Facing the conundrum: which first-line therapy should be used for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer carrying germline BRCA mutation?

Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy has been established as the preferred first-line therapy for treating metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) with programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1)-positive disease since its approval for that indication. However, the optimal sequencing of therapy remains an unanswered question for a subset of mTNBC patients who harbor germline breast cancer gene 1/2 (BRCA1/2; gBRCA1/2) mutation. This article aims to offer insights into the optimal therapy sequencing for mTNBC patients with gBRCA1/2 mutations and its impact on clinical decision-making. The perspective offered is based on the best currently available data and propose a practical algorithm to guide the management of this subgroup in the frontline setting.

Effect of neighborhood deprivation index on breast cancer survival in the United States

PURPOSE

To analyze the association between the Neighborhood Deprivation Index (NDI) and clinical outcomes of locoregional breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database is queried to evaluate overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) of early- stage BC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2016. Cox multivariate regression was performed to measure the association between NDI (Quintiles corresponding to most deprivation (Q1), above average deprivation (Q2), average deprivation (Q3), below average deprivation (Q4), least deprivation (Q5)) and OS/DSS.

RESULTS

Of the 88,572 locoregional BC patients, 27.4% (n = 24,307) were in the Q1 quintile, 26.5% (n = 23,447) were in the Q3 quintile, 17% (n = 15,035) were in the Q2 quintile, 13.5% (n = 11,945) were in the Q4 quintile, and 15.6% (n = 13,838) were in the Q5 quintile. There was a predominance of racial minorities in the Q1 and Q2 quintiles with Black women being 13-15% and Hispanic women being 15% compared to only 8% Black women and 6% Hispanic women in the Q5 quintile (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, in the overall cohort, those who live in Q2 and Q1 quintile have inferior OS and DSS compared to those who live in Q5 quintile (OS:- Q2: Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.28, Q1: HR 1.2; DSS:- Q2: HR 1.33, Q1: HR 1.25, all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Locoregional BC patients from areas with worse NDI have poor OS and DSS. Investments to improve the socioeconomic status of areas with high deprivation may help to reduce healthcare disparities and improve breast cancer outcomes.

Effect of Neighborhood Deprivation Index on Breast Cancer Survival in the United States

Purpose To analyze the association between the Neighborhood Deprivation Index (NDI) and clinical outcomes of early-stage breast cancer (BC). Methods Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database is queried to evaluate overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) of early- stage BC patients diagnosed between 2010-2016. Cox multivariate regression was performed to measure the association between NDI (Quintiles corresponding to most deprivation (Q1), above average deprivation (Q2), average deprivation (Q3), below average deprivation (Q4), least deprivation (Q5)) and OS/DSS. Results Of the 88,572 early-stage BC patients, 27.4% (n = 24,307) were in the Q1 quintile, 26.5% (n = 23,447) were in the Q3 quintile, 17% (n = 15,035) were in the Q2 quintile, 13.5% (n = 11,945) were in the Q4 quintile, and 15.6% (n = 13,838) were in the Q5 quintile. There was a predominance of racial minorities in the Q1 and Q2 quintiles with Black women being 13-15% and Hispanic women being 15% compared to only 8% Black women and 6% Hispanic women in the Q5 quintile (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, in the overall cohort, those who live in Q2 and Q1 quintile have inferior OS and DSS compared to those who live in Q5 quintile (OS:- Q2: Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.28, Q1: HR 1.2; DSS:- Q2: HR 1.33, Q1: HR 1.25, all p < 0.001). Conclusion Early-stage BC patients from areas with worse NDI have poor OS and DSS. Investments to improve the socioeconomic status of areas with high deprivation may help to reduce healthcare disparities and improve breast cancer outcomes.

Immunotherapy in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (Review)

Over the last decade, there has been a movement in cancer treatment away from cytotoxic therapies toward strategies that enhance the immune system against cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been incorporated into the treatment regimens for patients with various solid tumors. Mesothelioma trials revealed encouraging efficacy; however, patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are usually excluded, slowing the progress of improving the treatment of this aggressive cancer and compelling oncologist to rely on retrospective studies despite their flaws and limitations. Currently, there is no consensus on the role of ICIs in the treatment of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM). The present review discusses data from clinical studies that examined immunotherapy in MPeM and evaluates what is known about the relevance of the tumor microenvironment and clinically validated biomarkers for ICIs efficacy. Furthermore, a proposed strategy for utilizing immunotherapy in treating MPeM is discussed.

Real world outcomes with alpelisib in metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients: A single institution experience

BACKGROUND

It is critically important to study the real-world data of FDA-approved medications to understand the response rates and toxicities observed in the real-world population not represented in the clinical trials.

METHODS

We reviewed charts of patients diagnosed with metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer treated with alpelisib from May 2019 to January 2022. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were collected. The association of clinical characteristics with responses and adverse events (AEs) was evaluated using the logistic regression model.

RESULTS

27 patients were included. Median age at alpelisib initiation 67 years (range: 44, 77 years). Majority of patients had excellent performance status at time of alpelisib initiation. Most patients had chronic comorbidities, notably; 2 patients had controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus at time of alpelisib initiation. Majority had a median of three lines of therapy (range: 1, 7) before alpelisib. Clinical responses were determined using RECIST v1.1. 3/27 (11.11%) patients discontinued therapy before response assessment due to grade 3 AEs. Overall response rate was 12.5% (3/24), with all partial responses (PR). The median duration of response was 5.77 months (range: 5.54, 8.98). 14/27 (51.9%) of patients required dose interruption/reduction. Overall, 23/27 (85.19%) patients discontinued alpelisib of which 11 (47.83%) discontinued alpelisib due to AEs. Median duration of treatment was 2 months in patients who had grade 3 AEs (range: <1.00, 8.30) and 6.28 (1.15, 10.43) in those who did not. Any grade AEs were reported in 24/27 (88.9%) patients, namely, hyperglycemia 16/27 (59.3%), nausea 11/27 (40.7%), diarrhea 10/27 (37.0%), fatigue 7/27 (25.9%) and rash 6/27 (22.2%). Grade 3 AEs were reported in 13/27 patients (50%), namely, hyperglycemia in 7/27 (53.8%) patients followed by skin rash 4/27 (30.8%), GI side effects 3/27 (23.1%). Those with progressive disease as best response to alpelisib, had more non-metabolic comorbidities, higher number of liver metastases, PIK3CA E545K mutations, and shorter duration on therapy compared to those with PR and stable disease.

CONCLUSION

Patients should be counseled about the toxicity and modest benefit observed with alpelisib in real-world clinical practice when used in later lines of therapy.

Immune cell molecular pharmacodynamics of lanreotide in relation to treatment response

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Background: Lanreotide is clinically effective in advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The inhibitory effect of lanreotide on tumor cells proliferation is due to binding to somatostatin receptors (SSTR1-5). It has been demonstrated that immune cells express SSTR1-5 differentially. The exact effect of somatostatin analogs (SSAs) on T cells function is not understood. Methods: In vitro and in vivo effects of lanreotide on immune cells were investigated, with regards to clinical response correlates. In vitro, SSTR1-5 expression was measured on CD4+ T helper cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells from healthy donors (HD), and lanreotide effect on key functional immune response parameters (NFkB, NFAT, ERK1/2 signaling, IFN, and IL-2 production) were studied. To assess in vivo effects of lanreotide on immune cells of NET pts, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (n = 16) obtained pre and 3 months post treatment were studied for gene and protein expression profiles in sorted T cell subsets using a NanoString immune cell panel. Results: HD T cells had high expression of SSTR2 and low/no expression of the other SSTRs. In vitro, lanreotide had no effect on the functional immune response parameters investigated. For the in vivo study, the patient cohort consisted of 8 responders (no progression by 19 months) and 8 non-responders. Clinicopathological features, see table. Pretreatment immunological competence of responders was greater than non-responders, as indicated by upregulation of TCR signaling (in CD4+) and interferon signaling (in CD8+ and T reg). Irrespective of clinical response, lanreotide had most significant effect on CD8+ T cells, down regulating WNT, TCR, and NF-kB signaling. Compared to non-responders, responders had down regulation of cytokine and chemokine signaling but upregulation of ubiquitination and proteasome degradation associated genes. Several myeloid specific genes were found to be significantly changed in the CD4 T helper population, possibly due to co isolated myeloid cells interacting with T cells during sorting. Conclusions: The in vivo immune effects of lanreotide seen reflect the relevance of parameters in tumor microenvironment such as interactions with myeloid components of the immune system not accounted for under the experimental in vitro conditions.[Table: see text]

Toxicity and outcomes of BRAF and MEK inhibitor “ramp-up” dosing strategies for patients with melanoma: A real-world institutional experience

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Background: Combination BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) and MEK inhibitor (MEKi) therapy is a widely accepted treatment option for patients (pts) with BRAF-V600E mutant melanoma. Although effective, these combinations exhibit high rates of adverse events (AEs), with 44% - 66% requiring dose modification or interruption and up to 26% discontinuing due to AEs in the adjuvant setting. Enhanced tolerance to BRAFi/MEKi is expected to improve pts quality of life and potentially enhance clinical outcomes. Clinicians at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC) have implemented a dose escalation regimen upon initiation of BRAFi/MEKi in efforts to enhance the tolerance of these combinations for pts with BRAF-V600E mutant melanoma in the adjuvant and advanced setting. Here we present a retrospective analysis of the toxicity profiles and outcomes associated with this “ramp-up” approach. Methods: Pts presenting to RPCCC in Buffalo, NY for management of stage III or IV melanoma harboring BRAF-V600E mutations were retrospectively observed from 1/2012 to 12/2020. Pts starting BRAFi/MEKi combinations, regardless of prior lines of therapy, were included unless concurrently receiving immune checkpoint inhibition. The “ramp-up” regimen involves a 25% dose of BRAFi and 50% dose of MEKi, which is gradually increased over 4 weekly intervals until full dose is achieved. Pts started on full-dose BRAFi/MEKi were included as a comparison arm. Observations included 1) demographics, 2) treatment regimens and disruptions, 3) rate and severity of AEs, 4) outcomes including best overall response rates (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 88 pts were analyzed (21 and 35 receiving “ramp-up” BRAFi/MEKi in the adjuvant and advanced (unresectable stage III or stage IV) setting, respectively, and 32 received full-dose (non-ramp-up) BRAFi/MEKi in the advanced setting). Demographics were similar except pts in the “ramp-up” cohorts were higher in average age (62.0 vs 56.0, p = 0.032) than pts starting at full-dose. Pts receiving adjuvant BRAFi/MEKi at “ramp-up” dosing exhibited a 4.8% (n = 1) rate of grade 3 or higher (Gr3+) AEs and 33.3% (n = 7) AE-related discontinuation rate (9.9 month average time to discontinuation). In the advanced setting, “ramp-up” vs full-dose treated pts exhibited Gr3+ AE rates of 25.7% (n = 9) vs 43.8% (n = 14; p = 0.197) and AE-related discontinuation rates of 34.4% (n = 12) vs 40.6% (n = 13; p = 0.592), respectively. Trends in overall AEs, ORR, PFS, and OS were similar to historical observations across all groups. Conclusions: This real-world analysis suggests that “ramp-up” incremental dosing of BRAFi/MEKi for pts with melanoma in the adjuvant and advanced setting may improve the tolerance and toxicity profiles of these agents without compromising their clinical efficacy, and may be of particular utility in pts with advanced age.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in advanced sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC): A multicenter study

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Background: Advanced sRCC is an aggressive disease with limited responsiveness to chemotherapy and VEGF-targeted therapies. Subgroup analyses from randomized trials showed improved outcomes with ICI, though sample sizes were relatively small. Methods: We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of consecutive patients (pts) who had RCC with any sarcomatoid component and received systemic therapy for advanced disease. The pts were classified into ICI+ and ICI- groups (gp) based on whether they had received ICI in any treatment line. Overall survival (OS) was measured from the initiation of first systemic therapy. Time to ICI failure (TIF) was defined as the interval from initiation of ICI to subsequent therapy or death. Survival distributions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Association between covariates and survival was analyzed using multivariate Cox regression. Two-tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 203 pts from 6 US academic cancer centers met the inclusion criteria – 155 in ICI+ gp and 48 in ICI- gp. Overall, 137 (67%) pts were male and 181 (89%) were white; median age at mRCC diagnosis was 59.7 (IQR 52.4-67.7) years; 129 (63%) pts presented de novo with distant metastases, 154 (76%) had clear cell (CC) histology, and 182 (90%) had intermediate/poor risk by IMDC criteria. ICI+ had a higher proportion of purely CC tumors (81% vs 64%, P =.02); other demographic and clinical features were similar between the two gps. After a median follow-up of 48.1 (95% CI 40.7-55.5) months (mos), median OS and response rates were significantly higher in the ICI+ gp (Table). OS benefit, compared to ICI-, was maintained in pts who received ICI in ≥ second line (39.6 vs 7.6 mos, HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.51, log-rank P <.001). TIF was comparable between pts treated with ICI upfront vs in ≥ second line (6.0 vs 5.3 mos, HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.87-1.85, P =.21). On multivariate analysis, ICI- (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.61-3.88, P <.001), non-CC histology (HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.98-5.00, P <.001) and sarcomatoid component ≥20% (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.28-2.90, P =.002) were predictive of all-cause mortality. Among pts with non-CC or mixed histology (n=45), ICI+ had higher OS (18.0 vs 5.5 mos, HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.09-0.44, P <.001) and ORR (44% vs 12%, P =.03), compared to ICI-. Conclusions: Treatment with ICI led to markedly higher survival and response rates in advanced sRCC. OS benefit was maintained with ICI in the second line and beyond. Significant benefit was also noted among pts with non-CC or mixed histology sRCC.[Table: see text]

Immunotherapy in hepatocellular cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major global healthcare problem. It is closely related to chronic liver inflammation triggered by viral and non-viral insults, that can lead to exhaustion of effector T-cells. Furthermore, immune cells within the normal liver itself tend to be more immune tolerant in order to support the essential function of liver as the first processing station of molecules absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Dysregulation of the immune system is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed death-1 axis have shown promise as monotherapy in the management of advanced disease, but still most patients do not benefit from treatment. Most recently, combinatorial strategies with other immune checkpoint inhibitors or agents targeting the second hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma, i.e., the activation of the vascular epithelial growth factor axis have been studied. In this paper, we review the current immunotherapy approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma and discuss novel immunotherapy approaches and optimal patient selection.