Higher Objective Response Rate Research Articles

The efficacy and safety of sintilimab combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Immunotherapy is a new treatment option for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, no study has investigated the efficacy and safety of sintilimab combined with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (Nab-PTX) and platinum as first-line treatment for metastatic ESCC. In this retrospective study, eligible patients with metastatic ESCC were administered sintilimab plus Nab-PTX, cisplatin, or nedaplatin for up to 4 to 6 cycles. Subsequently, patients without progressive disease (PD) continued to receive sintilimab every 3 weeks as maintenance treatment until unacceptable toxicity, PD, withdrawal of consent, or for up to 2 years. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. A total of 22 patients diagnosed with metastatic ESCC were enrolled, 1 patient reached a complete response (CR), 15 patients achieved a partial response (PR), 4 patients had stable disease, and 2 had PD. The ORR was 72.7% (16/22) and the DCR was 90.9% (20/22). The time to response was 1.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.7-2.2 months). The median PFS was 8.9 months (95% CI, 7.1-10.7 months), and the median OS was 19.0 months. Exploratory biomarker analysis revealed that lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was a potential marker for OS, and patients with high LDH levels had shorter mOS (13.0 months, 95% CI:7.5-18.5 months). Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 21 patients (95.5%), most of which were grade 1 or 2. No treatment-related deaths occurred in this study. The results of this study suggested that sintilimab combined with Nab-PTX and platinum in patients with metastatic ESCC had a significantly high ORR and encouraging mPFS and mOS. LDH was a potential marker for OS, and the safety profile was manageable.

The efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer who progressed on EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated who progressed on EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy have limited therapeutic options. There is still no consensus on the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in NSCLC with EGFR mutations. We did a network meta-analysis (NMA) with a systematic literature search on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library. We included all phase II and III randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized controlled trials (Non-RCTs), and retrospective studies. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed through hazard ratios (HR). Objective response rate (ORR) and adverse events (AEs) were assessed through odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR), respectively. R software was used to compare the outcomes of different treatments by Bayesian NMA. We identified 1835 published results and 17 studies were included ultimately. A total of 2085 patients were included and accepted the following six treatments: ICIs plus chemotherapy (ICIs+Chemo), chemotherapy (Chemo), ICIs monotherapy (ICIs), ICIs plus chemotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy (ICIs+Chemo+Antiangio), antiangiogenic therapy plus chemotherapy (Antiangio+Chemo), ICIs plus antiangiogenic therapy (ICIs+Antiangio). ICIs+Chemo+Antiangio was associated with longer PFS and OS, as well as higher ORR (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA], 96%, 90%, 91%). ICIs conferred the safety profile in terms of any-grade AEs, grade greater than or equal to 3 AEs and any grade leading to treatment discontinuation occurred AEs (SUCRA, 99%, 68%, 94%). ICIs+Chemo+Antiangio brings the greatest survival benefit in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations who progressed on EGFR-TKI therapy, even for whom with baseline brain metastases. Compared with chemotherapy, ICIs has a low incidence of AEs and a benefit in OS.

Camrelizumab combined with apatinib in patients with first-line platinum-resistant or PD-1 inhibitor resistant recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a single-arm, phase 2 trial

Immunotherapy combined with antiangiogenic targeted therapy has improved the treatment of certain solid tumors, but effective regimens remain elusive for refractory recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC). We conducted a phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and activity of camrelizumab plus apatinib in platinum-resistant (cohort 1, NCT04547088) and PD-1 inhibitor resistant NPC (cohort 2, NCT04548271). Here we report on the primary outcome of objective response rate (ORR) and secondary endpoints of safety, duration of response, disease control rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The primary endpoint of ORR was met for cohort 1 (65%, 95% CI, 49.6–80.4, n = 40) and cohort 2 (34.3%; 95% CI, 17.0–51.8, n = 32). Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) were reported in 47 (65.3%) of 72 patients. Results of our predefined exploratory investigation of predictive biomarkers show: B cell markers are the most differentially expressed genes in the tumors of responders versus non-responders in cohort 1 and that tertiary lymphoid structure is associated with higher ORR; Angiogenesis gene expression signatures are strongly associated with ORR in cohort 2. Camrelizumab plus apatinib combination effectiveness is associated with high expression of PD-L1, VEGF Receptor 2 and B-cell-related genes signatures. Camrelizumab plus apatinib shows promising efficacy with a measurable safety profile in RM-NPC patients.

Efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization plus lenvatinib with or without programmed death-1 inhibitors in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Programmed death-1 inhibitors plus lenvatinib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (P-L-T) is a novel combination strategy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of P-L-T compared with lenvatinib and TACE (L-T) therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases for studies investigating P-L-T therapy was performed. Data regarding outcome data, including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response, and adverse events (AEs), were independently extracted by two authors using a standardized protocol. Eight cohort studies comprising 847 patients (P-L-T: 416, L-T: 431) were included in the meta-analysis. The P-L-T group exhibited significantly longer OS (hazard ratio (Page et al.) 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-0.62]; I2 = 9.8%; p = 0.354] and PFS (HR 0.51 [95% CI 0.43-0.61]; I2 = 0%; p = 0.824), and higher objective response rate (risk ratio [RR] 1.54 [95% CI 1.33-1.78]; I2 = 0%, p = 0.858]) and disease control rate (RR 1.27 [95% CI 1.17-1.38]; I2 = 17.3%; p = 0.467). Grade 3/4 AEs were more prevalent in the P-L-T group, including hypertension (RR 1.91 [95% CI 1.16-3.15]), vomiting or nausea (RR 2.29 [95% CI 1.01-5.19]), and hypothyroidism (RR 12.21 [95% CI 1.63-91.23]). Compared with L-T combination therapy, P-L-T demonstrated a significant advantage in terms of OS, PFS, objective response rate, disease control rate, and manageable AEs.

Efficacy of Lorlatinib in Treatment-Naive Patients With ALK-Positive Advanced NSCLC in Relation to EML4::ALK Variant Type and ALK With or Without TP53 Mutations

IntroductionLorlatinib, a third-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor, improved outcomes compared with crizotinib in patients with previously untreated ALK-positive advanced NSCLC in the phase 3 CROWN study. Here, we investigated response correlates using plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and tumor tissue profiling. MethodsALK fusions and ALK with or without TP53 mutations were assessed by next-generation sequencing. End points included objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, and progression-free survival (PFS) by blinded independent central review on the basis of EML4::ALK variants and ALK with or without TP53 or other mutation status. ResultsALK fusions were detected in the ctDNA of 62 patients in the lorlatinib arm and 64 patients in the crizotinib arm. ORRs were numerically higher with lorlatinib versus crizotinib for EML4::ALK variant 1 (v1; 80.0% versus 50.0%) and variant 2 (v2; 85.7% versus 50.0%) but were similar between the arms for variant 3 (v3; 72.2% versus 73.9%). Median PFS in the lorlatinib arm was not reached for EML4::ALK v1 and v2 and was 33.3 months for v3; in the crizotinib arm, median PFS was 7.4 months, not reached, and 5.5 months, respectively. ORRs and PFS were improved with lorlatinib versus crizotinib regardless of TP53 mutation status and in patients harboring preexisting bypass pathway resistance alterations. In the lorlatinib arm, PFS was lower in patients who had a co-occurring TP53 mutation. Results from ctDNA analysis were similar to those observed with tumor tissue samples. ConclusionsPatients with untreated ALK-positive advanced NSCLC derived greater clinical benefits, with higher ORRs and potentially longer PFS, when treated with lorlatinib compared with crizotinib, independent of EML4::ALK variant or ALK mutations, TP53 mutations, or bypass resistance alterations.

Role of enhancement modifications in evaluating tumor response to immunotherapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Evaluation of tumor response according only to dimensional criteria may underestimate treatment benefit in patients treated for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this study we evaluated the role of lesion enhancement modifications and Choi criteria in patients affected by renal cell carcinoma treated with immunotherapy. We collected data of 60 consecutive patients (with a total of 154 measurable lesions) treated with immunotherapy (nivolumab or ipilimumab plus nivolumab) at a single Institution. We evaluated tumour response using both RECIST1.1 criteria and Choi criteria at the first radiological assessment; we subsequently associated response with progression free survival and overall survival. Choi criteria found a higher rate of objective response compared to RECIST criteria (38.3% vs 18.3%). An objective response according to both criteria was associated with longer progression free survival and overall survival. Response rate for Choi did not vary according to lesion site. Choi criteria seemed to be able to predict clinical benefit in a higher proportion of patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with immunotherapy than RECIST criteria. Partial response according to RECIST was confirmed as a predictor of longer progression-free survival and overall survival.

Prognostic nutritional index as a prognostic biomarker for gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Our study represents the first meta-analysis conducted to evaluate the prognostic utility of the baseline prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) who received immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar until April 23, 2023, to obtain relevant articles for this study. Our analysis examined several clinical outcomes, including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). In this analysis, a total of 17 articles with 2883 patients were included. Our pooled results indicated that patients with high PNI levels had longer OS (HR: 0.530, 95% CI: 0.456-0.616, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR: 0.740, 95% CI: 0.649-0.844, p < 0.001), as well as higher ORR (OR: 1.622, 95% CI: 1.251-2.103, p < 0.004) and DCR (OR: 1.846, 95% CI: 1.428-2.388, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that PNI cutoff values of 40 to 45 showed greater predictive potential. Subgroup analysis also confirmed that the above findings still hold true in patients with esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinomas. The PNI were reliable predictors of outcomes in GIC patients treated with ICIs.

Pamiparib in combination with tislelizumab in patients with advanced solid tumours: results from the dose-expansion stage of a multicentre, open-label, phase I trial

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the antitumour activity, safety, and tolerability of pamiparib plus tislelizumab in patients with previously treated advanced solid tumours.MethodsIn this study, patients were enrolled into eight arms by tumour type. All received pamiparib 40 mg orally twice daily plus tislelizumab 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), assessed by the investigator per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours v1.1. Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR), safety, and tolerability.ResultsOverall, 180 patients were enrolled. In the overall population, the ORR was 20.0% (range: 0–47.4 across study arms), with median DoR of 17.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2, not estimable [NE]). The highest ORR was observed in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) arm (patients with BRCA1/2 mutations and/or homologous recombination deficiency) (ORR: 47.4%; median DoR: 17.1 months [95% CI: 3.0, NE]). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of ≥Grade 3 occurred in 61.7% of patients. Serious TEAEs occurred in 50.0% of patients.ConclusionsPamiparib plus tislelizumab showed a variable level of antitumour activity in patients with advanced solid tumours, with the highest ORR in TNBC and was associated with a manageable safety profile.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02660034.

PTPRD/PTPRT mutation correlates to treatment outcomes of immunotherapy and immune landscape in pan-cancers.

PTPRD and PTPRT are phosphatases of the JAK-STAT pathway related to immunotherapy. However, the role and mechanism of PTPRD and PTPRT mutations in multiple cancers remains unclear. Clinical data and PTPRD/PTPRT mutation information from 12 cohorts were collected and classified as a discovery cohort and three validation cohorts. The association between PTPRD/PTPRT mutations and immunotherapeutic efficacy was analyzed. Then, the association between PTPRD/PTPRT mutation and immune profiles was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. A total of 2,392 patients across 20 cancer types were included in this study. Our results showed that patients harboring PTPRD/PTPRT mutation, especially co-mutations, had a significantly elevated response rate to immunotherapy in multiple cancers. Patients with PTPRD/PTPRT mutation had a higher objective response rate (ORR) (P=0.002), longer overall survival (OS) (P=0.005) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P=0.038). Importantly, the above findings were further verified in validation cohorts. In addition, we found that the PTPRD/PTPRT co-mutations (co-mut) subgroup exhibited an immune-activated phenotype, the wild-type subgroup tended to have an immune-desert phenotype, and the uni-mutation (uni-mut) subgroup might have an immune-mixed phenotype. Our further analyses suggested that combining programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and PTPRD/PTPRT mutation can be used to screen patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. PTPRD/PTPRT mutation could serve as a potential predictive biomarker for cancer immunotherapy.

Expert Consensus on Targeted Therapy of NSCLC with MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutation

The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) exon 14 skipping mutation is mainly caused by the loss of c-Cbl tyrosine binding site. This mutation could result in a decrease in the degradation rate of proteasome-mediated MET proteins, trigger continuous activation of downstream pathways, and ultimately lead to tumorigenesis. The incidence of MET exon 14 skipping mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is 0.9% to 4.0%. Patients with advanced NSCLC are recommended to test MET exon 14 skipping mutations who may benefit from MET inhibitors-targeted therapy. MET inhibitors have a high objective response rate and good safety profiles, which could prolong the survival of NSCLC patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutations. The Lung Cancer Specialty Committee of Chinese Elderly Health Care Association organized multidisciplinary experts to give suggestions on the important issues of clinical aspects for targeted therapy of MET exon 14 skipping mutation in NSCLC according to the clinical practice experiences and evidences based medicine. "Expert Consensus on Targeted Therapy of NSCLC with MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutation" is proposed, aiming to provide standardized guidances for the clinical practice of Chinese physicians. .

The prognosis value of CONUT and SIS score for recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with second-line immunotherapy.

To investigate the predictive value of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and systemic inflammation (SIS) score in the prognosis, short-term efficacy, and immune-related side effects of patient with recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (R/M ESCC) receiving immunotherapy as second line therapy combined with or without radiotherapy. Forty-eight patients with R/M ESCC who received second-line therapy with Camrelizumab were retrospectively studied. They were divided into the high and low score groups according to the CONUT and SIS score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze factors that might affect patient prognosis and the effects of different CONUT score and SIS on the short-term efficacy and immune-related toxic and side effects of patients. The 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 42.9% and 22.5%, and 29.0% and 5.8%, respectively. The CONUT score ranged from 0 to 6 (3.31 ± 1.43), whereas the SIS score ranged from 0 to 2 (1.19 ± 0.73). Multivariate analysis showed that treatment related toxicity, number of cycles of Camrelizumab used, short-term effect and SIS score were independent prognostic factors for OS (P=0.044, 0.021, 0.021, 0.030, respectively), whereas SIS and CONUT scores were independent prognostic factors for PFS (P=0.005, 0.047, respectively). Patients with low CONUT/SIS score had a low incidence rate of immune-related adverse reactions (X2=9.735, 5.693; P=0.002, 0.017) and better short-term efficacy (X2=4.427, 7.438; P=0.035, 0.006). R/M ESCC patients with low CONUT/SIS score have better prognosis, higher objective response rate, lower incidence of immune-related toxic and side effects after receiving immunotherapy as second-line therapy. CONUT scores and SIS scores may be reliable prognostic indicators for patient receiving immunotherapy as second-line therapy for R/M ESCC.

Clinical outcomes of intraluminal Iodine-125 seed strand brachytherapy and percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with ureteral carcinoma

BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intraluminal iodine-125 seed strand brachytherapy and percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with ureteral carcinoma.MethodsFrom January 2014 to January 2023, 48 patients with ureteral cancer not suitable for surgical resection were enrolled. Iodine-125 seed strand was inserted in 26 patients under c-arm CT and fluoroscopic guidance (Group A), and 22 patients underwent percutaneous nephrostomy without seed strand (Group B). The clinical outcomes (technical success rate, tumor sizes, hydronephrosis Girignon grade, complications, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and survival time) were evaluated and compared.ResultsA total of 53 seed strands were successfully inserted and replaced in Group A, with a technical success rate of 100%. No procedure-related death or severe complications occurred in both group. Migration of seed strand or drainage tube was the most common complication. The Girignon grade of hydronephrosis was significantly improved 1, 3 and 6 months after procedure in both groups. DCR in Group A were 96.2%, 80.0%, and 70.0% at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow up, respectively. At 1 and 6 months later, ORR in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B (p < 0.05). The median overall survival were 30.0 months in Group A and 16.1 months in Group B, respectively (p = 0.04). The median progression-free survival were 11.1 months in Group A and 6.9 months in Group B, respectively (p = 0.09).ConclusionIntraluminal Iodine-125 seed strand brachytherapy and percutaneous nephrostomy is safe and effective in patients with ureteral carcinoma, with higher ORR and median overall survival than patients underwent percutaneous nephrostomy without seed strand.

Characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR exon 20 insertions.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertions (ex20ins) are associated with poor prognosis and resistance to traditional therapies in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to elucidate the characteristics and treatment patterns to improve outcomes among this population in Taiwan. Patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC harboring EGFR ex20ins from 2011 to 2021 were reviewed. The treatment groups were classified as platinum-based chemotherapy (PtC), EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and others. The response to therapy, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and factors associated with survival were analyzed. Among the 71 patients, most were never-smoking males with stage IVB adenocarcinoma. The most common first-line (1L) regimen was PtC, followed by TKI. The most common second-line (2L) regimen was TKI. The median PFS of 1L treatment was 5.03 months, and the median OS was 18.43 months. Compared with that of TKI, 1L PtC use was associated with a higher ORR (26.3% vs. 9.1%) and DCR (60.5% vs. 18.2%) and a longer PFS (5.37 vs. 3.13 months, p = 0.044). PFS was also significantly longer in the 2L PtC group than in the 2L TKI group (4.73 vs. 2.25 months, p = 0.047). No patients receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor-based regimen exhibited a therapeutic response. This study demonstrated the heterogeneous clinical characteristics and treatment pattern of NSCLC patients with EGFR ex20ins, underscoring the need for more effective therapies for this distinct molecular subtype.

Tislelizumab (TIS) versus sorafenib (SOR) in first-line (1L) treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): The RATIONALE-301 European/North American (EU/NA) subgroup.

4082 Background: HCC is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally. Most cases occur in Asia, although a number of patients (pts) are affected in Europe and North America. In the phase 3, open-label RATIONALE-301 trial (NCT03412773), TIS, a PD-1 inhibitor, showed non-inferior overall survival (OS) versus SOR (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% CI: 0.71, 1.02), and a favorable safety profile, in 1L treatment of pts with unresectable HCC. Here, efficacy and safety of TIS versus SOR in the RATIONALE-301 EU/NA subgroup were compared with the overall population (OP). Methods: Systemic therapy-naïve adults with histologically confirmed HCC were randomized (1:1) to receive TIS (200 mg IV Q3W) or SOR (400 mg orally BID) until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or withdrawal. The primary endpoint was OS; secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and duration of response (DoR) by blinded independent review committee per RECIST v1.1, and safety. Results: In the EU/NA subgroup (172/674 pts randomized), at data cutoff (July 11, 2022), median (m) OS follow-up was 37.9 months (mo) (TIS) vs 38.5 mo (SOR). At baseline, fewer pts in the EU/NA subgroup had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage C disease (70% vs 78%) and extrahepatic spread (51% vs 62%), and more had a non-viral etiology (60% vs 24%) or underlying HCV infection (28% vs 13%) than in the OP, respectively. Distribution of other baseline characteristics was generally similar between the EU/NA subgroup and the OP. Efficacy data in the EU/NA subgroup were consistent with the OP. Numerically longer mOS and mDoR, higher ORR, and similar mPFS were observed with TIS versus SOR in the EU/NA subgroup. In the EU/NA safety population, incidence of ≥grade 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; 46% vs 66%), ≥grade 3 treatment-related TEAEs (TRAEs; 17% vs 50%), and TRAEs leading to discontinuation (9% vs 15%) was lower with TIS versus SOR, respectively, similar to the OP. Conclusions: In the RATIONALE-301 EU/NA subgroup, mOS of TIS was non-inferior versus SOR, consistent with the findings from the OP. Numerically longer mOS and mDoR, and a higher ORR was seen with TIS versus SOR in the EU/NA subgroup, which had a higher rate of pts with non-viral etiology and a slightly lower number of pts with advanced-stage disease (BCLC Stage C) compared with the OP. Clinical trial information: NCT03412773 . [Table: see text]

Safety and Efficacy of Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Lenvatinib and Anti-PD-1 Antibodies for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis.

Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) has good efficacy in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC), with a relatively high objective response rate (ORR) compared to conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and medium-term clinical efficacy of DEB-TACE combined with lenvatinib (LEN) plus PD-1 inhibitors as a triple therapy for the treatment of uHCC. Data of patients with uHCC who received triple therapy of DEB-TACE combined with LEN plus PD-1 inhibitors from January 2019 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The study endpoints were ORR, progression-free survival (PFS), and treatment-related adverse events based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Thirty-five patients were included in this study, with a median follow-up period of 15 months. The median cycle of DEB-TACE was 1, while that of all forms of TACE procedures per patient was 2. The median administration time of LEN was 7 months, and the median number of PD-1 inhibitor treatment was 4 cycles. The ORR based on mRECIST was 82.9%, disease control rate was 91.4%, and the median time to response was 7 weeks. Among these, the ORR of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A reached 100%, while that of BCLC stages B and C reached 84.6% and 78.9%, respectively. The median PFS was 9 months; the mOS was not reached. Fourteen patients (40%) successfully underwent downstaging conversion and surgical resection, 32 patients (91.4%) experienced treatment-related adverse events, and no grade 5-related adverse reactions occurred. DEB-TACE combined with LEN and PD-1 inhibitors has a high ORR and surgical conversion rate in the treatment of uHCC tumors, and the toxicity and side effects were tolerable.

A pilot phase II trial of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin (NeoCPC) for locoregionally advanced, resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

6069 Background: For resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), novel therapeutic approaches are still needed to improve outcomes. Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) is considered as a potentially effective strategy. We therefore conducted a pilot phase II trial to explore the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin (NeoCPC) in patients with locoregionally advanced, resectable HNSCC. Methods: In this open-label phase II trial, patients with untreated locoregionally advanced, resectable HNSCC (T2‒T4, N0‒N3b, M0; AJCC, 8th Edition) received NICT with camrelizumab (200 mg), nab-paclitaxel (260 mg/m2) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) on day 1 of each 21-day cycle for three cycles, followed by radiotherapy or surgery. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST version 1.1. Secondary endpoints included pathologic complete response (pCR), major pathologic response (MPR), safety, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Genomic biomarkers (genetic mutations, tumour mutational burden [TMB] and immune microenvironment) in baseline tumor samples were explored. Results: Between April 2021 and January 2022, 48 patients were enrolled (median age, 59 years [range 27–73]; 42 men [87.5%]). After completion of neoadjuvant therapy, patients underwent surgery (27, 56.3%), chemoradiotherapy (15, 31.2%), radiotherapy (five, 10.4%) or continued immunochemotherapy as maintenance therapy (one, 2.1%). At a median follow-up time of 415 days, the ORR was 89.6% (43/45). Of the 27 patients who had surgery, 17 (63.0%) patients had an MPR, including 15 (55.6%) with a pCR. Patients with ORR were more likely to achieve pCR. One patient died of lung metastasis 6 months after completion of treatment. The 1-year OS and DFS rates were both 97.9%. Only 3 (6.3%) patients had grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (AEs): one with pneumonitis and two with neurotoxicity. No unexpected immune-related AEs were observed. For genetic analysis, the most frequently mutated genes were TP53 (77.1%), CDKN2A, FAT1, CCND1 and NOTCH1. The lower radiographic tumor regression percentage was observed in TP53-altered ( p= 0.01) and TERT-altered ( p= 0.002) patients, whereas higher percentage was observed in HPV-positive patients. The median TMB was 3.15 mutations/MB. No significant difference was observed in TMB between patients with ORR and non-ORR (stable disease). There was a significant correlation between density of M1-like macrophage cells, CD8+ T cells in tumor area and radiographic tumor regression percentage ( p= 0.009, p= 0.0005, respectively). Conclusions: NeoCPC showed promising efficacy with a high ORR and pathologic response rate for locoregionally advanced, resectable HNSCC, with an acceptable safety profile. Clinical trial information: NCT04826679 .

Safety and Efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single Center Experience.

In China, many patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Several studies have shown that triple therapy [transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)] is beneficial for patient survival. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of triple therapy (TACE + TKIs + ICIs) for unresectable HCC (uHCC) and the conversion rate of surgical resection (SR). The primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) and RECIST v1.1 and adverse events (AEs), while the secondary endpoint was the conversion rate of patients with uHCC treated with triple therapy followed by SR. Forty-nine patients with uHCC who received triple therapy at Fujian Provincial Hospital between January 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively included. The treatment efficacy, SR conversion rate, and associated AEs were recorded. Among the 49 patients enrolled, the ORRs assessed by mRECIST and RECIST v1.1 were 57.1% (24/42) and 14.3% (6/42), respectively, and the DCRs were 92.9% (39/42) and 88.1% (37/42), respectively. Seventeen (34.7%) patients met the criteria for resectable HCC and underwent resection. The median interval between the start of triple therapy and resection was 113.5 days (range 94.75 to 182 d), and the median number of TACE was 2 (range 1 to 2.5). The patients did not achieve median overall survival or median progression-free survival. Treatment-related AEs occurred in 48 (98%) patients, and 18 (36.7%) patients had grade ≥3 AEs. Triple combination therapy resulted in a relatively high ORR and conversion resection rate following uHCC treatment.

Nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel in combination with nivolumab as treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (RM-HNSCC) that progressed on a PD-1 inhibitor: A single-arm, phase 2 trial.

6023 Background: Drugs bound to albumin selectively target cancer cells with upregulated macropinocytosis, an endocytic nutrient-scavenging process driven by constitutive hyper-activation of the EGFR, RAS, PIK3CA and Syndecan1 signaling pathways that frequently occur in HNSCC. nab-paclitaxel is an active drug in HNSCC and has immunologic effects that can prime an immune response to PD-1 inhibitors, potentially reversing resistance to these agents. These effects include decreased TREGs, increased pro-inflammatory macrophages and differentiation of MDSC to dendritic cells, increased HLA class I expression and antigen presentation, and recruitment of CD8+ CTLs into tumor. Methods: In a single-arm phase 2 trial, patients with RM-HNSCC that progressed on a PD-1 inhibitor received 28-day cycles of nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m2 IV days 1, 8, and 15) and nivolumab (480 mg IV day 1). Treatment continued until discontinuation criteria were met. The primary endpoint was objective response, assessed with RECIST1.1 by an independent radiologist. The primary hypothesis was that this regimen would result in a higher objective response rate (ORR) than historically reported with standard chemotherapy or cetuximab in similar patients. A Simon optimal two-stage design tested the null hypothesis (H0: ORR≤30%) versus the alternative hypothesis (H1: ORR=50%) at the type I error rate of 5% and power 0.80. In the first stage, 15 patients were to be accrued. If ≥6 responses occurred, 31 additional patients were to be accrued. The null hypothesis will be rejected if ≥19 responses are observed in these 46 patients. We report the results of the primary endpoint for the first stage of the trial. Results: 15 evaluable patients enrolled into the first stage of the trial. Key tumor characteristics and prior treatment history included HPV status (positive: 8; negative: 7), PD-L1 status (CPS 1-19: 7; ≥20: 8), # of lines of prior systemic treatment for RM disease (1-2: 12; ≥3: 3), interval (months) from prior PD-1 inhibitor (&lt;6: 11; ≥6: 4), duration (months) on prior PD-1 inhibitor (median: 6, range: 1-16), and best response to prior PD-1 inhibitor (PR: 4; SD: 6; PD: 5). Tumor response to nab-paclitaxel and nivolumab occurred in 7 of 15 patients (ORR 47%). The best tumor response was PR (7), SD (5) and PD (3). Conclusions: Among patients with RM-HNSCC that progressed on a PD-1 inhibitor, the ORR with nab-paclitaxel and nivolumab was 47% during the first stage of the phase 2 trial. Enrollment to the second stage is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04831320 .

An exploratory clinical trial on intra-lumbar injection of B7H3-specific allogeneic universal CAR-T cells in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas.

2043 Background: No standard-of-care treatment was established for recurrent high-grade gliomas (rHGGs) yet. Intrathecal infusion of autologous chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has displayed potent anti-tumor activity in one patient (Brown et al. N Engl J Med 2016). We evaluated the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of B7H3-specific allogeneic universal CAR-T (B7H3 UCAR-T) cells in patients with rHGGs. Methods: Eligible patients who had received standard treatment for newly-diagnosed high-grade gliomas but failed were treated with 2.5×107 B7H3 UCAR-T cells via intra-lumbar injection every month. Eligibility criteria included histologic and/or cytologic rHGGs, B7H3-positive antigen expression rate of &gt;50% in tumor tissue and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥ 40. The primary endpoint was treatment-related adverse events (TAEs); secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR); exploratory endpoints were PK and PD characteristics of B7H3 UCAR-T cells. Results: In the 7 patients enrolled, 4 (57.1%) were female, 5 (71.4%) glioblastoma (WHO Grade IV) and 2 (28.6%) diffuse midline glioma (WHO Grade IV), and the mean age was 40.4 years. The most common reported TAEs were increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6 (7/7, 100%), headache (7/7, 100%), increased blood IL-6 (6/7, 86%) and fever (6/7, 86%). No adverse events of grade 3 or greater related to B7H3 UCAR-T cells were reported. All the adverse events recovered or relieved after treatment. No typical or severe systemic cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) or graft versus host disease (GvHD) were observed during the study period. Based on Immunotherapy Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (iRANO), 3 of 7 patients had response to therapy (42.9%; 95% CI: 15.8 to 75.0) and 7 of 7 patients were stable disease (100%; 95% CI: 64.6 to 100). As of cutoff date (January 30, 2023), two patients died. The median OS was not reached (95% CI: 12.9 to could not be estimated). The median follow-up for OS was 15.6 months (95% CI: 14.7 to 16.1). OS rate at 12 months was 85.7% (95% CI: 48.7 to 97.4). The CAR DNA copy numbers increased 1 day after each administration and persist at least 1 month in cerebrospinal fluid. IL-6 concentrations in CSF and peripheral blood increased after each administration while the change and concentration values in peripheral blood were much lower than those in CSF. Conclusions: In patients with rHGGs, B7H3 UCAR-T cells was not associated with any toxic effects of grade 3 or higher. B7H3 UCAR-T cells resulted in a significantly longer overall survival and a higher objective response rate than history data. B7H3 UCAR-T cells persist well in patients. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2100047968 .

Correlation between biomarkers and treatment outcomes in diverse cancers: A meta-analysis of phase I and II immunotherapy clinical trials.

e14638 Background: Many immuno-oncology (IO) trials are conducted without biomarker selection. We performed a meta-analysis of phase I/II clinical trials evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to determine the association between biomarkers and clinical outcomes, if any. Methods: We searched PubMed for phase I/II clinical trials of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (labeled, off-label, or combined with investigational ICIs or other treatment modalities) from 2018 to 2020. We compared the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) between biomarker-positive and biomarker-negative groups, using data from correlative studies. Results: Overall, 174 clinical studies that included 19,178 patients were identified and 131 studies investigated &gt;30 correlative biomarkers, that included PD-L1 expression (≥1%, 111 studies), tumor mutational burden (20 studies), and microsatellite instability/mismatch repair deficiency (10 studies). Overall, 123, 46, and 30 cohorts (drugs, tumor types, or biomarkers) with 11,692, 3,065, and 2,256 patient outcomes for ORR, PFS, and OS, respectively, were analyzed in correlation with biomarkers. Meta-analyses demonstrated that ICIs in patients with biomarker-positive tumors were associated with higher ORR (odds ratio 2.15 [95% CI, 1.79-2.58], p&lt;0.0001); and longer PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.55 [95% CI, 0.45-0.67], p&lt;0.0001), and OS (HR 0.65 [95% CI, 0.53-0.80], p&lt;0.0001) compared with those with biomarker-negative tumors. Significance for ORR and PFS was retained in multivariate analysis (p&lt;0.001) (OS, not included owing to the small number of trials reporting OS). Conclusions: Our data suggest that IO biomarkers should be used in patient selection for ICIs. Prospective studies are warranted.