Low-Dose Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Study

Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy for Older Patients with Locally Advanced Non-Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Who Are Not Candidates for or Decline Surgery and Chemotherapy: A Practical Proposal by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group

The standard of care for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is either surgery combined with chemotherapy pre- or postoperatively or concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, older and frail patients may not be candidates for surgery and chemotherapy due to the high mortality risk and are frequently referred to radiotherapy alone, which is better tolerated but carries a high risk of disease recurrence. Recently, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may induce a high response rate among cancer patients with positive programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Immunotherapy is also well tolerated among older patients. Laboratory and clinical studies have reported synergy between radiotherapy and ICI. The combination of ICI and radiotherapy may improve local control and survival for NSCLC patients who are not candidates for surgery and chemotherapy or decline these two modalities. The International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group proposes a protocol combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy based on the presence or absence of PD-L1 to optimize the survival of those patients.

Beyond Population-Level Targets for Drug Concentrations: Precision Dosing Needs Individual-Level Targets that Include Superior Biomarkers of Drug Responses

The purpose of precision dosing is to increase the chances of therapeutic success in individual patients. This is achieved in practice by adjusting doses to reach precision dosing targets determined previously in relevant populations, ideally with robust supportive evidence showing improved clinical outcomes compared with standard dosing. But is this implicit assumption of translatable population-level precision dosing targets correct and the best for all patients? In this review, the types of precision dosing targets and how they are determined are outlined, problems with the translatability of these targets to individual patients are identified, and ways forward to address these challengers are proposed. Achieving improved clinical outcomes to support precision dosing over standard dosing is currently hampered by applying population-level targets to all patients. Just as "one-dose-fits-all" may be an inappropriate philosophy for drug treatment overall, a "one-target-fits-all" philosophy may limit the broad clinical benefits of precision dosing. Defining individual-level precision dosing targets may be needed for greatest therapeutic success. Superior future precision dosing targets will integrate several biomarkers that together account for the multiple sources of drug response variability.

Metronomic chemotherapy plus anti-PD-1 in metastatic breast cancer: a Bayesian adaptive randomized phase 2 trial

It remains unclear whether metronomic chemotherapy is superior to conventional chemotherapy when combined with immune checkpoint blockade. Here we performed a phase 2 clinical trial of metronomic chemotherapy combined with PD-1 blockade to compare the efficacy of combined conventional chemotherapy and PD-1 blockade using Bayesian adaptive randomization and efficacy monitoring. Eligible patients had metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and had not received more than one prior line of standard chemotherapy. Patients (total n = 97) were randomized to receive (1) metronomic vinorelbine (NVB) monotherapy (n = 11), (2) NVB plus anti-PD-1 toripalimab (n = 7), (3) anti-angiogenic bevacizumab, NVB and toripalimab (n = 27), (4) conventional cisplatin, NVB and toripalimab (n = 26), or (5) metronomic cyclophosphamide, capecitabine, NVB and toripalimab (the VEX cohort) (n = 26). The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR). Secondary objectives included progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. The study met the primary endpoint. The VEX (69.7%) and cisplatin (73.7%) cohorts had the highest DCR. The median PFS of patients in the VEX cohort was the longest, reaching 6.6 months, followed by the bevacizumab (4.0 months) and cisplatin (3.5 months) cohorts. In general, the five regimens were well tolerated, with nausea and neutropenia being the most common adverse events. An exploratory mass cytometry analysis indicated that metronomic VEX chemotherapy reprograms the systemic immune response. Together, the clinical and translational data of this study indicate that metronomic VEX chemotherapy combined with PD-1 blockade can be a treatment option in patients with breast cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04389073 .

Precision Medicine and Clinical Trials in Advanced and Metastatic Oral Cancer

Purpose

Oral cancer is a significant global health concern, with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in regions with prevalent tobacco usage such as Asia. Majority of oral cancers are detected at an advanced stage resulting in poor survival outcomes. Moreover, the treatment modalities of oral cancers have remained constant with surgery and concurrent chemoradiotherapy being mainstays of the treatment. This review provides a significant progress made in understanding the molecular landscape of oral cancers and the evolution of therapeutic strategies toward precision medicine.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather recent studies on the molecular landscape of oral cancers, genomic insights, and clinical trials.

Results

Firstly, genomic insights into oral cancers, including key driver mutations and copy number alterations, are discussed in the context of personalized medicine approaches. Subsequently, advancements in therapeutic strategies, particularly focusing on clinical trials investigating immunotherapy and targeted agents, are highlighted.

Conclusion

Despite promising results, challenges persist in identifying reliable biomarkers for treatment response and resistance. Continued research efforts are warranted to validate biomarkers and optimize therapeutic interventions, with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes and reducing the global burden of oral cancer.

Clinical Trials in Gastroesophageal Cancers: An Analysis of the Global Landscape of Interventional Trials From ClinicalTrials.gov

PURPOSE

To describe the global landscape of clinical research into interventions for gastroesophageal cancers (GECs), with examination of trial characteristics, geographic distribution of trial sites, and factors associated with trial termination.

METHODS

We queried ClinicalTrials.gov to identify all completed or terminated phase III interventional studies investigating GECs (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC], esophageal adenocarcinoma [EAC], gastroesophageal junctional [GEJ], and gastric adenocarcinoma). Data on all reported trial characteristics were extracted. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare differences in completed and terminated trials. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated predictors of termination.

RESULTS

A total of 179 trials were identified; of these, 90% were therapeutic. Most included sites in Asia (61%) and Europe (32%); few included sites in Africa (4%). Thirty percent included sites in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most (70%) focused on gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, 13% on EAC and ESCC, and 9% on ESCC alone. Sixteen percent (n = 29) of trials terminated prematurely. In multivariate analysis, study site number, location of recruitment sites, and patient population emerged as predictors of termination. Trials recruiting from US-based sites were more likely to terminate (odds ratio [OR], 7.22 [95% CI, 1.59 to 32.69]). Trials conducted exclusively in LMICs were less likely to terminate (OR, 0.04 [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.59] v conducted in high-income countries [HICs] alone). Studies on ESCC were more likely to terminate (OR, 17.74 [95% CI, 1.49 to 210.69]).

CONCLUSION

Although 80% of GECs occur in LMICs, trial activity disproportionately occurs in HICs. Few trials focus on EAC/ESCC despite being highly fatal, highlighting an unmet need. Overall, this study highlights (1) a missed opportunity to recruit patients from high-incidence regions globally; and (2) a pressing need for increasing funding, infrastructure, and support for GEC trials in LMICs.

Performance of Low-Dose Immunotherapy and Standard-Dose Immunotherapy in Microsatellite Instability-High Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Real-World Data (CLouD-High Study)

PURPOSE

Standard-dose immune checkpoint inhibitors (SD-ICIs) are the standard of care as initial therapy in microsatellite instable-high (MSI-H) advanced/metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas (mCRC), but there are preclinical data to suggest that low-dose ICIs (LD-ICI) might also have similar efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of patients with MSI-H mCRC receiving ICIs between June 2017 and January 2023 was conducted. The primary end point of the study was 12-month progression-free survival (PFS), which was computed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients were available for analysis during the study period. Sixty patients (92%) received nivolumab, whereas the remaining received pembrolizumab. First-line ICIs were received by 18 patients (28%), whereas 47 patients (72%) received ICIs during later lines. Thirty patients (47%) received LD-ICIs (all received nivolumab), with the remaining receiving SD-ICIs (53%). At a median follow-up of 16.5 (95% CI, 11.8 to 21.2) months, median PFS was not reached in the entire cohort. The 12-month PFS rate in the LD-ICI cohort was 90%, whereas it was 75.8% in the SD-ICI cohort. There were no statistical differences in patients receiving ICIs as first-line therapy (12 months PFS-94.4%) or during later lines of therapy (12-month PFS-77.9%; P = .56).

CONCLUSION

ICIs in the current study show survivals which are similar to those seen in seminal trials in patients with MSI-H mCRC. Low-dose ICIs appear to work in MSI-H mCRC and should be explored prospectively in clinical trials. Patients with MSI-H status should be exposed to ICIs, whether initially or later during treatment, whenever feasible.

Pharmacokinetics and clinical outcomes of low-dose nivolumab relative to conventional dose in patients with advanced cancer

PURPOSE

Nivolumab is approved at various doses, including 3 mg/kg, 240 mg and 480 mg flat doses at various dosing intervals. The concept of low-dose immunotherapy is gaining traction in recent years. However, there is a need to better understand the pharmacokinetics and clinical outcomes at lower doses.

METHODS

Patients were either administered 40 mg flat dose or 3 mg/kg Q2W/Q3W, depending on affordability as per prevailing hospital practice. All patients were hospitalized on day 1 and pharmacokinetic samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 6.0, 24.0, 72.0 h and day 14 following administration of the first dose of nivolumab. Plasma nivolumab levels were measured by ELISA. Patients were followed up for response and toxicity.

RESULTS

Twenty five patients were included in the study. Fourteen received nivolumab at conventional dose (3 mg/kg), while 11 patients received low-dose (40 mg flat). The geometric means of dose normalized Cmax and AUC0-t were comparable between those who received conventional dose and low-dose of nivolumab (0.28 versus 0.23 µg/mL/mg and 0.0014 versus 0.0011 d/mL respectively). Nineteen patients were evaluable for response. ORR among patients who received conventional dose was 5/11 (45.5%) whereas it was 4/9 (44.4%) in the low-dose cohort. All 14 (100%) patients in conventional dosing group and 7/11 patients (63.64%) in low-dose group had treatment emergent adverse events. Grade ≥ 3 toxicities were observed in 4/14 patients in conventional dose group and none in low-dose group.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose nivolumab leads to lower exposure in patients as compared with conventional dose, but low-dose was better tolerated, while response rates were comparable to conventional dose.

Nanoparticle-mediated metronomic chemotherapy in cancer: A paradigm of precision and persistence

Current methods of cancer therapy have demonstrated enormous potential in tumor inhibition. However, a high dosage regimen of chemotherapy results in various complications which affect the normal body cells. Tumor cells also develop resistance against the prescribed drugs in the whole treatment regimen increasing the risk of cancer relapse. Metronomic chemotherapy is a modern treatment method that involves administering drugs at low doses continuously, allowing the drug sufficient time to take its effect. This method ensures that the toxicity of the drugs is to a minimum in comparison to conventional chemotherapy. Nanoparticles have shown efficacy in delivering drugs to the tumor cells in various cancer therapies. Combining nanoparticles with metronomic chemotherapy can yield better treatment results. This combination stimulates the immune system, improving cancer cells recognition by immune cells. Evidence from clinical and pre-clinical trials supports the use of metronomic delivery for drug-loaded nanoparticles. This review focuses on the functionalization of nanoparticles for improved drug delivery and inhibition of tumor growth. It emphasizes the mechanisms of metronomic chemotherapy and its conjunction with nanotechnology. Additionally, it explores tumor progression and the current methods of chemotherapy. The challenges associated with nano-based metronomic chemotherapy are outlined, paving the way for prospects in this dynamic field.

Reduced frequency dosing of osimertinib in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung carcinoma: real world data

Introduction

Osimertinib is more efficacious and as safe as first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, osimertinib is not affordable for most patients in developing nations. Moreover, the minimum biologically effective dose of osimertinib may be less than the approved dose.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective observational multicentric study aimed to describe the efficacy (objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS)) and toxicity of osimertinib 80 mg orally administered less frequently than daily (ranging from every other day to once-a-week) in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.

Results

Between January 2021 and August 2023, we enrolled 22 patients. Six received osimertinib 80 mg once-a-week, nine received 80 mg once-in-3-days and seven received 80 mg on alternate days. Responses included 0 complete responses, 7 (31.8%) partial responses, 9 (40.9%) stable disease and 5 (22.7%) progressive disease. ORR was 31.8%, and DCR was 72.7%. Median PFS was 9.2 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9-15.7), and median OS was 17.8 months (95% CI, 3.2-32.6). In patients who received reduced frequency osimertinib in the second line and beyond, the ORR was 29.4%, DCR was 70.5%, median PFS was 5.9 months (95% CI, 1.1-10.6) and median OS was 17.6 months (95% CI, 2.9-32.2). Grade 3 and higher toxicities were noted in 8 (36.3%) patients.

Conclusion

Less frequent dosing of osimertinib may be a valid treatment option, especially in the second line and beyond setting in patients who cannot afford full dose daily osimertinib. This may provide an additional treatment option with a similar toxicity profile as that of standard dose osimertinib.

Metronomic chemotherapy in hematology: Lessons from preclinical and clinical studies to build a solid rationale for future schedules

Metronomic chemotherapy (mCHEMO), based on frequent, regular administration of low, but pharmacologically active drug doses, optimizes antitumor efficacy by targeting multiple targets and reducing toxicity of antineoplastic drugs. This minireview will summarize preclinical and clinical studies on cytotoxic drugs given at weekly, daily, or at continuous metronomic schedules alone or in combination with novel targeted agents for hematological malignancies, including lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. Most of the preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies have reported a significant benefit of both mCHEMO monotherapy and combinatorial regimens compared with chemotherapy at the maximum tolerated dose. However, the combination of mCHEMO with targeted drugs is still little explored in the hematologic clinical setting. Data obtained from preclinical studies on low dose metronomic chemotherapy in hematological malignancies clearly suggested the possibility to clinically investigate more tolerable and effective strategies for the treatment of patients with advanced hematological malignancies, or at least for those frail and elderly patients, who are not eligible or resistant to standard treatments.

Antiangiogenic-immune-checkpoint inhibitor combinations: lessons from phase III clinical trials

Antiangiogenic agents, generally antibodies or tyrosine-kinase inhibitors that target the VEGF-VEGFR pathway, are currently among the few combination partners clinically proven to improve the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This benefit has been demonstrated in pivotal phase III trials across different cancer types, some with practice-changing results; however, numerous phase III trials have also had negative results. The rationale for using antiangiogenic drugs as partners for ICIs relies primarily on blocking the multiple immunosuppressive effects of VEGF and inducing several different vascular-modulating effects that can stimulate immunity, such as vascular normalization leading to increased intratumoural blood perfusion and flow, and inhibition of pro-apoptotic effects of endothelial cells on T cells, among others. Conversely, VEGF blockade can also cause changes that suppress antitumour immunity, such as increased tumour hypoxia, and reduced intratumoural ingress of co-administered ICIs. As a result, the net clinical benefits from antiangiogenic-ICI combinations will be determined by the balance between the opposing effects of VEGF signalling and its inhibition on the antitumour immune response. In this Perspective, we summarize the results from the currently completed phase III trials evaluating antiangiogenic agent-ICI combinations. We also discuss strategies to improve the efficacy of these combinations, focusing on aspects that include the deleterious functions of VEGF-VEGFR inhibition on antitumour immunity, vessel co-option as a driver of non-angiogenic tumour growth, clinical trial design, or the rationale for drug selection, dosing and scheduling.

Guiding Principles for Community Building in Global Oncology

With the escalating incidence and prevalence of cancer worldwide disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries, there is an urgent need for the global oncology community to foster bidirectional partnerships and an equitable exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise. A dedicated Global Oncology Community of Practice (CoP) can serve as a self-organizing, grassroots approach for members, with common goals and values, to coordinate efforts, maximize impact, and ensure sustainable outcomes. It is imperative, however, when outlining goals and priorities to adhere to an ethical and appropriate framework during community building efforts to avoid perpetuating inequities and power imbalances. This article reviews the core guiding principles for ASCO's Global Oncology CoP which includes responsibility, amplification, accessibility, sustainability, and decolonization.

Combined Metronomic Chemo-immunotherapy (CMCI) in Head and Neck Cancers-An Experience from a Developing Country

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) have proven to be inherently resistant to systemic treatments as a result of histological, molecular, and etiological heterogeneity, with limited responses seen after second-line therapy and beyond. With limited treatment options after progression on systemic chemotherapy in HNSCCs, immunotherapy has a role to play with improved results. In this prospective, observational, non-randomized, open-label study, a total of 12 patients with advanced, relapsed, or metastatic HNSCC received Inj. Nivolumab weight-based dose of 3 mg per kg, intravenously every 2 weeks along with low-dose capecitabine 500 mg twice a day, was prospectively assessed. The patient's clinical, hematological, and staging characteristics were described and the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was calculated. A total of 12 patients received the combined metronomic chemo-immunotherapy (CMCI). The majority of patients were belonging to ECOG-PS 1(66%), with all patients being in stage IV disease. Six, four, and two patients received immunotherapy as the 5th, 3rd, and 4th line of therapy, respectively. Nivolumab and low-dose capecitabine were used in all 12 patients. CBR was seen in 66% (8/12) of patients, one patient died due to hepatitis and hepatic encephalopathy, another patient died due to pneumonia and respiratory complications, two patients had progressive disease, and two patients with stable disease discontinued treatment because of financial constraints and kept on capecitabine alone. The majority tolerated therapy well with no grade 3/4 immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). Two patients required supportive therapy with packed red cell transfusion and albumin infusions. Six-month overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the study population were 83.3% and 66.6%, respectively. In conclusion, nivolumab along with metronomic chemotherapy with low-dose capecitabine was very well tolerated and exhibited anti-tumor activity with a CBR of 66%, 6-month OS of 83.3%, and 6-month PFS of 66.6%, in extensively pretreated patients with HNSCCs. Additional studies of nivolumab and metronomic chemotherapy and immuno-immuno combination therapy in these diseases are ongoing.

Case report: Is severe toxicity the price to pay for high sensitivity to checkpoint inhibitors immunotherapy in desmoplastic melanoma?

Background

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare subtype of melanoma characterized by high immunogenicity which makes it particularly suitable for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 53-year-old man with metastatic DM successfully treated with the combination of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies, who developed serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The primary tumor was characterized by absent PD-L1 expression and no-brisk lymphocytes infiltration. NGS showed absence of BRAF mutation, a high tumor mutational burden, and an UV-induced DNA damage signature. Metastatic lesions regressed rapidly after few cycles of ICIs until complete response, however the patient developed serious irAEs including hypothyroidism, adrenal deficiency, and acute interstitial nephritis which led to the definitive suspension of treatment. Currently, the patient has normal renal functionality and no disease relapse after 26 months from starting immunotherapy, and after 9 months from its definitive suspension.

Conclusion

Efficacy and toxicity are two sides of the same coin of high sensitivity to ICIs in DM. For this reason, these patients should be closely monitored during ICIs therapy to promptly identify serious side effects and to correctly manage them.

Phase 1 first-in-human dose-escalation study of ANV419 in patients with relapsed/refractory advanced solid tumors

Patients with advanced cancer, previously treated with immune checkpoint blockade therapy, may retain residual treatment when undergoing the initial infusion of experimental monotherapy in phase 1 clinical trials. ANV419, an antibody-cytokine fusion protein, combines interleukin-2 (IL-2) with an anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody, aiming to stimulate the expansion of CD8 T and natural killer lymphocytes while restricting regulatory T lymphocytes. In the recent publication of the phase 1 dose escalation study of ANV419, a notable gap exists in detailed information regarding patients' prior antitumoral treatments, specifically programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) targeted monoclonal antibodies. Some patients likely retained residual anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, potentially influencing the outcomes of ANV419. In a separate clinical cohort, we retrospectively measured the residual concentration of nivolumab and pembrolizumab, revealing persistent serum concentrations of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies even months after treatment cessation. This underscores the importance of comprehensively documenting prior immunotherapy details in clinical trials. Such information is crucial for understanding potential interactions that may impact both immunological and clinical effects.

Extending the dosing intervals of nivolumab: model-based simulations in unselected cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Reducing nivolumab dose intensity could increase patients' life quality and decrease the financial burden while maintaining efficacy. The aims of this study were to develop a population PK model of nivolumab based on data from unselected metastatic cancer patients and to simulate extended-interval regimens allowing to maintain minimal effective plasma concentrations (MEPC).

METHODS

Concentration-time data (992 plasma nivolumab concentrations, 364 patients) were modeled using a two-compartment model with linear elimination clearance in Monolix software. Extended-interval regimens allowing to maintain steady-state trough concentrations (Cmin,ss) above the MEPC of 2.5 mg/L or 1.5 mg/L in >90% of patients were simulated.

RESULTS

Increasing 3-times the dosing interval from 240 mg every two weeks (Q2W) to Q6W and 2-times from 480 mg Q4W to Q8W resulted in Cmin,ss above 2.5 mg/L in 95.8% and 95.4% of patients, respectively. 240 mg Q8W and 480 mg Q10W resulted in Cmin,ss above 1.5 mg/L in 91.0% and 91.8% of patients, respectively. Selection of a 240 mg Q6W regimen would decrease by 3-fold the annual treatment costs compared to standard regimen of 240 mg Q2W (from 78,744€ to 26,248€ in France).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical trials are warranted to confirm the non-inferiority of extended-interval compared to standard regimen.

Exploring the Efficacy of Pembrolizumab in Combination with Carboplatin and Weekly Paclitaxel for Frail Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Key Investigative Study

INTRODUCTION

Immune checkpoint blockers have revolutionized the first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, is a standard therapy either alone or in combination with chemotherapy (chemo-IO). The current study explores the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab with carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel in a cohort of frail patients.

METHODS

A monocentric retrospective study was conducted between 22 September 2020 and 19 January 2023 regarding patients with stage IV NSCLC treated with chemo-IO combination: carboplatin (AUC 5 mg/mL/min; Q4W), weekly paclitaxel (90 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15), and pembrolizumab (200 mg Q4W). The primary objective was real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS). Secondary objectives were overall survival (OS), toxicity profile, and outcomes based on histological subtype.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients (20 squamous and 14 non-squamous NSCLC) benefited from the chemo-IO regimen for frail patients; 41.9% had an ECOG-PS = 2. The median age was 75.5 years. We observed an overall response rate (ORR) of 55.9%. Notably, squamous NSCLC exhibited a significantly higher ORR (80%) than non-squamous NSCLC (21.4%); p = 0.001. The median rw-PFS was 10.6 months (95% CI [6.0, NA]), with 6- and 12-month rw-PFS rates of 69% and 45.8%, respectively. The median OS was not reached, with 12- and 18-month OS rates of 75.6% and 61.4%, respectively. The median number of maintenance cycles of pembrolizumab was 5 (0; 27). Nine patients (26.5%) experienced a toxicity related to chemotherapy leading to a reduction of the dose administered and, in five patients (14.7%), to the permanent discontinuation of chemotherapy. Six patients (17.6%) had an immune-related adverse event leading to the discontinuation of immunotherapy.

DISCUSSION

Pembrolizumab plus carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel demonstrates promising efficacy and safety in frail patients with metastatic NSCLC, especially for ORR in sq-NSCLC. Prospective studies focusing on frail populations are warranted in order to validate these findings and optimize therapeutic strategies in the first-line setting.

Opportunity Strikes for Reducing Cancer Drug Waste: Bortezomib as an Example of Vial Mis-Sizing in Oncology

Mis-sized packaging leads to millions of dollars in drug waste annually. Now is the time to act.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Serve as the First-Line Treatment for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has demonstrated substantial benefits for certain patients. We try to evaluate the merits and demerits of each immunotherapy to aid clinical treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized clinical trials published as of June 10, 2023. Our study included published clinical trials of ICI monotherapy or combination therapy, along with data on treatment-related adverse events (TRAE). Data regarding survival efficacy and adverse events of each randomized controlled trial (RCT) were collected. The Bayesian random effects model was utilized for the network meta-analysis (NMA).

RESULTS

This study incorporated 19 RCTs, involving 5900 patients. Among 14 treatment regimens, Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy emerged as the most promising primary treatment for overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). Toripalimab combined with chemotherapy exhibited the highest likelihood of becoming the primary treatment for extending progression-free survival (PFS). Durvalumab showed the lowest probability of adverse events, suggesting a safer profile compared with other drugs. Camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy demonstrated a heightened risk of adverse events. Dual ICI Nivolumab/Ipilimumab surpassed Durvalumab/Tremelimumab in terms of ORR and adverse events. The standard of care (SOC) regimen did not exhibit strong performance across the four outcome indicators.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis suggests that the integration of chemotherapy agents with ICIs enhances its efficacy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

1 Laryngoscope, 134:749-761, 2024.

An Ailment with Which I Will Contend: A Narrative Review of 5000 Years of Esophagogastric Cancers and Their Treatments, with Special Emphasis on Recent Advances in Immunotherapeutics

Esophagogastric cancers are among the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. This review traces their chronology from 3000 BCE to the present. The first several thousand years were devoted to palliation, before advances in operative technique and technology led to the first curative surgery in 1913. Systemic therapies were introduced in 1910, and radiotherapy shortly thereafter. Operative technique improved massively over the 20th century, with operative mortality rates reducing from over 50% in 1933 to less than 5% by 1981. In addition to important roles in palliation, endoscopy became a key nonsurgical curative option for patients with limited-stage disease by the 1990s. The first nonrandomized studies on combination therapies (chemotherapy ± radiation ± surgery) were reported in the early 1980s, with survival benefit only for subsets of patients. Randomized trials over the next decades had similar overall results, with increasing nuance. Disparate conclusions led to regional variation in global practice. Starting with the first FDA approval in 2017, multiple immunotherapies now encompass more indications and earlier lines of therapy. As standards of care incorporate these effective yet expensive therapies, care must be given to disparities and methods for increasing access.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα/γ agonist pioglitazone for rescuing relapsed or refractory neoplasias by unlocking phenotypic plasticity

A series of seven clinical trials on relapsed or refractory (r/r) metastatic neoplasias followed the question: Are networks of ligand-receptor cross-talks that support tumor-specific cancer hallmarks, druggable with tumor tissue editing approaches therapeutically exploiting tumor plasticity? Differential recombinations of pioglitazone, a dual peroxisome-proliferator activated receptorα/γ (PPARα/γ) agonist, with transcriptional modulators, i.e., all-trans retinoic acid, interferon-α, or dexamethasone plus metronomic low-dose chemotherapy (MCT) or epigenetic modeling with azacitidine plus/minus cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition initiated tumor-specific reprogramming of cancer hallmarks, as exemplified by inflammation control in r/r melanoma, renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (mLCH) or differentiation induction in non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (non-PML AML). Pioglitazone, integrated in differentially designed editing schedules, facilitated induction of tumor cell death as indicated by complete remission (CR) in r/r non-PML AML, continuous CR in r/r RCCC, mLCH, and in HL by addition of everolimus, or long-term disease control in melanoma by efficaciously controlling metastasis, post-therapy cancer repopulation and acquired cell-resistance and genetic/molecular-genetic tumor cell heterogeneity (M-CRAC). PPARα/γ agonists provided tumor-type agnostic biomodulatory efficacy across different histologic neoplasias. Tissue editing techniques disclose that wide-ranging functions of PPARα/γ agonists may be on-topic focused for differentially unlocking tumor phenotypes. Low-dose MCT facilitates targeted reprogramming of cancer hallmarks with transcriptional modulators, induction of tumor cell death, M-CRAC control and editing of non-oncogene addiction. Thus, pioglitazone, integrated in tumor tissue editing protocols, is an important biomodulatory drug for addressing urgent therapeutic problems, such as M-CRAC in relapsed or refractory tumor disease.

Long-term outcomes of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on borderline resectable oral cavity cancers: Real-world data of 3266 patients and implications for clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by response assessment is the standard treatment algorithm for locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCC) in the Indian subcontinent. The 3-drug NACT regimen (Docetaxel-Cisplatin-5-FU) has shown improvement in overall survival over 2-drug regimen (Docetaxel-Cisplatin) in a phase-3 randomised study. We have analysed the 10-year outcomes with this treatment algorithm.

METHODS

This was an institutional review board approved retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected dataset of borderline resectable OCSCC patients who underwent NACT. Patients who became resectable after NACT underwent surgery followed by appropriate adjuvant therapy. Patients who were unresectable received definitive chemoradiation (CTRT), palliative chemotherapy, radiotherapy or best supportive care based on general condition.

RESULTS

A total of 3266 patients were included. The most common subsite was buccal mucosa and the most frequent indication was peri-tumoral edema upto zygoma. More than 2-drugs NACT was offered to 32.9% patients. Overall, 32.5% patients had a response to NACT. A total of 1358 patients were offered curative treatment, of which 929 (32%) underwent surgery and the rest underwent definitive chemo-radiation (14.8%). Patients who received more than 2-drugs NACT versus those who received 2-drugs had a 10-years OS of 21% vs 5.1% (p < 0.001). Patients who underwent surgery versus those who did not had a 10-year OS of 21.8% vs 4.1% (p < 0.001). Patients who achieved pCR had a 5-year OS of 45.3% vs 13.3% for those who did not (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

NACT leads to long term survival benefit in patients of borderline resectable oral cavity cancer.

Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Various Tumor Types Treated by Low, Per-Weight, and Conventional Doses at a Tertiary Care Center in Mumbai

PURPOSE

The cost of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) limits their accessibility to a small number of patients with cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Early-phase clinical trials have shown target inhibition and high activity at doses lower than those registered and evaluated in clinical trials. Here, we report everyday experience of using ICIs in 100 Indian patients, many of whom received lower doses of ICIs.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who received at least one dose of an ICI irrespective of tumor type at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India, that was able to access ICIs for its patients were enrolled. The objectives were to study the doses used over a 3-year time period, and the effectiveness of therapy, assessed primarily by the overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival were secondary end points.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were treated with conventional doses of ICIs, 29 patients received lower doses per body weight, and 46 patients received low-dose treatment. The median number of cycles received was 5 (range, 1-28). Seventy-eight patients received ICIs in a palliative setting. The median follow-up time was 10.2, 9.8, and 3.9 months for those receiving fixed approved dosing, per body weight dosing, and low-dose treatment, respectively. There was a trend with time to prescribe lower doses. Response evaluation was available for 92 patients. Twenty-one (five-adjuvant and 16-palliative) patients received ICIs only. The ORR did not differ statistically among different dosing groups, but comparisons are confounded by inclusion of different ICIs, different tumor sites, and concurrent treatments. The median OS was 6.8 (range, 4.6-9.0) months.

CONCLUSION

Adoption of per-body weight and lower dosing of ICIs appears to give acceptable outcomes. Lower dosing can improve access and timely delivery of ICIs in low- and middle-income countries.

Long-term outcomes of metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiation therapy in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The study aims to evaluate the outcomes of metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC).

METHODS

We reviewed all SBRT conducted in patients with mNPC in our institution between 2013 and 2022. Systemic therapy was performed with chemotherapy with or without anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) therapy. Local treatment delivered with ablative purpose in stereotactic setting with dose/fraction ≥5 Gy was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to determine the rates of local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by Cox regression.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients with 76 metastatic sites receiving SBRT were analyzed. Median follow-up was 49 months. The 3-year LC, PFS, and OS rates were 89.1%, 29.4%, and 57.9%, respectively. Adding a PD-1 inhibitor to SBRT tended to prolong median OS (50.1 vs. 32.2 months, p = 0.068). Patients receiving a biological effective dose (BED, α/β = 10) ≥ 80 Gy had a significantly longer median OS compared to those who received a lower dose (not reached vs. 29.5 months, p = 0.004). Patients with oligometastases (1-5 metastases) had a better median OS (not reached vs. 29.5 months, p < 0.001) and PFS (34.3 vs. 4.6 months, p < 0.001). Pretreatment EBV-DNA and maintenance therapy were also significant predictors for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic NPC patients could benefit from metastases-directed SBRT in combination with systemic therapy.

Addressing Genetic Tumor Heterogeneity, Post-Therapy Metastatic Spread, Cancer Repopulation, and Development of Acquired Tumor Cell Resistance

The concept of post-therapy metastatic spread, cancer repopulation and acquired tumor cell resistance (M-CRAC) rationalizes tumor progression because of tumor cell heterogeneity arising from post-therapy genetic damage and subsequent tissue repair mechanisms. Therapeutic strategies designed to specifically address M-CRAC involve tissue editing approaches, such as low-dose metronomic chemotherapy and the use of transcriptional modulators with or without targeted therapies. Notably, tumor tissue editing holds the potential to treat patients, who are refractory to or relapsing (r/r) after conventional chemotherapy, which is usually based on administering a maximum tolerable dose of a cytostatic drugs. Clinical trials enrolling patients with r/r malignancies, e.g., non-small cell lung cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and acute myelocytic leukemia, indicate that tissue editing approaches could yield tangible clinical benefit. In contrast to conventional chemotherapy or state-of-the-art precision medicine, tissue editing employs a multi-pronged approach targeting important drivers of M-CRAC across various tumor entities, thereby, simultaneously engaging tumor cell differentiation, immunomodulation, and inflammation control. In this review, we highlight the M-CRAC concept as a major factor in resistance to conventional cancer therapies and discusses tissue editing as a potential treatment.

Repurposing pantoprazole in combination with systemic therapy in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a phase I/II randomized study

Pantoprazole decreases the acidity of the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting proton pumps on the cancer cell. This possibly leads to increased sensitivity to cytotoxic therapy. We conducted a phase I/II randomized controlled trial in adult patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) planned for first-line palliative chemotherapy. Patients were randomized to chemotherapy + / - intravenous (IV) pantoprazole. The primary endpoint in phase I was to determine the maximum safe dose of intravenous pantoprazole, whereas it was progression-free survival (PFS) in phase II. The dose of IV pantoprazole established in phase I was 240 mg. Between Nov'18 and Oct'20, we recruited 120 patients in phase II, 59 on pantoprazole and 61 on the standard arm. Median age was 51 years (IQR 43-60), 80% were men. Systemic therapy was IV cisplatin in 22% and oral-metronomic-chemotherapy (OMC) in 78%. Addition of pantoprazole did not prolong PFS, which was 2.2 months (95% CI 2.07-3.19) in the pantoprazole arm and 2.5 months (95% CI 2.04-3.81, HR, 1.14; 95% CI 0.78-1.66; P = 0.48) in the standard arm. Response rates were similar; pantoprazole arm 8.5%, standard arm 6.6%; P = 0.175. Overall survival was also similar; 5.6 months (95% CI 4.47-8.51) in the pantoprazole arm and 5.4 months (95% CI 3.48-8.54, HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.72-1.57; P = 0.75) in the standard arm. Grade ≥ 3 toxicities were similar. Thus, pantoprazole 240 mg IV added to systemic therapy does not improve outcomes in patients with advanced HNSCC.

Utilization of cancer immunotherapy in sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction

The Lancet Oncology Commission for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) predicts that cancer deaths will double from 520,158 per year to more than 1 million per year by the year 2040. These striking figures indicate a need to urgently evaluate cancer treatment infrastructure and resources in the region. Studies have found immunotherapy to be effective for the treatment of advanced-stage cancer, which almost 70% of patients in SSA present with. Despite immunotherapy's significant therapeutic potential, its utilization in SSA is not well documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the landscape of immunotherapy in SSA.

Methods

A Qualtrics survey assessing the existing infrastructure and training for safe immunotherapy administration was developed and distributed online via email and WhatsApp to 3,231 healthcare providers across SSA, with a target audience of healthcare providers serving patients with cancer. The survey contained 22 questions evaluating the accessibility, use, knowledge, and training on immunotherapy in SSA. Responses were collected between January and February 2023. Microsoft Excel was used to summarize and visually present the distribution of responses as counts and proportions.

Results

292 responses were included from 28 countries in SSA. 29% of all respondents indicated their clinic has easy access to cancer immunotherapy and 46% indicated their clinic currently practices it. Of clinics that practiced immunotherapy (n = 133), 12% used genomic sequencing to assess the tumor mutational burden biomarker, and 44% assessed expression of the PD-L1 biomarker prior to immunotherapy administration. 46% of all respondents were familiar with immunotherapy. 11% indicated being adequately trained to administer it. Of these (n=33), 52% indicated also being trained to manage immune-related adverse events related to immunotherapy administration.

Conclusion

Immunotherapy utilization and training is low in SSA and insufficient for the rising cancer burden. Increased accessibility and usage of biomarker testing to predict immunotherapy response, incorporation of immunotherapy training into continuous medical education, and increased access to immunotherapy drugs may be prerequisites for expanded utilization of immunotherapy in SSA.

State of cancer care in India and opportunities for innovation

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India. Despite recent medical and technological advances, the cancer burden in India remains high and continues to rise. Moreover, substantial regional disparities in cancer incidence and access to essential medical resources exist throughout the country. While innovative and effective cancer therapies hold promise for improving patient outcomes, several barriers hinder their development and utilization in India. Here we provide an overview of these barriers, including challenges related to patient awareness, inadequate infrastructure, scarcity of trained oncology professionals, and the high cost of cancer care. Furthermore, we discuss the limited availability of cancer clinical trials in the country, along with an examination of potential avenues to enhance cancer care in India. By confronting these hurdles head-on and implementing innovative, pragmatic solutions, we take an indispensable step toward a future where every cancer patient in the country can access quality care.

Metronomic chemotherapy, dampening of immunosuppressive cells, antigen presenting cell activation, and T cells. A quartet against refractoriness and resistance to checkpoint inhibitors

Chemotherapeutic agents have profound effects on cancer, stroma and immune cells that - in most cases - depend upon the dosage and schedule of administration. Preclinical and clinical studies summarized and discussed in the present review have demonstrated that maximum tolerable dosage (MTD) vs low-dosage, continuous (metronomic) administration of most chemotherapeutics have polarized effects on immune cells. In particular, metronomic schedules might be associated - among others effects - with activation of antigen presenting cells and generation of new T cell clones to enhance the activity of several types of immunotherapies. Ongoing and planned clinical trials in different types of cancer will confirm or dismiss this hypothesis and provide candidate biomarker data for the selection of patients who are likely to benefit from these combinatorial strategies.

Low-dose nivolumab and cabozantinib in recurrent intestinal-type papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region

Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare epithelial malignancy primarily treated with surgery and chemoradiation. The combination of low-dose immunotherapy and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in recurrent disease has not been previously studied.A man in his 20s with papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region, following surgical resection, was treated with six cycles of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, followed by four cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin and capecitabine. While on treatment, he was found to have extensive residual disease and he was started on low-dose nivolumab and cabozantinib. Repeat imaging after ten months of treatment revealed a significant reduction in lesions.Non-squamous head and neck cancers are often excluded from major trials, and the effect of immunotherapy in these histologies is poorly understood. The response seen with low-dose immunotherapy underscores the need for further research in this setting.

Safety evaluation of immune-cell therapy for malignant tumor in the Cancer Immune-cell Therapy Evaluation Group (CITEG)

BACKGROUND AIMS

With the aim of strengthening the scientific evidence of immune-cell therapy for cancer and further examining its safety, in October 2015, our hospital jointly established the Cancer Immune-Cell Therapy Evaluation Group (CITEG) with 39 medical facilities nationwide.

METHODS

Medical information, such as patients' background characteristics, clinical efficacy and therapeutic cell types obtained from each facility, has been accumulated, analyzed and evaluated by CITEG. In this prospective study, we analyzed the adverse events associated with immune-cell therapy until the end of September 2022, and we presented our interim safety evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 3839 patients with malignant tumor were treated with immune-cell therapy, with a median age of 64 years (range, 13-97 years) and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.08 (1846:1993). Most patients' performance status was 0 or 1 (86.8%) at the first visit, and 3234 cases (84.2%) were advanced or recurrent cases, which accounted for the majority. The total number of administrations reported in CITEG was 31890, of which 960 (3.0%) showed adverse events. The numbers of adverse events caused by treatment were 363 (1.8%) of 19661 administrations of αβT cell therapy, 9 of 845 administrations of γδT-cell therapy (1.1%) and 10 of 626 administrations of natural killer cell therapy (1.6%). The number of adverse events caused by dendritic cell (DC) vaccine therapy was 578 of 10748 administrations (5.4%), which was significantly larger than those for other treatments. Multivariate analysis revealed that αβT cell therapy had a significantly greater risk of adverse events at performance status 1 or higher, and patients younger than 64 years, women or adjuvant immune-cell therapy had a greater risk of adverse events in DC vaccine therapy. Injection-site reactions were the most frequently reported adverse events, with 449 events, the majority of which were associated with DC vaccine therapy. Among all other adverse events, fever (228 events), fatigue (141 events) and itching (131 events) were frequently reported. In contrast, three patients had adverse events (fever, abdominal pain and interstitial pneumonia) that required hospitalization, although they were weakly related to this therapy; rather, it was considered to be the effect of treatment for the primary disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Immune-cell therapy for cancer was considered to be a safe treatment without serious adverse events.

Global inequalities in availability of systemic therapies for cancer care and strategies to address them

Many Low and middle-income countries face challenges in delivering chemotherapy services due to limitations in infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities, and a shortage of trained medical professionals. High-income countries often have well-developed healthcare systems and advanced technology.

Combining atezolizumab 1200 mg with bevacizumab 15 mg/kg: based on science or just revenues?

Dose optimisation is increasingly important in oncology, as exemplified by the US Food and Drug Administration's Project Optimus initiative, which is aligned with similar initiatives in other countries. In parallel, multiple stakeholders have raised concerns about anticancer drug prices, affordability, and access. This is of particular concern to government payers as well as patients and physicians in low- and middle-income countries. As anticancer drugs have historically been approved at the maximally tolerated dose, it is now highly relevant to question whether lower doses are equally effective and can be delivered at lower doses, resulting in less toxicity for patients, and lower costs for patients and payers. We illustrate this opportunity by discussing the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab, approved in multiple countries for both non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular cancer. Our conclusion is that the cost of this regimen can be reduced by more than 80%, an opportunity that should be considered by patients, prescribers, payers, and policymakers.

Leveraging cryoablation and checkpoint inhibitors for high-risk triple negative breast cancer

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States in which the standard of care treatment is surgery with adjunctive therapy. Cryoablation, which destroys the tumor using extremely cold temperatures while preserving the potential tumor antigens, is a promising alternative to surgical resection. It is less invasive, cosmetically appeasing, cost-effective, and capable of contributing to the abscopal effect - the immune response targeting potential distant metastasis. However, to maximize the immunologic benefit of cryoablation in biologically high-risk breast cancers, combination with therapies that enhance immune activation, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may be necessary. This mini review describes the fundamentals of cryoablation and treatment with ICIs, as well as discuss the caveats in both strategies and current clinical trials aimed to improve this approach to benefit patients.

Interventional pharmacoeconomics for immune checkpoint inhibitors through alternative dosing strategies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved for the treatment of a variety of cancer types. The doses of these drugs, though approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have never been optimised, likely leading to significantly higher doses than required for optimal efficacy. Dose optimisation would hypothetically decrease the risk, severity, and duration of immune-related adverse events, as well as provide an opportunity to reduce costs through interventional pharmacoeconomic strategies such as off-label dose reductions or less frequent dosing. We summarise existing evidence for ICI dose optimisation to advocate for the role of interventional pharmacoeconomics.

Checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents: a winning combination

The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents is a promising new approach in cancer treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block the signals that help cancer cells evade the immune system, while anti-angiogenic agents target the blood vessels that supply the tumour with nutrients and oxygen, limiting its growth. Importantly, this combination triggers synergistic effects based on molecular and cellular mechanisms, leading to better response rates and longer progression-free survival than treatment alone. However, these combinations can also lead to increased side effects and require close monitoring.

Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) showed antitumor activity for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). However, the results from different studies were controversial.

METHODS

Online databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating ICIs for R/M HNSCC. The characteristics of the studies and the results of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were extracted.

RESULTS

A total of 4936 patients from eight studies were included. Anti-PD1/PDL1 monotherapy significantly improved OS in total population (hazard ratio, HR, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.79-0.95, p = 0.003) and PD-L1 high expression patients (HR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.55-0.90, p = 0.006) with significant lower incidence of any grade TRAEs (odds ratio, OR, 0.16, 95% CI, 0.07-0.37, p < 0.00001) and Grades 3-5 TRAEs (OR, 0.18, 95% CI, 0.10-0.33, p < 0.0001) compared with standard of care (SOC); however, the pooled results of PFS and ORR were not significant different. PD1/PDL1 inhibitors plus CTLA4 inhibitors did not improve OS, PFS, ORR compared with SOC or ICIs monotherapy; however, the incidence of Grades 3-5 TRAEs was significant higher compared with ICIs monotherapy (OR, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.34-2.41, p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-PD1/PDL1 monotherapy could improve OS for R/M HNSCC with significant lower incidence of TRAEs compared with SOC. PD1/PDL1 inhibitors plus CTLA4 inhibitors showed no more benefit compared with both SOC and ICIs monotherapy, but the incidence of Grades 3-5 TRAEs was significant higher compared with ICIs monotherapy.

Global Cancer Drug Development-A Report From the 2022 Accelerating Anticancer Agent Development and Validation Meeting

Rapidly expanding systemic treatment options, combined with improved screening, diagnostic, surgical, and radiotherapy techniques, have led to improved survival outcomes for many cancers over time. However, these overall survival gains have disproportionately benefited patients in high-income countries, whereas patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to experience challenges in accessing timely and guideline concordant care. In September 2022, the Accelerating Anticancer Agent Development and Validation workshop was held, focusing on global cancer drug development. Panelists discussed key barriers such as the lack of diagnostic services and human resources, drug accessibility and affordability, lack of research infrastructure, and regulatory and authorization challenges, with a particular focus on Africa and Latin America. Potential opportunities to improve access and affordability were reviewed, such as the importance of prioritizing investments in diagnostics, investing health infrastructure and work force planning, coordinated drug procurement efforts and streamlined regulatory processing, incentivized pricing through regulatory change, and the importance of developing and promoting clinical trials that can answer relevant clinical questions for patients in LMICs. As a cancer community, we must continue to advocate for and work toward equitable access to high-quality interventions for patients, regardless of their geographical location.

Enhanced binding at fever temperatures of HER2 in complex with trastuzumab and pertuzumab

Aim: Fever follows the administration of trastuzumab and pertuzumab used in HER2-relevant immunotherapy, but is often eliminated in clinical practice. This work explores the role of temperature (37-39°C) in the formation of immune complexes between HER2 with either trastuzumab or pertuzumab or with both antibodies. Materials & methods: Using molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations, the binding between HER2 and these immunotherapeutic monoclonal antibodies was investigated at different temperatures. Results: Trastuzumab and pertuzumab present the highest binding free energy to HER2 at febrile temperatures (39°C), or when HER2 is in complex with both antibodies. Conclusion: Performing molecular dynamics simulations under fever temperatures may be important for delineating their role in enhancing the binding affinity of mature antibodies used in immunotherapy.

Challenges and Strategies for Improving Access to Cancer Drugs in Malaysia: Summary of Opinions Expressed at the 2nd MACR International Scientific Conference 2022

Considerable progress has been made in cancer drug development in recent decades. However, for people in low- and middle-income countries, including Malaysia, many of these drugs are not readily available. During the 2nd Malaysian Association for Cancer Research (MACR) International Scientific Conference, a forum discussion was held to address these challenges and explore strategies to improve access to cancer medicines in the country. This paper presents the results of the said forum discussion. A few challenges to cancer drug access were highlighted, including lengthy approval and regulatory practices, cost of medicines, and manufacturing barriers. Besides, a few strategies for mitigating some of these challenges were proposed, such as mechanisms for cost reduction, uptake of biosimilars and generics, local manufacturing, public-private partnerships, strengthening the role of insurance companies, funding and regulation, and advocacy for fair pricing, by drawing examples from cancer medicines access initiatives in Malaysia and initiatives for different disease groups. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and strategies for improving access to cancer medicines in Malaysia and provides valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, the pharmaceutical industry, cancer patients, cancer support groups, and other stakeholders working on this important issue.

Involvement of KLRK1 in immune infiltration of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma correlates with favorable prognosis

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignancy commonly found in the head and neck region, with a low 5-year survival rate. Although immunotherapy has made significant progress, its efficacy in HNSCC treatment remains unsatisfactory. Killer cell lectin-like receptor K1 (KLRK1), a marker highly expressed in immune cells, can bind to its ligands expressed by cancer cells to exert its antitumor effect. However, the role of KLRK1 in HNSCC has yet to be studied extensively. This study aimed to explore the involvement of KLRK1 in immune infiltration of HNSCC and its correlation with prognosis. We analyzed KLRK1 expression data from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. The relationship between KLRK1 and immune cell infiltration has also been investigated. Finally, we analyzed the association between the expression of KLRK1 and its ligands and the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. We found that KLRK1 was highly expressed in HNSCC and correlated with better prognosis. KLRK1 expression was correlated with age, histological grade, HPV infection, pT, pN, pTNM stage, primary site, and survival status. High expression levels of KLRK1 have been linked to high levels of immune cell infiltration, particularly CD4/8 (+) T lymphocytes. Among the ligands of KLRK1, UL16 binding protein (ULBP) 1-3 showed high expression, which was associated with an increased risk of death. Notably, the expression of KLRK1 was negatively correlated with ULBP1-3. Patients with high levels of ULBP2/3 expression in tonsil carcinoma had poorer prognosis than those with low levels (P < .01), whereas ULBP1 expression levels had no significant effect on tonsil carcinoma prognosis (P = .770). The expression levels of ULBP1/3 were correlated with worse prognosis in patients with laryngeal cancer (P < .05), whereas there was no significant correlation between ULBP2 expression levels and overall survival (P = .269). Our study revealed that KLRK1 is highly expressed in HNSCC and is associated with a better prognosis and immune infiltration. Patients with high expression of KLRK1 ligands exhibited worse prognoses, possibly because of the expression of more soluble ligands.

Immunotherapy with PD-1 Inhibitor Nivolumab in Recurrent/Metastatic Platinum Refractory Head and Neck Cancers-Early Experiences from Romania and Literature Review

Prognosis in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy is poor, making therapy optimization a priority. Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) monoclonal antibody Nivolumab was approved in such cases. We present the early experience with Nivolumab immunotherapy at three cancer clinics from south and northeast Romania, aiming to describe the main characteristics and outcomes relative to literature reports, and to suggest patient selection criteria. Diagnostic, clinical, biological, therapeutic, and outcomes-related data from January 2020 until March 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Eighteen patients with platinum refractory HNSCC (85.7% men, median age 58.9) were administered Nivolumab for 1-14 months (median 5.6 months) in addition to other treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy), and monitored for up to 25 months. Median neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ranged from 2.72 initially to 6.01 during treatment. Overall survival (OS) was 16 months, and patients who died early had the sharpest NLR increases (13.07/month). There were no severe immune-related adverse events. Lower NLR values and combined intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy were related to better outcomes. To our knowledge, we also report the first two cases of second primary malignancy (SPM) in the head and neck region treated with Nivolumab in Romania (for which the sequential administration of radiotherapy and immunotherapy seems better). The work of other Romanian authors on the role of HPV status in HNC is also discussed. Multi-center trials are needed in order to investigate and confirm these observations.