Marker For Survival In Patients Research Articles

Prognostic significance and biological implications of SM-like genes in mantle cell lymphoma

BackgroundSM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood.MethodsWe analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival.ResultsFive of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group. Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity.ConclusionsThe LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Prognostic Nutritional Index and the Survival of Patients with Endometrial cancer: A Meta-analysis.

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has emerged as a potential predictor of clinical outcomes in various cancers. However, a quantativetily analysis of its role in endometrial cancer (EC) remains lacking. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the prognostic value of PNI on the survival outcomes of patients with EC. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI to identify relevant cohort studies. Studies were included if they provided sufficient data to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) based on PNI levels. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Pooled HRs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model to account for heterogeneity. A total of 10 studies, encompassing 3656 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that a low PNI was significantly associated with poorer OS (HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.62-2.49, p < 0.05; I2 = 54%) and PFS (HR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.74-4.33, p < 0.05; I2 = 78%) in patients with EC. Subgroup analyses indicated that the prognostic impact of PNI was consistent in studies from Asian and non-Asian countries, and across studies with different ages of the patients, cutoff values of PNI, and follow-up duration (p for subgroup difference all > 0.05). In conclusion, the PNI is a prognostic marker for survival in patients with EC.

Role of Hematological Markers in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Pembrolizumab.

The predictive role of hematological markers in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN) treated with pembrolizumab remains unclear. We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study to investigate the predictive impact of the pre-treatment hematological markers neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), CRP-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index, and the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with R/M SCCHN treated with pembrolizumab. From December 2019 to February 2022, 119 and 28 patients were treated with pembrolizumab alone and pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy, respectively. The optimal cut-off point of dichotomized hematological markers was calculated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models with adjustment for potential confounders. In the pembrolizumab monotherapy group, patients with higher NLR, PLR, and mGPS and a lower CALLY index showed significantly shorter OS after adjustment for potential confounders. In addition, all hematological markers examined in this study tended to be associated with clinical response, such as overall response rate or disease control rate (DCR); in particular, a lower CALLY index and higher mGPS were significantly associated with poor DCR. In the pembrolizumab with chemotherapy group, these hematological markers had a similar association with OS but not with clinical response. Pre-treatment NLR, PLR, CALLY index, and mGPS might be predictive markers of survival in patients with R/M SCCHN treated with pembrolizumab.

Lipid profile and mortality in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism; a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening disease. Considering the availability and accessibility of assessing the serum lipids, this study aims todefine the predictive value of lipid profile, as well as the history of lipid disorders, for the mortality of PTE patients. Clinical studies, in which the relation of lipid profile, including triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total cholesterol, as well as history of imbalance of lipids, with mortality of PTE patients was reported, were included. Non-English articles, reviews, letters, editorials, and non-English papers were excluded. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Therisk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal tools and CMA 4 was utilized forthe quantitative synthesis. Out of 3,724 records, six studies were included inthis systematic review. Lipid profile is suggested as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with PTE so higher initial serum HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels were associated with lower mortality rates in PTE patients. In addition, dyslipidemia was found to be associated withmortality of PTE patients. Based on the quantitative synthesis, there was a greater serum level of HDL in thesurvival group (standardized mean difference:-0.98; 95 %CI:-1.22 to-0.75; p-value<0.01). Mortality is lower in PTE patients with greater serum lipid levels; therefore, the early prognosis of PTE maybe ascertained by measuring serum lipids within the first 24 h of admission.

TP53 and EGFR amplification are negative predictors of overall survival in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases

BackgroundThe discovery of driver genes such as EGFR, KRAS, and ALK, has dramatically shifted treatment patterns in patients harboring these oncogenes. However, dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) is a severe complication. In addition, the particular anatomical structure of the CNS has made it difficult to obtain tissue specimens from brain metastases (BM) to generate a gene map, as such, potential predictive markers for survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and BM (NSCLC-BM) remain unclear. MethodsData from 28 patients diagnosed with NSCLC-BM between June 2019 and May 2021 at Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital (Guangzhou, China), were reviewed. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of a 168 cancer-related gene panel was available for surgically resected brain tissues from all patients. In addition, molecular characteristics and overall survival (OS) were analyzed to determine potential predictive markers. ResultsAmong patients with NSCLC-BM, NGS revealed that TP53 was the most frequent mutation (61 %), with a detection rate of 39 %, closely by EGFR amplification. Additionally, CDKN2A, MYC, LRP1B, and RNF43 were frequently observed (18 %). The median OS was significantly shorter in the TP53 mutation group than in the wildtype group (14 versus undefined months, p = 0.014). Similar results were also found in the genetic alteration of EGFR amplification, suggesting that EGFR amplification was associated with worse OS (14 vs. 24 months, p = 0.039). Interestingly, NGS revealed that gene alternations such as TP53, EGFR amplification, and CDKN2A, tended to coexist and such a co-alteration panel indicated worse clinical outcomes (median OS, 5 months). In addition, the detection rate of negative survival genes, including TP53 or EGFR amplification, was much higher in tumor tissues than in plasma samples, indicating the limited predictive value of matched PLA samples. ConclusionsGene signatures, such as TP53 or EGFR amplification, were associated with worse survival in patients diagnosed with NSCLC-BM. These valuable findings may shed light on new strategies for the prognostic assessment of specific patient groups.

Metabolic Tumor Volume on 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography as a Prognostic Marker of Survival in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Treated With 177Lutetium-DOTA-Octreotate Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy.

We investigated metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) on pre-treatment FDG-PET as prognostic markers for survival in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) receiving peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). A retrospective review of patients with metastatic NENs receiving PRRT was undertaken. Pre-treatment FDG-PET images were analyzed and variables collected included MTV and TLG (dichotomized by median into high vs low). Main Outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by MTV and TLG (high vs low). One hundred five patients were included. Median age was 64 years (50% male). Main primary NEN sites were small bowel (43.8%) and pancreas (40.0%). Median MTV was 3.8 mL and median TLG was 19.9. Dichotomization formed identical cohorts regardless of whether MTV or TLG were used. Median OS was 72 months; OS did not differ based on MTV/TLG high versus low (47.4 months vs not reached; hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-1.04; P = 0.0594). Median PFS was 30.4 months; PFS differed based on MTV/TLG high versus low (21.6 months vs 45.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19-0.64; P = 0.007). Low MTV/TLG on pre-treatment FDG-PET was associated with longer PFS in metastatic NEN patients receiving PRRT.

Objective Response Rate is a Surrogate Marker for Long-Term Overall Survival in Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the utility of RECIST criteria-based objective response rate (ORR) as a potential surrogate endpoint for long-term overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). MethodsThe primary endpoint was overall ORR and OS, duration of treatment (DoR) with ICIs. ORR was analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Median follow-up and OS were estimated by using the Kaplan–Meier method. ResultsThe median follow-up was 58 (1.15-71) months. Progression developed in 94 (47%) patients during the first 3 months of ICIs therapy. The treatment response to ICIs included complete response (CR), partial response (PR) and stable disease in 10% (n = 20), 23% (n = 46), and 20% (n = 41) of patients, respectively. The responder and nonresponder groups differed in terms of certain baseline characteristics, such as Bellmunt risk factors, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The 5-year OS rates for patients with CR and PR were 73% and 23%, respectively. The median DoR for CR, PR, and SD were 51.8 months (44.5-59.1), 20.7 months (16.7-24.6), and 8.8 months (5.5-12.1), respectively. Overall, 16(80%) patients with CR and 14(30%) patients with PR had an ongoing response at the time of the analysis. In the univariate analysis, NLR > 3, liver metastases, ECOG PS ≥ 1, and hemoglobin levels < 10 mg/dl, as well as the PR and CR, were all significantly associated with OS. In multivariate analysis, presence of liver metastases (HR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2; P < .004) was found to be an independent determinant of short OS, while PR (HR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.15-0.5; P < .001) and CR (HR 0.06; 95% CI, 0.014-0.27; P < .001) were associated with improved OS. ConclusionsIn conclusion, this 5-year analysis of real-world data in the setting of metastatic urothelial cancer indicated a significant correlation between ORR, especially CR, and OS in patients who received ICIs. Therefore, identifying a potential surrogate marker for survival in patients treated with ICIs would represent an important advance in the early identification of patients’ response or resistance to ICIs.

Impact of early tumor shrinkage and depth of response in patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.

142 Background: Early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and the depth of response (DpR) are early on-treatment surrogate markers for survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) receiving anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody. However, the utility of ETS and DpR for BRAF V600E mutant (MT) mCRC which has a poor prognosis remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between ETS and DpR and clinical outcomes in BRAF V600E MT mCRC. Methods: mCRC patients who were diagnosed BRAF V600E MT and treated with 1st line chemotherapy from June 2011 to March 2023 at single cancer institute were enrolled. We analyzed the association between ETS and DpR and clinical outcome in patients who had at least one target lesion. Subgroup analysis of clinical factors related to progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed using multivariate analysis. ETS was defined as the relative change in the sum of the longest diameters of RECIST target lesions at first follow-up CT scan compared to baseline and DpR was defined as the relative change in the sum of the longest diameters of RECIST target lesions at the nadir in the absence of new lesions or progression of non-target lesions compared to baseline. Results: In total, 54 patients of BRAF V600E MT mCRC had at least one target lesion. In total of StageI-IV CRC patients, the incidence of BRAF V600E MT was 6.3% (233/3705). Patients with ETS ≥ 20% and DpR ≥ 25% (median value) were 24 (44.4%) and 27 (50%) respectively. PFS was 7.5 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.0-9.9) and OS was 17.1 months (95% CI, 11.7-20.2). Patients with ETS ≥ 20% had longer PFS and tended to have longer OS than those with non-ETS, with a median PFS of 9.8 months vs. 4.8 months (P Log-rank = 0.048, hazard ratio (HR), 0.55; 95% CI, 0.30-1.00), and a median OS of 22.6 months vs. 11.6 months (P Log-rank = 0.18, HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.37-1.21). Patients with DpR ≥ 25% had also longer PFS and OS than those with non-DpR, with a median PFS of 11.0 vs. 4.3 months (P Log-rank &lt; 0.01, HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.20-0.66) and a median OS of 22.6 vs. 10.1 months (P Log-rank = 0.047, HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-1.00). Median time to DpR was 3.05 months. In multivariate analysis, DpR was significantly associated with both longer PFS (HR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14–0.55, P &lt; 0.01) and OS (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29–0.96, P = 0.04). Conclusions: ETS and DpR may be early surrogate markers for clinical outcome in BRAF V600E MT mCRC who were treated with 1st line chemotherapy.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Is an Important Predictor of Survival in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Introduction:The body mass index (BMI) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) are nutrition-related risk assessment tool and has been used in various clinical settings. The relationship between BMI and the associated risk of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), such as relapse and non-relapse mortality (NRM), have been reported (Fuji S et al. BMT. 2014;49:1505). However, the relationship between GNRI and HSCT outcome remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the association between GNRI and overall survival (OS), relapse, and NRM of patients who received allogenic HSCT for hematological malignancies. Methods:We retrospectively analyzed aged 16 years or older patients who underwent first allogeneic HSCT from January 2010 to December 2022 at the Jikei university hospital. The primary endpoints of this study was OS at 5 years. Secondary endpoints were NRM, the incidences of relapse, all-grade acute GVHD and chronic GVHD. Nutritional risk was evaluated both BMI and GNRI. Patients were classified into three groups based on pre-transplant BMI (underweight; BMI &amp;lt;18.5, overweight; BMI ≥25, and others as standard), and also classified into three groups based on pre-transplant GNRI (low-risk; GNRI&amp;gt;98, intermediate-risk; 92≤GNR≤98, and high-risk; GNR&amp;lt;92). GNRI was calculated as follows: (1.519 x serum albumin) + (41.7 x current body weight/ ideal body weight). Data on serum albumin level and body weight were collected at the beginning of conditioning regimen. Results:Two hundred and three patients who received allogeneic HSCT for hematological malignancies (acute myeloid leukemia; n=98, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; n=51, myelodysplastic syndrome; n=27, myeloproliferative neoplasms; n=8, chronic myeloid leukemia; n=18, and other leukemias; n=2) were evaluated. The median age was 52 years old (range 16-69). The median follow-up period of survivors was 1394 days (range 51-4420) after allogeneic HSCT. The donor sources consisted of 39 (19.2%) HLA-matched related donor, 50(24.6%) HLA-mismatched related donor, 26(12.8%) HLA-matched unrelated donor and 88(43.4%) HLA-mismatched unrelated donor. One hundred and nine patients (53.7%) received myeloablative conditioning regimens. Based on the BMI, underweight, standard, overweight were included 33 (16.3%), 139 (68.4%), and 31 (15.3%) patients, respectively. While, based on the GNRI, the low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk were divided into 105 (51.7%), 46 (22.8%), and 51 (25.2%) patients, respectively . The 5-year OS rates of standard, underweight, and overweight were 52.6%, 39.5%, and 62.1%, respectively (p=0.07). On the other hand, the 5-year OS of low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk were 62.6%, 50.4%, and 33.2%, respectively (p=0.01). In addition, multivariate analysis showed high-risk group showed significantly lower OS (p=0.03). Five-year cumulative incidences (CI) of relapse in the standard, underweight, and overweight, were 46.4%, 45.4%, and 25.0%, respectively (p=0.11). However, multivariate analysis showed that CI of relapse ratio was significantly lower in overweight group (p=0.02). While, 5-year CI of relapse rates in the low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk were 36.5%, 47.2%, and 52.5%, respectively (p=0.03). However, multivariate analysis showed that there were no significant differences in relapse among three risk groups (p=0.06). There were no significant differences in CI of NRM, acute GVHD and chronic GVHD either BMI or GNRI. Subgroup analysis in the patients who underwent HSCT in complete remission revealed that there was no significant difference in OS among the three BMI groups (p=0.11), as well as the three GNRI groups (p=0.06). For the patients in non-remission at the time of allogeneic HSCT, there was no significant difference in OS between the three groups in BMI; however, OS was shorter in the high-risk group in GNRI (p=0.01). Conclusions:In our study, OS of high-risk group defined by GNRI showed significantly poor , especially in non-remission patients. Although overweight defined by BMI did predict low CI of relapse, overweight did not predict OS. These results suggest that nutrition-related risk assessed by GNRI could be prognostic marker for survival in patients who received allogeneic HSCT.

The possible role of quinolinic acid as a predictive marker in patients with SARS-CoV-2

Background and aimsQuinolinic acid (QA) is a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, which is activated by inflammatory stimuli during viral infection. We investigated the role of QA in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, particularly its prognostic value for survival. MethodsOverall, 104 unvaccinated inpatients were included, divided into a survival (N = 80) and a deceased group (N = 24). Plasma levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, QA, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured on admission and after seven days. The QA/TRP ratio and the relative differences between the measurements for QA (QA-Diff) and QA/TRP (Diff-QA/TRP) were calculated. ResultsAmong the kynurenine pathway markers, QA-Diff showed the highest discriminatory power for the survival prognosis (Youden index 0.467, cut-off −1.3 %, AUC 0.733, p < 0.001, sensitivity 0.79, specificity 0.675). Among the inflammatory markers, CRP showed the highest discriminatory power (Youden index 0.533, cut-off 25.0 mg/L, AUC 0.794, p < 0.001, sensitivity 0.958, specificity 0.575). A significant correlation between QA and PCT was found on admission and after one week (Spearman‘s rho 0.455 and 0.539, all p-values < 0.001). ConclusionsQA may serve as prognostic marker for survival in patients with SARS-CoV-2. The repeated measurements during the first week of the disease may enhance the prognostic power.

High Infiltration of CD163-Positive Macrophages in Intratumor Compartment Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients With Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma and Radical Nephroureterectomy.

To investigate the prognostic value of CD68- and CD163-positive macrophages in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This retrospective study enrolled 50 patients (34 men and 16 women) with UTUC who received radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We evaluated the expression of CD68 and CD163 in the intratumor compartment by immunohistochemistry. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to evaluate overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and bladder recurrence-free survival (BRFS). High infiltration of CD163-positive macrophages in patients with UTUC was significantly correlated with worse OS, CSS, and RFS (P < .05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that high infiltration of CD163-positive macrophages was an independent negative prognostic factor of OS and CSS in patients with UTUC who received RNU. Lymphovascular invasion was an independent negative prognostic factor of RFS, and high infiltration of CD68-positive macrophages was an independent positive prognostic factor of BRFS. This study indicated that high infiltration of CD163-positive macrophages in the intratumor compartment might be a useful prognostic marker for survival in patients with UTUC who receive RNU. Further, high infiltration of CD68-positive macrophages in the intratumoral compartment might be a useful prognostic marker for bladder recurrence in these patients.

Body Composition as Prognostic Markers for Survival of Patients with Non-Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although, previous research have shown that patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a higher body mass index (BMI), have a lower risk of death, only a few studies have examined the effects of body composition. Hence, this study examined the prognostic value of skeletal muscle mass and fat mass in patients with non-metastatic NSCLC. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study; from 2008 to 2012. Eighty-eight of 130 non-metastatic NSCLC patients underwent computed tomography to assess paravertebral skeletal muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose-tissue (VAT) at the 3rd lumbar vertebral level. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze body-composition correlations. Cox regression analysis was used to determine prognostic markers. Results: Higher SAT and VAT indices were associated with a higher-survival probability (HR, 0.79; p-value=0.001 and, HR 0.88; p-value=0.016, respectively). In contrast, higher SAT density and VAT/SAT ratio were associated with a lower survival probability (HR 1.16, p-value=0.012; HR 1.28, p-value=0.006, respectively). Lower performance status and TNM stage 3 were associated with lower-survival probability (HR 2.60; p-value=0.004, HR 1.92; p-value=0.035, respectively).Conclusion: The VAT index predicts a better prognosis for patients with non-metastatic lung cancer; however, visceral-fat distribution, as measured by a high VAT/SAT ratio, is associated with a worse prognosis.

Tumor-resident memory T cells as a biomarker of the response to cancer immunotherapy.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) often include a substantial subset of CD8+ tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells enriched in tumor-specific T cells. These TRM cells play a major role in antitumor immune response. They are identified on the basis of their expression of the CD103 (αE(CD103)β7) and/or CD49a (α1(CD49a)β1) integrins, and the C-type lectin CD69, which are involved in tissue residency. TRM cells express several T-cell inhibitory receptors on their surface but they nevertheless react strongly to malignant cells, exerting a strong cytotoxic function, particularly in the context of blocking interactions of PD-1 with PD-L1 on target cells. These TRM cells form stable conjugates with autologous tumor cells and interact with dendritic cells and other T cells within the tumor microenvironment to orchestrate an optimal in situ T-cell response. There is growing evidence to indicate that TGF-β is essential for the formation and maintenance of TRM cells in the tumor, through the induction of CD103 expression on activated CD8+ T cells, and for the regulation of TRM effector functions through bidirectional integrin signaling. CD8+ TRM cells were initially described as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with various types of cancer, including ovarian, lung and breast cancers and melanoma. More recently, these tumor-resident CD8+ T cells have been shown to be a potent predictive biomarker of the response of cancer patients to immunotherapies, including therapeutic cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint blockade. In this review, we will highlight the major characteristics of tumor TRM cell populations and the possibilities for their exploitation in the design of more effective immunotherapy strategies for cancer.

Comparison of objective response rate and long-term overall survival in patients with treated immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

481 Background: In this study, we evaluated RECIST criteria-based objective response rate (ORR) as potential surrogate endpoints for overall survival (OS) in patients who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy (ICT) and with long-term follow-up in metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Methods: The primary endpoint was overall ORR and OS, duration of treatment (DOR) with ICT. ORR was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Median follow-up and OS were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median follow-up time was 58 (1.15–71) months (mo). Progression developed in 94 (47%) patients during the first three months of treatment with ICT. The rate of complete response (CR) to ICT, partial response (PR) rate, and stable disease were 10% (n=20), 23% (n=46), and 20% (n=41), respectively. There was an imbalance in baseline characteristics between patients who had ORR and non-responder groups (Table). The 5–year OS rates for CR and PR were 73% and 23%, respectively. The median DOR for CR, PR, and SD were 51.8 mo% (44.5–59.1), 20.7mo (16.7–24.6), and 8.8 mo (5.5–12.1), respectively. Of the sixteen (80%) patients who had CR and 14 (30%) patients who had PR had an ongoing response at the time of the analysis. In univariate analysis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) &gt;3, liver metastases, ECOG PS ≥1, and hemoglobin levels below 10 mg/dl, PR, and CR were all significantly associated with OS. In multivariate analysis, liver metastases [HR=2.3; 95% CI 1.3-4.2; p &lt; (0.004)] were independent related variable with short OS. Other hand, PR [HR=0.3; 95% CI 0.15-0.5; p &lt; (0.001)] and CR [HR=0.06; 95% CI 0.014-0.27; p &lt; (0.001)] were associated with improved OS. Conclusions: This five-year analysis of real-world data indicated a significant correlation between ORR, especially CR and OS in patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic urothelial cancer. Therefore, the identification of a potential surrogate marker for survival in patients treated with ICT would represent an important advance in the early identification of patients’ response or resistance to ICT.

Biomarkers for predicting tumor response to PD-1 inhibitors in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

ABSTRACT Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal malignant neoplasms, and few patients with pancreatic cancer benefit from immunotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed advanced pancreatic cancer patients who received PD-1 inhibitor-based combination therapies during 2019–2021 in our institution. The clinical characteristics and peripheral blood inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio [PLR], lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio [LMR], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) were collected at baseline. Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests were used to evaluate relationships between the above parameters and tumor response. Cox regression analyses were employed to assess the effects of baseline factors on patients’ survival and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Overall, 67 patients who received at least two cycles of PD-1 inhibitor were considered evaluable. A lower NLR was independent predictor for objective response rate (38.1% vs. 15.2%, P = .037) and disease control rate (81.0% vs. 52.2%, P = .032). In our study population, patients with lower LDH had superior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival(OS) (mPFS, 5.4 vs. 2.8 months, P < .001; mOS, 13.3 vs. 3.6 months, P < .001). Liver metastasis was verified to be a negative prognostic factor for PFS (2.4 vs. 7.8 months, P < .001) and OS (5.7 vs. 18.0 months, P < .001). The most common irAEs were hypothyroidism (13.4%) and rash (10.5%). Our study demonstrated that the pretreatment inflammatory markers were independent predictors for tumor response, and the baseline LDH level and liver metastasis were potential prognostic markers of survival in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

A neutrophil/lymphocyte Ratio as a Significant Predictor for Patients with low-risk and early-stage Extranodal NK-T-cell Lymphoma.

The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel prognostic marker in several malignancies, whereas its function in patients with early-stage extranodal NK-T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) hasn't been explored. Therefore, we expolored the predictive value of NLR for early-stage ENKTL in this study. We evaluated the prognostic value of NLR in 132 patients with early-stage ENKTL based on L-asparaginase-containing regimens. Their characteristics, treatment responses, survival outcomes, prognostic factors, and the prognostic value of NLR were analyzed. All patients were followed up for median 54 months. The optimal NLR cutoff value was 3.77 by receiver operating curve(ROC). For all patients, the complete response (CR) and the overall response rate (ORR) were 74.2% and 85.6%. Patients with NLR < 3.77 had higher CR and ORR than patients with NLR ≥ 3.77(CR, 81% vs. 53.1%; ORR, 90% vs. 71.9%). For all patients, the 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) based on L-asparaginase-containing chemotherapy were 80.4% and 76%. Patients with NLR < 3.77 had better survival outcomes than patients with NLR ≥ 3.77(3-year OS, 86.9% vs. 60.3%, p = 0.002; 3-year PFS, 81.8% vs. 54.5%, p = 0.001). By univariate and multivariate analyses, NLR ≥ 3.77 was an independent poor prognostic factor for both OS and PFS. Additionally, NLR ≥ 3.77 was associated with poor survival outcomes in patients with low-risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) and Prognostic Index of Natural Killer lymphoma with Epstein-Barr virus (PINK-E). A high NLR is a poor prognostic marker of survival in patients with early-stage ENKTL, and could be applied to risk-stratify for low-risk patients.

Interferon gamma expression and mortality in unselected cohorts of urothelial bladder cancer patients.

BackgroundThe role of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) expression in long-term survival has not been studied in patients with urinary bladder cancer (UBC). IFN-γ expression was characterized among various UBC patient cohorts to assess if IFN-γ status is associated with overall survival (OS).MethodsA tumor-based IFN-γ gene signature was evaluated among adult UBC patients newly diagnosed between 2004 and 2017 from two hospital systems in New York. Patient cohorts included metastatic (stage IV or progressing to stage IV [MBC]), muscle-invasive (stages T2a to T4a [MIBC]), and non–muscle-invasive (carcinoma in situ or stages 0a, 0is, and I [NMIBC]) disease. Descriptive analyses were conducted comparing IFN-γ signature in the highest tertile to those in the lowest two tertiles.Results234 patients with bladder cancer were evaluated (56 MBC, 38 MIBC, and 140 NMIBC). Median OS was only reached in the MIBC cohort for those with an IFN-γ signature in the lowest two tertiles (15.03 months [95% CI, 8.50–50.60]). Those with an IFN-γ signature in the highest tertile had a decreased risk of mortality in all cohorts indicating better survival, but this was statistically significant in only the MIBC cohort (adjusted HR = 0.09 [95% CI, 0.01–0.73]).ConclusionIFN-γ signature status was associated with a decreased mortality risk in all cohorts, particularly MIBC, indicating that it may be a prognostic marker of survival in patients with UBC.

Comprehensive Analysis of Prognostic Value and Immune Infiltration of Ficolin Family Members in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: Ficolin (FCN) family proteins are part of the innate immune system, play a role as recognition molecules in the complement system, and are associated with tumor development. The mechanism of its role in immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the TCGA database, HPA database, Gene Expression Profile Interaction Analysis (GEPIA), Kaplan-Meier plotter, TCGAportal, cBioPortal, GeneMANIA, TIMER, and TISIDB to analyze Ficolin family proteins (FCN1, FCN2 and FCN3, FCNs) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for differential expression, prognostic value, genetic alterations, functional enrichment, and immune factor correlation analysis. Results: The expression levels of FCN1/2/3 were significantly reduced in patients with HCC. Among them, FCN3 showed significant correlation with Overall Survival (OS), Progressive Free Survival (PFS) and Relapse Free Survival (RFS) in HCC. FCN1 and FCN3 may be potential prognostic markers for survival in patients with HCC. In addition, the functions of differentially expressed FCNs were mainly related to complement activation, immune response, apoptotic cell clearance and phagocytosis. FCNs were found to be significantly correlated with multiple immune cells and immune factors. Expression of FCN1 and FCN3 differed significantly in the immune and stromal cell component scores of HCC. analysis of the tumor mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) of FCNs with pan-cancer showed that FCN3 was significantly correlated with both. Conclusions: Our study provides new insights into the link between the FCN family and immunotherapy for HCC, and FCN3 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for HCC.

Lactate dehydrogenase as a surrogate marker for both PCR and survival in breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

e12621 Background: Glucose metabolism in cancer cells produces various glycolytic metabolites, which can affect cancer progression and treatment outcome. Herein we evaluated the association of glucose transporters and enzymes involved in glucose metabolism with clinic-pathological factors and outcomes in breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC). Methods: We selected 7 target transporters and enzymes(GLUT1, hexokinase 2, lactate dehydrogenase, MCT1, MCT4, IGF1RA, and IGF1RB) involved in glucose metabolism. Their tumoral expressions were scored both quantitively and qualitatively based on tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry as previously described (Pinheiro et al, 2010) and then evaluated in relationships with pretreatment clinical/pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes including findings of 18F-FDG PET/CT,pathologic complete response(pCR), and relapse in breast cancer(stage IIA-IIIC) patients who underwent anthracycline or taxane-based NAC. Results: Of the 236 enrolled patients, 145(61.4%), 44(18.6%), and 47(19.9%) were luminal, HER2-enriched, and TNBC subtypes. Pathologic CR was determined 50(21.2%) and 57(24.2%) relapses, 42(17.8%) distant relapses, and 28 deaths were observed during median follow-up duration of 64.0 (32.3-114.9) months. The expression rates of the target molecules were 76.0, 31.1, 42.1, 54.9, 67.9, 78.4, and 49.8% for GLUT1, hexokinase 2 (HK2), lactate dehydrogenase(LD), MCT1, MCT4, IGF1RA, and IGF1RB, respectively. Among target molecules in glucose metabolism, LD was significantly associated with pCR(OR = 0.251; p- = 0.016) and distant disease-free survival (HR = 2.29; P = 0.019). Plus, LD expression shows a trend for a high SUVmax of primary tumor 18F-FDG PET/CT(OR = 1.797 P = 0.060). Conclusions: Tumoral expression of lactate dehydrogenase can be considered as a predictive marker for pCR to NAC and plus prognostic marker for survival in patients with breast cancer.

Prognostic Value of Radiological Extranodal Extension Detected by Computed Tomography for Predicting Outcomes in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer Treated With Radical Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

ObjectiveExtra Nodal Extension (ENE) assessment in locally advanced head and neck cancers (LAHNCC) treated with concurrent chemo radiotherapy (CCRT) is challenging and hence the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N staging. We hypothesized that radiology-based ENE (rENE) may directly impact outcomes in LAHNSCC treated with radical CCRT.Materials and MethodsOpen-label, investigator-initiated, randomized controlled trial (RCT) (2012–2018), which included LAHNSCC planned for CCRT. Patients were randomized 1:1 to radical radiotherapy (66–70 grays) with concurrent weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m2) [cisplatin radiation arm (CRT)] or same schedule of CRT with weekly nimotuzumab (200 mg) [nimotuzumab plus CRT (NCRT)]. A total of 536 patients were accrued and 182 were excluded due to the non-availability of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) computed tomography (CT) data. A total of 354 patients were analyzed for rENE. Metastatic nodes were evaluated based on five criteria and further classified as rENE as positive/negative based on three-criteria capsule irregularity with fat stranding, fat invasion, and muscle/vessel invasion. We evaluated the association of rENE and disease-free survival (DFS), loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsA total of 244 (68.9%) patients had radiologically metastatic nodes (rN), out of which 140 (57.3%) had rENE. Distribution of rENE was balanced in the two study groups CRT or NCRT (p-value 0.412). The median follow-up period was 39 months (ranging from 35.5 to 42.8 months). Complete response (CR) was seen in 204 (57.6%); incomplete response (IR), i.e., partial response plus stable disease (PR + SD), in 126 (35.6%); and progressive disease (PD) in 24 (6.8%). rENE-positive group had poor survival compared to rENE-negative group 3-year OS (46.7% vs. 63.6%), poor DFS (48.8% vs. 87%), and LRRFS (39.9% vs. 60.4%). rENE positive had 1.71 times increased risk of IR than rENE negative. Overall stage, site, clinical metastatic node (cN), response, and rENE were the significant factors for predicting OS, DFS, and LRRFS on univariate analysis. After making adjustment on multivariate analysis, rENE was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and trending to be significant for OS.ConclusionPre-treatment rENE is an independent prognostic marker for survival in patients with LAHNSCC treated radically with CCRT that can be used as a potential predictive marker for response to treatment and hence stratify patients into responders vs. non-responders. We propose the mahajan rENE grading system applicable on CT, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography–contrast-enhanced CT, and ultrasound.