Event-free Survival Rates Research Articles

Permissible HLA mismatches in 9/10 unrelated donor pediatric stem cell transplants using HLA-EMMA: an EBMT Inborn Errors Working Party study

AbstractAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD) is associated with inferior outcome compared with matched unrelated donors (MUDs). We aimed to identify permissible mismatches using HLA epitope mismatch algorithm, which determines permissibility by analyzing amino acid sequences, in a single-center cohort of 70 pediatric 9/10 MMUD HSCTs and 157 10/10 MUDs for comparison. Amino acid matching was evaluated for the whole HLA protein, the α-helices, and the β-sheets, in both host vs graft (HvG) and graft vs host (GvH) direction. Superior event-free survival (EFS) was found in 13 patients permissibly mismatched in the HvG direction (totalHvG, 92% vs 58% at 1 year; P = .009) and in 21 patients matched on the α-helices (αHvG, 90% vs 53%; P = .002). These rates were similar to EFS rates in patients with 10/10 MUDs (90% vs 80%; P = .60). EFS was not related to β-sheet amino acid matching, nor to matching in the GvH direction. Overall survival (OS) rates trended similarly to those of EFS for amino acid mismatches (totalHvG, 92% vs 74%; P = .075; αHvG, 90% vs 71%; P = .072). These findings were reproduced in an EBMT Registry inborn errors cohort of 271 pediatric 9/10 MMUD HSCTs and 929 10/10 MUD HSCTs, showing a significant effect of αHvG matching on both OS and EFS and similar OS and EFS between αHvG matched MMUDs and 10/10 MUDs. In summary, HvG amino acid matching on the α-helices identifies 9/10 MMUDs with permissible mismatches, which are correlated with favorable transplant outcomes similar to those of matched donors.

Neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy followed by camrelizumab and chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (UNION): early outcomes of a multicenter randomized phase III trial

Neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by CAPOX and camrelizumab (a programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody) has shown potential clinical activity for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) in a phase II trial. This study aimed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of SCRT followed by CAPOX and camrelizumab compared to long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCRT) followed by CAPOX alone as neoadjuvant treatment for LARC. In this randomized, phase III trial, patients with T3-4/N+ rectal adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to receive SCRT or long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCRT), followed by two cycles of camrelizumab and CAPOX or CAPOX alone, respectively. After surgery, each arm underwent either six cycles of camrelizumab and CAPOX, followed by up to 17 doses of camrelizumab, or six cycles of CAPOX. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR) rate (ypT0N0) assessed by a blinded independent review committee. Key secondary endpoints tested hierarchically were 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rate and overall survival (OS). Between July 2021 and March 2023, the intention-to-treat population comprised 113 patients in the experimental arm and 118 patients in the control arm, with surgery carried out in 92% and 83.9%, respectively. At data cut-off (11 July 2023), the pCR rates were 39.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 30.7% to 49.5%] in the experimental arm compared to 15.3% (95% CI 9.3% to 23.0%) in the control arm (difference, 24.6%; odds ratio, 3.7; 95% CI 2.0-6.9; P < 0.001). In each arm, surgical complication rates were 40.0% and 40.8%, and grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were 29.2% and 27.2%. Three-year EFS rate and OS continue to mature. In LARC patients, neoadjuvant SCRT followed by camrelizumab plus CAPOX demonstrated a significantly higher pCR rate than LCRT followed by CAPOX, with a well-tolerated safety profile. SCRT followed by camrelizumab and chemotherapy can be recommended as a neoadjuvant treatment modality for these patients.

Atrial flutter/fibrillation in adult congenital heart disease: Insights from a large Asian cohort

BackgroundThe incidence of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) in general population is lower in Asia compared to Western countries. It is unclear whether a similar trend exists among adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). We determine the profile, risk factors, and impact of AF/AFL in an Asian ACHD cohort. MethodsWe included all ACHD patients diagnosed in an Asia tertiary care center between 2007 and 2018, analyzing AF (sustained and paroxysmal AF) and AFL, collectively./Purpose. ResultsThe study encompassed 4391 patients (55.9% women), with 81% having simple, 16.3% moderate and 2.8% severe CHD. AF/AFL was observed in 6.7% of the patients, with 54.6% having paroxysmal AF, 27.3% sustained AF, and 18.1% AFL. Incidence of AF/AFL increased with age and was higher in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), severe CHD, and metabolic syndrome. We found a progressive trend in the onset age of arrhythmia: AFL at a younger age, followed by paroxysmal and sustained AF. Risk factors for AF/AFL included severe and moderate CHD, PH, previous interventions, and male sex (odds ratio 11.2 and 3.15, 2.03, 1.75, and 1.71, respectively). When stratifying by CHD severity, PH and male sex were significant risk factors in simple CHD, while only PH in severe CHD. Patients with AF/AFL had a significantly lower major adverse cardiovascular events-free survival rate. ConclusionsThis large ACHD cohort from Asia exhibited a high incidence of AF/AFL, similar to Western reports. The risk of AF/AFL was primarily associated with hemodynamic factors such as PH and CHD severity.

Neoadjuvant SHR-1701 with or without chemotherapy in unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: A proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial

We conducted a proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial to assess neoadjuvant SHR-1701 with or without chemotherapy, followed by surgery or radiotherapy, and then consolidation SHR-1701 in unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the primary cohort of patients receiving neoadjuvant combination therapy (n= 97), both primary endpoints were met, with a post-induction objective response rate of 58% (95% confidence interval [CI] 47-68) and an 18-month event-free survival (EFS) rate of 56.6% (95% CI 45.2-66.5). Overall, 27 (25%) patients underwent surgery; all achieved R0 resection. Among them, 12 (44%) major pathological responses and seven (26%) pathological complete responses were recorded. The 18-month EFS rate was 74.1% (95% CI 53.2-86.7) in surgical patients and 57.3% (43.0-69.3) in radiotherapy-treated patients. Neoadjuvant SHR-1701 with chemotherapy, followed by surgery or radiotherapy, showed promising efficacy with a tolerable safety profile in unresectable stage III NSCLC. Surgical conversion was feasible in a notable proportion of patients and associated with better survival outcomes.

GCT-16. LONG-TERM OUTCOMES AND COMPLICATION MANAGEMENT IN CNS GERM CELL TUMORS: INSIGHTS FROM A PHASE II HISTOPATHOLOGY-STRATIFIED TREATMENT TRIAL

Abstract BACKGROUND This detailed examination merges outcomes from a Phase II clinical trial targeting central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors (GCTs) conducted between 1995 and 2003. It evaluates the impact of histopathologically driven treatment modalities on survival, recurrence, and post-treatment life and social outcomes, aiming to delineate the long-term effects of such stratified treatment approaches. METHODS The cohort comprised 228 patients, stratified into three groups based on histology: germinoma (n=161), intermediate prognosis (n=38), and poor prognosis (n=28), each receiving customized chemotherapy and radiation treatments. With a median follow-up duration of 222 months, this longitudinal study scrutinized survival rates, recurrence patterns, and a spectrum of socio-economic and health-related outcomes. RESULTS For the germinoma group, the 10- and 20-year event-free survival (EFS) rates stood impressively at 82% and 73%, respectively, with overall survival (OS) rates reaching 97% and 92%. The intermediate prognosis group witnessed 10- and 20-year EFS rates of 76% and 66%, and OS rates of 87% and 70%. The poor prognosis group recorded EFS rates of 49% at both intervals, with OS diminishing to 61% and 53%. Notably, germinomas localized in the basal ganglia exhibited high relapse rates absent initial whole-brain radiation, yet were effectively managed upon subsequent interventions. The comprehensive follow-up illuminated striking disparities in socio-economic achievements: higher educational attainments, more stable employment, and improved health outcomes were predominantly observed among patients without recurrence. Non-recurrent germinoma patients, in particular, showcased enhanced educational and employment status, vividly illustrating the profound impact of disease progression and treatment on life quality. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the critical importance of customized initial treatments for improving survival and life quality in CNS GCT patients, stressing the need for detailed long-term follow-up to address relapses and complications effectively. The study advocates for personalized care that balances treatment intensity to optimize long-term outcomes, enhancing post-treatment care.

Neoadjuvant nivolumab (NIVO) + chemotherapy (chemo) vs chemo in patients (pts) with resectable NSCLC: 4-year update from CheckMate 816.

LBA8010 Background: The phase 3 CheckMate 816 study established neoadjuvant NIVO + chemo as a standard of care for eligible pts with resectable NSCLC. Here, we report the 4-year survival update from this study, representing the longest follow-up among all global phase 3 studies evaluating neoadjuvant or perioperative immunotherapy-based treatments. Methods: Adults with stage IB (≥ 4 cm)–IIIA (per AJCC v7) resectable NSCLC, ECOG PS ≤ 1, and no known EGFR/ ALK alterations were randomized 1:1 to receive NIVO 360 mg + chemo Q3W or chemo alone Q3W for 3 cycles, followed by surgery. Event-free survival (EFS) and pathologic complete response (pCR; both per blinded independent review) were primary endpoints and were both statistically significant. Overall survival (OS) was a key secondary endpoint. Exploratory analyses included efficacy by pCR status and extent of resection. Results: At the 23 Feb 2024 database lock (median follow-up, 57.6 mo), NIVO + chemo continued to improve EFS vs chemo (median, 43.8 mo vs 18.4 mo; HR [95% CI], 0.66 [0.49–0.90]); 4-year EFS rates were 49% vs 38%. EFS favored NIVO + chemo vs chemo regardless of whether pts had lobectomy or pneumonectomy (Table), with 56%–57% vs 40%–43% of pts without disease recurrence at 4 years. NIVO + chemo also continued to show OS improvement vs chemo (HR [98.36% CI], 0.71 [0.47–1.07]; P = 0.0451; median OS was not reached [NR] in both arms, and the significance boundary was not met at this interim analysis). An OS improvement of 13% was sustained over time for NIVO + chemo vs chemo; 4-year OS rates were 71% vs 58%. Pts in the NIVO + chemo arm who had pCR continued to have improved OS vs those who did not (HR [95% CI], 0.08 [0.02–0.34]); 4-year OS rates, 95% vs 63%); a similar trend was seen in the chemo arm, although few pts had pCR with chemo (n = 4). No new safety signals were observed at this update. Additional survival analyses in pt subgroups and by ctDNA levels will be presented. Conclusions: In this 4-year analysis from CheckMate 816, neoadjuvant NIVO + chemo sustained EFS and OS separation vs chemo over time and demonstrated the long-term survival benefit of having pCR in pts with resectable NSCLC. These data provide the first understanding of the long-term benefits of neoadjuvant immunotherapy when added to chemo, reinforcing neoadjuvant NIVO + chemo as a standard of care, and providing a benchmark to assess the benefits of all perioperative immunotherapy-based treatments. Clinical trial information: NCT02998528 . [Table: see text]

A randomized, multicenter, open-label, phase III trial comparing anthracyclines followed by taxane versus anthracyclines followed by taxane plus carboplatin as (neo) adjuvant therapy in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer: Korean Cancer Study Group BR 15-1 PEARLY trial.

LBA502 Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its high risk of early relapse and poor prognosis. Platinum agents have shown to increase pathological complete response (pCR) rates when added to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for TNBC. However, evidence regarding the survival benefit of platinum in this setting remains inconclusive. The PEARLY trial is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 3 study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of carboplatin in combination with anthracycline/taxane therapy compared to standard anthracycline/taxane alone as either neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment in early-stage TNBC. Methods: Patients with stage II or III TNBC were randomly assigned to either the carboplatin arm or the standard therapy arm, stratified by nodal status, institution, treatment setting (neoadjuvant vs adjuvant), and germline BRCA status. The standard therapy involved doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by taxane treatment. The experimental arm included carboplatin in addition to taxane following AC. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS), defined as disease progression or inoperable status for neoadjuvant therapy group, local or distant recurrence, occurrence of a second primary cancer, or death from any cause, while secondary endpoints encompassed overall survival (OS), invasive disease-free survival (IDFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), pCR rate, and safety. With a planned enrollment of 878 patients, the trial aimed for 80% power to detect a hazard ratio of 0.70 for EFS at a two-sided alpha level of 0.05, anticipating 248 EFS events over a 5-year follow-up period. Results: Between Jan 2016 and Jun 2020, 868 patients across 22 institutions in South Korea were enrolled. At a median follow-up of 51.1 months, carboplatin significantly improved EFS compared to the control arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50 to 0.93; p=0.017). The 5-year EFS rates were increased from 74.4% to 81.9%, demonstrating a 7.5% difference. Subgroup analysis showed consistent benefits across various patient categories. Secondary endpoints like IDFS and DRFS also favored carboplatin arm. OS data were immature, a total of 43 patients (10.2%) in the carboplatin arm and 57 patients (13.1%) in the control arm died (HR 0.66; 95% CI: 0.42 to 1.01). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event rates were 74.6% (1 death due to infection) in the carboplatin arm and 56.7% (2 deaths due to infection and suicide) in the control arm. Conclusions: The addition of carboplatin to standard anthracycline followed by taxane therapy significantly improved EFS in patients with early-stage TNBC. The safety profile was consistent with the known expectations for each regimen. Clinical trial information: NCT02441933 .

Tucidinostat plus R-CHOP in previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with double expression of MYC and BCL2: An interim analysis from the phase III DEB study.

LBA7003 Background: Epigenetic dysregulation is commonly correlated with the pathogenesis and development in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Tucidinostat, a subtype-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, has shown promising efficacy in combination with R-CHOP in DLBCL patients with double expression of MYC and BCL2 (DE) in exploratory studies. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial (DEB) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tucidinostat plus R-CHOP in comparison with R-CHOP in previously untreated DLBCL patients with DE. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive six cycles of either tucidinostat plus R-CHOP (tucidinostat group) or placebo plus R-CHOP (placebo group). Patients who achieved complete response (CR) after combination therapy received either tucidinostat or placebo as maintenance treatment with a maximum duration of 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed event-free survival (EFS), and the key secondary endpoint was the complete response rate (CRR) evaluated at the end of combination treatment. An interim analysis was pre-defined to be conducted when CRR was obtained and the number of EFS events reached at least 60% of the total events required for entire study. Results: Between May 21, 2020, and July 25, 2022, 423 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned, 211 to the tucidinostat group and 212 to the placebo group. At data cutoff of this interim analysis (January 10, 2023), the median follow-up time was 13.9 months (95% CI, 12.9 - 15.4). A total of 152 EFS events (68.5% of the planned total) were observed, with 64 (30.3%) in the tucidinostat group and 88 (41.5%) in the placebo group. The 24-month EFS rate was 58.9% (95% CI, 48.9-67.6) in the tucidinostat group and 46.2% (95% CI, 35.7-56.1) in the placebo group. The hazard ratio (HR) between the two groups was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.49-0.94), with a p-value of 0.018. At the completion of combination treatment, the CRR in the tucidinostat and placebo groups were 73.0% (95% CI, 66.6-78.5) and 61.8% (95% CI, 55.1-68.1), respectively. The adjusted difference in CRR was 11.1% (95% CI, 2.3-20.0; P=0.014). The safety profiles of both groups were as expected, with no new safety findings. The incidence of ≥ grade 3 hematologic adverse events was generally higher in the tucidinostat group than the placebo group, but most patients were able to tolerate and complete the planned treatment cycles. No significant cardiac toxicity, hepatotoxicity, or nephrotoxicity were observed in both groups. Conclusion: The DEB study is the first phase III trial to show that combining tucidinostat with R-CHOP regimen is a feasible and efficacious novel approach in previously untreated DLBCL patients with DE. Tucidinostat plus R-CHOP could be a new frontline treatment option in this patient population. Clinical trial information: NCT04231448 .

Survival outcomes in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) in remission after relapsed or refractory treatment receiving eflornithine (DFMO) maintenance.

10060 Background: Five-year overall survival in newly diagnosed HRNB patients is around 50%, with relapse as the primary cause of mortality. While survival for newly diagnosed HRNB has improved with new treatment advances, relapsed or refractory (R/R) patients continue to have poor outcomes, with a high risk of subsequent relapse even among those who achieve remission, underscoring the need for treatments to improve EFS in this group. DFMO has been evaluated as a chemopreventative therapy in a single arm phase 2 study designed to compare Event Free Survival (EFS) and Overall Survival (OS) outcomes with published data for HRNB. The results of patients treated after standard therapy have been previously published. We now present an analysis of EFS/OS for patients with R/R disease, who historically have had a two-year EFS of approximately 10%. Methods: A total of 140 HRNB patients were enrolled, prospectively divided into two strata. S1 included patients in initial remission after upfront therapy, whereas S2 included patients who had either relapsed or had disease refractory to standard induction chemotherapy but achieved remission with additional therapy. Patients received 2 years of continuous treatment with oral DFMO 750 ±250 mg/m2 BID and were followed for up to 7 years. Results: A total of 35 patients withR/R disease who had achieved remission after additional therapy were enrolled onto S2, including 28 patients in remission after one or more prior relapses and 7 refractory patients in remission after subsequent therapies. Of the relapsed patients, 23 had one prior relapse, while 5 patients had two or more relapses prior to enrollment; only one previously relapsed patient had received chemoimmunotherapy prior to enrollment in the study. For the entireS2 cohort, two-year EFS was 46% (95% CI 29%, 61%) with the lower confidence interval above the 10% historical control estimate. Four-year EFS was 46% (95% CI 29%, 61%) and OS 62% (95% CI 44%, 76%), with no relapses occurring after 18 months. For patients enrolled with refractory disease only (n=7) the four-year EFS was 85.7%. In the 28 relapsed patients, the four-year EFS was 35.7%, with single relapse patients (n=23) having an EFS rate of 39.1% and multiple relapsed patients (n=5) 20.0%. Conclusions: Patients in remission after chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory HRNB and treated with DFMO had improved EFS compared to the best historical estimate available at the time of the study. Although the number of patients is too small to support clear conclusions, the subgroup of refractory patients had outcomes that trended better than the relapsed subgroup with an EFS rate that was unexpectedly similar to prior reports of DFMO-treated S1 patients in remission after standard upfront therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT02395666 , NCT00026312 .

Obecabtagene autoleucel (obe-cel, AUTO1) in adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL): Overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and the potential impact of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell persistency and consolidative stem cell transplantation (SCT) in the open-label, single-arm FELIX phase Ib/II study.

6504 Background: Obe-cel is an autologous CAR-T cell product with a fast off-rate CD19 binder designed to mitigate immunotoxicity and improve expansion/persistence. Pooled results from the pivotal FELIX phase Ib/II study (NCT04404660) of obe-cel in adults with R/R B-ALL were recently presented (Roddie C et al. Blood 2023;142[Suppl 1]:222). Here, OS and EFS in all patients (pts) treated with obe-cel are reported, alongside the impact of CAR-T cell persistency and consolidative SCT for pts in remission. Methods: Pts aged ≥18 yrs with R/R B-ALL were enrolled. CAR-T products were generated via an automated process (Roddie C et al. Blood 2023;142[Suppl 1]:222). Pts received bridging therapy as appropriate and underwent lymphodepletion (fludarabine, 4×30mg/m2; cyclophosphamide, 2×500mg/m2), followed by obe-cel split dose infusions on Days 1 and 10 based on pre-lymphodepletion leukemic burden at a target dose of 410×106 CAR-T cells. Results: A total of 127/153 (83%) enrolled pts were infused. At screening, pts’ median age was 47 yrs; 42%/31%/44% had received prior blinatumomab/inotuzumab ozogamicin/allogeneic SCT; median bone marrow blast burden was 36% (range: 0−100). At data cut-off (13 September 2023), median follow-up was 16.6 mos (range 3.7−36.6 mos). The overall complete remission or complete remission with incomplete count recovery rate among infused pts was 78%. Among responding pts, 17/99 (17%) proceeded to consolidative SCT while in remission; all 17 (100%) were in measurable residual disease (MRD)-negative remission (≤10–4 leukemic blasts) and 10/17 (59%) showed CAR-T cell persistency prior to SCT. Loss of CAR-T cell persistency was associated with a hazard risk of relapse or death 2.9 times compared with pts who had ongoing CAR-T cell persistency. Pts who experienced B-cell recovery had a hazard risk of relapse or death 1.7 times compared with pts without B-cell recovery. At 12 mos, the EFS rate was 50% and 43% with or without censoring for consolidative SCT or new therapies, respectively; the OS rate was 61% and 59% with or without censoring for SCT, respectively. Conclusions: Ongoing CAR-T cell persistency and B-cell aplasia were associated with improved EFS without further consolidation post-obe-cel. At the current follow-up, consolidative SCT for pts in MRD-negative remission post-obe-cel did not improve EFS or OS. Clinical trial information: NCT04404660 .

Short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by fruquintinib plus adebrelimab and CAPOX in the total neoadjuvant therapy of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC): A multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase II study.

TPS3643 Background: For LARC patients (pts), long-course concurrent chemoradiotherapy or SCRT followed by chemotherapy is recommended by the NCCN guidelines (Version 1.2024) as neoadjuvant therapy. Compared with chemoradiotherapy, the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or anti-angiogenic drugs could further improve complete response (CR) rate in the neoadjuvant treatment of LARC. Fruquintinib, a highly selective small-molecule inhibitor of VEGFR-1, -2, and -3, has gained FDA approval for pts with metastatic colorectal cancer previously treated. For pts with LARC at high risk of recurrence, the CR rate of SCRT followed by chemotherapy was 29%. There is an urgent need for new therapeutical options to improve the CR rate in these pts. This study introduces an innovative approach, combining SCRT, chemotherapy, Fruquintinib, and ICIs as a total neoadjuvant therapy for high-risk LARC pts. Methods: This is a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase II study (NCT06234007) investigating the efficacy and safety of SCRT sequential fruquintinib, combined with adebrelimab (an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody) and CAPOX in pts with LARC. Eligible participants were 18 years or older, with an ECOG PS of 0–1, and a biopsy-proven, newly diagnosed, primary, LARC, classified as high risk on pelvic MRI (with at least one of the following criteria: clinical tumour [cT] stage cT4a or cT4b, extramural vascular invasion, clinical nodal [cN] stage cN2, involved mesorectal fascia, or enlarged lateral lymph nodes), were mentally and physically fit for surgery. Total neoadjuvant therapy included SCRT (5 × 5 Gy over 5 days, 1-week rest) followed by six cycles of fruquintinib (4mg, qd, po, q3w. For the initial 6 pts in the safety run-in period, dosage was adjusted based on dose-limited toxicities in the 1st cycle) combined with adebrelimab (1200mg, iv, d1, q3w) and CAPOX (q3w). Subsequently, pts who did not reach clinical CR underwent total mesorectal excision, others received the “Watch and Wait” policy or surgery. Primary endpoint was CR rate (including clinical CR &amp; pathologic CR). Secondary endpoints included 3-year event free survival rate, overall survival, R0 resection rate and adverse events (AEs). Exploratory endpoints aimed to evaluate the correlation between potential biomarkers and efficacy. Using PASS 15 software (version 15.0.5.0), in the Tests for One Proportion analysis, with a two-sided α of 5% and to guarantee the power over 80%. The null hypothesis of CR rate was 29%, and the alternative hypothesis was 51%, accounting for a 10% drop-out rate, resulting in a sample size of 39 pts. With the 6 pts in the safety run-in period, a total of 45 pts would be enrolled in the study. Until Feb 1, 2024, 7 of planned 45 pts have been enrolled. Clinical trial information: NCT06234007 .

Efficacy and safety of the use of dinutuximab in newly diagnosed or relapse high risk neuroblastoma: Single arm systematic review and meta-analysis.

10044 Background: Patients with high-risk Neuroblastoma have a poor prognosis, with 43% experiencing a 3-year survival rate in newly diagnosed cases and a 21% 1-year event-free survival in relapsed patients. Dinutuximab, an immunotherapy targeting anti-disialoganglioside (GD2), emerges as a promising treatment for high-risk Neuroblastoma. This single arm meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of dinutuximab, providing insights into its impact on survival rates among neuroblastoma patients. Methods: We systematically searched Pubmed, Cochrane and EMBASE for clinical trials between 1988 to 2023 utilizing Dinutuximab (ch14.18 or ch14.18/CHO) in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory high-risk neuroblastoma. We pooled the prevalence and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the outcomes of interest: overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE). Heterogeneity was assessed using I² analysis and all statistical analyses were employed using R software version 4.3.2 and a random-effects model. Results: The analysis included 2214 patients from 13 clinical trials, comprising four phase III trials and six phase II. Six studies included Interleukin 2 (IL-2). Among the patients, 364 (16.5%) had relapsed or refractory disease. Dinutuximab was applied as post-consolidation treatment in 1809 patients (81.1%). The age of patients ranged from 1 to 21 years. In a pooled analysis, the 3-year OS rate was 69% (CI 0.62-0.76; I² = 85%), and the 3-year EFS rate was 61% (CI 0.52-0.69; I² = 77%). In the group of newly diagnosed patients, the 3-year EFS rate was 62% (CI 0.58-0.66; I² = 52%) and 3-year OS rate of 74% (CI 0.69-0.79; I² = 71%). Among patients with relapse, there was a 3-year OS rate of 57% (CI 0.50-0.64; I² = 0%). The overall ORR was 47% (CI 0.37-0.57; I² = 69%), of which 38 newly diagnosed patients using Dinutuximab during induction chemotherapy showed an ORR of 86%. TEAEs of grade ≥ 3 were 70% (CI 0.44-0.88; I² = 94%), and in the subgroup without IL-2 use, it was 43% (CI 0.29-0.57; I² = 85%). Conclusions: This single-arm meta-analysis suggests that both newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory high-risk Neuroblastoma patients benefit from Dinutuximab, with a promising impact on 3-year OS and EFS. Dinutuximab appears to be a safer option; however, concomitant use of IL2 is associated with a higher rate of adverse effects.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy (PD-1) combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma (EC): A single-arm, open-label, phase II study.

4075 Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD-1 combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced EC and sought to explore biomarkers related to treatment prognosis and efficacy prediction for screening patients who would benefit most from this therapy. Methods: In this phase 2 study, patients (pts) with histopathologically confirmed ESCC, diagnosed as clinical stage cT1-3N1-3M0 and ECOG PS 0-1 were enrolled to receive two cycles of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with PD-1 blockade (Pembrolizumab/Tislelizumab on d1) plus nab-paclitaxel (260mg/m2 in total on d1 and d8) and cisplatin (60mg/m2 in total on d1-3) of each 21-day cycle, followed by esophagectomy. Biopsied pretreatment tumor tissues along with surgical tumor specimens were collected for RNA sequencing. The primary endpoint was complete pathologic response (pCR) rate. The secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. Biomarkers associated with clinical prognosis were assessed as exploratory objectives. Results: From Jan 11, 2021 to, Apr 25 2022, 56 pts were enrolled and 42 pts received neoadjuvant therapy and operation. Among them, 66.7% (28/42) had clinical complete response, 50% (21/42) had partial response, and ORR was 78.6% (33/42). 42 pts underwent surgical resection, achieving a 100% (42/42) R0 resection rate and a pCR rate of 33.3% (14/42), tumor regression grade (TRG, Mandard system) 1, 2 and 3 were 14.3% (6/42), 14.3% (6/42) and 71.4% (30/42) respectively. With a median follow-up of 24.4 months (range 14.3-33.4), 12(28.6%) patients had disease recurrence. Within 24 months, 14.3% (2/14) pts who achieved pCR experienced recurrence. 2-year EFS rate was 54.8% (95%CI,43.4, 66.3% ), 2-year OS rate was 81.5% (95%CI,69.4, 90.2% ). Overall, grade ≥3 AEs included leukopenia (11.9% [5/42]), thrombocytopenia (4.8% [2/42]), and no deaths were due to TRAEs. With 34 patients of RNA sequenced, we divided the patients into two groups based on whether they had recurred within 24 months as favorable prognosis and poor prognosis respectively, to analyze gene expression in different treatment effect. The poor outcome patients had significant molecular differences were seen in PI3K−Akt pathway gene expression, markers of immune activation, and genes involved in ECM−receptor interaction and focal adhesion in baseline samples, and the pathway enriched by differential genes expression in samples after treatment validated this result. Conclusions: Combining PD-1 blockade with nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin is feasible and effective in patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC, and might be a promising approach for neoadjuvant treatment. Clinical trial information: NCT05028231 .

Analysis of neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab for clinical stage III melanoma using the SWOG S1801 event-free survival definition.

e21563 Background: Perioperative pembrolizumab to advanced melanoma, as shown SWOG S1801 trial, was associated with a longer event-free survival (EFS) than those who received adjuvant pembrolizumab (EFS at 2y: 72% vs 49%, respectively). EFS, as defined in this trial, encompasses important factors related to neoadjuvant therapy in clinical practice. So far, there is no data of EFS rate for melanoma patients(pts.) treated with neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab, which is associated with more response rate but also more toxicity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of pts. with clinical stage III melanoma treated with neoadjuvant nivolumab 3mg/kg + ipilimumab 1 mg/kg (N3+I1) for two cycles followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy at AC Camargo Cancer Center. We applied the SWOG S1801 EFS definition (which includes inability to receive surgery, to start adjuvant therapy, melanoma recurrence and death) to this cohort. Results: Between Jan 2019 and Jan 2024, 37 pts. with clinical stage III melanoma treated with neoadjuvant N3+I1 were identified. Gender: 25 males (67%), median age (years): 58 (range: 31-78), BRAFV600 mut: 25(67%), Stage AJCC 8th edition: IIIB = 23 (62%), IIIC = 12 (32%), IIID = 2(6%). G3/G4 immune-related adverse events (irAE): 11 patients (30%). Two out 37 pts. did not complete the programmed neoadjuvant cycles due to toxicity (1 = colitis, 1 = myositis). Three pts. (8%) were unable to receive surgery: irAE = 1, metastatic disease = 2. All pts. who underwent surgery (n = 35) achieved R0 resection and started adjuvant therapy within 84-days after the procedure. Major pathological response (MPR) = 23 pts(66%) and non-MPR = 12 pts.(34%). There were 4 melanoma relapses after starting adjuvant therapy (11%). The total number of events was 7 (19%). In a median follow-up of 16.1 months(range:13.9-25), the landmark analysis of EFS at 2 years was 73% (95%CI, 49 to 87). Relapse-free survival(RFS) for MPR at 2 years: 96%. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant N3+I1 seems to have similar EFS compared to SWOG S1801, but numerically more MPR rate and fewer events of progression, relapse and/or death. [Table: see text]

Neoadjuvant SHR-1701 with or without chemotherapy in unresectable stage III NSCLC (TRAILBLAZER): Efficacy, safety and feasibility of surgical conversion outcomes from a proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial.

8082 Background: Consolidation immunotherapy after chemoradiation is the standard of care for unresectable stage III NSCLC. Addition of immunotherapy-based induction treatment may further improve outcome, partly by enabling surgery. We conducted a proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial to assess neoadjuvant SHR-1701 (an anti-PD-L1/TGF-β bifunctional fusion protein) with or without chemotherapy, followed by surgery or radiotherapy in unresectable stage III NSCLC and without EGFR/ ALK alterations. Methods: Patients with MDT-assessed surgically unresectable disease were given 3 cycles of neoadjuvant SHR-1701 (30 mg/kg Q3W) with or without chemotherapy (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 Q3W + carboplatin AUC = 5 Q3W).Patients with PD-L1 TPS &lt; 50% received combination therapy (arm A) and those with PD-L1 TPS ≥50% were randomized (1:1) to receive combination therapy (arm B) or SHR-1701 alone (arm C). After reassessment by MDT, patients received either surgery or definitive radiotherapy (60 Gy/30 fractions) plus concurrent cisplatin (30 mg/m2 QW), all followed by consolidation SHR-1701 for 16 cycles. The primary endpoints were post-induction objective response rate (ORR) and 18-month event-free survival (EFS) rate. Arm A+B (patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy) was the primary analysis cohort. Results: Between Nov. 20, 2020 and Jan. 27, 2022, 107 patients were enrolled (arm A/B/C, n = 88/9/10). Median follow-up was 22.2 months. In arm A+B, both primary endpoints were met, with a post-induction ORR of 58% (95% CI 47-68) and an 18-month EFS rate of 56.6% (95% CI 45.2-66.5). In arm C, the post-induction ORR was 40% (95% CI 12-74) and 18-month EFS rate was 77.1% (95% CI 34.5-93.9). 24-month overall survival rate was 78.3% (95% CI 68.0-85.7) in arm A+B and 100% in arm C. Overall, 27 (25% of 107; arm A+B/C, n = 24/3) patients underwent surgery; all achieved R0 resection. Among them, 12 (44%) MPR and seven (26%) pCR were recorded. The 18-month EFS rate was 74.1% (95% CI 53.2-86.7) in resected patients and 57.3% (43.0-69.3) in those receiving radiotherapy. Across arms, all grade ≥3 TRAEs with frequency ≥10% were hematological toxicities. No new safety signals were identified. Conclusions: NeoadjuvantSHR-1701 with chemotherapy, followed by surgery or radiotherapy, showed promising anti-tumor activity with a tolerable safety profile in unresectable stage III NSCLC. We provided first evidence that surgical conversion was feasible in a notable proportion of patients, and was associated with better survival outcomes. Clinical trial information: NCT04580498 .

The relationship between PIK3CA mutations and survival in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive breast cancer receiving pyrotinib combined with trastuzumab for neoadjuvant treatment.

e12637 Background: Our previous study suggested that HER2-positive breast cancer patients with activated mutations in PIK3CA are less likely to achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) from pyrotinib combined with trastuzumab in the neoadjuvant setting. The relationship of PIK3CA mutations and survival remains unknown. Methods: The genomic characteristics of 425 cancer-related genes from the archived tumour blocks of 50 patients enrolled in a prospective neoadjuvant pyrotinib and trastuzumab plus chemotherapy clinical trial (ChiCTR1900022293) were assessed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The relationship between PIK3CA mutations and event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were explored. Results: Among the cohort of 50 cases, five patients dropped out during treatment due to various reasons, whereas the other 45 patients were followed up until August 31, 2023. The median follow-up was 36.1 months, and mEFS and mOS were not reached yet. Kaplan-Meier estimated 3-year EFS rate and OS rate were 91.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]=83.2%-99.8%) and 97.1% (95% CI=91.8%-100%), respectively. Patients with wild-type PIK3CA tended to achieve a better 3-year EFS rate (96.2% vs 63.2%, hazard ratio [HR]=0.18, 95% CI=0.02-1.59, log-rank P = 0.081) compared with the patients with mutated PIK3CA. Besides, patients with pCR showed a better 3-year EFS rate (96.2% vs 84.2%, HR=0.16,95% CI=0.02-1.45, log-rank P = 0.063) compared with the patients without pCR. Conclusions: HER2-positive breast cancer patients with activated mutations in PIK3CA are less likely to benefit from pyrotinib combined with trastuzumab in the neoadjuvant setting, but this conclusion still needs to be confirmed by large-sample studies and long-term follow-up results. Clinical trial information: 1900022293.

Correlation of hematocrit and cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients

Objective: To investigate the correlation between hematocrit (HCT) and cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: Patients undergoing maintenance PD in the PD center of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital from March 19, 2012 to July 9, 2020 were included. Demographic, baseline clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected and patients were followed up until April 8, 2022. The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of a cardiovascular event. According to the tertiles of baseline HCT, the patients were divided into group Q1 (HCT≤26.6%), group Q2 (HCT>26.6%-32.4%), and group Q3 (HCT>32.4%). Laboratory indexes and cardiovascular events were compared among the three groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curve, Cox regression analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to analyze the effect of HCT on cardiovascular outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of HCT for cardiovascular events in PD patients. Results: A total of 860 PD patients were included, including 494 males (57.4%) and 366 females (42.6%), with a mean age of (41.5±15.0) years. There were 287 cases in group Q1, 289 cases in group Q2, and 284 cases in group Q3, respectively. A total of 265 (30.8%) patients experienced first cardiovascular events during the follow-up period. The incidence of cardiovascular events in groups Q1, Q2 and Q3 was 36.2% (104/287), 34.3% (99/289), and 21.8% (62/284), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The incidence of cardiovascular events decreased with the increase of HCT. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that decreased HCT was a risk factor for cardiovascular events. Compared with group Q3, the risk of cardiovascular events in group Q1 increased by 50.7% (group Q2: HR=1.444, 95%CI: 1.029-2.028, P=0.034; group Q1: HR=1.570, 95%CI: 1.096-2.250, P=0.014). In the sensitivity analysis, using kidney transplantation as the competition event, the risk of cardiovascular events was lower in group Q3 than that in group Q1 (subdistributional HR=1.413, 95%CI: 1.006-1.990, P=0.046). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that compared with the other two groups, the cardiovascular events-free survival rate of patients in group Q1 was significantly lower (log-rank χ2=9.722, P=0.008). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of HCT for predicting cardiovascular events in PD patients was 0.583 (95%CI: 0.542-0.623, P<0.001), with the sensitivity of 40.6% and the specificity of 75.1%. Conclusion: Low-level HCT is associated with an increased risk of the first cardiovascular event in PD patients.

Stratified Treatment in Pediatric Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: Result of a Prospective Open-Label Multiple-Institution Study.

The risk stratification of pediatric anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) has not been standardized. In this study, new risk factors were included to establish a new risk stratification system for ALCL, and its feasibility in clinical practice was explored. On the basis of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster 95 (NHL-BFM-95) protocol, patients with minimal disseminated disease (MDD), high-risk tumor site (multiple bone, skin, liver, and lung involvement), and small cell/lymphohistiocytic (SC/LH) pathological subtype were enrolled in risk stratification. Patients were treated with a modified NHL-BFM-95 protocol combined with an anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor or vinblastine (VBL). A total of 136 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 8.8 years. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival of the entire cohort were 77.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.0% to 83.9%) and 92.3% (95% CI, 86.1% to 95.8%), respectively. The 3-year EFS rates of low-risk group (R1), intermediate-risk group (R2), and high-risk group (R3) patients were 100%, 89.5% (95% CI, 76.5% to 95.5%), and 67.9% (95% CI, 55.4% to 77.6%), respectively. The prognosis of patients with MDD (+), stage IV cancer, SC/LH lymphoma, and high-risk sites was poor, and the 3-year EFS rates were 45.3% (95% CI, 68.6% to 19.0%), 65.7% (95% CI, 47.6% to 78.9%), 55.7% (95% CI, 26.2% to 77.5%), and 70.7% (95% CI, 48.6% to 84.6%), respectively. At the end of follow-up, one of the five patients who received maintenance therapy with VBL relapsed, and seven patients receiving anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor maintenance therapy did not experience relapse. This study has confirmed the poor prognostic of MDD (+), high-risk site and SC/LH, but patients with SC/LH lymphoma and MDD (+) at diagnosis still need to receive better treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03971305).

Clinical analysis of 18 children with aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma after liver transplantation

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of childhood aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma after liver transplantation. Methods: This retrospective study included 18 children with newly diagnosed aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma after liver transplantation and treated from June 2018 to June 2022 in the Department of Hematology and Oncology of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients at last evaluation were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank analysis was performed to find factors of poor prognosis. Results: Among all 18 patients, there were 6 males and 12 females, and the age of onset was 40 (35, 54) months. The interval from transplant to tumor diagnosis was 21 (17, 35) months and 5 patients had early onset disease (<1 year since transplant). Seventeen patients had abdominal lesions. Diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal masses were the main clinical manifestations. All patients were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). One patient received individualized therapy due to critical sick at diagnosis, and the remaining 17 patients received CP (cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone plus rituximab) and/or modified EPOCH (prednisone, etoposide, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide plus rituximab) regimens. Of all 18 patients, 15 cases got complete response, 2 cases got partial response, 1 patient died of severe infection. The 2-year OS and EFS rates of 18 patients were (94±5)% and (83±8)%, respectively. None of age, gender or early onset disease had effect on OS and EFS rates in univariate analysis (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The symptoms of PTLD were atypical. Close surveillance of EBV-DNA for patients after liver transplantation was crucial to early stage PTLD diagnosis. CP or modified EPOCH regimen was efficient for pediatric patients with aggressive mature B cell lymphoma after liver transplantation.

Prognostic analysis of childhood T-lymphoblastic lymphoma treated with leukemia regimen

To investigate the prognosis of childhood T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) treated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) regimen and related influencing factors. A retrospective analysis was performed for the prognostic characteristics of 29 children with T-LBL who were treated with ALL regimen (ALL-2009 or CCCG-ALL-2015 regimen) from May 2010 to May 2022. The 29 children with T-LBL had a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 84%±7% and an event-free survival (EFS) rate of 81%±8%. The children with B systemic symptoms (unexplained fever >38°C for more than 3 days; night sweats; weight loss >10% within 6 months) at initial diagnosis had a lower 5-year EFS rate compared to the children without B symptoms (P<0.05). The children with platelet count >400×109/L and involvement of both mediastinum and lymph nodes at initial diagnosis had lower 5-year OS rates (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in 5-year OS and EFS rates between the children treated with CCCG-ALL-2015 regimen and those treated with ALL-2009 regimen (P>0.05). Compared with the ALL-2009 regimen, the CCCG-ALL-2015 regimen reduced the frequency of high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy and the incidence rate of severe infections (P<0.05). The ALL regimen is safe and effective in children with T-LBL. Children with B systemic symptoms, platelet count >400×109/L, and involvement of both mediastinum and lymph nodes at initial diagnosis tend to have a poor prognosis. Reduction in the frequency of high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy can reduce the incidence rate of severe infections, but it does not affect prognosis.