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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

[The use of immuno-oncologic therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma in the context of liver transplantation. An interdisciplinary benefit/risk assessment]

BACKGROUND

Multiple systemic therapy options have been recently approved for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In particular, immuno-oncology combination therapies can now achieve impressive response rates and significantly prolonged survival with good tolerability. These immuno-oncology (IO)-based combinations are currently not only evaluated for the therapy of advanced HCC, but increasingly also in earlier stages in terms of peri-interventional therapy concepts and also for down-sizing to local therapies. In the context of liver transplantation (LTx), a particularly critical benefit/risk assessment must be made before the use of immunotherapeutics in the context of multimodal concepts, since the risk of a potentially lethal rejection can be significantly increased by immunotherapy.

METHODS

This review is based on a selective literature search performed between December 2020 and April 2021 in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. Guidelines, expert opinions, and recommendations from professional societies were given special consideration.

RESULTS

Nearly one in five LTx in Germany are performed due to HCCs. In this context, LTx is a curative therapy option not only for the underlying liver disease but also for the malignant tumor. Individual case reports indicate that IO therapy prior to LTx may increase the risk of rejection or liver failure after subsequent liver transplantation. Since 2015, immunotherapeutics have also been widely used for tumor therapy in patients after LTx. In small case series, rejection rates of 36%, associated with rejection-related mortality of 20% of treated patients, have been described. A similar incidence of rejection has also been described following the use of immunotherapeutics in patients after other organ transplantations.

CONCLUSION

In the context of organ transplantation, IO therapy carries the risk of graft rejection, which can lead to graft loss and also patient death. However, from today's point of view, IO-based therapy can be considered in the context of organ transplantation with a careful benefit/risk assessment.

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.

Safety Run-In Phase (SRP) cohorts 1 and 2 of the IMMUNIB trial (AIO-HEP-0218/ass): An open-label, single-arm phase II study evaluating safety and efficacy of immunotherapy with PD-L1/L2 inhibition (nivolumab) in combination with receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition (lenvatinib) in advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

e16601

Background: Immuno-oncology (I-O) drug nivolumab binds to T-cell PD-1 receptor and overcomes tumor induced inhibition of T-cell proliferation and cytokine release caused by PD-L1/L2 interaction. It so enhances the immune system’s natural tumor erasing capacity. In combination with selective targeting of oncogenic signaling pathways by receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) lenvatinib, a markedly improved response rate is expected in patients suffering from advanced stage HCC. Methods: This investigator-initiated phase II trial is designed as a signal generating, single-armed trial. 50 patients are planned in total. Primary endpoints are efficacy (objective response rate acc. to investigator assessed RECIST 1.1) and safety of combination treatment. The trial comprises two successive Safety Run-in Phase (SRP) cohorts, each consisting of 3 consecutively recruited patients, to evaluate safety of defined dose level 0: 240 mg nivolumab i.v. q2w along with 12 mg (≥ 60 kg bw) respectively 8 mg ( < 60 kg bw) lenvatinib p.o. qd. This abstract focuses on safety data from SRP cohort 1 and 2 (6 patients) in which all AEs were evaluated after patients received 2 cycles of IMP in dose level 0. In total, 10 patients have been enrolled into the trial up to now. Results: Summarized over both SRP cohorts, no dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) i.e. selected grade 4 events occurred in the six evaluated patients. 2 SAEs (abdominal infection; not IMP-related; grade 3 / fever; IMP-related; grade 1) and 21 AEs have been documented in 6 patients (most common AEs: hypertension [3x (14%); IMP-related], pain [3x (14%) (flank; extremity; unspecified); not IMP-related] - in total 12 AEs IMP-related and 9 AEs not IMP-related). No grade 5 AE, one grade 4 AE (AST increase; IMP-related) and three grade 3 AEs (Abdominal infection and hepatic encephalopathy; not IMP-related / ALT increase; IMP-related) in two patients have been reported. All other AEs were of grades 1 or 2. No patient discontinued treatment during SRP. Conclusions: Combination treatment with nivolumab 240 mg and lenvatinib 12/8 mg was assessed as safe and well tolerated from the data obtained from 6 patients in two cohorts, each received two combination cycles. Regular recruitment was thus opened in January 2020 and is planned to be completed in Q3/2020. Clinical trial information: NCT03841201 .

Interim safety analysis of the DANTE trial: Perioperative atezolizumab in combination with FLOT versus FLOT alone in patients with resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma—A randomized, open-label phase II trial of the German Gastric Group at the AIO and SAKK

4549

Background: The DANTE study evaluates atezolizumab in the perioperative treatment of locally advanced, potentially resectable gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma in combination with perioperative FLOT. Here, we report the protocol-defined interim safety analysis. Methods: DANTE is a multinational, prospective, multicenter, randomized, investigator-initiated, open label phase II trial. Patients (pts) with locally advanced, potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach and GEJ (≥cT2 and/or N-positive) without distant metastases are enrolled. Pts are randomized 1:1 to 4 pre-operative 2-week cycles of FLOT followed by surgery and 4 additional cycles of FLOT plus atezolizumab at 840 mg every 2 weeks, followed by a total of 8 additional cycles of atezolizumab at 1200 mg every 3 weeks as monotherapy (arm A) or FLOT alone (arm B). Primary endpoint is time to disease progression or relapse after surgery (PFS/DFS). Results: Recruitment started in Sep 2018; by Feb 2020, a total of 175 pts have been randomized. This analysis is based on the first 40 pts (20 pts in each arm). The pts had a median age of 62 y and 75% of pts had an ECOG PS of 0 in both arms. The cohort was well balanced in terms of tumor location and clinical stage. 5% of the 40 patients (overall 7.4% of 175 pts enrolled) showed microsatellite instability. 90% of pts enrolled completed all pre-operative cycles in each arm. Total number of adverse events with relation to study treatment was 154 in arm A and 148 in arm B. Total number of serious adverse events (SAE; related or not) was 16 in Arm A and 14 in arm B. 20% of pts in each arm had an SAE due to perioperative morbidity. No surgical mortality was observed. 18 and 19 pts proceeded to operation in arms A and B, respectively. Premature treatment discontinuation occurred in 2 pts in each arm: disease progression (1) and deterioration of general health condition (1) in arm A; and pts’ wish (1) and death (1) in arm B. Median hospitalization time was 15 days in arm A and 16 days in arm B. Conclusions: Perioperative atezolizumab plus FLOT is feasible and safe. The study continues recruitment. Clinical trial information: NCT03421288 .

Perioperative chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel versus fluorouracil or capecitabine plus cisplatin and epirubicin for locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (FLOT4): a randomised, phase 2/3 trial

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel-based chemotherapy is effective in metastatic gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. This study reports on the safety and efficacy of the docetaxel-based triplet FLOT (fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel) as a perioperative therapy for patients with locally advanced, resectable tumours.

METHODS

In this controlled, open-label, phase 2/3 trial, we randomly assigned 716 patients with histologically-confirmed advanced clinical stage cT2 or higher or nodal positive stage (cN+), or both, resectable tumours, with no evidence of distant metastases, via central interactive web-based-response system, to receive either three pre-operative and three postoperative 3-week cycles of 50 mg/m² epirubicin and 60 mg/m² cisplatin on day 1 plus either 200 mg/m² fluorouracil as continuous intravenous infusion or 1250 mg/m² capecitabine orally on days 1 to 21 (ECF/ECX; control group) or four preoperative and four postoperative 2-week cycles of 50 mg/m² docetaxel, 85 mg/m² oxaliplatin, 200 mg/m² leucovorin and 2600 mg/m² fluorouracil as 24-h infusion on day 1 (FLOT; experimental group). The primary outcome of the trial was overall survival (superiority) analysed in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01216644.

FINDINGS

Between Aug 8, 2010, and Feb 10, 2015, 716 patients were randomly assigned to treatment in 38 German hospitals or with practice-based oncologists. 360 patients were assigned to ECF/ECX and 356 patients to FLOT. Overall survival was increased in the FLOT group compared with the ECF/ECX group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·77; 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.63 to 0·94]; median overall survival, 50 months [38·33 to not reached] vs 35 months [27·35 to 46·26]). The number of patients with related serious adverse events (including those occurring during hospital stay for surgery) was similar in the two groups (96 [27%] in the ECF/ECX group vs 97 [27%] in the FLOT group), as was the number of toxic deaths (two [<1%] in both groups). Hospitalisation for toxicity occurred in 94 patients (26%) in the ECF/ECX group and 89 patients (25%) in the FLOT group.

INTERPRETATION

In locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, perioperative FLOT improved overall survival compared with perioperative ECF/ECX.

FUNDING

The German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe), Sanofi-Aventis, Chugai, and Stiftung Leben mit Krebs Foundation.

Evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): A prospective, multicenter, open-label, double-arm trial of trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) versus best supportive care (BSC)

TPS726

Background: The RECOURSE trial in pts with refractory mCRC showed improvement in OS (7.1 vs 5.3 mo, p < 0.001), but had no formal assessment of QoL. Thus, the TALLISUR trial is designed to investigate the HRQoL in pts treated with FTD/TPI and those who are treated with BSC alone on patient´s request while being suitable for treatment (Tx) with FTD/TPI prospectively. This novel design of a double-arm trial with BSC as appropriate comparative Tx is addressing assessment requirements (i.e. data on survival, morbidity and QoL) for the German Federal Joint Committee (GBA). Methods: Pts who have been previously treated with, or are not candidates for available Ctx including 5-FU, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, anti-VEGF-, and anti EGFR-agents with adequate organ functions independent from their ECOG status. Tx is FTD/TPI 35 mg/m2 d 1-5 and 8-12 qw d 28 or BSC. Efficacy is documented by PFS (clinical or radiological), OS and an exploratory analysis of RR while safety includes type, incidence and severity of FTD/TPI-related AEs. QoL will be assessed by means of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires for one year, close safety observation and/or FU phase. The primary endpoint (EP) is the rate of responders with unchanged or improved HRQoL. Major exclusion criteria include other tumor therapy as Rtx, and intestinal obstruction. Response will be defined as an improvement or stabilization compared to the baseline score of the global health status/QoL scale. Response is calculated as mean of the score of the EORTC QLQ-C30, global health status/QoL scale at all scheduled time points of QoL analysis in the time interval from d -2 before start of Cycle 2 until the end of Tx/close observation compared to the baseline score of the global health status /QoL scale. A RR of 45%±10% is assessed as appropriate in pts with ≥2 cycles FTD/TPI. A total of 195 pts are needed to answer the question with a 2-sided type I error of 5%. The strategy will be regarded successful if the lower boundary of the CI for the RR is ≥35%. TALLISUR started 09/2017 (EudraCT-No 2017-000292-83) and has recruited 160 mCRC pts in total (17th Sep 2018). Clinical trial information: 2017-000292-83.

CabaGast: multicentre, Phase II study with cabazitaxel in previously treated patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and stomach

INTRODUCTION

This is a single-arm study (NCT01956149) to determine the prolonged (≥ 4 months) disease control rate with cabazitaxel administered in second-(or later) setting for patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and stomach.

METHODS

65 patients with advanced EGJ and stomach cancer were treated with 20 mg/m² cabazitaxel every 3 weeks for a maximum of six cycles. The main objective of the study is a prolonged disease control rate (pDCR: CR, PR or SD lasting at least 4 months). Secondary outcome measures were overall survival, progression-free survival, response rate by subgroup (with vs without previous treatment with a taxane) and toxicity. Patients were assessed for tumor response every 6 weeks during therapy and during the follow-up (up to 12 months).

RESULTS

65 patients (median age: 63, range 31-86 years) were assigned to treatment. Median no. of prior therapies that had received prior taxane therapy was 2. 80%. Patients received a median of two cycles of cabazitaxel. Efficacy results are for the ITT population. The mDCR in n = 65 patients was 10.8% (95% CI 4.4-20.9%). There was a control of disease (CR + PR + SD) in n = 26 patients of n = 65, corresponding to a DCR of 40.0% (95% CI 28.0-52.9%). In patients without prior taxane use, it was 46.2% (95% CI 25.1-80.8%) and in patients with only one prior therapy, DCR was 50.0% (95% CI 31.3-68.7%). The median overall survival was 4.6 months (95% CI 3.16, 5.59) in the whole ITT population. In patients with only one prior therapy, median OS was 5.4 months (95% CI 2.60, 7.43) and in patients without taxane pretreatment, it was 6.4 months (95% CI 1.38, 14.17). The median progression-free survival time was 1.5 months (95% CI 1.32, 2.27) in the whole ITT population, 2.9 months (95% CI 0.72, 4.67) without prior taxane therapy and was 1.7 (95% CI 1.28, 3.35) months in patients with only one prior therapy median.

CONCLUSIONS

Cabazitaxel is active in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic and advanced esophagogastric junction and gastric adenocarcinoma. Efficacy results in a classic second-line population are comparable to other second-line studies, therefore, under the limitations of this trial, (single arm, Phase II design) cabazitaxel might be an option especially in patients without prior taxane therapy, in second line and even further line therapy of metastatic and advanced esophagogastric junction and gastric adenocarcinoma.

Perioperative trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination with FLOT versus FLOT alone for HER2 positive resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: Petrarca—A phase II trial of the German AIO

TPS4133

Background: Neoadjuvant or perioperative chemotherapy has become a standard of care for locally advanced, resectable gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of the GEJ. However, patient’s outcome is still unsatisfactory and 5-year survival, even in prospective trials, has been below 40%. Targeting HER2 with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab prolonged survival in patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer as did Trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. This provides a rationale for the evaluation of anti-HER2 treatment for resectable patients. Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, investigator initiated phase II trial. Patients with HER2-positive locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach and GEJ (i.e. ≥cT2 any N or any T N-positive) with exclusion of distant metastases are enrolled. HER2 status is centrally assessed. Patients are randomized 1:1 to 4 pre-operative 2-week cycles (8 weeks) of FLOT (Docetaxel 50 mg/m²; Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m²; Leucovorin 200 mg/m²; 5-FU 2600 mg/m²) followed by surgery and 4 additional cycles of FLOT (arm A); or the same therapy in combination with Trastuzumab 8/6 mg/kg and Pertuzumab 840 mg every 3 weeks pre- and postop, followed by a total of 9 additional cycles of Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab monotherapy (arm B). Primary endpoint of the phase II part (n = 100) of the trial is to show numerical improvement of the rate of pathological complete remission to approx. 25% with antibodies compared to approx. 16% with FLOT alone as assessed by a centralized pathology. Main secondary endpoints are safety and tolerability. Once results from phase II become available, study transition into phase III will be evaluated based on de facto results and current medical standards. Recruitment has already started; by February 2017 a total of 19 patients have been randomized. EudraCT: 2014-002695-86 Clinical trial information: NCT02581462.

A multicentre, phase II study with cabazitaxel in previously treated patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the oesophagogastric junction and stomach (CABAGAST)

4054

Background: This is a single-arm study to determine prolonged ( > = 4 months) disease control rate with cabazitaxel administered in second- (or later) setting for patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and stomach. Methods: 65 patients with advanced EGJ and stomach cancer were treated with 20mg/m2 Cabazitaxel every 3 weeks for a maximum of 6 cycles. Main objective of the study was a prolonged Disease Control Rate (pDCR: CR, PR or SD lasting at least 4 months). Secondary Outcome Measures were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate by subgroup (with vs without previous treatment with a taxane) and toxicity. Patients were assessed for tumor response every 6 weeks during therapy and during follow-up (up to 12 months). Results: 65 patients (median age: 63, range 31-86 years) were assigned. Median no. of prior therapies was 2. 80% had received prior taxane therapy. Patients received a median of 2 cycles of cabazitaxel. Efficacy results are shown for the per protocol (PP) population. pDCR rate was 12.7%, (95%CI: 5,3%- 24.5%). pDCR was 20.0% in 2nd line patients (95%CI: 6.8%-40.7%) and 30.0% (95%CI: 6.7%-65.2%) in all lines in patients without prior taxane use. Response Rate was 5.5% (95%CI: 1.1%-15.1%) in total PP and 20.0% in the population without prior taxane use. Median OS was 4.6 months (7.4 months without prior taxane vs 3.8 months with prior taxane). Median PFS was 1.38 months (95%CI: 1.28- 1.87) with and 2.01 months (95%CI: 0.20- 4.67) without prior taxane use. Most common grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia in 13% of the patients, pain (12%), leucopenia (10%), anemia (10%), fatigue (10%) and nausea (10%). Conclusions: Cabazitaxel is active in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic and advanced esophagogastric junction and gastric adenocarcinoma. Toxicity is moderate. Patients without prior taxane use derived more benefit from Cabazitaxel. Clinical trial information: NCT01956149.

Gemcitabine plus sorafenib versus gemcitabine alone in advanced biliary tract cancer: a double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre phase II AIO study with biomarker and serum programme

BACKGROUND

Since sorafenib has shown activity in different tumour types and gemcitabine regimens improved the outcome for biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients, we evaluated first-line gemcitabine plus sorafenib in a double-blind phase II study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

102 unresectable or metastatic BTC patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of gallbladder or intrahepatic bile ducts, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-2 were randomised to gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 once weekly, first 7-weeks+1-week rest followed by once 3-weeks+1-week rest) plus sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) or placebo. Treatment continued until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumour samples were prospectively stained for sorafenib targets and potential biomarkers. Serum samples (first two cycles) were measured for vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1)α by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Gemcitabine plus sorafenib was generally well tolerated. Four and three patients achieved partial responses in the sorafenib and placebo groups, respectively. There was no difference in the primary end-point, median progression-free survival (PFS) for gemcitabine plus sorafenib versus gemcitabine plus placebo (3.0 versus 4.9 months, P=0.859), and no difference for median overall survival (OS) (8.4 versus 11.2 months, P=0.775). Patients with liver metastasis after resection of primary BTC survived longer with sorafenib (P=0.019) compared to placebo. Patients who developed hand-foot syndrome (HFS) showed longer PFS and OS than patients without HFS. Two sorafenib targets, VEGFR-2 and c-kit, were not expressed in BTC samples. VEGFR-3 and Hif1α were associated with lymph node metastases and T stage. Absence of PDGFRβ expression correlated with longer PFS.

CONCLUSION

The addition of sorafenib to gemcitabine did not demonstrate improved efficacy in advanced BTC patients. Biomarker subgroup analysis suggested that some patients might benefit from combined treatment.

Multicenter phase II trial to investigate safety and efficacy of gemcitabine combined with cetuximab as adjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer (ATIP)

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether addition of cetuximab to standard adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine improves outcome in pancreatic cancer, specifically whether the rate of disease-free survival (DFS) at 18 months (primary end point) exceeds the previously reported 35% of gemcitabine alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective, open-label, multicenter, nonrandomized phase II study in 76 patients with R0- or R1-resected ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas included between October 2006 and November 2008. Gemcitabine and cetuximab were administered for 24 weeks. Secondary end points included overall survival (OS) and toxic effect.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients received cetuximab. Median DFS was 10.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.9-13.6] months and the DFS rate at month 18 of 27.1% (16.7%-37.6%) was inferior to 35%. Median OS was 22.4 (18.2-27.9) months. Subgroup analyses revealed a nonsignificant increase in DFS for patients with versus without skin toxic effect ≥ grade 2 (median 14.7 versus 8.3 months, P = 0.073) and wild-type versus mutated K-Ras (median 11.5 versus 9.3 months, P = 0.57). Grade 3/4 toxic effects included neutropenia (11.0%), thrombopenia (7%), skin toxic effect (7%) and allergic reactions (7%).

CONCLUSION

Addition of cetuximab to adjuvant gemcitabine does not seem to improve DFS or OS of unstratified pancreatic cancer patients. Trends for improved DFS in patients with wild-type K-Ras and skin toxic effect remain to be confirmed.

Gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and weekly high-dose 5-FU as 24-h infusion in chemonaive patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a multicenter phase II trial of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie (AIO)

BACKGROUND

Combinations of gemcitabine-oxaliplatin, gemcitabine-5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-FU-oxaliplatin have synergistic activity and nonoverlapping adverse effect profiles. This trial assessed efficacy and safety of the triple combination gemcitabine-oxaliplatin and infusional 5-FU in patients with locally advanced (n=11) or metastatic (n=32) pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 43 eligible patients were treated with intravenous infusions of gemcitabine (900 mg/m2 over 30 min), followed by oxaliplatin (65 mg/m2 over 2 h) and 5-FU (1500 mg/m2 over 24 h) on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle.

RESULTS

Among all 43 patients, the tumor response rate was 19% [95% confidence interval 7% to 30%]. Nine patients were nonassessable for response because they did not complete the first two cycles of chemotherapy due to rapid disease progression, early death or treatment refusal. One patient was lost to follow-up. Median time to progression and overall survival were 5.7 and 7.5 months. Principal grade III/IV toxic effects were leucopenia in 11 (2%), thrombocytopenia in 13 (2%), nausea in 13 (0%), anorexia 16 (7%) and sensory neuropathy in 18 (0%) of patients. Unexpected cardiotoxicity was observed in this trial.

CONCLUSION

Response rates and survival of the three-drug combination compare favorably with single-agent gemcitabine, but do not exceed results for doublets.