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Studies of the immune landscape led to breakthrough trials of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma therapy. This study investigated the timing, influence of somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs), and clinical implications of PD-L1 and immune-cell patterns in oral precancer (OPC).The authors evaluated spatial CD3, CD3/8, and CD68 density (cells/mmEpithelial, but not CD68 immune-cell, PD-L1 expression was detected in 28% of OPCs, correlated with immune-cell infiltration, 9p21.3 loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and inferior oral cancer-free survival (OCFS), notably in OPCs with low CD3/8 cell density, dysplasia, and/or 9p21.3 LOH. High CD3/8 cell density in dysplastic lesions predicted better OCFS and eliminated the excess risk associated with prior oral cancer and dysplasia. PD-L1 and CD3/8 patterns revealed inferior OCFS in PD-L1 high intrinsic induction and dysplastic immune-cold subgroups.This report provides spatial insight into the immune landscape and drivers of OPCs, and a publicly available immunogenomic data set for future precancer interrogation. The data suggest that 9p21.3 LOH triggers an immune-hot inflammatory phenotype; whereas increased 9p deletion size encompassing CD274 at 9p24.1 may contribute to CD3/8 and PD-L1 depletion during invasive transition. The inferior OCFS in PD-L1-high, immune-cold OPCs support the development of T-cell recruitment strategies.

XLSX file - 102K, Supplementary table depicting 263 genes comprising a cluster of genes with highest average expression in adjacent airways

Supplementary Tables and Figures from Efficacy and Safety of Patritumab Deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in EGFR Inhibitor–Resistant, EGFR-Mutated Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

PDF file - 6272K, Sweave report depicting complete codes used for microarray analysis and identification of genes differentially expressed by site and time

PDF file - 125K, Histograms of the p-values for site- and time-dependent differential expression; Site-dependent differential gene expression patterns identified by expression profiling of airways excluding main carinas; Smoothened scatter plot of transformed p-values for site and time effects

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB3 (HER3) is expressed in most EGFR-mutated lung cancers but is not a known mechanism of resistance to EGFR inhibitors. HER3-DXd is an antibody–drug conjugate consisting of a HER3 antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload via a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. This phase I, dose escalation/expansion study included patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with prior EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Among 57 patients receiving HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks, the confirmed objective response rate by blinded independent central review (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1) was 39% [95% confidence interval (CI), 26.0–52.4], and median progression-free survival was 8.2 (95% CI, 4.4–8.3) months. Responses were observed in patients with known and unknown EGFR TKI resistance mechanisms. Clinical activity was observed across a broad range of HER3 membrane expression. The most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were hematologic toxicities. HER3-DXd has clinical activity in EGFR TKI–resistant cancers independent of resistance mechanisms, providing an approach to treat a broad range of drug-resistant cancers.Significance:In metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC, after disease progression on EGFR TKI therapy, treatment approaches include genotype-directed therapy targeting a known resistance mechanism or chemotherapy. HER3-DXd demonstrated clinical activity spanning known and unknown EGFR TKI resistance mechanisms. HER3-DXd could present a future treatment option agnostic to the EGFR TKI resistance mechanism.See related commentary by Lim et al., p. 16.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1

PDF file - 4670K, Sweave report depicting complete codes use for microarray analysis and identification of genes differentially expressed in the molecular field of injury after excluding main carinas from the analysis

PDF file - 129K, Sweave report depicting complete codes use for microarray analysis of paired adjacent and contralateral airways

XLSX file - 627K, Supplementary table depicting 1395 genes significantly differentially expressed with time in the molecular field of injury

XLSX file - 68K, Supplementary table depicting 1165 genes significantly differentially expressed by site in the molecular field of injury

XLSX file - 65K, Supplementary table exhibiting genes significantly differentially expressed by site in the molecular field of injury when excluding main carinas from the analysis

PDF file - 53K, Antibodies used for immunohistochemistry.

PDF file - 63K, Calibration curves for RFS and OS.

PDF file - 84K, Kaplan Meier curves for RFS and OS by marker group for patients with stage I NSCLC.

Purpose: Patients with resected non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are at risk for recurrence of disease, but we do not have tools to predict which patients are at highest risk. We set out to create a risk model incorporating both clinical data and biomarkers.Experimental Design: We assembled a comprehensive database with archival tissues and clinical follow-up from patients with NSCLC resected between 2002 and 2005. Twenty-one proteins identified from our preclinical studies as related to lung carcinogenesis were investigated, including pathways related to metabolism, DNA repair, inflammation, and growth factors. Expression of proteins was quantified using immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry was chosen because it is widely available and can be performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens. Cox models were fitted to estimate effects of clinical factors and biomarkers on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).Results: A total of 370 patients are included in our analysis. With median follow-up of 5.3 years, median OS is 6.4 years. A total of 209 cases with recurrence or death were observed. Multicovariate risk models for RFS and OS were developed including relevant biomarkers, age, and stage. Increased expression of phospho-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (pAMPK), phospho-mTOR (pmTOR), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), and calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase were significant (P < 0.05) predictors for favorable RFS; insulin receptor, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2), and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor predicted for unfavorable RFS. Significant (P < 0.05) predictors for favorable OS include pAMPK, pmTOR, and EpCAM; CXCR2 and flap structure–specific endonuclease-1 predicted unfavorable OS.Conclusion: We have developed a comprehensive risk model predictive for recurrence in our large retrospective database, which is one of the largest reported series of resected NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 20(7); 1946–54. ©2013 AACR.

PDF file - 68K, Multicovariate Cox model for RFS in stage I NSCLC.

Purpose:Patients with SCLC rarely undergo biopsies at relapse. When pursued, tissue obtained can be inadequate for molecular testing, posing a challenge in identifying potentially targetable alterations in a clinically meaningful time frame. We examined the feasibility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in identifying potentially targetable alterations in SCLC.Experimental Design:ctDNA test results were prospectively collected from patients with SCLC between 2014 and 2017 and analyzed. ctDNA profiles of SCLC at diagnosis and relapse were also compared.Results:A total of 609 samples collected from 564 patients between 2014 and 2017 were analyzed. The median turnaround time for test results was 14 days. Among patients with data on treatment status, there were 61 samples from 59 patients and 219 samples from 206 patients collected at diagnosis and relapse, respectively. The number of mutations or amplifications detected per sample did not differ by treatment status. Potentially targetable alterations in DNA repair, MAPK and PI3K pathways, and genes such as MYC and ARID1A were identifiable through ctDNA testing. Furthermore, our results support that it may be possible to reconstruct the clonal relationship between detected variants through ctDNA testing.Conclusions:Patients with relapsed SCLC rarely undergo biopsies for molecular testing and often require prompt treatment initiation. ctDNA testing is less invasive and capable of identifying alterations in relapsed disease in a clinically meaningful timeframe. ctDNA testing on an expanded gene panel has the potential to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in SCLC and aid in the development of novel treatment strategies.

Supplementary figures 1-6

PDF file - 45K, Consort Diagram.

PDF file - 66K, Multicovariate Cox model for OS in stage I NSCLC.

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB3 (HER3) is expressed in most EGFR-mutated lung cancers but is not a known mechanism of resistance to EGFR inhibitors. HER3-DXd is an antibody–drug conjugate consisting of a HER3 antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload via a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. This phase I, dose escalation/expansion study included patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with prior EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Among 57 patients receiving HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks, the confirmed objective response rate by blinded independent central review (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1) was 39% [95% confidence interval (CI), 26.0–52.4], and median progression-free survival was 8.2 (95% CI, 4.4–8.3) months. Responses were observed in patients with known and unknown EGFR TKI resistance mechanisms. Clinical activity was observed across a broad range of HER3 membrane expression. The most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were hematologic toxicities. HER3-DXd has clinical activity in EGFR TKI–resistant cancers independent of resistance mechanisms, providing an approach to treat a broad range of drug-resistant cancers. Significance: In metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC, after disease progression on EGFR TKI therapy, treatment approaches include genotype-directed therapy targeting a known resistance mechanism or chemotherapy. HER3-DXd demonstrated clinical activity spanning known and unknown EGFR TKI resistance mechanisms. HER3-DXd could present a future treatment option agnostic to the EGFR TKI resistance mechanism. See related commentary by Lim et al., p. 16. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1

We aimed to test the safety of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab and the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC).This phase I study enrolled eligible adult patients with R/M HNSCC into three sequential single dose-escalation cohorts of palbociclib (75, 100, and 125 mg) PO daily on days 1 to 21 of a 28-day cycle in combination with avelumab 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks and cetuximab 400 mg/mPalbociclib in combination with avelumab and cetuximab was well tolerated, with rash and fatigue being the most common adverse events. A single dose-limiting toxicity was observed at the 125 mg dose of palbociclib: a grade 3 infusion reaction related to cetuximab. The RP2D of palbociclib is 125 mg, with avelumab and cetuximab at standard doses. The ORR by RECIST v1.1 was 42 %, the median DOR and OS have not been reached. Median PFS was 6.5 months.The combination of avelumab, cetuximab, and palbociclib was well tolerated and supports further evaluation in patients with R/M HNSCC.NCT03498378.

Summary Background Pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) and cetuximab (EGFR inhibitor) are active as single agents and in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Given each drug's single agent activity and unique mechanism of action, we aimed to evaluate the anti-tumour activity of PD-1 blockade with EGFR inhibition in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. Methods This study is an open-label, non-randomised, multi-arm, phase 2 trial done at four academic centres in the USA. Participants were required to have platinum-resistant or platinum-ineligible, recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, be at least 18 years old, have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0–1, have measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, and to have received no previous immunotherapy or EGFR inhibition. All participants received pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks, combined with an initial loading dose of cetuximab 400 mg/m2 intravenously followed by 250 mg/m2 intravenously weekly (21 day cycle). The primary endpoint was overall response rate defined as the proportion of participants with a partial or complete responses (per RECIST version 1.1) by 6 months in the intention-to-treat population. The safety population included all participants who received at least one dose of pembrolizumab. Herein, the final analysis of cohort 1 (no previous PD-1, PD-L1, or EGFR inhibition for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC) is reported. Three additional cohorts (two for participants with a previous response to immunotherapy followed by relapse or progression, with or without previous cetuximab exposure, and one for cutaneous HNSCC) will be reported separately once fully accrued. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03082534 , and remains open as the three additional cohorts are actively accruing participants. Findings Between March 22, 2017, and July 16, 2019, 33 participants were enrolled to cohort 1. All 33 participants received at least one dose of pembrolizumab. Median follow-up duration was 7·3 months (IQR 3·9–10·9). By 6 months, the overall response rate was 45% (95% CI 28–62), with 15 of 33 participants achieving a partial response. The most common grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse event was oral mucositis (three [9%] of 33 participants), and serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in five (15%) participants. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Interpretation Pembrolizumab combined with cetuximab shows promising clinical activity for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, and merits further investigation. Funding Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Introduction Immune checkpoint inhibitors are associated with immune-mediated thyroid disease and other endocrinopathies. Biotin is an over-the-counter supplement known to interfere with lab assays, including thyroid function tests. Biotin-induced complications with lab monitoring during immunotherapy have not been previously reported. Case report We present a case of a 68-year old woman with hypothyroidism after initiating immune checkpoint blockade therapy and abnormal laboratory monitoring values while concurrently taking biotin supplements. Management & outcome: The patient was initiated on levothyroxine with subsequent dose increases over a period of weeks with resolution of symptoms and normalization of free thyroxine levels. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels appeared to remain elevated until biotin supplements were held and levels normalized. Discussion The purpose of this report is to provide the first known incidence of biotin complicating the routine monitoring of immune checkpoint inhibitors with elevated TSH levels and to alert providers to elicit accurate medication histories regarding over-the-counter supplements.

Type 1 diabetes is a rare immune-related adverse event (irAE) caused by checkpoint inhibitors with serious risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Using our electronic medical record, we identified 1327 adult patients who received PD-(L)1 or CTLA-4 inhibitors from 2013 to 2018. Of the patients who received immunotherapy, 5 (0.38%) patients were found to have type 1 diabetes, all of whom presented with DKA requiring insulin at 20 to 972 days from their first anti-PD-(L)1 dose. All patients were treated with anti-PD-1 therapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab). Four patients had new onset diabetes with mean HbA1c of 9.1% on DKA presentation and persistent elevations over time. Two patients who tested positive for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies presented with DKA at 20 and 106 days from first anti-PD-1 administration whereas patients who were autoantibody negative had DKA more than a year later. Type 1 diabetes occurs within a wide time frame after anti-PD-1 initiation and commences with an abrupt course. Our case series suggests that monitoring glycemia in patients on PD-1 inhibitors is not predictive for diabetes occurrence. GAD autoantibodies could portend earlier onset for diabetes, although further prospective studies are needed to elucidate their diagnostic utility and contribution in therapeutic interception.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) provide recommended management for patients with SCLC, including diagnosis, primary treatment, surveillance for relapse, and subsequent treatment. This selection for the journal focuses on metastatic (known as extensive-stage) SCLC, which is more common than limited-stage SCLC. Systemic therapy alone can palliate symptoms and prolong survival in most patients with extensive-stage disease. Smoking cessation counseling and intervention should be strongly promoted in patients with SCLC and other high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. The “Summary of the Guidelines Updates” section in the SCLC algorithm outlines the most recent revisions for the 2022 update, which are described in greater detail in this revised Discussion text.

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB3 (HER3) is expressed in most

This patient was found to have a scirrhous carcinoma with extensive perineural invasion and without any evidence of minor salivary gland carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolated scirrhous carcinoma of the oral cavity. Treatment was surgery and adjuvant chemoradiation, and there was complete disease response.

9017 Background: Patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC without EGFR-activating mutations ( EGFRm) have limited treatment options after failure of molecularly targeted therapies or platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) with or without immunotherapy (IO). HER3-DXd is an antibody drug conjugate consisting of a fully human monoclonal antibody to HER3 attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload via a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. We previously published efficacy and safety data from a study of HER3-DXd in EGFRm NSCLC after failure of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Here we present results in pts without EGFRm who progressed after PBC ± IO treatment. Methods: This ongoing phase 1 dose expansion study included a cohort of pts with advanced NSCLC without EGFRm who received prior PBC ± IO (NCT03260491). Pts with stable brain metastases were eligible, as were pts with non- EGFR oncogenic alterations and prior targeted therapy. The primary endpoint was confirmed ORR by blinded independent central review (BICR) per RECIST v1.1; secondary endpoints included DOR, PFS, and safety. Results: At the Mar 26, 2021, data cutoff, 47 pts had been treated with HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg IV every 3 wk; 17 pts had an identified driver genomic alteration (4 KRAS and 1 NRAS mutations, 4 EGFR Ex20ins, 3 ROS1 and 2 ALK fusions, and 3 other). Median age was 62 y (range, 29-79 y); 53% of pts were female; 17% had squamous NSCLC. Median follow-up was 9.5 mo (range, 3.7-19.1 mo). Median number of prior anticancer regimens in the advanced setting was 3 (range, 0-8). Median treatment duration on study was 4.1 mo (range, 0.7-13.6 mo); treatment was ongoing in 11 pts (23%) at data cutoff. Confirmed ORR by BICR was 28% (13/47 pts; 95% CI, 16%-43%; 13 PRs, 22 SD). Median DOR was 5.7 mo (95% CI, 3.7-10.7 mo) and median PFS was 5.4 mo (95% CI, 3.9-12.7 mo). Among pts with identified driver genomic alterations, 35% (6/17) had a confirmed response by BICR, including 3 of 5 pts with KRAS/NRAS mutations and 2 of 2 with ALK fusions. Among pts without identified driver genomic alterations, 23% (7/30) had a confirmed response by BICR. The most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were neutropenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (15%), and fatigue (15%). Drug-related interstitial lung disease by central adjudication occurred in 4 pts (9%; 0 grade ≥3). Four pts (9%) had TEAEs associated with treatment discontinuation. No drug-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: These data show promising clinical activity in pts with NSCLC without EGFRm, including pts with other identified driver genomic alterations. Updated results from this study will be presented. The overall safety profile was similar to that previously reported in pts with EGFRm NSCLC. A phase 2 study of HER3-DXd in pts with EGFRm NSCLC after failure of EGFR TKI and PBC is ongoing (NCT04619004). Clinical trial information: NCT03260491.

Background: Accurate oncologic staging meeting clinical practice guidelines is essential for guideline adherence, quality assessment, and survival outcomes. However, timely and uniform documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) at the time of diagnosis is a challenge for providers. This quality improvement project aimed to increase provider compliance of timely clinical TNM (cTNM) or pathologic TNM (pTNM) staging for newly diagnosed oncologic patients. Methods: Providers in the following site-specific oncologic teams were included: head and neck, skin, breast, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, lung and thoracic, gynecologic, colorectal, and bone marrow transplant. Interventions to facilitate timely cTNM and pTNM staging included standardized EHR-based workflows, learning modules, stakeholder meetings, and individualized provider training sessions. For most teams, staging was considered compliant if it was completed in the EHR within the first 7 days of the calendar month after the date of the patient visit. Factors associated with staging compliance were analyzed using logistic regression models. Results: From January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018, 7,787 preintervention and 5,152 postintervention new patient visits occurred. During the preintervention period, staging was compliant in 5.6% of patients compared with 67.4% of patients after intervention (PConclusions: High rates of staging compliance in complex multidisciplinary academic oncologic practice models can be achieved via comprehensive quality improvement and structured initiatives. This approach serves as a model for improving oncologic documentation systems to facilitate clinical decision-making and multidisciplinary coordination of care.

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with an estimated 600,000 new cases and 300,000 patient deaths reported annually.1-3 In recent years, curative interventions have dra...

Treatment outcomes have improved with the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors and small molecule inhibitors. However, many patients do not respond with single agents. Consequently, ongoing research is focused on the use of combination therapies to increase clinical efficacy by potential synergistic effects. Here, we outline ongoing trials and review the rationale and evidence for the combination of avelumab, an anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb), with cetuximab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) IgG1 mAb. Avelumab is approved as a monotherapy for the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma, and in combination with axitinib for renal cell carcinoma; cetuximab is approved in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer, and in combination with radiation therapy for SCCHN. Avelumab binds to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and immune regulatory cells, thus blocking its interaction with programmed death 1 and reventing T-cell suppression; cetuximab inhibits the EGFR signaling pathway, inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Both therapies have complementary mechanisms of action and may also activate the immune system to induce innate effector function through the binding of their Fc regions to natural killer (NK) cells. Furthermore, cetuximab combined with chemotherapy has been shown to induce immunogenic cell death and leads to an increase in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T and NK cells, which should synergize with the immunostimulatory effects of avelumab. Prospective studies will investigate this combination and inform future treatment strategies.

The delivery of cancer care has never changed as rapidly and dramatically as we have seen with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. During the early phase of the pandemic, recommendations for the management of oncology patients issued by various professional societies and government agencies did not recognize the significant regional differences in the impact of the pandemic. California initially experienced lower than expected numbers of cases, and the health care system did not experience the same degree of the burden that had been the case in other parts of the country. In light of promising trends in COVID‐19 infections and mortality in California, by late April 2020, discussions were initiated for a phased recovery of full‐scale cancer services. However, by July 2020, a surge of cases was reported across the nation, including in California. In this review, the authors share the response and recovery planning experience of the University of California (UC) Cancer Consortium in an effort to provide guidance to oncology practices. The UC Cancer Consortium was established in 2017 to bring together 5 UC Comprehensive Cancer Centers: UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, and the UC San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. The interventions implemented in each of these cancer centers are highlighted, with a focus on opportunities for a redesign in care delivery models. The authors propose that their experiences gained during this pandemic will enhance pre‐pandemic cancer care delivery.

PURPOSE Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks interaction between programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2). Although pembrolizumab is approved for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), its role in the management of locally advanced (LA) disease is not defined. We report a phase IB study evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding pembrolizumab to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in patients with LA HNSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients included those with oral cavity (excluding lip), oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, or laryngeal stage III to IVB HNSCC (according to American Joint Committee on Cancer, 7th edition, staging system) eligible for cisplatin-based, standard-dose (70 Gy) chemoradiotherapy. Pembrolizumab was administered concurrently with and after chemoradiotherapy with weekly cisplatin. Safety was the primary end point and was determined by incidence of chemoradiotherapy adverse events (AEs) and immune-related AEs (irAEs). Efficacy was defined as complete response (CR) rate on end-of-treatment (EOT) imaging or with pathologic confirmation at 100 days postradiotherapy completion. Key secondary end points included overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS The study accrued 59 patients (human papillomavirus [HPV] positive, n = 34; HPV negative, n = 25) from November 2015 to October 2018. Five patients (8.8%) required discontinuation of pembrolizumab because of irAEs, all of which occurred during concurrent chemoradiotherapy; 98.3% of patients completed the full planned treatment dose (70 Gy) of radiotherapy without any delays ≥ 5 days; 88.1% of patients completed the goal cisplatin dose of ≥ 200 mg/m2. EOT CR rates were 85.3% and 78.3% for those with HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC, respectively. CONCLUSION Pembrolizumab in combination with weekly cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy is safe and does not impair delivery of curative radiotherapy or chemotherapy in HNSCC. Early efficacy data support further investigation of this approach.

Purpose: Patients with SCLC rarely undergo biopsies at relapse. When pursued, tissue obtained can be inadequate for molecular testing, posing a challenge in identifying potentially targetable alterations in a clinically meaningful time frame. We examined the feasibility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in identifying potentially targetable alterations in SCLC. Experimental Design: ctDNA test results were prospectively collected from patients with SCLC between 2014 and 2017 and analyzed. ctDNA profiles of SCLC at diagnosis and relapse were also compared. Results: A total of 609 samples collected from 564 patients between 2014 and 2017 were analyzed. The median turnaround time for test results was 14 days. Among patients with data on treatment status, there were 61 samples from 59 patients and 219 samples from 206 patients collected at diagnosis and relapse, respectively. The number of mutations or amplifications detected per sample did not differ by treatment status. Potentially targetable alterations in DNA repair, MAPK and PI3K pathways, and genes such as MYC and ARID1A were identifiable through ctDNA testing. Furthermore, our results support that it may be possible to reconstruct the clonal relationship between detected variants through ctDNA testing. Conclusions: Patients with relapsed SCLC rarely undergo biopsies for molecular testing and often require prompt treatment initiation. ctDNA testing is less invasive and capable of identifying alterations in relapsed disease in a clinically meaningful timeframe. ctDNA testing on an expanded gene panel has the potential to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in SCLC and aid in the development of novel treatment strategies.

Background Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a very common malignancy in which most patients present with localized disease. Recurrent and metastatic disease is rare, and there is no standard therapy. These tumors frequently overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We conducted a phase 2 trial to determine the response rate to therapy with erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with locoregionally recurrent or metastatic CSCC that was not amenable to curative treatment (NCT01198028). Methods Eligible patients had CSCC not amenable to curative intent therapy. Patients who had previously received anti-EGFR targeted therapy were excluded. All patients received oral therapy with erlotinib 150 mg daily. Response was assessed every 8 weeks, and treatment continued until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. The primary endpoint was overall response rate according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Results A total of 39 patients received treatment during the trial; 29 of these patients were evaluable for response. The overall response rate was 10% (3/29); all responses were partial responses. The disease control rate (partial response + stable disease) was 72% (21/29). The median progression-free survival was 4.7 months (95% confidence interval, 3.5-6.2 months); the median overall survival was 13 months (95% confidence interval, 8.4-20.5 months). No unexpected toxicities were seen. Conclusion Erlotinib therapy was feasible for most patients with incurable CSCC and was associated with expected toxicities. However, only a modest response rate of 10% was observed. Further study of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in this patient population is not warranted. Cancer 2018;124:2169-73. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Background Data from meta-analyses support the use of induction or adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). This phase 2 study assessed the role of induction cisplatin and docetaxel followed by surgery in patients with resectable stage I to III NSCLCs, followed by 12 months of adjuvant erlotinib. Methods Patients with resectable stage I to III NSCLCs received cisplatin 80 mg/m 2 , docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 every 21 days for 3 cycles, followed by surgery, followed by adjuvant erlotinib for 12 months. The primary endpoint included safety. Long-term efficacy outcomes and exploratory analysis of intermediary endpoints are also reported (NCT00254384). Results Forty-seven eligible patients received a median of 3 cycles of induction treatment, 37 underwent surgical resection, and only 21 received adjuvant erlotinib. Two patients died in the perioperative period (1 sepsis during chemotherapy, 1 acute respiratory distress syndrome postoperatively). Most common grade 3 to 5 toxicities during chemotherapy included hypokalemia (8%), infection (7%), and granulocytopenia (25%). During adjuvant erlotinib, 14% of patients experienced grade 2 rash. Median overall survival was 3.4 years. Major pathologic responses in the primary tumor were observed in 19% (7 of 37) of patients and correlated with improved long-term overall survival. Complete pathologic response in mediastinal/hilar nodes also correlated with superior survival. Conclusions Induction cisplatin and docetaxel was well tolerated. Adjuvant erlotinib did not improve outcomes compared with historical controls. Major pathologic response predicted for improved long-term survival and is a suitable intermediary endpoint for future phase 2 studies.

Introduction Osimertinib is an oral, potent, irreversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) selective for EGFR TKI and T790M resistance mutations. To enhance understanding of osimertinib's mechanism of action, we aimed to evaluate the modulation of key molecular biomarkers after osimertinib treatment in paired clinical samples from the phase I AURA trial. Methods Paired tumor biopsy samples were collected before the study and after 15 plus or minus 7 days of osimertinib treatment (80 or 160 mg daily). Clinical efficacy outcomes were assessed according to whether viable paired biopsy samples could be collected; safety was also assessed. Immunohistochemical analyses assessed key pathway and tumor/immune-relevant markers (phospho-EGFR, phospho-S6, phospho-AKT, programmed death ligand 1, and CD8), with samples scored by image analysis or a pathologist blinded to treatment allocation. Results Predose tumor biopsy samples were collected from 61 patients with EGFR T790M tumors; 29 patients had no viable postdose biopsy sample because of tumor regression or insufficient tumor sample. Evaluable predose and postdose tumor biopsy samples were collected from 24 patients. Objective response rate (ORR) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) were improved in patients from whom a postdose biopsy sample could not be collected (ORR 62% and mPFS 9.7 months [ p = 0.027]) compared with those from whom paired samples were collected (ORR 29% and mPFS 6.6 months). Osimertinib modulated key EGFR signaling pathways and led to increased immune cell infiltration. Conclusions Collection of paired biopsy samples was challenging because of rapid tumor regression after osimertinib treatment, highlighting the difficulties of performing on-study biopsies in patients treated with highly active drugs.

6501 Background: Effective cancer screening leads to a substantial increase in the detection of earlier stages of cancer, while decreasing the incidence of later stage cancer diagnoses. Timely screening programs are critical in reducing cancer-related mortality in both breast and colorectal cancer by detecting tumors at an early, curable stage. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement or cancellation of many screening procedures, due to both patient fears of exposures within the healthcare system as well as the cancellation of some elective procedures. We sought to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the incidence of early and late stage breast and colorectal cancer diagnoses at our institution. Methods: We examined staging for all patients presenting to UCSD at first presentation for a new diagnosis of malignancy or second opinion in 2019 and 2020. Treating clinicians determined the stage at presentation for all patients using an AJCC staging module (8th edition) in the electronic medical record (Epic). We compared stage distribution at presentation in 2019 vs 2020, both for cancers overall and for colorectal and breast cancer, because these cancers are frequently detected by screening. Results: Total numbers of new patient visits for malignancy were similar in 2019 and 2020 (1894 vs 1915 pts), and stage distribution for all cancer patients was similar (stage I 32% in 2019 vs 29% in 2020; stage IV 26% in both 2019 and 2020). For patients with breast cancer, we saw a lower number of patients presenting with stage I disease (64% in 2019 vs 51% in 2020) and a higher number presenting with stage IV (2% vs 6%). Similar findings were seen in colorectal cancer (stage I: 22% vs 16%; stage IV: 6% vs 18%). Conclusions: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in incidence of late stage presentation of colorectal and breast cancer, corresponding with a decrease in early stage presentation of these cancers at our institution. Cancer screening is integral to cancer prevention and control, specifically in colorectal and breast cancers which are often detected by screening, and the disruption of screening services has had a significant impact on our patients. We plan to continue following these numbers closely, and will present data from the first half of 2021 as it becomes available.

9110 Background: AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is over-expressed in many cancers, and has been identified as a marker of poor prognosis in NSCLC. AXL overexpression is implicated in development of resistance to EGFR inhibitors including erlotinib (Erl) and osimertinib. AXL inhibition by bemcentinib (Bem), a first-in-class, oral, selective and potent AXL kinase inhibitor, abrogates resistance to EGFR inhibitors in vivo. Bem is currently under evaluation as a monotherapy and in combination with EGFRi, CPIs and chemotherapy across several PhII trials. Methods: Phase I of this study was designed to confirm safety/tolerability of Bem in NSCLC pts as monotherapy and in combination with Erl in pts previously progressing on Erl (arm A). In Phase II, pts who had progressed on an approved EGFRi (arm B) or who were responding/stable on Erl in the 1L setting (arm C) were treated with Bem 200mg and Erl 150mg od to evaluate the safety and activity of the combination, assessing reversal or prevention of resistance to EGFR inhibition in these 2 groups, respectively. Plasma protein biomarker levels were sequentially measured using the DiscoveryMap v3.3 panel (Myriad RBM). Results: As of 7 Oct 2020, all arms have completed recruitment. Median exposure to Bem was 63d (mean: 200d, range: 2d-1175d). Treatment was generally well-tolerated. Common TRAEs (>20% pts) were diarrhea (70%; G3 20%), nausea (50%; G3 0%), QTc prolongation (35%; G3 3%), vomiting (35%; G3 0%), and fatigue (25%; G3 5%). 1 unrelated G4, 0 G5 reported. In the run-in arm (5 female, median age 61 yrs [57-76]), 2/8 pts achieved SD for ̃1 yr, including 19% tumor shrinkage in 1 pt. In arm A (5 female, median age 58 yrs [38-67]), 1/8 pts (68 F) achieved tumor shrinkage of 38%, with treatment duration of 2 yrs until progression. A further 5 pts reported SD. In arm B, 11 pts (7 female, median age 63 yrs [49-78]) had received a median of 1 (0 - 4) prior lines of chemotherapy and a median of 2 prior lines of EGFRi. One achieved a PR (51M) and one a SD (62F) on the combination (CBR of 18%); durations on treatment were 1 yr, and 6 mos, respectively. Neither had EGFR T790M. mPFS was 1.4 mos. In arm C, 13 pts (10 female, median age 66 yrs [32-80]) were enrolled. 11/13 pts were evaluable for efficacy. 1 PR (58M) was reported with 47% tumor shrinkage, duration of treatment was 315d. 9 other pts achieved SD (CBR of 91%), including 4 (3 F/1 M, age range 64-71yrs) who continued on trial for 772+ to 1008+ d. mPFS is currently 12.2 mos. Protein biomarkers predictive of pt benefit upon Bem treatment are being explored. Conclusions: Bem with Erl combination is feasible and tolerable in NSCLC pts, with benefit was seen in a subset of pts who either progressed on an EGFRi or were receiving Erl concurrently in remission in the first line. Further studies of Bem + EGFRi are warranted to explore the potential benefits of this combination. Clinical trial information: NCT02424617.

9007 Background: Patients (pts) with advanced EGFRm NSCLC have limited treatment options after failure of EGFR TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC). HER3-DXd is an antibody drug conjugate consisting of a fully human monoclonal antibody to HER3 attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload via a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. We previously presented efficacy/safety data (median follow-up, 5.4 mo) from an ongoing study of HER3-DXd in EGFRm NSCLC after failure of EGFR TKI therapy. We now present extended follow-up of pts receiving the recommended dose for expansion (5.6 mg/kg IV Q3W). Methods: This Ph 1 dose-escalation/expansion study included pts with locally advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC with prior EGFR TKI therapy (NCT03260491). Pts with stable brain metastases (BM) were allowed. The primary endpoint was confirmed ORR by blinded independent central review (BICR) per RECIST v1.1; secondary endpoints included DOR, PFS and safety. Results: At data cutoff (Sept 24, 2020), 57 pts were treated with HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg IV Q3W; median follow-up, 10.2 mo (range, 5.2-19.9 mo). Median number of prior anticancer regimens was 4 (range, 1-10). 100% had prior EGFR TKI (86% prior osimertinib [OSI]) and 91% had prior PBC. 47% had a history of BM. Median treatment duration was 5.5 mo (range, 0.7-18.6 mo); treatment was ongoing in 18 pts (32%). Confirmed ORR by BICR was 39% (22/57; 95% CI, 26.0%-52.4%; 1 CR, 21 PR, 19 SD) with 14/22 responses occurring within 3 mo of starting HER3-DXd. DCR was 72% (95% CI, 58.5%-83.0%). Median DOR was 6.9 mo (95% CI, 3.1 mo-NE), and median PFS was 8.2 mo (95% CI, 4.4-8.3 mo). Antitumor activity was observed across diverse mechanisms of EGFR TKI resistance, including those not directly related to HER3 ( EGFR C797S, MET or HER2 amp, and BRAF fusion). Among pts with prior PBC, ORR was 37% (19/52; 95% CI, 23.6%-51.0%); in pts with prior OSI and PBC, ORR was 39% (17/44; 95% CI, 24.4%-54.5%). Among 43 pts evaluable for HER3 expression, nearly all expressed HER3; median membrane H-score by IHC was 180 (range, 2-280). Median H-score (range; N) was 195 (92-268; 15) in pts with CR/PR, 180 (4-280; 15) with SD, 126.5 (2-251; 6) with PD, and 180 (36-180; 7) in pts unevaluable for best overall response. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were thrombocytopenia (30%), neutropenia (19%), and fatigue (14%). Drug-related interstitial lung disease by central adjudication occurred in 4 pts (7%; 1 grade ≥3 [2%]; no grade 5). 6/57 pts (11%) had AEs associated with treatment discontinuation (none were due to thrombocytopenia). Conclusions: HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg IV Q3W demonstrated antitumor activity across various EGFR TKI resistance mechanisms in heavily pretreated metastatic/locally advanced EGFRm NSCLC. The safety profile was consistent with previous reports. A Ph 2 study of HER3-DXd in pts with EGFRm NSCLC after failure of EGFR TKI and PBC has been initiated (NCT04619004). Clinical trial information: NCT03260491.

Purpose Osimertinib is an irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) selective for both EGFR-TKI sensitizing ( EGFRm) and T790M resistance mutations. AURA (NCT01802632) is a phase I/II clinical trial to determine the dose, safety, and efficacy of osimertinib. This article reports the results from the phase II extension component. Patients and Methods Patients with EGFR-TKI–pretreated EGFRm- and T790M-positive advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received once-daily osimertinib 80 mg. T790M status was confirmed by central testing from a tumor sample taken after the most recent disease progression. Patients with asymptomatic, stable CNS metastases that did not require corticosteroids were allowed to enroll. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) by independent radiology assessment. Secondary end points were disease control rate, duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Patient-reported outcomes comprised an exploratory objective. Results In total, 201 patients received treatment, with a median treatment duration of 13.2 months at the time of data cutoff (November 1, 2015). In evaluable patients (n = 198), ORR was 62% (95% CI, 54% to 68%), and the disease control rate was 90% (95% CI, 85 to 94). Median duration of response in 122 responding patients was 15.2 months (95% CI, 11.3 to not calculable). Median PFS was 12.3 months (95% CI, 9.5 to 13.8). The most common possibly causally related adverse events (investigator assessed) were diarrhea (43%; grade ≥ 3, < 1%) and rash (grouped terms; 40%; grade ≥ 3, < 1%). Interstitial lung disease (grouped terms) was reported in eight patients (4%; grade 1, n = 2; grade 3, n = 3; grade 5, n = 3). Conclusion In patients with EGFRm T790M advanced NSCLC who progress after EGFR-TKI treatment, osimertinib provides a high ORR, encouraging PFS, and durable response.

Summary Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) gene rearrangements are oncogenic drivers of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Brigatinib (AP26113) is an investigational ALK inhibitor with potent preclinical activity against ALK mutants resistant to crizotinib and other ALK inhibitors. We aimed to assess brigatinib in patients with advanced malignancies, particularly ALK -rearranged NSCLC. Methods In this ongoing, single-arm, open-label, phase 1/2 trial, we recruited patients from nine academic hospitals or cancer centres in the USA and Spain. Eligible patients were at least 18 years of age and had advanced malignancies, including ALK -rearranged NSCLC, and disease that was refractory to available therapies or for which no curative treatments existed. In the initial dose-escalation phase 1 stage of the trial, patients received oral brigatinib at total daily doses of 30–300 mg (according to a standard 3 + 3 design). The phase 1 primary endpoint was establishment of the recommended phase 2 dose. In the phase 2 expansion stage, we assessed three oral once-daily regimens: 90 mg, 180 mg, and 180 mg with a 7 day lead-in at 90 mg; one patient received 90 mg twice daily. We enrolled patients in phase 2 into five cohorts: ALK inhibitor-naive ALK -rearranged NSCLC (cohort 1), crizotinib-treated ALK -rearranged NSCLC (cohort 2), EGFR T790M -positive NSCLC and resistance to one previous EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (cohort 3), other cancers with abnormalities in brigatinib targets (cohort 4), and crizotinib-naive or crizotinib-treated ALK -rearranged NSCLC with active, measurable, intracranial CNS metastases (cohort 5). The phase 2 primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with an objective response. Safety and activity of brigatinib were analysed in all patients in both phases of the trial who had received at least one dose of treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01449461. Findings Between Sept 20, 2011, and July 8, 2014, we enrolled 137 patients (79 [58%] with ALK -rearranged NSCLC), all of whom were treated. Dose-limiting toxicities observed during dose escalation included grade 3 increased alanine aminotransferase (240 mg daily) and grade 4 dyspnoea (300 mg daily). We initially chose a dose of 180 mg once daily as the recommended phase 2 dose; however, we also assessed two additional regimens (90 mg once daily and 180 mg once daily with a 7 day lead-in at 90 mg) in the phase 2 stage. four (100% [95% CI 40–100]) of four patients in cohort 1 had an objective response, 31 (74% [58–86]) of 42 did in cohort 2, none (of one) did in cohort 3, three (17% [4–41]) of 18 did in cohort 4, and five (83% [36–100]) of six did in cohort 5. 51 (72% [60–82]) of 71 patients with ALK -rearranged NSCLC with previous crizotinib treatment had an objective response (44 [62% (50–73)] had a confirmed objective response). All eight crizotinib-naive patients with ALK -rearranged NSCLC had a confirmed objective response (100% [63–100]). Three (50% [95% CI 12–88]) of six patients in cohort 5 had an intracranial response. The most common grade 3–4 treatment-emergent adverse events across all doses were increased lipase concentration (12 [9%] of 137), dyspnoea (eight [6%]), and hypertension (seven [5%]). Serious treatment-emergent adverse events (excluding neoplasm progression) reported in at least 5% of all patients were dyspnoea (ten [7%]), pneumonia (nine [7%]), and hypoxia (seven [5%]). 16 (12%) patients died during treatment or within 31 days of the last dose of brigatinib, including eight patients who died from neoplasm progression. Interpretation Brigatinib shows promising clinical activity and has an acceptable safety profile in patients with crizotinib-treated and crizotinib-naive ALK -rearranged NSCLC. These results support its further development as a potential new treatment option for patients with advanced ALK -rearranged NSCLC. A randomised phase 2 trial in patients with crizotinib-resistant ALK -rearranged NSCLC is prospectively assessing the safety and efficacy of two regimens assessed in the phase 2 portion of this trial (90 mg once daily and 180 mg once daily with a 7 day lead-in at 90 mg). Funding ARIAD Pharmaceuticals.