Independent Predictive Factors For PFS Research Articles

Clinical multi-dimensional prognostic nomogram for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC

The advent of immunotherapy has greatly improved the prognosis of non-small cell lung (NSCLC) patients. However, given its low response rate and high cost of treatment, the search for valuable predictive markers of treatment efficacy is necessary. Considering the complexity and heterogeneity of the tumour and tumour microenvironment, the construction of a multi-dimensional prediction model is necessary. Therefore, we aimed to integrate clinical parameters, radiomic features, and immune signature data from NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy to construct a multi-dimensional prediction model to better predict the efficacy of immunotherapy. The current study enrolled 137 NSCLC patients who received immunotherapy. We collected baseline clinical information, CT images, and tumour tissue specimens. Using 3D-Slicer software, radiomic features were extracted from patient CT images, and tumor tissue samples obtained before immunotherapy were subjected to immunohistochemical staining. Then, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis was applied to downscale the data, and the radiomic features and immune signatures associated with the prognosis of immunotherapy patients were identified. The modified lung immune predictive index (mLIPI), radiomics score (Radioscore), immune score and multi-dimensional model nomogram were constructed. The C-index and area under the curve (AUC) were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the models. Three radiomic features and three immune signatures that could predict the efficacy of immunotherapy were eventually screened. Multivariate analysis showed that the mLIPI, Radioscore, and immune score were independent predictive factors for PFS and OS (P < 0.05 for all models). The multi-dimensional model combining the three models showed better predictive efficacy than the mLIPI, Radioscore, and immune score (PFS: 0.721 vs. 0.662 vs. 0.610 vs. 0.610; OS: 0.727 vs. 0.661 vs. 0.601 vs. 0.602 respectively). The multi-dimensional model showed the best predictive efficacy, with C-index for PFS and OS higher than mLIPI, radioscore and immune score: 0.721 vs. 0.662 vs. 0.610 vs. 0.610 for PFS and 0.727 vs. 0.661 vs. 0.601 vs. 0.602 for OS, respectively. The AUC for the multi-dimensional model also performed better than those of the individual models: 0.771 vs. 0.684 vs. 0.715 vs. 0.711 for PFS and 0.768 vs. 0.662 vs. 0.661 vs. 0.658 for OS, respectively. The multi-dimensional model combining the three models had better predictive efficacy than any single model and was more likely to help provide patients personalized and precision medicine.

Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Recombinant Human Endostatin (Endostar) Combined With Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A 2-Center Retrospective Study.

This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Endostar in the management of locally advanced cervical cancer. This retrospective, 2-center study enrolled 41 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer between June 2017 and December 2020. The patients were subjected to a combination of Endostar and chemoradiotherapy until they experienced disease progression or an unacceptable level of toxicity. The patients in the Endostar combined chemoradiotherapy (E + CRT) and CRT groups were matched 1:1 based on clinical features, including age, disease stage, and pathological type. The therapeutic efficacy and safety outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Early treatment response: the CR rates in E + CRT and CRT groups were 48.8% and 26.8%, respectively (χ2 = 4.20, P < .05). The ORR and DCR were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Long-term efficacy: there was no significant difference in the 1-year and 2-year PFS rates and OS rates between 2 groups. However, in patients with stage IIB, subgroup analyses revealed a significant difference in PFS between the 2 groups (P < .05). Prognostic factors: stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and tumor size were independent predictive factors for PFS, while ECOG score and tumor size were those of OS in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Safety: The incidence of grade III-IV myelosuppression was significantly lower in E + CRT group than in CRT group (P < .05). The combination of Endostar and concurrent CRT exhibited greater efficacy in treating locally advanced cervical cancer with no severe adverse reactions, when compared to simple CRT. It is expected that this approach will evolve into a new treatment alternative for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

HER2 amplification level by in situ hybridization predicts survival outcome in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer treated with pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel regardless of HER2 IHC results

BackgroundThe role of HER2 amplification level in predicting the effectiveness of HER2-directed therapies has been established. However, its association with survival outcomes in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer treated with dual HER2-blockade remains unexplored.MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective study of patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer treated with first-line pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel. The primary objective was to ascertain the relationship between treatment outcomes and the level of HER2 amplification by in situ hybridization (ISH).ResultsA total of 152 patients were included with a median follow-up duration of 50.0 months. Among the 78 patients who received ISH, a higher HER2/CEP17 ratio correlated significantly with longer PFS (HR 0.50, p = 0.022) and OS (HR 0.28, p = 0.014) when dichotomized by the median. A higher HER2 copy number also correlated significantly with better PFS (HR 0.35, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 0.27, p = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, the HER2/CEP17 ratio was an independent predictive factor for PFS (HR 0.66, p = 0.004) and potentially for OS (HR 0.64, p = 0.054), along with HER2 copy number (PFS HR 0.85, p = 0.004; OS HR 0.84, p = 0.049). Furthermore, the correlation between HER2 amplification level by ISH with PFS and OS was consistent across the HER2 IHC 1+/2+ and 3+ categories.ConclusionsThis is the first study to report that a higher level of HER2 amplification by ISH is associated with improved PFS and OS in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer treated with dual HER2-blockade. Notably, HER2 amplification level had a predictive role regardless of IHC results. Even in patients with HER2 protein expression of 3+, treatment outcome to HER2-directed therapy was dependent on the level of HER2 gene amplification.

Abstract P5-02-49: Efficacy of subsequent-abemaciclib treatment after disease progression on palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy in patients with ER-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

Abstract Purpose: Currently, CDK4/6i combined with endocrine therapy (ET) has become the standard of care as first- or second-line treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, at present, there are no guidelines for the selection of appropriate treatments after disease progression on prior CDK4/6i treatment combined with ET. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to verify the efficacy and evaluate predictive factors of clinical outcomes in the patients with ER+/HER2- MBC during subsequent-abemaciclib treatment after disease progression on prior-palbociclib combined with ET. Methods: In total, 81 patients with ER+/HER2- MBC were treated with palbociclib and ET at our medical center between December 2017 and November 2020. Among them, 25 patients who received subsequent-abemaciclib after disease progression on prior-palbociclib were included. All patients provided informed consent for the indicated treatment. Clinicopathological variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare categorical variables. PFS and time to chemotherapy (TTC) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis with 95%CIs. Results: The median age was 69 years, and four women were premenopausal. Stage IV disease occurred in 28.0% (7/25) and visceral metastases were observed in 68.0% (17/25) of the patients. The treatment line of prior-palbociclib was the first-line in 3 (12.0%), second-line in 11 (44.0%), and third- and late-line in 11 patients (44.0%). The median PFS of prior-palbociclib plus ET was 6.3 months (95%CI=5.814–6.786). Subsequent-abemaciclib combined with fulvestrant after disease progression on prior-palbociclib was administered in 64.0% (16/25) of the patients. Median numbers of previous ET and chemotherapy of subsequent-abemaciclib were 2 and 0, respectively. Subsequent-abemaciclib after disease progression on prior-palbociclib resulted in an ORR and clinical benefit rate (CBR) of 16.0% (4/25) and 44.0% (11/25), respectively (Table 1). Kaplan–Meier curve analysis showed that the median PFS was 5.3 months (95%CI=3.082–7.518). Univariate analysis revealed that the best overall response (BOR) ≥PR and progression-free interval (PFI) ≥6 months in prior-palbociclib contributed to better clinical outcomes. Moreover, in multivariate analysis, BOR to prior-palbociclib was the only independent predictive factor for PFS (HR=0.190; 95%CI=0.050–0.722; p=0.015) (Table 2). With regard to grade ≥3 TRAEs in the subsequent-abemaciclib, neutropenia and diarrhea were observed in 16.0% (4/25); appetite loss and fatigue in 12.0% (3/25); leukopenia and anemia in 8.0% (2/25); and thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction in 4.0% (1/25) of patients. Twelve patients (48.0%) required dose reduction due to TRAEs grade ≥3 in subsequent-abemaciclib. Of them, 10 patients required one dose-level reduction and 2 needed two dose-level reductions. Three patients (12.0%) required dose discontinuation: two had uncontrollable appetite loss and nausea and one had pneumonia. Of the 25 patients, 12 were not administered any prior chemotherapy and the median TTC in those treated with subsequent-abemaciclib was 33.9 months (95%CI=11.334–56.136). Next-line treatment after disease progression on subsequent-abemaciclib in the patients who were not administered prior chemotherapy was performed in 2 (8.0%) who were treated with ET and in 12 (48.0%) who were treated with chemotherapy (1 taxane-based, 7 eribulin, and 4 oral 5-fluorouracil). The median PFS in patients treated with chemotherapy after disease progression on subsequent-abemaciclib treatment was 6.2 months (95%CI=3.484–8.916). Table 1. Best overall response rate in patients with ER+/HER- MBC who were treated with subsequent-abemaciclib after disease progression on prior-palbociclib Table 2. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the progression-free survival in patients with ER+/HER2- MBC treated with subsequent-abemaciclib after progression on prior-palbociclib Citation Format: Hirohito Seki, Taketo Nakai, Ken Shimizu. Efficacy of subsequent-abemaciclib treatment after disease progression on palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy in patients with ER-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-02-49.

"Highly Exposed Chinese Herbal Medicine" Combined With Apatinib as Maintenance Treatment Following First-Line or Second-Line Chemotherapy for Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Single-Arm, Prospective Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of “highly exposed Chinese herbal medicine” combined with apatinib as maintenance treatment following first-line or second-line chemotherapy in patients with ES-SCLC. A total of 23 patients with ES-SCLC were included in this single-arm prospective study (ChiCTR2100045255). “Highly exposed Chinese herbal medicine” combined with apatinib was administered each day after the chemotherapy for maintenance treatment. The primary endpoint of the study was median PFS, while the secondary endpoints included median OS, DCR, ORR, AE, and the association of “highly exposed Chinese herbal medicine” with PFS and OS. Three and 16 patients achieved partial response (PR) and stable disease (SD), respectively, and four patients were with disease progression (PD). The ORR of the patients was 13.0%, DCR was 83.0%, median PFS was 5.0 months, and median OS was 18.0 months. The major AE included secondary hypertension and hand-foot syndrome. Oral intake of Chinese herbal medicine for ≥ 6 months was associated with longer PFS. Hand-foot syndrome was an independent predictive factor for PFS. The statistical analysis suggested no independent influencing factors for OS. “Highly exposed Chinese herbal medicine” combined with apatinib is effective and relatively safe as the maintenance treatment for ES-SCLC patients who undergo first-line or second-line chemotherapy.

On-treatment C-reactive protein control could predict response to subsequent anti-PD-1 treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the on-treatment C-reactive protein (CRP) status during systemic treatment as the predictive marker for the response of subsequent nivolumab monotherapy in patients with refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). A total of 73 mRCC patients treated with nivolumab were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the serum CRP levels before and after molecular-targeted treatments. Patients whose CRP did not exceed baseline value were defined as the CRP-control group and the others were defined as the CRP-progression group. The clinical impact of CRP-control on the efficacy of nivolumab was assessed. Twenty-four patients (33%) were categorized into the CRP-control group. The CRP-control group patients (median PFS not reached) had significantly longer PFS than the CRP-progression group (median PFS 11.9months, 95% confidence interval, CI 4.1-19.8, p = 0.038). The CRP-control group had a tendency of longer OS from nivolumab initiation than the CRP-progression group (p = 0.071). By multivariate analysis, the on-treatment CRP-control was the independent predictive factor for PFS (hazard ratio HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.14-0.99, p = 0.047). The on-treatment CRP-control could be the predictive factor for the efficacy of nivolumab in refractory mRCC patients.

Association between IDO activity and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after radiotherapy.

BackgroundIndoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a limiting enzyme in the IDO/kynurenine (Kyn) pathway, converts tryptophan (Trp) into Kyn, and plays a significant role in immune suppression and tumor immune evasion. This study aimed to investigate the association between IDO activity and clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT).MethodsSerum Kyn and Trp levels were measured in 104 NSCLC patients by high-performance liquid chromatography at baseline, and the following RT. The correlation between IDO activity, as computed by Kyn: Trp ratios and survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazard models are used in the univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsBoth the Kyn levels and Kyn:Trp ratios were reduced after RT at a biologically equivalent dose (BED) of <70 Gy, while these increased at a BED of ≥70 Gy. Post/pre-Kyn levels were positively correlated with an objective response. Patients with a higher Kyn:Trp ratio pre-RT had the worse median progression-free survival (mPFS, 13.5 vs. 24.5 months, P=0.049). Higher post/pre-Kyn:Trp ratios were correlated with improved median overall survival (mOS, 23.8 months vs. not reached, P=0.032). On the multivariate analysis, pre-RT Kyn:Trp and post/pre-Kyn:Trp ratios remained as independent predictive factors for PFS and OS, respectively.ConclusionsIt was proved that RT could alter IDO-mediated immune activity and establish strong correlations between IDO activity and survival outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with RT. These present findings suggest that the profiling of IDO activity might allow for the prompt adjustment of RT doses and better predict patient response to RT.

Tumor Abnormal Protein Level Predicts Disease Response and Progression of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era.

Changes of glycoprotein are hallmarks for various malignancies; however, the prognostic impact in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has not been well elucidated. Here we used serum tumor abnormal protein (TAP) level, a lectin-based agglutination assay, to investigate the clinical value of circulating glycoprotein level in DLBCL. One hundred and thirty-one newly diagnosed DLBCL patients treated by rituximab combined chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled, all with data available for TAP level at initial diagnosis. Additionally, TAP levels during and after initial treatments were measured in 97 cases. Our results showed elevated pre-treatment TAP level was significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS, p = 0.019) and overall survival (OS, p = 0.025), especially in the high-risk subgroups. In the multivariate Cox regression analyses, pre-treatment TAP level was an independent predictive factor for PFS (p = 0.048). Moreover, ≥ 25% decrease of TAP level indicated superior PFS (p = 0.006) and OS (p = 0.024) in patients with elevated TAP levels at diagnosis. In cases which achieved complete or partial remission, TAP levels were significantly reduced during treatment, but not in non-responsive or progressed patients. TAP level is a strong prognostic tool for predicting disease progression and monitoring individual response for DLBCL in the rituximab era.

Comparison of early tumor shrinkage between oxaliplatin plus S-1 and cisplatin plus S-1 in first-line chemotherapy with advanced gastric cancer.

75 Background: Early tumor shrinkage (ETS) is regarded as predictive marker in metastatic colorectal cancer. In the phase III study comparing oxaliplatin plus S-1 (SOX) to cisplatin plus S-1 (SP) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC), although response rates were almost same between two groups, ETS wasn’t evaluated. Therefore, in AGC, it is controversial whether ETS is predictive or not and which is more suitable regimen, especially as neo adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The aim of this study is to compare ETS in SOX with SP and to evaluate the relationship between ETS and clinical outcomes in AGC. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled consecutive 469 patients (SOX 128, SP 341) with histopathologically confirmed HER2 negative AGC treated as 1st-line chemotherapy or NAC in our institution between January 2010 and June 2016. ETS was defined relative change in the sum of the longest diameters of target regions at week 8 (±4) compared to baseline. (Cut-off: 20%). Tumor response was assessed computed tomography using the RECIST 1.1. Patients with peritoneal metastasis and/or bone metastasis without target region were excluded in this study. Results: 192 patients (SOX 60, SP 132) were included in this study. Median tumor shrinkage between SOX and SP were 30% (min-35%, max77%) and 21% (min-89%, max73%), respectively ( p= .16). The ratio of ETS between SOX and SP was 53.3% and 50.7%, respectively ( p= .75). ETS &gt; 20% was associated with longer OS and PFS when compared with ETS≦20% in SOX group. (ETS &gt; 20% vs≦20%: OS 15.3 vs 10.1 months, HR 0.47 p= .03 PFS 7.6 vs 4.2 months, HR 0.58 p= .09) On the other hand, ETS &gt; 20% was associated with significantly longer PFS only when compared with ETS≦20% in SP group and significant independent predictive factor. (ETS &gt; 20% vs≦20%: OS 15.7 vs 10.9 months, HR 0.79 p= .29 PFS 7.7 vs 4.0 months, HR 0.57 p= .01) In multivariate analysis, ETS remained significant independent predictive factor for PFS in SP group (HR 0.53, p= .006). Conclusions: The ratio of ETS was similar between SOX and SP. ETS may be an early-on-treatment predictor in AGC.

Uncommon EGFR mutations in a cohort of Chinese NSCLC patients and outcomes of first-line EGFR-TKIs and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Data on the clinical activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and uncommon EGFR mutations remain insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the effect of first-line EGFR-TKIs or platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients with uncommon EGFR mutations. We retrospectively enrolled 504 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were collected and compared between patients with common and uncommon EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Seventy patients (13.9%) harboring uncommon EGFR mutations were included. Thirty of these patients received EGFR-TKIs and 40 received platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line therapy. The objective response rate (ORR) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) of patients treated with TKIs in the uncommon mutation group was significantly inferior to that in the common mutation group (ORR: 23.3% vs. 51.8%, P=0.003; mPFS: 7.1 vs. 10.9 months, P<0.001). In the uncommon group, mPFS was similar between first-line EGFR-TKIs treatment and platinum-based chemotherapy (7.1vs. 6.1 months, P=0.893). In patients with EGFR G719X or L861Q mutations, the mPFS was longer in the first-line EGFR-TKIs treatment group than in the chemotherapy group, but the difference was not statistically significant (G719X: 8.2 vs. 5.8 months, P=0.061; L861Q: 7.6 vs. 4.1 months, P=0.872). Multivariate analyses identified adenocarcinoma (P=0.003) as the independent predictive factor for PFS in patients with uncommon EGFR mutations who were treated with first-line EGFR-TKIs. The current study demonstrated that the effect of first-line EGFR-TKIs was similar to that of platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with uncommon EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Adenocarcinoma was the independent predictive factor for PFS in uncommon EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients treated with first-line EGFR-TKIs.

Serum albumin is a strong predictor of survival in patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with erlotinib

Molecular targeted therapy based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), directed at epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the novel effective agents in management of advanced-stage of Non Small Cell Lung cancer (NSCLC). However several candidate predictors have been extensively studied, apart from activating EGFR gene mutations, no reliable biochemical or molecular predictors of response to erlotinib have been validated. The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate the association of baseline serum albumin with outcomes in alarge cohort of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC treated with erlotinib. Clinical data of 457 patients with locally-advanced (III B) or metastatic stage (IV) NSCLC treated with erlotinib were analysed. Serum samples were collected and the measurement was performed one day before the initiation of erlotinib treatment. Before the treatment initiation, low albumin was (<35 g/l) measured in 37 (8.1%) patients and normal albumin (≥ 35 g/l) was measured in 420 (91.9%). The median PFS and OS for patients with low serum albumin was 0.9 and 1.9 months compared to 1.9 and 11.4 months for patients with normal serum albumin (p=0.001 and p<0.001). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that EGFR mutation status (HR=2.50; CI: 1.59-3.92; p<0.001) and pretreatment serum albumin (HR=1.73; CI: 1.21-2.47; p=0.003) were significant independent predictive factors for PFS, whereas EGFR mutation status (HR=3.14; CI: 1.70-5.81; p<0.001), stage (HR=1.48; CI: 1.09-2.02; p=0.013), ECOG PS (HR=1.77; CI: 1.37-2.29; p<0.001) and pretreatment serum albumin (HR=4.60; CI: 2.98-7.10; p<0.001) were significant independent predictive factors for OS. In conclusion, the results of present retrospective study indicate that pretreatment hypoalbuminemia is associated with poor outcome of NSCLC patients treated with erlotinib. Based on these results, measuement of serum albumin is an objective laboratory method feasible for estimation of prognosis of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.

Predictive Value of Interim 18 f-FDG PET-CT Scans on Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated with R-CHOP: A Prospective Study

18 F-PET-CT is clinically recommended for monitoring therapeutic response in DLBCL patients. But the role of interim PET-CT remains controversial, and most of the previous researches were retrospective. We designed this study to prospectively evaluate whether interim PET-CT was a valid prognostic tool for patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP regimen and if yes, try to determine the more appropriate time and interpretation method for interim PET-CT.This study was a sub-study of the parental study "A prospective, multicenter randomized phase III clinical trial of intensified chemotherapy in improving the treatment efficacy of patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma" (NCT01793844). The sub-study included patients that have already been enrolled in the parent study at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center prospectively. Patients were evaluated with PET-CT scans before treatment and after every 2 cycles of R-CHOP and after the completion of first-line treatment. Regular follow-up starts from the enrollment.Between Jan. 2008 and Aug. 2014, 221 patients in Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center were enrolled in this sub-study, among whom 203 patients were included in the analysis and the other 18 were excluded for lacking the necessary raw data of PET-CT scan. PET evaluation would be applying the visual criteria of International Harmonization Project(IHP) and the Deauville 5-point scale(5-PS). The results showed PET positive in 103 patients and negative in 100 patients after 2 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy with IHP criteria. Among the 103 patients with positive PET-2, 53 patients turned negative after 4 cycles of chemotherapy and still 50 patients remain positive. At the evaluation of end-of-first-line-treatment, 165 patients achieved CR, while 30 achieved PR and 8 PD . According to 5-PS criteria, 146 patients were PET negative with 57 were positive after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. And 173 patients were negative in PET-4 evaluation, while 30 patients remained positive. With a median follow-up of 25.46 months (range 3.60~77.33 months) and according to IHP criteria, patients with negative PET-2 had superior 3-year PFS (84.7% vs. 63.8%, p < 0.001) and OS (89.8% vs. 80.4%, p = 0.045) than those with positive results. Patients with negative PET-4 also had a better clinical outcome compared with the positive group with 3-year PFS (84.1% vs. 43.8%, p < 0.001) and OS (90.7% vs. 67.8%, p < 0.001). A further analysis showed that patients who achieved PET negative just after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (Early responder, ER) had a similar prognosis comparing with those who achieved PET negative after 4 cycles (Later responder, LR). There were no significant differences in the persistent CR rates (87.00% vs. 86.79%, p = 0.971), 3-year PFS (84.7% vs. 82.2%, p = 0.867) and 3-year OS (89.8% vs. 92.9%, p = 0.638) between the ER group and the LR group. Patients who remained PET positive after 4 cycles of chemotherapy (Interim non-responder, I-NR) had the worst prognosis. Their persistent CR rate (42.00% vs. 87.00%, p < 0.001; 42.00% vs. 86.79%, p < 0.001), 3-year PFS (43.8% vs. 84.7%, p < 0.001; 43.8% vs. 82.2%, p < 0.001) and 3-year OS (67.8% vs. 89.8%, p < 0.001; 67.8% vs. 92.9%, p = 0.002) were significantly lower, comparing with the ER and LR group. And according to 5-PS criteria, the results were similar. Patients with negative PET-2 had superior 3-year PFS (82.9% vs. 51.6%, p < 0.001) and OS (89.7% vs. 72.9%, p = 0.001) than those with positive results. Patients with negative PET-4 also had a better clinical outcome compared with the positive group with 3-year PFS (81.8% vs. 30.0%, p < 0.001) and OS (90.1% vs. 54.2%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, PET-4 with IHP criteria, PET-4 with 5-PS criteria and IPI score were independent predictive factors for PFS of patients with DLBCL. A further analysis of positive predictive value (NPV) and negative predictive value (PPV) showed PET-4 was superior than PET-2, especially interpretated with 5-PS. The PPV and NPV of PET-4 with 5-PS criteria were 70.00% and 83.82% respectively.These data indicates that Interim 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan could predict the prognosis of DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP regimen. And it was recommended that interim 18 F-FDG PET-CT scan be done after 4 cycles of chemotherapy, and that 5-PS criteria be applied in the interpretation of interim PET-CT scan rather than IHP criteria. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract P1-08-26: Hypertension and phosphorylated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 are potential independent predictive factors for progession-free survival in apatinib-treated advanced breast cancer

Abstract Background: Apatinib, one specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the VEGF receptor 2 was assessed in patients with advanced breast cancer. This substudy was to explore potential predictive and prognostic factors for apatinib-treated breast cancer. Method: 80 patients were enrolled and received a starting dose of apatinib 750 or 500 mg/d in 4-week cycles. Efficacy was assessed according to RECIST 1.1 criteria, toxicity was graded based on the CTC adverse events version 4.0. The analyzed factors included patient-related factors, such as age; tumor-related factors, such as circulating biomarkers determined by multiplex cytokine assay and phosphorylated VEGFR2 by immunostaining; and treatment-related factors, such as adverse events. Cox Proportional Hazard model and Logistic test were performed as multivariate analysis to define the independent prognostic factors. Result: Median PFS was 3.84 months, OS 10.64 months, with 17.5% of objective response rate. Table 1. Efficacy summary No.PFS(months) 95% CIOS(months) 95% CIORR(%)CBR(%)Total803.84 (2.66, 5.03)10.64 (8.55, 12.73)17.537.5TNBC604.30 (2.83, 5.77)9.23 (5.69, 12.77)2041.67non-TNBC203.34 (2.05, 4.63)10.66 (10.38, 10.95)1025P value 0.2110.6700.4990.286 The most frequent adverse events were hypertension (66.3% for all grades, 17.5% for grade 3/4), hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR, 62.5% for all grades, 20% for grade 3/4), and proteinuria (61.3% for all grades, 7.5% for grade 3/4). According to univariate analysis, longer PFS was correlated with hypertension (p = 0.011), HFSR (p = 0.018), post-menopause (p = 0.021), less previous chemotherapy (p = 0.021), higher drug trough concentration (p = 0.025), and higher baseline serum sVEGFR2 (p = 0.031). Median PFS was 6.60 and 2.00 m in patients with higher and lower p-VEGFR2 expressions (p = 0.001). According to multivariate regression analysis, hypertension (p = 0.038; HR, 0.583, 95% CI 0.351 - 0.969) and p-VEGFR2 expression level (p = 0.013; HR, 0.404, 95% CI 0.198 - 0.826) were independent predictive factors of PFS. Table 2. Summary of univariate analysisFactorsHR (95% CI)Hypertension, with / without0.4856(0.2794 - 0.8442)Hand-foot skin reaction, with / without0.5337(0.3178-0.8963)Proteinuria, with / without0.7887(0.4896-1.270)Fatigue, with / without0.6540 (0.4113-1.040)Age ≥ 60y / &amp;lt; 60y0.5591(0.3101-1.008)Menstruation status, pre / post0.5321(0.3111- 0.9102)ECOG = 0 / ECOG = 10.8989(0.5688-1.421)TNBC / non-TNBC0.6904(0.3863-1.234)DFI ≥ 12m / &amp;lt; 12m0.7114(0.4436-1.141)Visceral metastasis, yes / no0.7999(0.4800-1.333)No. of metastasis site, ≥ 3 / &amp;lt; 31.276(0.7773-2.096)Lines of prior chemothyrapy, ≥ 2 / &amp;lt; 21.792(1.094-2.935)Tumor markers, elevated / normal1.437(0.8507-2.426)sVEGFR2, high / low0.4111(0.1829-0.9239)VEGFR2, high / low0.5112(0.2243-1.165)p-VEGFR2, high / low0.2544(0.1117-0.5796)Hazard ratios for each factor Conclusion: Apatinib showed substantial antitumor activity in patients with heavy-pretreated advanced breast cancer with manageable toxicity. Hypertension and p-VEGFR2 were independent predictive factors for PFS in apatinib-treated advanced breast cancer, and significantly correlated to higher CBR. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P1-08-26.

Response Assessment Using Early and End-of-Treatment 18F-FLT PET Can Predict Outcome in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma,

Abstract 3679Background Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scan has been known as a useful modality for response assessment in malignant lymphoma. However, FDG is not tumor-specific and can be false positive in inflammatory lesions. To overcome these limitations, a new PET tracer, thymidine analog 3'-deoxy-3'-18F-fluorothymidine (FLT), was introduced recently. Preliminary data showed close correlation between FLT uptake and tumor cell proliferation in lymphoma, suggesting the possibility of noninvasive tumor grading and early response assessment. Therefore, we performed a prospective trial to evaluate the feasibility of FLT-PET in risk stratification and prediction for treatment outcome, especially in early interim analysis, in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).Methods Seventy-five patients newly diagnosed with NHL were prospectively enrolled at National Cancer Center, Korea, from Oct 2005 to Oct 2008. All received standard chemotherapy for their pathologic classifications. Patients were evaluated with FLT-PET at baseline (FLT0), after 1 cycle of chemotherapy (FLT1, early), and after completion of the 1st line chemotherapy (FLTE, end-of-treatment). FLT-PET results were assessed according to the International Workshop Criteria (IWC). Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of each FLT-PET were calculated to evaluate its correlation with the clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. Treatment outcome was estimated using 3-year progression-free survival (3yr-PFS) and overall survival (3yr-OS).Results Of the 75 enrolled patients, 63 (84%) had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range, 29–87). Twenty-eight (37.3%) presented with stage III or IV diseases and 20 (26.7%) showed more than 3 IPI scores. Median follow up duration was 4.5 years (range, 3.5–5.8). Five (6.7%) patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at last. Three-year PFS and OS rates for all enrolled patients were 68% and 78.7%. Seventy-three (97.3%) had their FLT-PET at baseline, 69 (92%) after 1 cycle of chemotherapy, and 66 (88%) at the end of the 1st line treatment. By IWC, 50 (66.7%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) on FLT1 and 56 (74.7%) had CR on FLTE. Positive predictive values (PPV) of residual uptake on FLT1 and FLTE for relapse or disease progression were 83.3% (95%CI 57.7–95.6) and 80% (95%CI 44.2–96.5), respectively. Negative predictive values (NPV) of them were 88% (95%CI 75.0–95.0) and 82.1% (95%CI 69.2–90.7). Sensitivity and specificity were 71.4% (47.7–87.8) and 93.6% (81.4–98.3) for FLT1 and 44.4% (22.4–67.8) and 95.8% (84.6–99.3) for FLTE, respectively. Complete disappearance of uptake on FLT1 was significantly associated with better PFS compared to residual uptake on FLT1 (3yr-PFS rates, 87.5% and 12.2%, p<0.001). Three-year OS rates according to CR achievement on FLT1 were 96.0% and 27.8%, significantly lower in patients with residual disease after 1 cycle of chemotherapy (p<0.001). SUVmax of FLT0 correlated with LDH level significantly (p=0.044), but not with age (p=0.214), Ki-67 index (p=0.073), IPI score (p=0.270), and Ann Arbor stage (p=0.089). SUVmax of FLT0 were not associated with survival outcomes, however, residual SUVmax of FLT1 reflecting early response to treatment was significantly associated with poor survival outcome (PFS, HR 1.29, 95%CI 1.14–1.47; OS, HR 1.27, 95%CI 1.08–1.49). In multivariate analysis, SUVmax of FLT1 remained as an independent predictive factor for PFS (HR 1.63, 95%CI 1.25–2.13) and for OS (HR 1.89, 95%CI 1.38–2.58). Residual SUVmax of FLTE also revealed to be significantly associated with PFS (HR 1.43, 95%CI 1.05–1.94) and OS (HR 1.59, 95%CI 1.12–2.26) in the same multivariate model.Conclusion Response assessment in cooperation with FLT-PET provided accurate prediction for clinical outcome including PFS and OS in patients with NHL. Especially, early FLT-PET result after 1 cycle of chemotherapy was an independent predictive factor for survival as well as relapse or disease progression, with comparable performance with end-of-treatment FLT-PET. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.