Results for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in the CheckMate 274 trial.

491 Background: CheckMate 274 demonstrated a significant improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) with nivolumab (NIVO) versus placebo (PBO) both in the intent-to-treat population (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 98.22% confidence interval [CI], 0.55–0.90; P < 0.001) and in patients (pts) with tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression ≥ 1% assessed by the tumor proportion score (TPS) (HR, 0.55; 98.72% CI, 0.35–0.85; P < 0.001). An exploratory subgroup analysis showed a trend toward a DFS benefit with NIVO in pts with TPS < 1% (0.82; 95% CI, 0.63–1.06). To further characterize the relationship between PD-L1 expression and NIVO efficacy, we report an analysis of DFS based on PD-L1 expression in both tumor and immune cells using the combined positive score (CPS). Methods: CheckMate 274 is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial of NIVO versus PBO in pts with high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma after radical surgery. Pts were randomized 1:1 to NIVO 240 mg or PBO every 2 weeks intravenously for 1 year of adjuvant treatment. The primary endpoints of the study are DFS in the intent-to-treat population and in pts with TPS ≥ 1%. The Dako PD-L1 IHC 28-8 pharmDx assay was used to evaluate TPS. CPS was determined retrospectively from previously stained immunohistochemistry slides using the CPS algorithm. CPS was calculated as the number of both PD-L1 positive tumor and immune cells divided by the number of viable tumor cells in the evaluable tumor area, multiplied by 100; TPS was similarly calculated with the number of PD-L1 positive tumor cells as the numerator. This analysis only included pts with both quantifiable CPS and TPS. Results: Of the 629 pts with quantifiable TPS and CPS, 249 (40%) had TPS ≥ 1% (NIVO, n = 124; PBO, n = 125), 380 (60%) had TPS < 1% (NIVO, n = 191; PBO, n = 189), 557 (89%) had CPS ≥ 1 (NIVO, n = 281; PBO, n = 276), and 72 (11%) had CPS < 1 (NIVO, n = 34; PBO, n = 38). Within TPS < 1% pts, 81% (n = 309) had CPS ≥ 1. The number of pts and the DFS outcomes in pts with TPS ≥ 1% and CPS ≥ 1 are shown in the Table. In pts with TPS < 1% who also had CPS ≥ 1, median DFS (95% CI) was 19.2 (15.6–33.4) months with NIVO versus 10.1 (8.2–19.4) months with PBO. The HR for NIVO versus PBO in these pts was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.54–0.99). Conclusions: This exploratory analysis of PD-L1 expression by CPS showed a higher proportion of pts with CPS ≥ 1 than TPS ≥ 1%, and that most pts with TPS < 1% had CPS ≥ 1. In the CPS ≥ 1 subgroup, median DFS with NIVO was more than double that with placebo. These results support the conclusion that pts with TPS < 1% also benefit from adjuvant NIVO. Clinical trial information: NCT02632409. [Table: see text]

LBA02-08 RESULTS FROM THE EXTENDED FOLLOW-UP IN PATIENTS WITH MUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER IN THE CHeckMATE 274 TRIAL

658 Background: In the phase 3, randomized, double-blind CheckMate 274 trial, adjuvant NIVO demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful disease-free survival (DFS) benefit vs PBO in pts with high-risk MIUC after radical surgery (RS) ± prior neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (NAC). With extended 3-y median follow-up, continued improvements in DFS were seen with NIVO vs PBO in the primary efficacy populations (intent-to-treat [ITT], tumor programmed death ligand 1 [PD-L1] expression ≥ 1%) and in pts with MIBC. Early trends in interim OS favored NIVO vs PBO in ITT and tumor PD-L1 ≥ 1% pts. Here we report additional efficacy outcomes for pts with MIBC. Methods: Pts were randomized 1:1 to NIVO 240 mg every 2 wk or PBO for ≤ 1 y of adjuvant treatment, stratified by tumor PD-L1 expression, nodal status, and prior NAC. Primary endpoints were DFS in ITT and tumor PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% pts. OS in ITT and PD-L1 ≥ 1% pts was a secondary endpoint. Analysis of MIBC pts was exploratory. MIBC OS data are from preplanned interim analyses of ITT and PD-L1 ≥ 1% pts. OS follow-up is ongoing as the prespecified statistical boundaries for significance in ITT and PD-L1 ≥ 1% pts were not crossed at the time of these analyses. Results: Of 709 randomized pts (ITT), 560 (79%) had MIBC (NIVO, n = 279; PBO, n = 281); 284 (51%) of MIBC pts had prior NAC. With median follow-up of 36.1 mo (ITT), DFS improvement with NIVO vs PBO was consistent between all pts with MIBC (hazard ratio [HR] 0.63) and those with (HR 0.58) and without prior NAC (HR 0.69; Table). For OS, HRs favored NIVO vs PBO in all pts with MIBC (HR 0.70) and the tumor PD-L1 ≥ 1% subgroup (HR 0.48), as well as in pts with MIBC with (HR 0.74) and without prior NAC (HR 0.67). Safety was consistent with previous data in ITT pts; no new safety signals were identified. Conclusions: With 3-y median follow-up, consistent benefit in DFS was observed with NIVO vs PBO in all MIBC pts and across prior NAC subgroups. The HR for OS favored NIVO in all MIBC pts, in those with PD-L1 ≥ 1%, and regardless of prior NAC status. These results continue to support adjuvant NIVO as a standard of care for high-risk MIUC and MIBC, potentially providing an opportunity for a curative outcome. Clinical trial information: NCT02632409 . NIVOn NIVOMedian(95% CI), mo PBOn PBOMedian(95% CI), mo HR (95% CI) DFS All MIBC 279 25.6 (19.2–41.8) 281 8.5 (7.3–13.7) 0.63 (0.51–0.78) With prior NAC 142 19.6 (15.6–48.2) 142 8.3 (5.6–11.2) 0.58 (0.43–0.79) No prior NAC 137 25.9 (19.2–51.5) 139 13.7 (7.8–22.1) 0.69 (0.50–0.94) OS All MIBC 279 NR (45.0–NE) 281 39.9 (29.8–52.1) 0.70 (0.55–0.90) PD-L1 ≥ 1% 113 NR (NE–NE) 117 37.6 (26.9–NE) 0.48 (0.29–0.77) With prior NAC 142 55.2 (41.8–NE) 142 40.2 (28.8–53.7) 0.74 (0.53–1.03) No prior NAC 137 NR (40.7–NE) 139 37.7 (28.7–65.2) 0.67 (0.47–0.95) NE, not estimable; NR, not reached.

LBA443 Background: The 2 primary endpoints of the CheckMate 274 trial were met as nivolumab (NIVO) improved disease-free survival (DFS) versus placebo (PBO) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and in patients with tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression ≥ 1%. We report extended follow-up data. Methods: CheckMate 274 is a phase 3, double-blind trial of adjuvant NIVO versus PBO for high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) (bladder, ureter, or renal pelvis) after radical resection. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to NIVO 240 mg every 2 wk or PBO for ≤ 1 year of treatment. Patients had pathologic evidence of UC at high risk of recurrence and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≤ 1. Primary endpoints were DFS in ITT patients and in patients with PD-L1 ≥ 1%. DFS was also analyzed in prespecified subgroups. Overall survival and non–urothelial tract recurrence-free survival (NUTRFS) in ITT patients and in patients with PD-L1 ≥ 1% were secondary endpoints. Distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and safety were exploratory endpoints. Results: There were 353 patients randomly assigned to NIVO (PD-L1 ≥ 1%, n = 140) and 356 to PBO (PD-L1 ≥ 1%, n = 142). With median follow-up of 36.1 months (minimum follow-up, 31.6 months), median DFS was 22.0 months with NIVO versus 10.9 months with PBO in ITT patients and 52.6 months with NIVO versus 8.4 months with PBO in patients with PD-L1 ≥ 1% (Table). DFS benefit was seen in most subgroups analyzed including age, sex, ECOG PS, nodal status, prior cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and PD-L1 status. NUTRFS and DMFS benefits with NIVO versus PBO were also observed in both populations (Table). Grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 18.2% and 7.2% of patients in the NIVO and PBO arms, consistent with the primary analysis. Overall survival will be assessed at a future database lock. Conclusions: With extended follow-up, NIVO continued to show DFS, NUTRFS, and DMFS benefits versus PBO. The hazard ratio (HR) for DFS and NUTRFS in PD-L1 ≥ 1% patients and for DMFS in both ITT and PD-L1 ≥ 1% patients also continued to improve versus the primary analysis. No new safety signals were identified. These results further support adjuvant NIVO as a standard of care for high-risk MIUC after radical resection. Clinical trial information: NCT02632409 . [Table: see text]

Chemotherapy + PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade Should Be the Preferred Option in the Neoadjuvant Therapy of NSCLC

How low can you go? PD-L1 expression as a biomarker in trials of cancer immunotherapy

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is considered a poor prognostic factor in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the data regarding the change in PD-L1 expression before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) are limited. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and Ki-67 expression before and after NAC in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We retrospectively analyzed 191 patients with MIBC who underwent platinum-based NAC followed by radical cystectomy (RC) between June 2010 and March 2022. We excluded ypT0-1 cases because of the difficulty of evaluating PD-L1 and Ki-67 by immunostaining. Finally, we selected 104 patients with matched specimens from transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and residual invasive disease in RC. We examined the relationship between PD-L1 expression and Ki-67 labeling index in TURBT and RC specimens. Additionally, we investigated the differential expression of 39 subtype-related genes before and after NAC. Among 104 patients who underwent NAC, the number of PD-L1-positive patients significantly increased from 16 (15.4%) in the TURBT specimens to 30 (28.8%) in the RC specimens. The median Ki-67 labeling index significantly decreased from 30.6% in the TURBT specimens to 9.9% in the RC specimens. The correlation between treatment effects and changes in gene expression was challenging to identify. A significant effect of NAC on PD-L1 expression and Ki-67 labeling index was observed in patients with MIBC. However, the impact of changes in gene expression on prognosis needs further study.

The Prognostic Impact of PD-L1 and CD8 Expression in Anal Cancer Patients Treated with Chemoradiotherapy

BackgroundProgrammed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has been shown to be prognostic in many cancer types and used in consideration of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. However, there are very limited and conflicting data on the prognostic impact of PD-L1 in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). The objectives of this study were to measure the expression of PD-L1 and CD8 in patients with ASCC treated with radical chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to correlate tumor expression with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).MethodsNinety-nine patients with ASCC treated with primary CRT at two tertiary care cancer centers between 2000 and 2013, with available pre-treatment tumors, were included. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) from pre-treatment tumor specimens were stained for PD-L1 and CD8. PD-L1 expression in the tumor and stroma was quantified using HALO image analysis software, and results were interpreted using quantitative methods. The density of CD8 cells within the tumor was interpreted by a trained pathologist semi-quantitatively, using a 0-4 scoring system. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank was used to determine the significance in the association of tumor markers with PFS and OS. Cox multivariate analysis was used to explore independent predictors of PFS and OS.ResultsOf the 99 patients, 63 (64%) had sufficient tumor samples available for full analysis. CD8 high status was documented in 32 of 63 (50.8%) % of cases. PD-L1 expression was positive in 88.9% of cases. Approximately half the patients had tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5%. Patients with tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5% had better OS vs those with lower expression, HR=0.32 (95% CI 0.11-0.87), p=0.027; 10 years OS: 84% for tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5% vs 49% for PD-L1 < 5%. PD-L1 expression was not associated with PFS. On multivariate analysis, tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5% showed a trend to statistical significance for better OS, HR=0.55 (95% CI 0.12- 1.00), p=0.052.ConclusionsTumor PD-L1≥5% is associated with OS in patients with ASCC treated with CRT. PD-L1 expression status using this unique cut-point warrants further validation for prognostication in patients with this disease. Future studies are required to determine the benefit of alternative treatment strategies based on PD-L1 status.

&lt;div&gt;Abstract&lt;p&gt;Antibodies that block the interaction between programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-1 have shown impressive responses in subgroups of patients with cancer. PD-L1 expression in tumors seems to be a prerequisite for treatment response. However, PD-L1 is heterogeneously expressed within tumor lesions and may change upon disease progression and treatment. Imaging of PD-L1 could aid in patient selection. Previously, we showed the feasibility to image PD-L1&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; tumors in immunodeficient mice. However, PD-L1 is also expressed on immune cell subsets. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential of PD-L1 micro single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (microSPECT/CT) using radiolabeled PD-L1 antibodies to (i) measure PD-L1 expression in two immunocompetent tumor models (syngeneic mice and humanized mice harboring PD-L1 expressing immune cells) and (ii) monitor therapy-induced changes in tumor PD-L1 expression. We showed that radiolabeled PD-L1 antibodies accumulated preferentially in PD-L1&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; tumors, despite considerable uptake in certain normal lymphoid tissues (spleen and lymph nodes) and nonlymphoid tissues (duodenum and brown fat). PD-L1 microSPECT/CT imaging could also distinguish between high and low PD-L1–expressing tumors. The presence of PD-L1&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; immune cells did not compromise tumor uptake of the human PD-L1 antibodies in humanized mice, and we demonstrated that radiotherapy-induced upregulation of PD-L1 expression in murine tumors could be monitored with microSPECT/CT imaging. Together, these data demonstrate that PD-L1 microSPECT/CT is a sensitive technique to detect variations in tumor PD-L1 expression, and in the future, this technique may enable patient selection for PD-1/PD-L1–targeted therapy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&gt;Abstract&lt;p&gt;Antibodies that block the interaction between programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-1 have shown impressive responses in subgroups of patients with cancer. PD-L1 expression in tumors seems to be a prerequisite for treatment response. However, PD-L1 is heterogeneously expressed within tumor lesions and may change upon disease progression and treatment. Imaging of PD-L1 could aid in patient selection. Previously, we showed the feasibility to image PD-L1&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; tumors in immunodeficient mice. However, PD-L1 is also expressed on immune cell subsets. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential of PD-L1 micro single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (microSPECT/CT) using radiolabeled PD-L1 antibodies to (i) measure PD-L1 expression in two immunocompetent tumor models (syngeneic mice and humanized mice harboring PD-L1 expressing immune cells) and (ii) monitor therapy-induced changes in tumor PD-L1 expression. We showed that radiolabeled PD-L1 antibodies accumulated preferentially in PD-L1&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; tumors, despite considerable uptake in certain normal lymphoid tissues (spleen and lymph nodes) and nonlymphoid tissues (duodenum and brown fat). PD-L1 microSPECT/CT imaging could also distinguish between high and low PD-L1–expressing tumors. The presence of PD-L1&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; immune cells did not compromise tumor uptake of the human PD-L1 antibodies in humanized mice, and we demonstrated that radiotherapy-induced upregulation of PD-L1 expression in murine tumors could be monitored with microSPECT/CT imaging. Together, these data demonstrate that PD-L1 microSPECT/CT is a sensitive technique to detect variations in tumor PD-L1 expression, and in the future, this technique may enable patient selection for PD-1/PD-L1–targeted therapy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

Antibodies that block the interaction between programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-1 have shown impressive responses in subgroups of patients with cancer. PD-L1 expression in tumors seems to be a prerequisite for treatment response. However, PD-L1 is heterogeneously expressed within tumor lesions and may change upon disease progression and treatment. Imaging of PD-L1 could aid in patient selection. Previously, we showed the feasibility to image PD-L1+ tumors in immunodeficient mice. However, PD-L1 is also expressed on immune cell subsets. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential of PD-L1 micro single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (microSPECT/CT) using radiolabeled PD-L1 antibodies to (i) measure PD-L1 expression in two immunocompetent tumor models (syngeneic mice and humanized mice harboring PD-L1 expressing immune cells) and (ii) monitor therapy-induced changes in tumor PD-L1 expression. We showed that radiolabeled PD-L1 antibodies accumulated preferentially in PD-L1+ tumors, despite considerable uptake in certain normal lymphoid tissues (spleen and lymph nodes) and nonlymphoid tissues (duodenum and brown fat). PD-L1 microSPECT/CT imaging could also distinguish between high and low PD-L1-expressing tumors. The presence of PD-L1+ immune cells did not compromise tumor uptake of the human PD-L1 antibodies in humanized mice, and we demonstrated that radiotherapy-induced upregulation of PD-L1 expression in murine tumors could be monitored with microSPECT/CT imaging. Together, these data demonstrate that PD-L1 microSPECT/CT is a sensitive technique to detect variations in tumor PD-L1 expression, and in the future, this technique may enable patient selection for PD-1/PD-L1-targeted therapy.

Prognostic Value of KRAS Mutation Subtypes and PD-L1 Expression in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma

This study sought to investigate the prevalence of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its prognostic value in patients with residual tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for locally advanced breast cancer. A total of 309 patients considered as non-pathological complete responders (non-pCR) after NCT followed by mastectomy were selected. The expression of PD-L1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in residual breast cancer cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry in surgical specimens. The median density was used to classify PD-L1 expression from low to high. The prognostic value of various clinicopathological factors was evaluated. The expression of PD-L1 was more commonly observed in patients with low levels of total TILs (p < 0.001), high levels of FOXP3+ TILs (p < 0.001) and low levels of CD8+ TILs (p < 0.001). This served as an independent prognostic factor for both relapse-free survival (Hazard ratio = 1.824, p = 0.013) and overall survival (OS) (Hazard ratio = 2.585, p = 0.001). High expression of PD-L1 was correlated to worse survival, which is most significantly observed in triple-negative patients. Patients classified as PD-L1-high/CD8-low exhibited relatively unfavorable survival, whereas patients with either low expression of PD-L1 or high expression of CD8 had similar outcomes. PD-L1 expression in residual tumor can be used as a prognostic marker in non-pCR patients after receiving NCT for breast cancer, which highlights the importance of immune evasion in the therapeutic vulnerability of chemoresistant cancer cells as well as the potential of anti-PD-L1 treatments in non-pCR responders.

Background: NIVO inhibits the interaction of the PD-1 receptor with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. While high tumor PD-L1 expression results in greater clinical benefit with NIVO, MEL patients (pts) with low-to-no PD-L1 expression also benefit from NIVO. This may be partially attributed to PD-L2. Here, we analyzed the association between PD-L1/PD-L2 expression and efficacy from a phase II study (CheckMate 064) evaluating NIVO followed by ipilimumab (IPI) vs IPI followed by NIVO in MEL. Methods: Pts were randomized 1:1 to receive sequential treatment with NIVO (3 mg/kg IV Q2W x 6) then IPI (3 mg/kg IV Q3W x 4) (cohort A) or IPI then NIVO (cohort B). Pts were biopsied prior to treatment and at Wk 13; pts had only received one agent at Wk 13. PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples with the Dako PD-L1 28-8 pharmDx assay and a novel PD-L2 assay (antibody clone 9E5). Dichotomization of the percent expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 was optimized by ROC analyses. Results: In pre-treatment samples, 32/97 (33%) pts had PD-L1 expression ?5% and 38/83 (46%) pts had PD-L2 expression ?70%. No consistent change from baseline in PD-L1 or PD-L2 was observed in either cohort with treatment. The frequency of pts with PD-L2 expression ?70% was higher among pts with PD-L1 ?5% vs PD-L1 &amp;lt;5%: 63% (19/30) vs 36% (17/47). In cohort A, there was a greater mean tumor burden reduction and higher response rates at Wk 13 among pts with high vs low PD-L2 expression, even in pts with low-to-no PD-L1 (Table). No association between PD-L2 and efficacy was observed in cohort B. Conclusions: Similar to PD-L1, PD-L2 expression may enrich response to NIVO in MEL. PD-L2 expression may partially explain the efficacy of NIVO in pts with low-to-no PD-L1. However, NIVO is still active in pts with low-to-no expression of both ligands, suggesting other factors may explain the activity of NIVO. Further analysis is required to delineate these factors. ExpressionStatus, %NCheckMateCheckMate064064Cohort ACohort BPD-L1PD-L2Tumor response, n/N (%)Reduction in tumor burden, %Tumor response, n/N (%)Reduction in tumor burden, %≥5≥70197/13 (54)-26.62/6 (33)4.9≥5&amp;lt;70112/7 (29)-13.30/4 (0)49.8&amp;lt;5≥70174/10 (40)-28.40/7 (0)58.0&amp;lt;5&amp;lt;70304/18 (22)-2.80/12 (0)31.3 Citation Format: Scott J. Rodig, Evisa Gjini, Kaushal Desai, Chelsea Jin, Christine Horak, Mary Ruisi, Jeffrey Weber, Gordon J. Freeman, F. Stephen Hodi. Association of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and 2 (PD-L2) expression with nivolumab (NIVO) efficacy in advanced melanoma (MEL). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr CT133.