Efficacy Of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Research Articles

Adverse Effect of the Duration of Antibiotic Use Prior to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors on the Overall Survival of Patients with Recurrent Gynecologic Malignancies.

Antibiotic use preceding immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment has been associated with a decreased efficacy of ICI in solid tumors. In this study, we evaluated the effect of antibiotic use before ICI therapy on oncological outcomes. We examined patients with recurrent gynecologic malignancies at two academic institutions. The clinical data, including antibiotic use within 60 days of ICI initiation, type of antibiotics, reasons for antibiotic use, body mass index, tumor site, chemotherapy-free interval, prior history of radiotherapy, disease control rate (DCR), and overall survival (OS), were assessed. Of 215 patients, 22.9% (n = 47) received antibiotics before ICI treatment. The most common cancer was ovarian (52.1%, n = 112), followed by cervical (24.7%, n = 53) and endometrial (16.7%, n = 36). When we divided the cohort based on antibiotic use before ICIs, there were no significant differences in the DCR and baseline characteristics between the two groups. On multivariate analyses, the variables associated with poor OS were previous use of antibiotics for a cumulative duration of >14 days (HR 2.286, 95% CI 1.210-4.318; p = 0.011); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 2 or 3 (HR 4.677, 95% CI 2.497-8.762; p < 0.001); and chemotherapy-free interval of <6 months (HR 2.007, 95% CI 1.055-3.819; p = 0.034). Prior use of antibiotics for a cumulative duration of >14 days was associated with reduced survival in recurrent gynecologic malignancies.

Interferon gamma immunoPET imaging to evaluate response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

We previously developed a 89Zr-labeled antibody-based immuno-positron emission tomography (immunoPET) tracer targeting interferon gamma (IFNγ), a cytokine produced predominantly by activated T and natural killer (NK) cells during pathogen clearance, anti-tumor immunity, and various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. The current study investigated [89Zr]Zr-DFO-anti-IFNγ PET as a method to monitor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). BALB/c mice bearing CT26 colorectal tumors were treated with combined ICI (anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1)). The [89Zr]Zr-DFO-anti-IFNγ PET tracer, generated with antibody clone AN18, was administered on the day of the second ICI treatment, with PET imaging 72 hours later. Tumor mRNA was analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcribed PCR (qRT-PCR). We detected significantly higher intratumoral localization of [89Zr]Zr-DFO-anti-IFNγ in ICI-treated mice compared to untreated controls, while uptake of an isotype control tracer remained similar between treated and untreated mice. Interestingly, [89Zr]Zr-DFO-anti-IFNγ uptake was also elevated relative to the isotype control in untreated mice, suggesting that the IFNγ-specific tracer might be able to detect underlying immune activity in situ in this immunogenic model. In an efficacy experiment, a significant inverse correlation between tracer uptake and tumor burden was also observed. Because antibodies to cytokines often exhibit neutralizing effects which might alter cellular communication within the tumor microenvironment, we also evaluated the impact of AN18 on downstream IFNγ signaling and ICI outcomes. Tumor transcript analysis using interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) expression as a readout of IFNγ signaling suggested there may be a marginal disruption of this pathway. However, compared to a 250 µg dose known to neutralize IFNγ, which diminished ICI efficacy, a tracer-equivalent 50 µg dose did not reduce ICI response rates. These results support the use of IFNγ PET as a method to monitor immune activity in situ after ICI, which may also extend to additional T cell-activating immunotherapies.

Clinical markers predict the efficacy of several immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer in China.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are one of the most significant oncological treatment modalities as a result of the rapid advancement of immunotherapy. Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and tumor mutational burden (TMB) have emerged as key markers for predicting the efficacy and prognosis of ICIs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the predictive role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has also received significant attention. However, the prognosis of some individuals cannot be determined by these indicators; for instance, some patients with low PD-L1 expression also benefit from longer survival. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the connection between new haematological and pathological markers and clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients receiving ICIs. Seventy-six patients with stage III-IV NSCLC treated with ICIs were included in this study. We used the Mann-Whitney test, COX regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis to retrospectively analyze peripheral blood indicators and survival prognostic data of 76 patients in order to investigate the relationship between baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the efficacy of ICIs. To investigate the correlation between CXCL13, CXCR5, CD8 and the efficacy of ICIs, we assessed the expression levels of aforementioned indicators in biopsied tissues of 10 non-small cell lung tumors by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) and performed statistical analysis. Disease control rate (DCR) was higher in patients with baseline NLR <3.4 (p=0.016) and neutrophil percentage <71% (P=0.015). Baseline NLR (HR=2.364, P=0.003) and neutrophil percentage (HR=2.824, P=0.013) had the greatest influence on patients' survival prognosis, with baseline NLR exhibiting a stronger predictive value (AUC=0.717), according to univariate and multifactorial COX regression analyses of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In NSCLC tissues, higher expression of CXCL13 was associated with better clinical outcomes (P=0.032) and higher expression of CD8 was associated with prolonged survival (P=0.022). Low baseline NLR in peripheral blood and high expression of CD8 in tissues are associated with longer PFS and may have a potential predictive value for patients with stage III-IV NSCLC using ICIs.

Comprehensive molecular analysis identifies RET alterations association with response of ICIs in multi-immunotherapy cohorts

BackgroundThe RET gene, which is frequently mutated across many types of cancer, has been proven to be critically involved in tumorigenesis and tumour development; however, its prediction of the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy remains to be elucidated. The present research aims to investigate the association between RET mutations and the efficiency of ICI therapy. MethodWe analysed the role of RET mutations in predicting the prognosis of patients receiving ICIs therapy in the discovery cohort and validated it in the validation cohort. Then, multi-omics data from TCGA pan-cancer cohort was employed to propose the association between RET mutations and tumour inflamed anti-tumour immune response and tumour antigenicity. ResultsOur study revealed that among 606 cases and across five types of cancer, RET mutation was associated with better clinical outcomes for ICIs therapy, including elevated response rate, longer progression-free survival PFS, and longer overall survival OS. Multivariate analysis showed that RET mutation could independently predict the prognosis of patients treated with ICIs, after adjusting cancer types. The predictive value of RET status for the OS of patients treated with ICIs immunotherapy was further validated in the validation cohort (n = 1,409). Subgroup analysis suggested that only the monotherapy group showed significant differences in OS(P < 0.05) and PFS(P < 0.05) between RET-wildtype tumours and RET-mutant tumours. Multi-omics data analysis revealed potential anti-tumour immunity mechanisms of RET mutations, suggesting that RET-mutant tumours have enhanced immunogenicity, higher expression of immune checkpoints and chemokines, and higher immune cell infiltration than those observed in RET-wildtype tumours; thus, potentially indicating a more favourable response to immunotherapy. ConclusionsRET mutation may be a predictive biomarker of enhanced response to ICIs therapy. Extensive investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms and prospective studies are needed in the future.

Liver Metastases and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy in Patients With Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have limited activity in microsatellite-stable (MSS) or mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) colorectal cancer. Recent findings suggest the efficacy of ICIs may be modulated by the presence of liver metastases (LM). To investigate the association between the presence of LM and ICI activity in advanced MSS colorectal cancer. In this secondary analysis of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group CO26 (CCTG CO.26) randomized clinical trial, patients with treatment-refractory colorectal cancer were randomized in a 2:1 fashion to durvalumab plus tremelimumab or best supportive care alone between August 10, 2016, and June 15, 2017. The primary end point was overall survival (OS) with 80% power and 2-sided α = .10. The median follow-up was 15.2 (0.2-22.0) months. In this post hoc analysis performed from February 11 to 14, 2022, subgroups were defined based on the presence or absence of LM and study treatments. Durvalumab plus tremelimumab or best supportive care. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 90% CIs were calculated based on a stratified Cox proportional hazards regression model. Plasma tumor mutation burden at study entry was determined using a circulating tumor DNA assay. The primary end point of the study was OS, defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause; secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and disease control rate (DCR). Of 180 patients enrolled (median age, 65 [IQR, 36-87] years; 121 [67.2%] men; 19 [10.6%] Asian, 151 [83.9%] White, and 10 [5.6%] other race or ethnicity), LM were present in 127 (70.6%). For patients with LM, there was a higher proportion of male patients (94 of 127 [74.0%] vs 27 of 53 [50.9%]; P = .005), and the time from initial cancer diagnosis to study entry was shorter (median, 40 [range, 8-153] vs 56 [range, 14-181] months; P = .001). Plasma tumor mutation burden was significantly higher in patients with LM. Patients without LM had significantly improved PFS with durvalumab plus tremelimumab (HR, 0.54 [90% CI, 0.35-0.96]; P = .08; P = .02 for interaction). Disease control rate was 49% (90% CI, 36%-62%) in patients without LM treated with durvalumab plus tremelimumab, compared with 14% (90% CI, 6%-38%) in those with LM (odds ratio, 5.70 [90% CI, 1.46-22.25]; P = .03). On multivariable analysis, patients without LM had significantly improved OS and PFS compared with patients with LM. In this secondary analysis of the CCTG CO.26 study, the presence of LM was associated with worse outcomes for patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Patients without LM had improved PFS and higher DCR with durvalumab plus tremelimumab. Liver metastases may be associated with poor outcomes of ICI treatment in advanced colorectal cancer and should be considered in the design and interpretation of future clinical studies evaluating this therapy.

Circadian lifestyle determinants of immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionised cancer care in recent years. Despite a global improvement in the efficacy and tolerability of systemic anticancer treatments, a sizeable proportion of patients still do not benefit maximally from ICI. Extensive research has been undertaken to reveal the immune- and cancer-related mechanisms underlying resistance and response to ICI, yet more limited investigations have explored potentially modifiable lifestyle host factors and their impact on ICI efficacy and tolerability. Moreover, multiple trials have reported a marked and coherent effect of time-of-day ICI administration and patients' outcomes. The biological circadian clock indeed temporally controls multiple aspects of the immune system, both directly and through mediation of timing of lifestyle actions, including food intake, physical exercise, exposure to bright light and sleep. These factors potentially modulate the immune response also through the microbiome, emerging as an important mediator of a patient's immune system. Thus, this review will look at critically amalgamating the existing clinical and experimental evidence to postulate how modifiable lifestyle factors could be used to improve the outcomes of cancer patients on immunotherapy through appropriate and individualised entrainment of the circadian timing system and temporal orchestration of the immune system functions.

A practical prognostic peripheral blood-based risk model for the evaluation of the likelihood of a response and survival of metastatic cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

BackgroundLess than half of unselected metastatic cancer patients benefit from the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Systemic cancer-related inflammation may influence the efficacy of ICIs and thus, systemic inflammatory markers could have prognostic and/or predictive potential in ICI therapy. Here, we aimed to identify a combination of inflammation-related laboratory parameters to establish a practical prognostic risk model for the pretreatment evaluation of a response and survival of ICI-treated patients with different types of metastatic cancers.MethodsThe study-cohort consisted of a real-world patient population receiving ICIs for metastatic cancers of different origins (n = 158). Laboratory parameters determined before the initiation of the ICI treatment were retrospectively collected. Six inflammation-related parameters i.e., elevated values of neutrophils, platelets, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the presence of anemia, were each scored with one point, giving 0–6 risk points for each patient. The patients with information of all these six parameters (n = 109) were then stratified into low-risk (0–3 points) and high-risk (4–6 points) groups. The overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) according to the risk scores were determined.ResultsThe risk model was strongly associated with the outcome of the patients. The ORR to ICI treatment in the high-risk group was 30.3% in comparison to 53.9% in the low-risk group (p = 0.023). The medians for OS were 10.0 months and 27.3 months, respectively (p < 0.001), and the corresponding medians for PFS were 3.9 months and 6.3 months (p = 0.002). The risk group remained as a significant prognostic factor for both OS (HR 3.04, 95% CI 1.64–5.64, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.04–3.06, p = 0.035) in the Cox multivariate analyses.ConclusionsWe propose a readily feasible, practical risk model consisted of six inflammation-related laboratory parameters as a tool for outcome prediction in metastatic cancer patients treated with ICIs. The risk model was strongly associated with the outcome of the patients in terms of all the evaluated indicators i.e., ORR, OS and PFS. Yet, further studies are needed to validate the risk model.

Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Synergistically Enhancing Immunotherapy Efficacy in Glioblastoma with Gold-Core Silica-Shell Nanoparticles and Radiation.

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor with universally poor outcomes. Recent progress in immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to increased interest in their application in glioblastoma. Nonetheless, the unique immune milieu in the brain has posed remarkable challenges to the efficacy of immunotherapy. We aimed to leverage the radiation-induced immunogenic cell death to overcome the immunosuppressive network in glioblastoma. We developed a novel approach using the gold-core silica-shell nanoparticles (Au@SiO2 NPs) in combination with low-dose radiation to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the immune checkpoint inhibitor (atezolizumab) in brain tumors. The biocompatibility, immune cell recruitment, and antitumor ability of the combinatorial strategy were determined using in vitro assays and in vivo models. Our approach successfully induced the migration of macrophages towards brain tumors and promoted cancer cell apoptosis. Subcutaneous tumor models demonstrated favorable safety profiles and significantly enhanced anticancer effects. In orthotopic brain tumor models, the multimodal therapy yielded substantial prognostic benefits over any individual modalities, achieving an impressive 40% survival rate. In summary, the combination of Au@SiO2 NPs and low-dose radiation holds the potential to improve the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The synergetic strategy modulates tumor microenvironments and enhances systemic antitumor immunity, paving a novel way for glioblastoma treatment.

47TiP A real-world study of multiparametric prediction of the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer

47TiP A real-world study of multiparametric prediction of the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Early kinetics of C reactive protein for cancer-agnostic prediction of therapy response and mortality in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a multicenter cohort study

BackgroundC reactive protein (CRP) kinetics have recently been suggested as predictive biomarkers for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in selected cancer types. The aim of this study...

Tumor cell-intrinsic SETD2 inactivation sensitizes cancer cells to immune checkpoint blockade through the NR2F1-STAT1 pathway

BackgroundCancer immunotherapies can induce durable tumor regression, but most patients do not respond. SETD2 mutation has been linked to the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) immunotherapy. The functional importance...

The Efficacy of Immunotherapy and Clinical Utility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Head and Neck.

Background and Objectives: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck is generally slow-growing but has a high potential for local recurrence and metastasis to distant organs. There is currently no standard pharmacological treatment for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) ACC, and there are cases in which immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are administered for ACC according to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the efficacy of ICIs for ACC remains unclear, and the predictive biomarkers need to be elucidated. Materials and Methods: The Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) database enabled the retrospective but nationwide analysis of 263 cases of ACC of the head and neck. Then, we examined and reported four cases of ACC that received ICIs and comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in our institution. Results: The C-CAT database revealed that 59 cases out of 263 received ICIs, and the best response was 8% of objective response rate (ORR) and 53% of disease control rate (DCR) (complete response, CR 3%, partial response, PR 5%, stable disease, SD 44%, progressive disease, PD 19%, not evaluated, NE 29%). The tumor mutational burden (TMB) in ACC was lower overall compared to HNSCC and could not be useful in predicting the efficacy of ICIs. Some cases with MYB structural variants showed the response to ICIs in the C-CAT database. A patient with MYB fusion/rearrangement variants in our institution showed long-term stable disease. Conclusions: ICI therapy is a potential treatment option, and the MYB structural variant might be a candidate for predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in patients with R/M ACC.

Addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in patients with triple-negative breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a relatively common malignant tumor with high mortality rates. There are limited treatment options and current therapy regimens often fall short of providing positive outcomes. The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have provided a vital treatment option although efficacy has varied. Here, we review patient response to current TNBC treatment with and without the addition of ICIs. A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE library databases was done to search eligible studies published from their inception through April 3, 2022. The primary outcome indicators used were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), pathological complete response rate (pCR) and objective remission rate (ORR), while adverse events (AEs) were also analyzed. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses and were performed to evaluate the quality of assessment. Overall, the meta-analysis looked at seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included 4631 patients with TNBC. Results showed an improvement in PFS for patients receiving ICI in addition to chemotherapy (CT) in both the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and PD-L1 positive patients. Increased pCR rates were observed in all patients irrespective of PD-L1 status as well as increased ORR in the ITT which was more notable in PD-L1 positive subjects. While significant improvement in OS was observed only in PD-L1 positive individuals, the use of ICIs plus CT resulted in severe adverse reactions, specifically immune-related. This study supports the increased efficacy of ICIs in combination with CT compared to CT alone in patients with TNBC, with the most notable benefit observed in PD-L1 positive patients. However, combination therapy increases the risk of adverse reactions which warrants further investigation.

Abstract A025: Combination of anti-CTLA4 and radiation induce synergistic tumor control in radiorecurrent prostate cancer

Abstract Background: Advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause in cancer death and can elicit significant morbidity and mortality. A common treatment modality for advanced PCa is radiation therapy (RT). Currently, salvage of local disease recurrence after RT is a major clinical problem. Emerging evidence indicates the importance of the immune system in governing RT response. In support of this, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which enhance immune activation, have demonstrated clinical therapeutic promise in combination with RT in certain advanced cancers. Irradiation (IR) combined with ICIs may prime the immune system to recognize and target recurrent cancer. Purpose: Investigate the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs in combination with RT for radiorecurrent PCa in a syngeneic pre-clinical model. Methods: TRAMP-C2 cells were treated with 10 Gy of radiation over 5 fractions (similar to clinical hypofractionated (HF) schedule) to generate TRAMP-C2 HF cells. Immune-competent mice were transplanted subcutaneously with TRAMP-C2 HF cells. Once tumors reached palpable size, mice were administered either ICIs (αPDL1 or αCTLA4) alone or in combination with RT. Tumor volume was monitored to determine the treatment effect. Correlative studies on excised tumors and secondary lymphoid organs included flow cytometry and NanoString gene expression panel to evaluate immunological mechanisms that contribute to anti-tumor effects[SL1]. Results: TRAMP-C2 HF cells were validated for radiation resistance and exhibited a more aggressive phenotype (reduction in senescence, increase in clonogenicity) similar to clinically recurrent PCa. Radiation resistance of TRAMP-C2 HF tumors was validated in vivo. Administration of αPDL1 and αCTLA4 as monotherapy or in combination did not achieve significant tumor growth delay compared to control. IR alone produced an observable tumor growth delay compared to ICIs alone. The combination of αPDL1 and IR did not yield additional growth delay compared to IR alone. Strikingly, significant tumor growth delay was seen with the combination of IR and αCTLA4 compared to IR alone, while also resulting in complete cure in a third of the mice. NanoString analysis of lymph nodes from mice treated with αCTLA4 and IR vs. IR alone demonstrated differential expression of genes regulating CD molecules, interleukins, and T-cell functions. Furthermore, enrichment of CD45 and CD8a RNA following αCTLA4 and IR was observed. Validation by flow cytometry is currently ongoing. Conclusion: We generated the first syngeneic radiorecurrent PCa model and demonstrated that combining αCTLA4 and IR results in synergistic tumor response. Combined therapy resulted in augmented immune response, most notably enhancement of CD8 T cell activity. Significance: These findings contribute to our understanding of immunological events associated with RT and ICIs in the context of radiorecurrent PCa and support new avenues for salvage therapy in clinical trials. Citation Format: Hanzhi Wang, Xiaoyong Huang, Stepahnie D White, Linsey Gong, Tera N Petchiny, Hans Chung, Emmanouil Fokas, Robert S Kerbel, Stanley K Liu. Combination of anti-CTLA4 and radiation induce synergistic tumor control in radiorecurrent prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A025.

Abstract A050: Enhancing immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy by targeting neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 1 signaling in immune resistant non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract Introduction: The FDA’s approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in 2015 drastically changed the survival of late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, only about 30% of NSCLC patients respond to treatment, while the other 70% are immune resistant. Through an analysis of 424 NSCLC patients at Atrium Wake Forest, we have identified a loss-of-function mutation in Neurotrophic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 1 (NTRK1) as a biomarker for response to ICI. We hypothesize that by treating wild-type immune-resistant tumors with Entrectinib, we can mimic the effect of the mutation in NTRK1 and induce immune responses. Methods: To identify biomarkers, we collected genomic sequencing data and comprehensive clinical characteristics on 424 NSCLC patients who received ICI or chemo-ICI treatment at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. To determine the role of NTRK1 in vivo, we implanted LL/2-scramble (wild-type NTRK1) or LL/2-shNTRK1, which diminished NTRK1, into C57/B6 mice. The animals were injected with either IgG or Anti-PD1. To determine if we could mimic the effect of a mutation in NTRK1, C57/B6 mice were inoculated with LL2-wildtype NTRK1 and treated with either a) IgG, b) Entrectinib, c) Anti-PD-1, or d) Anti-PD-1 + Entrectinib. All in vivo experiments had tumor growth monitored, and a flow cytometry panel was performed at the endpoint to understand the immune responses. Bulk RNA-Sequencing was performed on cell cultures and tumors. Results: Mice given the LL/2-shNTRK1 responded to Anti-PD-1 treatment and had a significant increase in CD4+ stem-like effector T cells in the spleen and tumor-draining lymph nodes. Animals that were inoculated with the LL/2 cell lines and treated with Anti-PD-1 + Entrectinib also responded. Mice treated with Anti-PD-1 + Entrectinib were found to have a significant increase in CD4+ stem-like effector T cells as well. RNA-Sequencing revealed that in the mutant cell line LL/2-shNTRK1 and LL/2 tumors treated with Anti-PD-1 + Entrectinib, there was a significant upregulation of C3 production. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate that the loss of NTRK1 function, through either genetic ablation or enzymatic inhibition combined with Anti-PD-1, provides a potent treatment for immune-resistant NSCLC tumors. Citation Format: Margaret R Smith, Yuezhu Wang, Caroline B. Dixon, Ralph D'Agostino, Yin Liu, George C. Oliver, Lance D Miller, Umit Topaloglu, Michael D Chan, Micahel Farris, Jing Su, Kathryn F Mileham, Wencheng Li, Jason M. Grayson, Thomas Lycan, Fei Xing. Enhancing immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy by targeting neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 1 signaling in immune resistant non-small cell lung cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A050.

The Future of Adjuvant Therapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Recent Insights and Prospects

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains a significant challenge in oncology, prompting thorough investigations into adjuvant treatments aimed at enhancing both survival and quality of life for patients. In this review, we explore the complex landscape of adjuvant treatments for managing RCC, highlighting the pivotal roles and efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This review article presents a detailed exploration of both historical and contemporary trials involving TKIs, spotlighting their capabilities, successes, and limitations in the adjuvant setting. Furthermore, we examine the emerging significance of ICIs, analyzing recent trials and assessing their impact on outcomes such as disease-free survival and overall survival. Additionally, this review provides insights into the application, adaptation, and outcomes of these adjuvant therapies within the specific context and circumstances of Korean healthcare.

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer with NTRK family mutations

BackgroundThe efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring neurotrophin receptor kinase (NTRK) family mutations remains obscure.MethodsThe Zehir cohort from cBioPortal was used to analyze the mutations (MT) frequency of NTRK family in patients with NSCLC, and their correlation with clinical characteristics and patient survival. The influence of NTRK MT on ICIs efficacy was evaluated in ICIs-treated patients from Samstein cohort and further validated by use of data from OAK/POPLAR cohort.ResultsIn the Zehir cohort, a significant difference was observed in median overall survival (mOS) between patients with NTRK MT and wild-type (WT) (mOS: 18.97 vs. 21.27 months, HR = 1.34, 95%CI 1.00-1.78; log-rank P = 0.047). In Samstein cohort, the mOS of NTRK mutant patients receiving ICIs has improved compared to WT patients (mOS: 21.00 vs. 11.00 months, log-rank P = 0.103). Notably, in subgroup analysis, ICIs significantly prolonged mOS in patients with NTRK3 MT than in WT patients (mOS: not available vs. 11.00 months, HR = 0.36, 95%CI 0.16–0.81; log-rank P = 0.009). Identical mOS between NTRK MT and WT patients receiving ICIs treatment (mOS: 13.24 vs. 13.50 months, log-rank P = 0.775) was observed in OAK/POPLAR cohort. Moreover, a similar programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, but higher tumor mutational burden (TMB), blood TMB (bTMB) and enriched anti-tumor immunity were observed in NTRK MT compared to WT (P < 0.05).ConclusionTaking high TMB or bTMB into consideration, patients with NTRK mutant NSCLC could benefit from ICIs treatment.

Impact of antihistamine use on the survival outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced cancer patients.

Histamine and H1 receptors play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. Preclinical data showed that concomitant use of antihistamines and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) might increase the effect of ICIs. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of antihistamines on the oncological outcomes of ICIs. This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary cancer center. Advanced cancer patients treated with ICIs were included in this study. A total of 133 patients receiving ICIs in the metastatic setting were included. Melanoma (33.1%) was the most common tumor type. The most common ICI was nivolumab (63.2%). Fifty-five (38.4%) patients received antihistamines concomitantly with ICIs. The most common antihistamine was pheniramine (85.5%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) (8.2 vs. 5.1 months, P = 0.016) and overall survival (OS) (16.2 vs. 7.7 months, P = 0.002) were longer in patients receiving antihistamines concomitantly with ICIs. In multivariate analysis, PFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40-0.98, P = 0.042] and OS (HR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29-0.81, P = 0.006) were also better in those patients after adjusting for confounding factors, such as performance status, bone or liver metastasis, and concurrent chemotherapy. This study suggested that antihistamines may enhance the efficacy of ICIs in patients with advanced cancer. If validated in prospective trials, antihistamines and ICIs combinations might be new options to improve oncological outcomes.

Anti-PD-1 Antibody Sintilimab in Combination with Anlotinib and Pegaspargase As a Highly Effective Salvage Regimen for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Natural Killer /T-Cell Lymphoma

Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. When patients experience relapse or disease progression after initial treatment, options for salvage therapy are limited. Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has emerged as a highly potent treatment approach for NKTCL. However, the overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate were limited with a short median progression-free survival (PFS) of 2.7 months. Therefore, improving the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors is a critical clinical concern. In this study, we reported the efficacy and safety of a novel triplet regimen called LEAP, which combines PD-1 blockade (sintilimab 200mg on day 1), pegaspargase (2500U/m2 capped at 3750U on day 1), and angiogenesis inhibitor anlotinib (8mg on day 1-14), as a salvage treatment for relapsed/refractory (R/R) NKTCL. From March 2019 to May 2020, a total of 33 patients with R/R NKTCL were included in this study. The median age of patients was 48 years (range: 18-76), with 75.8% being male. At study entry, 88% of patients had stage IV disease, while 4 patients had stage II disease, with a history of primary refractory response to radiotherapy and L-asparaginase-based combination therapy. Moreover, 69.7% of patients had refractory disease, including those who were progressive or non-responsive to L-asparaginase-based regimens. Additionally, 10 patients experienced relapse or disease progression within 6 months after prior L-asparaginase-based therapy, and 10 patients had a history of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade monotherapy. A total of 221 cycles of the LEAP regimen were administered to these patients. The median number of cycles was 8 (range: 2-8). All patients reported at least one or more adverse events (AE). Hematological toxicities were mild, with no grade 3/4 neutropenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia observed. Non-hematological AEs were common, and the most frequent (&amp;gt;20%) included hypofibrinogenemia (66.7%), hyperbilirubinemia (57.5%), APTT prolongation (54.5%), ALT elevation (54.5%), AST elevation (51.5%), hypoalbuminemia (48.5%), appetite loss (60.6%), nausea (57.5%), fatigue (57.5%), weight loss (42.4%), and edema (27.3%). These adverse events were typically attributed to pegaspargase. Other adverse events such as hyponatremia (24.2%), hypertriglyceridemia (21.2%), hyperglycemia (21.2%), hypothyroidism (30.3%), hypertension (24.2%), fever (39.4%), and dysphonia (21.2%) were most likely due to sintilimab or anlotinib. Most adverse events were manageable with supportive care. Among the 33 patients, the ORR was 81.8%, and CR was 45.5. The progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 1-year was 54.6% (95% CI, 36.3% to 70.0%), and at 2 years, it was 44.2% (95% CI, 26.6% to 60.4%). The median PFS time was 21.7 months. The overall survival (OS) rate at 1-year was 66.7% (95% CI, 47.9% to 80.0%), and at 2 years, it was 51.5% (95% CI, 33.5% to 66.9%). The median OS time was not reached during the study period. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the LEAP regimen has a favorable safety profile, and is highly effective as a salvage treatment for patients with relapsed and refractory NKTCL.