Cancer stem cell assay-guided chemotherapy improves survival of patients with recurrent glioblastoma in a randomized trial

Therapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to the poor clinical outcomes of patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) who fail standard of care (SOC) therapy. ChemoID is a clinically validated assay for identifying CSC-targeted cytotoxic therapies in solid tumors. In a randomized clinical trial (NCT03632135), the ChemoID assay, a personalized approach for selecting the most effective treatment from FDA-approved chemotherapies, improves the survival of patients with rGBM (2016 WHO classification) over physician-chosen chemotherapy. In the ChemoID assay-guided group, median survival is 12.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.2-14.7) compared with 9 months (95% CI, 4.2-13.8) in the physician-choice group (p = 0.010) as per interim efficacy analysis. The ChemoID assay-guided group has a significantly lower risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81; p = 0.008). Results of this study offer a promising way to provide more affordable treatment for patients with rGBM in lower socioeconomic groups in the US and around the world.

CTNI-17. A MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL COMPARING ASSAY - GUIDED CHEMOTHERAPY WITH PHYSICIAN-CHOICE TREATMENT FOR RECURRENT HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA (NCT03632135)

The presence of therapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) in recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) patients contributes to poor clinical outcomes. The ChemoID functional anti-cancer assay targets cancer stem cells along with the bulk of the tumor cells. This trial aims to determine if ChemoID assay-guided treatment improves survival rates for recurrent HGG patients compared to the empirically physician-selected treatment. Patients with grade-III/IV recurrent glioma who failed standard of care (SOC) therapy were randomized (1:1) between two intervention groups. They received one of fourteen mono or combination chemotherapies based on the ChemoID assay or physician choice. The study met the primary outcome in the first interim analysis of 50 patients as per protocol. The ChemoID group had an improved survival rate (vs physician-choice). Median OS (mOS) was 12.5 months in the ChemoID group (95% CI, 10.2-14.7) vs 9 months in the physician-choice (95% CI, 4.2-13.8; log-rank P = .010). Mortality risk was lower in the ChemoID group (HR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81; P = .008). Median progression-free survival was 10.1 months in the ChemoID group vs 3.5 months in the physician choice (95% CI, 4.8-15.4 vs 1.9-5.1; log-rank < 0.001). Risk of progression was lower in the ChemoID group (HR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.44; P < 0.001). The intention to treat (ITT) analysis of 78 patients showed substantially improved OS. The ChemoID group had a statistically significant longer median survival of 4.5 months. mOS was 12.0 months in the ChemoID group (95% CI, 10.8-13.2) vs 7.5 in the physician-choice group (95% CI, 3.5-11.5; log-rank P = .009). The ChemoID group had a decreased mortality risk (HR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81; P = .008). Compared with the physician-choice, the ChemoID group had a significantly longer OS in the ITT population. Our findings support that screening standard cytotoxic chemotherapies with a patient-specific anti-cancer assay improves survival outcomes in recurrent HGG patients.

The use of adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage IB-IIIA non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and comparison to the TriNetX database

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Background: Adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (AC) is the standard of care for completely resected stage IB (tumor size > 4cm), II, and IIIA non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Several randomized clinical trials have shown varying levels of survival benefit for patients treated with AC compared to surgery alone. Methods: A retrospective study was performed regarding the use of adjuvant chemotherapy comparing Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) patients to those in the TriNetX database in the years 1998-2017. Inclusion criteria were patients > 18 years of age, completely resected (R0), stage IB (tumor size > 4 cm) through stage IIIA (R0) NSCLC. SAS 9.3 was used for data analysis. Results: The populations included two hundred and thirty-six (CAMC) and 4,364 (TriNetX) patients. The CAMC population was 98% Caucasian, 63% male with an average age of 65±10 years. The TriNetX population was 66% Caucasian, 57% male with an average age of 67±10 years. The 5-year overall survival (OS) in the CAMC database between chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy groups was not statistically significant (49.5% vs 49.8%, p = 0.8, respectively). In the TriNetX database, the 5-year OS for the chemotherapy group was significantly higher compared to the non-chemotherapy groups (61.2% vs 54.0%, p < 0.05, respectively). Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the factors influencing 5-year OS in the CAMC population. Results showed that patients >65 years of age were 2.2 times (95% CI: 1.53-3.2) more likely to be dead in 5-years. With each increase in stage patients were 1.3 times (95% CI: 1.0-1.8) more likely to be dead in 5-years. Moreover, patients without coronary artery disease were 1.7 times (95% CI: 1.2-2.4) more likely to be dead in 5-years. Conclusions: Regardless of treatment, about half of CAMC patients were alive at 5 years, while a higher OS was seen in the TriNetX chemotherapy group. Regression analysis of the CAMC population showed that chemotherapy was not a significant variable in 5-year OS. Differences in survival between CAMC and TriNetX could be due to the large number of comorbidities in the CAMC population, patient refusal to chemotherapy, particularly those >65 years, and incomplete planned dose due to side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy. We conclude that several barriers may impact the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in non-trial settings in the CAMC population.

SYST-01 MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL RANDOMIZED TRIAL COMPARING CANCER STEM CELL-TARGETED VS PHYSICIAN-CHOICE TREATMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT HIGH-GRADE GLIOMAS (NCT03632135)

BACKGROUND

Clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) remain poor. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been implicated in metastasis, treatment resistance and recurrence of HHGs. We have shown in several clinical studies that anti-CSC-directed therapy provides benefits in many cancer types; however, this is the first report of a randomized clinical trial evaluating it for recurrent HGGs.

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether CSC-targeted cytotoxic agents selected by ChemoID assay-guided therapy improves survival in patients with recurrent HGG.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this parallel-group, randomized, phase-3 clinical trial, patients at 13 clinical sites in the USA with grade-III/IV recurrent glioma (2016 WHO guidelines) were randomized 1:1 to either ChemoID assay-guided therapy or physician-choice therapy, and then treated and followed until unacceptable toxic effects, hospice, or death.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Combined median follow-up was 9 months. Median OS (mOS) was 12.5 months (95% CI, 10.2-14.7) in the ChemoID assay-guided group vs 9 months (95% CI, 4.2-13.8) in the physician-choice group (log-rank P = .010). Risk of death was significantly lower in the ChemoID assay group (HR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81; P = .008). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.1 vs 3.5 months (95% CI, 4.8-15.4 vs 1.9-5.1) (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.44; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Primary endpoint was met in this randomized clinical trial. The mOS was 3.5 months longer in the ChemoID assay-guided group vs the physician-choice group.

Abstract CT224: Multi-institutional randomized phase-3 trial comparing cancer stem cell-targeted vs physician-choice treatments in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas (NCT03632135)

Background: Clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) remain poor. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been implicated in metastasis, treatment resistance and recurrence of HHGs. We have shown in several clinical studies that anti-CSC-directed therapy provides benefits in many cancer types; however, this is the first report of a randomized clinical trial evaluating it for recurrent HGGs. Objective: Determine whether CSC-targeted cytotoxic agents selected by ChemoID assay-guided therapy improves survival in patients with recurrent HGG.

Design, Settings, and Participants: In this parallel-group, randomized, phase-3 clinical trial, patients at 13 clinical sites in the USA with grade-III/IV recurrent glioma (2016 WHO guidelines) were randomized 1:1 to either ChemoID assay-guided therapy or physician-choice therapy, and then treated and followed until unacceptable toxic effects, hospice, or death.

Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Results: Combined median follow-up was 9 months. Median OS (mOS) was 12.5 months (95% CI, 10.2-14.7) in the ChemoID assay-guided group vs 9 months (95% CI, 4.2-13.8) in the physician-choice group (log-rank P = .010). Risk of death was significantly lower in the ChemoID assay group (HR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81; P = .008). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.1 vs 3.5 months (95% CI, 4.8-15.4 vs 1.9-5.1) (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.44; P &lt; .001).

Conclusions and Relevance: Primary endpoint was met in this randomized clinical trial. The mOS was 3.5 months longer in the ChemoID assay-guided group vs the physician-choice group demonstrating the clinical advantage of treating HGG patients using CSC personalized therapy.

Citation Format: Tulika Ranjan, Soma Sengupta, Alexander Yu, Candace M. Howard, Ricky Chen, Rekha Chaudhary, Nicholas Marko, Dawit Aregawi, Michael Glantz, Jon Glass, Richard M. Green, Christine Lu-Emerson, Aaron Mammoser, Hugh Moulding, Steven Jubelirer, Jason Schroeder, Mark Anderson, Frances Chow, Seth Lirette, Krista Denning, Anthony Alberico, Jagan Valluri, Pier Paolo Claudio. Multi-institutional randomized phase-3 trial comparing cancer stem cell-targeted vs physician-choice treatments in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas (NCT03632135) [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 CT224.

Multi-institutional randomized phase 3 trial comparing cancer stem cell-targeted versus physician-choice treatments in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas (NCT03632135)

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Background: Clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) remain poor. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been implicated in metastasis, treatment resistance and recurrence of HHGs. We have shown in several clinical studies that anti-CSC-directed therapy selected by ChemoID assay provides benefits in many cancer types; however, this is the first report of a randomized clinical trial evaluating whether CSC-targeted cytotoxic agents selected by ChemoID assay-guided therapy improves survival in patients with recurrent HGG. Methods: In this parallel-group, randomized, phase-3 clinical trial, patients at 13 clinical sites in the USA with grade-III/IV recurrent glioma (2016 WHO guidelines) were randomized 1:1 to either ChemoID assay-guided therapy or physician-choice therapy, and then treated and followed until unacceptable toxic effects, hospice, or death. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: Combined median follow-up was 9 months. Median OS (mOS) was 12.5 months (95% CI, 10.2-14.7) in the ChemoID assay-guided group vs 9 months (95% CI, 4.2-13.8) in the physician-choice group (log-rank P =.010). Risk of death was significantly lower in the ChemoID assay group (HR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81; P =.008). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.1 vs 3.5 months (95% CI, 4.8-15.4 vs 1.9-5.1) (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.44; P <.001). Conclusions: Primary endpoint was met in this randomized clinical trial. The mOS was 3.5 months longer in the ChemoID assay-guided group vs the physician-choice group. Clinical trial information: NCT03632135.

CTNI-34. INITIAL ANALYSIS OF PHASE-III TRIAL - STANDARD CHEMOTHERAPY VS. CHEMOTHERAPY GUIDED BY A CANCER STEM CELL TEST IN RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA (NCT03632135)

BACKGROUND

ChemoID is a cancer stem cell (CSC) cytotoxicity assay for guiding personalized treatment in the clinical trial NCT03632135 using standard-of-care drugs for improving clinical outcomes. The ChemoID assay is a functional test that determines the response to chemotherapy treatments from a panel of FDA approved drugs or their combinations. The trial aims to determine the clinical utility of the ChemoID assay as a predictor of clinical response in recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).

METHODS

The study has been designed as a parallel group controlled clinical trial where participants with recurrent GBM amenable to surgery or biopsy are randomized at a ratio of 1:1 to either standard-of-care chemotherapy chosen by the physician or ChemoID-guided therapy. Response to therapy is measured by MRI imaging (RANO 1.1). The primary endpoint is median overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoints are OS at 6, 9, and 12 months, median progression-free survival (PFS), PFS at 4, 6, 9, and 12 months, objective tumor response, time to recurrence, and quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 41 participants (29 males, 12 females) have been accrued to the trial thus far with a median age of 61yo. Data from 38 participants (27 males, 11 females) has reached maturity for analysis. 21 participants have been randomized to the assay-guided arm and 17 to the physician-choice arm. From an initial analysis, we observed that 71% (15/21) of the participants in the ChemoID-guided arm are alive and 29% (6/21) are deceased. We also observed that 41% (7/17) of the participants in the physician-choice arm are alive and 59% (10/17) are deceased. This gives the odds of death for the ChemoID-guided arm to be 72% lower than on the physician-guided arm (OR=0.28; (0.07–1.08); p=0.065).

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary results indicate that the ChemoID assay has the potential to improve survival of recurrent GBM patients.

Bone marrow involvement with Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly aggressive cutaneous tumour. Most tumours occur in the head and neck, extremities or torso and 36% of them involve the face. Bone marrow involvement in MCC is rare and to our knowledge only nine cases reported in the English literature. Bone marrow biopsy is not usually performed to stage MCC; thus, the true incidence of bone marrow involvement may be under-reported. The majority of the cases reported in the literature have some form of immunosuppression, which suggests a strong association. We report a case of extensive bone marrow involvement from MCC in an 80-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab, methotrexate and prednisone. It may be prudent to include bone marrow biopsy in the staging of MCC in immune-compromised patients.

Geographic access and age-related variation in chemotherapy use in elderly with metastatic breast cancer

Significant age-related variation in chemotherapy use has been observed among elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), which may be partly attributable to geographic access factors such as local area physician practice culture and local health care system capacity. The purpose of the paper was to examine how age may modify the effect of geographic access on chemotherapy use in elderly patients with MBC. This was a retrospective cohort study based on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results-Medicare-linked database of 1992-2002. Chemotherapy use was defined as at least one chemotherapy-related claim within 6-month post-diagnosis. Geographic access to cancer care was measured by four variables: patient travel time to the nearest oncologist practice, local area per capita number of oncologists, local area per capita number of hospices, and local area chemotherapy rate. Using multivariate logistic regression model, both aggregate models with interaction terms and subgroup analyses were conducted. Among 4,533 elderly with MBC, 30.16 % used chemotherapy. Chemotherapy use decreased with age. Both the aggregate model with interaction terms and the subgroup analysis showed that local area chemotherapy rate was positively associated with chemotherapy use (P = .0004 in the whole group; in the subgroup analyses, P < .0001, P = .0006, P = .0006, P = .18, P = .026, respectively). In addition, subgroup analysis showed that, among patients aged 85+ years old, local area oncologist supply was negatively associated with chemotherapy use (P = .028). The impact of geographic access to cancer care is the greatest among the oldest group, for whom the clinical evidence is the least certain.

A study of in-patient oncology satisfaction

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Background: The European Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer (EORTC) developed the EORTC-IN-PATSAT32 survey for in-patient satisfaction (use permission granted). Methods: The EORTC-IN-PATSAT32 survey administered after consent, at discharge on an oncology floor at a large university affiliated community hospital. Comparisons were made to Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), which were collected during the same time period. Results: The average age of those completing the 282 surveys was 60.2 ± 12.3. Males made up 50.2% of the population, 96% were Caucasian, 66% were married, and 49% had a high school education or less, 4% were enrolled in a clinical trial and 75% had researched illness on the internet. Physicians and nurses were ranked highest for there technical skill 90 ±16 and 87±17, respectively and lowest for their availability, 85±2 and 81±24, respectively. The services and care organization was ranked highest for other hospital staff interpersonal skills, 80±20 and lowest for hospital access, 70±25. Even though 87% of the population ranked there overall stay as very good or excellent there were differences seen between groups. Males were more satisfied with the information they received about care (p = 0.04), and their overall hospital stay (p = 0.03) than females. Patients treated by a medical oncologist were more satisfied with the information the received (p = 0.03) compared to other specialties. Married patients found access to facilities was better (p = 0.03) than unmarried patients. Those ≥ 65 were more satisfied with the exams, interest, and comfort of the nursing staff (p =.03) than their younger counterparts. HCAHPS (always rank) was higher than EORTC (excellent rank) for information (p <.0001), personnel listening ( p < 0.0001), and hospital cleanliness (p = 0.008), however no difference was seen in overall rating of care (p = 0.45). Conclusions: The majority of patients were satisfied with their care. Patients gender, marital status, age and the specialty of the physician were significant factors in determining satisfaction. Survey administration differences may contribute to difference between EORTC and HCAHPS. Hospital staff need to be cognizant of possible unintended bias towards various groups of patients.

Niacin induced coagulopathy as a manifestation of occult liver injury

Niacin is an effective lipid-lowering agent which occasionally may cause hepatic failure. Liver enzymes are periodically tested during niacin therapy to assess for hepatic injury. We report a case of suppressed synthesis of hepatically derived coagulation factors and other liver proteins in a patient on niacin with no elevation of hepatic aminotransferases. The protein abnormalities reversed rapidly on discontinuation of niacin. It appears that niacin can cause occult liver injury without frank aminotransferase elevations, and may portend severe hepatotoxicity. Periodic assessment of prothrombin time should be considered in addition to aminotransferase levels to screen for liver injury. We believe this is the first reported case of occult hepatic injury due to extended release niacin, presenting as coagulopathy.

Triple-negative breast cancer in West Virginia

In 2007, the American Cancer Society ranked West Virginia 43rd in breast cancer incidence rates for individual states. Despite our improvements in medical care, the advanced pathological characteristics of breast cancer at diagnosis receive little attention. Consequently, we compared the changing pattern of early breast cancer in several cohort studies conducted at regional medical centers in West Virginia. The data used in this analysis was derived from 320 women presenting at West Virginia University Hospital (WVUH) in Morgantown between 1999 and 2004, with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer. Details of age, tumor size and axillary lymph node status were compared with tumor registry information published from a cohort study of 191 patients from the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) between 1990 and 1991. Only histologically documented adenocarcinomas of the breast were included. Tumor size was characterized using the TNM system and staged according to AJCC criteria. For comparative purposes, details from the two regional centers were compared with tumor characteristics from a large longitudinal cohort of 2,484 breast cancers from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study. Baseline median age at diagnosis of women screened at WVUH was younger than patients at CAMC (52 vs. 60). Women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at WVUH and CAMC had similar age distributions. Within the triple-negative patients at WVUH, 44% of patients were less than 50 years of age and 20% were less than 40 years of age. At CAMC, 35% were less than 50 years of age and 7% were less than 40 years of age. For women at WVUH, 61.5% presented with T1 tumors compared to 65.5% at CAMC. These figures were lower than the WHI average of 80.3%. In contrast, more women presented with larger T2 tumors at our medical centers compared with the national study, 32.6% versus 17.4% respectively. At WVUH, 2.3% of women had T3 tumors (> or =5 cm) compared with 1% at CAMC. Similar to the WHI study, 35-42% of women at WVUH and CAMC were diagnosed at the T1c stage. Approximately, 30% were diagnosed with positive lymph nodes, compared to 23% in the national study. Combined breast cancer data from our medical centers show an increase in more advanced tumors and positive regional lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis compared to national reports. Other factors such as obesity, diabetes, poverty and access to mammography screening could be influencing the poorer outcomes for women with breast cancer in West Virginia.

Building a statewide clinical trials network for cancer care in West Virginia

In the United States, mortality rates have been declining for certain tumors, For the majority of advanced stage cancer types, cure is unattainable but treatment is still evolving. Advances in the treatment of cancer can be achieved by enrolling patients in cancer clinical trials. Presently, less than 3% of adult cancer patients participate on clinical trials in the United States. Providing cancer care and access to clinical trials are a challenge in a rural state, with a dispersed population base, such as West Virginia. Building upon recognition of barriers to clinical trials awareness and access, oncology leaders in the state are in the formative stages of developing a statewide cancer clinical trials network. Realization of this network will have an enormous impact on cancer care in our state and perhaps can serve as a model for other community and physician teams for other diseases.

A phase II study of preradiation chemotherapy followed by external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study (E2393)

Recent publications support the use of preradiation chemotherapy in the treatment of selected primary brain tumors. In the pediatric population, this treatment strategy often delays radiotherapy and may improve the outcome in patients. This manuscript describes the use of a preradiation chemotherapy approach for adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. The main objective of this trial was to determine the feasibility of delivering up to 3 monthly cycles of a 72 h continuous simultaneous intravenous infusion of BCNU (40 mg/m2/day) and cisplatin (40 mg/m2/day). Patients were evaluated for tumor response or progression after each cycle. Following the completion of the chemotherapy treatments or evidence of tumor progression, patients underwent external beam radiotherapy. A dose of 45 Gy was delivered to the pretreatment tumor volume plus surrounding edema and a margin of 3.0 cm. An additional 14.4 Gy was delivered to the preoperative volume plus a 2 cm margin. Fifty patients were enrolled, 47 were eligible and analyzable. Overall, 79% of patients were able to complete at least 2 cycles of treatment, exceeding the predefined measure of feasibility. One patient achieved a complete response, 10 patients a partial response and 18 patients had stable disease at completion of the chemotherapy treatments. Twenty-four patients experienced grade 4 toxicity, mostly hematologic. All patients were able to undergo radiotherapy following chemotherapy. These results indicate that a preradiation strategy is feasible. Although responses to the chemotherapy were seen, a phase III trial is needed to determine whether this approach provides an advantage over standard treatment; such a phase III trial has been undertaken by ECOG.