TEAM Study: Upfront Docetaxel Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Real-World, Multicenter, Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) dramatically changed. PEACE-1 and ARASENS trials established triplet therapy efficacy. Identifying prognostic factors supporting treatment choice is pivotal.

METHODS

TEAM is an observational, retrospective study to evaluate prognostic role of variables in mHSPC patients receiving upfront docetaxel in 11 Italian centers. Outcome measures were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall-survival (OS).

RESULTS

From September 2014 to December 2020, 147 patients were included. Median PFS and OS were 11.6 and 37.4 months. At univariate analysis, PFS-related variables were Gleason Score (GS) (P = .001), opioid use (P = .004), bone metastases number (P < .001), baseline PSA (P = .006), Hb (P < .001), ALP (P < .001) and LDH (P = .002), time between ADT and docetaxel start (P = .018), 3-month PSA (P < .001) and ALP (P < .001), and number of docetaxel cycles (P < .001). OS-related variables were PSA at diagnosis (P = .024), primary tumor treatment (P = .022), baseline pain (P = .015), opioid use (P < .001), bone metastases number (P < . 001), baseline Hb (P < .001), ALP (P < .001) and LDH (P = .001), NLR ratio (P = .039), 3-month PSA (P < .001) and ALP (P < .001) and docetaxel cycles number (P < .001). At multivariate analysis, independent prognostic variables were GS, opioid use, baseline LDH and time between ADT and docetaxel initiation for PFS, and baseline Hb and LDH for OS.

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving upfront docetaxel with high GS, high disease burden, pain or opioid use, baseline unfavorable laboratory values had worse outcomes. Patients had greater docetaxel benefit when initiated early after ADT start. These parameters could be taken into account when selecting candidates for triplet therapy.

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Patients With Penile Carcinoma: A Sub-Analysis From Meet-URO 23 (I-RARE) Registry Study

INTRODUCTION

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare tumor with an aggressive behavior. The Meet-URO 23/I-RARE registry includes rare genitourinary malignancies. We extracted patients with PSCC to conduct a retrospective study aimed at assessing clinical outcomes and prognostic factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Primary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival. Prognostic factors for OS and PFS were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. From the Meet-URO 23/I-RARE database, we extracted 128 patients with diagnosis of PSCC. About 48% of patients underwent first-line of therapy.

RESULTS

In the overall population, median OS from diagnosis was 34.6 months. Significant differences in median OS were observed according to ECOG PS at diagnosis (57.3 months vs. 8.3 months; P < .001), and median age (≤77y 88.8 months vs. >77y 26 months; P = .013). At multivariate analysis, ECOG PS 2-4 at diagnosis (HR 3.04) and lymph node metastases (HR 2.49) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. Among patients undergoing first-line therapy (n = 61), median OS was 12.3 months, and a statistically significant difference was found according to type of response to first-line (DCR 24.4 months vs. PD 7.1 months; P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that only age >77 years was associated with a worse OS (HR 2.16). A statistically significant difference in PFS was found according to platinum plus 5-fluorouracil versus platinum plus taxane (4.9 vs. 3.4 months; P = .036) and regimens with 2 versus 3 drugs (3.4 vs. 8.6 months; P = .019). At the multivariate analysis only regimens with platinum plus taxane were associated with worse PFS (HR 2.83).

CONCLUSION

In our registry study, PSCC is confirmed to be an aggressive disease. Poor ECOG PS, presence of lymph node metastases, and higher age at diagnosis appear to be associated with worse survival outcomes.

Gut and local microbiota in patients with cancer: increasing evidence and potential clinical applications

In recent years, cancer research has highlighted the role of disrupted microbiota in carcinogenesis and cancer recurrence. However, microbiota may also interfere with drug metabolism, influencing the efficacy of cancer drugs, especially immunotherapy, and modulating the onset of adverse events. Intestinal micro-organisms can be altered by external factors, such as use of antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors treatment, lifestyle and the use of prebiotics or probiotics. The aim of our review is to provide a picture of the current evidence about preclinical and clinical data of the role of gut and local microbiota in malignancies and its potential clinical role in cancer treatments. Standardization of microbiota sequencing approaches and its modulating strategies within prospective clinical trials could be intriguing for two aims: first, to provide novel potential biomarkers both for early cancer detection and for therapeutic effectiveness; second, to propose personalized and "microbiota-tailored" treatment strategies.

Management of cancer treatment-induced bone loss in patients with breast and hormone sensitive prostate cancer: AIOM survey

PURPOSE

Cancer treatment-induced bone loss is a side effect of hormonal therapy that can severely affect patients' quality of life. The aim of this survey was to obtain an updated picture of management of bone health in patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant hormonal therapy and in patients with hormone sensitive prostate cancer according to Italian oncologists.

METHODS

Our survey was made up of 21 multiple-choice questions: the first part dealt with the respondents' characteristics, while the second with management of bone health in the described setting. An invitation to complete the survey was sent by e-mail to 2336 oncologists, members of Italian Association of Medical Oncology, in October 2022.

RESULTS

Overall, 121 (5.2%) Italian oncologists completed the survey. In most cases (57%) the oncologist personally took charge of the management of bone health in patients at risk for cancer treatment-induced bone loss. At the beginning of hormonal therapy, most respondents reported to require bone health diagnostic exams, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (89%), repeated with different timing. Main reported reasons (not mutually exclusive) for prescribing antiresorptive drugs were modifying fracture risk (87%), densitometry values (75%) or prognosis (34%). Answers about the management of antiresorptive therapy were heterogeneous.

CONCLUSION

A heterogeneous approach on the management of cancer treatment-induced bone loss in Italy arises from this survey. This scenario highlights the need for a major consensus of the Italian scientific community on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of cancer treatment-induced bone loss and for a greater awareness of this topic among Italian oncologists.

Instrumental activities of daily living in older patients with metastatic prostate cancer: results from the meet-URO network ADHERE prospective study

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are significant health indicators closely related to executive functions and able to detect mild cognitive impairment. A decline in IADL usually precedes ADL limitation, including taking medications, and may therefore predict a cognitive decline. We aimed to investigate the association of patients' IADL score with other clinical factors, with a particular focus on the presence of a caregiver, and the impact on adherence to androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) and survival outcomes within the Meet-URO 5-ADHERE study. It was a large prospective multicentre observational cohort study monitoring adherence to ARPIs in 234 metastatic castrate-resistant PC (mCRPC) patients aged ≥ 70. We observed an association between impaired IADL and lower geriatric G8 scores (p < 0.01), and lower adherence to ARPIs whether assessed by pill counting (p = 0.01) or self-reported by the patient himself (p = 0.03). The combination of an IADL < 6 and the absence of a caregiver resulted in a significantly high risk of non-adherence to the ARPIs at the multivariable analysis (HR 9.23, 95% confidence interval 2.28-37.43, p = 0.01). IADL alongside the geriatric G8 scales represent essential tools to identify frail and less auto-sufficient patients who are extremely vulnerable particularly if not supported by a caregiver and have the highest risk of nonadherence to ARPIs.

Time to strategy failure and treatment beyond progression in pretreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients receiving nivolumab: post-hoc analysis of the Meet-URO 15 study

Background

Immunotherapies exhibit peculiar cancer response patterns in contrast to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Some patients experience disease response after initial progression or durable responses after treatment interruption. In clinical practice, immune checkpoint inhibitors may be continued after radiological progression if clinical benefit is observed. As a result, estimating progression-free survival (PFS) based on the first disease progression may not accurately reflect the actual benefit of immunotherapy.

Methods

The Meet-URO 15 study was a multicenter retrospective analysis of 571 pretreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients receiving nivolumab. Time to strategy failure (TSF) was defined as the interval from the start of immunotherapy to definitive disease progression or death. This post-hoc analysis compared TSF to PFS and assess the response and survival outcomes between patients treatated beyond progression (TBP) and non-TBP. Moreover, we evaluated the prognostic accuracy of the Meet-URO score versus the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) score based on TSF and PFS.

Results

Overall, 571 mRCC patients were included in the analysis. Median TSF was 8.6 months (95% CI: 7.0 - 10.1), while mPFS was 7.0 months (95% CI: 5.7 - 8.5). TBP patients (N = 93) had significantly longer TSF (16.3 vs 5.5 months; p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (34.8 vs 17.9 months; p < 0.001) but similar PFS compared to non-TBP patients. In TBP patients, a median delay of 9.6 months (range: 6.7-16.3) from the first to the definitive disease progression was observed, whereas non-TBP patients had overlapped median TSF and PFS (5.5 months). Moreover, TBP patients had a trend toward a higher overall response rate (33.3% vs 24.3%; p = 0.075) and disease control rate (61.3% vs 55.5%; p = 0.31). Finally, in the whole population the Meet-URO score outperformed the IMDC score in predicting both TSF (c-index: 0.63 vs 0.59) and PFS (0.62 vs 0.59).

Conclusion

We found a 2-month difference between mTSF and mPFS in mRCC patients receiving nivolumab. However, TBP patients had better outcomes, including significantly longer TSF and OS than non-TBP patients. The Meet-URO score is a reliable predictor of TSF and PFS.

Using peripheral immune-inflammatory blood markers in tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: An INVIDIa-2 study sub-analysis

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) have been reported as prognosticators in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and melanoma. This analysis of the INVIDIa-2 study on influenza vaccination in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) assessed NLR and SII on overall survival (OS) by literature-reported (LR), receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC)-derived (ROC) cutoffs or as continuous variable (CV). NLR and SII with ROC cutoffs of <3.4 (p < 0.001) and <831 (p < 0.001) were independent factors for OS in multivariate analysis. SII with LR, ROC, or CV significantly predicted OS in NSCLC (p = 0.002, p = 0.003, p = 0.003), RCC (p = 0.034, p = 0.014, p = 0.014), and melanoma (p = 0.038, p = 0.022, p = 0.019). NLR with LR and ROC cutoffs predicted OS in first line (p < 0.001 for both) and second line or beyond (p = 0.006 for both); likewise SII (p < 0.001; p = 0.002 and p < 0.001). NLR and SII are prognosticators in NSCLC, RCC, and melanoma treated with ICIs.

Sodium Levels and Outcomes in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving Nivolumab

Importance

Low sodium levels have been associated with negative outcomes among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) receiving therapies other than immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Objective

To investigate the role of natremia in patients with mRCC receiving nivolumab as a second-line or subsequent therapy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this retrospective cohort study, the clinical and biochemical data of patients with mRCC receiving nivolumab were collected from October 2015 to November 2019 as part of a multicenter Italian study. Data analysis was performed from February to March 2023.

Exposure

Nivolumab was administered intravenously at a dose of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks and, since May 2018, at a fixed dose of 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their median serum sodium value (<140 or ≥140 mEq/L).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were the associations of pre-ICI and post-ICI sodium levels with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate, and disease control rate (DCR). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate PFS and OS, and differences between groups were compared using the log-rank test.

Results

A total of 401 patients with mRCC receiving nivolumab as second-line therapy were evaluated, and 355 eligible patients (median [range] age, 76 [44-84] years; 258 male patients [72.7%]) were included in the final cohort. Among patients with pre-ICI sodium greater than or equal to 140 mEq/L compared with those with sodium less than 140 mEq/L, the median PFS was 9.3 months (95% CI, 6.5-11.5 months) vs 7.4 months (95% CI, 4.6-10.1 months; P = .90), and the median OS was 29.2 months (95% CI, 21.8-35.9 months) vs 20.0 months (95% CI, 14.1-26.8 months; P = .03). Patients with post-ICI sodium values greater than or equal to 140 mEq/L had longer PFS (11.1 months [95% CI, 8.5-1.5 months] vs 5.1 months [95% CI, 4.1-7.5 months]; P = .01) and OS (32.9 months [95% CI, 25.1-42.6 months] vs 17.1 months [95% CI, 12.6-24.5 months]; P = .006) compared with patients with sodium values less than 140 mEq/L. Patients with both pre-ICI and post-ICI sodium values greater than or equal to 140 mEq/L exhibited a significant improvement in clinical outcomes compared with those with a value less than 140 mEq/L (PFS, 11.5 months [95% CI, 8.8-16.4 months] vs 5.8 months [95% CI, 4.4-8.3 months]; P = .008); OS, 37.6 months [95% CI, 29.0-49.9 months] vs 19.4 months [95% CI, 14.1-24.5 months]; P = .01). Moreover, sodium levels greater than or equal to 140 mEq/L were associated with significantly better DCR than lower sodium levels.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this retrospective cohort study of patients with mRCC receiving nivolumab, sodium values greater than or equal to 140 mEq/L, both before and/or after ICI, were associated with better OS and PFS, as well as a higher DCR, compared with levels less than 140 mEq/L. These findings suggest that sodium levels may be associated with survival outcomes in patients with mRCC and may have potential use as variables to consider in patients' risk scores.

Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors in Patients With Urothelial Cancer

Poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) have clinical activity in several cancers. The rationale of their therapeutic use in urothelial cancer (UC) resides in the high homologous-recombination repair (HRR) deficiency (HRD) prevalence and potential cross-sensitivity with platinum-based chemotherapy (PBCT). This review aims to summarize and analyze trials exploring the activity of PARPis in UC, focusing on patients who may benefit from those agents, the best clinical setting for the treatment and the benefit of the association with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We included all the available trials analyzing the activity of PARPis in UC in neoadjuvant, adjuvant, first or subsequent lines, and maintenance setting. We included PARPis in monotherapy and in association with other agents. The results in the maintenance setting are intriguing: ATLANTIS trial showed signals of improved progression-free survival in patients with known HRR aberrations, although the Meet-URO12 trial, with its negative results, suggested the failure of clinical selection based on platinum sensitivity only. Single-agent PARPis in pretreated patients showed discouraging results in an unselected population of chemo-refractory patients. Concerning the association of PARPis with ICIs, several trials are exploring their role in platinum-naïve setting; the results in the advanced setting were globally negative. Prior selection of HRD status is essential to identify patients who might benefit from PARPis. The ideal clinical settings seem to be the maintenance treatment and the combination with ICIs in platinum-naïve patients. Definitive results of ongoing and further trials will delineate the position for PARPis, if any, in UC therapy.

The role of the caregiver in older patients with advanced prostate cancer: results from the ADHERE Prospective Study of the Meet-URO network

PURPOSE

To assess caregivers' characteristics and influence of the presence or absence of the caregiver on clinical outcomes of older (≥70 years) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with abiraterone (ABI) or enzalutamide (ENZ).

METHODS

Patients from the Meet-URO 5 ADHERE study were assessed with a 5-item caregiver evaluation questionnaire focusing on the presence, age, degree of kinship, working status and qualification of the caregiver. We investigated the association between the presence of a caregiver and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of enrolled patients.

RESULTS

No differences were found in the main clinical characteristics between patients with or without a caregiver, except for a lower median G8 score (p = 0.0453) in the caregiver group. A longer radiographic PFS (rPFS) was observed in the group without a caregiver, with a trend towards more prolonged overall survival (OS) in the same group.

CONCLUSION

Our work suggests a detrimental effect of caregivers in managing older mCRPC patients treated with ABI or ENZ, especially those identified as frail by the geriatric G8 screening score. Further work is needed to identify and address patients' vulnerability areas, which could have a detrimental effect on prognosis.

Frequency of Germline and Somatic BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations in Prostate Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In prostate cancer (PC), the presence of BRCA somatic and/or germline mutation provides prognostic and predictive information. Meta-analysis aims to estimate the frequency of BRCA mutations in patients with PC (PCp). In November 2022, we reviewed literature searching for all articles testing the proportion of BRCA mutations in PCp, without explicit enrichment for familiar risk. The frequency of germline and somatic BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutations was described in three stage disease populations (any/metastatic/metastatic castration-resistant PC, mCRPC). Out of 2253 identified articles, 40 were eligible. Here, 0.73% and 1.20% of any stage PCp, 0.94% and 1.10% of metastatic PCp, and 1.21% and 1.10% of mCRPC patients carried germline and somatic BRCA1 mutation, respectively; 3.25% and 6.29% of any stage PCp, 4.51% and 10.26% of metastatic PCp, and 3.90% and 10.52% of mCRPC patients carried germline and somatic BRCA2 mutation, respectively; and 4.47% and 7.18% of any stage PCp, 5.84% and 10.94% of metastatic PCp, and 5.26% and 11.26% of mCRPC patients carried germline and somatic BRCA1/2 mutation, respectively. Somatic mutations are more common than germline and BRCA2 are more common than BRCA1 mutations; the frequency of mutations is higher in the metastatic setting. Despite that BRCA testing in PC is now standard in clinical practice, several open questions remain.

Characterization of Tumor and Immune Tumor Microenvironment of Primary Tumors and Metastatic Sites in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Based on Response to Nivolumab Immunotherapy: Preliminary Results from the Meet-URO 18 Study

BACKGROUND

Prognostic and predictive factors for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with immunotherapy are highly warranted, and the immune tumor microenvironment (I-TME) is under investigation.

METHODS

The Meet-URO 18 was a multicentric retrospective study assessing the I-TME in mRCC patients treated with ≥2nd-line nivolumab, dichotomized into responders and non-responders according to progression-free survival (≥12 months and ≤3 months, respectively). The primary objective was to identify differential immunohistochemical (IHC) patterns between the two groups. Lymphocyte infiltration and the expressions of different proteins on tumor cells (CD56, CD15, CD68, and ph-mTOR) were analyzed. The expression of PD-L1 was also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 116 tumor tissue samples from 84 patients (59% were primary tumors and 41% were metastases) were evaluated. Samples from responders (N = 55) were significantly associated with lower expression of CD4+ T lymphocytes and higher levels of ph-mTOR and CD56+ compared with samples from non-responders (N = 61). Responders also showed a higher CD3+ expression (p = 0.059) and CD8+/CD4+ ratio (p = 0.084). Non-responders were significantly associated with a higher percentage of clear cell histology and grading.

CONCLUSIONS

Differential IHC patterns between the tumors in patients who were responders and non-responders to nivolumab were identified. Further investigation with genomic analyses is planned.

Adherence to Oral Treatments in Older Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer, the ADHERE Study: A Prospective Trial of the Meet-URO Network

BACKGROUND

Novel androgen receptor signaling inhibitors for prostate cancer (PC) impose the burden of self-administration on older patients overwhelmed by the requirement of many other concomitant medications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study evaluated the proportion of non-adherence in a 12-month follow-up period and the first 3 months to abiraterone (ABI) or enzalutamide (ENZ). In a prospective multicenter observational cohort study, patients with metastatic castration-resistant PC (mCRPC) aged ≥70 years receiving ABI or ENZ pre- or post-docetaxel were enrolled. Treatment monitoring included pill counting, a self-assessment questionnaire, and clinical diaries at each clinical visit. Non-adherence rates were based on proportions of missed/prescribed pills ratios by pill counting.

RESULTS

Overall, 234 patients were recruited with median age of 78 years (range, 73-82); 86 (37%) were treated with ABI, and 148 (63%) with ENZ. The median follow-up for adherence was seven monthly cycles (IQR: 4-12). The two cohorts were well balanced for baseline characteristics. The percentage of non-adherence by pill counting was slightly higher for ABI than ENZ (5.2% vs. 4.2%, P < .001). By self-reporting, patients on ENZ tended to report more frequently than those with ABI forgetfulness as the reason for missing events (42% vs. 17%, P < .001). A lower Geriatric G8 score correlated with non-adherence (P = .004). Overall survival (OS) was 48.8 months. Patients on ABI had radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) of 28.4 [24.2-32.5], while for ENZ patients, we reported a median rPFS of 23.1 [18.2-28.1] months.

CONCLUSION

Physicians tend to treat older mCRPC patients with ENZ. Non-adherence rate is relatively low overall but can be higher with ABI than with ENZ and correlates with the Geriatric G8 score. Forgetfulness is a potential barrier for ENZ.

The prognostic value of the previous nephrectomy in pretreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving immunotherapy: a sub-analysis of the Meet-URO 15 study

BACKGROUND

Nephrectomy is considered the backbone of managing patients with localized and selected metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The prognostic role of nephrectomy has been widely investigated with cytokines and targeted therapy, but it is still unclear in the immunotherapy era.

METHODS

We investigated the Meet-URO-15 study dataset of 571 pretreated mRCC patients receiving nivolumab as second or further lines about the prognostic role of the previous nephrectomy (received in either the localized or metastatic setting) in the overall population and according to the Meet-URO score groups.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent nephrectomy showed a significantly reduced risk of death (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.32-0.60, p < 0.001) with a longer median overall survival (OS) (35.9 months vs 12.1 months), 1-year OS of 71.6% vs 50.5% and 2-years OS of 56.5% vs 22.0% compared to those who did not. No significant interaction between nephrectomy and the overall five Meet-URO score risk groups was observed (p = 0.17). It was statistically significant when merging group 1 with 2 and 3 and group 4 with 5 (p = 0.038) and associated with a longer OS for the first three prognostic groups (p < 0.001), but not for groups 4 and 5 (p = 0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests an overall positive impact of the previous nephrectomy on the outcome of pretreated mRCC patients receiving immunotherapy. The clinical relevance of cytoreductive nephrectomy, optimal timing and patient selection deserves further investigation, especially for patients with Meet-URO scores of 1 to 3, who are the once deriving benefit in our analyses. However, that benefit is not evident for IMDC poor-risk patients (including the Meet-URO score groups 4 and 5) and a subgroup of IMDC intermediate-risk patients defined as group 4 by the Meet-URO score.

The prognostic value of baseline and early variations of peripheral blood inflammatory ratios and their cellular components in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab: The Δ-Meet-URO analysis

Background

Treatment choice for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients is still based on baseline clinical and laboratory factors.

Methods

By a pre-specified analysis of the Meet-URO 15 multicentric retrospective study enrolling 571 pretreated mRCC patients receiving nivolumab, baseline and early dynamic variations (Δ) of neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet absolute cell counts (ACC) and their inflammatory ratios (IR) were evaluated alongside their association with the best disease response and overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariable analyses on OS and PFS between baseline and Δ ACC and IR values were investigated with receiving operating curves-based cut-offs.

Results

The analysis included 422 mRCC patients. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) increased over time due to consistent neutrophil increase (p < 0.001). Higher baseline platelets (p = 0.044) and lower lymphocytes (p = 0.018), increasing neutrophil Δ (p for time-group interaction <0.001), higher baseline IR values (NLR: p = 0.012, SII: p = 0.003, PLR: p = 0.003), increasing NLR and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) (i.e., NLR x platelets) Δ (p for interaction time-group = 0.0053 and 0.0435, respectively) were associated with disease progression. OS and PFS were significantly shorter in patients with baseline lower lymphocytes (p < 0.001 for both) and higher platelets (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively) alongside early neutrophils Δ (p = 0.046 and p = 0.033, respectively). Early neutrophils and NLR Δ were independent prognostic factors for both OS (p = 0.014 and p = 0.011, respectively) and PFS (p = 0.023 and p = 0.001, respectively), alongside baseline NLR (p < 0.001 for both) and other known prognostic variables.

Conclusions

Early neutrophils and NLR Δ may represent new dynamic prognostic factors with clinical utility for on-treatment decisions.

Randomized phase II study of niraparib plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone as maintenance treatment in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) whose disease did not progress after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (PBCT): The Meet-URO12 trial

442

Background: Niraparib is an oral inhibitor of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) enzymes. Based on the association of mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes with platinum sensitivity, aim of this phase II trial was to compare maintenance treatment with niraparib plus BSC vs. BSC alone in pts with advanced UC who obtain objective response (OR) or stable disease (SD) with first-line PBCT. Methods: Meet-URO12 is a randomized phase II multicentre trial enrolling pts with advanced transitional cell UC, without evidence of progression after 4-6 cycles of first-line PBCT (cisplatin or carboplatin). Pts were randomized (2:1) to experimental arm A (niraparib 300 or 200 mg daily according to body weight and baseline platelets, plus BSC) or control arm B (BSC alone). Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). 77 pts were planned and 65 PFS events were needed to detect Hazard Ratio 0.57, with 80% power and one-tailed alpha 0.1. Accrual was prematurely stopped due to availability of avelumab in the same setting, and protocol was amended to perform analysis with ≥ 40 PFS events. Molecular characteristics, including alteration of HRR genes, were assessed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour samples using the FoundationOne CDx assay. Results: Between Aug 2019 and Mar 2021, 58 pts were randomized in 14 Italian centers (39 assigned to arm A and 19 to arm B); 1 pt assigned to arm A did never start niraparib. Median age was 69y (44-84); ECOG PS0 65.5%/ PS1 34.5%; best response with PBCT OR 55.2%/ SD 44.8%. As of Aug 2021, after a median follow-up of 8.5 mos, 47 PFS events were recorded. Median PFS was 2.1 mos in arm A and 2.4 mos in arm B (HR 0.92; 95%CI 0.49 – 1.75, p=0.81). 6-months progression-free rate was 28.2% and 26.3%, respectively. Time to treatment failure for pts who started niraparib was 2.4 mos. Out of 47 pts with molecular info, 21 (44.7%) had HRR alterations: 6 (12.8%) known pathogenic mutations and 15 (31.9%) variants of unknown significance. In pts with pathogenic mutations, median PFS was 2.0 mos in arm A and 1.9 mos in arm B. In pts with any HRR mutation, median PFS was 2.0 mos in arm A and 2.0 mos in arm B. Any grade≥3 treatment-emergent adverse event (AE) was reported in 25/38 pts (65.8%) in arm A and in 3/19 pts (15.8%) in arm B. 18/38 pts (47.4%) needed dose reduction of niraparib. Most common AEs with niraparib were anemia (50.0%, G3 10.5%), thrombocytopenia (36.8%, G3-4 15.8%), neutropenia (21.1%, G3 5.3%), fatigue (31.6%, G3 15.8%), constipation (31.6%, G3 2.6%), mucositis (13.2%, G3 2.6%), nausea (13.2%, G3 2.6%). Conclusions: Maintenance niraparib plus BSC did not prolong PFS, as compared with BSC alone, among pts with urothelial cancer without progression after first-line PBCT. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier. NCT03945084. Clinical trial information: NCT03945084.

Role of Bone Metastases in Patients Receiving Immunotherapy for Pre-Treated Urothelial Carcinoma: The Multicentre, Retrospective Meet-URO-1 Bone Study

BACKGROUND

Considerable numbers of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) develop bone metastases (BoM). Their impact on the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is not yet investigated.

METHODS

Between July 2014 and August 2020 data on pts treated with single-agent ICIs after failure of at least 1 previous line of chemotherapy for advanced disease, were retrospectively collected across 14 Italian centers. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed evaluating potential prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Each factor was evaluated in univariable (UVA) and multivariable analysis (MVA).

RESULTS

A total of 208 evaluable patients treated with ICIs were identified, including 122 (59%) without BoM (BoM-) and 86 (41%) with bone metastases (BoM+). After a median follow-up of 22.3 months, BoM+ patients showed shorter OS (median 3.9 vs 7.8 months, HR 1.59 [95%CI, 1.15-2.20], P = .005) and shorter PFS (median 2.0 vs 2.6 months, HR 1.76 [95%CI, 1.31-2.37], P < .001). Probability of being alive was 62% vs 40% after 6 months, 38% vs 23% after 1 year and 24% vs 13% after 2 years, in BoM- and BoM+ respectively. Within each Bellmunt score, OS and PFS of BoM+ patients were shorter. Both presence of BoM and higher Bellmunt risk score were significantly associated with shorter OS and PFS in UVA and MVA.

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with single-agent ICIs for BoM+ mUC have a dismal prognosis compared to BoM-. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind these outcomes.

Immunotherapy and Sonpavde score validation in advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a retrospective study by the Italian Network for Research in Urologic-Oncology

Background: Few data are available regarding the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients. Methods: To provide a real-world experience with anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based therapy in UTUC patients, we involved an Italian network in a multicenter retrospective analysis. Results: A total of 78 UTUC patients were enrolled. The median follow-up was 25.1 months. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 2.2 months (95% CI 1.8-2.6), and the median OS (mOS) was 6.0 months (95% CI 3.6-8.4). The Sonpavde score (including performance status > 0, hemoglobin < 10 g/dl, liver metastases, time from prior chemotherapy ≥ 3 months) split the patients into three groups (0 vs 1 vs 2-4 factors), efficiently predicting the OS and PFS outcome at the multivariate analyses (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The prognosis of unselected UTUC patients is still unsatisfactory. The Sonpavde score was validated for the first time in an UTUC population, as a useful tool for the treatment decision-making process.

Prognostic role of the duration of response to androgen deprivation therapy in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer treated with enzalutamide or abiraterone acetate

BACKGROUND

Our retrospective study aims to evaluate the prognostic role of duration of response to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with enzalutamide (E) or abiraterone acetate (AA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data about ADT start and duration were available in 255 (82%) of 311 patients treated with AA or E. Patients were divided in three groups according to ADT response (group 1 [G1]: <12 months; group 2 [G2]: 12-36 months; group 3 [G3]: >36 months). Outcome measures were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Patients with longer ADT response had better OS (median 17.3 months G1, 19.9 months G2, 31.6 months G3; HR G3 vs G1 0.41, 95% CI 0.25-0.64; p = 0.001) and better PFS (median 5.9 months G1, 8.8 months G2, 11.7 months G3; HR G3 vs G1 0.41, 95% CI 0.41-0.27; p < 0001). In docetaxel-naive patients, median OS was 18.8 in G1, 35.2 in G2, and not reached in G3 (HR G3 vs G1 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.78; p = 0.038), median PFS was 7 months G1, 9.3 months G2, and 20 months G3 (HR G3 vs G1 0.31, 95% CI 0.15-0.62; p = 0.003). In postdocetaxel patients, median OS was 13.1 months in G1, 17.2 months in G2, and 21.4 months in G3 (HR G3 vs G1 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.94; p = 0.082), while median PFS was 5.2 months in G1, 6.8 months in G2, and 8.3 months in G3 (HR G3 vs G1 0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.91; p = 0.067).

CONCLUSIONS

Duration of ADT response is an independent prognostic factor of outcome with AA or E.

Impact of Previous Nephrectomy on Clinical Outcome of Metastatic Renal Carcinoma Treated With Immune-Oncology: A Real-World Study on Behalf of Meet-URO Group (MeetUro-7b)

BACKGROUND

Immune-Oncology (IO) improves Overall Survival (OS) in metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC). The prognostic impact of previous Cytoreductive Nephrectomy (CN) and radical nephrectomy (RN), with curative intent, in patients treated with IO is not well defined. The aim of our paper is to evaluate the impact of previous nephrectomy on outcome of mRCC patients treated with IO.

METHODS

287 eligible patients were retrospectively collected from 16 Italian referral centers adhering to the MeetUro association. Patients treated with IO as second and third line were included, whereas patients treated with IO as first line were excluded. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were performed to compare Progression Free Survival (PFS) and OS between groups. In our analysis, both CN and RN were included. The association between nephrectomy and other variables was analyzed in univariate and multivariate setting using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

246/287 (85.7%) patients had nephrectomy before IO treatment. Median PFS in patients who underwent nephrectomy (246/287) was 4.8 months (95%CI 3.9-5.7) vs 3.7 months (95%CI 1.9-5.5) in patients who did not it (HR log rank 0.78; 95%CI 0.53 to 1.15; p = 0.186). Median OS in patients who had previous nephrectomy (246/287) was 20.9 months (95%CI 17.6-24.1) vs 13 months (95%CI 7.7-18.2) in patients who did not it (HR log rank 0.504; 95%CI 0.337 to 0.755; p = 0.001). In the multivariate model, nephrectomy showed a significant association with OS (HR log rank 0.638; 95%CI 0.416 to 0.980), whereas gland metastases were still associated with better outcome in terms of both OS (HR log rank 0.487; 95%CI 0.279 to 0.852) and PFS (HR log rank 0.646; 95%CI 0.435 to 0.958).

CONCLUSIONS

IO treatment, in patients who had previously undergone nephrectomy, was associated with a better outcome in terms of OS. Further prospective trials would assess this issue in order to guide clinicians in real word practice.

Adoption of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical practice for older patients receiving active anticancer treatment: Impact on health-related quality of life (QoL)

e24014

Background: PROs are the gold standard to describe subjective symptoms. In order to improve clinical management of outpatients receiving active anti-cancer treatment at Medical Oncology, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy, in January 2018 we introduced in routine clinical practice an assessment of patient-reported symptoms and toxicities. We demonstrated that use of PROs in clinical practice was associated with a significant QoL improvement, compared to the traditional visit (Baratelli, Support Care Cancer 2019). In this secondary analysis, we show the results obtained in older pts ( > 70yrs). Methods: Eligible pts were receiving an active anti-cancer treatment, as outpatients. Pts treated in 2017 underwent “usual” visits (group A), while pts treated in 2018 before each visit received a paper questionnaire by a dedicated nurse, in order to provide information about symptoms and toxicities to be discussed during visit (group B). Primary objective was the comparison of QoL changes, measured by EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: Out of 211 pts, 88 were older than 70 yrs (47 group A, 41 group B). Median age was 76 (70-84 yrs). Most common tumors were colorectal (25.0%), lung (22.7%) and pancreatic (17.0%). 68.2% were receiving first-line treatment. Tumors and setting were similar between group A and B. Younger and older pts had comparable baseline QoL scores: mean global QoL score was 59.96 in younger pts vs. 57.39 in older pts. After 1 month, global QoL of older pts was significantly improved in group B compared to group A: mean change from baseline was -0.89 group A vs. +4.47 group B (p = 0.006, effect size 0.23). There were statistically significant differences in mean changes from baseline, in favor of group B, for role functioning (-5.67 group A and -0.81 group B, p = 0.034, effect size 0.20) and emotional functioning (-2.30 group A and +3.25 group B, p = 0.014, effect size 0.36). Mean changes from baseline for pain were significantly better for group B (-3.25) than group A (+6.03, p = 0.01, effect size 0.43). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of other functional scales or symptoms. There was no significant heterogeneity in the proportion of QoL responders between younger and older pts (p = 0.60). The proportion of older pts obtaining a clinically significant improvement in global QoL was numerically higher in group B (36.6%) compared to group A (19.1%, p = 0.09). Odds Ratio of obtaining an improvement in global QoL for group B vs group A was 1.73 (95%CI 0.75 – 3.99) in younger pts and 2.44 (95%CI 0.93 – 6.40) in older pts. Conclusions: This secondary analysis shows that the use of PROs in clinical practice, thanks to an active role of nurses and discussion of symptoms with physicians during the visit, is associated, also in older patients receiving active anticancer treatment, with a significant improvement in global QoL.

Inflammatory indices and clinical factors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with nivolumab: the development of a novel prognostic score (Meet-URO 15 study)

Background:

Despite the survival advantage, not all metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients achieve a long-term benefit from immunotherapy. Moreover, the identification of prognostic biomarkers is still an unmet clinical need.

Methods:

This multicenter retrospective study investigated the prognostic role of peripheral-blood inflammatory indices and clinical factors to develop a novel prognostic score in mRCC patients receiving at least second-line nivolumab. The complete blood count before the first cycle of therapy was assessed by calculating neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (dNLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI). Clinical factors included pre-treatment International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) score, line of therapy, and metastatic sites.

Results:

From October 2015 to November 2019, 571 mRCC patients received nivolumab as second- and further-line treatment in 69% and 31% of cases. In univariable and multivariable analyses all inflammatory indices, IMDC score, and bone metastases significantly correlated with overall survival (OS). The multivariable model with NLR, IMDC score, and bone metastases had the highest c-index (0.697) and was chosen for the developing of the score (Schneeweiss scoring system). After internal validation (bootstrap re-sampling), the final index (Meet-URO score) composed by NLR, IMDC score, and bone metastases had a c-index of 0.691. It identified five categories with distinctive OSs: group 1 (median OS – mOS = not reached), group 2 (mOS = 43.9 months), group 3 (mOS = 22.4 months), group 4 (mOS = 10.3 months), and group 5 (mOS = 3.2 months). Moreover, the Meet-URO score allowed for a fine risk-stratification across all three IMDC groups.

Conclusion:

The Meet-URO score allowed for the accurate stratification of pretreated mRCC patients receiving nivolumab and is easily applicable for clinical practice at no additional cost. Future steps include its external validation, the assessment of its predictivity, and its application to first-line combinations.

Prognostic role of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer treated with Abiraterone or Enzalutamide

BACKGROUND

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are markers of systemic inflammation associated with poor outcome in several solid tumours. We retrospectively investigated the prognostic role of PLR and, secondly, NLR in mCRPC patients treated with Abiraterone Acetate (AA) or Enzalutamide (E), both in pre- and post-docetaxel setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

225 mCRPC patients treated with AA or E with basal blood count were divided in three groups according to PLR (PLR1 <128; PLR2 128-190; PLR >190) and in two groups according to NLR (<3 vs ≥3). Outcome measures were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall-survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

110 patients were in PLR1, 58 in PLR2 and 57 in PLR3. Median OS was 22.0, 20.6 and 21.2 months in PLR1, PLR2 and PLR3 (PLR2 vs PLR1: HR 0.97, 95%CI 0.62-1.52, p=0.90; PLR3 vs PLR1: HR 1.37, 95%CI 0.90-2.08, p=0.14). Median PFS was 9.2, 12.7 and 8.5 months in PLR1, PLR2 and PLR3 (PLR2 vs PLR1: HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.59-1.27, p=0.47; PLR3 vs PLR1: HR 1.15, 95%CI 0.80-1.66, p=0.45). 142 patients were in NLR<3 and 83 in NLR≥3. Median OS was 26.5 months in NLR<3 and 17.0 months in NLR≥3 (HR 1.75, 95%CI 1.22-2.51, p=0.02). Median PFS was 10.1 months in NLR<3 and 7.6 months in NLR≥3 (HR 1.37, 95%CI 1.00-1.88, p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective analysis of mCRPC patients treated with AA or E we did not identify a prognostic role of baseline PLR, while we found a significant prognostic role of baseline NLR.

A multicenter, retrospective study on impact of immunotherapy in urothelial carcinoma with bone metastases (Meet-Uro01 Study)

401

Background: Considerable numbers of patients (pts) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) (approximately 25-47%) develop bone metastases (BoM). Their impact on the efficacy of immunotherapy (IO) is not yet sufficiently investigated. We developed a national collaboration on this issue, with the aim to assess the effect of BoM on survival outcomes of immunotherapy-treated pts in a large retrospective cohort. Methods: Data on pts diagnosed with mUC and treated between 07/14 and 08/20 with single-agent immunotherapy (IO) after failure of at least 1 previous line of chemotherapy (CT) for advanced disease, or (neo-)adjuvant CT within 12 months were retrospectively collected across 14 centers. PFS and OS were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed evaluating potential prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Each factor was evaluated in univariable (UV) and multivariable (MVA) analysis. Results: A total of 208 evaluable pts treated with single-agent immunotherapy (anti PD-1 n=42; anti PD-L1 n=166) were identified, including 122 without BoM (59% BoM-) and 86 (41%) BoM+. 13% of pts had progressed within 12 months after (neo-)adjuvant CT and 79% after a previous line of platinum-based CT for advanced disease (cisplatin 42.8%; carboplatin 36.5%). The presence of BoM negatively affected performance status (PS) of patients at baseline (ECOG PS 0/1/2 in 58% / 37% / 5% in BoM- vs 38% / 52% / 9% in BoM+; p=0.017). Other baseline characteristics were comparable. BoM+ showed shorter PFS (median 2.0 vs 2.6 months, HR 1.76 [95%CI, 1.31-2.37], p<0.001) and OS (median 3.9 vs 7.8 months, HR 1.59 [95%CI, 1.15-2.20], p=0.005) than BoM-. Probability of being alive was 62% vs 40% after 6 months, 38% vs 23% after 1 year and 24% vs 13% after 2 years, in BoM- and BoM+ respectively. Within each Bellmunt score, PFS and OS of BoM+ pts were shorter compared to BoM-. Both BoM and higher Bellmunt risk score were significantly associated with shorter PFS and OS in UV and MV analyses (Table). Conclusions: Patients with mUC treated with single-agent immunotherapy for BoM+ advanced disease have a dismal prognosis compared with BoM-. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind these clinical outcomes. [Table: see text]

Evaluation of Cognitive Function in Trials Testing New-Generation Hormonal Therapy in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary

In patients with prostate cancer, the use of new-generation hormonal therapy, added to androgen deprivation therapy, requires careful evaluation of cognitive function. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the evidence about cognitive function in randomized trials testing new-generation hormonal therapy (abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide). For each trial, we assessed the availability of both investigator-assessed cognitive impairment and disorders and patient-reported evaluation of cognitive function. Out of 19 trials, the investigator-based evaluation of cognitive impairment was available in seven (36.8%), while patient-reported evaluation of cognitive function results was presented only in one trial (5.3%). This analysis shows that, despite cognitive deterioration could be relevant in patients with prostate cancer, clinical development of new-generation hormonal drugs has not included a systematic evaluation of cognitive function.

Abstract

In patients with prostate cancer, earlier use and longer duration of new-generation hormonal therapy (NGHT), added to androgen deprivation therapy, requires careful evaluation of cognitive function. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the evidence about cognitive function in all the randomized trials (RCTs) testing NGHT (abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide). We assessed the availability of both investigator-assessed cognitive impairment and disorders and patient-reported evaluation of cognitive function. Nineteen RCTs (17,617 patients) were included. The investigator-based evaluation of cognitive impairment was available in seven RCTs (36.8%). In total, 19/19 RCTs (100%) included patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collection, but PRO tools adopted allowed evaluation of cognitive function in two RCTs (10.5%). Among them, PRO-based cognitive function results were presented only in one RCT (5.3%): in ENZAMET, mean changes from baseline were worse with enzalutamide than with placebo, but deterioration-free survival favored enzalutamide. Despite cognitive deterioration could be relevant, clinical development of NGHT has not included a systematic evaluation of cognitive function. Assessment by investigators is at risk of underreporting, and commonly used PROs do not allow proper cognitive function analysis. Furthermore, the methodology of analysis can jeopardize the interpretation of results. Although direct comparisons are scanty, there could be differences between different NGHTs.

Bipolar androgen therapy in prostate cancer: Current evidences and future perspectives

Testosterone suppression by androgen deprivation therapy is the cornerstone of prostate cancer treatment. New-generation hormone therapies improved overall survival in castration-resistant prostate cancer. More recent trials showed a further increase in overall survival when enzalutamide or abiraterone are associated with androgen deprivation therapy in hormone-sensitive disease. However, a higher clonal pressure may lead to the upregulation of alternative pathways for cancer progression and to dedifferentiated diseases that would probably respond poorly to subsequent treatments. In this contest, new strategies that could be able to delay or even revert resistance are needed. The bipolar androgen therapy is an under-investigation treatment that consists in periodical oscillation between castration levels and supraphysiological levels of testosterone in order to prevent the adaptation of prostate cancer cells to a low-androgen environment. This review aims to underline the biological rationale of bipolar androgen therapy and gather evidences from the most recent clinical trials.

Prognostic role of T3/T4 ratio in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): Preliminary results of the threeFOUR multicenter study (Meet-Uro 14)

e17093

Background: Thyroid hormones metabolism can be altered in patients (pts) with chronic diseases and/or undergoing cancer treatments. The prognostic role of T3/T4 ratio has been investigated in metastatic colorectal cancer pts in whom a high T3/T4 ratio predicted longer survival. No data are available in mRCC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of pts with mRCC treated in first line for metastatic disease at 8 Italian Oncology Units before March 2017, having at least one response assessment and baseline complete thyroid panel data available. T3/T4 was calculated as the ratio of the two value of hormones and categorized in tertiles. Results: We identified 96 pts, median age 62 years (range 27-82), 72% males. Sunitinib wad administered in 56% of pts, pazopanib in 38%, nivolumab and ipilimumab in 6%. According to Heng Score, 33% of the pts were at favorable risk, 58% at intermediate risk, 9% at poor risk. With a median follow-up time of 42.8 months, median PFS was 24.8 months, estimated median OS was 71.6 months. Tertile distribution of patients was 36.4% in the high, 29.1% in the medium and 34.5% in the low subgroup. A baseline high tertile value (≥ 0.35) predicted longer PFS (39.4 vs 21.8 1vs 4.5 months, p = 0.01), while median OS has not been reached in the three tertiles, with survival at 24 months being 69.7%, 82.1% and 91.4%, respectively in the low, medium, high group (p = ns). The high T3/T4 ratio is also strongly associated with the chance to achieve a partial or complete response (42.8% vs 39.9% vs 21%, X squared test, p < 0.001). Heng prognostic model retained its prognostic role in this cohort (median OS was 77.1 vs 48.4 vs 22.3 months, p < 0.001, respectively for favorable, intermediate or poor risk group) and also predicted PFS (median PFS 38.2 vs 17.2 vs 8.4 months, p = 0.004). Baseline NLR ≥ 3 predicted shorter OS (46.5 vs 77.1 months, p = 0.02) in the whole group. Conclusions: In our retrospective multicenter experience, a high T3/T4 ratio was associated with longer PFS and a higher probability to respond to the treatment. Median OS had not been reached for all the subgroups, probably due to a favorable patients selection. A longer follow-up is needed to validate the prognostic value of T3/T4 ratio in this cohort.

Baseline and early change of systemic inflammation index (bSII and ΔSII) as prognostic factors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients treated with Nivolumab: Final results of the Meet-URO 15 (I-BIO-REC) study

5072

Background: Biomarkers to select mRCC patients most likely to benefit to immunotherapy are still needed. The retrospective multicentre Meet-URO-15 study evaluated the prognostic role of peripheral blood cells in mRCC patients treated with Nivolumab. Methods: Complete blood count was collected at the first four cycles of Nivolumab. The primary endpoint was median overall survival (mOS) according to baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Secondary analyses included bSII defined as platelet x NLR (cutoff = 1375) and ΔSII defined as the difference between SII at 2ndcycle and bSII (median used as cutoff = 383). Results: From October 2015 to October 2019, 470 patients started Nivolumab as 2nd(67%), 3rd(22%) and > 3rd(11%) line. Median age was 66 years, 71% were male and 83% had clear cell histology. Baseline IMDC group was favorable in 25%, intermediate in 63% and poor in 12%. Lymph-nodes, visceral and bone metastases were present in 54%, 91% and 36%. mOS and progression-free survival (PFS) were 34.8 and 7.5 months. Overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 30% and 61%. SII was available in 404 patients: SII < 1375 (82%) correlated with statistically significant improvement of PFS [10.2 vs 4.1 months, HR 2.06 (1.54-2.76), p< 0.001], OS [46.2 vs 9.5 months, HR 3.16 (2.23-4.49), p< 0.001], ORR (35% vs 21%, p= 0.035) and DCR (67% vs 40%, p< 0.001). ΔSII was available in 360 patients: ΔSII < 383 (75%) correlated with statistically significant improvement of PFS [11.3 vs 4.7 months; HR 1.64 (1.23-2.18), p= 0.001] and OS [NR vs 21.1 months; HR 1.76 (1.21-2.56), p= 0.003], ORR (37% vs 24%, p= 0.023) and DCR (68% vs 53%, p= 0.01). Multivariate analyses adjusted for IMDC group, line of therapy and metastatic sites, confirmed the statistically significant correlation of bSII and ΔSII with OS, PFS and DCR. Conclusions: Our study showed the statistically significant correlation of lower bSII and early ΔSII with longer OS, PFS and higher DCR in mRCC patients treated with Nivolumab.

Impact of previous nephrectomy on clinical outcome of metastatic renal carcinoma treated with immune-oncology (I-O):A real-world study on behalf of Meet-URO group (MeetUro-7b)

e17088

Background: Immuno-oncology (IO) treatment demonstrated to improve Overall Survival (OS) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The prognostic impact of previous citoreductive nephrectomy (CN) and radical nephrectomy with curative intent in patients (pts) treated with IO is not well defined. Methods: 229 eligible pts, with a least one radiological assessment of response according to the RECIST 1:1 criteria, were retrospectively collected from 16 Italian referral centers. Baseline characteristics, outcome data including progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were collected. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were performed to compare PFS and OS between groups. Results: 153(66.8%) pts received IO as second line, 61(26.6%) as third line and 15(6.6%) pts as further line. 54 pts (23.6%) were good risk, 144(62.9%) were intermediate and 31(13.5%) were poor risk according to IMDC score. 189(82.5%) pts underwent nephrectomy (of them 72(32.4%) pts had synchronous metastatic disease and underwent CN), while 40(17.4%) pts did not. Nephrectomy was performed before IO treatment. ECOG PS, at the beginning of IO, was 0 for 167 pts (72.9%), the other 62 (27.1%) had ECOG PS 1 or 2. At a median follow up time of 17.5 months (mo), 13 (5.7%) pts are still in treatment while 216 (94.3%) experienced progression. 81 (35.3%) pts were treated after IO progression with mTOR and VEGFR inhibitors. 63 (27.5%) pts continued IO beyond progression. G3-G4 iAE were reported in 46 pts (20%). Median IO-PFS was 4.5 months in pts who did not undergo nephrectomy and 2.9 mo in pts who did (HR log rank 0.713, 95%CI 0.4788 to 1.063; p= 0.0582). Median IO-OS was 18.4 mo in pts who underwent nephrectomy and 10.3 mo in pts who did not (HR log rank 1.915, 95%CI 1.118 to 3.281; p= 0.0024). The difference in OS was irrespective of the IMDC criteria and the lines of treatment. Conclusions: In our real world experience, in mRCC pts treated with IO, previous nephrectomy was associated with a better outcome in terms of OS with all the limitations of a retrospective collection.

Prognostic role of early PSA drop in castration resistant prostate cancer patients treated with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide

BACKGROUND

Previous studies demonstrated a predictive value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics for treatment outcome. Our retrospective study evaluates the prognostic role of early PSA drop in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients receiving abiraterone acetate (AA) or enzalutamide (E).

METHODS

All mCRPC patients treated with AA or E at the San Luigi Hospital in Orbassano between 2010 and 2018 and at the Ordine Mauriziano Hospital in Turin between 2014 and 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Only patients with an early PSA (measured 28-60 days after the beginning of the treatment) were included in the analysis. Patients were divided in early responders and non-early responders according to early PSA response (drop≥50% from baseline). Univariate and multivariate analyses for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed.

RESULTS

Of 144 patients with early PSA value, 61 (42.4%) patients received E (docetaxel-naïve 42, post-docetaxel 19) and 83 (57.6%) received AA (docetaxel-naïve 44, post-docetaxel 39). Seventy-five (52.1%) patients achieved early PSA drop. In docetaxel-naïve setting (N.=86), median PFS was 14.9 (with early PSA drop) vs. 8.8 months (without early PSA drop, P=0.001). In post-docetaxel setting (N.=58) median PFS was 11.9 vs. 4.5 months (P<0.001). Globally, median PFS was 14.9 vs. 6.3 months in patients with and without early PSA drop, respectively (P<0.001). In docetaxel-naïve setting, patients with early PSA drop had a median OS of 39.5 vs. 18.8 months (P=0.12). In post-docetaxel setting median OS was 29.6 vs. 10.7 months (P=0.01). Comprehensively, median OS was 31.9 vs. 16.3 (P=0.002) in patients with and without early PSA drop, respectively. At multivariate analysis, early PSA drop confirmed an independent association with PFS (HR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.12-0.38, P<0.001) and OS (HR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12-0.50, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

mCRPC patients treated with AA or E, in docetaxel-naïve or post-docetaxel setting, with early PSA drop had significantly better OS and PFS.

Clinical outcomes of metastatic renal carcinoma following disease progression to programmed death (PD)-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors (I-O): A Meet-URO group real-world study (Meet-Uro 7)

691

Background: In metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), immune-oncology (IO), alone or in combination, (IO-IO or IO-TKI) has changed the therapeutic scenario. Few real-world data are available about safety and outcome after IO progression. Methods: Baseline characteristics, outcome data including progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicities were retrospectively collected from 162 eligible pts treated in 16 Italian referral centers adhering to the Meet-Uro group and progressing to IO. Results: 111 pts (68,5%) were treated after progression to IO. 142 (87.6%) pts received IO as second line, 5 pts as first line and 16 pts as further line. Subsequent therapy included cabozantinib (n = 79, 48.0%), everolimus (n = 11, 6.7%), sunitinib (n = 6, 3.7%) and others (n = 15, 9.25%). Median IO-PFS was 4 months (95%CI 3.1-4.8) with no difference in pts pretreated with pazopanib or sunitinib (4 months (95%CI 2.4-5.5) vs 3,9 months (95%CI 2.9-4.9) p = 0.5). PFS tends to be longer in pts reporting adverse events of any grade (5.03 (95%CI 3.8-6.1) vs 2,99 (95%CI 2.4-3.5) months p = 0.004) or without nephrectomy (4.1 vs 2.9 months p = 0.071). Median PFS, in pts treated post-IO, was 6.5 months (95%CI 5.1-7.8). In term of best response, 55 pts (49%) had stability of disease/partial response and 29 pts (26%) had progressive disease, for the other pts treatment is still ongoing. Pts with ECOG PS 0 at progression to IO, had longer PFS, 11 months (95%CI 5.7-17.5) as well as those treated with cabozantinib (7.6 months, 95%CI 5.2-10.1) compared to everolimus, (3.2 months, 95%CI 1.8-4.5) or other drugs (4.3 months, 95%CI 1.3-7.4) p = 0.001. All grade adverse events were reported in 83 pts (74%) with G3-G4 adverse events in 39 pts (35%). Median overall survival, from first line, was 41,1 months (95%CI 30.4-51.8). Conclusions: In our real world experience after progression to IO, most pts received VEGF-TKI and mTOR inhibitors that showed to be active and safe choices. Cabozantinib was associated with a longer mPFS.

Host metabolic factors and prognosis in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced malignancies

e14162

Background: It is well established that an altered host metabolism has an impact on cancer outcome, possibly mediated by several mechanisms, including hyperglicaemia, hyperinsulinemia and presence of chronic inflammation. The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the correlation between host metabolism and clinical outcome in patients with advanced melanoma, kidney and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA4, anti PD1 and anti PDL1). Methods: The relationship between presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII) at baseline and outcome was assessed in 187 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in two cancer centers. Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier estimation; multivariate Cox analysis was performed according to age, gender, BMI (normal < 25 kg/m2, overweight 25-30 kg/m2, obese > 30 kg/m2), type of cancer and line of treatment. Results: One-hundred-sixty-eight patients were available for our analysis. Twenty-eight patients (17%) were diabetic at baseline. Median age was 65 (range 25-80); 83 patients were males (49%); 82 (48%) had advanced melanoma, 83 (49%) NSCLC and 3 (3%) kidney cancer. One-hundred-two (60%) patients had BMI < 25, 51 (30%) were overweight and 16 (10%) were obese. The first line of treatment was immunotherapy in 83 (49%) patients. By univariable analysis median PFS was 4.2 months in non diabetics vs 6.4 in diabetics patients (HR 0.95; 95%CI 0.58-1.58); median OS was 6.17 and 9.1 months, respectively (HR 1.00; 95%CI 0.58-1.75). At multivariable analysis, taking into account DMII, BMI, sex, age, line of treatment and type of cancer, we found that BMI ≤25 was associated with a two fold increase in risk of progression (PD) or death (p = 0.005), whereas patients who received immunotherapy as second or subsequent line had a two fold increase in risk of PD or death (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The results of our analysis show that in patients with advanced cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the presence of DMII does not adversely affect the clinical outcome. Conversely, lower BMI was associated with a significantly worse PFS and OS, independently from type of cancer, age and gender. As expected, patients who received immunotherapy in later lines of treatment had a significantly shorter survival.

Enzalutamide-resistant castration-resistant prostate cancer: challenges and solutions

The new-generation hormonal agent enzalutamide has been approved for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), in both post- and predocetaxel setting, due to the significant improvement in overall survival. More recently, enzalutamide also showed impressive results in the treatment of men with nonmetastatic CRPC. Unfortunately, not all patients with CRPC are responsive to enzalutamide, and even in responders, benefits are limited by the development of drug resistance. Adaptive resistance of metastatic prostate cancer to enzalutamide treatment can be due to the activation of both androgen receptor (AR)-dependent pathways (expression of constitutively active AR splice variants, AR point mutations, gene amplification and overexpression) and mechanisms independent of AR signaling pathway (altered steroidogenesis, upregulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, neuroendocrine transformation, autophagy and activation of the immune system). In this review, we focus on resistance mechanisms to enzalutamide, exploring how we could overcome them through novel therapeutic options.

Safety and Efficacy of Pazopanib in First-Line Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma With or Without Renal Failure: CORE-URO-01 Study

BACKGROUND

Pazopanib has been approved for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma on the basis of clinical trials that enrolled only patients with adequate renal function. Few data are available on the safety and efficacy of pazopanib in patients with renal insufficiency. This study investigated the effect of kidney function on treatment outcomes in such patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma patients treated with pazopanib from January 2010 to June 2016 with respect to renal function. Patients with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (group A) were compared to patients with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (group B) in terms of progression-free survival, toxicities, response rates, and overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 229 patients were included: 128 in group A and 101 in group B. Median progression-free survival was 14 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.4-18.5) and 17 months (95% CI, 11.4-22.8), and overall survival was 30.5 months (95% CI, 8-53) and 41.4 months (95% CI, 21-62) for group A and group B, respectively, with no significant difference (P = .6). No significant difference between the 2 groups was reported in the incidence of adverse events. Dose reductions were more frequent in group A patients (66% vs. 36%; P = .04).

CONCLUSION

Although the dose of pazopanib was reduced more frequently in patients with renal impairment, kidney function at therapy initiation does not adversely affect the safety and efficacy of pazopanib.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors in previously treated patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Immunotherapy represents a new hope for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, to date, only one of two randomized studies showed a clear survival advantage with these treatments. Aimed to investigate the role of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in patients with platinum progressed metastatic UC we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and activity, in terms of Overall Survival (OS) and Objective Response Rate (ORR). Immune checkpoint inhibitors have showed to improve OS compared to chemotherapy in unselected patients (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93, p = 0.003), while the difference was not significant in patients selected for PD-L1 expression (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.48-1.09, p = 0.12). Pooled probability of response was 0.18 (95% CI 0.16-0.20) in unselected patients and 0.27 (95% CI 0.25-0.32) in PD-L1 selected patients. Immunotherapy results in a significant survival advantage in PD-L1 unselected patients suggesting that PD-L1 expression may not be a reliable marker in previously platinum treated patients.

Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia and Outcome in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated With First-Line Docetaxel

BACKGROUND

Neutropenia is a common side effect associated with docetaxel use. We retrospectively investigated the association between chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients receiving first-line docetaxel.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with first-line docetaxel, with known neutrophils value 10 days after first administration, were included in this retrospective analysis. Neutropenia was categorized in Grade 0 to 1 (G0-1), Grade 2 to 3 (G2-3), and Grade 4 (G4). Outcome measures were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Eighty patients were analyzed. Median PFS was 5.4 months in patients with G0-1 neutropenia, 6.9 months with G2-3 neutropenia (hazard ratio [HR] vs. G0-1, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-1.35; P = .27) and 9.5 months with G4 neutropenia (HR vs. G0-1, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.16-0.57; P < .0001). Median OS was 11.6 months in patients with G0-1 neutropenia, 25.5 months in patients with G2-3 neutropenia (HR vs. G0-1, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16-0.80; P = .012) and 39.3 months in patients with G4 neutropenia (HR vs. G0-1, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.09-0.41; P < .0001). In multivariate analysis, the occurrence of severe neutropenia showed a statistically significant association with OS (HR G4 vs. G0-1, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.03-0.67; P = .013; HR G2-3 vs. G0-1, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.11-1.57; P = .20) and PFS (HR G4 vs. G0-1, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.09-0.86; P = .03; HR G2-3 vs. G0-1, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.38-2.96; P = .90).

CONCLUSION

Docetaxel-induced neutropenia is associated with better survival of mCRPC.

Retrospective study testing next generation sequencing of selected cancer-associated genes in resected prostate cancer

Purpose

Prostate cancer (PCa) has a highly heterogeneous outcome. Beyond Gleason Score, Prostate Serum Antigen and tumor stage, nowadays there are no biological prognostic factors to discriminate between indolent and aggressive tumors.

The most common known genomic alterations are the TMPRSS-ETS translocation and mutations in the PI3K, MAPK pathways and in p53, RB and c-MYC genes.

The aim of this retrospective study was to identify by next generation sequencing the most frequent genetic variations (GVs) in localized and locally advanced PCa underwent prostatectomy and to investigate their correlation with clinical-pathological variables and disease progression.

Results

Identified non-synonymous GVs included TP53 p.P72R (78% of tumors), two CSFR1 SNPs, rs2066934 and rs2066933 (70%), KDR p.Q472H (67%), KIT p.M541L (28%), PIK3CA p.I391M (19%), MET p.V378I (10%) and FGFR3 p.F384L/p.F386L (8%). TP53 p.P72R, MET p.V378I and CSFR1 SNPs were significantly associated with the HI risk group, TP53 and MET variations with T≥T2c. FGFR3 p.F384L/p.F386L was correlated with T≤T2b. MET p.V378I mutation, detected in 20% of HI risk patients, was associated with early biochemical recurrence.

Experimental design

Nucleic acids were obtained from tissue samples of 30 high (HI) and 30 low-intermediate (LM) risk patients, according to D'Amico criteria. Genomic DNA was explored with the Ion_AmpliSeq_Cancer_Hotspot_Panel_v.2 including 50 cancer-associated genes. GVs with allelic frequency (AF) ≥10%, affecting protein function or previously associated with cancer, were correlated with clinical-pathological variables.

Conclusion

Our results confirm a complex mutational profile in PCa, supporting the involvement of TP53, MET, FGFR3, CSF1R GVs in tumor progression and aggressiveness.

Antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome (AAWS) in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer

Antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome is an unpredictable event diagnosed in patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer treated with combined androgen blockade therapy. It is defined by prostate-specific antigen value reduction, occasionally associated with a radiological response, that occurs 4-6 weeks after first-generation antiandrogen therapy discontinuation. New-generation hormonal therapies, such as enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate, improved the overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and recent trials have also shown the efficacy of abiraterone in hormone-sensitive disease. In the last few years, several case reports and retrospective studies suggested that the withdrawal syndrome may also occur with these new drugs. This review summarizes literature data and hypothesis about the biological rationale underlying the syndrome and its potential clinical relevance, focusing mainly on new-generation hormonal therapies. Several in vitro studies suggest that androgen receptor gain-of-function mutations are involved in this syndrome, shifting the antiandrogen activity from antagonist to agonist. Several different drug-specific point mutations have been reported. The association of the withdrawal syndrome for enzalutamide and abiraterone needs confirmation by additional investigations. However, new-generation hormonal therapies being increasingly used in all stages of disease, more patients may experience the syndrome when stopping the treatment at the time of disease progression, although the clinical relevance of this phenomenon in the management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains to be defined.

Immunotherapy for Patients with Advanced Urothelial Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

In recent years, immunotherapy has produced encouraging results in a rapidly increasing number of solid tumors. The responsiveness of bladder cancer to immunotherapy was first established in nonmuscle invasive disease in 1976 with intravesical instillations of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Very recently immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrated good activity and significant efficacy in metastatic disease. In particular the best results were obtained with programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors, but many other immune checkpoint inhibitors, including anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) antibodies, are currently under investigation in several trials. Simultaneously other therapeutic strategies which recruit an adaptive immune response against tumoral antigens or employ externally manipulated tumor infiltrating lymphocytes might change the natural history of bladder cancer in the near future. This review describes the rationale for the use of immunotherapy in bladder cancer and discusses recent and ongoing clinical trials with checkpoint inhibitors and other novel immunotherapy agents.