Biomarker-directed targeted therapy plus durvalumab in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase 2 umbrella trial

For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors without currently targetable molecular alterations, standard-of-care treatment is immunotherapy with anti-PD-(L)1 checkpoint inhibitors, alone or with platinum-doublet therapy. However, not all patients derive durable benefit and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade is common. Understanding mechanisms of resistance-which can include defects in DNA damage response and repair pathways, alterations or functional mutations in STK11/LKB1, alterations in antigen-presentation pathways, and immunosuppressive cellular subsets within the tumor microenvironment-and developing effective therapies to overcome them, remains an unmet need. Here the phase 2 umbrella HUDSON study evaluated rational combination regimens for advanced NSCLC following failure of anti-PD-(L)1-containing immunotherapy and platinum-doublet therapy. A total of 268 patients received durvalumab (anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody)-ceralasertib (ATR kinase inhibitor), durvalumab-olaparib (PARP inhibitor), durvalumab-danvatirsen (STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide) or durvalumab-oleclumab (anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody). Greatest clinical benefit was observed with durvalumab-ceralasertib; objective response rate (primary outcome) was 13.9% (11/79) versus 2.6% (5/189) with other regimens, pooled, median progression-free survival (secondary outcome) was 5.8 (80% confidence interval 4.6-7.4) versus 2.7 (1.8-2.8) months, and median overall survival (secondary outcome) was 17.4 (14.1-20.3) versus 9.4 (7.5-10.6) months. Benefit with durvalumab-ceralasertib was consistent across known immunotherapy-refractory subgroups. In ATM-altered patients hypothesized to harbor vulnerability to ATR inhibition, objective response rate was 26.1% (6/23) and median progression-free survival/median overall survival were 8.4/22.8 months. Durvalumab-ceralasertib safety/tolerability profile was manageable. Biomarker analyses suggested that anti-PD-L1/ATR inhibition induced immune changes that reinvigorated antitumor immunity. Durvalumab-ceralasertib is under further investigation in immunotherapy-refractory NSCLC.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03334617.

Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in untreated advanced pleural mesothelioma in Canada, Italy, and France: a phase 3, open-label, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pleural mesothelioma usually presents at an advanced, incurable stage. Chemotherapy with platinum-pemetrexed is a standard treatment. We hypothesised that the addition of pembrolizumab to platinum-pemetrexed would improve overall survival in patients with pleural mesothelioma.

METHODS

We did this open-label, international, randomised phase 3 trial at 51 hospitals in Canada, Italy, and France. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older, with previously untreated advanced pleural mesothelioma, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to intravenous chemotherapy (cisplatin [75 mg/m2] or carboplatin [area under the concentration-time curve 5-6 mg/mL per min] with pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, every 3 weeks for up to 6 cycles), with or without intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks (up to 2 years). The primary endpoint was overall survival in all randomly assigned patients; safety was assessed in all randomly assigned patients who received at least one dose of study therapy. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02784171, and is closed to accrual.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 31, 2017, and Sept 4, 2020, 440 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to chemotherapy alone (n=218) or chemotherapy with pembrolizumab (n=222). 333 (76 %) of patients were male, 347 (79%) were White, and median age was 71 years (IQR 66-75). At final analysis (database lock Dec 15, 2022), with a median follow-up of 16·2 months (IQR 8·3-27·8), overall survival was significantly longer with pembrolizumab (median overall survival 17·3 months [95% CI 14·4-21·3] with pembrolizumab vs 16·1 months [13·1-18·2] with chemotherapy alone, hazard ratio for death 0·79; 95% CI 0·64-0·98, two-sided p=0·0324). 3-year overall survival rate was 25% (95% CI 20-33%) with pembrolizumab and 17% (13-24%) with chemotherapy alone. Adverse events related to study treatment of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 60 (27%) of 222 patients in the pembrolizumab group and 32 (15%) of 211 patients in the chemotherapy alone group. Hospital admissions for serious adverse events related to one or more study drugs were reported in 40 (18%) of 222 patients in the pembrolizumab group and 12 (6%) of 211 patients in the chemotherapy alone group. Grade 5 adverse events related to one or more drugs occurred in two patients on the pembrolizumab group and one patient in the chemotherapy alone group.

INTERPRETATION

In patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma, the addition of pembrolizumab to standard platinum-pemetrexed chemotherapy was tolerable and resulted in a significant improvement in overall survival. This regimen is a new treatment option for previously untreated advanced pleural mesothelioma.

FUNDING

The Canadian Cancer Society and Merck & Co.

The prognostic impact of KRAS, TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 mutations and their influence on the NLR in NSCLC patients treated with immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

PD-L1 expression is used to predict NSCLC response to ICIs, but its performance is suboptimal. The impact of KRAS mutations in these patients is unclear. Studies evaluating co-mutations in TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 as well as the NLR showed that they may predict the benefit of ICIs.

PATIENTS & METHODS

This is a retrospective study of patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs at the CHUM between July 2015 and June 2020. OS and PFS were compared using Kaplan-Meier and logrank methods. Co-mutations in TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 as well as the NLR were accounted for. ORR and safety were compared using Wald method.

RESULTS

From 100 patients with known KRAS status, 50 were mutated (KRASMut). Mutation in TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 were present, and their status known in, respectively, 19/40 (47.5 %), 8/39 (20.5 %) and 4/38 (10.5 %) patients. STK11Mut and KEAP1Mut were associated with shorter overall survival when compared with wild type tumors (respectively median OS of 3.3 vs 20.4, p = 0.0001 and 10.1 vs 17.7, p = 0.24). When KRAS status was compounded with STK11/KEAP1, KRASMut trended to a better prognosis in STK11+KEAP1WT tumors (median OS 21.1 vs 15.8 for KRASWT, p = 0.15), but not for STK11+/-KEAP1Mut tumors. The NLR was strongly impacted by STK11 (6.0Mutvs 3.6WT, p = 0.014) and TP53 (3.2Mutvs 4.8WT, p = 0.048), but not by KEAP1 or KRAS mutations.

CONCLUSION

STK11Mut and KEAP1Mut are adverse predictors of ICI therapy benefit. The NLR is strongly impacted by STK11Mut but not by KEAP1Mut, suggesting differences in their resistance mechanism. In STK11-KEAP1WT tumors, KRASMut seem associated with improved survival in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs.

MICROABSTRACT

Response of NSCLC to immunotherapy is not easily predictable. We conducted a retrospective study in 100 patients with NSCLC and a known KRAS status. By accounting for different co-mutations, KRAS mutation was found to be associated with a better median overall survival in STK11 and KEAP1 wild-type tumors (21.1 vs 15.8, p = 0.15). NLR was impacted by STK11, but not KEAP1 mutation, suggesting a difference in their resistance mechanism.

Phase 2 multicenter trial combining nivolumab and radiosurgery for NSCLC and RCC brain metastases

Background

Anti-PD-1 has activity in brain metastases (BM). This phase 2 open labeled non-randomized single arm trial examined the safety and efficacy of combining nivolumab with radiosurgery (SRS) in the treatment of patients with BM from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods

This was a multicenter trial (NCT02978404) in which patients diagnosed with NSCLC or RCC, having ≤ 10 cc of un-irradiated BM and no prior immunotherapy were eligible. Nivolumab (240mg or 480mg IV) was administered for up to 2 years until progression. SRS (15-21Gy) to all un-irradiated BM was delivered within 14 days after the first dose of nivolumab. The primary endpoint was intracranial progression free survival (iPFS).

Results

Twenty-six patients (22 NSCLC and 4 RCC) were enrolled between August 2017 and January 2020. A median of 3 (1-9) BM were treated with SRS. Median follow-up was 16.0 months (0.43-25.9 months). Two patients developed nivolumab and SRS related grade 3 fatigue. One-year iPFS and OS were 45.2% (95%CI 29.3-69.6%) and 61.3% (95%CI 45.1%-83.3%), respectively. Overall response (partial or complete) of SRS treated BM was attained in 14 out of the 20 patients with ≥1 evaluable follow-up MRI. Mean FACT-Br total scores were 90.2 at baseline and improved to 146.2 within 2-4 months (p = 0.0007).

Conclusions

The adverse event profile and FACT-Br assessments suggested that SRS during nivolumab was well tolerated. Upfront SRS with the initiation of anti-PD-1 prolonged the 1-year iPFS and achieved high intracranial control. This combined approach merits validation randomized studies.

Brief Report: Canadian Cancer Trials Group IND.227: A Phase 2 Randomized Study of Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NCT02784171)

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have activity in mesothelioma. IND.227 was a phase 2 trial (120 patients planned) comparing progression-free survival of standard platinum and pemetrexed (CP) versus CP + pembrolizumab (pembro) versus pembro. Accrual to the pembro arm was discontinued on the basis of interim analysis (IA-16 wk disease control rate). CP + pembro was tolerable, with progression-free survival similar between arms and median survival and overall response rate higher than those of CP alone (19.8 mo [95% confidence interval or CI: 8.4-41.36] versus 8.9 mo [95% CI: 5.3-12.8] and 47% [95% CI: 24%-71%] versus 19% [95% CI: 5%-42%], respectively). The subsequent phase 3 trial has completed accrual; results are expected in 2023.

Reflex testing for RAS and BRAF mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer: A single Canadian academic oncology center experience

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Background: Patients with left-sided metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) without mutations in RAS or BRAF V600E are eligible to a combination treatment of an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody in association with chemotherapy. This combination is associated with a survival benefit and is recommended by oncology guidelines as first line therapy for RAS/BRAF wild type left-sided mCRC patients. The CHUM (University of Montreal Hospital Center) has implemented reflex testing of RAS/BRAF mutations for mCRC since October 22nd 2019, and was one of the only hospitals in Canada to do so. With this study, we want to demonstrate that reflex testing of these mutations improves the quality of care received by patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed pathological and clinical data of 101 patients with newly diagnosed mCRC that had their pathological diagnosis done at the CHUM. Patients diagnosed between July 1st 2017 and October 21st 2019, before implementation of reflex testing, (“Before reflex testing” group, n = 62 patients) were compared to patients diagnosed between October 22nd 2019 and December 31st 2021 (“After reflex testing” group, n = 39 patients). Results: The average delay between the mCRC biopsy and the result of the RAS/BRAF mutations was reduced to 25 days (CI95% 22.6 – 28.1) in the “After reflex testing” group, compared to 154 days (CI95% 111.2 – 202.5) in the “Before reflex testing” group. Respectively 66% (41/62) of patients in the “Before reflex testing” group and 69% (27/39) of patients in the “After reflex testing” received a systemic treatment. At initiation of systemic therapy, results of RAS/ BRAF mutations were available for 85% (35/41) of patients in the “After reflex testing” group, versus only 17% (7/41) of patients in the “Before reflex testing” group. Among patients eligible for an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody and who received it, 100% of them (6/6) received it in the first line setting in the “After reflex testing” group, compared to 33% (3/9) in the “Before reflex testing” group. Conclusions: Our study shows that with reflex testing of RAS/ BRAF mutations, oncologists have quicker access to all relevant information to make the best treatment decision for their patients. It allows eligible patients to receive an anti-EGFR therapy in the first line setting, as recommended by oncology guidelines.

BIOS-02. CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF OVER 600 PATIENTS WITH GLIOBLASTOMA TREATED AT A CANADIAN TERTIARY CENTER IN THE PAST 15 YEARS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH THE PIVOTAL STUPP TRIAL

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor in adults and is associated with a poor prognosis. The benefit of adding concomitant followed by adjuvant temozolomide to radiotherapy after maximal safe resection was demonstrated by Stupp and colleagues in 2005 and has since remained the standard of care. This regimen conferred a statistically significant benefit with a 2-year survival rate of 26.5% compared to 10.4% in patients treated with radiotherapy alone. Our primary goal was to retrospectively assess the clinical outcomes of patients with glioblastoma treated at our institution over the past 15 years by comparing the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) from our cohort to data from the pivotal trial. Our secondary objective was to create a comprehensive database with clinical and pathological information in order to identify predictive and prognostic factors. We reviewed the clinical records of patients treated for glioblastoma from January 2005 to November 2019 at our center. We extracted data on survival and calculated OS and PFS using the Kaplan-Meier method. 617 patient charts were reviewed, out of which 17 were excluded because of missing data. The remaining 600 patients were included. Baseline demographic information was similar to that of the Stupp cohort, with the exception of a larger proportion of patients aged 50 or above (76% versus 69%, respectively). The median OS at our center was 14.3 months, 95% confidence interval [12.8-15.2], which was comparable to that of the original trial (14.6 months [13.2-16.8]). PFS was better in our cohort at 6 months (74.2% [70.7-77.7] versus 53.9% [48.1-59.6]) and 12 months (36.3% [32.5-40.2] versus 26.9% [21.8-32.1]), and comparable thereafter. Our study confirms that the data from the Stupp trial are reproducible in a Canadian academic center setting. Our database will allow us to explore potentially new predictive factors.

QOL-25. IMPACTS OF IMPLEMENTING A PROSPECTIVE TREATMENT AND SURVEILLANCE PROTOCOL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF NF2-ASSOCIATED VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMAS ON TUMOR GROWTH, HEARING OUTCOMES, AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome associated with the development of nervous system tumors, including vestibular schwannomas (VS), meningiomas, and ependymomas. Although considered a rare illness, it is a source of significant morbidity, mainly due to early hearing loss leading to decreased autonomy and productivity among young adults. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF, has been shown to improve audition and tumor size in observational studies on NF2-associated VS. The most common limitations in the literature include the lack of reliable control groups, the paucity of data on quality of life, and the lack of detailed audiology testing guidelines. Moreover, the cost of bevacizumab is a limiting factor in access to care. In our Canadian tertiary care center, bevacizumab has been offered to NF2 patients with VS complications without specific indications on optimal treatment initiation time or duration. We present a hybrid cohort study protocol with retrospective and prospective arms aimed at measuring the impacts of introducing a standardized treatment and surveillance protocol on tumor growth, hearing outcomes, and quality of life. Patients from the multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis clinic at the University of Montreal Health Center, Canada, will be evaluated for inclusion in the prospective arm through regular audiological evaluations and imaging. Eligible individuals will receive bevacizumab at an initial dose of 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks for a year while participating in serial audiological, radiological, and quality of life assessments. The results will be compared to those of our historical cohort. Our primary outcomes will be tumor growth rate (% per year) for vestibular schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas, audiological test results, and quality of life and subjective hearing estimated through standardized questionnaires (SF-36, SSQ). We hypothesize that patients enrolled in the prospective arm will show improved clinical response compared to our historical cohort.

Association between immune-related adverse events and microbiome composition in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapy

9036

Background: Despite immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) achieving high response rates in patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), immune-related adverse events (irAE) remain an important therapeutic hurdle. The gut microbiome represents a novel prognostic marker of ICI response and early clinical evidence suggests that the microbiome may also regulate the development of irAE. We aimed to assess the association between irAE and the gut microbiome composition in advanced NSCLC pts amenable to ICI. Methods: In this study, we enrolled 464 pts from two independent cohorts (Montreal and Tokyo) with advanced NSCLC treated with ICI monotherapy or combination with chemotherapy. Fecal samples were collected prior to ICI initiation. Metagenomics microbiome profiling and 16S rRNA microbiome sequencing were performed for 81 pts and 133 pts respectively. The irAE were classified as CTCEA grade 0-1 (G0-1 irAE) and grade > 2 (G2-5 irAE). Microbiome composition of both groups was represented using alpha diversity, beta diversity indexes and LEfSe relative abundances. Results: Median follow-up was 28.3 months (mos) and the incidence of G2-5 irAE was 25.1% in the Montreal cohort. For the Tokyo cohort, the median follow-up was 19.6 mos and 30.8% pts developed G2-5 irAE. First, in both cohorts, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were significantly improved for pts with G2-5 irAE compared to G0-1 irAE (OS: HR: 1.71, p = 0.008 and PFS: HR: 1.65, p < 0.001) and (OS: HR: 2.34, p = 0.001, and PFS: HR = 2.34, p = 0.006) respectively. Second, metagenomics analysis of 81 pts demonstrated a numerical decrease of the alpha diversity in terms of observed species in the G2-5 irAE. Dorea sp CAG 31, Anaerosporobacter mobilis, Butyricicococcus, and Enterococcus faecium were overrepresented in pts with G2-5 irAE. Conversely, Gordonibacter was increased in G0-1 irAE. Next, 16S rRNA profiling from the Tokyo cohort revealed an enrichment of Dorea, Butyricicococcus, and Eubacterium ventriosum in G2-5 irAE . Finally, we observed an enrichment in Dorea and Butyricicococcus in the pts with PFS > 6 months, as observed in the G2-5 irAE group. Conclusions: IrAE correlated with clinical outcome and microbiome composition in two independent cohorts of pts with advanced NSCLC. These results prompt further research on the potential mechanism underling the role of the microbiome in the development of irAE.

Adult Medulloblastoma Demographic, Tumor and Treatment Impact since 2006: A Canadian University Experience

Medulloblastoma is an aggressive primary brain tumor that is extremely rare in adults; therefore, prospective studies are limited. We reviewed the information of all MB patients treated at the CHUM between 2006 and 2017. We divided our cohort by age and further divided adult patients (53%) in two groups, those diagnosed between 2006–2012 and 2013–2017. In our adult population, median follow up was 26 months and SHH-activated MB comprised 39% of tumors. Adult 5yOS was 80% and first-line therapy led to a 5yPFS of 77%. The absence of radiosensitizing chemotherapy (100% vs. 50%; p = 0.033) negatively influenced 5yPFS. 96% of adult patients received radiotherapy and 48% of them received concomitant radiosensitizing chemotherapy. Complete surgical resection was performed on 85% of adults, but the extent of resection did not have a discernable impact on survival and did not change with time. Adjuvant chemotherapy did not clearly affect prognosis (5yOS 80% vs. 67%, p = 0.155; 5yPFS 78% vs. 67%, p = 0.114). From 2006–2012, the most common chemotherapy regimen (69%) was Cisplatinum, Lomustine and Vincristine, which was replaced in 2013 by Cisplatinum, Etoposide and Cyclophosphamide (77%) with a trend for worse survival. Nine patients recurred and seven of these (78%) were treated with palliative chemotherapy. In conclusion, we did not identify prognostic demographic or tumor factors in our adult MB population. The presence of radiosensitizing chemotherapy was associated with a more favorable PFS. Cisplatinum, Lomustine and Vincristine regimen might be a better adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.

The prognostic impact of KRAS, TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 mutations and the influence of the NLR in NSCLC patients treated with immunotherapy

e21010

Background: ICIs changed the way NSCLC is treated, but not all patients benefit from it. PD-L1 level is used to predict response to therapy, but its performance is sub-optimal. KRAS is important in NSCLC tumorigenesis, but the impact of its mutations in patients treated with ICIs is unclear. Similarly, studies evaluating co-mutations in TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 as well as the NLR showed that they may predict the benefit of ICIs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including all consenting patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs at the CHUM between July 2015 and June 2020. OS and PFS were compared in co-mutation subgroups using Kaplan-Meier and logrank methods. Co-mutations in TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 as well as the NLR were accounted for. Overall response rate (ORR) and safety data was also compared in subgroups and will be detailed at the meeting. Results: We included 100 patients with known KRAS status. From these, 50 were wild-type ( KRASWT) and 50 were mutated ( KRASMut). The most frequent mutation was G12C (54%). Co-mutation status for TP53, STK11 and KEAP1 were known for, respectively, 40, 39 and 38 patients. Co-mutations for these genes were present in respectively 19 (47.5%), 8 (20.5%) and 4 (10.5%). Data comparing KRASMut and KRASWT showed non-significant differences in survival (median OS of respectively 21.1 vs. 17.7 months, p = 0.27). The presence of STK11 and/or KEAP1 mutations was associated with a negative impact on survival when compared with wild-type (median OS 7.4 vs 20.4 months, p = 0.001). When the presence of a KRAS mutation was compounded with STK11 and KEAP1, KRASMut (vs KRASWT) trended to a better prognosis in STK11+KEAP1WT tumors (median OS of 21.1 for KRASMut vs 15.8 for KRASWT, p = 0.15), but not in STK11+/-KEAP1Mut tumors (7.4 for KRASMut vs 7.0 for KRASWT). No influence on survival was seen in relationship to the TP53 co-mutation. Interestingly, the NLR was significantly higher with STK11 mutations (6.66Mut vs 3.59WT, p = 00012), slightly lower with TP53 mutations (3.23Mut vs 4.82WT, p = 0.047) but not impacted by KEAP1 (3.72Mut vs 4.20WT, p = 0.72) or KRAS mutations (4.32Mut vs 5.21WT, p = 0.34). Conclusions: The STK11 and KEAP1 mutations are significant adverse predictors of ICI therapy benefit. The NLR is strongly impacted by STK11 mutations but not by KEAP1 mutations suggesting marked differences in the resistance mechanism for both mutations. In STK11-KEAP1WT tumors, KRAS mutations seems to be associated with improved survival in NSCLC patient treated with ICIs.

A phase II trial combining nivolumab and stereotactic brain radiosurgery for treatment of brain metastases in patients with NSCLC

2023

Background: Previous studies suggested activity of anti-PD-1 in brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and renal cell cancer (RCC). This investigator initiated phase 2 trial examined the safety and efficacy of combining nivolumab with radiosurgery (SRS) in the treatment of patients with brain metastases from NSCLC and RCC. Methods: This is a multicentre open-label trial (NCT02978404) in which patients diagnosed with NSCLC or RCC, having ≤ 10 cc of un-irradiated brain metastases, no whole brain radiotherapy and no prior immunotherapy were eligible. Study treatment commenced with a dose of nivolumab (240mg or 480mg IV), which was continued for up to 2 years at bi-weekly or monthly intervals until progression. SRS (15-21Gy) to all visible un-irradiated brain lesions was administered within 14 days after the first dose of nivolumab (cycle 1). Patients were followed by brain MRI, CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, neurocognitive and quality of life questionnaires (FACT-Br) every 3 months. The primary endpoint was intracranial progression free survival (icPFS), with death and disease progression within the brain as events. Results from NSCLC patients are presented here. Results: Of the 26 study patients, 22 NSCLC patients were enrolled between Aug 2017 and January 2020. Patients had a median of 2 (1-9) brain metastases. The median diagnosis-specific graded prognostic score was 2 (1-3). Median treatment and follow-up durations were 4.3 months (0-24.8 months) and 11 months (0-24.8 months), respectively. Forty-two percent of the patients had received prior cytotoxic chemotherapy, and 1 patient had received prior brain SRS. PD-L1 status was known for 21 of the 22 NSCLC (12 with ≥50% PD-L1 expression (DAKO 22C3). Median icPFS was 5.0 months (3 intracranial progression and 8 deaths without progression in the brain). Accounting for death as a competing risk, the 1-year cumulative incidence of intracranial relapse was 17.4%. Median extracranial PFS and overall survival were 2.9 months and 14 months, respectively. Four grade 3 adverse events in 2 patients were related to nivolumab or SRS. The rate of survival free of neurocognitive decline (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test total recall) was estimated to be 89% by 4 months. Mean FACT-Br total scores were 89.4 at baseline and improved (p = 0.01) to 139.3 within 2-4 months. Conclusions: Neurocognitive and quality of life assessments suggest that upfront SRS during nivolumab is well tolerated. High intracranial control was observed, but deaths from extracranial disease progression resulted in short icPFS. Studies evaluating the strategic addition of SRS combined with more efficacious systemic treatments are needed. Clinical trial information: 02978404.

High intensity interval training safety and efficacy in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving systemic treatment: Results of a prospective trial

12054

Background: Patients with advanced NSCLC experience fatigue and physical deconditioning altering their quality of life. Safety and feasibility of high intensity exercise in advanced NSCLC has not been explored yet. Methods: We report the results of a single-center, prospective two-arm study. Patients with advanced NSCLC actively receiving systemic therapy or having completed treatment less than 2 months prior to enrollment were included. Patients were allocated to either an intervention arm consisting of kinesiologist supervised high intensity interval training (HIIT) at 2 sessions per week for a total of 12 weeks; or a control arm of home exercise guided by an informative pamphlet. All patients were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks by a kinesiologist. Quality of life (QoL) exercise surveys and measurement of strength were measured. Results: Sixty patients were enrolled between January 2018 and March 2020. The study was interrupted due to COVID-19. Thirty-two patients were included in the exercise program and 28 patients in the control group. Both groups were balanced in respect to baseline characteristics. A total of 32 (53%) patients went off protocol, 13 (18%) patients stopped due to symptomatic disease progression which included 2 (3%) deaths, 2 (3%) stopped due to COVID-19 preoccupations and the remaining patients withdrew for other reasons. 42 (70%) patients were evaluated at 6-weeks and 28 (47%) completed the 12-week follow-up, with equal distribution in each group. There were no significant difference at 12 weeks in the physical assessment nor the overall QoL scores between both groups: FACT-L on 135 points (+4.1 vs +1.7, p = 0.342) and FACIT on 52 points (+3 vs -0.2, p = 0.832). Patients in the exercise group demonstrated a significant improvement at 12 weeks in the Lung Cancer Symptoms domain on 28 points (22.3 vs 19.8, p = 0.015) as well as the Physical Wellbeing domain on 28 points (23.6 vs 20.6, p = 0.056) compared to the control group, respectively. No significant exercise related complications were reported. After the study, 9 of the 14 patients (64%) who completed the HIIT program continued to exercise virtually with a kinesiologist in contrast to none in the control group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the safety and potential benefit of a HIIT program on lung-specific and physical wellbeing in patients with advanced NSCLC on active treatment. This study provides further support on the role of supervised physical exercise in patients living with cancer. Clinical trial information: 16.229.

Durvalumab therapy following chemoradiation compared with a historical cohort treated with chemoradiation alone in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer: A real-world multicentre study

BACKGROUND

The PACIFIC trial demonstrated that durvalumab therapy following chemoradiation (CRT) was associated with improved overall survival (OS) in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is unclear whether the results obtained as part of randomised controlled trials are a reflection of real-world (RW) data. Several questions remain unanswered with regard to RW durvalumab use, such as optimal time to durvalumab initiation, incidence of pneumonitis and response in PD-L1 subgroups.

METHODS

In this multicentre retrospective analysis, 147 patients with stage III NSCLC treated with CRT followed by durvalumab were compared with a historical cohort of 121 patients treated with CRT alone. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of standard prognostic factors for durvalumab use.

RESULTS

Median OS was not reached in the durvalumab group, compared with 26.9 months in the historical group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37-0.85, p = 0.001). In the durvalumab group, our data suggest improved 12-month OS in patients with PD-L1 expression ≥50% (100% vs 86%, HR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11-0.58, p = 0.007). There was no difference in OS between patients with a PD-L1 expression of 1-49% and patients with PD-L1 expression <1%. Delay in durvalumab initiation beyond 42 days did not impact OS. Incidence of pneumonitis was similar in the durvalumab and historical groups. In the durvalumab group, patients who experienced any-grade pneumonitis had a lower 12-month OS than patients without pneumonitis (85% vs 95%, respectively; HR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.2-9.0, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

This multicentre analysis suggests that PD-L1 expression ≥50% was associated with favourable OS in patients with stage III NSCLC treated with durvalumab after CRT, whereas the presence of pneumonitis represented a negative prognostic factor.

Tepotinib Efficacy in a Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Brain Metastasis Harboring an HLA-DRB1-MET Gene Fusion

Alterations in c-MET, a tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by the MET gene, have been reported in approximately 3% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and carry important treatment implications. The best studied genetic alterations are exon 14 skipping and gene amplification; however, gene rearrangement has also been described, and multiple fusion partners have been reported. Recently, in METex14-mutated NSCLC, multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as crizotinib and cabozantinib, as well as MET-selective TKIs, such as tepotinib and capmatinib, have demonstrated durable responses. In this study, we present the case of a 41-year-old woman with advanced NSCLC harboring an HLA-DRB1-MET gene fusion. The patient was offered successively two different MET multikinase inhibitors, crizotinib and cabozantinib, and the selective inhibitor tepotinib. Each time, including under tepotinib, the patient experienced rapid and complete responses associated with a tremendous improvement in her physical function. KEY POINTS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer harboring an HLA-DRB1-MET gene fusion demonstrating a clinical response to multiple MET inhibitors, including tepotinib. This finding illustrates the efficacy and rationale to targeting MET regardless of fusion partner and gives insight to pooling of patients with different MET fusion products in trials assessing safety and efficacy of novel molecules.

Erratum: Therapeutic landscape of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in Canada in 2020

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3747/co.27.5953.].

Very high-dose methylprednisolone for treatment of nivolumab-induced limbic encephalitis: A case report

Introduction

Nivolumab is a programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of eight different cancers including metastatic melanoma. Immune checkpoint blockade may lead to a range of neurologic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with severity varying from mild to life-threatening, including encephalitis.

Case report

We describe a case of a 68-year-old man who developed alteration in mental status, physical weakness and fatigue after nine cycles of nivolumab 3 mg/kg every two weeks. These symptoms were compatible with a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis, although no specific antibodies were detected and the initial MRI was normal.

Management and outcome

The patient received intravenous methylprednisolone 1 g daily for 5 days, which was then converted to a maintenance dose of oral prednisone. The patient made a full clinical recovery but relapsed clinically upon steroid tapering, while hypersignal in the left mesial temporal suggestive of limbic encephalitis was observed on repeated MRI.

Discussion

Because of the prevailing usage of nivolumab in many cancer protocols, this case highlights the importance of rapidly recognising neurological impairment in patients treated with nivolumab and of initiating very high doses of corticosteroids.

Therapeutic landscape of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in Canada in 2020

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada and remains associated with high mortality. Nevertheless, recent advances in the fields of immuno-oncology and precision medicine have led to significant improvements in clinical outcome in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc). Those improvements were facilitated by a greater understanding of the biologic classification of nsclc, which catalyzed discoveries of novel therapies. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the recent avalanche of practice-changing trials in metastatic nsclc, and we offer an approach to the management of this disease from a Canadian perspective. We begin with an overview of the pathologic and molecular characterization of metastatic nsclc. Next, we review the indications for currently approved immune checkpoint inhibitors, and we provide an approach to the management of disease with a driver mutation. Finally, we address future avenues in both diagnostics and therapeutics for patients with advanced and metastatic nsclc.

Prognosis in young women less than 40 years of age with brain metastasis from breast cancer

Background

Brain metastasis from breast cancer (bca) in young women is doubly devastating because both quality of life and life expectancy are significantly reduced. With new radiation technology and drugs that have emerged, survival is expected to increase for these young women.

Methods

Using the oacis and sardo patient databases, we identified 121 patients diagnosed with bca and brain metastasis between 2006 and 2016 at the University of Montreal Hospital Centre. Those patients were divided into Group A, patients who developed brain metastasis during the evolution of metastatic bca, and Group B, patients whose first metastasis was to the brain. For each group, we compared young patients (<40 years of age) with older patients (≥40 years of age).

Results

Among the 121 patients with brain metastasis, median overall survival (mos) was significantly longer for those less than 40 years of age than for those 40 or more years of age (18 months vs. 4 months, p < 0.001). With respect to the timing of brain metastasis, survival was significantly longer in Group B than in Group A (7 months vs. 4 months, p = 0.032). In Group A, mos was significantly longer for patients less than 40 years of age than for patients 40 or more years of age (18 months vs. 3 months, p = 0.0089). In Group B, the 2-year overall survival rate was 57% for patients less than 40 years of age and 12% for those 40 or more years of age (mos: not reached vs. 7 months; p = 0.259).

Conclusions

In our single-centre retrospective cohort of women with brain metastasis from bca, prognosis was better for young women (<40 years) than for older women (≥40 years). Survival was also longer for patients whose initial metastasis was to the brain than for patients whose brain metastasis developed later in the disease course. In patients who received systemic treatment, median survival remained significantly higher in women less than 40 years of age. Further studies are needed to validate those results.

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in older patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Real-world data from multicentric cohorts in Canada and France

BACKGROUND

Age-related immune remodelling is thought to be associated with resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer. Patients older than 70 years, representing >50% of the population with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) according to SEER database, are underrepresented in clinical trials exploring ICIs. The objective of this study was to determine if patients with NSCLC older than ≥70 years had inferior clinical outcomes with ICIs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 381 patients treated with anti-PD-(L)1 ICI for advanced NSCLC at the Dijon Cancer Center (n = 177), University of Montreal Hospital (n = 106) and Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (n = 98). Age was considered as a categorical variable. Patients' baseline characteristics were compared using the Chi-squared test. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the Log-rank test in a univariate analysis. Multivariate cox regression model was used to determine hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the groups, adjusting for other clinicopathologic features.

RESULTS

Among 381 patients included, 335 (88%) received ICI after platinum chemotherapy. The median age was 66 (range 37-89) and 33% were older than 70 years of age. Considering age as a categorical variable, differences in age were not associated with PFS or OS. Subgroup analysis and multivariate cox regression did not reveal significant interaction of age with outcomes. ECOG performance status was the only significant factor in the three cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike previously described in the era of chemotherapy, age was not associated with outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with ICI.

HOUT-14. PROGNOSTIC IMPACT OF FIRST PSEUDOPROGRESSION ON MRI IN GLIOBLASTOMA, AN 11 YEARS EXPERIENCE FROM A CANADIAN UNIVERSITY CENTER

BACKGROUND

In glioblastomas (GBM) patients the first post-radiation MRI is usually difficult to interpret given the post-radiotherapy enhancement and possible pseudo-progression which is present in almost 50% of the patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all patients with GBM treated between 2006 and 2017 at the CHUM (SARDO database). If the first brain MRI done within 3 months after the systemic treatment showed progression of contrast, these patients were considered pseudoprogressors (PsP) while the patients who had stable or response to treatment were the non-progressors (nP). If progression persisted in subsequent MRI with a change of treatment within 6 months, they were considered early progressors (eP). If subsequent MRI improved or was stable, they were classified as nP (or true pseudo-progression).

RESULTS

In our cohort of 470 patients with GBM, 57.7% were nP and 42.3% were PsP after the first post-treatment imagery. The median follow-up was 10 months. The nP had a longer mOS 15.3m vs 11.3m, p < 0.001, regardless of subsequent evolution. After the second assessment, 67.8% of PsP patients were then considered as eP and 36.4% of nP patients also progressed within 6 months. The nP either after the first or second evaluation had the same mOS (19.9m vs 18.3m), just like the eP (9.3m vs 8.6m), independently of the subsequent treatment. No demographic, molecular or clinical factor predicted PsP, except for tumor size (> 5cm, p=0.024). PsP incidence was similar between 2006–2011 (PsP 57.8%) and 2012–2017 (42.2%). The 1y OS with pseudo progression at the first MRI was 39.7% vs 54.8% with no progression (p=0.001) which has a meaningful impact for the patient.

CONCLUSION

Pseudo-progression is frequent (42%) in glioblastoma and predicts a poorer prognosis with 1y OS of 39,7%. In fact, PsP patients have more than two-thirds chance to progress precociously.

HOUT-23. ADULT MEDULLOBLASTOMA TREATMENT IMPACT SINCE 2006: A CANADIAN UNIVERSITY CENTER EXPERIENCE

INTRODUCTION

Medulloblastoma (MB) is an aggressive primary brain tumor rare in adults. Prospective studies in adults are limited by the small number of patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all MB patients treated at the CHUM between 2006 and 2017 in our clinical database adult SARDO. We don’t have the children follow up. We divided our cohort in 2 groups, those diagnosed between 2006–2013 and those diagnosed between 2014–2017.

RESULTS

49 patients were treated, 23 (47%) were children referred for radiation only from a pediatric center and 26 (53%) were adults. Median follow up of adults was 26 months. At 5 years, the entire cohort OS was 58%, but specifically for adults, the 5yOS was 80%. First line therapy had a 5y PFS 77% for adults, negatively influenced by the absence of adjuvant radiotherapy (83% vs 0%; p < 0.001) and the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy (80% vs 39%; p < 0.008). 96% of adult patients received radiotherapy and 52% of them received concomitant radiosensitizing chemotherapy with no impact on survival. Complete surgical resection was performed on 88% of patients, but the extent of resection did not have an impact on survival and did not change with time. From 2006–2013, the most common chemotherapy treatment (80%) in adults was Vincristine, Cisplatin and Lomustine. From 2014–2017, the chemotherapy was replaced by Cisplatin, Etoposide and Cyclophosphamide in 82% with no impact on survival (specific mortality for this chemo 3yOS 100% for both, 3y PFS 100%). Non Cisplatin based chemotherapy regimens were associated with decrease in PFS (67% at 3y). 78% of the progressive patients received second line chemo.

CONCLUSION

In our adult MB population, the demographic and tumor factors did’nt have an impact on prognosis but adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy had a favorable impact on survival especially with Cisplatin, Etoposide and Cyclophosphamide regimen.

HOUT-28. FIRST-LINE TEMOZOLOMIDE VS PCV FOR LOW GRADE GLIOMAS: A 11 YEARS REAL-WORLD DATA FROM CHUM, UNIVERSITY CENTER

BACKGROUND

Before 2012, Temozolomide (TMZ) was used for low-grade gliomas (LGG) to avoid Lomustine toxicity. After 2012 RTOG data, Procarbazine, Lomustine and Vincristine (PCV) given sequentially with radiotherapy became standard treatment with the side effects burden associated.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our SARDO clinical database of patients with low-grade glioma LGG grades 2 and 3 between 2006 and 2017 at CHUM University Health Center. Molecular profile for these tumors is reflex and standard in our institution since 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients were identified with grade 2 and grade 3 LGG; 37 (30%) treated with PCV and 86 (70%) received TMZ. Median follow up was 11mo for PCV 11mo vs 22mo TMZ. Both groups were balanced in terms of median age, sex, neurologic symptoms and surgery rate. 53% patients had tumor untested for IDH1-2 and codeletion1p19q because of diagnostic before 2016. Disparities were noted with a predominance of grade 3 in the TMZ group (74% vs 27%, p< 0.01). TMZ was the preferred regimen before 2012 (100% vs 43%) and PCV became the standard of care after 2012 (0% vs 57%). Radiation use as first line treatment was 90%. The 4y OS was not significantly longer for PCV 50% compared with TMZ 47% with mOS between both groups (PCV NR vs TMZ 39.9mo, p=0.158). When controlled for tumor grade, the 2y OS was 80% for PCV vs 64% for TMZ,p=0.542. The 4y PFS was trendly longer for PCV group 78% than TMZ group 45%, p=0.148.

CONCLUSION

As we are still waiting for the prospective ongoing prospective trials comparing these 2 regimens, PCV and radiation are still standard of care regimens for grade 2 and 3 LGG. This retrospective data is not reassuring for a replacement for PCV with TMZ.

The ESC ACCA EAPCI EORP acute coronary syndrome ST-elevation myocardial infarction registry

Aims 

The Acute Cardiac Care Association (ACCA)–European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EAPCI) Registry on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) of the EurObservational programme (EORP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) registry aimed to determine the current state of the use of reperfusion therapy in ESC member and ESC affiliated countries and the adherence to ESC STEMI guidelines in patients with STEMI.

Methods and results 

Between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2018, a total of 11 462 patients admitted with an initial diagnosis of STEMI according to the 2012 ESC STEMI guidelines were enrolled. Individual patient data were collected across 196 centres and 29 countries. Among the centres, there were 136 percutaneous coronary intervention centres and 91 with cardiac surgery on-site. The majority of centres (129/196) were part of a STEMI network. The main objective of this study was to describe the demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics of patients with STEMI. Other objectives include to assess management patterns and in particular the current use of reperfusion therapies and to evaluate how recommendations of most recent STEMI European guidelines regarding reperfusion therapies and adjunctive pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are adopted in clinical practice and how their application can impact on patients’ outcomes. Patients will be followed for 1 year after admission.

Conclusion 

The ESC ACCA-EAPCI EORP ACS STEMI registry is an international registry of care and outcomes of patients hospitalized with STEMI. It will provide insights into the contemporary patient profile, management patterns, and 1-year outcome of patients with STEMI.

Effect of body mass index and age on survival in patients with advanced lung cancer treated with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors

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Background: Age and body mass index (BMI) are important factors in patients treated with chemotherapy. However, in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), the importance of these baseline characteristics is unclear. For example, pooled analysis of age did not influence the clinical response to ICI, whereas patients with BMI > 35 had better outcomes in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. More data are needed to clarify the role of these two characteristics in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients amenable ICI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated with anti-PD1 ICI for advanced NSCLC at the Dijon Cancer Center (n = 177), University of Montreal University Hospital (n = 106) and Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (n = 98). BMI and age were considered as continuous or categorical variables. Patients’ baseline characteristics were compared using the Chi-squared test. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the Log-rank test in a univariate analysis. Multivariate cox regression model was used to determine hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the groups, adjusting for other clinicopathologic features. Results: Among 381 patients included, the median BMI was 24.5 (range 16.2-43.4) and 32.7% and 13.6% were classified as overweight or obese respectively. The median age was 66 (range 37-89) and 29% were older than 70 years-of-age. Considering BMI and age as continuous or categorical variables, they were not associated with PFS or OS, with the exception of BMI in the Dijon cohort (continuous: HR = 0.95, 95%CI[0.91-0.99]; < 25 vs > 25: HR = 0.68, 95%CI[0.47-0.99]). Subgroup analysis and multivariate cox regression did not reveal significant interaction of these two factors with outcomes. There was no difference in toxicity between the groups. ECOG performance status was the only significant factor in the three cohorts. Conclusions: Unlike previously described in the era of chemotherapy, obesity and age were not associated with outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with ICI.

Prognostic impact of paraneoplastic syndromes in patients with small cell lung cancer, real-world data

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Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains an aggressive cancer, with a reported mOS of 15-20 mo when localized (L-SCLC) and 9-11 mo when extensive (E-SCLC). Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are a debilitating condition either related to the embryogenic stem cell origin or to auto-immune antibodies produced against the tumor. These mechanisms may be even more relevant with the use of immunotherapy for first-line treatment of E-SCLC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our clinical database of patients diagnosed with SCLC between 2006 and 2017 at CHUM University Center. The primary outcome was to compare OS of patients with and without PNS in L-SCLC and E-SCLC. No patients received immunotherapy. Results: We identified 426 unselected SCLC patients, 39% L-SCLC and 61% E-SCLC. 84 patients (20%) were diagnosed with a PNS: 66 (15%) SIADH, 8 (2%) paraneoplastic Cushing syndromes, 2 (1%) humoral hypercalcemia and 8 (2%) paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes. 25% of patients with PNS vs 14% without PNS had a PS 3-4 and would not have been eligible to a clinical trial. 65% of patients with PNS received chemotherapy vs 63% without PNS. Neurologic PNS were all diagnosed in patients with L-SCLC. PNS affecting the central nervous system (4 limbic encephalitis and 1 cerebellar degeneration) were associated with a poorer prognosis than L-SCLC without PNS (mOS 3,5 mo vs 16,7 mo (p = 0,003)). The 2 patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome had a long survival (29 and 82 mo), but persistence of the neurologic symptoms. 86% of patients with paraneoplastic Cushing syndrome were diagnosed with an E-SCLC and had a worse prognosis than E-SCLC without PNS (mOS 1,1 mo vs 4,63 mo (p = 0,022)). SIADH had a significative poor impact on OS in patients with L-SCLC (mOS 10,1 mo vs 16,7 mo (p = 0,016)), but no impact in survival for patients with E-SCLC (mOS 3,63 mo vs 4,63 mo (p = 0,735)). Conclusions: PNS either in patients with L-SCLC or E-SCLC worsen the overall prognosis, except for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. A more systematic detection of these syndromes is suggested before starting immunotherapy as first-line standard treatment for E-SCLC. Furthermore, this real-world unselected clinical cohort shows our E-SCLC patients have a worse prognosis than the clinical trial experience.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor prescription is associated with decreased progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with lung cancers treated with PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockers

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Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat hyperblood pressure and congestive heart failure. Preclinical evidence show that ACE has a role in both innate and adaptive responses thus suggesting a capacity of ACE to promote antitumor immunity. Interaction between ACE inhibitors and Immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) has not been investigated in cancer patients (pts). Our study evaluated the effect of ACE inhibitors in Non Small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) pts treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicohort retrospective analysis of pts treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for NSCLC at Dijon Cancer Center, and at the University of Montreal Hospital. ACE inhibitors groups were defined as pts treated with ACE inhibitors given during the treatment with ICB. PFS and OS were compared between both groups among all pts. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox univariate analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analyses was used to adjust for classical prognostic factors. Tumor RNA sequencing were performed and CIBERSORT was used to estimate immune cell infiltration in ACE inhibitors group and None ACE inhibitors group. Results: Among 283 pts included (177 pts from Dijon, and 106 pts from Montreal), 27 (10%) received ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors group did not differ from None ACE inhibitors group for main clinical prognostic characteristics. However, ACE inhibitors group are more frequently treated with statin, beta blocker and metformin. ACE inhibitors group had shorter median PFS compared to None ACE inhibitors group : 2.5 vs. 3.8 months, p = 0.02 (HR = 1.7 IC95% 1.1-2.5 p = 0.02 Cox Univariate). The negative impact of ACE inhibitors group was maintained after multivariate analyses adjusting for risk factors (HR = 1.9 IC95% 1.1-3.5 p = 0.02 for PFS and HR = 2.3 IC95% 1.2-4.4 p = 0.01 for OS). RNA sequencing and CIBERSORT analysis underlines that ACE inhibitors group has lower M1 macrophage, activated Mast cells, NK cells and memory activated T cells thus suggesting an immunosuppressive state. Conclusions: ACE inhibitors prescription concomitant to the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors treatment impairs the outcome in patients with advanced NSCLC pts. This reduction is independent of classical prognostic factors. Biological date underlines an immunosuppressive state in ACE inhibitors group. These data should be validated in larger cohort.

Selumetinib in patients receiving standard pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic KRAS wildtype or unknown non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: A randomized, multicenter, phase II study. Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) IND.219

INTRODUCTION

Activation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway may confer resistance to chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY142886), a MEK1/2 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC was evaluated in two schedules to evaluate efficacy and toxicity.

METHODS

IND.219 was a three-arm study of first line pemetrexed/platinum chemotherapy with two schedules of selumetinib (Arm A: intermittent given on days 2-19; Arm B: continuous given on days 1-21) versus chemotherapy alone (Arm C). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR); secondary objectives were tolerability, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS). The trial was stopped at the planned interim analysis.

RESULTS

Arms A/B/C enrolled 20/21/21 patients, ORR was 35% (95% CI 15-59% median duration 3.8 months), 62% (95% CI 38-82%; median duration 6.3 months), 24% (95% CI 8-47%; median duration 11.6 months) respectively. The PFS (months Arm A, B, C) was 7.5, 6.7, 4.0 respectively (hazard ratio (HR) PFS Arm A over Arm C: 0.76 [95% CI, 0.38-1.51, 2-sided p = 0.42]; Arm B over Arm C 0.75 [95% CI 0.37-1.54, p = 0.43]. Skin and gastrointestinal adverse events were more common with the addition of selumetinib. A high incidence of venous thromboembolism was seen in all arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Selumetinib combined with chemotherapy was associated with a higher response rate. Continuous selumetinib appeared to be superior to an intermittent schedule. PFS was prolonged with the addition of selumetinib, however this was not statistically significant.

Impact of the Continuity of Nursing Care Delivered by a Pivot Nurse in Oncology on Improving Satisfaction and Quality of Life of Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer

Background: Health care organizations around the globe have been implementing different strategies aimed at improving their care systems to obtain better patient–physician interaction and resolve underlying issues leading to patient dissatisfaction. In an effort to improve continuity of care inside a network of interdisciplinary teams, the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Québec has implemented the recruitment of pivot nurses in oncology services. Aim: To determine whether continuous nursing care for lung cancer patients, compared with standard care, yields more improvements in terms of patient satisfaction and quality of life. Methods: This study was conducted at the Notre Dame University Hospital in Montreal. Patients were selected from the outpatient admissions' list, three months after the start of their treatment, and divided into two cohorts: the continuity of care (CC) cohort, where patients were followed by a PNO, and the usual care (UC) cohort, who received standard care from the oncology clinic staff. Participants in both groups completed the Princess Margaret Hospital Patient Satisfaction with Doctor Questionnaire (PMH/PSQ-MD), the FACT-L Scale for quality of life assessment and questions evaluating the understanding of their health status and disease. Another ten questions were dressed specifically to the CC in regards to nursing care and the health care system in Quebec. Results: The current study has shown a significant impact of implicating a PNO in the care of patients with advanced lung cancer. Patients in the CC cohort displayed better quality of life assessment scores and expressed higher levels of satisfaction compared with their peers in the UC cohort. Other variables examined revealed an adequate fulfillment of the PNO role as regarded by the participants, except for matters of an intimate nature. Conclusion: The PNO appears to have an substantial role in the care of patients with advanced lung cancer. Continuity of care seems to improve patients' quality of life and satisfaction by reducing the symptom strain experienced by ambulatory patients.

Procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine toxicity in low-grade gliomas

Background

Procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (pcv) significantly improve survival outcomes in lgg (low-grade gliomas). Administration of pcv to lgg patients increased tremendously over the past years as it went from 2 patients per year between 2005 and 2012 to 23 patients in 2015 only in our centre. However, serious hematological and non-hematological adverse events may occur. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of pcv and its clinical relevance in our practice.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 57 patients with lgg who received pcv at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal between 1 January 2005 and 27 July 2016.

Results

Procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine were associated with severe hematological toxicity as clinically significant grade 3 anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 7%, 10%, and 28% of patients, respectively. Other frequent adverse events such as the increase of liver enzymes, cutaneous rash, neurotoxicity, and vomiting occurred in 65%, 26%, 60%, and 40% of patients, respectively. Patients with prophylactic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole had more grade 3 hematological toxicity with pcv, especially anemia (p = 0.040) and thrombocytopenia (p = 0.003) but we found no increase in pcv toxicity in patients on concurrent anticonvulsants. Patients with grade 3 neutropenia had a significantly lower survival (median survival 44.0 months vs. 114.0 months, p = 0.001). Patients who were given pcv at diagnosis had more grade 3 anemia than those who received it at subsequent lines of treatment (p = 0.042).

Conclusion

Procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine increase survival in lgg but were also associated with major hematologic, hepatic, neurologic, and cutaneous toxicity. Anti-Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (pjp) prophylaxis, but not anticonvulsants, enhances hematologic toxicity.

Survival impact of aggressive treatment on patients with oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: The new 2016lung cancer classification differentiates oligometastatic (M1b) better prognostic from plurimetastatic (M1c) disease. A prospective study presented at 2016 ASCO showed improved PFS in patients with oligometastatic brain disease treated aggressively compared to a more palliative treatment but OS data is pending. Methods: This study is a single-center retrospective study including 643 patients with metastatic lung cancer diagnosed in an University center (CHUM) from 2005-2015 and followed more than 6 months (median follow up 13.3mo) . Only 67 patients (10.4%) were found to have synchronous oligometastatic disease at diagnosis. Results: Amongst the 67 patients, the localization of metastatic disease was as follows: 74% brain (n = 50), 9% adrenal gland (n = 6), 7% contralateral pulmonary lobe (n = 5), 6% bone (n = 4) and 3% liver (n = 2). 29 patients received radical treatment to primary and metastatic site (group A) and 36 patients received non-aggressive treatments (group B). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic and histological characteristics. The radical treatment group A had a mOS of 26mo and a mPFS of 12.8m compared to mOS of 5mo (p = 0.0001) and mPFS of 4.8mo (p = 0.010) for group B. This difference was observed when stratifying according to stage of primary lung disease (stage I mOS 42mo vs 16mo, stage II mOS 34mo vs 6mo and stage III mOS 22mo vs 4mo) and according to to oligometastatic site. Interestingly, addressing aggressively the primary lung cancer improved median survival even when the oligometastasis was not resected (26mo v and 24mo respectively), but not when oligometastasis only was resected and primary was treated palliatively (5mo vs 3 mo). Adjuvant chemotherapy given after radical treatment did not improve mPFS or mOS (12.83 vs12.47 months, p = 0.860). Conclusions: Radical treatment of oligometastatic NSCLC in this unselected population improved mPFS and mOS compared to other treatment strategies. As overall survival data of the prospective trial presented at 2016 ASCO meeting is pending, the more radical approach should be emphasized when patients present with oligometastatic lung cancer disease.

Does blood sugar impact on metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) outcome?

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Background: Diabetes is a frequent diagnostic (9.3%) in general Western population, and because of its complications, becomes a comorbidity in NSCLC patients that could impact on prognostic. Impact of diabetes on NSCLC prognosis is unknown but the majority of patients fear eating desserts because feeding mostly the NSCLC tumor cells. Methods: Using our SARDO database and hospital files, we retrospectively reviewed 548 patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed and treated in our University hospital between 2006 and 2015. Uncontrolled diabetes was established when Hb1Ac > 7% or with more than 2 hospital glycemia over 11 mmol/L. Results: Amongst 418 metastatic NSCLC patients, 294pts (70%) had synchronous metastasis at diagnostic and 117pts (30%) have metachronous metastasis. As expected metachronous metastasis patients had a better survival (mOS 25mo) than synchronous metastasis (mOS 6mo). Then, we divided our patients in 4 subgroups: 1) Patients with diagnosed and uncontrolled diabetes (n = 78); 2) Patients with high glycemia but not previously diabetes diagnostic (n = 19); 3) Patients with controlled diagnosed diabetes (n = 59); 4) Control patients with normal glycemias or HBA1c (n = 262). Some tumor stage and demographic disparities were seen between the 4 groups but we controlled for them. In upfront metastatic NSCLC patients, mOS was 4.0 months for group 1, 4.0 months for group 2, 4.0 months for group 3 and 7.0 months for our control group, not statistically different, which is lower than literature but expected for this unselected population treated before 2015. In metachronous patients, group 1 mOS was 21mo, group 2 was 58mo, group 3 was 30mo and mOS was 23mo for control patients, with no statistically difference between groups. Women had a better mOS 8 mo compared to 4 mo in men (p = 0,003) independently of diabetes or sugar status. Conclusions: This retrospective data is reassuring regarding patients blood glycemia during the metastatic lung cancer treatment. Even in a long term metachronous disease perspective, blood sugar or diabetes diagnostic did not seem to influence the outcome. However, these data should be validated in a prospective study that could acknowledge if blood sugar control could improve lung cancer outcome.

Adjuvant chemotherapy outcome in unselected single-center non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population

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Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy with Cisplatinum/Vinorelbine is an established regimen since a decade in selected resected NSCLC population in order to improve DFS and overall survival. However, the outcome of patients treated outside the research protocols is not as good as in clinical trials. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 209pts resected stage I to III NSCLC patients using our SARDO database, treated in our University hospital between 2006 and 2015 with a median follow-up of 13mos. Any adjuvant chemotherapy was recorded. Results: Amongst 209 resected NSCLC patients, 185pts (89%) had negative margins and 24pts (11%) have positive margins resection. The observation group and the chemotherapy group in both settings were well-balanced in terms of demographic, co-morbidities and tumor characteristics. As expected, the median overall survival (mOS) in negative margins was significantly better than in positive margins patients (43mos vs 24mos p = 0.029). In negative margins patients, no survival benefit was seen in stage I (A and B) (57 mos for chemo group vs 77 mos for observation group p = 0,217) and stage III (A and B) (39mos mOS for chemo group vs 40mos for observation group, p = 0.37), but a trend for improved mOS was seen in stage II (52 mos for chemo group vs 38 mos for observation group, p = 0.114), also consistent with mPFS results for each group. However, for the small number of patients with positive margins, a significant improvement in survival was seen in chemotherapy arm (mOS 37mos) compared to observational arm (mOS 11mos p = 0,039). No significant difference in survival was seen between Carbo/Taxol regimen and Cisplatinum/Vinorelbine regimen (43 mos vs 38 mos p = 0,658). Conclusions: In our unselected population, adjuvant chemotherapy did not show the improvement in survival expected with margin negative resected NSCLC. In positive resected NSCLC, adjuvant chemotherapy benefit was statistically significant, emphasizing need to treatment to these patients.

Factors influencing treatment selection and survival in advanced lung cancer

PURPOSE

Despite numerous breakthrough therapies, inoperable lung cancer still places a heavy burden on patients who might not be candidates for chemotherapy. To identify potential candidates for the newly emerging immunotherapy-based treatment paradigms, we explored the clinical and biologic factors affecting treatment decisions.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients diagnosed at our university-affiliated cancer centre between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2013. Patient demographics, systemic treatment, and survival were examined.

RESULTS

During the 3-year study period, 683 patients fitting the inclusion criteria were identified. First-line therapy was administered in 49.5% of patients; only 22.4% received further lines of therapy. The main reasons for withholding therapy were poor performance status [ps (43.2%)], rapidly deteriorating ps (31.9%), patient refusal of therapy (20.9%), and associated comorbidities (4%). Older age, the presence of brain metastasis at diagnosis, and non-small-cell histology were also associated with therapeutic restraint. Oncology referrals were infrequent in patients who did not receive therapy (32.2%). Older patients and those with a poor ps experienced superior survival when treatment was administered (hazard ratio: 0.25; 95% confidence interval: 0.16 to 0.38; and hazard ratio: 0.44; 95% confidence interval: 0.23 to 0.87 respectively; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced lung cancer still poses a therapeutic challenge, with a high proportion of patients being deemed unfit for therapy. This issue cannot be resolved until appropriate measures are taken to ensure the inclusion of older patients and those with a relatively poor ps in large clinical trials. Immunotherapy might be interesting in this setting, given that it appears to be more tolerable. Another consequential undertaking would be the deployment of strategies to reduce wait times during the diagnostic process for patients with a high index of suspicion for lung cancer.

Efficiency of Crizotinib on an ALK-Positive Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Central Nervous System: A Case Report

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) of the central nervous system (CNS) are rare entities that have a predilection for local recurrences. Approximately half of the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors contain translocations that result in the over-expression of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. We hereby present the case of a patient diagnosed with a left parieto-occipital IMT that recurred after multiple surgeries and radiotherapy. Immuno-histochemical examination of the tumor demonstrated ALK overexpression and the presence of an ALK rearrangement observed in lung cancers. The patient was subsequently started on an ALK inhibitor. A response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) partial response was observed by the seventh month of ALK inhibition and the tumor remained in control for 14 months. The current case reiterates the activity of ALK inhibitors within the CNS and suggests that radiotherapy may potentiate the permeability of ALK inhibitors in CNS tumors addicted to ALK signalling.

Impact of standard care on elderly glioblastoma patients

Background

Uncertainty persists about the survival advantage of concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) plus radiotherapy (RT) in elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). We compared the clinical outcome of unselected elderly GBM patients treated with 4 adjuvant treatment modalities, including the Stupp protocol.

Methods

From 2010 to 2014, retrospective chart review was performed on 171 GBM patients aged ≥55 who received either concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) with standard 60 Gy/30 (SRT); CCRT with hypofractionated 40 Gy/15 (HRT); HRT alone; or TMZ alone. Stratification is by age (55-69, ≥70), KPS (<70, ≥70), and resection status (biopsy, resection).

Results

Out of 171 patients identified, 128(75%) had surgical resection, median age was 66(55-83), and median overall survival (mOS) 11.4mo. Majority (109/171) were treated according to the Stupp protocol (CCRT-SRT), and 106/171 received post-CCRT adjuvant TMZ (median of 3 cycles). In our population, age <70yo was a significant prognostic factor (mOS of patients aged 55-69 vs ≥70 yo = 13.3 vs 6.6 mo; P = .001). However, among the population receiving the Stupp regimen, there was no difference in survival between patients aged 55-69 and those ≥70 (respectively, 14.4 vs 13.2 mo; P = .798). Patients ≥70 yo had similar survival when treated with CCRT-HRT and CCRT-SRT (P = .248), although numbers were small.

Conclusions

Our data suggests that, despite having a worse global prognostic than their younger counterparts, GBM patients ≥70yo with a good performance status could be treated according to the Stupp protocol with similar survival. Theses results need prospective confirmation.

Prophylactic anticonvulsants for gliomas: a seven-year retrospective analysis

Background

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) does not recommend routine use of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs (pAEDs) in patients with newly diagnosed brain tumors. If used in the perioperative setting, discontinuation is suggested after the first postoperative week. It is unclear whether such recommendations are followed. Our objective was to compare our perioperative and long-term pAED use in glioma patients with AAN practice parameters.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was performed on 578 glioma patients from 2006 to 2013. Seizures and AED use were assessed at surgery, 3 months postoperatively and death, last visit or 16 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into three groups at surgery: seizure-free with pAED, seizure-free without pAED, and seizure patients. Long-term pAED use was defined as continued use at 3 months postsurgery without seizures. pAEDs efficacy, factors influencing its use, and survival were examined.

Results

Out of 578 patients identified, 330 (57.1%) were seizure-naïve preoperatively. There were no significant differences in age, histology, tumor location or resection status between seizure-free populations with and without prophylaxis. Of 330 seizure-naïve patients, 205 (62.1%) received pAEDs at surgery. Ninety-six (46.9%) of those patients were still on pAEDs 3 months postsurgery (median use = 58 days). Rate of long-term prophylaxis use decreased by 13.5% over 6 years (70.3% in 2006; 56.8% in 2012). Phenytoin was preferred in 2006 (98.2%) with increasing use of levetiracetam over 6 years (44.6% in 2012). The only predictive factor for pAED use was complete resection (P = .0069). First seizure prevalence was similar in both seizure-free populations (P = .91). The seizure population had more men (P = .007), younger patients (P < .0001), lower-grade gliomas (P = .0003) and survived longer (P = .001) compared with seizure-free populations.

Conclusions

In our center, long-term prophylactic AED use is high, deviating from current AAN Guidelines. Corrective measures are warranted.