Non-intensive Arm Research Articles

Low Incidence of COVID-19 Infection in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Reduced Intensity/Venetoclax Based Treatment: Initial Results of the PACE Prospective Clinical Study from the UK Trials Acceleration Program

Low Incidence of COVID-19 Infection in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Reduced Intensity/Venetoclax Based Treatment: Initial Results of the PACE Prospective Clinical Study from the UK Trials Acceleration Program

Prognostic role of pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomic analysis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

6553 Background: Emerging data suggest that radiomics can be used to predict outcomes in SCCHN. At present, only few data are available for pre-treatment MRI. Methods: Study population was retrieved from an ongoing multicenter, randomized, prospective trial (NCT02262221, HETeCo) evaluating health and economic outcomes of two different follow-up (FUP) strategies (intensive vs non-intensive) in effectively cured stage III-IV (VIII TNM ed.) SCCHN. We selected only patients with both pre- and post-contrast enhancement T1 and T2-weighted baseline MRI (b-MRI) and at least 2 years (2y) of FUP. A radiomic model was developed to identify high risk (HR) and low risk (LR) of disease recurrence. Radiomic features (RF) were extracted from the primary tumor in the b-MRI. The best RF combination was selected by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO). Ten-fold cross-validation was used to compute sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of the classifier. Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves were estimated for HR and LR, for both overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) and log rank test was performed. Three years (3y)-DFS and OS were also estimated for the two groups. The radiomic risk class was used as a new variable in a multivariate Cox model including well established prognostic factors in SCCHN (TNM stage, subsite and HPV). Results: Out of 155 enrolled HETeCO patients, 98 baseline imaging were retrieved of which 57 b-MRI. Of these, 51 met the eligibility criteria (25 in intensive and 26 in non-intensive arm). Baseline patients’ characteristics were: median age 66 yr (38-86); sex (M 42; F 9); median smoking history: 30 packs/y (1-100); 25 oral cavity (49%), 18 oropharynx (35%, 14 HPV+), 6 larynx (12%), 2 hypopharynx (4%). At a median FUP of 42 months (25-64), 45 (88%) patients are still alive. The recurrence rate was 20% (10/51, of which 2 distant). In total, 1608 RF were extracted. The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the classifier were 90%, 76%, and 80%, respectively. The radiomic risk class was found to be an independent prognostic factor for both DFS and OS (p=0.01 and p=0.046, respectively). KM curves for DFS and OS were significantly different between HR and LR groups (p=0.002 and p=0.04, respectively). In HR vs LR, 3-y DFS and OS were: 78% [61-100%] vs 97% [90-100%], and 88% [75-100%] vs 96% [88-100%], respectively. Conclusions: Radiomics of pre-treatment MRI can predict outcomes in SCCHN. External validation of this preliminary radiomics-based model is currently ongoing.

Abstract LB-009: Biomarkers correlating with overall survival (OS) and response to glasdegib and intensive or nonintensive chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Abstract Background: The Smoothened inhibitor glasdegib (GLAS) was recently approved in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) in adults with AML when intensive chemotherapy is not an option. GLAS in combination with intensive chemotherapy has also been well tolerated and shown clinical activity, and is undergoing further evaluation. This analysis aimed to identify molecular drivers that predict overall response (OR) and OS with GLAS. Materials and Methods: We included AML patients receiving LDAC alone or with GLAS 100 mg QD (nonintensive arm) or GLAS 100 mg QD & 7+3 (intensive arm) from Phases 1b and 2 of a multicenter study (NCT01546038). We assessed correlation of OS/OR with mRNA expression of 19 genes, expression levels of 38 cytokines, and mutations in 109 genes. For correlation analyses, a cut-off < or ≥ the median was used for gene expression and cytokine levels and mutated or not for gene mutations. Results: Within the nonintensive arm (LDAC + GLAS, n=68; LDAC, n=30), improved OS with GLAS + LDAC correlated with lower FOXM1 and MSI2, and higher BCL2 and CCND2 expression. For cytokines, lower levels of 6CKINE, BAFF, ICAM-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MMP-3 correlated with improved OS. The low number of responders in the LDAC arm (n=2) prevented correlation analysis of mRNA or cytokines; however, within the LDAC + GLAS arm, OR correlated with high PTCH1 levels, and high EOTAXIN but low BAFF levels. In the intensive arm (GLAS & 7+3, n=59), higher PTCH1 expression correlated with improved OS (median OS 10.8 vs 39.5 months) but no significant correlations were found with OR; no cytokines correlated with OS or with OR. For gene mutation, in the nonintensive arm (LDAC + GLAS, n=65; LDAC alone, n=25), OS differed with PLEKHH1 and STAG2 mutation status, but no genes correlated with OR. In the intensive arm (n=55), mutations in FLT3, TP53, CEP170, PHF6, and ANKRD26 correlated with OS. Patients in this arm with FLT3 mutations (including ITD) responded better vs wild type FLT3 (median OS 13.4 months vs unreached for FLT3 mutant). We also examined mRNA expression and cytokine levels at various times after starting treatment: statistically significant changes included modulation of SMO, BDNF, ITAC, and IL-23 levels in the nonintensive arm, and SMO, MYCN, CDKN1A, and a number of cytokines including IL-8, TNF-α and IL-5 in the intensive arm. Conclusions: In this analysis, expression levels of a select number of genes and circulating cytokines implicated in AML appear to correlate with OS and OR. The improved response with FLT3 mutations and high PTCH1 expression levels in the intensive arm, along with the analysis appearing to indicate modulation of select genes (eg SMO) and cytokines in both arms while on treatment, deserves further investigation. These preliminary findings will need to be verified in larger randomized trials, which are on-going. Citation Format: Akil Merchant, Catriona Jamieson, Michael Heuser, Geoffrey Chan, Panpan Wang, Keith A. Ching, Jillian Johnson, Thomas O’Brien, Jorge E. Cortes. Biomarkers correlating with overall survival (OS) and response to glasdegib and intensive or nonintensive chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-009.

Intervention for Women in Costa Rica Who Have Food Insecurity and Excess Body Weight: A Cluster Randomized Trial (P04-017-19)

ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention to simultaneously reduce food insecurity and body weight. We hypothesized that, when compared with the non-intensive arm, women in the intensive intervention arm would reduce food insecurity and body weight and improve social support for healthy eating, psychological and economic empowerment, and food and physical activity behaviors. MethodsWe conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial in the Central Canton of the Province of Alajuela. Randomization was at the level of the catchment area of the first level of health care in Costa Rica. This 6-month study compared two arms. The intensive arm consisted of activities at the individual (12 two-hour sessions, three follow-up monthly sessions, and one closing session), household (one workshop with the participants’ household and community members, and homework with family participation), and community (two brochures and one workshop) levels. The non-intensive arm was comprised of three one-hour sessions about healthy lifestyles. ResultsA total of 171 participants were enrolled (83 in intensive and 88 in non-intensive arm). At 6 months the intensive arm had significantly greater decreases from baseline in food insecurity (P = 0.004), body mass index (P = 0.010), and waist circumference (P = 0.001) compared with the non-intensive arm. The intensive arm also had also significantly greater increases in psychological (P = 0.014) and economic empowerment, including a greater increase in the contribution to household support (P = 0.030) and more women that found a job (P = 0.018), compared with the non-intensive arm. Women in the intervention arm had significantly greater changes from baseline in the expected direction in food consumption of fried foods (P = 0.029), sausages (P = 0.038), sugar drinks (P = 0.032), salads (P = 0.032), and beans (P = 0.004) compared to women in the non-intensive arm. We did not find any significant differences between the arms in social support, exercise, and consumption of fruits, vegetables and fast foods. ConclusionsThis intervention demonstrates that it is possible to simultaneously reduce food insecurity and reduce, rather than exacerbate, excess weight gain. Funding SourcesOffice of International Affairs, University of Costa Rica.

Biomarkers of Overall Survival and Response to Glasdegib and Intensive or Non-Intensive Chemotherapy in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: In a previously reported Phase 2 randomized study of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), addition of the investigational agent glasdegib (PF-04449913) to low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) improved overall survival (OS) when compared with LDAC alone. In a non-randomized study arm, glasdegib together with 7+3 chemotherapy was well tolerated and associated with clinical activity. We used a comprehensive biomarker analysis, evaluating gene expression, circulating cytokine levels, and gene mutations, to identify molecular drivers that predict overall response (OR) and OS.Methods: In this Phase 2 multicenter study (NCT01546038), patients with AML who were suitable for non-intensive therapy were randomized (2:1) to LDAC + glasdegib 100 mg QD or LDAC alone, and patients suitable for intensive therapy were assigned 7+3 plus glasdegib 100 mg QD. Whole blood, serum, and bone marrow aspirate samples were collected at baseline, and used to assess 19 genes for expression analysis, 38 analytes for circulating cytokine levels, and 109 genes for mutation analysis. Gene expression was analyzed using TaqMan Low Density Array Cards (TLDCs), cytokine levels were analyzed using quantitative, multiplexed immunoassays (Myriad RBM), and mutation analysis was performed using the Illumina® MiSeq instrument (San Diego, CA). All correlations were performed either for OS or for OR. For gene expression and cytokine analysis, a cut-off value above or below the median expression level for each treatment arm was used to separate samples into two subgroups (< or ≥ the median value) to explore the relationship of expression levels with OS data. Criteria for significance in the non-intensive cohort required one subgroup to have a p-value of <0.05 in the between-treatment arms comparison and the HR difference between the two subgroups to be ≥2 fold. Responses were defined as patients with a complete remission (CR), CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi), morphologic leukemia-free state, partial remission (PR), or PRi. For response correlations, genes or cytokines were considered to be differentially expressed if they had a p-value <0.05 and were differentially expressed by ≥2-fold.Results: Within the non-intensive arm (LDAC + glasdegib, n=68; LDAC alone, n=30), expression levels of several genes correlated with improved OS with glasdegib plus LDAC. Lower levels of expression of FOXM1 and MSI2, and higher expression levels of BCL2 and CCND2 correlated with improved OS with the combination. Additionally, lower levels of the cytokines 6CKINE (CCL21), ICAM-1, MIP-1α, and MMP-3 correlated with improved OS. An analysis of correlations of gene expression and cytokine levels with OR could not be completed due to the low number of responders in the LDAC only group (n=2). In the intensive treatment arm (glasdegib and 7+3, n=59), higher PTCH1 expression correlated with improved OS (p=0.0219, median OS 10.8 versus 39.5 months). In this cohort, lower levels of IL-8 (p=0.0225) and MIP-3β (p=0.0403) correlated with lower OS. Expression levels of no genes or cytokines significantly correlated with OR in this arm. We also examined correlations between gene mutation status and OS in both study arms. In the non-intensive arm (LDAC + glasdegib, n=58; LDAC alone, n=25), no genes mutated in at least 5 patients correlated with OS. In the intensive treatment arm (n=47), mutations in FLT3, TP53, CEP170, NPM1, and ANKRD26 correlated with OS (all p<0.05). Patients in this arm with FLT3 mutations responded better than patients with wild type FLT3 (p=0.0336, median OS of 13.1 months versus unreached for FLT3 mutant).Conclusions: In this biomarker analysis, we found that expression levels of a select number of genes and circulating cytokines implicated in AML correlated with OS in the non-intensive and the intensive arms. The improved response for patients with FLT3 mutations and high PTCH1 expression levels in the intensive arm deserves further investigation. These findings need to be verified in larger controlled studies, which are ongoing. DisclosuresCortes:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding. Pollyea:Argenx: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy; Celyad: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Curis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Heuser:Astellas: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding; Tetralogic: Research Funding; Bayer Pharma AG: Consultancy, Research Funding; StemLine Therapeutics: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BergenBio: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Chan:Pfizer: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wang:Pfizer: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ching:Pfizer Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Johnson:Pfizer Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. O'Brien:Pfizer Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Glasdegib in Addition to Intensive or Non-Intensive Chemotherapy in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Safety Analysis of Glasdegib ‘On Target’ Adverse Events

Glasdegib in Addition to Intensive or Non-Intensive Chemotherapy in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Safety Analysis of Glasdegib ‘On Target’ Adverse Events

Impact of Minimal Residual Disease in Transplant Ineligible Myeloma Patients: Results from the UK NCRI Myeloma XI Trial

▪Introduction.Minimal residual disease (MRD) is a powerful predictor of outcome in multiple myeloma (MM). We have previously demonstrated, in transplant eligible patients, that the level of MRD as a continuous variable independently predicts both PFS and OS, with approximately a one year median OS benefit per log depletion (J Clin Oncol 2013; 31:2540-7 and Blood 2015; 125:1932-5). The impact of MRD also appears to be independent of therapy received. There is more limited data on the applicability of MRD assessment in transplant ineligible patients, largely as a consequence of low rates of CR historically within this patient cohort.Patients and Methods.In this analysis we have assessed the impact of MRD on PFS amongst patients treated within the non-intensive arm of the NCRI Myeloma XI trial. Patients were randomised between thalidomide (CTDa) and lenalidomide (RCDa) based induction therapies with responding patients being subsequently randomised to maintenance with lenalidomide monotherapy, or no further therapy. Bone marrow aspirates were obtained at the end of induction and this analysis represents a subset of 297 patients (median age 74 years). MRD was assessed using flow cytometry (sensitivity 10-4) with a minimum of 500,000 cells evaluated with six-colour antibody combinations including CD138/CD38/CD45/CD19 with CD56/CD27 in all cases and CD81/CD117 in additional cases as required.Results.Overall MRD-negativity was demonstrated in 41/297 (13.8%). When considered according to induction therapy received 25/154 (16.0%) of patients randomized to RCDa were MRD-negative compared to 16/143 (10.8%) of those randomized to CTDa (p=0.24; Fisher’s exact test). MRD-negativity was associated with a significant outcome advantage as the median PFS was 34 months versus 18 months for MRD-positive patients (p<0.0001, HR 0.44 [95% confidence interval (CI 0.29-0.67)]). This effect was noted in both RCDa (median PFS 17m v 32m; p=0.001, HR 0.41 [95%CI 0.23-0.69]) and CTDa (median PFS 19m v 34m; p=0.03, HR 0.49 [95%CI 0.26-0.95]). When the impact of MRD was assessed according to induction regimen the outcome of MRD-negative and MRD-positive patients was similar with both regimens (see figure). The impact of MRD was also assessed as a continuous variable across 5 logs of residual disease. Sequential improvements in outcome with each log reduction were demonstrable. Median PFS for the following disease levels; <0.01%, 0.01 - <0.1%, 0.1% - <1%, 1% - <10% and >/=10% were 34, 26, 16, 14 and 9 months respectively (p<0.0001). This pattern was demonstrable in both RCDa and CTDa treated patients (p<0.0001 for both). Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent predictive value of MRD both as a qualitative and continuous quantitative variable (p<0.0001 for both). In both instances achieving an immunofixation-negative CR was not a significant prognostic variable when included in the model with MRD.Conclusions.We would conclude that MRD is a powerful predictor of outcome in transplant ineligible patients and is a meaningful therapeutic goal in this patient group. In contrast to conventional CR it retains independent prognostic significance both as a quantitative and qualitative variable. This data further supports the role of MRD as a primary endpoint and surrogate marker for survival in future clinical trials. [Display omitted] DisclosuresRawstron:Janssen: Research Funding; BD Biosciences: Other: Remuneration; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria; Genzyme: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Celegene: Honoraria. Pawlyn:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Takeda Oncology: Consultancy. Davies:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Kaiser:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel support; Chugai: Consultancy. Jones:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Cook:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jenner:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support. Drayson:Abingdon Health: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jackson:MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Morgan:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol Meyers: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding; Univ of AR for Medical Sciences: Employment. Owen:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel support; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel support.

Changes in biomarkers and DNA methylation in breast cancer survivors enrolled in the ENERGY weight loss trial: A pilot study.

181 Background: In 2014, an ASPO position statement was released calling for action regarding cancer survivors’ needs for weight management. Reduction of body weight is hypothesized to affect several cancer-related biological pathways. Methods: The Exercise and Nutrition to Enhance Recovery and Good health for You (ENERGY) trial is the largest weight loss trial completed to date among breast cancer survivors. In it, 692 stage Ic-IIIc breast cancer survivors were randomized to an intensive, group-based weight loss intervention with 26 contacts over one year or to a non-intensive intervention with two contacts over the same time period. Results recently reported in JCO showed significantly greater weight loss in the intensive intervention arm compared to the non-intensive arm. A pilot study exploring baseline to 6-month changes in gene methylation and expressed biomarkers was undertaken in 30 chemo-naïve, post-menopausal, non-Hispanic white women who participated in this study. Results: Several significant differences in mean change scores (standard error) between the intensive vs. non-intensive groups were noted, i.e., insulin: -4.19(0.80) vs. 0.42 (1.01)/p = 0.0016; c-peptide: -0.49(0.14) vs. 0.40(0.19)/p = 0.0009; leptin: -15.73(1.79) vs. 2.53(1.78)/p &lt; 0.0001; adiponectin:leptin ratio: 0.67(0.15) vs. 0.010(0.064)/p = 0.0007; homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR): 20.00(4.65) vs. 9.57(5.00)/p = 0.0003; sex hormone binding globulin 20.45(4.61) vs. 8.65(8.00)/p = 0.023; and Follistatin-Related Protein-3 (FSTL3): 0.48(0.19) vs. -0.88(0.55)/p = 0.0497. While effects were in the direction hypothesized for c-reactive protein, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor no significant differences were noted. Significant differences in DNA methylation also were noted for genes encoding for Follistatin Related Protein (corresponds to FSTL3), and those on hormonal/growth pathways (e.g., AMOTL1, ESR, EGR3), inflammatory pathways (e.g., TNFRS10A/TRAIL-R1, C14orf106), and metabolic pathways (e.g., ZBED3, GABRA). Conclusions: While results are based on a small sample and not corrected for multiple testing, they provide evidence that weight loss affects several biomarkers and pathways that impact cancer and which warrant further investigation. Clinical trial information: NCT01112839.

Genetic Variations Associated with Overall and Progression-Free Survival in Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Thalidomide Combinations.

Abstract 426It is anticipated that inherited single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion influence individual response to thalidomide therapies in Multiple Myeloma. We extracted peripheral blood DNA from 631 myeloma patients of European descent enrolled in the MRC Myeloma IX trial who had received induction thalidomide (50-200mg). We genotyped 3404 SNPs selected in 983 candidate genes that may influence myeloma disease response, toxicity, and/or survival, on a “Bank on a Cure” (BOAC) Affymetrix® true-tag array. The BOAC array is a custom genotyping chip focused on coding and predicted regulatory SNPs. Quality control (QC) measures were applied on the resulting genotype data such that individual samples failing a chip call rate (> 95%), and SNP assays with missing data (< 0.05%) or with extreme departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 10-5) were excluded from the statistical analysis. We then performed 2-way log rank tests under recessive, dominant and trend genetic models for each SNP which passed QC for both overall survival and PFS on the training and validation sets. Our training set consisted of 379 myeloma patients from the intensive pathway of the Myeloma IX trial who received CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, dexamethasone), with a validation set of 252 myeloma patients from the non-intensive pathway who received an attenuated CTD regime. Although the overall and progression-free survival is shorter for individuals in the non-intensive arm in comparison to the younger and fitter patients in the intensive arm, we expected variants influencing overall survival and PFS related to thalidomide to associate with outcome, if both pathways were analysed separately. We looked for significant associations (log-rank chi-squares > 6.5, p > 10-3) across both the training and validation sets, and discounted associations where the number of cases in any one genotype group <10. We detected significant cross validating associations in the survival analysis with genes involved in double-strand break repair: BLM, LIG1, MRE11A, SHFM1 and RAD51L3, and also saw associations with genes important in response to DNA damage stimulus: CYP19A1, GSTA4 and MGST1, along with other notably associations in genes NFKBIE, NFKB1 and SELL. We saw cross validating SNP associations in the progression-free survival analysis in genes including the cytokines: IL10, IL13, as well as NFATC1. In this large study we have seen results indicating that genetic variation plays a role in both overall and progression free survival following thalidomide treatment in multiple myeloma patients, and in doing so we have highlighted SNPs and pathways that may be important and informative in predictive classification of patients for overall survival and PFS following treatment with thalidomide containing regimes. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Maintenance Thalidomide May Improve Progression Free but Not Overall Survival; Results from the Myeloma IX Maintenance Randomisation

The role of maintenance therapy for the long term control of the plasma cell clone in patients induced into response with either intensive or conventional treatment is an important outstanding question. We addressed this in the MRC Myeloma IX study which incorporates intensive and non-intensive pathways selected according to PS and age. In the intensive pathway patients were randomised to either CTD or CVAD induction, followed by High Dose Melphalan (HDM) before being randomised to either thalidomide or no maintenance. In the non-intensive pathway patients were randomised to either MP or attenuated CTD prior to the maintenance randomisation. For patients randomised to thalidomide it was initiated at d100 following HDM or at the end of induction in the non-intensive arm with the aim of delivering 100mg daily until relapse. A dose reduction algorithm for side effects was used.Between the years of 2003–8, 820 patients were entered into the maintenance randomisation, median age 64 (intensive 59, non-intensive 73), median follow-up 32 months. Prognostic features were evenly distributed between the arms. FISH and cytogenetics were done using standard methods. Response was assessed by IWG criteria. For overall survival (OS) there was a non-significant trend in favour of the no maintenance arm, which enables us, by calculating confidence limits on the hazard ratio, to make the assertion that no maintenance could be up to 7% worse than thalidomide at 5 years (p=.005). Further analysis showed that there was no significant difference in OS in either the intensive or the non-intensive arm. The duration of time on thalidomide maintenance appeared to make no difference to OS.There was a non-significant improvement in progression free survival (PFS) across the maintenance randomisation as a whole and in the intensive pathway a significant benefit of maintenance was seen in the patients achieving less than a VGPR post initial induction therapy prior to HDM, (hazard ratio 1.9, p=.007). This PFS difference did not translate into a survival benefit because the survival after progression in the PR patients receiving maintenance thalidomide was poor (p=.002). In addition we looked at the time spent off thalidomide, the recovery time, (the time between stopping thalidomide and progression) as a possible predictor of survival after progression. Treated as a continuous variable in the Cox model this showed a trend for longer survival after relapse in those with longer recovery time (p=.056). In the non-intensive pathway a similar but less pronounced effect of thalidomide maintenance on PFS was seen. These results are consistent with a consolidation rather than a maintenance effect for thalidomide in this setting.The impact of maintenance in different cytogenetic subgroups was also determined [17p-, 13q-, 14q abnormalities including t(4;14), t(14;16), t(6;14), t(14;20) and t(11;14)]. For the 17p- group, the difference in OS between no thalidomide and thalidomide is large (HR = 4.55, p=.02) with the thalidomide patients faring worse, although this is based on only 30 patients. For the non 17p- group there is no difference in PFS (HR = 1.24, p=.37), in the 17p- group, however, the PFS is worse. In addition, of the 22, 17p- patients receiving CTD or CTDa as initial therapy, the 10 who received no thalidomide maintenance are all still alive, whereas 9/12 of those who went on to receive thalidomide maintenance have died. It seems that thalidomide given at induction and again in maintenance, may be particularly detrimental in 17p- patients.Although thalidomide maintenance may improve PFS, there is no demonstrable benefit on OS. It is important to identify 17p- in order to exclude these patients from receiving thalidomide maintenance.

Effectiveness of intensive follow-up after response in patients with small cell lung cancer

We investigated whether intensive follow-up leads to earlier diagnosis of recurrence, more effective treatment, and longer survival in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who had shown a complete or partial response to first-line chemotherapy. The subjects of this retrospective study were 94 patients with SCLC who had shown a complete or partial response to first-line chemotherapy. The patients were separated into two arms: an intensive follow-up arm in which patients underwent regular blood tests, chest radiography, computed tomography of the chest and upper abdomen, magnetic resonance or computed tomography of the brain, and bone scintigraphy bimonthly for 6 months and then quarterly for 1.5 years; and a nonintensive follow-up arm in which these examinations were performed at the physician's discretion. All patients also underwent interviews and physical examinations monthly for 2 years and bimonthly for a further 3 years. Patient characteristics did not differ significantly between the arms. Disease recurred in 55 of 62 patients of the intensive arm and 29 of 32 patients of the nonintensive arm. Asymptomatic recurrences were detected more frequently in the intensive arm than in the nonintensive arm. The response rate to salvage therapy among all patients with recurrent disease was significantly higher in the intensive arm (61.8%) than in the nonintensive arm (37.9%; p=0.04). Both median postrelapse survival and overall median survival were significantly longer in the intensive arm (9 and 20 months, respectively, p=0.04 and p=0.001) than in the nonintensive arm (4 and 13 months, respectively). Intensive follow-up helps detect recurrence earlier, enhances the effectiveness of treatment, and lengthens survival in patients with SCLC. Well-designed prospective, randomized trials including a cost-benefit analysis are needed to compare intensive and nonintensive follow-up regimens.

Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Pateints Are at Risk of Venous Thrombotic Events - High Risk Patients Need To Be Identified and Recieve Thromboprophylaxis: The MRC Experience.

Standard treatment for younger patients with presenting myeloma is VAD followed by high-dose melphalan with stem cell support. However this regimen requires a central venous catheter with risks of recurrent line infections and central venous thrombus. A number of oral alternatives have been used including dexamethasone (Dex), thalidomide (Thal) or combinations (Thal/Dex), although to date no randomized control trial has compared an intravenous with oral induction therapy. In older patients melphalan/prednisolone (MP) remains the standard approach. Thal combinations (MPT, CTD, DVdT) improve response rates and providing side effects can be managed effectively may also be appropriate for an elderly population. Patients with myeloma have an increased risk of venous thrombotic events (VTEs), and presenting patients receiving Thal may be at increased risk due to bulk disease. Combination with anthracyclines may also exacerbate this risk. The MRC Myeloma IX trial has been designed to address some of these issues. Younger patients are randomized to receive intravenous CVAD or an oral Thal containing regimen, CTD prior to autologous transplantation; older patients are randomized to MP or the Thal containing regimen, CTDa. At trial initiation (May 2003) physicians were advised that patients should start low-dose Thal (100mg od in the intensive and 50mg od in the non-intensive arm) and slowly dose escalate to 200mg. Patients at high risk of VTE should be considered for full anticoagulation with either warfarin or LMWH. As of Aug 2004 420 patients (239 intensive, 181 non-intensive) have been randomized and a total of 30 VTEs in 28 patients have been reported (22 intensive, 6 non-intensive). In the intensive arm there were 8 DVT, 9 PE and 7 line-related thromboses. In the non-intensive arm there were 4 DVT and 2 PE.CVADCTDCTDaMPDVT4.2%2.5%4.4%0%PE1.7%5.8%2.2%0%Line related5.0%0.8%NANATotal10.9%9.1%6.6%0%The median time from randomization to DVT/PE was 54.5 days (range 15–113). 4 patients were identified who had additional risk factors (2 immobility, 1 recent operation, 1 renal failure). Only 1 patient was receiving prophylaxis having previously suffered a DVT. There was one PE-related death. Importantly 2 PE and 5 DVT occurred in patients not receiving Thal therapy. All central thrombosis occurred in relation to the central line. In the non-intensive arm the addition of Thal increased VTE risk compared to MP. In conclusion myeloma patients have an increased incidence of VTE (5.9%–8.3%) although in this study so far patients on MP appear to have no excess thrombotic risk. Patients receiving infusional regimes are also at increased risk of line-related events (additional 5.0%). Using the combination of a slowly increasing Thal dose and thromboprophylaxis based on identification of high risk patients the addition of Thal marginally increased DVT/PE risk over and above the risk seen in patients with infusional regimens, but even in a large study such as this the number of events are too small to make firm recommendations. Currently our advice remains unchanged and ALL high risk patients should receive thromboprophylaxis.