Access to essential anticancer medicines for children and adolescents in Europe

BACKGROUND

Essential anticancer medicines are an indispensable component of multidisciplinary treatment of paediatric malignancies. A European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) study reported inequalities in the availability of anticancer medicines for adult solid tumours and provided a model for the present survey. The aim of this survey was to assess the accessibility of essential medicines used in paediatric cancer patients aged 0 to 18 years across Europe from 2016 to 2018.

METHODS

A list of medicines was drawn with input from the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP Europe) Clinical Research Council referring to the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (WHO EMLc) 2017. A survey was sent to nominated national clinician and pharmacist rapporteurs and parent associations in up to 37 countries; answers were obtained from 34 countries.

RESULTS

The full survey list contained 68 medicines, including 24 on the WHO EMLc 2017. Health professionals reported that 35% of all medicines were prescribed off-label in at least one country and that 44% were always available in >90% of countries. Only 63% of the EMLc 2017 medicines were reported as always available. The main determinant of unavailability was shortages, reported for 72% of medicines in at least one country. Out-of-pocket costs were reported in eight countries. Twenty-seven percent of orally administered medicines were never available in child-friendly formulations. Parents detailed individual efforts and challenges of facilitating ingestion of oral medicines as prescribed. Inequalities in access to pain control during procedures were reported by parents across Europe.

CONCLUSIONS

Children and adolescents with cancer in Europe experience lack of access to essential medicines. Urgent actions are needed to address shortages, financial accessibility, availability of safe age-appropriate oral formulations, and pain management across Europe.

Crizotinib in c-MET- or ROS1-positive NSCLC: results of the AcSé phase II trial

BACKGROUND

In 2013, the French National Cancer Institute initiated the AcSé program to provide patients with secure access to targeted therapies outside of their marketed approvals. Efficacy and safety was then assessed using a two-stage Simon phase II trial design. When the study design was designed, crizotinib was approved only as monotherapy for adults with anaplastic lymphoma kinase plus non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Advanced NSCLC patients with c-MET ≥6 copies, c-MET-mutated, or ROS-1-translocated tumours were enrolled in one of the three cohorts. Patients were treated with crizotinib 250 mg twice daily. Efficacy was assessed using the objective response rate (ORR) after two cycles of crizotinib as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included disease control rate at four cycles, best ORR, progression-free survival, overall survival, and drug tolerance.

RESULTS

From August 2013 to March 2018, 5606 patients had their tumour tested for crizotinib targeted molecular alterations: 252 patients had c-MET ≥6 copies, 74 c-MET-mutation, and 78 ROS-1-translocated tumour. Finally, 25 patients in the c-MET ≥6 copies cohort, 28 in the c-MET-mutation cohort, and 37 in the ROS-1-translocation cohort were treated in the phase II trial. The ORR was 16% in the c-MET ≥6 copies cohort, 10.7% in the mutated, and 47.2% in the ROS-1 cohort. The best ORR during treatment was 32% in the c-MET-≥6 copies cohort, 36% in the c-MET-mutated, and 69.4% in the ROS-1-translocation cohort. Safety data were consistent with that previously reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Crizotinib activity in patients with ROS1-translocated tumours was confirmed. In the c-MET-mutation and c-MET ≥6 copies cohorts, despite insufficient ORR after two cycles of crizotinib, there are signs of late response not sufficient to justify the development of crizotinib in this indication. The continued targeting of c-MET with innovative therapies appears justified.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

NCT02034981.

Evaluation of the Implementation of the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Criteria in the HERBY Trial of Pediatric Patients with Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

HERBY was a Phase II multicenter trial setup to establish the efficacy and safety of adding bevacizumab to radiation therapy and temozolomide in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed non-brain stem high-grade gliomas. This study evaluates the implementation of the radiologic aspects of HERBY.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed multimodal imaging compliance rates and scan quality for participating sites, adjudication rates and reading times for the central review process, the influence of different Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria in the final response, the incidence of pseudoprogression, and the benefit of incorporating multimodal imaging into the decision process.

RESULTS

Multimodal imaging compliance rates were the following: diffusion, 82%; perfusion, 60%; and spectroscopy, 48%. Neuroradiologists' responses differed for 50% of scans, requiring adjudication, with a total average reading time per patient of approximately 3 hours. Pseudoprogression occurred in 10/116 (9%) cases, 8 in the radiation therapy/temozolomide arm and 2 in the bevacizumab arm (P < .01). Increased target enhancing lesion diameter was a reason for progression in 8/86 cases (9.3%) but never the only radiologic or clinical reason. Event-free survival was predicted earlier in 5/86 (5.8%) patients by multimodal imaging (diffusion, n = 4; perfusion, n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of multimodal imaging to the response criteria modified the assessment in a small number of cases, determining progression earlier than structural imaging alone. Increased target lesion diameter, accounting for a large proportion of reading time, was never the only reason to designate disease progression.

The state of research into children with cancer across Europe: new policies for a new decade

Overcoming childhood cancers is critically dependent on the state of research. Understanding how, with whom and what the research community is doing with childhood cancers is essential for ensuring the evidence-based policies at national and European level to support children, their families and researchers. As part of the European Union funded EUROCANCERCOMS project to study and integrate cancer communications across Europe, we have carried out new research into the state of research in childhood cancers. We are very grateful for all the support we have received from colleagues in the European paediatric oncology community, and in particular from Edel Fitzgerald and Samira Essiaf from the SIOP Europe office. This report and the evidence-based policies that arise from it come at a important junction for Europe and its Member States. They provide a timely reminder that research into childhood cancers is critical and needs sustainable long-term support.

Pharmacokinetic and biological study of erlotinib in children as monotherapy for refractory brain tumors or with radiation for newly diagnosed brain stem gliomas

10019

Background: This multicenter phase I study was designed to determine the recommended dose (RD) of erlotinib, a small-molecule EGFR TKI, in patients ≤ 21 years as monotherapy or in combination with radiation therapy (RT). Methods: Group 1 included patients with brain tumors refractory to or relapsing after conventional therapy; receiving erlotinib alone. Group 2 included newly diagnosed patients with brain stem gliomas, who received RT (54Gy) and erlotinib. Conventional 3+3 dose escalation was used for Group 1; a continual reassessment method for Group 2. Four dose levels were planned: 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg/m2/day. Results: A total of 51 patients were enrolled (30 in Group 1; 21 in Group 2); 50 received treatment. Median age was 10 and 6 years, respectively. The RD of erlotinib was 125 mg/m2/day as monotherapy or in combination with RT. 203 adverse events in 44 patients were possibly treatment-related; 188 were G1/2; 9 G3, 2 G4, and 4 G5. Dermatologic and neurologic symptoms were most common; intratumoral hemorrhage was noted in 4 patients. In Group 1, 8 patients (27.6%) had stable disease, 2 with 45% tumor regression. In Group 2, 3 patients (14%) had partial response and 8 (38%) were stabilized; median OS was 12 months. Pharmacokinetic data of 46 patients were analyzed; patients’ weight and erlotinib clearance (CL) were significantly correlated. Mean (± SD) apparent CL and volume of distribution for erlotinib were 143.7 mL/h/kg (± 66.3) and 3.5 L/kg (± 3.0), respectively, and were independent of dose level. Mean half-life for erlotinib was 20.4 hours. Biomarker analyses on archived tumor or biopsy tissue prior to study entry for newly diagnosed brain stem glioma found 18/37 tumors tested were EGFR IHC+; 16/37 and 23/36 were pAKT+ and pMAPK+, respectively. High EGFR expression was more common in supratentorial gliomas; PTEN loss was most common in brain stem glioma (15/19) and was not observed in ependymomas. Conclusions: Erlotinib 125 mg/m2/day has an acceptable tolerability profile in pediatric patients with brain tumors, and can be safely combined with RT. Further studies are required to define the efficacy of this treatment approach and to establish the impact of biomarkers on outcomes in pediatric glial tumors.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A SARC global collaborative phase II trial of R1507, a recombinant human monoclonal antibody to the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) in patients with recurrent or refractory sarcomas

10503

Background: The IGF1 system has been implicated in sarcoma development and inhibition of IGF1R function has been shown to induce clinical responses in select sarcomas. Methods: Objectives included response rate (RR) and progression-free survival (PFS) to R1507 in patients with recurrent or refractory Ewing's (ES, 2 cohorts- primary refractory vs. others) osteo (OS), synovial (SS), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and other sarcomas. Eligibility included recurrent/refractory measurable disease, age ≥ 12 yrs, life expectancy ≥ 6 weeks, Karnofsky PS ≥ 70, adequate renal, hepatic and bone marrow function. R1507 was administered i.v. at 9 mg/kg over one hour weekly. Response was assessed by WHO criteria every 6 wks X 4 and every 12 wks thereafter. A two-stage design (Green and Dahlberg) was used. The endpoint for the primary refractory ES cohort was PFS at week 18 (planned n=65). RR was the primary endpoint for the remaining cohorts (planned n=240). Results: From 12/07–12/08, 203 eligible patients from 29 centers across the US, Europe and Australia were enrolled. Age ranged from 12–85 yrs (median=27 yrs) and 126 were male. Verified histologic subtypes were ES (n=71), OS (n=43), RMS (n=28), SS (n=25), and others (n=25). 15 severe adverse events were reported in 9 patients, the most common being fatigue (n=2), thrombocytopenia (n=2), dehydration (n=2), and hyperglycemia (n=2). Clinically significant activity has been observed in ES, RMS and OS with several dramatic responses seen in ES and RMS. Independent radiologic review is currently ongoing and updated data will be presented. Conclusions: The rapid accrual amongst many centers in diverse geographical locations demonstrates the feasibility of collaborative research in sarcomas. R1507 is well tolerated and a promising new agent for the treatment of various sarcomas. SARC and Roche are collaborating in additional clinical trials to better define the role of R1507 in the treatment of selected sarcomas.

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Expression of CD133 and poor outcome in neuroblastoma associated with chemoresistance mediated by AKT pathway

10007

Background: Neuroblastoma is a frequent childhood cancer with very heterogeneous prognosis. Recent studies showed that CD133 expression is an independent prognostic marker for low survival in several cancers like medulloblastoma. The aim of our study is to determine the prognostic value of CD133 expression in a large population of neuroblastoma and to determine the chemoresistance of neuroblasts expressing CD133. Methods: 280 tumor samples of neuroblastoma were screened for CD133 expression. Patients had a median follow-up of 7.15 years. One hundred eighteen patients were under one year of age with a median age of 27 months. There were 67 stage 1, 46 stage 2, 43 stage 3, 99 stage 4, and 25 stage 4S. The association of CD133 expression with relapse and survival were determined through univariate and multivariate analysis. Sensitivity of purified CD133+ neuroblasts isolated from 2 human neuroblastoma cell lines (SKNSH and NB10) to doxorubicin, vincristine and cisplatin was evaluated in vitro, as single agents or in combination with LY294002, a AKT inhibitor. Results: CD133 was expressed in 95 of 280 tumors (33%). There was a significant association between CD133 expression and the following poor prognosis co-variates: age (p<0.0001), INSS stage (p<0.0001), MYCN amplification (p<0.0001). Patients with a CD133+ tumor had a three year event-free and overall survival of 43±5% and 51±5%, respectively, as compared to patients with a CD133- tumor with 88±2% (P<0.001) and 95±2% (p<0.001). In a multivariate model, CD133 expression was independently associated with a decreased overall survival (p = 0.003) in the entire cohort. In vitro purified CD133+ neuroblasts were significantly resistant to chemotherapy as compared to their CD133- cells counterpart, but not in presence of the AKT inhibitor. In vitro treatment of unsorted neuroblasts with the three anticancer drugs significantly enriched the CD133+ subpopulation but not in presence of the AKT inhibitor. CD133plus; significantly expressed higher levels of activated proteins in the AKT pathway than CD133−. Conclusions: CD133 is independently associated with a worse outcome in patents with neuroblastoma. This prognosis factor is associated with in vitro resistance to chemotherapy involving activation of the AKT pathway.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Role of ALK activation in the development and maintenance of the neoplastic phenotype in neuroblastoma

10008

Background: Activating mutations of the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) receptor could be responsible for most familial neuroblastoma cases and for up to 15% of somatic cases. The objective of the present study was to further investigate the role of ALK activation in neuroblastoma. Methods: Tissue microarrays were constructed containing 101 primary tumors and 56 paired normal tissues. Sections were immunostained with anti-ALK or anti-P-ALK antibodies, and with antibodies directed against the ALK ligands: PTN (Pleiotrophin) or MDK (Midkine). The Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied for comparison of paired data. Associations with prognostic factors were analyzed using t-tests. Effects of the ALK inhibitor TAE684 (Novartis) on cell proliferation and signaling was evaluated in wild-type or mutated ALK neuroblastoma cell lines and xenografts. Results: ALK was expressed in about 100% of tumors and normal tissues, while phospho-ALK was detected in 5% of normal tissues and 50% of tumors. Sequencing of the kinase domain of ALK showed that its phosphorylation was largely independent of mutations and we found that MDK and PTN ligands were expressed in 66% and 50% of tumors, respectively. Interestingly, ALK, P-ALK, and MDK were expressed at higher levels in tumors as compared with paired normal tissues (p < 0.0001), while PTN showed an inverse tendency, being more expressed in normal tissues (p = 0.07). In tumors, P-ALK was associated with good-prognosis factors, including favorable stages (p = 0.01), absence of MYCN amplification (p = 0.05) and a younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.03). Inhibition of cell proliferation by TAE684 was detectible in all neuroblastoma cell lines, regardless of ALK status. However, TAE684 failed to demonstrate antitumor activity in advanced stage neuroblastoma xenografts expressing either a wild-type or a mutated ALK. Interestingly, ALK pathway activation (P-STAT3, P-AKT) was weak or barely detectible in these xenografts. Conclusions: ALK activation occurs during neuroblastoma oncogenesis, along with a concomitant switch between the expressions of PTN and MDK. However, ALK may not be a relevant therapeutic target since in vivo inhibition showed no antitumor activity.

[Table: see text]

[Potential role of antiangiogenic treatment in neuroblastoma]

Focus on new drug development over the last few years has yielded new agents that differ from unspecific classical chemotherapeutics and ionizing radiation, while still targeting the cancer cell itself. Antiangiogenesis is a totally distinct approach targeting the tumor's blood vessels. This concept has now found its eligibility for the treatment of several adult solid tumors: the human antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody bevacizumab, as well as the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, sunitinib and sorafinib, have recently been licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for the treatment of colorectal, renal, and lung cancer. Other antiangiogenic drugs are under preclinical and early clinical evaluation. However, what do we know of the use of these drugs in pediatric solid tumors, such as sarcomas and embryonal and neuronal tumors? For some time now, neuroblastoma has been shown to be dependent on angiogenesis. However, the first preclinical data on antiangiogenic drugs in neuroblastoma have not been published until recently, and clinical trials with antiangiogenic agents in neuroblastoma treatment protocols are scarce. This review adresses current knowledge on the important role and mechanisms of angiogenesis in neuroblastoma and summarizes available preclinical and clinical results of antiangiogenic agents used to treat neuroblastoma. Our review clearly demonstrates that clinical trials are urgently needed to bring forward promising antiangiogenesis concepts in neuroblastoma therapy.