Post-progression Survival Research Articles

Integrin α6β4 Upregulates PTPRZ1 Through UCHL1-Mediated Hif-1α Nuclear Accumulation to Promote Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Invasive Properties

Integrin α6β4 drives triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) aggressiveness through the transcriptional regulation of key genes. Here, we investigated how integrin α6β4 regulates protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z1 (PTPRZ1). Using stable re-expression of integrin β4 (ITGB4) in cells naturally devoid of integrin α6β4 or knockdown or knockout (KO) of ITGB4, we found that integrin α6β4 regulates PTPRZ1 expression. To gain mechanistic insight, we focused on Hif-1α due to the impact of integrin α6β4 on a hypoxia-associated signature. We found that nuclear localization of Hif-1α, but not Hif-2α, was substantially enhanced with integrin α6β4 signaling. Hif-1α knockdown by shRNA or chemical inhibition decreased PTPRZ1 expression, while chemical activation of Hif-1α increased it. Upstream of Hif-1α, integrin α6β4 upregulates UCHL1 to stabilize Hif-1α and ultimately regulate PTPRZ1. Inhibition of UCHL1 and PTPRZ1 dramatically decreases integrin α6β4-mediated cell migration and three-dimensional invasive growth. Finally, public breast cancer database analyses demonstrated that ITGB4 correlates with PTPRZ1 and that high expression of ITGB4, UCHL1, HIF1A, and PTPRZ1 associated with decreased overall survival, distant metastasis free survival, post progression survival, and relapse-free survival. In summary, these findings provide a novel function of integrin α6β4 in promoting tumor invasive phenotypes through UCHL1-Hif-1α-mediated regulation of PTPRZ1.

Progression-free survival versus post-progression survival and overall survival in WHO grade 2 gliomas.

Progression-free survival (PFS) remains to be validated as an outcome measure for diffuse WHO grade 2 gliomas, and knowledge about the relationships between PFS, post-progression survival (PPS), and overall survival (OS) in this subset of tumors is limited. We sought to assess correlations between PFS and OS, and identify factors associated with PFS, PPS, and OS in patients treated for diffuse supratentorial WHO grade 2 gliomas. We included 319 patients from three independent observational cohorts. The correlation between PFS and OS was analyzed using independent exponential distributions for PFS and time from progression to death. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the effects of covariates on PFS, PPS, and OS. The overall correlation between PFS and OS was rs0.31. The correlation was rs 0.37 for astrocytomas and rs 0.19 for oligodendrogliomas. Longer PFS did not predict longer PPS. Patients with astrocytomas had shorter PFS, PPS, and OS. Larger preoperative tumor volume was a risk factor for shorter PFS, while older age was a risk factor for shorter PPS and OS. Patients who received early radio- and chemotherapy had longer PFS, but shorter PPS and OS. We found a weak correlation between PFS and OS in WHO grade 2 gliomas, with the weakest correlation observed in oligodendrogliomas. Our analyses did not demonstrate any association between PFS and PPS. Critically, predictors of PFS are not necessarily predictors of OS. There is a need for validation of PFS as an endpoint in diffuse WHO grade 2 gliomas.

Evaluation of the prognostic value of the new 9th edition Tumor-Node-Metastases (TNM) staging system for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated lung adenocarcinoma patients with bone metastases

BackgroundThere are some changes in the new 9th edition Tumor-Node-Metastases (TNM) staging system for lung cancer, including subdividing M1c into M1c1 and M1c2 stage. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic performance of the updated classification system and try to provide some real-world application data among advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with bone metastases.MethodsAdvanced lung adenocarcinoma patients in M1c stage with bone metastases who receiving first-line first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) and T790M-guided osimertinib as the second-line therapy were retrospectively screened from December 2016 to December 2021. A total of 126 patients were enrolled in this study. 62 patients and 64 patients were subdivided into M1c1 and M1c2 groups according to the 9th edition of TNM staging system.The first-line real-world progression-free survival (1LrwPFS), the second-line real-world progression-free survival (2LrwPFS), post-progression survival (PPS) and real-world overall survival (rwOS) were analyzed.ResultsThe overall median rwOS was 40.1 months (95% CI 35.996–44.204). 1LrwPFS was 13.9 months (95% CI 12.653–15.147) and 2LrwPFS was 14.5 months (95% CI 11.665–17.335) for all patients.Patients in M1c2 stage was inferior to M1c1 stage patients in rwOS (35.2 months vs. 42.9 months, HR = 0.512, P = 0.005). 2LrwPFS was moderately correlated with rwOS (r = 0.621, R2 = 0.568, P = 0.000). Multivariate analysis showed performance status (PS) score ≥ 2 and TP53 alteration positive were independent prognostic factors of worse rwOS.ConclusionsMore refined stratification of M1c according to the 9th edition of TNM staging system is conducive to the judgment of prognosis and the implementation of precision medicine for patients.

Survival of Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Ipilimumab after PD-1 Inhibitors: A Single-Center Real-World Study

Background: When monotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors in metastatic melanoma fails, there are currently no standard second-line choices. In case of the unavailability of clinical trials, ipilimumab represents a possible alternative treatment. Methods: We collected data of 44 patients who received ipilimumab after the failure of PD-1 inhibitors from July 2017 to May 2023 at our Institute. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and post-progression survival (PPS) based on BRAF or NRAS mutation status, sex, and the presence of brain metastases were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression was used to evaluate independence in multivariate analysis. The objective response rate (ORR) was estimated based on RECIST 1.1. Results: Among the 44 patients enrolled in this study, 28 BRAF-wildtype, 9 BRAF-mutated, and 7 NRAS-mutated patients were identified. OS analysis showed a significant difference between wildtype and BRAF- or NRAS-mutated patients: 23.2 months vs 5.3 and 4.59, respectively, p = 0.017. The presence of brain metastases and BRAF or NRAS mutation were independent factors for mortality in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: In case of failure to enroll patients in innovative clinical trials, second-line ipilimumab still represents an effective therapy in patients with metastatic wildtype melanoma and in the absence of brain metastases.

Patterns of failure and the subsequent treatment after progression on first-line immunotherapy monotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the recommended first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver gene mutations. However, data on the failure patterns of first-line ICIs monotherapy is limited, and the optimal strategy for subsequent treatment remains controversial.MethodsAdvanced NSCLC patients receiving first-line ICIs monotherapy at Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute between December 2017 and October 2021 were identified. The progressive sites were recorded to analyze failure patterns. Post-progression survival (PPS) was compared between different treatment regimens.ResultsA total of 121 patients receiving first-line ICIs monotherapy were identified, with a median progression-free survival of 8.6 months. Sixty-five patients had available imaging at diagnosis as well as progressive disease, with 56.9% showing oligoprogression. For those with progression in existing lesions, the most common sites were the liver (77.8%) and lung parenchyma (62.5%), while progression with new lesions frequently occurred in the liver (32.0%). Fifty patients with recorded subsequent treatment were included in the analysis of subsequent treatment patterns. Patients treated with anti-angiogenesis therapy could get better PPS (HR: 0.275, P = 0.013). Isolated oligoprogression occurred most often in the lung parenchyma and intracranial lesions. More than half of these patients continued immunotherapy after local treatment, with a 2.5-year PPS rate of 51.4%.ConclusionThe liver was the most common site of progression on first-line ICIs monotherapy. Anti-angiogenesis-based therapy might be an optimal regimen at the time of progression. Patients with isolated oligoprogressive could still benefit from immunotherapy after local treatment.

Lipid profiling of RON and DEK-dependent signaling in breast cancer guides discovery of gene networks predictive of poor outcomes.

Recurrent and metastatic breast cancer is frequently treatment resistant. A wealth of evidence suggests that reprogrammed lipid metabolism supports cancer recurrence. Overexpression of the RON and DEK oncoproteins in breast cancer is associated with poor outcome. Both proteins promote cancer metastasis in laboratory models, but their influence on lipid metabolite levels remain unknown. To measure RON- and DEK-dependent steady-state lipid metabolite levels, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based approach was utilized. The observed differences identified a lipid metabolism-related gene expression signature that is prognostic of overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), post-progression survival (PPS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with breast cancer. RON loss led to decreased cholesterol and sphingomyelin levels, whereas DEK loss increased total fatty acid levels and decreased free glycerol levels. Lipid-related genes were then queried to define a signature that predicts poor outcomes for patients with breast cancer patients. Taken together, RON and DEK differentially regulate lipid metabolism in a manner that predicts and may promote breast cancer metastasis and recurrence.

731P Post-progression survival outcomes in patients (pts) with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (pA/rEC) in the ENGOT-EN6-NSGO/GOG-3031/RUBY trial who received follow-up immunotherapy

731P Post-progression survival outcomes in patients (pts) with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (pA/rEC) in the ENGOT-EN6-NSGO/GOG-3031/RUBY trial who received follow-up immunotherapy

Exploring the function and prognostic value of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is characterized by its heterogeneity and poor prognosis. The role of ribosomal proteins RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 in multiple cancers has been implicated. However, their function in LUAD and their correlation with the poor prognosis of LUAD remains elusive. In this study, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the impact of these ribosomal proteins on LUAD. Our findings reveal that RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 are overexpressed in LUAD, which are likely attributed to abnormal copy number variations and decreased methylation levels of their promoters. LUAD patients with high expression of RPLP0, RPLP1 or RPLP2 have worse clinical outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS), first progression (FP) and post-progression survival (PPS), indicating poor prognosis. Moreover, the expression of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 affects immune cell infiltration in LUAD tissues. Finally, we identified multiple existing drugs that may inhibit the expression of RPLP1 and RPLP2. Collectively, our data implicate the oncogenic role of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 in LUAD and underscore their prognostic value in LUAD patients.

Comprehensive analysis of the expression, prognostic, and immune infiltration for COL4s in stomach adenocarcinoma

BackgroundCollagen (COL) genes, play a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis, are involved in tumor extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interactions and focal adhesion pathways. However, studies focusing on the diagnostic value of the COL4 family in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) are currently lacking.MethodsThe TCGA database was employed to retrieve the clinical features and RNA sequencing expression profiles of patients with STAD. We conducted an investigation to examine the expression disparities between STAD and adjacent normal tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was utilized to assess their prognostic significance, while Spearman correlation analysis was employed to determine their association with immune checkpoint genes and immunomodulatory molecules. Furthermore, GO and KEGG analyses were performed on the COL4s-related genes, revealing potential biological pathways through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Subsequently, we explored the extent of immune infiltration of the COL4 family in STAD using the TIMER database. Lastly, the expression levels of the COL4 family in STAD were further validated through quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blot techniques.ResultsThe expression levels of COL4A1/2 were significantly upregulated, while COL4A5/6 were conspicuously downregulated in STAD. The survival analysis revealed that the upregulated COL4s indicated poorer overall survival, first progression and post-progression survival outcomes. Additionally, our findings demonstrated a positive correlation between the expressions of COL4A1/2/3/4 and the infiltration of immune cells, including CD8 + T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils and CD4 + T cells. Further correlation analysis uncovered a favorable association between the expression of COL4A1/2/3/4 and various crucial immunomodulatory molecules, immunological checkpoint molecules, and chemokines. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that the expression patterns of COL4A1/3/4/6 genes aligned with the finding from the TCGA database. However, gastric cancer cells exhibited downregulation of COL4A2. Consistently, the protein level of COL4A1 was elevated, whereas the protein level of COL4A2 was reduced in the gastric cancer cell lines.ConclusionCOL4s could potentially serve as biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the prognosis of STAD.

DIPG-52. CEREBROSPINAL FLUID DIVERSION DOES NOT PROLONG OVERALL SURVIVAL IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA (DIPG): A REPORT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DIPG REGISTRY

Abstract BACKGROUND The role of permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion in the management of patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is poorly elucidated. There are no standard practice guidelines regarding the role of these neurosurgical interventions in patients with DIPG or large studies regarding the impact of CSF diversion on overall survival (OS) or palliation in this disease. METHODS Data were extracted from subjects registered in the International DIPG registry (IDIPGR). Univariable analyses were performed using the Fisher’s exact test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS Of n=1104 evaluable patients with DIPG registered in the IDIPGR, n=303 (27.4%) had permanent CSF diversion. Median time from diagnosis to CSF diversion was 1 month (range 0-4 months). There were no significant differences in age, gender or race in subjects with CSF diversion versus no CSF diversion. Patients with CSF diversion had a higher incidence of hydrocephalus at diagnosis (64.1% vs 11.3%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in OS or post-progression survival (PPS) at 1,2 and 3 years between subjects with permanent CSF diversion compared to those without (p=0.5 and p=0.8, respectively). Median OS was 11 months in both. Median PPS was 7 months (no CSF diversion) and 6 months (CSF diversion). Patients reported less headache and vomiting after permanent CSF diversion compared to pre-diversion (p<0.0001), however steroid use was also significantly higher after CSF diversion (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this, the largest reported international cohort of patients with DIPG with permanent CSF diversion, we show that permanent CSF diversion was not associated with an improvement in OS or PPS. CSF diversion improved headache and vomiting but was also associated with increased rates of steroid use. This highlights the need for consensus guidelines regarding the use of these diversion strategies in patients with DIPG.

DIPG-57. INITIAL AND EARLY METASTATIC SPREAD IN DIPG AND DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA, H3 K27-ALTERED - REPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY (SIOPE) AND INTERNATIONAL DIPG/DMG REGISTRIES

Abstract BACKGROUND We aimed to assess frequency, patterns and potential prognostic impact of initial and early dissemination in pediatric patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and diffuse midline glioma, H3K27-altered (DMG). METHODS 199 patients (age, 0-18 years) with DIPG/DMG and positive CSF cytology and/or metastases on MRI at diagnosis (Types 1-3) were identified within the SIOPE and International DIPG/DMG Registries. Data on metastatic first progression (PD) in DIPG/DMG (Type 4) were analyzed from the HIT-HGG-2007/2013 trials. RESULTS Dissemination at diagnosis was present in 5% of patients with DIPG/DMG (16.9% in non-pontine DMG). For all 199 patients with initially disseminated pontine (n=166) and non-pontine DMG (n=33), median overall survival (OS) was 10±0.5 months and progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.6±0.2 months. Tumor cells in the CSF without metastases on initial MRI (Type 1) were detected in 12 patients. Four patients had no primary tumor but primary extensive leptomeningeal dissemination resembling diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor, molecularly confirmed as DMG, with aggressive course (Type 2). 183 DIPG/DMG patients were identified with primary tumor and metastases on MRI at diagnosis (Type 3). OS and PFS was superior in patients receiving additional treatment to radiotherapy (n=124), without significant differences between focal and craniospinal irradiation. Metastatic spread at first progression (Type 4) occurred in 32.1% (65.3% in non-pontine DMG) of 224 HIT-HGG patients with DMG and recorded PD. OS of patients with metastatic PD was inferior to local PD (median, 10.8±0.9 vs. 13.3±0.9 months, p=0.005), as was post-progression survival (median, 3.1±0.4 vs. 5.2±0.5 months, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS We observed a propensity for early dissemination in (especially non-pontine) DMG. While additional treatment beyond radiotherapy seems beneficial, preventing dissemination at progression (e.g., by upfront CSI) may help to prolong survival of patients with DMG and possibly provide options for further therapy.

Acquired gene alteration patterns and post-progression survival: PARADIGM study analysis.

3507 Background: In the phase 3 PARADIGM trial (NCT02394795), adding panitumumab (PAN) to FOLFOX6 improved overall survival (OS) compared with bevacizumab (BEV) in patients (pts) with RASWT mCRC. In this exploratory analysis, we investigated the role of acquired gene alterations in pts who experienced progressive disease (PD) and the impact of these alterations on post-progression survival (PPS). Methods: PPS was defined as the interval from PD to death. Pre- and post-treatment cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was analyzed using the custom PlasmaSELECT-R 91 PGDx panel (NCT02394834). PFS, OS, and PPS were compared by patterns of acquired gene alterations. Results: Among the enrolled 802 pts, 390 discontinued treatment due to PD, of which 276 (70.8%) had evaluable pre- and post-treatment cfDNA samples (PAN, 126; BEV, 150). PAN pts with acquired RTK/RAS alterations had shorter PPS than those without alterations (13.2 vs 18.8 mo, HR 1.88 [95% CI: 1.28–2.76]) with the same trend in OS. BEV pts with acquired CIMP pathway alterations had shorter PPS than those without (14.9 vs 18.6 mo; HR 1.58 [1.09–2.29]); OS had similar results. Co-occurrence of gene alterations was more frequent in PAN vs BEV (overall 52.4% vs 43.3%, RTK/RAS gene co-alterations 25% vs 10%). Co-occurrence of gene alterations resulted in shorter PPS only in PAN pts. Conclusions: Distinctive patterns of acquired gene alterations were observed in PAN- and BEV-treated pts with PD. Co-occurrence of gene alterations, particularly in the RTK/ RAS pathway, was more prevalent with PAN than BEV. Clinical trial information: NCT02394834 .

Primary and secondary resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma.

e16209 Background: Immunotherapy have revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, clinical features affecting immune resistance remain largely unknown. This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate the outcomes and characteristics of pts with resistance to immunotherapy in HCC. Methods: Pts with HCC who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies at Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively enrolled and screened for eligibility. Recommended by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), primary resistance was defined as when pts were exposed to ICIs therapy for at least 6 weeks and with the best overall response (BOR) of PD or SD for less than 6 months. Secondary resistance was defined as pts having disease progression after the initial objective response (CR/PR) or SD for more than 6 months. The durable response group consists of pts with the durable response (CR, PR, or SD) for more than 6 months without progression at data cutoff. Time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS) and clinicopathological features of HCC pts were compared between groups. Subsequent management after resistance and post-progression survival (PPS) were also analyzed. Results: Of 496 pts included, 229 (46.2%) and 141 (28.4%) pts developed primary resistance and secondary resistance, and 126 (25.4%) pts achieved a durable response. The median follow-up was 22.8 months. For pts with primary resistance, secondary resistance, and durable response, the median TTP was 2.83 [2.56-3.09] months, 11.93 [10.45-13.40] months, and not reached, respectively. Whereas the median OS was 12.83 [10.36-15.30] months, 31.53 [28.09-34.97] months and not reached, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the Child-Pugh score (Child-Pugh B versus A, OR 3.28 [1.51-7.13], p= 0.003), BCLC stage (BCLC B versus A, OR 3.55 [1.70-7.43], p= 0.001; BCLC C versus A, OR 2.88 [1.47-5.65], p= 0.002), and combinational therapies (ICIs+bevacizumab versus monotherapy, OR 0.14 [0.04-0.51], p= 0.003; ICIs plus lenvatinib+monotherapy, OR 0.43 [0.26-0.72], p= 0.001) were independently associated with primary resistance, and only the combination of ICIs plus bevacizumab (ICIs+bevacizumab versus monotherapy, OR 0.10 [0.01-0.52], p= 0.007) was independently associated with secondary resistance. AFP levels and post-progression therapies were independently associated with PPS in pts with primary resistance, while post-progression therapies were independently associated with PPS in pts with secondary resistance. Conclusions: Risk for resistance was significantly lower among pts who received ICIs plus bevacizumab.High AFP levels independently predict the survival of pts after primary resistance to immunotherapy. ICI-based maintenance therapy after resistance may provide a significant survival advantage for HCC pts.

Progression pattern and post-progression survival following atezolizumab and bevacizumab treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Although the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (ATZ + BEV) is a standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), strategies for addressing treatment failure and prognostic factors of post-progression survival (PPS) remain unestablished. We conducted a multicentre retrospective study to evaluate PPS following ATZ + BEV treatment in patients with advanced HCC. We classified the patients into three groups: BCLC stage B and BCLC stage C without or with new extrahepatic lesions (BCLCp-C1 and BCLCp-C2, respectively) at the time of progression. Of the 204 patients who started ATZ + BEV treatment between October 2020 and September 2022, 110 showed disease progression, with 33, 55 and 22 showing the BCLCp-B, BCLCp-C1 and BCLCp-C2 stages of the disease, respectively. Specifically, patients with the BCLCp-B stage of the disease showed better overall survival than those with the BCLCp-C1 and BCLCp-C2 stages (hazard ratios: 1.93 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.06-3.51] and 2.64 [95% CI, 1.32-5.30] for HCC stages BCLCp-C1 and BCLCp-C2, respectively). Via multivariable analysis, we identified the BCLCp-C1 and BCLCp-C2 stages, as well as performance status, Child-Pugh class and alpha-fetoprotein as poor prognostic factors for PPS. BCLCp-B1 stage was identified as a better prognostic factor for PPS following ATZ + BEV treatment compared with BCLCp-C1 and BCLCp-C2 stages. This may help in making decisions regarding subsequent treatment after ATZ + BEV.

Post-progression survival of patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) who received darolutamide or placebo: Post hoc analysis of ARASENS.

Post-progression survival of patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) who received darolutamide or placebo: Post hoc analysis of ARASENS.

Abstract PO4-05-10: A Carryover Effect: Antibody Drug Conjugates Constantly Provide a Substantial Improvement in Overall Survival more than in Progression-free Survival

Abstract Background: In metastatic breast cancer (MBC), progression-free survival (PFS) improvement does not always translate into overall survival (OS) benefit. Multiple treatment options after progression resulted in a long post-progression survival in MBC patients, and these would make the dissociation of PFS benefit and OS benefit. We have reported the constant correlation of PFS improvement and OS improvement in anti-HER2 containing treatment (Breast 2021; 59:211-220). The relationship between PFS and OS improvement in antibody drug conjugate has not been thoroughly examined. Methods: “Metastatic breast cancer” and “antibody drug conjugate” (ADC) were used as keywords to search for randomized clinical trials that report both PFS and OS. Hazard ratios (HR) and median survival were analyzed. Increments in PFS (delta PFS) and increments in OS (delta OS) were compared between studies. Results: A total of 8 trials were identified and summarized in table 1. The target of ADC was HER2 (N=6) or Trop2 (N=2). In DESTINY-Breast 03 trial, the control arm was another ADC (T-DM1). The control arms in all the other 7 trials were chemotherapy. The HR of PFS (range 0.28-0.66) was smaller than HR of OS (range 0.48- 0.83) in all of the trials. The median OS was not reached (NR) in 1 of the trials (DB-03) and was thus removed from the analysis for delta PFS and delta OS. In the comparison of delta PFS, the increments of median PFS fell between 1.5 and 10.9 months(m). The increments of median OS were between 1.6 and 12.7 m. All the delta OS are greater than the delta PFS in the 7 trials with available PFS and OS data. Conclusion: In MBC, ADCs targeting HER2 and Trop2 both constantly provide improvement of OS greater than PFS. Further investigation on the potential mechanism is warranted. Table 1 Citation Format: I-Chun Chen, Ching-Hung Lin, Yen-Shen Lu. A Carryover Effect: Antibody Drug Conjugates Constantly Provide a Substantial Improvement in Overall Survival more than in Progression-free Survival [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-05-10.

New Anticancer Drugs: Reliably Assessing "Value" While Addressing High Prices.

Countries face challenges in paying for new drugs. High prices are driven in part by exploding drug development costs, which, in turn, are driven by essential but excessive regulation. Burdensome regulation also delays drug development, and this can translate into thousands of life-years lost. We need system-wide reform that will enable less expensive, faster drug development. The speed with which COVID-19 vaccines and AIDS therapies were developed indicates this is possible if governments prioritize it. Countries also differ in how they value drugs, and generally, those willing to pay more have better, faster access. Canada is used as an example to illustrate how "incremental cost-effectiveness ratios" (ICERs) based on measures such as gains in "quality-adjusted life-years" (QALYs) may be used to determine a drug's value but are often problematic, imprecise assessments. Generally, ICER/QALY estimates inadequately consider the impact of patient crossover or long post-progression survival, therapy benefits in distinct subpopulations, positive impacts of the therapy on other healthcare or societal costs, how much governments willingly might pay for other things, etc. Furthermore, a QALY value should be higher for a lethal or uncommon disease than for a common, nonlethal disease. Compared to international comparators, Canada is particularly ineffective in initiating public funding for essential new medications. Addressing these disparities demands urgent reform.

Tumor burden affects the progression pattern on the prognosis in patients treated with sorafenib.

The study aims to analyze the impact of different progression patterns and tumor burden size on survival of HCC patients, as well as their interactions, through a retrospective cohort study. The study involved 538 patients who had undergone treatment with sorafenib and had shown radiographic progression. The progression pattern was analyzed using Cox regression by including an interaction term between progression pattern and tumor burden, which was then visualized through a graphical analysis. Tumor burden was categorized into low, medium, and high subgroups based on the six-and-twelve criteria, allowing for an exploration of the effect of progression pattern on survival in different tumor burden situations. Compared to patients with only intrahepatic progression (NIH/IHG) with an overall survival (OS) of 14.1/19.9 months and post-progression survival (PPS) of 8.1/13.1 months respectively, patients with extrahepatic lesions (NEH/EHG) had worse overall and postprogressive survival (OS: 9.3/9.2 months, PPS: 4.9/5.1 months). The hazard ratio for extrahepatic progression (NEH/EHG) compared to intrahepatic progression (NIH/IHG) at low, medium, and high tumor burden were [HR 2.729, 95%CI 1.189-6.263], [HR 1.755, 95%CI 1.269-2.427], and [HR 1.117, 95%CI 0.832-1.499], respectively. The study concluded that the interaction between the tumor progression patterns and tumor burden significantly affects the prognosis of HCC patients. As the tumor burden increases, the sensitivity of the patient's risk of death to the progression pattern decreases. These findings are valuable in personalized treatment and trial design.

Association of ADP‑ribosylation factor family genes with prognosis and immune infiltration of breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer found in women. ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are a group of small proteins that bind to GTP and are involved in controlling different cellular functions. The function and evolution of multiple ARFs in BC have remained to be fully elucidated, despite existing studies on this protein family in Homo sapiens and other species. In the present study, a systematic analysis of ARF expression levels in BC tissues compared to normal breast tissues was performed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The analysis revealed significantly higher expression of ARFs in BC tissues. In addition, the prognostic significance of ARF1 and ARF3-6 expression levels was assessed in patients with BC. Of note, elevated ARF1 expression was associated with reduced rates of distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in affected individuals. Similarly, patients with high expression levels of ARF3 had lower post-progression survival (PPS) rates. In addition, patients with higher ARF4 expression had worse PPS and patients with high ARF5 expression exhibited lower DMFS. Patients with high ARF6 expression had worse DMFS, OS, RFS and predictive power score values. Furthermore, the expression of ARF was found to be strongly linked to the infiltration of various immune cell types, namely dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, CD8+ T cells and B cells. These significant associations offer a solid foundation for the potential utilization of new therapeutic targets and predictive markers for the treatment of BC.

The pattern of tumor progression on first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor-based systemic therapy for Chinese advanced hepatocellular carcinoma -CLEAP 004 study.

For decades, stratification criteria for first-line clinical studies have been highly uniform. However, there is no principle or consensus for restratification after systemic treatment progression based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The aim of this study was to assess the patterns of disease progression in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are not eligible for surgical intervention, following the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. This is a retrospective study that involved patients with inoperable China liver stage (CNLC) IIIa and/or IIIb. The patients were treated at eight centers across China between January 2017 and October 2022. All patients received at least two cycles of first-line treatment containing immune checkpoint inhibitors. The patterns of disease progression were assessed using RECIST criteria 1.1. Different progression modes have been identified based on the characteristics of imaging progress. The study's main outcome measures were post-progression survival (PPS) and overall survival (OS). Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method to compare the difference among the four groups. Subgroup analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy of different immunotherapy combinations. Variations in the efficacy of immunotherapy have also been noted across patient groups exhibiting alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels equal to or exceeding 400ng/mL, in contrast to those with AFP levels below 400ng/mL. The study has identified four distinct patterns of progress, namely p-IIb, p-IIIa, p-IIIb, and p-IIIc. Diverse patterns of progress demonstrate notable variations in both PPS and OS. The group p-IIb had the longest PPS of 12.7m (95% 9.3-16.1) and OS 19.6m (95% 15.6-23.5), the remaining groups exhibited p-IIIb at PPS 10.5 months (95%CI: 7.9-13.1) and OS 19.2 months (95%CI 15.1-23.3). Similarly, p-IIIc at PPS 5.7 months (95%CI: 4.2-7.2) and OS 11.0 months (95%CI 9.0-12.9), while p-IIIa at PPS 3.4 months (95%CI: 2.7-4.1) and OS 8.2 months (95%CI 6.8-9.5) were also seen. Additional stratified analysis was conducted and showed there were no differences of immunotherapy alone or in combination in OS (HR= 0.92, 95%CI: 0.59-1.43, P=0.68) and PPS (HR= 0.88, 95%CI: 0.57-1.36, P=0.54); there was no significant difference in PPS (HR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.55-1.12, P=0.15) and OS (HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.61-1.24, P=0.39) for patients with AFP levels at or over 400ng/mL. However, it was observed that patients with AFP levels above 400ng/mL experienced a shorter median progression of PPS (8.0 months vs. 5.0 months) after undergoing immunotherapy. In this investigation of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma among Chinese patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, we identified four distinct progression patterns (p-IIb, p-IIIa, p-IIIb and p-IIIc) that showed significant differences in PPS and OS. These findings demonstrate the heterogeneity of disease progression and prognosis after immunotherapy failure. Further validation in large cohorts is necessary to develop prognostic models that integrate distinct progression patterns to guide subsequent treatment decisions. Additionally, post-immunotherapy progression in patients with AFP levels ≥400ng/mL indicates a shortened median PPS. These findings provide valuable insights for future personalized treatment decisions.