Platinum-containing Regimens Research Articles

Neoadjuvant Therapy is Essential for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer.

Awareness of the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy is increasing, but its use as an initial therapeutic option for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial, especially for those patients without high-risk prognostic features. Even for patients with high-risk features who are candidates to receive neoadjuvant therapy, no standard regimen exists. In this review, we examined available data on the neoadjuvant therapy in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, including prospective studies, retrospective studies, and ongoing clinical trials, by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The characteristics and results of screened studies were described. Retrospective and prospective studies with reported results and ongoing randomized studies were included. For patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant therapy provides benefits such as increased survival, decreased risk of comorbidities and mortality, and improved cost-effectiveness due to an increased completion rate of multimodal treatment. Highly active regimens such as FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel are considered acceptable therapeutic regimens. Additionally, platinum-containing regimens other than FOLFIRINOX are acceptable for selected patients. Other therapies, such as chemoradiation treatment, immuno-oncology agents, and targeted therapies are being explored and the results are highly anticipated. This review highlights the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer. Some regimens are currently acceptable, but need more evidence from well-designed clinical trials or should be used after being carefully examined by a multidisciplinary team.

A Phase II Trial of Everolimus in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Refractory or Intolerant to Platinum-Containing Chemotherapy (NECTOR Trial)

Background: Platinum-containing regimens are widely used as first-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), but second-line chemotherapies have yet to be established. Objectives: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of everolimus in patients with pancreatic NEC refractory or intolerant to platinum-containing chemotherapy. Methods: This study was a prospective, multicenter, phase II trial in patients with pancreatic NEC after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Everolimus treatment was continued until disease progression or intolerable toxicity was observed. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Participants comprised 25 patients. Median age was 63 years, median PFS was 1.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9–3.1 months), median overall survival was 7.5 months (95% CI 3.1–13.5 months), overall response rate was 0%, and disease control rate was 39.1%. Common grade 3/4 adverse events were hyperglycemia (20%), thrombocytopenia (16%), and anemia (16%). Conclusion: The efficacy of everolimus was limited in patients with unresectable pancreatic NEC.

Prognostic significance of hyponatremia induced by systemic chemotherapy in a hospital-based propensity score-matched analysis.

During chemotherapy, hyponatremia is one of the most frequently encountered adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of hyponatremia induced by systemic chemotherapy (HIC) using a propensity matching method in cumulative pooled data. Between January 2011 and July 2017, 2129 patients were administered systemic chemotherapy for malignancy in various organs at Nagoya City University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: a grade 0-1 group (control group) and a grade 3-4 group (severe group) according to the severity of HIC appearing within 30days after starting treatment. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival and recurrence analyses using a propensity case-matched analysis. The number of severe HIC patients was 93 (4.4%). In platinum-containing regimens, HIC appeared at higher frequencies. In the 21.2months median follow-up period, the median OS (mOS) in the severe group was 49.1months, which was significantly worse than the mOS in the control group; the OS in the control group did not reach the median. Univariate and multivariate analyses of associated factors in patients with grade 3-4 HIC revealed that renal dysfunction, cisplatin-containing regimen, and infusion of more than 5000mL fluid was associated with HIC. This study suggests that severe HIC in the first treatment cycle affects survival time. Chemotherapy patients receiving extensive hydration should be required to undergo frequent monitoring of serum sodium levels, especially patients receiving platinum-containing regimens.

High Complete Response Rate Observed with Second-Line Chemo-Immunotherapy with Pembrolizumab and GVD (Gemcitabine, Vinorelbine, and Liposomal Doxorubicin) in Relapsed and Refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

High Complete Response Rate Observed with Second-Line Chemo-Immunotherapy with Pembrolizumab and GVD (Gemcitabine, Vinorelbine, and Liposomal Doxorubicin) in Relapsed and Refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

511P - Phase II trial of carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel and bevacizumab for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (CARNAVAL study; TORG1424/OLCSG1402)

BackgroundNanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) + carboplatin (Cb) therapy is one of the standard platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Adding the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody bevacizumab (BEV) to chemotherapy is an effective treatment option for non-squamous NSCLC. Because the efficacy and safety of the Cb + nab-PTX + BEV triplet regimen has not yet been assessed, we conducted a multicenter, open-label, phase I/II trial of Cb + nab-PTX + BEV therapy for patients with NSCLC. The phase II trial was based on the drug dose and schedule determined in the phase I trial. MethodsIn this phase II trial, the required number of patients was calculated to be 49 cases with α = 0.05 (one-sided) and β = 0.1 assuming a threshold response rate of 30% and an expected response rate of 50%. The patients were to receive 4–6 cycles of Cb (area under the curve = 6) + nab-PTX (100 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15) + BEV (15 mg/kg on day 1) followed by a maintenance dose of nab-PTX + BEV every 3 weeks until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR), and the secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) time and toxicity. ResultsThe trial was terminated early because of slow patient accrual. Finally, 47 cases were registered, and the main analysis was performed in 46 cases, excluding one case who was unqualified. The median age of the patients was 66 years. The transition percentage to maintenance therapy was 58.7%. The ORR based on central judgment was 56.5% (26/46 cases) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 42.2–70.8%, and the primary endpoint was met. The median PFS and OS were 7.79 months and 18.9 months, respectively. The main toxicity was myelosuppression, with grade 3–4 neutropenia (72.0%), anemia (28.0%), thrombocytopenia (14.0%) and febrile neutropenia (2.0%). The grade 3–4 sensory and motor neuropathy commonly seen with paclitaxel was 0%. All adverse events were manageable, and there was no treatment-related death. ConclusionsCb + nab-PTX + BEV therapy is a favorable and well-tolerated treatment for patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC. Clinical trial identificationUMIN000014560. Legal entity responsible for the studyTORG/OLCSG. FundingTaiho Pharmaceutical CO., LTD. DisclosureT. Kubo: Honoraria (self): Taiho pharmaceutical; Honoraria (self): Chugai pharmaceutical; Honoraria (self): BMS. A. Bessho: Honoraria (self): Taiho pharmaceutical; Honoraria (self): Chugai pharmaceutical. A. Morita: Honoraria (self): Chugai pharmaceutical. T. Yokoyama: Honoraria (self): Taiho pharmaceutical; Honoraria (self): Chugai pharmaceutical. K. Kaira: Honoraria (self): Taiho pharmaceutical; Honoraria (self): BMS. T. Harada: Honoraria (self): Taiho pharmaceutical. T. Shimokawa: Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho pharmaceutical; Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai pharmaceutical; Research grant / Funding (institution): BMS. K. Kiura: Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai pharmaceutical; Research grant / Funding (institution): BMS; Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho pharmaceutical. H. Okamoto: Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho pharmaceutical; Research grant / Funding (institution): BMS; Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai pharmaceutical. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Comprehensive analysis of maintenance therapy after first-line treatment with pemetrexed and platinum-containing double drug regimen combined by bevacizumab in EGFR wild type advanced non-squamous NSCLC.

133 Background: Pemetrexed combined with platinum was the standard treatment for first-line EGFR wild type non-squamous NSCLC , but further research is needed to confirm the safety of pemetrexed and bevacizumab treatment in maintenance therapy after first-line treatment in advenced non-squamous NSCLC. Methods: Total 60 patients with newly diagnosed advanced non-squamous NSCLC admitted to the hospital from June 2015 to June 2017, which were ARMS confirmed the EGFR wild type. In the observation group, bevacizumab +pemetrexed+ platinum was maintained with bevacizumab (BAP-B group). Control group: bevacizumab + pemetrexed + platinum was maintained with pemetrexed (BAP-A group). 60 patients completed 4- 6 cycles of chemotherapy and maintenance therapy for more than 4 cycles. The curative effect was evaluated According to Recis 1.1.The toxic reaction was evaluated WHO chemotherapeutic drug toxicity. The quality of life of patients were evaluated by EORTC QLQ-LC43. All the data were processed by SPSS19.0. P < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: 33 cases in BAP-B and 27 cases in BAP-A . In this study, BAP-B & BAP-A : ORR 61.0% & 50.0% (P > 0.05);DCR 73.5 & 64.8 % ( P>0.05), median PFS 9.6 m & 7.2 m (P < 0.05), OS:18.2 m & 12.6 m (P < 0.05). Adverse incidence: BAP-B & BAP-A: leukopenia rate 43.0% & 41.2% hemoglobin reduction 40.0% & 38.5%; The reaction rate of digestive tract was 35.3% & 34.5%. There was no significant difference between the two groups. The incidence of hypertension in BAP-B (18.8%) was higher than that in BAP-A (0%) (P < 0.05). The incidence of proteuria in BAP-B (8.8%) was higher than that in BAP-A (2.0%) (P < 0.05), BAP-A and BAP-B (P < 0.05). The quality of life score of EORTC QLQ-C43 was (73.17 ±2.75) & (59.68 ±2.52), which was higher than that before treatment (52.75 ±2.02) & (53.01 ±1.98), and the score of BAP-A was higher than that of BAP-B(P < 0.05). Conclusions: The first line treatment of advanced EGFR wild type non-squamous NSCLC needs comprehensive consideration of curative effect, survival time, safety, quality of life and economic problems in order to choose the most suitable treatment.

A Patient-centric Approach to Pancreatic Cancer Research: the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Experience

Abstract The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) set the goal of doubling survival from pancreatic cancer by 2020 almost a decade ago. During this time, several initiatives were put in place to directly assist patients today and to support research to help the patients of tomorrow. Through the Patient Central call center, pancreatic cancer patients receive critical information to assist with their care, search for clinical trials for which they are eligible, participate in a Patient Registry, connect with patients or caregivers with similar experiences, or enroll in the Know Your Tumor (KYT) molecular profiling service. Now that more than 1000 patients have received KYT reports, the outcomes indicate that patients that receive therapies targeted to tumor-specific molecular alterations experience significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival compared to control groups. Subset analysis also reveals benefits for individuals with defects in DNA damage repair pathway genes who are treated with a platinum-containing regimen. PanCAN's experience with the challenges and benefits of implementing a nation-wide patient support and molecular profiling effort, including cost-effectiveness analysis and examples of extraordinary responses, will be presented. Further advances in improving patient outcomes are anticipated to come from the Precision Promise adaptive clinical trial platform and an Early Detection Initiative, both of which are in the planning stages. The 5-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the USA has climbed from 6% to 9% over the past decade, building a foundation upon which further, substantive improvements in survival can be realized in future years.

919P - Three-year follow-up from the phase III KEYNOTE-045 trial: Pembrolizumab (Pembro) versus investigator’s choice (paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine) in recurrent, advanced urothelial cancer (UC)

919P - Three-year follow-up from the phase III KEYNOTE-045 trial: Pembrolizumab (Pembro) versus investigator’s choice (paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine) in recurrent, advanced urothelial cancer (UC)

1138P - First-line versus second-line immunotherapy in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BackgroundProgrammed death-1 inhibitors (PD-1i) have been approved in the treatment of patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN) who progressed on or after platinum-containing regimens. More recently, it has been shown that pembrolizumab was superior to the standard EXTREME regimen in first line setting in pts with R/M SCCHN with CPS > 20% and 1% in term of overall survival (OS). We aim in this study to compare the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) used as first versus second line in R/M SCCHN to define the best treatment strategy. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted at 4 French university hospitals. Eligibility criteria were pts treated with ICI for R/M SCCHN as first or second line treatment only and for whom efficacy data were available between September 2014 and March 2019. Clinical and radiological data and outcome were collected from review of medical records. ResultsOne hundred ninety two pts were included in this study: 57 pts (30%) received ICI as first line treatment (G1) and 135 pts (70%) as second line setting (G2). Median age at the beginning of ICI was 63 years (range 25-86). All pts were in clinical trials. In G1, ICI was given as monotherapy in 23% of pts and in 66% of pts in G2. The objective response rate (ORR) to ICI in G1 was 17.5% and 17.9% in G2 (p=0.004). The median duration of response to ICI in G1 was 7.3 months compared to 15.2 months in G2 (p=0.04). The median progression free survival in G1 was 3.3 months versus 2.7 months in G2 (p=0.7). The mOS from the beginning of ICI was 12.2 months in G1 versus 11.6 months in G2 (p=0.7). The mOS from the diagnosis of advanced disease was 15.9 months in G1 versus 22.1 months in G2 (p=0.11) after a median follow-up of 28.5 months. In G1 38 pts (67%) and 73 pts (53%) in G2 received salvage chemotherapy (SCT) after progression on ICI. The ORR to SCT was 44% in G1 and 34% in G2. ConclusionsICI given as second line treatment were associated with similar OS but significant prolonged duration of response. We showed a trend to better OS in the cohort of pts who received ICI in second line setting (22 months). Legal entity responsible for the studyThe authors. FundingHas not received any funding. DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

OPTIMAL TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK

The treatment of common forms of squamous cell carcinoma of the organs located on the head and neck that are not subject to surgical treatment is limited to the use of chemoradiotherapy with platinum derivatives or drug therapy with platinum-containing regimens. With the progression of the disease, ineffective 2‑line cytostatics were prescribed that did not fundamentally change the course of the tumor process. The introduction into clinical practice of drugs of the original mechanism of action has significantly increased the effectiveness of drug therapy during progression after platinum-containing chemotherapy. The article presents two clinical observations that demonstrate the relevance of the strategy of using inhibitors of immune response control points after platinum preparations.

Vinflunine in Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder in Progression after a Platinum-Containing Regimen

Background: Vinflunine is a microtubule inhibitor of the vinca alkaloid class approved for the treatment of urothelial bladder carcinoma after a platinum-containing regimen. Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of vinflunine, we enrolled 80 subjects with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of metastatic urothelial bladder carcinoma that had previously undergone chemotherapy with a platinum-containing regimen and had measurable lesions according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). The patients (n = 80) received vinflunine (Javlor®) every 3 weeks at 320 mg/m² via 20-min intravenous infusion. The endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate, overall survival (OS), and tolerability. The cumulative survival of the patients was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In this retrospective study, vinflunine treatment was well tolerated and resulted in a good level of disease control (complete response + partial response + stable disease >50%), with a manageable toxicity profile. The median PFS and OS were 3.2 and 6.8 months, respectively. A significant correlation between pain and PFS was also noted. The major hematologic adverse event was neutropenia, observed in 47% of the patients. The most common nonhematologic adverse events were constipation in 48% of the patients and fatigue in 26%. Discussion: In this real-word non-randomized clinical trial setting, the data showed that vinflunine is an efficacious and safe therapeutic option for second-line treatment of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder after a platinum-containing regimen.

Paradigm Shifting of Systemic Chemotherapy for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer in Japan.

Systemic chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, to improve the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. Unresectable pancreatic cancer can be classified into three categories: metastatic, locally advanced, and hereditary pancreatic cancers. Furthermore, the second-line chemotherapy is required to prolong the survival. The combined regimens of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GEM plus nab-PTX) have been recognized as the standard of care for advanced pancreatic cancer. However, the consensus of selection of the first-line chemotherapy still remains. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between FOLFIRINOX and GEM plus nab-PTX are ongoing for locally advanced and metastatic disease in Japan, respectively. Hereditary pancreatic cancer, especially associated with BRCA mutations, is responsive to platinum-containing regimens and/or poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. It is becoming more important to examine the presence/absence of BRCA mutations to select the appropriate treatment strategy for individual patients. Although some S-1-based regimens have been investigated in the second-line treatment after GEM-based chemotherapy in Japan, no regime demonstrated survival benefit. Nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus FF has been established as the standard of care in the second-line treatment in a global phase III trial (NAPOLI-1). A randomized phase II trial comparing FF plus nal-IRI with FF alone was also conducted in Japan to examine the efficacy and safety of the FF plus nal-IRI in Japanese patients.

Abstract 2679: Integration of DNA repair deficiency and immune biomarkers to predict which early-stage triple-negative breast cancer patients are likely to respond to platinum-containing regimens vs. immunotherapy: The neoadjuvant I-SPY 2 trial

Abstract Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), generally considered aggressive with few options beyond standard chemotherapy, is currently experiencing a period of optimism, with multiple trials showing increased efficacy of platinum containing regimens (with and without PARP-inhibition), and more recently, immunotherapy. In I-SPY 2, veliparib/carboplatin (VC) and the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Pembro) graduated in the TN subtype. As part of the I-SPY 2 biomarker program, we previously identified the signature PARPi7, a measure of DNA repair deficiency (DRD), as predicting response to VC. As well, immune signatures, including one representing dendritic cells, predicted response to Pembro. Here we investigate the overlap between these biomarkers to identify patient subgroups more likely to respond to immunotherapy or platinum-based therapy and estimate response rates to VC and Pembro in patients positive for one, both, or neither biomarker. Methods: 153 TNBC patients (Control: 85; VC: 39; Pembro: 29) were considered in this analysis. Continuous DNA repair deficiency and immune signatures assayed at the pre-treatment time point were evaluated as published (Wolf, 2017; Danaher, 2017). To identify optimal dichotomizing thresholds, 2-fold cross-validation was repeated 500 times. Bayesian logistic regression was used to estimate pCR rates by arm for patient subsets defined by biomarker combinations. Our study is exploratory with no claims for generalizability; and this analysis does not adjust for multiplicities. Results: Using the optimal dichotomizing cutpoints, 54% of TNBC patients are classified as DRD+, and 67% Immune+. As expected, DRD+ patients have a high estimated pCR rate to VC (75%); and Immune+ patients have a high estimated pCR rate to Pembro (82%). Combining these biomarkers, 40% of TNBC are positive for both biomarkers, 40% for only one biomarker (26% Immune+/DRD-, 14% Immune-/DRD+), and 20% for neither. The Immune+/DRD+ TN subset predicted sensitive to both VC and Pembro has a higher estimated pCR rate to both VC and Pembro relative to control (estimated pCR rates: VC: 75%, Pembro: 73% vs. control: 18%). In contrast, the Immune+/DRD- group, predicted to be sensitive to Pembro, has the highest pCR rate to Pembro (VC: 48%, Pembro: 83% vs. control 21%), whereas the Immune-/DRD+ group is most responsive to VC (VC: 63%, Pembro: 41% vs. control 29%). For the 20% of Immune-/DRD- TNBC patients, their estimated response rates are lower than the biomarker-positive patients (VC: 27%, Pembro: 43% vs. control: 19%). Conclusion: Molecular phenotypes capturing immune activation and DNA repair deficiency may predict response of TNBC and help prioritize selection of platinum or immunotherapy containing regimens. Citation Format: Denise M. Wolf, Christina Yau, Julia Wulfkuhle, Emanuel Petricoin, Lamorna Brown-Swigart, Gillian Hirst, Smita Asare, I-SPY 2 Consortium, Douglas Yee, Angela DeMichele, Hope Rugo, Olufunmilayo Olopade, Rita Nanda, Minetta Liu, Laura Esserman, Laura van t' Veer. Integration of DNA repair deficiency and immune biomarkers to predict which early-stage triple-negative breast cancer patients are likely to respond to platinum-containing regimens vs. immunotherapy: The neoadjuvant I-SPY 2 trial [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 2679.

DNA damage repair (DDR) gene alterations as a predictive biomarker for response to platinum-containing chemotherapy in advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).

4078 Background: Although many studies using whole-exome sequencing or targeted sequencing have reported the molecular profile of BTC, its clinical implications remains unclear. In this study, we assessed a predictive role of DDR gene mutations in advanced BTC patients treated with platinum-containing regimen. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with pathologically-confirmed BTC who received first-line gemcitabine-cisplatin combination (n = 69) or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin combination (n = 19) were included in this analysis. Targeted exome sequencing was performed using Foundation Medicine T7 assay or in-house OncoPanel AMC. Germline or somatic mutations in ATM, ATR, BAP1, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CHEK2, FAM175A, GEN1, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MRE11A, NBN, PALB2, PMS2, RAD50, RAD51, RAD51C, RAD51D, and XRCC2 were classified as DDR gene mutations. Data regarding baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes were retrospectively obtained from medical records. Results: The median age was 62 years (range, 25-78), with male comprising 64.8% (n = 57). By primary tumor site, 21 patients with GBC (23.9%), 44 with ICC (50.0%) and 23 with ECC (26.1%) were included. Most patients received palliative chemotherapy for their initially metastatic (50.0%) or recurred (44.3%) disease; the rest 5.7% had locally advanced disease. The median PFS and OS of overall patients were 7.1 and 16.1 months, respectively with median follow-up duration of 20.2 months. DDR gene mutations were found in 63.5% of patients. BRCA2 (18.2%) was most frequently mutated, followed by ATM (13.6%), and ATR (8.0%). DDR gene mutations were significantly associated with prolonged PFS (presence vs. absence; median, 6.9 vs. 5.7 months; P = 0.013) and OS (median, 21.0 vs. 13.3 months, P = 0.009). The impact of DDR gene mutations remained significant in multivariate analyses for PFS that included other prognostic factors (hazard ratio, 0.51; P = 0.009), but not for OS. Conclusions: The presence of DDR gene mutations might be a promising predictive biomarker for response to platinum-based chemotherapies in advanced BTC. Future investigation using novel agents targeting DDR gene alteration in BTC are warranted.

PRIMUS-002: A multicentre, open-label, phase II study examining FOLFOX and nab-paclitaxel (FA) and nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine (AG) as neoadjuvant therapy for (borderline) resectable pancreatic cancer (PC), focusing on biomarker and liquid biopsy development.

TPS4166 Background: There is increasing evidence suggesting benefit from a neoadjuvant approach to PC. However, the optimal regimen is unclear and will likely require a precision medicine approach, where patient and tumor attributes define therapy. Platinum-containing regimens have shown survival benefit for PC, with occasional exceptional responders, but biomarkers (BM) of response are not well defined and treatment decisions are often based on patient performance status (PS) and co-morbidity. Tumors with defects in BRCA1/2and other Fanconi Anemia genes show defective DNA damage response (DDR), conferring potential selective sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents (e.g. platinum) and newer targeted agents. We have shown that DDR deficiency (DDRd) is present in up to 20% of PC. This study aims to exploit DDRd as a therapeutic vulnerability, with integrated analysis to define candidate BM for FA and AG response. Methods: PRIMUS-002 will enroll patients registered on the Precision-Panc Master Protocol who are molecularly profiled using the Precision-Panc Clinical Cancer Genome including a novel DDRd assay, and the transcriptome with longitudinal sampling (pre-, during, and post-treatment). Patients receive either FA ( nab-paclitaxel 150mg/m2IV,oxaliplatin 85mg/m2, folinic acid 350mg flat dose, fluorouracil infusion 2400mg/m2continuous IV infusion), orAG ( nab-paclitaxel 125mg/m2, gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2) for 3 months,based on patient age and PS.Following initial safety analysis, chemoradiation may be introduced. The primary endpoint is disease progression (DP) during neoadjuvant therapy. The study is designed to detect a 20% difference in DP between the BM+ve (10%) and BM –ve (30%) in patients treated with FA (90% power, 5% 1-sided level of statistical significance)., Exploratory translational endpoints include surrogate therapeutic response assessment using CA19.9, PET-CT SUV, DWI-MRI and ctDNA. Current Enrolment: 2 patients enrolled to date: 1 to receive FA and 1 to AG treatment. Clinical trial information: ISRCTN34129115.

Phase II trial of carfilzomib and irinotecan in relapsed small cell lung cancer (NCT01941316).

8513 Background: Relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is incurable with limited therapeutic options. This phase II study evaluated efficacy and tolerability of carfilzomib + irinotecan in SCLC pts who progressed after prior platinum-based therapy, based on expected synergy of proteosome inhibitor carfilzomib and topisomerase 1 inhibitor irinotecan. Methods: SCLC pts who progressed after one platinum-containing regimen (no maintenance therapy allowed) for recurrent/metastatic disease were eligible. Pts were stratified by response to platinum-based therapy: sensitive (progressive disease (PD) > 90 days after chemo) versus refractory (PD 30 to 90 days after chemo). Pts were treated with up to 6 cycles of carfilzomib (20/36 mg.m2 D1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 q28D) and irinotecan (125 mg/m2 D1, 8, 15 q28D), imaging was performed every 2 cycles. The primary efficacy endpoint was 6-month overall survival (OS). Results: 62 pts enrolled and were evaluable for efficacy and adverse events. The 6-month OS was 59% in the platinum sensitive stratum and 54% in the platinum refractory stratum. Overall response rate: sensitive stratum 21.6% (1.6% CR + 16.4% PR) and refractory stratum 12.5% (all PR). Disease control (SD+PR+CR) was 68% in platinum sensitive and 56% in refractory patients. Progression free survival and OS were 3.6 months (95% CI 2.6 - 4.6) and 6.9 months (95% CI 4.3 - 12.3) in the sensitive stratum, and 3.3 months (95% CI 1.8 – 3.9) and 6.8 months (95% CI 4.1-11) in the refractory stratum. Twenty-nine pts (47%) experienced at least one grade 3 AE and 8 subjects had grade 4 toxicities: decreased neutrophils, leukocytes, and lymphocytes, diarrhea, vomiting, sepsis, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and dehydration. There were three treatment related deaths: myocardial infarction (possible), lung infection (possible), sepsis (probable). Conclusions: In previously treated pts with relapsed SCLC, irinotecan and carfilzomib was effective in platinum-sensitive and, notably, platinum-refractory pts with similar toxicity profile. This combination is a viable option in relapsed SCLC, can be considered following progression on immunotherapy (IO) or in subjects who cannot receive IO, and should be further explored in a randomized phase III trial. Clinical trial information: NCT01941316.

EV-103: Enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer.

TPS4593 Background: PD-(L)1-targeted immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), such as pembrolizumab (P), are approved for patients (pts) with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who progress after platinum, are ineligible for first-line (1L) cisplatin (PD-L1 positive), or are ineligible for 1L platinum. The ORR for CPI in all treated pts is ~25%, and a combination approach may provide additional benefit. Enfortumab vedotin (EV), an investigational antibody-drug conjugate, delivers the microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E to cells expressing Nectin-4, found in 97% of mUC pt samples (Petrylak ASCO 2017). In a phase 1 study (NCT02091999), EV (1.25 mg/kg) was generally well tolerated with a confirmed ORR of 43% in 112 mUC pts (Rosenberg ASCO-GU 2019). These encouraging results, with the potential for an enhanced immune response, suggest that EV+P may improve response rates and extend response durability. Methods: EV-103, a phase 1b trial for non–resectable la/mUC pts with no prior CPI, added an additional 4 cohorts (Parts 2 and 3) in an Oct 2018 amendment. It is now expected to enroll ~159 pts. Dose escalation pts (EV+P, 1L or 2L) must be ineligible for 1L cisplatin-based chemotherapy or have disease progression during/following treatment with ≥1 platinum-containing regimen. Dose expansion (Part 1) will evaluate EV+P in 1L (Cohort A) and 2L settings (Optional Cohort B). Part 2 will evaluate 1L EV+cisplatin (Cohort D), 1L EV+carboplatin (Cohort E), and 1L or 2L EV+gemcitabine (Optional Cohort F). Part 3 (Cohort G) will evaluate 1L EV+P+cisplatin or carboplatin, depending on pts cisplatin-eligibility. In all cohorts, pts receive EV on Days 1 and 8 of each 3-week cycle. In combination therapies, pts receive P, cisplatin, and carboplatin on Day 1 or gemcitabine on Days 1 and 8 of each cycle. The primary objective is to assess the safety/tolerability of EV+P and/or chemotherapy. Secondary objectives are establishing EV recommended dose for combination therapies, assessing ORR per RECIST for all cohorts and per iRECIST for therapies with pembrolizumab, as well as assessing disease control rate, duration of response, PFS, OS, PK, and biomarkers. The study opened Oct 2017. Clinical trial information: NCT03288545.

Lymphopenia as a predictor of survival in chemoradiation-treated stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a multi-center retrospective analysis

Concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) with a platinum-containing regimen is considered standard of care for eligible unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Attempts to improve locoregional control, and thereby enhance overall survival (OS), by increasing the dose of radiation failed to do so in a contemporary phase III trial. Better understanding of the effects of radiation on the immune system, particularly absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC), may explain the poorer survival seen with high-dose (HD) radiation compared to low dose (LD). We hypothesized that treatment-induced lymphopenia affects outcomes in stage III NSCLC patients treated with concurrent CRT. The study is a retrospective multi-institution study. Stage III NSCLC patients who received CRT between 1994 and 2014 were categorized into LD RT (≤ 66 Gy) and HD RT (> 66 Gy) groups. Overall survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard regression model to estimate the effect of radiation dose (LD vs. HD groups) on OS. Hematologic values including ALC were evaluated at diagnosis and at intervals during treatment. Patients with pre-existing immunodeficiency states and autoimmune disease were excluded from the analysis. Of the patients, 182 were included in the analysis. Median age was 62 years (range 37–82). Seventy-seven percent were males, 67% Caucasians. Most common types of histology were adenocarcinoma (52%) and squamous cell carcinoma (41%). One-hundred-fifty-four patients received LD RT and 28 received HD RT. Medians (ranges) of pre-treatment ALC were 1730/mm3 (384, 4300) vs. 2065/mm3 (600, 4580) (p = 0.58) between LD and HD groups. Medians (ranges) of nadir ALC were 324/mm3 (20, 2410) vs. 279.5/mm3 (20–930) (p = 0.11) between LD and HD groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that LD has better OS than the HD group (median survival 31.2 months vs. 13.9 months, p < 0.001). No significant association was detected between RT dose and lymphocytes nadirs or with lymphocyte count prior to RT. HD RT in stage III NSCLC patients is associated with worse survival. Lower nadir lymphocyte counts, independent of dose of radiation, were not associated with decrease in survival. These findings need further validation in larger studies and in patients treated with immune therapy.

Outcome of Patients with Aggressive B Cell Lymphomas Who Receive Second-Line Salvage Immunochemotherapy Following Treatment Failure of Intensive First-Line Immunochemotherapy

Outcome of Patients with Aggressive B Cell Lymphomas Who Receive Second-Line Salvage Immunochemotherapy Following Treatment Failure of Intensive First-Line Immunochemotherapy

Safety and Efficacy of Durvalumab With or Without Tremelimumab in Patients With PD-L1–Low/Negative Recurrent or Metastatic HNSCC

Dual blockade of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) may overcome immune checkpoint inhibition. It is unknown whether dual blockade can potentiate antitumor activity without compromising safety in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) and low or no PD-L1 tumor cell expression. To assess safety and objective response rate of durvalumab combined with tremelimumab. The CONDOR study was a phase 2, randomized, open-label study of Durvalumab, Tremelimumab, and Durvalumab in Combination With Tremelimumab in Patients With R/M HNSCC. Eligibility criteria included PD-L1-low/negative disease that had progressed after 1 platinum-containing regimen in the R/M setting. Patients were randomized (N = 267) from April 15, 2015, to March 16, 2016, at 127 sites in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Durvalumab (20 mg/kg every 4 weeks) + tremelimumab (1 mg/kg every 4 weeks) for 4 cycles, followed by durvalumab (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks), or durvalumab (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks) monotherapy, or tremelimumab (10 mg/kg every 4 weeks for 7 doses then every 12 weeks for 2 doses) monotherapy. Safety and tolerability and efficacy measured by objective response rate. Among the 267 patients (220 men [82.4%]), median age (range) of patients was 61.0 (23-82) years. Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 21 patients (15.8%) treated with durvalumab + tremelimumab, 8 (12.3%) treated with durvalumab, and 11 (16.9%) treated with tremelimumab. Grade 3/4 immune-mediated adverse events occurred in 8 patients (6.0%) in the combination arm only. Objective response rate (95% CI) was 7.8% (3.78%-13.79%) in the combination arm (n = 129), 9.2% (3.46%-19.02%) for durvalumab monotherapy (n = 65), and 1.6% (0.04%-8.53%) for tremelimumab monotherapy (n = 63); median overall survival (95% CI) for all patients treated was 7.6 (4.9-10.6), 6.0 (4.0-11.3), and 5.5 (3.9-7.0) months, respectively. In patients with R/M HNSCC and low or no PD-L1 tumor cell expression, all 3 regimens exhibited a manageable toxicity profile. Durvalumab and durvalumab + tremelimumab resulted in clinical benefit, with minimal observed difference between the two. A phase 3 study is under way. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02319044.