Image-guided percutaneous ablation of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

PURPOSE

Disease control and survival following percutaneous ablation of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) was studied retrospectively.

METHODS

Six patients underwent 16 image-guided ablation procedures to treat 35 liver tumors from 2015 to 2022 (17 microwave ablation, 9 irreversible electroporation, 8 cryoablation, and 1 radiofrequency ablation). Technical success, local progression, intrahepatic progression, distant progression, overall survival, and adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS

Four of six (67%) patients were treatment naïve prior to ablation. The mean length of imaging follow-up from first ablation procedure was 43.0 ± 31.2 months. Thirty-three of 35 (94.3%) ablated tumors did not progress locally. Three of 6 patients (50%) had new intrahepatic progression and underwent repeat ablation or systemic treatment. No extrahepatic progression was observed. One patient died from EHE 2.7 years after initial diagnosis. No severe adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous ablation is feasible, often in a staged fashion, and may provide favorable intermediate to long-term disease control for patients with hepatic EHE.

Phase II Study of Eribulin plus Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Soft-tissue Sarcomas: Clinical Outcomes and Biological Correlates

PURPOSE

Eribulin modulates the tumor-immune microenvironment via cGAS-STING signaling in preclinical models. This non-randomized phase II trial evaluated the combination of eribulin and pembrolizumab in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas (STS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients enrolled in one of three cohorts: leiomyosarcoma (LMS), liposarcomas (LPS), or other STS that may benefit from PD-1 inhibitors, including undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). Eribulin was administered at 1.4 mg/m2 i.v. (days 1 and 8) with fixed-dose pembrolizumab 200 mg i.v. (day 1) of each 21-day cycle, until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or completion of 2 years of treatment. The primary endpoint was the 12-week progression-free survival rate (PFS-12) in each cohort. Secondary endpoints included the objective response rate, median PFS, safety profile, and overall survival (OS). Pretreatment and on-treatment blood specimens were evaluated in patients who achieved durable disease control (DDC) or progression within 12 weeks [early progression (EP)]. Multiplexed immunofluorescence was performed on archival LPS samples from patients with DDC or EP.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients enrolled (LMS, n = 19; LPS, n = 20; UPS/Other, n = 18). The PFS-12 was 36.8% (90% confidence interval: 22.5-60.4) for LMS, 69.6% (54.5-89.0) for LPS, and 52.6% (36.8-75.3) for UPS/Other cohorts. All 3 patients in the UPS/Other cohort with angiosarcoma achieved RECIST responses. Toxicity was manageable. Higher IFNα and IL4 serum levels were associated with clinical benefit. Immune aggregates expressing PD-1 and PD-L1 were observed in a patient that completed 2 years of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of eribulin and pembrolizumab demonstrated promising activity in LPS and angiosarcoma.

SAR-096: Phase II Clinical Trial of Ribociclib in Combination with Everolimus in Advanced Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma (DDL) and Leiomyosarcoma (LMS)

PURPOSE

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) are two common subtypes of soft-tissue sarcoma, a rare group of diseases for which new treatments are needed. Chemotherapy remains the standard option for advanced disease. Targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) in DDL and mTOR in LMS is of biologic interest. When combined, the CDK4 inhibitor ribociclib and the mTOR inhibitor everolimus have shown synergistic growth inhibition in multiple tumor models, suggesting that this combination could be beneficial in patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a single arm, open label, multicenter phase II study of the combination of ribociclib and everolimus. Patients were enrolled into one of two cohorts: DDL or LMS with intact Rb. The primary endpoint was progression-free rate (PFR) at 16 weeks. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival, safety and biomarker analyses.

RESULTS

In the DDL cohort, 33.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 15.6%-55.3%] of patients were progression-free at 16 weeks. Median PFS in this cohort was 15.4 weeks (95% CI, 8-36 weeks) with 2 partial responses. In the LMS cohort the PFR at 16 weeks was 29.2% (95% CI, 12.6%-51.1%). Median PFS in this cohort was 15.7 weeks (95% CI, 7.7-NA). Most common toxicities included fatigue (66.7%), anorexia (43.8%), and hyperglycemia (43.8%). Concordance between Rb testing methodologies was poor.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of ribociclib and everolimus demonstrates activity in DDL with prolonged stable disease (≥16 weeks) meeting the primary endpoint. Notably partial responses were observed. The primary endpoint was not reached in the LMS cohort. The combination was well tolerated with expected side effects.

Atezolizumab for Advanced Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis and no established therapy. Recently, encouraging responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors have been reported.

METHODS

We conducted an investigator-initiated, multicenter, single-group, phase 2 study of the anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) agent atezolizumab in adult and pediatric patients with advanced ASPS. Atezolizumab was administered intravenously at a dose of 1200 mg (in patients ≥18 years of age) or 15 mg per kilogram of body weight with a 1200-mg cap (in patients <18 years of age) once every 21 days. Study end points included objective response, duration of response, and progression-free survival according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), version 1.1, as well as pharmacodynamic biomarkers of multistep drug action.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients were evaluated. An objective response was observed in 19 of 52 patients (37%), with 1 complete response and 18 partial responses. The median time to response was 3.6 months (range, 2.1 to 19.1), the median duration of response was 24.7 months (range, 4.1 to 55.8), and the median progression-free survival was 20.8 months. Seven patients took a treatment break after 2 years of treatment, and their responses were maintained through the data-cutoff date. No treatment-related grade 4 or 5 adverse events were recorded. Responses were noted despite variable baseline expression of programmed death 1 and PD-L1.

CONCLUSIONS

Atezolizumab was effective at inducing sustained responses in approximately one third of patients with advanced ASPS. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03141684.).

Phase 2 trial of palbociclib and ganitumab in patients with relapsed Ewing sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive sarcoma with few treatment options for patients with relapsed disease. Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) is a genomic vulnerability in EWS that is synergistic with IGF-1R inhibition in preclinical studies. We present the results of a phase 2 study combining palbociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) with ganitumab (IGF-1R monoclonal antibody) for patients with relapsed EWS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This open-label, non-randomized, phase 2 trial enrolled patients ≥12 years with relapsed EWS. All patients had molecular confirmation of EWS and RECIST measurable disease. Patients initially received palbociclib 125 mg orally on Days 1-21 and ganitumab 18 mg/kg intravenously on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoints were objective response (complete or partial) per RECIST and toxicity by CTCAE. An exact one-stage design required ≥4 responders out of 15 to evaluate an alternative hypothesis of 40% response rate against a null of 10%. The study was closed following enrollment of the 10th patient due to discontinuation of ganitumab supply.

RESULTS

Ten evaluable patients enrolled [median age 25.7 years (range 12.3-40.1)]. The median duration of therapy was 2.5 months (range 0.9-10.8). There were no complete or partial responders. Three of 10 patients had stable disease for >4 cycles and 2 had stable disease at completion of planned therapy or study closure. Six-month progression-free survival was 30% (95% CI 1.6%-58.4%). Two patients had cycle 1 hematologic dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) triggering palbociclib dose reduction to 100 mg daily for 21 days. Two subsequent patients had cycle 1 hematologic DLTs at the reduced dose. Eighty percent of patients had grade 3/4 AEs, including neutropenia (n = 8), white blood cell decreased (n = 7), and thrombocytopenia (n = 5). Serum total IGF-1 significantly increased (p = 0.013) and ctDNA decreased during the first cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

This combination lacks adequate therapeutic activity for further study, though a subset of patients had prolonged stable disease.

Nirogacestat, a γ-Secretase Inhibitor for Desmoid Tumors

BACKGROUND

Desmoid tumors are rare, locally aggressive, highly recurrent soft-tissue tumors without approved treatments.

METHODS

We conducted a phase 3, international, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of nirogacestat in adults with progressing desmoid tumors according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive the oral γ-secretase inhibitor nirogacestat (150 mg) or placebo twice daily. The primary end point was progression-free survival.

RESULTS

From May 2019 through August 2020, a total of 70 patients were assigned to receive nirogacestat and 72 to receive placebo. Nirogacestat had a significant progression-free survival benefit over placebo (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 0.55; P<0.001); the likelihood of being event-free at 2 years was 76% with nirogacestat and 44% with placebo. Between-group differences in progression-free survival were consistent across prespecified subgroups. The percentage of patients who had an objective response was significantly higher with nirogacestat than with placebo (41% vs. 8%; P<0.001), with a median time to response of 5.6 months and 11.1 months, respectively; the percentage of patients with a complete response was 7% and 0%, respectively. Significant between-group differences in secondary patient-reported outcomes, including pain, symptom burden, physical or role functioning, and health-related quality of life, were observed (P≤0.01). Frequent adverse events with nirogacestat included diarrhea (in 84% of the patients), nausea (in 54%), fatigue (in 51%), hypophosphatemia (in 42%), and maculopapular rash (in 32%); 95% of adverse events were of grade 1 or 2. Among women of childbearing potential receiving nirogacestat, 27 of 36 (75%) had adverse events consistent with ovarian dysfunction, which resolved in 20 women (74%).

CONCLUSIONS

Nirogacestat was associated with significant benefits with respect to progression-free survival, objective response, pain, symptom burden, physical functioning, role functioning, and health-related quality of life in adults with progressing desmoid tumors. Adverse events with nirogacestat were frequent but mostly low grade. (Funded by SpringWorks Therapeutics; DeFi ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03785964.).

Safety and efficacy of etigilimab in combination with nivolumab in select recurrent/advanced solid tumors

2651

Background: Etigilimab (etig), a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody, blocks TIGIT interaction with PVR (poliovirus receptor) and inhibits downstream signalling with target cell killing. Etig +/- nivolumab (nivo) showed acceptable safety and preliminary activity in a FIH Phase 1a/b study in solid tumors. ACTIVATE, an open-label Phase 1b/2 basket study is evaluating further efficacy, safety, tolerability and PK/PD of etig+nivo. This is a preliminary efficacy and safety analysis from ACTIVATE. Methods: Subjects with advanced/metastatic solid tumors without curative/standard of care therapies are given IV etig+nivo Q2W until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Six open cohorts are enrolling in parallel: endometrial cancer (post-front-line platinum), endometrial cancer (2-3 prior lines), PD-L1+ checkpoint-inhibitor-naïve (CPI-n) cervical cancer, rare cancers (germ cell tumor (GCT), sarcoma, uveal melanoma), ovarian cancer (post-front-line platinum) and TMB-h/MSS, (TMB >10mut/mb) tumors. Tumor assessments are done every 8 weeks following baseline scan. Primary endpoint is investigator-assessed ORR by RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints include duration of response and safety. Results: Of 27 efficacy-evaluable subjects enrolled in the 6 open cohorts with minimum 1 staging scan or radiological/clinical progression at data cut-off of 02/10/22, 12 had clinical benefit with 1 complete response (CR), 2 partial responses (PRs) and 9 stable diseases (SDs) and 15 had radiological/clinical progressive disease (PD), with an overall response rate (ORR) of 11% and disease control rate (DCR) of 44%. Conclusions: Etig+nivo is safe and well tolerated with no new safety signals. Early efficacy was noted in cervical cancer (1CR, 1PR and 1SD) and uveal melanoma (3 SDs >20 weeks). Encouraging activity was also noted in ovarian cancer and post-CPI treated TMB-H/MSS NSCLC. These early data support continued evaluation of the combination of etig+nivo. Clinical activity was notable as below. Clinical trial information: NCT04761198. [Table: see text]

Phase 2 trial of palbociclib and ganitumab in patients with relapsed Ewing sarcoma

e23507

Background: Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an aggressive sarcoma with few treatment options for patients with relapsed disease. CDK4 is a known genomic vulnerability in EwS, but an unappealing monotherapy target given propensity for innate resistance. In laboratory studies to identify targets synergistic with CDK4 inhibition, IGF-1R scored highly. We present the results of a phase 2 study combining palbociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) with ganitumab (IGF-1R monoclonal antibody) for patients with relapsed or refractory EwS. Methods: This was a prospective open-label, non-randomized, single-center, phase 2 study (NCT04129151) for patients with relapsed EwS and RECIST measurable disease. Patients with relapsed EwS ≥12 years and a documented fusion consistent with EwS were eligible. Patients initially received Palbociclib 125 mg on days 1-21 and ganitumab 18 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoints were objective response (complete or partial) per RECIST and toxicity by CTCAE. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). A one-stage design required ≥4 responders out of 15 to evaluate an alternative hypothesis of 40% response rate against a null of 10%. Results: Ten evaluable patients enrolled between 5/2019-8/2021. The study closed 12/2021 due to lack of ganitumab drug supply. The median age at enrollment was 25.7 years (range 12.3-40.1; Table). The median duration of therapy was 2.5 months (range = 0.9-10.8). There were no complete or partial responders. Three of 10 patients had stable disease for > 4 cycles and 2 had stable disease at completion of planned therapy or study closure. 6-month PFS was 30±14.5%. Two patients had cycle 1 hematologic DLTs triggering the pre-defined toxicity rule; the palbociclib dose was subsequently reduced to 100 mg daily for 21 days. Among the remaining 8 patients, two had cycle 1 hematologic DLTs at the 100 mg dose. 80% of patients had grade 3/4 AEs; the most commons AEs were neutropenia (n = 8), white blood cell decreased (n = 7), and thrombocytopenia (n = 5). Total IGF-1 testing demonstrated intrapatient elevations in serum levels after a single cycle of therapy. Analysis of serial ctDNA samples is ongoing. Conclusions: Four responders out of 15 were required to reject the null hypothesis of a 10% response rate. With 0/10 responders, we concluded that this combination lacked adequate therapeutic activity for further study. The combination was tolerable at a palbociclib dose of 100 mg, with primarily hematologic toxicity in patients with relapsed EwS. Clinical trial information: NCT04129151. [Table: see text]

A phase 1b lead-in to a randomized phase 2 trial of lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin in leiomyosarcoma (LMS)

TPS11592

Background: Single agent or combination chemotherapy regimens, typically including doxorubicin or gemcitabine, represent standard of care options for first- and second-line therapy in patients (pts) with metastatic LMS. However, response rates (ORR) and progression-free (PFS)/overall survival (OS) remain poor. Lurbinectedin (PharmaMar S.A. and Jazz Pharmaceuticals) uniquely binds DNA, inducing DNA double strand breaks leading to apoptosis and delaying progression through phase S/G2 of the cell cycle. Lurbinectedin is a novel structural analog of trabectedin with improved toxicity profile, potency, and pharmacokinetics. In a prior pilot study, we showed that the combination of lurbinectedin and doxorubicin (L+D) was safe, with early signs of clinical activity, particularly in LMS. Thus, we designed this investigator-initiated/investigator-sponsored phase 1b lead-in to optimize doses of L+D, to be followed by a randomized (1:1) phase 2 study of L+D versus doxorubicin monotherapy in anthracycline-naïve LMS. Methods: Pts age > 18 years with locally advanced or metastatic, unresectable LMS (non-GIST soft-tissue sarcoma histologies allowed in Phase 1b), without prior anthracycline or lurbinectedin/trabectedin, ECOG PS < 3, measurable disease by RECIST 1.1, and normal organ function, are eligible. Phase 1b dosing will include a fixed dose of lurbinectedin and two dose levels of doxorubicin. The Phase 1b lead-in follows a standard 3+3 design where dose escalation will occur if 0/3 or 1/6 patients experience a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Tumor assessments are conducted every two cycles. Once the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) is confirmed, Phase 2 will be initiated. Fifty pts will be randomized 1:1 including doxorubicin +/- lurbinectedin. Randomization will be stratified by uterine v. non-uterine origin of LMS. Pts progressing on single agent doxorubicin will be allowed to cross over to lurbinectedin monotherapy. The Phase 2 primary endpoint is PFS. Secondary endpoints include disease control rate, ORR, OS, PFS2 (for doxorubicin monotherapy patients who cross to lurbinectedin monotherapy). Archival tumor, germline DNA, and ctDNA will be collected for correlative studies exploring genomic markers of sensitivity/resistance. We will provide respective point estimate along with 90% confidence interval for each of the arms. Log-rank test will be performed to test the difference in survival (both PFS and OS) between groups. Regression analyses of survival data will be based on the Cox proportional hazards model. The first pt in dose-level 1 of the Phase 1b lead-in was enrolled in February 2022. Clinical trial information: NCT05099666.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, an ultra-rare cancer: a consensus paper from the community of experts

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an ultra-rare, translocated, vascular sarcoma. EHE clinical behavior is variable, ranging from that of a low-grade malignancy to that of a high-grade sarcoma and it is marked by a high propensity for systemic involvement. No active systemic agents are currently approved specifically for EHE, which is typically refractory to the antitumor drugs used in sarcomas. The degree of uncertainty in selecting the most appropriate therapy for EHE patients and the lack of guidelines on the clinical management of the disease make the adoption of new treatments inconsistent across the world, resulting in suboptimal outcomes for many EHE patients. To address the shortcoming, a global consensus meeting was organized in December 2020 under the umbrella of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) involving >80 experts from several disciplines from Europe, North America and Asia, together with a patient representative from the EHE Group, a global, disease-specific patient advocacy group, and Sarcoma Patient EuroNet (SPAEN). The meeting was aimed at defining, by consensus, evidence-based best practices for the optimal approach to primary and metastatic EHE. The consensus achieved during that meeting is the subject of the present publication.

•

This consensus paper provides key recommendations on the management of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE).

•

Recommendations followed a consensus meeting between experts and a representative of the EHE advocacy group and SPAEN.

•

Authorship includes a multidisciplinary group of experts from different institutions from Europe, North America and Asia.

Phase II study of nivolumab and ipilimumab in children and young adults with INI1-negative cancers

TPS10055

Background: Several aggressive pediatric and young adult cancers are characterized by SMARCB1 inactivation resulting in loss of INI1 expression, including rhabdoid tumors, epithelioid sarcoma and undifferentiated chordoma. These malignancies are associated with a poor prognosis and few effective treatment options for relapsed or refractory disease. Prior studies and emerging data suggest INI1-negative cancers may be uniquely susceptible to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors: Many INI1-negative pediatric tumors express PD-L1 and are infiltrated by immune cells, and there are reports of patients with advanced INI1-negative cancers with clinical responses to immune checkpoint blockade (Forrest et al. Clinical Cancer Research, 2020). We hypothesize that INI1 loss predicts tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). Methods: This is an ongoing multicenter, phase II, open-label clinical trial to evaluate the activity of nivolumab and ipilimumab in patients aged 6 months to 30 years with relapsed or refractory INI1-negative cancers (NCT04416568). The study enrolls patients in 2 strata: extracranial solid tumors in Stratum 1 and intracranial solid tumors in Stratum 2. Patients treated with prior ICI are excluded. Patients are treated with intravenous (IV) nivolumab 3mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1mg/kg IV every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed by nivolumab 3mg/kg (max dose 240mg) IV every 2 weeks for up to 1-year. The primary objective is to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) for Stratum 1 and by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria for Stratum 2. The trial has a 2-stage design targeting a 25% or greater response rate, with each stratum assessed independently. The analysis for Stage 1 in a given Stratum will be performed after 10 patients are enrolled. If a sufficient number of responders are observed, an additional 10 patients will be enrolled at Stage 2. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, overall survival, and disease control rate at 12 months. Correlative aims include assessing tissue and blood biomarkers associated with treatment response. Enrollment began 14 Aug 2020 and is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04416568.

Phase II trial of olaparib in combination with ceralasertib in patients with recurrent osteosarcoma

TPS11575

Background: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor, occurring in children, adolescents, and young adults. In contrast to advances in treatment for most childhood cancers, there have been no significant improvements in osteosarcoma outcomes in the past 40 years. Forty percent of osteosarcoma patients will, at some point, have advanced disease which has a very poor outcome with a 5-year overall survival of approximately 20%. Genomic alterations and signatures associated with sensitivity to treatment with DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors are observed frequently in osteosarcoma. Many osteosarcomas have a unique mutational signature (signature 3) similar to that seen in BRCA1 deficient cancer and response to PARP inhibitors has been seen in osteosarcoma cell lines. Additionally, ATRX, a protein involved in the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), is often inactivated in osteosarcoma. Defects in the ALT pathway may sensitize tumor cells to ATR inhibitors and osteosarcoma cell lines have been shown to be sensitive to ATR inhibition. In vitro susceptibility of osteosarcoma cell lines to ATR and PARP inhibitors, the presence of mutations in genes involved in DDR and the presence of signature 3 in a subset of osteosarcomas serves as the basis for the development of this trial. Methods: This is an ongoing open label, multicenter, phase II clinical trial to evaluate the clinical activity of PARP inhibitor, olaparib, in combination with ATR inhibitor, ceralasertib, in 2 cohorts of patients aged 12-40 with recurrent osteosarcoma (NCT04417062). Patients with unresectable disease are enrolled into Cohort 1. Patients with resectable disease limited to the lung are enrolled into Cohort 2. Patients in both cohorts receive olaparib 300mg orally twice a day on days 1-28 and ceralasertib 160 mg orally once a day on days 1-7 of a 28-day cycle (adult maximum tolerated dose for the combination). For patients in Cohort 2, study treatment also includes surgical resection of lung metastases at protocol-specified timepoints. Patients can remain on treatment for up to 2 years if they have not progressed. For Cohort 1, the primary objective is to determine whether the combination treatment improves the 4-month event-free rate as compared to a historical benchmark from Children’s Oncology Group (COG) trials using a Simon’s two-stage design. In the first stage, ≥3 of 19 patients must be event-free at 4 months to proceed to stage 2. Enrollment into Cohort 2 continues as long as Cohort 1 enrollment is ongoing. For Cohort 2, the primary endpoint is the submission of paired pre- and post-treatment tumor samples for correlative studies. Secondary endpoints include objective response rate, event-free survival, and overall survival. Integrated correlative studies will assess tumor tissue for biomarkers of treatment response and measure circulating tumor DNA longitudinally. Enrollment began November 24, 2020 and is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04417062.

Outcomes in the dedifferentiated liposarcoma cohort of SAR-096, a phase II trial of ribociclib in combination with everolimus in advanced dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL), and leiomyosarcoma (LMS)

11515

Background: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL) is characterized by ring chromosomes of chromosone12, which includes amplification of MDM2 and CDK4. Exposure to CDK4 inhibitors in Rb+ leiomyosarcoma (LMS) cell lines leads to decreased cell proliferation, and increased senescence, and G0/G1-phase arrest. When combined, ribociclib a CDK4 inhibitor and everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor show synergistic growth inhibition in multiple tumor models. We hypothesized that this combination could lead to increased disease control in patients with DDL. Methods: This study enrolled patients (pts) into one of two cohorts: DDL or Rb+ LMS. LMS pts were required to have 1 prior line of therapy; DDL pts required no prior therapy. There were no limits to prior therapies in either group. Measurable disease by RECIST 1.1 was also required. Ribociclib was given at 300 mg daily for 21/28 days and everolimus was given continuously at 2.5 mg daily in 28 day cycles. The primary endpoint was progression free rate at 16 weeks. A Simon two-stage design was utilized and if at least 8 out of 24 pts were progression free at 16 weeks, the treatment was declared promising for the cohort. Here in we present data on the DDL cohort. Results: To date, 21 DDS pts, median age of 63 (range 40-79), of which 43% (n = 9) female were treated. Median prior lines of therapy was 1 (range 0-6). Of 19 pts with complete data, 8 (42%) met the primary endpoint of non-progression at 16 weeks. Confirmed partial response was seen in 2 pts (10%). Median PFS was 16 weeks, and stable disease occurring as best response in 11 (55%) pts. Grade 3-4 toxicities were uncommon except for lymphopenia (24%) and neutropenia (33%); no episode of neutropenic fever were observed. There was one death on study secondary to myocardial infarction, considered possibly related to therapy. Results of optional tissue biopsies pre and on therapy obtained to assess pharmacodynamic changes in PTEN, pAKT, CDK4, Rb and pS6 will be presented. Conclusions: The combination of ribociclib and everolimus demonstrates activity in DDL with prolonged stable disease (>16 weeks) meeting the primary protocol endpoint. Notably partial responses were also observed. The combination was well tolerated with acceptable side effects. Updated outcomes will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT03114527.

Real-world outcomes of patients with locally advanced or metastatic epithelioid sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available on the real-world effectiveness and safety of systemic therapies for advanced (surgically unresectable and/or metastatic) epithelioid sarcoma (ES).

METHODS

A retrospective medical records review was conducted in patients with advanced ES who were initiating first-line or ≥2 lines of systemic therapy (2000-2017) at 5 US cancer centers. The real-world overall response rate (rwORR), the duration of response (rwDOR), the disease control rate (rwDCR) (defined as stable disease for ≥32 weeks or any duration of response), and progression-free survival (rwPFS) were assessed by radiology reports. Overall survival (OS), rwDOR, and rwPFS were estimated from the time therapy was initiated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Serious adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 74 patients (median age at diagnosis, 33 years; range, 10.6-76.3 years), 72% were male, and 85% had metastatic disease. The median number of lines of therapy was 2 (range, 1-7 lines of therapy), and 46 patients (62%) received ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. First-line regimens were usually anthracycline-based (54%) or gemcitabine-based (24%). For patients receiving first-line systemic therapy, the rwORR was 15%, the rwDCR was 20%, the median rwDOR was 3.3 months (95% CI, 2.1-5.2 months), the median rwPFS was 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.7, 6.9 months), and the median OS was 15.2 months (95% CI, 11.4-21.7 months). For those who received ≥2 lines of systemic therapy, the rwORR was 9%, the rwDCR was 20%, the median rwDOR was 4.5 months (95% CI, 0.7-5.6 months), and the median rwPFS was 6.0 months (95% CI, 3.2-7.4 months). Over one-half of patients (51.4%) experienced an adverse event, most frequently febrile neutropenia (14%), pain (10%), anemia, dyspnea, fever, thrombocytopenia, or transaminitis (5% each).

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic therapies demonstrate limited efficacy in patients with advanced ES and have associated toxicities.

Phase II study of eribulin and pembrolizumab in patients (pts) with metastatic soft tissue sarcomas (STS): Report of LMS cohort

11559

Background: Responses to single agent PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in STS remain limited with occasional responses in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas (UPS), liposarcomas (LPS), and other sarcomas, and rare responses in leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Since cytotoxics and/or targeted therapies such as CDK4/6 inhibitors may alter the tumor microenvironment (TME) and potentiate the effect of immunotherapy, combination approaches may be needed to potentiate STS immunotherapy. The mechanism by which eribulin controls LPS may involve TME modification, and therefore it is attractive to test in combination with pembrolizumab in STS subtypes. This report summarizes the results from the LMS cohort from this ongoing trial. Methods: Pts treated with at least one prior therapy received eribulin 1.4mg/m2 (day 1, 8) and pembrolizumab 200mg (day 1), every 21 days. Pts continued therapy until progressive disease, death, or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at 12 weeks, with 60% PFS at 12 weeks required to deem the combination promising. Tumor assessments (RECIST 1.1) were performed at screening and every 6 weeks thereafter. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR). Results: Nineteen pts with LMS were enrolled from May 2019 to Sept 2019. The median age was 62 (range 48-80). Eleven (58%) patients had uterine LMS. The median # of prior therapies was 4 (range 1-7). The median follow-up was 19.7 weeks. The PFS at 12 weeks was 42.1% (90% CI: 27.0%-65.5%), with median PFS of 11.1 weeks. Median OS was not reached during the follow-up period. There was 1 partial response, and 5 confirmed stable disease for ORR of 5.3% and CBR of 26.3%, after 12 weeks. The rate of grade 3 or higher toxicity was 68% overall, most commonly neutropenia, anemia, weight loss, diarrhea, elevations of lipase, and alkaline phosphatase. These side effects were reversible. The most common adverse events were fatigue, neutropenia, anorexia, AST increase, and nausea. Conclusions: Eribulin and pembrolizumab in LMS did not meet the predefined endpoint for efficacy. The LPS and “other STS subtype” cohorts of this trial are actively enrolling. Clinical trial information: NCT03899805 .

A phase II multi-strata study of lurbinectedin as a single agent or in combination with conventional chemotherapy in metastatic and/or unresectable sarcomas

Chemotherapy objective response rates (ORRs) in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are typically 20-40% with median progression-free survival (PFS) less than 6 months. Lurbinectedin is a new anticancer agent under investigation. The primary objective of this three-arm, phase II study was to determine the disease control rate (DCR = ORR + stable disease [SD]) at 24 weeks of lurbinectedin alone or with chemotherapy in STS. Eligible patients included adults with ≤2 prior cytotoxic therapies. Study cohorts were: stratum A (StrA; anthracycline-naive), lurbinectedin/doxorubicin; stratum B (StrB; prior anthracycline), lurbinectedin/gemcitabine; stratum C (StrC; prior anthracycline/gemcitabine) lurbinectedin monotherapy. Each stratum was analysed separately by Simon two-stage design. Forty-two patients were accrued (StrA = 20, StrB = 10, StrC = 12) including leiomyosarcoma [LMS] (n = 20), synovial sarcoma [SS](n = 4), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (n = 3) and other STS histologies (n = 15). For StrA there were seven partial responses (PR) plus one stable disease (SD) at 24 weeks. For StrB, two patients met the 24-week DCR including one PR (leiomyosarcoma) and one SD (desmoplastic small round cell tumour [DSRCT]). StrB did not continue to the second stage. In StrC, no patients met the primary end-point. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was: StrA = 4.2 months (90% CI 1.4-7.8), StrB = 1.7 months (90% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-7.4), and StrC = 1.3 months (90% CI 1.1-3.0). Lurbinectedin as a single agent or with chemotherapy was well tolerated with haematologic adverse events (AE's) as the most common toxicity. There were no treatment-related deaths. The combination of lurbinectedin/doxorubicin reached the DCR end-point with seven PR and one patient with SD (ORR 35.0%, 24-week DCR 40.0%). Evidence of drug benefit was seen in leiomyosarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS), myxoid liposarcoma (MLS), synovial sarcoma (SS), and desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT). TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT02448537.

Whole exome analysis of patients (pts) with metastatic GIST (mGIST) demonstrating exceptional survival with imatinib (IM) therapy compared to those with short term benefit

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Background: Most patients with mGIST initially benefit from IM therapy with durable disease control (DC), i.e. objective responses and stable disease, with median duration of approximately two years. We reported exceptional long-term benefit (LTB) with DC and overall survival (OS) >14 years in a subset of mGIST pts treated with IM. We aimed to characterize tumor and normal genomes of exceptional LTB pts treated with IM and compare with short-term benefit (STB) pts. Methods: Among 87 mGIST pts enrolled between July 2000 and June 2001 in the B2222 trial of IM and followed prospectively at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, we identified 10 LTB (>14 years of DC) pts, and 6 STB (<2 years of DC) pts on IM. Targeted genotyping ( KIT/PDGFRA)was performed in all tumors (n=16). Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on archival FFPE tumor samples from LTB and STB pts prior to any IM treatment. We compared WES results from LTB with STB pts to identify unique features of long-term DC and OS with IM. Results: KIT mutation in LTB pts were as follows: exon 11(6 pts), exon 9 (3 pts), and SDH-deficient with KIT/PDGFRA wild type (1 pt). In STB pts, mutated KITwas found 4 pts (exon 11) and 2 pts (exon 9). WES was successful in six LTB (five exon 11, one exon 9) and three STB (two exon 11, one exon 9) pts. A total of 1211 somatic mutations were observed (546 missense, 37 nonsense, 256 silent, 285 indels, 36 splice mutations). The mean somatic mutational burden was 3.42 mutations/Mb (range 1.18-4.93) and 3.34 mutations/Mb (range 1.06-6.68) among LTB and STB, respectively. Genes mutated in LTB but not in STB were MUC7 (4 pts), H1F0 (3 pts), ZKSCAN1 (3 pts), SLC24A1 (3 pts) and USP4 (2 pts). Conclusions: KRAB domain containing zinc finger (KRAB-ZNF) gene expression signatures have been associated with prediction of response to IM, and a possible role in response modulation to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in GIST. We found variants in ZKSCAN1, a gene encoding a transcriptional regulator of the KRAB subfamily of zinc finger, to be present in LTB but not in STB. KRAB-ZNF family of genes may be linked to LTB and exceptional survival with IM in mGIST; functional analyses will be important to test such hypotheses.

Immunotherapy with single agent nivolumab for advanced leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: Results of a phase 2 study

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has changed the therapeutic landscape in oncology. Advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) remains an incurable disease in most cases, and despite new drug approvals, improvements in overall survival have been modest at best. The goal of this study was to evaluate programmed-death 1 (PD-1) inhibition with nivolumab in this patient population.

METHODS

This single-center phase 2 trial completed enrollment between May and October 2015. Patients received 3 mg/kg of intravenous nivolumab on day 1 of each 2-week cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. We assessed PD-1, PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and PD-L2 expression in archival tumor samples and variations in immune-phenotyping of circulating immune cells during treatment.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were enrolled in the first stage of the 2-stage design. A median of 5 (range, 2-6) 2-week cycles of nivolumab were administered. Of the 12 patients, none responded to treatment. The overall median progression-free survival was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval, 0.8-unknown). The study did not open the second stage due to lack of benefit as defined by the statistical plan. Archival samples were available for 83% of patients. PD-1 (>3% of cells), PD-L1, and PD-L2 (>5% and >10% of tumor cells, respectively) expression were observed in 20%, 20%, and 90% of samples, respectively. No significant differences were observed between pre- and posttreatment cell phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

Single-agent nivolumab did not demonstrate a benefit in this cohort of previously treated advanced ULMS patients. Further biomarker-driven approaches and studies evaluating combined immune checkpoint-modulators should be considered. Cancer 2017;123:3285-90. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

The relation between cigarette smoking and risk of acute myeloid leukemia: an updated meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

Smoking has been postulated as an environmental risk factor for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The primary objective of this meta-analysis of observational studies was to evaluate the epidemiologic relationship between smoking and the risk of development of AML. Twenty-three studies published between January 1993 and December 2013 were included in our analysis, and accounted for 7,746 cases of AML. The outcome of interest was the relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of developing AML in adult cigarette smokers in comparison with non-smokers, and was estimated using the random-effects model. Our results showed that current and ever smokers have 40% (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.22-1.60; P < 0.001) and 25% (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.15-1.36; P < 0.001) increased risk of developing AML when compared with non-smokers. The increased RR of AML was increased regardless of sex, study design, geographical region, and quality of the studies. Intensity of smoking of <10, 10-20, 20-30, and >30 cigarettes per day was associated with RRs of AML of 1.27, 1.36, 1.55, and 1.77, respectively (P < 0.001 for trend). Duration of smoking of <20 and >20 years was associated with RRs of 1.07 and 1.44, respectively (P < 0.001 for trend). Cumulative smoking of <10, 10-20, 20-30, and >30 pack-years was associated with RRs of 1.13, 1.23, 1.39, and 1.71, respectively (P < 0.001 for trend). Overall, cigarette smoking proves to be a significant risk factor for the development of AML in adults.

Unusual blasts with basophilic granules in 2 cases of de novo acute myeloid leukemia with inv3(q21q26.2) and monosomy 7 and coexpression of CD2 and CD31

Acute myeloid leukemia with inv3(q21q26.2)/t(3,3)(q21;q26.2) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia associated with significant dysmyelopoiesis and a poor prognosis. In more than a half of the cases, there is also monosomy 7. We present 2 young male patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia with inversion 3 and monosomy 7 who had significant morphologic and immunophenotypical similarities. Both patients had circulating subsets of blasts with unusual intracytoplasmic basophilic granules and prominent bone marrow dysmegakaryopoiesis. The leukemic myeloid blasts were negative for myeloperoxidase and had aberrant coexpression of CD2 and CD31. Despite their morphologic and immunophenotypical similarities, only 1 of the patients achieved remission and remained free of disease 24 months after bone marrow transplant. The younger patient, who had also increased hemoglobin F and an associated FLT3 D835 variant, had an acute myeloid leukemia refractory to chemotherapy and died 4 months after his diagnosis.

Clinical utility of the combination of lapatinib and letrozole in the management of hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive advanced breast cancer

Breast cancers that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2-positive [HER2+]) tend to be biologically aggressive and associated with a poor prognosis, even those that coexpress receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone (hormone receptor-positive [HR+]). Optimal therapy for patients with "double-positive" (HR+/HER2+) breast cancers is still being defined. In this subset of patients, the efficacy of targeted endocrine therapies appears to be diminished by cross-activation or "crosstalk" between estrogen receptor-mediated gene transcription and pathways activated by other growth factor receptors, including HER2. Lapatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor which binds reversibly to the intracellular domains of the epidermal growth factor receptor and HER2, interfering with their ability to initiate signal transduction cascades that promote cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. In a recently published randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III study in postmenopausal HR+ metastatic breast cancer, the addition of lapatinib to the aromatase inhibitor letrozole significantly improved progression-free survival solely in women who were also HER2+. This article reviews the biology of "double-positive" breast cancers and the rationale underlying combining endocrine and HER2-targeted therapies, including the lapatinib/letrozole combination, for these tumors. Results from the Phase III trial are examined, as well as available data on other combinations of HR and HER2-targeted therapies. Ongoing trials and potential future applications of these combinations in both HR+/HER2+ and other subgroups of breast cancer patients are also discussed.

Multicenter phase II trial of sunitinib in the treatment of nongastrointestinal stromal tumor sarcomas

PURPOSE To evaluate the potential benefit of continuous daily dosing sunitinib in patients with advanced nongastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) sarcomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 53 patients with advanced non-GIST soft tissue sarcomas received sunitinib 37.5 mg daily. Primary end point was Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors defined response. Secondary end points were stable disease at 16 and 24 weeks. [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was performed on a subset of 24 patients at baseline and after 10 to 14 days of therapy. Results Forty-eight patients were eligible for response. One patient (desmoplastic round cell tumor [DSRCT]) achieved a confirmed partial response (PR) and remained on study for 56 weeks. Ten patients (20%) achieved stable disease for at least 16 weeks. Metabolic PR was seen in 10 (47%) of 21 of patients. Metabolic stable disease was seen in 11 (52%) of 21. There were no unexpected toxicities observed. CONCLUSION Sunitinib demonstrated notable evidence of metabolic response in several patients with non-GIST sarcoma. The relevance of disease control observed in subtypes with an indolent natural history is unknown, however, the durable disease control observed in DSRCT, solitary fibrous tumor, and giant cell tumor of bone suggests that future evaluation of sunitinib in these subtypes may be warranted.

Phase II and pharmacokinetic study of ecteinascidin 743 in patients with progressive sarcomas of soft tissues refractory to chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of the marine-derived alkaloid ecteinascidin 743 (ET-743) in patients with soft tissue sarcomas that progressed despite prior conventional chemotherapy and to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of ET-743 in this patient population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six previously treated soft tissue sarcoma patients from three institutions received ET-743 as a 24-hour continuous intravenous (IV) infusion at a dose of 1,500 microg/m(2) every 3 weeks. Pharmacokinetic studies were also performed. Patients were restaged every two cycles for response by objective criteria.

RESULTS

Objective responses were observed in three patients, with one complete response and two partial responses, for an overall response rate of 8% (95% CI, 2% to 23%). Responses were durable for up to 20 months. Two minor responses (43% and 47% tumor reduction) were observed, for an overall clinical benefit rate of 14%. The predominant toxicities were neutropenia and self-limited transaminitis of grade 3 to 4 severity in 34% and 26% of patients, respectively. The estimated 1-year time to progression and overall survival rates were 9% (95% CI, 3% to 27%) and 53% (95% CI, 39% to 73%), respectively. The maximum observed plasma concentration and total plasma clearance of ET-743 (mean +/- standard deviation), 1.04 +/- 0.48 ng/mL and 35.6 +/- 16.2 L/h/m(2), respectively, were consistent with previously reported values from phase I studies of the drug given as a 24-hour IV infusion.

CONCLUSION

ET-743 is a promising new option for the management of several histologic subtypes of sarcoma. Durable objective responses were obtained in a subset of sarcoma patients with disease progression despite prior chemotherapy. Additionally, the relatively high survival rate noted in this series of previously treated patients further justifies development of this agent.

A phase II and pharmacokinetic study of ecteinascidin 743 in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of ecteinascidin 743 (ET-743) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was confined to adult patients with radiographically measurable GISTs. ET-743 was administered as a 24-hour continuous i.v. infusion at a dose of 1.5 mg/m(2) repeated every 3 weeks. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling was performed during the first cycle of therapy. Tumors were restaged after every second cycle of therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients was enrolled in the study, 19 of whom were treated with 47 cycles of ET-743 (median 2, range 1-10). Severe toxicities were limited to reversible grade 3 transaminitis in 10 patients and grade 3 fatigue in one patient. There were no objective responses, and disease stabilization occurred in two patients lasting for periods of 4 and 10 months. The 1-year survival rate was 71.1%. Mean +/- standard deviation values of the maximum plasma concentration and total plasma clearance were 1.1 +/- 0.4 ng/ml and 44 +/- 16 l/h/m(2), respectively, for 19 of the 20 patients.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first report of a prospective phase II trial to evaluate a cytotoxic agent in patients with GISTs. This study underscores the primary resistance of GISTS to chemotherapy and stands in stark contrast to the encouraging results recently achieved with STI571. The lack of response may be associated with a therapeutically ineffective exposure to the drug based upon the lower incidence of severe toxicities and greater clearance than described in phase I and II trials of ET-743.

Galanin receptor 1 gene expression is regulated by cyclic AMP through a CREB-dependent mechanism

The galanin receptor-1 (GalR1) protein belongs to a family of G protein-coupled receptors for the neuropeptide galanin (GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3) distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Activation of galanin receptors by their ligands results in increased feeding, impaired learning, enhanced opiate analgesia and decreased opiate place preference. We have shown that opiate withdrawal, which is known to increase levels of cAMP in the locus coeruleus (LC), results in an increase in the number of galanin binding sites and the level of GalR1 mRNA in the LC. We have isolated a 3.6-kb fragment 5' of the inititiation codon of the mouse GalR1 gene and generated a series of deletion mutations of this fragment driving expression of luciferase for use in transient transfection assays in PC12 and Cath.a cell lines. Treatment with forskolin, but not dideoxyforskolin, up-regulates GalR1 transcription, likely through elevation of cAMP levels. The region between - 1050 and - 700 base pairs upstream of exon one is necessary both for basal activity of the GalR1 promoter and for forskolin-mediated increases in transcription. The forskolin effect can be blocked by simultaneous mutation of a CRE-like site and a CRE/DRE-like site, but not mutation of either site alone. Gel shift and super-shift experiments demonstrate that the transcription factor CREB can bind to both sites and is likely to be responsible for the cAMP-mediated increase in GalR1 promoter activity. This study provides a molecular mechanism for the increased GalR1 expression in the LC seen following opiate withdrawal.

Ketamine-fentanyl-midazolam infusion for the control of symptoms in terminal life care

In this report, we describe nine terminally ill patients with metastatic cancer who were treated with an intravenous infusion consisting of ketamine (2 mg/ml)/fentanyl (5 micrograms/ml)/midazolam (0.1 mg/ml) (K/F/M) to control pain after traditional analgesic therapies were unsuccessful. In addition to pain, all patients exhibited some symptoms of cognitive compromise and agitation. After initiation of the K/F/M infusion, all patients exhibited some degree of qualitative improvement in these symptoms as well as in overall pain control. We feel that these observations warrant reporting of the efficacy of this infusion for the treatment of uncontrolled pain and agitation in terminally ill patients when the traditional methods of pain control are inadequate.

Coronary Artery Smoking Intervention Study (CASIS): 5-year follow-up

The authors compared the effect of a behavioral multicomponent smoking cessation special intervention (SI) to an advice-only intervention (AO) on smoking status at 5 years for smokers with coronary disease (n = 160). Regression analyses revealed an interaction between intervention type and disease severity such that patients in the SI group with greater degrees of coronary artery disease showed significantly higher cessation rates (odds ratio = 344 for 3-vessel disease in the SI vs. AO, p = .01). Factors predicting maintained abstinence included having 12 or more years of education, contemplating quitting smoking or being ready to begin action to quit at baseline, and having a higher self-efficacy score.

Coronary Artery Smoking Intervention Study (CASIS): 5-year follow-up

The authors compared the effect of a behavioral multicomponent smoking cessation special intervention (SI) to an advice-only intervention (AO) on smoking status at 5 years for smokers with coronary disease (n = 160). Regression analyses revealed an interaction between intervention type and disease severity such that patients in the SI group with greater degrees of coronary artery disease showed significantly higher cessation rates (odds ratio = 344 for 3-vessel disease in the SI vs. AO, p = .01). Factors predicting maintained abstinence included having 12 or more years of education, contemplating quitting smoking or being ready to begin action to quit at baseline, and having a higher self-efficacy score.

Smoking cessation benefits in HMOs

A survey was undertaken in the Spring of 1994 to understand the types of smoking cessation services offered by HMOs to one state's employees. Responses documented that the vast majority of HMOs offered nicotine replacement therapy, as well as behavioral classes and courses, with no difference in availability of programs by HMO model type. Considerable variance was found among plans with respect to the structure of the services, and the conditions for accessing benefits. This variation in part may reflect the lack of empirical evidence concerning which approach is most effective. HMOs have provided leadership within the health services and insurance industry with respect to inclusion of cessation benefits. A challenge for HMOs is to design coordinated systems for their smoking cessation services including development of appropriate monitoring systems. Such monitoring will allow plans to better assess participation and effectiveness, and to make benefit and operational decisions on the basis of performance.

Physicians' attitudes and reported practices toward smoking intervention

The objective of this study was to examine differences in the attitudes and reported practices toward smoking intervention of 224 internal medicine, family practice, and surgical physicians from one medical school faculty. Most internists and family practice physicians reported intervening with their patients who smoke, whereas only 50% of surgeons reported intervening with their patients who smoke. Each of the physician groups attached a high degree of importance to smoking cessation in patients with various chronic diseases. Physicians reported that they were most likely to intervene in the smoking habits of young patients, those with reversible disease, those who were receptive to intervention, and with those who had made previous quit attempts. The three obstacles identified by the various physician groups most related to the delivery of quit smoking intervention included the amount of time involved, patient receptivity, and associated lifestyle problems. The results of this study suggest differences among physician specialties in their intervention efforts with smokers and those factors related to the delivery of stop smoking advice. Further reinforcement of specific physician specialty groups for the important role of physicians in assisting their patients to stop smoking remains.

Smoking cessation and severity of disease: The Coronary Artery Smoking Intervention Study

We tested the effectiveness of an individually delivered behavioral multicomponent smoking intervention (SI) against offering advice only (AO) to 267 patients after coronary arteriography. After 6 months, 51% of AO patients and 62% of SI patients reported abstinence. Validated rates were 34% and 45% for AO and SI patients, respectively. Logistic regression analyses, controlling for severity of illness, stage of change, and self-efficacy, among other variables, showed that, at 6 months, the SI had the most effect for patients with more severe coronary artery disease (CAD) who had been admitted with a myocardial infarction (95% confidence interval = 2.05, 124.85). At 12 months, only severity of disease mediated SI effects (95% confidence interval = 3.10, 58.00). Similar results were seen for cotinine-validated cessation. This study confirms the effectiveness of individually administered SI for more seriously ill patients with CAD and raises questions as to how to better intervene with those individuals with less severe disease.

Severity of angiographically proven coronary artery disease predicts smoking cessation

We investigated the relationship between the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the likelihood of cigarette smoking cessation in a population of 84 smokers between 21 and 75 years of age undergoing elective or urgent coronary angiography at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The smokers were enrolled in a pilot study investigating the relationship of hospitalization and coronary arteriography for coronary artery disease to subsequent smoking cessation and were scored at baseline as having none, one-, two-, or three-vessel disease. Smoking status at a mean follow-up time of 11 months was obtained by telephone interview, at which point 50% reported not smoking. Logistic regression showed a significant relationship between smoking cessation and two factors: the anatomic extent of CAD and the experience of having had coronary artery bypass surgery or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty following the initial catheterization. We discuss the relative roles of patient knowledge and motivation and physician intervention, and their implications for smoking cessation interventions.

Smoking cessation and severity of disease: the Coronary Artery Smoking Intervention Study

We tested the effectiveness of an individually delivered behavioral multicomponent smoking intervention (SI) against offering advice only (AO) to 267 patients after coronary arteriography. After 6 months, 51% of AO patients and 62% of SI patients reported abstinence. Validated rates were 34% and 45% for AO and SI patients, respectively. Logistic regression analyses, controlling for severity of illness, stage of change, and self-efficacy, among other variables, showed that, at 6 months, the SI had the most effect for patients with more severe coronary artery disease (CAD) who had been admitted with a myocardial infarction (95% confidence interval = 2.05, 124.85). At 12 months, only severity of disease mediated SI effects (95% confidence interval = 3.10, 58.00). Similar results were seen for cotinine-validated cessation. This study confirms the effectiveness of individually administered SI for more seriously ill patients with CAD and raises questions as to how to better intervene with those individuals with less severe disease.