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Introduction: Appropriate patient selection based on functional status is crucial when considering older adults for palliative chemotherapy. This pre-planned analysis of the randomized NORDIC9-study explored the prognostic value of four functional status measures regarding progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in vulnerable older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy. Materials and methods: Patients ≥70 years of age with mCRC not candidates for standard full-dose combination chemotherapy were randomized to receive full-dose S1 or reduced-dose S1 + oxaliplatin. At baseline, functional status was assessed using ECOG performance status (ECOG PS), frailty phenotype, Geriatric 8 (G8), and Vulnerable Elderly Survey-13 (VES-13). Multivariable regression models were applied and C-statistics were estimated. Results: In total, 160 patients with a median age of 78 years (IQR: 76–81) were included. While in univariate analyses, ECOG PS, frailty phenotype, and VES-13 were statistically significantly associated with differences in OS between subgroups, G8 was not (HR = 1.55, 95%CI: 0.99–2.41, p = 0.050). In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and treatment allocation, we found significant differences between subgroups for all applied tools and with C-statistics in the moderate range for ECOG PS and VES-13. Concerning PFS, statistically significant differences were observed between subgroups of ECOG PS, G8, and VES-13 both in uni- and multivariable analyses, but not for frailty phenotype. Discussion: In this Nordic cohort of vulnerable older patients with mCRC, baseline ECOG PS, frailty phenotype, G8, and VES-13 showed prognostic value regarding overall survival, and moderate predictive value of models based on ECOG PS and VES-13 was demonstrated. publishedVersion

Quality of life data from randomized trials are lacking in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In the randomized NORDIC9-study, reduced-dose S1+oxaliplatin (SOx) showed superior efficacy compared to full-dose S1 monotherapy. We hypothesized that treatment with SOx does not result in inferior quality of life. Patients with mCRC aged ≥70 years and that were not a candidate for standard combination chemotherapy were included and randomly assigned to receive either S1 or SOx. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed at baseline, after 9, and 18 weeks. The primary endpoint was global Quality of Life (QoL) at 9 weeks. For statistical analysis, a non-inferiority design was chosen applying linear mixed effects models for repeated measurements. The results were interpreted according to statistical significance and anchor-based, clinically relevant between-group minimally important differences (MID). A total of 160 patients aged (median (Interquartile range (IQR))) 78 years (76-81) were included. The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed by 150, 100, and 60 patients at baseline, at 9, and 18 weeks, respectively. The difference at 9 weeks in global QoL was 6.85 (95%CI-1.94; 15.65) and 7.37 (0.70; 14.05) in the physical functioning domain in favor of SOx exceeding the threshold for MID. At 18 weeks, the between-group MID in physical functioning was preserved. Dose-reduced combination chemotherapy may be recommended in vulnerable older patients with mCRC, rather than full-dose monotherapy.

Background: Older or vulnerable patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are seldom included in randomised trials. The multicentre NORDIC9 trial evaluated reduced-dose combination chemotherapy compared with full-dose monotherapy in older, vulnerable patients. Methods: This randomised, open-label phase 2 trial was done in 23 Nordic oncology clinics and included patients aged 70 years or older with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer who were not candidates for full-dose combination chemotherapy. Patients were block randomised (1:1) using a web-based tool to full-dose S-1 (30 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1–14 every 3 weeks) followed by second-line treatment at progression with irinotecan (250 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks or 180 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 2 weeks) or reduced-dose combination chemotherapy with S-1 (20 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1–14) and oxaliplatin (100 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks) followed by second-line treatment at progression with S-1 (20 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1–14) and irinotecan (180 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks). Use of bevacizumab (7·5 mg/kg intravenously on day 1 of each cycle) was optional. Treatment allocation was not masked and randomisation was stratified for institution and bevacizumab. The primary outcome was progression-free survival. Survival analyses were by intention to treat and safety analyses were done on the treated population. This trial is registered with EudraCT, number 2014-000394-39, and is closed to new participants. Findings: From March 9, 2015, to Oct 11, 2017, 160 patients with a median age of 78 years (IQR 76–81) were randomly assigned to full-dose monotherapy (n=83) or reduced-dose combination chemotherapy (n=77). At data cutoff (Sept 1, 2018; median follow-up 23·8 months [IQR 18·8–30·9]), 81 (98%) patients in the full-dose monotherapy group and 71 (92%) patients in the reduced-dose combination group had progressed or died. Median progression-free survival was significantly longer with reduced-dose combination chemotherapy (6·2 months [95% CI 5·3–8·3]) than with full-dose monotherapy (5·3 months [4·1–6·8]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·72 [95% CI 0·52–0·99]; p=0·047). Toxicity was evaluated in 157 patients who received treatment. Significantly more patients in the full-dose monotherapy group (51 [62%] of 82 patients) experienced at least one grade 3–4 adverse event than in the reduced-dose combination group (32 [43%] of 75 patients; p=0·014). Grade 3–4 diarrhoea (12 [15%] vs two [3%]; p=0·018), fatigue (ten [12%] vs three [4%]; p=0·083), and dehydration (five [6%] vs none; p=0·060) were more frequent in the full-dose monotherapy group than in the reduced-dose combination group. Treatment-related deaths occurred in three patients during first-line treatment and three patients during second-line treatment (two in the full-dose monotherapy group vs one in the reduced-dose combination group in both cases). Interpretation: Reduced-dose combination chemotherapy with S-1 and oxaliplatin for older, vulnerable patients with metastatic colorectal cancer was more effective and resulted in less toxicity than full-dose monotherapy with S-1. Reduced-dose combination chemotherapy could be a preferred treatment for this population. Funding: Taiho Pharmaceuticals, Nordic Group, the Danish Cancer Society, the Swedish Cancer Society, Academy of Geriatric Research (AgeCare), and Region of Southern Denmark.

In 2009, vinflunine was introduced as a second-line treatment to be used after the failure of platinum therapy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). The present study investigated the administered vinflunine to patients with mUC in standard clinical practice with the aim of evaluating treatment patterns, response, survival parameters and side-effects. Data were collected retrospectively from the first 100 mUC patients treated with vinflunine at three Nordic cancer centers associated with the Nordic Urothelial Cancer Oncology Group. The overall response rate was 23% and complete response was observed in one patient. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) and median overall survival (mOS) were 2.8 (range, 0.5-34.3) and 6.3 (range, 0.3-39.7) months, respectively. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 2 was present in 20% of the patients, and those patients exhibited significantly shorter mOS (4.1 vs. 7.0 months, P=0.001) and a significantly higher degree of grade 3/4 toxicity (P=0.026) compared with ECOG PS 0-1 patients. Furthermore, patients without visceral metastases had significantly longer mOS than patients with visceral metastases (10.6 vs. 6.0 months, P=0.008). The median number of cycles of vinflunine was 3 (range, 1-28). The current data confirms that vinflunine is an active agent for second-line treatment in an unselected clinical cohort of patients with mUC. ECOG PS and presence of visceral metastases were significant prognostic parameters. In particular, patients with ECOG PS 2 receiving vinflunine had a shorter mOS and a higher frequency of severe toxicity, and, thus, should be treated with caution. Furthermore, the present study observed large inter-individual differences in radiological response and OS, indicating the need for further development of improved patient selection tools to optimize vinflunine treatment in platinum-refractory mUC patients.

7037 Background: Fluoropyrimidines (FP) are the cornerstone of chemotherapy in many solid tumors and linked to cardiotoxicity (CarTx) in about 5% (Polk, Cancer Treat Rev 2013), often leading to FP discontinuation. CarTx may be less common with S-1 and successful switch from other FP has been reported (Kwakman, EJC 2017). Methods: This 6-country, 12-center, cohort study included patients with solid tumors (ICD10 C15-C21, C24-25, C50, C80) who experienced FP-related CarTx. Primary endpoint was recurrent (R) CarTx during S-1 therapy after switch from any other FP. Results: CarTx during capecitabine (n = 124), continuous (n = 13) or bolus 5-fluorouracil (n = 4) was reported for 141 patients who switched to S-1 therapy. CarTx was chest pain including vasospasm without cardiac findings (55%), acute coronary syndrome or myocardial infarction (32%), atrial fibrillation (4%), heart failure/cardiomyopathy (4%), tachy-/bradycardia (3%), and/or other (15%). CarTx was grade 3-4 in 55%, appeared on cycle 1-2 in 89%, and at median 4 days (range 0-466) from FP initiation (Table). Causality was judged related in 26%, probable in 60%, and possible in 14%. Action with FP causing CarTx was permanent discontinuation in 91%. Treatment intent was curative in 70%. Cumulative incidence of RCarTx with S-1 was 3.5% (CI95%, 1.2-8.4%) and median time to R-CarTx was 11 (range 6-195) days. Four (out of 141) had grade 1 and one grade 2 R-CarTx. Three were judged possibly related to S-1 and 2 not related. S-1 was discontinued in one patient and continued in 4 (for 63-252 days) without action (n = 2), with dose reduction (n = 1), or delay (n = 1). There were no differences in demographic or risk factors regarding R-CarTx on S-1 (Table). Conclusions: FP-related CarTx is often severe, occurs early, and leads to permanent FP discontinuation. Switching to S-1-based therapy is safe, with, at the most, grade 1-2 R-CarTx in only 3.5%, and rarely leads to treatment discontinuation (0.7%), allowing patients to continue on an FP-based regimen. Clinical trial information: NCT04260269 . [Table: see text]

A major challenge in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC) is to identify biomarkers that can predict disease prognosis and treatment response after cystectomy. Therefore, we analyzed the potential prognostic value of the proteins vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), S100A4, and S100A6 in UC.Retrospective outcome data and tumor specimens from 83 cystectomy patients with histologically confirmed invasive UC were included. Expression levels of VEGFR2 (also called flk-1 and KDR), S100A4, and S100A6 were analyzed in primary tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry.Immunohistochemical staining and analysis of VEGFR2, S100A4, and S100A6 showed localization mainly in tumor cell cytoplasm. High VEGFR2 expression and low tumor category were independent variables associated with longer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival, revealed by a bivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model (both P0.001). In addition, the univariate log-rank test and the Cox model demonstrated that OS beyond 2 years was significantly greater among patients with low S100A6 expression than in those with high S100A6 expression (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). Differences in tumor expression of S100A4 were not significantly associated with outcome.In this study, VEGFR2 expression was significantly correlated with risk of disease relapse and OS in a defined cohort of patients with UC of the bladder treated by cystectomy.

A male patient, with advanced urothelial carcinoma, who had previously received cisplatin, was treated with sorafenib off-licence for 10.7 months. Evaluation of tumour response with computed tomography scans indicated a reduction in tumour size and necrosis of the metastases within 2 months. Progression-free survival was 10.5 months. Side effects were manageable and not beyond the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 grade 2. Molecular profiling of two of the proposed targets of sorafenib, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, of the patient's tumour lesion showed high and intermediate expression levels in the tumour as compared with the surrounding non-neoplastic tissue. In contrast to previous reports, we report a clinically meaningful effect of sorafenib in a patient with advanced urothelial carcinoma. Hence, it appears that a fraction of patients with this disease are sensitive to this compound. To identify subpopulations of responders, we propose that clinical trials evaluating sorafenib and other targeted drugs should be biomarker-driven and designed with endpoints that consider the mode of action of the specific compound.

Background: Most patients (pts) with mCRC are older than 70 years, but they are underrepresented in clinical trials. NORDIC9 evaluated efficacy of palliative treatment strategies based on S-1, which has previously demonstrated less toxicity but similar efficacy as 5FU, and here we present initial results.Methods: Older mCRC pts (≥70 years) who were not candidates for full-dose combination therapy, were randomized to full-dose monotherapy (Arm A: S-1 30 mg/m2 po bid d 1-14 q3w, followed by irinotecan upon progression) or reduced (80\ combination therapy (Arm B: S-1 20 mg/m2 po bid d 1-14 + oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 iv d 1 q3w, followed by S-1 + irinotecan q3w). Addition of bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg iv d 1) before randomization was optional. Geriatric screening tools (G-8, VES-13, handgrip strength, Timed-Up-and-Go), Charlson Comorbidity Index and quality of life were evaluated at baseline. Blood samples and tumor tissue were prospectively collected. Primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints were response rate, survival and correlations between screening tools, efficacy and safety.

Background Chemotherapy options in advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) remain limited. Here we evaluated the peptide-based alkylating agent melphalan-flufenamide (mel-flufen) for UC. Methods UC cell lines J82, RT4, TCCsup and 5637 were treated with mel-flufen, alone or combined with cisplatin, gemcitabine, dasatinib or bestatin. Cell viability (MTT assay), intracellular drug accumulation (liquid chromatography) apoptosis induction (apoptotic cell nuclei morphology, western blot analysis of PARP-1/caspase-9 cleavage and Bak/Bax activation) were evaluated. Kinome alterations were characterized by PathScan array and phospho-Src validated by western blotting. Aminopeptidase N (ANPEP) expression was evaluated in UC clinical specimens in relation to patient outcome. Results In J82, RT4, TCCsup and 5637 UC cells, mel-flufen amplified the intracellular loading of melphalan in part via aminopeptidase N (ANPEP), resulting in increased cytotoxicity compared to melphalan alone. Mel-flufen induced apoptosis seen as activation of Bak/Bax, cleavage of caspase-9/PARP-1 and induction of apoptotic cell nuclei morphology. Combining mel-flufen with cisplatin or gemcitabine in J82 cells resulted in additive cytotoxic effects and for gemcitabine also increased apoptosis induction. Profiling of mel-flufen-induced kinome alterations in J82 cells revealed that mel-flufen alone did not inhibit Src phosphorylation. Accordingly, the Src inhibitor dasatinib sensitized for mel-flufen cytotoxicity. Immunohistochemical analysis of the putative mel-flufen biomarker ANPEP demonstrated prominent expression levels in tumours from 82 of 83 cystectomy patients. Significantly longer median overall survival was found in patients with high ANPEP expression ( P = 0.02). Conclusion Mel-flufen alone or in combination with cisplatin, gemcitabine or Src inhibition holds promise as a novel treatment for UC.

Androgen deprivation therapy by chemical or surgical castration remains the cornerstone in the management of advanced disease. Although initially effective, the effect of currently available androg...

Quality of life data from randomized trials are lacking in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In the randomized NORDIC9-study, reduced-dose S1+oxaliplatin (SOx) showed superior efficacy compared to full-dose S1 monotherapy. We hypothesized that treatment with SOx does not result in inferior quality of life. Patients with mCRC aged ≥ 70 years and that were not a candidate for standard combination chemotherapy were included and randomly assigned to receive either S1 or SOx. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed at baseline, after 9, and 18 weeks. The primary endpoint was global Quality of Life (QoL) at 9 weeks. For statistical analysis, a non-inferiority design was chosen applying linear mixed effects models for repeated measurements. The results were interpreted according to statistical significance and anchor-based, clinically relevant between-group minimally important differences (MID). A total of 160 patients aged (median (Interquartile range (IQR))) 78 years (76–81) were included. The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed by 150, 100, and 60 patients at baseline, at 9, and 18 weeks, respectively. The difference at 9 weeks in global QoL was 6.85 (95%CI -1.94, 15.65) and 7.37 (0.70, 14.05) in the physical functioning domain in favor of SOx exceeding the threshold for MID. At 18 weeks, the between-group MID in physical functioning was preserved. Dose-reduced combination chemotherapy may be recommended in vulnerable older patients with mCRC, rather than full-dose monotherapy.