Early response monitoring during [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T therapy with quantitated SPECT/CT predicts overall survival of mCRPC patients: subgroup analysis of a Swiss-wide prospective registry study

PURPOSE

To assess early tumor response with quantitated SPECT/CT and to correlate it with clinical outcome in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with 177Lutetium-PSMA I&T therapy.

METHODS

Single-center, observational study, part of the prospective Swiss national cancer registry study investigating the safety and efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T (EKNZ: 2021-01271) in mCRPC patients treated with at least two cycles of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T 6-weekly. After the first and second cycle quantitated SPECT/CT (Symbia Intevo, Siemens) was acquired 48 h after injection (three fields of view from head to thigh, 5 s/frame) and reconstructed using xQuant® (48i, 1 s, 10-mm Gauss). Image analysis: The PSMA-positive total tumor volumes (TTV) were semi-automatically delineated using a SUV threshold of 3 with MIMencore® (version 7.1.3, Medical Image Merge Software Inc.). Changes in TTV, highest tumor SUVmax, and total tumor SUVmean between cycles 1 and 2 were calculated and grouped into a) stable or decrease and b) increase. Serum PSA levels were assessed at each therapy cycle and at follow-up until progression or death. Changes in TTV, PSA, SUVmax, and SUVmean were correlated with PSA-progression-free survival (PSA-PFS) and the overall survival (OS) using the Kaplan-Meier methodology (log-rank test).

RESULTS

Between 07/2020 and 04/2022, 111 patients were screened and 73 finally included in the data analysis. The median follow-up was 8.9 months (range 1.4-26.6 months). Stable or decreased TTV at cycle 2 was associated with longer OS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.86, p < 0.01). Similar, stable, or decreased PSA was associated with longer OS (HR 0.21; CI 0.07-0.62, p < 0.01) and PSA-PFS (HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.16-0.72, p < 0.01). Combining TTV and PSA will result in an augmented prognostic value for OS (HR 0.09; CI 0.01-0.63; p < 0.01) and for PSA-PFS (HR 0.11; CI 0.02-0.68; p < 0.01). A reduction of SUVmax or SUVmean was not prognostically relevant, neither for OS (p 0.88 and 0.7) nor for PSA-PFS (p 0.73 and 0.62, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Six weeks after initiating [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T, TTV and serum PSA appear to be good prognosticators for OS. Combined together, TTV + PSA change demonstrates augmented prognostic value and can better predict PSA-PFS. Larger studies using TTV change prospectively as an early-response biomarker are warranted for implementing management change towards a more personalized clinical practice.

Considerations for the clinical development of immuno-oncology agents in cancer

Targeting of the immune system has shown to be a successful therapeutic approach in cancer, with the development of check point inhibitors (ICI) or T-cell engagers (TCE). As immuno-oncology agents modulate the immune system to attack cancer cells and do not act directly on oncogenic vulnerabilities, specific characteristics of these compounds should be taken in consideration during clinical development. In this review we will discuss relevant concepts including limitations of preclinical models, special pharmacologic boundaries, clinical development strategies such as the selection of clinical indication, line of treatment and backbone partner, as well as the endpoints and expected magnitude of benefit required at different stages of the drug development. In addition, future directions for early and late trial designs will be reviewed. Examples from approved drugs or those currently in clinical development will be discussed and options to overcome these limitations will be provided.

How distant? An experimental analysis of students' COVID-19 exposure and physical distancing in university buildings

Closed university buildings proved to be one of the main hot spots for virus transmission during pandemics. As shown during the COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing is one of the most effective measures to limit such transmission. As universities prepare to manage in-class activities, students' adherence to physical distancing requirements is a priority topic. Unfortunately, while physical distancing in classrooms can be easily managed, the movement of students inside common spaces can pose high risk of close proximity. This paper provides an experimental analysis of unidirectional student movement inside a case-study university building to investigate how physical distancing requirements impact student movement and grouping behaviour. Results show general adherence with the minimum required physical distancing guidance, but spaces such as corridors pose higher risk of exposure than doorways. Doorway width, in combination with group behaviour, affect the students' capacity to keep the recommended physical distance. Furthermore, questionnaire results show that students report higher perceived vulnerability while moving along corridors. Evidence-based results can support decision-makers in understanding individuals' exposure to COVID-19 in universities and researchers in developing behavioural models in preparation of future outbreaks and pandemics.

High thromboembolic event rate in patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer during neoadjuvant therapy. An exploratory analysis of the prospective, randomised intergroup phase III trial SAKK 75/08

Background

High rates of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), mainly in advanced disease, are reported for patients with cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach, pancreas) and for treatment with cisplatin.

Methods

Exploratory analysis of VTEs reported as adverse events and serious adverse events in a prospective, randomised, multicentre, multimodal phase III trial according to VTEs reported as adverse events and severe adverse events. Patients with resectable oesophageal cancer (T2N1–3, T3-4aNx) were randomized to 2 cycles of chemotherapy with docetaxel 75 mg/m², cisplatin 75 mg/m² followed by chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) and subsequent surgery (control arm) or the same treatment with addition of cetuximab (investigational arm).

Results

VTEs occurred in 26 of 300 patients included in the trial, resulting in an incidence rate (IR) of 8.7% [95% CI 5.7–12.4%]. A total of 29 VTEs were reported:13 (45%) VTEs were grade 2, 13 (45%) grade 3 and three (10%) fatal grade 5 events. 72% (21/29) of all VTEs occurred preoperatively (IR 6.7%): 14% (4/29) during chemotherapy and 59% (17/29) during CRT. In multivariable logistic regression only adenocarcinoma (IR 11.1%, 21/189 patients) compared to squamous cell cancer (IR 4.5%, 5/111 patients) was significantly associated with VTE-risk during treatment, OR 2.9 [95%CI 1.0–8.4], p = 0.046. Baseline Khorana risk score was 0 in 73% (19/26), 1–2 in 23% (6/26) and 3 in only 4% (1/26) of patients with VTEs.

Conclusion

A high incidence of VTEs during preoperative therapy of resectable oesophageal cancer is observed in this analysis, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma. The role of prophylactic anticoagulation during neoadjuvant therapy in resectable esophageal cancer should be further evaluated in prospective clinical trials. According to our data, which are in line with other analysis of VTE-risk in patients with oesophageal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy and CRT, prophylactic anticoagluation could be considered balanced against individual bleeding risks, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma. In addition to the established risk factors, oesophageal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based therapy may be regarded as a high-risk situation for VTEs.

Trial registration

Registered at clinicaltrials.gov,NCT01107639, on 21 April 2010,

Pantoprazole Affecting Docetaxel Resistance Pathways via Autophagy (PANDORA): Phase II Trial of High Dose Pantoprazole (Autophagy Inhibitor) with Docetaxel in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)

BACKGROUND

Enhancing the effectiveness of docetaxel for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an unmet clinical need. Preclinical studies demonstrated that high-dose pantoprazole can prevent or delay resistance to docetaxel via the inhibition of autophagy in several solid tumor xenografts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Men with chemotherapy-naive mCRPC with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >10 ng/mL were eligible for enrolment. Men received intravenous pantoprazole (240 mg) prior to docetaxel (75 mg/m²) every 21 days, with continuous prednisone 5 mg twice daily. Primary endpoint was a confirmed ≥50% decline of PSA. The trial used a Simon's two-stage design.

RESULTS

Between November 2012 and March 2015, 21 men with a median age of 70 years (range, 58-81) were treated (median, 6 cycles; range, 2-11). Men had received prior systemic therapies (median, 1; range, 0-3), and 14 had received abiraterone and/or enzalutamide. PSA response rate was 52% (11/21), which did not meet the prespecified criterion (≥13/21 responders) to proceed to stage 2 of the study. At interim analysis with a median follow-up of 17 months, 18 (86%) men were deceased (15 castration-resistant prostate cancer, 2 unknown, 1 radiation complication). Of the men with RECIST measurable disease, the radiographic partial response rate was 31% (4/13). The estimated median overall survival was 15.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.3-19.6) and median PFS was 5.3 months (95% CI, 2.6-12.9). There were no toxic deaths, and all adverse events were attributed to docetaxel.

CONCLUSION

The combination of docetaxel and pantoprazole was tolerable, but the resultant clinical activity was not sufficient to meet the ambitious predefined target to warrant further testing.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

To date, no docetaxel combination regimen has reported superior efficacy over docetaxel alone in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The PANDORA trial has demonstrated that the combination of high dose pantoprazole with docetaxel is tolerable, but the clinical activity was not sufficient to warrant further testing. The chemotherapy standard of care for men with mCRPC remains docetaxel with prednisone. Future studies of autophagy inhibitors will need to measure autophagy inhibition accurately and determine the degree of autophagy inhibition required to produce a meaningful clinical response.

Erfahrungen am Lebensende: Eine Umfrage bei Ärzten und Pflegenden eines Spitals für anthroposophisch erweiterte Medizin

Hintergrund: Wissenschaftliche Studien zum mentalen Zustand sterbender Personen in den Wochen und Tagen vor dem Tod liegen bisher nur vereinzelt vor. Bekannt ist, dass die Spiritualität zum Lebensende hin eine wichtigere Rolle einnimmt als zuvor. In der Anthroposophie wird davon ausgegangen, dass sich im Sterbeprozess die Seele und der Geist vom physischen Körper lösen und in die geistige Welt eingehen. Methode: Wir führten eine retrospektive Umfrage unter Ärzten und Pflegenden der Klinik Arlesheim durch. Der schriftliche Fragebogen bestand aus 60 geschlossenen und 5 offenen Fragen zu Beobachtungen und Wahrnehmungen von Erfahrungen am Lebensende (ELE). Ergebnisse: Der Rücklauf betrug 18% (21 Fragebögen). Folgende Phänomene wurden von den Befragten bei Patienten in deren letzten Lebenswochen am häufigsten beobachtet: Patienten verfügten plötzlich über viel Zuversicht und Energie; belastende Emotionen nahmen zu; Patienten nahmen phasenweise eine andere Realitätsebene wahr. ELE wurden von den Antwortenden als Quelle spirituellen Trosts für Sterbende und Angehörige empfunden. Schlussfolgerung: Ärzte und Pflegende in einem Spital für anthroposophisch erweiterte Medizin in der Schweiz berichteten von ähnlichen ELE ihrer Patientinnen und Patienten wie in zuvor in England durchgeführten Studien. Um sich im Umgang mit ELE sicherer zu fühlen, wünschten sich Ärzte und Pflegende mehr Informationen im Rahmen entsprechender Aus- oder Weiterbildungen.

Prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The presence of a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with increased mortality in several malignancies. Here, we quantify the effect of NLR on survival in patients with breast cancer, and examine the effect of clinicopathologic factors on its prognostic value.

METHODS

A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify publications exploring the association of blood NLR (measured pre treatment) and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) among patients with breast cancer. Data from studies reporting a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) or a P value were pooled in a meta-analysis. Pooled HRs were computed and weighted using generic inverse variance. Meta-regression was performed to evaluate the influence of clinicopathologic factors such as age, disease stage, tumor grade, nodal involvement, receptor status, and NLR cutoff on the HR for OS and DFS. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies comprising a total of 8563 patients were included. The studies used different cutoff values to classify high NLR (range 1.9-5.0). The median cutoff value for high NLR used in these studies was 3.0 amongst 13 studies reporting a HR for OS, and 2.5 in 10 studies reporting DFS outcomes. NLR greater than the cutoff value was associated with worse OS (HR 2.56, 95% CI = 1.96-3.35; P < 0.001) and DFS (HR 1.74, 95% CI = 1.47-2.07; P < 0.001). This association was similar in studies including only early-stage disease and those comprising patients with both early-stage and metastatic disease. Estrogen receptor (ER) and HER-2 appeared to modify the effect of NLR on DFS, because NLR had greater prognostic value for DFS in ER-negative and HER2-negative breast cancer. No subgroup showed an influence on the association between NLR and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

High NLR is associated with an adverse OS and DFS in patients with breast cancer with a greater effect on disease-specific outcome in ER and HER2-negative disease. NLR is an easily accessible prognostic marker, and its addition to established risk prediction models warrants further investigation.

Population-based cohort study of variation in the use of emergency cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background

The aims of this prospective population-based cohort study were to identify the patient and hospital characteristics associated with emergency cholecystectomy, and the influences of these in determining variations between hospitals.

Methods

Data were collected for consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing the performance of emergency cholecystectomy were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two-level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2).

Results

Data were collected on 4744 cholecystectomies from 165 hospitals. Increasing age, lower ASA fitness grade, biliary colic, the need for further imaging (magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), endoscopic interventions (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and admission to a non-biliary centre significantly reduced the likelihood of an emergency cholecystectomy being performed. The multilevel model was used to calculate the probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy for a woman aged 40 years or over with an ASA grade of I or II and a BMI of at least 25·0 kg/m2, who presented with acute cholecystitis with an ultrasound scan showing a thick-walled gallbladder and a normal common bile duct. The mean predicted probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy was 0·52 (95 per cent c.i. 0·45 to 0·57). The predicted probabilities ranged from 0·02 to 0·95 across the 165 hospitals, demonstrating significant variation between hospitals.

Conclusion

Patients with similar characteristics presenting to different hospitals with acute gallbladder pathology do not receive comparable care.

The full blood count as a biomarker of outcome and toxicity in ipilimumab-treated cutaneous metastatic melanoma

Ipilimumab produces durable responses in some metastatic melanoma patients. Neutrophil, platelet, and eosinophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLR, PLR, and ELR) may be associated with the immune response in cancer thereby acting as biomarkers of toxicity and efficacy in ipilimumab-treated patients. Data were collected on clinical characteristics and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), NLR, PLR, and ELR at baseline, post cycle 2 and at the end of treatment for 183 patients treated with ipilimumab between 2008 and 2015 at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Associations between clinical characteristics, LDH, NLR, PLR, and ELR with toxicity or survival outcomes of progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using univariable and multivariable analysis. Prognostic models of outcome at each time point were determined. Of the 183 patients included, the median age was 58, 85% had M1c disease, 58% were performance status 1, and 64% received ipilimumab as second line therapy. Median follow up was 7.5 months (range: 0.3-49.5), median PFS was 2.8 months (95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.8-3.2), and median OS was 9.6 months (95% CI: 7.9-13.2). Prognostic factors for OS by multivariable analysis were LDH and NLR at all-time points. Prognostic models using LDH (× 2 upper limit of normal) and NLR 4) differentiated patients into high, moderate, and low risk of death prior to or on ipilimumab treatment (P < 0.0001 for each model). No factors were associated with toxicity. Prognostic models based on NLR and LDH values at baseline and on treatment differentiate patients into good, intermediate, and poor prognostic groups and may be relevant in patient management.

Transcriptomic analyses identify association between mitotic kinases, PDZ-binding kinase and BUB1, and clinical outcome in breast cancer

Protein kinases are important components in oncogenic transformation of breast cancer. Evaluation of upregulated genes that codify for protein kinases could be used as biomarkers to predict clinical outcome. Gene expression and functional analyses using public datasets were performed to identify differential gene expression and functions in basal-like tumors compared with normal breast tissue. Overall survival (OS) associated with upregulated genes was explored using the KM Plotter online tool. The prognostic influence of these genes in luminal tumors and systemically untreated patients was also assessed. Of the 426 transcripts identified in basal-like tumors, 11 genes that coded for components of protein kinases were upregulated with more than a fourfold change. Regulation of cell cycle was an enriched function containing 10 of these 11 identified genes. Among them, expression of four genes, BUB1β, CDC28, NIMA, and PDZ binding kinase, were all associated with improved OS when using at least one probe in the basal-like subtype. Two genes, BUB1β and PDZ binding kinase, showed consistent association with improved OS irrespective of the gene probe used for the analysis. No association was observed for these genes with relapse-free survival. In contrast, both BUB1β and PDZ binding kinase showed worse OS in luminal tumors and in a cohort of systemically untreated patients. BUB1β and PDZ binding kinase are associated with improved OS in basal-like tumors and worse OS in luminal and untreated patients. The association with a better outcome in basal-like tumors could be due to a more favorable response to chemotherapy.

Abstract P2-08-05: Association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the 21-gene recurrence score

Introduction: A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to be a poor prognostic indicator in several malignancies including breast cancer. It is unknown whether the prognosis associated with high NLR can be explained by other prognostic factors such as proliferation or estrogen receptor signalling. Here we explore the association between NLR and the 21-gene recurrence score (RS).

Methods: The associations between RS, NLR, tumor size, histologic grade, and estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) expression (assessed by immunohistochemistry) were explored in sequential women with early-stage, lymph node-negative (or with lymph node micrometastases), ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada and in whom results of the RS were available. NLR was measured prior to surgery. Patients with a documented history of pre-existing infectious/inflammatory condition were excluded. Associations were explored using simple linear regression and statistical significance was defined as p&lt;0.05.

Results: A total of 130 women diagnosed between January 2006 and April 2015 were included in the analysis. Median age was 55 (range 32-79), 87% were lymph node negative and 13% had nodal micrometastases. The median NLR was 2.2 (range 0.9-9.1) and was collected at a median of 12 days prior to surgery (range 0-60). The median RS was 18 (range 0-41). There was no association between RS and NLR (R=-0.10, p=0.31), grade (R=0.13, p=0.15), age (R=-0.05, p=0.58) or tumor size (R=0.06, p=0.48). RS was negatively associated with the magnitude of expression of both ER (R=-0.22, p=0.01) and PgR (R=-0.44, p&lt;0.001). There was no association between NLR and grade (R=0.20, p=0.15), age (R=-0.13, p=0.17), tumor size (R=0.14, p=0.93), ER (R=0.01, p=0.94) or PgR (R=0.13, p=0.23)

Conclusion: The poor outcomes associated with high NLR are unlikely explained by proliferation of estrogen receptor signalling.

Citation Format: Srikanthan A, Bedard PL, Goldstein S, Templeton A, Amir E. Association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the 21-gene recurrence score. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-08-05.

Identification of the best complete blood count-based predictors for bladder cancer outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy

Background:

We sought to determine which parsimonious combination of complete blood count (CBC)-based biomarkers most efficiently predicts oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC).

Methods:

Using our institutional RC database (1992–2012), nine CBC-based markers (including both absolute cell counts and ratios) were evaluated based on pre-treatment measurements. The outcome measures were recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Time-dependent receiver-operating characteristics curves were used to characterise each biomarker. The CBC-based biomarkers, along with several clinical predictors, were then considered for inclusion in predictive multivariable Cox models based on the Akaike Information Criterion.

Results:

Our cohort included 418 patients. Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was the only biomarker satisfying criteria for inclusion into all models, independently predicting RFS (HR per 1-log unit=1.52, 95% CI=1.17–1.98, P=0.002), CSS (HR=1.47, 95% CI=1.20–1.80, P<0.001), and OS (HR=1.56, 95% CI=1.16–2.10, P=0.004). Haemoglobin was also independently predictive of CSS (HR per 1 g/dl=0.91, 95% CI=0.86–0.95, P<0.001) and OS (HR=0.90, 95% CI=0.88–0.93, P<0.001), but not RFS.

Conclusions:

Among CBC biomarkers studied, NLR was the most efficient marker for predicting RFS, whereas NLR and haemoglobin were most efficient in predicting CSS and OS. NLR and haemoglobin are promising, cost-effective, independent biomarkers for predicting oncologic BC outcomes following RC.

Condensed abstract:

Various CBC-based biomarkers have separately been shown to be predictive of oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing cystectomy for BC. Our study evaluated these biomarkers, and determined that NLR is the best CBC-based biomarker for predicting RFS, whereas NLR and haemoglobin are most efficient for predicting CSS and OS.

Analysis of local chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate combined with systemic inflammation improves prognostication in stage II colon cancer independent of standard clinicopathologic criteria

In Stage II colon cancer, multiple independent studies have shown that a dense intratumoural immune infiltrate (local inflammation) is associated with improved outcomes, while systemic inflammation, measured by various markers, has been associated with poorer outcomes. However, previous studies have not considered the interaction between local and systemic inflammation, nor have they assessed the type of inflammatory response compared with standard clinicopathologic criteria. In order to evaluate the potential clinical utility of inflammatory markers in Stage II colon cancer, we examined local and systemic inflammation in a consecutive series of patients with resected Stage II colon cancer between 2000 and 2010 who were identified from a prospective clinical database. Increased intratumoural chronic inflammatory cell (CIC) density, as assessed by pathologist review of hematoxylin and eosin stained slides, was used to represent local inflammation. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >5, as calculated from pre-operative full blood counts, was used to represent systemic inflammation. In 396 eligible patients identified, there was a non-significant inverse relationship between local and systemic inflammation. Increased CIC density was significantly associated with improved overall (HR 0.45, p = 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (HR 0.37, p = 0.003). High NLR was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (HR 2.56, p < 0.001). The combination of these markers further stratified prognosis independent of standard high-risk criteria, with a dominant systemic inflammatory response (low CIC/high NLR) associated with the worst outcome (5-year overall survival 55.8%). With further validation this simple, inexpensive combined inflammatory biomarker might assist in patient selection for adjuvant chemotherapy in Stage II colon cancer.

Characterizing the impact of lymph node metastases on the survival outcome for metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with targeted therapies

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether lymph node metastases (LNM) and their localization negatively affect clinical outcome in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinicopathological features, survival outcome, and treatment response in mRCC patients with LNM versus those without LNM after treatment with targeted therapies (TT).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Patients (n=2996) were first analyzed without consideration of lymph node (LN) localization or histologic subtype. Additional analyses (n=1536) were performed in subgroups of patients with supradiaphragmatic (SPD) LNM, subdiaphragmatic (SBD) LNM, and patients with LNM in both locations (SPD+/SBD+) without histologic considerations, and then separately in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) and non-clear cell RCC (nccRCC) patients, respectively.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) and the secondary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

All patients with LNM had worse PFS (p=0.001) and OS (p<0.001) compared to those without LNM. Compared to patients without LNM (PFS 8.8 mo; OS 25.1 mo), any SBD LNM involvement was associated with worse PFS (SBD, 6.8 mo; p=0.003; SPD+/SBD+, 5.5 mo; p<0.001) and OS (SBD, 16.2 mo; p<0.001; SPD+/SBD+, 11.5 mo; p<0.001). Both SBD and SPD+/SBD+ LNM were retained as independent prognostic factors in multivariate analyses (MVA) for PFS (p=0.006 and p=0.022, respectively) and OS (both p<0.001), while SPD LNM was not an independent risk factor. Likewise, in ccRCC, SBD LNM (19.8 mo) and SPD+/SBD+ LNM (12.85 mo) patients had the worst OS. SPD+/SBD+ LNM (p=0.006) and SBD LNM (p=0.028) were independent prognostic factors for OS in MVA, while SPD LNM was not significant (p=0.301). The study is limited by its retrospective design and the lack of pathologic evaluation of LNM in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The metastatic spread of RCC to SBD lymph nodes is associated with poor prognosis in mRCC patients treated with TT.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The presence of lymph node metastases below the diaphragm is associated with shorter survival outcome when metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients are treated with targeted therapies. Clinical trials should evaluate whether surgical removal of regional lymph nodes at the time of nephrectomy may improve outcomes in high-risk RCC patients.

Response to systemic therapy in non-clear cell renal cell carcinomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Background: Clinical data supporting the efficacy of systemic therapy in non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (non-ccRCC) are limited and based on retrospective analyses, expanded access programs and single arm phase II trials. Therefore the optimal treatment for this subgroup remains uncertain. Methods: A systematic review of electronic databases was conducted to identify publications evaluating the outcomes of patients with non-ccRCC (excluding those with sarcomatoid tumors) treated with different systemic approaches (immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted agents, small molecules). The primary endpoint was response rate and secondary endpoints were median progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Where possible, data were pooled in a meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effect modeling. For studies comprising of unselected patients, outcomes of those with non-ccRCC were compared with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Results: Forty-nine studies comprising 7,799 patients were included: 471 patients were enrolled on studies conducted exclusively in non-ccRCC and 7,328 patients on studies of unselected renal cell carcinoma. Among these, 903 (12%) had non-ccRCC and 6,425 (88%) had ccRCC. For non-ccRCC, overall response rate, median PFS and median OS were 9%, 7.9 and 13.4 months, respectively. By comparison, the overall response rate for ccRCC was 15% (Risk Ratio for response [RR] 0.67, 95% CI 0.52-0.86, p=0.002). This association was independent of type of treatment administered. Among the different novel agents (bevacizumab, lenalidomide, linefanib, sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib, everolimus and temsirolimus), sunitinib was significantly less efficacious in non-ccRCC than ccRCC (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.42-0.72), but there was no significant difference in response rates for sorafenib (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.31-1.35) or other agents (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.50-2.44), However, confidence intervals were wide. Results of further analyses will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: Patients with non-ccRCC have lower response rates than those with ccRCC, but the absolute difference between them is modest. Further study of targeted therapy in non-ccRCC is warranted.

Clinical activity of enzalutamide against metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in patients who have progressed on abiraterone acetate: The Princess Margaret experience

159

Background: In men with mCRPC enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate have been shown individually to prolong survival after progression on chemotherapy with docetaxel. Little is known about the sequential use of enzalutamide and abiraterone. A PSA response rate of 8% and progression free survival (PFS) of 2.7 months has been reported for 38 men who received abiraterone following enzalutamide [Loriot, Ann Onc, 2013]. Here we report our experience with enzalutamide following abiraterone. Methods: We reviewed all patients with mCRPC treated with enzalutamide following abiraterone and docetaxel at our institution. Primary outcomes were PSA response rate (confirmed decline ≥ 50%) and time to treatment failure (TTF, defined as the time from treatment initiation to treatment discontinuation for any reason, including disease progression, treatment toxicity, patient preference, or death.). Data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Twenty-six patients were treated between August 2012 and July 2013. Median age was 72 years (range 56-88); 85% had ECOG performance status 0 or 1; metastatic sites included bone (N=25, 96%), lymph nodes (N=19, 73%) and visceral (N=1, 3.4%). Median number of prior cycles of docetaxel was 8 (range 1 – 12), 6 patients (29%) had previous exposure to ketoconazole, and median duration of previous abiraterone was 8.7 (range 1.4-22.7) months. Seven pts (27%) had a PSA response ≥ 50% and an additional 7 patients (27%) had a ≥ 30% PSA response. Median TTF on enzalutamide was 4.9 (95% CI 3.8-6.2) months. Reasons for discontinuation of enzalutamide were clinical and/or biochemical progression in 24 patients (92%), and toxicity (fatigue grade 3-4) in 3 patients (11.5%). An update of patient numbers and analysis will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: Treatment of patients with mCRPC with enzalutamide after progression on docetaxel and abiraterone has modest clinical activity.

Rates of subsequent surgery following endometrial ablation among English women with menorrhagia: population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risk of further surgery amongst women who had an initial endometrial ablation (EA) for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study using a national administrative database.

SETTING

Population-based study of hospital care in the English National Health Service.

POPULATION

A cohort of 114,910 women who had EA for HMB between January 2000 and December 2011.

METHODS

Multiple Cox regressions were performed to identify the risks of a further procedure, adjusted for age, social deprivation, year and type of initial EA, and presence of fibroids/polyps.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Time to repeat EA or hysterectomy after initial surgery.

RESULTS

Of 114,910 women undergoing EA, 16.7% had at least one subsequent procedure within 5 years. Higher rates of subsequent surgery were associated with younger age at initial EA, with women aged under 35 years having an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.83 (95% CI 2.67-2.99), compared with women aged over 45 years. Women who had radiofrequency ablation were less likely to have subsequent surgery as compared with first-generation techniques (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.63-0.76). The rate of a subsequent hysterectomy within 5 years was 13.5%. Younger women (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.51-0.69) and those who had balloon, microwave, or radiofrequency ablation were less likely to have a second EA procedure, rather than a hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

One in six women have further surgery after EA for HMB, which is a higher rate than reported in clinical trials. This risk of further surgery decreases with age.