Solid Tumor Patients Research Articles

Should PICCs be avoided in patients with certain solid organ cancers?

6572 Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely utilized in oncology. Previous studies have shown a high risk of catheter-related thrombosis and bloodstream infection in the uniquely susceptible oncologic population; however, most studies are limited by single center, outpatient, retrospective designs. Therefore, we performed a multi-center study to further describe PICC use and complications in the solid tumor population within the inpatient setting. Methods: Data was collected on PICC lines inserted across 50 hospitals in Michigan from November 2013 to December 2019. Patients with a solid tumor diagnosis at time of PICC insertion were selected (n = 3,956). Indications for PICC placement, catheter characteristics, and associated complications were compared by metastatic (n = 1,488) and non-metastatic (n = 2,468) disease. Complications were also compared by cancer type. Major complications were defined as central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI), catheter occlusion, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). Paired t-test and Pearson Chi-square test were used for analyses. Results: PICCs were most commonly placed for antibiotics (n = 1232, 31%) and chemotherapy (n = 907, 23%). The majority of catheters were multi-lumen with 61% (n = 2362) double lumen and 8% (n = 326) triple lumen. Median dwell time was 13 days. Notably, 17% of patients had another central venous catheter (CVC) at time of placement. Metastatic patients were more likely to have a PICC placed for difficult venous access (24.7% vs 17.7%, p < 0.001) and total parenteral nutrition (20.2% vs 12.3%, p < 0.001) as well as to have a current CVC in place (22% vs 14%, p <.001). Non-metastatic patients were more likely to have a PICC placed for chemotherapy (24.1% vs 20.9%, p = 0.02) and have a longer median dwell time (13.0d vs 11.0d, p = 0.04). Of all solid tumor patients, 15.5% (n = 612) experienced a major complication. Catheter occlusion occurred most frequently (n = 402, 10.2%) followed by DVT (n = 138, 3.5%), CLABSI (n = 107, 2.7%), and PE (n = 22, 0.6%). Catheter occlusion was more likely to occur in non-metastatic patients (11% vs 8.8%, p = 0.03). Rates of CLABSI, DVT, and PE did not differ significantly by presence of metastases. Certain cancers had a higher frequency of major complications when compared to the average solid tumor cohort rate of 15.5%; these were malignant brain (17.2%), pancreatic (18.4%), uterine (18.5%), and ovarian tumors (24.2%). Conclusions: PICCs are associated with significant complications in 16% of patients with solid organ cancers. Alternate access such as an implanted port should be considered; alternatively, limiting PICC placement in the presence of concurrent CVC or minimizing use of multiple lumen PICCs may limit complications and resultant morbidity. Specifically, these considerations may apply preferentially to patients with certain solid organ cancers with higher rates of PICC associated morbidity.

The efficacy and safety of anlotinib in refractory/recurrent/advanced pediatric solid tumors: A retrospective study.

11556 Background: Refractory and recurrent advanced pediatric solid tumors are short of effective treatment and with a dismal outcome, thus an urgent need for novel and effective treatment. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib, a novel and oral multi-target receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in refractory or recurrent advanced pediatric solid tumors. Methods: The retrospective, single-institutional, observed study was conducted in Sun Yat-sen University cancer center in China. Refractory, recurrent, or advanced pediatric solid tumors patients treated with anlotinib between 2018 to 2020 were evaluated. Results: Forty-one patients and thirty patients were enrolled in the study to evaluated efficacy and safety, respectively. The objective response ratio (ORR) was 12.2% (95%CI 1.7-22.7): complete response (n = 0) and partial response (n = 5) (Table). The disease control rate (DCR) was 65.9% (95%CI 50.7-81). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.87 months (95%CI 0.86-4.88). According to anlotinib treatment schedule, all patients were divided into three groups: anlotinib monotherapy (A, n = 16), anlotinib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment (A + ICI, n = 6), anlotinib combined with salvage chemotherapy (A + SC, n = 19). The ORR, DCR and median PFS for three groups were 6.3% (95%CI 7.1-19.6), 56.3% (95%CI 28.9-83.6), 2.43months, 16.7% (95%CI 26.2-59.5), 66.7% (95%CI 12.5-120.9), 1.13months, 15.8% (95%CI 2.3-33.8), 73.7% (95%CI 51.9-95.5), 2.87months, respectively. There was no significantly difference between three groups in aforementioned response index. The incidence rates of any grade and grade 3-4 adverse events were 80% and 20%, respectively. Bleeding (20%), hand-foot syndrome (13.3%), and diarrhea (13.3%) were the most common adverse events. Grade 3-4 adverse events include hypertension, hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. There was no adverse events-related death. Conclusions: For heavily pretreated pediatric solid tumors, anlotinib may be an effective treatment with tolerable adverse events. Further prospective randomized controlled clinical study is warranted.[Table: see text]

Safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results from dose escalation of SAR439459, a TGFβ inhibitor, as monotherapy or in combination with cemiplimab in a phase 1/1b study.

2510 Background: SAR439459 is a human anti-TGFβ monoclonal antibody that neutralizes all isoforms of TGFβ. In preclinical models, combining SAR439459 with an anti-PD-1 showed improved anti-tumor activity compared to single agent. Here we report preliminary results of SAR439459 ± cemiplimab in a first in human study. Methods: This is an open-label study (dose escalation and expansion) of SAR439459 ± cemiplimab administered intravenously in adult patients with advanced solid tumors to determine safety and tolerability, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or maximum administered dose (MAD) of SAR439459 ± cemiplimab, pharmacokinetics (PK); pharmacodynamic (PD) and preliminary clinical benefit. In Part 1A, SAR439459 (0.05-15 mg/kg) was administered as monotherapy Q2W in an adaptive Bayesian design with overdose control. In Part 1B, SAR439459 doses cleared from monotherapy were administered in combination with fixed dose of cemiplimab (3 mg/kg Q2W or 350 mg Q3W) in a 3+3 design. Results: As of 31 January 2020, 28 (1A) and 24 (1B) patients with ECOG performance status of 0-1 with a median age of 60.5 and 63 years respectively were enrolled. In Part 1A, 25 patients (89.3%) had at least one treatment emergent adverse event (TEAE) and 15 (53.5%) experienced grade (G)≥ 3 events. In Part 1B, 22 patients (91.7%) had at least one TEAE and 14 (58.3%) experienced G ≥ 3 events. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were evaluable in 24 and 21 patients respectively. In 1A, 2 DLTs were reported in 2 of 8 evaluable patients in dose level (DL) 4: G5 brain stem hemorrhage in a patient on concomitant low molecular weight heparin treatment and G3 myocardial infarction in a patient with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypertension. In 1B, 1 of 6 evaluable patients in DL5 had DLTs (G3 ALT and AST increase). MTD was not reached in either part. Ten patients had best overall response of stable disease: 6 in 1A and 4 in 1B. The PK of SAR439459 was dose proportional over the dose range tested with no evidence of cemiplimab effect on SAR439459 PK, when given in combination. Treatment with SAR439459 ± cemiplimab led to rapid reduction in total plasma TGFβ level in all dose levels tested and induced CD8 & NK cells expansion and Th1 cytokines production, suggesting peripheral T cell activation. Preliminary results from paired tumor biopsies collected from patients treated with SAR439459 ± cemiplimab in expansion showed trend of TGFβ signaling pathway inhibition and conversion from excluded to inflamed tumor-immune phenotype. Conclusions: SAR439459 ± cemiplimab showed an acceptable tolerability profile overall. MTD was not reached. Peripheral and tumor target engagement and modulation of key immune cells was observed in treated patients. Dose expansion cohorts are currently enrolling selected solid tumor patients. Funding: Sanofi. Clinical trial information: NCT03192345.

Patient experience of early high grade symptomatic adverse events on early phase clinical trials using the PRO-CTCAE.

12051 Background: There are limited data describing the patients’ experience of symptomatic adverse events (syAEs) on early phase clinical trials. This information is critical to understand the tolerability of experimental agents. The patient reported outcome version of the CTCAE (PRO-CTCAE) evaluates syAE components such as severity and interference in daily life. The aim of this study was to correlate clinician reported early, high grade (grade 3-4) AEs with patients’ reported experience of these toxicities. Methods: Advanced solid tumor patients (pts) enrolled on early phase clinical trials at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre were surveyed electronically using the full library of 78 items for PRO-CTCAE v1.0, which was administered at baseline (prior to therapy), mid-cycle 1, and mid-cycle 2. AEs on study were recorded by physicians using the CTCAE v4.0. Worst responses for severity items are ‘severe’ and ‘very severe’ and for interference items are ‘quite a bit’ and ‘very much’. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between CTCAE grade and PRO-CTCAE severity and interference. Results: A total of 292 pts were approached in phase 1 clinics from May 2017 to January 2019, and 219 pts were included in the analysis: median age 60 years (range 18-82), 111 (51%) were male; all were ECOG ≤1. A total of 140 pts (64%) received combination therapy (immunotherapy and targeted therapy), and 73 pts (33%) had received ≥3 previous lines of treatment. In terms of patient reported syAEs, a total of 114 pts (52%) reported a symptomatic AE as either severe or very severe at any timepoint and 79 pts (36%) reported a syAE with an interference that was either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘very much’. With regards to clinician reported AEs, a total of 82 pts (37%) had a clinician reported grade 3 or 4 syAE, and of these 34 pts (41%) reported these as either severe or very severe; and 26 pts (32%) found these AEs interfered with daily life either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘very much’. Additionally 137 pts (66%) had a clinician reported grade 1 or 2 syAE, and of these 39 pts (28%) reported these as either severe or very severe; and 19 (14%) found these AEs interfered with daily life either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘very much’. Higher grade clinician reported syAEs (CTCAE grade 3-4 vs 1-2) was associated with higher patient reported severity levels (odds ratio, OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1-3.16, p = 0.049), and was associated with higher patient reported interference levels (OR = 2.88, 95% CI 1.47-5.64, p = 0.002). Conclusions: A majority of patients had a very negative experience of syAEs on a phase I trial. Higher grades of clinician reported AEs correlated with greater severity and interference with daily living. Future phase I studies could incorporate the PRO-CTCAE and other PRO tools which could inform the tolerability of experimental regimens and enhance the description of symptomatic AEs.

Evaluation of emergency department (ED) visits by oncology patients: A running comparison to admissions and ED visits under the CMS OP-35 ruling.

e18683 Background: The incidence of emergency department (ED) visits by oncology patients has grown in recent years. Some visits are medically unnecessary or could be prevented with improved prophylactic measures. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, to which hospitals must report data on quality measures of care furnished in the outpatient setting. One of the proposed measures, OP-35, evaluates admissions and ED visits by patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, assessing for ten potentially preventable visits. These ten visit reasons included are: anemia, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, neutropenia, diarrhea, pain, pneumonia, fever, and sepsis. This study evaluated the incidence and reasons for ED visits by patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, as well as outcomes following these visits in order to assess appropriate prophylactic treatment related to outpatient chemotherapy at our institution. Methods: This single-center, retrospective chart review was conducted at The University of Arizona Cancer Center. We collected data using an electronic medical record and included oncology patients with active cancer who had ED visits from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. Data points included baseline demographics; malignancy; ED visit reason; clinic visit history; past ED visits; treatment and supportive care data; and outcome of the ED visit. Results: Study authors included 205 of the 1,659 screened encounters. Approximately 70% of the encounters involved patients with solid tumors and 30% with hematologic malignancies. Nearly 50% of hematologic malignancy patients presented to the ED for potentially preventable reasons, while 32.8% of solid tumor patients had potentially preventable visits. The most common preventable ED visit reasons in both groups were pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. In our analysis, over 90% of patients presenting for neutropenia and fever had received appropriate growth factor prophylaxis when indicated based on their chemotherapy regimen. Of the patients presenting for nausea or vomiting, it was determined 95.3% had received appropriate antiemetic prophylaxis. Conclusions: This study showed that the incidence of potentially preventable visits was numerically higher in the hematologic cancer group compared with the solid tumor group. In addition, this study showed that a number of patients who were admitted to the ED with nausea/vomiting or neutropenia/fever received appropriate guideline-recommended prophylactic or supportive care therapy, regardless of the OP-35 proposed CMS core measure determination that these visit reasons should be considered preventable. These findings highlight the need for CMS to further review OP-35 to include information addressing the use of appropriate supportive care in the future.

TP53 and CHEK2 germline mutations in malignant solid tumors.

3119 Background: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS, OMIM #151623) is an autosomal dominant cancer predisposition syndrome. Typical LFS tumors comprise adrenocortical carcinomas, sarcoma, breast cancer and central nervous system tumors. LFS is also associated with an increased risk of a multitude of other common types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, etc. TP53 germline mutations are the most common gene with LFS. Germline mutations of CHEK2 have been identified as another predisposing gene and associated with a range of cancer types. However, the pattern of TP53 and CHEK2 germline mutations in malignant tumors remains unknown. Methods: We identified 8535 malignant solid tumors patients without selecting age or family history in a retrospective cohort. Germline mutations were categorized based on ACMG (American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics) guidelines in pathogenicity. The patients were divided into three groups, P group (with pathogenic mutations), LP group (with likely-pathogenic mutations) and Non_P group (neither pathogenic nor likely-pathogenic mutation). Statistical significance was defined as P-value less than 0.05. Results: A total of 461 (461/8535) patients carried TP53 or CHEK2 germline mutations were identified, in which 15 patients with pathogenic mutations and 17 patients with likely-pathogenic mutations. One patient with lung cancer in LP group carried TP53 homozygous mutation ( p. Ser215Ile), and the remaining 31 patients all carried heterozygous mutations. Among these 31 carriers, 16 (51.6%) carried nonsense or missense mutations (10 for nonsense and 6 for missense mutations). 3 patients in the P group carried CHEK2 p. Y139* (one liver cancer patient and two lung cancer patients) were identified. The median age of group P, LP and Non_P was 55 (39 for TP53, 61 for CHEK2), 63 (52 for TP53, 66 for CHEK2) and 59, respectively. Somatic mutation analysis found no significant difference in tumor mutation burden (TMB) among three groups. The SNV/INDEL mutation frequency of LRP1B in the P or LP group was significantly lower than the Non_P group. Conclusions: Our data showed that 0.375% (32/8535) malignant solid tumor patients carried TP53 (16/8535) or CHEK2 (16/8535) germline pathogenic or likely-pathogenic mutations. The relationship between germline mutations and cancer susceptibility will be studied in the future.[Table: see text]

Identification of potential germline (GL) variants by routine clinical comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and confirmatory GL testing in 24 tumor types.

10596 Background: Tumor CGP may identify both somatic and GL variants, though confirmatory testing is required to verify which variants originate from the GL. Studies have shown CGP can identify patients who both do and do not meet criteria for genetic counseling (GC). Ideally, improved annotation from tumor CGP could more appropriately direct GC referrals. We explore how a computational algorithm might be used to influence GC and confirmatory GL testing for variants in inherited cancer predisposition genes. Methods: 849 patients from the Aurora Oncology Precision Medicine Program who had routine hybrid-capture based CGP by Foundation Medicine from 8/2018-8/2020 were eligible. A previously published algorithm, SGZ (Sun et al PMID 29415044) which incorporates allele frequency, aneuploidy, and admixed copy number modeling was used to predict whether each single nucleotide variant (SNV) was GL or somatic. SGZ predictions for SNVs in 24 actionable inherited cancer predisposition genes were available to Aurora for review as part of standard screening to identify appropriate GC referrals. For patients who had GL testing, variants in genes on both assays were compared. Results: 76 pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) variants predicted to be GL by SGZ were detected in 73/849 (9%) patients: ATM (7), BAP1 (2), BRCA1 (13), BRCA2 (8), BRIP1 (1), CHEK2 (18), FH (0), FLCN (2), MLH1 (1), MSH2 (0), MSH6 (3), MUTYH (12), PALB2 (3), PMS2 (1), POLE (0), RAD51C (1), RAD51D (0), RET (1), SDHA/B/C/D (0,0,0,0), TSC2 (0), and VHL (3). 27/73 (37%) patients had GL testing. 25/26 (96%) variants were confirmed to be GL in origin and 1 additional variant was detected by CGP in a region not interrogated by the GL assay: ATM (2/2), BRCA1 (6/6), BRCA2 (2/2), BRIP1 (1/1), CHEK2 (9/9), FLCN (0*/1), MSH6 (1/1), MUTYH (2/2), PALB2 (1/1), RAD51C (1/1), and VHL (0/1). Variants were confirmed in bladder, breast, CRC, glioma, NSCLC, ovary, pancreas, prostate, sarcoma, and gastric cancer. The VHL variant was discordant in a leiomyosarcoma. Conclusions: We identified the potential real-world clinical impact of computationally screening solid tumor patients undergoing routine CGP for potential P/LP GL variants. Predicting GL results with SGZ for 24 inherited cancer predisposition genes was highly concordant with confirmatory GL testing independent of tumor type. CGP annotations can facilitate GC referral and GL testing for at-risk patients, particularly in tumor types which may not typically meet guidelines for GL testing.[Table: see text]

Identification of a predictive biomarker and two pharmacodynamic biomarkers to ADG106 treatment, a novel anti-CD137 agonist antibody, in phase I clinical trials.

e14505 Background: ADG106 is a fully human agonistic anti-CD137 monoclonal IgG4 antibody that mediates anti-tumor activities via unique mechanisms of action. Here we provide safety and efficacy updates from our phase I trials and report the findings of a predictive biomarker and two pharmacodynamic biomarkers which correlate with patients’ clinical responses to ADG106 treatment and demonstrate target engagement, respectively. Methods: Formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE), blood and plasma specimens were collected from 92 patients enrolled in our phase I trials. We measured expression across a panel of protein biomarkers in FFPE specimens using three highly sensitive detection technologies: multiple immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of protein expression, the BD Multitest 6-color TBNK reagent for profiling immune cell subpopulations, and the MSD-ECL electrochemiluminescence assay for detection of soluble CD137. Objective tumor responses were determined using RECIST v1.1 for solid tumor patients and Lugano classification for lymphoma patients. Results: As of November 30, 2020, ADG106 has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and efficacy in the phase I clinical trials with a disease control rate of 56%. From a retrospective analysis of 28 pretreatment FFPE specimens, we identified a predictive biomarker that correlated with tumor shrinkage upon ADG106 treatment. We identified four biomarker positive specimens from two patients with lymphoma and two with solid tumors. Three out of four biomarker positive patients achieved greater than 30% tumor shrinkage after 3mg/kg or 5mg/kg ADG106 treatment. One biomarker positive patient with stable disease received a low dose ADG106 treatment at 0.5mg/kg during dose escalation. None of the 24 biomarker negative patients showed significant clinical response. A tissue microarray study confirmed expression of this predictive biomarker in a variety of tumor types suggesting a broad indication for ADG106 therapy. Our biomarker studies also demonstrated target engagement with increased NK cell proliferation and soluble CD137 upon ADG106 treatment. Analysis of safety, efficacy, PK and PD data allowed us to select a recommended dose for the upcoming phase II study. Conclusions: We identified a biomarker predictive of response to antitumor CD137 blockade by ADG106, as well as demonstrated the involvement of NK cells in ADG106 mediated anti-tumor activities. In upcoming phase II trials, we plan to enrich for populations expressing this predictive biomarker to demonstrate a clinical benefit to ADG106 therapy further validating early biomarker-based patient stratification. We will also explore the potential of selecting patients for combination treatment with anti-PD-1 therapies. Clinical trial information: NCT03802955.

Retrospective analysis of mortality within 30 days of systemic anticancer therapy and comparison with a previous audit at an Australian Regional Cancer Centre.

To retrospectively determine the rate of death occurring within 14 and 30 days of systemic anticancer therapy (SACT), compare this against a previous audit and benchmark results against other cancer centres. Secondly, to determine if the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), not available at the time of the initial audit, impacted mortality rates. All adult solid tumour and haematology patients receiving SACT at an Australian Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) between January 2016 and July 2020 were included. Over a 55-month period, 1709 patients received SACT. Patients dying within 14 and 30 days of SACT were 3.3% and 7.0% respectively and is slightly higher than our previous study which was 1.89% and 5.6%. Mean time to death was 15.5 days. Males accounted for 63.9% of patients and the mean age was 66.8 years. 46.2% of the 119 patients dying in the 30 days post SACT started a new line of treatment during that time. Of 98 patients receiving ICI, 22.5% died within 30 days of commencement. Disease progression was the most common cause of death (79%). The most common place of death was the RCC (38.7%). The rate of death observed in our re-audit compares favourably with our previous audit and is still at the lower end of that seen in published studies in Australia and internationally. Cases of patients dying within 30 days of SACT should be regularly reviewed to maintain awareness of this benchmark of quality assurance and provide a feedback process for clinicians.

Did Everolimus Break the Rules?

A phase II study with everolimus (mTORC1 inhibitor) among advanced solid tumors patients with TSC1/TSC2 or MTOR alterations was recently published. Although efficacy was limited, the study provided the future groundwork to advance the targeted therapy approach.See related article by Adib et al., p. 3845.

Bispecific Antibody PD-L1 x CD3 Boosts the Anti-Tumor Potency of the Expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T Cells.

Vγ2Vδ2 T cell-based immunotherapy has benefited some patients in clinical trials, but the overall efficacy is low for solid tumor patients. In this study, a bispecific antibody against both PD-L1 and CD3 (PD-L1 x CD3), Y111, could efficiently bridge T cells and PD-L1 expressing tumor cells. The Y111 prompted fresh CD8+ T cell-mediated lysis of H358 cells, but spared this effect on the fresh Vδ2+ T cells enriched from the same donors, which suggested that Y111 could bypass the anti-tumor capacity of the fresh Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. As the adoptive transfer of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells was approved to be safe and well-tolerated in clinical trials, we hypothesized that the combination of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells with the Y111 would provide an alternative approach of immunotherapy. Y111 induced the activation of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in a dose-dependent fashion in the presence of PD-L1 positive tumor cells. Moreover, Y111 increased the cytotoxicity of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells against various NSCLC-derived tumor cell lines with the releases of granzyme B, IFNγ, and TNFα in vitro. Meanwhile, the adoptive transferred Vγ2Vδ2 T cells together with the Y111 inhibited the growth of the established xenografts in NPG mice. Taken together, our data suggested a clinical potential for the adoptive transferring the Vγ2Vδ2 T cells with the Y111 to treat PD-L1 positive solid tumors.

HOTAIR expression and prognostic impact in acute myeloid leukemia patients

BackgroundAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disorder characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms attributable to bone marrow failure due to clonal proliferation of primitive hematopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells. Epigenetic abnormalities play an important role in the development and progression of acute leukemia. Long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) plays an important role in epigenetic regulation. Homeobox (Hox) transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is a lncRNA which has been determined to be a negative prognostic indicator in various solid-tumor patients. However, its role in hematopoietic tumors as AML is to be assessed. This study aimed at measuring lncRNA HOTAIR expression level on bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells in newly diagnosed AML patients and correlating its expression with their outcome and different prognostic variables. This provides new prospective for a novel marker involved in development and progression of AML which can be used as a diagnostic marker and a target of therapy. The current study included 65 subjects divided into 35 newly diagnosed AML adult patients (before initiation of chemotherapy) and 30 non-leukemic adult patients who are candidates for BM aspiration for causes other than hematological malignancies as immune thrombocytopenic purpura and hypersplenism as controls. HOTAIR expression was measured on BM mononuclear cells by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsHOTAIR expression was found to be significantly upregulated in AML patients (probability (p) value = 0.000) and it can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of AML as confirmed by a significant difference between cases and controls using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. However, it was not significantly correlated with event free survival (EFS) or prognostic variables.ConclusionThis study showed that the expression of HOTAIR is upregulated in de novo AML patients and can be used as a diagnostic marker. However, highly expressed HOTAIR is not associated with poor prognosis.

Targeting Solid Tumors With BTK Inhibitors.

The repurposing of FDA-approved Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors as therapeutic agents for solid tumors may offer renewed hope for chemotherapy-resistant cancer patients. Here we review the emerging evidence regarding the clinical potential of BTK inhibitors in solid tumor therapy. The use of BTK inhibitors may through lead optimization and translational research lead to the development of new and effective combination regimens for metastatic and/or therapy-refractory solid tumor patients.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with solid tumors and poor performance status: A prospective data from the real-world settings.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are rapidly being incorporated as treatment option either alone or in combination with chemotherapy in most of the solid tumors. Since there is very limited data of ICI in patients with poor performance status (PS) from the real world settings, we performed a retrospective audit of patients who received ICI and report the analysis based on ECOG PS of these patients.This study is a retrospective audit of a prospectively collected database of patients receiving ICIs for advanced solid tumors in any line between August 2015 and November 2018 at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. All statistical calculations were performed using SPSS statistical software for windows version 20.0.A total of 155 patients who received ICIs during the specified period were evaluated for this study. Baseline ECOG PS 0–1 (n = 103, 66.4%) patients was associated with median OS 9.1 (95% CI [confidence interval], 4.4-NR) months when compared to ECOG 2–4 (n = 52, 33.5%) which had a median OS of 2.9 (95% CI; 1.8–5.5) months (HR, 1.7, 95% CI, 1.1–2.7, log rank P = .017). The disease control rate for the poor PS group was 34.6%. However, 27.3% patients (95% CI: 20.3–34.3) were still alive at 1 year. Median OS in patients with PS 2 was 3.7 months (95% CI: 0–11.6) as compared to 1.8 months (95% CI: 0.2–3.4) for those with PS 3–4 (HR-2.0; 95% CI: 1.0–3.9, P = .041). The tolerance to ICIs was good with no grade 3/4 toxicities in 44 (84.6%) patients.Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a safe and effective therapeutic option even in solid tumor patients with poor performance status.

Assessment of Bone Health Education in US Multiple Myeloma and Solid Tumor Patients at Risk for Skeletal-Related Events.

PurposeCancer patients with bone metastasis (BM) from solid tumors or multiple myeloma (MM) have an increased risk of painful skeletal-related events (SREs), which can decrease quality of life and increase mortality. Bone targeting agents (BTAs) can help delay or prevent SREs; however, a significant portion of eligible patients are not receiving BTA therapy. This study was conducted to understand patient awareness of cancer-related bone health and to identify opportunities to improve bone health education in cancer patients at risk of SREs.MethodsThe online BonE heAlth eduCatiOn Needs assessment (BEACON) survey included questions about patient demographics, cancer diagnosis and treatments (including BTA usage), and extent and satisfaction with bone health education received. Direct-to-patient outreach was used to recruit patients. Eligible patients were US adults with a diagnosis of self-reported MM or BM from a solid tumor (breast, lung, or prostate cancer) within the past three years.ResultsOf 125 patients, 71% were diagnosed with solid tumors with BM and 29% with MM. At least one prior SRE was experienced by 57% of patients (38% radiation to bone, 32% bone fracture, 22% spinal cord compression, and 19% surgery to bone), and 74% were currently receiving BTA therapy. Awareness of cancer bone health, protection strategies, and screening tests was low to moderate; patients were least informed of the impact of lifestyle changes (38%) and specific cancer treatments (≤35%) on bone health. Sixty-two percent of patients were not completely satisfied with the bone health education received. Patients generally wanted more information (58%) and to receive information by more than one mode of communication.ConclusionNotable gaps in bone health education were observed in cancer patients at risk for SREs indicating an important need for improved communication and education strategies to promote better health outcomes.

Serum Levels of Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Predict Tumor Response and Outcome to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy.

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have led to a paradigm shift in cancer therapy, improving outcomes in the treatment of various malignancies. However, not all patients benefit to the same extend from ICI. Reliable tools to predict treatment response and outcome are missing. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a marker of immune activation, whose levels are prognostic in various cancers. We evaluated circulating suPAR levels as a novel predictive and prognostic biomarker in patients receiving ICI therapy for solid tumors.MethodsA total of n = 87 patients receiving ICI therapy for different solid malignancies as well as 32 healthy controls were included into this study. Serum levels of suPAR were measured by ELISA prior to and sequentially at two time points during ICI therapy.ResultsBaseline suPAR serum levels were significantly higher in solid tumor patients compared to healthy controls. Importantly, patients with low suPAR levels both before or during ICI treatment were more likely to have a favorable response to treatment at three and six months, respectively. This finding was confirmed by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis including several clinicopathological parameters. Moreover, circulating suPAR levels before and during therapy were an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). As such, patients with initial suPAR levels above our ideal prognostic cut-off value (4.86 ng/ml) had a median OS of only 160 days compared to 705 days for patients with suPAR levels below this cut-off value. Finally, low baseline suPAR levels identified a subgroup of patients who experienced ICI-related side effects which in turn were associated with favorable treatment response and outcome.ConclusionOur data suggest that measurements of suPAR serum levels are a previously unknown, easily accessible tool to predict individual treatment response and outcome to ICI therapy. Circulating suPAR might therefore be implemented into stratification algorithms to identify the ideal candidates for ICI treatment.

A Pilot Study Analyzing the Clinical Utility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Using Plasma Cell-Free DNA for Solid Tumor Patients in Japan (PROFILE Study).

The clinical utility of plasma cell-free DNA in precision cancer medicine has not been established. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling by liquid biopsy in a Japanese population. In this PROFILE study, 102 patients with advanced solid tumors who showed progression with standard systemic therapy underwent liquid biopsy between August 2017 and February 2020. Liquid biopsy was performed using Guardant360. Of the 102 patients, 56 were women, and the median age was 65 years. Regarding the types of cancer, 31 were hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer, 17 were gastrointestinal cancer, and 13 were breast cancer. Frequently altered genes were TP53 (53.9%, 46/102), KRAS (25.5%, 26/102), PIK3CA (19.6%, 20/102), and EGFR (17.6%, 18/102). At least one genetic aberration was detected in 92 patients (90.2%). Actionable mutation was discovered in 88 patients (86.3%), and 67 patients (65.7%) were clinical trial candidates. Of the 102 patients, 22 (21.6%) were able to receive biomarker-matched therapy. Their best responses were as follows: 1 complete response, 3 partial responses, 7 stable diseases, and 11 progressive diseases. Additionally, the treated patients were divided on the basis of matching scores (≥ 50% vs. < 50%). The patients were divided into high and low groups. The high group had a higher disease control rate (DCR) of 75% compared with 20% in the low group (P = 0.010). The results indicate that liquid biopsy is useful for identifying actionable mutations associated with the clinical response of selected patients.

#43: Monotherapy Experience in Pediatric Patients with High-risk Febrile Neutropenia

Abstract Background Fever during neutropenia is a common occurrence in children with cancer. In a systematic review of RCTs of pediatric febrile neutropenia, compared monotherapy with aminoglycoside-containing combination therapy found no significant differences in failure rates, infection-related mortality, or overall mortality. The updated pediatric-specific guidelines recommend initiation of empirical antibiotic monotherapy using an antipseudomonal β-lactam, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, or a carbapenem for pediatric high-risk febrile neutropenia. However, local epidemiology and resistance patterns should be evaluated regularly. Our local hospital epidemiology does not have Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, therefore, we used ceftriaxone as monotherapy in patients with high-risk febrile neutropenia without other risk factors. The goal of our investigation is to describe the experience of using third-generation cephalosporins in these patients. Methods Descriptive study of high-risk febrile neutropenia episodes in patients admitted to the Pediatric Oncology Unit of Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago, Chile. We included patients ≤15 years from June 2016 until November 2019. Results We found a total of 133 high-risk febrile neutropenia episodes corresponding to 50 patients, 78% were leukemia and 22% were solid tumor patients. Of the 133 episodes, 92 (69%) had clinical signs at admission, mostly respiratory in 46 (50%) of the cases, 18 (29%) had mucositis and 13 (14%) had diarrhea. Of 133 episodes, 41 (31%) did not have any source at clinical examination. Eighty-six (65%) cases started ceftriaxone at admission, 28 (33%) maintained ceftriaxone for 7 days of treatment with good clinical response. Of this group 58 (67%) patients changed treatment: 32 (37%) cases started second-line antibiotics for clinical worsening, 19 (22%) cases required second- and third-line antibiotics for persistent fever and clinical worsening, and 7 (8%) received third-line antibiotics from the start for past microbiological history. Sixteen (12%) cases of total evolved with sepsis requiring intensive care unit management. We had 30 (23%) episodes with positive blood culture, 11 (37%) due to gram-positive bacteria, 16 (53%) gram-negative bacteria, and 3 (10%) cases of fungal infections. Of the gram-negative bacteria, 7 (44%) were ESBL producers, without P. aeruginosa isolates. One case died (0.7%) for refractory sepsis due to gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion Although we did not have P. aeruginosa isolates, due to the spread of ESBL strains, monotherapy with ceftriaxone is not a good option as initial therapy for high-risk febrile neutropenia patients. The empiric therapy has to be evaluated regularly and should always be based on local epidemiology.

Development of a rapid and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS assay for simultaneous quantitation of Vorolanib and its metabolite in human plasma and application to a pharmacokinetics study

Vorolanib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). A sensitive and specific LC–MS/MS assay was developed and fully validated for simultaneous quantification of vorolanib and its main metabolite X297 in human plasma. The two analytes were extracted from K2-EDTA plasma samples by protein precipitation (PP) with acetonitrile, and chromatographically separated on a C18 reverse-phase column using a gradient elution. A SCIEX 5500 QTRAP® mass spectrometer system was operated in multiple-reaction monitoring mode (MRM) and all components were detected using positive electrospray ionization (ESI). The results successfully demonstrated that the method had satisfactory linearity, sensitivity, and selectivity in the concentration ranges of vorolanib (1.00−1000 ng/mL) and X297 (0.500−500 ng/mL).In this study, two concentration related peaks in the vorolanib and X297 detection channels were observed, which were speculated to be isomers of vorolanib and X297. In order to standardize the sample pretreatment process, the effect of lamp light and pH on the isomer reconversion was evaluated. The results indicated, that the exposure of samples to lamp light during the handling procedures, did not cause the conversion of the isomers. For the first time a robust and specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) assay for the high-throughput quantification of vorolanib and X297 in human plasma was established and validated following bioanalytical validation guidelines. The proposed method was successfully applied to clinical trials evaluating the pharmacokinetics of vorolanib tablets in Chinese advanced solid tumor patients.

Analysis of emergency head computed tomography in critically ill oncological patients.

BackgroundCritically ill cancer patients have an increased risk of developing acute neurological signs. The study objective was to evaluate the use and the usefulness of emergency head computed tomography (EHCT) in this category of patients.Patients and methodsThis retrospective, single-centre, cohort study included patients with EHCT performed during Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission for a period of three years. Indications, imagistic findings, type of malignancy, and outcome were evaluated to identify diagnostic yield and correlations between abnormal findings on positive scans, malignancy type, and mortality rate.ResultsSixty-four EHCTs were performed in 54 critically ill cancer patients, with 32 scans (50%) showing previously unknown lesions and considered to be positive. The most frequent abnormal findings were ischemic (15 EHCTs, 47%) and haemorrhagic (13 EHCTs, 40%) lesions. Thirty-eight EHCTs (59%) were indicated for altered mental status, with a positivity rate of 50%. Eighteen EHCTs (48%) were performed in hematological malignancy patients: 9 (50%) of which were positive with 8/9 (89%) displaying hemorrhagic lesions. Twenty EHCTs were performed in solid tumour patients, 10 (50%) of which were positive, with 9/10 (90%) displaying ischemic lesions. Out of 54 patients, 30 (55%) died during ICU stay. The mortality rate was higher in patients with hematological malignancies and positive EHCT (78% vs. 58%).ConclusionsDiagnostic yield of EHCT in critically ill cancer patients is much higher than in other categories of ICU patients. We support the systematic use of EHCT in critically ill, mainly hemato-oncological patients with nonspecific neurological dysfunction, as it may lead to early identification of intracranial complications.