Improved overall survival in melanoma with combined dabrafenib and trametinib

Total elbow arthroplasty for tumors of the distal humerus and elbow

INTRODUCTION

The elbow is a rare location for primary and metastatic tumors in the upper extremity. The goal of reconstruction is to provide painless motion and stability for hand function. Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is commonly utilized, with either off-the-self components, modular segmental endoprosthesis, or allograft-prosthesis composites (APC). The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare commonly utilized elbow reconstructions and report outcomes of (1) patient function and (2) implant survival and complications.

METHODS

We reviewed 33 patients (18 females and 15 males) undergoing elbow arthroplasty for reconstruction of an underlying oncologic process including linked TEA (n = 22, 67%), APC (n = 9, 27%), and endoprosthesis (n = 2, 6%). The most common indication was metastatic disease (n = 17, 52%), with 24 patients (73%) presenting with a pathologic fracture.

RESULTS

Five-year implant survival was following elbow reconstruction was 88%. The mean most recent Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score were 84 ± 18 and 78 ± 15%. Postoperative complications occurred in 15 elbows (45%), most commonly periprosthetic fracture (n = 5, 15%), leading to reoperation in six elbows (18%).

CONCLUSION

Although elbow arthroplasty is associated with a high incidence of complications, it provides a stable platform for upper extremity function in patients with oncologic processes of the elbow.

Role of Tumor-Infiltrating B Cells in Clinical Outcome of Patients with Melanoma Treated With Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib

PURPOSE

Although patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma can experience long-term survival with BRAF- and MEK-targeted agents or immune checkpoint inhibitors over 5 years, resistance develops in most patients. There is a distinct lack of pretherapeutic biomarkers to identify which patients are likely to benefit from each therapy type. Most research has focused on the predictive role of T cells in antitumor responses as opposed to B cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted prespecified exploratory biomarker analysis using gene expression profiling and digital pathology in 146 patients with previously untreated BRAF V600-mutant metastatic melanoma from the randomized, phase III COMBI-v trial and treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib who had available tumor specimens from screening.

RESULTS

Baseline cell-cycle gene expression signature was associated with progression-free survival (P = 0.007). Patients with high T-cell/low B-cell gene signatures had improved median overall survival (not reached [95% confidence interval (CI), 33.8 months-not reached]) compared with patients with high T-cell/high B-cell signatures (19.1 months; 95% CI, 13.4-38.6 months). Patients with high B-cell signatures had high B-cell infiltration into the tumor compartment, corresponding with decreased MAPK activity and increased expression of immunosuppressive markers.

CONCLUSIONS

B cells may serve as a potential biomarker to predict clinical outcome in patients with advanced melanoma treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib. As separate studies have shown an opposite effect for B-cell levels and response to immunotherapy, B cells may serve as a potential biomarker to facilitate treatment selection. Further validation in a larger patient cohort is needed.

Role of Surgery in Stage IV Melanoma

Stage IV melanoma has a 5-year survival rate of 6%, but considerable advances have been made in systemic therapies. Systemic immunotherapy has achieved durable responses in up to 40% of patients, with similar improvements with targeted therapies. This has reshaped the landscape for surgery in stage IV melanoma. Metastasectomy can be considered in patients on systemic immunotherapy or targeted therapy with responding, stable, or isolated progressing lesions, oligometastatic disease, or long disease-free intervals. Surgery plays a role in providing tumor tissue for preparation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for adoptive cell therapy. Surgical palliation plays a role in patients with symptomatic metastases.

Adjuvant Therapy for Cutaneous Melanoma

This article presents the current data supporting adjuvant therapy for patients with cutaneous melanoma. With the recent development of novel immunotherapy agents as well as targeted therapy, there are strong data to support the use of these therapies in patients at high risk of developing recurrent or metastatic disease.

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors in solid tumors: a review of clinical trials

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play a key regulating role in the cell cycle, which is almost universally altered in cancer, leading to sustained proliferation. Early pan-CDK inhibitors showed poor results in clinical trials for solid malignancies, as the lack of selectivity produced significant toxicity. The production of more selective inhibitors led to significant developments in cancer therapy, as CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy changed the landscape of the treatment of hormone-receptor positive (HR +) metastatic breast cancer. Recently, Trilaciclib demonstrated benefits regarding hematological toxicity compared to placebo when administered in combination with chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer. Newer agents, such as SY-5609, a selective CDK7 inhibitor, have also shown promising results in early clinical trials. In this paper, we review the data from clinical trials of CDK inhibitors in solid tumors, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents, with an emphasis on novel agents and potential new indications for this drug class.

Acute granulomatous interstitial nephritis in a patient with metastatic melanoma on targeted therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib-A case report

BACKGROUND

Combination molecular targeted therapy with dabrafenib plus trametinib has been shown to improve progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with BRAF V600 mutated unresectable or metastatic melanoma. In general, these agents are well tolerated. Kidney related adverse events are uncommon with only three case reports of acute interstitial nephritis and one case of a serious acute kidney injury. We report another case of interstitial nephritis related to these drugs.

CASE

A 37-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic melanoma (BRAF V600E mutation) who developed acute interstitial nephritis 5 years into his treatment with combination dabrafenib plus trametinib therapy. He presented with an asymptomatic acute kidney injury on routine surveillance pathology with a creatinine of 174 μmol/L (from baseline 80 μmol/L) and a corresponding estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 42 ml/min/1.73 m² (from a baseline >90 ml/min/1.73 m² ) and microalbuminuria (albumin creatinine ratio [ACR] 8.5 mg/mmol). Renal biopsy revealed a granulomatous interstitial nephritis likely drug related. He was treated with prednisolone 1 mg/kg and ceased his targeted therapy with improvement in his renal function.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, recognition of acute interstitial nephritis, a possible serious adverse outcome due to dabrafenib and trametinib is important and needs to be incorporated into current Australian cancer therapy guidelines.

Approach in Improving Potency and Selectivity of Kinase Inhibitors: Allosteric Kinase Inhibitors

Allostery is an efficient and particular regulatory mechanism to regulate protein functions. Different from conserved orthosteric sites, allosteric sites have a distinctive functional mechanism to form the complex regulatory network. In drug discovery, kinase inhibitors targeting the allosteric pockets have received extensive attention for the advantages of high selectivity and low toxicity. The approval of trametinib as the first allosteric inhibitor validated that allosteric inhibitors could be used as effective therapeutic drugs for the treatment of diseases. To date, a wide range of allosteric inhibitors have been identified. In this perspective, we outline different binding modes and potential advantages of allosteric inhibitors. In the meantime, the research processes of typical and novel allosteric inhibitors are described briefly in terms of structure-activity relationships, ligand-protein interactions, and in vitro and in vivo activity. Additionally, challenges, as well as opportunities, are also presented.

Incidence and characteristics of metastatic intracranial lesions in stage III and IV melanoma: a single institute retrospective analysis

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to describe the brain metastases (BM) incidence, at diagnosis and follow-up, in patients initially presenting with stage III or IV melanoma and characterize their metastatic brain lesions. We also sought to describe the association of common genetic mutations and immunotherapy with BM development in advanced melanoma.

METHODS

Using our institution's tumor registry, we identified patients with initial diagnoses of stage III and stage IV melanoma. In this cohort, we obtained BM incidence at diagnosis and follow-up, characterized the metastatic brain lesions and primary tumor's genetic profile.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 22.9% of patients with an initial diagnosis of stage III developed BM. In this cohort, the median time for BM occurrence was 20 months; [95% CI (14-29)]. Likewise, 37.7% of patients with Stage IV melanoma presented with BM at the time of diagnosis, and 22.7% of remaining patients developed BM at follow-up over a median duration of 6 months [95% CI (4-11)]. Therefore, suggesting an overall incidence of 51.9% in stage IV melanoma. Next, we observed that the incidence of BM development during the follow-up period significantly decreased from 2012 to 2017 (p < 0.001). Lastly, we found a significantly higher frequency of mutational BRAF in the primary tumor of patients with BM (68.7% vs. 31.2%; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

While the overall incidence of BM remains high, the decreasing incidence of BM over the follow-up period is promising. Similar BM incidence in patients with an initial diagnosis of stage III or stage IV warrants appropriate imaging surveillance regimen for stage III patients.

Targeted therapy for pediatric low-grade glioma

PURPOSE

Pediatric low-grade gliomas are the most frequent brain tumors in children. The standard approach for symptomatic unresectable tumors is chemotherapy. Recently, key molecular alterations/pathways have been identified and targeted drugs developed and tested in clinical trials. We describe our institutional experience with MAPK pathway targeted therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical reports of 23 patients diagnosed with PLGG and treated with either trametinib or dabrafenib at Hospital Sant Joan de Dèu (Barcelona, Spain). Patients with neurofibromatosis were excluded. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were determined using the Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology criteria in low-grade glioma. ORR was defined as the proportion of patients with the best overall response including complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR). DCR was the sum of the CR, PR, and stable disease (SD) rates.

RESULTS

ORR with trametinib was 0% (95% CI, 0%-23.2%) and DCR was 78.6% (95% CI, 49.2%-95.3%). Eleven patients had SD and three patients presented PD. ORR with dabrafenib was 41.7% (95% CI, 16.5%-71.4%), including four CR and one patient with PR. DCR with dabrafenib was 100% (95% CI, 73.5%-100%); there were seven SD and none PD. Treatment was well tolerated. Only three patients, on trametinib, presented grade 3 adverse effects: leukocytoclastic vasculitis, cheilitis, and bone infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience adds to the growing data about the efficacy and tolerability of targeted therapy in patients with PLGG. When present, toxicity is mainly mild-moderate and transient. Ongoing prospective clinical trials are trying to address if its use should be advanced to first-line therapy.

BRAF and MEK inhibitors rechallenge as effective treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma

Despite considerable progress made in the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma, the majority of the patients treated with BRAF and mitogen-activated protein inhibitors (BRAFi and MEKi) experience a disease progression due to acquired resistance. Currently, ongoing studies explore the possibility to overcome or reverse this process. Our multicenter retrospective analysis included 51 patients with metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma who had previously progressed on BRAFi/MEKi than had progressed on immunotherapy (anti-progression disease-1 or anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) and next were rechallenged with BRAFi/MEKi. Median age at BRAFi/MEKi rechallenge was 56 (range: 31-82 y/o). Median overall survival from the start of the first BRAFi/MEKi therapy and from rechallenge BRAFi/MEKi treatment was 29.7 and 9.3 months, respectively, whereas median progression-free survival was 10.5 and 5.9 months, respectively. Six-month, annual, and 2-year overall survival rates on both treatments were: 98% and 55%, 92% and 29%, and 69% and 2%, respectively. A response rate to treatment was higher in the group receiving BRAFi/MEKi for the first time as compared with the group receiving BRAFi/MEKi rechallenge and was overall response rate 72% and 27%; disease control rate 92% and 63%. Time interval between the end of the first BRAFi/MEKi treatment and the beginning of BRAFi/MEKi rechallenge did not influence median overall survival or progression-free survival. A lower toxicity rate was noted with BRAFi/MEKi rechallenge. BRAFi/MEKi rechallenge treatment remains clinically important and is associated with the lower toxicity. BRAFi/MEKi rechallenge efficacy is higher in patients who are in good performance status, with normal lactate dehydrogenase, and without brain metastases.

Loss of skeletal muscle area and fat-free mass during dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments in patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic malignant melanoma

This study aimed to assess whether dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments are associated with a change in skeletal muscle area (SMA) and total fat-free mass (FFM) assessed by computed tomography (CT), and to compare the efficacy and safety profile of these treatments in patients with metastatic melanoma. Thirty-one patients treated with B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase/MAPK extracellular receptor kinase inhibitors were included between 2016 and 2019. Eighteen patients received dabrafenib/trametinib and remaining patients received vemurafenib/cobimetinib. CT scans were performed at baseline and at 4-6 months of follow-up to measure cross-sectional areas of SMA. FFM and skeletal muscle index (SMI) values were calculated. Of the patients, including 18 treated with dabrafenib/trametinib (58.1%) and 13 with vemurafenib/cobimetinib (41.9%); 58.1% were male, 41.9% were female and median age was 52 years. A significant decrease in SMA was observed after dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). A significant decrease in FFM values was observed after dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in 35.9% of the patients with sarcopenia. No significant difference was seen between the dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib groups in median progression-free survival (PFS) (11.9 vs. 7.3 months, respectively, P = 0.28) and in median overall survival (OS) (25.46 vs. 13.7 months, respectively, P = 0.41). Baseline sarcopenia was not significantly associated with PFS or OS (P = 0.172 and P = 0.326, respectively). We found a significant decrease in SMI values determined at 4-6 months compared to the values before treatment both in dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib groups. DLT was similar with both treatments. Baseline sarcopenia was not significantly associated with PFS or OS.

Unraveling the Wide Spectrum of Melanoma Biomarkers

The use of biomarkers in medicine has become essential in clinical practice in order to help with diagnosis, prognostication and prediction of treatment response. Since Alexander Breslow’s original report on “melanoma and prognostic values of thickness”, providing the first biomarker for melanoma, many promising new biomarkers have followed. These include serum markers, such as lactate dehydrogenase and S100 calcium-binding protein B. However, as our understanding of the DNA mutational profile progresses, new gene targets and proteins have been identified. These include point mutations, such as mutations of the BRAF gene and tumour suppressor gene tP53. At present, only a small number of the available biomarkers are being utilised, but this may soon change as more studies are published. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of melanoma biomarkers and their utility for current and, potentially, future clinical practice.

Unbiased Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Analysis Identifies Response Signatures and Novel Susceptibilities After Combined MEK and mTOR Inhibition in BRAFV600E Mutant Glioma

The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is one of the most frequently altered pathways in cancer. It is involved in the control of cell proliferation, invasion, and metabolism, and can cause resistance to therapy. A number of aggressive malignancies, including melanoma, colon cancer, and glioma, are driven by a constitutively activating missense mutation (V600E) in the v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) component of the pathway. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibition is initially effective in targeting these cancers, but reflexive activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling contributes to frequent therapy resistance. We have previously demonstrated that combination treatment with the MEK inhibitor trametinib and the dual mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/2 inhibitor TAK228 improves survival and decreases vascularization in a BRAFV600E mutant glioma model. To elucidate the mechanism of action of this combination therapy and understand the ensuing tumor response, we performed comprehensive unbiased proteomic and phosphoproteomic characterization of BRAFV600E mutant glioma xenografts after short-course treatment with trametinib and TAK228. We identified 13,313 proteins and 30,928 localized phosphosites, of which 12,526 proteins and 17,444 phosphosites were quantified across all samples (data available via ProteomeXchange; identifier PXD022329). We identified distinct response signatures for each monotherapy and combination therapy and validated that combination treatment inhibited activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and mTOR pathways. Combination therapy also increased apoptotic signaling, suppressed angiogenesis signaling, and broadly suppressed the activity of the cyclin-dependent kinases. In response to combination therapy, both epidermal growth factor receptor and class 1 histone deacetylase proteins were activated. This study reports a detailed (phospho)proteomic analysis of the response of BRAFV600E mutant glioma to combined MEK and mTOR pathway inhibition and identifies new targets for the development of rational combination therapies for BRAF-driven tumors.

Autophagy Inhibition in BRAF-Driven Cancers

Simple Summary

BRAF is a protein kinase that is frequently mutationally activated in cancer. Mutant BRAF can be pharmacologically inhibited, which in combination with blockade of its direct effector, MEK1/2, is an FDA-approved therapeutic strategy for several BRAF-mutated cancer patients, such as melanoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, and thyroid cancer. However, therapy resistance is a major clinical challenge, highlighting the need for comprehensive investigations on the biological causes of such resistance, as well as to develop novel therapeutic strategies to improve patient survival. Autophagy is a cellular recycling process, which has been shown to allow cancer cells to escape from BRAF inhibition. Combined blockade of autophagy and BRAF signaling is a novel therapeutic strategy that is currently being tested in clinical trials. This review describes the relationship between BRAF-targeted therapy and autophagy regulation and discusses possible future treatment strategies.

Abstract

Several BRAF-driven cancers, including advanced BRAF^V600E/K-driven melanoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, and thyroid cancer, are currently treated using first-line inhibitor combinations of BRAF^V600E plus MEK1/2. However, despite the success of this vertical inhibition strategy, the durability of patient response is often limited by the phenomenon of primary or acquired drug resistance. It has recently been shown that autophagy, a conserved cellular recycling process, is increased in BRAF-driven melanoma upon inhibition of BRAF^V600E signaling. Autophagy is believed to promote tumor progression of established tumors and also to protect cancer cells from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. To this end, BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi)-resistant cells often display increased autophagy compared to responsive lines. Several mechanisms have been proposed for BRAFi-induced autophagy, such as activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress gatekeeper GRP78, AMP-activated protein kinase, and transcriptional regulation of the autophagy regulating transcription factors TFEB and TFE3 via ERK1/2 or mTOR inhibition. This review describes the relationship between BRAF-targeted therapy and autophagy regulation, and discusses possible future treatment strategies of combined inhibition of oncogenic signaling plus autophagy for BRAF-driven cancers.

Efficacy, safety and factors associated with disease progression in patients with unresectable (stage III) or distant metastatic (stage IV) BRAF V600-mutant melanoma: An open label, non-randomized, phase IIIb study of trametinib in combination with dabrafenib

BACKGROUND

BRAF and MEK inhibitors combination, including dabrafenib (D) and trametinib (T) have transformed the treatment of BRAF V600-mutant advanced melanoma patients, including patients with brain metastasis (BM). In a large phase IIIb, single-arm, open-label, multicenter French study, we assessed safety, response to treatment, progression-free survival (PFS) and factors associated with progression, and stratified the population into risk groups.

METHODS

Patients with unresectable, advanced, BRAF V600-mutant melanoma were included, including those with the presence of BM, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) ≤2, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or previous melanoma treatments. Responses were determined locally, without central review. PFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and modelled with multivariate Cox model. Risk subgroups were identified using a regression tree analysis.

RESULTS

Between March 2015 and November 2016, 856 patients received at least one D + T dose. Overall, 92% had stage IV melanoma, 38% ECOG PS ≥1, 32% BM and 37.5% elevated LDH. Median PFS was 8.02 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.33-8.77). Significant factors associated with lower PFS were ECOG PS ≥1, elevated LDH, ≥3 metastatic sites and presence of BM. Patients with <3 metastatic sites, ECOG = 0 and no BM had the highest probability of PFS at 6 months (83%, 95% CI 76-87) and 12 months (56%, 95% CI 47-64), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest prospective study in advanced BRAF V600-mutant melanoma patients treated with D + T, conducted in conditions close to 'real-world practice'. We confirm previous findings that LDH, ECOG PS and ≥3 metastatic sites are associated with shorter PFS, but the real-world setting introduces BM as a major prognostic factor.

Pyrexia in patients treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib across clinical trials in BRAF-mutant cancers

BACKGROUND

Dabrafenib plus trametinib has demonstrated clinical benefit across multiple BRAF-mutant tumours, leading to approval for resected stage III and metastatic melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Pyrexia is a common adverse event in patients treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib. Here, we characterise the incidence, patterns and management of pyrexia in patients receiving dabrafenib plus trametinib in clinical trials.

METHODS

Patients (N = 1076) included in the analysis received dabrafenib plus trametinib in the following clinical trials: phase II registration trial in advanced NSCLC (N = 82), phase III COMBI-AD study in resectable stage III melanoma (N = 435) and phase III COMBI-d and COMBI-v studies in unresectable or metastatic melanoma (N = 209 and N = 350, respectively).

RESULTS

Among the 1076 patients enrolled in the clinical trials, 61.3% developed pyrexia, 5.7% developed grade 3/4 pyrexia and 15.6% developed a protocol-defined serious pyrexia event. Among the 660 patients with pyrexia, 33.0% had 1 occurrence, 19.8% had 2 occurrences and 47.1% had ≥3 occurrences. The incidence of pyrexia was highest early in treatment and decreased with time on treatment. Temporary dose interruption of dabrafenib or trametinib was the most common and effective management strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pyrexia is the most common adverse event associated with dabrafenib plus trametinib but is manageable with dose interruption.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (Phase II NSCLC, NCT01336634; COMBI-AD, NCT01682083; COMBI-d, NCT01584648; COMBI-v, NCT01597908).

Inhibition of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzyme by Dabrafenib: Implications for drug-drug interactions

Dabrafenib is a novel small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) which is used to treat metastatic melanoma. The aim of this research was to survey the effects of dabrafenib on human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and to evaluate the risk of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). The formation rates for 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) glucuronide and trifluoperazine-glucuronide in 12 recombinant human UGT isoforms with or without dabrafenib were measured and HPLC was used to investigate the inhibitory effects of dabrafenib on UGTs. Inhibition kinetic studies were also conducted. In vitro-in vivo extrapolation approaches were further used to predict the risk of DDI potentials of dabrafenib via inhibition of UGTs. Our data indicated that dabrafenib had a broad inhibitory effect on 4-MU glucuronidation by inhibiting the activities of UGTs, especially on UGT1A1, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, and UGT1A9, and dabrafenib could increase the area under the curve of co-administered drugs. Dabrafenib is a strong inhibitor of several UGTs and the co-administration of dabrafenib with drugs primarily metabolized by UGT1A1, 1A7, 1A8 or 1A9 may induce potential DDIs.

Landmark Series on Disparities in Surgical Oncology: Melanoma

BACKGROUND

Although the lifetime risk of melanoma is disproportionately higher in whites, blacks have a poorer overall survival with an absolute survival difference of 25%. Significant progress has been made in melanoma treatment in the past decade; however, these successes may not be available or accessible to all segments of the population.

METHODS

In this review, we highlight important studies in melanoma as well as informative retrospective studies from databases and nonmelanoma cancers where appropriate.

RESULTS

There are no level I evidence-based studies on disparities in melanoma, and most likely there will never be, but the studies presented herein and clinical experience demonstrate that disparities in clinical outcomes from melanoma exists.

CONCLUSIONS

By becoming aware of the disparities, we can help mitigate them by engagement, education, and corrective and empowering actions through awareness campaigns, appropriate clinical trial design, encouraging participation in clinical trials, increasing the diversity of providers, and advocacy.

Monitoring of plasma concentrations of dabrafenib and trametinib in advanced BRAFV600mut melanoma patients

BACKGROUND

Dabrafenib (D) and trametinib (T) improved survival in patients with BRAFV600^mut melanoma. High plasma concentration of D (PCD) is weakly associated with adverse events (AE). We investigated the relationship between PCD/T and tumour control or AE.

METHODS

We analysed PCD/T in patients treated with D+T for metastatic melanoma. We collected data of tumour response (RECIST 1.1) and AE (CTCAE 4.0) blinded to PCD/T results.

RESULTS

We analysed 71 D and 58T assays from 34 patients. High inter-individual variability of PCD (median: 65.0ng/mL; interquartile range (IQR) [4-945]) and of PCT (median: 8.6ng/mL; IQR [5-39]) was observed. We found a weak relationship between PCD and progression-free survival, taking follow-up time into account (hazard ratio 0.991; 95%CI, 0.981 to 1.000; P=0.06). However, no difference was observed between mean PCD/T of progressing patients (n=21; 125±183ng/mL and 9.3±3.6ng/mL, respectively) and responders (complete, partial or stable response) (n=13; 159±225ng/mL, P=0.58 and 10.6±24.4ng/mL, P=0.29, respectively). No significant relationship was found between PCD/T and most common AEs (fever, lymphopenia, CPK increase, and hepatic cytolysis), body mass index, or age. Mean CPT (n=16) was significantly higher for female subjects (n=18; 11.5±4.8ng/mL) than for male subjects (8.8ng/mL±2.9, P=0.01), but no difference was observed between sex and CPD (P=0.32).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a weak relationship between PCD and progression-free survival, but no relationship between PCD/T and AE was found. Monitoring PCD and PCT alone is unlikely to be useful in assessing response to treatment.

Tolerance and Effectiveness of Targeted Therapies in Aged Patients with Metastatic Melanoma

Simple Summary

A majority of melanoma occurs in people over 65 years. BRAF and MEK inhibitors are standard of care for BRAF mutated metastatic melanoma. The aim of the study was to explore tolerability of targeted therapy in a cohort of patients extracted from a biobank. Patients treated by BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors were included in two groups (<65 or >65 years) and analyzed for tolerance and efficacy. The cohort included 353 patients: 231 < 65 years and 122 > 65. A total of 80% had at least one adverse effect mainly skin, general, and gastrointestinal disorders. No statistical difference was observed for severe adverse events, adverse events grades, dose modifications, and interruptions in the two groups. Median overall survival was 20.3 and 16.3 months, respectively. This study shows that tolerance of targeted therapy is as good in older patients as in younger with a similar efficacy. There is no argument against using these treatments in elderly people.

Abstract

Purpose: Melanoma’s incidence is increasing, and elderly people could be significantly impacted since the majority occurs in people over 65 years of age. Combined BRAF and MEK targeted therapies (TT) are current standard regimen for BRAF mutated metastatic melanoma (MM). Except for subgroups of pivotal trials, little data are available for TT in this population. Materials and Methods: Outcomes were explored in real life patients from MelBase, a French multicentric biobank dedicated to the prospective follow-up of unresectable stage III or IV melanoma. Patients treated by BRAF TT and/or MEK TT combined or not, were included from 2013 to 2017 in 2 groups: group 1 ≤ 65-year-old (yo), group 2 > 65 yo, analyzed for tolerance and efficacy. Results: 353 patients were included: 231 in group 1, 122 in group 2. Median follow-up was 12 months (M). Median time of treatment was 6.9 M. A total of 80% had at least one Adverse Effect (AE). Most frequent AE (all grades) were mainly skin and subcutaneous, general, and gastrointestinal disorders. A total of 31% of AE were grade 3–4: 28% in group 1 and 39% in group 2 (p = 0.05). No differences were observed in all AE grades proportion, dose modifications, interruptions, and discontinuations. For each group, median overall survival was 20.3 M (CI 95%: 15.5–27.9) and 16.3 M (CI: 14.5–26.9), respectively (p = 0.8). Median progression free survival was 7.8 M (6.4–9.9) and 7.7 M (CI: 5.8–11.3) (p = 0.4). Objective response rate was 59% and 50% (p = 0.6). Conclusion: This study on a large multicentric cohort is the first to assess that TT is well tolerated in elderly BRAF-mutated patients such as in patients younger than 65. Efficacy was similar between groups with outcomes reaching those from pivotal studies. There is thus no argument against using TT in elderly people, although an onco-geriatric opinion is welcome for the most vulnerable.

First line treatment of BRAF mutated advanced melanoma: Does one size fit all?

In the last decade, immunotherapy and target therapy have revolutionized the prognosis of patients with BRAF-V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. To date, three different combinations of BRAF/MEK inhibitors have been approved for this population, showing comparable efficacy and unique toxicity profiles. Several immune-checkpoint inhibitors, including pembrolizumab, nivolumab and the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab, are also available options for untreated metastatic melanoma patients. A novel approach has emerged by combining immune-checkpoint inhibitors and targeted agents, based on preclinical hints of synergy, prompting clinical results from large randomized trials. Specifically, the triplet of atezolizumab, vemurafenib and cobimetinib has been recently approved by FDA for patients with untreated BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma. With a wide variety of available treatment options in this setting, it is paramount to establish criteria to select the most effective and safe frontline tailored approaches, for each patient. Results from ongoing studies are awaited, to maximise the benefits in survival outcomes and quality of life for patients, balancing adverse events and clinical benefit. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current landscape of standard and experimental treatment strategies for the first line treatment of patients with BRAF-mutated advanced melanoma and discuss the best patient-centered tailored strategies in the first-line setting.

Re-defining the role of surgery in the management of patients with oligometastatic stage IV melanoma in the era of effective systemic therapies

Although previously the mainstay of treatment, the role of surgery in the management of patients with oligometastatic stage IV melanoma has changed with the advent of effective systemic therapies (most notably immunotherapy). Contemporary treatment options for patients with asymptomatic solitary or oligo-metastases include upfront surgery followed by adjuvant immunotherapy or upfront immunotherapy with salvage surgery as required. For suspected solitary or oligo-metastases, surgery serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Advances in radiological technology allow metastases to be detected earlier and surgery to be less morbid. Surgical morbidities are generally more tolerable than serious immune-related adverse effects, but surgery may be less effective. Upfront immunotherapy ensures that futile surgery is not offered for rapidly progressive disease. It also provides an opportunity to assess response to treatment, which predicts outcome, and may obviate the need for surgery. However, it is important not to miss a window of opportunity for surgical intervention, whereby if disease progresses on immunotherapy it becomes unresectable. In situations where local therapy is recommended but surgery is not desired, stereotactic radiosurgery may be an effective alternative. The decision-making process regarding upfront surgery versus immunotherapy needs to take place within a specialist melanoma multidisciplinary setting and be customised to individual patient and tumour factors. Ultimately, high-level clinical trial evidence is required to resolve uncertainties in the management of patients with oligometastatic stage IV melanoma but the complexity of the varying presentations may make trial design challenging.

Drugging the Undruggable: Advances on RAS Targeting in Cancer

Around 20% of all malignancies harbour activating mutations in RAS isoforms. Despite this, there is a deficiency of RAS-targeting agents licensed for therapeutic use. The picomolar affinity of RAS for GTP, and the lack of suitable pockets for high-affinity small-molecule binding, precluded effective therapies despite decades of research. Recently, characterisation of the biochemical properties of KRAS-G12C along with discovery of its 'switch-II pocket' have allowed development of effective mutant-specific inhibitors. Currently seven KRAS-G12C inhibitors are in clinical trials and sotorasib has become the first one to be granted FDA approval. Here, we discuss historical efforts to target RAS directly and approaches to target RAS effector signalling, including combinations that overcome limitations of single-agent targeting. We also review pre-clinical and clinical evidence for the efficacy of KRAS-G12C inhibitor monotherapy followed by an illustration of combination therapies designed to overcome primary resistance and extend durability of response. Finally, we briefly discuss novel approaches to targeting non-G12C mutant isoforms.

Therapeutic Advancements Across Clinical Stages in Melanoma, With a Focus on Targeted Immunotherapy

Melanoma is the most fatal skin cancer. In the early stages, it can be safely treated with surgery alone. However, since 2011, there has been an important revolution in the treatment of melanoma with new effective treatments. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors have changed the history of this disease. To date, more than half of advanced melanoma patients are alive at 5 years; despite this breakthrough, approximately half of the patients still do not respond to treatment. For these reasons, new therapeutic strategies are required to expand the number of patients who can benefit from immunotherapy or combination with targeted therapy. Current research aims at preventing primary and acquired resistance, which are both responsible for treatment failure in about 50% of patients. This could increase the effectiveness of available drugs and allow for the evaluation of new combinations and new targets. The main pathways and molecules under study are the IDO inhibitor, TLR9 agonist, STING, LAG-3, TIM-3, HDAC inhibitors, pegylated IL-2 (NKTR-214), GITR, and adenosine pathway inhibitors, among others (there are currently about 3000 trials that are evaluating immunotherapeutic combinations in different tumors). Other promising strategies are cancer vaccines and oncolytic viruses. Another approach is to isolate and remove immune cells (DCs, T cells, and NK cells) from the patient's blood or tumor infiltrates, add specific gene fragments, expand them in culture with growth factors, and re-inoculate into the same patient. TILs, TCR gene transfer, and CAR-T therapy follow this approach. In this article, we give an overview over the current status of melanoma therapies, the clinical rationale for choosing treatments, and the new immunotherapy approaches.

The role of immunotherapy and molecular‑targeted therapy in the treatment of melanoma (Review)

Skin melanomas are malignant neoplasms originating from neuroectodermal melanocytes. Compared to other neoplasms, melanomas have a high rate of growth. Their incidence is highest in Australia and New Zealand, in high‑income European countries (Switzerland, Norway, Sweden) and in the US. In Poland, the standardized incidence rate is approximately 5/100,000. Melanomas are typically highly radioresistant and chemoresistant. Before the era of immunotherapy, inoperable lesions were treated using chemotherapy based mainly on dacarbazine, temozolomide or fotemustine, which did not yield the expected results in terms of extending survival time or improving patient comfort. Therefore, there has emerged a need to seek other solutions. In most cases, the use of immunological treatment or targeted therapy has had a positive impact on survival time and relapse‑free survival. However, these periods are still relatively short, hence the need for further research and improvement of treatment. The most promising strategies appear to be antibodies that block programmed death receptor‑1 (PD‑1) and programmed death receptor ligand‑1 (PD‑L1) molecules, anti‑CTLA4 antibodies (cytotoxic T‑lymphocyte antigen 4) and therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib and Vemurafenib as First-Line Treatment in Patients with BRAF V600 Mutation-Positive Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma in China

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of dabrafenib plus trametinib combination therapy versus vemurafenib as first-line treatment in patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma from a healthcare system perspective in China. Methods: This study employed a partitioned survival model with three health states (progression-free survival, post-progression survival and dead) to parameterize the data derived from Combi-v trial and extrapolated to 30 years. Health states’ utilities were measured by EQ-5D-3L, also sourced from the Combi-v trial. Costs including drug acquisition costs, disease management costs and adverse event costs were based on the Chinese Drug Bidding Database and physician survey in China. The primary outcomes of the model were lifetime costs, life-years (LYs), quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted, respectively. Result: Dabrafenib plus trametinib is projected to increase a patient’s life expectancy by 0.95 life-years over vemurafenib (3.03 vs. 2.08) and 1.09 QALY gains (2.48 vs. 1.39) with an incremental cost of $3833. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $3511 per QALY. In the probabilistic sensitivity analyses, at a threshold of $33,357 per QALY (three times the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in China in 2020), the probability of dabrafenib plus trametinib being cost-effective was 90%. In the deterministic sensitivity analyses, the results were most sensitive to the dabrafenib plus trametinib drug costs, vemurafenib drug costs and discount rate of cost. Conclusion: Dabrafenib plus trametinib therapy yields more clinical benefits than vemurafenib. Using a threshold of $33,357 per QALY, dabrafenib plus trametinib is very cost-effective as compared with vemurafenib in China.

Hyperkeratotic Skin Adverse Events Induced by Anticancer Treatments: A Comprehensive Review

Hyperkeratotic skin adverse events are a group of toxic effects, characterized by the disruption of epidermal homeostasis and interaction with keratinocyte proliferation/differentiation or keratinocyte survival, and frequently reported with systemic anticancer treatments. These types of reactions include hand-foot skin reaction or palmoplantar keratoderma, induced psoriasis, keratosis pilaris-like or pityriasis rubra pilaris-like rashes, Grover's disease, and contact hyperkeratosis. Cutaneous squamoproliferative lesions are also described because of the presence of abnormal keratinocyte proliferation. They are usually observed with tyrosine kinase inhibitors but have also been described in association with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Their pathogenesis is related mainly to the disruption of epidermal homeostasis and interaction with keratinocyte proliferation/differentiation or keratinocyte survival caused by anticancer treatment. Early recognition and adequate management are critical to prevent exacerbation of the lesions, to limit treatment interruption, and to minimize impairment of quality of life. This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the presentation, pathogenesis, and management of secondary hyperkeratotic reactions to anticancer therapies. It also includes hyperkeratotic reactions that have been more recently described with newly approved targeted therapies or immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as keratosis pilaris-like exanthema with second-generation BCR-ABL inhibitors, lamellar ichthyosis-like lesions with ponatinib, pityriasis rubra pilaris with the newly approved selective phosphoinositide 3 kinase inhibitor idelalisib, or psoriasis with anti-programmed death-1 and programmed death ligand-1.

Precision Medicine in Oncology: A Review of Multi-Tumor Actionable Molecular Targets with an Emphasis on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Precision medicine is essential for the modern care of a patient with cancer. Comprehensive molecular profiling of the tumor itself is necessary to determine the presence or absence of certain targetable abnormalities or biomarkers. In particular, lung cancer is a disease for which targetable genomic alterations will soon guide therapy in the majority of cases. In this comprehensive review of solid tumor-based biomarkers, we describe the genomic alterations for which targeted agents have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While focusing on alterations leading to approvals in a tumor-agnostic fashion (MSI-h, TMB-h, NTRK) and on those alterations with approvals in multiple malignancies (BRAF, ERBB2, RET, BRCA, PD-L1), we also describe several biomarkers or indications that are likely to lead to an approved drug in the near future (e.g., KRAS G12C, PD-L1 amplification, HER2 overexpression in colon cancer, HER2 mutations in lung cancer). Finally, we detail the current landscape of additional actionable alterations (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, MET) in lung cancer, a biomarker-rich malignancy that has greatly benefitted from the precision oncology revolution.

Cardiovascular adverse events associated with BRAF versus BRAF/MEK inhibitor: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis using two large national registries

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) associated with BRAF inhibitors alone versus combination BRAF/MEK inhibitors are not fully understood.

METHODS

This study included all adult patients who received BRAF inhibitors (vemurafenib, dabrafenib, encorafenib) or combinations BRAF/MEK inhibitors (vemurafenib/cobimetinib; dabrafenib/trametinib; encorafenib/binimetinib). We utilized the cross-sectional FDA's Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) and longitudinal Truven Health Analytics/IBM MarketScan database from 2011 to 2018. Various CVAEs, including arterial hypertension, heart failure (HF), and venous thromboembolism (VTE), were studied using adjusted regression techniques.

RESULTS

In FAERS, 7752 AEs were reported (40% BRAF and 60% BRAF/MEK). Median age was 60 (IQR 49-69) years with 45% females and 97% with melanoma. Among these, 567 (7.4%) were cardiovascular adverse events (mortality rate 19%). Compared with monotherapy, combination therapy was associated with increased risk for HF (reporting odds ratio [ROR] = 1.62 (CI = 1.14-2.30); p = 0.007), arterial hypertension (ROR = 1.75 (CI = 1.12-2.89); p = 0.02) and VTE (ROR = 1.80 (CI = 1.12-2.89); p = 0.02). Marketscan had 657 patients with median age of 53 years (IQR 46-60), 39.3% female, and 88.7% with melanoma. There were 26.2% CVAEs (CI: 14.8%-36%) within 6 months of medication start in those receiving combination therapy versus 16.7% CVAEs (CI: 13.1%-20.2%) among those receiving monotherapy. Combination therapy was associated with CVAEs compared to monotherapy (adjusted HR: 1.56 (CI: 1.01-2.42); p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In two independent real-world cohorts, combination BRAF/MEK inhibitors were associated with increased CVAEs compared to monotherapy, especially HF, and hypertension.

Cost-Effectiveness of Pembrolizumab for the Adjuvant Treatment of Melanoma Patients with Lymph Node Involvement Who Have Undergone Complete Resection in Argentina

INTRODUCTION

The KEYNOTE-054 trial demonstrated that adjuvant pembrolizumab improves recurrence-free survival in completely resected stage III melanoma versus watchful waiting (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.57; 98.4% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.74). We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab in Argentina, where watchful waiting is still widely used among these patients despite the high risk of recurrence with surgery alone.

METHODS

A four-health state model was used (recurrence-free, locoregional recurrence [LR], distant metastases [DM], death). Lifetime medical costs to payers (72.08 Argentine pesos [AR$] = 1.00 U.S. dollar [USD]) and outcomes (3% annual discount) were assessed, together with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). First and LR→DM recurrences were modeled using KEYNOTE-054 and real-world data, respectively. No benefits of adjuvant treatment were assumed post-progression. Pre-DM and post-DM mortality was based on KEYNOTE-054 and on a network meta-analysis of advanced treatments expected in each arm, respectively. Utilities were derived from KEYNOTE-054 Euro-QoL data using an Argentinian algorithm, and from the literature. Public ex-factory drug prices were used.

RESULTS

Patients in the pembrolizumab and the watchful waiting arms accrued 8.78 and 5.83 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), 9.91 and 6.98 life-years, and costs of AR$12,698,595 (176,174 USD) and AR$11,967,717 (166,034 USD), respectively. The proportion of life-years accrued that were recurrence-free was 80.8% and 56.9% in the pembrolizumab and the watchful waiting arms, respectively. Pembrolizumab patients gained 2.94 life-years and 2.96 QALYs versus watchful waiting; the ICER per QALY was AR$247,094 (3428 USD). Recurrence rates and advanced melanoma treatments were the key drivers of the ICER. At a threshold of AR$1,445,325 (29,935 USD) per QALY, pembrolizumab had an 83.5% probability of being cost-effective versus watchful waiting.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant pembrolizumab after complete resection of melanoma with node involvement is highly cost-effective relative to watchful waiting in Argentina, across disease stage subgroups and BRAF mutational status. This strongly supports its coverage and reimbursement across the entire health system.

Erdheim-Chester disease: a comprehensive review from the ophthalmologic perspective

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare clonal histiocytic neoplasm with less than 1200 documented cases to date. The disease is life-threatening and difficult to recognize, although increasing awareness as well as the integration of clinical, imaging, pathology information , and genetic studies have led to a recent exponential increase in new reported cases. ECD affects multiple organs and systems, including skeletal, neurologic, and cardiovascular. Pulmonary, retroperitoneal, and cutaneous lesions have also been reported in various combinations. Until the discovery that more than half of ECD patients harbor the BRAF-V600E mutation or other mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and RAS pathways, Interferon-a was the first-line treatment. Nowadays BRAF and MEK-inhibitors targeted therapies are the mainstay of treatment. Ophthalmologic involvement occurs in 25% -30% of ECD cases, usually in the form of orbital involvement presenting with exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegia. Other ophthalmologic manifestations include palpebral xanthelasmas, anterior uveitis and vitritis, optic disk edema, choroidal infiltration, recurrent serous retinal detachment, retinal drusen-like deposits and retinal pigment epithelial changes. ECD patients can also present with ocular symptoms as a result of adverse effects of the treatment regimens. In some cases with smoldering or protean symptoms, the emergence of eye manifestations triggered the diagnosis. Ophthalmologists have to be aware of the disease, recognize the constellation of ECD symptoms, and contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of ECD patients.

Recent advancements in melanoma management

The treatment options for patients with melanoma have expanded significantly over the past decade. In particular, the use of targeted therapy and immunotherapy has dramatically transformed the outlook for patients with advanced disease. These treatments are now being utilised as adjuvant therapy for patients with earlier stage melanoma after surgical resection. We review the latest updates for melanoma staging, surgical resection, radiotherapy and systemic therapies.

Dabrafenib and trametinib exposure-efficacy and tolerance in metastatic melanoma patients: a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic real-life study

PURPOSE

Dabrafenib plus trametinib combination has greatly improved survival in BRAFV600^mut metastatic melanoma patients. However, data regarding the influence of pharmacokinetic markers in real-life patients are lacking. In this study, we aimed to explore dabrafenib and trametinib pharmacokinetic impact on progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR) or all grades treatment-related adverse events (ARAE) occurrence in routine care patients.

METHODS

BRAFV600^mut metastatic melanoma patients initiating standard doses of dabrafenib 150 mg BID plus trametinib 2 mg QD were included. Clinical data were collected via the French biobank MelBase, prospectively enrolling unresectable stage III or IV melanoma. Clinical response evaluation, ARAE reporting and dabrafenib and trametinib plasma quantification were performed. Association of individual Bayesian-estimated pharmacokinetic markers (AUC_0-τ and C_trough) and baseline clinical variables with DOR, PFS, clinical response, and ARAE was then assessed.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (comprising 4 AJCC stage IIIc and 46 stage IV) were included. Median PFS reached 11.4 months, and overall response rate 70%. Fifty percent of patients experienced ARAE (G3 n = 10, G4 n = 0). In univariate analysis, median dabrafenib C_trough within intermediate range was associated with a significantly higher PFS (HR [95% CI] = 0.41 [0.18; 0.91], p = 0.029) and DOR (HR [95% CI] = 0.39 [0.16; 0.94], p = 0.024), and association with DOR remained significant in multivariate analysis (HR [95% CI] = 0.34 [0.12; 0.95], p = 0.040). Trametinib pharmacokinetic markers were significantly higher in patients experiencing ARAE compared to patients without ARAE.

CONCLUSION

In this study, exposure-efficacy and tolerance analysis highlighted the interest of therapeutic drug monitoring to optimize therapeutic management in BRAFV600^mut metastatic melanoma patients based on trough concentrations of dabrafenib and trametinib.

Retinal toxicities of systemic anticancer drugs

Newer anticancer drugs have revolutionized cancer treatment in the last decade, but conventional chemotherapy still occupies a central position in many cancers, with combination therapy and newer methods of delivery increasing their efficacy while minimizing toxicities. We discuss the retinal toxicities of anticancer drugs with an emphasis on the mechanism of toxicity. Uveitis is seen with the use of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B editing anticancer inhibitors as well as immunotherapy. Most of the cases are mild with only anterior uveitis, but severe cases of posterior uveitis, panuveitis, and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like disease may also occur. In the retina, a transient neurosensory detachment is observed in almost all patients on mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Microvasculopathy is often seen with interferon α, but vascular occlusion is a more serious toxicity caused by interferon α and MEK inhibitors. Crystalline retinopathy with or without macular edema may occur with tamoxifen; however, even asymptomatic patients may develop cavitatory spaces seen on optical coherence tomography. A unique macular edema with angiographic silence is characteristic of taxanes. Delayed dark adaptation has been observed with fenretinide. Interestingly, this drug is finding potential application in Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration.

Acceleration or Brakes: Which Is Rational for Cell Cycle-Targeting Neuroblastoma Therapy?

Unrestrained proliferation is a common feature of malignant neoplasms. Targeting the cell cycle is a therapeutic strategy to prevent unlimited cell division. Recently developed rationales for these selective inhibitors can be subdivided into two categories with antithetical functionality. One applies a “brake” to the cell cycle to halt cell proliferation, such as with inhibitors of cell cycle kinases. The other “accelerates” the cell cycle to initiate replication/mitotic catastrophe, such as with inhibitors of cell cycle checkpoint kinases. The fate of cell cycle progression or arrest is tightly regulated by the presence of tolerable or excessive DNA damage, respectively. This suggests that there is compatibility between inhibitors of DNA repair kinases, such as PARP inhibitors, and inhibitors of cell cycle checkpoint kinases. In the present review, we explore alterations to the cell cycle that are concomitant with altered DNA damage repair machinery in unfavorable neuroblastomas, with respect to their unique genomic and molecular features. We highlight the vulnerabilities of these alterations that are attributable to the features of each. Based on the assessment, we offer possible therapeutic approaches for personalized medicine, which are seemingly antithetical, but both are promising strategies for targeting the altered cell cycle in unfavorable neuroblastomas.

A Retrospective Analysis of Dabrafenib and/or Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib Combination in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma to Characterize Patients with Long-Term Benefit in the Individual Patient Program (DESCRIBE III)

Simple Summary

Compassionate-use programs provide an opportunity to retrospectively evaluate the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in a real-world setting to validate the results derived from controlled randomized clinical trials. The COMBI-d and COMBI-v studies established the superior efficacy of dabrafenib + trametinib (dab + tram) versus BRAF inhibitor monotherapy in patients with BRAF V600–mutant metastatic melanoma. In light of their five-year results demonstrating long-term benefit with first-line dab + tram, it is important to get a real-world perspective of the long-term treatment duration for dab + tram. DESCRIBE III was designed to retrospectively evaluate the impact of patient characteristics on the long-term outcomes of dab + tram in a real-world setting based on the duration of clinical benefit. Consistent with the findings from the pooled analysis of COMBI-d and COMBI-v, lower LDH level and <3 metastatic sites at baseline were associated with a longer duration of treatment benefit in a real-world setting.

Abstract

The dabrafenib plus trametinib (dab + tram) combination has demonstrated durable long-term efficacy in patients with BRAF V600–mutant metastatic melanoma. However, real-world data characterizing patients with long-term benefit are limited. DESCRIBE III was a global, observational, retrospective, chart review study in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma treated with dab monotherapy and/or dab + tram combination therapy as part of the Named Patient Program or Individual Patient Program. Overall, 509 patients were enrolled. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their observed treatment duration: long-term (on therapy ≥12 months), intermediate (on therapy ≥6 months and <12 months), and short-term (on therapy <6 months) duration of benefit. More patients in the short-term duration of benefit group had baseline characteristics associated with poor prognosis compared with the other two groups. Median lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (368 U/L) at baseline were also higher in the short-term duration of benefit group. No new safety signals were identified. DESCRIBE III identified baseline characteristics associated with long-term benefit of dab + tram. Lower LDH level and <3 metastatic sites at baseline were associated with a longer duration of benefit, confirming that the findings from COMBI-d and COMBI-v are relevant to patients treated in a real-world setting.

Conjunctival melanoma: New insights in tumour genetics and immunology, leading to new therapeutic options

Recent developments in oncology have led to a better molecular and cellular understanding of cancer, and the introduction of novel therapies. Conjunctival melanoma (CoM) is a rare but potentially devastating disease. A better understanding of CoM, leading to the development of novel therapies, is urgently needed. CoM is characterized by mutations that have also been identified in cutaneous melanoma, e.g. in BRAF, NRAS and TERT. These mutations are distinct from the mutations found in uveal melanoma (UM), affecting genes such as GNAQ, GNA11, and BAP1. Targeted therapies that are successful in cutaneous melanoma may therefore be useful in CoM. A recent breakthrough in the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma was the development of immunotherapy. While immunotherapy is currently sparsely effective in intraocular tumours such as UM, the similarities between CoM and cutaneous melanoma (including in their immunological tumour micro environment) provide hope for the application of immunotherapy in CoM, and preliminary clinical data are indeed emerging to support this use. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding CoM, with a focus on the genetic and immunologic understanding. We elaborate on the distinct position of CoM in contrast to other types of melanoma, and explain how new insights in the pathophysiology of this disease guide the development of new, personalized, treatments.

Discovery of New Imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole Derivatives as Potent Pan-RAF Inhibitors with Promising In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-melanoma Activity

BRAF is an important component of MAPK cascade. Mutation of BRAF, in particular V600E, leads to hyperactivation of the MAPK pathway and uncontrolled cellular growth. Resistance to selective inhibitors of mutated BRAF is a major obstacle against treatment of many cancer types. In this work, a series of new (imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)pyrimidine derivatives possessing a terminal sulfonamide moiety were synthesized. Pan-RAF inhibitory effect of the new series was investigated, and structure-activity relationship is discussed. Antiproliferative activity of the target compounds was tested against the NCI-60 cell line panel. The most active compounds were further tested to obtain their IC₅₀ values against cancer cells. Compound 27c with terminal open chain sulfonamide and 38a with a cyclic sulfamide moiety showed the highest activity in enzymatic and cellular assay, and both compounds were able to inhibit phosphorylation of MEK and ERK. Compound 38a was selected for testing its in vivo activity against melanoma. Cellular and animal activities are reported.

BRAF/EZH2 Signaling Represses miR-129-5p Inhibition of SOX4 Thereby Modulating BRAFi Resistance in Melanoma

Simple Summary

Approximately 60% of all melanomas are associated with a constitutive activating BRAF mutation. Inhibition of BRAF downstream signaling by targeted therapies significantly improved patient outcomes. However, most patients eventually develop resistance. Here we identified miR-129-5p as a novel tumor suppressor in BRAF mutated melanoma, which expression is increased during response to BRAF inhibition, but repressed in an EZH2 dependent manner during activated BRAF signaling. Overexpression of miR-129-5p decreases melanoma cell proliferation and improves response to BRAF inhibition by targeting SOX4. Taken together our results emphasize SOX4 as a potential therapeutic target in BRAF driven melanoma which could be attacked by pharmaceutically.

Abstract

Many melanomas are associated with activating BRAF mutation. Targeted therapies by inhibitors of BRAF and MEK (BRAFi, MEKi) show marked antitumor response, but become limited by drug resistance. The mechanisms for this are not fully revealed, but include miRNA. Wishing to improve efficacy of BRAFi and knowing that certain miRNAs are linked to resistance to BRAFi, we wanted to focus on miRNAs exclusively associated with response to BRAFi. We found increased expression of miR-129-5p during BRAFi treatment of BRAF- mutant melanoma cells. Parallel to emergence of resistance we observed mir-129-5p expression to become suppressed by BRAF/EZH2 signaling. In functional analyses we revealed that miR-129-5p acts as a tumor suppressor as its overexpression decreased cell proliferation, improved treatment response and reduced viability of BRAFi resistant melanoma cells. By protein expression analyses and luciferase reporter assays we confirmed SOX4 as a direct target of mir-129-5p. Thus, modulation of the miR-129-5p-SOX4 axis could serve as a promising novel strategy to improve response to BRAFi in melanoma.

Molecular mechanisms mediating relapse following ivosidenib monotherapy in IDH1-mutant relapsed or refractory AML

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2 mutations result in overproduction of D-2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) and impaired cellular differentiation. Ivosidenib, a targeted mutant IDH1 (mIDH1) enzyme inhibitor, can restore normal differentiation and results in clinical responses in a subset of patients with mIDH1 relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We explored mechanisms of ivosidenib resistance in 174 patients with confirmed mIDH1 R/R AML from a phase 1 trial. Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathway mutations were associated with primary resistance to ivosidenib. Multiple mechanisms contributed to acquired resistance, particularly outgrowth of RTK pathway mutations and 2-HG-restoring mutations (second-site IDH1 mutations, IDH2 mutations). Observation of multiple concurrent mechanisms in individual patients underscores the complex biology of resistance and has important implications for rational combination therapy design. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02074839.

Defining the Criteria for Reflex Testing for BRAF Mutations in Cutaneous Melanoma Patients

Targeted therapy has been developed through an in-depth understanding of molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma. Approximately ~50% of patients with melanoma have tumors that harbor a mutation of the BRAF oncogene. Certain clinical features have been identified in BRAF-mutated melanomas (primary lesions located on the trunk, diagnosed in patients <50, visibly pigmented tumors and, at times, with ulceration or specific dermatoscopic features). While BRAF mutation testing is recommended for stage III-IV melanoma, guidelines differ in recommending mutation testing in stage II melanoma patients. To fully benefit from these treatment options and avoid delays in therapy initiation, advanced melanoma patients harboring a BRAF mutation must be identified accurately and quickly. To achieve this, clear definition and implementation of BRAF reflex testing criteria/methods in melanoma should be established so that patients with advanced melanoma can arrive to their first medical oncology appointment with a known biomarker status. Reflex testing has proven effective for a variety of cancers in selecting therapies and driving other medical decisions. We overview the pathophysiology, clinical presentation of BRAF-mutated melanoma, current guidelines, and present recommendations on BRAF mutation testing. We propose that reflex BRAF testing should be performed for every melanoma patient with stages ≥IIB.

High BRAF variant allele frequencies are associated with distinct pathological features and responsiveness to target therapy in melanoma patients

Background

BRAF mutant melanoma patients are commonly treated with anti-BRAF therapeutic strategies. However, many factors, including the percentage of BRAF-mutated cells, may contribute to the great variability in patient outcomes.

Patients and methods

The BRAF variant allele frequency (VAF; defined as the percentage of mutated alleles) of primary and secondary melanoma lesions, obtained from 327 patients with different disease stages, was assessed by pyrosequencing. The BRAF mutation rate and VAF were then correlated with melanoma pathological features and patients’ clinical characteristics. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to study the correlations between BRAF VAF, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in a subset of 62 patients treated by anti-BRAF/anti-MEK therapy after metastatic progression.

Results

A highly heterogeneous BRAF VAF was identified (3%-90%). Besides being correlated with age, a higher BRAF VAF level was related to moderate lymphocytic infiltration (P = 0.017), to melanoma thickness according to Clark levels, (level V versus III, P = 0.004; level V versus IV, P = 0.04), to lymph node metastases rather than cutaneous (P = 0.04) or visceral (P = 0.03) secondary lesions. In particular, a BRAF VAF >25% was significantly associated with a favorable outcome in patients treated with the combination of anti-BRAF/anti-MEK drug (OS P = 0.04; PFS P = 0.019), retaining a significant value as an independent factor for the OS and the PFS in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.014 and P = 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion

These results definitively support the role of the BRAF VAF as a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker in melanoma patients in the context of BRAF inhibition.

•

In melanoma the response to anti-BRAF targeted therapies is heterogeneous and influenced by several features.

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The role of the BRAF VAF as provider of sensitivity to target therapies is debated.

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We found that high BRAF VAFs are associated with patient age, melanoma thickness, non-brisk TILs and lymph node metastases.

•

We proved the independent prognostic value of high BRAF VAFs in melanoma patients treated with targeted therapies.

•

The quantitative evaluation of BRAF mutations allows stratifying melanoma patients to the BRAF/MEK targeted treatment.

Current management of melanoma patients with nodal metastases

The management of melanoma patients with nodal metastases has undergone dramatic changes over the last decade. In the past, the standard of care for patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was a completion lymph node dissection (CLND), while patients with palpable macroscopic nodal disease underwent a therapeutic lymphadenectomy in cases with no evidence of systemic spread. However, studies have shown that SLN metastases present as a spectrum of disease, with certain SLN-based factors being prognostic of and correlated with outcomes. Furthermore, the results of key clinical trials demonstrate that CLND provides no survival benefit over nodal observation in positive SLN patients, while other clinical trials have shown that adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy or targeted therapy after CLND is associated with a recurrence-free survival benefit. Given the efficacy of these systemic therapies in the adjuvant setting, these agents are now being evaluated and utilized as neoadjuvant treatments in patients with regionally-localized or resectable metastatic melanoma. Multiple options now exist to treat melanoma patients with nodal disease, and determining the best treatment course for a particular case requires an in-depth knowledge of current data and an informed discussion with the patient. This review will provide an overview of the various options for treating melanoma patients with nodal metastases and will discuss the data that supported the development of these treatment options.

The Danish metastatic melanoma database (DAMMED): A nation-wide platform for quality assurance and research in real-world data on medical therapy in Danish melanoma patients

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials enroll patients with specific diseases based on certain pre-defined eligibility criteria. Disease registries are crucial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new expensive oncology medicines in broad non-trial patient populations.

METHODS

We provide detailed information on the structure, including variables, and the scientific results from a nation-wide Danish database covering advanced melanoma, illustrating the importance of continuous real-world data registration. Disease status and treatment-related information on all patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition stage III or IV melanoma candidates to medical treatment in Denmark are prospectively registered in the Danish Metastatic Melanoma Database (DAMMED).

RESULTS

By January 1st, 2021, DAMMED includes 4156 patients and 7420 treatment regimens. Response rates and survival data from published randomized clinical trial data are compared with real-world efficacy data from DAMMED and presented. Overall, nine independent manuscripts highlighting similarities and discrepancies between real-world and clinical trial results are already reported to date.

CONCLUSION

Nation-wide disease registries take into consideration the complexity of daily clinical practice. We show a concrete example of how disease registries can complement clinical trials' information, improving clinical practice, and support health-related technology assessment.

Aggressive Childhood-onset Papillary Craniopharyngioma Managed With Vemurafenib, a BRAF Inhibitor

The papillary subtype of craniopharyngioma (CP) rarely occurs in children and commonly presents as a suprasellar lesion. Patients with papillary CPs frequently harbor the BRAF-V600E mutation, and treatment with a BRAF inhibitor results in tumor shrinkage in several patients. Herein, we report a patient with childhood-onset papillary CP treated with vemurafenib for 40 months after multiple surgeries. At age 10, he presented with growth failure secondary to an intrasellar cystic lesion. He had 3 transsphenoidal surgeries before age 12 and a 4th surgery 25 years later for massive tumor recurrence. Pathology showed a papillary CP with positive BRAF-V600E mutation. Rapid tumor regrowth 4 months after surgery led to treatment with vemurafenib that resulted in tumor reduction within 6 weeks. Gradual tumor regrowth occurred after a dose reduction of vemurafenib because of elevated liver enzymes. He had further surgeries and within 7 weeks after stopping vemurafenib, there was massive tumor recurrence. He resumed treatment with vemurafenib before radiation therapy and similar tumor shrinkage occurred within 16 days. In this patient with childhood-onset papillary CP that was refractory to multiple surgeries, the use of vemurafenib resulted in significant tumor shrinkage that allowed for the completion of radiation therapy and tumor control.

Inflammation and Apolipoproteins Are Potential Biomarkers for Stratification of Cutaneous Melanoma Patients for Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy

Malignant cutaneous melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults. During the last decade, targeted and immunotherapies have significantly increased the overall survival of patients with malignant cutaneous melanoma. Nevertheless, disease progression is common, and a lack of predictive biomarkers of patient response to therapy hinders individualized treatment strategies. To address this issue, we performed a longitudinal study using an unbiased proteomics approach to identify and quantify proteins in plasma both before and during treatment from 109 patients treated with either targeted or immunotherapy. Linear modeling and machine learning approaches identified 43 potential prognostic and predictive biomarkers. A reverse correlation between apolipoproteins and proteins related to inflammation was observed. In the immunotherapy group, patients with low pretreatment expression of apolipoproteins and high expression of inflammation markers had shorter progression-free survival. Similarly, increased expression of LDHB during treatment elicited a significant impact on response to immunotherapy. Overall, we identified potential common and treatment-specific biomarkers in malignant cutaneous melanoma, paving the way for clinical use of these biomarkers following validation on a larger cohort. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies a potential biomarker panel that could improve the selection of therapy for patients with cutaneous melanoma.