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[Background] The value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is not completely understood. This study investigated the benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to prognostic stratification based on the Sarculator nomogram for STS., [Methods] This study analyzed data from ISG-STS 1001, a randomized study that tested 3 cycles of neoadjuvant anthracycline plus ifosfamide (AI) or histology-tailored (HT) chemotherapy in adult patients with STS. The 10-year predicted overall survival (pr-OS) was estimated with the Sarculator and was stratified into higher (10-year pr-OS < 60%) and lower risk subgroups (10-year pr-OS ≥ 60%)., [Results] The median pr-OS was 0.63 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.51-0.72) for the entire study population, 0.62 (IQR, 0.51-0.70) for the AI arm, and 0.64 (IQR, 0.51-0.73) for the HT arm. Three- and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.93) and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71-0.86) in lower risk patients and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.70-0.85) and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.51-0.72) in the higher risk patients (log-rank test, P = .004). In higher risk patients, the 3- and 5-year Sarculator-predicted and study-observed OS rates were 0.68 and 0.58, respectively, and 0.85 and 0.66, respectively, in the AI arm (P = .04); the corresponding figures in the HT arm were 0.69 and 0.60, respectively, and 0.69 and 0.55, respectively (P > .99). In lower risk patients, the 3- and 5-year Sarculator-predicted and study-observed OS rates were 0.85 and 0.80, respectively, and 0.89 and 0.82, respectively, in the AI arm (P = .507); the corresponding figures in the HT arm were 0.87 and 0.81, respectively, and 0.86 and 0.74, respectively (P = .105)., [Conclusions] High-risk patients treated with AI performed better than predicted, and this adds to the evidence for the efficacy of neoadjuvant AI in STS., This was a nonfunded analysis. In the ISG-STS 1001 trial, PharmaMar provided trabectedin for the HG-MRLPS cohort. That trial was partially funded through a European Union grant (EUROSARC FP7 278472).

Background Our previous phase-3 study (TTCC 2503) failed to show overall survival advantage of 2 induction chemotherapy (IC) regimens followed by standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) over CRT alone in patients with unresectable locally advanced head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC). This study described the long-term survival of those patients. Materials and methods Long-term follow-up study of patients with untreated LAHNSCC assigned to IC (three cycles), with either docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF arm) or cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (PF arm), followed by CRT, or CRT alone, included in the previous TTCC 2503 trial. Results In the intention-to-treat population (n = 439), the median OS times were 25.4 (95% CI, 16.8-34.4), 26.2 (95% CI, 18.2-36.6) and 25.4 months (95% CI, 17.4-36.0) in the TPF-CRT, PF-CRT and CRT arms, respectively (log-rankp = 0.51). In the per-protocol population (n = 355), patients with larynx-hypopharynx primary tumors treated with IC (TPF or PF) followed by CRT had a longer median PFS than those who received CRT alone. Moreover, patients with ECOG 0 treated with IC (TPF or PF) followed by CRT had a better TTF than those with CRT alone. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of OS, PFS or TTF, according to the tumor load or affected nodes. Conclusion After a long follow-up, the TTCC 2503 trial failed to show the benefit of IC-CRT in unresectable LAHNSCC regarding the primary end point. However, fit patients with ECOG 0 and primary larynx-hypopharyngeal tumors may benefit from the use of IC if administered by an experienced team. ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT00261703

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., Highlights • 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.

MRP-1 is implicated in multidrug resistance and was described as prognostic in high-risk patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) in a previous study. The current research aimed to validate MRP-1 prognostic/predictive value in localized sarcomas treated with anthracyclines plus ifosfamide within the ISG-1001 phase III study. In addition, the inhibitory activity on MRP-1 was investigated in preclinical studies to identify new combinations able to increase the efficacy of standard chemotherapy in STS. MRP-1 expression was assessed by IHC in tissue microarrays from patients with STS and tested for correlation with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). In vitro studies tested the efficacy of MRP-1 inhibitors (nilotinib, ripretinib, selumetinib, and avapritinib) in sarcoma cell lines. The effect of combinations of the most active MRP-1 inhibitors and chemotherapy was measured on the basis of apoptosis. MRP-1 was evaluable in 231 of 264 cases who entered the study. MRP-1 expression (strong intensity) was independently associated with worse DFS [HR, 1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–2.83; P = 0.016], in the multivariate analysis, with a trend for a worse OS (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 0.97–3.25; P = 0.062). In vitro studies showed that the addition of MRP-1 inhibitors (nilotinib or avapritinib) to doxorubicin plus palifosfamide, significantly increased cell death in SK-UT-1 and CP0024 cell lines. MRP-1 is an adverse predictive factor in localized high-risk patients with STS treated with neoadjuvant anthracyclines plus ifosfamide followed by surgery. In vitro findings support the clinical assessment of the combination of chemotherapy and MRP-1 inhibitors as a promising strategy to overcome the drug ceiling effect for chemotherapy., The study was partially funded through a European Union grant (EUROSARC FP7 278472). The authors would like to thank Patricio Ledesma Figueroa for Data Management. J. Martin-Broto, D.S. Moura and N. Hindi would like to thank the International Accelerator Award funded by Cancer Research UK [C56167/A29363], Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro [AIRC - 24297] and Fundacion Científica – Asociacion Espanola Contra el Cancer [Foundation AECC - GEACC19007MA]. D.S. Moura was supported by a Sara Borrell grant (CD20/00155) funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. C. Romagosa was supported by a grant from the “Programa d'impuls del talent i de l'ocupabilitat del PERIS 2016–2020.” J-Y. Blay would like to express gratitude for the support from NetSARC (INCA and DGOS) EURACAN (EC 739521) and LYRICAN (INCA-DGOS-INSERM 12563). The ISH1001 study was supported by Eurosarc (FP7–278742).

Background We aimed at identifying molecular markers predictive of clinical outcome in patients with head and neck cancer based on the expression profile of cells showing epithelial-like (EL) or mesenchymal-like (ML) phenotypes. Materials and methods We analyzed the association between EL and ML cells and migration, drug resistance, or tumor growth. The differential gene expression profile between cell types was used to build a model to stratify patients according to survival. Results EL cells were sensitive to cisplatin and cetuximab, showed low migration, and generated squamous differentiated tumors in mouse. A differential 93-gene expression signature between ML and EL cells was used to build a three-gene (EFS, GPX2, and SPRR1A) survival model by analyzing the RNA-seq data of the TCGA-HNSC project. Its prognostic value was confirmed in two independent cohorts. Conclusion EFS, GPX2, and SPRR1A are prognostic markers able to distinguish clinical outcome among subtypes sharing an EL phenotype.

[Background] A solitary fibrous tumour is a rare soft-tissue tumour with three clinicopathological variants: typical, malignant, and dedifferentiated. Preclinical experiments and retrospective studies have shown different sensitivities of solitary fibrous tumour to chemotherapy and antiangiogenics. We therefore designed a trial to assess the activity of pazopanib in a cohort of patients with malignant or dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour. The clinical and translational results are presented here., [Methods] In this single-arm, phase 2 trial, adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with histologically confirmed metastatic or unresectable malignant or dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour at any location, who had progressed (by RECIST and Choi criteria) in the previous 6 months and had an ECOG performance status of 0–2, were enrolled at 16 third-level hospitals with expertise in sarcoma care in Spain, Italy, and France. Patients received pazopanib 800 mg once daily, taken orally without food, at least 1 h before or 2 h after a meal, until progression or intolerance. The primary endpoint of the study was overall response measured by Choi criteria in the subset of the intention-to-treat population (patients who received at least 1 month of treatment with at least one radiological assessment). All patients who received at least one dose of the study drug were included in the safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02066285, and with the European Clinical Trials Database, EudraCT number 2013-005456-15., [Findings] From June 26, 2014, to Nov 24, 2016, of 40 patients assessed, 36 were enrolled (34 with malignant solitary fibrous tumour and two with dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour). Median follow-up was 27 months (IQR 16–31). Based on central radiology review, 18 (51%) of 35 evaluable patients had partial responses, nine (26%) had stable disease, and eight (23%) had progressive disease according to Choi criteria. Further enrolment of patients with dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour was stopped after detection of early and fast progressions in a planned interim analysis. 51% (95% CI 34–69) of 35 patients achieved an overall response according to Choi criteria. Ten (29%) of 35 patients died. There were no deaths related to adverse events and the most frequent grade 3 or higher adverse events were hypertension (11 [31%] of 36 patients), neutropenia (four [11%]), increased concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (four [11%]), and increased concentrations of bilirubin (three [8%])., [Interpretation] To our knowledge, this is the first trial of pazopanib for treatment of malignant solitary fibrous tumour showing activity in this patient group. The manageable toxicity profile and the activity shown by pazopanib suggests that this drug could be an option for systemic treatment of advanced malignant solitary fibrous tumour, and provides a benchmark for future trials., Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS), Italian Sarcoma Group (ISG), French Sarcoma Group (FSG), GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis.

[Background] Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare sarcoma with low sensitivity to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Retrospective evidence suggests that antiangiogenic drugs could be a treatment option. We aimed to investigate the activity of pazopanib, an antiangiogenic drug, in patients with advanced extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma., [Methods] In this single-arm, open-label phase 2 trial, three parallel independent cohorts of different histotypes of advanced sarcomas were recruited (extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, typical solitary fibrous tumour, and malignant-dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour). In each cohort, patients received pazopanib. In this Article, we report the results of the cohort of patients with advanced extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. Separate reporting of the three cohorts was prespecified in the study protocol. In this cohort, adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with a diagnosis of NR4A3-translocated, metastatic, or unresectable extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, who had Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) progression in the previous 6 months, and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2, were enrolled at 11 study sites of the Spanish, Italian, and French sarcoma groups. Patients received oral pazopanib (800 mg/day) continuously, until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, death, non-compliance, patient refusal, or investigator's decision. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an objective response according to RECIST 1·1 in the modified intention-to-treat population (patients who provided consent and had a central molecularly confirmed diagnosis of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma). The safety analysis included all patients who received at least one dose of pazopanib. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02066285., [Findings] Between June 24, 2014, and Jan 17, 2017, 26 patients entered the study and started pazopanib. Of these, 23 met the eligibility criteria for the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Median follow-up was 27 months (IQR 18–30). 22 patients (one patient died before the primary analysis) were evaluable for the primary endpoint: four (18% [95% CI 1–36]) had a RECIST objective response. No deaths or grade 4 adverse events occurred. The most frequent grade 3 adverse events were hypertension (nine [35%] of 26 patients), increased concentration of alanine aminotransferase (six [23%]), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (five [19%])., [Interpretation] Pazopanib had clinically meaningful antitumour activity in patients with progressive and advanced extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, and could be considered a suitable option after failure to respond to first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy in these patients., Funding: Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas, Italian Sarcoma Group, French Sarcoma Group, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis.

[Background] Solitary fibrous tumour is an ultra-rare sarcoma, which encompasses different clinicopathological subgroups. The dedifferentiated subgroup shows an aggressive course with resistance to pazopanib, whereas in the malignant subgroup, pazopanib shows higher activity than in previous studies with chemotherapy. We designed a trial to test pazopanib activity in two different cohorts of solitary fibrous tumour: the malignant-dedifferentiated cohort, which was previously published, and the typical cohort, which is presented here., [Methods] In this single-arm, phase 2 trial, adult patients (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with confirmed metastatic or unresectable typical solitary fibrous tumour of any location, who had progressed in the previous 6 months (by Choi criteria or Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST]) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0–2 were enrolled at 11 tertiary hospitals in Italy, France, and Spain. Patients received pazopanib 800 mg once daily, taken orally, until progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, non-compliance, or a delay in pazopanib administration of longer than 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving an overall response measured by Choi criteria in patients who received at least 1 month of treatment with at least one radiological assessment. All patients who received at least one dose of the study drug were included in the safety analyses. This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02066285, and with the European Clinical Trials Database, EudraCT 2013-005456-15., [Findings] From June 26, 2014, to Dec 13, 2018, of 40 patients who were assessed, 34 patients were enrolled and 31 patients were included in the response analysis. Median follow-up was 18 months (IQR 14–34), and 18 (58%) of 31 patients had a partial response, 12 (39%) had stable disease, and one (3%) showed progressive disease according to Choi criteria and central review. The proportion of overall response based on Choi criteria was 58% (95% CI 34–69). There were no deaths caused by toxicity, and the most frequent adverse events were diarrhoea (18 [53%] of 34 patients), fatigue (17 [50%]), and hypertension (17 [50%])., [Interpretation] To our knowledge, this is the first prospective trial of pazopanib for advanced typical solitary fibrous tumour. The manageable toxicity and activity shown by pazopanib in this cohort suggest that this drug could be considered as first-line treatment for advanced typical solitary fibrous tumour., Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS), Italian Sarcoma Group (ISG), French Sarcoma Group (FSG), GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis.

[Background] Sarcomas exhibit low expression of factors related to immune response, which could explain the modest activity of PD-1 inhibitors. A potential strategy to convert a cold into an inflamed microenvironment lies on a combination therapy. As tumor angiogenesis promotes immunosuppression, we designed a phase Ib/II trial to test the double inhibition of angiogenesis (sunitinib) and PD-1/PD-L1 axis (nivolumab)., [Methods] This single-arm, phase Ib/II trial enrolled adult patients with selected subtypes of sarcoma. Phase Ib established two dose levels: level 0 with sunitinib 37.5 mg daily from day 1, plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously on day 15, and then every 2 weeks; and level −1 with sunitinib 37.5 mg on the first 14 days (induction) and then 25 mg per day plus nivolumab on the same schedule. The primary endpoint was to determine the recommended dose for phase II (phase I) and the 6-month progression-free survival rate, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (phase II)., [Results] From May 2017 to April 2019, 68 patients were enrolled: 16 in phase Ib and 52 in phase II. The recommended dose of sunitinib for phase II was 37.5 mg as induction and then 25 mg in combination with nivolumab. After a median follow-up of 17 months (4–26), the 6-month progression-free survival rate was 48% (95% CI 41% to 55%). The most common grade 3–4 adverse events included transaminitis (17.3%) and neutropenia (11.5%)., [Conclusions] Sunitinib plus nivolumab is an active scheme with manageable toxicity in the treatment of selected patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, with almost half of patients free of progression at 6 months., [Trial registration number] NCT03277924., This work was supported by GEIS and ISG. BMS and Pfizer provided drug supply and partial funding for shipping. Translational studies were partially funded by Beca Buesa from the GEIS group.

Introduction and objectives A high percentage of patients with locally advanced laryngeal carcinoma are candidates for inclusion in organ preservation protocols. The aim of this study was to compare in actual clinical practice the results of two preservation schemes, induction chemotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy, in patients with locally advanced laryngeal carcinoma. Methods Retrospective study conducted in 157 patients with locally advanced laryngeal tumours (T3-T4) treated with induction chemotherapy (n = 121) or chemoradiotherapy (n = 36). Results Of the 121 patients who started treatment with induction chemotherapy, 6 died as a result of toxicity, 37 were treated with surgery, and 78 completed the preservation scheme; 36 patients were treated with chemoradiotherapy. There was no significant difference in specific survival at 5 years according to whether the patients had started treatment with either induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (68.9% versus 75.7%, P = .259). A total of 45.9% of the patients achieved preservation of laryngeal function. There was a tendency for patients treated with chemotherapy to achieve laryngeal dysfunction-free survival at 5 years, which was higher than the patients treated with induction chemotherapy (55.6% versus 44.8%, P = .079). Conclusion The patients included in a preservation protocol achieved 45.9% laryngeal dysfunction-free survival at 5 years. No significant difference in specific survival was observed between patients treated with induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.

11529 Background: Nab-paclitaxel (albumin-bound paclitaxel) has shown preclinical activity against pediatric solid tumors. Preclinical data in EwS PDX models suggested high activity of nab-paclitaxel in tumors expressing high-levels of SPARC. Tumoral SPARC facilitates the accumulation of albumin in the tumor and increases the effectiveness of albumin-bound paclitaxel. Nab-paclitaxel utilizes albumin to deliver paclitaxel via caveolin-mediated endocytosis which is expressed in the EwS cells surface. We hypothesized that SPARC can be a predictive biomarker for nab-paclitaxel in EwS and DSRCT that could potentially be relevant for a better design of clinical trials and personalized treatments using nab-paclitaxel. Methods: Main endpoint of GEIS-39 was the overall response rate (ORR) assessed by RECIST 1.1 criteria with centralized pathology and imaging review. Secondary objectives included safety according to the CTCAE 4.0 criteria. Patients aged ≥ 6 months and ≤ 40 years, with relapsed/refractory DSRCT were eligible after having received at least one previous poly-chemotherapy line; EwS must have received at least two standard chemotherapy lines. Prior taxane therapy was accepted. Central pathology review selected for tumors with > Grade 3 (intense and diffuse) expression of SPARC by immunohistochemistry to be eligible. Nab-paclitaxel was administered as follows: age ≥ 21 and ≤ 40 years: 125 mg/m2 days 1, 8 and 15 in cycles of 28 days; age ≥ 6 months and ≤ 20 years: 240 mg/m2 days 1, 8 and 15 in cycles of 28 days. A 30% ORR was anticipated with a sample size of 25 patients needed to test the hypothesis. Stopping rule was set at 1 response within the first 16 treated pts. If 5 or more successes were observed in 25 pts, the results of the trial will warrant further investigation. Results: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled from June 2017 until October 2019, 11 DSRCT and 18 EwS. Median age was 32 years (range 14-69), and 5 females and 24 males were included, having received a median of 3 previous systemic treatment lines. Patients received a median of 3 cycles of nab-paclitaxel (range 1-17). In the EwS cohort an ORR of 33.3% (all partial responses, median duration 2 months) and 16.7% of stabilizations were achieved. No objective responses were observed among DSRCT pts, but 27.3% of pts achieved a stabilization. Overall, median progression free survival was 2.8 months and median overall survival 12.1 months, with no significant differences between DSRCT and EwS cohorts. Most common grade 3 toxicities were neutropenia (20.7%) and diarrhea (10.3%). Conclusions: Single agent nab-paclitaxel in biomarker selected EwS patients, but not in DSRCT, provided clinically meaningful activity that deserves further development. Nab-paclitaxel had a manageable adverse event profile. Clinical trial information: 2016-002464-14.

11511 Background: Pazopanib (P) was assessed prospectively in a phase 2 study in SFT resulting in a longer progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to historical controls treated with chemotherapy. No statistical correlation was found between angiogenic factors and P in its pivotal phase III sarcoma trial. In the last two years, a soaring interest on the prognostic and predictive value of inflammatory indexes such as neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte (PLR) is emerging in sarcomas. A retrospective analysis of inflammatory indexes of patients who entered the GEIS-32 (NCT02066285) trial was performed. In that trial advanced SFT patients were treated with P from front-line. Methods: All eligible patients who entered in the typical- and malignant-SFT cohort of the GEIS-32 trial were included in this analysis. To determine NLR and PLR, baseline values of platelets (10e9/L), neutrophils (10e9/L) and lymphocytes (10e9/L) were obtained from complete blood count tests. Additionally, RDW (standardized as 1 = upper value of normal range) values at baseline were also determined. The impact of NLR, PLR and RDW on OS, PFS and Choi response were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. MAXSTAT was used to determine optimal cut-off points for overall survival. Metastasis free interval (MFI), mitotic count and ECOG were also analyzed, among others. Results: Sixty-seven out of 70 enrolled SFT patients, median age 63-y and 57% female, were considered for this analysis. The median follow-up from treatment initiation was 20.0 months. High standardized RDW value at baseline (cut-off 1.03) was significantly associated with worse OS [10.7 months (95% CI 3.8-17.5) vs 49.8 months (95% CI 9.4-90.2), p < 0.001] and worse PFS [8.8 months (95% CI 0.9-7.0) vs 9.8 months (7.4-12.3), p = 0.001]. High PLR (cut-off 242) significantly correlated with worse OS [10.7 months (95% CI 5.2-16.2) vs 49.8 months (95% CI 14.6-85.0), p < 0.001] and worse PFS [4.5 months (95% CI 2.0-7.0) vs 10.1 months (95% CI 6.3-13.9), p = 0.005], and high NLR (cut-off 3.78) was significantly associated with worse OS [11.7 months (95% CI 3.5-19.8) vs NA, p < 0.001] and worse PFS [4.5 months (95% CI 1.9-7.0) vs 10.8 months (95% CI 8.7-12.9), p = 0.010]. Independent variables in multivariate analysis were NLR, RDW, MFI and mitosis for PFS; while RDW and ECOG for OS (see table). Further, NLR and mitosis were independent factors for Choi progressive disease (as best response). Conclusions: High NLR and RDW values were independent biomarkers of worse outcome in advanced SFT patients treated with pazopanib.[Table: see text]

11554 Background: RPS local recurrence after radical surgery (SX) is frequent and a major cause of death. Locally delivered CHT by a biocompatible and biodegradable implant matrix (CEB-01) loaded with SN-38 and placed in the surgical bed during SX may increase local control and survival in RPS patients with reduced systemic toxicity. Methods: This is a multicentre, open label, first-in-human phase 1 trial comprising a dose-escalation phase (3 cohorts with total SN-38 doses of 9, 18 and 36 mg respectively), followed by an expansion cohort at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Recurrent or locally advanced RPS patients candidates for local surgery, with no option of systemic treatment, ECOG < 2, life expectancy > 6 months, and normal organ function are eligible. Primary objective is to determine RP2D, defined as the dose level at which less than 33% of patients present dose limiting toxicity (DLT) in a minimum of 6 at-risk patients during the first two weeks after SX. DLT is defined as any Grade ≥3 toxicity. Secondary objectives include safety, time to recurrence, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics (PK) and quality of life (QoL). Here we report preliminary safety, efficacy, and PK data for the initial patients enrolled. Results: First cohort of 9 mg SN-38 was completed in february 2021, with the inclusion of three patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma, (grade 2-3) Patients were male, age 65 to 74, with ECOG of 0-1. Optimal SX were performed for recurrent/metastatic disease (2 patients) or locally advanced disease (1 patient) with complete (R0) and optimal (R1) outcomes. There were no surgical complications attributed to the SN-38 treatment. One patient suffered from grade 2 (Dindo Clavien classification) intestinal subocclusion due to SX complication resolved with medical treatment at day 5. Frequency and severity of adverse events (AE) was low. All the patients presented transitory abdominal discomfort and seroma. AEs consisted of one catheter infection and one hypomagnesemia, both grade 3. Only one treatment related AE (TRAE) consisting of alopecia grade 1 was reported. There were no DLTs observed during the first administrations of CEB-01 (9 mg SN38). SN38 and its glucuronidated SN-38 systemic levels were low, reaching a peak (Cmax) of 0.60 and 3.3 ng/mL at 2 and 6 hours respectively, and were detectable 27 days after CEB-01 implantation in the surgical bed, at 0.1 and 0.6 ng/mL respectively. Conclusions: CEB-01 biocompatible and resorbable implant matrix loaded with SN38 has proven to be safe upon first human administrations in RPS patients, with scarce low grade AEs and TRAE. Preliminary PK indicates low, prolonged, systemic SN-38 exposure as expected. Currently the second cohort of this trial is open for recruitment. Clinical trial information: NCT04619056.

11543 Background: The ceiling-drug effect seen for most active drugs in STS could be related, partially, to multidrug resistance mechanisms (MDRM). We previously reported the independent prognostic role for RFS and OS of MRP1 in high-risk localized STS of limbs and trunk-wall treated with epirubicin and ifosfamide (Mol Cancer Ther.2014 13(1):249-59). A translational study was carried out within the randomized phase III trial of epirubicin plus ifosfamide vs histotype-tailored neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT01710176), to investigate MRP1 prognostic value using the trial population as validation set. Methods: Patients enrolled in the trial were invited to participate, through the informed consent, to this analysis. IHC used QCRL-1 (Santa Cruz biotechnology) MRP1 monoclonal antibody. TMAs were built on the highest-grade area of each tumor, being the procedure blinded for clinical data. MRP1 expression was grouped as low (≤ 25% positive cells) vs high ( > 25% positive cells) expression. For data analysis, patients were grouped as A) epirubicin plus ifosfamide control arm and B) histotype-tailored experimental arm. Drugs used in group B were: gemcitabine-docetaxel (UPS), gemcitabine-DTIC (LMS), trabectedin (High-grade (HG) myxoid LPS), ifosfamide-etoposide (MPNST) and high-dose ifosfamide (SS). Prognostic value of MRP1’s extension was analyzed using Cox’s proportional hazard regression. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 175 patients were analyzed (median age 49; males 61%) with median follow-up of 4.66 y. Group A (n = 88) included HG-myxoid LPS (27%), SS (25%), UPS (24%), LMS (12%) MPNST (10%) and others (2%); group B (n = 87) included UPS (38%), SS (24%), HG-myxoid LPS (20%), LMS (10%) and MPNST (8%). MRP1 high extension was distributed as follows: 48% (A) and 57% (B). High MRP-1 expression showed significantly worse prognosis for disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 2.71 (1.31-5.62) p = 0.007) and a trend towards worse OS (HR = 2.75 (0.97-7.81) p = 0.058) in group A. No correlation was seen between MRP-1 expression and DFS (p = 0.384) or OS (p = 0.665), in group B. Conclusions: MRP1 overexpression was related to significant worse prognosis in 2 prospective randomized series of high-risk, localized, STS treated with neoadjuvant epirubicin and ifosfamide. These agents are both substrate of MRP1; this could add rationale for a possible predictive role, as MDRM, for the two most active drugs in STS. A trial combining epirubicin, ifosfamide and MRP1 inhibitor is currently under design.

11558 Background: We investigated the prognostic relevance of % change in LTD in patients (pts) with localized high-risk STS treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a phase 3 randomized trial (NCT01710176), aimed at comparing 3 cycles of a neoadjuvant histology-tailored (HT) over 3 cycles of standard anthracycline + ifosfamide chemotherapy (S). Methods: Pts with localized high-risk STS of extremities or trunk wall, and a diagnosis of myxoid liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma were randomly assigned to receive 3 cycles of S or HT. Pts affected by myxofibrosarcoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma, pleomorphic rhabomyosarcoma unclassified spindle cell sarcoma were prospectively registered and treated by S. Change of LTD was assessed comparing baseline dimension with that measured after 3 cycles of S or HT, before surgery. Only pts treated with neodjuvant chemotherapy alone were selected for the analysis. We first investigated Overall Survival (OS) from surgery of the groups identified by “any % reduction”, “no-change” or “increase” in LTD by Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests. Then we searched for cutoffs able to separate prognosis among pts with a LTD reduction applying the change-point method proposed by Contal - O’Quigley. Results: Of 325 pts who entered the study and evaluable for response, 181 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (92 S and 89 HT group respectively) and were analyzed, while 144 received concurrent chemo-radiotherapy and were excluded. In the whole population, % changes in LTD were significantly associated (log rank p = 0.032) to OS. “Any % reduction in LTD (101/181pts) displayed a better prognosis compared to “no-change” (28/181 pts) or “any % increase” (52/181). The change-point analysis was applied to all, S and HT groups separately; a cutoff of = / > 18.75% decrease in LTD was the optimal predictor of outcome for the S group (p = 0.031), while no size cut-off could be identified for the HT group. Conclusions: In our study, % change in LTD of pts treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for localized high-risk STS correlated with OS. However, a % decrease in LTD cut-off able to predict the best outcome could be identified only for pts treated in the S group, while no differences in outcome were found by any % LTD change in the HT group. Interestingly, the LTD cut-off identified in the S group was lower than the one selected to define a response by RECIST ( = / > 18.75% decrease in LTD vs = / > 30%). Clinical trial information: NCT01710176 .

e23531 Background: The Complexity INdex in SARComas (CINSARC) is a gene expression signature related to mitosis and chromosome integrity that stratifies risk for recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients. The aim of this study was to validate the prognostic value of CINSARC in patients enrolled in a randomised trial that compared histotype-tailored neoadjuvant chemotherapy with standard chemotherapy in patients with high-risk STS (ISG-STS 1001). Methods: CINSARC is 67-gene-expression-based signature that has been previously tested in retrospective series. The ISG-STS 1001 was a phase 3 RCT comparing histotype-tailored and anthracycline-based chemotherapy in localised, high-risk STS of the extremities or trunk wall, with one of five histological STS subtypes: high-grade myxoid liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Outcome variables were disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and tumour response according to RECIST v1.1. Results: CINSARC was assessed in pre-treatment biopsies of 87 in 435 patients participating in the study. Thirty and 57 patients segregated in the lower (C1) and higher (C2) CINSARC risk group, respectively. Incidence of local recurrences (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) did not differ between C1 and C2 CINSARC groups [2 (6.6%) and 11 (19.3%) patients had a LR, respectively, and 10 (33.3%) and 14 (24.5%) patients had DM, respectively, P = 0.800]. Consistently, we did not observe statistically significant differences for DFS and OS between patients in the CINSARC C1 and C2 groups (log-rank test, P = 0.522 and P = 0.480, respectively). RECIST tumour response was analysed in a subset of patients (N = 39), showing that a RECIST SD was more likely in C1 (N = 12/14, 85.6%) compared to C2 (N = 18/25, 72%) group, while both RECIST PD and PR were more commonly detected in C2 [3/25 (12%) and 4/25 (16%), respectively] compared to C1 [0/14 (0%) and 1/14 (7.1%), respectively] group. Conclusions: In high-risk STS patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy within a RCT, CINSARC did not correlate with different DFS and OS. While this may well be due to a failure of this gene signature in this patient population, an alternative hypothesis is that preoperative chemotherapy may improve the prognosis of higher-risk patients. Clinical trial information: NCT01710176 .

Background Myxoid liposarcoma (ML) exhibits a special sensitivity to trabectedin (T) and radiation therapy (RT). Preclinical data suggest a synergistic effect. We aimed to study safety, feasibility and activity of the administration of pre-operative concurrent T and RT in patients affected by localized resectable ML. Methods Patients received 3 cycles (C) of T in combination with RT (45 Gy) in 25 fractions (1.8 Gy/fraction). Dose Levels for T were: − 1 (1.1 mg/m2), 0 (1.3 mg/m2) and 1 (1.5 mg/m2). Primary endpoint was safety; antitumor activity was assessed by RECIST and Choi criteria. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02275286 . The phase 1 part of the study is complete and phase 2 is ongoing. Findings From February 2015 to May 2016, 14 patients (M/F 7/7), median age 36 years (range 24–70) and median tumor size 12.5 cm (range 7–17 cm), were enrolled. One dose limiting toxicity (G3 transaminitis) occurred at Level 0 and one (sepsis due to catheter infection) at Level 1. All patients completed RT. Five patients achieved PR (36%), 8 SD (57%), 1 distant PD (7%) by RECIST, while 12 achieved PR (86%), 1 SD (7%) and 1 distant PD (7%) by Choi criteria. Twelve patients underwent surgery. Median viable residual tumor was 5% (0–60). Interpretation T in combination with RT showed a favorable safety profile and antitumor activity in localized ML. T dose of 1.5 mg/m2 is the recommended dose for the phase 2 study, which is ongoing. Funding This study was partially supported by Pharmamar.

LUX-Head & Neck 2 investigators., [Importance] Locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is treated curatively; however, risk of recurrence remains high among some patients. The ERBB family blocker afatinib has shown efficacy in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC., [Objective] To assess whether afatinib therapy after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) improves disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with HNSCC., [Design, Setting, and Participants] This multicenter, phase 3, double-blind randomized clinical trial (LUX-Head & Neck 2) studied 617 patients from November 2, 2011, to July 4, 2016. Patients who had complete response after CRT, comprising radiotherapy with cisplatin or carboplatin, with or without resection of residual disease, for locoregionally advanced high- or intermediate-risk HNSCC of the oral cavity, hypopharynx, larynx, or oropharynx were included in the study. Data analysis was of the intention-to-treat population., [Interventions] Patients were randomized (2:1) to treatment with afatinib (40 mg/d) or placebo, stratified by nodal status (N0-2a or N2b-3) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 or 1). Treatment continued for 18 months or until disease recurrence, unacceptable adverse events, or patient withdrawal., [Main Outcomes and Measures] The primary end point was DFS, defined as time from the date of randomization to the date of tumor recurrence or secondary primary tumor or death from any cause. Secondary end points were DFS at 2 years, overall survival (defined as time from the date of randomization to death), and health-related quality of life., [Results] A total of 617 patients were studied (mean [SD] age, 58 [8.4] years; 528 male [85.6%]). Recruitment was stopped after a preplanned interim futility analysis on July 4, 2016, on recommendation from an independent data monitoring committee. Treatment was discontinued. Median DFS was 43.4 months (95% CI, 37.4 months to not estimable) in the afatinib group and not estimable (95% CI, 40.1 months to not estimable) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.81-1.57; stratified log-rank test P = .48). The most common grade 3 and 4 drug-related adverse effects were acneiform rash (61 [14.8%] of 411 patients in the afatinib group vs 1 [0.5%] of 206 patients in the placebo group), stomatitis (55 [13.4%] in the afatinib group vs 1 [0.5%] in the placebo group), and diarrhea (32 [7.8%] in the afatinib group vs 1 [0.5%] in the placebo group)., [Conclusions and Relevance] This study’s findings indicate that treatment with afatinib after CRT did not improve DFS and was associated with more adverse events than placebo in patients with primary, unresected, clinically high- to intermediate-risk HNSCC. The use of adjuvant afatinib after CRT is not recommended., [Trial Registration] ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01345669., The study was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim.

BACKGROUND. Reference centers (RCs) are a key point for improving the survival of patients with soft‐tissue sarcomas (STS). The aim of this study was to evaluate selected items in the management of patients with STS, comparing results between RC and local hospitals (LHs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Diagnostic and therapeutic data from patients diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2011 were collected. Correlation with outcome was performed. RESULTS. A total of 622 sarcomas were analyzed, with a median follow‐up of 40 months. Imaging of primary tumor preoperatively (yes vs. no) correlated with a higher probability of free surgical margins (77.4% versus 53.7%; p = .006). The provenance of the biopsy (RC vs. LH) significantly affected relapse‐free survival (RFS; 3‐year RFS 66% vs. 46%, respectively; p = .019). Likewise, 3‐year RFS was significantly worse in cases with infiltrated (55.6%) or unknown (43.4%) microscopic surgical margins compared with free margins (63.6%; p < .001). Patients managed by RCs had a better 3‐year overall survival compared with those managed by LHs (82% vs. 70.4%, respectively; p = .003). Perioperative chemotherapy in high‐risk STS, more frequently administered in RCs than in LHs, resulted in significantly better 3‐year RFS (66% vs. 44%; p = .011). In addition, patients with stage IV disease treated in RCs survived significantly longer compared with those in LHs (30.4 months vs. 18.5 months; p = .036). CONCLUSION. Our series indicate that selected quality‐of‐care items were accomplished better by RCs over LHs, all with significant prognostic value in patients with STS. Early referral to an RC should be mandatory if the aim is to improve the survival of patients with STS. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE. This prospective study in patients diagnosed with soft‐tissue sarcoma shows the prognostic impact of reference centers in the management of these patients. The magnitude of this impact encompasses all steps of the process, from the initial management (performing diagnostic biopsy) to the advanced disease setting. This is the first prospective evidence showing improvement in outcomes of patients with metastatic disease when they are managed in centers with expertise. This study provides extra data supporting referral of patients with sarcoma to reference centers.

Background Serpin Family E Member 1 (SerpinE1) overexpression associates with poor clinical outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. This study analyzed the role of serpinE1 in HNSCC dissemination. Methods We studied the phenotypic characteristics and dissemination of HNSCC cells overexpressing serpinE1 using an orthotopic model and the association between serpinE1 overexpression and clinicopathological variables in patients included in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Results SerpinE1 overexpression increased proliferation, tumor budding, and the stromal component, while inhibiting apoptosis in primary tumors. It also enhanced the affectation and metastatic growth in lymph nodes, and the dispersion and growth of metastatic foci in the lung. High serpinE1 expression was associated with larger tumor size, undifferentiated tumors, lymph node metastasis, extracapsular spread, and the presence of perineural and angiolymphatic invasion. Conclusion SerpinE1 overexpression promotes tumor aggressiveness and metastatic dissemination to lymph nodes and lung consistently with its association with poor outcome in HNSCC patients.

Background We studied the association between the expression of a subset of previously identified genes and clinical outcome in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods We analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) the expression of 89 genes in tumor biopsies from stage III to IVa/b chemotherapy treated patients (n = 46). Two additional cohorts analyzed by RNAseq (The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA] project; n = 371) or immunohistochemistry (IHC; n = 73) were used to validate results. Results Thirty genes were associated with local-recurrence or progression-free survival. The best multi-gene decision-tree model to predict local recurrence included nuclear receptor coactivator 1 (NCOA1) and serum-amyloid A2 (SAA2) expression, whereas the best model to predict disease recurrence included creatine kinase mitochondrial 1 (CKMT1) and metal-regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF1). Both models were associated with cancer-specific survival. Results were confirmed analyzing the RNAseq data included in the TCGA project. CKMT1 and NCOA1 were identified as independent risk factors for survival in an independent cohort analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion CKMT1 and NCOA1 expression has prognostic significance in advanced-stage head and neck carcinoma. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015

High SERPINE1 expression is a common event in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, whether it plays a role in determining clinical outcome remains still unknown. We studied SERPINE1 as a prognostic marker in two HNSCC patient cohorts. In a retrospective study (n = 80), high expression of SERPINE1 was associated with poor progression-free (p = 0.022) and cancer-specific (p = 0.040) survival. In a prospective study (n = 190), high SERPINE1 expression was associated with poor local recurrence-free (p = 0.022), progression-free (p = 0.002) and cancer-specific (p = 0.006) survival. SERPINE1 expression was identified as an independent risk factor for progression-free survival in patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy or radiotherapy (p = 0.043). In both patient cohorts, high SERPINE1 expression increased the risk of metastasis spread (p = 0.045; p = 0.029). The association between SERPINE1 expression and survival was confirmed using the HNSCC cohort included in The Cancer Genome Atlas project (n = 507). Once again, patients showing high expression had a poorer survival (p < 0.001). SERPINE1 over-expression in HNSCC cells reduced cell proliferation and enhanced migration. It also protected cells from cisplatin-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Downregulation of SERPINE1 expression had the opposite effect. We propose SERPINE1 expression as a prognostic marker that could be used to stratify HNSCC patients according to their risk of recurrence.

[Background] To report on long-term results of a phase 3 trial comparing three versus five cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) with full-dose epirubicin+ifosfamide in high-risk soft tissue sarcomas (STS)., [Methods] Patients (pts) were randomized to receive three preoperative cycles of epirubicin 120 mg/m2 and ifosfamide 9 g/m2 (Arm A) or to receive the same three preoperative cycles plus two postoperative cycles (Arm B). Radiotherapy could be either delivered in the preoperative or in the postoperative setting. Non-inferiority of the primary end point, OS, was assessed by the confidence interval of the hazard ratio (HR; Arm A/Arm B) derived from Cox model., [Results] Between January 2002 and April 2007, 164 pts were assigned to arm A and 164 to arm B. At a median follow-up (FU) of 117 months (IQ range 103–135 months), 123 deaths were recorded: 58 in Arm A and 65 in Arm B. Ten-year OS was 61% for the entire group of patients: 64% in Arm A and 59% in Arm B. The intention-to-treat analysis confirmed that three cycles were not inferior to five cycles (one-sided 95% upper confidence limit was 1.24). A per protocol analysis was consistent with these results. Pts with leiomyosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) had the lowest, and the highest response rates, respectively. Consistently, Leiomyosarcoma and UPS had the worse and the best prognosis, respectively., [Conclusions] At a longer FU, the non-inferiority of three cycles of a full-dose conventional CT in comparison to five is confirmed. Response to therapy is also confirmed to be associated with better survival. This regimen is currently tested within an ongoing international trial against three cycles of a neoadjuvant histology-tailored CT (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01710176).

Background: Patients with extremity and trunk wall soft tissue sarcoma (STS) with high malignancy grade and size >5 cm are at high-risk of death. This risk varies depending also on other patient and tumour features, including histologic subtype. This study investigated whether a prognostic nomogram can improve risk assessment of these patients. Methods: Data from high-risk STS patients enrolled in a randomised controlled trial investigating different perioperative chemotherapy regimens were analysed. Ten-year probability of overall survival (OS) and incidence of distant metastasis (DM) were computed using the prognostic nomogram Sarculator (pr-OS and inc-DM, respectively). Tumour response according to RECIST and Choi criteria was also investigated. Findings: Variation in pr-OS and inc-DM were observed and patients stratified in three prognostic groups. The 10-year OS in the low, intermediate, and high pr-OS categories were 0.42 (95%CI 0.32-0.52), 0.63 (95%CI 0.53-0.72), and 0.78 (95%CI 0.68-0.85), respectively. Patients in the intermediate (HR 0.51, P = 0.002) and high (HR 0.28, P < 0.001) pr-OS categories were at statistically significant lower risk of death compared with those in the low pr-OS category. Higher rate of Choi partial tumour responses were detected in intermediate pr-OS category. Tumour response according to Choi but not to RECIST criteria stratified patient survival of pr-OS categories, particularly for patients with intermediate to low pr-OS. Analyses conducted for 10-year inc-DM were consistent with results for pr-OS for prognostic value of Sarculator predictions and Choi tumour response. Interpretation: Sarculator identifies variations in outcomes of high-risk STS treated with perioperative chemotherapy and improve prognostic classification, which is also associated with different patterns of tumour response, an outcome that further stratifies survival particularly for patients predicted at higher risk. Future trials investigating neoadjuvant chemotherapy should consider prognostic tool for selecting patients to be enrolled. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is distinct from other cancers of the head and neck in biology, epidemiology, histology, natural history, and response to treatment. Radiation therapy is an essential component of curative-intent of non-disseminated disease and the association of chemotherapy improves the rates of survival. In the case of metastatic disease stages, treatment requires platinum/gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and patients may achieve a long survival time.

Giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) is a benign osteolytic tumour with three main cellular components: multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells, mononuclear spindle-like stromal cells (the main neoplastic components) and mononuclear cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. The giant cells overexpress a key mediator in osteoclastogenesis: the RANK receptor, which is stimulated in turn by the cytokine RANKL, which is secreted by the stromal cells. The RANK/RANKL interaction is predominantly responsible for the extensive bone resorption by the tumour. Historically, standard treatment was substantial surgical resection, with or without adjuvant therapy, with recurrence rates of 20-56 %. Studies with denosumab, a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to RANKL, resulted in dramatic treatment responses, which led to its approval by the United States Food and Drugs Administration (US FDA). Recent advances in the understanding of GCTB pathogenesis are essential to develop new treatments for this locally destructive primary bone tumour., Writing assistance was funded by Amgen S.A. and provided by Dr. Neus Valveny from TFS Develop.

Gemcitabine plus sirolimus enhances apoptosis in vitro and increases anti-tumor efficacy in vivo in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) models. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of the combination of gemcitabine plus sirolimus in patients with STS after failure of standard chemotherapy. Advanced STS patients, previously treated with doxorubicin and/or ifosfamide, were included in this single-arm phase II study. Patients received gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 intravenously (iv) at 10 mg/m2/min on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks plus sirolimus 5 mg daily orally (po). After enrolment of the first 12 patients, the study protocol was amended due to toxicity and the starting dose of sirolimus was reduced to 3 mg daily po. Archival tumor samples were analyzed for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) expression and correlated with outcome. The primary endpoint was progression-free rate (PFR) at 3 months. From May 2012 to May 2013, 28 patients were enrolled at eight centers. PFR at 3 and 6 months was 44% and 20%, respectively, with 12 patients being free of progression at 3 months. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.85 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73–2.97) and median overall survival (OS) was 9.2 months (95% CI 5.8–12.5). No responses were observed. The most common grade 3–4 hematologic toxicities were neutropenia (48%) and leukopenia (41%) and the most frequent grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities were infection (18.5%), transaminitis (15%), fatigue (11%), and pneumonitis (11%). ERK1/2 expression was significantly correlated with PFS (p = 0.026). The combination of gemcitabine and sirolimus is an active treatment in STS. Further investigation is warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01684449.

Background Patients (pts) not candidates to platinum-based therapies have limited therapeutic options. The addition of P to PTX followed by RT + P may be an alternative to platinum-based therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the activity of P + PTX as induction treatment (Tx) in pts with LAHNC. Methods Phase II, single arm, multicenter study, in pts≥18 years with CT/RT-naive stage III-IVb LAHNC not candidates to aggressive Tx. All pts received PTX (80 mg/m2/week [w]) + P (6 mg/kg every 2w) during 9w as induction Tx followed by P and RT (70 Gy/35 fractions/7w).The primary endpoint was RR after induction Tx. With a Simon’s two stage design, p1 at the end of the study was defined as > 36 of 61 patients achieving complete (CR) or partial response (PR) to induction Tx. Results The study included 51 pts: median 70 years (range 45-84), 98% men. Reasons for cisplatin ineligibility: > 70 years old in 3 pts, mild or moderate adult comorbidity [ACE-27 comorbidity index] in 46 pts, severe adult comorbidity in 1 pt and ECOG: 2 in 1 pt. RR after induction was 66.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 53.7-79.6): 8 (15.7%) CR and 26 (51.0%) PR. Median progression-free survival was 12.2 months (m) (95% CI: 7.6 - 35.0] and median overall survival was 31.5 m (95%: 14.3 - not reached) with a median duration of follow-up of 31.9 m (range, 1-61). Incidence of grade 3/4 P and/or PTX-related Adverse Events (AEs) was 72.5%. Most frequent grade 3/4 P and/or PTX- related AEs (>5% of pts) were: 5.9% dermatitis, 5.9% neutropenia, 5.9% dry mouth, 5.9% stomatitis, 7.8% asthenia, 15.7% eruption, 15.7% skin toxicity and 27.5% mucosal inflammation. Five (9.8%) pts had fatal AEs, 2 (3.9%) of them related to P and/or PTX. Conclusions Despite the study ended prematurely, the RR observed is higher than the pre-specified boundary to consider the treatment active to justify further studies. PTX combined with P as induction Tx provide a clinically significant benefit with an acceptable safety profile. Clinical trial identification 2012-003038-17. Editorial acknowledgement Marta Munoz-Tuduri (TFS, S.L.). Legal entity responsible for the study Study carried out by Grupo Espanol de Tratamiento de Tumores de Cabeza y Cuello (TTCC). Funding Amgen S.A. Disclosure J. Martinez Trufero: Advisory / Consultancy: PharmaMar, Merck, Lilly, Eisai, Bristol-Myers; Honoraria (self), Medical meetings sponsor: PharmaMar, Merck, Lilly, Eisai. R. Mesia Nin: Advisory / Consultancy: Merck, BMS, MSD, AZ, Roche, Nanobiotix; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck, BMS, MSD. M. Taberna Sanz: Non-remunerated activity/ies: Merck; Non-remunerated activity/ies: AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self): Merck; Honoraria (self): Nanobiotics; Honoraria (self): MSD; Honoraria (self): Bristol Myers. J. Lambea Sorrosal: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck-Serono, MSD, Bristol. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. L. Iglesias: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck Serono, MSD, BMS, Bayer, Sanofi; Honoraria (self), medical education with honoraria: Merck Serono, MSD, AstraZeneca y BMS; Research grant / Funding (institution): Merck Serono, MSD, AstraZeneca, BMS, Novartis, Kura Oncology, Sanofi y Kura Oncology. P. Perez Segura: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS, Merck. J.J. Cruz-Hernandez: Honoraria (self): Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Advisory Board: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, MSD, Roche, Pfizer, Janssen Cilag; Advisory / Consultancy, Consulting: Roche.

Soft-tissue sarcomas are uncommon and heterogeneous tumors of mesenchymal origin. A soft-tissue mass that is increasing in size, greater than 5 cm, or located under deep fascia are criteria for suspicion of sarcoma. Diagnosis, treatment, and management should preferably be performed by a multidisciplinary team in reference centers. MRI and lung CT scan are mandatory for local and distant assessment. A biopsy indicating histological type and grade is needed previous to the treatment. Wide surgical resection with tumor-free tissue margin is the primary treatment for localized disease. Radiotherapy is indicated in large, deep, high-grade tumors, or after marginal resection not likely of being improved with reexcision. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy improve survival in selected cases, usually in high-grade sarcomas of the extremities. In the case of metastatic disease, patients with exclusive lung metastasis could be considered for surgery. First-line treatment with anthracyclines (or in combination with ifosfamide) is the treatment of choice. New drugs have shown activity in second-line therapy and in specific histological subtypes.

e17544 Background: Patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) have better prognosis and a lower risk of appearance of second primary neoplasm (SPN) than HPV-negative OPC patients. The aim of our study was to analyze the risk of developing SPN in a large group of patients with OPC according to HPV status in the primary tumor and its relationship with toxic habits. Methods: This study includes patients from a prospective data-base: 484 OPC patients were treated from 1991 to 2017 for which the HPV DNA positivity was evaluated by PCR in available tumor specimens. HPV DNA positive samples were further tested for HPV E6*I mRNA detection and/or p16INK4a immunohistochemistry. The mean follow-up of patients included in the study was 4.9 years (SD 5.1 years). We estimated the incidence of SPN in all cancer sites and in cancer sites related to tobacco and alcohol consumption according to the HPV status in the primary tumor. Results: Ninety-nine (20.5%) out of 484 OPCs included in the study were HPV-related. During the follow-up period, 127 patients with HPV-negative tumors (33.0%) and 19 patients with HPV-positive tumors (19.2%) had a SPN. Considering only the tobacco/alcohol-related SPNs, 106 of the patients with HPV-negative tumors (27.5%), and 12 patients with HPV-positive tumors (12.1%) had a tobacco/alcohol-related SPN (P < 0.0001). Five-year and 10-year SPN-free survival for HPV-negative versus HPV-positive OPC patients was 61.0% versus 81.5%, and 37.6% versus 73.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). When restricting the analyses to tobacco/alcohol-related SPNs, the corresponding survival rates were 66.6% versus 86.8% and 45.9% versus 83.5% for 5-year and 10-year survival rates, respectively (P < 0.0001). The frequency of tobacco/alcohol-related SPNs occurrence throughout the follow-up period for patients with HPV-negative OPC was 27.5%, for patients with HPV-positive tumors with a previous history of severe tobacco and/or alcohol use was 21.4%, and for patients with HPV-positive tumors without a history of severe tobacco and/or alcohol consumption it was 8.5% (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: HPV status and previous toxic habits might allow classifying patients regarding the risk of tobacco/alcohol-related SPNs. HPV-related OPC patients without previous history of severe tobacco and/or alcohol use have a significant low risk of SPN development, particularly in those locations related to tobacco use or alcohol consumption

Currently there are no molecular markers able to predict clinical outcome in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In a previous microarray study, RAB25 was identified as a potential prognostic marker. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between RAB25 expression and clinical outcome in patients with locally advanced HNSCC treated with standard therapy. In a retrospective immunohistochemical study (n = 97), we observed that RAB25-negative tumors had lower survival (log-rank, P = 0.01) than patients bearing positive tumors. In an independent prospective mRNA study (n = 117), low RAB25 mRNA expression was associated with poor prognosis. Using classification and regression tree analysis (CART) we established two groups of patients according to their RAB25 mRNA level and their risk of death. Low mRNA level was associated with poor local recurrence-free (log-rank, P = 0.005), progression-free (log-rank, P = 0.002) and cancer-specific (log-rank, P < 0.001) survival. Multivariate Cox model analysis showed that low expression of RAB25 was an independent poor prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio: 3.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.93–7.62, P < 0.001). Patients whose tumors showed high RAB25 expression had a low probability of death after treatment. We also found lower RAB25 expression in tumors than in normal tissue (Mann–Whitney U, P < 0.001). Moreover, overexpression of RAB25 in the UM-SCC-74B HNSCC cell line increased cisplatin sensitivity, and reduced cell migration and invasion. Our findings support a tumor suppressor role for RAB25 in HNSCC and its potential use to identify locally advanced patients with a high probability of survival after genotoxic treatment.

The diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma should be performed by an experienced multidisciplinary team. Considering it is a systemic disease, chemotherapy is essential for long-term success. The drugs most commonly used are: cisplatin, adriamycin, high-dose methotrexate, ifosfamide, etoposide, and, more recently, mifamurtide. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy allows to know tumour chemosensitivity and getting the main prognostic factor: the percentage of tumour necrosis. In addition to chemotherapy, it is important to conduct surgical resection of primary tumour with wide margins, and in disseminated disease also to attempt resection of pulmonary metastasis.

Purpose We report on feasibility of preoperative chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy (RT) in the context of a phase III randomized clinical trial involving localized, high-risk, soft tissue sarcomas. Patients and Methods Of 321 eligible patients, 161 were randomly assigned to three preoperative cycles of epirubicin 120 mg/m2 plus ifosfamide 9 g/m2, and 160 were randomly assigned to three preoperative plus two postoperative cycles. Among them, 303 patients were included in this analysis; 169 were male and 134 were female, with a median age of 48 years (range, 15 to 79 years). One hundred fifty-two patients received concurrent RT preoperatively at a total dose of 44 to 50 Gy. Preoperative chemotherapy-related hematologic toxicity and early postoperative complications were reported. The influence of RT, age, and sex on hematologic grade 3 or 4 toxicities and wound complications was analyzed. Chemotherapeutic dose intensity (DI) was analyzed. Results Among the patients, 61.4%, 22.4%, and 23.8% experienced, grade 4 leucopenia, grade 3 or 4 anemia, and grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, respectively. Respective rates were 66.4%, 24.3%, and 31.6% when RT was added preoperatively, and 56.3%, 20.5%, and 15.9% when preoperative chemotherapy was administered alone. Patient age affected grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Grade 4 leucopenia and grade 3 or 4 anemia presented 2.5 times more frequently in female patients than in male patients. Wound complications were observed in 13.5% of patients: 17% with preoperative RT and 10% without. Chemotherapeutic DI was greater than 90%, even in patients receiving preoperative RT and in patients age 65 years or older. Conclusion This preoperative chemotherapy is feasible and can also be proposed for selected elderly patients. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was common, but DI was excellent. Concurrent preoperative RT is safe, although an increased rate of grade 4 thrombocytopenia and limited increase in wound complications may be observed.

Primary malignant bone tumors are uncommon and heterogeneous malignancies. This document is a guideline developed by the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcoma with the participation of different specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of bone sarcomas. The aim is to provide practical recommendations with the intention of helping in the clinical decision-making process. The diagnosis and treatment of bone tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving as a minimum pathologists, radiologists, surgeons, and radiation and medical oncologists. Early referral to a specialist center could improve patients' survival. The multidisciplinary management of osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, chordoma, giant cell tumor of bone and other rare bone tumors is reviewed in this guideline. Ewing's sarcoma will be the focus of a separate guideline because of its specific biological, clinical and therapeutic features. Each statement has been accompanied by the level of evidence and grade of recommendation on the basis of the available data. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment of a localized bone tumor, with various techniques available depending on the histologic type, grade and location of the tumor. Chemotherapy plays an important role in some chemosensitive subtypes (such as high-grade osteosarcoma). In other subtypes, historically considered chemoresistant (such as chordoma or giant cell tumor of bone), new targeted therapies have emerged recently, with a very significant efficacy in the case of denosumab. Radiation therapy is usually necessary in the treatment of chordoma and sometimes of other bone tumors.

Head and neck cancer is one of the most frequent malignances worldwide. Despite the site-specific multimodality therapy, up to half of the patients will develop recurrence. Treatment selection based on a multidisciplinary tumor board represents the cornerstone of head and neck cancer, as it is essential for achieving the best results, not only in terms of outcome, but also in terms of organ-function preservation and quality of life. Evidence-based international and national clinical practice guidelines for head and neck cancer not always provide answers in terms of decision-making that specialists must deal with in their daily practice. This is the first Expert Consensus on the Multidisciplinary Approach for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) elaborated by the Spanish Society for Head and Neck Cancer and based on a Delphi methodology. It offers several specific recommendations based on the available evidence and the expertise of our specialists to facilitate decision-making of all health-care specialists involved. Merck Health Foundation

[Background] Patients with relapsed unresectable osteosarcoma represents an unmet need, so active and safe systemic treatments are required. Fas cell surface death receptor and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways are implicated in progressing osteosarcoma, and we had preclinical and clinical experience with a scheme that targets both pathways. Therefore, we designed a phase II trial with gemcitabine plus rapamycin, to determine the efficacy and safety, in this subset of patients., [Patients and methods] A multicenter, single-arm phase II trial was sponsored by the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcoma. Osteosarcoma patients, relapsed or progressing after standard chemotherapy and unsuitable for metastasectomy received gemcitabine and rapamycin p.o. 5 mg/day except for the same day of gemcitabine administration, and the day before. The main end point was 4-month progression-free survival rate (PFSR), with the assumption that rates higher than 40% would be considered as an active regimen. Translational research aimed to correlate biomarkers with the clinical outcome., [Results] Thirty-five patients were enrolled and received at least one cycle. PFSR at 4 months was 44%, and after central radiologic assessment, 2 partial responses and 14 stabilizations (48.5%) were reported from 33 assessable patients. The most frequent grade 3–4 adverse events were: neutropenia (37%), thrombocytopenia (20%), anemia (23%), and fatigue (15%); however, only three patients had febrile neutropenia. Positive protein expression of RRM1 significantly correlated with worse PFS and overall survival, while positivity of P-ERK1/2 was correlated with significant better overall survival., [Conclusion] Gemcitabine plus sirolimus exhibits satisfactory antitumor activity and safety in this osteosarcoma population, exceeding the prespecified 40% of 4-month PFSR. The significant correlation of biomarkers with clinical outcome encourages further prospective investigation., This work was funded by the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality of Spain, through a public competitive call (project reference EC11-444) and by the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcoma (GEIS), which sponsored the trial (no grant numbers apply).

11062 Background: Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is an exceedingly rare sarcoma, marked by a specific translocation involving the gene NR4A3 that can be rearranged with different partners. Preliminary retrospective data suggest that sunitinib is active, but no formal prospective studies are available. We report on a multicentric European prospective, investigator-driven, Phase 2 study on pazopanib (P) in NR4A3+ advanced EMC patients (pts), carried out by the Spanish, Italian and French Sarcoma groups. Methods: From June 2014 to November 2016, 24 advanced EMC pts entered this study (median age: 64 yrs - disease extent: metastatic 77%, locally advanced 23% - prior medical treatment: 18 (86%) naive; 2 (9%) 1 line, 1 (5%) > 1 line). Path diagnosis and NR4A3 rearrangement (FISH and/or real-time PCR analysis) were centrally confirmed. Pts received P 800 mg/day (relative dose intensity = 0,82%, 658 mg/day), until progression or toxicity. The primary study end-point was response rate as per RECIST 1.1. Secondary end-points were overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), clinical benefit rate (CBR) (RECIST CR+PR+SD≥6mos). An exploratory evaluation of the correlation between the rearrangement subtype and the outcome is ongoing. Results: 20/24 pts were evaluable for response (1 early death; 3 too early). One patient (5%) had a partial response, 17 (75%) stable disease, 2 (10%) progression as their best RECIST responses. At the time of this analysis, 12 pts were still under treatment, while 12 interrupted P (10 progression, 1 toxicity, 1 other). At a 13-month median follow-up, the median PFS was 13 months (range 1.6-25.1), with 29% pts progression-free at 18 months and a 65% CBR. Median OS was not reached. Conclusions: This Phase 2 study is formally negative since the target of at least 3/21 RECIST responses was not reached. However, looking at PFS, P was associated with a prolonged disease stabilization in a significant proportion of pts. This suggests to further explore the use of P in EMC. Clinical trial information: NCT02066285.

11003 Background: SFT is a rare soft tissue tumor. In advanced SFT chemotherapy has only limited activity. With the rationale of a rich vascular network & VEGF (tumor cells and endothelium) and VEGFR1/2 (endothelial cells) expression in SFT, we designed an international, single-arm phase II trial to test pazopanib (P) in advanced SFT. Clinical and preclinical evidence suggesting that antiangiogenics was less effective in more aggressive compared with less aggressive SFT (Stacchiotti et al), led us to conduct the trial on two different cohorts: typical and malignant (M)/dedifferentiated (DD) SFT. Here we present the outcome of the latter cohort. Methods: Most relevant inclusion criteria were: unresectable or metastatic, M/DD SFT confirmed by central pathologic review with evidence of STAT6 (IHC and /or FISH or RT-PCR), ≥ 18 years, ECOG 0-2, progressive and measurable disease. Main endpoint was response rate (RR) according Choi criteria. Central radiological assessment was mandatory. P was administered at 800 mg/d continuously until progression or toxicity. Results: From June 2014 to November 2016, 34 patients (pts) were enrolled with a median age of 61 y (23-87). Median tumor size and mitosis at diagnosis were 77 mm and 8x10 HPF. Most relevant grade 3-4 toxicity were neutropenia (9%) and hypertension (12%). At the time of the present analysis, 31 pts are evaluable for response. RR according to Choi and RECIST were: PR 16 (52%), SD 7 (22%), PD 8 (26%) and PR 1 (3%), SD 19 (61%), PD 11 (35%) respectively. With a median follow-up of 15 months, the median PFS was 5.53 months (4.24-6.82), while 72% survived at 18 months. Size > 5 cm, mitosis > 8 and DD subtype showed significantly worse PFS. The 18-month OS was 90% for those with SD and PR and 25% for PD according to Choi (p < 0.001), while 94% for SD and PR and 45% for PD according RECIST (p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, only Choi was an independent prognostic factor for OS with PD showing a HR of 11.9 (2.3-63.1), p = 0.003 for the risk of death. Conclusions: Pazopanib showed activity in malignant SFT. Choi criteria exhibited a more accurate assessment of response than RECIST. Clinical trial information: NCT02066285.

Purpose Several angiogenic prognostic markers are under investigation because of their potential clinical utility, aiming to improve patient outcomes. We hypothesized that genetic variant in the VEGF pathway could be used as prognostic markers of survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing pulmonary resection. Methods We evaluated the relationship between genetic variants in the VEGF pathway and relapse-free survival (RFS, main endpoint) and overall survival (OS, secondary endpoint) among 131 patients with stage I-III NSCLC treated with surgical resection from 2009 to 2013. Clinical, pathological and surgical data were prospectively collected. Twenty-five variants in sixteen relevant genes were selected and genotyped in tumor samples by real time PCR. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test and Cox's regression models were used for RFS and OS analyses. Results With a median follow-up of 36 (min = 2.8; max = 67.4) months, there were 31 (24%) relapses and 31 (24%) deaths. Overall, median RFS was not reached and median OS was 65 [95% confidence interval (CI) 56-75] months. The KRAS rs1137282 and PIK3C2A rs4356203 variants were significantly associated with RFS. For KRAS rs1137282, the 3-year RFS was 76% [95% CI 64-84%] in patients harboring an A/A genotype compared to 53% [95% CI 37-69%] in patients harboring an A/G or G/G genotype (p = 0.02). For PIK3C2A rs4356203, patients with an A/A or an A/G genotype had a 3-year RFS of 72% [95% CI 58-76%], whereas in patients with a G/G genotype was 49% [95% CI 28-70%] (p = 0.02). These associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for all the relevant clinical parameters in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion Genetic variants in VEGF pathway may be associated with recurrence in stage I-III NSCLC. Specifically, the KRAS rs1137282 could be considered as a prognostic factor for recurrence in resectable NSCLC patients. Although PIK3C2A rs4356203 was associated with RFS, further analyses are necessary to confirm these data.

Background Tasisulam sodium (hereafter tasisulam), a novel anticancer agent, is being studied in a broad range of tumors. The primary objective of this phase II study was to determine progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with 1 or 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for unresectable/metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Secondary objectives included objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), overall survival (OS), pharmacokinetics, and safety. Methods Tasisulam was administered intravenously on day 1 of 21-day cycles according to a lean body weight–based dosing algorithm targeting a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 420 μg/mL; a 360-μg/mL dose level was also explored. Results The median age of patients treated at 420 μg/mL was 58.3 years (range, 18.6–80.4; n = 63). Median PFS was 2.64 months (90 % CI, 1.41–3.38), with a 6-month PFS rate of 11 % (90 % CI, 4–17). Median OS was 8.71 months (90 % CI, 7.39–16.23); ORR, 3.2 %; and CBR, 46.0 % (stable disease, n = 27; partial response/confirmed, n = 2 [angiosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma]; partial response/unconfirmed, n = 1 [desmoplastic small round cell tumor]). The most frequent drug-related grade 3/4 toxicities in patients treated at 420 μg/mL were thrombocytopenia (27.0 %) and neutropenia (22.2 %). Incidences of grade 4 thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia were 20.6 % in patients treated at 420 μg/mL and 15.8 % in those treated at 360 μg/mL (n = 38). Conclusions Tasisulam at a target Cmax of 420 μg/mL on day 1 of 21-day cycles demonstrated modest activity as second-/third-line treatment in patients with STS. Grade 4 hematologic toxicity posed some challenges in these heavily pre-treated patients. Tasisulam dosing continues to be refined.

Purpose To assess the activity and toxicity of the combination of gemcitabine plus dacarbazine (DTIC) in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in a randomized, multicenter, phase II study using DTIC alone as a control arm. Patients and Methods Patients with previously treated advanced STS were randomly assigned to receive either fixed-dose rate gemcitabine (10 mg/m2/min) at 1,800 mg/m2 followed by DTIC at 500 mg/m2 every 2 weeks, or DTIC alone at 1,200 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. The primary end point of the study was progression-free rate (PFR) at 3 months. Results From November 2005 to September 2008, 113 patients were included. PFR at 3 months was 56% for gemcitabine plus DTIC versus 37% for DTIC alone (P = .001). Median progression-free survival was 4.2 months versus 2 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.86; P = .005), and median overall survival was 16.8 months versus 8.2 months (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.90; P = .014); both favored the arm of gemcitabine plus DTIC. Gemcitabine plus DTIC was also associated with a higher objective response or higher stable disease rate than was DTIC alone (49% v 25%; P = .009). Severe toxicities were uncommon, and treatment discontinuation for toxicity was rare. Granulocytopenia was the more common serious adverse event, but febrile neutropenia was uncommon. Asthenia, emesis, and stomatitis were the most frequent nonhematologic effects. Conclusion The combination of gemcitabine and DTIC is active and well tolerated in patients with STS, providing in this phase II randomized trial superior progression-free survival and overall survival than DTIC alone. This regimen constitutes a valuable therapeutic alternative for these patients.

Concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy is recommended for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable head and neck (H&N) cancer. The primary purpose of the Phase I part of the study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and recommended dose (RD) of docetaxel with hyperfractionation radiotherapy. The primary objective of the Phase II part was to determine the response rate to the RD of treatment and, secondarily, to assess the toxicity of the schedule, time to progression, duration of response and overall survival (OS). Patients (n=9 in Phase I; n=19 in Phase II) had unresectable H&N cancer. The starting docetaxel dose was 20 mg/m(2) plus hyperfractionated radiotherapy. Ramping of docetaxel was 5 mg/m(2) if MTD was not reached. MTD of docetaxel was 20 mg/m(2). Limiting toxicities were grade 4 pneumonia and grade 4 mucositis. The RD was 15 mg/m2. Phase II initial response was 76% (CR=18%; PR=9%); updated response was 89% (CR=59%; PR=29%). The median progression-free survival was 7.8 months (95%CI: 0-22.3) and the median OS was 15.1 months (95%CI: 0-35.9). Grade 3-4 toxicities included mucositis (91%), pneumonia (27%) and fatigue (27%). There were 5 toxic deaths (2 from intestinal perforation, 3 from pneumonia). Weekly docetaxel+hyperfractionation radiotherapy is active but with high toxicity rates and, hence, this treatment regimen would be difficult to justify.

We investigated the incidences of febrile neutropenia (FN) and related complications in elderly (>= 65 years) breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy supported by pegfilgrastim primary prophylaxis (PP; n=150) or current practice (CP) neutropenia management (n=104) in a subanalysis of NeuCuP (Neulasta (R) vs. current practice neutropenia management). Studies involving regimens with moderately high to high (>= 15%) FN risk were identified by literature review, and individual patient data were integrated for analysis. FN incidence was 6% (95% CI: 2, 10%) in the PP group and 24% (95% CI: 16, 32%) in the CP group. In cycle 1, incidences were 3 and 15%, respectively. FN-related hospitalisation incidence was 5% (PP group) and 15% (CP group), while dose reductions (>= 15%) occurred in 15 and 29% of patients. Pegfilgrastim provided effective PP in elderly patients, a population who may be vulnerable to chemotherapy-related FN and for whom current practice may not provide adequate protection. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

6007Background: Severe Oral Mucositis (SOM) is one of the most significant adverse events (AE) in H&N cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemo/bio-radiotherapy. The objective of the trial is to ...

11544Background: Patients (pts) with advanced STS who require tumor shrinkage beyond first line, have very limited options since the approved drugs exhibit less than 10% of RECIST response. Trabect...