Clinical and Genomic Landscape of FGFR3-Altered Urothelial Carcinoma and Treatment Outcomes with Erdafitinib: A Real-World Experience

PURPOSE

Erdafitinib is the only FDA-approved targeted therapy for FGFR2/3-altered metastatic urothelial cancer. We characterized the genetic landscape of FGFR-altered urothelial carcinoma and real-world clinical outcomes with erdafitinib, including on-treatment genomic evolution.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Prospectively collected clinical data were integrated with institutional genomic data to define the landscape of FGFR2/3-altered urothelial carcinoma. To identify mechanisms of erdafitinib resistance, a subset of patients underwent prospective cell-free (cf) DNA assessment.

RESULTS

FGFR3 alterations predictive of erdafitinib sensitivity were identified in 39% (199/504) of patients with non-muscle invasive, 14% (75/526) with muscle-invasive, 43% (81/187) with localized upper tract, and 26% (59/228) with metastatic specimens. One patient had a potentially sensitizing FGFR2 fusion. Among 27 FGFR3-altered cases with a primary tumor and metachronous metastasis, 7 paired specimens (26%) displayed discordant FGFR3 status. Erdafitinib achieved a response rate of 40% but median progression-free and overall survival of only 2.8 and 6.6 months, respectively (n = 32). Dose reductions (38%, 12/32) and interruptions (50%, 16/32) were common. Putative resistance mutations detected in cfDNA involved TP53 (n = 5), AKT1 (n = 1), and second-site FGFR3 mutations (n = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

FGFR3 mutations are common in urothelial carcinoma, whereas FGFR2 alterations are rare. Discordance of FGFR3 mutational status between primary and metastatic tumors occurs frequently and raises concern over sequencing archival primary tumors to guide patient selection for erdafitinib therapy. Erdafitinib responses were typically brief and dosing was limited by toxicity. FGFR3, AKT1, and TP53 mutations detected in cfDNA represent putative mechanisms of acquired erdafitinib resistance.

Abstract 3410: Identifying potential mechanisms of resistance to erdafitinib (erda) via longitudinal analysis of circulating tumor (ct)-DNA of patients (pts) with advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC)

Background: The fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor erda is the only FDA-approved targeted treatment (tx) for mUC with FGFR2/3 alterations (alt). Median progression-free survival on erda is 5.5 months and mechanisms of resistance remain poorly characterized. Analysis of ctDNA offers an opportunity to longitudinally and non-invasively assess for mechanisms of resistance.

Methods: Plasma was collected from mUC pts on erda at baseline, on-tx, and at disease progression (PD). Clinical characteristics were recorded. Pre-tx tumors were sequenced with MSK-IMPACT and plasma samples with MSK-ACCESS, a cell-free DNA assay sequencing 129 genes with unique molecular indexes to generate >15,000x coverage for detection of mutations to an allele frequency of 0.1%.

Results: Between 8/2019-9/2021, 18 pts received erda. Median progression-free survival was 4.2 months, range 1.4-10.8. Tx was discontinued in 14 pts for PD, 3 for toxicity, and 1 death unrelated to erda/PD. During tx, several pts acquired new alts in ctDNA compared to pre-tx tumor/ctDNA, most commonly in TP53 (n = 5) and FGFR3 (n = 4) (Table 1). Of 9 newly acquired FGFR2/3 alts observed in ctDNA on-tx, 3 were hotspots. Several acquired FGFR3 alts have been shown to impact binding of erda to FGFR3 in vitro (Table 1). Of 5 pts with primary refractoriness to erda, 3 had baseline activating alts of signaling downstream or parallel to FGFR, including alts of PIK3CA (n = 1), TSC1 (n = 1), and HER2 (n = 2). Of 3 pts with TP53 alts in baseline ctDNA, 2 had PD as best response to erda.

Conclusions: Pts with mUC treated with erda demonstrated on-tx acquisition of ctDNA alts of FGFR2/3 and TP53 and activating alts downstream or parallel to FGFR signaling. Most pts with TP53 alts in baseline ctDNA were refractory to erda. Acquired FGFR2/3 alts on erda may drive resistance through interference with drug-target binding.

Case # Pre-tx FGFR2/3 alts Alts acquired on erda related to TP53 and FGFR signaling 1 FGFR3 Y373C TP53 K132M; TP53 R158L 2 FGFR3 S371C; FGFR3 R399C; FGFR3 R248C; FGFR3 S249C; FGFR3-TACC3 fusion FGFR3 R669G&; FGFR3 V553M&; FGFR3 N540S&; FGFR3 H673Y; FGFR3 K649_K650delinsIE; TP53 S241C; BRAF-CLIP2 fusion 3 FGFR3 S249C TP53 E287Q 4 FGFR3 S249C FGFR3 V553M&; FGFR3 K650M; FGFR2 R255W; AKT1 E17K 5 FGFR3 S249C FGFR3 R248C 6 FGFR3 S249C TP53 I195T 7 FGFR3 Y373C TP53 R248W; TP53 S241Y 8 FGFR3 S249C; FGFR3 L645V FGFR3 S424C & Alts likely to impact erda binding to FGFR3.

Citation Format: Brendan J. Guercio, Michal Sarfaty, Min Yuen Teo, Samuel A. Funt, Chung-Han Lee, David H. Aggen, Neha Ratna, Ashley M. Regazzi, Ziyu Chen, Michael Lattanzi, Hikmat A. Al-Ahmadie, A. Rose Brannon, Michael F. Berger, David B. Solit, Jonathan E. Rosenberg, Dean F. Bajorin, Gopa Iyer. Identifying potential mechanisms of resistance to erdafitinib (erda) via longitudinal analysis of circulating tumor (ct)-DNA of patients (pts) with advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3410.

Biomarkers of response to neoadjuvant atezolizumab with gemcitabine and cisplatin in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

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Background: We previously reported the clinical outcomes of a positive multi-center phase II trial of neoadjuvant gemcitabine (G) and cisplatin (C) plus atezolizumab (A) in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (Funt, et al. JCO 2022). In this and another trial of neoadjuvant GC with pembrolizumab (Rose et al, JCO 2021), PD-L1 positivity by immunohistochemistry was not predictive of non–muscle-invasive downstaging ( < pT2N0). Therefore, we investigated other pre-treatment tissue-based genomic and gene expression biomarkers of response and resistance. Methods: 36 pts had pre-treatment tissue available for genomic analysis. We performed targeted hybridization capture DNA sequencing using the CLIA-certified MSK-IMPACT platform and whole transcriptome RNA sequencing. We examined genomic and gene expression biomarkers which have been previously investigated in the context of neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy or anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapy for MIBC, including tumor mutation burden (TMB), a DNA damage response (DDR) 9-gene panel (NCT03609216) associated with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and an 8-gene cytotoxic T cell transcriptional signature associated with response to neoadjuvant A (tGE8; Powles et al, Nature Medicine 2019). We also evaluated TGF-β pathway activation, which was associated with resistance to A in pts with metastatic BC (Mariathasan et al, Nature 2018). Putative biomarkers were assessed for correlation with < pT2N0, the trial’s primary endpoint. Results: DNA was available from all 36 pts, and RNA met quality control metrics for 29 pts. TMB was significantly higher in pts with < pT2N0 (median 16 mut/Mb, IQR 12-25) versus ≥ pT2N0 (median 10 mut/ Mb, IQR 8-10; p < 0.01). A single patient had a TMB > 200 Mut/Mb with a POLE hotspot mutation and achieved pT0N0; TMB was still significantly higher in responders after omission of this patient (p < 0.01). Nine of 25 pts (36%) with < pT2N0 had a deleterious DDR mutation versus 1 of 10 pts (10%) with ≥ pT2N0 (p = 0.13). While tGE8 was significantly increased in patients with < pT2N0 compared to those without (p = 0.01), TGF-β pathway activation was not increased in pts with ≥ pT2N0 (p = 0.99). Conclusions: TMB and the tGE8 cytotoxic T cell transcriptional signature were associated with response to combination GC+A in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. More detailed molecular analyses will be reported. Clinical trial information: NCT02989584.

Neoadjuvant Atezolizumab With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Patients With Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Phase II Trial

PURPOSE

Neoadjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) is standard for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). On the basis of the activity of atezolizumab (A) in metastatic BC, we tested neoadjuvant GC plus A for MIBC.

METHODS

Eligible patients with MIBC (cT2-T4aN0M0) received a dose of A, followed 2 weeks later by GC plus A every 21 days for four cycles followed 3 weeks later by a dose of A before RC. The primary end point was non-muscle-invasive downstaging to < pT2N0.

RESULTS

Of 44 enrolled patients, 39 were evaluable. The primary end point was met, with 27 of 39 patients (69%) < pT2N0, including 16 (41%) pT0N0. No patient with < pT2N0 relapsed and four (11%) with ≥ pT2N0 relapsed with a median follow-up of 16.5 months (range: 7.0-33.7 months). One patient refused RC and two developed metastatic disease before RC; all were considered nonresponders. The most common grade 3-4 adverse event (AE) was neutropenia (n = 16; 36%). Grade 3 immune-related AEs occurred in five (11%) patients with two (5%) requiring systemic steroids. The median time from last dose of chemotherapy to surgery was 7.8 weeks (range: 5.1-17 weeks), and no patient failed to undergo RC because of AEs. Four of 39 (10%) patients had programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive tumors and were all < pT2N0. Of the patients with PD-L1 low or negative tumors, 23 of 34 (68%) achieved < pT2N0 and 11 of 34 (32%) were ≥ pT2N0 (P = .3 for association between PD-L1 and < pT2N0).

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant GC plus A is a promising regimen for MIBC and warrants further study. Patients with < pT2N0 experienced improved relapse-free survival. The PD-L1 positivity rate was low compared with published data, which limits conclusions regarding PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker.

Incidence and clinical outcomes of HER2-altered bladder cancer (BC) patients (pts)

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Background: Bladder cancer has one of the highest rates of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) alteration. Novel HER2-directed agents are being investigated in metastatic BC. We sought to define the incidence and clinical characteristics of HER2-altered BC across disease states. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our single-institution, clinically annotated cohort of urothelial BC pts with available genomic profiling data (MSK-IMPACT). We quantified the prevalence of HER2 alterations, defined as driver mutation (based on OncoKB), and/or amplification, across BC disease states. We examined the association between HER2 alteration and disease progression and survival. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for time-to-event analyses. Results: A total of 1073 BC pts underwent MSK IMPACT profiling of tumor tissue derived from the following disease states: 36% (n = 380) non-muscle invasive (NMI)BC, 41% (n = 443) muscle invasive (MI)BC, and 23% (n = 250) (met)BC. At initial diagnosis, the median age was 67 years, 77% (n = 822) were male, 86% (n = 928) were white, and 66% (n = 710) were smokers. Overall, 16% (n = 177) of pts had any oncogenic HER2 alteration (Table), including 11% with a HER2 driver mutation and 7% with HER2 amplification The most frequent mutations were S310F (40%, n = 53) and S310Y (14%, n = 19). The rate of HER2 amplification was different among the three groups (p = 0.002), 9% in MIBC and metBC compared to 3% in NMIBC. Among 514 pts with NMIBC, the median time to progression (TTP) to MIBC or metBC was 111.6 months (95% Cl: 85.7-NR). Among NMIBC pts, TTP was significantly shorter for HER2-amplified (n = 17) vs. non-amplified (n = 497) (HR = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.05-3.76, p = 0.034, median 26 vs. 114 months). Among pts with metBC receiving frontline platinum-based chemotherapy (n = 143), the median overall survival (OS) was 25.3 months (95%CI: 18.5-33.9). OS was numerically higher in pts with any oncogenic HER2 alteration (n = 26) compared to wild-type (n = 117) (HR = 0.59, 95% Cl: 0.33-1.07, p = 0.082), though this difference was not statistically significant. The median OS for platinum-refractory metBC pts receiving 2nd line immunotherapy (n = 63) was 10.3 months (95%CI: 7.2-31.6), and the association between OS and HER2 alteration was not significant (HR = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.24-1.37, p = 0.2). Conclusions: HER2 amplification is more frequent in MIBC and metBC than in NMIBC. In NMIBC, HER2 amplification is associated with shorter TTP to MIBC or metBC. HER2 alteration in metBC is associated with a non-significant trend towards improved OS in frontline platinum-treated pts, though this analysis is limited by small sample size.[Table: see text]

Neoadjuvant atezolizumab (A) with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) in patients (pts) with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): A multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 trial

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Background: Neoadjuvant GC is standard for pts with MIBC and can result in pathologic downstaging to non-MIBC ( < pT2N0) at radical cystectomy (RC), which correlates with improved survival. Based on the known activity of A in metastatic BC (mBC), we tested the combination of GC+A as neoadjuvant therapy for MIBC in a phase II trial (NCT02989584). Methods: Eligible pts with MIBC (cT2-T4aN0M0) received a single dose of A (1200 mg IV) and, two weeks later, began C (as either 70mg/m2 IV on D1 or 35 mg/m2 on D1,D8), G (1000 mg/m2 on D1,D8), and A (1200 mg IV on D8) every 21 days for 4 cycles followed by RC. Pts were also able to receive one additional dose of A 3 weeks after the last dose of A and prior to RC. The primary endpoint was proportion of pts with < pT2N0. Pts were considered not evaluable for the primary endpoint if they received less than 2 cycles due to withdrawal of consent or unrelated adverse events (AEs). Secondary endpoints included the proportion of pts with pT0N0, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and safety. We prespecified null and alternate < pT2N0 rates of 35% and 55%, respectively, with the null being rejected if at least 19 of 39 pts achieved < pT2N0. Pretreatment tumors underwent centralized PD-L1 staining (SP142; positive if ≥5% of immune cells). Results: Between Feb 2018 and May 2020, 44 pts were enrolled from five institutions. Five pts were not evaluable (withdrawal of consent before C3, n = 4; unrelated AEs during C1, n = 1). Of the 39 evaluable pts (cT2N0 79%, cT3N0 18%, cT4N0 3%), 1 pt refused surgery and was considered a non-responder. The primary endpoint was met, with 27 of 39 pts (69%) < pT2N0 at RC, including 15 (38%) pT0N0. All pts achieving < pT2N0 are alive and disease free. The median RFS was not reached with a median follow-up of 16.7 months (range: 7.7-33.2). The median time from last dose of chemotherapy to RC was 7.8 weeks (range 5.1 – 17). The most common grade 3-4 treatment related AEs were due to chemotherapy and were neutropenia (36%), lymphopenia (16%), and anemia (11%). Possible grade 3-4 immune related AEs included 2 pts with asymptomatic grade 3 pancreatic enzyme elevation, 1 pt with grade 3 pancreatitis, and 1 pt with hepatitis requiring steroids. Only 4 of 39 (10%) pts had PD-L1 positive tumors, which is low compared to mBC (25% positive; Powles et al. Lancet 2017) and MIBC (40% positive; Powles et al. Nature Med 2019) cohorts also tested with the SP142 clone. All 4 pts with PD-L1 positive tumors achieved < pT2N0. Twelve of 12 (100%) non-responding pts were PD-L1 negative and 23 of 27 (85%) responding pts were PD-L1 negative (p = 0.3). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant GC+A is an effective and safe regimen for the treatment of pts with MIBC. The PD-L1 positivity rate was low compared with other studies and was not predictive of pathologic downstaging. Additional interrogation of the genomic and host immune factors mediating response and resistance to GC+A is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT02989584.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urothelial tract (LNEC): The MSKCC experience

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Background: LNEC is a rare, poorly characterized entity morphologically resembling small cell NEC of the urothelial tract (SNEC). Methods: Pure and partial LNEC and SNEC cases were identified by histopathologic re-review; clinical outcomes were compared. A subset was sequenced with MSK-IMPACT (279-505 genes). Results: Between 1992-2020, 43 patients (pts) with LNEC were identified (42 bladder, 1 upper tract); 19 (44%) had concomitant SNEC. LNEC cases were compared to 192 SNEC without LNEC (SNEC-only) (Table 1). Compared to SNEC-only pts, LNEC pts experienced longer overall survival (OS), adjusting for age and M0 vs M1 (median OS not reached vs 22.4 months [mos]; HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.74, p =.006). Neoadjuvant chemo (NAC) use increased over time. Pathologic response rate (<ypT2N0) after NAC was 25% for LNEC and 50% for SNEC-only (p =.13); the ypT0N0 rate was 25% for LNEC and 40% for SNEC-only (p =.52). Perioperative chemo did not improve OS compared to surgery alone in LNEC, adjusting for age and concurrent SNEC (HR 1.46, 95% CI 0.12-17.5, p =.76), but was associated with longer OS among SNEC-only pts (n = 98; HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.22-0.69, p =.001). Two M1 LNEC pts received immunotherapy (IO) in the first-line: 1 atezolizumab, 1 atezolizumab + chemo. Both remained free of progression on IO at a follow-up of 20 and 12 mos, respectively. Of 18 sequenced LNEC tumors, 89% had TERT promoter alterations (alts), similar to 85% seen in 52 SNEC tumors. All LNEC tumors had alts of TP53 or RB1, and 10 (56%) had both. Median tumor mutational burden (TMB) was 14 (IQR 8-38) in LNEC and 30 (IQR 15-55) in SNEC. Epigenetic modifiers were altered in 78% LNEC and 79% SNEC. Two LNEC pts had ERCC2 alts and received platinum chemo; both were alive at last follow-up from NEC diagnosis of 30.7-39.1 mos. Conclusions: LNEC pts experienced longer OS compared to pts with SNEC-only in this cohort, but did not appear more chemo-sensitive. Genomic profiles of LNEC and SNEC-only tumors were similar; TERT promoter mutations suggest a potential urothelial precursor. Further investigation of IO for LNEC is warranted.[Table: see text]

The emerging role of antibody-drug conjugates in urothelial carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

In December 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to the novel nectin-4-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, enfortumab vedotin, for the treatment of platinum-refractory and immune checkpoint blockade-refractory locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Antibody-drug conjugates represent a new therapeutic modality in urothelial cancer; and beyond nectin-4, agents targeting Trop-2, HER2, and EpCAM are also in clinical development.

AREAS COVERED

This review outlines the biologic rationale and the clinical development of novel antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of urothelial cancer across the spectrum of disease from non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer through treatment-refractory metastatic disease.

EXPERT OPINION

The high response rates observed with enfortumab vedotin - both as monotherapy and in combination with checkpoint blockade immunotherapy - suggest this and other antibody-drug conjugates may have efficacy similar to or even exceeding that of traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Ongoing clinical development of antibody-drug conjugates in urothelial cancer will address the optimal combination or sequencing strategy with anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Primary Melanoma Histologic Subtype: Impact on Survival and Response to Therapy

BACKGROUND

Two primary histologic subtypes, superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) and nodular melanoma (NM), comprise the majority of all cutaneous melanomas. NM is associated with worse outcomes, which have been attributed to increased thickness at presentation, and it is widely expected that NM and SSM would exhibit similar behavior once metastasized. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that primary histologic subtype is an independent predictor of survival and may impact response to treatment in the metastatic setting.

METHODS

We examined the most recent Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cohort (n = 118 508) and the New York University (NYU) cohort (n = 1621) with available protocol-driven follow-up. Outcomes specified by primary histology were studied in both the primary and metastatic settings with respect to BRAF-targeted therapy and immunotherapy. We characterized known driver mutations and examined a 140-gene panel in a subset of NM and SSM cases using next-generation sequencing. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

NM was an independent risk factor for death in both the SEER (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.41 to 1.70, P < .001) and NYU (HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.05, 2.07, P = .03) cohorts, controlling for thickness, ulceration, stage, and other variables. In the metastatic setting, NM remained an independent risk factor for death upon treatment with BRAF-targeted therapy (HR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.06 to 10.47, P = .04) but showed no statistically significant difference with immune checkpoint inhibition. NM was associated with a higher rate of NRAS mutation (P < .001), and high-throughput sequencing revealed NM-specific genomic alterations in NOTCH4, ANK3, and ZNF560, which were independently validated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data reveal distinct clinical and biological differences between NM and SSM that support revisiting the prognostic and predictive impact of primary histology subtype in the management of cutaneous melanoma.

Combined Vaccination with NY-ESO-1 Protein, Poly-ICLC, and Montanide Improves Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses in Patients with High-Risk Melanoma

Given its ability to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses, NY-ESO-1 has been considered a suitable antigen for a cancer vaccine. Despite promising results from early-phase clinical studies in patients with melanoma, NY-ESO-1 vaccine immunotherapy has not been widely investigated in larger trials; consequently, many questions remain as to the optimal vaccine formulation, predictive biomarkers, and sequencing and timing of vaccines in melanoma treatment. We conducted an adjuvant phase I/II clinical trial in high-risk resected melanoma to optimize the delivery of poly-ICLC, a TLR-3/MDA-5 agonist, as a component of vaccine formulation. A phase I dose-escalation part was undertaken to identify the MTD of poly-ICLC administered in combination with NY-ESO-1 and montanide. This was followed by a randomized phase II part investigating the MTD of poly-ICLC with NY-ESO-1 with or without montanide. The vaccine regimens were generally well tolerated, with no treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse events. Both regimens induced integrated NY-ESO-1-specific CD4+ T-cell and humoral responses. CD8+ T-cell responses were mainly detected in patients receiving montanide. T-cell avidity toward NY-ESO-1 peptides was higher in patients vaccinated with montanide. In conclusion, NY-ESO-1 protein in combination with poly-ICLC is safe, well tolerated, and capable of inducing integrated antibody and CD4+ T-cell responses in most patients. Combination with montanide enhances antigen-specific T-cell avidity and CD8+ T-cell cross-priming in a fraction of patients, indicating that montanide contributes to the induction of specific CD8+ T-cell responses to NY-ESO-1.

Single cell analysis of urothelial carcinoma (UC) liver metastases identifies epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a potential mechanism of resistance to immunotherapy

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Background: UC liver metastases are associated with a low response rate to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and short survival. We sought to identify tumor specific factors promoting resistance to ICB. Methods: DEPArray is a dielectrophoresis based cell sorting platform for isolating immunohistochemically-defined cell populations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. Available FFPE tissue blocks of mUC liver metastases from patients (pts) treated with ICB were selected for analysis. Following histologic evaluation, tissue blocks were digested to yield cellular suspensions for immunophenotypic DEPArray sorting by keratin (K) and vimentin (V) to identify carcinoma cells and stromal cells, respectively. Cell pools were further analyzed for recurrent mutations and copy number alterations by a targeted OncoSeek panel and by MiSeq. Results: 12 unique patient samples were profiled. Median age was 73 (range 65-89), 11/12 male, 7 (58%) were platinum-refractory, and 4 (33%) received only ICB. 7 (58%) biopsies were obtained prior to initiation of ICB (1PR, 1SD, 5PD). Routine H&E sections generally revealed tumors completely devoid of immune cells, but admixed with atypical mesenchymal cells ranging from 5% to 60% of cellular composition. DEPArray sorting by K and V identified three discrete cell populations: K+/V- carcinoma cells, K-/V+ stromal cells, and K+/V+ cells that exhibited mesenchymal morphology. Of 8 samples with adequate cell counts (range 75-154 cells), next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified that K+/V- carcinoma cells and K+/V+ double positive cells shared unique somatic alterations in 7 (88%) pts, including point mutations in FGFR3, ERBB2, FBXW7, PIK3CA, FLT3 and STK11, and amplification of CDK4. In one liver responder to ICB, V+ stromal cells carried a putative germline TP53 R248W mutation. Conclusions: Archival FFPE tissue from mUC liver metastases can be digitally sorted by DEPArray to yield pools of ~100 cells suitable for NGS. UC liver metastases exhibit a population of K+/V+ cells with clonal somatic alterations suggestive of an EMT cancer cell phenotype that may be playing a role in ICB resistance.

Current Status and Future Direction of Immunotherapy in Urothelial Carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Since 2016, five new programmed cell death protein 1/ligand 1 (PD-1/L1) checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. This review will summarize the data supporting the widespread use of these agents and highlight areas of ongoing clinical development.

RECENT FINDINGS

PD-1/L1 axis inhibition has demonstrated clear superiority to chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer in the second-line setting. A multitude of ongoing studies are investigating the feasibility and efficacy of incorporating established and novel immunotherapies into earlier lines of therapy, including non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer and even non-muscle-invasive disease. Early-phase clinical trials have begun to explore the safety and activity of novel immune-oncology combinations across a range of clinical settings. Immunotherapy has a clearly defined role in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer both in the platinum-refractory setting and in the first-line cisplatin-ineligible setting. Ongoing clinical trials will dictate how to best incorporate immunotherapy into earlier lines of therapy and define the safety and activity of novel immunotherapy agents and combinations.

Durable response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in epithelioid angiomyolipoma: a report on the successful treatment of a rare malignancy

BACKGROUND

Malignant angiomyolipoma is an uncommon tumor of the class of perivasciular epithelioid cell neoplasms (PEComas). These tumors are characteristically driven by deleterious mutations in the tumor suppressors TSC1 and TSC2, whose gene products typically act to inhibit mTOR. There are several cases of malignant angiomyolipoma which exhibit transient responses to mTOR inhibitors, forming the basis of current practice guidelines in malignant PEComa. However the tumors ultimately acquire resistance, and there is no well-established second-line option. Despite the increasing prevalence of immunotherapy across a wide range of solid tumors, little is known about the immune infiltrate and PD-L1 expression of angiomyolipoma. Furthermore, there is no reported case on the treatment of malignant angiomyolipoma with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 38 year-old man presented with gross hematuria and was diagnosed with renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma. Despite surgical resection, the tumor recurred and metastasized. Targeted genomic sequencing revealed a deleterious mutation in TSC2, and the patient was treated with the mTOR inihbitor everolimus. The patient went on to have a partial response but ultimately progressed. He was then treated with the anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab, and achieved a durable near-complete response which is ongoing after two years of treatment. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissue revealed strong PD-L1 expression and a brisk T-cell infiltrate.

CONCLUSIONS

We report on the first durable systemic treatment of malignant epithelioid angiomyolipoima with the use of PD-1 antibody nivolumab. Given the absence of prospective clinical trials in this exceedingly rare disease, particularly in the second-line setting, immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab should be considered.

Adjuvant NY-ESO-1 vaccine immunotherapy in high-risk resected melanoma: a retrospective cohort analysis

Background

Cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1 is a highly immunogenic melanoma antigen which has been incorporated into adjuvant vaccine clinical trials. Three such early-phase trials were conducted at our center among patients with high-risk resected melanoma. We herein report on the pooled long-term survival outcomes of these patients in comparison to historical controls.

Methods

All melanoma patients treated at NYU Langone Health under any of three prospective adjuvant NY-ESO-1 vaccine trials were retrospectively pooled into a single cohort. All such patients with stage III melanoma were subsequently compared to historical control patients identified via a prospective institutional database with protocol-driven follow-up. Survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazard models were employed to identify significant prognostic factors and control for confounding variables.

Results

A total of 91 patients were treated with an NY-ESO-1 vaccine for the treatment of high-risk resected melanoma. Of this group, 67 patients were stage III and were selected for comparative analysis with 123 historical control patients with resected stage III melanoma who received no adjuvant therapy. Among the pooled vaccine cohort (median follow-up 61 months), the estimated median recurrence-free survival was 45 months, while the median overall survival was not yet reached. In the control cohort of 123 patients (median follow-up 30 months), the estimated median recurrence-free and overall survival were 22 and 58 months, respectively. Within the retrospective stage III cohort, NY-ESO-1 vaccine was associated with decreased risk of recurrence (HR = 0.56, p < 0.01) and death (HR = 0.51, p = 0.01). Upon controlling for sub-stage, the adjuvant NY-ESO-1 clinical trial cohort continued to exhibit decreased risk of recurrence (HR = 0.45, p < 0.01) and death (HR = 0.40, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In this small retrospective cohort of resected stage III melanoma patients, adjuvant NY-ESO-1 vaccine immunotherapy was associated with longer recurrence-free and overall survival relative to historical controls. These data support the continued investigation of adjuvant NY-ESO-1 based immunotherapy regimens in melanoma.

Association of upregulation of serine and one carbon metabolism genes with shorter recurrence-free and overall survival in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC)

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Background: Antimetabolites (e.g. methotrexate and gemcitabine) are not frequently used in the treatment of most solid tumors, but are effective in the treatment of UBC. Rapid cancer cell proliferation relies on an abundance of serine-derived one carbon units to support macromolecule synthesis. Specifically, PHGDH, which encodes a key enzyme of de novo serine synthesis, is amplified in breast cancer and in melanoma, and small molecule inhibitors of enzymes in this pathway are in early clinical development. However, the enzymes of serine and one carbon metabolism have not been widely investigated in UBC. Methods: We conducted an observational analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas UBC cohort, focusing on gene expression data from a targeted panel indicated by Yang, et al. to be involved in serine and one carbon metabolism. Univariate Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to identify genes impacting OS and RFS, and a subsequent multivariate model was employed to control for inter-gene associations. Results: Expression data from 14 genes were analyzed among 436 UBC patients, of whom complete data were available for 422. At a median follow-up of 17 months, 188 of 422 patients had died. On univariate analysis, 7 of 14 genes were significantly associated with OS: PHGDH, PSPH, MTHFD1, MTHFD2, MTHFD1L, MTHFD2L, and ALDH1L2 (all P < 0.05). Interestingly, overexpression was associated with worse OS for all but one gene, MTHFD2L (HR 0.74), which is known to be underexpressed by cancer cells in favor of MTHFD2 (HR 1.21). In multivariate analysis, overexpression of PHGDH (HR 1.19, P = 0.008), MTHFD1 (HR 1.33, P = 0.041), and ALDH1L2 (HR 1.21, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of poor survival. RFS analysis was limited by missing data; nevertheless, univariate analyses found MTHFD1, MTHFD2, MTHFD1L, MTHFD2L, and ALDH1L2 to be associated with RFS (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limits of this observational study, these data suggest that serine and one carbon metabolism is important in the progression and prognosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Subsequent in vitro analyses are needed to validate the prognostic and therapeutic significance of these findings.

Primary melanoma histologic subtype (HS) impacts melanoma specific survival (MSS) and response to systemic therapy

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Background: Unlike other solid tumors, the impact of primary HS on melanoma survival and response to systemic therapy is not well studied. Nodular melanoma (NM) has a worse prognosis than superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), which is usually attributed to thicker primary tumors. Herein, we examine the hypothesis that HS might have an impact on MSS independent of thickness and that NM and SSM exhibit different mutational landscapes that associate with response to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy (IT) and BRAF targeted therapy (TT) in the metastatic setting. Methods: Primary NM and SSM patients prospectively enrolled at NYU (2002 - 2016) were compared to the most recent SEER cohort (1973 - 2012) and analyzed with respect to MSS. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) was performed on a subset of matched tumor-germline pairs, allowing a comparison of the mutational landscape between NM and SSM. In the metastatic setting, survival analyses were used to compare outcomes and responses to treatment across HS. Results: The NYU cohort of 1,621 patients with either NM (n = 510) or SSM (n = 1,111) was representative of the analogous SEER cohort (21,339 NM, 97,169 SSM), with NM presenting as thicker, more ulcerated, and later stage (all p < 0.001). Among the NYU cohort, NM was found to have lower rates of TIL (p = 0.047), higher mitotic index (p < 0.001), and higher rates of NRAS mutation (p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox models, NM was a significant predictor of worse MSS, independent of thickness and stage (p = 0.01). NM had a significantly lower mutational burden across the exome (p < 0.001). Some of the most under-mutated genes noted in NM were NOTCH4, BCL2L12 and RPS6KA6 (all p < 0.01). Among patients treated with TT (n = 56), NM remained a significant predictor of worse MSS (p = 0.004). However, there was no difference in response to IT. Conclusions: NM and SSM show divergent mutational patterns which may contribute to their different clinical behaviors and responses to BRAF targeted therapy. More studies are needed to better understand the key molecular and cellular processes driving such differences. Integration of HS data into prospective clinical trial reporting is needed to better assess its impact on response to treatment.

Joint analysis of BICEP2/keck array and Planck Data

We report the results of a joint analysis of data from BICEP2/Keck Array and Planck. BICEP2 and Keck Array have observed the same approximately 400  deg^{2} patch of sky centered on RA 0 h, Dec. -57.5°. The combined maps reach a depth of 57 nK deg in Stokes Q and U in a band centered at 150 GHz. Planck has observed the full sky in polarization at seven frequencies from 30 to 353 GHz, but much less deeply in any given region (1.2  μK deg in Q and U at 143 GHz). We detect 150×353 cross-correlation in B modes at high significance. We fit the single- and cross-frequency power spectra at frequencies ≥150  GHz to a lensed-ΛCDM model that includes dust and a possible contribution from inflationary gravitational waves (as parametrized by the tensor-to-scalar ratio r), using a prior on the frequency spectral behavior of polarized dust emission from previous Planck analysis of other regions of the sky. We find strong evidence for dust and no statistically significant evidence for tensor modes. We probe various model variations and extensions, including adding a synchrotron component in combination with lower frequency data, and find that these make little difference to the r constraint. Finally, we present an alternative analysis which is similar to a map-based cleaning of the dust contribution, and show that this gives similar constraints. The final result is expressed as a likelihood curve for r, and yields an upper limit r_{0.05}<0.12 at 95% confidence. Marginalizing over dust and r, lensing B modes are detected at 7.0σ significance.

Impact of prior or concomitant seasonal influenza vaccination on MF59-adjuvanted H1N1v vaccine (Focetria) in adult and elderly subjects

BACKGROUND

When H1N1v vaccines become widely available, most elderly subjects will have already received their seasonal influenza vaccination. Adults seeking H1N1v vaccination may be offered seasonal vaccine as well. We investigated prior seasonal vaccination in adult and elderly subjects, and concomitant vaccination with seasonal vaccine in adults, on the tolerability and immunogenicity of the Novartis MF59-adjuvanted H1N1v vaccine, Focetria.

METHODS

A total of 264 adult (four groups) and 154 elderly (three groups) subjects were enrolled. The licensure study cohorts for plain (Agrippal) and MF59-adjuvanted (Fluad) 2009-2010 seasonal vaccines were invited to receive Focetria 3 months later, with seasonal vaccine-naïve controls, and adults who received Focteria and seasonal vaccine concomitantly. Immunogenicity of all vaccines was assessed by haemagglutination inhibition on Days 1 and 22, safety and reactogenicity were monitored using patient diaries.

RESULTS

All adult and elderly groups met all the European CHMP licensing criteria for H1N1v, as did adults receiving concomitant seasonal vaccine for the three seasonal strains. Vaccines were generally well tolerated, causing no SAEs, and profiles typical of MF59-adjuvanted vaccines. Reactions were mainly mild or moderate and transient, and unaffected by prior or concomitant seasonal vaccination except for elderly subjects previously given MF59-adjuvanted seasonal vaccine, whose reaction rates to Focetria were about half those seen in groups receiving their first MF59 vaccine.

CONCLUSION

One dose of MF59-adjuvanted H1N1v vaccine met the licensure criteria for adult and elderly subjects 3 months after seasonal vaccination, or concomitantly with seasonal vaccine in adults, without impacting the tolerability or immunogenicity of either vaccine, thus facilitating mass influenza immunisation campaigns.

Decaying warm dark matter and neutrino masses

Neutrino masses may arise from spontaneous breaking of ungauged lepton number. Because of quantum gravity effects the associated Goldstone boson - the majoron - will pick up a mass. We determine the lifetime and mass required by cosmic microwave background observations so that the massive majoron provides the observed dark matter of the Universe. The majoron decaying dark matter scenario fits nicely in models where neutrino masses arise via the seesaw mechanism, and may lead to other possible cosmological implications.

Use of RAPD and killer toxin sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain typing

AIMS

Two different strain characterization techniques, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and killer toxin sensitivity (KTS), were compared to assess their typing performance using a set of 30 certified Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A sequential random resampling procedure was employed to subdivide the 32 descriptors in eight sets, in order to compare the differential performances of the two techniques with diverse number of characters. Results showed that RAPD performs better than killer, although the complete differentiation of the strains under study could be obtained only by combining profiles from the two techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of different typing techniques was useful when discriminating similar organisms. In such cases, the introduction of a second typing technique can be more advantageous than increasing the number of characters obtained with a single method.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The distribution of among-strains pairwise distances and the relative performance of the two techniques has implications for the study of biodiversity, taxonomy and microbial ecology.

Patterns of macrolide resistance determinants among community-acquired Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates over a 5-year period of decreased macrolide susceptibility rates

Erythromycin resistance rates were found to be increased, from 7.1 in 1993 to 32.8% in 1997, among community-acquired Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from the Siena area of central Italy. Most of the erythromycin-resistant isolates carried ermAM determinants and were also resistant to josamycin and clindamycin, whereas a minority (5.8%) carried mefA determinants and remained susceptible to the latter drugs.

The Ryle Marital Patterns Test as a predictor of symptoms of anxiety and depression in couples in the community

The associations between marital relationships, as measured by the Ryle Marital Patterns Test, and symptoms of anxiety and depression as measured by the Interval General Health Questionnaire (I-GHQ), were assessed in 98 married couples in the community. Logistic regression analyses showed that symptoms of anxiety and depression in wives were best predicted by low ratings of affection exchange. Occupational class interacted with husbands' affection ratings, suggesting that in the nonmanual class only lower affection ratings were significantly associated with more symptoms. Anxiety in men was best predicted by low affection ratings while depression was best predicted by unemployment, by an affection discrepancy score indicating that more affection is given than received, and by a marriage which was rated as relatively more wife-dominated by wives and as relatively more husband-dominated by husbands.

Life events, social problems and physical health status as predictors of emotional distress in men and women in a community setting

The main aim of this study was to construct logistic models of emotional distress (defined as a GHQ-30 score of 6 or greater) in a community sample of 226 men and 225 women. The independent variables included were: sociodemographic characteristics, physical health status, social problems and undesirable life events. Univariate comparisons showed that in both sexes undesirable life events and social problems were associated with emotional distress; in men the presence of physical symptoms and widowed, separated or divorced status also showed such an association. Separate logistic regression models for men and women confirmed the importance of undesirable life events and social problems as predictors for emotional distress. In women there was also a significant interaction effect between the two variables on emotional distress. Sociodemographic characteristics and physical health status did not exert a statistically significant effect in these models.

Psychosocial factors in women who undergo cholecystectomy. A case-control study

Thirty women admitted to hospital for cholecystectomy were compared with a healthy community control group. Univariate comparisons showed that patients had significantly more social problems, manifested greater psychological distress and reported poorer social support. Logistic multiple regression analysis indicated that patient status was best predicted by manual occupational class and the interaction between employment and presence/absence of young children. The findings are discussed within the framework of illness behaviour.

[Warty dyskeratoma. Analysis and case reports]

Warty dyskeratoma (WD) may be observed in both whites and negros. It is usually small single isolated brown nodule with a prevalent localization of the head of aged males. During the last 4 1/2 years 20 cases were recognized at the Perugia Dermatological Clinic, representing 3.8% of 522 biopsied clinically similar skin tumors. The ratio of WD with keratoacanthoma was 1.3 and with squamous-cell carcinoma 1:5. In 4 cases a lesion clinically similar to squamous-cell carcinoma but with histological picture of WD was localized of the lower prolabium. The excision was the treatment of choice. On the basis of our findings and from a survey of the literature a clinico-pathological picture of the disease is described. Three points are emphasized: 1. WD is frequently localized on the head; when localized on the lower prolabium squamous-cell carcinoma mast be considered in differential diagnosis; 2. no clinical feature is peculiar of the disease; 3. surgical excision is essential for a correct diagnosis when histological examinations are performed on orthogonal and medial sections.