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Tarantino G, Ricker CA, Wang A, Ge W, Aprati TJ, Huang AY, Madha S, Chen J, Shi Y, Glettig M, Feng CH, Frederick DT, Freeman S, Holovatska MM, Manos MP, Zimmer L, Rösch A, Zaremba A, Livingstone E, Jameson JC, Saghafian S, Lee A, Zhao K, Morris LG, Reardon B, Park J, Elmarakeby HA, Schilling B, Giobbie-Hurder A, Vokes NI, Buchbinder EI, Flaherty KT, Haq R, Wu CJ, Boland GM, Hodi FS, Van Allen EM, Schadendorf D, Liu D. Genomic heterogeneity and ploidy identify patients with intrinsic resistance to PD-1 blockade in metastatic melanoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadp4670. [PMID: 39602539 PMCID: PMC11601251 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp4670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 10/23/2024] [Indexed: 11/29/2024]
Abstract
The introduction of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has markedly improved outcomes for advanced melanoma. However, many patients develop resistance through unknown mechanisms. While combination ICB has improved response rate and progression-free survival, it substantially increases toxicity. Biomarkers to distinguish patients who would benefit from combination therapy versus aPD-1 remain elusive. We analyzed whole-exome sequencing of pretreatment tumors from four cohorts (n = 140) of ICB-naïve patients treated with aPD-1. High genomic heterogeneity and low ploidy robustly identified patients intrinsically resistant to aPD-1. To establish clinically actionable predictions, we optimized and validated a predictive model using ploidy and heterogeneity to confidently identify (90% PPV) patients with intrinsic resistance to and worse survival on aPD-1. We further observed that three of seven (43%) patients predicted to be intrinsically resistant to single-agent PD-1 ICB responded to combination ICB, suggesting that these patients may benefit disproportionately from combination ICB. These findings highlight the importance of heterogeneity and ploidy, nominating an approach toward clinical actionability.
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Jansen P, Galetzka W, Lodde GC, Standl F, Zaremba A, Herbst R, Terheyden P, Utikal J, Pföhler C, Ulrich J, Kreuter A, Mohr P, Gutzmer R, Meier F, Dippel E, Weichenthal M, Placke JM, Landsberg J, Möller I, Sucker A, Paschen A, Hadaschik E, Zimmer L, Livingstone E, Schadendorf D, Ugurel S, Stang A, Griewank KG. Shortened progression free and overall survival to immune-checkpoint inhibitors in BRAF-, RAS- and NF1- ("Triple") wild type melanomas. Eur J Cancer 2024; 208:114208. [PMID: 39018633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanomas lacking mutations in BRAF, NRAS and NF1 are frequently referred to as "triple wild-type" (tWT) melanomas. They constitute 5-10 % of all melanomas and remain poorly characterized regarding clinical characteristics and response to therapy. This study investigates the largest multicenter collection of tWT-melanomas to date. METHODS Targeted next-generation sequencing of the TERT promoter and 29 melanoma-associated genes were performed on 3109 melanoma tissue samples of the prospective multicenter study ADOREG/TRIM of the DeCOG revealing 292 patients suffering from tWT-melanomas. Clinical characteristics and mutational patterns were analyzed. As subgroup analysis, we analyzed 141 tWT-melanoma patients receiving either anti-CTLA4 plus anti-PD1 or anti PD1 monotherapy as first line therapy in AJCC stage IV. RESULTS 184 patients with cutaneous melanomas, 56 patients with mucosal melanomas, 34 patients with acral melanomas and 18 patients with melanomas of unknown origin (MUP) were included. A TERT promoter mutation could be identified in 33.2 % of all melanomas and 70.5 % of all tWT-melanomas harbored less than three mutations per sample. For the 141 patients with stage IV disease, mPFS independent of melanoma type was 6.2 months (95 % CI: 4-9) and mOS was 24.8 months (95 % CI: 14.2-53.4) after first line anti-CTLA4 plus anti-PD1 therapy. After first-line anti-PD1 monotherapy, mPFS was 4 months (95 %CI: 2.9-8.5) and mOS was 29.18 months (95 % CI: 17.5-46.2). CONCLUSIONS While known prognostic factors such as TERT promoter mutations and TMB were equally distributed among patients who received either anti-CTLA4 plus anti-PD1 combination therapy or anti-PD1 monotherapy as first line therapy, we did not find a prolonged mPFS or mOS in either of those. For both therapy concepts, mPFS and mOS were considerably shorter than reported for melanomas with known oncogene mutations.
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Matull J, Placke JM, Lodde G, Zaremba A, Utikal J, Terheyden P, Pföhler C, Herbst R, Kreuter A, Welzel J, Kretz J, Möller I, Sucker A, Paschen A, Livingstone E, Zimmer L, Hadaschik E, Ugurel S, Schadendorf D, Thielmann CM, Griewank KG. Clinical and genetic characteristics of BAP1-mutated non-uveal and uveal melanoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1383125. [PMID: 38903495 PMCID: PMC11188379 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Screening for gene mutations has become routine clinical practice across numerous tumor entities, including melanoma. BAP1 gene mutations have been identified in various tumor types and acknowledged as a critical event in metastatic uveal melanoma, but their role in non-uveal melanoma remains inadequately characterized. Methods A retrospective analysis of all melanomas sequenced in our department from 2014-2022 (n=2650) was conducted to identify BAP1 mutated samples. Assessment of clinical and genetic characteristics was performed as well as correlations with treatment outcome. Results BAP1 mutations were identified in 129 cases and distributed across the entire gene without any apparent hot spots. Inactivating BAP1 mutations were more prevalent in uveal (55%) compared to non-uveal (17%) melanomas. Non-uveal BAP1 mutated melanomas frequently exhibited UV-signature mutations and had a significantly higher mutation load than uveal melanomas. GNAQ and GNA11 mutations were common in uveal melanomas, while MAP-Kinase mutations were frequent in non-uveal melanomas with NF1, BRAF V600 and NRAS Q61 mutations occurring in decreasing frequency, consistent with a strong UV association. Survival outcomes did not differ among non-uveal melanoma patients based on whether they received targeted or immune checkpoint therapy, or if their tumors harbored inactivating BAP1 mutations. Conclusion In contrast to uveal melanomas, where BAP1 mutations serve as a significant prognostic indicator of an unfavorable outcome, BAP1 mutations in non-uveal melanomas are primarily considered passenger mutations and do not appear to be relevant from a prognostic or therapeutic perspective.
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Albrecht LJ, Dimitriou F, Grover P, Hassel JC, Erdmann M, Forschner A, Johnson DB, Váraljai R, Lodde G, Placke JM, Krefting F, Zaremba A, Ugurel S, Roesch A, Schulz C, Berking C, Pöttgen C, Menzies AM, Long GV, Dummer R, Livingstone E, Schadendorf D, Zimmer L. Anti-PD-(L)1 plus BRAF/MEK inhibitors (triplet therapy) after failure of immune checkpoint inhibition and targeted therapy in patients with advanced melanoma. Eur J Cancer 2024; 202:113976. [PMID: 38484692 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.113976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective treatment options are limited for patients with advanced melanoma who have progressed on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and targeted therapies (TT). Preclinical models support the combination of ICI with TT; however, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of triplet combinations in first-line setting showed limited advantage compared to TT only. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study, that included patients with advanced melanoma who were treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors in combination with an anti-PD-(L)1 antibody (triplet therapy) after failure of at least one anti-PD-(L)1-based therapy and one TT in seven major melanoma centers between February 2016 and July 2022. RESULTS A total of 48 patients were included, of which 32 patients, 66.7% had brain metastases, 37 patients (77.1%) had three or more metastatic organs and 21 patients (43.8%) had three or more treatment lines. The median follow-up time was 31.4 months (IQR, 22.27-40.45 months). The treatment with triplet therapy resulted in an ORR of 35.4% (n = 17) and a DCR of 47.9% (n = 23). The median DOR was 5.9 months (range, 3.39-14.27 months). Patients treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors as the last treatment line showed a slightly lower ORR (29.6%) compared to patients who received ICI or chemotherapy last (ORR: 42.9%). Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 25% of patients (n = 12), with seven patients (14.6%) requiring discontinuation of treatment with both or either drug. CONCLUSIONS Triplet therapy has shown activity in heavily pretreated patients with advanced melanoma and may represent a potential treatment regimen after failure of ICI and TT.
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Jacques SK, McKeown J, Grover P, Johnson DB, Zaremba A, Dimitriou F, Weiser R, Farid M, Namikawa K, Sullivan RJ, Rutkowski P, Lebbe C, Hamid O, Zager JS, Michielin O, Neyns B, Nakamura Y, Robert C, Mehnert J, Ascierto PA, Bhave P, Park B, Zimmer L, Mangana J, Mooradian M, Placzke J, Allayous C, Glitza Oliva IC, Mehmi I, Depalo D, Wicky A, Schwarze JK, Roy S, Boatwright C, Vanella V, Long GV, Menzies AM, Lo SN, Carlino MS. Outcomes of patients with resected stage III/IV acral or mucosal melanoma, treated with adjuvant anti-PD-1 based therapy. Eur J Cancer 2024; 199:113563. [PMID: 38278007 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.113563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Acral (AM) and mucosal melanomas (MM) are rare subtypes with a poor prognosis. In those with advanced disease, anti-PD-1 (PD1) therapy has reduced activity compared to that seen in non-acral cutaneous melanoma. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of adjuvant PD1 in resected AM or MM. DESIGN An international, retrospective cohort study SETTING: Data up to November 2021 collected from 20 centres across 10 countries. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and ninety four patients with resected stage III or IV1 AM or MM who received adjuvant PD1 were included and compared to matched patients from the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) database using a propensity score matching analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated. RESULTS Forty five of 139 (32%) AM and 9 of 55 (16%) MM patients completed adjuvant therapy. The main reason for early treatment cessation in both groups was disease recurrence: 51 (37%) and 30 (55%) in the AM and MM groups, respectively. In the AM group adjuvant PD1 was associated with a longer RFS [HR-0.69 (0.52-0.92, p = 0.0127)], DMFS [HR0.58 (0.38-0.89, p = 0.0134)] and OS [HR of 0.59 (0.38-0.92, p-value 0.0196)] when compared to the historical cohort. In the MM group there was no statistical difference in RFS [HR1.36 (0.69-2.68,p-value 0.3799], DMFS or OS. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE After adjuvant PD1, both AM and MM have a high risk of recurrence. Our data suggests a benefit to using adjuvant PD1 therapy in resected AM but not in resected MM. Additional studies to investigate the efficacy of adjuvant PD1 for MM are needed.
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Kuhn CK, Meister J, Kreft S, Stiller M, Puppel SH, Zaremba A, Scheffler B, Ullrich V, Schöneberg T, Schadendorf D, Horn S. TERT expression is associated with metastasis from thin primaries, exhausted CD4+ T cells in melanoma and with DNA repair across cancer entities. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281487. [PMID: 37418389 PMCID: PMC10328343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations occur frequently in cancer, have been associated with increased TERT expression and cell proliferation, and could potentially influence therapeutic regimens for melanoma. As the role of TERT expression in malignant melanoma and the non-canonical functions of TERT remain understudied, we aimed to extend the current knowledge on the impact of TERT promoter mutations and expression alterations in tumor progression by analyzing several highly annotated melanoma cohorts. Using multivariate models, we found no consistent association for TERT promoter mutations or TERT expression with the survival rate in melanoma cohorts under immune checkpoint inhibition. However, the presence of CD4+ T cells increased with TERT expression and correlated with the expression of exhaustion markers. While the frequency of promoter mutations did not change with Breslow thickness, TERT expression was increased in metastases arising from thinner primaries. As single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) showed that TERT expression was associated with genes involved in cell migration and dynamics of the extracellular matrix, this suggests a role of TERT during invasion and metastasis. Co-regulated genes found in several bulk tumors and single-cell RNA-seq cohorts also indicated non-canonical functions of TERT related to mitochondrial DNA stability and nuclear DNA repair. This pattern was also evident in glioblastoma and across other entities. Hence, our study adds to the role of TERT expression in cancer metastasis and potentially also immune resistance.
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Zaremba A, Mohr P, Gutzmer R, Meier F, Pföhler C, Weichenthal M, Terheyden P, Forschner A, Leiter U, Ulrich J, Utikal J, Welzel J, Kaatz M, Gebhardt C, Herbst R, Sindrilaru A, Dippel E, Sachse M, Meiss F, Heinzerling L, Haferkamp S, Weishaupt C, Löffler H, Kreft S, Griewank K, Livingstone E, Schadendorf D, Ugurel S, Zimmer L. Immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with NRAS mutated and NRAS wild type melanoma: a multicenter Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group study on 637 patients from the prospective skin cancer registry ADOREG. Eur J Cancer 2023; 188:140-151. [PMID: 37245442 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanomas frequently harbour somatic mutations in BRAF (40%) or NRAS (20%). Impact of NRAS mutations on the therapeutic outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) remains controversial. Potential correlation of the NRAS mutational status and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in melanoma is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS Advanced, non-resectable melanoma patients with known NRAS mutation status treated with first-line ICI between 06/2014 and 05/2020 in the prospective multicenter skin cancer registry ADOREG were included. Overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) according to NRAS status were analysed. A multivariate Cox model was used to analyse factors associated with PFS and OS; survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier approach. RESULTS Among 637 BRAF wild-type patients, 310 (49%) had an NRAS mutation with Q61R (41%) and Q61K (32%). NRAS-mutated (NRASmut) melanomas were significantly more often located on the lower extremities and trunk (p = 0.001); nodular melanoma was the most common subtype (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found for PFS and OS for anti-PD1 monotherapy (2-year PFS 39%, [95% confidence interval (CI), 33-47] in NRASmut patients and 41% [95% CI, 35-48] in NRAS-wild type (NRASwt) patients; 2-year OS was 54% [95% CI, 48-61] in NRASmut patients and 57% [95% CI, 50-64] in NRASwt patients) and anti-PD1 plus anti-CTLA4 therapy between both cohorts (2-year PFS was 54% [95% CI, 44-66] in NRASmut patients and 53% [95% CI, 41-67] in NRASwt patients; 2-year OS was 58% [95% CI, 49-70] in NRASmut patients and 62% [95% CI, 51-75] in NRASwt patients). The ORR to anti-PD1 was 35% for NRASwt patients and 26% for NRASmut patients and 34% compared to 32% for combinational therapy. Data on PD-L1 expression was available in 82 patients (13%). PD-L1 expression (>5%) was not correlated to NRAS mutational status. In multivariate analysis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 1, and brain metastases were significantly associated with a higher risk of death in all patients. CONCLUSIONS The PFS and OS were not affected by NRAS mutational status in patients treated with anti-PD1-based ICI. Similar ORR was seen in NRASwt and NRASmut patients. Tumour PD-L1 expression did not correlate with NRAS mutational status.
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Bayerl F, Meiser P, Donakonda S, Hirschberger A, Lacher SB, Pedde AM, Hermann CD, Elewaut A, Knolle M, Ramsauer L, Rudolph TJ, Grassmann S, Öllinger R, Kirchhammer N, Trefny M, Anton M, Wohlleber D, Höchst B, Zaremba A, Krüger A, Rad R, Obenauf AC, Schadendorf D, Zippelius A, Buchholz VR, Schraml BU, Böttcher JP. Tumor-derived prostaglandin E2 programs cDC1 dysfunction to impair intratumoral orchestration of anti-cancer T cell responses. Immunity 2023; 56:1341-1358.e11. [PMID: 37315536 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) are critical for anti-cancer immunity. Protective anti-cancer immunity is thought to require cDC1s to sustain T cell responses within tumors, but it is poorly understood how this function is regulated and whether its subversion contributes to immune evasion. Here, we show that tumor-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) programmed a dysfunctional state in intratumoral cDC1s, disabling their ability to locally orchestrate anti-cancer CD8+ T cell responses. Mechanistically, cAMP signaling downstream of the PGE2-receptors EP2 and EP4 was responsible for the programming of cDC1 dysfunction, which depended on the loss of the transcription factor IRF8. Blockade of the PGE2-EP2/EP4-cDC1 axis prevented cDC1 dysfunction in tumors, locally reinvigorated anti-cancer CD8+ T cell responses, and achieved cancer immune control. In human cDC1s, PGE2-induced dysfunction is conserved and associated with poor cancer patient prognosis. Our findings reveal a cDC1-dependent intratumoral checkpoint for anti-cancer immunity that is targeted by PGE2 for immune evasion.
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Stupia S, Heeke C, Brüggemann A, Zaremba A, Thier B, Kretz J, Sucker A, Philip M, Zelinskyy G, Ferrone S, Roesch A, Horn S, Hadaschik E, Schadendorf D, Trilling M, Dittmer U, Griewank K, Zhao F, Paschen A. HLA class II loss and JAK1/2 deficiency coevolve in melanoma leading to CD4 T cell and IFNγ cross-resistance. Clin Cancer Res 2023:726500. [PMID: 37199727 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent studies have demonstrated HLA class II (HLA-II)-dependent killing of melanoma cells by cytotoxic CD4 T cells. We investigated evolution of HLA-II-loss tumors that escape cytotoxic CD4 T cell activity and contribute to immunotherapy resistance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Melanoma cells from longitudinal metastases were studied for constitutive and interferon-inducible HLA-II expression, sensitivity towards autologous CD4 T cells, and immune evasion by HLA-II loss. Clinical significance of HLA-II-low tumors was determined by analysis of transcriptomic data sets from patients with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). RESULTS Analysis of longitudinal samples revealed strong inter-metastatic heterogeneity in melanoma cell-intrinsic HLA-II expression and subclonal HLA-II loss. Tumor cells from early lesions either constitutively expressed HLA-II, sensitizing to cytotoxic CD4 T cells, or induced HLA-II and gained CD4 T cell sensitivity in the presence of IFNγ. In contrast, late outgrowing subclones displayed a stable CD4 T cell-resistant HLA-II-loss phenotype. These cells lacked not only constitutive but also IFNγ-inducible HLA-II due to JAK1/2-STAT1 pathway inactivation. Coevolution of JAK1/2 deficiency and HLA-II loss established melanoma cross-resistance to IFNγ and CD4 T cells, as detected in distinct stage IV metastases. In line with their immune-evasive phenotype, HLA-II-low melanomas showed reduced CD4 T cell infiltrates and correlated with disease progression under ICB. CONCLUSIONS Our study links melanoma resistance to CD4 T cells, IFNγ, and ICB at the level of HLA-II, highlighting the significance of tumor cell-intrinsic HLA-II antigen presentation in disease control and calling for strategies to overcome its downregulation for improvement of patient outcome.
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Tarantino G, Ricker CA, Wang A, Ge W, Huang AY, Madha S, Chen J, Shi Y, Frederick DT, Freeman S, Holovatska MM, Manos MP, Zimmer L, Rösch A, Zaremba A, Reardon B, Park J, Elmarakeby H, Schilling B, Giobbie-Hurder A, Vokes N, Buchbinder EI, Flaherty K, Haq R, Wu C, Boland G, Hodi FS, Van Allen E, Schadendorf D, Liu D. Abstract 965: Genomic heterogeneity and ploidy identify patients with intrinsic resistance to PD-1 blockade in metastatic melanoma. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Despite significant advances, only a subset of patients with advanced melanoma treated with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) experience durable responses, and biomarkers to predict response are limited. Further, while combination ICB has higher response rates and improved progression-free survival compared to single-agent therapy in the front-line setting, there is significantly increased toxicity with combination ICB, and biomarkers to identify patients who would disproportionately benefit from combination therapy vs aPD-1 ICB are poorly characterized. Methods: To understand resistance mechanisms to ICB therapy, we analyzed whole-exome-sequencing (WES) of pre-treatment tumor and matched normal tissue from 4 cohorts of previously ICB-naïve, aPD-1 treated patients (n=140). The SKCM TCGA cohort (from a pre-immuno- and targeted-therapy time period) was used for comparison to understand the prognostic and predictive role of the features identified. We then developed a parsimonious predictive model to identify patients with intrinsic resistance (PD as BOR) on aPD1 treatment with high specificity. Finally, we analyzed two additional independent cohorts to validate the model and to test whether patients predicted to have intrinsic resistance to single-agent aPD-1 may respond to combination ICB. Results: We found that high intratumoral genomic heterogeneity and low ploidy robustly identified patients with intrinsic resistance to aPD-1 within and across each independent cohort. Compared to the TCGA SKCM (“untreated” cohort), genomic heterogeneity specifically predicted response (Mann-Whitney p=0.018) and survival (multivariate Cox log rank p=0.002) in the ICB treated cohorts, but not in the untreated cohort, while ploidy was prognostic of overall survival in the “untreated” (by targeted therapy or ICB) group. (log-rank p=0.01). To establish clinically actionable predictions, we optimized a simple decision tree using genomic ploidy and heterogeneity and identified with high confidence a subset of patients with intrinsic resistance (PPV=90%) and significantly worse survival on aPD1 treatment (optimized decision tree OS log-rank p<0.001; PFS log-rank p<0.001). We then validated this model in a set of independent cohorts, and further demonstrate that these features and predictions of the model are independent of known clinical features and previously reported molecular biomarkers associated with poor-risk disease or poor response to ICB. Finally, in an additional cohort, we found that a significant proportion of patients predicted to have intrinsic resistance to single agent aPD-1 responded to combination aPD1+aCTLA4. Conclusions: These findings nominate the clinical and biological importance of genomic heterogeneity and ploidy, and sets a concrete framework towards clinical actionability, broadly advancing precision medicine in oncology.
Citation Format: Giuseppe Tarantino, Cora A. Ricker, Annette Wang, Will Ge, Amy Y. Huang, Shariq Madha, Jiajia Chen, Yingxiao Shi, Dennie T. Frederick, Samuel Freeman, Marta M. Holovatska, Michael P. Manos, Lisa Zimmer, Alexander Rösch, Anne Zaremba, Brendan Reardon, Jihye Park, Haitham Elmarakeby, Bastian Schilling, Anita Giobbie-Hurder, Natalie Vokes, Elizabeth I. Buchbinder, Keith Flaherty, Rizwan Haq, Catherine Wu, Genevieve Boland, F. Stephen Hodi, Eliezer Van Allen, Dirk Schadendorf, David Liu. Genomic heterogeneity and ploidy identify patients with intrinsic resistance to PD-1 blockade in metastatic melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 965.
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Lodde GC, Jansen P, Herbst R, Terheyden P, Utikal J, Pföhler C, Ulrich J, Kreuter A, Mohr P, Gutzmer R, Meier F, Dippel E, Weichenthal M, Sucker A, Placke JM, Zaremba A, Albrecht LJ, Kowall B, Galetzka W, Becker JC, Tasdogan A, Zimmer L, Livingstone E, Hadaschik E, Schadendorf D, Ugurel S, Griewank K. Characterisation and outcome of RAC1 mutated melanoma. Eur J Cancer 2023; 183:1-10. [PMID: 36773463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activating hot spot R29S mutations in RAC1, a small GTPase influencing several cellular processes including cell proliferation and cytoskeleton rearrangement, have been reported in up to 9% of sun-exposed melanomas. Clinical characteristics and treatment implications of RAC1 mutations in melanoma remain unclear. METHODS We investigated the largest set (n = 64) of RAC1 mutated melanoma patients reported to date, including a retrospective single institution cohort (n = 34) from the University Hospital Essen and a prospective multicentre cohort (n = 30) from the translational study Tissue Registry in Melanoma (TRIM; CA209-578), for patient and tumour characteristics as well as therapy outcomes. RESULTS From 3037 sequenced melanoma samples screened RAC1 mutations occurred in ∼2% of samples (64/3037). The most common RAC1 mutation was P29S (95%, 61/64). The majority of tumours had co-occuring MAP kinase mutations (88%, 56/64); mostly activating NRAS (47%, 30/64) mutations, followed by activating BRAF (28%, 18/64) and NF1 (25%, 16/64) mutations. RAC1 mutated melanomas were almost exclusively of cutaneous origin (84%, 54/64) or of unknown primary (MUP, 14%, 9/64). C > T alterations were the most frequent mutation type identified demonstrating a UV-signature for RAC1 mutated melanoma. Most patients with unresectable disease (39) received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) (77%, 30/39). Objective response rate of first-line treatment in patients with stage III/IV disease was 21%; median overall survival was 47.8 months. CONCLUSIONS RAC1 mutated melanomas are rare, mostly of cutaneous origin and frequently harbour concomitant MAP kinase mutations, particularly in NRAS. Patients with advanced disease benefit from systemic treatment with ICI.
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Philip M, Puppel SH, Stiller M, Paschen A, Roesch A, Zaremba A, Schadendorf D, Horn S. Database for queries of melanoma cohorts with molecular and clinical data. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:252-258. [PMID: 36382970 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Large genome-scale studies are deposited in various public sequence repositories. However, their access and analysis can be non-trivial to infrequent users. Here, we present a new database connecting whole transcriptomes with clinical data for straight-forward access and analysis of patient-specific samples. Users can perform association tests of survival and gene expression across different cohorts, identify cell-type expressions, or correlate the presence of immune cells. In summary, we present a new data hub for bench scientists to perform replication and discovery studies.
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Zaremba A, Jansen P, Murali R, Mayakonda A, Riedel A, Philip M, Rose C, Schaller J, Müller H, Kutzner H, Möller I, Stadtler N, Kretz J, Sucker A, Bankfalvi A, Livingstone E, Zimmer L, Horn S, Paschen A, Plass C, Schadendorf D, Hadaschik E, Lutsik P, Griewank K. Genetic and methylation profiles distinguish benign, malignant and spitzoid melanocytic tumors. Int J Cancer 2022; 151:1542-1554. [PMID: 35737508 PMCID: PMC9474633 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Accurate classification of melanocytic tumors is important for prognostic evaluation, treatment and follow-up protocols of patients. The majority of melanocytic proliferations can be classified solely based on clinical and pathological criteria, however in select cases a definitive diagnostic assessment remains challenging and additional diagnostic biomarkers would be advantageous. We analyzed melanomas, nevi, Spitz nevi and atypical spitzoid tumors using parallel sequencing (exons of 611 genes and 507 gene translocation analysis) and methylation arrays (850k Illumina EPIC). By combining detailed genetic and epigenetic analysis with reference-based and reference-free DNA methylome deconvolution we compared Spitz nevi to nevi and melanoma and assessed the potential for these methods in classifying challenging spitzoid tumors. Results were correlated with clinical and histologic features. Spitz nevi were found to cluster independently of nevi and melanoma and demonstrated a different mutation profile. Multiple copy number alterations and TERT promoter mutations were identified only in melanomas. Genome-wide methylation in Spitz nevi was comparable to benign nevi while the Leukocytes UnMethylation for Purity (LUMP) algorithm in Spitz nevi was comparable to melanoma. Histologically difficult to classify Spitz tumor cases were assessed which, based on methylation arrays, clustered between Spitz nevi and melanoma and in terms of genetic profile or copy number variations demonstrated worrisome features suggesting a malignant neoplasm. Comprehensive sequencing and methylation analysis verify Spitz nevi as an independent melanocytic entity distinct from both nevi and melanoma. Combined genetic and methylation assays can offer additional insights in diagnosing difficult to classify Spitzoid tumors.
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Jacques S, McKeown J, Grover P, Park B, Zaremba A, Dimitriou F, Harunal Rashid M, Namikawa K, Mooradian M, Placzke J, Allayous C, Mehmi I, DePalo D, Wicky A, Schwarze J, Nakamura Y, Benannoune N, Menzies A, Lo S, Carlino M. 809P Outcomes of patients with resected stage III/IV acral or mucosal melanoma treated with adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy. Ann Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.07.935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Zaremba A, Meier F, Schlein C, Jansen P, Lodde G, Song M, Kretz J, Möller I, Stadtler N, Livingstone E, Zimmer L, Hadaschik E, Sucker A, Schadendorf D, Griewank K. Clinical and pathological characteristics of familial melanoma with germline TERT promoter variants. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2022; 35:573-586. [PMID: 35912549 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Around 10% of melanoma occur in patients with a suspected familial predisposition. TERT promoter mutations are the most common somatic hotspot mutations in human cancers. However, only two families with germline mutations have been identified to date. We present detailed histological, clinical and molecular pathologic analyses of affected patients and details of newly identified individuals in one of these previously reported families. TERT (NM_198253.3) Chr.5:1,295,161T>C (c.-57 T>C) promoter variants were detected in all melanoma-affected (n=18) and one non-diseased family member. Median age at diagnosis was 30 years (n=18, range 16-46 years, 2 unknown). While most primary melanoma arose on the upper extremities (n=7, 21%) and were superficial spreading melanoma (SSM, n=8, 24%), many primary melanoma also originated from non UV-exposed mucosal (n=2, 6%) and acral (n=4, 12%) locations. One SSM sample harboured a Chr.5:1,295,228C>T TERT promoter region in addition to the germline Chr.5:1,295,161T>C variant, arguing additional pathway activation can support tumor pathogenesis. Patients treated with BRAF inhibitor and/or immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) showed responses, although of limited duration. One mucosal melanoma harboured both a KIT copy number gain and an activating c.1727 p.Leu576Pro mutation. Following modest response to ICI, subsequent KIT inhibitor (imatinib) therapy demonstrated an ongoing complete pathological response (currently 7 months).
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Bhave P, Ahmed T, Lo SN, Shoushtari A, Zaremba A, Versluis JM, Mangana J, Weichenthal M, Si L, Lesimple T, Robert C, Trojanello C, Wicky A, Heywood R, Tran L, Batty K, Dimitriou F, Stansfeld A, Allayous C, Schwarze JK, Mooradian MJ, Klein O, Mehmi I, Roberts-Thomson R, Maurichi A, Yeoh HL, Khattak A, Zimmer L, Blank CU, Ramelyte E, Kähler KC, Roy S, Ascierto PA, Michielin O, Lorigan PC, Johnson DB, Plummer R, Lebbe C, Neyns B, Sullivan R, Hamid O, Santinami M, McArthur GA, Haydon AM, Long GV, Menzies AM, Carlino MS. Efficacy of anti-PD-1 and ipilimumab alone or in combination in acral melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004668. [PMID: 35793872 PMCID: PMC9260790 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acral melanoma is a rare melanoma subtype with poor prognosis. Importantly, these patients were not identified as a specific subgroup in the landmark melanoma trials involving ipilimumab and the anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) agents nivolumab and pembrolizumab. There is therefore an absence of prospective clinical trial evidence regarding the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) in this population. Acral melanoma has lower tumor mutation burden (TMB) than other cutaneous sites, and primary site is associated with differences in TMB. However the impact of this on the effectiveness of immune CPIs is unknown. We examined the efficacy of CPIs in acral melanoma, including by primary site. METHODS Patients with unresectable stage III/IV acral melanoma treated with CPI (anti-PD-1 and/or ipilimumab) were studied. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were conducted. Primary outcome was objective response rate (ORR); secondary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS In total, 325 patients were included: 234 (72%) plantar, 69 (21%) subungual and 22 (7%) palmar primary sites. First CPI included: 184 (57%) anti-PD-1, 59 (18%) anti-PD-1/ipilimumab combination and 82 (25%) ipilimumab. ORR was significantly higher with initial anti-PD-1/ipilimumab compared with anti-PD-1 (43% vs 26%, HR 2.14, p=0.0004) and significantly lower with ipilimumab (15% vs 26%, HR 0.49, p=0.0016). Landmark PFS at 1 year was highest for anti-PD-1/ipilimumab at 34% (95% CI 24% to 49%), compared with 26% (95% CI 20% to 33%) with anti-PD-1 and 10% (95% CI 5% to 19%) with ipilimumab. Despite a trend for increased PFS, anti-PD-1/ipilimumab combination did not significantly improve PFS (HR 0.85, p=0.35) or OS over anti-PD-1 (HR 1.30, p=0.16), potentially due to subsequent therapies and high rates of acquired resistance. No outcome differences were found between primary sites. CONCLUSION While the ORR to anti-PD-1/ipilimumab was significantly higher than anti-PD-1 and PFS numerically higher, in this retrospective cohort this benefit did not translate to improved OS. Future trials should specifically include patients with acral melanoma, to help determine the optimal management of this important melanoma subtype.
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Dimitriou F, Namikawa K, Reijers ILM, Buchbinder EI, Soon JA, Zaremba A, Teterycz P, Mooradian MJ, Armstrong E, Nakamura Y, Vitale MG, Tran LE, Bai X, Allayous C, Provent-Roy S, Indini A, Bhave P, Farid M, Kähler KC, Mehmi I, Atkinson V, Klein O, Stonesifer CJ, Zaman F, Haydon A, Carvajal RD, Hamid O, Dummer R, Hauschild A, Carlino MS, Mandala M, Robert C, Lebbe C, Guo J, Johnson DB, Ascierto PA, Shoushtari AN, Sullivan RJ, Cybulska-Stopa B, Rutkowski P, Zimmer L, Sandhu S, Blank CU, Lo SN, Menzies AM, Long GV. Single-agent anti-PD-1 or combined with ipilimumab in patients with mucosal melanoma: an international, retrospective, cohort study. Ann Oncol 2022; 33:968-980. [PMID: 35716907 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare melanoma subtype with distinct biology and poor prognosis. Data on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is limited. We determined the efficacy of ICIs in MM, analysed by primary site and ethnicity/race. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective cohort study from 25 cancer centres in Australia, Europe, USA and Asia. Patients with histologically confirmed MM were treated with anti-PD1+/-ipilimumab. Primary endpoints were response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) by primary site (naso-oral, urogenital, anorectal, other), ethnicity/race (Caucasian, Asian, Other) and treatment. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analyses were conducted. RESULTS In total, 545 patients were included: 331 (63%) Caucasian, 176 (33%) Asian and 20 (4%) Other. Primary sites included 113 (21%) anorectal, 178 (32%) urogenital, 206 (38%) naso-oral and 45 (8%) other. 348 (64%) received anti-PD1 and 197 (36%) anti-PD1/ipilimumab. RR, PFS and OS did not differ by primary site, ethnicity/race or treatment. RR for naso-oral was numerically higher for anti-PD1/ipilimumab (40%, 95% CI 29-54%) compared with anti-PD1 (29%, 95% CI 21-37%). 35% of patients that initially responded progressed. Median duration of response (mDOR) was 26 months (95% CI 18-NR [Not Reached]). Factors associated with short PFS were ECOG PS ≥3 (p<0.01), LDH >ULN (p=0.01), lung metastases (p<0.01) and ≥1 previous treatments (p<0.01). Factors associated with short OS were ECOG PS ≥1 (p<0.01), LDH >ULN (p=0.03), lung metastases (p<0.01) and ≥1 previous treatments (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS MM has poor prognosis. Treatment efficacy of anti-PD1+/-ipilimumab was similar and did not differ by ethnicity/race. Naso-oral primaries had numerically higher response to anti-PD1/ipilimumab, without difference in survival. The addition of ipilimumab did not show greater benefit over anti-PD1 for other primary sites. In responders, mDOR was short and acquired resistance was common. Other factors, including site and number of metastases were associated with survival.
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Lodde GC, Jansen P, Möller I, Sucker A, Hassel JC, Forschner A, Eckardt J, Meier F, Reinhardt L, Kähler KC, Ziemer M, Schlaak M, Rahimi F, Schatton K, Meiss F, Gutzmer R, Pföhler C, Terheyden P, Schilling B, Sachse M, Heppt MV, Sindrilaru A, Leiter U, Zaremba A, Thielmann CM, Ugurel S, Zimmer L, Hadaschik E, Bechrakis NE, Schadendorf D, Westekemper H, Livingstone E, Griewank KG. Genetic characterization of advanced conjunctival melanoma and response to systemic treatment. Eur J Cancer 2022; 166:60-72. [PMID: 35279471 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conjunctival melanoma is a rare type of ocular melanoma, which is prone to local recurrence and metastasis and can lead to patient death. Novel therapeutic strategies have revolutionized cutaneous melanoma management. The efficacy of these therapies in conjunctival melanoma, however, has not been evaluated in larger patient cohorts. METHODS In this multi-center retrospective cohort study with additional screening of the ADOREG database, data were collected from 34 patients with metastatic conjunctival melanoma who received targeted therapy (TT) (BRAF ± MEK inhibitors) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) (anti-PD-1 ± anti-CTLA4). In 15 cases, tissue was available for targeted next-generation-sequencing (611 genes) and RNA sequencing. Driver mutations, tumor mutational burden, copy number variations and inflammatory/IFNγ gene expression signatures were determined. RESULTS Genetic characterization identified frequent BRAF (46.7%, 7/15), NRAS (26.7%, 4/15), NF1 (20%, 3/15), and TERT promoter (46.7%, 7/15) mutations. UV associated C>T and CC>TT mutations were common. Median follow-up time after start of first TT or ICI therapy was 13.2 months. In 26 patients receiving first-line ICI, estimated one-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 42.0%, PFS and overall survival (OS) 6.2 and 18.0 months, respectively. First-line TT was given to 8 patients, estimated one-year PFS rate was 54.7%, median PFS and OS 12.6 and 29.1 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the role of UV irradiation in conjunctival melanoma and the genetic similarity with cutaneous melanoma. Conjunctival melanoma patients with advanced disease benefit from both targeted therapies (BRAF ± MEK inhibitors) and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Kreft S, Glutsch V, Zaremba A, Schummer P, Mohr P, Grimmelmann I, Gutzmer R, Meier F, Pföhler C, Sachse MM, Meiss F, Forschner A, Haferkamp S, Welzel J, Terheyden P, Herbst R, Utikal J, Kaatz M, Weishaupt C, Kreuter A, Debus D, Duecker P, Sindrilaru A, Löffler H, Schley G, Weichenthal M, Schadendorf D, Ugurel S, Gesierich A, Schilling B. MAPKinase inhibition after failure of immune checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced melanoma - An evaluation of the multicenter prospective skin cancer registry ADOREG. Eur J Cancer 2022; 167:32-41. [PMID: 35366571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Forty to sixty percent of patients with advanced melanoma show primary resistance to PD-1-based immunotherapy, 30-40% of initial responders also progress. Here, we evaluated the outcome of second-line targeted therapy (TT) after progression on PD-1-based immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in BRAFV600-mutated melanoma. In addition, we report data on the activity of re-exposure with PD-1-based regimes. METHODS Patients with advanced (non-resectable stage III or IV, AJCC 2017, 8th edition) melanoma progressing on PD-1-based ICI (nivolumab, pembrolizumab or ipilimumab plus nivolumab) and receiving second-line BRAF plus MEK inhibition were identified from the prospective multicenter skin cancer registry ADOREG. RESULTS We identified 108 patients with unresectable stage III or stage IV melanoma progressing on first-line ICI (nivolumab, pembrolizumab or ipilimumab plus nivolumab) and receiving second-line combined BRAF/MEK inhibition. Seventy-three percent of the cohort presented with primary PD-1 resistant disease. Median progression-free survival (PFS) on ICI was 2.6 (95% CI 2.2-2.9) months. Median PFS on subsequent TT was 6.6 (95% CI 5.4-7.8) months. Median OS from start of second-line TT was 16.0 (95% CI 11.2-20.8) months. The 3-year PFS and OS rates on second-line TT were 16% and 30%. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) to TT were 42.6% and 55.6%. In patients with brain metastases, the ORR and DCR were 31.4% and 43.1%. Patients without brain metastases showed an ORR and DCR of 52.6% and 66.7%, respectively. Response to first-line ICI was associated with a numerically higher ORR and DCR to second-line TT and improved OS on TT. Twenty-three patients received third-line ICI of whom two patients showed an objective response. CONCLUSIONS BRAF plus MEK inhibition shows meaningful activity and outcome in patients with advanced melanoma resistant to anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy. Rates of long-term benefit and survival in our study were similar to those reported for treatment-naïve patients receiving first-line MAPKi.
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Hegedüs L, Livingstone E, Bánkfalvi Á, Viehof J, Enyedi Á, Bilecz Á, Győrffy B, Baranyi M, Tőkés AM, Gil J, Marko-Varga G, Griewank KG, Zimmer L, Váraljai R, Sucker A, Zaremba A, Schadendorf D, Aigner C, Hegedüs B. The Prognostic Relevance of PMCA4 Expression in Melanoma: Gender Specificity and Implications for Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3324. [PMID: 35328746 PMCID: PMC8949876 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PMCA4 is a critical regulator of Ca2+ homeostasis in mammalian cells. While its biological and prognostic relevance in several cancer types has already been demonstrated, only preclinical investigations suggested a metastasis suppressor function in melanoma. Therefore, we studied the expression pattern of PMCA4 in human skin, nevus, as well as in primary and metastatic melanoma using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we analyzed the prognostic power of PMCA4 mRNA levels in cutaneous melanoma both at the non-metastatic stage as well as after PD-1 blockade in advanced disease. PMCA4 localizes to the plasma membrane in a differentiation dependent manner in human skin and mucosa, while nevus cells showed no plasma membrane staining. In contrast, primary cutaneous, choroidal and conjunctival melanoma cells showed specific plasma membrane localization of PMCA4 with a wide range of intensities. Analyzing the TCGA cohort, PMCA4 mRNA levels showed a gender specific prognostic impact in stage I-III melanoma. Female patients with high transcript levels had a significantly longer progression-free survival. Melanoma cell specific PMCA4 protein expression is associated with anaplasticity in melanoma lung metastasis but had no impact on survival after lung metastasectomy. Importantly, high PMCA4 transcript levels derived from RNA-seq of cutaneous melanoma are associated with significantly longer overall survival after PD-1 blockade. In summary, we demonstrated that human melanoma cells express PMCA4 and PMCA4 transcript levels carry prognostic information in a gender specific manner.
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Ferdinandus J, Zaremba A, Zimmer L, Umutlu L, Seifert R, Barbato F, Ugurel S, Chorti E, Grünwald V, Herrmann K, Schadendorf D, Fendler WP, Livingstone E. Metabolic imaging with FDG-PET and time to progression in patients discontinuing immune-checkpoint inhibition for metastatic melanoma. Cancer Imaging 2022; 22:11. [PMID: 35123578 PMCID: PMC8817553 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-022-00449-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The optimal duration of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is not well established. Active residual disease is considered prohibitive for treatment discontinuation and its detection by diagnostic CT imaging is limited. Here, we set out to determine the potential added value of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to identify patients at higher risk of relapse following discontinuation of ICB in advanced melanoma.
Methods
Metastatic melanoma patients who discontinued ICB were identified retrospectively. Eligible patients received FDG-PET and diagnostic CT within four months of ICB discontinuation. We defined morphologic response using RECIST v1.1. Complete metabolic response (CMR) was defined as uptake in tumor lesions below background, whereas any site of residual, FDG-avid disease was rated as non-CMR. The primary endpoint was time to progression (TTP) after therapy discontinuation stratified by morphologic and metabolic imaging response using Kaplan–Meier estimates and log-rank test.
Results
Thiry-eight patients were eligible for this analysis. Median follow-up was 37.3 months since ICB discontinuation. Median TTP in the overall cohort was not reached. A greater proportion of patients were rated as CMR in PET (n = 34, 89.5%) as compared to complete response (CR) in CT (n = 13, 34.2%). Median TTP was reached in patients with non-CMR (12.7 months, 95%CI 4.4-not reached) but not for patients with CMR (log-rank: p < 0.001). All patients with complete response by CT had CMR by PET. In a subset of patients excluding those with complete response by CT, TTP remained significantly different between CMR and non-CMR (log-rank: p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Additional FDG-PET at time of discontinuation of ICB therapy helps identify melanoma patients with a low risk of recurrence and favourable prognosis compared to CT imaging alone. Results may have clinical relevance especially for patients with residual tumor burden.
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Thielmann CM, Matull J, Zaremba A, Murali R, Chorti E, Lodde G, Jansen P, Herbst R, Terheyden P, Utikal J, Pföhler C, Ulrich J, Kreuter A, Mohr P, Gutzmer R, Meier F, Dippel E, Weichenthal M, Kretz J, Möller I, Sucker A, Paschen A, Livingstone E, Zimmer L, Hadaschik E, Ugurel S, Schadendorf D, Griewank KG. TERT promoter mutations are associated with longer progression-free and overall survival in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma receiving BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy. Eur J Cancer 2022; 161:99-107. [PMID: 34936949 PMCID: PMC9431961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Around 50% of cutaneous melanomas harbour therapeutically targetable BRAF V600 mutations. Reliable clinical biomarkers predicting duration of response to BRAF-targeted therapies are still lacking. Recent in vitro studies demonstrated that BRAF-MEK inhibitor therapy response is associated with tumour TERT promoter mutation status. We assessed this potential association in a clinical setting. METHODS The study cohort comprised 232 patients with metastatic or unresectable BRAF V600-mutated melanoma receiving combined BRAF/MEK inhibitor treatment, including a single-centre retrospective discovery cohort (N = 120) and a prospectively collected multicenter validation cohort (N = 112). Patients were excluded if they received BRAF or MEK inhibitors in an adjuvant setting, as monotherapy, or in combination with immunotherapy. Kaplan-Meier and univariate/multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed as appropriate. RESULTS median age at first diagnosis was 54 years (range 16-84 years). The majority of patients were men 147/232 (63.4%). Most tumours harboured TERT promoter mutations (72%, N = 167). A survival advantage was observed in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with TERT promoter-mutant versus wild-type tumours in both the discovery cohort (mPFS of 9.6 months [N = 87] vs 5.0 months [N = 33]; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.33-0.96] and mOS of 33.6 months vs 15.0 months; HR = 0.47 [95%CI 0.32-0.70]) as well as the validation cohort (mPFS of 7.3 months [N = 80] vs 5.8 months [N = 32]; HR = 0.67 [95%CI 0.41-1.10] and mOS of 51.1 months vs 15.0 months; HR = 0.33 [95%CI 0.18-0.63]). In the pooled cohort of TERT promoter-mutant (N = 167) versus wild-type (N = 65) tumours, respectively, PFS was 8.9 versus 5.5 months, (HR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.45-0.87; P = 0.004), and OS was 33.6 versus 17.0 months, (HR = 0.51; 95%CI 0.35-0.75, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with melanoma receiving BRAF/MEK-targeted therapies, TERT promoter mutations are associated with longer survival. If validated in larger studies, TERT promoter mutation status should be included as a predictive biomarker in treatment algorithms for advanced melanoma.
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Thielmann CM, Chorti E, Matull J, Murali R, Zaremba A, Lodde G, Jansen P, Richter L, Kretz J, Möller I, Sucker A, Herbst R, Terheyden P, Utikal J, Pföhler C, Ulrich J, Kreuter A, Mohr P, Gutzmer R, Meier F, Dippel E, Weichenthal M, Paschen A, Livingstone E, Zimmer L, Schadendorf D, Hadaschik E, Ugurel S, Griewank KG. NF1-mutated melanomas reveal distinct clinical characteristics depending on tumour origin and respond favourably to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Eur J Cancer 2021; 159:113-124. [PMID: 34742158 PMCID: PMC9431958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NF1-mutated tumours represent a small subset (10-15%) of melanomas, not sufficiently analysed in large clinical cohorts. This study investigated the largest multicentre collection of NF1-mutated melanomas to date. METHODS This study analysed a multicentre tumour tissue sample cohort from 266 patients with NF1-mutated melanoma. Targeted next-generation sequencing of the TERT promoter and 29 relevant melanoma genes was performed. Survival was compared with NF1 wild-type cohorts from the Tissue Registry in Melanoma project (n = 432). RESULTS Most NF1-mutated melanoma arose in the head-and-neck region of patients >60 years. NF1 alterations were frequently inactivating, primarily non-sense, less frequently truncating mutations. Non-inactivating NF1 mutations more frequently co-occurred with activating BRAF and RAS mutations. NF1-mutated tumours had higher numbers of gene mutations and UV signature C>T and CC>TT transitions than BRAF, RAS and triple wild-type melanomas. NF1-mutated acral and mucosal melanomas harboured a different mutation signature and were frequent in women (69% and 83%, respectively), differing from non-acral cutaneous NF1-mutated melanomas (men 73%, women 27%). Overall survival in stage IV disease was comparable for patients with NF1-mutated or wild-type melanoma. However, in patients receiving first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, better median overall survival (mOS) was observed for NF1-mutated than wild-type tumours (mOS = not reached vs mOS = 25.82, p = 0.0154, n = 80 and 432, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Cutaneous, acral and mucosal NF1-mutated melanomas vary in clinical and genetic characteristics and demonstrate a favourable outcome on immune checkpoint inhibition therapy.
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Zaremba A, Kramer R, De Temple V, Bertram S, Salzmann M, Gesierich A, Reinhardt L, Baroudjian B, Sachse MM, Mechtersheimer G, Johnson DB, Weppler AM, Spain L, Loquai C, Dudda M, Pföhler C, Hepner A, Long GV, Menzies AM, Carlino MS, Lebbé C, Enokida T, Tahara M, Bröckelmann PJ, Eigentler T, Kähler KC, Gutzmer R, Berking C, Ugurel S, Stadtler N, Sucker A, Becker JC, Livingstone E, Meier F, Hassel JC, Schadendorf D, Hanoun M, Heinzerling L, Zimmer L. Grade 4 Neutropenia Secondary to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition - A Descriptive Observational Retrospective Multicenter Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:765608. [PMID: 34746007 PMCID: PMC8567012 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.765608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly being used to treat numerous cancer types. Together with improved recognition of toxicities, this has led to more frequent identification of rare immune-related adverse events (irAE), for which specific treatment strategies are needed. Neutropenia is a rare hematological irAE that has a potential for a high mortality rate because of its associated risk of sepsis. Prompt recognition and timely treatment of this life-threatening irAE are therefore critical to the outcome of patients with immune-related neutropenia. Methods This multicenter international retrospective study was conducted at 17 melanoma centers to evaluate the clinical characteristics, diagnostics, treatment, and outcomes of melanoma patients with grade 4 neutropenia (<500 neutrophils/µl blood) treated with ICI between 2014 and 2020. Some of these patients received metamizole in addition to ICI (ICI+/met+). Bone marrow biopsies (BMB) of these patients were compared to BMB from non-ICI treated patients with metamizole-induced grade 4 neutropenia (ICI-/met+). Results In total, 10 patients (median age at neutropenia onset: 66 years; seven men) with neutropenia were identified, equating to an incidence of 0.14%. Median onset of neutropenia was 6.4 weeks after starting ICI (range 1.4–49.1 weeks). Six patients showed inflammatory symptoms, including fever (n=3), erysipelas (n=1), pharyngeal abscess (n=1), and mucositis (n=1). Neutropenia was diagnosed in all patients by a differential blood count and additionally performed procedures including BMB (n=5). Nine of 10 patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) to treat their grade 4 neutropenia. Four patients received systemic steroids (including two in combination with G-CSF, and one in combination with G-CSF and additional ciclosporin A). Four patients were treated with one or more antibiotic treatment lines, two with antimycotic treatment, and one with additional antiviral therapy. Five patients received metamizole concomitantly with ICI. One fatal outcome was reported. BMB indicated a numerically lower CD4+ to CD8+ T cells ratio in patients with irNeutropenia than in those with metamizole-induced neutropenia. Conclusion Grade 4 neutropenia is a rare but potentially life-threatening side effect of ICI treatment. Most cases were sufficiently managed using G-CSF; however, adequate empiric antibiotic, antiviral, and antimycotic treatments should be administered if neutropenic infections are suspected. Immunosuppression using corticosteroids may be considered after other causes of neutropenia have been excluded.
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Zaremba A, Hadaschik E, Schadendorf D, Griewank K. Response to comment - Molecular pathology as a diagnostic aid in difficult to classify melanocytic tumours with spitzoid morphology. Eur J Cancer 2021; 157:514-515. [PMID: 34579986 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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