Atezolizumab Combined With Bevacizumab and Platinum-Based Therapy for Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer: Placebo-Controlled Randomized Phase III ATALANTE/ENGOT-ov29 Trial

PURPOSE

Platinum-based doublets with concurrent and maintenance bevacizumab are standard therapy for ovarian cancer (OC) relapsing after a platinum-free interval (PFI) >6 months. Immunotherapy may be synergistic with bevacizumab and chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ATALANTE/ENGOT-ov29 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02891824), a placebo-controlled double-blinded randomized phase III trial, enrolled patients with recurrent epithelial OC, one to two previous chemotherapy lines, and PFI >6 months. Eligible patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to atezolizumab (1,200 mg once every 3 weeks or equivalent) or placebo for up to 24 months, combined with bevacizumab and six cycles of chemotherapy doublet, stratified by PFI, PD-L1 status, and chemotherapy regimen. Coprimary end points were investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and PD-L1-positive populations (alpha .025 for each population).

RESULTS

Between September 2016 and October 2019, 614 patients were randomly assigned: 410 to atezolizumab and 204 to placebo. Only 38% had PD-L1-positive tumors. After 3 years' median follow-up, the PFS difference between atezolizumab and placebo did not reach statistical significance in the ITT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.99; P = .041; median 13.5 v 11.3 months, respectively) or PD-L1-positive (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.16; P = .30; median 15.2 v 13.1 months, respectively) populations. The immature overall survival (OS) HR was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.65 to 1.01; median 35.5 v 30.6 months with atezolizumab v placebo, respectively). Global health-related quality of life did not differ between treatment arms. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 88% of atezolizumab-treated and 87% of placebo-treated patients; grade ≥3 AEs typical of immunotherapy were more common with atezolizumab (13% v 8%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

ATALANTE/ENGOT-ov29 did not meet its coprimary PFS objectives in the ITT or PD-L1-positive populations. OS follow-up continues. Further research on biopsy samples is warranted to decipher the immunologic landscape of late-relapsing OC.

Adjuvant therapeutic strategy decision support for an elderly population with localized breast cancer: A monocentric cohort retrospective study

Guidelines for the management of elderly patients with early breast cancer are scarce. Additional adjuvant systemic treatment to surgery for early breast cancer in elderly populations is challenged by increasing comorbidities with age. In non-metastatic settings, treatment decisions are often made under considerable uncertainty; this commonly leads to undertreatment and, consequently, poorer outcomes. This study aimed to develop a decision support tool that can help to identify candidate adjuvant post-surgery treatment schemes for elderly breast cancer patients based on tumor and patient characteristics. Our approach was to generate predictions of patient outcomes for different courses of action; these predictions can, in turn, be used to inform clinical decisions for new patients. We used a cohort of elderly patients (≥ 70 years) who underwent surgery with curative intent for early breast cancer to train the models. We tested seven classification algorithms using 5-fold cross-validation, with 80% of the data being randomly selected for training and the remaining 20% for testing. We assessed model performance using accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC score. We used an autoencoder to perform dimensionality reduction prior to classification. We observed consistently better performance using logistic regression and linear discriminant analysis models when compared to the other models we tested. Classification performance generally improved when an autoencoder was used, except for when we predicted the need for adjuvant treatment. We obtained overall best results using a logistic regression model without autoencoding to predict the need for adjuvant treatment (F1-score = 0.869).

Reduced risk of secondary primary extra pulmonary cancer in advanced/metastatic lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer survivors are at high risk of developing a second primary cancer (SPC). We explored the Unicancer Epidemiology Strategy Medical-Economics for advanced or metastatic lung cancer (AMLC) database to assess the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) on the risk of SPC in patients with advanced/metastatic lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study used data from patients with AMLC, with treatment initiated between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2018. Patients with lung cancer as the second primary cancer were excluded and a 6-months landmark threshold was applied to exclude patients with synchronous SPC, patients dead without SPC or with a follow-up inferior to 6 months. A propensity score (PS) was calculated on the following baseline covariates: Age at locally advanced or metastatic diagnosis, sex, smoking status, metastatic status, performance status and histological type. The inverse probability of treatment weighting approach was used on the analyses aiming to assess the impact of ICI administered for AMLC, on the risk of occurrence of SPC.

RESULTS

Among the 10 796 patients, 148 (1.4%) patients had a diagnosis of SPC in a median interval of 22 (min-max: 7-173) months. All the patients (100%) with locally advanced or metastatic LC received at least one systemic treatment including (chemotherapy regimen (n = 9 851, 91.2%); ICI (n = 4 648, 43.0%); targeted treatment (n = 3 500; 32.4%). 40 (0.9%) SPC were reported in the 4 648 patients with metastatic LC treated with ICI vs 108 (1.7%) out of the 6 148 who did not receive immunotherapy (p < 0.0001). The multivariate analysis identified that treatment with ICI in patients with AMLC is associated with a reduced risk of SPC (HR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.58).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with ICI in AMLC patients was associated with a significantly reduced risk of SPC. Prospective studies are required to confirm these results.

Association of chemotherapy and comorbidities with overall survival in elderly patients with early breast cancer: a French population-based propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Additional systemic treatment for early breast cancer in elderly is challenged by increasing comorbidities with age. We aimed to examine the effect of additional chemotherapy on overall survival in patients aged 70 years or older and the impact of comorbidities on chemotherapy benefit.

METHODS

This retrospective monocentric cohort study includes data from all patients aged 70 years and older who underwent surgery for an early breast cancer from 1997 to 2016. A propensity score analysis allowed adjustment for chemotherapy prescription preferences based on tumour characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 15,599 patients who had surgery for an early breast cancer, 1743 (11.2%) over 70 years old were included, of whom 269 (15.4%) had received additional chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 5.3 years. Multivariate analyses on the propensity-score weighted cohort (n = 1 354) identified improved overall survival in patients with chemotherapy versus without (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.92). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 2.16, 95% CI 1.40-3.34) and polypharmacy (HR 1.40, 95%CI 1.07-1.84) were associated with worse overall survival. No statistically significant interactions were identified between these comorbidities and chemotherapy prescription.

CONCLUSION

Additional chemotherapy in elderly with early breast cancer is feasible and associated with overall survival benefit, supporting the importance of chemotherapy considerations in this population, and of avoiding undertreatment based on chronological age considerations alone.

A qualitative study of teleconsultation practices among French oncologists in a post-COVID-19 period

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted healthcare professionals to adapt and implement new tools to ensure continuity of patient care. Teleconsultation became the only option for some practitioners who had never used it previously and boosted its use for others who already used it. Several studies have reviewed the use of teleconsultation in oncology during the epidemic, but few have addressed its continued use and how practitioners view it in a post-epidemic period. The aim of this survey was to conduct a qualitative exploration of how oncologists use teleconsultation in their daily practice in a post-COVID 19 period.

Materials and Methods

For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with oncologists in France who utilized teleconsultation in the field of oncology during the COVID-19 period. The interview guide included questions on the interests and limitations of using teleconsultation in oncology, on reluctance to use it among oncologists, and invited participants to formulate proposals for more optimal use.

Results

Fourteen oncologists participated in the survey. Currently, 12% of the consultations of the surveyed practitioners are conducted via teleconsultation. Seven themes were identified in the analysis of the interviews: (a) The oncologist and teleconsultation; (b) Clinical motivations for using teleconsultation; (c) Comparison between teleconsultation and in-person consultation; (d) Advantages and disadvantages of teleconsultation; (e) Technical modalities of teleconsultation; (f) Role of Covid and confinement in the use of teleconsultation; (h) Epistemic judgments about teleconsultation. Optimal teleconsultation occurs when seamlessly incorporated into patient care, offering reduced patient inconvenience, and providing economic and environmental benefits. Although there's a lack of unified agreement in research literature regarding time efficiency, teleconsultation facilitates more customized patient monitoring and addresses the challenge of "medical deserts" nationally. Considering patient preferences is crucial when contemplating the use of teleconsultation. Predominantly, technical issues stand as the principal barriers to teleconsultation implementation.

Conclusion

Even after the end of the health crisis, teleconsultation is still used in clinical practice. Recommendations for effective use are suggested.

Pembrolizumab in Lymphopenic Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Metronomic Cyclophosphamide: A Clinical and Translational Prospective Study

Purpose

Metastatic endocrine-resistant breast cancer (MBC) is a disease with poor prognosis and few treatment options. Low lymphocyte count is associated with limited overall survival. In a prospective cohort of lymphopenic patients with HER-2 negative MBC, we assessed the clinical and biological impact of pembrolizumab combined with metronomic cyclophosphamide.

Experimental Design

This multicenter Phase II study evaluated the safety and clinical activity of pembrolizumab (intravenous (IV), 200mg, every 3 weeks) combined with metronomic cyclophosphamide (50mg/day, per os) in lymphopenic adult patients with HER2-negative MBC previously treated by at least one line of chemotherapy in this setting according to a Simon's minimax two-stage design. Blood and tumor samples were collected to assess the impact of the combined treatment on circulating immune cells and the tumor immune microenvironment through multiparametric flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence analyses. Primary endpoint was the clinical benefit rate at 6 months of treatment (CBR-6M). Secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Two out of the twenty treated patients presented clinical benefit (one Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB)-high patient with complete response (CR) and one patient with objective response (OR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST V1.1) associated with a strong increase of cytokine-producing and proliferating CD4⁺ T cells and higher CD8⁺ T cells to macrophage ratios in the tumor. This impact on CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell polyfunctionality was still observed more than one year for the patient with CR. A decreased in their absolute number of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ memory T cells was observed in other patients.

Conclusion

Pembrolizumab combined with metronomic cyclophosphamide was well tolerated, and displayed limited anti-tumoral activity in lymphopenic MBC. Correlative translational data of our trial advocates for additional studies with other chemotherapy combinations.

CHEOPS trial: a GINECO group randomized phase II assessing addition of a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor to oral vinorelbine in pre-treated metastatic breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The objective of the CHEOPS trial was to assess the benefit of adding aromatase inhibitor (AI) to metronomic chemotherapy, oral vinorelbine, 50 mg, three times a week for pre-treated, HR + /HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients.

METHODS

In this multicentric phase II study, patients had to have progressed on AI and one or two lines of chemotherapy. They were randomized between oral vinorelbine (Arm A) and oral vinorelbine with non-steroidal AI (Arm B).

RESULTS

121 patients were included, 61 patients in Arm A and 60 patients in Arm B. The median age was 68 years. 109 patients had visceral metastases. They all had previously received an AI. The study had been prematurely stopped following the third death due to febrile neutropenia. Median PFS trend was found to be different with 2.3 months and 3.7 months in Arm A and Arm B, respectively (HR 0.73, 95%CI 0.50-1.06, p value = 0.0929). No statistical difference was shown in OS and better tumor response. 56 serious adverse events corresponding to 25 patients (21%) were reported (respectively, 12 (20%) versus 13 (22%) for arms A and B) (NS).

CONCLUSION

The addition of AI to oral vinorelbine over oral vinorelbine alone in aromatase inhibitor-resistant metastatic breast cancer was associated with a non-significant improvement of PFS. Several unexpected serious adverse events were reported. Metronomic oral vinorelbine schedule, at 50 mg three times a week, requires close biological monitoring. The question of hormonal treatment and chemotherapy combination remains open.

Federated learning for predicting histological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a rare cancer, characterized by high metastatic potential and poor prognosis, and has limited treatment options. The current standard of care in nonmetastatic settings is neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), but treatment efficacy varies substantially across patients. This heterogeneity is still poorly understood, partly due to the paucity of curated TNBC data. Here we investigate the use of machine learning (ML) leveraging whole-slide images and clinical information to predict, at diagnosis, the histological response to NACT for early TNBC women patients. To overcome the biases of small-scale studies while respecting data privacy, we conducted a multicentric TNBC study using federated learning, in which patient data remain secured behind hospitals' firewalls. We show that local ML models relying on whole-slide images can predict response to NACT but that collaborative training of ML models further improves performance, on par with the best current approaches in which ML models are trained using time-consuming expert annotations. Our ML model is interpretable and is sensitive to specific histological patterns. This proof of concept study, in which federated learning is applied to real-world datasets, paves the way for future biomarker discovery using unprecedentedly large datasets.

Survival outcomes after neoadjuvant letrozole and palbociclib versus third generation chemotherapy for patients with high-risk oestrogen receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Besides their development as additional adjuvant treatments, CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy could represent less toxic alternatives to chemotherapy in postmenopausal women with high-risk oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer currently a candidate for chemotherapy. The multicentre, international, randomised phase 2 NEOPAL trial showed that the letrozole-palbociclib combination led to clinical and pathological responses equivalent to sequential anthracycline-taxanes chemotherapy. Secondary objectives included survival outcomes.

METHODS

Secondary end-points of NEOPAL included progression-free survival (PFS) and invasive-disease free survival (iDFS) in the intent-to-treat population. Exploratory end-points were overall survival (OS) and breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) in the intent-to-treat population, as well as iDFS, OS and BCSS according to the administration of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Hundred and six patients were randomised. Pathological complete response rates were 3.8% and 5.9%. Twenty-three of the 53 patients in the letrozole-palbociclib arm received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 40.4 months [0-56.6], 11 progressions have been observed, of which three were in the letrozole-palbociclib and 8 in the control arm. PFS (HR = 1.01; [95%CI 0.36-2.90], p = 0.98) and iDFS (HR = 0.83; [95%CI 0.31-2.23], p = 0.71) did not differ between both arms. The 40 months PFS rate was 86.7% [95%CI 78.0-96.4] and 89.9% [95%CI 81.8-98.7] in letrozole-palbociclib and control arms, respectively. Outcomes of patients who did not receive chemotherapy were not statistically different from those who received it.

CONCLUSIONS

NEOPAL suggests that a neoadjuvant letrozole-palbociclib strategy may allow sparing chemotherapy in some patients with luminal breast cancer while allowing good long-term outcomes. Larger confirmatory studies are needed.

Use of systemic glucocorticoids and risk of breast cancer in a prospective cohort of postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND

Glucocorticoids could theoretically decrease breast cancer risk through their anti-inflammatory effects or increase risk through immunosuppression. However, epidemiological evidence is limited regarding the associations between glucocorticoid use and breast cancer risk.

METHODS

We investigated the association between systemic glucocorticoid use and breast cancer incidence in the E3N cohort, which includes 98,995 women with information on various characteristics collected from repeated questionnaires complemented with drug reimbursement data available from 2004. Women with at least two reimbursements of systemic glucocorticoids in any previous 3-month period since January 1, 2004, were defined as exposed. We considered exposure as a time-varying parameter, and we used multivariable Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of breast cancer. We performed a competing risk analysis using a cause-specific hazard approach to study the heterogeneity by tumour subtype/stage/grade.

RESULTS

Among 62,512 postmenopausal women (median age at inclusion of 63 years old), 2864 developed breast cancer during a median follow-up of 9 years (between years 2004 and 2014). Compared with non-exposure, glucocorticoid exposure was not associated with overall breast cancer risk [HR = 0.94 (0.85-1.05)]; however, it was associated with a higher risk of in situ breast cancer and a lower risk of invasive breast cancer [HRinsitu = 1.34 (1.01-1.78); HRinvasive = 0.86 (0.76-0.97); Phomogeneity = 0.01]. Regarding the risk of invasive breast cancer, glucocorticoid exposure was inversely associated with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer [HRER+ = 0.82 (0.72-0.94); HRER- = 1.21 (0.88-1.66); Phomogeneity = 0.03]; it was also inversely associated with the risk of stage 1 or stage 2 tumours but positively associated with the risk of stage 3/4 breast cancers [HRstage1 = 0.87 (0.75-1.01); HRstage2 = 0.67 (0.52-0.86); HRstage3/4 = 1.49 (1.02-2.20); Phomogeneity = 0.01].

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the association between systemic glucocorticoid use and breast cancer risk may differ by tumour subtype and stage.

[New therapeutic strategies in HER2-positive breast cancer]

Breast cancer with HER2-amplification accounts for 20% of breast cancers. The management of patients has dramatically changed with the advent of anti-HER2 treatment, especially the monoclonal antibodies since 2000 in the metastatic and (neo)-adjuvant setting, leading to an improvement of patient outcomes. If therapeutic arsenal has been gradually enhanced with the targeting of HER receptors family, resistances to these treatments are observed, hence the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review provides an updated look of novel therapeutic strategies in HER2-positive breast cancer, as well as future perspectives, both in the adjuvant and metastatic setting.

Victoria: A multicentric, randomized, open-label, phase I/II of mTOR inhibitor (VISTUSERTIB) combined with anastrozole in patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced/metastatic endometrial cancer—A CLIPP program INCA in collaboration with GINECO group

5507

Background: Endometrial carcinoma is generally hormone dependent and aromatase inhibitors are used in routine practice before or after 1st line chemotherapy (CT) for HR positive patients. Deregulation of the Pi3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway is observed in many tumor types including endometroid carcinoma driven oncogenesis and hormonal resistance. Vistusertib (V) is a small-molecule ATP competitive inhibitor of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes. Methods: Adult patients (pts) with recurrent oestrogen or progesterone (ER and/or PR) positive advanced/metastatic endometrial carcinoma, one previous line of chemotherapy (CT) allowed, with ECOG PS 0/1, were randomised (2:1, stratification according to prior CT line: 0 vs 1) to receive V (125 mg bid/2 days/week, orally) + Anastrozole (A, 1 mg/d, orally) or A alone. Treatments were given until progression, intolerable toxicity or patient willingness. Following a safety run in phase, a Simon’s 2-stage design was employed to explore the 8-week progression free rate (PFR-8W) according to central review (p1: 60%, p0: 40%, type I error rate of 5%, power of 80%). At the end of Stage II, if ≥24/46 evaluable pts are progression free at 8w in Arm A+V, the combination will be considered of interest for further investigation. Overall response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1, safety and progression-free survival (PFS) were key secondary endpoints. Results: Out of 75 patients (pts) enrolled, 73 were randomised and treated (Arm V+A: 49; Arm A: 24; median age: 69.5 y [36.8; 87.8]), BMI ≥30 kg/m²: 45%). PS ECOG was 0 (48%) and 44% of randomised pts were chemotherapy naïve; 12% previously received hormonal therapy. At the end of the safety run-in, no major safety concerns were reported. At the end of Simon’ Stage II, centrally assessed PFR-8W was 67.3% (33/49 [95% CI unilateral: 54.7; -]) for A + V arm and 39.1% (9/23 [[95% CI unilateral: 22.2; -[) for arm A. Median PFS was 5.2 months (95% CI: 3.4-8.9) and 1.9 months (95% CI: 1.6-8.9) for A+V and A arms, respectively. One complete response and 11 partial responses (PR) were observed (ORR: 24.5 % (CI 95% [13.3 – 38/9%]) in the combination arm and 4 PR in arm A (ORR: 17.4% [CI 95%: 5-38.8%]). Fatigue, lymphopenia, hyperglycaemia and diarrhoea were the main (≥10%) Grade ≥2 adverse events related to V. Overall survival and translational research are ongoing. Conclusions: The A+V combination demonstrated clinically and meaningful improvement in 8w-PFR and median PFS with manageable toxicity. PI3K pathway remains a key target for new therapies in endometrial cancer and translational research must help to better select pts benefiting from these targeted therapies. Clinical trial information: NCT02730923.

Patterns of Sequelae in Women with a History of Localized Breast Cancer: Results from the French VICAN Survey

Breast cancer (BC) remains complex for women both physically and psychologically. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the evolution of the main sequelae and treatment two and five years after diagnosis in women with early-stage breast cancer, (2) explore patterns of sequelae associated with given sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. The current analysis was based on 654 localized BC patients enrolled in the French nationwide longitudinal survey "vie après cancer" VICAN (January-June 2010). Information about study participants was collected at enrollment, two and five years after diagnosis. Changes over time of the main sequelae were analyzed and latent class analysis was performed to identify patterns of sequelae related to BC five years after diagnosis. The mean age (±SD) of study participants at inclusion was 49.7 (±10.5) years old. Six main classes of sequelae were identified two years and five years post-diagnosis (functional, pain, esthetic, fatigue, psychological, and gynecological). A significant decrease was observed for fatigue (p = 0.03) and an increase in cognitive sequelae was reported (p = 0.03). Two latent classes were identified-functional and esthetic patterns. Substantial sequelae remain up to five years after BC diagnosis. Changes in patient care pathways are needed to identify BC patients at a high risk.

Abstract PS12-03: Letrozole and palbociclib versus 3rd generation chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment in luminal breast cancer: Survival results of the UNICANCER-NeoPAL study

Background Palbociclib is a CDK4/6 inhibitor with demonstrated survival benefits in combination with endocrine therapy in advanced luminal breast cancer (LBC). Its potential role in early breast cancer is currently explored. The NeoPAL trial compared letrozole-palbociclib (LETPAL) combination to standard chemotherapy (CT) as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with high-risk LBC. Both LETPAL and CT were associated with poor pathological response, and equivalent clinical responses, while LETPAL let to encouraging biomarker responses in Prosigna®-defined high-risk LBC. We now evaluate the survival outcomes of both groups.

Patients and Methods NeoPAL (UCBG10/4, NCT02400567) is a randomized, parallel, non-comparative phase II study. Postmenopausal women with ER-positive, HER2-negative, Prosigna®-defined luminal B, or luminal A and node-positive, stage II-III breast cancer, not candidate for breast-conserving surgery, were randomly assigned to either letrozole (2.5 mg daily) and palbociclib (125 mg daily, 3 weeks/4) during 19 weeks (LETPAL), or to FEC100 (5FU 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 100 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2) x3 21-day courses followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m2 x3 21-day courses (CT). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and invasive-disease free survival (iDFS), all measured from the date of randomization. Exploratory objectives aimed at evaluating the impact of PEPI score and residual cancer burden (RCB) on survival outcomes in both arms.

Results 53 pts were randomized in each arm (both with 11% Luminal A N+ and 89% Luminal B). 23 of the 53 pts in the LETPAL arm received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Median follow-up is 40.4 months [0-56.6]. 11 progressions have been observed (10 metastatic events, 1 regional progression), of which 3 were in the LETPAL and 8 in the control arm. Two additional iDFS events were observed in the LETPAL arm (secondary malignancies). PFS (HR = 1.01; 95%CI [0.36; 2.90], p=0.98) and iDFS (HR= 0.83; 95%CI [0.31; 2.23], p=0.71) did not differ between both arms. 40 months PFS rate is 86.7% (78.0-96.4) and 87.2% (78.1-97.4) in LETPAL and CT arms respectively. PEPI (PEPI II/II vs I: HR 0.80, 95%CI 0.18-3.67) and RCB scores (RCB II/III vs 0/I: HR 1.36; 95%CI 0.17-10.6) did not appear as independent predictors of PFS or iDFS.

Conclusions Despite its small size, NeoPAL suggests that a neoadjuvant LETPAL strategy, together with selected postoperative administration of chemotherapy, may spare chemotherapy in some pts with luminal breast cancer while allowing very good long-term outcomes.

Citation Format: Suzette Delaloge, Sylvain Dureau, Véronique D'Hondt, Isabelle Desmoulins, Pierre-Etienne Heudel, François Duhoux, Christelle Levy, Florence Lerebours, Marie Ange Mouret-Reynier, Florence Dalenc, Jean-Sébastien Frenel, Christelle Jouannaud, Laurence Venat-Bouvet, Suzanne Nguyen, Cécile Callens, David Gentien, Jerome Lemonnier, Anne Vincent-Salomon, Hélène Manduzio, Paul-Henri Cottu. Letrozole and palbociclib versus 3rd generation chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment in luminal breast cancer: Survival results of the UNICANCER-NeoPAL study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS12-03.

Characteristics and outcome of breast cancer-related microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia: a multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Cancer-related microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA) is a rare but life-threatening paraneoplastic syndrome. Only single cases or small series have been reported to date. We set up a retrospective multicentre study focusing on breast cancer-related MAHA.

METHODS

Main inclusion criteria were known diagnosis of breast cancer, presence of schistocytes and either low haptoglobin or cytopenia and absence of any causes of MAHA other than breast cancer, including gemcitabine- or bevacizumab-based treatment. Patient characteristics, treatments and outcome were retrieved from digital medical records.

RESULTS

Individual data from 54 patients with breast cancer-related MAHA were obtained from 7 centres. Twenty-three (44%) patients had a breast tumour with lobular features, and most primary tumours were low grade (grade I/II, N = 39, 75%). ER+/HER2-, HER2+ and triple-negative phenotypes accounted for N = 33 (69%), N = 7 (15%) and N = 8 (17%) cases, respectively. All patients had stage IV cancer at the time of MAHA diagnosis. Median overall survival (OS) was 28 days (range 0-1035; Q1:10, Q3:186). Independent prognostic factors for early death (≤ 28 days) were PS > 2 (OR = 7.0 [1.6; 31.8]), elevated bilirubin (OR = 6.9 [1.1; 42.6]), haemoglobin < 8.0 g/dL (OR = 3.7 [0.9; 16.7]) and prothrombin time < 50% (OR = 9.1 [1.2; 50.0]). A score to predict early death displayed a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI [0.67; 0.96]), a specificity of 73% (95% CI [0.52; 0.88]) and an area under the curve of 0.90 (95% CI [0.83; 0.97]).

CONCLUSIONS

Breast cancer-related MAHA appears to be a new feature of invasive lobular breast carcinoma. Prognostic factors and scores may guide clinical decision-making in this serious but not always fatal condition.

Impact of body mass index on overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

High Body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for breast cancer among postmenopausal women and an adverse prognostic factor in early-stage. Little is known about its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

METHODS

The National ESME-MBC observational cohort includes all consecutive patients newly diagnosed with MBC between Jan 2008 and Dec 2016 in the 18 French comprehensive cancer centers.

RESULTS

Of 22 463 patients in ESME-MBC, 12 999 women had BMI data available at MBC diagnosis. Median BMI was 24.9 kg/m² (range 12.1-66.5); 20% of women were obese and 5% underweight. Obesity was associated with more de novo MBC, while underweight patients had more aggressive cancer features. Median overall survival (OS) of the BMI cohort was 47.4 months (95% CI [46.2-48.5]) (median follow-up: 48.6 months). Underweight was independently associated with a worse OS (median OS 33 months; HR 1.14, 95%CI, 1.02-1.27) and first line progression-free survival (HR, 1.11; 95%CI, 1.01; 1.22), while overweight or obesity had no effect.

CONCLUSION

Overweight and obesity are not associated with poorer outcomes in women with metastatic disease, while underweight appears as an independent adverse prognostic factor.

Effect of Weekly Paclitaxel With or Without Bevacizumab on Progression-Free Rate Among Patients With Relapsed Ovarian Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors: The ALIENOR/ENGOT-ov7 Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

To our knowledge, this is the first randomized trial in sex cord-stromal tumors, and it establishes weekly paclitaxel as standard-of-care therapy after platinum-based therapy in this setting.

Objective

To determine the efficacy of weekly paclitaxel with or without bevacizumab as treatment for relapsed sex cord-stromal tumors and evaluate whether the addition of bevacizumab to weekly paclitaxel improves 6-month progression-free rate.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This open-label, academic, international, randomized phase 2 trial (ALIENOR) was conducted at 28 referral centers in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Belgium in collaboration with the Rare Tumor committee of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup and used an adaptive bayesian design. It included 60 women with sex cord-stromal tumors that had relapsed after at least 1 platinum-based chemotherapy. Enrollment occurred from 2013 to 2016, and the final analysis database lock was on March 27, 2020 (median follow-up, 38.9 months).

Interventions

Participants were randomized to receive either paclitaxel (80 mg/m2, days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks) alone or paclitaxel with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg, every 2 weeks) for 6 cycles followed by maintenance bevacizumab (15 mg/kg, every 3 weeks) for up to 1 year or until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Crossover to bevacizumab was permitted after progression during or following paclitaxel alone.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Six-month progression-free rate.

Results

Sixty patients (predominantly with granulosa cell tumors) were randomized, 32 to receive single-agent paclitaxel (median [interquartile range] age at inclusion, 60 [53-64] years) and 28 to receive paclitaxel-bevacizumab (median [interquartile range] age at inclusion, 55 [47-61] years; 1 did not receive treatment). The estimated 6-month progression-free rate was 71% (95% credible interval, 55%-84%) with paclitaxel alone and 72% (95% credible interval, 55%-87%) with paclitaxel-bevacizumab. The bayesian estimate for the probability that the 6-month progression-free rate distribution was higher with the combination than with paclitaxel alone was 57%, less than the predefined superiority threshold. The objective response rate increased from 25% (95% CI, 12%-43%) to 44% (95% CI, 26%-65%) with the addition of bevacizumab. One patient discontinued combination therapy within 6 months because of toxicity.

Conclusions and Relevance

Weekly paclitaxel is a new option for relapsed sex cord-stromal tumors. In this international randomized clinical trial of patients with relapsed sex cord-stromal tumors unsuitable for surgery, adding bevacizumab to weekly paclitaxel does not improve clinical benefit.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01770301.

GINECO Prospective Non-interventional PROSPECTYON Study: Trabectedin Plus Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin for Platinum-sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

Trabectedin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is an effective combination therapy for platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC), particularly for disease relapsing within 6-12 months of platinum therapy. The non-interventional PROSPECTYON study evaluated trabectedin/PLD in French clinical practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with ROC after at least one platinum-based regimen received 1.1 mg/m² trabectedin plus 30 mg/m² PLD every 3 weeks. Efficacy and safety were evaluated in subgroups according to platinum-free interval [6-12 versus ≥12 months (partially or fully platinum sensitive, respectively)].

RESULTS

Recurrent disease was partially platinum-sensitive in 58 patients and fully sensitive in 33 patients treated between July 2014 and June 2016. Patients in both subgroups received a median of six cycles of trabectedin and PLD. The most common grade 3 or more toxicities were haematological. Median progression-free survival was 6 months for both subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Trabectedin/PLD is a valuable treatment option for partially or fully platinum-sensitive ROC.

Analysis of the StoRM cohort reveals physical activity to be associated with survival in metastatic breast cancer

Benefits of physical activity are widely demonstrated for early stage cancers but few studies have focused on metastatic disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of physical activity on survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer. We conducted a secondary analysis of the national, multicentric, non-randomized, prospective cohort SNPs to Risk of Metastasis (StoRM) study. The level of physical activity was self-reported at inclusion and divided into three categories of physical activity: light level, moderate level, and vigorous level. Overall, 833 patients (56.2%) completed the physical activity questionnaire at baseline on average physical activity during the previous year: 11.6% had a light level of physical activity, 69.0% achieved moderate levels of physical activity and 19.3% reported vigorous levels of physical activity. After adjustment for confounding, physical activity was not statistically significantly associated with overall survival in the whole population. Subgroup analysis identified that both vigorous and moderate physical activity were associated with statistically significantly improved overall survival compared to light physical activity level only in the HER2 positive subgroup (HR 0.23; 95% CI 0.07-0.70, p = 0.01 and HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.96, p = 0.04). Physical activity done during the previous year was associated with survival in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer patients. These results suggest that overall survival in metastatic breast cancer patients could be improved through physical activity which should be considered as a complementary intervention for these individuals. The study showed that moderate/vigorous levels of physical activity were associated with better overall survival, and that these associations remained statistically significant in multivariate analysis in the HER2 positive subgroup. These results have clinical relevance and justify the recommendations for physical activity interventions in metastatic breast cancer.

Clinical factors associated with prolonged response and survival under olaparib as maintenance therapy in BRCA mutated ovarian cancers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical factors associated with prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in relapsing epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients with BRCA mutations and receiving olaparib as maintenance therapy in daily practice.

METHODS

Multicenter (8 hospitals) European retrospective study of relapsing EOC patients having germline or somatic mutations of BRCA1/BRCA2 genes and treated with olaparib as maintenance therapy after platinum-based chemotherapy.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifteen patients were included. Median age was 54 years. There were 90 BRCA1 carriers, 24 BRCA2 carriers and one patient had germline mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2. Six patients had somatic mutations (all BRCA1) and 109 had germline mutations. Ninety percent had serous carcinomas and were platinum-sensitive. Following ultimate platinum-based chemotherapy, 69% of the patients had normalization of CA-125 levels and 87% had RECIST objective responses, either partial (53%) or complete (34%). After a median follow-up of 21 months, median PFS was 12.7 months and median OS was 35.4 months. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with prolonged PFS under olaparib were: platinum-free interval (PFI) ≥ 12 months, RECIST complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) and normalization of CA-125 upon ultimate platinum-based chemotherapy. Factors associated with prolonged OS were PFI ≥ 12 months, CR and normalization of CA-125.

CONCLUSIONS

Platinum-free interval ≥ 12 months, complete response and normalized CA-125 levels after ultimate platinum-based chemotherapy are associated with prolonged PFS and OS in relapsing BRCA1/BRCA2 mutated ovarian cancer patients who received olaparib as maintenance therapy.

Physical activity preferences before and after participation in a 6-month physical activity intervention among women with metastatic breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

This secondary analysis of the ABLE Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03148886) aimed to assess physical activity preferences before and after a 6-month physical activity intervention for women recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and to investigate demographic and clinical correlates of these preferences.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients participated in the ABLE Trial, a single-arm, unsupervised 6-month physical activity intervention with activity trackers. At baseline and 6 months, physical activity preferences, physical activity level, clinical variables, demographics and social vulnerability were assessed.

RESULTS

At baseline, 49 participants were included, among whom 85% were interested in receiving physical activity counselling and 89% were interested in following a physical activity programme designed for metastatic breast cancer. At the end of the study, more participants preferred practising in a community fitness centre (66%) rather than at home (19% vs. 44% at baseline, p = .03). A higher social vulnerability score and not being treated by chemotherapy at baseline were significantly associated with lower desire to receive physical activity counselling (p = .01 and p = .04 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study will help design future studies within patients with metastatic breast cancer in accordance with their preferences. Designing tailored physical activity interventions according to the participant's preferences may be one key to success for adherence.

Real-life activity of eribulin mesylate among metastatic breast cancer patients in the multicenter national observational ESME program

Eribulin mesylate (EM) was recently approved for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) chemotherapy (CT) in late lines by the FDA, with debated results in second line. We evaluated outcomes in breast cancer patients receiving EM as second, third and fourth line in a national real-life cohort of 16,703 consecutive MBC patients initiating their first metastatic therapeutic line between 2008 and 2014. Primary and secondary objectives were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). An imbalance was seen for HER2+ tumors and concomitant anti-HER2 targeted therapies use, we thus performed a subanalysis in HER2- patients. PFS and OS were significantly better in EM patients in third and fourth lines, compared to "Other chemotherapies" patients (PFS: 4.14 vs. 3.02 months, p = 0.0010; 3.61 vs. 2.53 months, p = 0.0102, third and fourth-line; OS: 11.27 vs. 7.65 months, p = 0.0001; 10.91 vs. 5.95 months, p < 0.0001, third and fourth-line). No significant difference was reported in second-line (PFS: 5.06 vs. 4.14 months, p = 0.1171; OS: 13.99 vs. 11.66 months, p = 0.151). Among HER2- patients, a significant difference was seen for all lines, including 2nd-line (PFS: 4.57 vs. 3.91 months, p = 0.0379; OS: 14.98 vs. 10.51 months, p = 0.0113). In this large real-world database, HER2-negative MBC patients receiving EM in second or later CT line presented significantly better PFS and OS. This difference disappeared in second line in the overall population, probably because of the imbalance in HER2-targeted treatments use. Our results mirror those of the published randomized trials. The effect of anti-HER2 therapies addition in this setting still needs to be defined.

Express study: A trial in progress exploring the association between low level of genomic alteration and exceptional and unexpected response to targeted therapies in patients with solid tumors

TPS3159

Background: Molecular targeted agents (MTA) resulted in breakthroughs in selected niches. It is often assumed that tumor regression is consecutive to an oncogenic de-addiction effect. An emerging hypothesis suggests that genomic instability may be associated with poor response to MTA. Indeed, the accumulation of defects in multiple oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes may result in the activation of multiple oncogenic pathways. These multiple signaling would mechanically result in a limitation of the oncogenic de-addiction process. Another hypothesis, suggests that tumor heterogeneity could also be associated with poor outcome under MTA. Such heterogeneity could also result from the genomic instability, and be appraised by bioinformatic and functional approaches. In this study, we thought to investigate whether molecular profiles reflecting a low level of genomic alterations in genes causally implicated in oncogenesis could be associated with an exceptional response (ER) to MTA. Methods: This is an exploratory, multicenter, multicohort, prospective trial conducted in 264 adult patients, with advanced breast, lung, colorectal, ovarian, kidney cancers and melanoma, having presented an ER to an approved MTA. ER is defined using the definition chosen by the NCI which combines the three criteria: - complete or partial response, - lasting > 6 months, - and not expected in > 10% of the patients in this drug – organ situation. The primary objective is to assess whether ER can be associated with a low level of genomic instability in the tumor. Low genomic instability is defined by the presence of less than the 5th quantile of genomic alterations (mutations, amplifications, deletions) to be expected in the given tumor type as per TCGA database. For each tumor type, the null hypothesis H0: π = 0.05 will be tested, against the one-sided alternative hypothesis π > 0.05. For each of the 6 cohorts, a sample size of 44 patients is necessary to achieve 80% power at π = 15 with a one-sided level 5% test. Patients presenting an ER will be identified retrospectively, in a nationwide manner, then monthly reviewed and validated for inclusion by a panel of pathology experts. As of February 2019, 75 patients have been included. The identification of molecular traits associated with ER might serve the development of predictive classifiers for precision medicine. This study also represents a unique opportunity to better understand cancer biology. Clinical trial information: NCT02701907.

Proof-of-concept study evaluating a new tool for standardizing radiological assessment of tumor response to treatment in routine clinical practice

e18079

Background: Internationally recognised criteria to evaluate tumour response, such as Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) and iRECIST (for immunotherapeutics) are not widely used in clinical practice. The main reason is that communications amongst health professionals are insufficiently standardised. To this purpose, ON’COHUB (MIRIO in France), a newly developed tool, automatically streamlines interactions between oncologists and radiologists to optimise and facilitate response evaluation according to the standard criteria. This study aims to identify the benefits in terms of user satisfaction and to provide preliminary data for the standardisation of the tool. Methods: Five oncologists, 3 radiologists, 1 clinical research associate and 1 clinical project officer used ON’COHUB to assess patients’ tumour responses according to RECIST, in an anti-cancer center, over five months. An oncologist compared patients’ regular radiology reports (n = 110) and ON’COHUB’s reports (n = 106), using the following report quality indicators: information on the patient’s context, target and non-target lesions , baseline, NADIR, and overall evaluation. Then a questionnaire on the user’s satisfaction was administered. Two-tailed chi-square tests were performed to compare patients’ regular radiology reports and ON’COHUB’s reports. Results: ON’COHUB was reported to significantly improve the following quality indicators compared to regular reports: presence of the treatment (99% vs 42%; p < 0,001), follow-up criteria (98% vs 5%; p < 0,001); target lesion and location (100% vs 75%; p < 0,001), size of target lesions (99% vs 67%; p < 0,001), value and date of the baseline (100% vs 0% and 4%, respectively; p < 0,001 for both), value of the baseline lesion by lesion (99% vs 4%; p < 0,001), value and date of the Nadir (97% vs 0%; p < 0,001), global response according to RECIST (100% vs 17%; p < 0,001), value of target lesions response (80% vs 20%; p < 0,001), referential for RECIST calculation (98% vs 2% p < 0,001).Finally, 9 out of the 10 users declared that they would use ON’COHUB on a daily basis. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that ON’COHUB may have a positive impact on the quality of the treatment response evaluation in clinical trials and in routine use. These results will be confirmed with the deployment of the interoperability with IT hospital System.

A Personalized Physical Activity Program With Activity Trackers and a Mobile Phone App for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer: Protocol for a Single-Arm Feasibility Trial

BACKGROUND

About 5% of breast cancer cases are metastatic at diagnosis, and 20%-30% of localized breast cancer cases become secondarily metastatic. Patients frequently report many detrimental symptoms related to metastasis and treatments. The physical, biological, psychological, and clinical benefits of physical activity during treatment in patients with localized breast cancer have been demonstrated; however, limited literature exists regarding physical activity and physical activity behavior change in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of a 6-month physical activity intervention with activity trackers in patients with metastatic breast cancer (the Advanced stage Breast cancer and Lifestyle Exercise, ABLE Trial). Secondary objectives are to examine the effects of physical activity on physical, psychological, anthropometrics, clinical, and biological parameters.

METHODS

We plan to conduct a single-center, single-arm trial with 60 patients who are newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Patients will receive an unsupervised and personalized 6-month physical activity program that includes an activity tracker Nokia Go and is based on the physical activity recommendation. Patients will be encouraged to accumulate at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Baseline and 6-month assessments will include anthropometric measures, functional tests (eg, 6-minute walk test and upper and lower limb strength), blood draws, patient-reported surveys (eg, quality of life and fatigue), and clinical markers of tumor progression (eg, Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors criteria).

RESULTS

Data collection occurred between October 2016 and January 2018, and the results are expected in August 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

The ABLE Trial will be the first study to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an unsupervised and personalized physical activity intervention performed under real-life conditions with activity trackers in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03148886; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03148886 (Accessed by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/71yabi0la).

REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER

RR1-10.2196/10487.

Genomic alterations and radioresistance in breast cancer: an analysis of the ProfiLER protocol

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) patients with comparable prognostic features have heterogeneous outcomes, party related to a possible radiotherapy resistance leading to local-regional recurrences (LRR). The objective of the present study was to identify predictive molecular biomarkers of LRR of BC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Genetic profile of 146 BC patients' tumours included in the ProfiLER clinical trial (NC01774409) between 2013 and 2016 were analysed using next-generation-sequencing and comparative-genomic-hybridization tests. Patients and tumour characteristics were retrospectively collected and analysed for association with genomic rearrangements (mutations, amplification, deletions). Only gene alterations observed in >3% of the tumours were selected.

RESULTS

A total of 193 genomic rearrangements were identified, and 16 were observed in >3% of tumours. One was statistically correlated to the risk of local relapse. A median loco-regional progression-free survival (LRPFS) of 23.6 years was reported for PIK3CA mutation carriers (n = 31, 21.2%) versus 9.9 years for PIK3CA wild-type patients (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.12-0.65, P = 0.002 in univariate analysis). PIK3CA mutation was identified as an independent protective factor on LRR using multivariate analysis (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09-0.99, P = 0.047). All other mutations, amplifications or deletions were not found associated with LRPFS.

CONCLUSION

PIK3CA mutation was associated with a lower risk of local relapse in this population of BCs. This is consistent with recent studies suggesting PIK3CA to be part of biological pathways impacting the radiosensitivity.

Location of Mutation in BRCA2 Gene and Survival in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

Purpose: BRCA2 plays a central role in homologous recombination by loading RAD51 on DNA breaks. The objective of this study is to determine whether the location of mutations in the RAD51-binding domain (RAD51-BD; exon 11) of BRCA2 gene affects the clinical outcome of ovarian cancer patients.Experimental Design: A study cohort of 353 women with ovarian cancer who underwent genetic germline testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes was identified. Progression-free survival (PFS), platinum-free interval (PFI), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort of ovarian cancer (n = 316) was used as a validation cohort.Results: In the study cohort, 78 patients were carriers of germline mutations of BRCA2 After adjustment for FIGO stage and macroscopic residual disease, BRCA2 carriers with truncating mutations in the RAD51-BD have significantly prolonged 5-year PFS [58%; adjusted HR, 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20-0.64; P = 0.001] and prolonged PFI (29.7 vs. 15.5 months, P = 0.011), compared with noncarriers. BRCA2 carriers with mutations located in other domains of the gene do not have prolonged 5-year PFS (28%, adjusted HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.42-1.07; P = 0.094) or PFI (19 vs. 15.5 months, P = 0.146). In the TCGA cohort, only BRCA2 carriers harboring germline or somatic mutations in the RAD51-BD have prolonged 5-year PFS (46%; adjusted HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.13-0.68; P = 0.004) and 5-year OS (78%; adjusted HR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02-0.38; P = 0.001).Conclusions: Among ovarian cancer patients, BRCA2 carriers with mutations located in the RAD51-BD (exon 11) have prolonged PFS, PFI, and OS. Clin Cancer Res; 24(2); 326-33. ©2017 AACR.

Multidisciplinary management of advanced ovarian cancer for an optimal therapeutic strategy

The management of advanced ovarian cancer generally requires specialist multidisciplinary teamwork to achieve optimum outcomes. Preoperative computed tomography scans are the imaging modality of choice in determining the extent of disease and aiding in surgical planning. Histological classification is crucial to define various subtypes with their different behaviour and prognosis and to plan the best therapeutic strategy. Pathological prognostic factors, such as histological type, degree of differentiation, and FIGO stage must be described. To determine the ability to optimally cytoreduce advanced ovarian cancer, an experienced gynaecological oncologist needs to explore the entire upper abdomen and the pelvic and para-aortic lymph node regions to define the peritoneal cancer index (PCI). The final assessment is the completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score which is important in predicting prognosis and decision of post-surgical surgery. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynaecologic cancers. Initial management is best provided by a specialist multidisciplinary team, including a radiologist, a pathologist, a gynaecologic oncologist, and a medical oncologist.

[Initial management of advanced ovarian cancer: What radiological, pathological and surgical information are important for optimal therapeutic strategy?]

Because the majority of patients present advanced disease at diagnosis, the management of epithelial ovarian cancer needs specialist multidisciplinary teamwork. Expertise in surgery, chemotherapy, imaging and histopathology is essential to achieve optimum outcomes. Computed tomography scans are routinely used to determine the extent of disease and to aid in surgical planning. The histologic classification is crucial to plan the best therapeutic strategy and to define the prognosis of disease. Pathological prognostic factors, such as degree of differentiation, FIGO-stage, and histological type have to be described. This report is fundamental to assessing prognosis and selection of appropriate treatment strategy. An adequate staging procedure is an extensive staging by an experienced gynecological oncologist, exploring the entire upper abdomen, and the pelvic and para-aortic lymph node regions to define the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI). The final assessment is the completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score, which is an assessment of residual disease after a maximal surgical effort. Initial management of advanced ovarian cancer is best provided by a specialist multidisciplinary team, including a radiologist, a pathologist, a gynecologic oncologist and a medical oncologist.

Therogenetics: transferring GWAS technology to the clinic

Molecular characteristics of breast tumours have been used for the last decades to guide clinicians in treating this devastating disease. More recent information has led to further refinement of molecular characteristics of breast tumours, and subsequent indications for specific treatments. However, evidence exists that factors independent of the primary tumour type, potentially germline genetics, may influence progression to metastasis. In this review, we expose some of this evidence, and propose tools needed to overcome current limitations to the identification of specific germline variants that influence risk of metastases in breast cancer patients.

Abstract CT333: Elypse-7: A randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 2a evaluating the impact of IL-7 immunotherapy on CD4 count, risks of severe haematological toxicity and tumor progression in metastatic breast cancer patients

Background: Total and CD4 lymphopenia is observed in 25% of advanced cancers patients and is a predictive factor of chemotherapy (CT)-induced death, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, as well as an independent prognostic factor for survival and tumor progression. CYT107 is a glycosylated recombinant human IL-7 (CYTHERIS, France) emerging as a promising immuno-restorative agent well tolerated in Phase 1 trials. To date, it is unknown whether IL-7 can correct lymphopenia during CT and whether this could translate into clinical benefit in advanced cancer patients.

Methods: A placebo-controlled, monocentric, Phase 2a (NCT01368107) was conducted in lymphopenic metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients to be treated by capecitabine (2500mg/m2/d, pers os, 21-day cycle from D21 after randomization). Using a 2x2 factorial design, patients were randomly allocated to 4 arms to receive 1) before the 1st cycle of CT : r-hIL-7 (CYT107:10µg/kg, subcutaneously, weekly at D0, D7, D14, groups 2 & 4) or placebo (groups 1 & 3), then 2) during the 3rd cycle of CT: r-hIL-7 (weekly at D57, D64, D71, groups 3 & 4) or placebo (groups 1 & 2). The primary endpoint, CD4 count evolution, was evaluated before (D0 to D21) and during CT (D57 to D78). Secondary endpoints include risks of severe hematological AE, safety and progression free survival (PFS). An ancillary study has evaluated the quantitative and functional changes in circulating immune cells (see abstract Ménétrier-Caux).

Results: From Nov. 2011 to Jun. 2013, 20 patients (median age [range]: 60 [39-76 y.]; median CD4 count on D0: 242 [22-522 cells/µL]) with MBC (mainly with bone and liver metastasis) were enrolled. Before CT (n=20), r-hIL-7 treatment induced a significant increase of CD4 count (median relative evolution: +148.1% [41.8-763.9 cells/µL] in r-hIL-7 groups vs +9.9% [-50.3-102.2 cells/µL] in placebo [Wilcoxon, p=0.002]). During CT (n=11), r-hIL-7 treatment also increased CD4 count (+58.6%[-15.2-281.5 cells/µL] in r-hIL-7 groups vs -2.4% [-27.6-112.5 cells/µL] in placebo [p=0.121]). Overall, r-hIL-7 was well tolerated with reactions related to injection as the main specific AE, no binding or neutralizing antibodies, and no r-hIL-7-related ≥ Grade 3 AE except 1 fatal SAE for which one a relationship to r-hIL-7 cannot be ruled out. Interestingly, r-hIL-7 treatment during CT reduced the incidence of Grade 3 hematological AE compared to placebo (0 vs 5 events, respectively). PFS data will be available by Feb. 2014.

Conclusion: In this exploratory trial, r-hIL-7 treatment was safe at biologically active dose, able to correct CD4 lymphopenia and associated with lower incidence of severe hematological toxicity during CT. These early results are encouraging and warrant further investigations of IL-7 clinical applications in the oncology field.

Citation Format: Ray-Coquard Isabelle, Olivier Tredan, Gwenaele Garin, Christine Ménétrier-Caux, Sylvie Chabaud, Thomas Bachelot, Claire Cropet, Pierre-Etienne Heudel, Paul Rebattu, Patricia Dupont, Estelle Verronese, Anne-claire Cadore, Valérie Fouillat, Olfa Derbel, Nathalie Bonnin, Thérèse Croughs, Michel Morre, Nicolas Pasqual, Manuari Manuel, Gilles Clapisson, Christophe Caux, David Pérol, Jean-Yves Blay. Elypse-7: A randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 2a evaluating the impact of IL-7 immunotherapy on CD4 count, risks of severe haematological toxicity and tumor progression in metastatic breast cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr CT333. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-CT333