PRESTO: A Phase III, Open-Label Study of Intensification of Androgen Blockade in Patients With High-Risk Biochemically Relapsed Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (AFT-19)

PURPOSE

Patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (BRPC) after radical prostatectomy and a short PSA doubling time are at risk for distant metastases. Apalutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) prolong survival in the metastatic setting. We evaluated whether intensification of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) improves outcomes in BRPC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PRESTO is a randomized phase III, open-label trial in patients with BRPC and PSA doubling time ≤9 months (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03009981). Patients were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive a finite 52-week treatment course with ADT control, ADT + apalutamide, or ADT + apalutamide + AAP. The primary end point was PSA progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), defined as serum PSA >0.2 ng/mL after treatment completion.

RESULTS

Five hundred three patients were enrolled. The median PSA was 1.8 ng/mL (IQR, 1.0-3.6). At the first planned interim analysis, both experimental arms significantly prolonged PSA-PFS compared with the control arm (median, 24.9 months for ADT + apalutamide v 20.3 months for ADT; hazard ratio [HR], 0.52 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.77]; P = .00047; median, 26.0 months for ADT + apalutamide + AAP v 20.0 months for ADT; HR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.32 to 0.71]; P = .00008). Median time to testosterone recovery did not differ across treatment arms. The most common grade ≥3 adverse event was hypertension (7.5%, 7.4%, and 18% in ADT, ADT + apalutamide, and ADT + apalutamide + AAP arms, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Intensified AR blockade for a finite duration prolongs PSA-PFS with a manageable safety profile, without adversely affecting time to testosterone recovery. The addition of apalutamide to ADT should be considered in patients with high-risk BRPC.

Abstract PD18-01: Adjuvant Trastuzumab Emtansine Versus Paclitaxel plus Trastuzumab for Stage I HER2+ Breast Cancer: 5-year results and correlative analyses from ATEMPT (TBCRC033)

Background: The ATEMPT trial primary analysis found that one year of adjuvant trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) achieved a 3-year iDFS of 97.8% for patients with stage I HER2+ breast cancer, but was not associated with fewer clinically relevant toxicities (CRTs) compared with paclitaxel and trastuzumab (TH). In this end-of-study analysis, we report 5-year survival outcomes and correlative analyses from the trial. Methods: Patients with stage I centrally confirmed HER2+ breast cancer were randomly assigned 3:1 to adjuvant T-DM1 for one year or TH and received T-DM1 3.6 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks for 17 cycles or paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV with weekly trastuzumab IV followed by trastuzumab for 9 months. The co-primary objectives were to compare the incidence of CRTs between the 2 arms and to evaluate iDFS in patients receiving T-DM1. To investigate proteomic correlates of recurrence, spatial proteomic analyses were performed on samples from 13 patients experiencing iDFS events (cases) and 24 matched controls using the NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler. The impact of HER2 heterogeneity on outcomes was investigated among 17 cases and 51 matched controls by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). HER2 genetic heterogeneity was assessed by scrutinizing the whole tumor area and defined as the occurrence of HER2 gene amplification in >5% but < 50% invasive tumor cells. The risk of recurrence was evaluated centrally with the HER2DX genomic assay from 225 primary tumor samples. Germline whole genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted among 55 patients experiencing T-DM1-induced thrombocytopenia and/or bleeding and 55 matched controls to identify genomic correlates for this side effect. Results: A total of 497 patients who initiated protocol therapy were included in this analysis (383 T-DM1 and 114 TH). After a median follow up 5.8 years, among patients receiving T-DM1 there were a total of 11 iDFS events, with 3 distant recurrences. The 5-year iDFS for T-DM1 was 97.0% (95% CI, 95.3-98.8%), the 5-year recurrence-free interval (RFI) was 98.6% (95% CI: 97.4-99.8%) and the 5-year overall survival (OS) for T-DM1 was 97.8 % (95% CI, 96.3-99.3%). Although the study was not powered to evaluate the efficacy of TH, among the 114 patients receiving TH, a total of 9 iDFS events were observed, including 2 distant events; the 5-year iDFS with TH was 91.3% (95% CI: 86.0-96.9%), 5-year RFI was 93.3% (95% CI: 88.6-98.2%) and 5-year OS was 97.9% (95% CI: 95.2-100%). A total of 56 samples were evaluable for heterogeneity analyses, among which 14% (n=8) harbored HER2 genetic heterogeneity. Spatial proteomic analyses found that NF1 (adjusted p=0.72 × 10-6) and CTLA-4 (adjusted p=0.15 × 10-3) were significantly upregulated in primary samples from cases, while cleaved caspase 9, CD25, GITR, ICOS, p53 and PD-L2 were significantly upregulated in controls (all with adjusted p< 0.05). Germline WGS found that the top gene associations with thrombocytopenia and thrombocytopenia or bleeding were ALMS1 (p=0,19 × 10-3) and APBA3 (p=0,23 × 10-3), respectively, although none reaching the threshold for genome wide significance. rs62143195 and rs114169776 were the top single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with thrombocytopenia and thrombocytopenia or bleeding, respectively. Data on the impact of HER2 heterogeneity and of HER2DX score on survival outcomes will be presented. Conclusion: With longer follow-up, adjuvant T-DM1 confirmed outstanding long-term outcomes among patients with stage I HER2+ breast cancer, demonstrating a 5-year RFI of 98.6%. Spatial proteomic analyses identified a potential association between NF1 and CTLA-4 expression with recurrence. Details on the impact of HER2 heterogeneity and HER2DX assay on prognosis will be presented.

Citation Format: Paolo Tarantino, Nabihah Tayob, Chau T Dang, Denise Yardley, Steven J. Isakoff, Vicente Valero, Meredith Faggen, Therese Mulvey, Ron Bose, Douglas Weckstein, Antonio C. Wolff, Katherine Reeder-Hayes, Hope Rugo, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Dan Zuckerman, Lowell Hart, Vijayakrishna K. Gadi, Michael Constantine, Kit Cheng, Audrey Merrill Garrett, Paul K. Marcom, Kathy S. Albain, Patricia DeFusco, Nadine Tung, Blair Ardman, Rita Nanda, Rachel C. Jankowitz, Mothaffar Rimawi, Vandana Abramson, Paula R. Pohlmann, Catherine Van Poznak, Andres Forero-Torres, Minetta C. Liu, Kathryn Ruddy, Yue Zheng, Romualdo Barroso-Sousa, Adrienne Waks, Michelle K. DeMeo, Molly K. DiLullo, Giuseppe Curigliano, Harold Burstein, Ann Partridge, Eric Winer, Giuseppe Viale, Winnie Hui, Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, Bryan P. Schneider, Aleix Prat, Ian Krop, Sara Tolaney. Adjuvant Trastuzumab Emtansine Versus Paclitaxel plus Trastuzumab for Stage I HER2+ Breast Cancer: 5-year results and correlative analyses from ATEMPT (TBCRC033) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr PD18-01.

Adjuvant Trastuzumab Emtansine Versus Paclitaxel in Combination With Trastuzumab for Stage I HER2-Positive Breast Cancer (ATEMPT): A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

The ATEMPT trial was designed to determine if treatment with trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) caused less toxicity than paclitaxel plus trastuzumab (TH) and yielded clinically acceptable invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) among patients with stage I human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

Patients with stage I centrally confirmed HER2+ BC were randomly assigned 3:1 to T-DM1 or TH and received T-DM1 3.6 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks for 17 cycles or T 80 mg/m² IV with H once every week × 12 weeks (4 mg/kg load →2 mg/kg), followed by H × 39 weeks (6 mg/kg once every 3 weeks). The co-primary objectives were to compare the incidence of clinically relevant toxicities (CRTs) in patients treated with T-DM1 versus TH and to evaluate iDFS in patients receiving T-DM1.

RESULTS

The analysis population includes all 497 patients who initiated protocol therapy (383 T-DM1 and 114 TH). CRTs were experienced by 46% of patients on T-DM1 and 47% of patients on TH (P = .83). The 3-year iDFS for T-DM1 was 97.8% (95% CI, 96.3 to 99.3), which rejected the null hypothesis (P < .0001). Serially collected patient-reported outcomes indicated that patients treated with T-DM1 had less neuropathy and alopecia and better work productivity compared with patients on TH.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with stage I HER2+ BC, one year of adjuvant T-DM1 was associated with excellent 3-year iDFS, but was not associated with fewer CRT compared with TH.

Abstract PD10-02: Patient reported outcomes from the adjuvant trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) vs. paclitaxel + trastuzumab (TH) (ATEMPT) trial (TBCRC 033)

Purpose: The ATEMPT trial sought to determine if adjuvant T-DM1 (every 3 wks for 1 yr) for Stage I HER2 positive breast cancer is better tolerated than TH (paclitaxel weekly x 12 wks with 1 yr of trastuzumab). Here we compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including quality of life (QOL), specific symptoms, and work productivity between the two treatments over time. Patients and Methods: English-speaking patients were randomized (3:1) to T-DM1 or TH, and completed PRO assessments at baseline (day 1), 3 wks, 12 wks, and 6, 12, and 18 mos after initiation of treatment. Surveys included the FACT-B, Patient-Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ), Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL), Alopecia Patient Assessment, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem (WPAI:SHP). Results: 469/497 (94%) patients (363 on T-DM1, 106 on TH) completed surveys at any timepoint, ranging from 100% at baseline to 79% at 18 mos. Median age was 56 yrs (range 23-85). There were different patterns of deterioration and recovery seen over time in each group for QOL and other relevant symptoms. Compared with the T-DM1 group, the TH group had significantly lower mean total FACT-B scores, indicating poorer QOL from baseline to 12 weeks (p&lt;0.001 for each timepoint); mean scores were similar between the groups at 6 and 12 mos, and significantly worse again in the TH group at 18 mos. The greatest mean change from baseline, and lowest FACT-B scores overall were reported in the TH group at 12 weeks. Moderate to severe sensory neuropathy was 8% at 12 weeks for patients receiving T-DM1 and reached its highest level of 15% by 18 mos. In comparison, moderate to severe sensory neuropathy was 35% at 12 weeks and 26% at 18 mos for patients on TH (p&lt;0.001 at 12 weeks and p=0.018 at 18 mos). Hair loss at week 12 was 13% on T-DM1 compared to 77% on TH (p&lt;0.001). Mean physical symptom distress was greater for TH at baseline, 3 and 12 weeks, and greater for T-DM1 at 1 year, with greatest symptom distress reported by the TH group at 12 weeks. Psychological distress was greatest for both groups at enrollment, though significantly greater with TH than T-DM1 at baseline, 12 weeks and 18 mos (groups were similar at 6 and 12 mos). There was limited impact on activity level impairment in both groups. Rates of employment were lowest for the TH group at 12 weeks (49% TH vs. 61% T-DM1, p=0.074) with significant differences seen at 3 and 12 weeks for percent work time missed due to health treatment, percent impairment while working, percent overall work impairment, and percent activity impairment, all favoring T-DM1. Conclusion: PROs differ between patients with Stage I HER2 positive breast cancer treated with T-DM1 vs. TH. T-DM1 treated patients had better QOL, less neuropathy and hair loss, and better work productivity, particularly during the first 12 weeks of treatment, and importantly, differences persist with longer-term follow-up.

Citation Format: Ann Partridge, Yue Zheng, Shoshana Rosenberg, Richard Gelber, Shari Gelber, William Barry, Chau Dang, Denise Yardley, Steven Isakoff, Vicente Valero, Meredith Faggen, Therese Mulvey, Ron Bose, Douglas Weckstein, Antonio Wolff, Katherine Reeder-Hayes, Hope Rugo, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Dan Zuckerman, Lowell Hart, Vijayakrishna Gadi, Michael Constantine, Kit Cheng, Frederick Briccetti, Bryan Schneider, Merrill Garrett, P. Kelly Marcom, Kathy Albain, Patricia Defusco, Nadine Tung, Blair Ardman, Rita Nanda, Rachel Jankowitz, Michelle DeMeo, Harold Burstein, Eric P. Winer, Ian Krop, Sara Tolaney. Patient reported outcomes from the adjuvant trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) vs. paclitaxel + trastuzumab (TH) (ATEMPT) trial (TBCRC 033) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD10-02.

SUNSHINE: Randomized double-blind phase II trial of vitamin D supplementation in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer

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Background: In prospective observational studies of mCRC patients, higher plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D have been associated with improved progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS), but the role of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of mCRC is unknown. Methods: SUNSHINE was a multi-center double-blind phase II randomized controlled trial in previously untreated mCRC patients. Patients were eligible if they had histologically confirmed mCRC, no prior therapy for metastatic disease, ECOG PS 0-1, and were not taking vitamin D >2,000 IU/day x 1 year. All subjects received standard treatment with mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab with 1:1 randomization to concurrent: HiVitD (vitamin D3 po 8,000 IU/d x 2 wks as loading dose followed by 4,000 IU/d) or LowVitD (standard vitamin D3 400 IU/d) until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. The primary endpoint was PFS, with the sample size designed to provide 80% power to detect a HR of 0.66 for PFS at a 1-sided alpha=0.2. Results: From April 2012 to November 2016, 139 patients were randomized. Median age was 54 yrs (range 24-82), 57% were male, 77% were white, and 7% had received prior adjuvant chemo. Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms except ECOG PS = 0 was 42% vs. 60% in HiVitD vs. LowVitD. Median follow-up was 16.1 mos (range 0-45.9) and median compliance with VitD capsules was 98%. Patients randomized to HiVitD experienced longer PFS than those receiving LowVitD (median PFS, 12.4 vs. 10.7 mos, respectively; log rank P=0.03). After multivariate adjustment for prognostic variables, HR was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.45-0.99, 2-sided P=0.04). Comparing HiVitD vs LowVitD, RR was 58% vs. 63% ( P=0.54) and disease control rate was 100% vs. 94% ( P=0.05). The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were as expected for FOLFOX-bevacizumab, and none were related to vitamin D. Currently, 14 patients are still actively receiving treatment, and OS data are not yet mature. Conclusion: SUNSHINE met its prespecified primary endpoint, with patients randomized to HiVitD experiencing longer PFS compared to those randomized to LowVitD. A larger confirmatory phase III randomized trial appears warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT01516216.

Effect of Longer-Interval vs Standard Dosing of Zoledronic Acid on Skeletal Events in Patients With Bone Metastases: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Zoledronic acid, a third-generation aminobisphosphonate, reduces the incidence of skeletal-related events and pain in patients with bone metastases. The optimal dosing interval for zoledronic acid is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether zoledronic acid administered every 12 weeks is noninferior to zoledronic acid administered every 4 weeks.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

Randomized, open-label clinical trial conducted at 269 academic and community sites in the United States. Patients (n = 1822) with metastatic breast cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, or multiple myeloma who had at least 1 site of bone involvement were enrolled between May 2009 and April 2012; follow-up concluded in April 2014.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive zoledronic acid administered intravenously every 4 weeks (n = 911) vs every 12 weeks (n = 911) for 2 years.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was the proportion of patients having at least 1 skeletal-related event (defined as clinical fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation to bone, or surgery involving bone) within 2 years after randomization and a between-group absolute difference of 7% as the noninferiority margin. Secondary end points included the proportion of patients with at least 1 skeletal-related event by disease type, pain as assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory (range, 0-10; higher scores indicate worse pain), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (range, 0-4; higher scores indicate worse disability), incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw, kidney dysfunction, skeletal morbidity rate (mean number of skeletal-related events per year), and, in a subset of 553 patients, suppression of bone turnover (assessed by C-terminal telopeptide levels).

RESULTS

Among 1822 patients who were randomized (median age, 65 years; 980 [53.8%] women; 855 with breast cancer, 689 with prostate cancer, and 278 with multiple myeloma), 795 completed the study at 2 years. A total of 260 patients (29.5%) in the zoledronic acid every 4-week dosing group and 253 patients (28.6%) in the every 12-week dosing group experienced at least 1 skeletal-related event within 2 years of randomization (risk difference of -0.3% [1-sided 95% CI, -4% to ∞]; P < .001 for noninferiority). The proportions of skeletal-related events did not differ significantly between the every 4-week dosing group vs the every 12-week dosing group for patients with breast cancer, prostate cancer, or multiple myeloma. Pain scores, performance status scores, incidence of jaw osteonecrosis, and kidney dysfunction did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. Skeletal morbidity rates were numerically identical in both groups, but bone turnover was greater (C-terminal telopeptide levels were higher) among patients who received zoledronic acid every 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with bone metastases due to breast cancer, prostate cancer, or multiple myeloma, the use of zoledronic acid every 12 weeks compared with the standard dosing interval of every 4 weeks did not result in an increased risk of skeletal events over 2 years. This longer interval may be an acceptable treatment option.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00869206.

Tumor oncogene (KRAS) status and risk of venous thrombosis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with metastatic colon cancer (mCRC) are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Limited preclinical data suggest that the oncogene (KRAS) mutational status of the tumor represents a plausible clinical link to systemic hypercoagulability in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if a tumor genetic characteristic, KRAS mutational status, is associated with an increased risk of VTE in patients with mCRC.

PATIENTS/METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients with mCRC and KRAS test results was conducted at multiple practice sites across New England in the United States. The primary outcome was a VTE event, defined as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE), either 6 months before or at any time after the diagnosis of mCRC. KRAS status (mutated vs. wild type) and other relevant predictors of thrombosis were collected.

RESULTS

Of 172 histologically confirmed patients with mCRC, 40 developed a VTE (23.3%). Sixty-five patients (37.8%) had a mutant KRAS status. The incidence of VTE and DVT among patients with mutated KRAS was 32.3 and 23.1%, respectively. The corresponding incidence among patients with wild-type KRAS was 17.8 and 9.4%. Odd ratios for the association were 2.21 (95% CI, 1.08-4.53) for VTE and 2.62 (95% CI, 1.12-6.12) for DVT, and remained significant despite adjustment for Khorana score and bevacizumab use.

CONCLUSION

Tumor mutant KRAS status is associated with an increased risk of VTE in patients with mCRC. The tumor genetic profile may represent a novel and important risk factor for thrombosis in patients with cancer.

Clinical and translational results of CALGB 40601: A neoadjuvant phase III trial of weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab with or without lapatinib for HER2-positive breast cancer

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Background: Recent trials in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BrCa) demonstrate increased pathological complete response (pCR) using dual HER2-targeting in the neoadjuvant setting and increased progression-free survival in metastatic disease. CALGB 40601 aimed to further quantify the pCR rates of weekly paclitaxel (T) and trastuzumab (H) alone or combined HER2-blockade of H with the small molecule lapatinib (L), and to identify biomarkers of sensitivity to these HER2-targeted agents. Methods: Eligible patients had newly diagnosed, noninflammatory stage II-III HER2+ BrCa and were randomized to receive T (80mg/m2/week IV) + H (4mg/kg then 2mg/kg/week IV) alone (TH) or with the addition of L (750 mg/d PO) (THL) for 16 weeks preoperatively. A third arm, T + L (1500 mg/d) (TL), was closed early when negative efficacy and toxicity data emerged from preliminary analysis of ALTTO. After surgery, 4 cycles of adjuvant dose-dense AC and 1 year H was recommended. Tumors were biopsied for research before therapy; post-Rx samples of residual disease were requested. The primary endpoint was in-breast pCR rate; the study had 85% power to detect an increase from 30% (TH) to 50% (THL). Results: 305 patients were randomized (118 THL, 120 TH, 67 TL); 68% were clinical stage II and 59% hormone receptor-positive. Grade 3+ toxicity was higher among L-containing arms, including neutropenia (12% TL, 7% THL, 2% TH), rash (15% TL, 14% THL, 2% TH), and diarrhea (20% TL, 20% THL, 2% TH). Breast pCR rates with 95% confidence limits were: 51% (42-60%) THL, 40% (32-49%) TH, 32% (22-44%) TL. pCR rate in the TH arm was higher than previous studies, and was not significantly different from THL (p=0.11). We will present molecular subtype, sequence and gene copy number abnormalities in primary tumors and residual disease. Conclusions: pCR rate was higher with combined THL compared with standard TH but did not reach statistical significance. These results are qualitatively similar to other neoadjuvant studies in HER2+ BrCa, and contribute to estimates of pCR rates after these agents. Tissue-based studies may illuminate which patients benefit from HER2-targeting using these agents. Clinical trial information: NCT00770809.

A phase II study of bevacizumab in combination with vinorelbine and trastuzumab in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of combining trastuzumab/vinorelbine with bevacizumab in patients with first-or second-line HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Eligible patients had HER2-positive measureable MBC, with no more than one prior line of chemotherapy, and were treated with trastuzumab (4 mg/kg × 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter), vinorelbine (25 mg/m(2) weekly), and bevacizumab (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks). Co-primary endpoints were (a) the proportion of patients alive and progression-free at 1 year and (b) safety profile/feasibility. Feasibility was defined as a rate of grade 3/4 non-hematologic toxicity attributable to protocol-based therapy <20 %. Twenty-nine patients were enrolled (n = 22 first-line, n = 7 second-line). Median age was 48 years (range 37-68). The median number of cycles received was 8 (1-23) and median duration on treatment was 7.4 months (range 1-22). The study was closed early due to higher-than-expected rates of grade 3/4 non-hematologic toxicities, with 50 events in 20 patients. A total of six patients (21 %) were taken off study for treatment-related toxicity. Most common treatment-related toxicities included fatigue (n = 7), febrile neutropenia (n = 4), and headache (n = 3). At 1 year, 8/22 first-line (36 %) and 2/7 second-line (29 %) patients were alive and progression-free. Median PFS was 9.9 months and 7.8 months in the first- and second-line cohorts, respectively. Objective responses were observed in 16/22 (73 %) and 5/7 (71 %) patients in the first- and second-line settings. Although the combination of vinorelbine, trastuzumab, and bevacizumab showed notable activity in HER2-positive MBC, the proportion of first-line patients alive and progression-free at 1 year was deemed unlikely to reach the pre-defined threshold for declaring success. Additionally, unacceptable toxicity was observed, at rates greater than previously reported with vinorelbine/trastuzumab or vinorelbine/bevacizumab doublet combinations.

Phase II trial of RAD001 and bicalutamide for castration-resistant prostate cancer

Study Type--Therapy (cohort) Level of Evidence 2a. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Despite expanding treatment options for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), therapies with long response duration remain intangible due to prostate cancer cells' natural ability to develop iterative resistance. Androgen receptor (AR) signaling has been shown to play a critical role in CRPC and its expression is regulated by the PI3K-Akt pathway. Thus inhibition of AR signalling and PI3K-Akt-mTOR (a downstream mediator of the PI3K-Akt pathway) pathway is a logical combination in CRPC and we report a phase II trial of RAD001 and bicalutamide. Our study is the first clinical trial report of an AR inhibitor of PI3K-Akt-mTOR. The AR pathway and the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway are two of the most relevant growth pathway for CRPC. Despite low efficacy results from our trial there will be significant interest in the field for these data (dose, schedule, response, toxicity, trial design) as newer generations of both AR inhibitors and PI3K-Akt-mTOR inhibitors are in development and likely will be tested in combination in CRPC.

OBJECTIVES

• To determine best overall response and duration of response of RAD001, a selective inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, in combination with bicalutamide in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). • To characterize the toxicity profile of RAD001 in combination with bicalutamide in patients with CRPC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• A phase II study was conducted to explore the efficacy and tolerability of RAD001 (10 mg daily) in combination with bicalutamide (50 mg daily) in men with progressive CRPC. • The primary endpoint was a composite of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and measurable disease response by standard criteria. • This single-stage trial with a sample size of 38 eligible patients provided 90% power to differentiate a response rate of ≥ 40% from a response rate of ≤ 20%, as expected for bicalutamide alone (α= 0.10, power = 0.90).

RESULTS

• In total, 36 men were enrolled, with a median (range) age of 68 (60-72) years and median (range) baseline PSA level of 22.2 (8.4-121.3) ng/mL, and 89% had metastatic disease. • There were 31 (86%) patients had previously used bicalutamide for a median duration of 7.4 months. • There were two patients with a confirmed PSA level decline ≥ 50%. • The median (interquartile range) time to progression was 8.7 (7.9-15.9) weeks. • The most common toxicity was grade 1/2 mucositis, which was observed in 20 (56%) patients.

CONCLUSION

• The combination of RAD001 and bicalutamide in men with CRPC was well tolerated but had low activity and failed to achieve the primary endpoint of improved response compared to the results previously achieved for bicalutamide alone in this population.

Implementing a geriatric assessment in cooperative group clinical cancer trials: CALGB 360401

PURPOSE

Factors captured in a geriatric assessment can predict morbidity and mortality in older adults, but are not routinely measured in cancer clinical trials. This study evaluated the implementation of a geriatric assessment tool in the cooperative group setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients age ≥ 65 with cancer, who enrolled on cooperative group cancer trials, were eligible to enroll on Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 360401. They completed a geriatric assessment tool before initiation of protocol therapy, consisting of valid and reliable geriatric assessment measures which are primarily self-administered and require minimal resources and time by healthcare providers. The assessment measures functional status, comorbidity, cognitive function, psychological state, social support, and nutritional status. The protocol specified criteria for incorporation of the tool in future cooperative group trials was based on the time to completion and percent of patients who could complete their portion without assistance. Patient satisfaction with the tool was captured.

RESULTS

Of the 93 patients who enrolled in this study, five (5%) met criteria for cognitive impairment and three did not complete the cognitive screen, leaving 85 assessable patients (median age, 72 years). The median time to complete the geriatric assessment tool was 22 minutes, 87% of patients (n = 74) completed their portion without assistance, 92% (n = 78) were satisfied with the questionnaire length, 95% (n = 81) reported no difficult questions, and 96% (n = 82) reported no upsetting questions. One hundred percent of health care professionals completed their portion.

CONCLUSION

This brief, primarily self-administered geriatric assessment tool met the protocol specified criteria for inclusion in future cooperative group clinical trials.

Phase II trial of erlotinib in chemotherapy-naive women with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma

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Background: This single-arm phase II study explored the role of clinical characteristics (female gender, adenocarcinoma histology, no tobacco within 1 year) in selecting pts for 1st-line therapy w/ erlotinib. Available tissue for EGFR mutation analysis was required to assess its impact on outcomes. Methods: Eligible pts were chemotherapy-naïve women, stage IIIB/ IV, PS 0–2, adenocarcinoma, and w/ available tissue for analysis of EGFR mutation status. Pts received erlotinib 150 mg PO daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint was response rate (RR). Secondary endpoints included toxicity, time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and impact of EGFR genotype on clinical outcomes. Results: From 11/04 - 12/08, 84 pts were treated. Median age 68 (range 34–88); 59 PS 0, 24 PS 1, 1 PS 2; race: 79 white, 3 Asian, 2 black; 16 pts had BAC or predominant BAC features; smoking status: 35 never, 49 former. Tox: Rash (90%; 21% grade 3) and diarrhea (69%; 7% grade 3) were the most common toxicities. 32 pts developed toxicity grade 3+ felt likely related to erlotinib. 2 deaths may be treatment-related (1 DIC, 1 hepatic failure). There were also 3 pts w/ PE's (1 fatal). Efficacy: Response (n=84): 0 CR, 27 PR (RR 32%), 27 SD, 23 PD. 7 pts not evaluable (5 tox, 1 non-progression death, 1 withdrawn consent). Median TTP was 5.6 months (95% CI 4.1–7.4 mos), and median OS was 22.7 months (95% CI 15.8 - 26.0 mos). At the time of analysis, there were 36 deaths, 16 pts on treatment w/o progression, and 5 pts lost to follow-up. Compared to smokers, never-smokers trended toward improved RR (43% vs 22%, p=.06), w/ improved TTP (HR .59; 95%CI .36-.96) but no improvement in OS (HR 1.15, 95%CI .58–2.27). Genotype had a more obvious impact on outcomes: compared w/ 37 known wild-type EGFR, 33 pts w/ known sensitizing mutations had a higher response rate (70% vs 0), and significantly improved hazard ratios for both TTP (.20, 95%CI .11-.36) and OS (.36, 95% CI .18 - .73). Results will be updated and outcomes for rarer mutations will be reported. Conclusions: Clinical characteristics may help select appropriate pts for first-line erlotinib when EGFR mutation status is unavailable. However, when available, EGFR genotype is superior to clinical phenotype in selecting pts for first-line erlotinib.

[Table: see text]