was a trend toward improved OS with panitumumab-FOLFOX4, with significant improvement in OS observed in an updated analysis of survival in patients with WT KRAS mCRC treated with panitumumab + FOLFOX4 versus FOLFOX4 alone (P = 0.03). These data support a positive benefit-risk profile for panitumumab-FOLFOX4 for patients with previously untreated WT KRAS mCRC. KRAS testing is critical to select appropriate patients for treatment with panitumumab.

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) related to chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases: factors predictive of severe SOS lesions and protective effect of bevacizumab

OBJECTIVES

The most frequent presentation of chemotherapy-related toxicity in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). The purpose of the present study was to identify preoperative factors predictive of SOS and to establish associations between type of chemotherapy and severity of SOS.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary academic referral hospital. Patients suffering from CRLM who had undergone resection of at least one liver segment were included. Grading of SOS on the non-tumoral liver parenchyma was accomplished according to the Rubbia-Brandt criteria. A total of 151 patients were enrolled and divided into four groups according to the severity of SOS (grades 0-3).

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis identified oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil as chemotherapeutic agents responsible for severe SOS lesions (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Bevacizumab was identified as having a protective effect against the occurrence of SOS lesions (P = 0.005). Univariate analysis identified the score on the aspartate aminotransferase : platelets ratio index (APRI) as the most significant biological factor predictive of severe SOS lesions. Splenomegaly is also significantly associated with the occurrence of severe SOS lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The APRI score and splenomegaly are effective as factors predictive of SOS. Bevacizumab has a protective effect against SOS.

Panitumumab-FOLFOX4 treatment and RAS mutations in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that harbors KRAS mutations in exon 2 do not benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy. Other activating RAS mutations may also be negative predictive biomarkers for anti-EGFR therapy.

METHODS

In this prospective-retrospective analysis, we assessed the efficacy and safety of panitumumab plus oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX4) as compared with FOLFOX4 alone, according to RAS (KRAS or NRAS) or BRAF mutation status. A total of 639 patients who had metastatic colorectal cancer without KRAS mutations in exon 2 had results for at least one of the following: KRAS exon 3 or 4; NRAS exon 2, 3, or 4; or BRAF exon 15. The overall rate of ascertainment of RAS status was 90%.

RESULTS

Among 512 patients without RAS mutations, progression-free survival was 10.1 months with panitumumab-FOLFOX4 versus 7.9 months with FOLFOX4 alone (hazard ratio for progression or death with combination therapy, 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58 to 0.90; P=0.004). Overall survival was 26.0 months in the panitumumab-FOLFOX4 group versus 20.2 months in the FOLFOX4-alone group (hazard ratio for death, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.99; P=0.04). A total of 108 patients (17%) with nonmutated KRAS exon 2 had other RAS mutations. These mutations were associated with inferior progression-free survival and overall survival with panitumumab-FOLFOX4 treatment, which was consistent with the findings in patients with KRAS mutations in exon 2. BRAF mutations were a negative prognostic factor. No new safety signals were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional RAS mutations predicted a lack of response in patients who received panitumumab-FOLFOX4. In patients who had metastatic colorectal cancer without RAS mutations, improvements in overall survival were observed with panitumumab-FOLFOX4 therapy. (Funded by Amgen and others; PRIME ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00364013.).

Overall survival (OS) analysis from PRIME: Randomized phase III study of panitumumab (pmab) with FOLFOX4 for first-line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

3620

Background: The primary and final analyses of PRIME demonstrated that pmab + FOLFOX4 significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs FOLFOX4 alone for first-line treatment of patients (pts) with wild-type (WT) KRAS exon 2 mCRC. Methods: Pts were randomized 1:1 to pmab 6.0 mg/kg every 2 weeks + FOLFOX4 or FOLFOX4 alone and had no prior chemotherapy for mCRC, ECOG performance status ≤ 2, and tumor tissue for biomarker testing. The primary endpoint was PFS by central assessment. Secondary endpoints included OS, objective response rate, and safety. KRAS exon 2 tumor status was determined by a blinded central lab prior to the primary analysis. This exploratory analysis of updated survival (>80% OS events) estimated the treatment effect of pmab + FOLFOX4 compared with FOLFOX4 alone on OS by KRAS exon 2 status. Previous analyses in pts with WT KRAS exon 2 tumor status reported OS with an event rate of 54% of pts in the primary analysis and 68% of pts in the final analysis. Results: 1183 pts were randomized and received treatment: 593 pts in the pmab + FOLFOX4 arm and 590 pts in the FOLFOX4 alone arm. The KRAS exon 2 ascertainment rate was 93%, consistent with the primary analysis. 535/656 pts (82%) with WT KRAS exon 2 mCRC had an OS event at the time of this analysis. Results are shown (Table). Conclusions: In this updated analysis, an improvement in OS was observed in pts with WT KRAS exon 2 mCRC treated with pmab + FOLFOX4 vs FOLFOX4 alone (p = 0.03). Median OS was reduced in pts with mutant (MT) KRAS mCRC (p = 0.16) and is consistent with previous analyses. Updated efficacy and safety results will be presented. KRAS testing is critical to select appropriate pts with mCRC for treatment with pmab. Clinical trial information: NCT00364013. [Table: see text]

Analysis of plasma protein biomarkers from the CORRECT phase III study of regorafenib for metastatic colorectal cancer

3514

Background: In the CORRECT phase III trial, the multikinase inhibitor regorafenib (REG) demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) vs placebo (Pla) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) whose disease had progressed on other standard therapies. An exploratory biomarker subanalysis was conducted to identify protein biomarkers with potential predictive or prognostic value. Methods: Fifteen proteins of interest, many of which are involved in angiogenesis, were quantified by multiplex immunoassay or ELISA in baseline plasma samples collected at study entry from 80% (611/760) of patients. Potential predictive and prognostic effects were evaluated. Results: The biomarker subpopulation was representative of the overall study population in terms of OS and PFS. Using OS as the clinical endpoint, Tie-1 was the only protein whose level demonstrated significant correlation with efficacy (low protein group: REG/Pla, HR 0.87; high protein group, HR 0.56; interaction, p=0.035). Using PFS as the clinical endpoint, von Willebrand factor (VWF) was the only protein whose level demonstrated significant correlation with efficacy (low protein group: REG/Pla, HR 0.39; high protein group, HR 0.60; interaction, p=0.02). Following correction for multiple testing, neither Tie-1 nor VWF data retained statistical significance. Baseline levels of IL-8 and placental growth factor (PlGF) were found to have prognostic value for OS (IL-8: high/low protein levels, HR 3.48, p<0.001; PIGF: HR 1.81, p=0.002). IL-8 was also prognostic for PFS (high/low protein levels: HR 1.63, p<0.001). Conclusions: None of the plasma proteins examined showed significant predictive value for REG efficacy after multiple testing correction. The association between baseline levels of Tie-1/VWF and REG efficacy may be a hypothesis to be tested in further trials. Clinical trial information: NCT01103323.

Analysis of KRAS/NRAS and BRAF mutations in the phase III PRIME study of panitumumab (pmab) plus FOLFOX versus FOLFOX as first-line treatment (tx) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

3511

Background: Analysis of a phase III pmab monotherapy study indicated that KRAS and NRAS mutations beyond KRAS exon 2 may be predictive of pmab efficacy (Peeters et al, 2013). Methods: The primary objective of this prospectively defined retrospective analysis of PRIME was to assess the effect of pmab + FOLFOX vs FOLFOX on overall survival (OS) in pts with mCRC based on RAS (KRAS or NRAS) or BRAF mutation status. "Gold standard" bidirectional Sanger sequencing and WAVE-based SURVEYOR Scan Kits from Transgenomic (conducted independently) were used to detect mutations in KRAS exon 3, exon 4; NRAS exon 2, exon 3, exon 4; and BRAF exon 15. Results: RAS ascertainment rate was 90%. Tx HRs for pts with WT RAS were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.62 - 0.99; p = 0.04) for OS (median gain of 5.8 months in the pmab arm) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.58 - 0.90; p = < 0.01) for PFS. Tx HRs for WT KRAS exon 2/mutant (MT) other RAS were 1.29 (95% CI, 0.79 - 2.10; p = 0.31) for OS and 1.28 (95% CI, 0.79 - 2.07; p = 0.32) for PFS. Tx HRs for pts with WT or MT BRAF were inconsistent with a predictive biomarker (Table). Prognostic effects of the tested biomarkers will be presented. Conclusions: A statistically significant OS benefit was observed in pts with WT RAS mCRC treated with pmab + FOLFOX vs FOLFOX. Pmab is unlikely to benefit pts with any RAS mutations. In this analysis, BRAF mutation had no predictive value. Clinical trial information: NCT00364013. [Table: see text]

Time profile of adverse events (AEs) from regorafenib (REG) treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the phase III CORRECT study

3637

Background: In the CORRECT phase III trial, the multikinase inhibitor REG demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival vs placebo (P) in patients with mCRC whose disease had progressed on other standard therapies. The most frequent grade 3 AEs were hand–foot skin reaction (HFSR), fatigue, diarrhea, hypertension, and rash. We examined when these AEs first occurred and what impact they had on REG dosing. Methods: Adults with mCRC progressing after all standard therapies were randomized to receive REG 160 mg (n=505) or P (n=255) orally once daily for the first 3 weeks of each 4-week cycle. AEs were managed with dose modifications (reduction and interruption) according to the protocol. Results: The safety population comprised 753 pts (REG n=500, P n=253). The mean ± SD treatment duration was 12.1 ± 9.7 weeks for REG and 7.8 ± 5.2 weeks for P. Treatment-emergent AEs occurred in 99.6% of REG pts and 96.8% of P pts. AEs occurring in ≥10% more REG than P pts were fatigue, HFSR, anorexia, diarrhea, weight loss, voice changes, hypertension, rash/desquamation, oral mucositis, fever, hyperbilirubinemia, and low platelet count. The incidence of grade ≥3 HFSR, fatigue, hypertension, and rash/desquamation typically peaked in cycle 1 and tapered to a relatively stable lower incidence over later cycles, while the incidence of diarrhea remained relatively constant throughout the study; median time to first occurrence and worst grade of these AEs is shown in the table. AEs led to dose modifications in 66.6% of REG pts and 22.5% of P pts. Conclusions: The most common AEs in the REG group typically occurred early during treatment. Close early monitoring of AEs and proper management by dose modification is recommended. Clinical trial information: NCT01103323. [Table: see text]

Regorafenib (REG) in progressive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Analysis of age subgroups in the phase III CORRECT trial

3636

Background: In the CORRECT phase III trial, the multikinase inhibitor REG demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival vs placebo (Pla) in patients (pts) with mCRC whose disease progressed on other standard therapies. The most frequent REG-related grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) of interest were hand–foot skin reaction (HFSR), fatigue, diarrhea, hypertension, and rash/desquamation. We explored whether the impact of REG in pts aged ≥65 years differed from that in younger patients. Methods: Pts with mCRC progressing following all other available therapies were randomized 2:1 to receive REG 160 mg once daily (n=505) or Pla (n=255) for the first 3 weeks of each 4-week cycle. The dose could be modified to manage AEs. The primary endpoint was OS. We report efficacy, safety, and dosing data from REG recipients by age. Results: The REG treatment group included 309 pts <65 years (307 evaluable for safety) and 196 pts ≥65 years (193 evaluable for safety). The OS hazard ratio (REG/Pla) was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–0.91) in pts <65 years and 0.86 (95% CI 0.61–1.19) in pts ≥65 years (interaction p-value = 0.405). Median OS was 6.7 vs 5 months for REG vs Pla in pts <65 years, and 6.0 vs 5.6 months, respectively, in pts ≥65 years. Most pts experienced drug-related AEs (<65 years: 93.8%; ≥65 years: 91.7%). The rates of grade ≥3 REG-related AEs of interest and dose modifications are shown in the Table. In pts <65 years vs ≥65 years, median (interquartile range [IQR]) duration of REG was 7.6 weeks (6.6–15.4) vs 7.1 weeks (5.1–17.2), median (IQR) daily REG dose was 160.0 mg (134.6–160.0) vs 160.0 mg (137.5–160.0), and median (IQR) proportion of planned REG dose was 83.3% (65.7–100.0) vs 78.6% (66.7–100.0), respectively. Conclusions: In the CORRECT trial, REG demonstrated an OS benefit in pts <65 years and ≥65 years. Safety and tolerability of REG appeared to be similar in both age subgroups. Clinical trial information: NCT01103323. [Table: see text]

Comprehensive analysis of KRAS and NRAS mutations as predictive biomarkers for single agent panitumumab (pmab) response in a randomized, phase III metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) study (20020408)

3617

Background: An exploratory biomarker analysis of the randomized, phase 3 monotherapy 20020408 study of pmab vs best supportive care (BSC) demonstrated that mutations in KRAS exon 3 and NRAS exons 2 and 3 appeared to be predictive of pmab response (Peeters et al, 2013). We expanded these results to determine whether mutations in exon 4 of the KRAS and NRAS genes are predictive for pmab treatment and to determine the treatment effect in the overall wild-type (WT) KRAS and NRAS population. Methods: Using a combination of Next Generation Sequencing, Sanger Sequencing, and WAVE-based SURVEYOR Scan Kits from Transgenomic, archival patient tumors were examined for mutations in KRAS and NRAS exon 4. These data were combined with previously presented data from KRAS and NRAS exon 2 and 3 analyses for evaluation of the comprehensive WT KRAS and NRAS subgroup. Results: 9/243 (3.7%) and 2/243 (0.8%) patient tumors with WT KRAS exon 2 status harbored a mutation in KRAS or NRAS exon 4, respectively. One tumor had mutations in both KRAS and NRAS exon 4. In the pmab arm, patients with WT KRAS and WT NRAS tumor status had an objective response rate (ORR) of 15% (11/72) whereas patients with mutant (MT) KRAS or MT NRAS tumor status had an ORR of 1% (1/95; 1 patient with MT KRAS exon 4 had a partial response). There were no responses in the BSC arm regardless of the tumor status. In this analysis set, the treatment hazard ratio (HR; pmab:BSC) for progression-free survival (PFS) in the WT KRAS and WT NRAS subgroup was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.27 - 0.56), and in the MT KRAS or MT NRAS subgroup was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.73 - 1.31). The original WT KRAS exon 2 subgroup PFS HR was 0.45 (95% CI: 0.34 - 0.59) (Amado et al, 2007). Conclusions: This exploratory analysis suggests that mutations in KRAS and NRAS exon 4 occur in a small, but meaningful percentage of patients with mCRC. Extending previous findings from this study in patients with MT KRAS and/or MT NRAS exon 2 and/or 3 tumors, patients with MT KRAS and/or MT NRAS exon 4 tumors do not appear to benefit from pmab therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT00113763.

Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group phase III study evaluating aflibercept in patients receiving first-line treatment with gemcitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

This phase III study investigated the addition of aflibercept to gemcitabine, in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous (i.v.) aflibercept, 4 mg/kg every 2 weeks, or matching placebo combined with gemcitabine, 1000 mg/m(2) i.v. weekly for 7 weeks out of 8, then weekly for 3 weeks out of 4 until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent. The primary objective was to demonstrate an improvement in overall survival (OS) between the treatment arms.

RESULTS

The study was stopped for futility following a planned interim analysis of OS in 427 randomised patients. With a median follow-up of 7.9 months, based on the 546 patients at study termination, median OS was 7.8 months in the gemcitabine plus placebo arm (n=275) versus 6.5 months in the gemcitabine plus aflibercept arm (n=271), which was not significant (hazard ratio 1.165, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.921-1.473, p=0.2034). Median progression-free survival was 3.7 months in both arms. Treatment discontinuations due to adverse events were more frequent in the aflibercept than in the placebo-containing arm (23% versus 12%).

CONCLUSION

Adding aflibercept to gemcitabine did not improve OS in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.