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Judd S, Revon‐Riviere G, Grover SA, Deyell RJ, Vanan MI, Lewis VA, Pecheux L, Zorzi AP, Goudie C, Santiago R, Tran TH, Abbott LS, Brossard J, Moorehead P, Alvi S, Portwine C, Denburg A, Whitlock JA, Cohen‐Gogo S, Morgenstern DA. Access to innovative therapies in pediatric oncology: Report of the nationwide experience in Canada. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7033. [PMID: 38400668 PMCID: PMC10891445 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7033] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The need for new therapies to improve survival and outcomes in pediatric oncology along with the lack of approval and accessible clinical trials has led to "out-of-trial" use of innovative therapies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of requests for innovative anticancer therapy in Canadian pediatric oncology tertiary centers for patients less than 30 years old between 2013 and 2020. METHODS Innovative therapies were defined as cancer-directed drugs used (a) off-label, (b) unlicensed drugs being used outside the context of a clinical trial, or (c) approved drugs with limited evidence in pediatrics. We excluded cytotoxic chemotherapy, cellular products, and cytokines. RESULTS We retrieved data on 352 innovative therapy drug requests. Underlying diagnosis was primary CNS tumor 31%; extracranial solid tumor 37%, leukemia/lymphoma 22%, LCH 2%, and plexiform neurofibroma 6%. RAS/MAP kinase pathway inhibitors were the most frequently requested innovative therapies in 28% of all requests followed by multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (17%), inhibitors of the PIK3CA-mTOR-AKT pathway (8%), immune checkpoints inhibitors (8%), and antibody drug conjugates (8%). In 112 out of 352 requests, innovative therapies were used in combination with another anticancer agent. 48% of requests were motivated by the presence of an actionable molecular target. Compassionate access accounted for 52% of all requests while public insurance was used in 27%. Mechanisms of funding varied between provinces. CONCLUSION This real-world data collection illustrates an increasing use of "out-of-trial" innovative therapies in pediatric oncology. This new field of practice warrants further studies to understand the impact on patient trajectory and equity in access to innovative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Judd
- Department of PharmacyHospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Gabriel Revon‐Riviere
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of PediatricsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | | | - Rebecca J. Deyell
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology BMTBC Children's Hospital and Research InstituteVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Magimairajan Issai Vanan
- Pediatric Neuro‐Oncology, Division of Pediatric Hematology‐Oncology, Cancer Care ManitobaUniversity of ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
| | | | - Lucie Pecheux
- Stollery Children's HospitalUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Alexandra P. Zorzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital London Health Sciences CentreWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Catherine Goudie
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology‐Oncology, Montreal Children's HospitalMcGill University Health CentreQuébecCanada
| | - Raoul Santiago
- Department of Pediatrics, CHU de QuébecLaval UniversityQuébecCanada
| | - Thai Hoa Tran
- Division of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyCharles‐Bruneau Cancer Center, CHU Sainte‐JustineMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Lesleigh S. Abbott
- Division of Hematology/OncologyChildren's Hospital of Eastern OntarioOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Josee Brossard
- Department of PediatricsCHU de Sherbrooke, Univesité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQuébecCanada
| | - Paul Moorehead
- Department of Pediatrics, Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation CentreMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundland and LabradorCanada
| | - Saima Alvi
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Jim Pattison Children's HospitalSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | - Carol Portwine
- McMaster Children's HospitalMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Avram Denburg
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of PediatricsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - James A. Whitlock
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of PediatricsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Sarah Cohen‐Gogo
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of PediatricsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Daniel A. Morgenstern
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of PediatricsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
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André N. Common Sense Oncology: including everyone. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:e402. [PMID: 37797640 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00413-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas André
- Service d'Hématologie et Oncologie Pédiatrique, Timone Hospital, AP-HM, Marseille, France; Reverse Molecular Pharmacology in Pediatric Oncology, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, Marseille, France; Metronomics Global Health Initiative, Marseille, France.
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3
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Nader JH, Bourgeois F, Bagatell R, Moreno L, Pearson ADJ, DuBois SG. Systematic review of clinical drug development activities for neuroblastoma from 2011 to 2020. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30106. [PMID: 36458672 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the landscape of clinical trials for patients with neuroblastoma may inform efforts to improve drug development. PROCEDURE We evaluated therapeutic trials for patients with neuroblastoma from 2011 to 2020 in our search using clinical trial information from ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinicaltrialregister.eu, PubMed, and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting collection. Trends in trials and treatments over time were evaluated qualitatively. RESULTS A total of 192 trials met inclusion criteria. A median of 20.5 trials were started per year, which was stable over time. There were 87 (45%) phase 1, 100 (51%) phase 2, and only five (2.6%) phase 3 trials. The median time to completion was 4.9 years for phase 1 and 2 trials (no phase 3 trials reported as completed during the study period). In all, 34% of trials were international, while 20% of trials were intercontinental. Eighty-nine percent of nonmyeloablative trials included at least one novel agent. 48% of these trials studied combination therapies, and 86% of these combinations included conventional chemotherapy. Among 157 trials that included a targeted agent, 78 targets were identified, with GD2 being the primary target under investigation in 16.7% of these trials. Only eight trials were included in regulatory decisions, which led to European Medicines Agency (EMA) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for neuroblastoma. CONCLUSIONS The large number of trials initiated per year, the range of targets, and the rate of intercontinental collaboration are encouraging. The paucity of late-stage trials, the prolonged trial duration, and relative lack of combination studies are major causes of concern. This work will inform future drug development for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florence Bourgeois
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Pediatric Therapeutics and Regulatory Science Initiative, Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rochelle Bagatell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Division, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrew D J Pearson
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, UK
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Vassal G, de Rojas T, Pearson ADJ. Impact of the EU Paediatric Medicine Regulation on new anti-cancer medicines for the treatment of children and adolescents. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2023; 7:214-222. [PMID: 36682367 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(22)00344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The European Paediatric Medicine Regulation was launched in 2007, aiming to provide better medicines for children. However, its benefit for paediatric patients with cancer has been questioned and the European Paediatric and Orphan Regulations have been under review since November, 2020. To ascertain the effect of the European Paediatric Medicine Regulation, all paediatric anti-cancer medicines assessed by the European Medicines Agency from 1995 to 2022 were identified and reviewed using the agency's public assessment reports, and all Paediatric Investigation Plans granted since 2007 were analysed. 16 new molecular entities (NMEs; ie, a drug that contains an active moiety that had never been approved before) have been approved since the regulation was launched in 2007. The number of paediatric marketing authorisations increased from 2007 but represented the same 17% of all anti-cancer drug marketing authorisations before and after 2007. After 2007, nine (56%) of 16 NMEs were first authorised both in adults and children. For seven NMEs, a first paediatric indication was approved with a median lag time of 6·4 years (range 1·2-21·5 years) after the first authorisation in adults. Half of NMEs were authorised for the treatment of malignancies responsible for only 5·4% of all European childhood cancer deaths, including three medicines for melanoma and thyroid cancer-adult cancers occurring very rarely in children. The increased number of paediatric anti-cancer NMEs after 2007 is a result of the major increase in new medicines authorised for adult cancers since 2005 rather than a direct effect of the Paediatric Regulation. Paediatric development of these NMEs was driven by their adult market and did not address major unmet medical needs of children and adolescents with cancer. An improved, fit-for-purpose regulatory environment that incentivises paediatric drug development based on mechanism of action, better incentives, and a systematic multi-stakeholder engagement, with greater investment from industry, public funding, and non-governmental organisations, will increase the number of new medicines approved in the future to cure more children and adolescents with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy and Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France.
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Seyfried TN, Arismendi-Morillo G, Zuccoli G, Lee DC, Duraj T, Elsakka AM, Maroon JC, Mukherjee P, Ta L, Shelton L, D'Agostino D, Kiebish M, Chinopoulos C. Metabolic management of microenvironment acidity in glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968351. [PMID: 36059707 PMCID: PMC9428719 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), similar to most cancers, is dependent on fermentation metabolism for the synthesis of biomass and energy (ATP) regardless of the cellular or genetic heterogeneity seen within the tumor. The transition from respiration to fermentation arises from the documented defects in the number, the structure, and the function of mitochondria and mitochondrial-associated membranes in GBM tissue. Glucose and glutamine are the major fermentable fuels that drive GBM growth. The major waste products of GBM cell fermentation (lactic acid, glutamic acid, and succinic acid) will acidify the microenvironment and are largely responsible for drug resistance, enhanced invasion, immunosuppression, and metastasis. Besides surgical debulking, therapies used for GBM management (radiation, chemotherapy, and steroids) enhance microenvironment acidification and, although often providing a time-limited disease control, will thus favor tumor recurrence and complications. The simultaneous restriction of glucose and glutamine, while elevating non-fermentable, anti-inflammatory ketone bodies, can help restore the pH balance of the microenvironment while, at the same time, providing a non-toxic therapeutic strategy for killing most of the neoplastic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas N. Seyfried
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Thomas N. Seyfried,
| | - Gabriel Arismendi-Morillo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Giulio Zuccoli
- The Program for the Study of Neurodevelopment in Rare Disorders (NDRD), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Derek C. Lee
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Tomas Duraj
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA), CEU San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ahmed M. Elsakka
- Neuro Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Joseph C. Maroon
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Purna Mukherjee
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Linh Ta
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | | | - Dominic D'Agostino
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
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Bird N, Scobie N, Palmer A, Ludwinski D. To transplant, or not to transplant? That is the question. A patient advocate evaluation of autologous stem cell transplant in neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29663. [PMID: 35373890 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) has been a mainstay of high-risk neuroblastoma treatment for several decades, demonstrating improvements in event-free survival but with risks of serious or even life-threatening acute toxicities, severe long-term adverse health effects for survivors, and ongoing contention regarding overall survival benefit. The merits of ASCT in the modern era of immunotherapy are a source of debate among parents, advocates, and some physicians. Here we examine evidence for and against ASCT, explore parent attitudes and their turmoil over decision-making, and strongly encourage international research consortia to develop a coordinated strategy to accelerate progress toward a future that avoids the routine use of ASCT in high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of multi-targeted kinase inhibitors in bone sarcomas: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2022; 173:71-90. [PMID: 35863108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The eighth Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (mTKIs) in osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. The development of curative, innovative products in these tumours is a high priority and addresses unmet needs in children, adolescents and adults. Despite clinical and investigational use of mTKIs, efficacy in patients with bone tumours has not been definitively demonstrated. Randomised studies, currently being planned or in progress, in front-line and relapse settings will inform the further development of this class of product. It is crucial that these are rapidly initiated to generate robust data to support international collaborative efforts. The experience to date has generally indicated that the safety profile of mTKIs as monotherapy, and in combination with chemotherapy or other targeted therapy, is consistent with that of adults and that toxicity is manageable. Increasing understanding of relevant predictive biomarkers and tumour biology is absolutely critical to further develop this class of products. Biospecimen samples for correlative studies and biomarker development should be shared, and a joint academic-industry consortium created. This would result in an integrated collection of serial tumour tissues and a systematic retrospective and prospective analyses of these samples to ensure robust assessment of biologic effect of mTKIs. To support access for children to benefit from these novel therapies, clinical trials should be designed with sufficient scientific rationale to support regulatory and payer requirements. To achieve this, early dialogue between academia, industry, regulators, and patient advocates is essential. Evaluating feasibility of combination strategies and then undertaking a randomised trial in the same protocol accelerates drug development. Where possible, clinical trials and development should include children, adolescents, and adults less than 40 years. To respond to emerging science, in approximately 12 months, a multi-stakeholder group will meet and review available data to determine future directions and priorities.
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8
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DuBois SG, Macy ME, Henderson TO. High-Risk and Relapsed Neuroblastoma: Toward More Cures and Better Outcomes. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2022; 42:1-13. [PMID: 35522915 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_349783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Approximately half of the patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma are classified as having high-risk disease. This group continues to have inadequate cure rates despite multiagent chemotherapy, surgery, high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue, and immunotherapy directed against GD2. We review current efforts to try to improve outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed disease by integrating novel targeted therapies earlier in the course of the disease. We further examine a growing list of options available for patients with relapsed or refractory high-risk disease, with an eye toward graduating successful strategies from a relapsed/refractory setting to the frontline setting. Last, we review efforts to study and potentially mitigate the array of late effects faced by survivors of high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Margaret E Macy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Tara O Henderson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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