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Fukuda K, Osumi H, Yoshinami Y, Ooki A, Takashima A, Wakatsuki T, Hirano H, Nakayama I, Ouchi K, Sawada R, Fukuoka S, Ogura M, Takahari D, Chin K, Shoji H, Okita N, Kato K, Ishizuka N, Boku N, Yamaguchi K, Shinozaki E. Efficacy of anti-epidermal growth factor antibody rechallenge in RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer: a multi-institutional observational study. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:369. [PMID: 39066951 PMCID: PMC11283376 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05893-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) RAS mutant (MT) incidence before salvage-line treatment and the clinicopathological features and molecular biological factors associated with the efficacy of anti-epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) rechallenge for tissue RAS/BRAF wild type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS This multi-institutional retrospective observational study included 74 patients with mCRC with tissue RAS/BRAF WT refractory to first-line chemotherapy containing anti-EGFR mAb. ctDNA RAS status was assessed using the OncoBEAM™ RAS CRC Kit. We explored the clinicopathological features associated with ctDNA RAS status and the factors related to anti-EGFR mAb rechallenge efficacy in multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS The incidence of RAS MT in ctDNA was 40.5% (30/74), which was associated with primary tumor resection (P = 0.016), liver metastasis (P < 0.001), and high tumor marker levels (P < 0.001). Among the 39 patients treated with anti-EGFR mAb rechallenge, those with ctDNA RAS WT showed significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) than those with ctDNA RAS MT (median 4.1 vs. 2.7 months, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39, P = 0.045). Patients who responded to first-line anti-EGFR mAb showed significantly longer PFS (HR = 0.21, P = 0.0026) and overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.23, P = 0.026) than those with stable disease. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of ctDNA RAS MT mCRC was 40.5%, which was associated with liver metastases and high tumor volumes. Anti-EGFR mAb rechallenge may be effective for patients with mCRC who responded to first-line chemotherapy containing anti-EGFR mAb. No patients with RAS MT in ctDNA responded to anti-EGFR mAb rechallenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koshiro Fukuda
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Osumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuri Yoshinami
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Ooki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuo Takashima
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeru Wakatsuki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Hirano
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Izuma Nakayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kota Ouchi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tohoku University Hospital, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Sawada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shota Fukuoka
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Ogura
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Takahari
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisho Chin
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Shoji
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Natsuko Okita
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Kato
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Ishizuka
- Center for Digital Transformation of Healthcare, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Narikazu Boku
- Department of Oncology and General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiji Shinozaki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.
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2
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Yu H, Liu Q, Wu K, Tang S. Biomarkers to predict efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in colorectal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:143. [PMID: 38960935 PMCID: PMC11222262 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01408-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved to treat colorectal cancer (CRC) with mismatch-repair gene deficiency, but the response rate remains low. Value of current biomarkers to predict CRC patients' response to ICIs is unclear due to heterogeneous study designs and small sample sizes. Here, we aim to assess and quantify the magnitude of multiple biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of ICIs in CRC patients. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases (to June 2023) for clinical studies examining biomarkers for efficacy of ICIs in CRC patients. Random-effect models were performed for meta-analysis. We pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for biomarkers predicting response rate and survival. 36 studies with 1867 patients were included in systematic review. We found that a lower pre-treatment blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (n=4, HR 0.37, 95%CI 0.21-0.67) predicts good prognosis, higher tumor mutation burden (n=10, OR 4.83, 95%CI 2.16-10.78) predicts response to ICIs, and liver metastasis (n=16, OR 0.32, 95%CI 0.16-0.63) indicates resistance to ICIs, especially when combined with VEGFR inhibitors. But the predictive value of tumor PD-L1 expression (n=9, OR 1.01, 95%CI 0.48-2.14) was insignificant in CRC. Blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, tumor mutation burden, and liver metastasis, but not tumor PD-L1 expression, function as significant biomarkers to predict efficacy of ICIs in CRC patients. These findings help stratify CRC patients suitable for ICI treatments, improving efficacy of immunotherapy through precise patient management. (PROSPERO, CRD42022346716).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yu
- Cancer Institute, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-An Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingquan Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Keting Wu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Tang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-An Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Martinelli E, Ciardiello D, Martini G, Napolitano S, Del Tufo S, D'Ambrosio L, De Chiara M, Famiglietti V, Nacca V, Cardone C, Avallone A, Cremolini C, Pietrantonio F, Maiello E, Granata V, Troiani T, Cappabianca S, Ciardiello F, Nardone V, Reginelli A. Radiomic Parameters for the Evaluation of Response to Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients with Liver Metastasis: Findings from the CAVE-GOIM mCRC Phase 2 Trial. Clin Drug Investig 2024; 44:541-548. [PMID: 38886336 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-024-01372-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CAVE is a single arm, Phase 2 trial, that demonstrated anti-tumor activity of cetuximab rechallenge plus avelumab in patients with RAS wild type (wt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). OBJECTIVE We conducted a post hoc analysis to identify potential radiomic biomarkers for patients with CRC liver metastasis (LM). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with LM that could be measured by enhanced contrast phase computed tomography (CT) imaging at baseline and at first response evaluation were included. Multiple texture parameters were extracted with the LifeX Software. Delta-texture (D-TA) variations were calculated by comparing data at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS Overall, 55/77 patients (71%) had LM; 39 met the inclusion criteria for the current analysis. The D-TA parameters that significantly correlated at univariate analysis with median progression-free survival (mPFS) were EntropyHistogram (p = 0.021), HomogeneityGLCM (p < 0.001) and Dissimilarity GLCM (p = 0.002). At multivariate analysis, only HomogeneityGLCM resulted significant for PFS (p = 0.001). Patients (19/39, 48.7%) with reduction of HomogeneityGLCM experienced better mPFS (4.6 vs 2.9 months; HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23-0.88; p = 0.021) and median overall survival (mOS) (17.3 vs 6.8 months; HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.80; p = 0.010). A trend to better mPFS, was also observed in patients with RAS/BRAF wt circulating tumor DNA and reduction of HomogeneityGLCM. Overall survival was significantly better in this subgroup of patients with low HomogeneityGLCM: mOS was 17.8 (95% CI 15.5-20.2) versus 6.8 months (95% CI 3.6-10.0) (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.81; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION Reduction in the D-TA parameter HomogeneityGLCM by radiomic analysis correlates with improved outcomes in patients with LM receiving cetuximab rechallenge plus avelumab therapy. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate and confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Martinelli
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
| | - Davide Ciardiello
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giulia Martini
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Napolitano
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Del Tufo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Luca D'Ambrosio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marco De Chiara
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Famiglietti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Nacca
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Cardone
- Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale", IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Avallone
- Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale", IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Cremolini
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Vincenza Granata
- Division of Radiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale-IRCCS di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Troiani
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cappabianca
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Valerio Nardone
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Reginelli
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Ciardiello D, Mauri G, Sartore-Bianchi A, Siena S, Zampino MG, Fazio N, Cervantes A. The role of anti-EGFR rechallenge in metastatic colorectal cancer, from available data to future developments: A systematic review. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 124:102683. [PMID: 38237253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Despite recent molecular and immunological advancements, prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients remains poor. In this context, several retrospective and phase II studies suggested that after failure of an upfront anti-EGFR based regimen, a subset of patients can still benefit from further anti-EGFR blockade. Several translational studies involving circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis demonstrated that cancer clones harboring mutations driving anti-EGFR resistance, which can arise under anti-EGFR agents selective pressure, often decay after anti-EGFR discontinuation potentially restoring sensitivity to this therapeutic strategy. Accordingly, several retrospective analyses and a recent prospective trial demonstrated that ctDNA RAS and BRAF wild-type mCRC patients are those benefitting the most from anti-EGFR rechallenge. Indeed, in molecularly selected patients, anti-EGFR rechallenge strategy achieved up to 30 % response rate, with a progression free survival longer than 4 months and an overall survival longer than 1 year, which favorably compared with other standard therapeutic options available for heavily pretreated patients. Anti-EGFR is also well tolerated with no unexpected toxicities compared to the upfront setting. However, several open questions remain to be addressed towards a broader applicability of anti-EGFR strategy in the everyday clinical practice such as the identification of the best rechallenge regimen, the right placement in mCRC therapeutic algorithm, the best ctDNA screening panel. In our systematic review, we revised available data from clinical trials assessing anti-EGFR rechallenge activity in chemo-refractory mCRC patients, discussing as well potential future scenarios and development to implement this therapeutic approach. Particularly, we discussed the role of ctDNA as a safe, timely and comprehensive tool to refine patient's selection and the therapeutic index of anti-EGFR rechallenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ciardiello
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Mauri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy; IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Sartore-Bianchi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy; Division of Clinical Research and Innovation, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - Salvatore Siena
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Zampino
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Fazio
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Andres Cervantes
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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5
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Matteucci L, Bittoni A, Gallo G, Ridolfi L, Passardi A. Immunocheckpoint Inhibitors in Microsatellite-Stable or Proficient Mismatch Repair Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Are We Entering a New Era? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5189. [PMID: 37958363 PMCID: PMC10648369 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Europe. About 5% of metastatic CRC (mCRC) are characterized by high microsatellite instability (MSI) due to a deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR), and this condition has been related to a high sensitivity to immunotherapy, in particular to the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs). In fact, in MSI-H or dMMR mCRC, treatment with ICIs induced remarkable response rates and prolonged survival. However, the majority of mCRC cases are mismatch-repair-proficient (pMMR) and microsatellite-stable (MSS), and unfortunately these conditions involve resistance to ICIs. This review aims to provide an overview of the strategies implemented to overcome ICI resistance and/or define subgroups of patients with MSS or dMMR mCRC who may benefit from immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Matteucci
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bittoni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Graziana Gallo
- Operative Unit of Pathologic Anatomy, Azienda USL della Romagna, “Maurizio Bufalini” Hospital, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Laura Ridolfi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Alessandro Passardi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
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6
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Ciardiello D, Napolitano S, Famiglietti V, Esposito L, De Falco V, Di Liello A, Avallone A, Maiello E, Pietrantonio F, Cremolini C, Zampino MG, Fazio N, Troiani T, Martinelli E, Ciardiello F, Martini G. Pretreatment Plasma Circulating Tumor DNA RAS/BRAF Mutational Status in Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Are Candidates for Anti-EGFR Rechallenge Therapy: A Pooled Analysis of the CAVE and VELO Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072117. [PMID: 37046778 PMCID: PMC10093522 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rechallenge with anti-EGFR drugs represents a promising strategy in refractory RAS/BRAF wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We performed the pooled analysis of the CAVE and VELO studies to evaluate the percentage of patients with WT circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tumors and the association of mutational status with time from the last anti-EGFR drug administration. At baseline, 97/129 patients had RAS/BRAF WT plasma ctDNA, while 32/129 had RAS/BRAF mutated plasma ctDNA. Median anti-EGFR drug-free interval was 10.6 (CI 95%, 8.9–13.4) months in the plasma RAS/BRAF mutant group as compared to 13.0 (CI 95%, 11.1–16.6) months in RAS/BRAF WT group (p = 0.169). To investigate the time window of the RAS/BRAF mutant cancer cell clone disappearance, descriptive analysis using different time points was performed. No difference in the proportion of patients whose baseline plasma ctDNA was RAS/BRAF WT or mutated was found between 4 and 18 months since the last administration of anti-EGFR drugs. In contrast, 38/44 of patients with anti-EGFR drug-free interval of 18 months or more displayed a ctDNA RAS/BRAF WT status. Taken together, these results shows that the length of anti-EGFR free interval is not a sufficient criterion for patient selection, supporting the role of liquid biopsies for improving treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ciardiello
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Napolitano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Famiglietti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Esposito
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Falco
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Liello
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Avallone
- Experimental Clinical Abdominal Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Cremolini
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, University Hospital of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Zampino
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Fazio
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Troiani
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Martinelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Martini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
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7
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Olguin JE, Mendoza-Rodriguez MG, Sanchez-Barrera CA, Terrazas LI. Is the combination of immunotherapy with conventional chemotherapy the key to increase the efficacy of colorectal cancer treatment? World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:251-267. [PMID: 36908325 PMCID: PMC9994043 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i2.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent and deadly neoplasms worldwide. According to GLOBOCAN predictions, its incidence will increase from 1.15 million CRC cases in 2020 to 1.92 million cases in 2040. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in CRC development is necessary to improve strategies focused on reducing the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of this oncological pathology. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the main strategies for treating CRC. The conventional chemotherapeutic agent utilized throughout the last four decades is 5-fluorouracil, notwithstanding its low efficiency as a single therapy. In contrast, combining 5-fluorouracil therapy with leucovorin and oxaliplatin or irinotecan increases its efficiency. However, these treatments have limited and temporary solutions and aggressive side effects. Additionally, most patients treated with these regimens develop drug resistance, which leads to disease progression. The immune response is considered a hallmark of cancer; thus, the use of new strategies and methodologies involving immune molecules, cells, and transcription factors has been suggested for CRC patients diagnosed in stages III and IV. Despite the critical advances in immunotherapy, the development and impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors on CRC is still under investigation because less than 25% of CRC patients display an increased 5-year survival. The causes of CRC are diverse and include modifiable environmental factors (smoking, diet, obesity, and alcoholism), individual genetic mutations, and inflammation-associated bowel diseases. Due to these diverse causes, the solutions likely cannot be generalized. Interestingly, new strategies, such as single-cell multiomics, proteomics, genomics, flow cytometry, and massive sequencing for tumor microenvironment analysis, are beginning to clarify the way forward. Thus, the individual mechanisms involved in developing the CRC microenvironment, their causes, and their consequences need to be understood from a genetic and immunological perspective. This review highlighted the importance of altering the immune response in CRC. It focused on drugs that may modulate the immune response and show specific efficacy and contrasted with evidence that immunosuppression or the promotion of the immune response is the answer to generating effective treatments with combined chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonadab E Olguin
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Monica G Mendoza-Rodriguez
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - C Angel Sanchez-Barrera
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Luis I Terrazas
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
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8
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Cremolini C, Montagut C, Ronga P, Venturini F, Yamaguchi K, Stintzing S, Sobrero A. Rechallenge with anti-EGFR therapy to extend the continuum of care in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 12:946850. [PMID: 36818675 PMCID: PMC9932317 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.946850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody plus chemotherapy is a standard option for treatment in the first-line setting. Patients who progress while on treatment with anti-EGFR-based therapy can be resistant to further anti-EGFR treatment, but evidence suggests that the anti-EGFR-resistant clones decay, thereby opening the potential for rechallenge or reintroduction in later lines of treatment. Results from recent clinical studies have shown that some patients with mCRC who are rechallenged with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies exhibit durable responses. While other therapies have demonstrated improved overall survival in chemorefractory mCRC over the past decade, rechallenge with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in later lines of treatment represents a new option that deserves further investigation in clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the molecular rationale for rechallenge or reintroduction in patients with mCRC who have progressed on earlier-line anti-EGFR treatment and examine the current evidence for using liquid biopsy as a method for selecting rechallenge as a therapeutic option. We also provide an overview of published trials and trials in progress in this field, and outline the potential role of rechallenge in the current clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cremolini
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy,*Correspondence: Chiara Cremolini,
| | - Clara Montagut
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar— Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philippe Ronga
- Global Medical Affairs, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Filippo Venturini
- Global Medical Affairs, Merck Serono S.p.A., an Affiliate of Merck KGaA, Rome, Italy
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sebastian Stintzing
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology (CCM), Charité–Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alberto Sobrero
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ospedale San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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Maiorano BA, Parisi A, Maiello E, Ciardiello D. The Interplay between Anti-Angiogenics and Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12101552. [PMID: 36294987 PMCID: PMC9604892 DOI: 10.3390/life12101552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer is a frequent and lethal neoplasm. The tumor often creates new vessels to grow and spread—a process called ‘angiogenesis’. Therefore, drugs blocking angiogenesis are effective against this malignancy. On the other side, immune checkpoint inhibitors, which unleash the immune system to fight against tumors, have limited efficacy in patients carrying instability of DNA regions called microsatellites. However, there is an interaction between angiogenic factors and the immune system. This gives a chance to combine anti-angiogenic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors to improve the efficacy of treating this malignancy. Abstract Angiogenesis, a hallmark of cancer, plays a fundamental role in colorectal cancer (CRC). Anti-angiogenic drugs and chemotherapy represent a standard of care for treating metastatic disease. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the therapeutic algorithm of many solid tumors. However, the efficacy of ICIs is limited to mCRC patients carrying microsatellite instability (MSI-H), which represent approximately 3–5% of mCRC. Emerging evidence suggests that anti-angiogenic drugs could exhibit immunomodulatory properties. Thus, there is a strong rationale for combining anti-angiogenics and ICIs to improve efficacy in the metastatic setting. Our review summarizes the pre-clinical and clinical evidence regarding the combination of anti-angiogenics and ICIs in mCRC to deepen the possible application in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigida Anna Maiorano
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Parisi
- Department of Oncology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, 60126 Ancona, Italy
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Davide Ciardiello
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, “Luigi Vanvitelli” University of Campania, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Serial Circulating Tumor DNA in Monitoring the Effect of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Immunotherapy in Patients With Colon Cancer: Case Series and Review of the Literature. J Immunother 2022; 45:358-362. [PMID: 35980372 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although programmed death 1 blockade has significantly improved the survival of advanced colorectal cancer patients with DNA mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), clinical data in neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting are limited. The role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in precision oncology is promising, but its clinical significance in immunotherapy needs to be validated. We report a case series of 3 colon patients who received neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy and serial ctDNA analysis. This report summarizes clinical and molecular details for 3 patients with locally advanced or recurrent dMMR/MSI-H/polymerase epsilon (POLE) mutation-positive tumors treated with neoadjuvant/adjuvant immunotherapy. One stage IV recurrent colon cancer patient diagnosed with Lynch syndrome received adjuvant sintilimab monotherapy and had a progression-free survival (PFS) over 16 months, one stage Ⅲc colon cancer patient with MSI-H/high tumor mutation burden received neoadjuvant toripalimab monotherapy, was assessed as clinical complete response before surgery, continued with adjuvant sintilimab monotherapy and had a PFS over 17 months, one stage Ⅱ colon cancer patient with POLE P286R also received adjuvant sintilimab monotherapy and had a PFS over 17 months. All patients had detectable ctDNA after radical surgery and clearance of ctDNA during adjuvant immunotherapy. All 3 patients are free of tumor disease at the time of this report. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy of neoadjuvant and adjuvant programmed death 1 blockade in locally advanced and metastasis in dMMR/MSI-H/POLE mutated colorectal cancer and the role of ctDNA monitoring.
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Ciardiello F, Ciardiello D, Martini G, Napolitano S, Tabernero J, Cervantes A. Clinical management of metastatic colorectal cancer in the era of precision medicine. CA Cancer J Clin 2022; 72:372-401. [PMID: 35472088 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents approximately 10% of all cancers and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Initial clinical presentation as metastatic CRC (mCRC) occurs in approximately 20% of patients. Moreover, up to 50% of patients with localized disease eventually develop metastases. Appropriate clinical management of these patients is still a challenging medical issue. Major efforts have been made to unveil the molecular landscape of mCRC. This has resulted in the identification of several druggable tumor molecular targets with the aim of developing personalized treatments for each patient. This review summarizes the improvements in the clinical management of patients with mCRC in the emerging era of precision medicine. In fact, molecular stratification, on which the current treatment algorithm for mCRC is based, although it does not completely represent the complexity of this disease, has been the first significant step toward clinically informative genetic profiling for implementing more effective therapeutic approaches. This has resulted in a clinically relevant increase in mCRC disease control and patient survival. The next steps in the clinical management of mCRC will be to integrate the comprehensive knowledge of tumor gene alterations, of tumor and microenvironment gene and protein expression profiling, of host immune competence as well as the application of the resulting dynamic changes to a precision medicine-based continuum of care for each patient. This approach could result in the identification of individual prognostic and predictive parameters, which could help the clinician in choosing the most appropriate therapeutic program(s) throughout the entire disease journey for each patient with mCRC. CA Cancer J Clin. 2022;72:000-000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fortunato Ciardiello
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Ciardiello
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Foundation Home for the Relief of Suffering, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Giulia Martini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Napolitano
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Josep Tabernero
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Oncology, University of Vic/Central University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
- Oncology Institute of Barcelona-Quironsalud, Biomedical Research Center in Cancer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andres Cervantes
- Medical Oncology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valencia Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Carlos III Institute of Health, Biomedical Research Center in Cancer, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Immunotherapy in advanced anal cancer: Is the beginning of a new era? Cancer Treat Rev 2022; 105:102373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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