Clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric oncology patients with aggressive biology enrolled in phase I clinical trials designed for adults: the university of Texas MD anderson cancer center experience

Activity of pazopanib in EWSR1-NFATC2 translocation-associated bone sarcoma

Pazopanib is a multi-kinase inhibitor that is currently approved for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma and chemotherapy-refractory soft tissue sarcoma. In this case report, we discuss the case of a patient with a EWSR1-NFATC2 fusion positive bone sarcoma who had exceptional tumor control through using pazopanib and surgery for an overall duration exceeding 5 years. We also review the literature on EWSR1-NFATC2 translocation-associated sarcomas and use of pazopanib in bone sarcomas.

Outcome of children and adolescents with central nervous system tumors in phase I trials

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a leading cause of death in pediatric oncology. New drugs are desperately needed to improve survival. We evaluated the outcome of children and adolescents with CNS tumors participating in phase I trials within the Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC) consortium. Patients with solid tumors aged < 18 years at enrollment in their first dose-finding trial between 2000 and 2014 at eight ITCC centers were included retrospectively. Survival was evaluated using univariate/multivariate analyses. Overall, 114 patients were included (109 evaluable for efficacy). Median age was 10.2 years (range 1.0-17.9). Main diagnoses included: medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumors (32.5%) and high-grade gliomas (23.7%). Complete/partial responses (CR/PR) were reported in 7.3% patients and stable disease (SD) in 23.9%. Performance status of 90-100%, school/work attendance, normal ALT/AST and CR/PR/SD correlated with better overall survival (OS) in the univariate analysis. No variables assessable at screening/enrollment were associated with OS in the multivariate analysis. Five patients (4.5%) were discontinued from study due to toxicity. No toxic deaths occurred. Median OS was 11.9 months with CR/PR, 14.5 months with SD and 3.7 months with progressive disease (p < 0.001). The enrollment of children and adolescents with CNS tumors in phase I trials is feasible, safe and offers potential benefit for the patients. Sustained disease stabilization has a promising role as a marker of anti-tumor activity in children with CNS tumors participating in phase I trials.

Evaluation of Novel Targeted Therapies in Aggressive Biology Sarcoma Patients after progression from US FDA approved Therapies

Prognosis of patients with advanced sarcoma after progression from FDA approved therapies remains grim. In this study, clinical outcomes of 100 patients with advanced sarcoma who received treatment on novel targeted therapy trials were evaluated. Outcomes of interest included best response, clinical benefit rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Median patient age was 48 years (range 14-80). Patients had received a median of 2 prior lines of systemic treatment. Phase I treatments were anti-VEGF-based (n = 45), mTOR inhibitor-based (n = 15), and anti-VEGF + mTOR inhibitor-based (n = 17) or involved other targets (n = 23). Best responses included partial response (n = 4) and stable disease (n = 57). Clinical benefit rate was 36% (95% confidence interval 27-46%). Median OS was 9.6 months (95% Confidence Interval 8.1-14.2); median PFS was 3.5 months (95% Confidence Interval 2.4-4.7). RMH prognostic score of 2 or 3 was associated with lower median OS (log-rank p-value < 0.0001) and PFS (log-rank p-value 0.0081). Receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy as part of phase I trial was also associated with shorter median OS (log-rank p-value 0.039). Patients with advanced sarcoma treated on phase I clinical trials had a clinical benefit rate of 36% and RMH score predicted survival.

Clinical next-generation sequencing reveals aggressive cancer biology in adolescent and young adult patients

BACKGROUND

The aggressive biology of cancers arising in adolescent and young adult (AYA; ages 15-39 years) patients is thought to contribute to poor survival outcomes.

METHODS

We used clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS) results to examine the molecular alterations and diverse biology of cancer in AYA patients referred to the Phase 1 program at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.

RESULTS

Among the 28 patients analyzed (14 female and 14 male), 12 had pediatric-type cancers, six had adult-type cancers, and ten had orphan cancers. Unique, hitherto unreported aberrations were identified in all types of cancers. Aberrations in TP53, NKX2-1, KRAS, CDKN2A, MDM4, MCL1, MYC, BCL2L2, and RB1 were demonstrated across all tumor types. Five patients harbored TP53 aberrations; three patients harbored MYC, MCL1, and CDKN2A aberrations; and two patients harbored NKX2-1, KRAS, MDM4, BCL2L2, and RB1 alterations. Several patients had multiple aberrations; a patient with wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumor harbored five alterations (MDM4, MCL1, KIT, AKT3, and PDGRFA).

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary report of NGS of cancer in AYA patients reveals diverse and unique aberrations. Further molecular profiling and a deeper understanding of the biology of these unique aberrations are warranted and may lead to targeted therapeutic interventions.