Efficacy of ramucirumab combination chemotherapy as second-line treatment in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction after exposure to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy as first-line therapy

FOLFOX plus nivolumab represents a standard of care for first-line therapy of advanced gastroesophageal cancer (aGEC) with positive PD-L1 expression. The efficacy of second-line VEGFR-2 inhibition with ramucirumab (RAM) plus chemotherapy after progression to immunochemotherapy remains unclear. Medical records of patients with aGEC enrolled in the randomized phase II AIO-STO-0417 trial after treatment failure to first-line FOLFOX plus nivolumab and ipilimumab were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on second-line therapy: RAM plus chemotherapy (RAM group) or treatment without RAM (control group). Eighty three patients were included. In the overall population, progression-free survival (PFS) in the RAM group was superior to the control (4.5 vs 2.9 months). Responders (CR/PR) to first-line immunochemotherapy receiving RAM containing second-line therapy had prolonged OS from start of first-line therapy (28.9 vs 16.5 months), as well as second-line OS (9.6 vs 7.5 months), PFS (5.6 vs 2.9 months) and DCR (53% vs 29%) compared to the control. PD-L1 CPS ≥1 was 42% and 44% for the RAM and the control, respectively. Patients with CPS ≥1 in the RAM group showed better tumor control (ORR 25% vs 10%) and improved survival (total OS 11.5 vs 8.0 months; second-line OS 6.5 vs 3.9 months; PFS 4.5 vs 1.6 months) compared to the control. Prior exposure to first-line FOLFOX plus dual checkpoint inhibition followed by RAM plus chemotherapy shows favorable response and survival rates especially in patients with initial response and positive PD-L1 expression and has the potential to advance the treatment paradigm in aGEC.

Adjuvant Gemcitabine Versus Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant FOLFIRINOX in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: The Randomized Multicenter Phase II NEPAFOX Trial

BACKGROUND

Although addition of adjuvant chemotherapy is the current standard, the prognosis of pancreatic cancers still remains poor. The NEPAFOX trial evaluated perioperative treatment with FOLFIRINOX in resectable pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicenter phase II trial randomized patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer without metastases into arm (A,) upfront surgery plus adjuvant gemcitabine, or arm (B,) perioperative FOLFIRINOX. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Owing to poor accrual, recruitment was prematurely stopped after randomization of 40 of the planned 126 patients (A: 21, B: 19). Overall, approximately three-quarters were classified as primarily resectable (A: 16, B: 15), and the remaining patients were classified as borderline resectable (A: 5, B: 4). Of the 12 evaluable patients, 3 achieved partial response under neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX. Of the 21 patients in arm A and 19 patients in arm B, 17 and 7 underwent curative surgery, and R0-resection was achieved in 77% and 71%, respectively. Perioperative morbidity occurred in 72% in arm A and 46% in arm B, whereas non-surgical toxicity was comparable in both arms. Median RFS/PFS was almost doubled in arm B (14.1 months) compared with arm A (8.4 months) in the population with surgical resection, whereas median OS was comparable between both arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the analysis was only descriptive owing to small patient numbers, no safety issues regarding surgical complications were observed in the perioperative FOLFIRINOX arm. Thus, considering the small number of patients, perioperative treatment approach appears feasible and potentially effective in well-selected cohorts of patients. In pancreatic cancer, patient selection before initiation of neoadjuvant therapy appears to be critical.

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal cancer (KEYNOTE-585): an interim analysis of the multicentre, double-blind, randomised phase 3 study

BACKGROUND

The benefit of combination neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma is unknown. We assess the antitumor activity of neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The KEYNOTE-585 study is a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 study done at 143 medical centres in 24 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with untreated, locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by an interactive voice response system and integrated web response system to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously or placebo (saline) plus cisplatin-based doublet chemotherapy (main cohort) every 3 weeks for 3 cycles, followed by surgery, adjuvant pembrolizumab or placebo plus chemotherapy for 3 cycles, then adjuvant pembrolizumab or placebo for 11 cycles. A small cohort was also randomly assigned (1:1) to pembrolizumab or placebo plus fluorouracil, docetaxel, and oxaliplatin (FLOT)-based chemotherapy (FLOT cohort) every 2 weeks for four cycles, followed by surgery, adjuvant pembrolizumab, or placebo plus FLOT for four cycles, then adjuvant pembrolizumab or placebo for 11 cycles. Patients were stratified by geographic region, tumour stage, and chemotherapy backbone. Primary endpoints were pathological complete response (reviewed centrally), event-free survival (reviewed by the investigator), and overall survival in the intention-to-treat population, and safety assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03221426, and is closed to accrual.

FINDINGS

Between Oct 9, 2017, and Jan 25, 2021, of 1254 patients screened, 804 were randomly assigned to the main cohort, of whom 402 were assigned to the pembrolizumab plus cisplatin-based chemotherapy group and 402 to the placebo plus cisplatin-based chemotherapy group, and 203 to the FLOT cohort, of whom 100 were assigned to the pembrolizumab plus FLOT group and 103 to placebo plus FLOT group. In the main cohort of 804 participants, 575 (72%) were male and 229 (28%) were female. In the main cohort, after median follow-up of 47·7 months (IQR 38·0-54·8), pembrolizumab was superior to placebo for pathological complete response (52 [12·9%; 95% CI 9·8-16·6] of 402 vs eight [2·0%; 0·9-3·9] of 402; difference 10·9%, 95% CI 7·5 to 14·8; p<0·00001). Median event-free survival was longer with pembrolizumab versus placebo (44·4 months, 95% CI 33·0 to not reached vs 25·3 months, 20·6 to 33·9; hazard ratio [HR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·67 to 0·99; p=0·0198) but did not meet the threshold for statistical significance (p=0·0178). Median overall survival was 60·7 months (95% CI 51·5 to not reached) in the pembrolizumab group versus 58·0 months (41·5 to not reached) in the placebo group (HR 0·90, 95% CI 0·73 to 1·12; p=0·174). Grade 3 or worse adverse events of any cause occurred in 312 (78%) of 399 patients in the pembrolizumab group and 297 (74%) of 400 patients in the placebo group; the most common were nausea (240 [60%] vs 247 [62%]), anaemia (168 [42%] vs 158 [40%]), and decreased appetite (163 [41%] vs 172 [43%]). Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in 102 (26%) and 97 (24%) patients. Treatment-related adverse events that led to death occurred in four (1%) patients in the pembrolizumab group (interstitial ischaemia, pneumonia, decreased appetite, and acute kidney injury [n=1 each]) and two (<1%) patients in the placebo group (neutropenic sepsis and neutropenic colitis [n=1 each]).

INTERPRETATION

Although neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab versus placebo improved the pathological complete response, it did not translate to significant improvement in event-free survival in patients with untreated, locally advanced resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal cancer.

FUNDING

Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Perioperative Atezolizumab Plus Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin, and Docetaxel for Resectable Esophagogastric Cancer: Interim Results From the Randomized, Multicenter, Phase II/III DANTE/IKF-s633 Trial

PURPOSE

This trial evaluates the addition of the PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab (ATZ) to standard-of-care fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel (FLOT) as a perioperative treatment for patients with resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA).

METHODS

DANTE started as multicenter, randomized phase II trial, which was subsequently converted to a phase III trial. Here, we present the results of the phase II proportion, focusing on surgical pathology and safety outcomes on an exploratory basis. Patients with resectable EGA (≥cT2 or cN+) were assigned to either four preoperative and postoperative cycles of FLOT combined with ATZ, followed by eight cycles of ATZ maintenance (arm A) or FLOT alone (arm B).

RESULTS

Two hundred ninety-five patients were randomly assigned (A, 146; B, 149) with balanced baseline characteristics between arms. Twenty-three patients (8%) had tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI), and 58% patients had tumors with a PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) of ≥1. Surgical morbidity (A, 45%; B, 42%) and 60-day mortality (A, 3%; B, 2%) were comparable between arms. Downstaging favored arm A versus arm B (ypT0, 23% v 15% [one-sided P = .044]; ypT0-T2, 61% v 48% [one-sided P = .015]; ypN0, 68% v 54% [one-sided P = .012]). Histopathologic complete regression rates (pathologic complete response or TRG1a) were higher after FLOT plus ATZ (A, 24%; B, 15%; one-sided P = .032), and the difference was more pronounced in the PD-L1 CPS ≥10 (A, 33%; B, 12%) and MSI (A, 63%; B, 27%) subpopulations. Complete margin-free (R0) resection rates were relatively high in both arms (A, 96%; B, 95%). The incidence and severity of adverse events were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of the exploratory nature of the data, the addition of ATZ to perioperative FLOT is safe and improved postoperative stage and histopathologic regression.

ADJUBIL: phase II study of adjuvant immunotherapy with STRIDE regimen with/without capecitabine in biliary tract cancers

Biliary tract cancer is a highly heterogeneous group of gastrointestinal cancers, and the only curative treatment is surgery, which is only applicable at early stages of the malignancy. ADJUBIL, a phase II trial (NCT05239169), aims to evaluate immunotherapy with durvalumab and tremelimumab with or without capecitabine in adjuvant situations for biliary tract cancers. A total of 40 prospective patients will be randomly assigned following surgery, consisting of a two-arm feasibility pilot part with a pick-the-winner design with durvalumab and tremelimumab in combination with or without capecitabine.

German, Austrian, and Swiss guidelines for systemic treatment of gastric cancer

The updated edition of the German, Austrian and Swiss Guidelines for Systemic Treatment of Gastric Cancer was completed in August 2023, incorporating new evidence that emerged after publication of the previous edition. It consists of a text-based "Diagnosis" part and a "Therapy" part including recommendations and treatment algorithms. The treatment part includes a comprehensive description regarding perioperative and palliative systemic therapy for gastric cancer and summarizes recommended standard of care for surgery and endoscopic resection. The guidelines are based on a literature search and evaluation by a multidisciplinary panel of experts nominated by the hematology and oncology scientific societies of the three involved countries.

Ramucirumab beyond progression plus TAS-102 in patients with advanced or metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma, after treatment failure on a ramucirumab-based therapy

Based on results of prior trials (TAGS, REGARD, RAINBOW), the combination of ramucirumab beyond progression with TAS-102 (trifluridine/tipiracil) seems to be promising in advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA). In this multicenter, non-randomized, open-label, investigator-initiated pilot trial, ramucirumab-pretreated patients with metastatic EGA received a maximum of 4 cycles of ramucirumab (8 mg/kg i.v. on day 1 and 15, Q2W) plus TAS-102 (35 mg/m2 p.o. bid on day 1-5 and day 8-12; Q2W). Primary endpoint was tolerability and toxicity, defining a positive trial if the SAE rate according to CTCAE 5.0 will increase <30% (up to 55%) compared to historical results from TAGS trial (SAE rate 43%). Secondary endpoints were further evaluation of safety and assessment of efficacy according to tumor response and overall and progression-free survival (OS/PFS). Twenty patients, 20% gastric and 80% GEJ cancers and 55% with ECOG 0 were enrolled. In total, nine SAEs were reported in 25% [95% CI: 8.7-49.1] of the patients, all without relationship to the systemic therapy. The median OS and PFS were 9.1 months [5.4-10.1] and 2.9 months [1.7-4.8], respectively. In addition, a disease control rate of 45% was obtained. The trial showed a favorable safety profile with a numerically lower incidence of SAEs for the combination of ramucirumab with TAS-102 compared to historical TAGS trial. Furthermore, the combination demonstrated efficacy in the beyond progression setting and therefore warrants further evaluation in a randomized trial compared to TAS-102 alone.

Pembrolizumab and trastuzumab in combination with FLOT in the perioperative treatment of HER2-positive, localized esophagogastric adenocarcinoma-a phase II trial of the AIO study group (AIO STO 0321)

Background

Esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) presents a substantial global health challenge as the number of cases continues to rise. The current standard approach for treating localized EGA involves a combination of triplet chemotherapy, which consists of a platinum compound, a fluoropyrimidine, and a taxane (known as FLOT), followed by surgery. In cases of metastatic EGA with HER2-positive status or in certain studies with localized EGA, the use of HER2-targeted antibodies such as trastuzumab has shown improved responses. Recently, the addition of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, when combined with 5-FU, platinum-based chemotherapy, and trastuzumab, has demonstrated significant enhancements in response rates for HER2-positive metastatic EGA. However, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding this treatment approach in localized HER2-positive disease.

Methods

The PHERFLOT study is an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, exploratory phase II trial designed to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of perioperative pembrolizumab, FLOT, and trastuzumab in patients with previously untreated localized HER2-positive EGA. In total, 30 patients will be recruited. The co-primary end points are pathological complete response rate and disease-free survival rate after 2 years. Secondary objectives include safety and tolerability, efficacy in terms of progression-free survival and objective response rate and translational markers, such as blood-based signatures (e.g., immune repertoire changes or emergence of anti-HER2 resistance variants) or microbiota signatures that may correlate with immune activation and therapy response.

Discussion

Recent evidence from phase II clinical trials demonstrated improved efficacy through the addition of trastuzumab to perioperative FLOT. Furthermore, in advanced or metastatic EGA, the combination of trastuzumab, FLOT, and the PD1-inhibitor pembrolizumab significantly improved treatment response. The PHERFLOT study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of this treatment approach in HER2-positive-localized EGA, potentially identifying a promising new perioperative regimen for localized EGA, which then needs to be confirmed within a randomized trial. Furthermore, the accompanying translational program of the study might help to improve the stratification of suitable patients and to identify potential translational targets for future clinical trials.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05504720.

Colorectal Cancer Organoid-Stroma Biobank Allows Subtype-Specific Assessment of Individualized Therapy Responses

In colorectal cancers, the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in prognosis and therapy efficacy. Patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTO) show enormous potential for preclinical testing; however, cultured tumor cells lose important characteristics, including the consensus molecular subtypes (CMS). To better reflect the cellular heterogeneity, we established the colorectal cancer organoid-stroma biobank of matched PDTOs and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) from 30 patients. Context-specific phenotyping showed that xenotransplantation or coculture with CAFs improves the transcriptomic fidelity and instructs subtype-specific stromal gene expression. Furthermore, functional profiling in coculture exposed CMS4-specific therapeutic resistance to gefitinib and SN-38 and prognostic expression signatures. Chemogenomic library screening identified patient- and therapy-dependent mechanisms of stromal resistance including MET as a common target. Our results demonstrate that colorectal cancer phenotypes are encrypted in the cancer epithelium in a plastic fashion that strongly depends on the context. Consequently, CAFs are essential for a faithful representation of molecular subtypes and therapy responses ex vivo.

SIGNIFICANCE

Systematic characterization of the organoid-stroma biobank provides a resource for context dependency in colorectal cancer. We demonstrate a colorectal cancer subtype memory of PDTOs that is independent of specific driver mutations. Our data underscore the importance of functional profiling in cocultures for improved preclinical testing and identification of stromal resistance mechanisms. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 2109.

Ramucirumab plus irinotecan / leucovorin / 5-FU versus ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction, who failed one prior line of palliative chemotherapy: the phase II/III RAMIRIS study (AIO-STO-0415)

BACKGROUND

Paclitaxel in combination with ramucirumab is the standard of care second-line therapy in gastro-esophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). As the number of taxane pretreated patients in the perioperative or first-line setting is increasing, it is unknown whether these patients benefit from re-applying a taxane in using the combination of paclitaxel and ramucirumab. Furthermore, the rates of neurotoxicity with first-line FOLFOX or FLOT range from 30%-70%, making second-line taxane-containing therapy less suitable to a meaningful portion of patients. This patient group is likely to benefit from a taxane-free second-line chemotherapy regimen, such as FOLFIRI and ramucirumab (FOLFIRI-Ram). Therefore, the RAMIRIS phase III trial evaluates the effects of the regimen of FOLFIRI-Ram in the second-line treatment after a taxane-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced GEA.

METHODS

The RAMIRIS trial is a randomized, open-label, multicenter phase II/III study comparing treatment of FOLFIRI-Ram (arm A) with paclitaxel and ramucirumab (arm B). The Phase II is already closed with 111 enrolled patients. In the phase III, 318 taxane-pretreated patients with advanced GEA will be recruited and randomized 1:1 to FOLFIRI (5-FU 2400 mg/m² over 46 h i.v., irinotecan 180 mg/m² i.v.; 5-FU 400 mg/m² bolus; leucovorin 400 mg/m² i.v.; on day 1 and 15, q28) with ramucirumab 8 mg/kg every two weeks (Arm A) or paclitaxel 80 mg/m² (days 1, 8, 15, q28) with ramucirumab 8 mg/kg every two weeks (Arm B). The primary endpoints are overall survival (OS) and objective overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints are progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate and safety and quality of life as assessed by EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire.

DISCUSSION

The already completed RAMIRIS phase II demonstrated feasibility and efficacy of FOLFIRI-Ram. Especially docetaxel-pretreated patients seemed to markedly benefit from FOLFIRI-Ram, with favorable response- and PFS rates and lower toxicity. This offers a rationale for the phase III trial. If the RAMIRIS III trial transfers and confirms the results, they will affect the current treatment guidelines, recommending the combination therapy of FOLFIRI-Ram for taxane-pretreated patients with advanced GEA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03081143 Date of registration: 13.11.2015.

Dissecting the genetic heterogeneity of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is clinically heterogenous according to location (cardia/non-cardia) and histopathology (diffuse/intestinal). We aimed to characterize the genetic risk architecture of GC according to its subtypes. Another aim was to examine whether cardia GC and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and its precursor lesion Barrett's oesophagus (BO), which are all located at the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ), share polygenic risk architecture.

METHODS

We did a meta-analysis of ten European genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of GC and its subtypes. All patients had a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. For the identification of risk genes among GWAS loci we did a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) study from gastric corpus and antrum mucosa. To test whether cardia GC and OAC/BO share genetic aetiology we also used a European GWAS sample with OAC/BO.

FINDINGS

Our GWAS consisting of 5816 patients and 10,999 controls highlights the genetic heterogeneity of GC according to its subtypes. We newly identified two and replicated five GC risk loci, all of them with subtype-specific association. The gastric transcriptome data consisting of 361 corpus and 342 antrum mucosa samples revealed that an upregulated expression of MUC1, ANKRD50, PTGER4, and PSCA are plausible GC-pathomechanisms at four GWAS loci. At another risk locus, we found that the blood-group 0 exerts protective effects for non-cardia and diffuse GC, while blood-group A increases risk for both GC subtypes. Furthermore, our GWAS on cardia GC and OAC/BO (10,279 patients, 16,527 controls) showed that both cancer entities share genetic aetiology at the polygenic level and identified two new risk loci on the single-marker level.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings show that the pathophysiology of GC is genetically heterogenous according to location and histopathology. Moreover, our findings point to common molecular mechanisms underlying cardia GC and OAC/BO.

FUNDING

German Research Foundation (DFG).

Perioperative FLOT plus ramucirumab for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: A randomized phase II/III trial of the German AIO and Italian GOIM

This multicenter, randomized phase II/III study evaluated the addition of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibitor ramucirumab to FLOT as perioperative treatment for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Patients received either FLOT alone (Arm A) or combined with ramucirumab followed by ramucirumab monotherapy (Arm B). The primary endpoint for the phase II portion was the pathological complete or subtotal response (pCR/pSR) rate. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both arms with a high rate of tumors signet-ring cell component (A:47% B:43%). No between-arm difference in pCR/pSR rate was seen (A:29% B:26%), therefore the transition to phase III was not pursued. Nevertheless, the combination was associated with a significantly increased R0-resection rate compared with FLOT alone (A:82% B:96%; P = .009). In addition, the median disease-free survival was numerically improved in Arm B (A:21 months B:32 months, HR 0.75, P = 0.218), while the median overall survival was similar in both treatment arms (A:45 months B:46 months, HR 0.94, P = 0.803). Patients with Siewert type I tumors receiving transthoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis showed an increased risk of serious postoperative complications after ramucirumab treatment, therefore recruitment of those patients was stopped after the first-third of the study. Overall, surgical morbidity and mortality was comparable, whereas more non-surgical grade ≥ 3 adverse events were observed with the combination, especially anorexia (A:1% B:11%), hypertension (A:4% B:13%) and infections (A:19% B:33%). The combination of ramucirumab and FLOT as perioperative treatment shows efficacy signals, particularly in terms of R0 resection rates, for a study population with a high proportion of prognostically poor histological subtypes, and further evaluation in this subgroup seems warranted.

Ramucirumab beyond progression plus TAS 102 in patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or the gastroesophageal junction, after treatment failure on a ramucirumab-based therapy: Final results of the phase II RE-ExPEL study

359

Background: Based on results of prior trials (TAGS, REGARD, RAINBOW), it seems promising to combine Ramucirumab (Ram) beyond progression (PD) with TAS-102 (trifluridine/tipiracil). The purpose of RE-ExPEL is to investigate the tolerability, safety and benefit of Ram beyond PD in combination with TAS-102 in advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA). Methods: This is a multicenter, non-randomized, open-label investigator initiated pilot trial. 20 ram-pretreated patients (pts) with advanced EGA were enrolled to a maximum of 4 cycles of ramucirumab 8mg/kg every two weeks (days 1, 15; qd28) plus TAS-102 35 mg/m2/p.o. bid (d1-5 and d8-12; qd28). Primary endpoint (EP) was tolerability and toxicity, defining a positive trial if SAE rate according (acc.) to CTCAE 5.0 will increase less than 30% (up to 55%) compared with results from TAGS (SAE-rate 43%). Secondary EPs are further safety data and efficacy data, OS, PFS and ORR. Results: 20 pts (20% female) were enrolled between Oct 2020 and Aug 2021, 20% gastric and 80% GEJ- cancers, 55% of pts with ECOG 0. Results of the final analysis showed that only 25% of pts had at least one SAE and the total no. of SAEs was 9, one with fatal outcome, all without relationship to systemic therapy and no SUSAR reported. RE-ExPEL was able to show a median OS of 9.07 mo (95% CI 5.42-10.09) and a DCR of 45%. 90% of pts got study medication in 3rd line whereas 10% were even further line pts. Conclusions: The safety data showed a favorable safety profile with a low rate of severe toxicity for ram+TAS-102, maybe due to the long disease stabilization and therefore less tumor associated symptoms. Regarding the primary safety endpoint, the trial was positive with even a numerically lower SAE rate compared with TAGS. Furthermore, RE-ExPEL was able to show very promising efficacy data for the combination ram plus TAS-102 with median OS of 9.07 mo. Ram+TAS-102 seems to be more effective than TAS-102 alone acc. to TAGS-trial respecting the limitation of the RE-ExPEL one arm study design with only 20pts. The combination needs further evaluation in a randomized phase III trial. Clinical trial information: NCT04517747 .

IMMULAB: A phase II trial of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab in combination with local ablation for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

555

Background: Percutaneous ablation of neoplastic tissue by radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA) or brachytherapy is considered a potentially curative treatment for early HCC, but recurrence rates are high. Local ablative therapies release immunogenic stimuli that can trigger an anti-tumoral immune response, which is, however, dampened by counter-regulatory mechanisms mediated through immune checkpoints, such as CTLA-4 and PD-1. Combining local therapies with immunotherapies may shift the balance to a more robust immunostimulatory response. We therefore hypothesized that peri-interventional treatment with pembrolizumab may synergize with and improve outcome of local ablative therapy. Methods: This single arm phase II trial investigates peri-interventional treatment with pembrolizumab combined with RFA/MWA or brachytherapy, or - as recommended for tumors larger than 3 cm – combined with TACE and RFA/MWA or brachytherapy in early-stage HCC with maintained liver function (Child Pugh A) who did not receive prior local or systemic therapy. Pembrolizumab (200mg, q3w) was administered intravenously for 2 cycles, followed by radiologic imaging and local therapy. Pembrolizumab was continued for up to 12 months. The primary efficacy endpoint was defined as overall response rate (ORR, RECIST 1.1) after 2 cycles of pembrolizumab and before local therapy while secondary endpoints are time to recurrence (TTR, defined as the length of time after performance of local ablation resulting in confirmed absence of viable tumor tissue until documented tumor recurrence), recurrence free survival and overall survival (OS) along with safety and tolerability. Results: 30 patients (pts, ECOG 0 or 1) were enrolled in 9 centers in Germany, with a median age of 70 years and a predominance of male pts (73.3%). All pts received at least 1 dose of study treatment and the median number of cycles was 13. ORR was 13.3%, with 6.7% complete responses (CR) and 6.7% partial responses (PR) after two cycles of pembrolizumab and before local ablation. Subsequent local ablation was performed in 25/30 pts. With ongoing follow-up median of 14 months (Sep 2022), provisional median overall survival time (mOS) was not reached and provisional median time to recurrence (TTR) was 17.41 months. No new safety signs were observed. Conclusions: The study did not meet its primary endpoint. The hypothesized ORR of 30% before local therapy was not reached. However, there is evidence for the efficacy of peri-interventional treatment with pembrolizumab combined with local ablative therapy without new safety signals. Our findings support further evaluation of this combination treatment in early-stage HCC. Clinical trial information: NCT03753659 .

Pembrolizumab for previously treated, microsatellite instability–high/mismatch repair–deficient advanced colorectal cancer: final analysis of KEYNOTE-164

BACKGROUND

Pembrolizumab demonstrated durable clinical benefit and manageable safety in previously treated advanced or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) in the phase 2 KEYNOTE-164 study. Results from the final analysis are presented.

METHODS

Eligible patients had unresectable or metastatic MSI-H/dMMR CRC and ≥2 prior systemic therapies (cohort A) or ≥1 prior systemic therapy (cohort B). Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks for ≤35 cycles. The primary end-point was objective response rate (ORR) assessed per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 by blinded independent central review. Secondary end-points included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety and tolerability.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients in cohort A and 63 patients in cohort B were enroled; median follow-up was 62.2 months and 54.4 months, respectively. ORR was 32.8% (95% CI, 21.3%-46.0%) in cohort A and 34.9% (95% CI, 23.3%-48.0%) in cohort B. Median DOR was not reached (NR) in either cohort. Median PFS was 2.3 months (95% CI, 2.1-8.1) in cohort A and 4.1 months (95% CI, 2.1-18.9) in cohort B. Median OS was 31.4 months (95% CI, 21.4-58.0) in cohort A and 47.0 months (95% CI, 19.2-NR) in cohort B. No new safety signals were observed. Nine patients who initially responded experienced disease progression off therapy and received second-course pembrolizumab. Six patients (66.7%) completed an additional 17 cycles of pembrolizumab, and 2 patients achieved a partial response.

CONCLUSIONS

Pembrolizumab continued to show durable antitumor activity, prolonged OS, and manageable safety in patients with previously treated MSI-H/dMMR CRC.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY INFORMATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02460198.

Translational analysis and final efficacy of the AVETUX trial - Avelumab, cetuximab and FOLFOX in metastatic colorectal cancer

Introduction

In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has so far been limited to patients with microsatellite instability high tumors (MSI-H). Unfortunately, most mCRC patients suffer from non-immunogenic microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors. Therefore, new combinatorial strategies are urgently needed to enhance the immunogenicity of MSS tumors to finally increase the number of patients benefiting from ICB.

Methods

The AVETUX trial aimed to combine the PD-L1 antibody avelumab with the standard of care chemotherapy combination FOLFOX and the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab. Furthermore, we performed a central radiological review of the pre- and on-treatment computed tomography scans to better define the individual response to treatment.

Results and Discussion

In total, 43 patients were treated of which 39 patients were confirmed as RAS/BRAF wildtype in central tissue review and finally response evaluated. A final progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.1 (range: 0.8 to 22.3 months) and a herein updated final overall survival (OS) of 32.9 months (range: 0.8 to 47.1 months) was reached. We observed a strong median depth of response of 67.5% tumor shrinkage and deepness of response correlated significantly with survival. On the other hand, early tumor shrinkage was not an indicator of better outcome at a cut-off of 20% (median values). In a next step, we correlated the individual best radiological response with potential ICB response biomarkers and found that the clonality and diversity, but not frequency of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TiLs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), strongly correlated with response. In summary, we report the final overall survival of the AVETUX trial and propose T cell clonality and diversity as a potential marker to predict response to chemo-immunotherapy combinations in MSS mCRC by performing a central radiological review.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT03174405).

Perspectives on the Management of Oligometastatic Disease in Esophago-Gastric Cancer

Gastric adenocarcinoma and esophageal cancer are the fifth and seventh most common cancer types worldwide. At the time of initial diagnosis, up to 50% of esophagogastric cancers present with distant metastatic lesions and are candidates for chemotherapy. Curative surgery in this stage is still an experimental approach. Only a small number of these metastatic patients show an oligometastatic disease with no uniform definition of what oligometastatic means in gastric cancer. Nevertheless, the question remains unanswered as to whether these patients are still candidates for curative concepts. Some studies have attempted to answer this question but have not been adequately designed to address the role of a curative-intended multimodal therapy in this setting. The current FLOT-5 is designed to potentially provide a definitive answer to the question of whether curatively intended surgery plays a role or is a disadvantage in this setting.

Efficacy of Ipilimumab vs FOLFOX in Combination With Nivolumab and Trastuzumab in Patients With Previously Untreated ERBB2-Positive Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma: The AIO INTEGA Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

In metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA), the addition of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors to chemotherapy has improved outcomes in selected patient populations.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of trastuzumab and PD-1 inhibitors with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors or FOLFOX in first-line treatment of advanced ERBB2-positive EGA.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This phase 2 multicenter, outpatient, randomized clinical trial with 2 experimental arms compared with historical control individually was conducted between March 2018 and May 2020 across 21 German sites. The reported results are based on a median follow-up of 14.3 months. Patients with previously untreated, metastatic ERBB2-positive (local immunohistochemistry score of 3+ or 2+/in situ hybridization amplification positive) EGA, adequate organ function, and eligibility for immunotherapy were included. Data analysis was performed from June to September 2021.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to trastuzumab and nivolumab (1 mg/kg × 4/240 mg for up to 12 months) in combination with mFOLFOX6 (FOLFOX arm) or ipilimumab (3 mg/kg × 4 for up to 12 weeks) (ipilimumab arm).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was survival improvement with a targeted increase of the 12-month overall survival rate from 55% (trastuzumab/chemotherapy-ToGA regimen) to 70% in each arm.

Results

A total of 97 patients were enrolled, and 88 were randomized (18 women, 70 men; median [range] age, 61 [41-80] years). Baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 in 54 patients (61%) and 1 in 34 patients (39%); 66 patients (75%) had EGA localized in the esophagogastric junction and 22 in the stomach (25%). Central post hoc biomarker analysis (84 patients) showed PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score of 1 or greater in 59 patients (72%) and 5 or greater in 46 patients (56%) and confirmed ERBB2 positivity in 76 patients. The observed overall survival rate at 12 months was 70% (95% CI, 54%-81%) with FOLFOX and 57% (95% CI, 41%-71%) with ipilimumab. Treatment-related grade 3 or greater adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs occurred in 29 and 15 patients in the FOLFOX arm and in 20 and 17 patients in the ipilimumab arm, respectively, with a higher incidence of autoimmune-related AEs in the ipilimumab arm and neuropathy in the FOLFOX arm. Liquid biopsy analyses showed strong correlation of early cell-free DNA increase with shorter progression-free and overall survival and emergence of truncating and epitope-loss ERBB2 resistance sequence variations with trastuzumab treatment.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, trastuzumab, nivolumab, and FOLFOX showed favorable efficacy compared with historical data and trastuzumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab in ERBB2-positive EGA. The ipilimumab arm yielded similar OS compared with the ToGA regimen.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03409848.

FLOT Versus FLOT/Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab Perioperative Therapy of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Resectable Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma: A Randomized Phase II Trial of the AIO EGA Study Group

PURPOSE

High pathologic complete response (pCR) rates and comparably good survival data were seen in a phase II trial combining perioperative fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel (FLOT) chemotherapy with trastuzumab for resectable, esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA). The current trial evaluates the addition of trastuzumab and pertuzumab to FLOT as perioperative treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive resectable EGA.

METHODS

In this multicenter, randomized phase II/III trial, patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive, resectable EGA (≥ clinical tumor 2 or clinical nodal-positive) were assigned to four pre- and postoperative cycles of either FLOT alone (arm A) or combined with trastuzumab and pertuzumab, followed by nine cycles of trastuzumab/pertuzumab (arm B). The primary end point for the phase II part was the rate of pCR.

RESULTS

The trial was closed prematurely, without transition into phase III, after results of the JACOB trial were reported. Eighty-one patients were randomly assigned (A: 41/B: 40) during the phase II part. The pCR rate was significantly improved with the trastuzumab/pertuzumab treatment (A: 12%/B: 35%; P = .02). Similarly, the rate of pathologic lymph node negativity was higher with trastuzumab/pertuzumab (A: 39%/B: 68%), whereas the R0 resection rate (A: 90%/B: 93%) and surgical morbidity (A: 43%/B: 44%) were comparable. Moreover, the inhouse mortality was equal in both arms (overall 2.5%). The median disease-free survival was 26 months in arm A and not yet reached in arm B (hazard ratio 0.58; P = .14). After a median follow-up of 22 months, the median overall survival was not yet reached (hazard ratio 0.56; P = .24). Disease-free survival and overall survival rates (95% CI) at 24 months were 54% (38 to 71) and 77% (63 to 90) in arm A and 70% (55 to 85) and 84% (72 to 96) in arm B, respectively. More ≥ grade 3 adverse events were reported with trastuzumab/pertuzumab, especially diarrhea (A: 5%/B: 41%) and leukopenia (A: 13%/B: 23%).

CONCLUSION

The addition of trastuzumab/pertuzumab to perioperative FLOT significantly improved pCR and nodal negativity rates at the price of higher rates of diarrhea and leukopenia.

Surgical and pathological outcome, and pathological regression, in patients receiving perioperative atezolizumab in combination with FLOT chemotherapy versus FLOT alone for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: Interim results from DANTE, a randomized, multicenter, phase IIb trial of the FLOT-AIO German Gastric Cancer Group and Swiss SAKK

4003

Background: DANTE evaluates atezolizumab in the perioperative treatment of resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma in combination with FLOT. Here, we report interim results. Methods: DANTE is a multicenter, investigator-initiated, phase IIb trial. Patients (pts) with resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach and GEJ (≥cT2 and/or N+) were randomized to receive 4+4 cycles of periop. FLOT chemotherapy (arm B) or the same regime with additional atezolizumab at 840 mg, q2w, followed by atezolizumab monotherapy for 8 cycles at 1200 mg, q3w (arm A). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival. The secondary endpoints surgical outcome (pTNM, R0 resection rate and periop. morbidity/mortality), path. regression and safety are reported here. TNM stage was evaluated by local pathologists and path. regression (Becker-Classification) by local and central pathologists. PD-L1 and MSI status were centrally evaluated. Results: In total, 295 pts were randomized (A, 146; B, 149) with baseline characteristics as follows: median age 61y, male 74%, intestinal type 42%, GEJ 61%, cT3/4 77%, N+ 78%. Twenty-five pts (8.5%) were MSI; 50% had PD-L1 CPS ≥1, 23% PD-L1 CPS ≥5 and 15% PD-L1 CPS ≥10. Pre-op FLOT cycles were completed in 93% of pts and post-op cycles in 43% of pts, with no difference between arms. Surgical morbidity (A, 45%; B, 43%) and mortality (overall 2.5%) were comparable between arms, as were R0-resection rates (arm A, 92% vs. arm B, 91%). Downsizing favored arm A vs B (pT0, 23% vs 15%; pN0, 68% vs 54%). Increases in path. regression rates were seen, particularly with higher PD-L1 expression (Table). Conclusions: The analysis shows beneficial effects of atezolizumab combined with FLOT vs FLOT alone on path. stage and path. regression that seem to be more pronounced with higher PD-L1 expression. Sponsor: Institut für Klinische Krebsforschung IKF am Krankenhaus Nordwest. EudraCT: 2017-001979-23. Clinical trial information: NCT03421288. [Table: see text]

Perioperative ramucirumab in combination with FLOT versus FLOT alone for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (RAMSES/FLOT7) with high rate of signet cell component: Final results of the multicenter, randomized phase II/III trial of the German AIO and Italian GOIM

4042

Background: Periop. FLOT has become SOC for resectable, esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. However, patient’s outcome is still poor. This trial evaluates the addition of the VEGF-R2 inhibitor ramucirumab (RAM) to FLOT for resectable patients (pts). Methods: This is a prospective, international, randomized, investigator-initiated phase II/III trial. Pts with resectable, Her2-negative, adenocarcinoma of the stomach and GEJ type II and III (≥ cT2 or cN+) were enrolled. Pts were randomized to 4 pre-and post-operative cycles of FLOT (docetaxel 50 mg/m²; oxaliplatin 85 mg/m²; leucovorin 200 mg/m²; 5-FU 2600 mg/m², q2w) alone (Arm A) or the same regimen with RAM 8mg/kg q2w, followed by 16 cycles RAM (Arm B, FLOT-RAM). Important endpoints of phase II (exploratory) were major pathological (complete and nearly complete) response, centrally assessed acc. to Becker criteria, R0-resection rate, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and safety. GEJ type I tumors and pts requiring trans-thoracic esophagectomy were excluded for safety reasons during the conduct of the study. Results: In total, 152 pts were analyzed within the intention to treat population. Baseline characteristics were similar between arms (male, 70%; median age, 60y; cT3/T4, 82%; cN+, 77%; GEJ, 45%). The rate of cancers with signet-ring cell component was at 45%. The FLOT-RAM arm included more unfavorable pts with T4 (8% vs. 5%), impaired ECOG PS of 1 (32% vs. 20%), and concomitant disease (86% vs. 76%). 92% of pts with FLOT as well as with FLOT-RAM completed the 4 pre- cycles. R0-resection could be achieved in 82% of pts with FLOT and 96% of pts with FLOT-RAM (p = 0.0093). The rate of major path response was similar in both arms and was 29% for FLOT and 26% for FLOT-RAM. Median DFS was slightly improved in pts with FLOT-RAM (32 months vs. 21 months), while median OS was similar in both treatment arms (FLOT 45 months, FLOT-RAM 46 months). Surgical morbidity was observed in 32% of pts with FLOT and 41% of pts with FLOT-RAM. Mortality at 60 days after surgery was 4.1% with FLOT and 2.8% with FLOT-RAM. There were bit more G≥3 adverse events with FLOT-RAM (76% vs. 92%). Conclusions: In this phase II trial, the addition of ramucirumab to perioperative FLOT significantly improved R0-resection rates and slightly prolonged DFS without an impact on path response or overall survival. FLOT-RAM is feasible and safe, when type I tumors are excluded. Clinical trial information: NCT02661971.

MATTERHORN: phase III study of durvalumab plus FLOT chemotherapy in resectable gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer

Standard-of-care for resectable gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer includes surgery and neoadjuvant-adjuvant 5-fluorouracil-leucovorin-oxaliplatin-docetaxel (FLOT) chemotherapy. Early-phase clinical studies support further clinical development of the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI); durvalumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, in patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that ICIs combined with FLOT chemotherapy improve clinical outcomes in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. We describe the rationale for and the design of MATTERHORN, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study investigating the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant-adjuvant durvalumab and FLOT chemotherapy followed by adjuvant durvalumab monotherapy in patients with resectable gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer. The planned sample size is 900 patients, the primary end point is event-free survival and safety and tolerability will be evaluated. Clinical trial registration: NCT04592913 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

FOLFOX versus FOLFOX plus nivolumab and ipilimumab administered in parallel or sequentially versus FLOT plus nivolumab administered in parallel in patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction: A randomized phase 2 trial of the AIO

4043

Background: FOLFOX plus nivolumab (nivo) has become standard of care for first-line therapy of patients (pts) with esophagogastric adenocarcinomas. The aim of Moonlight trial is to generate signals for whether (a) dual checkpoint inhibition or (b) a triplet chemotherapy is beneficial in the context of nivolumab therapy in this setting. Methods: The AIO-STO-0417 trial (Moonlight) is a four-arm investigator-initiated trial. Pts were randomized to FOLFOX alone (Arm B) or FOLFOX plus nivo 240 mg; q2w and ipilimumab (ipi) 1 mg/kg; q6w administered in parallel (Arm A/A1) or sequentially (Arm A2) or pts were treated in a non-randomized fashion with FLOT plus nivo 240 mg; q2w (Arm C). PD-L1 expression was centrally assessed. Primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Results: The study completed enrollment with 260 pts. Arms A1/A2 and C started later and will be analyzed in Mar 2022 and presented at the meeting. The abstract, therefore, focuses on Arms A (n = 60) vs B (n = 60). Baseline characteristics were: median age 62.5y, GEJ, 55%, intestinal type, 36%. Forty-one percent had PD-L1 CPS≥1 (available in 79% of pts). Pts received a median of 10 and 9 cycles Arms A and B. Adverse events of grade 3/4 were seen in 86% for Arm A and 60% for Arm B, respectively, and serious adverse events (SAE) in 78% in Arm A and 50% in Arm B. Median follow-up was 9.7 mo. No difference in PFS (5.7 and 6.6 mo), OS (10 vs. 12 mo) or objective response rate (45% and 48%) was seen in Arms A and B, respectively. The results were similar in the PD-L1+ group. Conclusions: FOLFOX plus dual checkpoint inhibition administered in parallel is associated with an increase in toxicity but not activity. This portion of the moonlight trial does not generate a signal for further trials on FOLFOX plus nivo and ipi for adenocarcinoma of stomach and GEJ. Clinical trial information: NCT03647969.

IMMUNIB trial (AIO-HEP-0218/ass): A single-arm, phase II study evaluating safety and efficacy of immunotherapy nivolumab in combination with lenvatinib in advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

4107

Background: The field of systemic options in HCC therapy has significantly evolved in recent years, and first line options now include sorafenib, lenvatinib and bevacizumab plus atezolizumab. Nivolumab is a recombinant human IgG4 mAb targeting PD-1 with clinically meaningful activity in about 15-20% of HCC patients, but the confirmatory phase III trial Checkmate 459 failed to demonstrate superiority over sorafenib. VEGF signaling is not only a driver of tumor angiogenesis, but also contributes to the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Combinations of anti-angiogenic multikinase inhibitors, specifically lenvatinib, and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have demonstrated remarkable antitumor activity and manageable toxicity in several tumor types, including HCC. We therefore aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nivolumab in combination with lenvatinib as first line treatment in patients with advanced HCC. Methods: This investigator-initiated single-armed phase II trial (NCT03841201) recruited 50 patients (pts) at 8 sites in Germany between 07/2019 and 05/2021. Primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) according to investigator assessed RECIST 1.1 and safety/tolerability. Secondary endpoints included ORR according to iRECIST, time to progression (TTP), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Recruitment of the trial was completed in 05/2021. At the time of analysis, 4 patients remained on treatment. Results: 50 pts (24 BCLC B, 24 BCLC C, 2 not evaluable) were enrolled and received at least one dose of the combination treatment. ORR by RECIST 1.1 was 28% (CR: 6.0%, PR: 22.0%, SD: 46.0%, PD: 12.0%). Median PFS was 9.0 mo (26 events). Median TTP was 11.5 mo (0.69 at 6 mo, 0.45 at 12 mo, 0.36 at 18 mo) and median OS was 27.1 mo (8 events). 45 (91.8%) pts experienced at least one TRAE, of which 29 pts (59.1%) encountered at least one TRAE ≥ grade 3. 17 (34.7%) pts had one or more SAE related to the study medication, whereof 15 pts (30.6%) experienced at least one treatment related SAE ≥ grade 3. Conclusions: No new safety signals were observed for the combination of nivolumab and lenvatinib. Although the study failed to reach its prespecified ORR of at least 40%, the high activity in all efficacy endpoints with a mOS of 27.1 mo supports the further investigation of the combination in HCC. Clinical trial information: NCT03841201.

Zolbetuximab + CAPOX versus CAPOX in first-line treatment of claudin18.2+/HER2– advanced/metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: GLOW phase 3 study

TPS365

Background: Despite standard treatment options (eg, CAPOX, capecitabine + oxaliplatin), 5-year survival with advanced/metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJ) is poor and limited biomarkers exist to inform treatment selection. Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), a targetable biomarker, is a tight junction protein that is normally confined to gastric mucosa of healthy tissue and is often retained in G/GEJ. Zolbetuximab, a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody, binds to CLDN18.2 and mediates cell death through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Phase 2 (FAST; Sahin, Ann Oncol. 2021) results showed prolonged survival with zolbetuximab + EOX (epirubicin, oxaliplatin, capecitabine) vs EOX in CLDN18.2+ advanced G/GEJ. Preliminary phase 2 (NCT03505320, ILUSTRO Cohort 2; Klempner, J Clin Oncol. 2021) results showed promising antitumor activity with combination zolbetuximab + mFOLFOX6 (5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, oxaliplatin) in CLDN18.2+ advanced G/GEJ. Methods: GLOW (NCT03653507) is enrolling ̃500 adults from global sites. Patients are required to have radiologically evaluable (RECIST v1.1) CLDN18.2+/HER2– locally advanced unresectable or metastatic G/GEJ. Prior chemotherapy for advanced/metastatic G/GEJ is not permitted. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to zolbetuximab + CAPOX or placebo + CAPOX. Randomization will be stratified by region (Asia vs non-Asia), number of metastatic sites (0 to 2 vs ≥3), and prior gastrectomy (yes vs no). Zolbetuximab will be administered at 800 mg/m2 IV on Cycle 1 Day 1 (loading dose), then at 600 mg/m2 IV every 3 weeks; 8 cycles of CAPOX will be administered. Central testing of tumor tissue will determine CLDN18.2 status; tumors will be considered CLDN18.2+ if ≥75% of tumor cells show moderate to strong membranous immunohistochemical staining. Primary endpoint: progression-free survival per independent review. Secondary endpoints: overall survival; objective response rate; duration of response; safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of zolbetuximab. As of September 22, 2021, 135 sites were open for screening and enrollment. Clinical trial information: NCT03653507.

Pazopanib with 5-FU and oxaliplatin as first line therapy in advanced gastric cancer: A randomized phase-II study-The PaFLO trial. A study of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie AIO-STO-0510

VEGF inhibition in gastric cancer has a proven benefit in the second line setting. Pazopanib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, selectively inhibits VEGFR-1, -2 and -3, c-kit and PDGF-R resulting in inhibition of angiogenesis. This open-label randomized phase II trial (2:1) investigated the efficacy of combining pazopanib with FLO (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin) vs FLO alone (internal control arm) as first-line treatment in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Eighty-seven patients were randomized and 78 patients were eligible and evaluable (PaFLO arm 51 patients, FLO arm 27 patients). The PFS rate at 6 months (primary endpoint) was 34% in the PaFLO arm vs 30% in the FLO arm. Comparing PaFLO with FLO median PFS was 4.66 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.87-6.46) vs 4.47 months (95% CI 1.79-7.14) (95% CI, hazard ratio [HR] 0.96 (0.60-1.55), P = .882 [exploratory]); median OS was 10.19 months (95% CI 5.46-14.92) vs 7.33 months (95% CI 4.93-9.73), (95% CI HR 1.01 [0.62-1.65], P = .953, exploratory), disease control rate was 72% vs 59%. PaFLO was well tolerable, toxicities were slightly higher in the PaFLO arm. Major adverse events were loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Adding pazopanib to chemotherapy shows signs of efficacy but no major improvement in this randomized phase 2 trial. The PFS at 6 months in both arms was lower than expected from the literature. Biomarkers identifying subgroups who benefit and novel combinations are needed. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01503372.

Preventive HIPEC in combination with perioperative FLOT versus FLOT alone for resectable diffuse type gastric and gastroesophageal junction type II/III adenocarcinoma - the phase III "PREVENT"- (FLOT9) trial of the AIO /CAOGI /ACO

BACKGROUND

The main reason for treatment failure after curative surgical resection of gastric cancer is intra-abdominal spread, with 40-50% peritoneal seeding as primary localization of recurrence. Peritoneal relapse is seen in 60-70% of tumors of diffuse type, compared to only 20-30% of intestinal type. Hyperthermic IntraPEritoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC) is an increasingly used therapy method for patients with peritoneal metastases. The preventive use of HIPEC could represent an elegant approach for patients (pts) before macroscopic peritoneal seeding, since pts. with operable disease are fit and may have potential risk of microscopic involvement, thus having a theoretical chance of cure with HIPEC even without the need for cytoreduction. No results from a PCRT from the Western hemisphere have yet been published.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label study including a total of 200 pts. with localized and locally advanced diffuse or mixed type (Laurens's classification) adenocarcinoma of the stomach and Type II/III GEJ. All enrolled pts. will have received 3-6 pre-operative cycles of biweekly FLOT (Docetaxel 50 mg/m2; Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2; Leucovorin 200 mg/m2; 5-FU 2600 mg/m2, q2wk). Pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive surgery only and postoperative FLOT (control arm) or surgery + intraoperative HIPEC (cisplatin 75 mg/m2 solution administered at a temperature of 42 °C for 90 min) and postoperative FLOT (experimental arm). Surgery is carried out as gastrectomy or transhiatal extended gastrectomy. Primary endpoint is PFS/DFS, major secondary endpoints are OS, rate of pts. with peritoneal relapse at 2 and 3 years, perioperative morbidity/mortality and quality of life. The trial starts with a safety run-in phase. After 20 pts. had curatively intended resection in Arm B, an interim safety analysis is performed. Recruitment has already started and first patient in was on January 18th, 2021.

DISCUSSION

If the PREVENT concept proves to be effective, this could potentially lead to a new standard of therapy. On the contrary, if the outcome is negative, pts. with gastric cancer and no peritoneal involvement will not be treated with HIPEC during surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study is registered on June 25th, 2020 under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04447352 ; EudraCT: 2017-003832-35 .

PD-L1 targeting and subclonal immune escape mediated by PD-L1 mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

In patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), immune checkpoint blockade is ineffective, and combinatorial approaches enhancing immunogenicity need exploration.

METHODS

We treated 43 patients with predominantly microsatellite stable RAS/BRAF wild-type mCRC on a phase II trial combining chemotherapy with the epidermal growth factor receptor antibody cetuximab and the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody avelumab. We performed next-generation gene panel sequencing for mutational typing of tumors and liquid biopsy monitoring as well as digital droplet PCR to confirm individual mutations. Translational analyses included tissue immunohistochemistry, multispectral imaging and repertoire sequencing of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Detected PD-L1 mutations were mechanistically validated in CRISPR/Cas9-generated cell models using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay, antibody-dependent cytotoxicity by natural killer cell degranulation assay and LDH release assay as well as live cell imaging of T cell mediated tumor cell killing.

RESULTS

Circulating tumor DNA showed rapid clearance in the majority of patients mirroring a high rate of early tumor shrinkage. In 3 of 13 patients expressing the high-affinity Fcγ receptor 3a (FcγR3a), tumor subclones with PD-L1 mutations were selected that led to loss of tumor PD-L1 by nonsense-mediated RNA decay in PD-L1 K162fs and protein degradation in PD-L1 L88S. As a consequence, avelumab binding and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity were impaired, while T cell killing of these variant clones was increased. Interestingly, PD-L1 mutant subclones showed slow selection dynamics reversing on avelumab withdrawal and patients with such subclones had above-average treatment benefit. This suggested that the PD-L1 mutations mediated resistance to direct antitumor effects of avelumab, while at the same time loss of PD-L1 reduced biological fitness by enhanced T cell killing limiting subclonal expansion.

CONCLUSION

The addition of avelumab to standard treatment appeared feasible and safe. PD-L1 mutations mediate subclonal immune escape to avelumab in some patients with mCRC expressing high-affinity FcγR3a, which may be a subset experiencing most selective pressure. Future trials evaluating the addition of avelumab to standard treatment in MSS mCRC are warranted especially in this patient subpopulation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03174405.

Trastuzumab in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel as perioperative treatment for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive locally advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: A phase II trial of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie Gastric Cancer Study Group

Perioperative chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel (FLOT) is a mainstay in the treatment of esophagogastric adenocarcinomas (EGA). Trastuzumab improved survival when added to chemotherapy in patients with HER-2-positive metastatic EGA. We investigated the combination of trastuzumab and FLOT as perioperative treatment in patients with locally advanced EGA. A multicenter phase II study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of perioperative FLOT (24-hours 5-FU 2600 mg/m² , leucovorin 200 mg/m² , oxaliplatin 85 mg/mg² , docetaxel 50 mg/m² , trastuzumab 6 mg/kg then 4 mg/kg d1, repeated d15 for four cycles preoperatively and postoperatively followed by 9 cycles of trastuzumab monotherapy) in patients with HER-2 positive EGA. Patients had ≥cT2, any N, M0 EGA. The primary endpoint was the rate of centrally assessed pathological complete response (pCR). Secondary endpoints comprised disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS), R0 resection rate, toxicity and surgical morbidity. Fifty-six evaluable patients (median age 62 years) were included; n = 40 had tumors originating from the esophagogastric junction; T stage was (cT2/3/4/unknown): 4/42/8/2; n = 50 patients had cN+ disease. Main adverse events grades 3-4: leukopenia (17.9%), neutropenia (46.6%) and diarrhea (17.0%). All patients underwent tumor resections. R0 resection rate was 92.9%. Eight patients had anastomotic leakage. One postoperative death occurred. pCR was found in 12 patients (21.4%) and a further n = 14 patients (25.0%) had near complete response. Median DFS was 42.5 months and the 3-year OS rate was 82.1%. The primary endpoint of achieving a pCR >20% was reached. No unexpected safety issues were observed. Survival data are promising.

The IMMULAB trial: A phase II trial of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab in combination with local ablation for patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

TPS4159

Background: The investigator-initiated IMMULAB study investigates the clinical activity of peri-interventional treatment with the anti-PD1 antibody pembrolizumab in HCC patients who are candidates for local ablation via either radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA) or brachytherapy, or - as recommended for tumor larger than 3 cm – by combination with TACE. Patients with extrahepatic disease are excluded. Local ablation is known to induce tumor destruction with subsequent antigen release resulting in host adaptive immune responses. However, tumors could quickly overcome the immune responses by upregulating PD-L1/PD-1 expression and inhibiting the function of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Thus, combination of local ablation with an anti-PD1 antibody might display interesting effects by activating immune cells and disabling immune inhibitory mechanisms at the same time. Methods: This is a prospective investigator initiated single-arm multicenter phase II trial investigating immunotherapy with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab in combination with local ablation in early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with a child-pugh classification score ≤ 6, including high risk candidates for local ablation (defined as patients having ≤ 5 tumor nodules with diameters ≤ 7cm [longest axis] each OR patients with vascular infiltration) receive 200mg pembrolizumab i.v. q3w for 2 cycles. Thereafter, radiologic imaging is followed by local ablation on day 1 of cycle 3. Further pembrolizumab (200mg) is applied 2 days after ablation and thereafter every 3 weeks (q3w) for a total treatment duration of up to 12 months. It is planned to enroll 30 pts. Primary efficacy endpoint is the overall response rate (RECIST 1.1) after 2 cycles of pembrolizumab and before performing local ablation aiming in the conversion / downstaging of borderline candidates by pre-interventional treatment with pembrolizumab. Overall recruitment has started; currently (Feb 2021) 18 of 30 planned patients have been enrolled. Clinical trial information: NCT03753659.

Preventive HIPEC in combination with perioperative FLOT versus FLOT alone for resectable diffuse type gastric and gastroesophageal junction type II/III adenocarcinoma: The phase III “PREVENT” trial of the AIO /CAOGI /ACO

TPS4149

Background: The main reason for treatment failure after curative surgical resection of gastric cancer is intra-abdominal spread, with 40- 50% peritoneal seeding as primary localization of recurrence. Peritoneal relapse is seen in 60-70% of tumors of diffuse type, compared to only 20-30% of intestinal type. Hyperthermic IntraPEritoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC) is an increasingly used therapy method for patients with peritoneal metastases. The preventive use of HIPEC could represent an elegant approach for patients (pts) before macroscopic peritoneal seeding, since patients with operable disease are fit and may have potential risk of microscopic involvement, thus having a theoretical chance of cure with HIPEC even without the need for cytoreduction. No results from a PCRT from the Western hemisphere have yet been published. Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label study including a total of 200 pts with localized and locally advanced diffuse and mixed type (Laurens`s classification) adenocarcinoma of the stomach and Type II/III GEJ (i.e. ≥cT3 any N or any T N positive). All enrolled pts will have received 3-6 pre-operative cycles of biweekly FLOT (Docetaxel 50 mg/m²; Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m²; Leucovorin 200 mg/m²; 5-FU 2600 mg/m², q2wk). Pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive surgery only and postoperative FLOT (Arm A- Control arm) or surgery + intraoperative HIPEC (cisplatin 75mg/m2 solution administered at a temperature of 42°C for 90 minutes) and postoperative FLOT (Arm B- experimental arm). Surgery is carried out as gastrectomy or transhiatal extended gastrectomy. Primary endpoint is PFS/DFS, major secondary endpoints are OS, R0 resection rate, perioperative morbidity/mortality including VAS pain score and quality of life as assessed by EORTC QLQ C30 questionnaire. The trial starts with a safety run-in phase. After 20 patients had curatively intended resection in Arm B, an interim safety analysis is performed assessing feasibility, safety, and tolerability in Arm B. First patient was randomized on 18JAN2021. Currently one patient is recruited. EudraCT: 2017-003832-35; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04447352. Clinical trial information: NCT04447352.

MATTERHORN: Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant-adjuvant durvalumab and FLOT chemotherapy in resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study

TPS4151

Background: Gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers (GC, GEJC) are the fifth most common cancer types and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally (Globocan 2020). Standard of care for resectable GC/GEJC includes neoadjuvant-adjuvant FLOT chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil + leucovorin + oxaliplatin + docetaxel) combined with surgery and lymph node dissection for some regions of the world. While treatment advances have improved survival, the 5-year recurrence rate remains high and 5-year overall survival (OS) is poor for patients with resectable disease. Evidence suggests cytotoxic chemotherapy can promote antitumor immunity, thus the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as durvalumab (an anti–PD-L1 antibody), with cytotoxic chemotherapy may result in increased efficacy (Yu et al. Cancer Lett. 2019; Li et al. Mol Cancer. 2021). MATTERHORN (NCT04592913) is a phase 3, multicenter study evaluating the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant-adjuvant durvalumab or placebo with FLOT followed by adjuvant durvalumab or placebo in patients with resectable GC/GEJC. Methods: Approximately 900 adult patients will be randomized 1:1 to Arm A or Arm B for 2 neoadjuvant and 2 adjuvant cycles (single cycle defined as durvalumab or placebo every 4 weeks [Q4W] + FLOT [Q2W × 2]); followed by durvalumab or placebo Q4W for 10 cycles. Eligible patients must have histologically confirmed, resectable, stage II or higher GC or GEJC not treated with anticancer therapy, ECOG performance status 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. Complete surgical resection of the primary tumor must be achievable. A tumor tissue sample will be taken at screening or <3 months prior to enrollment. Key exclusion criteria are any prior immune-mediated therapy, peritoneal dissemination or distant metastasis, (adeno)squamous cell carcinoma, or gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The primary endpoint is event-free survival (EFS) assessed by blinded independent central radiology review (BICR) and/or local pathology testing. Secondary endpoints include OS and pathological complete response rate (pCR). Safety and tolerability will be evaluated by adverse events, vital signs, laboratory parameters, and electrocardiogram. Enrollment is ongoing. Funding: AstraZeneca. Clinical trial information: NCT04592913.

Phase I INSIGHT platform trial: Advanced safety and efficacy data from stratum D evaluating feasibility and safety of eftilagimod alpha (soluble LAG-3 protein) combined with avelumab in advanced solid tumors

2518

Background: Stratum D of the INSIGHT platform trial evaluates s.c. eftilagimod alpha (efti, IMP321) combined with avelumab in advanced solid tumors. Efti is an MHC class II agonist which activates antigen-presenting cells followed by CD8 T-cell activation. Combination with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade aims at enhanced efficacy. Methods: This IIT platform trial consists of 5 strata: intratumoral (A) or intraperitoneal efti (B); s.c. efti with SOC (C) or with PD-L1 inhibition (D). Strat E is currently under development and starts soon with a new efti combination. This abstract focuses on preliminary data of Strat D. Patients (pts) received 800mg avelumab i.v. q2w along with s.c. efti: 6mg in cohort 1 (coh 1, 6 pts), 30mg in cohort 2 (coh 2, 6 pts). Primary endpoint: safety. Results: Recruitment has been completed with 12 pts (coh 1: gastric, gallbladder, colon cancer, pleural mesothelioma; coh 2: gastric, gastroesophageal, anal, rectum, cervix uteri). No dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurred. 10 serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported, none of them considered causally related (4 in 3 pts of coh 1 [1 acute renal insufficiency grade 5 in 1 pt, 2 preileus grade 3 in 1 pt, hearing impaired grade 4 in 1 pt] and 6 in 4 pts of coh 2 [1 anal hemorrhage and 1 gallbladder obstruction in 1 pt, 1 eye pain and 1 surgery to replace the feeding tube in 1 pt, each grade 3, 1 skin infection grade 2, 1 diffuse myocardial fibrosis grade 5]. 1 AE of special interest (AESI) possibly related with avelumab (sarcoidosis grade 1) occurred in coh 1. 2 pts completed max treatment duration with 24 cycles. In coh 1, 47 adverse events (AEs; grade 1-2, 29; grade 3, 14; grade 4, 3; grade 5, 1) occurred in 5 pts. Most common grade 1-2 AEs were nausea, pain in 33%, 33% of the pts. Most common grade 3 AEs were ileus, vomiting in 33%, 33% of the pts. 2 AEs grade 4 (hearing impaired, sepsis) and 1 AE grade 5 (acute renal insufficiency) were reported. All AEs grade 3-5 were considered causally unrelated. In coh 2, 51 adverse events (AEs; grade 1-2, 29; grade 3, 19; grade 4, 2; grade 5, 1) occurred in 5 pts. The most common grade 1-2 AE was hypothyroidism in 33% of the pts. 1 AE grade 5 (diffuse myocardial fibrosis) was reported. Only 1 AE grade 3-5 was considered causally related (urinary tract infection grade 3 related with avelumab). 5 pts showed partial response as best response (2 coh 1: colon, pleural mesothelioma; 3 coh 2: gastric, anal, cervical), 1 stable disease with clinical progression (coh 2) (all but one of these pts still alive), 5 disease progressions acc. to RECIST 1.1 (3 coh 1, 2 coh 2), 1 clinical progression (coh 1). Signals of activity were also observed in pre-treated MSS/PD-L1low pts. Conclusions: Combined treatment with avelumab 800mg and efti 6mg (coh 1) or 30 mg efti (coh 2) seems feasible and safe. No unexpected AEs occurred. Signals of efficacy with CPI combination were seen (DCR 50%). Clinical trial information: NCT03252938.

Efficacy and safety of nivolumab and trabectedin in pretreated patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS): Preliminary results of a phase II trial of the German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG-15, NitraSarc) for the non-L sarcoma cohort

11545

Background: Single-agent PD-1 inhibitors have modest activity in the treatment of most STS. Potential strategies to increase efficacy include combination therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment. Considering that apart from direct growth inhibition and death of malignant cells, trabectedin (Tr) also induces macrophage depletion and/or different immunologic effects, suggesting a possible synergistic effect of combined Tr plus anti-PD-1 treatment. We therefore aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined Tr and nivolumab (Ni) as a second-line treatment in STS. Methods: The prospective, explorative, two group, non-randomized phase II NiTraSarc trial enrolled pretreated patients (pt) with advanced STS (Group A: lipo- or leiomyosarcomas, Group B: non-L-sarcomas). Pt were initially treated with 3 cycles of Tr 1.5 mg/m2, followed by the combination of Tr 1.5 mg/m2 + Ni 240 mg (“late combination cohort” (LCC)) for up to 16 cycles. After positive results of a preplanned interim analysis, pt received the combination therapy starting with cycle 2 (“early combination cohort” (ECC)). 92 pt were recruited to the trial (55 in Group A, 37 in Group B). Primary efficacy endpoint is progression-free survival rate after 6 months (PFSR6) according to RECIST v.1.1. This is a first analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint in Group B based on a modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population of evaluable 36 pt: 23 and 13 pt from the LCC and ECC, respectively. Results: The most common Group B subtypes comprised undifferentiated pleomorphic/not otherwise specified sarcoma (UPS/NOS, 13pt) and fibromyxoid sarcoma (FMS, 6pt). After a median follow-up of 5 months (m) PFSR6 was 13.9% for all pt, 8.7% in LCC and 23.1% in ECC. Median duration of disease stabilization (DoDS) was 4m in all pt, the LCC and the ECC. Two pt had a partial response (PR), 10 had disease stabilization (SD), while 13 pt progressed, and 11 had missing data. By subtype: PR- UPS/NOS=2 (DoDS 12.7m/12.5m). SD: UPS/NOS=3, epithelioid=2, synovial=2, FMS=1, fibrosarcoma=1, other=1. All 36 pt experienced at least one adverse event (AE) reaching a total of 579 AEs, 141 (24.4%) of which were considered to be grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs. The main grade ≥3 AEs were: leukopenia (47.2% of pt), neutropenia (41.7% of pt), thrombocytopenia (33.3% of pt), increased ALT (30.6% of pt), and anemia (27.8% of pt). Conclusions: Tr+Ni was well tolerated and showed activity in at least some patients with non-L-sarcomas (mostly UPS/NOS) especially in the ECC. Analyses of the collected data, including PD-L1 expression profile, with the goal to establish whether Tr+Ni should be further pursued in these patients, are ongoing. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03590210; EudraCT: 2017-001083-38. Clinical trial information: NCT03590210.

The PLATON pilot-study “Platform for analyzing targetable tumor mutations”: A PLATON network study

TPS6598

Background: PLATON Network is designed as a platform to improve personalized therapy based on genomic profiles in gastrointestinal cancer patients. PLATON’s study-design focuses on patient’s molecular profiling and will provide a network web application for interlinking PLATON investigators which integrates information of the participating centers, their patients, the molecular profiles and available clinical trials at PLATON`s study-sites. Methods: The PLATON Network is designed as a permanent open, multicenter, prospective, cohort study with biobanking, with a shared platform infrastructure for associated sub-studies. In a first approach the PLATON Network enrolls within its pilot-study 200 patients in Germany of both sexes and ages over 18 at 40 study sites (NCT04484636) with signed informed consent. All patients of the pilot-study are diagnosed with hepatocellular cancer (HCC), intra- and extrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA), gallbladder carcinoma (GBCA), pancreatic cancer (PDCA) or esophagogastric cancer (EC/GC). At the time of enrolment, patients are within their first-line therapy and no local curative therapy is available. Molecular profiling will be performed with the Foundation Medicine Assays FoundationOne CDx and FoundationOne Liquid CDx. Investigators may use the platform for searching clinical trials matching the individual molecular profile of their patients or may identify a patient, who may be eligible for a study or other treatment options available at the corresponding centers of the PLATON network. The interactive network web application will comprise a dashboard and a moderated chat room to interact for example in a virtual Molecular Tumor Board. The first patient was included on the 25th of November 2020. Up to 12th of February 2021, a total of 36 patients HCC (N = 1), CCA (N = 6), PDCA (N = 12), GBCA (N = 0) and EC/GC (N = 16) were enrolled at 11 study-sites and the results of 29 genetic analyses were completed. All cohorts of the pilot-study are open for recruitments up to a maximum of 40 individuals per diagnostic group. Clinical trial information: NCT04484636.

RAMucirumab in combination with TAS102 versus TAS102 monotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: Safety results from the phase IIb part of the RAMTAS phase II/III trial of the German AIO (AIO-KRK-0316)

3566

Background: Patients (pts) with mCRC progressing on standard chemotherapy have limited therapeutic options. Trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS102) significantly improved survival in patients with refractory mCRC. Ramucirumab (ram) is approved in combination with FOLFIRI for second-line treatment. There is a strong rationale to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ram in combination with TAS102 in pts with refractory mCRC. Methods: This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter, starting as phase IIb and extended to a phase III study in pts with advanced mCRC. Eligible pts were randomized to receive either ram (8 mg/kg on d1+15, q4w) and TAS102 (35 mg/m² on d1-5 and d8-12, q4w, arm A) or TAS102 alone (arm B). The primary endpoint is overall survival. A total of 145 pts were enrolled into phase IIb. Here, we present the data from an interim safety analysis comprising the first 80 treated pts. The trial was extended to phase III including a total of 426 pts. Enrolment of additional 281 pts started in Dec 2020. The trial endpoints remained unchanged. Results: Pts (40 arm A, 40 arm B) received a median of 2.5 treatment cycles in arm A and 2 cycles in arm B; 31 pts in treatment arm A and 32 pts in arm B discontinued participation prematurely, mainly due to cancer progression. Most patients developed adverse events (AEs): grade 3 AEs were observed in 28 pts (70%) in arm A (24 treatment-related) and 27 pts (67%, 17 treatment-related) in arm B. More grade 4 AEs were seen in arm A (13 pts, 32.5%) than in arm B (5 pts, 12.5%). In total, 46 Serious AEs (SAEs) occurred, 27 in arm A (10 treatment-related) and 19 in Arm B (2 treatment-related). Five SAEs (3 in arm A, 2 in arm B) had a fatal outcome (one in arm A treatment-related). Within the analyzed population, no SUSAR occurred. Conclusions: This safety analysis demonstrates a minor increase in AEs in the experimental arm but no unexpected events. There were no excessive toxicity or unacceptable risks. In summary, a favorable risk-benefit-profile was confirmed. Based on these safety results and the ongoing need for efficient treatment in the tested population, the trial was extended to phase III. Clinical trial information: NCT03520946.

Survival Outcomes Associated With 3 Years vs 1 Year of Adjuvant Imatinib for Patients With High-Risk Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: An Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial After 10-Year Follow-up

Importance

Adjuvant imatinib is associated with improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) when administered after surgery to patients with operable gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), but its influence on overall survival (OS) has remained uncertain.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of adjuvant imatinib on OS of patients who have a high estimated risk for GIST recurrence after macroscopically complete surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this open-label, randomized (1:1), multicenter phase 3 clinical trial conducted in Finland, Germany, Norway, and Sweden, 400 patients who had undergone macroscopically complete surgery for GIST with a high estimated risk for recurrence according to the modified National Institutes of Health Consensus Criteria were enrolled between February 2004 and September 2008. Data for this follow-up analysis were analyzed from September to November, 2019.

Interventions

Imatinib 400 mg/d administered orally for either 12 months or 36 months after surgery.

Main Outcomes And Measures

The primary end point was RFS; the secondary objectives included OS and treatment safety.

Results

The intention-to-treat cohort consisted of 397 patients (12-month group, 199; 36-month group, 198; 201 men and 196 women; median [IQR] age, 62 (51-69) years and 60 (51-67) years, during a median follow-up time of 119 months after the date of randomization, 194 RFS events and 96 OS events were recorded in the intention-to-treat population. Five-year and 10-year RFS was 71.4% and 52.5%, respectively, in the 36-month group and 53.0% and 41.8% in the 12-month group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.87; P = .003). In the 36-month group, 5-year OS and 10-year OS rates were 92.0% and 79.0%, respectively, and in the 12-month group 85.5% and 65.3% (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.37-0.83; P = .004). The results were similar in the efficacy population, from which 15 patients who did not have GIST in central pathology review and 24 patients who had intra-abdominal metastases removed at surgery were excluded (36-month group, 10-year OS 81.6%; 12-month group, 66.8%; HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32-0.80; P = .003). No new safety signals were detected.

Conclusions and Relevance

Three years of adjuvant imatinib is superior in efficacy compared with 1 year of imatinib. Approximately 50% of deaths may be avoided during the first 10 years of follow-up after surgery with longer adjuvant imatinib treatment.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00116935.

Phase II study of zolbetuximab plus pembrolizumab in claudin 18.2: Positive locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJ)—ILUSTRO Cohort 3

TPS260

Background: Five-year survival with advanced G/GEJ is poor, and limited biomarkers exist to inform optimal treatment selection. Pembrolizumab, an anti–programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1) antibody, is approved for advanced/metastatic PD-ligand 1–positive (PD-L1+) G/GEJ that progressed after ≥2 lines of therapy. The transmembrane tight junction protein claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is normally confined to gastric mucosa but is often overexpressed in G/GEJ with roughly one-third of patients (pts) having high expression (≥75%). Zolbetuximab, a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody, binds to CLDN18.2 and mediates cancer cell death through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Phase 2 (NCT01630083) results showed prolonged survival with zolbetuximab + epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine (EOX) vs EOX alone in G/GEJ. Results of nonclinical studies showed enhanced antitumor activity with zolbetuximab + anti-murine PD-1 antibody, and it was hypothesized that a combination with pembrolizumab (new Cohort 3) might augment ADCC and antitumor immune response in CLDN18.2 overexpressing G/GEJ. Methods: This phase 2 open-label study (NCT03505320) will enroll ~112 adult pts from 22 sites in 5 countries into 3 cohorts; this abstract describes Cohort 3 (~62 pts). Key eligibility criteria are advanced/metastatic G/GEJ, measurable disease (RECIST v1.1), adequate organ function and performance status, and high/intermediate (Cohort 3A) or high (Cohort 3B) expression of CLDN18.2. Central testing of tumor tissue will determine CLDN18.2 expression; pts are considered CLDN18.2 positive (CLDN18.2+) if ≥75% (high) or ≥50% to < 75% (intermediate) of tumor cells demonstrate moderate-to-strong membranous IHC staining. Patients in Cohort 3B are required to be PD-L1+, defined as a combined positive score ≥1 (IHC staining per the Dako 22C3 PD-L1 assay). Patients will receive zolbetuximab + pembrolizumab in the third/later line in Cohort 3A and third line in Cohort 3B. In Cohort 3A (safety cohort), zolbetuximab will be administered at a loading dose of 800 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 Cycle 1 followed by 600 mg/m2 IV every 3 weeks; a reduction from 600 mg/m2 every 3 weeks is permitted. Pembrolizumab 200 mg IV will be administered on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Cohort 3B (expansion cohort) zolbetuximab dose is determined from results of Cohort 3A. Imaging will occur every 6 weeks for 24 weeks and every 12 weeks thereafter. The primary endpoint is objective response rate; additional endpoints include duration of response, disease control rate, and progression-free survival by independent review committee and investigator assessment. Pharmacokinetics, safety/tolerability, quality of life, and immunogenicity will be assessed. The study is currently recruiting pts. Clinical trial information: NCT03505320.

Perioperative chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin followed by radical liver resection versus immediate radical liver resection alone in gallbladder carcinoma or in front of radical resection in BTC: The phase III GAIN trial

TPS353

Background: Radical surgical resection represents the only potentially curative treatment option for Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC) and Gallbladder Carcinoma (GBC). Nevertheless, 5-year OS is only 20–40% after curatively intended resection. GBC is the fifth most common neoplasm of the digestive tract and even the most frequent cancer of the biliary system. The majority of gallbladder carcinoma cases are discovered incidentally by the pathologist after cholecystectomy for a benign indication, so called incidental gallbladder carcinomas. For improving curative rates in BTC and GBC, early systemic therapy combined with radical resection seems to be a promising approach. The earliest moment to apply chemotherapy would be in front of radical surgery. Encouraging results of neoadjuvant/perioperative concepts in other malignancies provide an additional rationale to use this treatment in the early phase management of GBC and intrahepatic as well extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, especially because data regarding pure adjuvant chemotherapy in BTC`s are currently conflicting. Methods: GAIN is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label phase III trial, including pts with GBCs in front of radical liver resection and pts with resectable/borderline resectable intra- and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICC/ECC). Pts. are randomized to either neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (Gemcitabine + Cisplatin 3 cycles pre- and post-surgery) followed by radical surgery or to direct surgery without neoadjuvant treatment. Primary endpoint is OS; secondary endpoints are PFS, R0-resection rate, toxicity, perioperative morbidity, mortality and QoL. A total of N = 333 patients with GBC or BTC will be included. Recruitment has just started; first patient in was on December 6th, 2019. Clinical trial information: NCT03673072.

Randomized multicenter phase II/III study with adjuvant gemcitabine versus neoadjuvant/adjuvant FOLFIRINOX in resectable pancreatic cancer: The NEPAFOX trial

406

Background: The outcome of pancreatic cancer remains poor. Few patients (pts) can be assigned to surgery and 80% of resected pts experience a relapse. Currently, adjuvant ctx is standard, but prognosis remains poor. FOLFIRINOX (FFX) is a SOC in metastatic and meanwhile in the adjuvant setting and may represent a valuable neoadjuvant option in resectable and borderline resectable stages. We initiated the NEPAFOX– trial in Germany to explore the efficacy of perioperative FFX. Methods: This is a multicenter randomized phase II/III trial. Recruitment of the trial was stopped after 40 patients (pts) due to poor accrual. Pts with resectable or borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas without metastases were eligible. Eligible pts were randomized to (arm A) upfront surgery followed by adjuvant gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) for 6 months or (arm B) perioperative FFX (irinotecan 180 mg/m2, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, 5-FU 400mg/m² bolus, 5-FU 2400 mg/m², sodium folinate 400 mg/m2) 4-6 cycles (8-12 weeks) pre and further 4-6 cycles post surgery. The primary endpoint is OS. Secondary endpoints include PFS, perioperative morbidity, mortality, and others. Results: 40 pts (42.5% female) were randomized over 3 years (05.03.2015 FPI - 23.03.2018 LPI), 21 in arm A, 19 in arm B. Age range was 46-84y, median age 64y.Before randomization, 76.2% of the pts in Arm A and 78.9% in Arm B were classified as primarily resectable the remaining pts as borderline resectable. Patients received in median 3 cycles in Arm A (range: 0-6) and 6 in Arm B (range: 1-12). Surgery was performed in 18 pts (85.7%) in Arm A and 11 (57.9%) in Arm B. Reasons for not conducting surgery were for Arm A patient´s wish (1 pt) and inoperability (2 pts), for Arm B early progressive disease (4 pts), death (1 pt), pneumonia (1 pt), and toxicities (1 pt). 13 (Arm A) and 5 (Arm B) pts had a R0-Resection. Perioperative morbidity occurred in 72.2% of operated pts in Arm A and 45.5% in Arm B. Median OS was 25.68 months in Arm A (6 events of death) and 10.03 months in Arm B (14 events) with HR 0.366 and p = 0.0337. Median PFS was 9.8 months in Arm A (12 events) and 6.64 months in Arm B (16 events) with HR 0.722 and p = 0.4099. Conclusions: Due to low pt numbers, the analyses for primary and secondary endpoints are not robust and only descriptive. Median OS for Gemcitabine- arm was in the line with literature data and better than for FFX, but pt/event numbers are too for conclusion. Only 11 out of 19 FFX pts underwent surgery, only 9 pts had pancreatic resection, indicating that pts should be extremely good selected before starting a neoadjuvant approach. According to CT or MRI pts of arm B were not more advanced regarding tumor staging. Nevertheless, there were no safety issues in the FFX arm regarding surgical complications, so neoadjuvant/ perioperative treatment approach seems to be feasible, subjected to the small number of pts in the study. Clinical trial information: NCT02172976.

Patient-reported outcomes from the phase II FAST trial of zolbetuximab plus EOX compared to EOX alone as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic CLDN18.2+ gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Zolbetuximab plus first-line EOX (epirubicin, oxaliplatin, capecitabine; ZOL/EOX) significantly prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival in the FAST trial vs EOX alone. We report the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of FAST in patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to ZOL/EOX or EOX alone. Patients could receive ≤ 8 EOX cycles and remained on zolbetuximab until disease progression. PROs were collected using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 before drug administration at day 1/cycle 1, day 1/cycle 5, end of EOX treatment, and q12w thereafter until disease progression. Time to deterioration (TTD), defined as the first meaningful worsening from baseline, in the individual QLQ-C30/QLQ-STO22 scores was analyzed. Longitudinal changes in scores from baseline were analyzed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures (MMRM).

RESULTS

The per protocol population included 143 (ZOL/EOX: 69; EOX: 74) patients. Baseline QLQ-C30 and STO22 scores were comparable between arms and denoted intermediate-to-high quality of life (QoL), intermediate-to-low global health status (GHS) and low symptom burden. Descriptive analyses showed no differences between arms until end of EOX but maintenance therapy with zolbetuximab was associated with better QoL and less symptom burden thereafter. TTD for most scores favored ZOL/EOX over EOX and reached statistical significance for GHS (p = 0.008). MMRM results support TTD findings; no statistically significant differences were observed between arms in any score except for nausea and vomiting (p = 0.0181 favoring EOX).

CONCLUSIONS

ZOL/EOX allowed patients to maintain good QoL and low symptom burden for longer than EOX alone.

Quality of life and outcome of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine: Real-life results from the prospective QOLIXANE trial of the Platform for Outcome, Quality of Life and Translational Research on Pancreatic Cancer registry

Few data exist on health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) receiving first-line chemotherapy (Awad L ZE, Mesbah M Boston, MA. Applying survival data methodology to analyze quality of life data, in Mesbah M, Cole BF, Ting Lee M-L (eds): Statistical Methods for Quality of Life Studies: Design, Measurements and Analysis. Kluwer Academic Publishers 2002). The QOLIXANE study is a prospective, noninterventional, multicenter substudy of the Platform for Outcome, Quality of Life and Translational Research on Pancreatic Cancer (PARAGON) registry, which evaluated QoL in patients with mPC receiving first-line gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy in real-life setting. QoL was prospectively measured via EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires at baseline and every month thereafter. Therapy and efficacy parameters were prospectively collected. Main objectives were the rate of patients without deterioration of Global Health Status/QoL (GHS/QoL) at 3 and 6 months. Six hundred patients were enrolled in 95 German study sites. Median progression-free survival was 5.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.2-6.3). Median overall survival (OS) was 8.9 months (95% CI, 7.9-10.2), while median time to deterioration of GHS/QoL was 4.7 months (95% CI, 4.0-5.6). With a baseline GHS/QoL score of 46 (SD, 22.8), baseline QoL of the patients was severely impaired, in most cases due to loss in role functioning and fatigue. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, 61% and 41% of patients had maintained GHS/QoL after 3 and 6 months, respectively. However, in the QoL response analysis, 35% and 19% of patients had maintained (improved or stable) GHS/QoL after 3 and 6 months, respectively, while 14% and 9% had deteriorated GHS/QoL with the remaining patients being nonevaluable. In the Cox regression analysis, GHS/QoL scores strongly predicted survival with a hazard ratio of 0.86 (P < .0001). Patients with mPC have poor QoL at baseline that deteriorates within a median of 4.7 months. Treatment with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel is associated with maintained QoL in relevant proportions of patients. However, overall, results remain poor, reflecting the aggressive nature of the disease.

A Frameshift Peptide Neoantigen-Based Vaccine for Mismatch Repair-Deficient Cancers: A Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency is a hallmark of Lynch syndrome, the most common inherited cancer syndrome. MMR-deficient cancer cells accumulate numerous insertion/deletion mutations at microsatellites. Mutations of coding microsatellites (cMS) lead to the generation of immunogenic frameshift peptide (FSP) neoantigens. As the evolution of MMR-deficient cancers is triggered by mutations inactivating defined cMS-containing tumor suppressor genes, distinct FSP neoantigens are shared by most MMR-deficient cancers. To evaluate safety and immunogenicity of an FSP-based vaccine, we performed a clinical phase I/IIa trial (Micoryx).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The trial comprised three cycles of four subcutaneous vaccinations (FSP neoantigens derived from mutant AIM2, HT001, TAF1B genes) mixed with Montanide ISA-51 VG over 6 months. Inclusion criteria were history of MMR-deficient colorectal cancer (UICC stage III or IV) and completion of chemotherapy. Phase I evaluated safety and toxicity as primary endpoint (six patients), phase IIa addressed cellular and humoral immune responses (16 patients).

RESULTS

Vaccine-induced humoral and cellular immune responses were observed in all patients vaccinated per protocol. Three patients developed grade 2 local injection site reactions. No vaccination-induced severe adverse events occurred. One heavily pretreated patient with bulky metastases showed stable disease and stable CEA levels over 7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

FSP neoantigen vaccination is systemically well tolerated and consistently induces humoral and cellular immune responses, thus representing a promising novel approach for treatment and even prevention of MMR-deficient cancer.

Ipilimumab or FOLFOX with Nivolumab and Trastuzumab in previously untreated HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic EsophagoGastric Adenocarcinoma - the randomized phase 2 INTEGA trial (AIO STO 0217)

BACKGROUND

Esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) currently represents a main cause of cancer related death. Despite an intensified treatment for locally advanced or metastatic EGA with a doublet chemotherapy consisting of a platinum compound and a fluoropyrimidine in combination with trastuzumab for HER2-positive disease or in selected cases with docetaxel, survival remains poor. Recently, immune-oncology based strategies relevantly improved the treatment of different solid tumors and showed some promise in late or later stage trials in EGA. Notably, the combination of immunotherapy with trastuzumab to enhance anti-tumor immunity through activation of innate and adaptive immunity was beneficial in preclinical studies or clinical studies in breast cancer.

METHODS

The INTEGA study is an open-label, randomized, multicenter, exploratory phase II trial designed to assess clinical performance, safety and tolerability of ipilimumab or 5-FU/folinic acid and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in combination with nivolumab and trastuzumab in patients with previously untreated HER2-positive, locally advanced or metastatic EGA. The primary objective is to determine the clinical performance of ipilimumab or FOLFOX in combination with nivolumab and trastuzumab in terms of overall survival. Secondary objectives are safety and tolerability, efficacy in terms of progression-free survival and objective response rate and blood-based signatures (e.g. immune response or suppression of anti-HER2 resistance) that may correlate with treatment response.

DISCUSSION

Recent evidence from the phase II NCT02954536 study (oxaliplatin, capecitabine, trastuzumab and pembrolizumab) suggests the clinical feasibility of combining chemotherapy, trastuzumab and checkpoint inhibition in EGA. However, evidence for a chemotherapy-free regimen is also mounting in HER2-positive disease (NCT02689284) i.e. margetuximab and Pembrolizumab. Both studies excelled with high overall response rates and manageable toxicities. The INTEGA study aims to comparatively assess these results and select a promising new 1st line regimen which then needs to be confirmed in a randomized phase III trial. Further, the translational part of the study might help to better stratify patients and tailor treatment of either arm.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03409848 24.01.2018.

FOLFIRI plus ramucirumab versus paclitaxel plus ramucirumab as second-line therapy for patients with advanced or metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma with or without prior docetaxel: Results from the phase II RAMIRIS Study of the AIO

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Background: Ramucirumab (Ram) as monotherapy or plus paclitaxel is a proven second-line option for advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). More and more patients (pts) are pretreated with docetaxel in the perioperative or first-line setting. These pts may benefit more from another, non-cross resistant chemotherapy backbone regimen. This trial evaluates the addition of Ram to FOLFIRI as second line treatment. Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, investigator initiated, phase II trial. Pts with GEA who have progressed after treatment with a fluoropyrimidine/platinum-containing regimen were randomized 2:1 to either FOLFIRI plus Ram every two weeks (Arm A) or paclitaxel (days 1, 8, 15 of a 28-day cycle) plus Ram every two weeks (Arm B). Major endpoints were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity. Results: 111 pts (median age 61 years, 65% of pts had prior docetaxel therapy) were enrolled and 110 analyzed within intention to treat population (ITT, Arm A, 72; Arm B, 38). In the ITT, there was no significant difference in median OS (A, 6.8 vs. B, 7.6 months, HR 0.94, p = 0.77) and median PFS (A, 4.6 vs. B, 3.6 months, HR 0.72, p = 0.12). For pts with prior docetaxel use (71/110), median PFS was A, 4.3 vs. B, 2.0 months, HR 0.49, p = 0.008 and median OS was A, 7.5 vs. B, 6.4 months, HR 0.71, p = 0.25. In 101 pts with tumor assessment and included in the response analysis, ORR and DCR was 23% and 65% in Arm A and 11% and 60% in Arm B, respectively. 67 pts assessable for response were pre-treated with docetaxel. In these pts, ORR was 24% in Arm A and 9% in Arm B. Disease control rate (DCR) was 67% and 41% for Arm A and B respectively. Both therapies were similarly tolerable, final safety results will be shown. Conclusions: The RAMIRIS trial demonstrated feasibility of the combination of FOLFIRI and Ram. With a response rate of 24% and a median PFS of 4.3 months, docetaxel pre-treated pts seemed to derive pronounced benefit from FOLFIRI-Ram, providing a rationale for a phase III trial, which is currently ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03081143 .