A study of the decision outcomes and financial costs of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDMs) in oncology

Background:

The benefits of multidisciplinary working in oncology are now accepted as the norm and widely accepted as being pivotal to the delivery of optimal cancer care. Central to this are the multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) and we have evaluated decision outcomes and financial costs of these.

Methods:

We reviewed the electronic patient records of 551 newly referred patients, discussed at 14 tumour site-specific MDMs for adult solid tumours and lymphoma (paediatric oncology and acute leukaemia were excluded) over a 1-month period, a total of 52 MDMs were studied. In addition, the records of a further 81 patients from 10 different MDMs were reviewed where the treating consultant had clearly recorded their opinion of how the patient should be managed and this was compared with the final MDM's consensus view. We also costed the MDMs utilising two different methodologies.

Results:

The mean age of the 551 patients in the study was 62 years. In all, 536 (97.3%) patients were treatment naive before MDM discussion and 15 (2.7%) had prior treatment. Median time to treatment after the MDM was 16 days. In 535 (97.1%) cases, the MDM discussions were clearly documented, 16 (2.9%) were not clearly documented. In total, 319 (57.9%) patients were discussed once, and 232 (42.1%) were re-discussed (one to six occasions). In 62 (12.7%) patients, there were delays in MDM discussion, 30 (48.4%) were related to radiology, 26 (41.9%) to histopathology and 6 (9.7%) a combination of both. Adherence to the MDM management plan decision occurred 503 times (91.3%) with 48 (8.7%) deviations. In the smaller cohort of 81 patients, the consultant management plan and MDM consensus was compatible 71 (87.6%) times. On four occasions, there were major alterations in management while six were minor. The cost per month of our MDMs ranged from £2192 to £10 050 (median £5136) with total cost of £80 850 per month and the cost per new patient discussed was £415.

Conclusion:

Adherence to MDM decisions by health-care professionals occurs in the majority of patients. MDMs are costly, which may have relevance in the currently challenged health-care financial environment. There is a need to improve MDM efficiency without losing the considerable benefits associated with regular MDMs.

Unplanned hospital admissions as an early surrogate indicator of patient (pt) attrition in phase I trials

2516

Background: We have previously reported a high Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) prognostic score (RPS) of 2- 3 predicts 90-day mortality and reduced overall survival (Arkenau et al BJC & EJC 2008). In this study, we explored the significance of unplanned hospital admissions (UHA) as a potential surrogate indicator of poor clinical outcome. Methods: All pts admitted to RMH Phase I Unit, UK, during 2-month intervals over 3 consecutive years were included in this analysis (2005–2007). We collated pt baseline characteristics, demographic and laboratory profiles, reasons for hospital admissions and relevant clinical trial data. Results: A total of 172 pts accounting for 310 admissions were seen on the Phase I unit during the stipulated time periods (amounting to 6 months in total). Median age: 61 years (range: 19–84); male to female admissions ratio 1.3:1. Pts were on trials of single-agent targeted therapies (69%), cytotoxic combinations (26%), vaccine/viruses (3%) and hormonal modulation (2%). Reasons for planned admissions (n=246) included treatment commencement, PK/PD sampling, paired pre/post treatment biopsies and insertion of central lines. 20.6% (64/310) of overall admissions were unplanned: 50 (78%) were due to disease-associated symptoms/complications and 14 (22%) treatment-related toxicities (TRT). 71% of pts with TRT were on cytotoxic combination trials. Median duration of UHA was 2 days (range:1–20) and there was no relation between length of stay and predicted outcome. 78% of pts in the UHA cohort had a high RPS of 2–3 (i.e. poor outcome) vs 43% in patients whose admission was planned (p=0.001). Of pts who required UHA, only 27% resumed their trial drug after recovery. The main statistically significant risk factors for UHA include >2 metastatic sites, (RR 2.6 [1.64 - 4.38], p=0.001), poor performance status (RR 2.47 [1.48 - 3.72] p=0.003), low albumin (RR 2.17 [1.36 - 3.52] p=0.001) and cytotoxic combination trials (RR 1.7 [1.09 - 2.86] p=0.025). Conclusions: Unplanned admissions constitute 20.6% of Phase I inpatients, with the majority being disease rather than treatment-related. Regardless of length of stay, UHA portend poor outcomes for patients who are on treatment, with a risk profile underscoring the importance of pt and trial selection.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Final results of a pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) phase I trial of ARQ 197 incorporating dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies investigating the antiangiogenic activity of selective c-Met inhibition

3523

Background: ARQ 197 (ARQ) is a selective non-ATP competitive inhibitor of c-Met, a receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in tumor cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. Preclinical data and declines in circulating endothelial cell (CEC) levels in patients (pts) receiving ARQ suggest antiangiogenic potential of c-Met inhibition. Methods: ARQ was administered orally twice daily (bid) to pts with advanced solid tumors. Pre and post-therapy tumor biopsies were mandated for c-Met and FAK immunohistochemical studies during dose escalation (n = 16). CEC enumeration was evaluated. 12 pts are being investigated in the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) expansion cohort with DCE and Diffusion Weighted (DW) MRI. Results: 29 pts (14 F/15 M; mean 54.4 yrs) received ARQ at doses of 100 (n = 3), 200 (n = 6), 300 (n = 16), and 400 (n = 4) mg bid. 3 pts experienced dose limiting toxicities of CTCAEv3 grade (G)3 fatigue (200 mg bid); G3 hand-foot syndrome, G3 mucositis and G3 febrile neutropenia (400 mg bid). This established the ARQ MTD/recommended phase II dose (RP2D) at 300 mg bid. Other toxicities were G1–2, such as fatigue (n = 5); diarrhea, nausea and vomiting (n = 3). Mean AUC0–12h and Cmax increased linearly through the MTD. Statistically significant post-ARQ inhibition of high baseline phosphorylated c-Met and FAK expression in tumor tissue was seen in all dose cohorts confirming target inhibition. Disease stabilization (SD) was seen in 11 pts for up to 23 weeks with tumor regressions up to 12.4%. 13 of 20 pts had post-ARQ CEC declines of up to 100%. In the DCE-MRI cohort to date, preliminary analyses of ktrans histograms from pelvic lesions were consistent with antiangiogenic effects, with a ktrans median reduction of 20.1% on day 7 of ARQ (intrapatient baseline variability: 2.8%). This effect was still present (ktrans median decline: 8.3%) on day 56 of ARQ. Conclusions: ARQ is well tolerated with MTD/RP2D of 300mg bid, linear PK and evidence of phosphorylated c-Met and FAK inhibition. CEC and preliminary DCE-MRI data support the antiangiogenic effects of c-Met inhibition with ARQ. Correlation with other DCE parameters and DW changes will be presented.

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First-in-human, first-in-class, phase I study of a human monoclonal antibody CNTO 888 to the CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2/MCP-1) in patients with solid tumors

e13500

Background: The chemokine CCL2 promotes angiogenesis, tumor proliferation, migration and metastasis through PI3K and NFkB signaling. CNTO 888 is a human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody with high binding affinity for CCL2 and documented preclinical antitumor activity. Methods: Patients were administered a 90 minute infusion of CNTO 888 on day 1, day 28 and subsequently on a q14 schedule. Exploratory PD assessments include diffusion contrast enhanced CT, circulating tumor and endothelial cells, free and bound CCL2 levels, bone markers and paired tumor biopsies. Results: 21 patients in cohorts of 3–6 patients received repeated CNTO 888 infusions at 5 dose levels (0.3mg/kg, 1mg/kg, 3mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 15 mg/kg). A further 23 patients are currently being evaluated in 2 expansion cohorts; 10mg/kg (n=12) and 15mg/kg (n=11). No dose limiting toxicities were seen up to 15 mg/kg q14. Preliminary pharmacokinetic (PK) data for doses ≤ 10 mg/kg showed linear kinetics with a bi-exponential decline and a t1/2 of 4.4 - 8.7 days. The 10 mg/kg dose level resulted in steady-state minimum concentrations above that needed to inhibit chemotaxis and calcium mobilization in preclinical studies. Dose-dependent increase in bound CCL2 levels of > 1000-fold seen following treatment, supports target modulation. 2 patients demonstrated stable disease (SD) > 6 months at 15mg/kg CNTO 888 (ocular melanoma and neuroendocrine tumor). Another patient at 0.3mg/kg CNTO 888 with ovarian cancer had 50% CA125 decline and SD for 10 months. Conclusions: CNTO 888 is well tolerated with no DLTs when administered up to 15mg/kg q14. Preliminary evidence of antitumor activity is reported.

[Table: see text]

A first-in-human phase I study of 4SC-201, an oral histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors

3530

Background: 4SC-201 (former code BYK408740) is a specific, potent, pan-HDAC inhibitor with improved ADME properties. Methods: Patients (pts) with advanced refractory solid tumors were dosed once daily (QD) d1–5 in a 14-day cycle in sequential cohorts of 3–6 pts with 50 or 100% dose increments. Primary objectives were to determine safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 4SC-201. Pharmacodynamic assessment (histone acetylation and HDAC enzyme activity) and anti-tumor efficacy were secondary objectives. Blood samples for PK and PD were taken on days 1, 5 and 47 of treatment. Results: 18 pts (9M/9F) with a median age of 58.5 yrs (range 40–70) were treated at five dose levels: 3 pts each at 100mg, 200mg, 400mg and 600mg and 6 pts at 800mg. All pts were evaluable for toxicity and received at least 2 treatment cycles. Grade 3 DLT of nausea and vomiting occurred in 1 pt dosed at 800mg. Most common adverse events included nausea, vomiting and fatigue. 8 of 9 pts treated in the 600mg and 800mg cohorts had stable disease during the main phase of the study (4 treatment cycles). A patient with liposarcoma and another with thymoma (marginal response) continued treatment beyond 6 months. PK parameters were dose-proportional with a low inter-individual variability and indicated good bioavailability. The apparent t1/2 of oral 4SC-201 ranged from 2.3 to 4.4 hours. The degree of HDAC inhibition measured in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell functional assay was dose- dependent and increased from 50 to 100 %, although histone H4 acetylation accumulation after dosing did not differ significantly between dose levels. Conclusions: Oral 4SC-201 has favorable disposition and can be safely administered; 600mg QD d1–5 in a 14-day cycle is recommended for phase II evaluation. Safely administered doses modulate target with antitumor activity.

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Preliminary activity in adrenocortical tumor (ACC) in phase I dose escalation study of intermittent oral dosing of OSI-906, a small-molecule insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with advanced solid tumors

3544

Background: IGF-1R is overexpressed in various malignancies, and implicated in proliferation, survival, and metastasis. IGF-1R blockade increases apoptosis and reduces tumor growth in preclinical models. OSI-906 is an oral small molecule tyrosine kinase IGR-1R inhibitor. Methods: Patients (pt) with advanced solid tumours were enrolled to determine safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and preliminary anti-tumor activity. Results: 26 pt have been treated (14M:12F, median age 61 yrs) at 10, 20, 40, 80, 150, 300, and 450 mg on days (d) 1–3 q14 d. No dose-limiting toxicities have been observed to date. Drug-related toxicities include grade 1 fatigue, nausea, rash, diarrhea, tachycardia, proteinuria, pruritis and peripheral oedema. Linear PK was observed, with median terminal t1/2 3.5 hr; AUC0-∞ 25.8 μg.hr/mL; Cmax 3.20 μg/ml at 450mg. Plasma OSI-906 concentrations above the estimated efficacious concentration (1 μM) were attained at doses > 40mg. Glucose did not increase with rising OSI-906 concentration, but plasma insulin levels showed an upward trend, indicating potential PD effects. PD data on IGFR phosphorylation were analyzed. In total, 11 pt were treated for > 12 weeks (w). Of 3 pt with ACC, 1 pt had a partial response (43% reduction in primary and multiple lung metastases) and remains on treatment after 16 w, 1 pt was treated for 32 w, and 1 pt progressed after 4 w at 40mg. In addition, 1 pt with heavily pretreated NSCLC was treated for 43 w and 1 pt with progressive myxoid chondrosarcoma remains on treatment after 38 w. Conclusions: OSI 906 had minimal toxicity, dose proportional PK at dose levels up to 450mg tested d 1–3 q14 d, with preliminary antitumor activity seen, particularly in ACC. Dose escalation with 5 and 7 d schedules q14 d continues.

[Table: see text]