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Chen M, Li C, Sun M, Li Y, Sun X. Recent developments in PD-1/PD-L1 blockade research for gastroesophageal malignancies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1043517. [PMID: 36505480 PMCID: PMC9731511 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1043517] [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: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastroesophageal cancers (GECs) comprise malignancies in the stomach, esophagus, and gastroesophageal junction. Despite ongoing improvements in chemoradiotherapy, the clinical outcomes of GEC have not significantly improved over the years, and treatment remains challenging. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been the subject of clinical trials worldwide for several years. Encouraging results have been reported in different countries, but further research is required to apply ICIs in the clinical care of patients with GEC. This review summarizes completed and ongoing clinical trials with programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway blockers in GEC and current biomarkers used for predicting PD-1/PD-L1 blockade efficacy. This review captures the main findings of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies combined with chemotherapy as an effective first-line treatment and a monotherapy in second-line or more treatment and in maintenance therapy. This review aims to provide insight that will help guide future research and clinical trials, thereby improving the outcomes of patients with GEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenyan Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mingjun Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yiling Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuren Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China,*Correspondence: Xuren Sun,
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2
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Haque E, Esmail A, Muhsen I, Salah H, Abdelrahim M. Recent Trends and Advancements in the Diagnosis and Management of Gastric Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5615. [PMID: 36428707 PMCID: PMC9688354 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is an enigmatic malignancy that has recently been shown to be increasing in incidence globally. There has been recent progress in emerging technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Improvements in non-invasive diagnostic techniques with serological tests and biomarkers have led to decreased use of invasive procedures such as endoscopy. A multidisciplinary approach is used to treat gastric cancer, with recent significant advancements in systemic therapies used in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapies. New therapeutic targets have been identified and clinical trials are taking place to assess their efficacy and safety. In this review, we provide an overview of the current and emerging treatment strategies and diagnostic techniques for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emaan Haque
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Esmail
- Section of GI Oncology, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ibrahim Muhsen
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Haneen Salah
- Department of Pathology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Section of GI Oncology, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutic Phase I Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
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3
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Current Role of Immunotherapy in Gastric, Esophageal and Gastro-Esophageal Junction Cancers—A Report from the Western Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:3160-3170. [PMID: 35621647 PMCID: PMC9139288 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29050257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric, esophageal and gastro-esophageal junction cancers are associated with inferior outcomes. For early-stage disease, perioperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation followed by surgery is the standard treatment. For most patients with advanced upper gastrointestinal tract cancers, platinum-based chemotherapy remains a standard treatment. Recently, several randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of immunotherapy involving checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with chemotherapy in patients with gastro-esophageal cancer and have changed the treatment landscape. The Western Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference (WCGCCC), involving experts from four Western Canadian provinces, convened virtually on 16 June 2021 and developed the recommendations on the role of immunotherapy in patients with gastro-esophageal cancer.
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Baxter MA, Marinho J, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Rodriquenz MG, Arora SP, Lok WCW, Shih YY, Liposits G, O'Hanlon S, Petty RD. Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma in older adults: A comprehensive narrative review of management by the Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology. J Geriatr Oncol 2022; 13:7-19. [PMID: 34548259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2021.09.006] [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: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma is a disease of older adults with very poor survival rates. Its incidence has risen dramatically across the world in recent decades. Current treatment approaches for older adults are based largely on extrapolated evidence from clinical trials conducted in younger and fitter participants than those more commonly encountered in clinical practice. Understanding how to apply available evidence to our patients in the clinic setting is essential given the high morbidity of both curative and palliative treatment. This review aims to use available data to inform the management of an older adult with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Baxter
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Tayside Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
| | - Joana Marinho
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Associação de Investigação de Cuidados de Suporte em Oncologia (AICSO), Espinho, Portugal
| | - Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria Grazia Rodriquenz
- Oncology Unit, Foundation IRCCS, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Sukeshi Patel Arora
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, Leader in Gastrointestinal Malignancies, 7979 Wurzbach Rd, 78229 San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Wendy Chan Wing Lok
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Yung-Yu Shih
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital-Clinic Favoriten, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabor Liposits
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense, Denmark
| | - Shane O'Hanlon
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; University College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Russell D Petty
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Tayside Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
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5
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Chung HC, Kang YK, Chen Z, Bai Y, Wan Ishak WZ, Shim BY, Park YL, Koo DH, Lu J, Xu J, Chon HJ, Bai LY, Zeng S, Yuan Y, Chen YY, Gu K, Zhong WY, Kuang S, Shih CS, Qin SK. Pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel for previously treated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (KEYNOTE-063): A randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial in Asian patients. Cancer 2021; 128:995-1003. [PMID: 34878659 PMCID: PMC9299889 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background KEYNOTE‐063 (NCT03019588) investigated pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel as second‐line therapy in Asian patients with advanced programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1)–positive (combined positive score ≥1) gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Methods This randomized, open‐label, phase 3 study was conducted at 36 medical centers in China (mainland), Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to 200 mg of pembrolizumab intravenously every 3 weeks for ≤2 years or 80 mg/m2 of paclitaxel intravenously every week. Primary end points were overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). Secondary end points were objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 and safety. Results Between February 16, 2017, and March 12, 2018, 94 patients were randomly assigned (47 pembrolizumab/47 paclitaxel) after screening; enrollment was stopped on March 12, 2018, based on the results of the global KEYNOTE‐061 study, and patients were followed until the last patient's last visit. Median OS was 8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4‐10 months) with pembrolizumab versus 8 months (95% CI, 5‐11 months) with paclitaxel (hazard ratio [HR], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.63‐1.54). Median PFS was 2 months (95% CI, 1‐3 months) with pembrolizumab versus 4 months (95% CI, 3‐6 months) with paclitaxel (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.04‐2.52). ORR was 13% for pembrolizumab versus 19% for paclitaxel. Any‐grade treatment‐related adverse events occurred in 28 pembrolizumab‐treated patients (60%) and 42 paclitaxel‐treated patients (96%); grades 3 to 5 events occurred in 5 patients (11%) and 28 patients (64%), respectively. Conclusions Definitive conclusions about the efficacy of second‐line pembrolizumab in Asian patients with advanced PD‐L1–positive gastric/GEJ cancer are limited because of insufficient power, but pembrolizumab was well tolerated in this patient population. Efficacy followed a trend similar to that observed in the phase 3 KEYNOTE‐061 trial. In this small sample of Asian patients with advanced PD‐L1–positive (combined positive score [CPS] ≥1) gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer enrolled in the randomized, open‐label, phase 3 KEYNOTE‐063 study, definitive conclusions on clinical outcomes are limited; however, second‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy seems to be well tolerated in this patient population. These findings are consistent with those of the larger global KEYNOTE‐061 study in patients with CPS ≥1 gastric/GEJ cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Cheol Chung
- Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon-Koo Kang
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Yuxian Bai
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | | | - Byoung Yong Shim
- St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
| | | | - Dong-Hoe Koo
- Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jianwei Lu
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianming Xu
- The People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Li-Yuan Bai
- China Medical University Hospital and China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shan Zeng
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yen-Yang Chen
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kangsheng Gu
- Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | | | | | | | - Shu-Kui Qin
- People's Liberation Army Cancer Centre of Nanjing Bayi Hospital, Nanjing, China
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6
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Kamposioras K, Ntellas P, Nikolaou M, Germetaki T, Gazouli I, Dadouli K, Zarkavelis G, Amylidi AL, Tolia M, Mauri D. Immunotherapy Efficacy in the Initial Lines of Treatment in Advanced Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancies: A Systematic Review of the Literature. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2021; 5:pkab088. [PMID: 34926989 PMCID: PMC8677514 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The therapeutic role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has represented the cutting edge of clinical research in upper gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, with these agents now included in the armamentarium of treatment options for advanced gastric and esophageal cancers. Methods We performed a systematic literature review and pooled analysis to map out the currently available robust clinical evidence for the use of ICIs in upper GI cancers. Immunotherapy (IO), either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, and its role in first-line, maintenance, and second-line settings, as well as in specific clinical and biological subgroups, were critically appraised. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results ICIs, in combination with chemotherapy, have provided statistically significant overall survival benefit in the first-line setting in gastric and gastro-esophageal adenocarcinomas (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76 to 0.90, P < .001; based on 4 studies) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64 to 0.81, P < .001; based on 3 studies), albeit with heterogeneous efficacy according to biomarker expression. Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and in particular high programmed cell death ligand-1 expression, derive survival benefit when treated with IO in the second-line setting (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.82, P < .001; for any level of programmed cell death ligand-1 expression). Clinical trials interrogating the combination of IO with chemotherapy in second-line treatment should be seriously considered in upper GI adenocarcinomas. The role of maintenance IO after initial disease control is still unclear and cannot be recommended. Impressive response rates and survival benefit from IO have been reported in patients with microsatellite instability-high tumors (HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.57, P < .001), and this warrants further prospective biomarker-driven studies. Conclusions IO is changing the treatment landscape in upper GI malignancies. The rapidly developing evidence in the field needs to be critically appraised while further validation of the existing information from ongoing trials is awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panagiotis Ntellas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Michail Nikolaou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Agios Savvas Anticancer Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodora Germetaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Ioanna Gazouli
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Katerina Dadouli
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George Zarkavelis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Anna-Lea Amylidi
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria Tolia
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Davide Mauri
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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7
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Paydary K, Reizine N, Catenacci DVT. Immune-Checkpoint Inhibition in the Treatment of Gastro-Esophageal Cancer: A Closer Look at the Emerging Evidence. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5929. [PMID: 34885039 PMCID: PMC8656762 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, several trials have evaluated the safety and efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for the treatment of gastroesophageal cancers (GEC). In the US, ICIs have established indications for second-line treatment of microsatellite unstable tumors, while their use in third-line settings was recently withdrawn. Notably, the use of ICIs for first-line therapy of GEC is rapidly evolving, which currently includes high PD-L1 expressing tumors, irrespective of HER2 status, and in the adjuvant setting after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in select patients. In this article, we review the results of studies that have evaluated the utility of ICI in the third-line, second-line, first-line, and peri-operative treatment settings of GECs. Considerations should be made before making any cross-trial comparisons since these trials vary in chemotherapy backbone, anatomical and histological eligibility, biomarker assessment, PD-L1 diagnostic antibodies, and definition of PD-L1 positivity. Regardless, the totality of the data suggest that first-line ICI use may most benefit GEC patients with high PD-L1 combined positivity score (CPS) ≥5 or ≥10, irrespective of histology or anatomy. Moreover, although PD-L1 by CPS has a good negative predictive value for significant benefit from ICIs, it has a low positive predictive value. Therefore, there is a pressing need to identify better biomarkers to predict benefit from ICIs among these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel V. T. Catenacci
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (K.P.); (N.R.)
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Huynh J, Patel K, Gong J, Cho M, Malla M, Parikh A, Klempner S. Immunotherapy in Gastroesophageal Cancers: Current Evidence and Ongoing Trials. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:100. [PMID: 34524553 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00893-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Data supporting the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of gastroesophageal cancer continues to evolve. The promising results from adjuvant immunotherapy and trials combining immunotherapy plus chemotherapy in the 1L setting have led to broad US FDA approvals. Among the PD-L1 negative subgroups, the magnitude of benefit is diminished; effective therapy for this population remains an unmet need. A detailed biologic understanding of the PD-L1 negative (and low) population represents a barrier to developing effective combination therapies, although combination angiogenesis inhibitors and immunotherapy look encouraging. Early phase clinical trials, particularly with pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib (EPOC 1706), demonstrated a clear signal independent of PD-L1, and a confirmatory phase III trial of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib is planned. Conceptually, it is important to think of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy as targeted therapy, most active in clearly defined biomarker-selected populations. Pre-planned analyses have reliably shown a clear trend toward a greater magnitude of benefit in patients with higher PD-L1 expression, particularly CPS ≥ 5 and ≥ 10. Whether there is a linear relationship at higher cutoffs is not well known, though it likely represents smaller and smaller populations. Although beyond the scope of this clinically oriented review, recognition of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in PD-L1 expression is important and repeat testing from progression samples across lines of therapy should be considered. Questions about additional predictive biomarkers, particularly plasma-derived, remain. Responses by tumor histology and location also differ, and special attention to these factors as well as MSI-H, HER2, and EBV subgroups in future trials is warranted. Questions regarding the incorporation of immunotherapy after progression on 1L immunotherapy plus chemotherapy combinations will arise as these combinations are used more frequently, and this represents a key area of future investigation. Overall, the role of immunotherapy continues to expand in GEA, and we welcome any additional tools for this difficult-to-treat group of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Huynh
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Kanishka Patel
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jun Gong
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - May Cho
- University of California Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Midhun Malla
- West Virginia Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aparna Parikh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Samuel Klempner
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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9
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Liang J, Zhang H, Huang Y, Fan L, Li F, Li M, Yan Y, Zhang J, Li Z, Yang X. A CLDN18.2-Targeting Bispecific T Cell Co-Stimulatory Activator for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:6977-6987. [PMID: 34522140 PMCID: PMC8434866 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s330637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Co-stimulatory receptor agonist antibodies have shown promising antitumor efficacy in preclinical models. However, their clinical development lags due to systemic or local adverse effects of non-specific T cell activation. Utilization of a bispecific antibody format to reduce off-tumor immune activation is a focus of co-stimulatory receptor agonist antibody design. METHODS In this study, a bispecific antibody with anti-CLDN18.2 and anti-CD28 moieties was produced. Its T cell costimulation ability was evaluated in T cell coculture assay in vitro. Its safety and anti-tumor efficacy were explored in mouse tumor models. RESULTS Anti-CLDN18.2-anti-CD28 bispecific antibody could co-stimulate T cells and increase the expression of effector cytokines in a CLDN18.2-dependent manner. Treatment of anti-CLDN18.2-anti-CD28 could reduce tumor burden and increase tumor-infiltrated T cells. Immunosuppressive cells including tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells were also reduced without systemic adverse effects. CONCLUSION This work provided proof-of-concept evidence for a new strategy to develop a bispecific co-stimulatory activator for treating CLDN18.2+ tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Huang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lilv Fan
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fanlin Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaping Yan
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junshi Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zeyu Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuanming Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
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10
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Salati M, Venetis K, Fassan M, Malapelle U, Pagni F, Sajjadi E, Fusco N, Ghidini M. ctDNA analysis in the personalized clinical management of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: turning hope into reality. Future Oncol 2021; 17:4607-4618. [PMID: 34406032 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) is a global health issue with a high fatality-to-case ratio and a 5-year overall survival that has only slightly improved. High-throughput molecular profiling has uncovered a profound complexity and heterogeneity in GEA biology, which limits considerably the treatment advances. Liquid biopsy with circulating tumor (ct)DNA analysis could elucidate GEA molecular heterogeneity and provide diagnostic, prognostic and predictive information to guide clinical decision-making. However, only a handful of studies have shown positive results for the application of ctDNA analysis in GEA clinical management. As a result, no comprehensive information is available to date on this continuously evolving topic. Here, we discuss the current state of knowledge, along with promises and challenges related to ctDNA analysis in GEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Salati
- Division of Oncology, Oncology and Hematology Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Ph.D. Program Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Venetis
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy.,Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan 20141, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Umberto Malapelle
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Pagni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, University Milan Bicocca, Milan 20126, Italy
| | - Elham Sajjadi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy.,Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan 20141, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy.,Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan 20141, Italy
| | - Michele Ghidini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan 20122, Italy
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11
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Glückstein MI, Dintner S, Arndt TT, Vlasenko D, Schenkirsch G, Agaimy A, Müller G, Märkl B, Grosser B. Comprehensive Immunohistochemical Study of the SWI/SNF Complex Expression Status in Gastric Cancer Reveals an Adverse Prognosis of SWI/SNF Deficiency in Genomically Stable Gastric Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3894. [PMID: 34359794 PMCID: PMC8345509 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The SWI/SNF complex has important functions in the mobilization of nucleosomes and consequently influences gene expression. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mutations or deficiency of one or more subunits can have an oncogenic effect and influence the development, progression, and eventual therapy resistance of tumor diseases. Genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF complex are mutated in approximately 20% of all human tumors. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, association with clinicopathological characteristics, and prognosis of immunohistochemical expression of proteins of the SWI/SNF complexes, SMARCA2, SMARCA4 SMARCB1, ARID1A, ARID1B, and PBRM1 in 477 adenocarcinomas of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction. Additionally, the tumors were classified immunohistochemically in analogy to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classification. Overall, 32% of cases demonstrated aberrant expression of the SWI/SNF complex. Complete loss of SMARCA4 was detected in three cases (0.6%) and was associated with adverse clinical characteristics. SWI/SNF aberration emerged as an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival in genomically stable patients in analogy to TCGA. In conclusion, determination of SWI/SNF status could be suggested in routine diagnostics in genomically stable tumors to identify patients who might benefit from new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Isabelle Glückstein
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Tim Tobias Arndt
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
- Institute of Mathematics and Computational Statistics, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Dmytro Vlasenko
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Gerhard Schenkirsch
- Tumor Data Management, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Gernot Müller
- Institute of Mathematics and Computational Statistics, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Bruno Märkl
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Bianca Grosser
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
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12
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Fong CYK, Chau I. Harnessing biomarkers of response to improve therapy selection in esophago-gastric adenocarcinoma. Pharmacogenomics 2021; 22:703-726. [PMID: 34120461 PMCID: PMC8265282 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2020-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced esophago-gastric (OG) adenocarcinomas have a high mortality rate and new therapeutic options are urgently required. Despite recent advances in understanding the molecular characteristics of OG cancers, tumor heterogeneity poses a challenge in developing new therapeutics capable of improving patient outcomes. Consequently, chemotherapy remains the mainstay of systemic treatment, with the HER2 being the only predictive biomarker routinely targeted in clinical practice. Recent data indicate that immunotherapy will be incorporated into first-line chemotherapy, but further research is required to refine patient selection. This review will summarize the clinical strategies being evaluated to utilize our knowledge of predictive biomarkers with reference to novel therapeutics, and discuss the barriers to implementing precision oncology in OG adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline YK Fong
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, UK
| | - Ian Chau
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, UK
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13
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Lengyel CG, Hussain S, Trapani D, El Bairi K, Altuna SC, Seeber A, Odhiambo A, Habeeb BS, Seid F. The Emerging Role of Liquid Biopsy in Gastric Cancer. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2108. [PMID: 34068319 PMCID: PMC8153353 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Liquid biopsy (LB) is a novel diagnostic method with the potential of revolutionizing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of several solid tumors. The present paper aims to summarize the current knowledge and explore future possibilities of LB in the management of metastatic gastric cancer. (2) Methods: This narrative review examined the most recent literature on the use of LB-based techniques in metastatic gastric cancer and the current LB-related clinical trial landscape. (3) Results: In gastric cancer, the detection of circulating cancer cells (CTCs) has been recognized to have a prognostic role in all the disease stages. In the setting of localized disease, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) qualitative and quantitative detection have the potential to inform on the risk of cancer recurrence and metastatic dissemination. In addition, gastric cancer-released exosomes may play an essential part in metastasis formation. In the metastatic setting, the levels of cfDNA show a positive correlation with tumor burden. There is evidence that circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) in the blood of metastatic patients is an independent prognostic factor for shorter overall survival. Gastric cancer-derived exosomal microRNAs or clonal mutations and copy number variations detectable in ctDNA may contribute resistance to chemotherapy or targeted therapies, respectively. There is conflicting and limited data on CTC-based PD-L1 verification and cfDNA-based Epstein-Barr virus detection to predict or monitor immunotherapy responses. (4) Conclusions: Although preliminary studies analyzing LBs in patients with advanced gastric cancer appear promising, more research is required to obtain better insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to systemic therapies. Moreover, validation and standardization of LB methods are crucial before introducing them in clinical practice. The feasibility of repeatable, minimally invasive sampling opens up the possibility of selecting or dynamically changing therapies based on prognostic risk or predictive biomarkers, such as resistance markers. Research is warranted to exploit a possible transforming area of cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sadaqat Hussain
- North West Cancer Center, Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK;
| | - Dario Trapani
- European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy;
| | | | | | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Andrew Odhiambo
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 30197, Kenya;
| | - Baker Shalal Habeeb
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shaqlawa Teaching Hospital, Shaqlawa, Erbil 44005, Iraq;
| | - Fahmi Seid
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa 1560, Ethiopia;
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14
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Joshi SS, Badgwell BD. Current treatment and recent progress in gastric cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 2021; 71:264-279. [PMID: 33592120 PMCID: PMC9927927 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 741] [Impact Index Per Article: 247.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is not a top-10 malignancy in the United States but represents one of the most common causes of cancer death worldwide. Biological differences between tumors from Eastern and Western countries add to the complexity of identifying standard-of-care therapy based on international trials. Systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy all have proven efficacy in gastric adenocarcinoma; therefore, multidisciplinary treatment is paramount to treatment selection. Triplet chemotherapy for resectable gastric cancer is now accepted and could represent a plateau of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy for localized disease. Classification of gastric cancer based on molecular subtypes is providing an opportunity for personalized therapy. Biomarkers, in particular microsatellite instability (MSI), programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), tumor mutation burden, and Epstein-Barr virus, are increasingly driving systemic therapy approaches and allowing for the identification of populations most likely to benefit from immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Significant research opportunities remain for the less differentiated histologic subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma and those without markers of immunotherapy activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita S Joshi
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brian D Badgwell
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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15
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Park R, Da Silva LL, Saeed A. Immunotherapy Predictive Molecular Markers in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer: MSI and Beyond. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1715. [PMID: 33916348 PMCID: PMC8038572 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced gastroesophageal cancer (GEC) has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Immunotherapy including the anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibodies pembrolizumab and nivolumab have been approved for use in various treatment settings in GEC. Additionally, frontline chemoimmunotherapy regimens have recently demonstrated promising efficacy in large phase III trials and have the potential to be added to the therapeutic armamentarium in the near future. There are currently several immunotherapy biomarkers that are validated for use in the clinical setting for GEC including programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression as well as the tumor agnostic biomarkers such as mismatch repair or microsatellite instability (MMR/MSI) and tumor mutational burden (TMB). However, apart from MMR/MSI, these biomarkers are imperfect because none are highly sensitive nor specific. Therefore, there is an unmet need for immunotherapy biomarker development. To this end, several biomarkers are currently being evaluated in ongoing trials with some showing promising predictive potential. Here, we summarize the landscape of immunotherapy predictive biomarkers that are currently being evaluated in GEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Park
- Department of Medicine, MetroWest Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine, Framingham, MA 01702, USA; (R.P.); (L.L.D.S.)
| | - Laercio Lopes Da Silva
- Department of Medicine, MetroWest Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine, Framingham, MA 01702, USA; (R.P.); (L.L.D.S.)
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66205, USA
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16
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Ghidini M, Petrillo A, Botticelli A, Trapani D, Parisi A, La Salvia A, Sajjadi E, Piciotti R, Fusco N, Khakoo S. How to Best Exploit Immunotherapeutics in Advanced Gastric Cancer: Between Biomarkers and Novel Cell-Based Approaches. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1412. [PMID: 33915839 PMCID: PMC8037391 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research efforts, advanced gastric cancer still has a dismal prognosis with conventional treatment options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment landscape for many solid tumors. Amongst gastric cancer subtypes, tumors with microsatellite instability and Epstein Barr Virus positive tumors provide the strongest rationale for responding to immunotherapy. Various predictive biomarkers such as mismatch repair status, programmed death ligand 1 expression, tumor mutational burden, assessment of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and circulating biomarkers have been evaluated. However, results have been inconsistent due to different methodologies and thresholds used. Clinical implementation therefore remains a challenge. The role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in gastric cancer is emerging with data from monotherapy in the heavily pre-treated population already available and studies in earlier disease settings with different combinatorial approaches in progress. Immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations with chemotherapy (CT), anti-angiogenics, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-Her2 directed therapy, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors or dual checkpoint inhibitor strategies are being explored. Moreover, novel strategies including vaccines and CAR T cell therapy are also being trialed. Here we provide an update on predictive biomarkers for response to immunotherapy with an overview of their strengths and limitations. We discuss clinical trials that have been reported and trials in progress whilst providing an account of future steps needed to improve outcome in this lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Ghidini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Botticelli
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy;
- Medical Oncology (B), Policlinico Umberto I, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Trapani
- Division of Early Drug Development for innovative therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Parisi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
- Medical Oncology Unit, St. Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Anna La Salvia
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital 12 De Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Elham Sajjadi
- Division of Pathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (E.S.); (R.P.); (N.F.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Piciotti
- Division of Pathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (E.S.); (R.P.); (N.F.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Division of Pathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (E.S.); (R.P.); (N.F.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Shelize Khakoo
- Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London and Surrey, Sutton SM25PT, UK;
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17
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Zeng Z, Yang B, Liao Z. Biomarkers in Immunotherapy-Based Precision Treatments of Digestive System Tumors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:650481. [PMID: 33777812 PMCID: PMC7991593 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.650481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (mainly referring to programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockades), derives durable remission and survival benefits for multiple tumor types including digestive system tumors [gastric cancer (GC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)], particularly those with metastatic or recurrent lesions. Even so, not all patients would respond well to anti-programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 agents (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) in gastrointestinal malignancies, suggesting the need for biomarkers to identify the responders and non-responders, as well as to predict the clinical outcomes. PD-L1expression has increasingly emerged as a potential biomarker when predicting the immunotherapy-based efficacy; but regrettably, PD-L1 alone is not sufficient to differentiate patients. Other molecules, such as tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as well, are involved in further explorations. Overall, there are not still no perfect or well-established biomarkers in immunotherapy for digestive system tumors at present as a result of the inherent limitations, especially for HCC. Standardizing and harmonizing the assessments of existing biomarkers, and meanwhile, switching to other novel biomarkers are presumably wise and feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Zeng
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengyin Liao
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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18
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Smyth EC, Gambardella V, Cervantes A, Fleitas T. Checkpoint inhibitors for gastroesophageal cancers: dissecting heterogeneity to better understand their role in first-line and adjuvant therapy. Ann Oncol 2021; 32:590-599. [PMID: 33609722 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) and squamous esophageal cancer (ESCC) are responsible for >1 million deaths annually globally. Until now, patients with metastatic GEA and ESCC could anticipate survival of <1 year. Anti- programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) monotherapy has demonstrated modest efficacy in previously treated GEA and ESCC. In 2020, four pivotal trials have established anti-PD-1 therapy as a new standard of care for selected GEA and ESCC patients as first-line advanced and adjuvant therapy. In this review, we discuss the recent results of the CheckMate 649, ATTRACTION-4, KEYNOTE-590 and CheckMate 577 trials. We consider these results in the context of current standards of care and historical trials of immune checkpoint blockade in GEA and ESCC. We explore biomarker selection for anti-PD-1 therapy and appraise the future of combination therapies. In CheckMate 649, treatment with oxaliplatin-fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy plus nivolumab in patients with combined positive score ≥5 GEA tumors provided a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in overall survival. The ATTRACTION-4 trial did not see a similar overall survival benefit, despite a clear improvement in progression-free survival. We review potential explanations for this result. KEYNOTE-590 showed profoundly improved survival when pembrolizumab was added to cisplatin-fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy in ESCC patients with combined positive score ≥10 tumors; this benefit was less convincing in unselected ESCC. Finally, CheckMate 577 provides proof-of-concept for the improvement in disease-free survival with adjuvant nivolumab in high-risk resected GEA and ESCC following trimodality therapy. Immune checkpoint blockade has come of age in GEA and ESCC, and will now be integrated into first-line and earlier lines of therapy, providing benefit for a larger proportion of patients. Biomarker standardization will be critical to select the patients most likely to benefit from treatment. For patients with immune evasive tumors, novel combinations under development show promise; however, global trials are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Smyth
- Cambridge University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Department of Oncology, Cambridge, UK
| | - V Gambardella
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Cervantes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - T Fleitas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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19
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Högner A, Thuss-Patience P. Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Oesophago-Gastric Carcinoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:151. [PMID: 33673374 PMCID: PMC7918118 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors enrich the therapeutic landscape in oesophago-gastric carcinoma. With regard to oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the selective PD-1 (programmed cell death receptor 1)-inhibitor nivolumab improves disease-free survival in the adjuvant therapy setting (CHECKMATE-577). In first-line treatment, ESCC patients (pts) benefit in overall survival (OS) from the PD-1-inhibitor pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy (KEYNOTE-590). In the second-line setting, nivolumab (ATTRACTION-03) and pembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-181) demonstrate a benefit in OS compared with chemotherapy. These data resulted in the approval of nivolumab for the second-line treatment of advanced ESCC pts regardless of PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) status in Europe, Asia, and the USA, and pembrolizumab for pts with PD-L1 CPS (combined positivity score) ≥ 10 in Asia and the USA. Further approvals can be expected. In gastro-oesophageal junction and gastric cancer, the addition of nivolumab to chemotherapy in first-line treatment improves OS in pts with advanced disease with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 5 (CHECKMATE-649). Additionally, pembrolizumab was non-inferior to chemotherapy for OS in PD-L1 CPS ≥ 1 pts (KEYNOTE-062). In third-line treatment, nivolumab shows benefits in OS regardless of PD-L1 expression (ATTRACTION-02) with approval in Asia, and pembrolizumab prolonged the duration of response in PD-L1 positive pts (KEYNOTE-059) with approval in the USA. We discuss the recent results of the completed phase II and III clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Thuss-Patience
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Medizinische Klinik m.S. Hämatologie, Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
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20
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Saeed A, Park R, Sun W. The integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors with VEGF targeted agents in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: a review on the rationale and results of early phase trials. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:13. [PMID: 33436042 PMCID: PMC7802258 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01034-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Several targeted therapies have shown efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC) and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJC), including anti-angiogenic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Ramucirumab, an anti-VEGFR2 antibody, has shown efficacy in GC, but the benefits are limited, in part due to MET-mediated resistance. Other VEGF targeted agents like VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with broad multi-kinase inhibitory spectrum like regorafenib and cabozantinib have also shown modest single agent activity in early phase trials. For immune checkpoint inhibitors, pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) monotherapy confers survival advantage as 3rd line therapy for the PD-L1 expressing GC and GEJC population and has been approved for use in this setting. Extensive tumor microenvironment immune modulatory effects from antiangiogenic agents have been demonstrated from preclinical data which support the clinical study rationale of dual blockade of VEGF and immune checkpoint. In addition, FDA has approved combinations of anti-VEGF/VEGFR with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents in hepatocellular carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. Promising clinical activity has been demonstrated in patients with refractory GC/GEJC when treated with dual blockade combination with antiangiogenic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors like PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in several phase I/II trials. This review highlights the trials investigating these novel combinations as well as their preclinical rationale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwaar Saeed
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Suite 210, Westwood, Kansas City, KS, 66205, USA.
| | - Robin Park
- MetroWest Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Weijing Sun
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Suite 210, Westwood, Kansas City, KS, 66205, USA
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21
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Parisi A, Porzio G, Ficorella C. Multimodality Treatment in Metastatic Gastric Cancer: From Past to Next Future. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2598. [PMID: 32932914 PMCID: PMC7563615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) still remains an incurable disease in almost two-thirds of the cases. However, a deeper knowledge of its biology in the last few years has revealed potential biomarkers suitable for tailored treatment with targeted agents. This aspect, together with the improvement in early supportive care and a wiser use of the available cytotoxic drugs across multiple lines of treatment, has resulted in incremental and progressive survival benefits. Furthermore, slowly but surely, targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors are revising the therapeutic scenario even in metastatic GC and especially in particular subgroups. Moreover, important study results regarding the possible role of an integrated approach combining systemic, surgical, and locoregional treatment in carefully selected oligometastatic GC patients are awaited. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art and the major ongoing trials involving a multimodal treatment of metastatic GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Parisi
- Medical Oncology, St. Salvatore Hospital, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.P.); (C.F.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giampiero Porzio
- Medical Oncology, St. Salvatore Hospital, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.P.); (C.F.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Corrado Ficorella
- Medical Oncology, St. Salvatore Hospital, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.P.); (C.F.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
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22
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Lu Z, Peng Z, Liu C, Wang Z, Wang Y, Jiao X, Li J, Shen L. Current Status and Future Perspective of Immunotherapy in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Innovation (N Y) 2020; 1:100041. [PMID: 34557714 PMCID: PMC8454608 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2020.100041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a major public health problem worldwide. Due to the late detection and high heterogeneity of GI cancers, traditional treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, have shown limited effects, and the overall prognosis of these patients remains poor. Recently, immunotherapy, involving programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), has shown promising efficacy in several solid cancers and seems to have become a potential treatment option for GI cancers This review focuses on data on the development of immunotherapy-based clinical trials in esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer. The predictive biomarkers and combination strategies in clinical trials and translational medicine are also discussed. Finally, prospects for immunotherapy in the treatment of GI cancers are described. Although only a small proportion of patients with GI cancers respond to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, we strongly believe that precision immunotherapy might improve the overall survival of many more GI cancer patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhi Peng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhenghang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xi Jiao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 FuCheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing, 100142, China
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Haibe Y, El Husseini Z, El Sayed R, Shamseddine A. Resisting Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Therapy: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6176. [PMID: 32867025 PMCID: PMC7504220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment landscape in oncology has witnessed a major revolution with the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors: anti-PD1, anti-PDL1 and anti-CTLA-4. These agents enhance the immune response towards cancer cells instead of targeting the tumor itself, contrary to standard chemotherapy. Although long-lasting durable responses have been observed with immune checkpoints inhibitors, the response rate remains relatively low in many cases. Some patients respond in the beginning but then eventually develop acquired resistance to treatment and progress. Other patients having primary resistance never respond. Multiple studies have been conducted to further elucidate these variations in response in different tumor types and different individuals. This paper provides an overview of the mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and highlights the possible therapeutic approaches under investigation aiming to overcome such resistance in order to improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ali Shamseddine
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon; (Y.H.); (Z.E.H.); (R.E.S.)
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