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Biomarkers; Colorectal cancer; Immunotherapy Biomarcadors; Càncer colorectal; Immunoteràpia Biomarcadores; Cáncer colorrectal; Inmunoterapia The search for immunotherapy biomarkers in Microsatellite Instability High/Deficient Mismatch Repair system (MSI-H/dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is an unmet need. Sixteen patients with mCRC and MSI-H/dMMR (determined by either immunohistochemistry or polymerase chain reaction) treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors at our institution were included. According to whether the progression-free survival with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors was longer than 6 months or shorter, patients were clustered into the IT-responder group (n: 9 patients) or IT-resistant group (n: 7 patients), respectively. In order to evaluate determinants of benefit with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, we performed multimodal analysis including genomics (through NGS panel tumour-only with 431 genes) and the immune microenvironment (using CD3, CD8, FOXP3 and PD-L1 antibodies). The following mutations were more frequent in IT-resistant compared with IT-responder groups: B2M (4/7 versus 2/9), CTNNB1 (2/7 versus 0/9), and biallelic PTEN (3/7 versus 1/9). Biallelic ARID1A mutations were found exclusively in the IT-responder group (4/9 patients). Tumour mutational burden did not correlate with immunotherapy benefit, neither the rate of indels in homopolymeric regions. Of note, biallelic ARID1A mutated tumours had the highest immune infiltration and PD-L1 scores, contrary to tumours with CTNNB1 mutation. Immune microenvironment analysis showed higher densities of different T cell subpopulations and PD-L1 expression in IT-responders. Misdiagnosis of MSI-H/dMMR inferred by discordances between immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction was only found in the IT-resistant population (3/7 patients). Biallelic ARID1A mutations and Wnt signalling activation through CTNNB1 mutation were associated with high and low T cell immune infiltrates, respectively, and deserve special attention as determinants of response to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. The non-MSI-H phenotype in dMMR is associated with poor benefit to immunotherapy. Our results suggest that mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy are multi-factorial. This research was funded by Merck Research Grants (Call 2018) in the Area of Colorectal Cancer Clinical Investigation.

INTRODUCTION The addition of monoclonal antibody (mAb) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors to classic chemotherapy doublet backbones has improved survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the role of triple-drug chemotherapy regimens in combination with an anti-EGFR mAb inhibitor is not yet clear. AREAS COVERED The activity of triple-drug chemotherapy regimens when combined with an anti-EGFR mAb in mCRC patients is examined. We describe the overall safety and tolerability profiles based on a literature review of all published phase I and II clinical trials in this setting. Drug exposure, tumor mutational status, and metastases resectability are discussed. A review of PubMed and abstracts of major oncology congresses from 2009 to 2018, with MeSH and full-text search terms for clinical trials of anti-EGFR for 'metastatic' or 'advanced' 'colorectal cancer/adenocarcinoma' was implemented. Only English language publications were included. EXPERT OPINION Efficacy data from phase II trials are promising, but the safety profiles are not as encouraging; the development of severe diarrhea and acneiform rash limit the drug exposure that is critical for improved outcomes. Phase II studies of these triplet chemotherapy/anti-EGFR mAb combinations have focused on conversion therapy in liver-limited disease or in the first-line setting in advanced disease. The identification of biomarkers of response and toxicity may support the use of personalized medicine and more precise design of phase III trials.

Metastatic colorectal cancer; RAS analysis; Prognostic biomarker Cáncer colorrectal en metástasis; Análisis RAS; Biomarcador como pronóstico Càncer colorectal en metàstasi; Anàlisi RAS; Biomarcador com a pronòstic Despite major advances in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the survival rate remains very poor. This study aims at exploring the prognostic value of RAS‐mutant allele fraction (MAF) in plasma in mCRC. Forty‐seven plasma samples from 37 RAS‐mutated patients with nonresectable metastases were tested for RAS in circulating tumor DNA using BEAMing before first‐ and/or second‐line treatment. RAS MAF was correlated with several clinical parameters (number of metastatic sites, hepatic volume, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19‐9 levels, primary site location, and treatment line) and clinical outcome [progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)]. An independent cohort of 32 patients from the CAPRI‐GOIM trial was assessed for clinical outcome based on plasma baseline MAF. RAS MAF analysis at baseline revealed a significant correlation with longer OS [Hazard ratios (HR) = 3.514; P = 0.00066]. Patients with lower MAF also showed a tendency to longer PFS, although not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed RAS MAFs as an independent prognostic factor in both OS (HR = 2.73; P = 0.006) and first‐line PFS (HR = 3.74; P = 0.049). Tumor response to treatment in patients with higher MAF was progression disease (P = 0.007). Patients with low MAFs at baseline in the CAPRI‐GOIM group also showed better OS [HR = 3.84; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.5–9.6; P = 0.004] and better PFS (HR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.07–5.62; P = 0.033). This minimally invasive test may help in adding an independent factor to better estimate outcomes before initiating treatment. Further prospective studies using MAF as a stratification factor could further validate its utility in clinical practice. This work was supported partially by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad) and `Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), una manera de hacer Europa' grants [FIS PI12-01589 to RS] and RETICC Cancer.

Ramucirumab, a human monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), is an antiangiogenic therapy that has been approved in combination with FOLFIRI in second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), after progression on or after therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine. A thorough review of the safety of ramucirumab in this setting and in the context of other antiangiogenic agents is merited. Areas covered: We provide an overview of activity and summarize in detail the overall safety and tolerability profile of ramucirumab in mCRC patients on the basis of a literature review of all published clinical trials in this setting, including both single-agent and combination studies. A focus on adverse events of interest and specific populations is included, as well as a critical comparison with other antiangiogenic therapies. Expert opinion: As an effective agent in pretreated mCRC patients, the toxicity profile of ramucirumab is similar to those of other angiogenesis inhibitors used in the second-line mCRC setting. The next challenge will be to find biomarkers of response and toxicity to antiangiogenic therapies in order to more effectively implement personalized medicine in these patients.

Introduction: Despite major progress in treating advanced colorectal cancer (CRC), prognosis in this population after progression on standard treatment remains dismal and the development of new drugs represents an unmet need. Historically, fluoropyrimidines have played a major role in the treatment of metastatic CRC. TAS-102, a novel combination of trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride, has demonstrated improvement in overall survival in the refractory CRC setting, with a safe toxicity profile. Areas covered: A literature review of published clinical studies was performed. Herein, the authors review the pharmacological and clinical data of TAS-102 when used in metastatic CRC, both as a single agent as well as in novel combinations under investigation. Expert opinion: The addition of TAS-102 to the therapeutic armamentarium of metastatic CRC is an encouraging breakthrough considering the demonstrated survival benefit and favorable tolerability profile. Combinations with other agents are under clinical investigation in different settings in an attempt to widen its use. To optimize treatment in today’s era of molecular oncology, efforts should be focused on understanding primary and secondary resistance mechanisms, along with the identification of potential biomarkers of response.

3551Background: Pts with MSS all-RAS and BRAFV600E wild-type met CRC are more likely to respond to anti-EGFR drugs, irrespective of treatment (tx) line, particularly if left-sided primaries (prim)....

Aim: Currently, several methods are available to detect CTCs in peripheral blood; the enumeration of CTCs has emerged as a promising biomarker. CTCs shed from metastatic cancers may allow the non-invasive analysis of the evolution of tumor genomes during treatment and disease progression through “liquid biopsies” 1. PIK3CA mutations and loss of PTEN expression are being analyzed in many studies in breast cancer. Frequent deregulation and aberration of this pathway have been implicated not only in breast cancer development and progression, but also in breast cancer therapy resistance, and as a potential predictor of response to new treatments 2,3. The objective of this study is to analyze genomic alterations of the PTEN gene and PIK3CA (exon 20) in CTCs in patients with MBC. 1. Cristofanilli M, et al. N Engl J Med 2004;351:781-91. 2. Sarah-Jane Dawson, et al. N Engl J Med 2013;368:1199-1209. 3. Cancer Genome Atlas Network. Nature 2012;490:61-70. Methods: We carried out a descriptive study in patients with MBC currently undergoing treatment at Hospital Universitario de Salamanca (Spain). CTCs were quantified by means an automated fluorescence method (MetaFer-MetaCyte of MetaSystem), allowing selection of cells by size and genetic alterations. We analyzed genomic alterations in PTEN gene in CTCs by FISH and High Resolution Melting (HRM) was performed to measure PIK3CA mutations in circulating tumor DNA. Finally, we studied the association between PTEN deletion and PIK3CA mutations. Results: In this preliminary analysis, a total of 30 samples have been obtained. CTCs (size >7 µm) were detected in 27 of 30 women. Of 27 samples, there were 12 cases (44,4%) of PTEN loss detected by FISH, and there were 10 cases (37,1%) in which PIK3CA mutations were detected by HRM. In 5 samples, there were association between PTEN deletion and PIK3CA mutations. These 5 cases were Luminal (A and B) tumors. Conclusions: Monitoring and isolation of CTCs represents an opportunity to study specific genomic alterations. In this study, we carried out the analysis of two genes involved in the same signaling pathway: PTEN and PIK3CA; which may have additive or synergistic effects through non-canonical functional pathways. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Aim: The classification systems for febrile neutropenia F.N define groups of patients with high or low risk of developing complications during the episode, but they do not evaluate correctly which patients can be treated as outpatients, because up to 5-15 % of low risk patients suffer some kind of complication or even death. Methods: A retrospective study in only one institution of episodes of febrile neutropenia in outpatients with solid tumors between January 2004 and December 2011.The clinical differences between patients treated in hospital and those treated as outpatients were analyzed by means of a multivariate analysis to design a protocol algorithm. Results: A total of 250 patients were included. 173 (69.2%) patients underwent hospital treatment (PHT) and 77 (30.8%) were treated orally as outpatients (OP). Of the latter, none developed serious complications nor required admission. 12 clinical variables between PHT and OP were analyzed using logistic binary regression. Statistically significant differences were found, clinical factors favourable to outpatient treatment being: age 100/mm3 (OR, 14; 95% IC, 4,67 to 41,09); ECOG 10 days between cycle of chemotherapy (CC) and F.N episode (OR, 2,49; 95% IC, 1,01 to 6,19). The area under the curve for this model was 0.932 (p Conclusions: Ambulatory management is possible for patients with febrile neutropenia who are clinically stable and who present the above favourable clinical factors. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.