1
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Lugowska I, Becker JC, Ascierto PA, Veness M, Blom A, Lebbe C, Migliano E, Hamming-Vrieze O, Goebeler M, Kneitz H, Nathan P, Rutkowski P, Slowinska M, Schadendorf D, Piulats JM, Petrelli F, van Akkooi ACJ, Berruti A. Merkel-cell carcinoma: ESMO-EURACAN Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. ESMO Open 2024; 9:102977. [PMID: 38796285 PMCID: PMC11145756 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.102977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
•This ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline provides key recommendations for managing Merkel-cell carcinoma (MCC). •Recommendations are based on available scientific data and the multidisciplinary group of experts’ collective opinion. •The guideline covers clinical and pathological diagnosis, staging and risk assessment, treatment and follow-up. •Algorithms for the management of locoregional and inoperable/metastatic disease are provided. •A multidisciplinary team with a high level of expertise in MCC should diagnose and make decisions about therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Lugowska
- Department of Early Phase Clinical Trials, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - J C Becker
- Department of Translational Skin Cancer Research, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital of Essen, Essen; Department of Translational Skin Cancer Research, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P A Ascierto
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - M Veness
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney; Department of Radiation Oncology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - A Blom
- CARADERM Network, Department of General and Oncologic Dermatology, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340-BECCOH, AP-HP, Ambroise-Paré Hospital, Boulogne-Billancourt
| | - C Lebbe
- Université de Paris Cite, Paris; Dermato-Oncology and CIC Department, AP-HP Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris; INSERM U976, Paris, France
| | - E Migliano
- Department of Plastic and Regenerative Surgery, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - O Hamming-Vrieze
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Goebeler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - H Kneitz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - P Nathan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, UK
| | - P Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw
| | - M Slowinska
- Department of Dermatology, Military Institute of Medicine-National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - D Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, Westdeutsches Tumorzentrum (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen & NCT-West Campus Essen & University Alliance Ruhr, Research Center One Health, Essen, Germany
| | - J M Piulats
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), CIBEROnc, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Petrelli
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Bergamo Ovest, Treviglio, Italy
| | - A C J van Akkooi
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney; Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - A Berruti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Medical Oncology Unit, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
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2
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Li Q, Feng T, Zhu T, Zhang W, Qian Y, Zhang H, Zheng X, Li D, Yun X, Zhao J, Li Y, Yu H, Gao M, Qian B. Multi-omics profiling of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma reveals different somatic mutations and a unique transcriptomic signature. J Transl Med 2023; 21:206. [PMID: 36941725 PMCID: PMC10026500 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04045-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) incidence has significantly increased, and some cases still exhibit invasive traits. The entire molecular landscape of PTMC, which can offer hints for the etiology of cancer, is currently absent. METHODS We compared our findings with those for PTMC in the TCGA by analyzing the largest study at the current stage of whole exome sequencing and RNA-sequencing data from 64 patients with PTMC. Then, we systematically demonstrated the differences between the two PTMC subtypes based on multi-omics analyses. Additionally, we created a molecular prediction model for the PTMC subtypes and validated them among TCGA patients for individualized integrative assessment. RESULTS In addition to the presence of BRAF mutations and RET fusions in the TCGA cohort, we also discovered a new molecular signature named PTMC-inflammatory that implies a potential response to immune intervention, which is enriched with AFP mutations, IGH@-ext fusions, elevated immune-related genes, positive peroxidase antibody, and positive thyroglobulin antibody. Additionally, a molecular prediction model for the PTMC-inflammatory patients was created and validated among TCGA patients, while the prognosis for these patients is poor. CONCLUSIONS Our findings comprehensively define the clinical and molecular features of PTMC and may inspire new therapeutic hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 277 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Tienan Feng
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 277 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Tengteng Zhu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 277 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Weituo Zhang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 277 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ying Qian
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 277 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Cancer Prevention Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiangqian Zheng
- Cancer Prevention Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- Cancer Prevention Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xinwei Yun
- Cancer Prevention Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jingzhu Zhao
- Cancer Prevention Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Herbert Yu
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, Tianjin Key Laboratory of General Surgery in Construction, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121, China.
- Department of Head and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China.
| | - Biyun Qian
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 277 South Chongqing Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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3
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Esnault C, Leblond V, Martin C, Desgranges A, Baltus CB, Aubrey N, Lakhrif Z, Lajoie L, Lantier L, Clémenceau B, Sarma B, Schrama J, Houben R, Schrama D, Hesbacher S, Gouilleux-Gruart V, Feng Y, Dimitrov D, Guyétant S, Berthon P, Viaud-Massuard MC, Samimi M, Touzé A, Kervarrec T. Adcitmer ® , a new CD56-targeting monomethyl auristatin E-conjugated antibody, is a potential therapeutic approach in Merkel cell carcinoma. Br J Dermatol 2021; 186:295-306. [PMID: 34582565 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.20770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer, whose tumour cells often express CD56. While immune checkpoint inhibitors constitute a major advance for treating patients with MCC with advanced disease, new therapeutic options are still urgently required. OBJECTIVES To produce and evaluate the therapeutic performance of a new antibody-drug conjugate (Adcitmer® ) targeting CD56 in preclinical models of MCC. METHODS CD56 expression was evaluated in a MCC cohort (immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray of 90 tumour samples) and MCC cell lines. Interaction of an unconjugated CD56-targeting antibody with CD56+ MCC cell lines was investigated by immunohistochemistry and imaging flow cytometry. Adcitmer® product was generated by the bioconjugation of CD56-targeting antibody to a cytotoxic drug (monomethyl auristatin E) using the McSAF Inside® bioconjugation process. The chemical properties and homogeneity of Adcitmer® were characterized by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Adcitmer® cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro and in an MCC xenograft mice model. RESULTS Similar to previous reports, CD56 was expressed by 66% of MCC tumours in our cohort, confirming its relevance as a therapeutic target. Specific binding and internalization of the unconjugated CD56-targeting antibody was validated in MCC cell lines. The high homogeneity of the newly generated Adcitmer® was confirmed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The CD56-mediated cytotoxicity of Adcitmer® was demonstrated in vitro in MCC cell lines. Moreover, Adcitmer® significantly reduced tumour growth in a MCC mouse model. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that Adcitmer® should be further assessed as a therapeutic option in patients with MCC, as an alternative therapy or combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Esnault
- Team 'Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus', ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - V Leblond
- Team 'Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus', ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | | | | | | | - N Aubrey
- Team BIOMAP, ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | - Z Lakhrif
- Team BIOMAP, ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | - L Lajoie
- Team FRAME, GICC EA7501, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France.,Plateforme Scientifique et Technique, Analyse des Systèmes Biologiques Département des Cytométries, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | - L Lantier
- Team BIOMAP, ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | - B Clémenceau
- CRCINA, INSERM, CNRS, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,LabEx IGO 'Immunotherapy, Graft, Oncology', Nantes, France.,CHU de Nantes, Hôtel Dieu, Nantes, F-44000, France
| | - B Sarma
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - J Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - R Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - D Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - S Hesbacher
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | | | - Y Feng
- Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, NCI at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - D Dimitrov
- Protein Interactions Section, Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - S Guyétant
- Team 'Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus', ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France.,Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Chambray-les-Tours, 37170, France
| | - P Berthon
- Team 'Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus', ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | - M C Viaud-Massuard
- McSAF, Tours, 37200, France.,Team IMT, GICC EA7501, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | - M Samimi
- Team 'Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus', ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France.,Department of Dermatology, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Chambray-les-Tours, 37170, France
| | - A Touzé
- Team 'Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus', ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France
| | - T Kervarrec
- Team 'Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus', ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, Université de Tours, Tours, 37200, France.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany.,Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Chambray-les-Tours, 37170, France
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4
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Russell BL, Sooklal SA, Malindisa ST, Daka LJ, Ntwasa M. The Tumor Microenvironment Factors That Promote Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:641428. [PMID: 34268109 PMCID: PMC8276693 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.641428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Through genetic and epigenetic alterations, cancer cells present the immune system with a diversity of antigens or neoantigens, which the organism must distinguish from self. The immune system responds to neoantigens by activating naïve T cells, which mount an anticancer cytotoxic response. T cell activation begins when the T cell receptor (TCR) interacts with the antigen, which is displayed by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Subsequently, accessory stimulatory or inhibitory molecules transduce a secondary signal in concert with the TCR/antigen mediated stimulus. These molecules serve to modulate the activation signal's strength at the immune synapse. Therefore, the activation signal's optimum amplitude is maintained by a balance between the costimulatory and inhibitory signals. This system comprises the so-called immune checkpoints such as the programmed cell death (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and is crucial for the maintenance of self-tolerance. Cancers often evade the intrinsic anti-tumor activity present in normal physiology primarily by the downregulation of T cell activation. The blockade of the immune checkpoint inhibitors using specific monoclonal antibodies has emerged as a potentially powerful anticancer therapy strategy. Several drugs have been approved mainly for solid tumors. However, it has emerged that there are innate and acquired mechanisms by which resistance is developed against these therapies. Some of these are tumor-intrinsic mechanisms, while others are tumor-extrinsic whereby the microenvironment may have innate or acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. This review article will examine mechanisms by which resistance is mounted against immune checkpoint inhibitors focussing on anti-CTL4-A and anti-PD-1/PD-Ll since drugs targeting these checkpoints are the most developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie L. Russell
- Department of Life & Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Innovation Hub, Buboo (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Selisha A. Sooklal
- Department of Life & Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sibusiso T. Malindisa
- Department of Life & Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Monde Ntwasa
- Department of Life & Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
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5
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Ascierto PA, Butterfield LH, Campbell K, Daniele B, Dougan M, Emens LA, Formenti S, Janku F, Khleif SN, Kirchhoff T, Morabito A, Najjar Y, Nathan P, Odunsi K, Patnaik A, Paulos CM, Reinfeld BI, Skinner HD, Timmerman J, Puzanov I. Perspectives in immunotherapy: meeting report from the "Immunotherapy Bridge" (December 4th-5th, 2019, Naples, Italy). J Transl Med 2021; 19:13. [PMID: 33407605 PMCID: PMC7789268 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, numerous clinical trials and real-world experience have provided a large amount of evidence demonstrating the potential for long-term survival with immunotherapy agents across various malignancies, beginning with melanoma and extending to other tumours. The clinical success of immune checkpoint blockade has encouraged increasing development of other immunotherapies. It has been estimated that there are over 3000 immuno-oncology trials ongoing, targeting hundreds of disease and immune pathways. Evolving topics on cancer immunotherapy, including the state of the art of immunotherapy across various malignancies, were the focus of discussions at the Immunotherapy Bridge meeting (4-5 December, 2019, Naples, Italy), and are summarised in this report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo A Ascierto
- Cancer Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Lisa H Butterfield
- PICI Research & Development, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katie Campbell
- PICI Research & Development, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael Dougan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leisha A Emens
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Silvia Formenti
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Filip Janku
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samir N Khleif
- The Loop Immuno-Oncology Research Laboratory, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tomas Kirchhoff
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alessandro Morabito
- Thoracic Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Yana Najjar
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Kunle Odunsi
- Center for Immunotherapy and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Akash Patnaik
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Heath D Skinner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John Timmerman
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Igor Puzanov
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
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6
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Paulson KG, Lahman MC, Chapuis AG, Brownell I. Immunotherapy for skin cancer. Int Immunol 2020; 31:465-475. [PMID: 30753483 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Among all tumor types, skin cancers are profoundly sensitive to immunotherapy. Indeed, the recently reported response rates for anti-PD-1 (anti-programmed-death 1) therapy for cutaneous malignant melanomas (MM), Merkel cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and Kaposi sarcomas are all above 40%. This unique immunogenicity renders skin cancers as a paradigm for tumor-immune interactions and is driven by high mutational burdens, over-expressed tumor antigens and/or viral antigens. However, despite the clear demonstration of immunologic cure of skin cancer in some patients, most tumors develop either early (primary) or late (adaptive) resistance to immunotherapy. Resistance mechanisms are complex, and include contributions of tumor cell-intrinsic, T cell and microenvironment factors that have been recently further elucidated with the advent of single-cell technologies. This review will focus on the exciting progress with immunotherapy for skin cancers to date, and also our current understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly G Paulson
- Clinical Research Division, Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Miranda C Lahman
- Clinical Research Division, Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aude G Chapuis
- Clinical Research Division, Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Isaac Brownell
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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7
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Ascierto PA, Garbe C. Updates and new perspectives in nonmelanoma skin cancer therapy: highlights from 'Immunotherapy Bridge'. Immunotherapy 2020; 12:167-174. [PMID: 32208790 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, extensive research has improved our understanding of tumor immunology and has enabled the development of novel treatments. The state of the art of immunotherapy in various types of malignancies was exhaustively discussed in the 'Immunotherapy Bridge' meeting, which was held in Naples on 4-5 December 2019. Highlights related to the immunological treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer are the content of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Unit Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy & Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione 'G Pascale,' Napoli, Italy
| | - Claus Garbe
- Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
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8
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Lewis CW, Qazi J, Hippe DS, Lachance K, Thomas H, Cook MM, Juhlin I, Singh N, Thuesmunn Z, Takagishi SR, McEvoy A, Doolittle-Amieva C, Bhatia S, Paulson KG, O'Malley RB, Wang CL, Nghiem P. Patterns of distant metastases in 215 Merkel cell carcinoma patients: Implications for prognosis and surveillance. Cancer Med 2019; 9:1374-1382. [PMID: 31883234 PMCID: PMC7013053 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one‐third of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients eventually develop distant metastatic disease. Little is known about whether the location of the primary lesion is predictive of initial distant metastatic site, or if survival likelihood differs depending on the metastatic site. Such data could inform imaging/surveillance practices and improve prognostic accuracy. Multivariate and competing‐risk analyses were performed on a cohort of 215 MCC patients with distant metastases, 31% of whom had two or more initial sites of distant metastasis. At time of initial distant metastasis in the 215 patients, metastatic sites (n = 305) included non‐regional lymph nodes (present in 41% of patients), skin/body wall (25%), liver (23%), bone (21%), pancreas (8%), lung (7%), and brain (5%). Among the 194 patients who presented with MCC limited to local or regional sites (stage I‐III) but who ultimately developed distant metastases, distant progression occurred in 49% by 1 year and in 80% by 2 years following initial diagnosis. Primary MCC locations differed in how likely they were to metastasize to specific organs/sites (P < .001). For example, liver metastases were far more likely from a head/neck primary (43% of 58 patients) versus a lower limb primary (5% of 39 patients; P < .0001). Skin‐only distant metastasis was associated with lower MCC‐specific mortality as compared to metastases in multiple organs/sites (HR 2.7; P = .003), in the liver (HR 2.1; P = .05), or in distant lymph nodes (HR 2.0; P = .045). These data reflect outcomes before PD1‐pathway inhibitor availability, which may positively impact survival. In conclusion, primary MCC location is associated with a pattern of distant spread, which may assist in optimizing surveillance. Because it is linked to survival, the site of initial distant metastasis should be considered when assessing prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Lewis
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jamiluddin Qazi
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Daniel S Hippe
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kristina Lachance
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hannah Thomas
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Maclean M Cook
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ilsa Juhlin
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Neha Singh
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zoe Thuesmunn
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Seesha R Takagishi
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aubriana McEvoy
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Coley Doolittle-Amieva
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shailender Bhatia
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelly G Paulson
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ryan B O'Malley
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Carolyn L Wang
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paul Nghiem
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA
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9
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Ascierto PA, Bifulco C, Buonaguro L, Emens LA, Ferris RL, Fox BA, Delgoffe GM, Galon J, Gridelli C, Merlano M, Nathan P, Odunsi K, Okada H, Paulos CM, Pignata S, Schalper KA, Spranger S, Tortora G, Zarour H, Butterfield LH, Puzanov I. Perspectives in immunotherapy: meeting report from the "Immunotherapy Bridge 2018" (28-29 November, 2018, Naples, Italy). J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:332. [PMID: 31783779 PMCID: PMC6884742 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0798-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is now widely established as a potent and effective treatment option across several types of cancer. However, there is increasing recognition that not all patients respond to immunotherapy, focusing attention on the immune contexture of the tumor microenvironment (TME), drivers of the immune response and mechanisms of tumor resistance to immunity. The development of novel immunotherapeutics and their use in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other standard of care and novel treatment modalities is an area of particular attention across several tumor types, including melanoma, lung, ovarian, breast, pancreatic, renal, head and neck, brain and non-melanoma skin cancers. The 4th Immunotherapy Bridge meeting (28-29 November, 2018, Naples, Italy) focused on a wide range of evolving topics and trends in the field of cancer immunotherapy and key presentations from this meeting are summarised in this report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo A Ascierto
- Unit of Medical Oncology and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Carlo Bifulco
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Leisha A Emens
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bernard A Fox
- Laboratory of Molecular and Tumor Immunology, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Greg M Delgoffe
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jérôme Galon
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research, INSERM, Cordeliers Research Center, Paris, France
| | - Cesare Gridelli
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Hospital "San Giuseppe Moscati", Avellino, Italy
| | - Marco Merlano
- Oncology Department, ASO Santa Croce e Carle Cuneo, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Paul Nathan
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, Middlesex, UK
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Executive Director, Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Sandro Pignata
- Uro-Gynaecological Department, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale, IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Kurt A Schalper
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, Translational Immuno-oncology Laboratory, Yale Cancer Center, Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stefani Spranger
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Hassane Zarour
- Melanoma Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lisa H Butterfield
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Research Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA.
| | - Igor Puzanov
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
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10
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Kazemi NY, Jain C, Bois MC, Behfar A, Olivier K, Markovic SN. Heart Block Caused by Cardiac Metastasis From Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes 2019; 3:510-516. [PMID: 31993571 PMCID: PMC6978596 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, rapidly proliferating skin cancer that commonly metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. We present the case of a 73-year-old woman with a history of MCC and non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma who presented with second-degree heart block (Mobitz type II) caused by an interatrial mass. Temporary pacing was required before biopsy, which revealed metastatic MCC. Treatment included permanent pacing, anti–programmed cell death ligand 1 immunotherapy, and radiation to the heart resulting in notable decrease in tumor size and normalized cardiac rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Jain
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Melanie C Bois
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Atta Behfar
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Kenneth Olivier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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11
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12
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Femia D, Prinzi N, Anichini A, Mortarini R, Nichetti F, Corti F, Torchio M, Peverelli G, Pagani F, Maurichi A, Mattavelli I, Milione M, Bedini N, Corti A, Di Bartolomeo M, de Braud F, Pusceddu S. Treatment of Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Current Therapeutic Options and Novel Immunotherapy Approaches. Target Oncol 2019; 13:567-582. [PMID: 30073632 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-018-0585-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a very aggressive, rare neuroendocrine tumor of the skin with a high frequency of locoregional recurrence and metastasis, and a high mortality rate. Surgical resection, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and radiotherapy represent the gold standard of treatment in patients with localized disease, while chemotherapy has a significant role in the treatment of advanced disease. However, no definitive evidence on the survival impact of radiotherapy in the advanced stages has been provided to date, and response to chemotherapy remains brief in the majority of cases, indicating an urgent need for alternative approaches. Biological and genome sequencing studies have implicated multiple molecular pathways in MCC, thus leading to the development of new agents that target angiogenic factors, anti-apoptosis molecules, poly-ADP ribose polymerase, intracellular signal proteins such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and peptide receptors such as somatostatin receptors. More recently, immunotherapy agents such as avelumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab, which act by blocking the programmed cell-death (PD)-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint, have shown promising results, especially in the advanced setting, and should now be considered standard of care for metastatic MCC. Current research is focusing on developing new immunotherapeutic strategies, identifying predictive biomarker to aid in the selection of patients responsive to immunotherapy, and defining combination approaches to increase efficacy in refractory patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Femia
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Natalie Prinzi
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Anichini
- Department of Research, Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Mortarini
- Department of Research, Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Nichetti
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Corti
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Torchio
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Peverelli
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pagani
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Maurichi
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, ENETS Center of Excellence, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Mattavelli
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, ENETS Center of Excellence, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Milione
- 1st Pathology Division, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori and ENETS Center of Excellence, Milan, Italy
| | - Nice Bedini
- Radiation Oncology 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maria Di Bartolomeo
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo de Braud
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.,University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Pusceddu
- Department of Medical Oncology Unit-1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano and ENETS Center of Excellence, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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13
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Knepper TC, Montesion M, Russell JS, Sokol ES, Frampton GM, Miller VA, Albacker LA, McLeod HL, Eroglu Z, Khushalani NI, Sondak VK, Messina JL, Schell MJ, DeCaprio JA, Tsai KY, Brohl AS. The Genomic Landscape of Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Clinicogenomic Biomarkers of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:5961-5971. [PMID: 31399473 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-4159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous malignancy, which has demonstrated sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Here, we perform the largest genomics study in MCC to date to characterize the molecular landscape and evaluate for clinical and molecular correlates to immune checkpoint inhibitor response. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Comprehensive molecular profiling was performed on 317 tumors from patients with MCC, including the evaluation of oncogenic mutations, tumor mutational burden (TMB), mutational signatures, and the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). For a subset of 57 patients, a retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate for clinical and molecular correlates to immune checkpoint inhibitor response and disease survival. RESULTS Genomic analyses revealed a bimodal distribution in TMB, with 2 molecularly distinct subgroups. Ninety-four percent (n = 110) of TMB-high specimens exhibited an ultraviolet light (UV) mutational signature. MCPyV genomic DNA sequences were not identified in any TMB-high cases (0/117), but were in 63% (110/175) of TMB-low cases. For 36 evaluable patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors, the overall response rate was 44% and response correlated with survival at time of review (100% vs. 20%, P < 0.001). Response rate was 50% in TMB-high/UV-driven and 41% in TMB-low/MCPyV-positive tumors (P = 0.63). Response rate was significantly correlated with line of therapy: 75% in first-line, 39% in second-line, and 18% in third-line or beyond (P = 0.0066). PD-1, but not PD-L1, expression was associated with immunotherapy response (77% vs. 21%, P = 0.00598, for PD-1 positive and negative, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We provide a comprehensive genomic landscape of MCC and demonstrate clinicogenomic associates of immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd C Knepper
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Howard L McLeod
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Zeynep Eroglu
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Nikhil I Khushalani
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Vernon K Sondak
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jane L Messina
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Michael J Schell
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kenneth Y Tsai
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida. .,Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.,Department of Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Andrew S Brohl
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida. .,Sarcoma, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
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14
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Abdallah N, Nagasaka M, Chowdhury T, Raval K, Hotaling J, Sukari A. Complete response with neoadjuvant avelumab in Merkel cell carcinoma - A case report. Oral Oncol 2019; 99:104350. [PMID: 31277904 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine skin malignancy. We report here a case of localized MCC achieving pathologic complete response upon treatment with avelumab in the neoadjuvant setting. Preclinical and clinical studies have revealed a close relationship between MCC and the immune system, thus supporting a role for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in MCC. This neoadjuvant use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors can avoid potentially disfiguring surgery in MCC. As the incidence of MCC is rising, clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in resectable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Abdallah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Misako Nagasaka
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Advanced Medical Innovation, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Tahmida Chowdhury
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kunil Raval
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey Hotaling
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ammar Sukari
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
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15
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Beyond: An Overview of Immune-Based Therapies in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Am J Clin Dermatol 2019; 20:391-407. [PMID: 30784027 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-019-00427-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer. Until 2017, patients with advanced disease were typically treated with conventional chemotherapies, with a median response duration of 3 months. Increased evidence of the role of the immune system in controlling this cancer has paved the way for immune-based therapies, with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors at the frontline. Avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, was the first-ever drug approved in advanced MCC after showing meaningful efficacy in a second-line setting. Objective responses were observed in one-third of patients and, most importantly, were durable with half of patients and one-third of patients still alive at 1 and 2 years, respectively. When used in a first-line setting, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (avelumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab) are even more promising as objective responses are observed in approximately 50-70% of patients within the first 4-8 weeks of treatment. Safety profiles are acceptable with 10-20% of patients experiencing adverse events grade ≥ 3. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are considered the standard of care in advanced MCC and are currently being investigated in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings. However, innovative treatments are still needed in the metastatic setting, as approximately 50% of these patients will not persistently respond to currently available immunotherapies, and no predictors of response are available yet. Therefore, other immunotherapeutic strategies are now being investigated-ideally in combinations-to enhance the various aspects of the immune response against tumoral cells.
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16
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Gallo M, Guarnotta V, De Cicco F, Rubino M, Faggiano A, Colao A. Immune checkpoint blockade for Merkel cell carcinoma: actual findings and unanswered questions. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019; 145:429-443. [PMID: 30617553 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-019-02839-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the skin. We aimed to review and deal with some of the most relevant controversial topics on the correct use of immunotherapy for the treatment of MCC. METHODS The primary search was carried out via PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (until 31st May, 2018), while other articles and guidelines were retrieved from related papers or those referenced in these papers. Additionally, we performed an extensive search on ClinicalTrials.gov to gather information on the ongoing clinical trials related to this specific topic. RESULTS We performed an up-to-date critical review taking into account the results of both retrospective and prospective published studies evaluating these issues: Are there any predictive criteria of response to immunotherapy? What is the correct place of immunotherapy in the treatment algorithm of MCC? What is the best choice after immunotherapy failure? What to do with patients for whom immunotherapy is not been feasible or contraindicated? How long should immunotherapy be prolonged, and what follow-up should be offered after complete response? CONCLUSION The therapeutic landscape of MCC is rapidly evolving: many open issues will probably be resolved, and many other questions are likely to arise in the next few years. The results of ongoing prospective clinical trials and of several other studies on these issues are eagerly awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gallo
- Oncological Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - Valentina Guarnotta
- Section of Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, Biomedical Department of Internal and Specialist Medicine (DIBIMIS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica De Cicco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Manila Rubino
- Unit of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumours, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy
| | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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