Benchmarking Maintenance Therapy Survival in First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy-Treated Patients with Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma Using Simulated Disease Modeling

Objective

First-line (1L) maintenance avelumab prolonged overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) in JAVELIN Bladder 100. OS was measured from maintenance initiation in patients with disease control following 1L platinum-based therapy (PBT). The OS impact of maintenance for the 1L PBT-treated population is unknown since it was not measured from 1L initiation, nor can it be benchmarked with other 1L therapies. To characterize the OS impact of maintenance avelumab, we used an oncology simulation model to estimate the OS of maintenance-eligible and -ineligible patients with aUC from 1L PBT initiation.

Methods

We developed a simulated cohort of 1L PBT-treated patients with aUC, including those who did and did not receive maintenance avelumab. Eligibility was assessed at 5.6 months post 1L PBT initiation based on the JAVELIN trial design. Among the 1L-treated population, 58% (95% credible interval [CrI] 49-67%) were projected to be eligible (calculated from contemporary phase 3 trials); of those, 85% were assumed to receive maintenance. The model estimated median OS (mOS) among a maintenance-ineligible simulated cohort which when combined with the maintenance-eligible cohort yielded an estimated OS in the overall maintenance- intended population from 1L PBT initiation.

Results

Approximately half of the modeled 1L PBT-treated population received maintenance. Estimated mOS was 10.1 months (95% CrI 7.5-13.5) for the maintenance-ineligible cohort, 29.3 months (95% CrI 24.8-33.9) for the maintenance-eligible, received maintenance cohort, and 15.9 months (95% CrI 13.2-19.1) in the overall maintenance-intended, 1L PBT-treated population, including those eligible and ineligible for maintenance.

Conclusion

The model shows that maintenance avelumab has a modest impact on OS in the overall 1L PBT-treated population of patients with aUC. While maintenance avelumab improves OS for eligible patients, a large proportion of the maintenance-intended population may not receive maintenance due to ineligibility or physician/patient choice.

Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) of First-Line Therapies (1L) for Locally Advanced/Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma (la/mUC)

To compare efficacy outcomes for all approved and investigational first-line (1L) treatment regimens for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) with standard of care (SOC), a network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted. A systematic literature review (SLR) identified phase 2 and 3 randomized trials investigating 1L treatment regimens in la/mUC published January 2001–September 2021. Three networks were formed based on cisplatin (cis) eligibility: cis-eligible/mixed (cis-eligible patients and mixed populations of cis-eligible/ineligible patients), cis-ineligible (strict; exclusively cis-ineligible patients), and cis-ineligible (wide; including studies with investigator’s choice of carbo). Analyses examined comparative efficacy by hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS), and odds ratio (OR) for overall response rate (ORR), with 1L regimens vs. SOC. SOC was gemcitabine + cis (GemCis) or carboplatin (GemCarbo), cis-eligible/mixed network, and GemCarbo cis-ineligible networks. Of 1906 SLR identified citations, 55 trials were selected for data extraction. The NMA comprised 11, 6, and 8 studies in the cis-eligible/mixed, cis-ineligible (strict), cis-ineligible (wide) networks, respectively. In a meta-analysis of SOC control arms, median (95% CI) overall survival (OS) in months varied by network: 13.19 (12.43, 13.95) cis-eligible/mixed, 11.96 (10.43, 13.48) cis-ineligible (wide), and 9.74 (6.71, 12.76) cis-ineligible (strict). Most differences in OS, PFS, and ORR with treatment regimens across treatment networks were not statistically significant compared with SOC. Outcomes with current 1L regimens remain poor, and few significant improvements over SOC have been made, despite inclusion of recent clinical trial data, highlighting an unmet need in the la/mUC patient population.

Benchmarking maintenance therapy survival in first-line advanced urothelial carcinoma using disease modeling

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Background: First-line (1L) maintenance avelumab (maintA) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) prolonged overall survival (OS) in the JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial. JAVELIN measured OS from the initiation of maintA among a subgroup of the overall aUC 1L treated population, including only patients who did not progress with 1L platinum-based therapy (PBT) and remained progression free during a 4-10 week treatment-free interval following completion of 1L PBT. As such, patients who progressed on or immediately following PBT were not included in the trial. To address this, we used disease modeling to estimate maintA OS measured from initiation of 1L PBT to align maintA OS with the common initiation point to benchmark with other 1L clinical trials. Methods: We developed a simulated cohort to estimate OS from initiation of 1L PBT in all aUC patients including those who received maintA. Eligibility for maintA (PBT progressed vs not progressed) was assessed at 5.6 months post-initiation of 1L PBT, accounting for 6 PBT cycles and a nominal 6-week treatment-free interval. Median OS of 14.3 months from the 1L PBT arm of a recent 1L trial, KEYNOTE-361, was used to represent the OS of the simulated cohort of 1L aUC patients. The simulated cohort was stratified by eligibility for maintA. Among the 1L treated population, 57% were projected to be progression-free and eligible for maintA based on progression-free survival (PFS) from KEYNOTE-361. Among those eligible, 85% were assumed to receive maintA based on expert clinical input. OS of maintA eligible patients was 21.4 months from JAVELIN. Our disease model estimated OS among a maintA ineligible simulated cohort, which was combined with the maintA eligible cohort to yield an estimated OS in the overall aUC population measured from initiation of 1L PBT. Results: Approximately 50% of the 1L modeled population receive maintA (i.e., 57% eligible x 85% treated). Our approach estimated a median OS of 9.9 months for the maintA ineligible cohort and 27.0 months for the maintA eligible cohort. Combined, the estimated median OS with maintA, measured from initiation of 1L PBT, in all 1L-treated aUC patients was 15.8 months (vs 14.3 months with PBT only in 1L). Conclusions: MaintA improves OS for eligible patients, however our simulation model suggests a significant proportion of patients will not receive MaintA. The estimated OS of 15.8 months for the population-level impact of maintA, accounting for patients ineligible for 1L maintA, demonstrates remaining unmet need in the overall 1L aUC population.

Systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) of first-line therapies (1L) for locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC)

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Background: Standard of care (SOC) for 1L la/mUC is gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) or carboplatin (GCa), but the landscape is evolving with new therapies emerging. To compare outcomes of other approved/investigational 1L regimens with SOC in the context of recently published data on newer therapies, we updated a previously reported SLR/NMA of phase 2/3 randomized control trials. Methods: The SLR was conducted in line with PRISMA and NICE guidelines (01/2000-05/2020; updated 06/2020-06/2021). Three networks were formed: cisplatin (cis)-eligible/mixed eligibility; cis-ineligible (strict; studies including cis-ineligible patients only); and cis-ineligible (wide; expanded to also include study arms with an investigator’s choice of carboplatin in KEYNOTE-361, IMvigor130, and DANUBE). Comparative efficacy and safety were assessed under a Bayesian framework. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with 1L la/mUC regimens vs SOC (GC/GCa) are reported. Results: Among 2,312 citations identified, 55 unique trials were selected for data extraction. Of these, the NMA included 11 studies in the cis-eligible/mixed, 6 in the cis-ineligible (strict), and 8 in the cis-ineligible (wide) network. The NMA excluded therapies that were not effective or adopted in clinical practice; 6 maintenance trials were excluded due to differences in design precluding comparisons. Median OS in the SOC arms was 13.2 mo (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.4-14.0) for cis-eligible/mixed, 9.7 mo (95% CI 6.7-12.8) for cis-ineligible (strict), and 12.0 mo (95% CI 10.4-13.5) for cis-ineligible (wide); median PFS was 6.6 mo (95% CI 6.3-6.9) for cis-eligible/mixed and 5.6 mo (95% CI 5.0-6.3) for both cis-ineligible strict and wide. OS and PFS were similar to SOC across therapies in each network: hazard ratios (HR) ranged 0.7-1.4 for OS for cis-eligible/mixed, 0.9-1.4 for cis-ineligible (strict), and 0.8-1.4 for cis-ineligible (wide) (Table); HR for PFS ranged 0.5-1.6 for cis-eligible/mixed and 0.8-1.1 for both cis-ineligible strict and wide networks; all credible intervals (CrI) crossed or were close to 1. Conclusions: In this updated SLR/NMA, survival outcomes were similar and remained poor among established and emerging 1L la/mUC therapies, despite inclusion of recent trial data. This further highlights the unmet need in this population.[Table: see text]

Healthcare resource utilization and cost among males with lower urinary tract symptoms with a predominant storage component in Spain: The epidemiological, cross-sectional MERCURY study

AIMS

To assess the relationship between storage-predominant LUTS and healthcare resource consumption and cost among males in Spain.

METHODS

In this non-interventional, cross-sectional study, urologists enrolled males with storage-predominant LUTS and recorded the consumption of healthcare resources (medical visits, diagnostic tests/monitoring, treatment, and hospitalizations) within the previous 6 months. The cost of healthcare resources was calculated from unit costs extracted from a Spanish eHealth database. Severity of LUTS was assessed by the Bladder Self-Assessment Questionnaire (BSAQ) and patients were stratified by symptom score (<6 or ≥6) to assess the relationship between LUTS severity and healthcare resource consumption and cost.

RESULTS

Among 610 enrolled patients (BSAQ symptom score <6, n = 191; BSAQ symptom score ≥6, n = 419), the majority (87.7%) consumed healthcare resources during the previous 6 months in the form of medical visits (86.2%), diagnostic tests/monitoring (83.4%), and treatment (85.9%). Patients with BSAQ symptom scores ≥6 used more healthcare resources compared with patients with BSAQ symptom scores <6. The most common treatments for LUTS were α-blockers used as monotherapy (n = 229 [37.5%]) or in combination with antimuscarinics (n = 227 [37.2%]). The estimated median annual cost was €1070 per patient, consisting of diagnostic tests/monitoring (54.6%), medical visits (20.5%), and treatment (29.6%), and was higher in patients with BSAQ symptom score ≥6 (€1127) than in patients with BSAQ symptom score <6 (€920; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

More severe LUTS are associated with higher healthcare consumption and cost. These findings highlight the importance of symptom management in LUTS patients to help minimize healthcare consumption and cost.

A randomized open-label trial with a crossover comparison of sexual self-confidence and other treatment outcomes following tadalafil once a day vs. tadalafil or sildenafil on-demand in men with erectile dysfunction

AIM

To compare Sexual Self-Confidence and other treatment outcomes following 8 weeks of treatment with tadalafil 5 mg once a day (OaD) vs. tadalafil 20 mg or sildenafil 100 mg as needed (pro re nata [PRN]) in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODS

A randomized, open-label, crossover study in men ≥18 years of age with history of ED and satisfactory response to current oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor PRN. Data were analyzed with a mixed effects model for crossover design.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was the Sexual Self-Confidence domain of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (PAIRS) between tadalafil OaD and sildenafil PRN. SECONDARY OUTCOMES INCLUDED: Time Concerns and Spontaneity domains of PAIRS, and the Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) scale.

RESULTS

Men naive to tadalafil OaD were enrolled (N = 378), with 61-69% prior PDE5 inhibitor use. There were improvements in all PAIRS domains from baseline when comparing tadalafil OaD and PRN with sildenafil PRN (P < 0.001). The Sexual Self-Confidence domain improved from baseline and was 0.50 ± 0.78 following tadalafil OaD, 0.5 ± 0.72 for tadalafil PRN, and 0.39 ± 0.67 for sildenafil PRN. The difference in least-squares mean was 0.12 ± 0.04 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.04, 0.19; P = 0.001) between tadalafil OaD and sildenafil PRN and 0.01 ± 0.04 (CI = -0.06, 0.08; P = 0.872) between tadalafil OaD and tadalafil PRN. The Time Concerns domain score was lower with tadalafil OaD than tadalafil PRN (P < 0.001). There were no differences in SEAR scores between treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Tadalafil OaD and tadalafil PRN compared with sildenafil PRN demonstrated greater improvements in Sexual Self-Confidence, Time Concerns, and Spontaneity. There was no significant difference in Sexual Self-Confidence between tadalafil OaD and tadalafil PRN. Changes in SEAR, the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function, and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction scores from baseline to end point were similar.

Timing of dose relative to sexual intercourse attempt in previous sildenafil citrate users treated with tadalafil: a geographical comparison from a single arm, open-label study

INTRODUCTION

Previous research has demonstrated that sildenafil citrate users alter dosing-sexual attempt behavior when switched to tadalafil. The impact of geography and culture on sexual behavior with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor treatment has not been fully investigated.

AIM

To describe and compare the changes in dosing-sexual attempt behavior with sildenafil citrate vs. tadalafil treatment across four distinct geographies: Asia, Australia/New Zealand (ANZ), Central Eastern Europe/Middle East (CEE/ME), and Latin America (LA).

METHODS

Data from a single-arm, open-label clinical trial conducted in 21 countries from November 2002 to May 2004 were used in this analysis. Men with erectile dysfunction and a history of > or =6-week prior sildenafil citrate use continued sildenafil citrate treatment for 4 weeks then switched to tadalafil for 8 weeks. Dosing instructions were provided.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Timing of dose and sexual intercourse was assessed through patient diaries for the final 4 weeks of each treatment period.

RESULTS

A total of 2,760 men were enrolled: Asia 15.8%; ANZ 29.4%; CEE/ME 19.7%; LA 35.1%. The median time from dosing to intercourse was significantly increased during tadalafil treatment across all geographical regions; however, the magnitude of increase differed significantly by geography (P < 0.0001). The Asian cohort demonstrated the shortest duration between dosing and sexual intercourse attempts (irrespective of drug), and altered sexual behavior the least upon switching to tadalafil. The ANZ cohort demonstrated the longest duration between dosing and sexual intercourse attempts (irrespective of drug), and altered sexual behavior the most upon switching to tadalafil.

CONCLUSION

Men with a history of established sildenafil citrate use alter their dose-attempt behavior when treated with tadalafil irrespective of geography. However, the extent to which sexual behavior alters is not uniform across geographical regions, suggesting that dosing instructions and duration of drug effectiveness, in combination with personal and cultural preferences, may determine sexual behavior with PDE5 inhibitor use.