How Effective Is Neoadjuvant Therapy Followed by Surgery for Pathologic Single-Station N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

The optimal treatment strategy for pathologic single-station N2 (pN2a1) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-surgery first followed by adjuvant treatment (SF) or neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery (NS)-remains unclear. We compared disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) after NS versus SF for pN2a1 NSCLC. We retrospectively identified patients with pN2a1 NSCLC resected between 2000 and 2018. Patients in the SF group had cN0 disease and were treated with surgery before adjuvant chemotherapy; patients in the NS group had known preoperative nodal disease, cN2 disease, and were treated with neoadjuvant therapy before surgery. The matching-weights procedure was applied to generate a cohort with similar characteristics between groups. DFS and OS were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier approach and compared between groups using weighted log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models. We identified 227 patients with pN2a1 disease: 121 treated with SF and 106 with NS. After the matching-weights procedure, 5- and 10-year DFS were 45% and 27% for SF versus 26% and 21% for NS (log-rank P = 0.056; hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-2.65); 5- and 10-year OS were 49% and 30% for SF versus 43% and 20% for NS (log-rank P = 0.428; HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.67-2.28). SF and NS for pN2a1 NSCLC resulted in similar survival. A study comparing SF for known preresectional pN2a1 with occult pN2a1 disease could be a next step. Further investigation of SF for known N2a1 versus occult pN2a1 disease could power a clinical trial focused on N2a NSCLC.

The American College of Surgeons Responds to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly, and perhaps irrevocably, changed the way we live, conduct our business affairs, and practice medicine and surgery. In mid-March 2020, as COVID-19 infections escalated exponentially across many areas of the US, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Surgeon General, and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) recommended that hospitals and surgeons postpone non-urgent operations in order to provide care to COVID-19 patients.1, 2, 3 It quickly became obvious that the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented medical challenges. ACS leadership, including the Board of Regents and Officers (Appendix), worked with the ACS Executive Director (Dr David Hoyt) and staff to rapidly organize a response to the COVID-19 crisis. The aim of this effort was to support ACS members and Fellows, as well as the broader medical community, in continuing to provide optimal patient care. Because other similar public health crises could arise in the future, we report the measures taken by the ACS to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A phase III randomized trial of pleurectomy/decortication plus chemotherapy with or without adjuvant hemithoracic intensity-modulated pleural radiation therapy (IMPRINT) for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) (NRG LU-006)

TPS9079

Background: Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D) with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy has become a common lung-sparing surgical approach for MPM. Adjuvant hemithoracic IMPRINT was developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and safe in a multi-institutional phase II study, with promising survival outcomes. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored this phase III randomized cooperative group trial to test the efficacy of this lung-sparing trimodality approach for resectable MPM. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed MPM amenable to P/D are enrolled and undergo P/D followed by adjuvant platinum/pemetrexed (preferred) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by P/D. Patients are stratified by histologic subtype, resection status (R0/1 vs. R2), and center patient volume (≤10 vs. > 10 P/Ds per year). Within 8 weeks after completion of the second modality patients are randomized 1:1 to undergo hemithoracic IMPRINT vs. no further therapy. All IMPRINT contours and treatment plans will be centrally reviewed. A contouring atlas and treatment planning constraints for target structures and organs at risk including acceptable and unacceptable variations and deviations were developed. Photon and proton therapy are permitted. The primary endpoint of the study is overall survival. Secondary endpoints include local failure-free, distant-metastases-free and progression-free survival, treatment-related toxicities (CTCAE v5.0) and change in quality-of-life (EORTC QLQ-C30 mean score changes at 9 months post randomization). The target accrual is 150 patients. This study was activated on January 29, 2020. Over 20 institutions have already committed to opening the study which is open to all National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) sites. Treatment planning guidelines and helpful hints for photon and proton therapy will be presented. Conclusions: NRG LU-006 (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04158141 ) is open to accrual. This is the first NRG Oncology randomized phase III trial on MPM and evaluates the use of IMPRINT following lung-sparing P/D and chemotherapy. This project was supported by grants U10CA180868 (NRG Oncology Operations), U10CA180822 (NRG Oncology SDMC), U24CA180803 (IROC) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Clinical trial information: NCT04158141.

PET-directed chemoradiation (CRT) with induction FOLFOX compared to induction carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) in patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA)

4554

Background: Induction chemotherapy with PET-directed CRT and surgery is the standard treatment for locally advanced EA at our institution. Following results of the CALGB 80803 trial, FOLFOX has recently replaced CP as the preferred induction regimen. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with locally advanced EA treated with induction CP vs FOLFOX, followed by trimodality therapy between January 2010 and June 2019. Patients treated with CP with RT followed by surgery without induction chemo were also included. We compared pathological complete response (pCR) and near pCR (ypN0 with ≥90% response) rates in the induction FOLFOX group to the induction CP and no-induction groups. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to adjust for confounding factors. Disease-free survival (DFS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between groups using max-combo weighted log rank test. Results: 445 patients were included. Patients in the induction FOLFOX group had significantly higher pCR and near pCR rates vs induction CP patients. Notably, pCR rate was 38% among FOLFOX PET responders vs 19% in non-responders. In multivariable analysis, compared to induction CP, induction FOLFOX administration was an independent predictor of near pCR (OR: 2.22, 95%CI: 1.20-4.20, p = 0.012). Compared to 24% pCR rate among no-induction patients, induction FOLFOX pCR rate was slightly higher at 32%. DFS by 2-years was higher in induction FOLFOX compared to no-induction-treated patients (62% vs. 42%, p = 0.05). Postoperative complication rates were similar among the three groups. Conclusions: PET-directed CRT with FOLFOX instead of CP improves pCR and near pCR rates. Improved DFS was observed in the FOLFOX vs no-induction patients. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm any survival benefits. [Table: see text]

A prospective trial of intraoperative tissue oxygenation measurement and its association with anastomotic leak rate after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

Background

Anastomotic leak following Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is associated with increased morbidity/mortality and decreased survival. Tissue oxygenation at the anastomotic site may influence anastomotic leak. Methods for establishing tissue oxygenation at the anastomotic site are lacking.

Methods

Over a 2-year study period, 185 Ivor Lewis esophagectomies were performed. Study participants underwent measurement of gastric conduit tissue oxygenation at the planned anastomotic site using the wireless pulse oximetry device. Associations between anastomotic leaks or strictures and tissue oxygenation levels were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum test or Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Among study participants (n=114), median gastric conduit tissue oxygenation level was 92% (range, 62–100%). There were 8 (7.0%) anastomotic leaks and 3 (2.6%) strictures. Analysis of tissue oxygenation as a continuous variable showed no difference in median tissue oxygenation in patients with and without leaks (98% and 92%; P=0.2) and stricture formation (89% and 92%; P=0.6). Analysis of tissue oxygenation as a dichotomous variable found no difference in anastomotic leak rates [7.5% (n=93) in >80% vs. 0% (n=20) in ≤80%; P=0.3]. There were no significant differences in leak rates in concurrent study nonparticipants.

Conclusions

No significant association was observed between intraoperative tissue oxygenation at the anastomotic site and subsequent anastomotic leak or stricture formation among patients undergoing Ivor Lewis esophagectomy.

A Prospective Study of Circulating Tumor DNA to Guide Matched Targeted Therapy in Lung Cancers

BACKGROUND

Liquid biopsy for plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) next-generation sequencing (NGS) is commercially available and increasingly adopted in clinical practice despite a paucity of prospective data to support its use.

METHODS

Patients with advanced lung cancers who had no known oncogenic driver or developed resistance to current targeted therapy (n = 210) underwent plasma NGS, targeting 21 genes. A subset of patients had concurrent tissue NGS testing using a 468-gene panel (n = 106). Oncogenic driver detection, test turnaround time (TAT), concordance, and treatment response guided by plasma NGS were measured. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Somatic mutations were detected in 64.3% (135/210) of patients. ctDNA detection was lower in patients who were on systemic therapy at the time of plasma collection compared with those who were not (30/70, 42.9% vs 105/140, 75.0%; OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.1 to 0.5, P < .001). The median TAT of plasma NGS was shorter than tissue NGS (9 vs 20 days; P < .001). Overall concordance, defined as the proportion of patients for whom at least one identical genomic alteration was identified in both tissue and plasma, was 56.6% (60/106, 95% CI = 46.6% to 66.2%). Among patients who tested plasma NGS positive, 89.6% (60/67; 95% CI = 79.7% to 95.7%) were also concordant on tissue NGS and 60.6% (60/99; 95% CI = 50.3% to 70.3%) vice versa. Patients who tested plasma NGS positive for oncogenic drivers had tissue NGS concordance of 96.1% (49/51, 95% CI = 86.5% to 99.5%), and directly led to matched targeted therapy in 21.9% (46/210) with clinical response.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma ctDNA NGS detected a variety of oncogenic drivers with a shorter TAT compared with tissue NGS and matched patients to targeted therapy with clinical response. Positive findings on plasma NGS were highly concordant with tissue NGS and can guide immediate therapy; however, a negative finding in plasma requires further testing. Our findings support the potential incorporation of plasma NGS into practice guidelines.

Comprehensive Next-Generation Sequencing Unambiguously Distinguishes Separate Primary Lung Carcinomas From Intrapulmonary Metastases: Comparison with Standard Histopathologic Approach

PURPOSE

In patients with >1 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), the distinction between separate primary lung carcinomas (SPLCs) and intrapulmonary metastases (IPMs) is a common diagnostic dilemma with critical staging implications. Here, we compared the performance of comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) with standard histopathologic approaches for distinguishing NSCLC clonal relationships in clinical practice.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We queried 4,119 NSCLCs analyzed by 341-468 gene MSK-IMPACT NGS assay for patients with >1 surgically resected tumor profiled by NGS. Tumor relatedness predicted by prospective histopathologic assessment was contrasted with comparative genomic profiling by subsequent NGS.

RESULTS

Sixty patients with NGS performed on >1 NSCLCs were identified, yielding 76 tumor pairs. NGS classified tumor pairs into 51 definite SPLCs (median, 14; up to 72 unique somatic mutations per pair), and 25 IPMs (24 definite, one high probability; median, 5; up to 16 shared somatic mutations per pair). Prospective histologic prediction was discordant with NGS in 17 cases (22%), particularly in the prediction of IPMs (44% discordant). Retrospective review highlighted several histologic challenges, including morphologic progression in some IPMs. We subsampled MSK-IMPACT data to model the performance of less comprehensive assays, and identified several clinicopathologic differences between NGS-defined tumor pairs, including increased risk of subsequent recurrence for IPMs.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive NGS allows unambiguous delineation of clonal relationship among NSCLCs. In comparison, standard histopathologic approach is adequate in most cases, but has notable limitations in the recognition of IPMs. Our results support the adoption of broad panel NGS to supplement histology for robust discrimination of NSCLC clonal relationships in clinical practice.

Long-term, disease-specific outcomes of thymic malignancies presenting with de novo pleural metastasis

OBJECTIVE

Treatment of patients with thymic malignancies metastatic to the pleura or pericardium is challenging, and benefits of aggressive treatment are unclear. We sought to characterize the long-term outcomes in this population.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients who underwent resection for de novo thymic malignancies metastatic to the pleura between May 1997 and December 2017. Patients with pleural recurrence after prior thymectomy were excluded. Patient demographics, perioperative treatments, pathologic findings, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were included (median age, 51 years [range 25-80]; 36/72 women [50%]). Pathologic diagnosis was thymoma in 57 patients (79%) and thymic carcinoma in 15 patients (21%). Most patients (67/72; 93%) received chemotherapy, radiation, or both. Forty-eight patients underwent thymectomy with pleurectomy, 7 patients underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy, 10 patients underwent thymectomy alone, and 7 patients were unresectable. Macroscopic complete resection was achieved in 52 patients (73%). Five-, 10-, and 15-year overall survivals were 73%, 51%, and 18%, respectively, and median overall survival was 11 years (median follow-up, 5.9 years). Forty-six patients (64%) had disease progression (median time to progression, 2.2 years). Repeat episodes of progression and treatment were common (median, 3 episodes/patient). The longest disease-free interval was 12.4 years. Thirteen patients (18%) remain disease-free; 7 patients (10%) were disease-free for more than 5 years. The longest ongoing survival without progression or reintervention is 9.9 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged survival and, in some cases, cure can be achieved in patients with thymic malignancies metastatic to the pleura or pericardium. Aggressive multimodality therapy may be appropriate for select patients.

Prevalence of Occult Peribronchial N1 Nodal Metastasis in Peripheral Clinical N0 Small (≤2 cm) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

There has been growing interest in limited resection and nonsurgical treatment for small lung cancers. We examined the pattern and rate of occult N1 nodal metastasis in patients with peripheral, small (≤2 cm), clinically node-negative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Patients with peripheral small (≤2 cm) NSCLC with no evidence of locally advanced or metastatic disease (clinical T1a-b N0 M0, American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th Edition Cancer Staging Manual), who were deemed eligible for lobectomy or sublobar resection, were identified from preregistration eligibility screening logs for the Alliance/Cancer and Leukemia Group B 140503 trial at our institution. Pathologic outcomes were examined in all patients undergoing anatomic resection with mediastinal and hilar lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Included were 58 patients treated between November 2014 and January 2017 who met the inclusion criteria: 51 underwent lobectomy, and 7 underwent segmentectomy. Mean tumor diameter on computed tomography was 1.5 cm, and mean positron emission tomography maximal standardized uptake value was 3.9. The mean consolidation-to-tumor ratio was 0.77. Occult nodal metastases in N1 stations were found in 8 of 58 patients (14%), and most of these nodes were found in interlobar or peribronchial stations (11 or 12). An additional 2 patients (3%) had occult positive N2 nodes. Overall, the false-negative rate for clinical staging was 16%.

CONCLUSIONS

Occult nodal disease was frequently identified in peripheral N1 stations (11-13) in patients with small (≤2 cm) clinical N0 NSCLC. Hilar lymphadenectomy is essential for accurate staging in the management of patients with small clinical N0 NSCLC.

Radiologic Considerations and Standardization of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Imaging Within Clinical Trials: Consensus Statement from the NCI Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee - International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer - Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Clinical Trials Planning Meeting

Detailed guidelines pertaining to radiological assessment of malignant pleural mesothelioma are currently lacking due to the rarity of the disease, complex morphology, propensity to invade multiple planes simultaneously, and lack of specific recommendations within the radiology community about assessment, reporting, and follow-up. In March 2017, a multidisciplinary meeting of mesothelioma experts was co-sponsored by the National Cancer Institute Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. One of the outcomes of this conference was the foundation of detailed, multidisciplinary consensus imaging and management guidelines. Here, we present the recommendations for radiologic assessment of malignant pleural mesothelioma in the setting of clinical trial enrollment. We discuss optimization of imaging parameters across modalities, standardized reporting, and response assessment within clinical trials.

Analysis of Tumor Genomic Pathway Alterations Using Broad-Panel Next-Generation Sequencing in Surgically Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

The majority of broad-panel tumor genomic profiling has used a gene-centric approach, although much of that data is unused in clinical decision making. We hypothesized that a pathway-centric approach using next-generation sequencing (NGS), combined with conventional clinicopathologic features, may better predict disease-free survival (DFS) in early stage lung adenocarcinoma.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Utilizing our prospectively maintained database, we analyzed 492 patients with primary, untreated, completely surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma. Ten canonical pathways were analyzed using broad-panel NGS. The correlations of DFS and number (and type) of pathway (NPA) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Associations between altered pathways and clinicopathologic variables, as well as identification of actionable therapeutic strategies were explored.

RESULTS

Median NPA for the cohort was two (range, 0-5). Smoking status, solid morphologic appearance on preoperative CT, maximal standardized uptake value, pathologic tumor size, aggressive histologic subtype, lymphovascular invasion, visceral pleural invasion, and positive lymph nodes were significantly associated with NPA (P < 0.05). Of 543 actionable genetic alterations identified, 455 (84%) were within the RTK/RAS pathway. A total of 86 tumors had actionable therapeutic genomic alterations in >1 pathway. On multivariable analysis, higher NPA was significantly associated with worse DFS (HR, 1.31; P = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

NPA and specific pathway alterations are associated with clinicopathologic features in patients with surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma. Cell cycle, Hippo, TGFβ, and p53 pathway alterations are associated with poor DFS. Finally, NPA is an independent risk factor for poor DFS in our cohort.See related commentary by Blakely, p. 7269.

Prevalence and Preliminary Validation of Screening Criteria to Identify Carriers of Germline BAP1 Mutations

INTRODUCTION

Inherited mutations are easily detected factors that influence the disease courses and optimal treatment strategies of some cancers. Germline mutations in BRCA1 associated protein 1 (BAP1) are associated with unique disease profiles in mesothelioma, atypical spitz nevi, and uveal melanoma, but the patient characteristics of an unselected population of BAP1 carriers identified by an ascertainment prevalence study are unknown.

METHODS

We collected blood samples, cancer histories, and occupational exposures from 183 unselected patients with BAP1-related diseases. Clinical information for each patient was obtained from medical records. Germline DNA was extracted from blood samples and sequenced using a next-generation sequencing assay. We tested screening criteria developed to identify patients with a possible germline BAP1 mutation.

RESULTS

Pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline BAP1 mutations were observed in 5 of 180 sequenced specimens and were exclusively found in patients identified by our screening criteria. Several patients with characteristics suspicious for a heritable deleterious mutation did not have a germline BAP1 mutation. The prevalence of pathogenic germline BAP1 mutations in patients with mesothelioma was 4.4% (95% confidence interval 1.1-11.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Results from the first unselected prevalence ascertainment study of germline BAP1 alterations suggest that the frequency of this mutation is low among patients with mesothelioma. The proposed screening criteria successfully identified all patients with germline BAP1-mutant mesothelioma. These screening guidelines may assist physicians in selecting patients who would benefit from genetic testing. Future efforts should validate and refine these criteria and search for other germline mutations associated with mesothelioma and related diseases.

The Use of Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Expert Opinion from the National Cancer Institute Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

INTRODUCTION

Detailed guidelines regarding the use of radiation therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are currently lacking because of the rarity of the disease, the wide spectrum of clinical presentations, and the paucity of high-level data on individual treatment approaches.

METHODS

In March 2017, a multidisciplinary meeting of mesothelioma experts was cosponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Research, and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. Among the outcomes of this conference was the foundation of detailed, multidisciplinary consensus guidelines.

RESULTS

Here we present consensus recommendations on the use of radiation therapy for MPM in three discrete scenarios: (1) hemithoracic radiation therapy to be used before or after extrapleural pneumonectomy; (2) hemithoracic radiation to be used as an adjuvant to lung-sparing procedures (i.e., without pneumonectomy); and (3) palliative radiation therapy for focal symptoms caused by the disease. We discuss appropriate simulation techniques, treatment volumes, dose fractionation regimens, and normal tissue constraints. We also assess the role of particle beam therapy, specifically, proton beam therapy, for MPM.

CONCLUSION

The recommendations provided in this consensus statement should serve as important guidelines for developing future clinical trials of treatment approaches for MPM.

Tumor volumetric correlation with plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) mutation detection in metastatic lung cancers

e14610

Background: In patients with metastatic lung cancers, analysis of cfDNA is increasingly used to detect oncogenes, frequently allowing matched targeted therapy. Mutation detection in cfDNA may be influenced by several factors, such as disease burden. We hypothesized that volumetrics, as routinely analyzed during radiation simulation, correlates with mutation detection in cfDNA. Methods: Patients underwent cfDNA analysis between 10/2016 and 1/2018. Those with metastatic NSCLC, adequate imaging for volumetric analysis (PET/CT and MRI brain), and who were treatment naïve at plasma draw were included. Plasma underwent a 21-gene next generation sequencing assay (Resolution Bioscience). A single observer segmented tumor volumes. Volume of disease was correlated with mutation detection in cfDNA for all 21 genes including the 8 NCCN oncogenes (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS, HER2, RET, MET) with univariate Mann-Whitney. Results: Of the 210 pts with plasma, 52 met inclusion criteria. There were 22 males (42%), median age 67yo (IQR 59-74), 24 former smokers (median pack-years: 25), 44 adenocarcinomas (85%), 21 matched to targeted therapy based on cfDNA results (40%), and median cfDNA extracted concentration was 1.56 ng/mL (IQR 1.1 – 2.6 ng/mL). Involved sites included lymph nodes (n = 43), bone (n = 25), brain (n = 15), liver (n = 13), and adrenals (n = 12). Median total tumor volume was 67.0 mL (IQR 36.6-184.6 mL). When evaluating all 21 genes, cfDNA was mutation positive in 40 pts and negative in 12 pts. Median tumor volume was 77.6 mL and 40.4 mL for positive and negative, respectively (p = 0.12). For the 8 NCCN oncogenes, cfDNA was positive in 18 pts and negative in 34 pts. Median tumor volume was 105.3 mL and 67.0 mL for positive and negative, respectively (p = 0.40). Conclusions: Volumetric analysis showed there was a non-significant trend toward larger tumor volume among pts with positive cfDNA mutation detection. As the use of cfDNA continues to expand into earlier disease stage settings, volumetrics at diagnosis may become an increasingly important tool to help predict cfDNA mutation detection to guide targeted therapy. Further studies of volumetrics and cfDNA analysis are warranted.

Neoadjuvant atezolizumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Interim analysis and biomarker data from a multicenter study (LCMC3)

8503

Background: Small pilot studies (e.g., N Engl J Med. 2018;378:1976) have shown that preoperative immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy may be of benefit in early-stage NSCLC. This large multicenter trial assesses the benefit of neoadjuvant treatment with atezolizumab (atezo; NCT02927301). Methods: Patients (pts) with stages IB to selected IIIB resectable NSCLC receive 2 cycles of atezo 1200 mg (days 1, 22) then undergo resection (day 40 ± 10). Primary tumor +/- node biopsies and blood samples are obtained before atezo and at surgery for biomarker studies. The primary endpoint is major pathological response (MPR), defined as ≤ 10% viable tumor cells in the resection specimen. Secondary endpoints include safety and correlation of response with PD-L1 expression, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and gene expression signatures. Results: For this interim efficacy analysis (5 Sep 2018 data cut), we report on the first 101 of 180 planned pts: 47 males, median age, 64 y; all ECOG PS 0-1; 23 current and 68 former smokers; 66 non-squamous NSCLC; clinical stages IB/IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB n = 11/16/28/39/7. There were 2 treatment-unrelated Gr 5 AEs (cardiac death post surgical resection; death due to disease progression), 29 Gr 3-4 AEs (6 [6%] treatment related). 90 pts had surgery. Excluding 8 pts who had driver mutations (7 EGFR, 1 ALK, no MPR), MPR rate was 15/82 (18%, 95% CI 11%-28%), 4 pts had pathological complete response (pCR). By RECIST, 6/82 pts had PR, 72 had SD and 4 had PD. Two of 26 (8%) PD-L1− (TC0 and IC0, clone SP142) and 10 of 35 (29%) PD-L1+ had MPR ( P= 0.055). Five of 44 (11%) TPS < 50 (PD-L1 clone 22C3) and 7 of 20 (35%) TPS > 50 had MPR ( P= 0.040). Exome sequencing data was available for 47/101 pts. Median TMB was 10.4 (range, 1.5-46.5) mutations per Mb and was not different in those with MPR compared with those without MPR. Further analysis of TMB, mutation signatures, and gene expression profiling is ongoing. Conclusions: Atezo in the neoadjuvant setting was well tolerated, and pCR and MPR rates are encouraging in this large multicenter trial. Efficacy interim analysis passed its futility boundary, and study enrollment continues. Safety, efficacy results and ongoing correlative analyses will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT02927301.

Association of BAP1 alterations with malignant pleural mesothelioma treated with trimodality therapy

8552

Background: Trimodality therapy with pleurectomy/decortication, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and adjuvant pleural intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMPRINT) is an emerging standard of care for locally advanced epithelioid mesothelioma (Rimner, Zauderer et al. JCO 2016). Some patients, however, progress rapidly and we therefore sought to identify potential predictive markers of response to this treatment. Given the putative role of BAP1 in DNA damage repair, we hypothesized that alteration in BAP1 would be associated with improved local control after radiation therapy. Methods: We identified patients previously treated at our institution with IMPRINT to a median dose of 4680cGy in 26 fractions. Targeted next generation sequencing was performed with MSK-IMPACT on archival tissue samples. Chart review was undertaken for clinicopathologic features and outcome data. Results: MSK-IMPACT testing was successfully performed on 58 patients who completed IMPRINT. The majority were male with a median age of 70 years. Ninety-seven percent had epithelioid subtype while 3% were biphasic with predominantly epithelioid histology. Median overall survival was 30.2 months with a median follow-up of 45.3 months, consistent with prior reports. Somatic BAP1 mutations were identified in 34% of the specimens. Those with BAP1 mutant tumors had a median time to local failure of 22.4 months (IQR 10.9 – 36.9 months) while those with BAP1 wild type tumors only had a median of 12.1 months (IQR 8.7-15.85 months) to local failure (p = 0.057). We identified a trend towards improved overall survival among those with BAP1 altered tumors compared to those with BAP1 wild type (HR = 0.61, p = 0.14). Conclusions: BAP1 alteration may be associated with improved duration of local control and improved overall survival after IMPRINT therapy. Further analysis and validation in a large data set is needed and a platform for identifying and validating predictive biomarkers should be included in the planned NRG randomized trial of IMPRINT.

Regional delivery of mesothelin-targeted CAR T cells for pleural cancers: Safety and preliminary efficacy in combination with anti-PD-1 agent

2511

Background: We conducted a phase I dose escalation trial of first-in-human autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy targeting mesothelin (MSLN), a cell-surface antigen that is highly expressed in pleural cancers- malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and metastatic lung and breast cancers. Methods: A single dose of CD28-costimulated MSLN CAR T cells with the I-caspase-9 safety gene was administered intrapleurally in patients with MSLN-expressing pleural tumors. Following a 3+3 design, patients were treated in dose escalating cohorts (dose range 3E5 to 1E7 CAR T cells/kg) following IV cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion (first 3 patients did not receive cyclophosphamide). A subset of MPM patients received subsequent anti-PD-1 therapy, off-protocol, which we have shown to prolong CAR T-cell functional persistence in preclinical models. Results: Twenty patients (18 MPM, 1 lung cancer, 1 breast cancer) were treated (prior lines of therapy 1–8, 35% received ≥3 lines of therapy). No CAR T-cell–related toxicities higher than grade 1 were observed. Intense monitoring for on-target, off-tumor toxicity by clinical (chest or abdominal pain), radiological (CT/PET or echocardiogram for pericardial effusion, ascites), laboratory (troponin elevation), and EKG evaluation found no evidence of toxicity. Fourteen MPM patients received subsequent anti-PD1 therapy (1–21 cycles, pretreatment tumor PD-L1 < 10% in all patients except one), with 1 patient developing grade 3 pneumonitis that responded to steroid treatment. CAR T cells were detected in the peripheral blood of 13 of 14 patients (1-39 weeks). At data cut-off date (Jan 31, 2019), among 14 MPM patients that received combination therapy (follow-up 13-77 weeks, median 31 weeks), best responses included 2 patients with complete metabolic response on PET (62 and 39 weeks ongoing); 5 partial responses and 4 stable disease by investigator assessment. Conclusions: Intrapleurally administered MSLN-targeted CAR T cells were safe. Encouraging antitumor activity of MSLN-targeted CAR T-cell therapy was observed when combined with anti-PD1 therapy and shows promise for future development of this approach. Clinical trial information: NCT02414269.

Early Quality of Life Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive and Open Esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive esophagectomy may improve some perioperative outcomes over open approaches; effects on quality of life are less clear.

METHODS

A prospective trial of robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) and open esophagectomy was initiated, measuring quality of life via the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Esophageal and Brief Pain Inventory. Mixed generalized linear models assessed associations between quality of life scores over time and by surgery type.

RESULTS

In total, 106 patients underwent open esophagectomy; 64 underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (98% RAMIE). The groups did not differ in age, sex, comorbidities, histologic subtype, stage, or induction treatment (P = .42 to P > .95). Total Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Esophageal scores were lower at 1 month (P < .001), returned to near baseline by 4 months, and did not differ between groups (P = .83). Brief Pain Inventory average pain severity (P = .007) and interference (P = .004) were lower for RAMIE. RAMIE had lower estimated blood loss (250 vs 350 cm³; P < .001), shorter length of stay (9 vs 11 days; P < .001), fewer intensive care unit admissions (8% vs 20%; P = .033), more lymph nodes harvested (25 vs 22; P = .05), and longer surgical time (6.4 vs 5.4 hours; P < .001). Major complications (39% for RAMIE vs 52% for open esophagectomy; P > .95), anastomotic leak (3% vs 9%; P = .41), and 90-day mortality (2% vs 4%; P = .85) did not differ between groups. Pulmonary (14% vs 34%; P = .014) and infectious (17% vs 36%; P = .029) complications were lower for RAMIE.

CONCLUSIONS

RAMIE is associated with lower immediate postoperative pain severity and interference and decreased pulmonary and infectious complications. Ongoing data accrual will assess mid-term and long-term outcomes in this cohort.

Neoadjuvant atezolizumab in resectable NSCLC patients: Updated clinical and immunophenotyping results from a multicenter trial

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Background: Targeting PD-L1/PD-1 to activate anti-tumor immunity is associated with improved response and survival compared to chemo in NSCLC pts. We present a preliminary analysis of the clinical efficacy, safety and peripheral blood (PB) immunophenotyping from an ongoing multicenter atezolizumab (atezo) neoadjuvant immunotherapy study in resectable NSCLC. Methods: Pts received 2 cycles of atezo, 1200mg, days 1, 22 before resection. Tumor biopsies and PB were obtained pre-atezo & pre-surgery. The biomarker evaluable population (BEP) included pts with paired PB analyzed within 72 hrs by 10-color flow cytometry (IMMUNOME) and major pathological response (MPR) assessment (defined as ≤ 10% residual tumor). The primary endpoint was MPR. Secondary endpoints included safety, MPR by PD-L1, OS, and DFS. Immunophenotypic analyses were correlated with treatment, MPR and PD-L1 expression. Results: 116 patients have been enrolled as of October 31, 2018 and here we report on 54 of 180 planned pts with follow-up through surgery. 15 pts had Gr 3-4 AEs (3 treatment related), one Gr 5 AE (sudden death) was unrelated. By RECIST there were 3 PR, 49 SD, and 2 PD. 50/54 pts underwent the planned surgery, 47 pts had MPR assessment: 4 pts discontinued study preop (2 radiographic PD, 2 other reasons); 3 were unresectable. Excluding 5 pts with EGFR or ALK mutations, MPR rate was 10/45 (22%, 95% CI 11-37%). Baseline PD-L1 status was evaluable in 44/54 pts; BEP included 31 pts, 23 had tissue PD-L1 status: 16 PD-L1+. We observed significant increases in natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T-cells, Th1-response related dendritic cells (DC), and decreases in B-cells after atezo. Non-MPR pts showed significant increases in late activated NK cells, monocytic myeloid cells and Th2 and Th17-response–related DCs. PD-L1+ pts showed significant decreases of senescent T cells, monocytic myeloid cells, and increases of Th1-response–related DCs. We analyzed 22/54 tumor pairs, PD-L1+ cells increased in most pts after atezo treatment. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant atezo was well tolerated and the MPR rate is encouraging. Preliminary immunophenotyping data showed significant changes in PB with immunotherapy. Clinical trial information: NCT02927301.

Positron-Emission Tomography Scan-Directed Chemoradiation for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: No Benefit for a Change in Chemotherapy in Positron-Emission Tomography Nonresponders

INTRODUCTION

Preoperative or definitive chemoradiation is an accepted treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The MUNICON study showed that positron-emission tomography (PET) response following induction chemotherapy was predictive of outcomes in patients with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. We evaluated the predictive value of PET following induction chemotherapy in ESCC patients and assessed the impact of changing chemotherapy during radiation in PET nonresponders.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with locally advanced ESCC who received induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation; all patients had a PET before and after induction chemotherapy. Survival was calculated from date of repeat PET using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared between groups using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Of 111 patients, 70 (63%) were PET responders (defined as a 35% or more decrease in maximum standard uptake value) to induction chemotherapy. PET responders received the same chemotherapy during radiation. Of 41 PET nonresponders, 16 continued with the same chemotherapy and 25 were changed to alternative chemotherapy with radiation. Median progression-free survival (70.1 months versus 7.1 months, p < 0.01) and overall survival (84.8 months versus 17.2 months, p < 0.01) were improved for PET responders versus nonresponders. Median progression-free survival and overall survival for PET nonresponders who changed chemotherapy versus those who did not were 6.4 months versus 8.3 months (p = 0.556) and 14.1 versus 17.2 months (p = 0.81), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PET after induction chemotherapy highly predicts for outcomes in ESCC patients who receive chemoradiation. However, our results suggest that PET nonresponders do not benefit from changing chemotherapy during radiation. Future trials should use PET nonresponse after induction chemotherapy to identify poor prognosis patients for novel therapies.

Perioperative blood transfusion has a dose-dependent relationship with disease recurrence and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Perioperative blood transfusions have been implicated in decreased overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the effects of single- and multiple-unit blood transfusions on OS, DFS, and recurrence after anatomic pulmonary resection.

METHODS

From January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2016, 5709 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection for NSCLC at our institution. Exclusion criteria were stage IIIB-IV disease, incomplete resections, ill-defined histologic subtypes, and nonanatomic wedge resections. For the 0 versus single-unit analysis, propensity scores were calculated from a logistic regression model that predicted the probability of patients receiving a single-unit transfusion. The resulting matching weights were incorporated into Cox models for OS, DFS, and cumulative incidence of recurrence, to compare no versus single-unit blood transfusion. We determined whether increasing numbers of blood transfusions influenced survival or recurrence using multivariable Cox models.

RESULTS

Approximately 10% of patients received perioperative blood transfusion (median follow-up, 7.46 years [25th-75th percentile, 3.98-11.8]). There was no difference in OS, DFS, or cumulative incidence of recurrence between patients receiving no transfusion and those receiving single-unit transfusion (P > .05). However, a dose-response relationship was observed, demonstrating worse OS (overall P < .001), DFS (overall P < .001), and recurrence (overall P = .010) with increasing units of blood transfused.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a single-unit blood transfusion did not affect survival in patients undergoing resection for NSCLC, greater unit perioperative blood transfusions were associated with significantly decreased long-term outcomes in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting avoidance or minimization of transfusions could improve long-term survival after lung resection.