Cooperative Group Setting Research Articles

Postoperative Adverse Events Following Neoadjuvant Therapy and Surgery for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer in a Phase 2 Clinical Trial (Alliance A021501).

Postoperative adverse events (AEs) in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (BR-PC) treated with neoadjuvant therapy and pancreatectomy in the national cooperative group setting have not been previously characterized. We conducted a preplanned secondary analysis of patients enrolled on the Alliance A021501 clinical trial to quantify perioperative AE rates. The A021501 phase 2 trial randomized patients with BR-PC to receive 8 doses of mFOLFIRINOX (Arm 1) or 7 doses of mFOLFIRINOX and hypofractionated radiotherapy (Arm 2), followed by pancreatectomy (December 31, 2016 to May 31, 2019). Adverse events were assessed 90 days after pancreatectomy. Of 126 enrolled patients, 51 (40%) underwent pancreatectomy (n = 32, Arm 1; n = 19, Arm 2) at 28 institutions. Five (10%) patients required reoperation within 90 days; 56% of patients (n = 27/48) experienced at least one grade 3 or higher AE (50% vs. 67%, p = 0.37). Ninety-day mortality was 2.0%. Readmission was less frequent in Arm 1 (16% vs. 42%, p = 0.05), but there were no differences between study arms in rates of reoperation (13% vs. 5%), pancreatic fistula or intra-abdominal abscess requiring drainage (9% vs. 16%), or wound infection (6% vs. 16%). Pancreatic fistula or intra-abdominal abscess requiring drainage was associated with receipt of adjuvant therapy (p = 0.012). No difference in overall survival was observed based on occurrence of postoperative AEs (hazard ratio = 1.1; 95% confidence interval 0.5-2.6). In this multicenter study, rates of postoperative AEs were consistent with those previously reported. Multimodality trials of preoperative therapy for BR-PC may be performed in the cooperative group setting with careful quality assurance and safety monitoring. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02839343.

Pilot study to evaluate automated laboratory data transfer into Medidata Rave for NCI-supported pediatric cooperative group trials in the Pediatric Early Phase Clinical Trials Network (PEP-CTN) and Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC).

e23017 Background: Electronic data capture (EDC) has the potential to improve data accuracy and efficiency. As an initial step toward improvement in the accuracy and completeness of data acquisition for clinical trials, PEP-CTN and PBTC conducted a pilot project to assess the feasibility of automated transfer of laboratory data from participating institutions’ electronic health records to the NCI Medidata Rave EDC that is housed within each consortium’s Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The pilot aimed to assess feasibility of automated laboratory data extraction and transfer and to evaluate discrepancies between laboratory data obtained retrospectively through automated extraction and data manually ascertained during the original conduct of the study. Methods: Data from patients treated on 7 completed PEP-CTN or PBTC trials at 7 sites were included. Each consortium created a Rave EDC study to receive data. Sites used the ExtractEHR R package or local methods to map and extract laboratory data for designated patients. Post-extraction data were uploaded via a file transfer protocol (FTP) periodically polled by the Rave Batch Uploader (BU) that uploaded data into Rave EDC. After successful upload, extracted data (EHR) were compared to laboratory data that had been manually reported when patients were enrolled on the trials (MANUAL) and discrepancies were identified. Discrepancy types were categorized and 2 sites reviewed discrepancies at their sites to identify reasons. Results: Preparation and support for automated extraction and upload required significant central operations and local site effort. All sites successfully extracted specified laboratory data and had at least one complete upload via BU to Rave EDC. There were more laboratory data in the EHR datasets than MANUAL datasets across most sites. These results were due to multiple EHR results on a given day or from additional days in the study window than specified in MANUAL. Sites verified that laboratory data in MANUAL and not EHR were stored in un-extractable formats (e.g. PDFs) or outside laboratories. Most discrepant results in both EHR and MANUAL were mismatched values or units. Conclusions: This pilot demonstrated the feasibility of implementing automated laboratory data extraction and transfer in the cooperative group setting. Automated data transfer requires significant central operational support as well as detailed protocols, data specifications, and case report forms and engagement of site technical teams to be successful, but also permits collection of more comprehensive data with reduced manual data entry. Clinical trial information: NCT05020951 .

Postoperative complications following neoadjuvant therapy and surgery in a phase 2 borderline resectable pancreatic cancer clinical trial (Alliance A021501).

664 Background: Postoperative complications in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy and pancreatectomy in the national cooperative group setting have not been previously characterized. Further, the impact of preoperative hypofractionated radiotherapy on postoperative outcomes is largely unknown. We sought to quantify perioperative morbidity among patients with pancreatic cancer who received neoadjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy with or without hypofractionated radiotherapy on a multicenter clinical trial. Methods: The A021501 phase 2 trial randomized patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to 8 doses of mFOLFIRINOX (Arm 1) or 7 doses of mFOLFIRINOX then hypofractionated radiotherapy (Arm 2), followed by pancreatectomy (Dec 31, 2016-Jan 1, 2019). Patients underwent resection according to defined operative standards at enrolling centers without specific requirements for either surgeon or hospital volume. Surgical complications and adverse events were assessed and captured at a single time point of 90 days after surgery and compared between treatment arms. Results: Of 126 enrolled patients, 51 (40%) underwent pancreatectomy (n=32, Arm 1; n=19, Arm 2) at 28 institutions. Vascular resection was performed in 19 patients (37%). One patient in Arm 2 died within 90 days after surgery. Rates of any surgical complication were 19% (n=6) in Arm 1 and 42% (n=8) in Arm 2 (p=0.07). Median length of stay was 7 days (range 5-38 days). Five (10%) patients required reoperation within 90 days. Readmission rates were higher in Arm 2 than Arm 1 (16% vs. 42%, p=0.04) but there were no differences in rates of reoperation, pancreatic fistula or abscess requiring drainage, or wound infection between study arms. 54% of patients (n=26/48) experienced a grade 3 or higher adverse event, with no difference between treatment arms (47% versus 67%, p=0.7). Rates of initiation of adjuvant therapy did not differ between treatment arms (66% vs. 68%, p=0.4). Pancreatic fistula and abscess were associated with adjuvant therapy (p<0.01). No difference in overall survival was observed based on occurrence of surgical complications (HR 1.1; 95% CI 0.5-2.6). Conclusions: In this national cooperative group study of patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer,postoperative complications following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical resection were consistent with rates previously reported by high-volume institutions and using large datasets. Multimodality trials of preoperative therapy for locoregionally advanced pancreatic cancer may be safely performed in the cooperative group setting. Clinical trial information: NCT02839343 .

VMAT TBI Technique Based on Automated Treatment Planning

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> In this work, we describe the technical aspects of our VMAT TBI technique, compare it to other VMAT TBI techniques, and share our initial experience. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> From 2019 to 2021, 35 patients were treated with VMAT TBI at our institution. Treatment planning was performed using in-house developed automated planning scripts. Organ sparing depended on the regimen: myeloablative (lungs, kidneys, and lenses); non-myeloablative (lungs, kidneys, lenses, gonads, brain, and thyroid). Quality assurance was performed using EPID portal dosimetry and patient quality assurance platform. Robustness was evaluated for the first ten patients by performing local and global isocenter shifts of 5 mm. Treatment was delivered using IGRT for every isocenter and every fraction. In- vivo measurements were performed on the matchline between the VMAT and AP/PA fields and on the testes for the first fraction. <h3>Results</h3> The lungs, lungs-1cm, and kidneys D_mean were consistently spared to 57.6<i>±</i>4.4%, 40.7<i>±</i>5.5%, and 70.0<i>±</i>9.9% of the prescription dose, respectively. Gonadal sparing (D_mean=0.69<i>±</i>0.13 Gy) was achieved for all patients with benign disease. The average PTV D_1cc was 120.7<i>±</i>6.4% for all patients. The average Gamma passing rate for the VMAT plans was 98.1<i>±</i>1.6% (criteria of 3%/2mm). Minimal differences were observed between Mobius3D- and EclipseAAA-calculated PTV D_mean (0.0<i>±</i>0.3%) and lungs D_mean (-2.5<i>±</i>1.2%). Robustness evaluation showed that the PTV D_max and lungs D_mean are insensitive to small positioning deviations between the VMAT isocenters (1.1<i>±</i>2.4% and 1.2<i>±</i>1.0%, respectively). The average matchline dose measurement indicated patient setup was reproducible (96.1<i>±</i>4.5% relative to prescription dose). Treatment time, including patient setup and beam-on, was 47.5±9.5 min. <h3>Conclusion</h3> VMAT TBI is a modern alternative to conventional 2D TBI treatment. Together with publicly shared autoplanning scripts, our technique may provide the gateway for wider adaptation of this technology and the possibility of multi-institutional studies in the cooperative group setting.

The Stanford Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Total Body Irradiation Technique

PurposeIn this article, we describe the technical aspects of the Stanford volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) total body irradiation (TBI) technique, compare it with other VMAT-TBI techniques, and share our initial experience. Methods and MaterialsFrom September 2019 to August 2021, 35 patients were treated with VMAT-TBI at our institution. Treatment planning was performed using in-house developed automated planning scripts. Organ sparing depended on the regimen: myeloablative (lungs, kidneys, and lenses) and nonmyeloablative with benign disease (lungs, kidneys, lenses, gonads, brain, and thyroid). Quality assurance was performed using electronic portal imaging device portal dosimetry and Mobius3D. Robustness was evaluated for the first 10 patients by performing local and global isocenter shifts of 5 mm. Treatment was delivered using image-guided radiation therapy for every isocenter and every fraction. In vivo measurements were performed on the match line between the VMAT and anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior fields and on the testes for the first fraction. ResultsThe lungs, lungs – 1 cm, and kidneys Dmean were consistently spared to 57.6% ± 4.4%, 40.7% ± 5.5%, and 70.0% ± 9.9% of the prescription dose, respectively. Gonadal sparing (Dmean = 0.69 ± 0.13 Gy) was performed for all patients with benign disease. The average planning target volume (PTV) maximum dose to 1 cubic centimeter (D1cc) was 120.7% ± 6.4% for all patients. The average Gamma passing rate for the VMAT plans was 98.1% ± 1.6% (criterion of 3%/2 mm). Minimal differences were observed between Mobius3D- and Eclipse AAA-calculated PTV Dmean (0.0% ± 0.3%) and lungs Dmean (–2.5% ± 1.2%). Robustness evaluation showed that the PTV Dmax and lungs Dmean were insensitive to small positioning deviations between the VMAT isocenters (1.1% ± 2.4% and 1.2% ± 1.0%, respectively). The average match-line dose measurement indicated patient setup was reproducible (96.1% ± 4.5% relative to prescription dose). Treatment time, including patient setup and beam-on, was 47.5 ± 9.5 min. ConclusionsThe Stanford VMAT-TBI technique, from simulation to treatment delivery, was presented and compared with other VMAT-TBI techniques. Together with publicly shared autoplanning scripts, our technique may provide the gateway for wider adaptation of this technology and the possibility of multi-institutional studies in the cooperative group setting.

Pneumatosis intestinalis in the pediatric oncology population: An 11-year retrospective review at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is characterized by the presence of intramural gas in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The overall aim of this study was to review risk factors and outcome of pediatric oncology patients at our institution who developed PI. Patients diagnosed with PI between 2007 and 2018 were identified from ICD-10 coding of radiology reports at Memorial Sloan Kettering Kids, a tertiary pediatric oncology center. Outcomes of interest were (a) resolution and time to resolution of PI, (b) surgical intervention within 2weeks of diagnosis of PI, or (c) death secondary to PI. To capture the resolution of PI, we defined the "time to recovery (TTR)" as the time elapsed between date of PI diagnosis and the date of recovery. Forty-two patients were identified. Within 30days of diagnosis of PI, three patients had surgical intervention for PI (7%) and two patients died (5%) due to non-PI causes. Median TTR of PI was 4.5days (95% CI: 3-7days). In univariable and multivariable analyses, only steroid use in the prior 30days was significantly associated with a faster TTR of PI (HR=2.27 [95% CI: 1.17-4.41], p=.02). This is the largest case series of patients with PI in the pediatric oncology population, which reveals significantly lower surgical and mortality rates than other published PI series. For the majority of patients, conservative medical management is indicated. A prospective study is warranted to define diagnosis and management guidelines for PI in the pediatric oncology population in a cooperative group setting.

Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Adjusted to Genetic Data and Minimal Residual Disease: Results of the AML12 Trial of the Spanish Cetlam Group in Adults up to the Age of 70 Years

BACKGROUND: Current AML risk stratification relies on genetic data (cytogenetics and molecular characteristics) and minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment. This approach allows optimizing the post-remission allocation to chemotherapy only or hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We investigated the feasibility and results of a prospective risk-adapted phase II trial of intensive chemotherapy followed or not by autologous or allogeneic HCT based on these criteria.METHODS: Adult patients with primary AML treated at 15 academic hospitals from the Spanish CETLAM group were included between February 2012 and May 2017. Induction chemotherapy consisted of idarubicin 12 mg/m2 days 1-2-3 IV bolus and cytarabine 200 mg/m2 as continuous infusion days 1 to 7. Consolidation courses were the high-dose cytarabine schedule of the CALGB (3 g/m2 or 1.5 g/m2 if older than 60 years). The number of consolidation courses depending on genetic risk was: three in low-risk category (FR) (CBF, NPM1mut/FLT3-ITDwild or ratio<0.5, CEBPA biallelic mutation); two in intermediate risk category (IR) (intermediate cytogenetics without favorable or unfavorable molecular features (FLT3-ITD, MLL) followed by a HCT (autologous or allogeneic, depending on MRD levels, availability of an HLA matched donor and center preference); and one consolidation in high-risk group (AR) (adverse genetics) followed by alloHCT from the most suitable source available. Patients with FR or IR and high MRD after consolidations (flow cytometry >0.1% or high specific transcripts (RUNX1/RUNX1T1, CBFβ/MYH11, NPM1)) were moved to the AR.RESULTS: Five hundred patients have been enrolled with a median age (range) of 55 (18-70) years and 53% were male. Revised MRC classification in 476 informative cases was: CBF 11%, intermediate risk cytogenetics 66% (77% of them with a normal karyotype), and poor risk 23%. NPM1 mutation was present in 47% and FLT3-ITD in 30% of patients with intermediate cytogenetics.Complete remission (CR) rate was 75% (n=374), 89% of them after a single course of induction CR was 77% in patients up to the age of 60 years and 71% in those older than 60. Induction death occurred in 11% of patients, 8% and 17% the groups up to and above 60 years, respectively; 10% and 13% of patients up to and above 60 years had refractory leukemia and 2% had morphological leukemia-free status. Three hundred and forty-three of the 374 CR patients completed the consolidation phase. The remaining CR patients had early relapse (n=8), death in CR (n=5) or the treatment is ongoing (n=18). Of risk-allocated patients, 133 (38%) were in the genetics-MRD favorable category (FR), 81 (24%) in the IR and 129 (38%) in the AR; in the latter, 94 (73%) of patients received an alloHCT in first CR. Ten patients (4%) moved from FR or IR group to the AR because of high MRD at the end of consolidation. Median follow-up in the surviving patients is 25 months. Overall survival (OS) of the whole series at 4 years is 43±5%; relapse-free survivals are 77±8% in the FR group, 40±12% in the IR and 36±10% in the AR group (Figure 1) due to significantly different cumulative relapse incidence (18%, 43% and 46%, respectively). Remarkably, we confirmed our previous finding that patients with intermediate-risk MRC cytogenetics with NPM1 mutation and FLT3-ITDwild had comparable outcomes to those with NPM1 mutation and an allelic ratio below 0.5. Of the 10 patients who were MRD positive at the end of consolidation (FR and IR), 7 received an alloHCT in 1st CR (5 alive in CR, 1 transplant related mortality and 1 relapsed); the remaining 3 had a morphologic relapse before alloHCT and died. Nine patients from the FR became MRD positive during follow-up and all were allografted: one of them experienced TRM and the remaining 8 are alive in CR.CONCLUSIONRisk adapted therapy for primary AML based on genetics and MRD is feasible in a cooperative group setting. The proportion of patients in whom the risk of an alloSCT in first CR may be avoided is 38% when considering cytogenetics, molecular findings and MRD information after the end of consolidation phase. MRD assessment at the end of consolidation moved 4% of patients from FR and IR to AR. AlloSCT in AR patients was feasible in most instances, even in the AR group. Despite this, relapses remain above 40% in the intermediate and adverse AML categories and further approaches after transplant such as novel agents and immune therapy deserve investigation. [Display omitted] DisclosuresRibera:Janssen: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; ARIAD: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen Inc.: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

NRG-HN003: Phase I and Expansion Cohort Study of Adjuvant Pembrolizumab, Cisplatin and Radiation Therapy in Pathologically High-Risk Head and Neck Cancer.

Simple SummaryThe anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab improves survival in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with locoregional, pathologically high-risk disease recur frequently despite adjuvant cisplatin–radiation therapy. Targeting PD1 may reverse immunosuppression induced by cancer, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. We conducted a phase I trial with an expansion cohort (n = 20) to determine the recommended phase II schedule for adding fixed-dose pembrolizumab to standard adjuvant cisplatin–radiation therapy. Eligible patients had resected, human papillomavirus-negative, stage III–IV oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx cancer with extracapsular nodal extension or positive margin. A total of four dose-limiting toxicities were observed in 34 patients (fever, wound infection, diverticulitis, nausea). Three of four were successfully rechallenged with pembrolizumab. The recommended phase II schedule was declared as pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for eight doses, starting one week before adjuvant CRT. The regimen was safe and feasible in the cooperative group setting. Further development is warranted.The anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab improves survival in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Patients with locoregional, pathologically high-risk HNSCC recur frequently despite adjuvant cisplatin–radiation therapy (CRT). Targeting PD1 may reverse immunosuppression induced by HNSCC and CRT. We conducted a phase I trial with an expansion cohort (n = 20) to determine the recommended phase II schedule (RP2S) for adding fixed-dose pembrolizumab to standard adjuvant CRT. Eligible patients had resected HPV-negative, stage III–IV oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx HNSCC with extracapsular nodal extension or positive margin. RP2S was declared if three or fewer dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) occurred in a cohort of 12. DLT was defined as grade 3 or higher non-hematologic adverse event (AE) related to pembrolizumab, immune-related AE requiring over 2 weeks of systemic steroids, or unacceptable RT delay. A total of 34 patients enrolled at 23 NRG institutions. During the first cohort, only one DLT was observed (fever), thus RP2S was declared as pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for eight doses, starting one week before CRT. During expansion, three additional DLTs were observed (wound infection, diverticulitis, nausea). Of the 34 patients, 28 (82%) received five or more doses of pembrolizumab. This regimen was safe and feasible in a cooperative group setting. Further development is warranted.

A safety and feasibility trial of 131 I-MIBG in newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma: A Children's Oncology Group study.

131 I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131 I-MIBG) is effective in relapsed neuroblastoma. The Children's Oncology Group (COG) conducted a pilot study (NCT01175356) to assess tolerability and feasibility of induction chemotherapy followed by 131 I- MIBG therapy and myeloablative busulfan/melphalan (Bu/Mel) in patients with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma. Patients with MIBG-avid high-risk neuroblastoma were eligible. After the first two patients to receive protocol therapy developed severe sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), the trial was re-designed to include an 131 I-MIBG dose escalation (12, 15, and 18 mCi/kg), with a required 10-week gap before Bu/Mel administration. Patients who completed induction chemotherapy were evaluable for assessment of 131 I-MIBG feasibility; those who completed 131 I-MIBG therapy were evaluable for assessment of 131 I-MIBG + Bu/Mel feasibility. Fifty-nine of 68 patients (86.8%) who completed induction chemotherapy received 131 I-MIBG. Thirty-seven of 45 patients (82.2%) evaluable for 131 I-MIBG + Bu/Mel received this combination. Among those who received 131 I-MIBG after revision of the study design, one patient per dose level developed severe SOS. Rates of moderate to severe SOS at 12, 15, and 18 mCi/kg were 33.3%, 23.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. There was one toxic death. The 131 I-MIBG and 131 I-MIBG+Bu/Mel feasibility rates at the 15 mCi/kg dose level designated for further study were 96.7% (95% CI: 83.3%-99.4%) and 81.0% (95% CI: 60.0%-92.3%). This pilot trial demonstrated feasibility and tolerability of administering 131 I-MIBG followed by myeloablative therapy with Bu/Mel to newly diagnosed children with high-risk neuroblastoma in a cooperative group setting, laying the groundwork for a cooperative randomized trial (NCT03126916) testing the addition of 131 I-MIBG during induction therapy.

1914MO Randomized phase II study of radiation therapy and paclitaxel with pazopanib or placebo: NRG-RTOG 0912

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare/aggressive cancer with no standard radiation-based local treatment. Achieving locoregional disease control in the neck is critical due to major concerns of airway and esophageal compromise. Based on data suggesting synergy between pazopanib (P) and paclitaxel (T) in ATC, NRG Oncology conducted a randomized phase II study comparing concurrent T and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with either P or placebo (C). The study arm evaluated 2-3 weeks of weekly T (80 mg/m2) and daily P suspension (PS) 400 mg followed by concurrent weekly T (50 mg/m2), daily PS (300 mg), and IMRT 66 Gy. The standard arm substituted C for PS. Inclusion criteria included pathologic diagnosis of M0/M1 ATC (central path review), Zubrod 0-2, no recent hemoptysis/bleeding, no brain metastases. Target accrual was 88 patients (pts) (79 eligible) to show a >37.5% reduction in the hazard rate for overall survival (OS) with addition of PS (1-sided alpha 0.15, beta 0.2). Final analysis, after accounting for 1 interim analysis, was 1-sided log-rank test at 0.1379 level in eligible pts. 89 pts (71 eligible) were accrued from 6/23/14-12/30/16, completing accrual 14 months earlier than projected. Pts excluded per protocol in each arm - PS 6; C 12. Median age 65 years. Female 52.1%. Zubrod 0-1 91.5%. Total thyroidectomy 36.6%; partial thyroidectomy 21.1%. M0 disease 56.3%. OS was not significantly higher with PS compared to C (p=0.28); hazard ratio (PS/C) was 0.86 (95% CI 0.52 - 1.43). OS and adverse events (AE) rates are in the table.Table: 1914MOPazopanib (n=36)Placebo (n=35)OS rate (95% CI)1-year37.1% (21.1-53.2%)29.0% (13.2-44.8%)2-year20.0% (6.7-33.3%)12.9% (1.1-24.6%)3-year17.1% (4.7-29.6%)9.7% (0-20.0%)Highest treatment-related AE(n=36)(n=34)Grade 352.8%55.9%Grade 433.3%26.5%Grade 52.8% (1 pt)2.9% (1 pt) Open table in a new tab NRG-RTOG 0912 is the largest randomized ATC study that completed accrual demonstrating feasibility in the cooperative group setting. Although a statistically significant improvement in OS was not seen with PS added to T and IMRT, the OS rates and feasibility data from this prospective clinical trial will be useful to help design future studies in this rare and aggressive disease.

Abstract IA37: Survival by race and ethnicity in pediatric and adolescent patients with Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the Children’s Oncology Group

Abstract IA37: Survival by race and ethnicity in pediatric and adolescent patients with Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the Children’s Oncology Group

Final Results of the AML12 Trial of the Spanish Cetlam Group in Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) up to the Age of 70 Years: Risk Adapted Post-Remission Allocation Based on Genetic Data and Minimal Residual Disease

BACKGROUND: AML risk classification is based on genetics (cytogenetics and molecular features) and more recently also on minimal residual disease (MRD) after chemotherapy. These two aspects allow predicting relapse and supporting or not the most anti-leukemia treatment that remains allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We prospectively investigated the combined use of the two predictive markers to allocate post-remission therapy with or without HCT. Objectives of the study were testing: a) if this approach was feasible in a multicenter setting; b) the proportion of patients who were allocated to an allogeneic HCT and finally received the procedure; c) the final distribution into the risk categories and their outcome; d) to analyze the outcome of patients with favorable or intermediate genetics moved to the high risk category because of positive MRD. METHODS: Adult patients with primary AML treated at 15 academic hospitals were included between February 2012 and December 2018. Induction chemotherapy consisted of idarubicin 12 mg/m2 days 1-2-3 and cytarabine 200 mg/m2 days 1 to 7. Consolidation courses were high-dose cytarabine (3 g/m2 or 1.5 g/m2 if ≥60 y/o). The number of consolidation courses was based on genetic risk: 3 in favorable genetics category (FGC) (CBF, NPM1mut/FLT3-ITDwild or ratio&amp;lt;0.5, and CEBPA biallelic mutation); and one in the intermediate genetics category (IGC), including intermediate cytogenetics without favorable or unfavorable (FLT3-ITD, MLL, EVI1) molecular features, as well as in adverse genetics category (AGC). Following, the mandatory option was allogeneic HCT in the AGC and in the other genetic categories when MRD was positive. In the IGC without MRD autologous or HLA preferentially matched allogeneic HCT was a center decision. MRD was assessed by flow (positive &amp;gt;0.1%) and/or quantitative PCR of the specific transcripts (RUNX1/RUNX1T1, CBFβ/MYH11 and NPM1). RESULTS: Seven hundred forty-five patients (median age: 55, range18-70 y/o, 51% male) were enrolled. Cytogenetics according the revised MRC classification in 707 informative cases was: CBF AML 12%, intermediate 65% (75% of them normal karyotype), and adverse 23%. FLT3-ITD was detected in 28% of patients with intermediate risk cytogenetics and NPM1 mutation in the same group was present in the 48%. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 81% (n=603) of patients, 82% and 80% in patients up to and above 60 yrs, respectively. Induction death occurred in 9% of patients, 7% and 11% the two age groups, and 10% of patients had refractory leukemia; 542 (90%) of the 603 CR patients completed the consolidation phase and were risk allocated taking into account genetics and MRD. The remaining CR patients were not allocated because of early relapse (n=22), death in CR (n=5), severe toxicity (n=22) or others (n=12). After risk allocation, 208 (38%) patients were in the genetics-MRD combined favorable group (CFG), 103 (19%) in combined intermediate group (CIG) and 231 (43%) in the combined adverse group (CAG). In the latter, 185 (80%) of patients received an allogeneic HCT in first CR. Fifty-seven patients (11%) moved from the genetically FGC or IGC to the CAG because of high MRD at the end of consolidations. Median follow-up in survivors was 25 months. Overall 4-years survival (OS) of the whole series is 48±2%; event-free survival (EFS) is 77+3% in the CFG group, 45+6% in the CIG and 34+4% in the CAG (p&amp;lt;0.001) due to difference in the cumulative relapse incidence (19%, 38% and 45%, respectively, p&amp;lt;0.001 ). In the 57 patients who were MRD positive at the end of consolidation (FGC and IGC) had an OS of 53±8% and EFS of 45±7% at 4 years. CONCLUSION Risk adapted therapy for primary AML based on genetics and MRD is feasible in a cooperative group setting. The proportion of CR was high (&amp;gt;80%) even in patients older than 60 y/o. MRD assessment at the end of consolidation moved 57 patients with favorable or intermediate genetics to the CAG. Avoiding HCT in first CR in the FGC patients associated to EFS above 75% at 4 years. Allogeneic transplantation feasibility was 80% when this was the intended treatment because of adverse genetics and/or MRD positivity. Risk assessment based on genetics and MRD continues separating three groups of patients with different outcomes. Since relapses remain frequent when adverse AML features are present, further approaches after transplantation, such as targeted agents and immune therapies deserve investigation. Disclosures Sierra: Astellas: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Salamero:Daichii Sankyo: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Esteve:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy.

Patterns of Care and Predictors of Survival in Adolescents and Young Adults with Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Population-Based Study

Introduction: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most treatable cancers affecting adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients (15 - 39 years), however optimal therapy for de novo disease in this population remains a subject of debate. Population-based studies in HL consistently report a survival disadvantage for AYAs when compared with younger patients. Though the etiology of these disparities is unclear, analyses of clinical trials data suggest that observed survival differences may relate to treatment, rather than to age. Because registry analyses are often limited by lack of information about clinical characteristics and therapeutic exposures, the independent effect of age on HL-outcome outside of the cooperative group setting is unknown. To address this gap in the literature, we: (1) examined initial treatment regimen and patterns of care in a population-based cohort of AYAs compared to children with de novo HL, and (2) examined the impact of sociodemographic and clinical variables on overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) by age, after adjusting for therapy. Methods: Data for 4,426 patients aged 0 - 39 years diagnosed with classical HL between 2007 and 2016 were obtained from the California Cancer Registry (CCR). Detailed treatment information for each patient was extracted from unstructured free-text fields in the CCR database. Chemotherapy regimens were classified based on standard treatment approaches for adult and pediatric HL (Table). Multivariable cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the influence of sociodemographic and clinical variables on OS and DSS, overall and by age group, and are presented as adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, sex, insurance, neighborhood socioeconomic status, histology, stage, B symptoms, treatment location at a NCI (National Cancer Institute)-designated cancer center, and radiation therapy (RT). Results: Of the 4,426 patients in this cohort, 33% were &lt;21 years (y) (N= 1,479) and 67% were 22 - 39y (N= 2,947). At median follow-up of 4.4 years, 3-year OS in the full cohort was 95%. Front-line therapy for patients with HL differed significantly across age groups (Table). Approximately 42% of patients &lt;21y received ABVD vs. 69% of older patients. Compared with older patients, a higher proportion of younger patients received ABVE-PC (younger: 8.8% vs. &lt;1%) and modified treatment regimens (younger: 24% vs. 9.6%). Regimens were considered modified if they omitted one drug from a standard protocol but were otherwise administered according to expected dosing schedules; the most common were ABV (18%) and AVD (15%). A higher proportion of patients with private (vs. public/no) insurance received STANFORD V chemotherapy. In total, 40% of patients aged &lt;21y received RT as part of initial therapy vs. 27% of patients 22 - 39y. In survival models, increasing age was associated with a higher risk of death. Compared with patients &lt;14y, the hazard of death from HL was over three-fold higher in patients 22 - 29y (aHR=3.1, CI: 1.1, 9.1) and 30 - 39y (aHR=3.8, CI: 1.3, 11.2). In multivariable models stratified by age, race/ethnicity, insurance, B-symptoms and stage were each significantly associated with survival. In patients &lt;21y, NHBs (aHR: 7.1, CI: 2.4, 20.6) and Hispanics (aHR: 2.5, CI: 1.0, 6.4) experienced worse DSS than NHWs. Having public or no insurance also conferred worse OS (aHR: 1.9, CI: 1.1, 3.5), but initial therapy did not significantly impact OS or DSS. Among those aged 22 - 39y, NHB patients had worse OS (aHR: 1.7, CI: 1.0, 2.8) as did patients with public or no insurance (aHR: 1.7, CI: 1.2, 2.3). Stage IV disease was associated with inferior OS (aHR: 2.9, CI: 1.3, 6.8) and DSS (aHR: 3.3, CI: 1.1, 9.6). Finally, modified treatment regimens (vs. ABVD) were associated with worse OS (aHR: 1.6, CI: 1.0, 2.5), but did not significantly impact DSS in AYAs. Conclusion: In this large, population-based cohort of children and AYAs with HL, we observed that initial therapy varies, but that the majority of AYAs receive ABVD. Variation in therapy was largely insufficient to explain observed survival disparities, as older age, NHB and Hispanic race/ethnicity, and public or no insurance each conferred increased risk of death, even after adjustment for chemotherapy regimen. Further analyses examining comorbidities, treatment-related toxicities, and cause of death are ongoing. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

NRG-HN003: Phase I and expansion cohort study of adjuvant cisplatin, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) in high-risk head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

6023 Background: Pembrolizumab, an anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody, improves survival in advanced HNSCC. Patients with pathologic high risk, HPV-negative HNSCC have a high recurrence rate despite adjuvant cisplatin-IMRT (CRT), the current standard. Immunosuppression is induced by HNSCC and CRT, and may be reversible by targeting PD1. Methods: We conducted a phase I trial with expansion cohort to determine the recommended phase II schedule (RP2S) for adding fixed-dose pembrolizumab to adjuvant CRT (NCT02775812). Eligibility: oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx primary; HPV-negative; pathologic high risk (positive margin or extranodal extension [ENE]); Zubrod 0-1. During phase I, patients enrolled in descending cohorts of 12 (Table). RP2S was declared if ≤ 3 dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) occurred. DLT was defined as ≥ Grade 3 non-hematologic adverse event (AE) related to pembrolizumab, immune-related (ir)AE requiring &gt; 2 weeks of systemic steroids, or unacceptable delay in IMRT. The expansion cohort enrolled 20. Results: From Nov 2016-Oct 2018, 34 eligible patients enrolled at 22 NRG institutions. During the first cohort, 1 DLT was observed (Grade 3 fever). RP2S was declared as Schedule 3 and the expansion cohort triggered. Among all 34 patients, median age was 60 years (26-83); 68% were male; 74% had Zubrod 1; 85% had oral cavity; 88% had ENE; 21% had positive margin. During expansion, 3 additional patients with DLT were observed: wound infection; diverticulitis; nausea. No DLT unacceptably delayed IMRT. Twenty-eight of 34 (82%) received ≥ 5 doses of pembrolizumab; 17 (50%) got all 8 doses. Thirty-one of 32 (97%) DLT-evaluable patients received all adjuvant RT; 1 withdrew consent after starting protocol. Conclusions: The RP2S is pembrolizumab 200 mg IV q 3 weeks for 8 doses, starting the week before adjuvant CRT. This regimen was safe and feasible in a cooperative group setting. irAE were rare in this population. Clinical trial information: NCT02775812. [Table: see text]

Lessons derived from A Prospective In-Silico Quality Assurance Study of Contouring Target Volumes within a Cooperative Group Setting: Insights from Radiation Oncologists’ Perspective

Lessons derived from A Prospective In-Silico Quality Assurance Study of Contouring Target Volumes within a Cooperative Group Setting: Insights from Radiation Oncologists’ Perspective

An in-silico quality assurance study of contouring target volumes in thoracic tumors within a cooperative group setting

IntroductionTarget delineation variability is a significant technical impediment in multi-institutional trials which employ intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), as there is a real potential for clinically meaningful variances that can impact the outcomes in clinical trials. The goal of this study is to determine the variability of target delineation among participants from different institutions as part of Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) Radiotherapy Committee’s multi-institutional in-silico quality assurance study in patients with Pancoast tumors as a “dry run” for trial implementation. MethodsCT simulation scans were acquired from four patients with Pancoast tumor. Two patients had simulation 4D-CT and FDG-FDG PET-CT while two patients had 3D-CT and FDG-FDG PET-CT. Seventeen SWOG-affiliated physicians independently delineated target volumes defined as gross primary and nodal tumor volumes (GTV_P & GTV_N), clinical target volume (CTV), and planning target volume (PTV).Six board-certified thoracic radiation oncologists were designated as the ‘Experts’ for this study. Their delineations were used to create a simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE) contours using ADMIRE software (Elekta AB, Sweden 2017). Individual participants’ contours were then compared with Experts’ STAPLE contours. ResultsWhen compared to the Experts’ STAPLE, GTV_P had the best agreement among all participants, while GTV_N showed the lowest agreement among all participants. There were no statistically significant differences in all studied parameters for all TVs for cases with 4D-CT versus cases with 3D-CT simulation scans. ConclusionsHigh degree of inter-observer variation was noted for all target volume except for GTV_P, unveiling potentials for protocol modification for subsequent clinically meaningful improvement in target definition. Various similarity indices exist that can be used to guide multi-institutional radiotherapy delineation QA credentialing.

(OA48) Prospective In-Silico Quality Assurance Study of Contouring Target Volumes in Thoracic Tumors Within a Cooperative Group Setting

(OA48) Prospective In-Silico Quality Assurance Study of Contouring Target Volumes in Thoracic Tumors Within a Cooperative Group Setting

Long-term evidence that a pediatric oncology mentorship program for young investigators is feasible and beneficial in the cooperative group setting: A report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Mentorship of junior faculty is an integral component of career development. The Children's Oncology Group (COG) Young Investigator (YI) Committee designed a mentorship program in 2004 whose purpose was to pair YIs (faculty ≤10 years of first academic appointment) with a senior mentor to assist with career development and involvement in COG research activities. This study reports on the committee's ability to achieve these goals. An online survey was sent to YIs who were registered with the program from 2004 to2015, assessing three major domains: (1) overall experience with the mentor pairing, (2) satisfaction with the program, and (3) academic accomplishments of the mentees. The response rate was 64% (110/171). Overall, YIs rated the success of their mentorship pairing as 7.2 out of 10 (median) (25th, 75th quartile 3.6, 9.6). The direct effects of the mentorship program included 70% YIs reporting a positive effect on their career, 40% reporting any grant or manuscript resulting from the pairing, 47% forming a new research collaboration, and 43% receiving appointment to a COG committee. Respondents reported success in COG with 38% authoring a manuscript on behalf of COG and 65% reporting a leadership position including seven current or past COG discipline chairs and 20 study chairs. Finally, 74% of respondents said they would consider serving as mentors in the program in the future. The COG YI mentorship program has been well received by the majority of the participants and has helped to identify and train many current leaders in COG.

Group-Wide, Prospective Study of Ototoxicity Assessment in Children Receiving Cisplatin Chemotherapy (ACCL05C1): A Report From the Children's Oncology Group.

Purpose Optimal assessment methods and criteria for reporting hearing outcomes in children who receive treatment with cisplatin are uncertain. The objectives of our study were to compare different ototoxicity classification systems, to evaluate the feasibility of including otoacoustic emissions and extended high frequency audiometry, and to evaluate a central review mechanism for audiologic results for cisplatin-treated children in the cooperative group setting. Patients and Methods Eligible participants were 1 to 30 years, with planned cisplatin-containing treatment. Hearing evaluations were conducted at baseline, before each cisplatin cycle, and at the end of therapy. Audiologic results were assessed and graded by the testing audiologist and by two central review audiologists using the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Ototoxicity Criteria (ASHA), Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0 (CTCAE), and Brock Ototoxicity Grades (Brock). One central reviewer also used the International Society of Pediatric Oncology Ototoxicity Scale (SIOP). Results At the end of treatment, the prevalence of any degree of ototoxicity ranged from 40% to 56%, and severe ototoxicity ranged from 7% to 22%. Compared with CTCAE, SIOP detected significantly more ototoxicity ( P = .004), whereas Brock criteria detected significantly fewer patients with any or severe ototoxicity ( P < .001 for both). SIOP detected ototoxicity earlier than did the other scales. Agreement between the central reviewers and the institutional audiologist was almost perfect for ASHA and Brock, whereas the poorest agreement occurred with CTCAE. Conclusion The SIOP scale may be superior to ASHA, Brock, and CTCAE scales for classifying ototoxicity in pediatric patients who were treated with cisplatin. Future studies should evaluate inter-rater reliability of the SIOP scale.

Addition of Sorafenib to Chemotherapy Improves the Overall Survival of Older Adults with FLT3-ITD Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) (Alliance C11001)

Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor that blocks the autophosphorylation and activation of a number of kinases including the FLT3 tyrosine kinase with an internal tandem duplication mutation (FLT3-ITD). Sorafenib has activity against AML with FLT3-ITD mutations as a single agent in the setting of post-transplant relapse and in combination with chemotherapy for newly diagnosed AML. Historical Cancer and Leukemia Group B results using standard chemotherapy for older patients (pts) with FLT3-ITD have demonstrated a complete remission (CR) rate of 67%, median survival of 0.8 yrs, and 1-yr overall survival (OS) of 30% (Whitman et al., Blood 2010). More recently, sorafenib was demonstrated to significantly prolong event-free (EFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of younger adults irrespective of FLT3 mutation status (Rollig, et al., ASH 2014). We hypothesized that the addition of sorafenib to induction and post-remission therapy would improve the overall survival of older pts with FLT3-mutated AML.The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology conducted a multicenter, single-arm phase 2 study in pts ≥ 60 years old with AML and either a FLT3-ITD or a point mutation in the activation loop of the kinase domain (FLT3-TKD). Subjects with PML-RARA, core-binding factor AML or who had received prior treatment for AML were excluded. Induction chemotherapy consisted of cytarabine 100 mg/m2 CIVI on days 1-7 and daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 IV on days 1-3 (7+3) with oral sorafenib 400 mg bid on days 1-7. Those not achieving a hypoplastic bone marrow on day 14 were to receive a second cycle of cytarabine and daunorubicin (5+2) plus sorafenib 400 mg bid on days 1-7. Post-remission therapy consisted of intermediate-dose cytarabine 2 g/m2 on days 1-5 with sorafenib 400 mg bid on days 1-28 for 2 cycles followed by maintenance sorafenib 400 mg bid for 12 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint of the study was 1-yr OS. With a sample size of 39 FLT3-ITD patients and type I error rate of 10%, this design provided 90% power to distinguish between true 1-yr OS rate of 50% compared to our historical rate of 30% for the FLT3-ITD pts.A total of 474 pts were screened for FLT3 mutations though a central laboratory. FLT3 mutations were identified in 83 subjects (17.5%). Fifty-four pts with a median age of 67 years (60.3-82.7) were enrolled, including 39 with FLT3-ITD (71%) and 15 with FLT3-TKD (29%). All pts have now completed protocol treatment. Of the 54 pts, 37 achieved a CR or CRi (69%). The 30-day induction mortality was 9% with no additional deaths occurring between days 30-60. With a median follow up of 28.3 months, the observed 1-yr OS (95% CI) was 62% (45-78) for the FLT3-ITD pts and 71% (42-92) for the FLT3-TKD pts. The median DFS and OS was 12.5 mo (7.7-17.4) and 15.0 mo (10.4-20.1) respectively in the FLT3-ITD group and 9.0 (1.6-NA) and 16.2 mo (5.0-NA) for the FLT3-TKD group. For all subjects, the 2-yr OS was 28% (17-43) and DFS was 27% (15-46). There were no treatment-related deaths during consolidation or maintenance. For pts receiving sorafenib maintenance, the most commonly reported related adverse events were Grade 1 diarrhea, fatigue, transaminitis, and Grade 2 palmar-plantar erythodyesthesia. The mean plasma inhibitory activity (PIA) for FLT3 was 94% (n=25) on day 6 of induction, 93% (n=15) on day 15 of consolidation and 99.2% (n=6) on day 15 of maintenance demonstrating robust inhibition of FLT3 in vivo.This study represents the first prospective clinical trial for older adults with AML targeting a specific mutational profile within the US cooperative group setting. The study met the primary endpoint demonstrating that the addition of sorafenib to chemotherapy for FLT3-ITD AML improves the survival of older adults more than doubling the 1-yr OS compared to historical controls (62% vs 30%, p <0.0001). DisclosuresUy:Novartis: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Sorafenib for AML. DeAngelo:Novartis: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Stock:Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Byrd:Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Stone:Celator: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Roche/Genetech: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; AROG: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Sunesis: Consultancy, Other: DSMB for clinical trial; Novartis: Research Funding; Juno: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy. Larson:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding.