Adjuvant platinum versus capecitabine for residual, invasive, triple-negative breast cancer: Patient-reported outcomes in ECOG-ACRIN EA1131

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are a better tool for evaluating the experiences of patients who have symptomatic, treatment-associated adverse events (AEs) compared with clinician-rated AEs. The authors present PROs assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment-related neurotoxicity for adjuvant capecitabine versus platinum on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ECOG-ACRIN) EA1131 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02445391).

METHODS

Participants completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Symptom Index (NFBSI-16) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gynecologic Oncology Group neurotoxicity subscale (platinum arm only) at baseline, cycle 3 day 1 (C3D1), 6 months, and 15 months. Because of early termination, power was insufficient to test the hypothesis that HRQoL, as assessed by the NFBSI-16 treatment side-effect (TSE) subscale, would be better at 6 and 15 months in the capecitabine arm; all analyses were exploratory. Means were compared by using t-tests or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and proportions were compared by using the χ2 test.

RESULTS

Two hundred ninety-six of 330 eligible patients provided PROs. The mean NFBSI-16 TSE subscale score was lower for the platinum arm at baseline (p = .02; absolute difference, 0.6 points) and for the capecitabine arm at C3D1 (p = .04; absolute difference, 0.5 points), but it did not differ at other times. The mean change in TSE subscale scores differed between the arms from baseline to C3D1 (platinum arm, 0.15; capecitabine arm, -0.72; p = .03), but not from baseline to later time points. The mean decline in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gynecologic Oncology Group neurotoxicity subscale scores exceeded the minimal meaningful change (1.38 points) from baseline to each subsequent time point (all p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the similar frequency of clinician-rated AEs, PROs identified greater on-treatment symptom burden with capecitabine and complemented clinician-rated AEs by characterizing patients' experiences during chemotherapy.

Communication About Fall Risk in Community Oncology Practice: The Role of Geriatric Assessment

PURPOSE

Falls are a modifiable source of morbidity for older adults with cancer, yet are underassessed in oncology practice. In this secondary analysis of a nationwide cluster-randomized controlled trial, we examined characteristics associated with patient-oncologist conversations about falls, and whether oncologist knowledge of geriatric assessment (GA) resulted in more conversations.

METHODS

Eligible patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02107443) were age ≥ 70 years, had stage III/IV solid tumor or lymphoma, were being treated with noncurative treatment intent, and ≥ 1 GA domain impairment. Patients in both arms underwent GA. At practices randomly assigned to the intervention arm, oncologists were provided a GA summary with management recommendations. In both arms, patients had one clinical encounter audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded to categorize whether a conversation about falls occurred. Generalized linear mixed models adjusted for arm, practice site, and other important covariates were used to generate proportions and odds ratios (ORs) from the full sample.

RESULTS

Of 541 patients (intervention N = 293 and usual care N = 248, mean age: 77 years, standard deviation: 5.3), 528 had evaluable audio recordings. More patients had conversations about falls in the intervention versus usual care arm (61.3% v 10.3%, P < .001). Controlling for the intervention and practice site, history of falls (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.6; P = .005) and impaired physical performance (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.7 to 12.8; P = .002) were significantly associated with patient-oncologist conversations about falls.

CONCLUSION

GA intervention increased conversations about falls. History of falls and impaired physical performance were associated with patient-oncologist conversations about falls in community oncology practice.

Life expectancy in older adults with advanced cancer: Evaluation of a geriatric assessment-based prognostic model

OBJECTIVES

Oncologists estimate patients' prognosis to guide care. Evidence suggests oncologists tend to overestimate life expectancy, which can lead to care with questionable benefits. Information obtained from geriatric assessment may improve prognostication for older adults. In this study, we created a geriatric assessment-based prognostic model for older adults with advanced cancer and compared its performance to alternative models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of a trial (URCC 13070; PI: Mohile) capturing geriatric assessment and vital status up to one year for adults age ≥ 70 years with advanced cancer. Oncologists estimated life expectancy as 0-6 months, 7-12 months, and > 1 year. Three statistical models were developed: (1) a model including age, sex, cancer type, and stage (basic model), (2) basic model + Karnofsky Performance Status (≤50, 60-70, and 80+) (KPS model), and (3) basic model +16 binary indicators of geriatric assessment impairments (GA model). Cox regression was used to model one-year survival; c-indices and time-dependent c-statistics assessed model discrimination and stratified survival curves assessed model calibration.

RESULTS

We included 484 participants; mean age was 75; 48% had gastrointestinal or lung cancer. Overall, 43% of patients died within one year. Oncologists classified prognosis accurately for 55% of patients, overestimated for 35%, and underestimated for 10%. C-indices were 0.61 (basic model), 0.62 (KPS model), and 0.63 (GA model). The GA model was well-calibrated.

CONCLUSIONS

The GA model showed moderate discrimination for survival, similar to alternative models, but calibration was improved. Further research is needed to optimize geriatric assessment-based prognostic models for use in older adults with advanced cancer.

Association of Oncologist-Patient Communication With Functional Status and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

The functional status and physical performance of older adults with cancer are underassessed and undertreated despite the high prevalence of impaired functional status and physical performance in this population and their associations with chemotherapy-induced toxic effects and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between providing oncologists with a geriatric assessment (GA) summary with recommendations and having oncologist-patient conversations about functional and physical performance.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Data for this secondary analysis were collected from October 29, 2014, to April 28, 2017, for a national cluster randomized clinical trial conducted by the University of Rochester Cancer Center National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program evaluating the effect of a GA intervention on patient satisfaction with communication about aging-related concerns. There were 17 practice clusters in the intervention group and 14 in the usual care group. All 541 participants underwent a GA including standardized functional and physical performance measures and had 1 clinical encounter audio-recorded, transcribed, and blindly coded to categorize conversations by GA domain. Participants were aged 70 years or older, with a stage III or IV solid tumor or lymphoma with palliative treatment intent, and impairment in 1 or more GA domain. Statistical analysis was performed from August 18, 2020, to January 10, 2022.

INTERVENTIONS

Oncologist practices randomized to the intervention received a GA summary and validated recommendations for each patient prior to the audio-recorded clinical encounter.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary analysis of this clinical trial assessed the effect of the intervention on patient satisfaction with oncologist communication about aging-related concerns. This secondary analysis assessed the post hoc hypothesis that the intervention would be associated with an increase in the proportion of patients having conversations with their oncologists and receiving oncologist recommendations specific to functional and physical performance concerns.

RESULTS

A total of 541 patients (276 men [51%]; mean [SD] age, 77.5 [5.2] years [range, 70-96 years]) were analyzed at baseline. Excluding 13 patients without audio recordings, 86% of patients (95% CI, 78%-91%) in the intervention group vs 59% of patients (95% CI, 47%-69%; P < .001) receiving usual care had conversations about functional or physical performance. Conversations were more frequently initiated by oncologists in the intervention group (84%; 95% CI, 77%-90%) than oncologists in the usual care group (58%; 95% CI, 45%-70%; P < .001). Oncologists in the intervention group were more likely to address patients' concerns (43%; 95% CI, 33%-53%) than oncologists in the usual care group (17%; 95% CI, 10%-26%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this secondary analysis of a cluster randomized clinical trial, providing oncologists with a GA summary was associated with an increase in the number of oncologist-patient conversations about functional and physical performance-related concerns with recommendations to address these concerns. These findings support the use of the GA summary and recommendations as important tools in caring for older adults with advanced cancer and functional or physical impairments.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02107443.

Abstract P4-10-02: Patient-reported outcomes in EA1131: A randomized phase III trial of platinum vs. capecitabine in patients with residual triple-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Background: Understanding health-related quality of life (HRQOL), including side effects, is critical to guide supportive care during chemotherapy. The EA1131 trial demonstrated that Platinum (Plat) was unlikely to improve outcomes compared to capecitabine (Cape) in patients with stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) of basal subtype and ≥1 cm residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), supporting Cape as the continued standard of care. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) were administered as a sub-study to understand HRQOL and symptoms from the patient’s perspective. Methods: EA1131 was amended in 9/2017 to add PRO endpoints and all patients enrolled after this amendment were eligible for the PRO sub-study. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Symptom Index (FBSI) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Neurotoxicity Subscale (NtxS; Plat arm only) were administered at baseline (BL), cycle 3 day 1 (C3D1), and following treatment at 6 and 15 months. Due to early trial termination, the PRO sub-study target accrual (n=362) was not reached. It was hypothesized that HRQOL, assessed by the FBSI-Treatment Side Effect (TSE) subscale (range 0-16, higher score = less side effects, better HRQOL), would indicate fewer post-treatment side effects at 6 and 15 months following Plat compared to Cape. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare FBSI-TSE subscale scores and total FBSI scores (range 0-64, higher score = better overall HRQOL) between arms at BL, C3D1, 6 months and 15 months. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare change in FBSI-TSE subscale scores and total FBSI scores from BL to C3D1 between arms. Change in NtxS scores (range 0-44, higher score = less neurotoxicity) from BL to C3D1 was evaluated with the paired t-test. Analyses were exploratory and p-values &lt;0.05 considered significant without multiple comparisons adjustment. Results: Of 331 patients eligible for the PRO sub-study (156 Plat arm, 175 Cape arm), 296 (89.4%) completed ≥1 PRO. Mean FBSI-TSE subscale scores were better for Cape at BL (Cape 14.5, Plat 13.9, p-value 0.02), for Plat at C3D1 (Cape 13.5, Plat 14.0, p-value 0.04), and did not differ at 6 months (Cape 14.6, Plat 14.7, p-value 0.70) or 15 months (Cape 14.9, Plat 14.5, p-value 0.44). FBSI-TSE subscale scores worsened from BL to C3D1 for Cape but not for Plat (mean change Cape -0.72, mean change Plat 0.15, p-value 0.003). FBSI-TSE subscale change scores from BL to C3D1 exceeded the threshold for clinically meaningful worsening (&gt; 1.5 points) in 27% of patients on Cape and 23% of patients on Plat (p-value 0.51). Mean total FBSI scores did not differ between arms at any time (BL: Cape 50.6, Plat 49.7; C3D1: Cape 48.1, Plat 48.0; 6 months: Cape 49.9, Plat 51.1; 15 months: Cape 53.3, Plat 50.3; all p &gt; 0.05). Mean change in total FBSI scores from BL to C3D1 did not differ between arms (Cape -2.20, Plat -1.83, p = 0.75). Mean (standard deviation) NtxS scores for the Plat arm were 38 (6.3), 36.1 (7.8), 36 (7.1) and 34.5 (7.9) at BL, C3D1, 6 months and 15 months, respectively. Mean NtxS score decreased (indicating worsening neurotoxicity) from BL to C3D1 (p-value 0.006). Conclusions: Despite more frequent severe toxicity by CTCAE criteria for Plat than Cape, patient-reported side effects worsened during treatment with Cape but not Plat. Overall, changes in HRQOL were small for both arms and resolved after therapy. However approximately one-fourth of patients had clinically meaningful worsening side effects on both arms. PRO-assessed neurotoxicity increased in the Plat arm. This PRO sub-study demonstrates that PROs capture toxicities beyond CTCAE criteria and provides novel data about patients’ experience during adjuvant chemotherapy following NAC for TNBC.

Citation Format: Karen L Smith, Fengmin Zhao, Ingrid A Mayer, Amye J Tevaarwerk, Sofia F Garcia, Carlos L Arteaga, William F Symmans, Ben H Park, Brian L Burnette, Della F Makower, Margaret Block, Kimberly A Morley, Chirag R Jani, Craig Mescher, Shabana J Dewani, Ursa Brown-Glaberman, Lisa E Flaum, Erica L Mayer, William M Sikov, Eve T Rodler, Angela M DeMichele, Joseph A Sparano, Antonio C Wolff, Kathy D Miller, Lynne I Wagner. Patient-reported outcomes in EA1131: A randomized phase III trial of platinum vs. capecitabine in patients with residual triple-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-02.

The shared uncertainty experience of older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers

OBJECTIVE

One primary source of psychological distress in patients with cancer and their caregivers is uncertainty. However, the uncertainty trajectory and its relationship between older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers have rarely been examined. This study describes the uncertainty trajectory in patient-caregiver dyads, explores the effect of geriatric assessment (GA) intervention on trajectory, and examines the interdependent relationship of uncertainty.

METHODS

This secondary analysis used longitudinal data from a national cluster-randomized controlled trial examining a GA intervention compared to usual care. Participants completed the modified 9-item Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale at enrollment, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The dyadic growth model and cross-lagged actor-partner interdependence model were used.

RESULTS

A total of 397 dyads (patient age M=76.81 ± SD5.43; caregiver age M=66.69 ± SD12.52) were included. Both had a trend of decreased uncertainty over time (b=-0.16, p<.01). There was a greater decrease in uncertainty among caregivers in the GA group than those in the usual care group (b=-0.46, p=.02). For both patients and caregivers, their past uncertainty was a significant predictor of their own current uncertainty (i.e. actor effect, p<.01). The individual's past uncertainty was a significant predictor of the other dyad member's current uncertainty (i.e. partner effect, p<.05), indicating an interdependent relationship between patient and caregiver uncertainty over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest patient and caregiver function as a unit with uncertainty levels affecting each other. Future interventions could build on GA to address uncertainty for older patients with advanced cancer and caregivers.

BACKGROUND

In the United States, there were approximately 1,898,160 new cancer cases reported in 2021; 60% of these cases are associated with individuals 65 years and older.¹ Family members and friends often assume caregiving roles to complement the roles of the healthcare team, especially for older patients.² Diagnosis and treatment of advanced cancer brings substantial stress for both patients and their caregivers.³ Prior studies have shown that older patients experience substantial adverse physical and psychological conditions, such as symptom burden, diminished quality of life, and distress.^4-7 Similarly, caregivers also suffer distress, depression, significant caregiving burden, and impaired quality of life.^2,8-10 Among the myriad psychosocial experiences, uncertainty, defined as the inability to navigate illness-related events and unfamiliar treatment strategies through decision-making or disease understanding, is a common psychological reaction in patients and caregivers.^11,12 Evidence shows that unrelieved uncertainty is associated with decreased quality of life and poor psychological adjustment in older patients with cancer.^13,14 Like other stressors, uncertainty affects both members of the patient-caregiver dyad. Previous studies identified uncertainty as a core overarching theme in the cancer experience and reported high uncertainty levels among caregivers.^12,15,16 This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Randomized Phase III Postoperative Trial of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Versus Capecitabine in Patients With Residual Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: ECOG-ACRIN EA1131

PURPOSE

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and residual invasive disease (RD) after completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) have a high-risk for recurrence, which is reduced by adjuvant capecitabine. Preclinical models support the use of platinum agents in the TNBC basal subtype. The EA1131 trial hypothesized that invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) would not be inferior but improved in patients with basal subtype TNBC treated with adjuvant platinum compared with capecitabine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with clinical stage II or III TNBC with ≥ 1 cm RD in the breast post-NAC were randomly assigned to receive platinum (carboplatin or cisplatin) once every 3 weeks for four cycles or capecitabine 14 out of 21 days every 3 weeks for six cycles. TNBC subtype (basal v nonbasal) was determined by PAM50 in the residual disease. A noninferiority design with superiority alternative was chosen, assuming a 4-year iDFS of 67% with capecitabine.

RESULTS

Four hundred ten of planned 775 participants were randomly assigned to platinum or capecitabine between 2015 and 2021. After median follow-up of 20 months and 120 iDFS events (61% of full information) in the 308 (78%) patients with basal subtype TNBC, the 3-year iDFS for platinum was 42% (95% CI, 30 to 53) versus 49% (95% CI, 39 to 59) for capecitabine. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were more common with platinum agents. The Data and Safety Monitoring Committee recommended stopping the trial as it was unlikely that further follow-up would show noninferiority or superiority of platinum.

CONCLUSION

Platinum agents do not improve outcomes in patients with basal subtype TNBC RD post-NAC and are associated with more severe toxicity when compared with capecitabine. Participants had a lower than expected 3-year iDFS regardless of study treatment, highlighting the need for better therapies in this high-risk population.

Risk of histological transformation and therapy-related myelodysplasia/acute myeloid leukaemia in patients receiving radioimmunotherapy for follicular lymphoma

Histological transformation (HT) of follicular lymphoma (FL) to an aggressive lymphoma after chemotherapy remains a key issue. The incidence of HT after radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is unknown. This single institution study analysed the risk of HT in FL after treatment with yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan in 115 consecutive patients treated during 1987-2012. RIT was administered for progressive FL in 111 (97%) patients and as first-line therapy in the remaining 4. 28% (n = 32) had HT, occurring at a median of 60 months from diagnosis and 20 months after RIT. 48% (12/25) of patients who received fludarabine developed HT. The estimated 10-year risk of HT in the fludarabine and non-fludarabine groups was 67% and 26% respectively (P = 0·015). Only prior fludarabine was significantly associated with predicting the risk of HT after RIT. 8% (9/115) of patients developed therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia (tMDS/AML) at a median of 41·4 months (range, 5-89). The estimated 10-year risk of tMDS/AML in non-fludarabine treated patients (n = 90) versus fludarabine treated (n = 25) was 13% and 29%, respectively. The estimated overall risk of FL undergoing HT at 10 years without fludarabine exposure appears similar to patients reported in the literature that have not received RIT. Patients with prior purine-analogue therapy are at significantly higher risk of HT.

Treatment trade-offs in myeloma: A survey of consecutive patients about contemporary maintenance strategies

BACKGROUND

Two randomized trials have demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS) with lenalidomide maintenance after autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma (MM). Overall survival (OS) results are conflicting, and quality-of-life (QOL) data are lacking. The authors conducted a systematic survey of patients with MM regarding what constitutes a meaningful benefit that would make burdens of maintenance treatments (toxicity and cost) acceptable.

METHODS

A self-administered survey was mailed to 1159 consecutive, living patients who were evaluated at Mayo Clinic. The survey provided background information on the standard of care for MM and data on maintenance. Patients were asked to estimate the magnitude of OS benefit that would be acceptable for various degrees of toxicity and cost.

RESULTS

Of 1159 surveys sent, 886 patients (83.2%) responded, and 736 patients returned a completed survey (66% raw response rate). The most worrisome potential toxicity was identified as peripheral neuropathy by 27% of patients, cytopenias by 24%, deep vein thrombosis by 20%, fatigue by 15%, nausea by 8%, and diarrhea/constipation by 7%. If treatment was free, had no toxicity, and the OS benefit was ≤1 year, then 49% of patients indicated that they would choose maintenance; with moderate toxicity, this proportion decreased to 42%. Adding a treatment cost of $25 per month decreased the proportion that would choose maintenance to 39% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicated that willingness to receive maintenance treatment declined when actual benefits were provided in concrete numeric terms compared with a general statement of PFS benefit. The authors also observed that the magnitude of benefit required to consider maintenance was affected by cost and toxicity.

The expressed protein in glyphosate-tolerant soybean, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4, is rapidly digested in vitro and is not toxic to acutely gavaged mice

The safety of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase enzyme derived from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4 (CP4 EPSPS) was assessed. CP4 EPSPS is the only protein introduced by genetic manipulation that is expressed in glyphosate-tolerant soybeans, which are being developed to provide new weed-control options for farmers. Expression of this protein in plants imparts high levels of glyphosate tolerance. The safety of CP4 EPSPS was ascertained by evaluating both physical and functional characteristics. CP4 EPSPS degrades readily in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, suggesting that this protein will be degraded in the mammalian digestive tract upon ingestion as a component of food or feed, There were no deleterious effects due to the acute administration of CP4 EPSPS to mice by gavage at a high dosage of 572 mg/kg body wt, which exceeds 1000-fold tha anticipated consumption level of food products potentially containing CP4 EPSPS protein. CP4 EPSPS does not pose any important allergen concerns because this protein does not possess characteristics typical of allergenic proteins. These data, in combination with seed compositional analysis and animal feeding studies, support the conclusion that glyphosate-tolerant soybean are as safe and nutritious as traditional soybeans currently being marketed.