NLR Outperforms Low Hemoglobin and High Platelet Count as Predictive and Prognostic Biomarker in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Reliable biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain elusive. While several markers have been shown to be associated with prognosis, and may aid in risk assessment, predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have not been established. Previous studies have shown that a high pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a negative prognostic factor in RCC. However, a clinically useful cut-off for the predictive and prognostic value of NLR has not been well defined.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 132 patients with previously untreated metastatic clear cell RCC (ccRCC) who received first line ICI-based therapy. ICI-based therapy included anti-PD-1/PD-L1 alone or in combination with anti-CTLA-4 or VEGF-TKI. Platelet, haemoglobin, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were collected prior to treatment and at 12-weeks after treatment initiation. Radiologic response at 12-weeks and overall survival (OS) data was also collected.

RESULTS

Low haemoglobin, high platelet count, and NLR ≥3 were statistically significant negative predictive biomarkers when assessed at 12-weeks, but not at baseline. Median OS was shorter in patients with low haemoglobin (20.3 months vs. 51.6 months, P = .009), high platelet count (14.3 months vs. 43.8 months, P = .003), and NLR ≥ 3 (17.5 months vs. 40.3 months, P < .001) at 12-weeks. In an IMDC-risk adjusted analysis, only NLR ≥3 at 12-weeks remained statistically significant (OR of 2.11, P = .003) A dynamic change towards lower absolute NLR overtime was associated with longer OS. In patients who had baseline NLR ≥ 3, those who achieved NLR < 3 at 12-weeks demonstrated significant longer median OS compared to those whose NLR remained persistently ≥ 3 (40.3 months vs. 14.7 months, P = .004).

CONCLUSION

NLR ≥3, low haemoglobin and elevated platelet count after 12-weeks of ICI-based first line therapy were negatively prognostic and predictive in patients with metastatic RCC. Normalization of NLR in patients with baseline elevation was associated with longer median OS and response to therapy. These results suggest that monitoring of routine haematologic biomarkers during therapy may provide important predictive and prognostic information, beyond what is available with baseline risk assessment scoring systems.

Outcomes of Patients with Brain Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving First-line Therapies: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium

Patients with brain metastases (BrM) from renal cell carcinoma and their outcomes are not well characterized owing to frequent exclusion of this population from clinical trials. We analyzed data for patients with or without BrM using the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC). A total of 389/4799 patients (8.1%) had BrM on initiation of systemic therapy. First-line immuno-oncology (IO)-based combination therapy was associated with longer median overall survival (OS; 32.7 mo, 95% confidence interval [CI] 22.3-not reached) versus tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy (20.6 mo, 95% CI 15.7-24.5; p = 0.019), as were intensive focal therapies with stereotactic radiotherapy or neurosurgery (31.4 mo, 95% CI 22.3-37.5) versus whole-brain radiotherapy alone or no focal therapy (16.5 mo, 95% CI 10.2-21.1; p = 0.028). On multivariable analysis, IO-based regimens (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.97; p = 0.040) and stereotactic radiotherapy or neurosurgery (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29-0.78; p = 0.003) were independently associated with longer OS, as was IMDC favorable or intermediate risk (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.24-0.66; p < 0.001). Intensive systemic and focal therapies were associated with better prognosis in this population. Further studies should explore the clinical effectiveness of multimodal strategies. PATIENT SUMMARY: In a large group of patients with advanced kidney cancer, we found that 8.1% had brain metastases when starting systemic therapy. Patients with brain metastases had significantly poorer prognosis than those without brain metastases. Receipt of combination immunotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, or neurosurgery was associated with longer overall survival.

Standard Versus Modified Ipilimumab, in Combination With Nivolumab, in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Randomized Phase II Trial (PRISM)

PURPOSE

Ipilimumab (IPI), in combination with nivolumab (NIVO), is an approved frontline treatment option for patients with intermediate- or poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC). We conducted a randomized phase II trial to evaluate whether administering IPI once every 12 weeks (modified), instead of once every 3 weeks (standard), in combination with NIVO, is associated with a favorable toxicity profile.

METHODS

Treatment-naïve patients with clear-cell aRCC were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive four doses of modified or standard IPI, 1 mg/kg, in combination with NIVO (3 mg/kg). The primary end point was the proportion of patients with a grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse event (trAE) among those who received at least one dose of therapy. The key secondary end point was 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) in the modified arm compared with historical sunitinib control. The study was not designed to formally compare arms for efficacy.

RESULTS

Between March 2018 and January 2020, 192 patients (69.8% intermediate/poor-risk) were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of study drug. The incidence of grade 3-5 trAEs was significantly lower among participants receiving modified versus standard IPI (32.8% v 53.1%; odds ratio, 0.43 [90% CI, 0.25 to 0.72]; P = .0075). The 12-month PFS (90% CI) using modified IPI was 46.1% (38.6 to 53.2). At a median follow-up of 21 months, the overall response rate was 45.3% versus 35.9% and the median PFS was 10.8 months versus 9.8 months in the modified and standard IPI groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Rates of grade 3-5 trAEs were significantly lower in patients receiving modified versus standard IPI. Although 12-month PFS did not meet the prespecified efficacy threshold compared with historical control, informal comparison of treatment groups did not suggest any reduction in efficacy with the modified schedule.

Optimizing outcomes for high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: The evolving role of PD-(L)1 inhibition

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor followed by intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard of care in high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Although many patients respond, recurrence and progression are common. In addition, patients may be unable to receive induction + maintenance due to intolerance or supply issues. Therefore, alternative treatment options are urgently required. Programmed cell death (ligand) 1 (PD-[L]1) inhibitors show clinical benefit in phase 1/2 trials in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC patients. This review presents the status of PD-(L)1 inhibition in high-risk NMIBC and discusses future directions. PubMed and Google scholar were searched for articles relating to NMIBC immunotherapy and ClinicalTrials.gov for planned and ongoing clinical trials. Preclinical and early clinical studies show that BCG upregulates PD-L1 expression in bladder cancer cells and, when combined with a PD-(L)1 inhibitor, a potent antitumor response is activated. Based on this mechanism, several PD-(L)1 inhibitors are in phase 3 trials in BCG-naïve, high-risk NMIBC in combination with BCG. Whereas PD-(L)1 inhibitors are well characterized in patients with advanced malignancies, the impact of immune-related adverse events (irAE) on the benefit/risk ratio in NMIBC should be determined. Alternative routes to intravenous administration, like subcutaneous and intravesical administration, may facilitate adherence and access. The outcomes of combination of PD-(L)1 inhibitors and BCG in NMIBC are highly anticipated. There will be a need to address treatment resources, optimal management of irAEs and education and training related to use of this therapy in clinical practice.

Characterization of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Deferred, Upfront, or No Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in the Era of Combination Immunotherapy: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium

BACKGROUND

The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) has not yet been well characterized in the era of combination immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate characteristics and outcomes for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received immuno-oncology (IO)-based combination therapy according to CN status.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Using the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC), patients with mRCC who received frontline IO-based combinations were included. Upfront CN was defined as CN up to 3 mo before diagnosis of metastatic disease but before systemic therapy initiation. Deferred CN was defined as CN after systemic therapy initiation.

OUTCOMES MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Overall survival (OS) from initiation of systemic therapy was estimated via Cox proportional-hazards regression. A 12-mo landmark time and a time-varying covariate for CN status were used to mitigate potential bias.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Of the 385 patients eligible for landmark analysis, 24, 182, and 179 underwent deferred CN, upfront CN, and no CN, respectively. Patients in the no CN subgroup were older (63 yr vs 57 yr in the deferred CN subgroup and 60 yr in the upfront CN subgroup; p = 0.001) and a higher proportion had bone metastases (44% vs 26% in the deferred CN subgroup and 23% in the upfront CN subgroup; p < 0.001). A lower proportion of patients in the upfront CN subgroup had IMDC poor risk (23% vs 43% in the no CN subgroup and 47% in the deferred CN subgroup; p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, CN receipt was an independent favorable prognostic factor (hazard ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.78; p = 0.005). The study is limited by the lack of randomization and its retrospective nature.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite changes in practice patterns with the advent of novel therapeutic agents, CN may still serve as an effective surgical intervention in carefully selected patients.

PATIENT SUMMARY

For patients with metastatic kidney cancer, surgery to remove the primary tumor was traditionally the treatment of choice, but immunotherapy drugs are now another option for these patients. We analyzed data for contemporary patients with metastatic kidney cancer who received combination immunotherapy as their first treatment. We found that in selected patients receiving immunotherapy, surgery to remove the primary tumor as well can result in better prognosis.

Outcomes for International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium Prognostic Groups in Contemporary First-line Combination Therapies for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The combination of immuno-oncology (IO) agents ipilimumab and nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) and vascular endothelial growth factor targeted therapies (VEGF-TT) combined with IO (IO-VEGF) are current standard of care first-line treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

OBJECTIVE

To establish real-world clinical benchmarks for IO combination therapies based on the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Patients with mRCC who received first-line IPI-NIVO, IO-VEGF, or VEGF-TT from 2002 to 2021 were identified using the IMDC database and stratified according to IMDC risk groups.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Overall survival (OS), time to next treatment (TTNT), and treatment duration (TD) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between IMDC risk groups within each treatment cohort by the log-rank test. The overall response rate (ORR) was calculated by physician assessment of the best overall response. The primary outcome was OS at 18 mo.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

In total, 728 patients received IPI-NIVO, 282 IO-VEGF, and 7163 VEGF-TT. The median follow-up times for patients remaining alive were 14.3 mo for IPI-NIVO, 14.9 mo IO-VEGF, and 34.4 mo for VEGF-TT. OS at 18 mo for favorable, intermediate, and poor risk was, respectively, 90%, 78%, and 50% for those receiving IPI-NIVO; 93%, 83%, and 74% for IO-VEGF; and 84%, 64%, and 28% for VEGF-TT. ORRs in favorable-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups were 41.3%, 40.6%, and 33.0% for those receiving IPI-NIVO; 60.3%, 56.8%, and 40.9% for IO-VEGF; and 39.3%, 33.5%, and 20.9% for VEGF-TT, respectively. The IMDC model stratified patients into statistically distinct risk groups for the three endpoints of OS, TTNT, and TD within each treatment cohort. Limitations of this study were the retrospective design and short follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the IMDC model continues to risk stratify patients with mRCC treated with contemporary first-line IO combination therapies and provided real-world survival benchmarks.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium model continues to stratify patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving modern combination treatments in the real-world setting.

Characterization of Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Experiencing Complete Response to First-line Therapies: Results From the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium

PURPOSE

Clinical trials have demonstrated higher complete response rates in the immuno-oncology-based combination arms than in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor arms in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We aimed to characterize real-world patients who experienced complete response to the contemporary first-line therapies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium, response-evaluable patients who received frontline immuno-oncology-based combination therapy or tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy were analyzed. Baseline characteristics of patients and post-landmark overall survival were compared based on best overall response, as per RECIST 1.1.

RESULTS

A total of 52 (4.6%) of 1,126 and 223 (3.0%) of 7,557 patients experienced complete response to immuno-oncology-based and tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies, respectively (P = .005). An adjusted odds ratio for complete response achieved by immuno-oncology-based combination therapy (vs tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy) was 1.56 (95% CI 1.11-2.17; P = .009). Among patients who experienced complete response, the immuno-oncology-based cohort had a higher proportion of non-clear cell histology (15.9% and 4.7%; P = .016), sarcomatoid dedifferentiation (29.8% and 13.5%; P = .014), and multiple sites of metastases (80.4% and 50.0%; P < .001) than the tyrosine kinase inhibitor cohort. Complete response was independently associated with post-landmark overall survival benefit in both the immuno-oncology-based and tyrosine kinase inhibitor cohorts, giving respective adjusted hazard ratios of 0.17 (95% CI 0.04-0.72; P = .016) and 0.28 (95% CI 0.21-0.38; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The complete response rate was not as high in the real-world population as in the clinical trial population. Among those who experienced complete response, several adverse clinicopathological features were more frequently observed in the immuno-oncology-based cohort than in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor cohort. Complete response was an indicator of favorable overall survival.

IMvigor011: a study of adjuvant atezolizumab in patients with high-risk MIBC who are ctDNA+ post-surgery

The standard-of-care for muscle-invasive bladder cancer is radical surgery with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Despite curative intent from these interventions, relapse rates post-surgery remain high, with approximately 50% of patients developing local or distant recurrence within 2 years of surgery and a 5-year survival of only 50-60%. Identifying patients who are high risk for relapse post-surgery is a priority. Monitoring patients for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a minimally invasive approach that appears attractive for selecting patients potentially suitable for adjuvant treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. IMvigor011 (NCT04660344) is a global, double-blind, randomized phase III study assessing the efficacy of atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) versus placebo in patients with high-risk muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are ctDNA positive post-cystectomy. The primary end point is disease-free survival in participants who are ctDNA positive within 20 weeks of cystectomy.

Phase II Study Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of Savolitinib and Durvalumab in Metastatic Papillary Renal Cancer (CALYPSO)

PURPOSE

Metastatic papillary renal cancer (PRC) has poor outcomes, and new treatments are required. There is a strong rationale for investigating mesenchymal epithelial transition receptor (MET) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibition in this disease. In this study, the combination of savolitinib (MET inhibitor) and durvalumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) is investigated.

METHODS

This single-arm phase II trial explored durvalumab (1,500 mg once every four weeks) and savolitinib (600 mg once daily; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02819596). Treatment-naïve or previously treated patients with metastatic PRC were included. A confirmed response rate (cRR) of > 50% was the primary end point. Progression-free survival, tolerability, and overall survival were secondary end points. Biomarkers were explored from archived tissue (MET-driven status).

RESULTS

Forty-one patients treated with advanced PRC were enrolled into this study and received at least one dose of study treatment. The majority of patients had Heng intermediate risk score (n = 26 [63%]). The cRR was 29% (n = 12; 95% CI, 16 to 46), and the trial therefore missed the primary end point. The cRR increased to 53% (95% CI, 28 to 77) in MET-driven patients (n/N = 9/27) and was 33% (95% CI, 17 to 54) in PD-L1-positive tumors (n/N = 9/27). The median progression-free survival was 4.9 months (95% CI, 2.5 to 10.0) in the treated population and 12.0 months (95% CI, 2.9 to 19.4) in MET-driven patients. The median overall survival was 14.1 months (95% CI, 7.3 to 30.7) in the treated population and 27.4 months (95% CI, 9.3 to not reached [NR]) in MET-driven patients. Grade 3 and above treatment related adverse events occurred in 17 (41%) patients. There was 1 grade 5 treatment-related adverse event (cerebral infarction).

CONCLUSION

The combination of savolitinib and durvalumab was tolerable and associated with high cRRs in the exploratory MET-driven subset.

DNA alterations in papillary renal cancer

725

Background: The characterisation of DNA alternations in papillary renal cancer (PRC) is unclear. The CALYPSO trial (NCT02819596) prospectively evaluated combination therapy of savolitinib (MET inhibitor) and durvalumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) in PRC. The trial showed high response rates (RR) in the MET-driven population. Here we explore the relationship between MET, PD-L1 and TMB in these tumours and the relevance of other biomarkers including PIK3CA, PTEN and KRAS. Methods: FoundationOne analysis from 41 samples of PRC patients enrolled on the CALYPSO trial was performed. The relevance of co-positivity between MET/PD-L1 and MET/TMB as well as analysis of other DNA alterations such as PIK3CA, PTEN and KRAS was explored. Outcome parameters were correlated with RR, PFS and OS. Results: 41% of patients were MET-driven, 66% were PD-L1+ (vCPS≥1) and 3% were TMB >10mut/Mb. Further testing used TMB ≥ median (2.52mut/Mb) 32% of patients were both MET-driven and PD-L1+. 17% of patients were both MET-driven and TMB ≥ median. RR and survival outcomes for combinations are shown in the table. The overall RR in MET driven and non-MET-driven patients was 52.9% and 13%, respectively. The median PFS and OS in the MET-driven group was 12.0 months (95% CI: 2.9-19.4) and 27.4 months (95% CI: 9.3-not reached [NR]), respectively, compared to a median PFS and OS in the non-MET-driven group of 2.7 months (95% CI: 0.5-5.0) and 7.5 months (95% CI: 0.0-16.0), respectively. PIK3CA, PTEN and KRAS mutations occurred in 1, 4 and 2 patients, with RR of 0% (0/1), 25% (1/4) and 50% (1/2), in the PIK3CA, PTEN and KRAS groups, respectively. Conclusions: MET-driven papillary cancers have low mutational burden, but high PD-L1 expression. Small patient numbers limit definitive conclusions, but responses occur irrespective of the immune biomarkers investigated. Other DNA alterations are rare and did not appear to influence outcomes in this cohort. These data support the design of the SAMETA trial (NCT05043090), further investigating the savolitinib and durvalumab combination. [Table: see text]

Outcomes of patients with brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma treated with first-line therapies: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC)

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Background: The outcomes of patients with brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are not well characterized due to exclusion of these patients from clinical trials. Methods: Using the IMDC, patients with brain metastases from RCC at the initiation of first-line therapy were analyzed. Baseline patient characteristics, brain-directed local therapies, clinician assessment of best overall response as per RECIST 1.1, and overall survival (OS) were compared across first-line therapies, namely immuno-oncology (IO)-based combination therapy (IO/IO or IO/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and anti-VEGF monotherapy (sunitinib or pazopanib). Results: The overall cohort of patients with brain metastases included 775 patients, consisting of 78/1298 (6.0%) and 697/8633 (8.1%) in the IO-based and anti-VEGF cohorts, respectively (p = 0.009). Among the baseline patient characteristics, only the proportion of patients receiving whole-brain radiotherapy differed significantly across the IO-based and anti-VEGF cohorts with proportions of 25.0% and 55.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). Best overall response in all disease sites was 3.4% complete response (CR), 25.9% partial response (PR), 39.7% stable disease (SD), and 31% progressive disease (PD) in the IO-based cohort, whereas it was 0.7% CR, 29.6% PR, 36.7% SD, and 33.0% PD in the anti-VEGF cohort (p = 0.223). The following factors were significantly associated with longer OS on multivariable analysis: IMDC favourable-/intermediate-risk (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.37–0.65; p < 0.001), IO-based combination therapy (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.29–0.92; p = 0.026), neurosurgery (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.47–0.83; p = 0.001), and stereotactic radiosurgery (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.49–0.84; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with brain metastases receiving IO-based combination therapy may have longer OS than those receiving anti-VEGF monotherapy. Brain-directed local therapies including neurosurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery were associated with longer OS. [Table: see text]

IL-10 in cancer: an essential thermostatic regulator between homeostatic immunity and inflammation - a comprehensive review

Cytokines are soluble proteins that mediate intercellular signaling regulating immune and inflammatory responses. Cytokine modulation represents a promising cancer immunotherapy approach for immune-mediated tumor regression. However, redundancy in cytokine signaling and cytokines' pleiotropy, narrow therapeutic window, systemic toxicity, short half-life and limited efficacy represent outstanding challenges for cytokine-based cancer immunotherapies. Recently, there has been interest in the paradoxical role of IL-10 in cancer, its controversial prognostic utility and novel strategies to enhance its therapeutic profile. Here, the authors review the literature surrounding the role of IL-10 within the tumor microenvironment, its prognostic correlates to cancer patient outcomes and its pro- and antitumor effects, and they assess the legitimacy of potential therapeutic strategies harnessing IL-10 by outlining the notable preclinical and clinical evidence to date.

Clinico-Genomic Characterization of Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma in Real-World Practice Identifies a Novel Bladder Immune Performance Index (BIPI)

PURPOSE

This retrospective analysis of the largest available clinico-genomic database used de-identified patient-level electronic health record-derived real-world data (RWD) combined with FoundationOne® comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) to characterize patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) treated in the real-world setting, detect potential biomarkers, and develop a bladder immune performance index (BIPI).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Patients with mUC who started front-line single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and an unmatched group treated with front-line platinum-based chemotherapy between January 1, 2011 and September 30, 2019 were selected. Clinical and genomic data were correlated with overall survival (OS). A novel BIPI predicting outcome with ICIs was developed using machine learning methods and validated using data from a phase II trial (NCT02951767).

RESULTS

In ICI-treated patients (n=118), high tumor mutational burden (≥10 mutations/megabase) was associated with improved OS (HR 0.58 [95% CI, 0.35-0.95]; P=0.03). In chemotherapy-treated patients (n=268), those with high APOBEC mutational signature had worse OS (HR 1.43 [95% CI, 1.06-1.94]; P=0.02). Neither FGFR3 mutations nor DNA damage-repair pathway alterations were associated with OS. A novel BIPI combining clinical and genomic variables (non-metastatic at initial diagnosis, normal or above normal albumin level at baseline, prior surgery for organ-confined disease, high TMB) identified ICI-treated patients with longest OS and was validated in an independent dataset.

CONCLUSIONS

Contemporary RWD including FoundationOne® CGP can be used to characterize outcomes in real-world patients according to biomarkers beyond PD-L1. A validated, novel clinico-genomic BIPI demonstrated satisfactory prognostic performance for OS in patients with mUC receiving front-line ICI therapy.

Identifying mechanisms of acquired immune escape from sequential, paired biopsies

2519

Background: Resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) can manifest as disease progression either at the initiation of treatment (primary resistance) or after some initial response (acquired resistance). To better understand the mechanisms underlying acquired resistance, the imCORE Network is conducting a study (NCT03333655) to examine changes in tumor biology from pre-treatment to disease progression across cancer types. Methods: Eligible patients included those experiencing clinical benefit on ICB (defined as objective response or stable disease longer than 6 months) and had evaluable tissue samples from both pre-treatment and within 30 days of progression. Samples were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES), RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Whole blood samples or adjacent normal tissue were used as a reference for tumor variant calling. Results: As of December 3rd, 2021, 24 enrolled patients have complete sample pairs. Of those, melanoma, bladder, and lung were most common (n = 7, 6 and 5 pairs, respectively), but our cohort also included patients with breast cancer, squamous head & neck, and renal cell carcinoma. IHC data unexpectedly showed a modest, but consistent increase in tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells at progression. In addition, IHC evidence of a decrease in MHC-I proteins (HLA-A and B2M) suggest that in 5 out of 24 cases, key proteins needed for antigen presentation are lost. Global differential gene expression analysis showed that immune gene expression was significantly increased at progression, including numerous chemokines and significant enrichment in gene sets responsible for antigen presentation machinery. Protein-altering mutations at progression appeared in B2M in one patient, and CXCL9 in another. However, in most cases it is unclear what genetic alterations are responsible. We do not observe evidence of consistent IFNγ and Jak/stat signaling loss or antigen presentation loss. Conclusions: While ICB resistance is thought to be associated with a lack of immune response within the TME, we found that acquired resistance is usually associated with either maintenance or an increase in immune infiltration. Multiple alterations that are unique to individual patients also continue to emerge. Our data shows ICB resistance is multifactorial and associated with dynamic changes to markers amid immune activation and inhibition. Clinical trial information: NCT03333655.

Imaging Response to Contemporary Immuno-oncology Combination Therapies in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

IMPORTANCE

The association between treatment with first-line immuno-oncology (IO) combination therapies and physician-assessed objective imaging response among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remains uncharacterized.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the likelihood of objective imaging response (ie, complete or partial response) to first-line IO combination ipilimumab-nivolumab (IOIO) therapy vs approved IO with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (IOVE) combination therapies among patients with mRCC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This multicenter international cohort study was nested in routine clinical practice. A data set from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) was used to identify consecutive patients with mRCC who received treatment with IO combination therapies between May 30, 2013, and September 9, 2021. A total of 899 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of mRCC who received treatment with a first-line IOVE or IOIO regimen and had evaluable responses were included.

EXPOSURES

Best overall response to first-line IO combination therapy based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the difference in treating physician-assessed objective imaging response based on the type of first-line IO combination therapy received. Secondary outcomes included the identification of baseline characteristics positively associated with objective imaging response and the association of objective imaging response with overall survival.

RESULTS

Among 1085 patients with mRCC who received first-line IO combination therapies, 899 patients (median age, 62.8 years [IQR, 55.9-69.2 years]; 666 male [74.2%]) had evaluable responses. A total of 794 patients had information available on IMDC risk classification; of those, 127 patients (16.0%) had favorable risk, 442 (55.7%) had intermediate risk, and 225 (28.3%) had poor risk. With regard to best overall response among all participants, 37 patients (4.1%) had complete response, 344 (38.3%) had partial response, 315 (35.0%) had stable disease, and 203 (22.6%) had progressive disease. Corresponding median overall survival was not estimable (95% CI, 53.3 months to not estimable) among patients with complete response, 55.9 months (95% CI, 44.1 months to not estimable) among patients with partial response, 48.1 months (95% CI, 33.4 months to not estimable) among patients with stable disease, and 13.0 months (95% CI, 8.4-18.1 months) among patients with progressive disease (log rank P < .001). Treatment with IOVE therapy was found to be independently associated with an increased likelihood of obtaining response (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.26-2.81; P = .002) compared with IOIO therapy. The presence of lung metastases (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01-2.20), receipt of cytoreductive nephrectomy (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.04-2.43), and favorable IMDC risk (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.10-3.39) were independently associated with an increased likelihood of response.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, treatment with IOVE therapy was associated with significantly increased odds of objective imaging response compared with IOIO therapy. The presence of lung metastases, receipt of cytoreductive nephrectomy, and favorable IMDC risk were associated with increased odds of experiencing objective imaging response. These findings may help inform treatment selection, especially in clinical contexts associated with high-volume multisite metastatic disease, in which obtaining objective imaging response is important.

The effect of anti-cancer therapy on immunological response to COVID-19 vaccination

319

Background: The efficacy of SARS-COV-2 vaccination has been demonstrated in healthy individuals. Immune responses are less well characterised in cancer patient groups, especially those receiving anticancer therapy (e.g. immune therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. We aim to assess the immune response to the SARS-COV-2 vaccination in patients with solid organ cancer on different systemic anti-cancer therapies. Methods: All patients received 2 doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination as part of the UK National vaccination programme; with the second booster dose administered within 12 weeks of the first dose. All patients received either BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) or ChAdOx1 S (AstraZeneca) vaccines. Sequential serum samples were collected pre-booster dose vaccination (baseline/within -30 days) and after second dose SARS-COV-2 vaccination, at 14-35 days and 36-63 days. Presence and titres of serum Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (S) antibody titres were measured. Seroconversion is defined as a response ≥0.8 U/ml, and maximum response to Anti-S is defined as ≥250 U/ml. Responses were measured in 3 patient groups according to the type of anti-cancer therapy: chemotherapy (CHT group), immune therapy (IO group) and targeted therapies, mainly VEGF TKI (TT group). Results: Overall, 61 patients were recruited: 45.9%(28/61) in CHT group, 32.8% (20/61) in IO group and 21.3% (13/61) in the TT group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between patient groups. In response to the booster dose vaccination at 14-35 days, the number of patients who seroconverted was 79.3% (23/29), 94.7% (18/19) and 84.6% (11/13) in the CHT, IO and TT groups, respectively. At this same time point, 51.7% (15/29) in the CHT group achieved maximum anti-S titre levels (≥250 U/ml), compared with 78.9% (15/19) of patients in IO group and 69.2% (9/13) of patients in TT group. All 3 groups demonstrated a significant increase in Anti-S antibodies at 14-35 days after second dose vaccine when compared to pre-booster serum levels, with the largest increase seen in the IO group with a mean Anti-S increase of 149.1 U/ml (SD±105.0, p < 0.0001) followed by the TT group mean increase 120.2 U/ml (SD ±110.8, p < 0.01) and the CHT group, mean increase 83.0 U/ml (SD ±108.4, p < 0.001). Anti-S antibody levels were sustained at 36-63 days post-booster across all groups. However only IO patients had a sustained immune response to vaccination, with median Anti-S titres level of ≥250 U/ml and a significant drop was seen in the CHT group (median Anti-S level 138, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Anti-S titres increase following vaccination in all 3 groups but remain most sustained in the IO group at 36-63 days post-vaccination. Chemotherapy and other targeted therapy treated patients may benefit from early COVID-19 vaccine boosters, compared to patients receiving immune therapy.

Predictors of objective response to first-line immuno-oncology combination therapies in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Results from the international metastatic renal cell database consortium (IMDC)

310

Background: Predictors of objective response to first-line (1L) immuno-oncology (IO) combination therapies remain elusive. We sought to characterise clinical variables and their association with investigator assessed best overall response. Methods: Using the IMDC, we retrospectively identified patients treated with 1L ipilimumab nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) or approved IO/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor combinations (IOVE). Patients were classified, per RECIST v1.1, as responders (complete or partial response (CR or PR)) or non-responders (stable or progressive disease (SD or PD)). Logistic regression was used to adjust for IMDC criteria. Results: Out of 1084 patients, 794 (73%) received IPI-NIVO and 290 (27%) received IOVE (axitinib+pembrolizumab, cabozantinib+nivolumab, axitinib+avelumab, lenvatinib+pembrolizumab). Favourable, intermediate and poor IMDC risk comprised 147 (16%), 517 (55%) and 272 (29%) respectively. Of the 898 patients with evaluable responses, 37 (4%) achieved a best response of CR, 343 (38%) PR, 315 (35%) SD and 203 (23%) PD. Corresponding median overall survival from time of 1L initiation was: not reached, 55.9, 48.1, and 13 months respectively (logrank p < 0.0001). In a multivariable model, lung metastases and cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) (performed after diagnosis of metastatic disease and before 1L therapy) retained independent association with response, after adjustment for IMDC criteria. Factors not associated with response included (with univariable p values): gender (p = 0.58), age (p = 0.06), sarcomatoid histology (p = 0.99), smoking status (p = 0.39), liver (p = 0.63) and brain (p = 0.12) metastases. As in the VEGF monotherapy era, improved IMDC prognostic risk was associated with response. Results were similar when restricted to the IPI-NIVO cohort. Conclusions: Presence of lung metastases, CN and better IMDC risk group are associated with a higher probability of response to 1L immunotherapy combination regimens. Further work to identify reliable predictors of response to guide treatment selection and patient counselling is warranted.[Table: see text]

Characterizing IMDC prognostic groups in contemporary first-line combination therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC)

308

Background: The combination of immuno-oncology agents (IO) ipilimumab and nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) and combinations of IO with vascular endothelial growth factor targeted therapies (IOVE) have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials for the first-line treatment of mRCC. This study seeks to establish real-world clinical benchmarks based on the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria using vascular endothelial growth factor targeted therapy (VEGF-TT) treated patients for context. Methods: The IMDC database (IMDConline.com) was used to identify patients with mRCC who received first-line IPI-NIVO, IOVE (axitinib/pembrolizumab, lenvatinib/pembrolizumab, cabozantinib/nivolumab, or axitinib/avelumab) and VEGF-TT (sunitinib or pazopanib) from 2002-2021. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and was calculated from time of initiation of first-line therapy to death or last follow up. Log-rank tests were conducted to compare favorable, intermediate, and poor risk OS outcomes within treatment groups. Overall response rates (ORR) and complete response (CR) rates were calculated based on physician assessment of best clinical response. Results: In total, 692 patients received IPI-NIVO, 244 received IOVE, and 7152 received VEGF-TT. Baseline characteristics for IPI-NIVO, IOVE, and VEGF-TT, respectively, were as follows: median age (interquartile range) 63 (56-69), 64 (57-70), and 63 (56-70); male 72%, 74%, and 72% (p=0.74); non-clear cell histology 15%, 10%, and 13% (p=0.15); sarcomatoid features 24%, 15%, and 13% (p<0.0001); brain metastasis 8%, 4%, and 8% (p=0.04); liver metastasis 18%, 14%, and 18% (p=0.17); underwent nephrectomy 61%, 79% and 80% (p<0.0001). OS and ORR are reported in the table. P-values (log rank) for OS between risk groups were significant for IPI-NIVO (p<0.0001), IOVE (p=0.0005), and VEGF-TT (p<0.0001). Conclusions: These findings provide real-world survival and response benchmarks for contemporary first-line mRCC treatments and could be helpful for patient counselling. In addition, these findings mirror the efficacy of combination therapies established in clinical trials against VEGF-TT monotherapy. IMDC criteria continue to risk stratify patients in these novel combination therapies.[Table: see text]

First-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma with pancreatic metastases: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC)

317

Background: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) with pancreatic metastases (PM) is characterised by heightened angiogenesis, which is associated with improved outcomes with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. We aimed to compare the efficacy of first-line (1L) ipilimumab/nivolumab (IOIO) vs. anti-PD(L)1/anti-VEGF (IOVE) vs. VEGF monotherapy (VE) in mRCC patients with and without PM. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with and without PM, using the IMDC. Sites of metastases were captured at initiation of 1L. Patients with PM could also have metastases at other sites. We studied overall survival (OS) from start of 1L therapy using Cox regression, adjusted for IMDC risk groups. Kaplan Meier survival curves were generated. Results: 543/7,634 (7%) patients had PM. Patients with PM in the overall population had improved OS compared to those without, 56 vs 25.6 months respectively (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.55-0.73, p<0.0001). When examining the effect of PM within 1L options, those treated with IOVE exhibited a longer OS if PM were present vs absent, median not reached vs 45 months respectively (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18-0.93 p=0.03). This association was also seen in patients with treated with 1L VE, in those with PM vs absent, median 53.1 vs 25.1 months respectively (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.55-0.76, p <0.0001). Contrastingly there was no difference in median OS of patients with or without PM in patients receiving IOIO, 41.4 vs 44.4 months respectively (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.48-1.56, p=0.62). Comparing the outcomes between 1L therapies in patients with PM the median OS of IOVE vs VE was not reached vs 53.1 months respectively (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.83 p=0.02). Conversely, upfront VE and IOIO had a similar median OS of 53.1 vs 41.4 months respectively (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.45-1.47 p=0.49). We were unable to find any difference in OS between those treated with IOVE vs IOIO, median not reached vs 41.4 months respectively (HR 0.52 95%, CI 0.19-1.45, p=0.21), but the low event rate limited this interpretation. Conclusions: We found that the presence of PM leads to an indolent biological behavior and was associated with improved outcomes when 1L therapy included a VE component. PM patients had comparable OS outcomes on 1L VE and 1L IOIO therapy, but improved OS when treated with 1L IOVE. Anti-angiogenic therapy may be necessary to optimize outcomes in PM and this warrants prospective evaluation. [Table: see text]

CABOSEQ: The efficacy of cabozantinib post up-front immuno-oncology combinations in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC)

318

Background: There are limited data to understand the activity of cabozantinib (CABO) as second line (2L) therapy post standard of care ipilimumab-nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) or immuno-oncology(IO)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor combinations (IOVE). The activity of subsequent 3L approved therapies post CABO has not been established. Methods: Using the IMDC dataset, we examined all patients who received 2L CABO. We sought to identify the overall response rate (ORR), time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) of 2L CABO after IPI-NIVO, approved IOVE combinations and other 1L approaches. Additionally, we examined these outcomes for patients that received an approved 3L treatment post 2L CABO. Hazard ratios were adjusted for IMDC risk groups. Results: 346 patients were identified who had all received 2L CABO (78 post 1L IPI NIVO, 46 post 1L IOVE, 222 post 1L other). Of the entire cohort, 12.6%, 62.6% and 24.8% were IMDC favourable, intermediate and poor risk, respectively. 84% had clear cell histology, 18.5% had a sarcomatoid component and 38.3% had bone metastases at diagnosis. Outcomes for patients that received 2L CABO, stratified by 1L therapy are outlined in the table, followed by outcomes for patients that received subsequent 3L therapy post 2L CABO. After adjustment for IMDC criteria, the HR for 2L CABO OS and TTF for IOVE vs IPI-NIVO were 1.73 (95% CI 0.83-3.62 p = 0.14) and 1.62 (0.89-2.95 p = 0.11), respectively. Conclusions: There is clinically meaningful activity of CABO post IPI-NIVO, IOVE and other standard 1L approved therapies. Broadly, time to event endpoints and response rates are similar irrespective of 1L therapy. Approved systemic therapies post CABO, mainly single agent VEGF inhibitors also have activity, though as expected this is diminished compared to earlier lines of therapy. These are real world benchmarks with which to counsel our patients when using single agent CABO.[Table: see text]

Clinico-genomic characterization of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma in real-world practice and development of a novel bladder immune prognostic index (BIPI)

548

Background: Real-world data (RWD) linking clinical outcomes with comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) may enable identification of biomarkers to guide treatment selection and stratification in future trials. The primary objective was to characterize patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) included in a clinic-genomic database (CGDB), comprised of the electronic health record-derived Flatiron Health database with linked FoundationOne CGP results. As secondary objective, a novel Bladder Immune Prognostic Index (BIPI) was developed. Methods: A retrospective exploratory analysis was performed of de-identified RWD, retrieved from the CGDB. Data from mUC patients starting first-line single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and an unmatched group treated with front-line platinum-based chemotherapy (CHT) between Jan 1, 2011, and Sept 30, 2019, were analyzed and correlated with overall survival (OS). Known driver alterations, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and PD-L1 expression were described. A BIPI predicting outcome with ICIs was developed using a Cox-LASSO model and validated externally in a phase II trial (NCT02951767). Results: Of the 1021 patients with mUC identified in CGDB, 118 ICI-treated and 268 CHT-treated patients were included. Median follow-up duration was 9.4 and 14.5 months, respectively. Median OS was 5.4 months (95%CI, 3.3–9.2) with ICIs and 8.2 months (95%CI, 6.8–10.0) with CHT. In ICI-treated patients, low albumin and metastatic disease at initial presentation were associated with worse OS [HR (95%CI) 2.15 (1.18–3.90), p =.012; 2.58 (1.30–5.10), p =.007, respectively] whereas surgery for organ-confined disease and high TMB (≥10 mut/Mb) were associated with improved OS (HR (95%CI) 0.56 (0.36–0.88), p =.012; 0.58 [0.35–0.95]; p=.03), respectively. In CHT-treated patients, those with high APOBEC had worse OS (HR 1.43 [95% CI, 1.06–1.94]; p=.02). Neither PD-L1 (HR 0.96 [0.37-2.46]; p =.93), FGFR3 mutations (HR 0.98 [0.65-1.47]; p =.92) nor DNA damage-repair pathway alterations (HR 1.06 [0.73-1.52]; p =.77) were associated with OS. A novel BIPI for ICI-treated patients combining clinical and genomic variables (non-metastatic at initial diagnosis, normal albumin level, previous surgery for organ-confined disease, high TMB) was developed. Patients were categorized in 3 groups (low, intermediate, high risk) which correlated with OS. Median OS (95%CI) for low, intermediate and high risk was 11.7 (8.9−17.7), 4.1 (2.5–NE) and 2.4 months (1.0–4.0), (p <.001). Same results were observed in the validation cohort from an independent phase II immunotherapy trial in mUC (p <.001). Conclusions: This is the first time RWD including CGP were used to develop and validate a novel BIPI in mUC. This prognostic index may help patient selection in everyday practice and inform future trial design.

Efficacy, safety, and biomarker analysis of neoadjuvant avelumab/axitinib in patients (pts) with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who are at high risk of relapse after nephrectomy (NeoAvAx)

289

Background: Antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 combined with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are a first-line standard of care for metastatic RCC. Neoadjuvant use of these combinations may lead to downstaging and reduce the risk of recurrence. In addition, sequential tissue may allow identification of key immune biomarkers associated with outcome. Methods: Neoavax is a single arm phase II trial of 12 weeks neoadjuvant avelumab/axitinib prior to nephrectomy in 40 pts with high-risk non-metastatic clear-cell (cc) RCC (cT1b-4cN0-1M0, Grades 3-4). Primary endpoint is RECIST 1.1 partial response (PR) in the primary tumour (PT) in ≥25%. Secondary endpoints are disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. Biomarker analysis on sequential tissue is an exploratory endpoint. Expression of PD-L1 (SP263), CD8+, CD8-granzyme-B (CD8/GZMB)+, Foxp3+ cells, CD8/CD39+ and MHC-I were compared on pre-treatment biopsy and nephrectomy samples from 34 pts (NCT03341845). Results: Pts/tumour characteristics are shown in table. Twelve pts (30%) had a PR of the PT from a baseline mean diameter of 10.3 (range 5.6-16.4) cm. Median PT downsizing was 20 (0-43.5) % and median post-treatment vital tumour presence was 50 (1-100) %. At a median follow-up of 23.5 months, recurrence occurred in 13 (32%) pts at a median of 8 (2-23) months and 3 died of disease. Of the 12 pts with PT PR, 11 (92%) are disease-free. Median DFS and OS are not reached. Postoperative adverse events occurred in 8 pts (2 Clavien Dindo grade 3a). There were no treatment-related surgery delays and no PT progression. Post-treatment samples showed upregulation of PD-L1 expression (p <0.0001) and total CD8+ densities (p < 0.01) when compared to pre-treatment biopsies. Comparing samples of pts with PR vs no PR in the PT, no clear immune marker differences were observed. Post-treatment samples from pts that recurred were characterized by lower densities of total, intra-epithelial and stromal CD8+, intra-epithelial CD8+CD39+ (p<0.05) and total CD8+GZMB+ (p=0.1). Pre-treatment biopsies showed no clear differences. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant avelumab/axitinib for non-metastatic high-risk RCC leads to PR of the PT in 30% which is associated with DFS. Pts without recurrence had a significant increase in CD8+ densities compared to pts with recurrence suggesting expansion of a pre-existing immune response. Clinical trial information: NCT03341845. [Table: see text]

Avelumab in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Outcomes for patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) remain poor. Targeting the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-(L)1) immune checkpoint pathway has emerged as a useful target in patients with UC. Avelumab is a PD-L1 inhibitor, resulting in restoration of a cytotoxic, antitumour T cell response. Results from the JAVELIN bladder 100 trial has resulted in a new standard of care of platinum-based chemotherapy sequenced by maintenance avelumab in advanced or metastatic UC.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the clinical evidence for avelumab in UC. This includes the maintenance approach with avelumab, which has become standard of care, following platinum-based chemotherapy.

EXPERT OPINION

Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment in metastatic UC holds much promise, but has not been optimised. First line maintenance avelumab is an attractive option for these patients. Future research will significantly change the landscape of treatment in the near future.

Early Clinical Experience with Cabozantinib for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma in the UK: Real-World Treatment Pathways and Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Cabozantinib monotherapy is approved in the UK for patients with treatment-naïve intermediate- or poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC), or patients who received prior vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy. Data are limited on the real-world use of cabozantinib for aRCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CERES (NCT03696407) was a retrospective study of patients with aRCC who received cabozantinib through the UK managed access programme (MAP; August 2016-July 2017), at which time cabozantinib had European regulatory approval for second- or later-line use only. The study objectives were to characterize aRCC treatment patterns and evaluate cabozantinib effectiveness. Outcomes were stratified by cabozantinib treatment line, MAP treatment date (months 0-7 vs. 8-12) and (post hoc) Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; ≥ 6 vs. < 6).

RESULTS

Of 100 patients included, 99% had stage IV disease, 63% had a CCI ≥ 6 and 81% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 0-1. Median (range) duration of follow-up was 10.8 (0.4-33.5) months. Cabozantinib was administered as second-line, third-line and fourth- or later-line in 41%, 31% and 28% of patients, respectively. Most patients (84%) initiated cabozantinib at 60 mg. Average (range) cabozantinib dose was 45.5 (19.6-59.8) mg/day; 66% of patients had ≥ 1 dose reduction. Disease progression was the most common reason for discontinuation (65.1%). Median (95% confidence interval) progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 6.01 (5.16-7.85) and 10.84 (7.92-16.85) months, respectively. Overall response rate was 34.5%; disease control rate 70.1% and duration of response 6.9 (1.8-26.9) months. No significant differences in survival estimates were observed between treatment line or treatment date subgroups. Total CCI score ≤ 6 (vs. > 6) was associated with prolonged median PFS and OS.

CONCLUSION

Cabozantinib demonstrated clinical activity in this UK real-world aRCC population. The results provide a benchmark for future real-world studies in aRCC.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT-derived blood flow measurements enable early prediction of long term outcome in metastatic renal cell cancer patients on antiangiogenic treatment

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) as an independent non-invasive biomarker in predicting long term outcome in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) on antiangiogenic treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighty two mRCC patients were prospectively enrolled from 09/2011 to 04/2015, out of which 71 were included in the final data analysis; the population was observed until 12/2020 to obtain complete overall survival data. DCE-CT imaging was performed at baseline and 10 to 12 weeks after start of treatment with targeted therapy. DCE-CT included a dynamic acquisition after injection of 50 ml of nonionic contrast agent at 6 ml/s using a 4D spiral mode (10 cm z-axis coverage, acquisition time 43 sec, 100 kVp (abdomen), 80 kVp (chest), 80-100 mAs) on a dual source scanner (Definition FLASH, Siemens). Blood flow (BF) was calculated for target tumor volumes using a deconvolution model. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier statistics (SPSS version 24).

RESULTS

Patients were treated with either sunitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, tivozanib, axitinib, or cabozantinib. A cut-off value of 50% blood flow reduction at follow-up allowed for identification of patients with favorable long-term outcome: Median OS in n = 42 patients with an average blood flow reduction of >50% (mean, 79%) was 34 (range, 14-54) months, while n = 21 patients with an average reduction of less than 50% (mean, 28%) showed a median OS of 12 (range, 6-18) months, and n = 8 patients with an increase in blood flow survived for a median of 7 (range, 3-11) months.

CONCLUSION

Blood flow in metastases measured with DCE-CT at first follow-up is a strong predictor of overall survival in mRCC patients on antiangiogenic treatment.

Cytokine-based Cancer Immunotherapy: Challenges and Opportunities for IL-10

Cancer immunotherapy is an evolving field of research. Cytokines have been conceptualized as an anticancer therapy for longer than most other cancer immunotherapy modalities. Yet, to date, only two cytokines are FDA-approved: IFN-α and IL-2. Despite the initial breakthrough, both agents have been superseded by other, more efficacious agents such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Several issues persist with cytokine-based cancer therapies; these are broadly categorised into a) high toxicity and b) low efficacy. Despite the only moderate benefits with early cytokine-based cancer therapies, advances in molecular engineering, genomics, and molecular analysis hold promise to optimise and reinstate cytokine-based therapies in future clinical practice. This review considers five important concepts for the successful clinical application of cytokine-based cancer therapies including: (i) improving pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, (ii) improving local administration strategies, (iii) understanding context-dependent interactions in the tumour-microenvironment, (iv) elucidating the role of genetic polymorphisms, and (v) optimising combination therapies. IL-10 has been the focus of attention in recent years and is discussed herein as an example.

Dynamic changes of the immune infiltrate after neoadjuvant avelumab/axitinib in patients (pts) with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who are at high risk of relapse after nephrectomy (NeoAvAx)

4573

Background: Antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 combined with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are a front-line standard of care for metastatic RCC. Neoadjuvant use of these combinations is associated with tumor downsizing, but dynamic effects on key immune biomarkers are uncertain. We report early dynamic changes in the tumour immune environment after neoadjuvant treatment with avelumab/axitinib. Methods: Neoavax is an open label, single arm, phase II trial, investigating 12 weeks of neoadjuvant avelumab/axitinib prior to nephrectomy in patients with high-risk non-metastatic clear-cell (cc) RCC (cT1b-4N0-1M0). Partial primary tumour response (RECIST 1.1) occurring in ≥25% is the primary endpoint. Biomarker analysis on sequential tissue is an exploratory endpoint. Expression of PD-L1 (SP263), CD8+, CD8-granzyme-B (CD8/GZMB)+, Foxp3+ cells, CD8/CD39+ and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) were compared on paired samples (pre-treatment biopsy and nephrectomy) (NCT03341845). Results: Paired, sequential tissue from the first 24 patients was analysed for immune biomarker expression. Of these patients, 70% were ≥pT3a, 30% pN1, 58% had ISUP/WHO grade ≥3 with 8% sarcomatoid features. Compared to pre-treatment biopsy there was a significant increase in PD-L1 (p = 0.0002) and CD8+ expression (p = 0.0003) after therapy, whereas changes in CD8/GZMB+, MHC-I and CD8/CD39+ were not significant. Furthermore, neoadjuvant avelumab/axitinib therapy was associated with a significant decrease in Foxp3+ cells (p = 0.009). Conclusions: 12 weeks of neoadjuvant axitinib/avelumab treatment in ccRCC leads to significant dynamic changes in the tumour microenvironment for CD8+, PD-L1 and Foxp3+ expression. High baseline Foxp3+ infiltration is associated with an unfavorable outcome in the majority of solid tumours. The significant on-treatment decrease in Foxp3+ may account for the positive interaction seen between VEGF targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in mRCC. If these cells represent regulatory T cells (Tregs), activated CD4 T cells or fragile Tregs remains to be determined. Clinical trial information: NCT03341845.

Patient outcomes following disease progression with enfortumab-vedotin (EV) in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC)

e16516

Background: Enfortumab Vedotin (EV) is an antibody drug conjugate (ADC), licensed for use in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), following disease progression with platinum-based chemotherapy (ChT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). A patient cohort now exists with disease progression following EV with no guidance for subsequent treatment. This retrospective observational study assessed patient outcomes post EV progression. Methods: Patients were identified from 3 centres in Europe (St Bartholomew’s Hospital, University Hospital Virgen Del Rocio and Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre). Data was collected regarding treatments prior to and post EV, length of EV treatment and overall survival (OS) post EV progression. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses comparing survival outcomes stratified by treatment post EV progression were performed in SPSS (Version 27). Results: All 24 patients had received both an ICI and ChT prior to receiving EV. 10 patients received further treatment following disease progression on EV. 8 patients received ChT (6 patients platinum based, 1 patient paclitaxel, 1 patient vinflunine), 1 patient received radical radiotherapy and 1 patient received derazantinib. No patient received further ICI therapy post EV progression. 2 patients had achieved complete radiological response with EV and had no evidence of disease progression. Point bi-serial correlation showed no significant association between length of EV treatment and receiving further treatment post disease progression on EV. There was also no significant association between pre EV survival length and further treatment post disease progression on EV. Survival analysis (Kaplain-Meier, Mantel-Cox Log Rank) revealed a statistically significant difference in mean OS. Mean OS was 1 month in patients who received no further treatment vs 7 months in patients who received treatment post progression on EV (Chi-Square 16.569, p = 0.000). Conclusions: Less than half of patients who progressed on EV received subsequent treatment. Patients who did receive treatment had significantly increased OS. There is a clear gap in literature and evidence-based guidance for treatment following EV progression and further studies are required with larger samples accounting for confounding factors to further evaluate best practise post disease progression on EV.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Front-line Therapy for Urothelial Cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are the standard-of-care front-line treatment option for PD-L1-positive, cisplatin-ineligible metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The data supporting this are based on two single-arm trials. Randomised trials to confirm these findings and test new combinations have recently been performed. It was hoped that these trials would clarify some of the previous uncertainties. In this report we summarise the findings from these trials and perform a combined analysis. The results show that immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy is not superior to chemotherapy as things currently stand. The chemoimmunotherapy combination shows a probable efficacy signal, but this appears to be insufficient to change practice. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this report, we summarise the outcomes of three recent trials that investigated immunotherapy (IMT) on its own and combined with chemotherapy (CT) for patients with metastatic bladder cancer who had not previously received any treatment. We show that IMT on its own is not better than CT for these patients. There is a sign that combined CT and IMT probably has a benefit, but it does not seem to be large enough to justify a change in treatment recommendations.

Outcomes of first-line (1L) immuno-oncology (IO) combination therapies in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): Results from the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC)

276

Background: Ipilimumab and nivolumab (IPI-NIVO) and IO/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor combinations (IOVE) are now standard of care 1L treatment options for mRCC. However, there is limited head-to-head comparative evidence between these strategies. Methods: Using the IMDC dataset, patients treated with a 1L IOVE combination (pembrolizumab axitinib, avelumab axitinib and nivolumab cabozantinib) were compared with those treated with IPI-NIVO. The outcomes of interest were overall response rate (ORR), treatment duration (TD), time to next treatment (TTNT), and overall survival (OS). A preplanned subgroup analysis of the IMDC intermediate/poor risk population was conducted. Hazard ratios were adjusted for IMDC risk factors. Results: 723 patients were included for analysis (N=571 for IPI-NIVO and N=152 for IOVE). The median age was 60 in both groups. The proportion of patients with IMDC favorable, intermediate and poor risk disease in IPI-NIVO vs. IOVE groups were 9% vs. 33%, 58% vs. 53%, 33% vs. 14%, respectively. In the intermediate/poor risk groups (Table), ORR and median TD were lower and shorter in IPI-NIVO vs IOVE while no difference in median TTNT and OS was detected. The HR for death adjusting for IMDC criteria for IPI-NIVO vs. IOVE was 0.92 (95% CI 0.61-1.40, p=0.71). IMDC risk groups and the presence or absence of sarcomatoid histology, brain, liver or bone metastases were not associated with differences in OS between these treatments (all p>0.2). Patients that had dose delays or steroid use (defined as >40mg of prednisone equivalent/day) for immune related adverse events (irAEs) were associated with longer median TTNT (21.6 vs. 9.5 mons, p=0.02) and OS (NR vs. 44.4 mons, p=0.01) despite similar treatment durations (7.6 vs. 8.9 mons, p=0.77) compared to those without dose delays or steroid use. Conclusions: We were unable to detect any differences in OS between IPI-NIVO and IOVE regimens in the IMDC intermediate/poor risk groups and amongst various subgroups. Patients who experienced irAEs requiring dose delay or steroids had longer overall survival. [Table: see text]

The very favorable metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) risk group: Data from the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC)

339

Background: The IMDC criteria have been used as a prognostic tool for patients with mRCC receiving single agent VEGF-targeted drugs, and more recently combination immuno-oncology (IO) +/- VEGF-targeted agents, which improve outcomes over VEGF TKI monotherapy. We sought to identify a subset of patients with very favorable outcomes, for which less intensive therapy might be considered. Methods: Utilizing the IMDC dataset, 1638 patients with IMDC favorable risk disease received first-line systemic therapy. Patients were randomly selected in a 2:1 ratio to the training and testing sets, stratified by year of systemic therapy initiation. Multivariable Cox regression estimated prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Results: Median age was 63 (range 21-95) years and 98% had received prior nephrectomy. First-line systemic therapy consisted of targeted therapy (91%), IO-combination regimens (8%), or other (1%). From the training data, three variables (primary diagnosis to systemic therapy <3 vs ≥3yr; Karnofsky Performance Status 80 vs >80; presence of brain, liver, or bone metastasis) significantly predicted for OS in the multivariable model (hazard ratio 1.4~1.5, p-values<0.05). The model had similar performance in the test dataset (C-index=0.64). Using the 3 included risk factors, patients were classified to very favorable risk (0 risk factors, 29% of patients) or favorable risk disease (≥1 risk factors, 71% of patients). Clinical outcomes for the two risk groups are presented in the table below. Conclusions: We identified a very favorable risk group in the IMDC criteria in RCC patients treated with first-line therapy. External validation including populations receiving IO containing therapies is ongoing. [Table: see text]

Routine application of next-generation sequencing testing in uro-oncology-Are we ready for the next step of personalised medicine?

AIM OF THE STUDY

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) might represent a valuable diagnostic tool to identify somatic alterations and enable personalised medicine in uro-oncology. We aim to determine feasibility and impact of routine NGS in clinical practice.

METHODS

Tumours from patients with genitourinary cancers were subjected to NGS. Results were discussed in a dedicated molecular tumour board. Statistical analyses included chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2020, 65 patients with advanced genitourinary cancers were consecutively enrolled. Number of tests increased (28 tests in 2020) and diagnostic turnaround time for generating output decreased (17.5 days [range 13-35]). Median patient's age was 62 years (range 33-84), and most NGS assays were performed upon start of systemic treatment (range 0-6 of treatment lines). 62/66 sequenced samples generated a report. Fifty samples (80.6%) showed at least one molecular alteration. Most prevalent alterations were TP53 (32.3%), PIK3CA (14.5%) and TMPRSS2-ERG (9.7%). Sequencing revealed potentially druggable targets in 29 samples (46.8%). Based on NGS results, six patients underwent therapy change, whereas for three patients, coverage of recommended off-label therapy was denied by health insurances.

CONCLUSIONS

NGS is increasingly feasible in clinical routine for patients with genitourinary cancers. Number of performed analyses is constantly growing, and turnaround time to therapy recommendation is decreasing. While the majority of tumours harbour clinically relevant mutations, alterations related to urologic cancers are underrepresented, thus treatment changes occurred only in a minority of patients. Further, access to target agents remains a considerable obstacle in the consequent implementation of precision uro-oncology.

Cabozantinib real-world effectiveness in the first-through fourth-line settings for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium

Background

Cabozantinib is approved for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) based on the METEOR and CABOSUN trials. However, real‐world effectiveness and dosing patterns of cabozantinib are not well characterized.

Methods

Patients with mRCC treated with cabozantinib between 2011 and 2019 were identified and stratified using the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk groups. First‐ (1L), second‐ (2L), third‐ (3L), and fourth‐line (4L) overall response rate (ORR), time to treatment failure (TTF), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Dose reduction rates and their association with TTF and OS were determined.

Results

A total of 413 patients were identified. The ORRs across 1L to 4L were 32%, 26%, 25%, and 29%, respectively, and the median TTF rates were 8.3, 7.3, 7.0, and 8.0 months, respectively. The median OS (mOS) rates in 1L to 4L were 30.7, 17.8, 12.6, and 14.9 months, respectively. For patients treated with 1L PD(L)1 combination agent (n = 31), 2L cabozantinib had ORR of 22%, median TTF of 5.4 months, and mOS of 17.4 months. About 50% (129/258) of patients required dose reductions. The TTF and mOS were significantly longer for patients who required dose reduction vs. patients who did not, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.37 (95% CI 0.202–0.672, p < 0.01) and 0.46 (95% CI 0.215–0.980, p = 0.04), respectively. Limitations include the retrospective study design and the lack of central radiology review.

Conclusion

The ORR and TTF of cabozantinib were maintained from the 1L to 4L settings. Dose reductions due to toxicity were associated with improved TTF and OS. Cabozantinib has clinical activity after 1L Immuno‐oncology combination agents.

Safety, efficacy and prognostic impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in older patients with genitourinary cancers

INTRODUCTION

Immunosenescence might impact immunotherapy (IT) in patients with advanced age. However, pivotal studies were not powered for this clinical question. Our aim is to explore toxicity (primary objective) and activity (secondary objective) of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with renal cell (RCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC) older than 75 years compared to the younger population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients treated at our tertiary care Uro-oncology Department with atezolizumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab or ipilimumab were retrospectively analyzed. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were determined and graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v.4.0). Disease Control rate (DCR) was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1). IrAEs and DCR were compared between patients ≥75 vs. <75 years, chi-squared test. Impact of age and other key clinical parameters on irAEs and DCR were tested in a binary logistic regression employing a backward selection. Impact of irAEs on oncological prognosis was assessed in log-rank and Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

We included 99 patients treated between 11/2015 and 01/2019. Frequency of irAEs (36.4% vs. 39.4%) and DCR (59.4% vs. 41.0%) was comparable between patients ≥75 vs. <75 years. Advanced age was not associated with irAEs or worse DCR. IrAEs occurrence correlated with better disease-specific survival in the univariate and multivariate analyses. IrAEs could be successfully treated with corticosteroids in 78.9% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

ICIs seem to be both safe and efficacious in an aging population with metastatic RCC or UC. Occurrence of irAEs predicted better prognosis.

A non-interventional retrospective study to describe early clinical experience with cabozantinib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) in the United Kingdom

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Background: Cabozantinib is approved in the UK in treatment-naïve adults with intermediate or poor risk aRCC or following prior VEGF-targeted therapy. Here we describe treatment pathways and clinical outcomes of patients with aRCC who received cabozantinib early and later in the UK managed access program (MAP) as disease severity may differ in these patient populations. Methods: A non-interventional retrospective chart review study was carried out in six specialist centres in the UK to describe early clinical experience with cabozantinib in patients with aRCC (CERES, NCT03696407). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from cabozantinib initiation using the Kaplan-Meier method. Patients were grouped into those who initiated cabozantinib early (Aug 2016-Feb 2017) or late (Mar-Aug 2017) in the MAP. Results: Overall 100 patients were eligible; median (95%CI) PFS was 6.01 (5.16; 7.85) months and median OS was 10.84 (7.92; 16.85) months. Patients in the early MAP group received a mean (SD) of 2.2 (1.4) lines of prior therapy, most commonly sunitinib (n = 32, 56.1%) and pazopanib (n = 30, 52.6%). Patients in the late MAP group received a mean of 1.9 (SD 1.2) lines of prior therapy, most commonly pazopanib (n = 23, 53.5%) and sunitinib (n = 19, 44.2%). At least one post-cabozantinib therapy was prescribed in 44.6% (25/57) and 27.9% (12/43) of patients in the early and late groups, respectively, most commonly nivolumab (both groups). See table for characteristics and outcomes by MAP group. Conclusions: Cabozantinib was effective in this small, real-world study of patients receiving treatment as part of a MAP. The results are supportive of the data seen in the registrational study, METEOR. Patients enrolled early in the MAP were possibly more heavily pre-treated but overall outcomes were similar to those who enrolled later. [Table: see text]

Real-world safety and efficacy data of patients with synchronous metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab (N+I) and the primary tumour (PT) in place

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Background: Following CARMENA and SURTIME, upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) is no longer standard of care. Intermediate and poor risk patients (pts) receive systemic therapy with the PT in place with the option to perform deferred CN in responding pts. This practice has been adopted after the recent shift to immune checkpoint inhibitor combination in frontline for mRCC. We assessed the safety and efficacy of this approach in a real-world population. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a clinical audit from 3 institutional datasets of pts treated with first-line N+I and the PT in place. Pts and tumour characteristics, International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk, overall response rate (ORR) in the PT and metastatic sites, time to response (TTR) of the PT, PT- and immune related- (ir) adverse events (AE), deferred CN rate, progression free- (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Results: Of 41 pts treated with N+I and the PT in place, 46.3% were IMDC poor risk and 51.2% had > 3 metastatic sites. After a median follow-up of 5.9 (2-10.3) months, 29 had at least 1 CT scan from baseline. Of those, 7 (24.3% [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10-0.43]) had a partial response (PR) of the PT with a median TTR of 5.3 (2.5-8.6) months. Mean and median PT reduction were 16.9% (+7.6 to -70.3%) and 10% from a baseline mean tumour size of 9.5 (3.8-16.1) cm. Pts with a PT reduction > median (n = 14) had a PR at metastatic sites in 86% (CI 0.57-0.98) and no progressive disease (PD). Pts with PT reduction < median (n = 14) had PR in only 21% and PD at metastatic sites in 57% (CI 0.28-0.82). None of the PT progressed. There was no complete response (CR) at metastatic sites . No CN was performed; 5 pts (12%) developed hematuria grade 1-3, requiring embolisation in 2 (4.9%). Grade 3-4 irAE were observed in 22% of pts. Median PFS and OS are 8.6 months and not reached. Conclusions: N+I with the PT in place is safe and PT reduction is associated with response at metastatic sites. Most PT responded by 6 months. No CR at metastatic sites were observed (compared to a 9% CR rate in the pivotal trial) in this real-world population with a relatively high percentage of poor-risk pts. Furthermore, no deferred CN has been performed, neither for near-CR at metastatic sites nor for PT symptoms.

Application of IMDC criteria across first-line (1L) and second-line (2L) therapies in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC): New and updated benchmarks of clinical outcomes

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Background: In patients with mRCC, the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria have been validated as a prognostic tool in patients treated with targeted therapy in the 1-4L settings and with 2L Nivolumab (Nivo). However, it is unknown whether the IMDC criteria can be used to risk stratify in recently approved 1L IO combination therapies, including Ipilimumab + Nivolumab (IOIO) and Axitinib + Pembrolizumab/Avelumab (IOVE). We sought to assess the ability of the IMDC criteria to risk stratify with the use of novel 1L IO combinations and provide updated benchmarks for older 1L and 2L treatments. Methods: Patients with mRCC starting systemic therapy between 2010-2019 were identified through the IMDC. IMDC risk score was calculated at the time of starting the line of therapy of interest. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) from time of initiating the treatment of interest. Results: From a total of 6596 unique patients, 5043 treated in the 1L setting and 2498 treated in the 2L setting were included in the analysis. Across the entire cohort, median age was 61, 73% were male, 16% had sarcomatoid features, 79% underwent nephrectomy and 88% had clear-cell histology. IMDC risk groups for 1L and 2L treatment were 17%, 57%, 27% and 10%, 60%, 30% for favourable-, intermediate- and poor-risk disease, respectively. IMDC criteria appropriately risk stratified into 3 prognostic groups in 1L IOIO and 1L IOVE combinations, in addition to older treatments: 1L VEGF TT, 2L VEGF TT, 2L Nivo and 2L Everolimus. Results are displayed in Table. Due to the novelty of 1L IO combinations, median follow up time was shorter and thus landmark OS values are presented. Conclusions: IMDC criteria may be used to risk stratify in recently approved 1L IO combination therapies in addition to older 1L and 2L treatments. These data provide contemporary benchmarks for OS that may be used for patient counseling and trial design. [Table: see text]

Dynamic changes in full blood count (FBC) occurring in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to predict responses in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC)

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Background: ICI transformed the treatment of 1L mRCC, yet early clinical predictors of response are still unknown. Methods: Retrospective database analysis from Barts Cancer Institute, London was carried out. Patients with treatment naïve mRCC were identified and grouped according to their 1L treatment: 1: VEGF inhibitor 2: IO/IO 3: IO/VEGF Data on hemoglobin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at baseline, 6weeks and 12weeks after treatment initiation was correlated with outcome. Results: Between Jan 2014 - Dec 2019; 28, 29 and 21 patients received 1L VEGF, IO/IO or IO/VEGF respectively. Patient receiving 1L VEGF inhibitors showed a decrease in Hb levels both in responding and non-responding groups (significant group effect: F(1,6) = 6.6, p = 0.04); significant time effect:F(2,12) = 12.4, p = 0.001). Group x time interaction was not significant. NLR levels decreased both in responding and non-responding groups over time (significant time effect: F(2,12) = 16.7, p = 0.001. PLR levels in non-responders increased over time, whereas in responding group, PLR levels steadily decreased over 6 and 12 weeks (significant time effect: F(2,12) = 0.3, 0.044). Patients receiving IO/IO combination therapy; within the non-responder group, Hb levels didn’t change significantly whereas in the responding group Hb levels increased significantly and overtook Hb levels of non-responding group (P = 0.001). NLR levels significantly decreased in the responding group (0.041) and a similar trend was observed at 12 weeks with a decrease in PLR among non-responders, with a significant group affect (F(1,5) = 0.18, 0.035). In patient treated with 1L IO/VEGF, among non-responders Hb levels increased slightly, only to return to baseline levels again at 12 weeks after treatment initiation. Whereas, Hb levels in the responding group increased significantly in both 6weeks and 12weeks after starting therapy. Significant time effect:F(2,20) = 3.65, p = 0.044. NLR levels in the responding group presented a steady decrease over time with a significant group and time effect. Both responders and non-responders experienced an increase in PLR over time. However, while PLR decreased at 12 weeks among responders, it continued to increase among non responders (significant time effect: F(2,20) = 0.3, 0.03), (significant group effect: F(1,10) = 0.05, 0.005) and significant interaction: F(2,20) = 0.1, 0.01) Conclusions: Close monitoring of FBC changes may predict response to ICI.

Outcomes of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line Immuno-oncology (IO) agents who do not meet eligibility criteria for clinical trials

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Background: IO combination therapies [including IOIO and IO/vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (IOVE) combinations] in mRCC have been approved based on registration clinical trials that have strict eligibility criteria. The clinical outcomes of trial ineligible patients who are treated with first-line IOIO or IOVE combinations are unknown. Methods: Metastatic RCC patients treated with first-line IOIO or IOVE were retrospectively deemed ineligible for clinical trials (according to commonly used inclusion/exclusion criteria in IO trials) if they had a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) < 70%, no clear-cell component, brain metastases, hemoglobin (Hb) < 9 g/dL, eGFR < 40 mL/min, platelet count of < 100,000/mm3, and/or neutrophil count < 1500/mm3. Time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from time of starting first-line IO therapy. Results: Overall, 26% (155/592) of patients in the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) were deemed ineligible for clinical trials by the above criteria. Baseline characteristics are listed in Table. The reasons for ineligibility were: no clear-cell component (34%, 53/155), Hb < 9g/dL (28%, 44/155), eGFR < 40 mL/min (19%, 30/155), brain metastases (19%, 29/155), KPS < 70% (14%, 21/155), platelet < 100,000/mm3 (3%, 4/155) and neutrophil count < 1500/mm3 (0%, 0/155). Between ineligible versus eligible patients, the response rate, median TTF and median OS of first-line IOIO or IOVE was 34% vs 46% (p = 0.02), 4.2 vs 9.7 months (p < 0.01), and 25.3 vs 44.4 months (p < 0.01), respectively. When adjusted by the IMDC prognostic categories, the HR for death between trial ineligible and trial eligible patients was 1.50 (95% CI 1.05-2.14). Conclusions: The number of patients that are ineligible for clinical trials is substantial and their outcomes are inferior. These data may guide patient counselling and specific trials addressing the unmet needs of protocol ineligible patients are warranted. [Table: see text]

Publisher Correction: Clinical efficacy and biomarker analysis of neoadjuvant atezolizumab in operable urothelial carcinoma in the ABACUS trial

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: outcome of patients treated with a multidisciplinary, algorithm-driven approach

PURPOSE

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) represents a significant and rising burden of disease, with rapidly evolving treatment modalities. The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) is controversial in this setting. As such, London Cancer has pursued a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach when assessing suitability for surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of treatment-naive synchronous mRCC patients, managed via a renal-specialist MDT, was conducted between January 2015 and December 2018. An MDT selection algorithm for CN-using the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium score (IMDC), performance status and metastatic disease burden-was developed.

RESULTS

87 treatment-naive synchronous mRCC patients received either CN (n = 18), Systemic therapy (ST) alone (n = 43) or Best supportive care (BSC) (n = 26). Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. 51% and 39% were IMDC intermediate and poor risk. Median PFS was 28.6 months and 4.5 months in the CN group and ST alone group, respectively, Hazard Ratio for death was 3.63 [(95% CI 1.68-7.83) p < 0.05]. OS remains immature for the CN group, but a median OS of 12.8 months was observed in the ST group and 5.0 months for BSC. 1-year OS rate for CN, ST and BSC groups was 77.8%, 55.8% and 23.10%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These findings describe outcomes of an unselected series of patients treated via an MDT-driven, protocolised treatment pathway. MDT pathway-based decision making may improve patient selection for CN. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of CN amongst a growing landscape of treatment strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination therapies. Multi-disciplinary team, pathway-based treatment strategy may improve patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.