Potentially fatal complications of new systemic anticancer therapies: pearls and pitfalls in their initial management

BACKGROUND

Various types of immunotherapy (i.e. immune checkpoint inhibitors [ICIs], chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cells and bispecific T-cell engagers [BiTEs]) and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) have been used increasingly to treat solid cancers, lymphomas and leukaemias. Patients with serious complications of these therapies can be presented to physicians of different specialties. In this narrative review we discuss potentially fatal complications of new systemic anticancer therapies and some practical considerations for their diagnosis and initial treatment.

RESULTS

Clinical presentation of toxicities of new anticancer therapies may be unpredictable and nonspecific. They can mimic other more common medical conditions such as infection or stroke. If not recognized and properly treated these toxicities can progress rapidly into life-threatening conditions. ICIs can cause immune-related inflammatory disorders of various organ systems (e.g. pneumonitis or colitis), and a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) may develop after treatment with CAR T-cells or BiTEs. The cornerstones of management of these hyper-inflammatory disorders are supportive care and systemic immunosuppressive therapy. The latter should start as soon as symptoms are mild-moderate. Similarly, some severe toxicities of ADCs also require immunosuppressive therapy. A multidisciplinary team including an oncologist/haematologist and a corresponding organ-site specialist (e.g. gastroenterologist in the case of colitis) should be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of these toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

Health professionals should be aware of potential serious complications of new systemic anticancer therapies. Early diagnosis and treatment with adequate supportive care and immunosuppressive therapy are crucial for the optimal outcome of patients with these complications.

CARDIOCARE: An integrated platform for the management of elderly multimorbid patients with breast cancer therapy induced cardiac toxicity

Breast cancer (BC) remains the most diagnosed cancer in women, accounting for 12% of new annual cancer cases in Europe and worldwide. Advances in surgery, radiotherapy and systemic treatment have resulted in improved clinical outcomes and increased survival rates in recent years. However, BC therapy-related cardiotoxicity, may severely impact short- and long-term quality of life and survival. This study presents the CARDIOCARE platform and its main components, which by integrating patient-specific data from different categories, data from patient-oriented eHealth applications and wearable devices, and by employing advanced data mining and machine learning approaches, provides the healthcare professionals with a valuable tool for effectively managing BC patients and preventing or alleviating treatment induced cardiotoxicity.Clinical Relevance- Through the adoption of CARDIOCARE platform healthcare professionals are able to stratify patients for their risk for cardiotoxicity and timely apply adequate interventions to prevent its onset.

Association between PIK3CA activating mutations and outcomes in early-stage invasive lobular breast carcinoma treated with adjuvant systemic therapy

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate the independent prognostic role of PIK3CA activating mutations and an association between PIK3CA activating mutations and efficacy of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) in patients with operable invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A single institution study of patients with early-stage ILC treated between 2003 and 2008 was performed. Clinicopathological parameters, systemic therapy exposure and outcomes (distant metastasis-free survival [DMFS] and overall survival [OS]) were collected based on presence or absence of PIK3CA activating mutation in the primary tumor determined using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. An association between PIK3CA mutation status and prognosis in all patient cohort was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, whereas an association between PIK3CA mutation and ET was analyzed in estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progesterone receptors (PR)-positive group of our patients by the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis of all patients was 62.8 years and median follow-up time was 10.8 years. Among 365 patients, PIK3CA activating mutations were identified in 45%. PIK3CA activating mutations were not associated with differential DMFS and OS (p = 0.36 and p = 0.42, respectively). In patients with PIK3CA mutation each year of tamoxifen (TAM) or aromatase inhibitor (AI) decreased the risk of death by 27% and 21% in comparison to no ET, respectively. The type and duration of ET did not have significant impact on DMFS, however longer duration of ET had a favourable impact on OS.

CONCLUSIONS

PIK3CA activating mutations are not associated with an impact on DMFS and OS in early-stage ILC. Patients with PIK3CA mutation had a statistically significantly decreased risk of death irrespective of whether they received TAM or an AI.

Perspectives for Cancer Care and Research in Central and Eastern Europe

BACKGROUND

Discrepancies between the outcomes of cancer patients between Western European and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have often been observed. Despite the enormous economic and civilizational progress made in these countries after the abolishment of the communist regime, structural problems persist.

SUMMARY

The present article reviews the domains of medical oncology education, human resources in oncology, cancer care, and clinical research in CEE in order to comprehensively assess the current situation and needs, describe important initiatives, and also propose ways to improving cancer outcomes in the region. Activities are under way to address these issues in national action plans to divert funding into oncology-related education, research, the purchase of equipment, and the attainment of modern hospital organization and structures.

KEY MESSAGE

Over the past more than 30 years, CEE countries have made enormous economic and societal progress. Nevertheless, challenges especially in the health care sector persist.

Prognostic role of the stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in women with early ER+/HER2+ breast cancer (BC) in whom adjuvant chemotherapy (ChT) was omitted

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Background: Adjuvant systemic therapy in women with early ER+/HER2+ BC usually includes ChT, trastuzumab (T) and endocrine therapy (ET). High level of TILs is associated with better outcome in HER2+ disease. Here we explore the outcome and prognostic role of TILs in women with early ER+/HER2+ BC in whom ChT was omitted. Methods: Women with ER+ (IHC ≥ 1%) and HER2+ (IHC3+ and/or FISH ratio ≥ 2.0) early BC who underwent surgery between years 2006 and 2016 at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana and did not receive adjuvant ChT were eligible for this study. Hematoxilin and eosin slides of primary tumors were retrieved and evaluated for the percentage of stromal TILs. Distant disease-free survival (DDFS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The association between DDFS and TILs level was explored in the Cox proportional hazard model. Relative survival was used for estimating the probability of dying due to the breast cancer or other causes. Results: During the 10-year period 86 (29.4%) out of 292 women with early ER+/HER2+ BC who underwent surgery did not receive adjuvant ChT. ChT was omitted due to the stage I disease (n=30), comorbidities (n=25), older age (n=19), refusal of treatment (n=9) and other causes (n=3). Five (5.8%) and 81 (94.1%) women received T and ET, respectively. Their median age was 65.8 yrs (IQR 55.7, 75.6 yrs) and 45 (52.3%) had stage I disease. There were 53 (61.6%), 24 (27.9%) and 9 (10.4%) women with low (<10%), intermediate (≤10% to <40%) and high (≥ 40%) level of TILs, respectively. After median follow-up of 10 years 28 events (distant recurrence or death) occurred. The 10-year DDFS for those who did not receive ChT due to the stage I disease, comorbidities and older age was 91% (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.00), 38% (95% CI, 0.18 to 0.75]) and 26% (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.66) (p˂0.0001), respectively. After excluding women with stage I disease the estimated probability of dying due to the breast cancer and due to other causes was 26.7% and 26.5%, respectively. Overall, for every 10% increase in TILs the risk of distant recurrence or death was reduced for 18% (HR=0.82; 95% CI, 0.64 to 1.05) (p=0.11). In the multivariable Cox model, higher TILs level was a significant predictor of better DDFS (HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.98) (p=0.041) (Table). Conclusions: Women with stage I ER+/HER2+ BC who do not receive adjuvant ChT and T but do receive adjuvant ET may still have a very good outcome. In contrast, survival of women who do not receive adjuvant ChT and T for other reasons is poor; however, only a half of those deaths are related to BC. TIL is a favourable prognostic biomarker which might be helpful when de-escalation of systemic therapy in women with ER+/HER2+ BC is considered.[Table: see text]

Medical oncology in India: Workload, infrastructure, and delivery of care

Background: The growing burden of cancer within India has implications across the health system including operational delivery of cancer care and planning for human health resources. Here, we report the Indian results of a global survey of medical oncology (MO) workload in comparison to medical oncologists (MOs) in other low-middle- income countries (LMICs). Methods: An online survey was distributed through a snowball method through national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 22 LMICs. The survey was distributed to Indian MOs by the Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology and the National Cancer Grid of India. The workload was measured as the annual number of new cancer patient consults seen per oncologist. Results: One hundred and forty-seven oncologists from LMICs completed the survey; 82 from India and 65 from other LMICs. About 59% (48/82) of Indian MOs reported working exclusively in the private health system compared to 23% (15/65) of MOs in other LMICs (P < 0.001). The median number of annual consults per MO was 475 in India compared with 350 in other LMICs. The proportion of MOs seeing >1000 new consults/year was 24% (20/82) in India and 20% (13/65) in other LMICs (P = 0.530). The median number of patients seen in a full-day clinic was 35 in India and 25 in other LMCs (P = 0.003); 26% of Indian MO reported seeing >50 patients per day. Compared to other LMICs, Indian MOs worked more days/week (median 6 vs. 5, P < 0.001) and hours/week (median 51–60 vs. 41–50, P = 0.004) and had less annual leave for vacation (3 weeks vs. 4, P = 0.017). Conclusion: Indian MOs have higher clinical volumes and workload than MOs in other LMICs and substantially higher workload than MOs in high-income countries. Indian health policymakers should consider alternative models of care and increasing MO workforce supply to address the growing burden of cancer.

Updating Reports of Phase 3 Clinical Trials for Cancer

Importance

Phase 3 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are usually reported after a predetermined number of events (death or disease progression) have occurred, when survival curves remain poorly defined. Updated reports are important in providing mature data.

Objectives

To evaluate the proportion of phase 3 RCTs for cancer that are updated and the factors that are associated with updating them and, for updated trials, to compare initial and updated results.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This study identified reports of 2-group RCTs with a sample size of at least 100, published in 6 major journals between 1990 and 2010, that evaluated drug treatments for breast, lung, or prostate cancer. PubMed and abstracts of large cancer conferences were searched to identify updated (or earlier) reports of the same trials published up to 2019. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the provision of updated reports. The hazard ratios defining the relative treatment effects for the primary and secondary end points between the initial and updated reports were compared.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Proportion of RCTs whose results are updated, factors associated with updating, and change in hazard ratio for the primary end point between initial and updated reports.

Results

A total of 207 RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and 41 (20%) were found to have updated reports. The factors significantly associated with an update included positive trial results (odds ratio [OR], 8.7 [95% CI, 3.3-23.3]), larger trial size (OR, 1.0006 [95% CI, 1.0000-1.0012]), evaluation of hormonal agents (OR, 5.8 [95% CI, 1.6-21.8]) or targeted agents (OR, 4.3 [95% CI, 1.3-14.6]) compared with chemotherapy, and evaluation of adjuvant therapy rather than therapy for advanced disease (OR, 8.0 [95% CI, 2.9-21.9]). For 31 trials for which initial and updated hazard ratios for the primary end point were available, the median hazard ratio increased from 0.66 (95% CI, 0.22-1.20) to 0.74 (95% CI, 0.32-1.19) (P < .001), indicating a decreased level of effectiveness.

Conclusions and Relevance

Only 20% of reports of phase 3 clinical trials for breast, lung, and prostate cancer were updated. Original reports of such trials are based on relatively few events, and their results are immature; more mature data indicate a decreased level of effect in updated trials. Updated reporting to provide mature, long-term results of clinical trials should be mandated.

Nutritional Status and Health-Related Quality of Life in Men with Advanced Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite professional recommendations malnutrition is not adequately addressed in cancer patients. Here, we explored whether nutritional status (NS) is associated with HRQoL in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Methods: Men with mCRPC enrolled into this prospective observational study were allocated to one of the four NS categories based on clinical, laboratory, and patient self-reported criteria: well-nourished (WN), nutritional risk without criteria for cachexia/sarcopenia (NR), sarcopenia, and cachexia. The HRQoL was evaluated by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P) questionnaire. Association between NS and self-reported HRQoL was sought by the linear regression model, which was adjusted for known prognostic variables and body mass index. Results: Over the period of two years, 141 patients were enrolled. Their median age was 74.1 years (IQR 68.6-79.4 years) and majority of them were minimally symptomatic. Fifty-nine patients (41.8%) were WN, followed by 24 (17%), 42 (29.8%), and 16 (11.4%) patients with NR, sarcopenia, and cachexia, respectively. As compared to WN patients, all three other NS categories were significant negative predictors of HRQoL (P < 0.04). Conclusions: Abnormal NS is highly prevalent in men with mCRPC and is negatively associated with their HRQoL, which supports the recommendation for management of malnutrition in these patients.

Associations between safety, tolerability, and toxicity and the reporting of health-related quality of life in phase III randomized trials in common solid tumors

Background

Anti‐cancer drugs are approved typically on the basis of efficacy and safety as evaluated in phase III randomized trials (RCTs). Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) is a direct measure of patient benefit, but is under‐reported. Here we explore associations with reporting of HRQoL data in phase III RCTs in common solid tumors.

Methods

We searched ClinicalTrials.gov to identify phase III RCTs evaluating new drugs in adults with advanced cancers that completed accrual between January 2005 and October 2016. Data on HRQoL, safety, and tolerability comprising treatment‐related death, treatment discontinuation and commonly reported grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) were extracted. Associations between these measures and reporting of HRQoL data were explored using logistic regression.

Results

Of 377 phase III RCTs identified initially, 143 studies were analysed and comprised 55% positive trials and 90% industry sponsored trials. HRQoL was listed as an endpoint in 59% trials; and of these, only 65% reported HRQoL data. There were higher odds of reporting HRQoL data for positive trials (OR 2.05, P = .04) and trials published in journals with higher impact factor (OR 1.35, P = .01). Reporting of HRQoL was not associated with treatment‐related death (OR 1.25, P = .40) or treatment discontinuation (OR 1.12, P = .61), but was positively associated with dyspnea and dermatological adverse events.

Conclusions

HRQoL is reported in only two‐thirds of RCTs that describe collecting such data. Reporting of HRQoL is associated with positive trial outcome and higher journal impact factor, but not associated with overall safety and tolerability of anti‐cancer drugs.

Training of oncologists: results of a global survey

While several studies have highlighted the global shortages of oncologists and their workload, few have studied the characteristics of current oncology training. In this study, an online survey was distributed through a snowball method for cancer care providing physicians in 57 countries. Countries were classified into low- or lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), upper-middle-income countries (UMICs) and high-income countries (HICs) based on World Bank criteria. A total of 273 physicians who were trained in 57 different countries responded to the survey: 33% (90/273), 32% (87/273) and 35% (96/273) in LMICs, UMICs and HICs, respectively. About 60% of respondents were practising physicians and 40% were in training. The proportion of responding trainees was higher in LMICs (51%; 45/89) and UMICs (42%; 37/84), than HICs (19%; 28/96; p = 0.013). A higher proportion of respondents from LMICs (37%; 27/73) self-fund their core oncology training compared to UMICs (13%; 10/77) and HICs (11%; 10/89; p < 0.001). Respondents from HICs were more likely to complete an accepted abstract, poster and publication from their research activities compared to respondents from UMICs and LMICs. Respondents identified several barriers to effective training, including skewed service to education ratio and burnout. With regard to preparedness for practice, mean scores on a 5-point Likert scale were low for professional tasks like supervision and mentoring of trainees, leadership and effective management of an oncology practice and understanding of healthcare systems irrespective of country grouping. In conclusion, the investment in training by the public sector is vital to decreasing the prevalence of self-funding in LMICs. Gaps in research training and enhancement of competencies in research dissemination in LMICs require attention. The instruction on cancer care systems and leadership needs to be incorporated in training curricula in all countries.

Associations between safety and tolerability and reporting of health-related quality of life in phase III randomized trials in common solid tumors

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Background: Anti-cancer drugs are approved typically on the basis of efficacy and safety as evaluated in phase III randomized trials (RCTs). Health related quality of life (HRQoL) is a direct measure of patient benefit from drugs. Despite this, HRQoL is not reported universally for all anti-cancer drugs. Here we explore associations with reporting of HRQoL data in phase III RCTs in common solid tumors. Methods: We searched ClinicalTrials.gov to identify phase III oncology RCTs evaluating new drugs in adult patients with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancers. We included all completed or active trials that completed accrual between January 1, 2005 and October 31, 2016. Data were extracted from published trials including HRQoL data and toxicity data on toxic death, treatment discontinuation and commonly reported grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs). Then, we explored associations between these safety and tolerability measures and the odds of reporting HRQoL data and whether HRQoL were favourable or not. Analysis comprised logistic regression and was performed in SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 377 phase III RCTs were initially identified. After excluding ineligible studies, a total of 143 studies were analysed. All trials (100%) were in the metastatic setting with 79 (55%) being positive trials. 40 (28%) were breast cancer trials, 38 (26%) were focused on evaluating chemotherapy, and 128 (90%) of trials were industry sponsored. 84 (59%) trials reported measuring HRQoL data, however of these, only 47 (56%) reported HRQoL data. In 14 (30%) HRQoL was improved with experimental therapy. There was no association between treatment related death (OR 1.25, 95%CI 0.74-2.12, p = 0.398) or treatment discontinuation (OR 1.12, 95%CI 0.73-1.72, p = 0.61) with reporting of HRQoL data. Associations with grade 3 or 4 AEs are shown in the Table. Conclusions: HRQoL is reported for only around a half of RCTs that collect such data. Reporting of HRQoL is not associated with safety and tolerability of anti-cancer drugs. [Table: see text]

Oncologist Burnout Syndrome in Eastern Europe: Results of the Multinational Survey

PURPOSE

Burnout is defined as a three-dimensional syndrome-emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA)-caused by chronic occupational stress. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of burnout among oncologists in Eastern Europe and to identify the contributing factors.

METHODS

The study was conducted as an online survey between October 2017 and March 2018. Oncologists (including medical, radiation, clinical, and surgical oncologists) from 19 countries were invited to participate. The survey consisted of 30 questions, including the standardized burnout instrument, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and eight demographic questions. Burnout risk was scored according to the scoring manual for health care workers.

RESULTS

The study included 637 oncologists. Overall, 28% were at low or intermediate risk and 72% were at high risk for burnout. Forty-four percent of participants were at high risk for EE, 28.7% for DP, and 47.3% for PA. EE risk was associated with female sex. DP risk was highest among clinical and radiation oncologists, whereas PA risk was positively correlated with years of service, percentage of cancer deaths, and availability of the number of oncologists. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, burnout was significantly associated with standardized cancer mortality and fewer years of practice.

CONCLUSION

Burnout among oncologists in Eastern Europe is high, and younger oncologists are the most vulnerable group. Preventive measures should be taken to address this issue, which negatively affects optimal care delivery and poses a threat to oncologists' health and well-being.

Cancer care workforce in Africa: perspectives from a global survey

Background

While the burden of cancer in Africa is rapidly rising, there is a lack of investment in healthcare professionals to deliver care. Here we report the results of a survey of systemic therapy workload of oncologists in Africa in comparison to oncologists in other countries.

Methods

An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 65 countries. The survey was distributed within Africa through a network of physicians associated with the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC). Workload was measured as the annual number of new cancer patient consults seen per oncologist. Job satisfaction was ranked on a 10-point Likert scale; scores of 9–10 were considered to represent high job satisfaction.

Results

Thirty-six oncologists from 18 countries in Africa and 1079 oncologists from 47 other countries completed the survey. Compared to oncologists from other countries, African oncologists were older (median age 51 vs 44 years, p = 0.007), more likely to prescribe chemotherapy and radiation [61% (22/36) vs 10% (108/1079), p < 0.001], less likely to have completed training in their home country [50% (18/36) vs 91% (979/1079), p < 0.001], and more likely to work in the private sector [47% (17/36) vs 34% (364/1079), p = 0.037]. The median number of annual consults per oncologist was 325 in Africa compared to175 in other countries. The proportion of oncologists seeing > 500 consults/year was 31% (11/36) in Africa compared to 12% (129/1079) in other countries (p = 0.001). African oncologists were more likely than global colleagues to see all cancer sites [72% (26/26) vs 24% (261/1079), p < 0.001]. Oncologists in Africa were less likely than other oncologists to have high job satisfaction [17% (6/36) vs 30% (314/1079), p = 0.013].

Conclusion

African oncologists within the AORTIC network have a substantially higher clinical workload and lower job satisfaction than oncologists elsewhere in the world. There is an urgent need for governments and health systems to improve the oncologist-to-patient ratio and develop new models of capacity building, retention and skills enhancement to strengthen the wide variety of cancer care systems across continental Africa.

Training of oncologists: Results of a global survey

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Background: While several studies have highlighted the global shortages of oncologists and their workload, few have studied the characteristics of current oncology training. Methods: An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies and a pre-existing network of contacts to cancer care providing physicians in 57 countries. Countries were classified into low- or lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and high-income countries (HICs) based on World Bank criteria. Results: 273 physicians who trained in 57 different countries responded to the survey; 33% (90/273), 32% (87/273), and 35% (96/273) in LMICs, UMICs and HICs respectively. 60% of respondents were practicing physicians and 40% were in training. The proportion of trainees was higher in LMICs (51%; 45/89) and UMICs (42%; 37/84), than HICs (19%; 28/96; P = 0.013). A higher proportion of respondents from LMICs (37%; 27/73) self-fund their core oncology training compared to UMICs (13%; 10/77) and HICs (11%; 10/89; P < 0.001). Respondents from HICs were more likely to complete an accepted abstract, poster and publication from their research activities compared to respondents from UMICs and LMICs (abstract: 37/72 (51%) from HICs, 18/66 (27%) from UMICs, 24/65 (37%) from LMICs, P = 0.014; poster: (42/72 (58%) from HICs, 28/66 (42%) from UMICs, 13/65 (20%) from LMICs, P < 0.001; publication: 43/72 (60%) from HICs, 32/66 (49%) from UMICs, 24/65 (37%) from LMICs, P = 0.029). Respondents identified several barriers to effective training including skewed service to education ratio and burnout. With regards to preparedness for practice, mean scores on a 5-point Likert scale were low for professional tasks like supervision and mentoring of trainees, leadership and effective management of an oncology practice, and understanding of healthcare systems irrespective of country grouping. Conclusions: Investment in training by the public sector would be vital to decreasing the prevalence of self-funding in LMIC. Gaps in research training and enhancement of competencies in research dissemination in LMIC require attention. Instruction on cancer care systems and leadership need to be incorporated in training curricula in both LMICs and HICs.

Association between nutritional status (NS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in men with early metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

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Background: HRQoL is of paramount importance in men with mCRPC. It is not known how NS affects HRQoL in this population of patients. We hypothesized that NS is associated with HRQoL in men with early mCRPC and that NS outperforms body mass index (BMI) in this association. Methods: We prospectively enrolled men with early mCRPC into this study. Patients were assessed, and on the basis of established criteria, four NS categories were defined: normal NS (nNS), nutritional risk without cachexia/sarcopenia (NR), sarcopenia (S) (handgrip strength < 30 kg) and cachexia (C) (Evans`s criteria). HRQoL was assessed by the validated questionnaire Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment (FACT-P); higher score reflects better HRQoL. After checking for normal distribution, we performed a linear regression model for HRQoL with NS as a dummy variable (with nNS as the reference group). Age, duration of previous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), hemoglobin level (Hb), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and BMI were included as covariates into the multivariate model. Results: One hundred forty-one patients were enrolled in our study. At presentation, their mean age was 74.2 years (SD 7.1), and 18 (12.4 %) had visceral metastases. Fifty-eight (41.3%) had nNS, 43 (30.8 %) had sarcopenia, 24 (16.8 %) NR and 16 (11.2 %) C. Mean FACT-P score [SD] in nNS was 115.3 points [22.2], following by 97 [24.6], 98.3 [22.4] and 78.8 [25] points in NR, S and C groups, respectively. We found a significant and consistent association between better NS and worse HRQoL (β [NR:nNS] = -18.2 points; β [S:nNS] = -17 points; β [C:nNS] = -36.5 points; p < 0.001; R² = 0.2). The association remained significant after adjustments (R² = 0.27). Conclusions: Suboptimal NS but not BMI is significantly associated with worse HRQoL in men with early mCRPC. Interventional trials focused on the optimization of NS in men with mCRPC are warranted.[Table: see text]

Medical oncology job satisfaction: Results of a global survey

BACKGROUND

While physician burnout is increasingly recognized, little is known about medical oncologist job satisfaction, and the factors associated with low satisfaction. Here, we report the results of an international survey of medical oncologists.

METHODS

An online survey was distributed using a modified snowball methodology via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 65 countries. Oncologist job satisfaction was assessed by asking, "On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your satisfaction as an oncologist? 1 = unsatisfying, 10 = satisfying." Low, moderate and high job satisfaction was defined as scores of 1-6, 7-8, and 9-10, respectively.

RESULTS

1,115 physicians from 42 countries completed the survey. Overall job satisfaction rates were 20% (222/1,115), 51% (573/1,115), and 29% (320/1,115) for low-, moderate-, and high-satisfaction, respectively. Respondents with low job satisfaction were younger (P = 0.001) and had fewer years in clinical practice (P = 0.013) compared to those with high satisfaction. Increasing hours worked by per week (p = 0.042), decreasing annual weeks of paid vacation (P = 0.007), being on-call every night (P = 0.016), higher clinic volumes (P = 0.004) and lack of access to on-site radiotherapy (P = 0.049), palliative care (P = 0.005), and chemotherapy pharmacists (P = 0.033) were associated with low-job satisfaction. Respondents with low-job satisfaction were less likely to discuss prognosis with their patients compared to those with moderate or high job satisfaction (median 45% of patients v 65% v 75%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Globally, 1 in 5 medical oncologists report low job satisfaction. The main correlates of job satisfaction are related to system-level pressures resulting in less time for quality patient care and personal resilience. Improving oncologist job satisfaction will require new approaches to models of care delivery.

Postmarketing Safety-Related Modifications of Drugs Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration Between 1999 and 2014 Without Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether US Food and Drug Administration approval of new drugs without randomization or an active drug comparator is associated with more postmarketing safety-related label modifications.

METHODS

We searched Drugs@FDA for new drugs approved from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2014. Drugs approved without supporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were matched to between 1 and 2 controls from similar therapeutic categories approved with supporting RCTs within 3 years of the reference drug. Study characteristics, regulatory pathways, and label modifications up to December 2017 were collected from drug labels. Differences in postmarketing safety modifications between cases and controls were assessed using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 52 drugs approved without supporting RCTs and 91 matched controls. Drug approvals not supported by RCTs were associated with lower sample size (odds ratio [OR] per 100 patients, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.87) and were more likely to receive orphan drug designation (OR, 5.10; 95% CI, 2.23-11.69), fast-track designation (OR, 4.80; 95% CI, 2.25-10.23), and accelerated approval (OR, 7.00; 95% CI, 3.14-15.60). Drugs approved without supporting RCTs were associated with more modifications in black box warnings (28.8% vs 13.2%; OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.13-6.27), warnings and precautions (73.1% vs 52.7%; OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.16-5.09), and common adverse reactions (48.1% vs 23.1%; OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.49-6.41).

CONCLUSION

Food and Drug Administration approval of new drugs without supporting RCTs is associated with more postmarketing safety-related label modifications than drugs approved with supporting RCTs. Robust postmarketing studies are required for drugs approved without supporting RCTs. Health care professionals should be vigilant for unrecognized adverse effects when prescribing these drugs.

Adjuvant Radiation Therapy After Radical Nephrectomy in Patients with Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Adjuvant radiation therapy has been recommended for patients at higher risk of relapse from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to improve disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) after radical nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the benefit of adjuvant radiation therapy.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review of electronic databases identified publications exploring the association between adjuvant radiation therapy and locoregional recurrence (LRR), DFS, and OS among patients after radical nephrectomy for early-stage RCC. Hazard ratios for DFS were weighted and pooled using the generic inverse variance and random effects model. Odds ratios for LRR, DFS, and OS at 5yr were weighted and pooled in a meta-analysis using Mantel-Haenszel random-effects modeling.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Twelve studies comprising 1624 patients were included in the analysis. Ten studies were retrospective and two were randomized controlled trials. Adjuvant radiation therapy was delivered to 37% of patients. The median follow-up was 49mo. Adjuvant radiation therapy was not associated with better DFS or OS at 5yr, but was associated with less LRR.

CONCLUSIONS

With the caveat that confounding by indication may result from pooling data from predominantly nonrandomized studies, adjuvant radiation after radical nephrectomy was not associated with improved DFS or OS but was associated with less LRR.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Radiation therapy after resection of renal cell carcinoma with a high risk of relapse may reduce the risk of local recurrence but not the risk of disease recurrence or death after 5yr.

Medical oncology workload in Canada: infrastructure, supports, and delivery of clinical care

Background

In 2000, a Canadian task force recommended that medical oncologists (mos) meet a target of 160-175 new patient consultations per year. Here, we report the Canadian results of a global survey of mo workload compared with mo workload in other high-income countries (hics).

Methods

Using a snowball method, an online survey was distributed by national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 22 hics (World Bank criteria). The survey was distributed within Canada to all members of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists. Workload was measured as the annual number of new cancer patient consults per oncologist.

Results

The survey was completed by 782 oncologists from hics, including 58 from Canada. Median annual consults per mo were 175 in Canada compared with 125 in other hics. The proportions of mos having 100 or fewer consults or more than 300 consults per year were 3% (2/58) and 5% (3/58) in Canada compared with 31% (222/724) and 16% (116/724) in other hics (p < 0.001 and p = 0.023 respectively). The median number of patients seen in a full-day clinic was 15 in Canada and 25 in other hics (p = 0.220). Canadian mos reported spending a median of 55 minutes per new consultation; new consultations of 35 minutes were reported in other hics (p < 0.001). Median hours worked per week was 55 in Canada and 45 in other hics (p = 0.200).

Conclusions

Although the median annual clinical volume for Canadian mos aligns with recommended targets, half the respondents exceeded that level of activity. Health policymakers and educators have to consider mo workforce supply and alternative models of care in preparation for the anticipated surge in cancer incidence in the coming decade.

Postmarketing Modifications of Drug Labels for Cancer Drugs Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration Between 2006 and 2016 With and Without Supporting Randomized Controlled Trials

Purpose

Modifications in cancer drug indications, dosing, and related toxicities after Food and Drug Administration approval are common. It is unclear whether drug approval without a supporting randomized controlled trial (RCT) influences the probability of such modifications.

Methods

We searched the Drugs@FDA Web site for new drug indications for solid tumors approved between January 2006 and December 2016. Study characteristics, regulatory pathways, and label modifications from approval to October 2017 were collected from drug labels. Label modifications were considered to be major if defined as such in the drug label. Indications approved with and without supporting RCTs were compared using logistic regression. The Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate method was used to adjust for multiplicity.

Results

We identified 59 individual drugs for 109 solid tumor indications. Of these, 17 indications (15.6%) were not supported by an RCT, with no change over time. Indications not supported by RCTs were more likely to require companion diagnostic tests (odds ratio [OR], 3.90; P = .02), to include surrogate end points as primary outcomes (OR, 7.88; P < .001), and to receive breakthrough therapy designation (OR, 7.62; P = .006) or accelerated approval (OR, 17.67; P < .001). Indications not supported by RCTs were associated with significantly higher odds of postapproval modifications in common adverse events (71% v 29%; OR, 5.78; P = .002). A nonsignificantly higher odds of postapproval major modifications in warnings and precautions was also observed (88% v 62%; OR, 4.61; P = .051). Postapproval major modifications in indication and usage, dosing and administration, boxed warnings, and contraindications were comparable in the two groups.

Conclusion

Cancer drug indications not supported initially by RCTs are associated with more postmarketing safety-related label modifications. Health care professionals should be vigilant for unrecognized adverse effects when prescribing drugs approved without a supporting RCT.

Meta-Research on Oncology Trials: A Toolkit for Researchers with Limited Resources

"Meta-research" is a discipline that investigates research practices. Meta-research on clinical trials is an attempt to summarize descriptive and methodological features of published or ongoing clinical trials, including aspects of their implementation, design, analysis, reporting, and interpretation. In this type of investigation, the unit of analysis is a primary source of information about a clinical trial (e.g., published reports, study protocols, or abstracts), with meta-research being a second layer of information that summarizes what is known from various primary sources. After the formulation of the primary research question, the methodology of meta-research resembles that of other research projects, with predefined eligibility criteria, exposure variables, primary and secondary outcomes of interest, and an analysis plan. This type of study usually provides a high-level picture of the literature on a specific topic, always accompanied by a critical evaluation of the methodology and/or the quality of reporting of the studies included. Because relatively few resources are consumed to produce meta-research, these studies offer a great opportunity for clinical scientists working in settings with limited resources. In this article, we present the principles of designing and conducting meta-research and use our experience to suggest recommendations on how to perform and how to report this type of potentially very creative study. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The term meta-research pertains to a type of study in which the unit of analysis is, in most cases, the publication of a clinical trial. This type of study usually provides a high-level picture of the literature on a specific topic, always accompanied by a critical evaluation of the methodology, design, and/or the quality of reporting of the studies included. Because relatively few resources are consumed to produce meta-research, these studies offer a great opportunity for clinical scientists who work in low-income countries. This article presents the principles of designing and conducting meta-research and proposes practical recommendations on how to perform and report this type of potentially very creative study.

Role of cooperative groups and funding source in clinical trials supporting guidelines for systemic therapy of breast cancer

Introduction

Clinical research is conducted by academia, cooperative groups (CGs) or pharmaceutical industry. Here, we evaluate the role of CGs and funding sources in the development of guidelines for breast cancer therapies.

Results

We identified 94 studies. CGs were involved in 28 (30%) studies while industry either partially or fully sponsored 64 (68%) studies. The number of industry funded studies increased over time (from 0% in 1976 to 100% in 2014; p for trend = 0.048). Only 10 (11%) government or academic studies were identified. Studies conducted by GCs included a greater number of subjects (median 448 vs. 284; p = 0.015), were more common in the neo/adjuvant setting (p < 0.0001), and were more often randomized (p = 0.018) phase III (p < 0.0001) trials. Phase III trial remained significant predictor for CG-sponsored trials (OR 7.1 p = 0.004) in a multivariable analysis. Industry funding was associated with higher likelihood of positive outcomes favoring the sponsored experimental arm (p = 0.013) but this relationship was not seen for CG-sponsored trials (p = 0.53).

Materials and Methods

ASCO, ESMO, and NCCN guidelines were searched to identify systemic anti-cancer therapies for early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. Trial characteristics and outcomes were collected. We identified sponsors and/or the funding source(s) and determined whether CGs, industry, or government or academic institutions were involved. Chi-square tests were used for comparison between studies.

Conclusions

Industry funding is present in the majority of studies providing the basis for which recommendations about treatment of breast cancer are made. Industry funding, but not CG-based funding, was associated with higher likelihood of positive outcomes in clinical studies supporting guidelines for systemic therapy.

Impact of Availability of Companion Diagnostics on the Clinical Development of Anticancer Drugs

BACKGROUND

Companion diagnostics permit the selection of patients likely to respond to targeted anticancer drugs; however, it is unclear if the drug development process differs between drugs developed with or without companion diagnostics. Identification of differences in study design could help future clinical development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Anticancer drugs approved for use in solid tumors between 28 September 2000 and 4 January 2014 were identified using a search of the US FDA website. Phase III trials supporting registration were extracted from the drug label. Each published study was reviewed to obtain information about the phase I and II trials used for the development of the respective drug.

RESULTS

We identified 35 drugs and 59 phase III randomized trials supporting regulatory approval. Fifty-three phase I trials and 47 phase II trials were cited in the studies and were used to support the design of these phase III trials. The approval of drugs using a companion diagnostic has increased over time (p for trend 0.01). Expansion cohorts were more frequently observed with drugs developed with a companion diagnostic (62 vs. 20%; p = 0.005). No differences between drugs developed with or without a companion diagnostic were observed for the design of phase I and II studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The approval of drugs developed with a companion diagnostic has increased over time. The availability of a companion diagnostic was associated with more frequent use of phase I expansion cohorts comprising patients selected by the companion diagnostic.

Abstract P3-17-02: Influence of non-measurable disease on progression-free survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Background:

Progression free-survival (PFS) is the dominant endpoint in phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and requires the ability to measure target lesions. It is unknown whether treatment effect on PFS is consistent among patients with measurable and non-measurable disease.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE for phase 3 RCTs in MBC that reported outcomes in subgroups with non-measurable (or bone only disease, if not reported explicitly) and measurable disease. Data were extracted and a single hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to compare the individual trial treatment effect in non-measurable versus measurable disease. Data were then pooled in a meta-analysis. We repeated the analysis comparing bone only to non-bone only disease and performed subgroup analyses based on drug mechanism of action.

Results:

Of 82 RCTs that enrolled patients with non-measurable disease, 16 trials comprising 8516 patients were eligible for analysis. All included RCTs used PFS or time to progression as primary endpoints. There was no difference in pooled treatment effect between patients with non-measurable and measurable disease (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.89-1.15, p=0.82). However, compared to non-bone only disease, a significantly greater effect on PFS was seen in those with bone only disease (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.98, p=0.03). Subgroups analyses according to drug mechanism are shown in Table 1

Intra-study comparison, according to evaluated drug mechanismCohort/ Investigational drugNo. studies includedMeasurable HR (95% CI)Non measurable HR (95% CI)Intra- study comparison HR (95% CI)P – for intra-study comparisonAll160.69 (0.65-0.73)0.72 (0.64-0.80)1.01 (0.89-1.15)0.82Chemotherapy30.99 (0.87-1.13)0.67 (0.44-1.02)0.73 (0.44-1.21)0.22Endocrine treatment40.86 (0.77-0.96)0.94 (0.80-1.10)1.13 (0.92-1.40)0.23Signal transduction inhibitors40.52 (0.48-0.57)0.41 (0.33-0.50)0.74 (0.59-0.94)0.01Anti-angiogenetic agents50.66 (0.59-0.73)0.84 (0.67-1.04)1.34 (1.05-1.71)0.02CI- confidence interval, HR- hazard ratio

. Compared to patients with measurable disease, there was a greater effect on PFS in those with non-measurable disease in RCTs of signal transduction inhibitors and endocrine therapy (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.94, p=0.01). There was a lesser effect on PFS in patients with non-measurable disease in RCTs of antiangiogenic drugs (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.71, p=0.02). Comparable effect on PFS was shown in RCTs evaluating endocrine therapy and chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

There is variability in treatment effect on PFS in patients with measurable and non-measurable disease. There is greater effect on PFS in RCTs of endocrine therapy and signal transduction inhibitors and in patients with bone only disease. Standardization of PFS determination in patients with non-measurable and bone only disease is warranted.

Citation Format: Goldvaser H, Ribnikar D, Fazelzad R, Seruga B, Templeton AJ, Ocana A, Amir E. Influence of non-measurable disease on progression-free survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-17-02.

Abstract P3-12-04: Efficacy of extended adjuvant aromatase inhibitors in subgroups of women with early breast cancer

Background: Randomized trials (RCTs) have reported improvements in breast cancer outcomes from extending treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) beyond the initial 5 years after diagnosis. It is uncertain whether this effect is consistent in different subgroups.

Methods: We identified RCTs that compared extended AIs to placebo or no treatment using a systematic search of MEDLINE. The search was supplemented by a review of abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium meetings between 2013 and 2016. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for disease-free survival (DFS) were extracted or estimated from forest plots and included in a meta-analysis using generic inverse variance and random effects modelling. Pre-specified subgroups included age (&lt;60 ± 5 years vs. ≥60 ± 5 years), tumor size (≤2 cm vs. &gt;2 cm), nodal status (positive vs. negative), hormone receptor status (estrogen [ER] and progesterone receptor [PR] positive vs. ER or PR positive) and administration of adjuvant chemotherapy (yes vs. no).

Results: Seven trials comprising 16,349 patients were analyzed. Studies designs and prior endocrine therapy are shown in Table 1

Table 1: Characteristics of included studies.TrialTreatment ArmsSample sizePrior endocrine treatmentABCSG 6aAnastrozole 3 years vs. none387/ 469Tamoxifen± aminoglutethimide: 100%, 5 yearsMA 17Letrozole 5 years vs. placebo2572/ 2577Tamoxifen: 100%, ∼5 yearsNSABP B-33Exemestane 5 years vs. placebo783/ 779Tamoxifen: 100%, ∼5 yearsDutch DATAAnastrozole 6 years vs,. anastrozole 3 years827/ 833Tamoxifen: 100%, 2-3 yearsIDEALLetrozole 5 years vs. letrozole 2.5 years903/ 898Any endocrine treatment (tamoxifen/AIs/sequence of tamoxifen+ AIs): 100%, 5 yearsMA.17RLetrozole 5 years vs. placebo959/ 959AIs: 100%, ∼5 years Prior tamoxifen: 79.3%NSABP B-42Letrozole 5 years vs. placebo1959/ 1964Any endocrine treatment (AIs/sequence of tamoxifen+ AIs): 100%, 5 years

. The pooled effect of prolonged treatment with AIs in different subgroups is shown in the Table 2.

Table 2: Intra-subgroup comparison of longer AIs treatment effect by subgroupsSubgroup ASubgroup BHR (95% CI) Subgroup AHR (95% CI) Subgroup BP for differenceAge &lt;60 ± 5Age ≥60 ± 50.83 (0.70-0.99)0.85 (0.74-0.97)0.64T &gt;2 cmT ≤2 cm0.77 (0.55-1.06)0.88 (0.68-1.13)0.44N positiveN negative0.72 (0.63-0.83)0.83 (0.64-1.08)0.22ER and PR positiveER or PR positive0.68 (0.44-1.04)1.03 (0.53-2.02)0.27Adjuvant chemotherapyNone0.71 (0.59-0.86)0.80 (0.65-0.98)0.51

Overall, the effect of prolonged AIs was similar in all subgroups. However, non-significantly greater effect sizes were seen in patient with larger tumors, nodal involvement, presence of both ER and PR expression and those treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusions: Extended treatment with adjuvant AIs is associated with similar relative improvements in DFS in all subgroups analyzed. The greater effect size seen in node positive and large tumor subgroups and the higher baseline risk of recurrence will likely translate to a higher absolute benefit from extended AIs in these groups.

Citation Format: Goldvaser H, Algorashi I, Ribnikar D, Majeed H, Ocana A, Seruga B, Templeton AJ, Amir E. Efficacy of extended adjuvant aromatase inhibitors in subgroups of women with early breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-04.

Delivery of Global Cancer Care: An International Study of Medical Oncology Workload

Background

To our knowledge, there is no literature that has described medical oncology (MO) workload in the global context. Here, we report results of an international study of global MO workload.

Methods

An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 65 countries. Countries were classified into low- or low-middle–income countries (LMICs), upper-middle–income countries (UMICs), and high-income countries (HICs) on the basis of World Bank criteria. Workload was measured as the annual number of new consultations provided to patients with cancer per oncologist.

Results

A total of 1,115 physicians completed the survey: 13% (147 of 1,115) from LMICs, 17% (186 of 1,115) from UMICs, and 70% (782 of 1,115) from HICs. Eighty percent (897 of 1,115) of respondents were medical oncologists, 10% (109 of 1,115) were clinical oncologists, and 10% (109 of 1,115) were other. The median number of annual consults per oncologist was 175 (interquartile range, 75 to 275); 13% (140 of 1,103) saw ≥ 500 new patients in a year. Annual case volume in LMICs (median consults, 425; 40% of respondents seeing > 500 consults) was substantially higher than in UMICs (median consults, 175; 14% > 500) and HICs (median consults, 175; 7% > 500; P < .001). Among LMICs, UMICs, and HICs, median working days per week were 6, 5, and 5, respectively (P < .001). The highest annual case volumes per oncologist were in Pakistan (median consults, 950; 73% > 500 consults), India (median consults, 475; 43% > 500), and Turkey (median consults, 475; 27% > 500).

Conclusion

There is substantial global variation in medical oncology case volumes and clinical workload; this is most striking among LMICs, where huge deficits exist. Additional work is needed, particularly detailed country-level mapping, to quantify activity-based global MO practice and workload to inform training needs and the design of new pathways and models of care.

In silico analyses identify gene-sets, associated with clinical outcome in ovarian cancer: role of mitotic kinases

INTRODUCTION

Accurate assessment of prognosis in early stage ovarian cancer is challenging resulting in suboptimal selection of patients for adjuvant therapy. The identification of predictive markers for cytotoxic chemotherapy is therefore highly desirable. Protein kinases are important components in oncogenic transformation and those relating to cell cycle and mitosis control may allow for identification of high-risk early stage ovarian tumors.

METHODS

Genes with differential expression in ovarian surface epithelia (OSE) and ovarian cancer epithelial cells (CEPIs) were identified from public datasets and analyzed with dChip software. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) associated with these genes in stage I/II and late stage ovarian cancer was explored using the Kaplan Meier Plotter online tool.

RESULTS

Of 2925 transcripts associated with modified expression in CEPIs compared to OSE, 66 genes coded for upregulated protein kinases. Expression of 9 of these genes (CDC28, CHK1, NIMA, Aurora kinase A, Aurora kinase B, BUB1, BUB1βB, CDKN2A and TTK) was associated with worse PFS (HR:3.40, log rank p<0.001). The combined analyses of CHK1, CDKN2A, AURKA, AURKB, TTK and NEK2 showed the highest magnitude of association with PFS (HR:4.62, log rank p<0.001). Expression of AURKB predicted detrimental OS in stage I/II ovarian cancer better than all other combinations Conclusion: Genes linked to cell cycle control are associated with worse outcome in early stage ovarian cancer. Incorporation of these biomarkers in clinical studies may help in the identification of patients at high risk of relapse for whom optimizing adjuvant therapeutic strategies is needed.

Reporting of Randomized Trials in Common Cancers in the Lay Media

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist about the role of the lay media in the dissemination of results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in common cancers.

METHODS

Completed phase III RCTs evaluating new drugs in common cancers between January 2005 and October 2016 were identified from ClinicalTrials.gov. Lay media reporting was identified by searching LexisNexis Academic. Scientific reporting was defined as presentation at an academic conference or publication in full. Associations between reporting in the lay media before scientific reporting and study design and sponsorship were evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 180 RCTs identified, 52% were reported in the lay media and in 27%, lay media reporting occurred before scientific reporting with an increasing trend over time (p = 0.009). Reporting in the lay media before scientific reporting was associated with positive results (OR: 2.10, p = 0.04), targeted therapy compared to chemotherapy (OR: 4.75, p = 0.006), immunotherapy compared to chemotherapy (OR: 7.60, p = 0.02), and prostate cancer compared to breast cancer (OR: 3.25, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Over a quarter of all RCTs in common cancers are reported in the lay media before they are reported scientifically with an increasing proportion over time. Positive trials, studies in prostate cancer, and trials of immunotherapy are associated with early reporting in the lay media.

Relevance of randomised controlled trials in oncology

Well-designed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) can prevent bias in the comparison of treatments and provide a sound basis for changes in clinical practice. However, the design and reporting of many RCTs can render their results of little relevance to clinical practice. In this Personal View, we discuss the limitations of RCT data and suggest some ways to improve the clinical relevance of RCTs in the everyday management of patients with cancer. RCTs should ask questions of clinical rather than commercial interest, avoid non-validated surrogate endpoints in registration trials, and have entry criteria that allow inclusion of all patients who are fit to receive treatment. Furthermore, RCTs should be reported with complete accounting of frequency and management of toxicities, and with strict guidelines to ensure freedom from bias. Premature reporting of results should be avoided. The bar for clinical benefit should be raised for drug registration, which should require publication and review of mature data from RCTs, post-marketing health outcome studies, and value-based pricing.

Hyperglycemia and survival in solid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Background: Diabetes is associated with adverse cancer outcomes. However, the effect of hyperglycemia independent of diabetes is unclear. Here we report on a meta-analysis exploring the effect of hyperglycemia on outcomes of solid tumors, and the influence of clinical factors on this association. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases identified publications exploring the effect of hyperglycemia on overall (OS), disease-free (DFS) or progression-free survival (PFS). Definitions of hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose, random blood glucose or HbA1c) and cut-offs varied between studies. Data from studies reporting a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) or a p -value were pooled in a meta-analysis using generic inverse-variance and random effects modeling. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on method of hyperglycemia measurement (HbA1c, other) and tumor stage (early, advanced, mixed). Meta-regression was performed to evaluate the influence of clinical characteristics including baseline diabetes status on the HR for OS. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Eight studies comprising a total of 4342 patients were included. All studies reported HRs for OS. Two studies reported DFS outcomes, and two reported PFS. Hyperglycemia was associated with worse OS (HR 2.07, 95% CI = 1.70 - 2.52; P < 0.001) and DFS (HR 1.61, 95% CI = 1.04 - 2.49; P < 0.001), but did not decrease PFS (HR 1.08, 95% CI = 0.72 - 1.62; P = 0.71). The association with worse OS maintained in subgroups based on method of hyperglycemia measurement (subgroup difference P = 0.65) and tumor stage ( P= 0.47). Meta-regression analyses did not identify any factors significantly altering the magnitude of association between hyperglycemia and OS (see Table). Conclusions: Hyperglycemia is associated with adverse OS and DFS in patients with cancer, and the therapeutic role of optimal glycemic control warrants further investigation. [Table: see text]

Efficacy, safety, tolerability and price of newly approved drugs in solid tumors

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Background: New anti-cancer drugs utilize diverse mechanisms of action. Here we evaluate their differential efficacy, safety, tolerability and price. Methods: Drugs approved for the treatment of solid tumors between 2000 and 2015 were identified and analyzed in subgroups: agents targeting oncogenes or dysregulated pathways (group 1), anti-angiogenic drugs (group 2), immunotherapy (group 3), and chemotherapy (group 4). Hazard ratios (HRs) were extracted from the reports of randomized trials supporting registration and pooled in a meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) for rates of toxic death, treatment discontinuation and grade 3-4 toxicity were compared relative to control groups. The Micromedex Red Book was used to calculate the monthly price of each agent. Results: Analysis included 74 studies comprising 48,527 patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) was improved to a lesser degree with groups 3 and 4 than with groups 1 and 2, (pooled HR:0.54, 0.56, 0.63, and 0.76 for groups 1–4 respectively, p for difference < 0.001). Compared to PFS, there was a lower magnitude of improvement overall survival in all groups and the degree of benefit was less for group 4 than for other groups (pooled HR:0.77, 0.78, 0.68, and 0.83 for groups 1–4 respectively, p for difference = 0.007). Compared to control groups in individual trials, immunotherapy was associated with better safety and tolerability than other groups. Drug prices have increased over time with no statistically significant difference between groups. There was limited to no correlation between drug pricing and efficacy. Conclusions: Compared to control groups, chemotherapy improves efficacy to a lesser degree than the other groups. Immunotherapy appears to have better safety and tolerability profile compared to other cancer therapies. Market price of drugs is not related to efficacy.

Delivering global cancer care: An international study of medical oncology workload

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Background: With a disproportionate global burden of cancer, access to care in low-middle income countries (LMICs) is a pressing issue. To our knowledge there is no literature that has described medical oncology (MO) workload in the global context. Here, we report the first results of an international study of global MO training, infrastructure and workload. Methods: A multinational panel of oncologists from diverse practice settings designed a 51 item online survey. The survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 50 countries. Countries were classified into low or low-middle (LMIC), upper-middle (UMIC) and high-income countries (HIC) based on World Bank criteria. Due to small numbers, African nations were reported as a region. The primary objective of this study was to describe the annual number of new cancer patient consults seen per oncologist. Results: 708 physicians completed the survey; 14% (96/708) from LMICs, 21% (152/708) UMICs, and 65% (460/708) HICs. 85% (604/708) of respondents were MOs, 9% (65/708) clinical oncologists, 6% (39/708) other. Respondents worked a median 5 days/week and had 4 weeks of annual paid vacation. The median number of annual consults per oncologist was 175 (IQR 125-375); 16% (114/708) of respondents saw 500+ new patients in a year. Annual case volume in LMICs (median consults 425, 46% respondents seeing > 500 consults) was substantially higher than UMICs (175, 15% > 500) and HICs (175, 10% > 500) (p < 0.001). Among LMICs, UMICs, and HICs, median days worked per week were 6, 5, 5 respectively (p < 0.001); annual weeks of paid vacation were 3, 3, 5 respectively (p < 0.001). Among countries/regions with 10+ responses, the highest annual case volumes per oncologist were Pakistan (median consults 950, 73% > 500 consults), India (475, 47% > 500), Turkey (475, 25% > 500), Africa (400, 42% > 500) and China (325, 31% > 500). Conclusions: There is substantial global variation in oncology case volumes and clinical workload; this is most striking among LMICs. Further work is needed to quantify activity-based global MO practice and workload to inform training needs and the design of new pathways and models of care.

Outcome of severe infections in afebrile neutropenic cancer patients

BACKGROUND

In some neutropenic cancer patients fever may be absent despite microbiologically and/or clinically confirmed infection. We hypothesized that afebrile neutropenic cancer patients with severe infections have worse outcome as compared to cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all adult cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and severe infection, who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at our cancer center between 2000 and 2011. The outcome of interest was 30-day in-hospital mortality rate. Association between the febrile status and in-hospital mortality rate was evaluated by the Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

We identified 69 episodes of severe neutropenic infections in 65 cancer patients. Among these, 9 (13%) episodes were afebrile. Patients with afebrile neutropenic infection presented with hypotension, severe fatigue with inappetence, shaking chills, altered mental state or cough and all of them eventually deteriorated to severe sepsis or septic shock. Overall 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 55.1%. Patients with afebrile neutropenic infection had a trend for a higher 30-day in-hospital mortality rate as compared to patients with febrile neutropenic infection (78% vs. 52%, p = 0.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Afebrile cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and severe infections might have worse outcome as compared to cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. Patients should be informed that severe neutropenic infection without fever can occasionally occur during cancer treatment with chemotherapy.

Influence of companion diagnostics on efficacy and safety of targeted anti-cancer drugs: systematic review and meta-analyses

Background

Companion diagnostics aim to identify patients that will respond to targeted therapies, therefore increasing the clinical efficacy of such drugs. Less is known about their influence on safety and tolerability of targeted anti-cancer agents.

Methods and findings

Randomized trials evaluating targeted agents for solid tumors approved by the US Food and Drug Administration since year 2000 were assessed. Odds ratios (OR) and and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed for treatment-related death, treatment-discontinuation related to toxicity and occurrence of any grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs). The 12 most commonly reported individual AEs were also explored. ORs were pooled in a meta-analysis. Analysis comprised 41 trials evaluating 28 targeted agents. Seventeen trials (41%) utilized companion diagnostics. Compared to control groups, targeted drugs in experimental arms were associated with increased odds of treatment discontinuation, grade 3/4 AEs, and toxic death irrespective of whether they utilized companion diagnostics or not. Compared to drugs without available companion diagnostics, agents with companion diagnostics had a lower magnitude of increased odds of treatment discontinuation (OR = 1.12 versus 1.65, p < 0.001) and grade 3/4 AEs (OR = 1.09 versus 2.10, p < 0.001), but no difference in risk of toxic death (OR = 1.40 versus 1.27, p = 0.69). Differences between agents with and without companion diagnostics were greatest for diarrhea (OR = 1.29 vs. 2.43, p < 0.001), vomiting (OR = 0.86 vs. 1.44, p = 0.005), cutaneous toxicity (OR = 1.82 vs. 3.88, p < 0.001) and neuropathy (OR = 0.64 vs. 1.60, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Targeted drugs with companion diagnostics are associated with improved safety, and tolerability. Differences were most marked for gastrointestinal, cutaneous and neurological toxicity.

Honorary and ghost authorship in reports of randomised clinical trials in oncology

BACKGROUND

The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has developed guidelines for responsible and accountable authorship. Few studies have assessed the frequency and nature of ghost and honorary authorship in publications of oncology trials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Reports of randomised clinical trials evaluating systemic cancer therapy published from July 2010 to December 2012 in six high-impact journals were identified systematically. Ghost authorship was determined to be present in any scenario where investigators or statisticians listed in the protocol were not included as authors and not acknowledged in the report of the trial. The list of contributions for authors of published articles was recorded, and we defined an article as having an honorary author if any author did not meet all three criteria established by ICMJE in 1985.

RESULTS

Two hundred publications were identified. For 61 articles, protocols with listed investigators were available, and 40 (66%) of these articles met our definition of ghost authorship. Medical writers were involved in 89 articles (45%), and assistance was acknowledged only in sponsored trials. Contributions of each author were provided in 195 articles, and 63 (33%) articles met our definition for honorary authorship. Funding source was not a predictor for either honorary or ghost authorship. Journal impact factor was positively associated with honorary authorship (odds ratio = 1.03; 95% confidence interval = 1.004-1.065; P = 0.03), but not with ghost authorship.

CONCLUSION

Ghost and honorary authorship are prevalent in articles describing trials for systemic therapy of cancer. Guidelines should be enforced to improve transparency and accountability.

Failures in Phase III: Causes and Consequences

Phase III randomized controlled trials (RCT) in oncology fail to lead to registration of new therapies more often than RCTs in other medical disciplines. Most RCTs are sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, which reflects industry's increasing responsibility in cancer drug development. Many preclinical models are unreliable for evaluation of new anticancer agents, and stronger evidence of biologic effect should be required before a new agent enters the clinical development pathway. Whenever possible, early-phase clinical trials should include pharmacodynamic studies to demonstrate that new agents inhibit their molecular targets and demonstrate substantial antitumor activity at tolerated doses in an enriched population of patients. Here, we review recent RCTs and found that these conditions were not met for most of the targeted anticancer agents, which failed in recent RCTs. Many recent phase III RCTs were initiated without sufficient evidence of activity from early-phase clinical trials. Because patients treated within such trials can be harmed, they should not be undertaken. The bar should also be raised when making decisions to proceed from phase II to III and from phase III to marketing approval. Many approved agents showed only better progression-free survival than standard treatment in phase III trials and were not shown to improve survival or its quality. Introduction of value-based pricing of new anticancer agents would dissuade the continued development of agents with borderline activity in early-phase clinical trials. When collaborating with industry, oncologists should be more critical and better advocates for cancer patients.