Ratio For Progression-free Survival Research Articles

EGFR gene copy number as a predictive biomarker for resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in metastatic colorectal cancer treatment: a meta-analysis.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) have already shown the therapeutic effectiveness in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). But many patients resist to the treatment. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess EGFR gene copy number (GCN) as a candidate predictive biomarker for resistance to anti-EGFR MoAbs in mCRC treatment. Systematic computerized searches of the PubMed, EMBase and Cochrane Library were performed. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). The second endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The pooled odd ratio (OR) and pooled sensitivity, specificity, and summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) for ORR were estimated. The pooled hazard ratios (HR) for PFS and OS were also calculated. Fourteen studies with 1,021 patients were included. Increased EGFR GCN was associated with increased ORR (OR=6.905; 95% CI: 4.489-10.620). It was also found in wild-type KRAS mCRC patients, with the pooled OR of 8.133 (95% CI: 4.316-15.326). GCN has medium value for predicting ORR, with the pooled sensitivity of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73-0.84), the pooled specificity of 0.59 (95% CI: 0.55-0.62). In wild-type KRAS mCRC patients, the sensitivity and the specificity were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70-0.87) and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.53-0.66), respectively. Increased EGFR GCN was associated with increased PFS (HR=0.557; 95% CI: 0.382-0.732) and OS (HR=0.579; 95% CI: 0.422-0.737). This meta-analysis suggests that EGFR GCN represents a predictive biomarker for tumor response in mCRC patients treated with MoAbs regardless of KRAS mutation. mCRC patients with increased EGFR GCN are more likely to have a better response, PFS, and OS when treated with cetuximab or panitumumab.

Randomised, double-blind trial of carboplatin and paclitaxel with daily oral cediranib or placebo in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: NCIC Clinical Trials Group study BR29

IntroductionThis randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated the addition of cediranib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1–3, to standard carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. MethodsEligible patients received paclitaxel (200mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the concentration time curve 6) intravenously every 3weeks. Daily oral cediranib/placebo 20mg was commenced day 1 of cycle 1 and continued as monotherapy after completion of 4–6 cycles of chemotherapy. The primary end-point of the study was overall survival (OS). The trial would continue to full accrual if an interim analysis (IA) for progression-free survival (PFS), performed after 170 events of progression or death in the first 260 randomised patients, revealed a hazard ratio (HR) for PFS of ⩽0.70. ResultsThe trial was halted for futility at the IA (HR for PFS 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–1.20, p=0.45). A final analysis was performed on all 306 enrolled patients. The addition of cediranib increased response rate ([RR] 52% versus 34%, p=0.001) but did not significantly improve PFS (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.71–1.18, p=0.49) or OS (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69–1.30, p=0.72). Cediranib patients had more grade 3 hypertension, diarrhoea and anorexia. ConclusionsThe addition of cediranib 20mg daily to carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy increased RR and toxicity, but not survival.

Abstract P4-12-10: Safety of pertuzumab (P) with trastuzumab (T) and docetaxel (D) in patients (pts) from Asia with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC): Results from the phase III trial CLEOPATRA

Abstract Background: CLEOPATRA is a phase III study of placebo (Pla)+T+D and P+T+D in HER2-positive first-line MBC. The combination of both HER2-targeted antibodies, P+T, with D resulted in significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) was higher with P+T+D versus Pla+T+D. We present analyses of adverse events (AEs) and treatment patterns for pts from Asia. Methods: Pts were from Asia, Europe, North and South America. Study drugs were given intravenously, q3w: P/Pla, 840 mg initial dose, then 420 mg; T, 8 mg/kg initial dose, then 6 mg/kg; D, 75 mg/m2 with escalation to 100 mg/m2 if tolerated. Treatment was given until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity; 6 cycles of D were recommended, >6 cycles were at investigator's discretion. Dose modifications of P or T were not permitted. Two D dose reductions by 25% to 75 mg/m2 and 55 mg/m2 were allowed in order to manage toxicities; re-escalation was not permitted. Results: The safety population comprised 253 pts from Asia (Pla+T+D: 128; P+T+D: 125) and 551 pts from other regions (Pla+T+D: 269; P+T+D: 282). The incidences of neutropenia, FN, diarrhea, mucosal inflammation, grade ≥3 AEs overall, and serious AEs were higher with P+T+D versus Pla+T+D. In the P arm, the largest increase in AEs in pts from Asia versus other regions was observed for FN and mucosal inflammation. D dose was more frequently reduced in pts from Asia; however, the incidence of AEs leading to discontinuation of all study treatment was balanced between pts from Asia and other regions. PFS and OS were improved with P+T+D in pts from all regions. In the whole study population, the hazard ratios (HR) for PFS and OS were 0.63 (95% CI 0.52-0.76) and 0.66 (0.52-0.84), respectively. In pts from Asia, the HR was 0.68 (0.48-0.95) for PFS and 0.64 (0.41-1.00) for OS. These efficacy analyses were unstratified. Pts with event, n (%)Other regionsAsia Pla+T+DP+T+DPla+T+DP+T+D n = 269n = 282n = 128n = 125Neutropenia123 (46)141 (50)74 (58)74 (59)FN15 (6)24 (9)15 (12)32 (26)Diarrhea118 (44)179 (63)66 (52)93 (74)Mucosal inflammation56 (21)67 (24)23 (18)46 (37)Grade ≥3 AEs194 (72)199 (71)95 (74)103 (82)Serious AEs69 (26)82 (29)35 (27)58 (46)AEs leading to discontinuation of all study treatment15 (6)21 (7)6 (5)4 (3)D dose escalation to 100 mg/m256 (21)47 (17)5 (4)1 (1)D dose reduction to <75 mg/m232 (12)42 (15)57 (45)62 (50)Use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to treat FN8 (3)11 (4)12 (9)30 (24)Subsequent G-CSF prophylaxis in pts with FN6 (2)3 (1)1 (1)11 (9)Study treatment cycles, median15181520D cycles, median8799 Conclusions: AEs did not result in reduction of the median number of cycles administered in pts from Asia compared with other regions. However, given that 47% of pts from Asia had D dose reductions <75 mg/m2 with comparable survival benefits to pts from other regions, a reduction in the D starting dose should be considered in these pts. Based on the efficacy and safety profile of P+T+D, this regimen is the preferred treatment option for pts with HER2-positive first-line MBC from all geographic regions. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-12-10.

Correlation of bevacizumab-induced hypertension and outcomes of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with bevacizumab: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundWith the wide application of targeted drug therapies, the relevance of prognostic and predictive markers in patient selection has become increasingly important. Bevacizumab is commonly used in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. However, there are currently no predictive or prognostic biomarkers for bevacizumab. Several clinical studies have evaluated bevacizumab-induced hypertension in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. This meta-analysis was performed to better determine the association of bevacizumab-induced hypertension with outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and to assess whether bevacizumab-induced hypertension can be used as a prognostic factor in these patients.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on seven published studies to investigate the relationship between hypertension and outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with bevacizumab. Our primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and overall response rate (ORR). Hazard ratios (HRs) for PFS and OS were extracted from each trial, and the log of the relative risk ratio (RR) was estimated for ORR.ResultsThe occurrence of bevacizumab-induced hypertension in patients was highly associated with improvements in PFS (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.46–0.72; P <0.001), OS (HR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.37–0.68; P <0.001), and ORR (RR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.07–2.30, P <0.05), as compared to patients without hypertension.ConclusionsBevacizumab-induced hypertension may represent a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Role Of High-Dose Cytarabine and Total Body Irradiation Conditioning before Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation In Mantle Cell Lymphoma - A Comparison Of Nordic MCL2, HOVON 45, and European MCL Younger Trials

IntroductionHigh-dose cytarabine containing immuno-chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been established as standard first-line treatment in younger mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients (ESMO guideline, Ann Oncol 2013). However, the role of total body irradiation (TBI) as conditioning regimen for ASCT has not been clarified so far. A retrospective EBMT survey of 418 MCL patients suggested a benefit of TBI with respect to the rate of relapse in patients who achieved a partial remission before ASCT (Rubio et al., ASH 2010). We combined the individual patient data of the Nordic MCL2 trial (Geisler et al., Blood 2008), the HOVON 45 trial (van't Veer et al., BJH 2008, both without TBI), and the high-dose cytarabine containing study arm of the European MCL Younger trial (Hermine et al., ASH 2012, with TBI) to evaluate potential differences in long term outcome. MethodsAll trials included patients with advanced stage MCL up to 66 years and a central review of histology. Induction treatment of Nordic MCL2 consisted of 6 alternating courses of Maxi-CHOP or high-dose cytarabine (12g/m2 per cycle, 8g/m2 in patients > 60 years, total cumulative dose 24-36g/m2) combined with 4-6 cycles rituximab, in HOVON 45 three courses R-CHOP were followed by one cycle of high-dose cytarabine (16g/m2), and in MCL Younger patients received 6 alternating courses of R-CHOP or R-DHAP (4g/m2 cytarabine per cycle, total cumulative dose 12g/m2). Conditioning before ASCT consisted of BEAM or BEAC in Nordic MCL2, and BEAM in HOVON 45, whereas a TBI-containing regimen (TAM: 10 Gray TBI, 6g/m2 cytarabine, 140mg/m2 melphalan) was applied in MCL Younger. We compared baseline characteristics, progression free survival (PFS) overall survival (OS) after ASCT from the three patient cohorts with adjustment for MIPI (Hoster et al., Blood 2008) and quality of remission before ASCT. ResultsIn Nordic MCL2, HOVON 45, and MCL Younger 145, 61, and 171 patients were transplanted in complete (CR) or partial (PR) remission (median age 57, 55, and 56 years, p=0.24). According to MIPI, 46%, 56%, and 67% were low risk, whereas 22%, 13%, and 11% were high risk patients (p=0.006). Five-year PFS after ASCT was 61%, 50%, and 78%, respectively (p<0.001) after a median observation time of 6.6, 6.5, and 4.2 years). After adjustment for MIPI score and quality of response (CR/unconfirmed CR vs. PR) before ASCT, the hazard ratio for PFS after ASCT of MCL Younger vs. Nordic MCL2 was 0.75 (p=0.17). Among the patients with CR or unconfirmed CR before ASCT, the adjusted hazard ratio was 0.91 (p=0.76) in comparison to 0.66 (p=0.17) among the PR patients. On the other hand, the hazard ratio of MCL Younger in comparison to HOVON 45 was 0.45 (p=0.001) after adjustment for MIPI score. OS after ASCT was not different between the three cohorts with 5-year OS rates of 75%, 71%, and 80%, respectively (p=0.61). ConclusionThe longer PFS after ASCT of MCL Younger compared to HOVON 45 patients may be due to the different time schedule of cytarabine during induction or to a higher efficacy of TBI vs. BEAM, as the total chemotherapy doses were comparable and we adjusted for MIPI. We could not see an improved PFS after ASCT of MCL Younger compared to Nordic MCL2 patients transplanted in CR or unconfirmed CR and, after adjustment for the different risk profiles, this was also not clearly seen for patients transplanted in PR. Taking into account the substantially higher cytarabine dose in Nordic MCL2 during induction one might speculate that this fact at least partially compensated for a higher efficacy of TBI. Multivariable analyses incorporating additional prognostic factors (Ki-67 and MRD) will help to clarify the impact of the individual parts of the current multimodal approach in younger MCL patients.On behalf of the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Chemoimmunotherapy With Fludarabine (F), Cyclophosphamide (C), and Rituximab (R) (FCR) Versus Bendamustine and Rituximab (BR) In Previously Untreated and Physically Fit Patients (pts) With Advanced Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Results Of a Planned Interim Analysis Of The CLL10 Trial, An International, Randomized Study Of The German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG)

Chemoimmunotherapy With Fludarabine (F), Cyclophosphamide (C), and Rituximab (R) (FCR) Versus Bendamustine and Rituximab (BR) In Previously Untreated and Physically Fit Patients (pts) With Advanced Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Results Of a Planned Interim Analysis Of The CLL10 Trial, An International, Randomized Study Of The German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG)

O3–088 - Additional Analysis of WJTOG0105 Comparing Second and Third-Generation Regimens with TRT in Unresectable Stage III NSCLC

Background: The WJTOG0105 study was conducted to compare third-generation regimen (irinotecan/carboplatin [IC], paclitaxel/carboplatin [PC]) and second-generation regimen (mitomycin/vindesine/cisplatin [MVP]) with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in patients with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (J Clin Oncol. 2010; 28: 3739-45). We conducted an additional analysis by the histological type (Squamous [Sq] vs. Non-squamous [Non-sq]) to closely examine differences of efficacy between more frequent radiosensitizing doses and systemic doses of chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Patients received the following treatments: MVP, mitomycin (8 mg/m2 on day 1, 29), vindesine (3 mg/m2 on day 1, 8, 29, 36), and cisplatin (80 mg/m2 on day 1, 29) with concurrent TRT (60 Gy), followed by 2 courses of MVP; IC, weekly irinotecan (20 mg/m2)/carboplatin (AUC 2) for 6 weeks with concurrent TRT (60 Gy), followed by 2 courses of irinotecan (50 mg/m2)/carboplatin (AUC 5); PC, weekly paclitaxel (40 mg/m2)/carboplatin (AUC 2) for 6 weeks with concurrent TRT (60 Gy), followed by 2 courses of paclitaxel (200 mg/m2)/carboplatin (AUC 5). Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and patterns of initial failure were compared by the histological type. Results: The median OS and PFS were 20.3, 9.0 months in Sq and 20.5, 8.1 months in Non-sq. The Hazard ratio (HR) for OS and PFS in Non-sq were 0.996 (P = 0.973) and 1.199 (P = 0.079). Although there was no statistically significant difference between Sq and Non-sq, the out-field recurrence rate in Non-sq (51.1%) was higher than Sq (26.1%) and the PFS in Sq tended to be longer than Non-sq. The efficacy of PC was compared with MVP in each histological type. For Sq, the median OS and PFS were 22.0, 10.4 months in PC and 19.7, 9.3 months in MVP. The HR for OS and PFS in PC were 0.957 (P = 0.822) and 0.871 (P = 0.459). For Non-sq, the median OS and PFS were 21.3, 8.1 months in PC and 21.8, 7.6 months in MVP. The HR for OS and PFS in PC were 1.083 (P = 0.662) and 0.996 (P = 0.984). Therefore no statistically significant difference was found between PC and MVP in each histological type. Furthermore, the patterns of initial failure were similar between PC and MVP. Conclusions: Weekly PC with concurrent TRT showed similar efficacy to MVP with concurrent TRT, with no relation to the histological type.

A randomized phase II study comparing erlotinib versus erlotinib with alternating chemotherapy in relapsed non-small-cell lung cancer patients: the NVALT-10 study

BackgroundEpidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) administered concurrently with chemotherapy did not improve outcome in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, in preclinical models and early phase noncomparative studies, pharmacodynamic separation of chemotherapy and TKIs did show a synergistic effect. Patients and methodsA randomized phase II study was carried out in patients with advanced NSCLC who had progressed on or following first-line chemotherapy. Erlotinib 150 mg daily (monotherapy) or erlotinib 150 mg during 15 days intercalated with four 21-day cycles docetaxel for squamous (SQ) or pemetrexed for nonsquamous (NSQ) patients was administered (combination therapy). After completion of chemotherapy, erlotinib was continued daily. Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). ResultsTwo hundred and thirty-one patients were randomized, 115 in the monotherapy arm and 116 in the combination arm. The adjusted hazard ratio for PFS was 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–1.02; P = 0.06], for overall survival (OS) 0.67 (95% CI 0.49–0.91; P = 0.01) favoring the combination arm. This improvement was primarily observed in NSQ subgroup. Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3+ toxic effect occurred in 20% versus 56%, rash in 7% versus 15% and febrile neutropenia in 0% versus 6% in monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively. ConclusionsPFS was not significantly different between the arms. OS was significantly improved in the combination arm, an effect restricted to NSQ histology. Study Registration numberNCT00835471.

Prediction of overall survival or progression free survival by disease control rate at week 8 is independent of ethnicity: Western versus Chinese patients with first‐line non‐small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab

Categorizations of best response observed at week 8 (between week 3 and 14) of first-line treatment in two studies of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in Western (878 patients) and Chinese (198 patients) patients with non-small cell lung cancer were assessed together with baseline prognostic factors in multivariate parametric models to predict overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Predictive performances of the models were assessed by simulating multiple replicates of the studies. Disease control rate (DCR) was the best response categorization to predict OS and PFS. In the OS model, DCR fully captured bevacizumab effect. For PFS, DCR did not fully capture bevacizumab treatment effect. The models adequately predicted OS and PFS distributions in each arm as well as bevacizumab hazard ratio (HR) for OS and PFS, for example, in Western patients (model prediction [95% prediction interval]: 0.84 [0.71-0.98] vs. observed: 0.77 for OS and 0.59 [0.49-0.72] vs. observed: 0.58 for PFS). Covariates in the models captured endpoint differences seen in Chinese patients. There was no impact of Chinese ethnicity on the DCR relationship to OS or PFS. DCR predicted OS benefit with bevacizumab in first-line NSCLC patients. Western data can be used to inform design of studies in Chinese patients.

A phase II study of erlotinib in combination with bevacizumab versus chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in the first-line treatment of advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundMolecularly targeted agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can provide similar efficacy to chemotherapy without chemotherapy-associated toxicities. Combining two agents with different modes of action could further increase the efficacy of these therapies. The TASK study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib in combination with the anti-angiogenic agent bevacizumab as first-line therapy in unselected, advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients. MethodsPatients were recruited from December 2007 to September 2008. Planned sample size was 200 patients, a total of 124 patients were randomized. Patients were randomized using a minimization algorithm 1:1 to receive bevacizumab (iv 15mg/kg day 1 of each 21-day cycle) plus chemotherapy (gemcitabine/cisplatin or carboplatin/paclitaxel standard doses, 4–6 cycles) (BC arm) or bevacizumab plus erlotinib (p.o. 150mg/day; BE arm) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). If the hazard ratio (HR) of PFS for BE relative to BC was above 1.25 at the pre-planned interim analysis in favor of BC, the study would be re-evaluated. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, response rate and safety. ResultsAll randomized patients (n=63 BE; n=61 BC) were evaluated for the efficacy analyses. At the updated interim analysis, median PFS was 18.4 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.0–25.1) versus 25.0 weeks (95% CI 20.6–[not reached]) for BE versus BC, respectively (HR for death or disease progression, BE relative to BC, 2.05, p=0.0183). The incidence of death was 19% for BE treatment compared with 11.5% for BC treatment. The HR for PFS at the updated interim analysis was above 1.25, therefore patients on the BE arm were permitted to change arms or switch to another drug and the study was terminated. Adverse events reported were as expected. ConclusionsThe TASK study did not show a benefit in terms of PFS for the combination of erlotinib with bevacizumab in unselected first-line advanced non-squamous NSCLC compared with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab.

Independent radiologic review of the Gynecologic Oncology Group Study 0218, a phase III trial of bevacizumab in the primary treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer

ObjectivesGynecologic Oncology Group Study 0218 (GOG-0218), a phase III, placebo-controlled trial in newly diagnosed stage III/IV ovarian cancer (OC), demonstrated a benefit in investigator (INV)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) with bevacizumab (BEV) administered with and following carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) for up to 15months vs. CP alone. To determine the reliability of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) in assessing disease progression (PD) in GOG-0218, an independent review of radiologic and clinical data (IRC) was conducted. MethodsBlinded reviews followed RECIST 1.0 in accordance with the study protocol; PFS was analyzed in the intent-to-treat population. ResultsCP+BEV→BEV achieved a significant PFS improvement in both assessments. Hazard ratios for PFS (IRC: 0.623; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.503–0.772; p<0.0001 vs. INV: 0.624; 95% CI: 0.520–0.749; p<0.0001) and the improvement in median PFS (IRC: 19.1 and 13.1months vs. INV: 18.2 and 12months) were similar between IRC and INV assessments. There was high concordance between IRC- and INV-determined PD status (77%) and date (73%). Subgroup analyses were consistent with the primary IRC findings. Early and late discontinuation discordance measures showed no evidence of INV bias. ConclusionIRC analysis confirmed a significant PFS improvement with CP+BEV→BEV vs. CP alone. Concordance was not influenced by extent of residual disease after cytoreductive surgery or initial stage. The IRC size, high participation rate, and strong concordance between IRC and INV assessments suggest that RECIST can be applied objectively in OC studies.

Correlation between overall survival and other endpoints in clinical trials of second-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer

The correlation between progression-free survival (PFS) or time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) has been evaluated in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who received first-line chemotherapy. No corresponding analysis has been done in patients who have undergone second-line chemotherapy. We evaluated the correlation between PFS, TTP, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and OS in patients with AGC who underwent second-line chemotherapy. Correlations were evaluated by Spearman rank correlation coefficient (ρ). Sixty-four trials, including 10 randomized studies, were selected for analysis. Median PFS/TTP moderately correlated with OS (ρ = 0.56). The correlation tended to be stronger in non-Asian trials (ρ = 0.74) than in Asian trials (ρ = 0.37). ORR and DCR did not strongly correlate with OS (ρ = 0.38 for ORR; ρ = 0.54 for DCR). The hazard ratio of PFS and OS in each of the arms of the 10 randomized studies also showed a low correlation (ρ = 0.36). PFS/TTP, ORR, and DCR did not correlate sufficiently with OS to be used as surrogate endpoints in patients with AGC who have undergone second-line chemotherapy. Further research is needed based on individual patient data from ongoing randomized trials.

Continuous treatment with new agents for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

To examine the role of novel agents such as bortezomib, lenalidomide, and thalidomide as continuous therapy (induction and consolidation/maintenance) in the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma, we carried out a meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. A comprehensive literature search (Medline, Embase, the Cochrane controlled trials register, and the Science Citation Index) was performed. The initial search yielded 849 citations, of which 11 randomized-controlled trials enrolling 4775 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Continuous addition of bortezomib to conventional therapy before and after autologous stem cell transplantation prolonged overall survival significantly: the summary hazard ratio was 0.80, 95% confidence interval [0.64, 0.99] (P=0.04). Continuous therapy with novel agents consistently improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with therapy with conventional agents alone. For those patients ineligible for a transplant, the summary hazard ratios for PFS were 0.69 [0.56, 0.85] (P<0.001) for continuous thalidomide therapy and 0.47 [0.33, 0.68] (P<0.001) for continuous lenalidomide therapy; for those patients ineligible for a transplant, the summary hazard ratios for PFS were 0.68 [0.59, 0.79] (P<0.001) for continuous thalidomide therapy and 0.72 [0.61, 0.85] (P<0.001) for continuous lenalidomide therapy. In summary, continuous therapy with novel agents improved PFS consistently, and bortezomib may improve the overall survival of patients with newly diagnosed myeloma when it is added to standard transplantation therapy continuously.

Anastrozole in combination with fulvestrant in the first line treatment of hormone receptor positive advanced breast cancer: A meta-analysis.

e11591 Background: Emerging resistance to single agent aromatase inhibitors (AI) or fulvestrant as first line treatment for postmenopausal women with advanced hormonal receptor positive breast cancer calls for alternative therapeutic options. This meta-analysis studies the effectiveness of combination therapy with fulvestrant and an AI, as compared to an AI alone in first line treatment of postmenopausal patients with hormonal receptor positive relapsed or metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Literature search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, ASCO and ESMO to search for studies published during the last 10 years using relevant keywords. Two prospective randomized clinical trials were found to fulfill the search criteria for combination of fulvestrant + AI vs. AI alone (both studied anastrozole in combination with fulvestrant). Meta-estimates were calculated by combining study estimates using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. The linear mixed-effects model was used to generate 95% prediction intervals for study-specific hazard and odds ratios. Results: Pooled hazard ratio for progression free survival was 0.88 (95% CI 0.72-1.09, 95% prediction interval [PI] 0.65-1.21). Pooled HR for overall survival was 0.88 (95% CI 0.72-1.08, 95% PI 0.68-1.14). Pooled odds ratio for response rate was 1.13 (95% CI 0.79-1.63, 95% PI 0.78-1.65). Conclusions: Pooled results showed a small, non-statistically significant, improvement in progression-free and overall survival. These results do not support the use of combination therapy with fulvestrant and anastrozole in the first line treatment of postmenopausal patients with hormonal receptor positive relapsed or metastatic breast cancer.

A pilot study utilizing molecular profiling to find potential targets and select individualized treatments for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

TPS11123 Background: The objective of this prospective pilot study was to determine if treatment selected by molecular profiling (MP) of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) tumors at time of disease progression provides greater clinical benefit than empiric treatment selection. Methods: Eligible pts had MBC, ≥ 3 prior lines of therapy, and &gt; 6 wks - &lt; 6 months time to progression on last treatment prior to study entry. Fresh core biopsy samples were taken from the metastatic site for MP. Analysis by IHC, FISH, DNA microarray and reverse phase protein microarray (RPMA) a quantitative protein pathway activation mapping technique using laser capture micro dissected tumor cells was done, with results in ≤14 days reviewed by a Treatment Selection Committee. The primary objective was to compare the progression-free survival (PFS) using a MP selected treatment regimen to the preceding PFS. Clinical benefit for the pt is defined by PFS ratio (PFS on MP selected therapy/PFS on prior therapy) is ≥ 1.3, (JCO,28:4877-83:2010). N= 25 was determined (exact single-stage design for phase II studies, type I error rate of 5% [one-sided], power of 90%). MP selected therapy would warrant further investigation if ≥ 35% of the pts demonstrate a PFS ratio of ≥ 1.3. Results: Three U.S. sites enrolled 25 evaluable pts who were treated based on MP results. Pts were heavily pretreated with 4 -11 prior therapies (median 7.24). Ten pts (40%) met or exceeded the PFS ratio of 1.3. The most common targets used in drug treatment selection were TOPO1, TS, ER/PR, TOP2A, HER2. Sixty percent of pts’ samples had activation of drug targets determined by RPMA in 3 major clusters: pan-HER-AKT; EGFR/SRC/ERK/mTOR; IGFR/RAF/MEK/PLK1. Days on MP selected treatments range from 9 - 816+. 3 pts continue on treatment for 199, 254 and 816 days. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of a highly multiplexed genomic and proteomic MP study for treatment selection in a timely fashion. Patient-specific target driven treatment selection based on MP of a metastatic lesion provided clinical benefit for 10 of 25 heavily pretreated MBC pts. Thus, this approach merits further investigation in future studies. Funded by The Side-Out Foundation. Clinical trial information: NCT01074814.

Components of homologous recombination and translesion synthesis (TLS) in pemetrexed/cisplatin-treated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (p).

11028 Background: REV3, the catalytic subunit of the TLS polymerase ξ, can continue replication past DNA adducts. Depletion of REV3 sensitizes A549 lung cancer cells to cisplatin. REV3 expression is part of a gene signature that predicted pemetrexed sensitivity in 17 NSCLC cell lines. Homologous recombination and TLS pathways have non-redundant functions in response to cisplatin. We hypothesized that low REV3 mRNA expression – alone or in combination with low expression levels of genes involved in homologous recombination – could correlate with better outcome to cisplatin/pemetrexed in NSCLC. Methods: REV3, BRCA1, RAP80, TS and AEG1 mRNA was examined by quantitative RT-PCR and categorized by terciles. Expression of each gene was correlated with outcome in 47 cisplatin/pemetrexed-treated NSCLC p. Results: 63.8% male; 47% smokers; 80.9% ECOG PS 1; 80.8% adenocarcinoma. Overall response rate was 51%, with no differences according to expression levels of any of the genes. Progression-free survival (PFS) for p with low, intermediate and high BRCA1 levels was 13.4, 5.5 and 3.9 months (m), respectively (P=0.005). Similar differences in PFS were observed according to TS (P=0.003) and AEG1 (P&lt;0.001) expression. Hazard ratio (HR) for PFS for p with high BRCA1 levels was 4 (P=0.002). Overall survival (OS) for p with low, intermediate and high BRCA1 levels was 29.7, 7.4 and 6.3 m, respectively (P=0.05). Similar differences in OS were observed according to TS (P=0.005) and AEG1 (P=0.001) expression.HR for OS for p with high BRCA1 levels was 3.6 (P=0.004). There were no differences in PFS or OS according to REV3 or RAP80 levels. However, the joint effect of BRCA1 and REV3 was significant for predictive modeling. PFS for p with low, intermediate and high levels of both genes was 14.9, 7.2 and 2.8 m, respectively (P=0.001). OS for p with low, intermediate and high levels of both genes was 29.7, 7.8 and 6.3 m, respectively (P=0.04). Conclusions: Low BRCA1 expression predicts longer PFS and OS in pemetrexed/cisplatin-treated NSCLC p. Low TS and AEG1 levels have similar predictive value. Analysis of these genes could be useful for customizing pemetrexed/platinum chemotherapy.

The occurrence of grade 4 adverse events and survival outcomes in patients with nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer receiving bevacizumab with chemotherapy in the phase III PointBreak and AVAiL studies.

e19022 Background: Progression-free survival (PFS) is a key trial end point for clinical practice, as it relates to a change of treatment line. Grade 4 progression-free survival (G4PFS; defined as time from treatment start to the earlier of progressive disease [PD], onset of a G4 adverse event [AE], or death from any cause) is a composite end point incorporating a measure of tolerability to PFS. This post hoc analysis evaluates G4PFS and the effect of G4 AEs on PFS and overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) enrolled in PointBreak (PB) and AVAiL. Methods: Pts in PB were randomized to bevacizumab (BEV) 15 mg/kg q3w with carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) or pemetrexed (CPem) for ≤4 cycles. Eligible pts received either BEV or BEV + Pem q3w until PD or unacceptable toxicity. Pts in AVAiL received cisplatin and gemcitabine for ≤6 cycles and either placebo or BEV (7.5 or 15 mg/kg) q3w until PD. AEs were graded via NCI-CTCAE v3.0. Kaplan-Meier and Cox model methods were used to estimate medians and hazard ratios (HRs) for PFS, G4PFS, and OS. PFS and OS were also compared in each arm for pts with occurrence of a G4 AE before week 12 of treatment vs those without. Results: Of those receiving BEV, ~30% of AVAiL pts and 38% of PB pts had a G4 AE. Uncomplicated neutropenia was the most common G4 AE in the CP + BEV arm of PB (26%) and in the BEV arms of AVAiL (11%). PFS, G4PFS, and outcomes by G4 AE occurrence are shown (Table). Conclusions: In both the PB and AVAiL trials, median G4PFS was numerically shorter than median PFS. G4 AE occurrence, however, did not affect subsequent PFS or OS in either trial. Clinical trial information: NCT00762034 and NCT00806923. [Table: see text]

AVEREL: A Randomized Phase III Trial Evaluating Bevacizumab in Combination With Docetaxel and Trastuzumab As First-Line Therapy for HER2-Positive Locally Recurrent/Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE The AVEREL trial [A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) in Combination With Herceptin (Trastuzumab)/Docetaxel in Patients With HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer] evaluated first-line bevacizumab-containing therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -positive locally recurrent/metastatic breast cancer (LR/MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with measurable/evaluable HER2-positive LR/MBC who had not received trastuzumab or chemotherapy for LR/MBC were stratified by prior adjuvant trastuzumab, prior (neo)adjuvant taxane, hormone receptor status, and measurable disease and were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) plus trastuzumab 8 mg/kg loading dose followed by 6 mg/kg either with bevacizumab 15 mg/kg or without bevacizumab, all administered every 3 weeks. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Additional end points included overall survival, response rate (RR), safety, quality of life, and translational research. Results Baseline characteristics of the 424 patients were balanced between treatment arms. Most patients had visceral metastases, 43% had a disease-free interval less than 12 months, and 85% had measurable disease. Median follow-up was 26 months. The hazard ratio for investigator-assessed PFS was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.65 to 1.02; P = .0775; median PFS, 13.7 v 16.5 months in the non-bevacizumab and bevacizumab arms, respectively; PFS events in 72%). The Independent Review Committee-assessed PFS hazard ratio was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.94; P = .0162; median PFS, 13.9 v 16.8 months, respectively; PFS events in 53%). The RR was 70% versus 74%, respectively (P = .3492). Grade ≥ 3 febrile neutropenia and hypertension were more common with bevacizumab-containing therapy. High baseline plasma vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) concentrations were associated with greater bevacizumab benefit (not statistically significant). CONCLUSION Combining bevacizumab with docetaxel and trastuzumab did not significantly improve investigator-assessed PFS. The potential predictive value of plasma VEGF-A is consistent with findings in HER2-negative LR/MBC, warranting prospective evaluation.

Total lesion glycolysis in positron emission tomography is a better predictor of outcome than the International Prognostic Index for patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

This study was undertaken to evaluate the prognostic value of quantitative metabolic parameters in [(18) F]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A total of 140 DLBCL patients underwent FDG-PET scans before rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy. The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax ) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were calculated, with the margin thresholds as 25%, 50%, and 75% of SUVmax of all lesions. Treatment outcomes were compared between groups according to metabolic parameters and the International Prognostic Index (IPI). After a median follow-up of 28.5 months (range, 5-81 months), the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 83% and 87%, respectively. Among metabolic parameters, TLG at the threshold of 50% (TLG50 ) was significantly associated with treatment outcomes. High TLG50 values (>415.5) were associated with reduced survivals compared with low TLG50 values (≤415.5) (2-year PFS of 73% versus 92%, P = .007; and 2-year OS of 81% versus 93%, P = .031). High IPI score (≥3) significantly reduced OS (2-year OS of 79% versus 90%, P = .049). Ann Arbor stage III/IV adversely affected PFS (P = .013). However, high IPI score and Ann Arbor stage of III/V did not significantly shorten PFS (P = .200) and OS (P = .921), respectively. High TLG50 values independently predicted survivals by multivariate analysis (hazard ratio = 4.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.5-13.1; P = .008 for PFS and hazard ratio = 3.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.0-9.6; P = .049 for OS). Combined assessment of volume and metabolism (ie, TLG) is predictive of survivals in DLBCL patients who are treated with R-CHOP. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.

Antiangiogenics in Ovarian Cancer: Where are We Now?

ABSTRACT Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is often over expressed in ovarian cancer (OVCA), promoting ascites and effusions. Preclinical studies of inhibition of VEGF and its receptors (VEGFR) show activity in OVCA xenografts. Clinical interest in evaluating VEGF (R) inhibition was triggered when the Gynecologic Oncology Group demonstrated single agent activity of the VEGF targeted antibody, bevacizumab (BEV) in recurrent OVCA. Since that time, BEV and small molecular VEGFR inhibitors have been studied in numerous phase II and III trials in OVCA. Randomized BEV trials are the most mature with results reported in first line (GOG218, ICON7), platinum sensitive recurrent disease (OCEANS trial) and platinum resistant recurrent disease (AURELIA trial) settings. All trials gave concurrent chemotherapy + BEV with some providing maintenance BEV after chemotherapy. All have shown a biological effect of the addition of BEV with higher response rates and longer progression free survival (PFS) in BEV arms. To date, no trial has shown overall survival (OS) improvement, although mature analyses for OS are awaited. Quality of life data have not suggested a benefit with BEV and toxicity is greater. Results of phase III trials of VEGFR inhibitors cedarinib, pazopanib and nintedanib are awaited. The BEV results lead to several important questions: 1) in the absence of significant OS improvement to date, is there sufficient patient benefit from PFS increases to warrant incorporation of BEV into ovarian cancer treatment? And when over the course of the disease should the agent be given? 2) Is the use of BEV cost effective and affordable? 3) Which patient subset is benefiting most? Subgroup analysis of the ICON7 study, suggests that patients with greater bulk disease (Stage III> 1 cm residual and Stage IV) seem to derive more PFS benefit. Indeed in this subgroup, overall survival also was improved. However, in the GOG0218 trial, the hazard ratio for PFS was observed to be better in patients with Disclosure The author has declared no conflicts of interest.