Improved nationwide survival of sarcoma patients with a network of reference centers

BACKGROUND

We investigated the impact of the implementation of a network of reference centers for sarcomas (NETSARC) on the care and survival of sarcoma patients in France since 2010.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

NETSARC (netsarc.org) is a network of 26 reference sarcoma centers with specialized multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs), funded by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) since 2010. Its aims are to improve the quality of diagnosis and care of sarcoma patients. Patients' characteristics, treatments, and outcomes are collected in a nationwide database. The objective of this analysis was to compare the survival of patients in three periods: 2010-2012 (non-exhaustive), 2013-2015, and 2016-2020.

RESULTS

A total of 43 975 patients with sarcomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), or connective tissue tumors of intermediate malignancy were included in the NETSARC+ database since 2010 (n = 9266 before 2013, n = 12 274 between 2013 and 2015, n = 22 435 in 2016-2020). Median age was 56 years, 50.5% were women, and 13.2% had metastasis at diagnosis. Overall survival was significantly superior in the period 2016-2020 versus 2013-2015 versus 2010-2012 for the entire population, for patients >18 years of age, and for both metastatic and non-metastatic patients in univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.0001). Over the three periods, we observed a significantly improved compliance to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) nationwide: the proportion of patients biopsied before surgery increased from 62.9% to 72.6%; the percentage of patients presented to NETSARC MDTBs before first surgery increased from 31.7% to 44.4% (P < 0.0001). The proportion of patients with R0 resection on first surgery increased (from 36.1% to 46.6%), while R2 resection rate decreased (from 10.9% to 7.9%), with a better compliance and improvement in NETSARC centers.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of the national reference network for sarcoma was associated with an improvement of overall survival and compliance to guidelines nationwide in sarcoma patients. Referral to expert networks for sarcoma patients should be encouraged, though a better compliance to CPGs can still be achieved.

A Comprehensive Review on the Role of Lurbinectedin in Soft Tissue Sarcomas

OPINION STATEMENT

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS), a substantial group of aggressive and rare tumors with tissue heterogeneity, is infrequently represented in clinical trials with an urgent necessity for newer treatment options. Lurbinectedin, an analog of trabectedin, is currently approved, in various countries, as a single agent, for the treatment of patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, preclinical and phase I and phase II trials have demonstrated the efficacy of lurbinectedin in different tumor types, including STS. The better understanding of the pathophysiology and evolution of STS as well as the mechanism of action of lurbinectedin in addition to the available data regarding the activity of this drug in this subset of patients will pave the way to newer therapeutic options and strategies.

Antibody drug conjugates in older patients: State of the art

More than half of cancer cases occur in patients aged 65 years or older. The efficacy and safety of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in older patients remains an unclear subject as available evidence is limited. Geriatric population is underrepresented in clinical trials. Consequently, most of our knowledge regarding innovative therapeutics was studied on a younger population. In this review of published literature, we report the available information on efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of FDA approved ADCs for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors in the geriatric population. We explore the results of clinical trials dedicated for older individuals as well as subgroup analyses of the geriatric population in major trials evaluating these drugs. Available data suggest a similar efficacy in older adults as compared to general population. However, older patients might be prone to a higher rate of adverse events in incidence with a potential impact on quality of life. We lack data to support primary dose reductions or schedule modifications in this category of patients. No pharmacokinetic differences were reported between age groups. It is crucial to encourage the development of clinical trials dedicated to older patients with geriatric parameters (G8 score, G-CODE…) so that results can be more representative of this population outside of clinical trials.

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in alveolar soft-part sarcoma: results from a retrospective worldwide registry

BACKGROUND

Conventional cytotoxic drugs are not effective in alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS). Immune checkpoint (programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1) inhibitors (ICIs) are promising drugs in ASPS. A worldwide registry explored the efficacy of ICI in ASPS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from adult patients diagnosed with ASPS and treated with ICI for advanced disease in expert sarcoma centers from Europe, Australia and North America were retrospectively collected, including demographics and data related to treatments and outcome.

RESULTS

Seventy-six ASPS patients, with a median age at diagnosis of 25 years (range 3-61 years), were registered. All patients received ICI for metastatic disease. Immunotherapy regimens consisted of monotherapy in 38 patients (50%) and combination in 38 (50%) (23 with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Among the 68 assessable patients, there were 3 complete responses and 34 partial responses, translating into an overall response rate of 54.4%. After a median follow-up of 36 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 32-40 months] since the start of immunotherapy, 45 (59%) patients have progressed on ICI, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 16.3 months (95% CI 8-25 months). Receiving ICI in first line (P = 0.042) and achieving an objective response (P = 0.043) correlated with a better PFS. Median estimated overall survival (OS) from ICI initiation has not been reached. The 12-month and 24-month OS rates were 94% and 81%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This registry constitutes the largest available series of ASPS treated with ICI. Our results suggest that the ICI treatment provides long-lasting disease control and prolonged OS in patients with advanced ASPS, an ultra-rare entity with limited active therapeutic options.

Retrospective world-wide registry on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in alveolar soft part sarcoma: Updated results from sixty patients

11564

Background: Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a highly metastasizing ultra-rare sarcoma subtype, frequently affecting young adults. Conventional cytotoxic drugs are not effective in ASPS, but antiangiogenics demonstrated significant improvement in tumor burden reduction and PFS in the only ever conducted comparative trial. Immune check-point (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors (ICI) are emerging promising drugs in the therapy of ASPS, from small reported retrospective and prospective series. A world-wide registry has been set up with the aim of exploring the efficacy of ICI in ASPS. Methods: Data from adult patients (pts) diagnosed with ASPS and treated with PD- 1/PD-L1 inhibitors for advanced disease in expert sarcoma centers from Europe, Australia and US was retrospectively collected. IRB approval was obtained. Demographics, data related to treatments and outcome were considered. Radiologic assessment was based on RECIST 1.1. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method. An updated analysis of this series is presented here. Results: Sixty ASPS pts (27 female/33 male) with a median age at diagnosis of 25y (range 3-61) were registered. Primary tumor arose in limbs in 47 pts (78%) and 41 pts (68%) were metastatic at diagnosis. 52/60 pts (87%) had received previous systemic therapy (including chemotherapy in 19 pts and antiangiogenics in 47pts), with a median of one previous line (0-6). All pts received ICI for metastatic disease. Immunotherapy regimens consisted of monotherapy in 31 pts (52%) and combination in 29 pts (48%) (23 with an antiangiogenic agent). 29/60 pts (48%) received ICI within a clinical trial. Among the 52 evaluable pts, there was 1 complete response (CR) and 20 partial responses (PR) (ORR 40.4%). After a median follow-up of 21 months -mos- (range 4-59), 37/60 pts have progressed to ICI, with a median PFS of 13.4 mos (95% CI 10.1-16.7). Eleven pts received a subsequent line of ICI with a median PFS of 26 mos (95%CI 0-57). 16 pts have died, being the median OS from ICI initiation 38 mos (95% CI 33-43). The 12-mos and 24-mos OS rates were 94% and 70% respectively. Conclusions: This registry constitutes the largest available series of ASPS treated with immune check-point inhibitors. Our results suggest that treatment with ICI provide long-lasting disease control and prolonged OS in pts with advanced ASPS, an ultra-rare entity with limited active therapeutic options. The results on subsequent ICI lines suggest a lack of cross-resistance among different ICI therapies.

Activity of single-agent gemcitabine in patients (pts) with advanced angiosarcoma: A retrospective study

e23547

Background: Gemcitabine has shown clinical activity against angiosarcoma in single cases or small series, as a single agent or in combination with taxanes. We aimed to evaluate its activity in a larger, homogeneous series of pts with advanced angiosarcoma. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of consecutive adult pts with advanced angiosarcoma treated with gemcitabine(1000 mg/m2 IV days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-days cycle) at our institutions from January 2010 to January 2021. All cases were confirmed by an expert pathologist from the French network of Sarcoma pathologists (RRePS). Response was evaluated according to RECIST 1.1, and survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Fourty-two pts [median age : 52 years (range : 25-90), median PS : 1 (range : 0-2), 36 women)] were identified. Ten (24%) had locally advanced disease; the median number of metastatic sites was 2 (range : 1-4) in the remaining 32 pts. Primary tumor site was breast/chest wall (12), face/scalp (9), heart (8), other viscera (7) or limbs (7). Eleven (26%) occurred in previously irradiated field. All pts but 4 had received prior anthracyclines (peri-operatively or in the metastatic setting) and weekly paclitaxel, and 9 (21%) had received pazopanib. Gemcitabine was given as second, third and fourth line in 7 (17%), 20 (47%) and 15 (36%) pts, respectively. Best tumor response by RECIST 1.1 was PR (16 pts, 38%), SD (10 pts, 24%) or PD (16 pts, 38%). All pts with cardiac angiosarcoma experienced a PR, as well as 4 of 10 pts with angiosarcoma arising in irradiated field and 3 of the 4 pts with CNS metastases. Median PFS was 5.4 months (95%CI : 3.1-6.5), and median OS was 9.9 months (95%CI : 6.6-13.4). Two febrile neutropenia occurred. No new safety signal was observed. Ongoing studies are exploring whether candidate biomarkers such as hENT1 expression could help predicting the benefit of gemcitabine in pts with angiosarcoma of the heart and large vessels. Conclusions: Single agent gemcitabine has clinically meaningful activity in advanced, heavily pre-treated angiosarcoma (including cardiac angiosarcoma). This series may serve as a benchmark for future clinical trials in angiosarcoma.

Activity of erlotinib in patients (pts) with advanced chordoma: A retrospective study

11528

Background: Chordoma is a rare tumor with no approved therapy. Preclinical studies have shown expression of EGFR and activated EGFR family kinases (EGFR, HER2 and HER4). Erlotinib and other anti-EGFR agents (gefitinib and cetuximab) have shown clinical activity in advanced chordoma in single case reports or small series. We aimed to evaluate the activity of erlotinib in a larger, homogeneous series of pts with advanced chordoma. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of consecutive adult pts with advanced chordoma progressive over 6 months (+/- 2 weeks, according to RECIST 1.1), treated with erlotinib (150 mg daily) at Gustave Roussy (Villejuif, France) following multidisciplinary tumor board discussion, from January 2010 to January 2021. All cases were confirmed by an expert pathologist. Response was evaluated according to RECIST 1.1, and survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Thirty-one pts [median age : 60 years (range : 32-88), median PS : 2 (range : 1-3), 30 males)] were identified. Twenty-seven (87%) had locally advanced disease; the median number of metastatic sites was 1 (range : 1-2) in the remaining 4 pts. Primary tumor site was sacral (25), lumbar (3) or cervical (3). All pts but 6 had undergone prior surgery, and 29 (94%) had undergone radiotherapy of the primary tumor. Eight pts had received previous systemic treatments (imatinib in 4, sorafenib and regorafenib in 2 each). Best tumor response by RECIST 1.1 was PR (4 pts, 13%), SD (14 pts, 45%) or PD (13 pts, 42%). Median PFS was 6.2 months (95%CI : 4.5-9.8), and median OS was 15.9 months (95%CI : 10.6-20.2). Fourteen pts (45%) remained progression-free after 1 year, and three (10%) after two years under erlotinib. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 4 pts (13%) and grade 3 skin rash in 13 pts (42%). Twelve pts (39%) required dose reduction to 100 mg daily due to multiple grade 2 toxicities. Ongoing studies are exploring whether candidate biomarkers such as EGFR and HER2 expression or amplification, and their mutational status could help predicting the benefit of erlotinib in pts with advanced chordoma. Conclusions: Erlotinib has clinically meaningful but unpredictable activity in advanced chordoma. Molecular profiling would probably be of high interest in this setting. This series may serve as a benchmark for future clinical trials in chordoma.

Combination treatments with immunotherapy in brain metastases patients

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of many advanced cancers. However, in most pivotal trials, patients with brain metastases (BM) were either excluded, or only selected patients were allowed. Therefore, there are still some concerns about the safety/efficacy ratio of ICI in patients with BM. In this special report we will provide an overview on the biological rationale for using ICI in the treatment of BM, the reported BM-related outcomes of clinical trials with a focus on ICI plus chemotherapy and ICI plus ICI combinations. Last, we will provide future challenges with this strategy, as well as directions for future research.

Outcome of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Brain Metastases Treated with Checkpoint Inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Although frequent in NSCLC, patients with brain metastases (BMs) are often excluded from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) trials. We evaluated BM outcome in a less-selected NSCLC cohort.

METHODS

Data from consecutive patients with advanced ICI-treated NSCLC were collected. Active BMs were defined as new and/or growing lesions without any subsequent local treatment before the start of ICI treatment. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Multivariate analyses were performed by using a Cox proportional hazards model and logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 1025 patients were included; the median follow-up time from start of ICI treatment was 15.8 months. Of these patients, 255 (24.9%) had BMs (39.2% active, 14.3% symptomatic, and 27.4% being treated with steroids). Disease-specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (ds-GPA) score was known for 94.5% of patients (35.7% with a score of 0-1, 58.5% with a score of 1.5-2.5, and 5.8% with a score of 3). The ORRs with BM versus without BM were similar: 20.6% (with BM) versus 22.7% (without BM) (p = 0.484). The intracranial ORR (active BM with follow-up brain imaging [n = 73]) was 27.3%. The median progression-free survival times were 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-2.1) and 2.1 (95% CI: 1.9-2.5) months, respectively (p = 0.009). Of the patients with BMs, 12.7% had a dissociated cranial-extracranial response and two (0.8%) had brain pseudoprogression. Brain progression occurred more in active BM than in stable BM (54.2% versus 30% [p < 0.001]). The median OS times were 8.6 months (95% CI: 6.8-12.0) with BM and 11.4 months (95% CI: 8.6-13.8) months with no BM (p = 0.035). In the BM subgroup multivariate analysis, corticosteroid use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.37) was associated with poorer OS, whereas stable BMs (HR = 0.62) and higher ds-GPA classification (HR = 0.48-0.52) were associated with improved OS.

CONCLUSION

In multivariate analysis BMs are not associated with a poorer survival in patients with ICI-treated NSCLC. Stable patients with BM without baseline corticosteroids and a good ds-GPA classification have the best prognosis.