Molecular profiling of advanced solid tumours. The impact of experimental molecular-matched therapies on cancer patient outcomes in early-phase trials: the MAST study

INTRODUCTION

Molecular-matched therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment. We evaluated the improvement in clinical outcomes of applying an in-house customized Next Generation Sequencing panel in a single institution.

METHODS

Patients with advanced solid tumors were molecularly selected to receive a molecular-matched treatment into early phase clinical trials versus best investigators choice, according to the evaluation of a multidisciplinary molecular tumor board. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by the ratio of patients presenting 1.3-fold longer PFS on matched therapy (PFS2) than with prior therapy (PFS1).

RESULTS

Of a total of 231 molecularly screened patients, 87 were eligible for analysis. Patients who received matched therapy had a higher median PFS2 (6.47 months; 95% CI, 2.24-14.43) compared to those who received standard therapy (2.76 months; 95% CI, 2.14-3.91, Log-rank p = 0.022). The proportion of patients with a PFS2/PFS1 ratio over 1.3 was significantly higher in the experimental arm (0.33 vs 0.08; p = 0.008).

DISCUSSION

We demonstrate the pivotal role of the institutional molecular tumor board in evaluating the results of a customized NGS panel. This process optimizes the selection of available therapies, improving disease control. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm this approach and open the door to expanded drug access.

A phase III clinical trial of adjuvant chemotherapy versus chemoimmunotherapy for stage IB-IIIA completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients nadim-adjuvant: New adjuvant trial of chemotherapy versus chemoimmunotherapy

TPS8581

Background: The results of current studies are considered acceptable evidence to support the hypothesis of efficacy of the proposed combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy (CT-IO) in patients with NSCLC stages Ib-IIIA candidates for adjuvant treatment. Methods: This is an open-label, randomised, two-arm, phase III, multi-centre clinical trial. Primary objective and endpoint: The primary objective is disease free survival (DFS) defined time from randomization to the earliest event defined as disease recurrence, any new lung cancer (even in the opposite lung), or death from any cause at any known point in time Sample size: 210 patients NSCLC stages Ib-IIIA (Experimental Arm (Adjuvant Chemotherapy-Inmunotherapy + maintenance adjuvant Inmunotherapy): 105 patients, Control Arm (Adjuvant Chemotherapy): 105 patients Treatment Patients randomised to the experimental arm will receive Nivolumab 360mg + Paclitaxel 200mg/m2 + Carboplatin AUC5 for 4 cycles every 21 days (+/- 3 days) as adjuvant treatment followed by maintenance adjuvant treatment for 6 cycles with Nivolumab 480 mg Q4W (+/- 3 days). Patients randomized to the control arm will receive Paclitaxel 200mg/m2 + Carboplatin AUC5 for 4 cycles every 21 days (+/- 3 days) followed by 2 observation visits. Total trial duration: 6.5 years, 3.5 years of recruitment, 1 year of adjuvant treatment or observation and 2 years of follow up. The start date was January 2021. The estimated primary completion date is June 2027. Clinical trial information: NCT04564157.

Role of liquid biopsy for thoracic cancers immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has shifted the therapeutic landscape in thoracic cancers. However, assessment of biomarkers for patient selection and disease monitoring remain challenging, especially considering the lack of tissue sample availability for clinical and research purposes. In this scenario, liquid biopsy (LB), defined as the study and characterization of biomarkers in body fluids, represents a useful alternative strategy. In other malignancies such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer or melanoma, the potential of LB has been more extensively explored for monitoring minimal residual disease or response to treatment, and to investigate mechanisms of resistance to targeted agents. Even if various experiences have already been published about the applications of LB in immunotherapy in thoracic cancers, the standardization of methodology and assessment of its clinical utility is still pending. In this review, the authors will focus on the applications of LB in immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma, describing available data and future perspectives.

CXCR7 Reactivates ERK Signaling to Promote Resistance to EGFR Kinase Inhibitors in NSCLC

Although EGFR mutant-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are clinically effective, acquired resistance can occur by reactivating ERK. We show using in vitro models of acquired EGFR TKI resistance with a mesenchymal phenotype that CXCR7, an atypical G protein-coupled receptor, activates the MAPK-ERK pathway via β-arrestin. Depletion of CXCR7 inhibited the MAPK pathway, significantly attenuated EGFR TKI resistance, and resulted in mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. CXCR7 overexpression was essential in reactivation of ERK1/2 for the generation of EGFR TKI-resistant persister cells. Many patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring an EGFR kinase domain mutation, who progressed on EGFR inhibitors, demonstrated increased CXCR7 expression. These data suggest that CXCR7 inhibition could considerably delay and prevent the emergence of acquired EGFR TKI resistance in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. SIGNIFICANCE: Increased expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR7 constitutes a mechanism of resistance to EGFR TKI in patients with non-small cell lung cancer through reactivation of ERK signaling.

Phase 1 of ABTL0812, a proautophagic drug, in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin at first-line in advanced endometrial cancer and squamous cell lung carcinoma

3089

Background: ABTL0812 is a novel anti-cancer agent that induces a strong autophagy-mediated cell death by a dual mechanism. It inhibits the Akt/mTOR axis by upregulating TRIB3, an endogenous Akt inhibitor, and induces reticular (ER)-stress. Preclinical data in squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (Sq-NSCLC) and endometrial cancer (EC) has indicated drug efficacy as a single agent and potentiation of chemotherapy. Methods: A phase 1 clinical study was designed where ABTL0812 was administered orally in combination with 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel/carboplatin AUC5 D1 every 3 weeks (P/C), and posterior ABTL0812 as a maintenance therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The study included first-line patients (pts) with advanced Sq-NSCLC or advanced/recurrent EC. The design included a 3+3 de-escalation trial followed by an expansion cohort, where the starting dose of ABTL0812 was 1300 mg tid and if at least 2 pts experienced a DLT, the dose level would be de-escalated to 1000 mg tid. Safety and tolerability were the primary endpoints and preliminary efficacy according to RECIST v1.1 criteria and pharmacodynamic biomarkers (TRIB3 and CHOP an ER-stress biomarker, by qPCR in whole blood) were the secondary endpoints. Results: 16 EC and 5 Sq-NSCLC pts were enrolled. One DLT, a grade 4 neutropenia, appeared in the first cohort of 6 pts and no de-escalation was applied. Fourteen pts were included in an expansion cohort with the same dose level (1300 mg tid), and 1 DLT, a grade 3 febrile neutropenia, was observed. Therefore, the dose of 1300 mg tid was selected as RP2D in combination with P/C. Most frequent grades 2-4 AEs were neutrophil count decreased (n = 9, 43%), nausea (n = 5, 24%), fatigue (n = 4, 19%), followed by anemia, vomiting, dyspepsia, platelet count decreased, arthralgia and neurotoxicity (n = 2, 10% each). Seventeen pts (13 EC and 4 Sq-NSCLC) who completed at least two treatment cycles were evaluable for efficacy; 1 CR (EC), 8 PR (7 EC and 1 Sq-NSCLC), 7 SD (5 EC and 2 Sq-NSCLC) and 1 PD (Sq-NSCLC) were observed. Pharmacodynamic biomarkers showed increased TRIB3 and CHOP levels. Conclusions: The combination of ABTL0812+P/C was safe and tolerated, efficacy signals were observed, and biomarker modulation confirmed drug activity. The triple combination is currently being evaluated in both indications in a Phase 2 study. Clinical trial information: NCT03366480.

Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy for the treatment of stage IIIA resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A phase II multicenter exploratory study—Final data of patients who underwent surgical assessment

8509

Background: Patients with stage IIIA (N2 or T4N0) are potentially curable but median overall survival is only around 15 months and complete pathologic response with conventional chemotherapy (CT) is no more than 9%. Methods: A Phase II, single-arm, open-label multicenter study of resectable stage IIIA N2-NSCLC adult patients with CT plus IO as a neoadjuvant treatment: three cycles of Nivolumab (NV) 360mg IV Q3W + paclitaxel 200mg/m2 + carboplatin AUC 6 IV Q3W followed by adjuvant NV treatment for 1 year. After complete neoadjuvant therapy, tumor assessment is performed prior to surgery. Surgery is performed in the 3rd or 4th week after day 21 of the third cycle of neoadjuvant treatment. The study aims to recruit 46 pts. The primary endpoint is Progression-Free Survival (PFS) at 24 months. Efficacy is explored using objective pathologic response criteria. We present final data on all patients included in this study that underwent surgical assessment. Results: At the time of submission, 46 pts had been included and 41 had undergone surgery. CT-IO was well-tolerated and surgery was not delayed in any patient. None of the pts withdrew from the study preoperatively due to progression or toxicity. 41 surgeries had been performed and all tumors were deemed resectable, with R0 resection in all cases. 34 pts (83%) achieved major pathologic response (MPR) (CI 95% 71-95%), and 24 (71%) of them had a complete pathologic response (CPR) (CI 95% 54-87%). Downstaging was seen in 90% (CI 95% 81-100%) of cases. By RECIST, 29 pts (71%) (CI 95% 56-85%) had partial response and 3 (7%) (CI 95% 0-16%) complete response. Conclusions: This is the first multicentric study to CT-IO in the neoadjuvant setting in stage IIIA. Neoadjuvant CT-IO with nivolumab in resectable IIIA NSCLC yields a high complete pathologic response rate that has never been seen previously and unsuspected by RECIST criteria. Preliminary correlative analyses in blood samples are included in a separate abstract. EudraCT Number: 2016-003732-20. Clinical trial information: NCT 03081689.

Long-term follow-up of organ-specific antibodies and related organ dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) is associated with other autoimmune disorders. To our knowledge, there are no longitudinal data considering the long-term clinical relevance of organ-specific antibodies (OS-Ab) in DM1 patients. We performed a long-term retrospective longitudinal study in order to investigate the presence and diagnostic accuracy (positive predictive value: PPV and negative predictive value: NPV) of OS-Ab in DM1 patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a retrospective longitudinal study, the presence of OS-Ab and related organ function were analysed in 396 DM1 patients (184 F/212 M, age 44 ± 13 years, age at onset of DM1 21 ± 13 years), with a median follow-up time of 23 ± 10 years.

RESULTS

OS-Ab frequencies at baseline were: antibodies against thyroglobulin (Tg-Ab) 4.3%, antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab) 8.1%, Tg- and/or TPO-Ab 10.4%, antibodies against parietal cells (PCA) 5.8% and antibodies against adrenal cortex (ACA) 0.5%. The occurrence of (sub)clinical hypothyroidism was higher in patients with Tg-Ab (47%) or TPO-Ab (42%) than in those without these antibodies (6.2 and 5.1%, respectively, p<0.001). PPV and NPV for Tg-Ab were 0.60 and 0.88, respectively, for TPO -Ab 0.54 and 0.91. Also in patients with PCA, organ dysfunction occurred more often (61%) than in patients without PCA (9.7%, p<0.001). PPV for PCA was 0.61 and NPV 0.90. NPV and PPV for ACA could not be calculated because of the low prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Long-term follow-up of 396 DM1 patients shows that the presence of thyroid antibodies and/ or parietal cell antibodies is clearly associated with dysfunction of the corresponding organ.