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BACKGROUND: Little is known about the interaction of comorbidities and age on survival outcomes in colorectal ancer (mCRC), nor how comorbidities impact treatment tolerance. METHODS: We utilized a cohort of 1,345 mCRC patients enrolled in CALGB/SWOG 80405, a multicenter phase III trial of fluorouracil/leucovorin + oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus bevacizumab, cetuximab or both. Endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade ≥3 toxicities assessed using NCI CTCAE v.3.0. Participants completed a questionnaire, including a modified Charlson Comorbidity Index. Adjusted Cox and logistic regression models tested associations of comorbidities and age on the endpoints. RESULTS: In CALGB/SWOG 80405, 1,095 (81%) subjects were

PDF - 90K, Supplemental Table 1: Most Frequently Reported Adverse Events at Least Possibly Related to Pazopanib Supplemental Table 2: Steady-State Pazopanib Metabolite Pharmacokinetics Measured in All Patients at Week 3 (medians and ranges) Supplemental Table 3: Ratio of Metabolite AUC(0-6) to Pazopanib AUC(0-6) Measured at Steady-State in All Patients at Week 3 (medians and ranges) Supplemental Table 4: First-dose Pazopanib Metabolite Pharmacokinetics in Expanded Cohorts and the Maximum Tolerated Dose (medians and ranges)

Purpose: Bevacizumab is a VEGF-specific angiogenesis inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to chemotherapy for the treatment of multiple cancers. Hypertension is commonly observed during bevacizumab treatment, and high-grade toxicity can limit therapy or lead to cardiovascular complications. The factors that contribute to interindividual variability in blood pressure rise during bevacizumab treatment are not well understood.Experimental Design: To identify genomic regions associated with bevacizumab-induced hypertension risk, sequencing of candidate genes and flanking regulatory regions was performed on 61 patients treated with bevacizumab (19 cases developed early-onset grade 3 hypertension and 42 controls had no reported hypertension in the first six cycles of treatment). SNP-based tests for common variant associations and gene-based tests for rare variant associations were performed in 174 candidate genes.Results: Four common variants in independent linkage disequilibrium blocks between SLC29A1 and HSP90AB1 were among the top associations. Validation in larger bevacizumab-treated cohorts supported association between rs9381299 with early grade 3+ hypertension (P = 0.01; OR, 2.4) and systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg (P = 0.02; OR, 2.1). rs834576 was associated with early grade 3+ hypertension in CALGB 40502 (P = 0.03; OR, 2.9). These SNP regions are enriched for regulatory elements that may potentially increase gene expression. In vitro overexpression of SLC29A1 in human endothelial cells disrupted adenosine signaling and reduced nitric oxide levels that were further lowered upon bevacizumab exposure.Conclusions: The genomic region between SLC29A1 and HSP90AB1 and its role in regulating adenosine signaling are key targets for further investigation into the pathogenesis of bevacizumab-induced hypertension. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4734–44. ©2018 AACR.

Purpose:Previous studies have suggested that higher circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are associated with decreased colorectal cancer risk and improved survival. However, the influence of vitamin D status on disease progression and patient survival remains largely unknown for patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer.Experimental Design:We prospectively collected blood samples in 1,041 patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer participating in a randomized phase III clinical trial of first-line chemotherapy plus biologic therapy. We examined the association of baseline plasma 25(OH)D levels with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for prognostic factors and confounders.Results:At study entry, 63% of patients were vitamin D deficient (Ptrend = 0.0009 and 0.03, respectively). Compared with patients in the bottom quintile of 25(OH)D (≤10.8 ng/mL), those in the top quintile (≥24.1 ng/mL) had a multivariable-adjusted HR of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53–0.83) for OS and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.66–1.00) for PFS. The improved survival associated with higher 25(OH)D levels was consistent across patient subgroups of prognostic patient and tumor characteristics.Conclusions:In this large cohort of patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer, higher plasma 25(OH)D levels were associated with improved OS and PFS. Clinical trials assessing the benefit of vitamin D supplementation in patients with colorectal cancer are warranted.

Purpose: Pazopanib is a potent, multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor; however, there is limited information regarding the effects of liver function on pazopanib metabolism and pharmacokinetics. The objective of this study was to establish the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetic profile of pazopanib in patients with varying degrees of hepatic dysfunction.Experimental Design: Patients with any solid tumors or lymphoma were stratified into four groups based on the degree of hepatic dysfunction according to the National Cancer Institute Organ Dysfunction Working Group (NCI-ODWG) criteria. Pazopanib was given orally once a day on a 21-day cycle. A modified 3+3 design was used.Results: Ninety-eight patients were enrolled. Patients in the mild group tolerated 800 mg per day. The moderate and severe groups tolerated 200 mg per day. Pharmacokinetic data in the mild group were similar to the data in the normal group. Comparison of the median Cmax and area under the curve [AUC(0–24)] in the moderate or severe groups at 200 mg per day to the values in the normal and mild groups at 800 mg per day indicated less than dose–proportional systemic exposures in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment. This suggests that the lower maximum-tolerated dose in the moderate and severe group is not due to a decrease in drug clearance or alteration in the proportion of metabolites.Conclusions: In patients with mild liver dysfunction, pazopanib is well tolerated at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved dose of 800 mg per day. Patients with moderate and severe liver dysfunction tolerated 200 mg per day. Clin Cancer Res; 19(13); 3631–9. ©2013 AACR.

PDF - 36K, Structure of pazopanib and metabolites.

Supplemental Methods, Tables and Figures Table S1. Analyzed candidate genes Table S2. Gene sets and pathways used for candidate gene selection Table S3. Quality of sequencing reads per sample Table S4. Post-QC quality per sample Table S5. Replication cohorts Table S6. Gene-based analysis of rare and low frequency variants (MAF < 0.03) in candidate genes Table S7. Characteristics of replication patient subgroups Figure S1. Candidate gene analysis workflow. Figure S2. Associations with bevacizumab-induced hypertension in the SLC29A1-HSP90AB1 region. Figure S3. Top SLC29A1-HSP90AB1 SNPs are in predicted transcriptionally active regions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Figure S4. Proportion of high-grade hypertension in replication cohorts stratified by variant allele carrier status. Figure S5. Dose-dependent effects of adenosine on cyclic AMP and nitric oxide levels. Figure S6. Effects of adenosine receptor blockade on cyclic AMP and nitric oxide levels in HUVEC. Figure S7. Effect of ENT1 inhibition on cyclic AMP levels. Figure S8. Effect of SLC29A1-overexpression on cyclic AMP levels in HUVEC. Figure S9. Linkage disequilibrium plot of SLC29A1-HSP90AB1 intergenic region.

Supplementary Table from Plasma Protein Biomarkers in Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy With Bevacizumab or Cetuximab: Results from CALGB 80405 (Alliance)

Supplementary Figure and Table

Purpose:Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins play important roles in transcriptional regulation relevant to cancer pathogenesis, and therapeutic targeting/inhibition of BET causes apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro. In this first-in-human study of the pan-BET inhibitor mivebresib (ABBV-075), the safety profile, MTD, and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) were determined in patients with advanced solid tumors.Patients and Methods:A 3 + 3 dose escalation for different mivebresib dosing schedules [daily, Monday/Wednesday/Friday (M-W-F), 4 days on/3 off (4/7)] was followed by dose expansion in patients with prostate cancer. Endpoints were safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity.Results:Seventy-two patients with solid tumors (14% uveal melanoma; 11% colorectal; 11% breast; 8% pancreatic; 7% head/neck; 49% others) were treated with mivebresib during dose escalation, and 12 additional patients with prostate cancer in expansion cohort. Most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) related to mivebresib were dysgeusia (49%), thrombocytopenia (48%), fatigue (26%), and nausea (25%). Most common grade 3/4 TEAEs related to mivebresib were thrombocytopenia (35%) and anemia (6%). Dose-limiting toxicities included thrombocytopenia (2 mg daily; 4.5 mg M-W-F), gastrointestinal bleed (2 mg daily), hypertension (2–3 mg 4/7), fatigue, decreased appetite, and aspartate aminotransferase elevation (4 mg M-W-F). Of 61 evaluable patients from dose escalation, 26 (43%) had stable disease and 35 (57%) had progressive disease. Median progression-free survival was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval, 1.8–1.9).Conclusions:On the basis of safety and tolerability, mivebresib RP2D is 1.5 mg for the daily schedule, 2.5 mg for 4/7, and 3 mg for M-W-F. Mivebresib has a tolerable safety profile, and stable disease was observed in some patients with malignant solid tumors.

Purpose:CALGB 80405 compared the combination of first-line chemotherapy with cetuximab or bevacizumab in the treatment of advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Although similar clinical outcomes were observed in the cetuximab-chemotherapy group and the bevacizumab-chemotherapy group, biomarkers could identify patients deriving more benefit from either biologic agent.Patients and Methods:In this exploratory analysis, the Angiome, a panel of 24 soluble protein biomarkers were measured in baseline plasma samples in CALGB 80405. Prognostic biomarkers were determined using univariate Cox proportional hazards models. Predictive biomarkers were identified using multivariable Cox regression models including interaction between biomarker level and treatment.Results:In the total population, high plasma levels of Ang-2, CD73, HGF, ICAM-1, IL6, OPN, TIMP-1, TSP-2, VCAM-1, and VEGF-R3 were identified as prognostic of worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). PlGF was identified as predictive of lack of PFS benefit from bevacizumab [bevacizumab HR, 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10–2.06; cetuximab HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.71–1.25; Pinteraction = 0.0298] in the combined FOLFIRI/FOLFOX regimens. High levels of VEGF-D were predictive of lack of PFS benefit from bevacizumab in patients receiving FOLFOX regimen only (FOLFOX/bevacizumab HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.19–2.42; FOLFOX/cetuximab HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68–1.24; Pinteraction = 0.0097).Conclusions:In this exploratory, hypothesis-generating analysis, the Angiome identified multiple prognostic biomarkers and two potential predictive biomarkers for patients with mCRC enrolled in CALGB 80405. PlGF and VEGF-D predicted lack of benefit from bevacizumab in a chemo-dependent manner.See related commentaries by Mishkin and Kohn, p. 2722 and George and Bertagnolli, p. 2725

Supplemental Methods, Figures S1-S5, Tables S1-S7

Supplementary Figure from Plasma Protein Biomarkers in Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy With Bevacizumab or Cetuximab: Results from CALGB 80405 (Alliance)

Purpose: CALGB 80405 compared the combination of first-line chemotherapy with cetuximab or bevacizumab in the treatment of advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Although similar clinical outcomes were observed in the cetuximab-chemotherapy group and the bevacizumab-chemotherapy group, biomarkers could identify patients deriving more benefit from either biologic agent. Patients and Methods: In this exploratory analysis, the Angiome, a panel of 24 soluble protein biomarkers were measured in baseline plasma samples in CALGB 80405. Prognostic biomarkers were determined using univariate Cox proportional hazards models. Predictive biomarkers were identified using multivariable Cox regression models including interaction between biomarker level and treatment. Results: In the total population, high plasma levels of Ang-2, CD73, HGF, ICAM-1, IL6, OPN, TIMP-1, TSP-2, VCAM-1, and VEGF-R3 were identified as prognostic of worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). PlGF was identified as predictive of lack of PFS benefit from bevacizumab [bevacizumab HR, 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10–2.06; cetuximab HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.71–1.25; Pinteraction = 0.0298] in the combined FOLFIRI/FOLFOX regimens. High levels of VEGF-D were predictive of lack of PFS benefit from bevacizumab in patients receiving FOLFOX regimen only (FOLFOX/bevacizumab HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.19–2.42; FOLFOX/cetuximab HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68–1.24; Pinteraction = 0.0097). Conclusions: In this exploratory, hypothesis-generating analysis, the Angiome identified multiple prognostic biomarkers and two potential predictive biomarkers for patients with mCRC enrolled in CALGB 80405. PlGF and VEGF-D predicted lack of benefit from bevacizumab in a chemo-dependent manner. See related commentaries by Mishkin and Kohn, p. 2722 and George and Bertagnolli, p. 2725

PURPOSE As part of the Novartis Signature Program, this study evaluated the efficacy of ribociclib (selective cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 [CDK4/6] inhibitor) in patients with cyclin D–CDK4/6 pathway–aberrant tumors. METHODS This was a phase II, single-arm, signal-seeking study in patients with advanced malignancies that had progressed on or after standard treatment. Prior identification of tumor CDK4/6 mutation or amplification, CCND1/3 amplification, or CDKN2A mutation or loss was required. Clinical benefit (defined as the proportion of patients with response or stable disease at ≥ 16 weeks) was the primary end point. RESULTS From 61 centers in the United States, 106 patients (median age, 62.5 years) were enrolled across multiple malignancies. The patient population was heavily pretreated (median number of prior therapies, three; range, 0 to 19). Median progression-free survival was 1.8 months (95% CI, 1.8 to 1.9). In patients with solid tumors, the clinical benefit rate was 18.1% (n = 19 of 105) and the overall response rate was 2.9% (n = 3 of 105); three partial responses occurred in patients with adenocarcinoma (unknown primary), soft tissue sarcoma, and urothelial carcinoma. No tumor cohort met the prespecified criteria for success. The most common adverse events suspected to be related to treatment were neutropenia (30.2%; decreased neutrophils, 15.1%), fatigue (31.1%), and nausea (29.2%). Fatigue and nausea were typically mild. Only one incident of febrile neutropenia was experienced (grade 3). CONCLUSION No new or unexpected safety signals were observed in this heavily pretreated patient population. Although responses were seen in tumors with CCND1– CDK4/6 amplifications, the primary end point was not met, suggesting additional evaluation of ribociclib, possibly as combination therapy, is needed.

PURPOSE KEYNOTE-164 (NCT02460198) evaluated the antitumor activity of pembrolizumab in previously treated, metastatic, microsatellite instability–high/mismatch repair–deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS This phase II open-label study involved 128 centers worldwide. Eligible patients were age ≥ 18 years and had metastatic MSI-H/dMMR CRC treated with ≥ 2 prior lines of standard therapy, including fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan with or without anti–vascular endothelial growth factor/epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (cohort A) or ≥ 1 prior line of therapy (cohort B). MSI-H/dMMR status was assessed locally. Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for up to 2 years until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. The primary end point was objective response rate by RECIST version 1.1 by independent central review. Secondary end points were duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, safety, and tolerability. RESULTS A total of 124 patients with MSI-H/dMMR CRC (61 in cohort A, 63 in cohort B) enrolled. At data cutoff, median follow-up was 31.3 months (range, 0.2-35.6 months) for cohort A and 24.2 months (range, 0.1-27.1 months) for cohort B. Objective response rate was 33% (95% CI, 21% to 46%) and 33% (95% CI, 22% to 46%), respectively, with median duration of response not reached in either cohort. Median PFS was 2.3 months (95% CI, 2.1 to 8.1 months) and 4.1 months (95% CI, 2.1 to 18.9 months). Median overall survival was 31.4 months (95% CI, 21.4 months to not reached) and not reached (95% CI, 19.2 months to not reached). Treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 10 patients (16%) in cohort A and 8 (13%) in cohort B, with the most common occurring in ≥ 2 patients being pancreatitis, fatigue, increased alanine aminotransferase, and increased lipase (2 patients each; 3%) in cohort A. CONCLUSION Pembrolizumab is effective with a manageable safety profile in patients with MSI-H/dMMR CRC.

KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in cancer and encodes a key signalling protein in tumours1,2. The KRAS(G12C) mutant has a cysteine residue that has been exploited to design covalent inhibitors that have promising preclinical activity3–5. Here we optimized a series of inhibitors, using novel binding interactions to markedly enhance their potency and selectivity. Our efforts have led to the discovery of AMG 510, which is, to our knowledge, the first KRAS(G12C) inhibitor in clinical development. In preclinical analyses, treatment with AMG 510 led to the regression of KRASG12C tumours and improved the anti-tumour efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted agents. In immune-competent mice, treatment with AMG 510 resulted in a pro-inflammatory tumour microenvironment and produced durable cures alone as well as in combination with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Cured mice rejected the growth of isogenic KRASG12D tumours, which suggests adaptive immunity against shared antigens. Furthermore, in clinical trials, AMG 510 demonstrated anti-tumour activity in the first dosing cohorts and represents a potentially transformative therapy for patients for whom effective treatments are lacking. Treatment of KRASG12C-mutant cancer cells with the KRAS(G12C) inhibitor AMG 510 leads to durable response in mice, and anti-tumour activity in patients suggests that AMG 510 could be effective in patients for whom treatments are currently lacking.

PURPOSE Regular physical activity is associated with reduced risk of recurrence and mortality in patients with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. Its influence on patients with advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been largely unexplored. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study nested in Cancer and Leukemia Group B (Alliance)/SWOG 80405 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00265850 ), a National Cancer Institute–sponsored phase III trial of systemic therapy for mCRC. Within 1 month after therapy initiation, patients were invited to complete a validated questionnaire that reported average physical activity over the previous 2 months. On the basis of responses, we calculated metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours per week to quantify physical activity. The primary end point of the clinical trial and this companion study was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and first grade 3 or greater treatment-related adverse events. To minimize confounding by poor and declining health, we excluded patients who experienced progression or died within 60 days of activity assessment and used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to adjust for known prognostic factors, comorbidities, and weight loss. RESULTS The final cohort included 1,218 patients. Compared with patients engaged in less than 3 MET hours per week of physical activity, patients engaged in 18 or more MET hours per week experienced an adjusted hazard ratio for OS of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.71 to 1.02; PTrend = .06) and for PFS of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.99; PTrend = .01). Compared with patients engaging in less than 9 MET hours per week, patients engaging in 9 or more MET hours per week experienced an adjusted hazard ratio for grade 3 or greater treatment-related adverse events of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.86; PTrend < .001). CONCLUSION Among patients with mCRC in Cancer and Leukemia Group B (Alliance)/SWOG 80405, association of physical activity with OS was not statistically significant. Greater physical activity was associated with longer PFS and lower adjusted risk for first grade 3 or greater treatment-related adverse events.

SummaryVantictumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits Wnt pathway signaling through binding FZD1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 receptors. This phase Ib study evaluated vantictumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with untreated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients received vantictumab at escalating doses in combination with standard dosing of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine according to a 3 + 3 design. A total of 31 patients were treated in 5 dosing cohorts. Fragility fractures attributed to vantictumab occurred in 2 patients in Cohort 2 (7 mg/kg every 2 weeks), and this maximum administered dose (MAD) on study was considered unsafe. The dosing schedule was revised to every 4 weeks for Cohorts 3 through 5, with additional bone safety parameters added. Sequential dosing of vantictumab followed by nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine was also explored. No fragility fractures attributed to vantictumab occurred in these cohorts; pathologic fracture not attributed to vantictumab was documented in 2 patients. The study was ultimately terminated due to concerns around bone-related safety, and thus the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination was not determined. The MAD of vantictumab according to the revised dosing schedule was 5 mg/kg (n = 16).

Management of advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is challenging and overall survival is poor. Progress in the development of new therapeutic options for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has been slow; hence, to date, there are no approved second-line agents in this setting. Although the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has significantly improved overall survival in a variety of malignancies, there has not been a clinically important impact in CCA. This report presents a 66-year-old patient with chemotherapy-refractory iCCA who experienced a prolonged response to immunotherapy. Tumor genome profiling revealed a high tumor mutation burden of 17 mutations per megabase in the absence of microsatellite instability. He was started on immunotherapy with nivolumab and has experienced an ongoing response for 16 months without clinical symptoms and only minimal radiologic disease.

CRLX101 is a nanoparticle-drug conjugate with a camptothecin payload. We assessed the toxicity and pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of CRLX101 with standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer. A single-arm study was conducted with a 3 + 3 dose escalation phase Ib followed by phase II at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Thirty-two patients were enrolled with 29 (91%) patients having T3/4 and 26 (81%) N1/2 disease. In phase Ib, no patient experienced a dose limiting toxicity (DLT) with every other week dosing, while 1/9 patients experienced a DLT with weekly dosing. The weekly MTD was identified as 15 mg/m2. The most common grade 3-4 toxicity was lymphopenia, with only 1 grade 4 event. pCR was achieved in 6/32 (19%) patients overall and 2/6 (33%) patients at the weekly MTD. CRLX101 at 15 mg/m2 weekly with neoadjuvant CRT is a feasible combination strategy with an excellent toxicity profile. Clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT02010567.

BACKGROUND Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a gene that regulates tumor survival, neovascularization and invasion. Overexpression of HIF-1α correlates with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RO7070179 is a HIF-1α inhibitor that decreases HIF-1α mRNA and its downstream targets, it could be a potential treatment in HCC. AIM To evaluate safety and preliminary activity of RO7070179 in patients with previously treated HCC, with focus on a patient with prolonged response to RO7070179. METHODS In the preclinical study of RO7070179 in a HCC xenograft model, the mice were separated into 4 groups with each group received doses of 0, 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg for total 10 doses. HCC patients who failed at least one line of systemic treatment, received RO7070179 as a weekly infusion, each cycle is 6 wk. We evaluated the safety and HIF-1α mRNA levels of RO7070179. RESULTS Preclinical evaluation of RO7070179 in orthotopic HCC xenograft model showed no significant differences in HCC tumor weight between the 3 and 10 mg/kg groups. However, dose of 10 mg/kg of RO7070179, has shown 76% reduction of the amount of HIF-1α mRNA in HCC tissue. In the phase 1b study of RO7070179 in previously treated HCC patients, 8 out of 9 were evaluable: 1 achieved PR and 1 SD. The patient with PR responded after 2 cycles treatments, which has been maintained for 12 cycles. This patient also showed reduction in perfusion of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) after 1 cycle of treatment. After 1 cycle of treatment, both patients with PR and SD showed decrease in HIF-1α mRNA at the root of biopsies (each biopsy was divided into 2 specimens, the tip and the root). CONCLUSION RO7070179 can reduce HIF-1α mRNA level in HCC patients with SD or PR. It is well tolerated at 10 mg/kg, with transaminitis as the dose of increased toxicity. This study indicates that RO7070179 might benefit HCC patients, and an early signal for clinical benefit can potentially be predicted through changes in either mRNA level or DCE-MRI within 1 cycle of therapy.

International audience; Background: Despite a protracted disease course and multiple available therapies, patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) inevitably experience disease progression. Programmed death–ligand 1 (PD-L1) has been associated with NET progression and prognosis. The multicohort, phase 1 KEYNOTE-028 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02054806) evaluated the activity and safety of the anti–programmed cell death protein 1 immunotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with well-differentiated or moderately-differentiated NETs. Methods: Patients with PD-L1–positive, locally advanced or metastatic carcinoid or well–differentiated or moderately-differentiated pancreatic NETs (pNETs) were enrolled into separate cohorts and received pembrolizumab at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for up to 2 years. The objective response rate was the primary endpoint (as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, by investigator review). Safety was a secondary endpoint. Results: Of 170 and 106 patients, respectively, who had evaluable samples among those screened for the carcinoid and pNET cohorts, 21% and 25%, respectively, had PD-L1–positive tumors; of these, 25 and 16 patients, respectively, were eligible and treated. The median follow-up was 20 months (range, 2-35 months) and 21 months (range, 5-32 months), respectively. The objective response rate was 12.0% (95% CI, 2.5%-31.2%) and 6.3% (95% CI, 0.2%-30.2%), respectively; 3 partial responses occurred among the carcinoid cohort and 1 among the pNET cohort. The median duration of response in the carcinoid cohort was 9.2 months (range, 6.9-11.1 months), and was not reached in the pNET cohort. No complete responses occurred. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 68% and 69% of patients, respectively, most often diarrhea (7 patients in the carcinoid cohort and 4 patients in the pNET cohort) and fatigue (6 patients in each cohort). Hypothyroidism was the most common immune-mediated adverse event (5 patients in the carcinoid cohort and 2 patients in the pNET cohort). Conclusions: Pembrolizumab demonstrated antitumor activity in a subset of patients with NETs and was well-tolerated.

LY3381916 is an orally available, highly selective, potent inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1. This study explored the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of LY3381916 monotherapy and in combination with a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor (LY3300054) in patients with advanced solid tumors. During dose escalation, patients received escalating doses of LY3381916 at 60-600 mg once daily (qd) and 240 mg twice daily in monotherapy (n=21) and in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor at 700 mg every 2 weeks (n=21). A modified toxicity probability interval method was used to guide dose escalation. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 3 patients; 1 at LY3381916 240 mg twice daily (alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase increase and systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and 2 at LY3381916 240 mg qd in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor (fatigue and immune-related hepatitis). LY3381916, at the recommended phase II dose, 240 mg qd, in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor, produced maximal inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 activity in plasma and tumor tissue, and led to an increase of CD8 T cells in tumor tissue. In the combination dose expansion cohorts, 14 triple-negative breast cancer and 4 non-small cell lung cancer patients were enrolled. Treatment-related liver toxicity (grade >= 2 alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase increase or immune-related hepatitis) was the most prominent adverse event in triple-negative breast cancer patients (n=5, 35.7%). Best response was stable disease. These preliminary data suggest an alternative dose level of LY3381916 is needed for the combination with PD-L1 inhibitor. The combination clinical activity was limited in this study.

Modified FOLFOX6 is an established therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We conducted a single-arm phase Ib study to address the hypothesis that addition of pembrolizumab to this regimen could safely and effectively improve patient outcomes (NCT02375672). The relationship between immune biomarkers and clinical response were assessed in an exploratory manner. Patients with mCRC received concurrent pembrolizumab and modified FOLFOX6. The study included safety run-in for the first six patients. The primary objective was median progression free survival (mPFS), with secondary objectives including median overall survival (mOS), safety, and exploratory assessment of immune changes. To assess immunological impact, peripheral blood was collected at baseline and during treatment. The levels of soluble factors were measured via bioplex, while a panel of checkpoint molecules and phenotypically-defined cell populations were assessed with flow cytometry and correlated with RECIST and mPFS. Due to incidences of grade 3 and grade 4 neutropenia in the safety lead-in, the dose of mFOLFOX6 was reduced in the expansion cohort. Median PFS was 8.8 months and median OS was not reached at data cutoff. Best responses of stable disease, partial response, and complete response were observed in 43.3%, 50.0%, and 6.7% of patients respectively. Several soluble and cellular immune biomarkers were associated with improved RECIST and mPFS. Immunosuppressive myeloid and T cell subsets that were analyzed were not associated with response. Primary endpoint was not superior to historic control. Biomarkers that were associated with improved response may be informative for future regimens combining chemotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Key Points Question Is diet quality at initiation of first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer associated with overall survival? Findings In this cohort study including 1284 people with metastatic colorectal cancer enrolled between 2005 and 2012, diet quality (assessed by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, Alternate Mediterranean Diet score, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet score, a Western dietary pattern, and a prudent dietary pattern) was not associated with overall survival after a median follow-up of 73 months. Meaning The results of this study suggest that overall diet quality assessed at initiation of first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer was not associated with overall survival., Importance Diet has been associated with survival in patients with stage I to III colorectal cancer, but data on patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are limited. Objective To examine the association between diet quality and overall survival among individuals with metastatic colorectal cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a prospective cohort study of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were enrolled in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (Alliance) and Southwest Oncology Group 80405 trial between October 27, 2005, and February 29, 2012, and followed up through January 2018. Exposures Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire within 4 weeks after initiation of first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Diets were categorized according to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED) score, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score, and Western and prudent dietary patterns derived using principal component analysis. Participants were categorized into sex-specific quintiles. Main Outcomes and Measures Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for overall survival. Results In this cohort study of 1284 individuals with metastatic colorectal cancer, the median age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR]: 51-68) years, median body mass index was 27.2 (IQR, 24.1-31.4), 521 (41%) were female, and 1102 (86%) were White. There were 1100 deaths during a median follow-up of 73 months (IQR, 64-87 months). We observed an inverse association between the AMED score and risk of death (HR quintile 5 vs quintile 1, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.67-1.04; P = .04 for trend), but the point estimates were not statistically significant. None of the other diet scores or patterns were associated with overall survival. Conclusions and Relevance In this prospective analysis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, diet quality assessed at initiation of first-line treatment for metastatic disease was not associated with overall survival., This cohort study of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer examines associations between diet at initiation of first-line treatment and overall survival.

Importance Several compounds found in coffee possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing effects, which may contribute to anticancer activity. Epidemiological studies have identified associations between increased coffee consumption and decreased recurrence and mortality of colorectal cancer. The association between coffee consumption and survival in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer is unknown. Objective To evaluate the association of coffee consumption with disease progression and death in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective observational cohort study included 1171 patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who were enrolled in Cancer and Leukemia Group B (Alliance)/SWOG 80405, a completed phase 3 clinical trial comparing the addition of cetuximab and/or bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy. Patients reported dietary intake using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire at the time of enrollment. Data were collected from October 27, 2005, to January 18, 2018, and analyzed from May 1 to August 31, 2018. Exposures Consumption of total, decaffeinated, and caffeinated coffee measured in cups per day. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results Among the 1171 patients included in the analysis (694 men [59%]; median age, 59 [interquartile range, 51-67] years). The median follow-up time among living patients was 5.4 years (10th percentile, 1.3 years; IQR, 3.2-6.3 years). A total of 1092 patients (93%) had died or had disease progression. Increased consumption of coffee was associated with decreased risk of cancer progression (hazard ratio [HR] for 1-cup/d increment, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-1.00;P = .04 for trend) and death (HR for 1-cup/d increment, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98;P = .004 for trend). Participants who consumed 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day had a multivariable HR for OS of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.67-1.00) and for PFS of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.68-0.99), compared with those who did not drink coffee. Participants who consumed at least 4 cups of coffee per day had a multivariable HR for OS of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.46-0.87) and for PFS of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.59-1.05). Significant associations were noted for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Conclusions and Relevance Coffee consumption may be associated with reduced risk of disease progression and death in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Further research is warranted to elucidate underlying biological mechanisms.

Background Energy balance-related biomarkers are associated with risk and prognosis of various malignancies. Their relationship to survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) requires further study. Methods Baseline plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3, IGFBP-7, C-peptide, and adiponectin were measured at time of trial registration in a prospective cohort of patients with mCRC participating in a National Cancer Institute–sponsored trial of first-line systemic therapy. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to adjust for confounders and examine associations of each biomarker with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). P values are 2-sided. Results Median follow-up for 1086 patients was 6.2 years. Compared with patients in the lowest IGFBP-3 quintile, patients in the highest IGFBP-3 quintile experienced an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for OS of 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.42 to 0.78; Pnonlinearity < .001) and for PFS of 0.61 (95% CI = 0.45 to 0.82; Ptrend = .003). Compared with patients in the lowest IGFBP-7 quintile, patients in the highest IGFBP-7 quintile experienced an adjusted hazard ratio for OS of 1.60 (95% CI = 1.30 to 1.97; Ptrend < .001) and for PFS of 1.38 (95% CI = 1.13 to 1.69; Ptrend < .001). Plasma C-peptide and IGF-1 were not associated with patient outcomes. Adiponectin was not associated with OS; there was a nonlinear U-shaped association between adiponectin and PFS (Pnonlinearity = .03). Conclusions Among patients with mCRC, high plasma IGFBP-3 and low IGFBP-7 were associated with longer OS and PFS. Extreme levels of adiponectin were associated with shorter PFS. These findings suggest potential avenues for prognostic and therapeutic innovation.

PURPOSE Biomarkers that can predict response to anti–programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) therapy across multiple tumor types include a T-cell–inflamed gene-expression profile (GEP), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, and tumor mutational burden (TMB). Associations between these biomarkers and the clinical efficacy of pembrolizumab were evaluated in a clinical trial that encompassed 20 cohorts of patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS KEYNOTE-028 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02054806) is a nonrandomized, phase Ib trial that enrolled 475 patients with PD-L1–positive advanced solid tumors who were treated with pembrolizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 2 years or until confirmed disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR; by RECIST v1.1, investigator review). Secondary end points included safety, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Relationships between T-cell–inflamed GEP, PD-L1 expression, and TMB and antitumor activity were exploratory end points. RESULTS ORRs (with 95% CIs) ranged from 0% (0.0% to 14.2%) in pancreatic cancer to 33% (15.6% to 55.3%) in small-cell lung cancer. Across cohorts, median (95% CI) PFS ranged from 1.7 months (1.5 to 2.9 months) to 6.8 months (1.9 to 14.1 months) in pancreatic and thyroid cancers, respectively, and median OS from 3.9 months (2.8 to 5.5 months) to 21.1 months (9.1 to 22.4 months) in vulvar and carcinoid tumors, respectively. Higher response rates and longer PFS were demonstrated in tumors with higher T-cell–inflamed GEP, PD-L1 expression, and/or TMB. Correlations of TMB with GEP and PD-L1 were low. Response patterns indicate that patients with tumors that had high levels of both TMB and inflammatory markers (GEP or PD-L1) represent a population with the highest likelihood of response. Safety was similar and consistent with prior pembrolizumab reports. CONCLUSION A T-cell–-inflamed GEP, PD-L1 expression, and TMB predicted response to pembrolizumab in multiple tumor types. These biomarkers (alone/in combination) may help identify patients who have a higher likelihood of response to anti–PD-1 therapies across a broad spectrum of cancers.

Purpose: KEYNOTE-158 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02628067) investigated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab across multiple cancers. We present results from patients with previously treated advanced well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Patients and Methods: Pembrolizumab 200 mg was administered every 3 weeks for 2 years or until progression, intolerable toxicity, or physician/patient decision. Tumor imaging was performed every 9 weeks for the first year and then every 12 weeks. Endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1 by independent central radiologic review (primary) and duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety (secondary). Results: A total of 107 patients with NETs of the lung, appendix, small intestine, colon, rectum, or pancreas were treated. Median age was 59.0 years (range, 29–80), 44.9% had ECOG performance status 1, 40.2% had received ≥3 prior therapies for advanced disease, and 15.9% had PD-L1–positive tumors (combined positive score ≥1). Median follow-up was 24.2 months (range, 0.6–33.4). ORR was 3.7% (95% CI, 1.0–9.3), with zero complete responses and four partial responses (three pancreatic and one rectal) all in patients with PD-L1–negative tumors. Median DOR was not reached, with one of four responses ongoing after ≥21 months follow-up. Median PFS was 4.1 months (95% CI, 3.5–5.4); the 6-month PFS rate was 39.3%. Median OS was 24.2 months (95% CI, 15.8–32.5). Treatment-related adverse events (AE) occurred in 75.7% of patients, 21.5% of whom had grade 3–5 AEs. Conclusions: Pembrolizumab monotherapy showed limited antitumor activity and manageable safety in patients with previously treated advanced well-differentiated NETs.

Purpose: The recombinant fusion protein ipafricept blocks Wnt signaling, and in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel caused tumor regression in xenografts. This phase Ib study evaluated the combination of ipafricept with nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine in patients with untreated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Patients and Methods: Dose escalation started with standard dose nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine and ipafricept (3.5 mg/kg days 1, 15). Because of fragility fractures seen with different anti-Wnt agents, following cohorts had ≥6 patients treated with ipafricept 3 to 5 mg/kg on day 1, and included bone marker monitoring and prophylactic bisphosphonates as indicated. On the basis of preclinical data, sequential dosing was evaluated in cohort 4 (ipafricept day 1 followed nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine day 3). Objectives included safety, MTD, recommended phase II dose, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy. Results: A total of 26 patients were enrolled, five in cohort 1 and seven each in cohorts 2–4. ipafricept-related adverse events (AEs) of any grade included fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and pyrexia. ipafricept-related AEs grade ≥3 included two events of aspartate aminotransferase elevation, and one each of nausea, rash, vomiting, and leucopenia. No dose-limiting toxicities or fragility fractures were observed. Nine patients (34.6%) had partial response, 12 (46.2%) stable disease as best response, with clinical benefit rate of 81%. Median progression-free survival was 5.9 m [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.4–18.4], median overall survival was 9.7 m (95% CI, 7.0–14). The study was terminated by the sponsor due to bone-related toxicity within this therapeutic program and concerns for commercial viability. One patient remains on therapy under compassionate use. Conclusions: Ipafricept can be administered with nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine with reasonable tolerance. Wnt pathway remains a therapeutic target of interest in mPDAC.

BackgroundIn nonmetastatic colorectal cancer, overweight and mild-to-moderately obese patients experience improved outcomes compared with other patients. Obesity’s influence on advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is relatively unexplored.MethodsWe conducted a prospective body mass index (BMI) companion study in Cancer and Leukemia Group B (now Alliance)/SWOG 80405, a phase III metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment trial. BMI was measured at trial registration. Primary and secondary endpoints were overall and progression-free survival, respectively. To minimize confounding by poor and rapidly declining health, we used Cox proportional hazards regression to adjust for known prognostic factors, comorbidities, physical activity, and weight loss during the 6 months prior to study entry. We also examined weight loss prior to enrollment as an independent predictor of patient outcome. All statistical tests were two-sided.ResultsAmong 2323 patients with mCRC, there were no statistically significant associations between BMI and overall or progression-free survival (adjusted Ptrend = .12 and .40, respectively). Weight loss during the 6 months prior to study entry was associated with shorter overall and progression-free survival; compared with individuals with stable weight ±4.9%, individuals with weight loss greater than 15% experienced an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.52 for all-cause mortality (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26 to 1.84; Ptrend < .001) and of 1.23 for disease progression or death (95% CI = 1.02 to 1.47; Ptrend = .006).ConclusionsIn this prospective study of patients with mCRC, BMI at time of first-line chemotherapy initiation was not associated with patient outcome. Weight loss prior to study entry was associated with increased risk of patient mortality and disease progression.

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with lack of predictive biomarkers. We conducted a study to assess DNA damage repair (DDR) gene mutations as a predictive biomarker in PDAC patients treated with FOLFIRINOX. Experimental Design: Indiana University Simon Cancer Center pancreatic cancer database was used to identify patients with metastatic PDAC, treated with FOLFIRINOX and had tissue available for DNA sequencing. Baseline demographic, clinical, and pathologic information was gathered. DNA isolation and targeted sequencing was performed using the Ion AmpliSeq protocol. Overall survival (OS) analysis was conducted using Kaplan–Meier, logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard methods. Multivariate models were adjusted for age, gender, margin status, CA 19-9, adjuvant chemotherapy, tumor and nodal stage. Results: Overall, 36 patients were sequenced. DDR gene mutations were found in 12 patients. Mutations were seen in BRCA1 (N = 7), BRCA2 (N = 5), PALB2 (N = 3), MSH2 (N = 1), and FANCF (N = 1) of all the DDR genes sequenced. Median age was 65.5 years, 58% were male, 97.2% were Caucasian and 51.4% had any family history of cancer. The median OS was near significantly superior in those with DDR gene mutations present vs. absent [14 vs. 5 months; HR, 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–1.14; log-rank P = 0.08]. Multivariate logistic (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04–2.06; P = 0.04) and Cox regression (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15–0.94; P = 0.04) showed presence of DDR gene mutations was associated with improved OS. Conclusions: In a single institution, retrospective study, we found that the presence of DDR gene mutations are associated with improved OS in PDAC patients treated with FOLFIRINOX.

Purpose Mutations or copy number abnormalities of genes involved in homologous recombination (HR) occur in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). DNA-based measures of HR deficiency (HRD) have been developed and may help identify tumors with better response to DNA-damaging agents. This study aimed to describe the HR pathway mutations and HRD status and determine their association with treatment response and outcome in patients with PDAC. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of tumor samples from patients treated at Indiana University for locally advanced or metastatic PDAC. Patients were included if they received gemcitabine plus nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (control) or fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRINOX) and had adequate follow-up to assess survival and response to therapy. Tumor analysis generated a three-biomarker HRD score and mutation data for 44 genes. Results Ninety-one samples met inclusion criteria, and 78 samples (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded, n = 15; fine-needle aspiration, n = 63) generated mutation data. HRD analysis was successful for 57 samples (HRD score: median, 18; range, 5 to 61); the primary cause of failure was low tumor cellularity. Six BRCA1/ 2 mutations were detected, four with HRD scores in the top decile ( P = .011). There was no statistically significant correlation between HRD score and radiographic response (odds ratio per interquartile range, 1.40; P = .32 adjusted for treatment) in either treatment group. In patients treated with FOLFIRINOX, HRD score dichotomized at the median was not associated with progression-free survival (median, 5.3 v 9.4 months for low v high HRD score, respectively; P = .083) or overall survival (median, 11.9 v 10.7 months for low v high HRD score, respectively; P = .76). Conclusion Mutations in DNA repair genes occur in PDAC, and HRD scores can be generated in the majority of patients. The HRD score was not significantly associated with higher response rate or prolonged survival in patients treated with FOLFIRINOX.

Purpose: Bevacizumab is a VEGF-specific angiogenesis inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to chemotherapy for the treatment of multiple cancers. Hypertension is commonly observed during bevacizumab treatment, and high-grade toxicity can limit therapy or lead to cardiovascular complications. The factors that contribute to interindividual variability in blood pressure rise during bevacizumab treatment are not well understood. Experimental Design: To identify genomic regions associated with bevacizumab-induced hypertension risk, sequencing of candidate genes and flanking regulatory regions was performed on 61 patients treated with bevacizumab (19 cases developed early-onset grade 3 hypertension and 42 controls had no reported hypertension in the first six cycles of treatment). SNP-based tests for common variant associations and gene-based tests for rare variant associations were performed in 174 candidate genes. Results: Four common variants in independent linkage disequilibrium blocks between SLC29A1 and HSP90AB1 were among the top associations. Validation in larger bevacizumab-treated cohorts supported association between rs9381299 with early grade 3+ hypertension (P = 0.01; OR, 2.4) and systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg (P = 0.02; OR, 2.1). rs834576 was associated with early grade 3+ hypertension in CALGB 40502 (P = 0.03; OR, 2.9). These SNP regions are enriched for regulatory elements that may potentially increase gene expression. In vitro overexpression of SLC29A1 in human endothelial cells disrupted adenosine signaling and reduced nitric oxide levels that were further lowered upon bevacizumab exposure. Conclusions: The genomic region between SLC29A1 and HSP90AB1 and its role in regulating adenosine signaling are key targets for further investigation into the pathogenesis of bevacizumab-induced hypertension. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4734–44. ©2018 AACR.

PURPOSE: The present study examined the degree to which loneliness mediated the influence of negative (social constraints) and positive (emotional support) relationship qualities on the global mental health of advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients and their family caregivers. METHODS: Fifty patient-caregiver dyads completed measures assessing social constraints (e.g., avoidance, criticism) from the other dyad member, emotional support from others, loneliness, and global mental health. Structural equation modeling was used to examine individual models, and Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Modeling was used to examine dyadic associations. RESULTS: Individual path analyses for patients and caregivers demonstrated that emotional support had a significant indirect effect on mental health through loneliness (Bs=.32 and .30, respectively), but no associations were found between social constraints and mental health. In dyadic analyses, participants’ loneliness and mental health were not significantly related to their partner’s emotional support, loneliness, or mental health (Bs=−.18 to .18). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that for advanced GI cancer patients and caregivers, emotional support from others alleviates feelings of loneliness, which may lead to better mental health. However, the benefits of emotional support appear to be primarily intrapersonal rather than interpersonal in nature. Additionally, participants endorsed low levels of social constraints, which might explain their lack of relation to loneliness and mental health. Continued examination of interdependence in social processes between cancer patients and caregivers will inform intervention development.

Background Regorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor that inhibits angiogenesis, growth, and proliferation, prolongs survival as monotherapy in patients with refractory colorectal cancer. This international, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial assessed the efficacy of regorafenib with folinic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) as a second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who progressed on first-line oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine enrolled at 45 sites in the United States and Ireland. Patients, stratified by prior bevacizumab use, were randomized 2:1 to regorafenib or placebo. The treatment consisted of FOLFIRI on days 1 and 2 and days 15 and 16 with 160 mg of regorafenib or placebo on days 4 to 10 and days 18 to 24 of every 28-day cycle. Crossover was not allowed. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Under the assumption of a 75% event rate, 180 patients were required for 135 events to achieve 90% power to detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.65 with a 1-sided α value of .1. Results One hundred eighty-one patients were randomized (120 to regorafenib-FOLFIRI and 61 to placebo-FOLFIRI) with a median age of 62 years. Among these, 117 (65%) received prior bevacizumab or aflibercept. PFS was longer with regorafenib-FOLFIRI than placebo-FOLFIRI (median, 6.1 vs 5.3 months; HR, 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-1.01; log-rank P = .056). The median overall survival was not longer (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.71-1.44). The response rate was higher with regorafenib-FOLFIRI (34%; 95% CI, 25%-44%) than placebo-FOLFIRI (21%; 95% CI, 11%-33%; P = .07). Grade 3/4 adverse events with a >5% absolute increase from regorafenib included diarrhea, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, hypophosphatemia, and hypertension. Conclusions The addition of regorafenib to FOLFIRI as second-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer only modestly prolonged PFS over FOLFIRI alone. Cancer 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

We are developing whole, heat-killed, recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, engineered to encode target proteins, which stimulate immune responses against malignant cells expressing those targets. This phase 1 trial, enrolling patients with advanced colorectal or pancreas cancer, was designed to evaluate safety, immunogenicity, response, and overall survival of ascending doses of the GI-4000 series of products, which express 3 different forms of mutated Ras proteins. The study enrolled 33 heavily pretreated subjects (14 with pancreas and 19 with colorectal cancer), whose tumors were genotyped before enrollment to identify the specific ras mutation and thereby to identify which GI-4000 product to administer. No dose limiting toxicities were observed and no subject discontinued treatment due to a GI-4000 related adverse event (AE). The majority of AEs and all fatal events were due to underlying disease progression and AE frequencies were not significantly different among dose groups. GI-4000 was immunogenic, as Ras mutation-specific immune responses were detected on treatment in ∼60% of subjects. No objective tumor responses were observed but based on imaging, clinical status and/or biochemical markers, stable disease was observed in 6 subjects (18%) on day 29, while 1 subject had stable disease at days 57 and 85 follow-up visits. The median overall survival was 3.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.3-5.3 mo), and 5 subjects survived past the 48-week follow-up period. No significant dose-dependent trends for survival were observed. This first clinical trial in humans with GI-4000 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and immunogenicity in the majority of subjects.

Purpose The KEYNOTE-028 trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02054806) was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab in 20 programmed death ligand 1–positive, advanced solid tumor cohorts. Here, we present the results from the cohort of patients with advanced cervical cancer. Methods Patients were treated with pembrolizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for up to 24 months. Response was assessed every 8 weeks for the first 6 months and every 12 weeks thereafter. The primary end point was overall response rate per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1, by investigator review. Safety was a secondary end point. Results Twenty-four patients were enrolled in the cervical cancer cohort. The median age was 42 years (range, 26 to 62 years), 22 patients (92%) had received prior radiation therapy, and 15 patients (63%) had received two or more lines of therapy, including bevacizumab (10 of 24 patients), for advanced disease. At the data cutoff, median follow-up duration was 11.0 months (range, 1.3 to 32.2 months). Overall response rate was 17% (95% CI, 5% to 37%); four patients (17%) achieved a confirmed partial response, and three patients (13%) had stable disease. Median duration of response for the four patients who achieved a partial response was 5.4 months (4.1 to 7.5 months). Treatment related adverse events (AEs) were experienced by 18 patients (75%); only rash (n = 5; 21%) and pyrexia (n = 4; 17%) and occurred in ≥ 10% of patients. Five patients experienced grade 3 treatment-related AEs. No grade 4 treatment-related AEs or deaths were observed. Conclusion In patients with programmed death ligand 1–positive advanced cervical cancer, pembrolizumab demonstrated antitumor activity and exhibited a safety profile consistent with that seen in other tumor types.

At clinically relevant ixazomib concentrations, in vitro studies demonstrated that no specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme predominantly contributes to ixazomib metabolism. However, at higher than clinical concentrations, ixazomib was metabolized by multiple CYP isoforms, with the estimated relative contribution being highest for CYP3A at 42%. This multiarm phase 1 study (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01454076) investigated the effect of the strong CYP3A inhibitors ketoconazole and clarithromycin and the strong CYP3A inducer rifampin on the pharmacokinetics of ixazomib. Eighty‐eight patients were enrolled across the 3 drug‐drug interaction studies; the ixazomib toxicity profile was consistent with previous studies. Ketoconazole and clarithromycin had no clinically meaningful effects on the pharmacokinetics of ixazomib. The geometric least‐squares mean area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from 0 to 264 hours postdose ratio (90%CI) with vs without ketoconazole coadministration was 1.09 (0.91‐1.31) and was 1.11 (0.86‐1.43) with vs without clarithromycin coadministration. Reduced plasma exposures of ixazomib were observed following coadministration with rifampin. Ixazomib area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the time of the last quantifiable concentration was reduced by 74% (geometric least‐squares mean ratio of 0.26 [90%CI 0.18‐0.37]), and maximum observed plasma concentration was reduced by 54% (geometric least‐squares mean ratio of 0.46 [90%CI 0.29‐0.73]) in the presence of rifampin. The clinical drug‐drug interaction study results were reconciled well by a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model that incorporated a minor contribution of CYP3A to overall ixazomib clearance and quantitatively considered the strength of induction of CYP3A and intestinal P‐glycoprotein by rifampin. On the basis of these study results, the ixazomib prescribing information recommends that patients should avoid concomitant administration of strong CYP3A inducers with ixazomib.

In this article, we review our multidisciplinary approach for patients with pancreatic cancer. Specifically, we review the epidemiology, diagnosis and staging, biliary drainage techniques, selection of patients for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and discuss other palliative interventions. The areas of active research investigation and where our knowledge is limited are emphasized.

Purpose: Previous studies have suggested that higher circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are associated with decreased colorectal cancer risk and improved survival. However, the influence of vitamin D status on disease progression and patient survival remains largely unknown for patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Experimental Design: We prospectively collected blood samples in 1,041 patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer participating in a randomized phase III clinical trial of first-line chemotherapy plus biologic therapy. We examined the association of baseline plasma 25(OH)D levels with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for prognostic factors and confounders. Results: At study entry, 63% of patients were vitamin D deficient ( Conclusions: In this large cohort of patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer, higher plasma 25(OH)D levels were associated with improved OS and PFS. Clinical trials assessing the benefit of vitamin D supplementation in patients with colorectal cancer are warranted.

Background Only a few patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) recurring after curative resection and peri-operative (neoadjuvant and adjuvant) therapy are included in clinical trials of metastatic PDAC. As such, there is a paucity of data to guide treatment after relapse, and patients are treated similarly to those with de novo metastatic PDAC (mPDAC). We evaluated the patterns of chemotherapy use and over-all survival (OS) in patients with recurrent PDAC (rPDAC) following curative therapy. Methods In this retrospective study, the Indiana University pancreatic cancer database was used to identify patients with PDAC who underwent curative resection and subsequently developed recurrence. Demographics, tumor and treatment characteristics were collected. Patients were broadly divided into those who received chemotherapy for rPDAC and those who did not. Patients in the former category were further subdivided into those who received single agent therapy, any standard combination therapy (5-fluorouracil/irinotecan/oxaliplatin combination or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) and those who received non-standard combinations. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Log rank tests were used to determine differences in survival between treated rPDAC patients and those not treated. Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate factors associated with OS. Results We identified 435 patients with resected PDAC treated between 2008 and 2014. Two hundred and twenty-three patients (51.2%) were diagnosed with rPDAC. Of these, 140 patients (63%) received chemotherapy whereas 71 patients (32%) did not receive chemotherapy. The 74 patients (53%) who received any standard, approved multiagent combination regimen had a median OS of 14 months compared to 8 months for the 47 patents (34%) who received other non-standard combinations and the 19 (13%) who received single agent therapy (P = 0.029). Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that margin negative resection, peri-operative therapy, radiotherapy and the use of any chemotherapy for rPDAC were associated with improved OS. Conclusion Our findings support the use of standard approved multi-agent therapy in rPDAC. Patients derive significant benefit from these standard combination therapies with median OS that is comparable to what is observed with treatment for de novo mPDAC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5630-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.