Risk Of Severe Toxicity Research Articles

SIOG2023-5-P-370 - Variables related with sarcopenia and risk of severe toxicity of chemotherapy in older patients

SIOG2023-5-P-370 - Variables related with sarcopenia and risk of severe toxicity of chemotherapy in older patients

Hyperlipidemia in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The established association between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hyperlipidemia has, in some studies, been linked to toxicities such as pancreatitis, thrombosis, and osteonecrosis. However, a systematic review investigating the incidence, management, and clinical implications of hyperlipidemia during childhood ALL treatment is lacking. Systematically assess the incidence of hyperlipidemia during ALL treatment, explore associations with risk factors and severe toxicities (osteonecrosis, thrombosis, and pancreatitis), and review prevalent management strategies. A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Data synthesis was descriptive, and a meta-analysis of hypertriglyceridemia and risk of severe toxicities was performed. We included 13 studies with 3,425 patients. Hyperlipidemia incidence varied widely (6.7%-85%) but with inconsistent definitions and screening strategies across studies. Evidence regarding risk factors was conflicting, but age (>10 years) and treatment with asparaginase and glucocorticosteroids seem to be associated with hyperlipidemia. Hypertriglyceridemia (grade 3/4) increased the risk for osteonecrosis (odds ratio (OR): 4.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.77-6.61). No association could be established for pancreatitis (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.53-4.82) or thrombosis (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 0.86-7.01), but larger studies are needed to confirm this. The overall evidence of this systematic review is limited by the small number of studies and risk of bias. Our review suggests that hypertriglyceridemia increases the risk for osteonecrosis. However, larger studies are needed to explore the clinical implications of hyperlipidemia and randomized trials investigating hyperlipidemia management and its impact on severe toxicities.

Acute and Late Toxicities in Patients with Collagen Vascular Disease Receiving Curative-Intent Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy to the Head and Neck Region

Historically, collagen vascular disease (CVD) was considered at least a relative contraindication to radiotherapy (RT). However, more recent meta-analyses suggest that for patients with certain CVDs such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there may not be an increased risk for severe toxicities, while for patients with CVDs such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis (DM) and scleroderma, there may be as high as a 2- to 4-fold risk for severe toxicities compared to patients without CVD. There are also data to suggest that patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and comorbid CVD are at especially high risk of severe toxicities from RT. This study evaluated the hypothesis that among patients with HNC treated with curative-intent intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), patients with SLE or DM were more likely to have had late grade ≥3 toxicity rates compared to patients with other CVDs. A total of 23 patients who had HNC with comorbid CVD and received IMRT between 2005-2022 were included. Acute (≤90 days after completion of RT) and late (>90 days) toxicities were retrospectively classified using CTCAE v5.0. Toxicity rates were compared across CVD groups using Chi-squared tests. Median follow-up was 56.3 months. The most common CVDs were RA (9 patients, 39%), SLE (4 patients, 17%), and DM (4 patients, 17%). Median total RT dose was 66 Gy (range: 48-70 Gy), in 1.8-2.4 Gy fractions. Nine (39%) patients received concurrent chemotherapy. 14 (61%) patients had mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 3 (13%) had cutaneous SCC, 2 (9%) had nasal cavity/paranasal sinus tumors, 2 (9%) had salivary gland tumors, 1 (4%) had cutaneous melanoma, and 1 (4%) had mucosal melanoma. Eight (35%) patients experienced acute grade ≥3 toxicities, and 3 (13%) patients experienced late grade ≥3 toxicities (Table 1). No patients had grade≥4 toxicities. Patients with SLE or DM did not have significantly higher risk of late grade ≥3 toxicities compared to those with other CVDs (25% vs. 7%, p = 0.21). In this small sample size of patients with HNC and comorbid CVD, definitive or post-operative IMRT was associated with approximately 35% acute and 15% late severe toxicity rates. While SLE/DM were associated with >3-fold late grade ≥3 toxicities, this association needs to be confirmed with larger data sets.

Early Results of the French Multicenter, Randomized SHARE Trial Comparing Whole Breast Irradiation vs. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation in Postmenopausal Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

The aim is to report toxicity and cosmetic outcomes at 3 and up to 9 years of follow-up of post-menopausal patients randomized to receive either standard whole breast irradiation (WBI), including hypofractionated options, versus accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). From December 2010 to July 2015, 1006 patients were enrolled in 34 French centers. Among the whole population, 28 patients who did not meet the final selection criteria or withdrew consent were excluded leading to a modified intention to treat analysis dataset of 978 patients (WBI: n = 488; APBI: n = 490). Median age (65y) and tumor stage pT1 (99%) rates were similar in both arms. Patients had conservative surgery with clip placement in the tumor bed. Clear margins (> 2mm) were observed in 99% of the patients. In both arms, 96-97% of the patients had negative sentinel lymph node biopsy. The median time interval between surgery and radiotherapy was 57d in WBI vs 62d in APBI. WBI schedules consisted of 50 Gy in 25 fr+16 Gy (n = 212) or 40 Gy in 15 fr (n = 156) or 42.5 Gy in 16 fr (n = 120). APBI arm consisted of 38.5 Gy or 40 Gy in 10 fr, 2 fr/day. Overall, 94 patients from the APBI arm finally received standard WBI. For statistical considerations, SHARE trial, sponsored by UNICANCER (NCT01247233) is a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial comparing APBI versus WBI in terms of local control as primary objective. Secondary endpoints were severe toxicity (NCI-CTCAE v4 grade ≥ 2), and cosmetic results. For both outcomes, we estimated the cumulative incidences (CI) using Kalbfleish and Prentice method, considering disease relapse, secondary cancer or death as competing events. Treatment effect (APBI vs WBI) was estimated by cause-specific Hazard Ratios (cs-HR) from Cox models. Median follow-up was 5.8y (range, 0.13-9.5). The number of deaths was 27, and the number of local relapses was 8. Among the 978 patients, 582 and 396 had finally WBI and APBI, respectively. The rates of post-operative hematoma, edema and infection were low: 8-9%, 2%, 3-2%, respectively. When considering any type of severe toxicity, we observed a significant reduction rate in APBI compared to WBI: cs-HR = 0.73 (95% confidence interval: 0.61-0.88); p = 0.001, and 3-year CI of severe toxicity at 45% in WBI vs 36% in APBI arm. The difference was also in favor of APBI when considering breast skin toxicity alone: cs-HR = 0.55 (0.44-0.70), p<0.001 and 3-year CI at 36% in WBI vs 21% in APBI arm. Conversely, for breast other toxicities, WBI was found less toxic than APBI with a 3-year CI of 8% vs 15%, respectively. When considering cosmetic results, we observed no significant difference between the two arms in both evaluations by physicians and patients. Historically SHARE is the first APBI trial that included hypofractionated schedules in the standard arm. We report increased risk of severe toxicity and skin breast toxicity in standard arm as compared with APBI arm without any difference in terms of cosmetic results. Longer follow-up is needed.

Predicting Risk of Severe Toxicity and Early Death in Older Adult Patients Treated with Chemotherapy.

Determining the risk of grade 3-5 toxicity and early death (ED) is important to plan chemotherapy in older adult patients with cancer. Our objective was to identify factors predicting these complications at the time of treatment initiation. 234 patients aged ≥70 were subjected to a geriatric assessment and variables related to the tumor and the treatment were also collected. Logistic regression multivariable analysis was used to relate these factors with the appearance of grade 3-5 toxicity and ED. Predictive scores for both toxicity and ED were then developed. Factors related to grade 3-5 toxicity were hemoglobin, MAX2 index, ADL, and the CONUT score. Factors related to ED were tumor stage and the GNRI score. Two predictive scores were developed using these variables. ROC curves for the prediction of toxicity and ED were 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64-0.78) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.68-0.79), respectively. Two simple and reliable scores were developed to predict grade 3-5 toxicity and ED in older adult patients with cancer. This may be helpful in treatment planning.

Outcome of conventional radiotherapy in small centrally located tumours or lymph nodes: minimal toxicity, remarkable survival but challenging loco-regional control

Background In peripheral lung tumours, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is superior to conventional RT. SBRT has also shown high loco-regional control (LC) in centrally located tumours, but there is a high risk of severe toxicity. The STRICTSTARLung trial (NCT05354596) examines if risk-adapted SBRT for central tumours is feasible. In this study, we examined overall survival (OS), Disease-free survival (DSF), LC, and toxicity in patients with central tumours that could have been candidates for SBRT but received conventional RT. Material and methods Retrospectively, we evaluated 49 lung cancer patients that between 2008 and 2021 received RT (60–70Gy in 2 Gy fractions) for a solitary tumour or lymph node with a diameter <5cm located <2cm from the bronchial tree, oesophagus, aorta or heart. All tumours were pathologically verified; 30 were primary lung tumours (T1b-T4) and 19 were solitary lymph nodes (T0N1-N2). Chemotherapy was administered as concomitant (29) or sequential (4). OS and LC were analysed using Kaplan Meier. Cox proportional hazards model for OS and disease-free survival (DFS) was performed including tumour volume, histology, sex, T- vs N-site and chemotherapy. Toxicity was scored. Results In 42 patients, the tumour was located <1 cm to mediastinum. Median follow-up time was 44 months (range: 7–123). The median OS was 51 months. OS at 1-, 3- and 5-year was 88% (SE:5), 59% (SE:7) and 50% (SE:8). Loco-regional recurrences occurred in 16 patients resulting in 1-, and 3-year LC rates of 77% (SE:6) and 64% (SE:8). The majority occurred within 3 years after RT. Only stage showed significant impact on OS and DFS. No patients experienced grade 4–5 toxicity. Seven patients developed grade 3 toxicity (5 oesophageal stenosis, 2 pneumonitis). Conclusion Conventional RT for patients with small central lung tumours or solitary lymph nodes is feasible. Median OS was 51 months, and toxicity was low with no grade 4–5 events.

Pneumonitis in Patients Receiving Thoracic Radiotherapy and Osimertinib: A Multi-Institutional Study

IntroductionThoracic radiotherapy (TRT) is increasingly used in patients receiving osimertinib for advanced NSCLC, and the risk of pneumonitis is not established. We investigated the risk of pneumonitis and potential risk factors in this population. MethodsWe performed a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of patients under active treatment with osimertinib who received TRT between April 2016 and July 2022 at two institutions. Clinical characteristics, including whether osimertinib was held during TRT and pneumonitis incidence and grade (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0) were documented. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with grade 2 or higher (2+) pneumonitis. ResultsThe median follow-up was 10.2 months (range: 1.9–53.2). Of 102 patients, 14 (13.7%) developed grade 2+ pneumonitis, with a median time to pneumonitis of 3.2 months (range: 1.5–6.3). Pneumonitis risk was not significantly increased in patients who continued osimertinib during TRT compared with patients who held osimertinib during TRT (9.1% versus 15.0%, p = 0.729). Three patients (2.9%) had grade 3 pneumonitis, none had grade 4, and two patients had grade 5 events (2.0%, diagnosed 3.2 mo and 4.4 mo post-TRT). Mean lung dose was associated with the development of grade 2+ pneumonitis in multivariate analysis (OR = 1.19, p = 0.021). ConclusionsAlthough the overall rate of pneumonitis in patients receiving TRT and osimertinib was relatively low, there was a small risk of severe toxicity. The mean lung dose was associated with an increased risk of developing pneumonitis. These findings inform decision-making for patients and providers.

Curative high-dose reirradiation for patients with recurrent head and neck adenoid cystic carcinomas: outcomes and analysis of patterns of failure

Background To investigate the outcomes of patients who underwent curative reirradiation (reRT), with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or proton therapy (PT) for unresectable recurrent or second primary head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma (HNACC). Methods Ten patients, mostly KPS 90%, were reirradiated (3/10 with IMRT and 7/10 with PT) at a median maximum dose to the CTV of 64.2 Gy from July 2011 to November 2021. Locations at the time of reRT were mainly the sinus (4/10) and the salivary glands (including the parotid and submandibular gland, 3/10). CTCAEv5 was used to assess acute and late toxicities. Follow-up was the time between the end of reRT and the date of last news. Results The median time between the two irradiations was 53.5 months (IQR: 18–84). After a median follow-up of 26 months (range, 12.5–51.8 months), six patients had developed a locoregional recurrence (LR), of which four occurred within the previously irradiated volume. Two and three-year locoregional failure-free survival (LFFS) and overall survival (OS) were 55.6% [95%CI: 31–99.7%], and 41% [18.5–94%] and 66.7% [42–100%] and 44.4% [21.4–92.3%], respectively. LFFS and OS were significantly better in the subgroup of sinus tumors (p = .013) and the subgroup of patients re-irradiated more than two years after the first course of irradiation (p = .01). Seven patients had impairments before the start of reRT, including hearing impairment (3/10) and facial nerve impairment (3/10). The most severe late toxicities were brain necrosis (2/10), osteoradionecrosis (1/10) and vision decreased (1/10). Conclusion Curative reRT for HNACC is possible for selected cases, but the LR rate in the irradiated field and the risk of severe toxicity remain high. Improved selection criteria and more carefully defined target volumes may improve outcome in these patients. A further study including larger cohort of patients would be useful to confirm these results.

Clinical Outcomes and Health Care Utilization in Patients With Burkitt Lymphoma.

Burkitt lymphoma is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma requiring intensive therapy, which places patients at risk for severe toxicity. However, few studies have described these patients' clinical outcomes and health care utilization, particularly among older adults. We conducted a retrospective analysis of adults 40 years and older with Burkitt lymphoma at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from February 1999 to December 2020 (N = 97). We abstracted patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and health care utilization (unplanned hospitalizations, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions) during therapy from the electronic health record. Using univariate logistic regression, we examined factors associated with rates of unplanned hospitalization and ICU admission during therapy. Among evaluable patients (median age, 69 years; 23.7% female; 19.3% with bone marrow involvement), 45.8% (38 of 83) experienced unplanned hospitalization and 23.2% (19 of 82) experienced ICU admission during therapy. Among those 70 years and older, rates of unplanned hospitalization and ICU admission were 36.8% (14 of 38) and 29.0% (11 of 38), respectively. Bone marrow involvement (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; P = .069) was associated with a nonsignificantly greater likelihood of unplanned hospitalization. Older age (OR, 1.06; P = .039), Charlson comorbidity index >0 (OR, 3.14; P = .038), and hypoalbuminemia (OR, 3.22; P = .035) were associated with greater likelihood of ICU admission. Overall, 8.7% (8 of 92) of patients died during treatment, all of whom were 70 years and older. Adults with Burkitt lymphoma experience substantial rates of unplanned hospitalizations and ICU admissions, with older adults at especially high risk for ICU admission and death during treatment. Our findings underscore the need to develop supportive care interventions for patients with Burkitt lymphoma to help improve clinical outcomes and health care utilization.

Kidney Disease in Childhood Cancer Survivors Treated With Radiation Therapy: A PENTEC Comprehensive Review

Kidney injury is a known late and potentially devastating complication of abdominal radiation therapy (RT) in pediatric patients. A comprehensive Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic review by the Genitourinary (GU) Task Force aimed to describe RT dose-volume relationships for GU dysfunction, including kidney, bladder, and hypertension, for pediatric malignancies. The effect of chemotherapy was also considered. We conducted a comprehensive PubMed search of peer-reviewed manuscripts published from 1990 to 2017 for investigations on RT-associated GU toxicities in children treated for cancer. We retrieved 3271 articles with 100 fulfilling criteria for full review, 24 with RT dose data and 13 adequate for modeling. Endpoints were heterogenous and grouped according to National Kidney Foundation: grade ≥1, grade ≥2, and grade ≥3. We modeled whole kidney exposure from total body irradiation (TBI) for hematopoietic stem cell transplant and whole abdominal irradiation (WAI) for patients with Wilms tumor. Partial kidney tolerance was modeled from a single publication from 2021 after the comprehensive review revealed no usable partial kidney data. Inadequate data existed for analysis of bladder RT-associated toxicities. The 13 reports with long-term GU outcomes suitable for modeling included 4 on WAI for Wilms tumor, 8 on TBI, and 1 for partial renal RT exposure. These reports evaluated a total of 1191 pediatric patients, including: WAI 86, TBI 666, and 439 partial kidney. The age range at the time of RT was 1 month to 18 years with medians of 2 to 11 years in the various reports. In our whole kidney analysis we were unable to include chemotherapy because of the heterogeneity of regimens and paucity of data. Age-specific toxicity data were also unavailable. Wilms studies occurred from 1968 to 2011 with mean follow-ups 8 to 15 years. TBI studies occurred from 1969 to 2004 with mean follow-ups of 4 months to 16 years. We modeled risk of dysfunction by RT dose and grade of toxicity. Normal tissue complication rates ≥5%, expressed as equivalent doses, 2 Gy/fx for whole kidney exposures occurred at 8.5, 10.2, and 14.5 Gy for National Kidney Foundation grades ≥1, ≥2, and ≥3, respectively. Conventional Wilms WAI of 10.5 Gy in 6 fx had risks of ≥grade 2 toxicity 4% and ≥grade 3 toxicity 1%. For fractionated 12 Gy TBI, those risks were 8% and <3%, respectively. Data did not support whole kidney modeling with chemotherapy. Partial kidney modeling from 439 survivors who received RT (median age, 7.3 years) demonstrated 5 or 10 Gy to 100% kidney gave a <5% risk of grades 3 to 5 toxicity with 1500 mg/m2 carboplatin or no chemo. With 480 mg/m2 cisplatin, a 3% risk of ≥grade 3 toxicity occurred without RT and a 5% risk when 26% kidney received ≥10 Gy. With 63 g/m2 of ifosfamide, a 5% risk of ≥grade 3 toxicity occurred with no RT, and a 10% toxicity risk occurred when 42% kidney received ≥10 Gy. In patients with Wilms tumor, the risk of toxicity from 10.5 Gy of WAI is low. For 12 Gy fractionated TBI with various mixtures of chemotherapy, the risk of severe toxicity is low, but low-grade toxicity is not uncommon. Partial kidney data are limited and toxicity is associated heavily with the use of nephrotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Our efforts demonstrate the need for improved data gathering, systematic follow-up, and reporting in future clinical studies. Current radiation dose used for Wilms tumor and TBI appear to be safe; however, efforts in effective kidney-sparing TBI and WAI regimens may reduce the risks of renal injury without compromising cure.

Response to the FDA Decision Regarding DPYD Testing Prior to Fluoropyrimidine Chemotherapy.

Fluoropyrimidine (FP) chemotherapy is associated with severe, life-threatening toxicities, particularly among patients who carry deleterious germline variants in the DPYD gene. Pretreatment DPYD testing is standard of care throughout most of Europe; however, it has not been recommended in clinical practice guidelines in the United States. Due to increased risk of severe toxicity, a Citizen's Petition asked the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update language in FP drug labels to recommend DPYD testing as part of a boxed warning and recommend FP dose reduction in patients carrying deleterious germline variants. In response, the FDA updated the capecitabine package insert to inform patients about the toxicity risk and test availability and consider DPYD testing. However, the FDA did not include a testing recommendation or requirement, or a boxed warning. Additionally, the FDA did not recommend FP dose adjustment in DPYD variant carriers. This review provides a critical assessment of the DPYD-FP pharmacogenetic association using the FDA's previously published Pharmacogenetic Pyramid, demonstrating that the evidence is compelling for recommending DPYD testing prior to FP treatment. Additionally, the FDA's stated concerns about recommending DPYD testing and DPYD-guided FP dose adjustment are addressed and discussed in the context of the FDA's other genetic testing and dose adjustment recommendations. We call on the FDA to follow our European counterparts in recommending DPYD testing and genotype-based dose adjustment to ensure patients with cancer receive safe and effective FP chemotherapy.

Risk of severe toxicity from topical fluoropyrimidine treatment in patients carrying DPYD variant alleles.

12123 Background: Patients carrying variant alleles of DPYD that reduce activity of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase have unacceptably high risk of severe toxicity from systemic fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. DPYD testing prior to systemic fluoropyrimidine treatment is standard of care across Europe and is increasingly used in USA. There is a published case report of fatal toxicity from topical fluoropyridine chemotherapy in a DPYD variant carrier, but the risk of severe toxicity in these patients is unknown. This information is critical to determine whether patients receiving topical fluoropyrimidine treatment should also undergo DPYD genetic testing. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine whether patients carrying DPYD variant alleles have increased risk of severe toxicity from topical fluoropyrimidine treatment. Methods: Individuals who received topical fluoropyrimidine treatment at Michigan Medicine and had available DPYD genotype data, due to participation in the Michigan Genomics Initiative institutional genetic data repository, were eligible for this analysis. Clinical data for the first cycle of topical fluoropyrimidine treatment was abstracted from the electronic medical record by an investigator blinded to genetic data. Toxicities were graded based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. The primary endpoint was grade 3+ toxicity. The secondary endpoint was grade 1+ toxicity. Genotypes for five validated decreased- or null-activity DPYD variant alleles were included: DPYD*2A (rs3918290), DPYD*13 (rs55886062), DPYD p.D949V (rs67376798) DPYD HapB3 (rs56038477) and DPYD p.Y186C (rs115232898). Toxicity rates in DPYD variant carriers vs. wild-type were compared using Fisher’s Exact tests. Results: 201 patients receiving topical fluoropyrimidine therapy who had available DPYD genotype data were included in the analysis. Most patients were self-reported white (97%), male (71%), and received topical fluoropyrimidine for a diagnosis of actinic keratosis (79%). As expected in a US patient cohort, 7.0% (14/201) of patients carried a DPYD variant. No patients experienced grade 3+ toxicity. Patients carrying a DPYD variant allele had nominally higher risk of grade 1+ toxicity (21.4% vs. 10.2%, odds ratio = 2.40 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.10-2.53), p = 0.19). Conclusions: Patients carrying DPYD variant alleles may have increased risk of non-severe toxicity from topical fluoropyrimidines, but the risk of severe toxicity is minimal regardless of genotype. DPYD genetic testing to prevent severe and fatal fluoropyrimidine toxicity should be reserved for patients receiving systemic treatment and need not include patients receiving topical treatment, in whom risk of severe toxicity is minimal.

Adjuvant therapy for stage II melanoma: the need for further studies

Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionised the outcomes for melanoma patients. In the metastatic setting, patients treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab have an expected 5-year survival of> 50%. For patients with resected high-risk stage III disease, adjuvant pembrolizumab, nivolumab or dabrafenib and trametinib are associated with a significant improvement in both relapse-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). More recently neoadjuvant immunotherapy has shown very promising outcomes in patients with clinically detectable nodal disease and is likely to become a new standard of care. For stage IIB/C disease, two pivotal adjuvant trials of pembrolizumab and nivolumab have also reported a significant improvement in both RFS and DMFS. However, the absolute benefit is low and there are concerns about the risk of severe toxicities as well as long-term morbidity from endocrine toxicity. Ongoing registration phase III trials are currently evaluating newer immunotherapy combinations and the role of BRAF/MEK-directed targeted therapy for stage II melanoma. However, our ability to personalise therapy based on molecular risk stratification has lagged behind the development of novel immune therapies. There is a critical need to evaluate the use of tissue and blood-based biomarkers, to better select patients that will recur and avoid unnecessary treatment for the majority of patients cured by surgery alone.

Abstract PD3-05: Early results of the French multicenter, randomized SHARE trial comparing whole breast irradiation versus accelerated partial breast irradiation in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer

Abstract Purpose: The aim of current analyses is to report toxicity and cosmetic outcomes at 3 and up to 9 years of follow-up of post-menopausal patients randomized to receive either standard external beam whole breast radiotherapy (WBI), including hypofractionated options, versus accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Methods and materials: From December 2010 to July 2015, 1006 patients were enrolled in 34 French centers (503 in each arm). Among the whole population, 28 patients who did not meet the final selection criteria or withdrew consent were excluded leading to a modified intention to treat analysis dataset of 978 patients (WBI: n=488; APBI: n=490). Median age (65y) and tumor stage pT1 (99%) rates were similar in both arms. Patients had conservative surgery with clip placement in the tumor bed. Clear margins (&amp;gt; 2mm) were observed in 99% of the patients. In both arms, 96-97% of the patients had negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB; median number: 4 in WBI arm and 5 in APBI), luminal BC. Ductal histology was observed 82%. Only 2% and 1% of patients had grade III and pN(i+) disease. The median time interval between surgery and radiotherapy was 57d in WBI vs 62d in APBI. WBI schedules consisted of: 50Gy in 25fr + 16Gy boost (n=212) or 40Gy in 15fr (n=156) or 42.5Gy in 16fr (n=120), while APBI arm consisted of 38.5Gy or 40Gy in 10fr. Overall, 94 patients from the APBI arm finally received standard WBI. For statistical considerations, SHARE trial, sponsored by UNICANCER (NCT01247233) is a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial comparing APBI versus WBI in terms of local control as primary objective. Secondary endpoints were severe toxicity (NCI-CTCAE v4 grade ≥ 2), and cosmetic results, evaluated by doctors and by patients, over the entire follow-up. For both outcomes, we estimated the cumulative incidences (CI) using Kalbfleish and Prentice method, considering disease relapse, secondary cancer or death as competing events. Treatment effect (APBI vs WBI) was estimated by cause-specific Hazard Ratios (cs-HR) from Cox models adjusted on stratification factors. Results: Median follow-up was 5.8y (range, 0.13-9.5). The number of deaths was 27, and the number of local relapses was 8. Among the 978 patients, 582 and 396 had finally WBI and APBI, respectively. The rates of post-operative hematoma, edema and infection were low: 8-9%, 2%, 3-2%, respectively. When considering any type of severe toxicity, we observed a significant reduction rate in APBI compared to WBI: cs-HR=0.73 (95% confidence interval: 0.61-0.88); p=0.001, and 3-year cumulative incidence (CI) of severe toxicity at 45% (41-49) in WBI vs 36% (32-40) in APBI arm. The difference was also in favor of APBI when considering breast skin toxicity alone: cs-HR=0.55 (0.44-0.70), p&amp;lt; 0.001 and 3-year CI at 36% (32-40) in WBI vs 21% (18-25) in APBI arm. Conversely, for breast other toxicities, WBI was found less toxic than APBI: cs-HR= 2.10 (1.51-2.91), p&amp;lt; 0.001, and 3-year CI at 8% (5-10) vs 15% (12-19), respectively. When considering cosmetic results according to the investigator, we observed no significant difference between the two arms: cs-HR=1.04 (0.81-1.33), p=0.26 and 3-year probability of remaining with good to excellent cosmetic results at 77% (73-81) in WBI arm and 78% (74-81) in APBI arm. Findings were similar when considering results according to the patient: cs-HR=1.07 (0.85-1.37), p=0.23, and 3-year probability at 74% (70-78) and 75% (70-79), respectively. Conclusions Historically SHARE is the first APBI trial that included hypofractionated schedules in the standard arm. We reported increased risk of severe toxicity and skin breast toxicity in standard arm as compared with APBI arm without any difference in terms of cosmetic results. Longer follow-up is needed. Citation Format: Yazid Belkacemi, Isabelle Gabelle-Flandin, Marie-Cécile Le Deley, Adeline Petit, Philippe Guilbert, Julien Geffrelot, Christian Carrie, Eleonor Rivin Del Campo, Chantal Hanzen, Claire Charra-Brunaud, Isabelle Lecouillard, Nicolas Magne, Agnès Tallet, Nicolas Leduc, Blaha Belgadi, Philippe Fourneret, Alexandre Coutte, Esther Capelo, Franck Darloy, Muriel Garcia Ramirez, Philippe Dudouet, Pierre Clavere, Jean-Philippe Suchaud, Guillaume Auzac, Thomas Lacornerie, Jérôme Lemonnier, Céline Bourgier, Eric Lartigau. Early results of the French multicenter, randomized SHARE trial comparing whole breast irradiation versus accelerated partial breast irradiation in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr PD3-05.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation are underestimated, but fatal adverse events in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.

Hematotoxicity is the most common long-term adverse event (AE) after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy. However, patients who receive CAR T therapy in pivotal clinical trials are subjected to restrictive selection criteria, and this means that rare but fatal toxicities are underestimated. Here, we systematically analyzed CAR T-associated hematologic AE using the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) between January 2017 and December 2021. Disproportionality analyses were performed using reporting odds ratios (ROR) and information component (IC); the lower limit of the ROR and IC 95% confidence interval (CI) (ROR025 and IC025) exceeding one and zero was considered significant, respectively. Among the 105,087,611 reports in FAERS, 5,112 CAR T-related hematotoxicity reports were identified. We found 23 significant over-reporting hematologic AE (ROR025 >1) compared to the full database, of which hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH; n=136 [2.7%], ROR025 = 21.06), coagulopathy (n=128 [2.5%], ROR025 = 10.43), bone marrow failure (n=112 [2.2%], ROR025 = 4.88), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; n=99 [1.9%], ROR025 = 9.64), and B-cell aplasia (n=98 [1.9%], ROR025 = 118.16, all IC025 > 0) were highly under-reported AE in clinical trials. Importantly, HLH and DIC led to mortality rates of 69.9% and 59.6%, respectively. Lastly, hematotoxicity-related mortality was 41.43%, and 22 death-related hematologic AE were identified using LASSO regression analysis. These findings could help clinicians in the early detection of those rarely reported but lethal hematologic AE, thus reducing the risk of severe toxicities for CAR T recipients.

Dutch pharmacogenetics working group (DPWG) guideline for the gene-drug interaction between UGT1A1 and irinotecan.

The Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG) aims to facilitate PGx implementation by developing evidence-based pharmacogenetics guidelines to optimize pharmacotherapy. This guideline describes the starting dose optimization of the anti-cancer drug irinotecan to decrease the risk of severe toxicity, such as (febrile) neutropenia or diarrhoea. Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1 encoded by the UGT1A1 gene) enzyme deficiency increases risk of irinotecan-induced toxicity. Gene variants leading to UGT1A1 enzyme deficiency (e.g. UGT1A1*6, *28 and *37) can be used to optimize an individual's starting dose thereby preventing carriers from toxicity. Homozygous or compound heterozygous carriers of these allele variants are defined as UGT1A1 poor metabolisers (PM). DPWG recommends a 70% starting dose in PM patients and no dose reduction in IM patients who start treatment with irinotecan. Based on the DPWG clinical implication score, UGT1A1 genotyping is considered "essential", indicating that UGT1A1 testing must be performed prior to initiating irinotecan treatment.

The CAR-Hematotox Score As a Prognostic Model of Toxicity and Response in Patients Receiving BCMA-Directed CAR-T for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Introduction: Hematological toxicity and infectious complications are both common and substantially contribute to non-relapse mortality of CAR T-cell therapy. The recently developed CAR-HEMATOTOX (HT) score represents a validated risk-stratification system of hematotoxicity, infections, and clinical outcomes for R/R LBCL (Rejeski et al. Blood 2021/JITC 2022). The score integrates parameters of pre-CAR-T hematopoietic reserve (e.g. ANC, hemoglobin, platelet count) and inflammation (e.g. CRP, ferritin). Whether the HT score is of diagnostic utility in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) remains unclear. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, we characterized the influence of the HT score on toxicity and clinical outcomes in 102 patients receiving BCMA CAR-T with ciltacabtagene autoleucel (n=7) or idecabtagene vicleucel (n=95) in a standard-of-care setting across five international CAR-T centers. CRS and ICANS were graded according to ASTCT criteria. Neutrophil recovery phenotypes were defined as quick recovery vs. intermittent recovery vs. aplastic as previously described (Rejeski et al. Blood 2021). Early infection events (day 0-90) were defined as bacterial, viral or fungal based on microbiologic data or as a clinical syndrome of infection (e.g. pneumonia, cellulitis, cystitis) based on retrospective chart review. Severe (grade ≥3) infections were defined as requiring intravenous anti-infective agents and/or hospitalization. Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared using the log-rank test. Results: The baseline patient features were representative of R/R MM patients receiving BCMA CAR-T in a real-world setting: median age was 65 (range 39-81), median ECOG was 1 (interquartile range 0-1), median LDH was 200 U/L (IQR 173-240 U/L), and patients had received a median of 6 prior treatment lines (IQR 5-7). A total of 28% had high-risk genetic abnormalities (del17p, t(4;14), t(14;16)). Notably, the large majority of patients had received a prior autologous stem cell transplant (88.2%). On the last bone marrow (BM) assessment prior to CAR-T, greater than 5% clonal plasma cells were detected in 52% of patients. In terms of toxicity, the rate of severe (grade ≥3) CRS and ICANS was 4% and 8%, respectively. Tocilizumab was applied in 79/102 patients (77%); glucocorticoids were used in 43/102 patients (42%). The median CAR-HEMATOTOX score was 1 (IQR 1-3), including 46 HThigh and 56 HTlow patients. When comparing the risk groups, we found that HThigh patients more frequently exhibited BM plasma cell infiltration (59% vs. 34%, p=0.05). Serum LDH levels did not significantly differ by HT score (median 215 vs. 193 U/L, n.s.). The duration of severe neutropenia (ANC<500/µL) was significantly increased in HThigh patients compared to their HTlow counterparts (9 vs. 3 days, p<0.0001). The proportion of patients displaying aplastic neutrophil recovery was markedly increased in the HThigh group (Fig. 1A: 30 vs. 3%, p<0.001). The rate of severe CRS (9% vs. 0%, p=0.038) and severe ICANS (17% vs. 0%, p=0.001) was higher in HThigh patients, likely resulting in the increased use of glucocorticoids (57% vs. 30%, p=0.009). When studying infectious complications, we found that infections of any-grade were more common in the HThigh cohort (61% vs. 25%, p=0.0003). This was particularly evident for severe infections (39% vs. 3.6%, p<0.0001), including 2 fatal bacterial infections in HThigh patients. Overall, the increased toxicity burden observed in the HThigh cohort translated into a longer median duration of hospitalization (12 vs. 8 days, p<0.0001). Finally, a high HT score was associated with inferior PFS (Fig. 1B: 1-year PFS 80% vs. 27%, p<0.0001) and OS (1-yr OS 93% vs. 62%, p<0.0001). Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of baseline inflammatory state and hematopoietic function for the subsequent development of toxicity and early progression in patients receiving BCMA-directed CAR-T. The easy-to-use CAR-HEMATOTOX score enables early risk-stratification prior to lymphodepletion. Considering their overall low risk of severe toxicity, HTlow patients represent an attractive population to explore outpatient CAR-T application. On the other hand, patients with a high HT score likely benefit from intensified monitoring, anti-infective prophylaxis, early G-CSF, and awareness for a potential stem cell boost. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

GSOR19 Presentation Time: 12:00 PM: High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Female Urethral Cancer: A Multi-Center Review Over Two Decades

<h3>Purpose</h3> Primary urethral cancer is an uncommon and aggressive malignancy that accounts for less than 1% of all genitourinary malignancies. Treatment paradigm often includes high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, however data on treatment techniques, clinical outcomes, and toxicity remain limited. This study reviews our institutional experience treating female urethral cancer with brachytherapy over the past 2 decades. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> The medical records of all adult female patients who had received treatment for urethral cancer between January 2000 and December 2021 within a multi-center academic hospital system were queried. Baseline clinicopathologic features, radiation treatment details, and outcomes were recorded. HDR brachytherapy dose homogeneity index (DHI) was defined as (V100 - V150)/V100. Survival analysis was performed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. <h3>Results</h3> There were 37 females with urethral cancer identified in this study, of whom 10 (median age at diagnosis 65 years, median follow-up 35 months, see Table 1) underwent HDR brachytherapy. All 10 patients received a combination of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and HDR brachytherapy. Eight patients received treatment for primary disease, and 2 patients for recurrent disease. HDR brachytherapy was delivered in the neoadjuvant (10%), adjuvant (30%), and definitive treatment settings (60%). One patient received adjuvant intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) 15 Gy in 1 fraction after pelvic exenteration for a positive margin, followed by adjuvant EBRT. Non-IORT brachytherapy regimens in the remaining 9 patients ranged from 18.5 Gy to 33.0 Gy in 3-5 fractions. Median size of HR-CTV was 22 cc (range 11-76 cc). Perineal Syed template with a urethral catheter was used in 7 patients; 6 of these patients were also treated with interstitial catheters (median 5 catheters, range 4-8). During conventionally fractionated EBRT, T4 disease (40%) was treated to 54.0-64.8 Gy and gross nodal disease (20%) to 55.8-59.4 Gy. Total EQD2 to the HR-CTV D90 exceeded 85 Gy in all cases except one, where an emerging fistula invoked under-coverage (71 Gy). The constraints of bladder D_2cc < 90 Gy and rectum D_2cc < 75 Gy were each unmet by one patient (20%); both of these patients had T4 disease. Acute toxicities from radiation included grade 2 urinary frequency (40%) and diarrhea (30%), while chronic toxicities included grade 2 pelvic pain (40%), grade 3 urethral stricture requiring dilation (20%), and grade 2 vesicovaginal (10%) and urethrocutaneous (10%) fistula. Brachytherapy DHI less than 0.2 was 75% sensitive and 100% specific for predicting the development of a fistula or urethral stricture. Among all 37 women in this cohort, the 10 who received brachytherapy had a trend toward longer recurrence-free survival (median 43 vs. 22 months, HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.11-1.13, <i>P</i>=0.079) after adjustment for stage and age at diagnosis. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Primary urethral cancer is an uncommon malignancy with sparse evidence to guide treatment. Brachytherapy may offer improved freedom from recurrence, but there is risk of severe toxicity especially when treatment volumes are large or dose homogeneity is poor. Additional studies are needed to further refine target dose and normal tissue constraints.

Radiation (RT)-Associated Kidney Injury in Pediatric Cancer Patients: Results from the Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinical (PENTEC) Genitourinary (GU) Task Force

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> RT-Associated kidney injury is a complication in children treated for cancer. Reported injury includes mildly elevated serum markers, decreased glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, abnormal renal imaging and rarely, renal failure. Through systematic review of available studies, The PENTEC GU task force aims to model the relationships between RT dose and chronic kidney disease (CKD). <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> We conducted a PubMed search of peer-reviewed reports from 1990-2017 evaluating pediatric CKD and RT. 2048 articles were retrieved with 98 fully reviewed. 19 contained whole kidney data for modeling but no article met criteria for partial kidney modeling. However, a 2021 investigation contained usable partial kidney data by Green et al. (JASN 2021). We used the National Kidney Foundation's (NKF) stages for CKD toxicity. Partial kidney dose was modeled from the odds radios (OR) reported in a St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLCS) with coefficients in a logistic regression model calculated. The intercepts of the logistic regression models were obtained directly from the investigators. As only V5 and V10 were statistically significant in the SJLCS, we limited our partial kidney model to these doses. <h3>Results</h3> Normal Tissue Complication Rates ≥ 5%, expressed as EQD2 (equivalent doses, 2 Gy/fx) for whole kidney exposures occurred at 8.5, 10.2 and 14.5 Gy for NKF grades ³ 1, ³ 2, and ³ 3, respectively. Conventional Wilms whole abdominal RT (WAI) of 10.5 Gy in 6 fractions had risks of ³ grade 2 toxicity ∼ 4%, and ³ grade 3 toxicity ∼ 1%. For fractionated 12 Gy total body RT (TBI) those risks were 8%, and < 3%, respectively. Data did not support modeling with chemotherapy. Partial kidney modeling from 439 survivors of the SJLCS who received RT (median age 7.3 yrs) showed that 5 or 10 Gy RT to 100% kidney gave a <5% risk of grades 3-5 (severe) toxicity with 1500 mg/m2 carboplatin or no chemo. With 480 mg/m2 cisplatin, a 3% risk of severe toxicity occurred without RT, and a 5% risk when 26% kidney received ≥ 10 Gy. With 63 gm/m2 of ifosfamide, a 5% risk of severe toxicity occurred with no RT, and a 10% toxicity risk occurred when 42% kidney received ≥ 10 Gy. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In patients with Wilms, the risk of toxicity from 10.5 Gy of WAI is low. For 11-12 Gy fractionated TBI with various chemotherapies, the risk of severe toxicity is low but low-grade toxicity is not uncommon. In our partial kidney modeling of RT in the absence of chemo, or with only carboplatin, 10 Gy RT can be delivered to the entire kidney with a low risk of severe CKD. Cisplatin and ifosfamide, however, significantly increase the risk of CKD and decrease the tolerable RT dose. A better understanding of chemo effects, and dose-response-curves for regional renal injury will facilitate optimal use of tools such as IMRT and protons.

A Radiomics-Based Light Gradient Boosting Machine to Predict Radiation-Induced Toxicities in Nasopharynx Cancer Patients Receiving Chemoradiotherapy

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> The adverse events including radiation oral mucositis, radioaction dermatitis, skin ulcer, sternocleidomastoid muscle toxicity, thyrotoxicity and skin thickness toxicity are the major radiation-induced toxicities in nasopharynx cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy, which significantly affect patients' quality of life. However, to predict the increased risk of severe toxicities can be challenging due to the variations of current methods used to evaluate the toxicity symptoms, individual susceptibility and early markers of injury. In this study, we developed, for the first time to our knowledge, a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (Light-GBM) tool to integrate radiomic features within 17 different regions of interest (ROIs) in treatment planning computed tomography (CT) images with clinical features for early prediction of severe radiation-induced toxicities. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> A total of 203 patients with nasopharynx cancer receiving RT were included in this study. All patients received pre/postoperative MRI/CT scan. The patients were randomly partitioned for model training (n=183) and validation (n=20). Clinical features include gender, age, cancer stage, tumor size, tumor location, chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapy drugs, distant metastases, radiation therapy position and radiotherapy dose. A total of 756 radiomic features were extracted from GTV, CTV, CTV-GTV, PTV and OARs regions in MRI/CT images. Toxicities and non-toxicities group classes were labeled within the patients based on the cut-off value of CTCAE ≥ 2. The Light-GBM machine was used to develop the model including clinical features only (Model A) and the model combining radiomic and clinical features (Model B). The utility of the constructed models in predicting severe toxicities was evaluated by the ROC analysis in the validation cohort. <h3>Results</h3> For Model A, the area under the curve (AUC) values of six toxicities are 0.80, 0.71, 0.72, 0.68, 0.75, and 0.63, respectively. For Model B, the AUC values increased to 0.85, 0.81, 0.84, 0.76, 0.88 and 0.8. The most valuable influencing factors are clinical factors, age, tumor stage, radiation dose and 26 radiomic features. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The developed models facilitate identification of patients who are likely to develop severe radiation-induced toxicities, which could have a personalized therapeutic implication for appropriate personalized treatment and/or early intervention in the care of nasopharynx cancer patients.