Associations between sinus tachycardia and adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in cancer patients

Background

Sinus tachycardia in cancer reflects a significant multi-system organ stressor and disease, with sparse literature describing its clinical significance. We assessed cardiovascular (CV) and mortality prognostic implications of sinus tachycardia in cancer patients.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study of 622 cancer patients at a U.S. urban medical center from 2008 to 2016. Cases had ECG-confirmed sinus tachycardia [heart rate (HR) ≥100 bpm] in ≥3 different clinic visits within 1 year of cancer diagnosis excluding a history of pulmonary embolism, thyroid dysfunction, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, atrial fibrillation/flutter, HR >180 bpm. Adverse CV outcomes (ACVO) were heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), hospital admissions for HF exacerbation (AHFE), acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of sinus tachycardia on overall ACVO and survival.

Results

There were 51 cases, age and sex-matched with 571 controls (mean age 70±10, 60.5% women, 76.4% Caucasian). In multivariate analysis over a 10-year follow-up period, sinus tachycardia (HR ≥100 vs. <100 bpm) was an independent predictor of overall ACVO (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.4–5.5; P=0.006). There was increased incidence of HFrEF (OR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.6–6.5; P=0.004) and AHFE (OR 6.3, 95% CI: 1.6–28; P=0.023), but not HFpEF or ACS (P>0.05) compared with controls. Sinus tachycardia was a significant predictor of overall mortality after adjusting for significant covariates (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8–5; P<0.001).

Conclusions

Independent of typical factors that affect cardiovascular disease, sinus tachycardia around the time of cancer treatment is associated with increased ACVO and mortality in cancer patients at 10 years of follow-up.

Prognostic significance of ischemic electrocardiographic changes with regadenoson stress myocardial perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND

In patients undergoing regadenoson SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), the prognostic value of ischemic ST-segment depression (ST↓) and the optimal ST↓ threshold have not been studied.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients referred for regadenoson stress MPI was conducted. Patients with uninterpretable ECG were excluded. Two diagnostic thresholds of horizontal or downsloping ST↓ were studied, ≥ 0.5 mm and ≥ 1.0 mm. The primary endpoint was the composite major adverse cardiac events (MACE) of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization.

RESULTS

Among 8615 subjects (mean age 62 ± 13 years; 55% women), 89 (1.0%) had ST↓ ≥ 1.0 mm and 133 (1.5%) had ST↓ ≥ 0.5 mm. Regadenoson-induced ST↓ was more common in women (P < .001). Mean follow-up was 2.5 ± 2.2 years. After multivariate adjustment, ST↓ ≥ 1.0 mm was associated with a non-significant increase in MACE risk (P = .069), irrespective to whether MPI was abnormal (P = .162) or normal (P = .214). Ischemic ST↓ ≥ 0.5 mm was independently associated with MACE in the entire cohort (HR 2.14; CI 1.38-3.32; P = .001), whether MPI is normal (HR 2.07; CI 1.07-4.04; P = .032) or abnormal (HR 2.24; CI 1.23-4.00; P = .007), after adjusting for clinical and imaging covariates. An ST↓ threshold of ≥ 0.5 mm provided greater incremental prognostic value beyond clinical and imaging parameters (Δχ2 = 12.78; P < .001) than ≥ 1.0 mm threshold (Δχ2 = 3.72; P = .093).

CONCLUSION

Regadenoson-induced ischemic ST↓ is more common in women and it provides a modest independent prognostic value beyond MPI and clinical parameters. ST↓ ≥ 0.5 mm is a better threshold than ≥ 1.0 mm to define ECG evidence for regadenoson-induced myocardial ischemia.

Influence of breast reconstruction on technical aspects of echocardiographic image acquisition compared with physician-assessed image quality

Introduction

Assessment of cardiac function after treatment for breast cancer relies on interval evaluation of ventricular function through echocardiography. Women who undergo mastectomy more frequently choose to undergo breast reconstruction with implant. This could impede assessment of cardiac function in those with left-sided implant. We aimed to examine whether left-sided breast reconstruction with tissue expanders (TE) affect echo image acquisition and quality, possibly affecting clinical decision-making.

Methods

A retrospective case-control study was conducted in 190 female breast cancer patients who had undergone breast reconstruction with TE at an urban academic center. Echocardiographic technical assessment and image quality were respectively classified as excellent/good or adequate/technically difficult by technicians; and excellent/good or adequate/poor by 2 board-certified cardiologist readers. Likelihood ratio was used to test multivariate associations between image quality and left-sided TE.

Results

We identified 32 women (81.3% white; mean age 48 years) with left-sided/bilateral TE, and 158 right-sided/no TE (76.6% white, mean age 57 years). In multivariable analyses, we found a statistically significant difference in technician-assessed difficulty in image acquisition between cases and controls (p = 0.01); but no differences in physician-assessed image quality between cases and controls (p = 0.09, Pearson’s r = 0.467).

Conclusions

Left-sided breast TE appears to affect the technical difficulty of echo image acquisition, but not physician-assessed echo image quality. This likely means that echo technicians absorb most of the impediments associated with imaging patients with breast TE such that the presence of TE has no bearing on downstream clinical decision-making associated with echo image quality.

Bioinformatics Model of Serum Biomarkers to Prognosticate the Response to Programmed Death-1/Ligand-1 Targeted Immunotherapy in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors revolutionized the therapeutic paradigm for metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The average response, however, still hovers at 20%, demonstrating the urgent need for biomarkers predictive of response. High-throughput laboratory technology promises to serve as an insightful and robust tool to recognize and select patterns of biomarkers in serum. We applied machine learning on serum immune-checkpoint biomarkers for prognostication of response to immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC.

Method

Pretreatment sera from 106 advanced NSCLC cases who failed frontline chemotherapy were evaluated for 16 soluble immune-checkpoint molecules using the Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Protein Panel (MilliporeSigma). This panel constituted BTLA, CD27, CD28, TIM-3, HVEM, CD40, GITR, GITRL, LAG-3, TLR-2, PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, CD80, CD86, and ICOS. Primary data points were collected and calculated via a Luminex FLEXMAP 3D system (xPONENT v4.0.3 Luminex Corp). The minimum follow-up after treatment was 12 months. Response patterns were categorized based on their overall survival (OS) as long-term responders (>12 months) or short-term responders (<12 months). Values were analyzed with the clinical outcomes using “Survminer” and “survival” R packages to determine the log-rank-based cutoff values associated with overall survival. Finally, machine learning methods were implemented using “caret” and “rpart” R packages to fit a classification model to predict the response pattern. The model was trained and tested on random fractions of the cohort.

Results

BTLA4, HVEM, CD40, GITRL, LAG-3, PD-1, CD80, and CD86 serum levels significantly correlated with OS (all P values ≤.02 and HR of 0.27, 0.5, 4.59, 0.17, 0.12, 0.48, 3.64, and 0.37, respectively). The algorithm composing PD-1, LAG-3, CD86, and CTLA4 predicted the response pattern with PPV of 81%, specificity of 87%, and accuracy of 75%.

Conclusion

The serum immune-checkpoint predictive model might assist in the tissue and gene-based profiling of immune-checkpoints to predict the benefit from immunotherapy.

Abstract 404: Prognostic value of soluble and cell surface immune-checkpoint molecules in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving anti-PD-1/-L1 immunotherapy

Current methods to stratify immunotherapy candidates, including PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB) profiling, have limitations that hamper their clinical value. This study explores the prognostic potential of soluble and cell-surface immune-checkpoint (IC) molecules as a means to improve treatment selection for NSCLC patients being considered for PD-1/-L1 blockade.

Pretreatment sera from 111 cases of previously-treated advanced NSCLC receiving PD-1/L-1 targeting checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, atezolizumab, or pembrolizumab) were evaluated for 16 soluble IC molecules and immune regulators via the MILLIPLEX® MAP Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Protein Panel (MilliporeSigma) using manufacturer-defined protocols. PBMCs from a subset of this cohort (n=28) were profiled on a LSRFortessa™ for cell-surface IC molecules. T-cell subsets (CD4,CD8) were analyzed for CD27\CD28, iCOS, PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, TIGIT, LAG-3, GITR and PD-L1. NK cells (CD56\CD16) were analyzed for CD96, CD94, CD86, CD80, PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, TIGIT, LAG-3 and PD-L1. Classical (CD14++\CD16-), intermediate (CD14++\CD16+) and non-classical (CD14dim\-\CD16++) monocyte subsets were analyzed for these identical markers. All statistical relationships were determined using the Log-Rank test in relation to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Pearson correlations were calculated between the circulating and PBMCs levels of IC molecules.

Sixteen soluble IC molecules were detectable in patient serum, with twelve of these being prognostic for OS, PFS, or both (see Table). In the 28 patients with PBMCs, a set of cell-surface molecules showed prognostic value, but had no apparent correlation to soluble molecules.

These findings suggest that both soluble and cell-surface IC molecules may have promise for identifying advanced NSCLC patients that may benefit from anti-PD-1/-L1 immunotherapy.

PFSOSp-valueHRp-valueHRSoluble moleculesBMI0.0030.790.0540.75Lymphocyte0.0040.700.0020.60NLR0.0051.69&lt;0.0012.12BTLA0.0140.790.010.90CD270.0020.680.0170.80TIM30.0370.880.0280.93HVEM0.0040.620.0040.53GITR0.0010.003&lt;0.0010.00LAG30.0400.820.030.72GITRL0.0140.100.0070.03PD10.0020.490.0030.34CTLA4&lt;0.0010.180.0020.27CD800.0010.680.0020.67CD86&lt;0.0010.63&lt;0.0010.54iCOS0.0140.840.0470.90PBMCs - cell surface moleculesCD30.0520.660.110.65CD3-CD800.370.990.0051.45CD4-iCOS0.050.740.491.35CD8-CTLA40.020.660.21.34CD8-GITR0.0230.490.30.70CD8-TIGT0.020.630.370.78CD8-LAG30.0160.620.031.18CL-CD860.360.900.050.56CL-CD640.141.330.0151.89NC-CD640.0261.520.0021.74NC-PDL20.0382.840.351.52NC-TIM30.0032.070.041.19

Citation Format: Imad Tarhoni, Mary Jo Fidler, Ibtihaj Fughhi, Connor Wakefield, Revathi Kollipara, Maneet Multani, Marta Batus, Sanjib Basu, Wen-Rong Lie, Donna Russell, Jeffrey Martinson, Alan L. Landay, Timothy M. Kuzel, Philip Bonomi, Jeffrey A. Borgia. Prognostic value of soluble and cell surface immune-checkpoint molecules in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving anti-PD-1/-L1 immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 404.

The prognostic value of heart rate response during vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing renal transplantation

BACKGROUND

In asymptomatic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) prior to renal transplantation (RT), the impact of pre-transplant heart rate response (HRR) to vasodilator stress on post-RT outcomes is unknown.

METHODS

We analyzed a retrospective cohort of asymptomatic patients with ESRD who underwent a vasodilator stress SPECT-MPI and subsequently received RT. Blunted HRR was defined as HRR <28% for regadenoson stress and <20% for adenosine stress. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiac death or myocardial infarction. Clinical risk was assessed using the sum of risk factors set forth by the AHA/ACCF consensus statement on the assessment of RT candidates.

RESULTS

Among 352 subjects, 140 had an abnormal pre-transplant HRR. During a mean follow-up of 3.2 ± 2.0 years, 85 (24%) MACEs were observed. Blunted HRR was associated with increased MACE risk (hazard ratio 1.72; 95% confidence interval 1.12-2.63, P = 0.013), and remained significant after adjustment for gender, sum of AHA/ACCF risk factors, summed stress score, baseline heart rate, and β-blocker use. HRR was predictive of MACE in patients with normal MPI and irrespective of clinical risk. Blunted HRR was associated with a significant increase in post-operative (30-day) MACE risk (17.9% vs 8.5%; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

In asymptomatic ESRD patients being evaluated for RT, a blunted pre-transplant HRR was predictive of post-RT MACE. HRR may be a valuable tool in the risk assessment of RT candidates.

Mature, real world progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) milestones in stage IV, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer patients (nsqNSCLC) treated with first line pemetrexed(Pem)/platinum(Plat) followed by pem+/-bevacizumab(Bev) maintenance

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Background: Pemetrexed maintenance therapy is associated with superior survival in stage IV nsqNSCLC patients. We have observed long term disease control in some patients treated with at least one cycle of Pem/Plat with potential for maintenance pem. There are no reports of data regarding long term PFS and OS in patients treated with Pem regimens. The objectives of our retrospective analysis are to determine the frequency of long term disease control on Pem maintenance and to identify parameters associated with longer PFS/OS. Methods: We included all patients with Stage IV nsqNSCLC who received at least one cycle of pem/plat between May 2010 and Nov 2013. We identified 240 patients from our database and analyzed their demographics, lab values, dates of therapy, and dates of progression. PFS/OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and associations with patient characteristics were assessed by log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards analysis. The shortest potential follow up was 5 years. Results: Median age was 66 years, 60% were female, and 72% were Caucasian. Baseline ECOG performance status was 0(22%), 1(50%) and ≥ 2(22%). Median PFS was 6.2 months. At 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years of follow up absence of disease progression was seen in 33%, 14%, 7.5%, 4%, and 3%, respectively. Additionally, in terms of OS at 1-5 years, we observed 54.5%, 35%, 21%, 14%, and 11%. Lower baseline neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was strongly associated with improved PFS when using NLR≤5 vs > 5 (median PFS 13.2 mo vs 5.6 mo) Additionally, baseline Hemoglobin (mean = 12.03 g/dL, HR = .904, p = .0046) and Albumin (mean 3.3 g/dL, HR = .7722, p = .024) were associated with better PFS. Conclusions: The similarity in median PFS in our patients (6.2 mo) and clinical trial data suggests that our group of real world patients did not have uniquely favorable baseline characteristics. However, the patients most likely to reach long PFS/OS milestones had favorable baseline prognostic indicators suggesting that this patient subset might also be most likely to benefit from the recently approved regimen which combined Pembrolizumab with Pemetrexed/Carboplatin.

Associations between baseline serum biomarker levels and cachexia/precachexia in pretreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

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Background: We previously reported associations of pretreatment serum biomarkers with clinical outcomes in a cohort of advanced NSCLC patients that progressed on front-line therapy. This study aims to elucidate mechanisms underlying cancer cachexia/ pre-cachexia by evaluating relationships between baseline serum biomarker values and sequential changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in NSCLC patients. Methods: We used Luminex immunobead assays to survey 101 protein biomarkers in sera from advanced NSCLC (n = 138) collected prior to their salvage regimen. Serial parameters associated with cancer cachexia included body weight, BMI, and NLR. Outcome variables (progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)) were extracted with full IRB-approval. Biomarkers were evaluated as continuous variables with the cachexia surrogates using Pearson correlations, whereas associations of PFS and OS were accomplished with the Cox PH test. Results: High baseline values of BMI and low baseline NLR were associated with both OS and PFS (each p < 0.05), though weight failed to reach significance. PFS and OS were similarly associated with percent changes (relative to baseline) in weight (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.01), and NLR (p < 0.001). Thirteen biomarkers were found to be associated (p < 0.05) with baseline BMI values, including positive correlations with leptin, sol.VEGFR2, and c-peptide and inverse correlations with adiponectin, ferritin, ghrelin, IGFBP-1 and IL-8; fifteen biomarkers were associated with baseline NLR (all p < 0.05), including positive correlations with visfatin, insulin, and serum amyloid A and inverse correlations with IGF-II. Fifteen biomarkers were found to be associated (p < 0.05) in common with percent weight and BMI changes, including positive correlations with IGFBP-3 and inverse correlations with insulin, FGF-2, TNF-alpha, and resistin. Only prolactin and placental growth factor were found to be associated (p < 0.05) with percent change in NLR. Conclusions: A series of circulating protein biomarkers primarily connected with metabolic regulation and systemic inflammation/ acute phase response were found to be associated with cachexia/ pre-cachexia in NSCLC patients. Additional cohorts are currently being tested to verify these findings.

Decreasing BMI/weight immediately prior to starting anti-PD-1/PDL-1 monoclonal antibodies for treatment for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer is associated with shorter progression-free survival

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Background: Currently, prognostic markers associated with immunotherapy treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic NSCLC include PDL-1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TBM), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). In this study we examine the influence of pretreatment changes in weight, BMI, and NLR in 237 patients treated with anti-PD-1/PDL-1 therapy (ICI) at our institution. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of previously-treated stage IV NSCLC patients who received ICI. Pretreatment (≥ 6 weeks before starting therapy) values of weight, BMI, and NLR were compared to baseline values and NLR was analyzed as continuum and according to standard cutoffs of 3.5 and 5. The same variables were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using the Log-Rank test. Results: 237 patients were analyzed: 45% were male, 73% were Caucasian, 72% were former smokers, and 25% were age ≥ 75 years. 148 patients had pretreatment NLR values. Of these, 32% had a ratio < 3.5 and 54% had ratio < 5. 34% had increased NLR at baseline, the majority of which (48/77) had a > 5% increase. 187 patients had pretreatment weight and BMI. Of these, 14% had a pretreatment BMI < 20. 71% had a negative change in BMI and 29% had a > 5% decrease in BMI. 65% had a negative change in weight and 26% had a > 5% decrease in weight. BMI decrease greater than 5% (p = 0.0039), negative weight change (p = 0.0371), and pretreatment NLR > 5 (p = 0.0136) were associated with shorter PFS. Change in NLR trended towards decreased PFS but was not statistically significant (p = 0.07) though only 77 of 237 patients had both values available. There was no statistical PFS difference between patients less than or ≥ 75 years old. Conclusions: The results suggest that decrease in pretreatment BMI and weight along with high baseline NLR are associated with significantly shorter PFS in NSCLC treated with anti-PD-1/PDL-1 therapy. If confirmed, these observations raise the possibility that specific treatment which reverses cancer associated weight loss might enhance effectiveness of immunotherapy.

Validation of a clinical pathway to assess asymptomatic renal transplant candidates using myocardial perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND

An AHA/ACCF scientific statement proposed 8 risk factors to assess the need for noninvasive coronary artery disease (CAD) surveillance in asymptomatic patients undergoing evaluation for kidney transplantation. The clinical application of these risk factors and the role of noninvasive testing in this context have not been defined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively followed a cohort of 581 consecutive kidney transplant recipients of whom 401 had pre-transplant radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and 90 had pre-transplant coronary angiography. The sum of pre-transplant AHA/ACCF risk factors (age >60 years, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, smoking, dialysis >1 year, left ventricular hypertrophy) was calculated. MPI scans were analyzed by a "blinded" reader. Patients were followed for a mean of 3.7 ± 2.3 years post-transplant for major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction. The sum of risk factors was associated with modest discriminatory capacity for obstructive angiographic CAD (area under the curve [AUC], 0.70; P = 0.004), 30-day post-operative MACE (AUC, 0.60; P = 0.036), and long-term MACE (AUC, 0.63; P < 0.001). A threshold of ≥3 risk factors was optimal for identifying patients at risk. MPI provided incremental predictive value for obstructive CAD (P = 0.02) and long-term MACE (P = 0.04) but not post-operative MACE (P = 0.56). MPI was best predictive of long-term MACE in intermediate risk (3-4 risk factors) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic kidney transplant candidates with ≥3 AHA/ACCF risk factors are at increased cardiac risk, and should be considered for noninvasive CAD surveillance. Intermediate risk patients (3-4 factors) benefit the most from pre-transplant MPI to define long-term MACE risk.

The significance of post-stress decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction in patients undergoing regadenoson stress gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND

The significance of post-stress decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with regadenoson stress gated SPECT (GSPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has not been studied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients who underwent rest/regadenoson stress GSPECT-MPI followed by coronary angiography within 6 months were analyzed. Change in LVEF by GSPECT-MPI was calculated as stress LVEF minus rest LVEF; a significant decrease was tested at 5% and 10% thresholds. In a diagnostic cohort of 793 subjects, LVEF change was not predictive of severe/extensive coronary artery disease (area under the curve, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.57; P = 0.946). There was no significant difference in the rates of severe/extensive coronary artery disease in patients with or without a decrease in LVEF, irrespective of MPI findings. In an outcome cohort of the 929 subjects followed for 30 ± 16 months, post-regadenoson stress decrease in LVEF was not associated with increased risk of the composite endpoint of cardiac death or myocardial infarction or in the risk of coronary revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients selected to undergo coronary angiography following regadenoson stress GSPECT-MPI, a decrease in LVEF after regadenoson stress is not predictive of severe/extensive CAD or adverse clinical outcomes, irrespective of MPI findings.

Abstract 5708: Associations between soluble immune checkpoint molecules and overall survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with either anti-PD-1/-L1 monoclonal antibodies or single-agent chemotherapy

Background: While several of the KEYNOTE trials showed that NSCLC patients whose tumors expressed high levels of the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) were more likely to have superior survival with pembrolizumab compared to chemotherapy, other trials failed to confirm the predictive value of PD-L1 tissue expression. And with response rates for PD-1/-L1 directed immunotherapy approximating 20%, development of improved molecular diagnostics to accurately identify patients likely to have long-term disease control is needed. The goal of the current study is to evaluate potential relationships between a panel of soluble immune checkpoint molecules and disease control in NSCLC patients treated with PD-1/-L1 monoclonal antibodies. Method: Pretreatment sera from 128 cases of advanced NSCLC that failed frontline chemotherapy were evaluated for 16 soluble checkpoint molecules and immune regulators using the Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Protein Panel (MilliporeSigma). This panel consists of the following targets: BTLA, CD27, CD28, TIM-3, HVEM, CD40, GITR, GITRL, LAG-3, TLR-2, PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, CD80/B7-1, CD86/B7-2, and ICOS. All patients tested received either PD-1/-L1 targeting checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, atelizumab, or pembrolizumab; n=79) or single-agent chemotherapy (n=49). All kits were processed according to manufacturer-defined protocols and read using a Luminex® FLEXMAP 3D®. Finally, statistical relationships were determined using the Log-Rank test in relation to overall survival, defined as the interval from diagnosis to last follow up or death. Results: Pretreatment sera from 128 cases of NSCLC were evaluated for 16 soluble checkpoint molecules and immune regulators using the Luminex immunobead platform. In analysis of the cohort, lower levels of CD80/B7-1 were found to have significant association (p=0.0372) with superior overall survival. Patients who received PD-1/L1-directed immunotherapy, however, demonstrated low circulating levels of the T-cell associated molecules CD28 and CD80/B7-1, which were associated with superior overall survival (p=0.0178 and 0.036, respectively), whereas low circulating levels of the tumor-associated molecules LAG-3 and CD86/B7-2 were associated with an inferior overall survival (p=0.009 and 0.0278, respectively). There were no significant associations (all p&gt;0.05) identified in the cohort that received chemotherapy alone. Conclusion: These findings suggest that soluble immune-checkpoint molecules may identify advanced NSCLC patients most likely to benefit from anti-PD-1/-L1 immunotherapy. Prospective study of these biomarkers is planned to determine if they have predictive value for anti-PD-1/-L1 therapy and to explore implications for developing combination immunotherapy regimens.

Citation Format: Imad A. Tarhoni, Ibtihaj Fughhi, David Gerard, Sanjib Basu, Cristina Fhied, Wen-rong Lie, Donna Russell, Marta Batus, Nisha Thakar, Philip Bonomi, Mary Fidler, Jeffrey Borgia. Associations between soluble immune checkpoint molecules and overall survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with either anti-PD-1/-L1 monoclonal antibodies or single-agent chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5708.

The serum-based VeriStrat® test is associated with proinflammatory reactants and clinical outcome in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background

The VeriStrat test is a serum proteomic signature originally discovered in non-responders to second line gefitinib treatment and subsequently used to predict differential benefit from erlotinib versus chemotherapy in previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Multiple studies highlight the clinical utility of the VeriStrat test, however, the mechanistic connection between VeriStrat-poor classification and poor prognosis in untreated and previously treated patients is still an active area of research. The aim of this study was to correlate VeriStrat status with other circulating biomarkers in advanced NSCLC patients – each with respect to clinical outcomes.

Methods

Serum samples were prospectively collected from 57 patients receiving salvage chemotherapy and 70 non-EGFR mutated patients receiving erlotinib. Patients were classified as either VeriStrat good or poor based on the VeriStrat test. Luminex immunoassays were used to measure circulating levels of 102 distinct biomarkers implicated in tumor aggressiveness and treatment resistance. A Cox PH model was used to evaluate associations between biomarker levels and clinical outcome, whereas the association of VeriStrat classifications with biomarker levels was assessed via the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test.

Results

VeriStrat was prognostic for outcome within the erlotinib treated patients (HR = 0.29, p < 0.0001) and predictive of differential treatment benefit between erlotinib and chemotherapy ((interaction HR = 0.25; interaction p = 0.0035). A total of 27 biomarkers out of 102 unique analytes were found to be significantly associated with OS (Cox PH p ≤ 0.05), whereas 16 biomarkers were found to be associated with PFS. Thrombospondin-2, C-reactive protein, TNF-receptor I, and placental growth factor were the analytes most highly associated with OS, all with Cox PH p-values ≤0.0001. VeriStrat status was found to be significantly associated with 23 circulating biomarkers (Mann-Whitney Rank Sum p ≤ 0.05), 6 of which had p < 0.001, including C-reactive protein, IL-6, serum amyloid A, CYFRA 21.1, IGF-II, osteopontin, and ferritin.

Conclusions

Strong associations were observed between survival and VeriStrat classifications as well as select circulating biomarkers associated with fibrosis, inflammation, and acute phase reactants as part of this study. The associations between these biomarkers and VeriStrat classification might have therapeutic implications for poor prognosis NSCLC patients, particularly with new immunotherapeutic treatment options.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4193-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of integrating heart rate response with perfusion imaging on the prognostic value of regadenoson SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with end-stage renal disease

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether integrating heart rate response (HRR) to regadenoson with myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) analysis can enhance risk prediction in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively followed 303 ESRD patients after regadenoson stress MPI for a mean of 35 months. Normal HRR to regadenoson was defined as ≥28% increase from baseline. Normal MPI was defined as a summed stress score ≤3 and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%. The study cohort was divided in four groups based on various combinations of normal/abnormal HRR and MPI. There was a step-wise increase in the risk of primary endpoint of all-cause death and the composite secondary endpoint of cardiac death or myocardial infarction; patients with Normal MPI/Normal HRR had the lowest event rates and those with Abnormal MPI/Abnormal HRR had the highest, whereas subjects with Abnormal MPI/Normal HRR and Normal MPI/Abnormal HRR had intermediate event rates. This pattern was maintained after adjusting for important clinical covariates.

CONCLUSION

In ESRD patients, integrating HRR to vasodilator stress with MPI interpretation improves risk stratification. Normal HRR/Normal MPI identify truly low-risk group, whereas abnormal MPI or abnormal HRR portrays elevated risk.

Impact of a regimented aminophylline administration protocol on the burden of regadenoson-induced ischemia detected by SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND

In patients undergoing regadenoson SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), it is unknown how soon and at which dose intravenous aminophylline can be administered to reverse regadenoson-related adverse effects without blunting stress-induced myocardial ischemia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the pooled database of the ASSUAGE and ASSUAGE-CKD trials (n = 548). These were double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials in which 75 mg of aminophylline or placebo was administered intravenously 90 seconds following 99mTc-tetrofosmin injection. There were no statistically significant differences in summed difference score (SDS) burden (P = .87) and in the rates of myocardial ischemia (SDS ≥ 2) (P = .93) between the aminophylline (n = 274) and placebo (n = 274) groups. There was no interaction between aminophylline use and SDS as a determinant of the composite endpoint of cardiac death or MI (P = .32) or the composite endpoint of cardiac death, MI, or coronary revascularization (P = .92).

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing regadenoson-stress SPECT-MPI, the intravenous administration of 75 mg of aminophylline as early as 90 seconds after radioisotope injection does not seem to attenuate the burden of myocardial ischemia.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as predictive of prolonged progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with second-line PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors

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Background: Baselinehigh neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with inferior overall survival in patients with stage III/IV NSCLC. Inflammation and neutrophilic infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment appear to inhibit anti-tumor immune response. We suspect that NLR might reflect the level of inflammation in tumor microenvironment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate potential relationships between pretreatment NLR and and PFS and OS in advanced NSCLC patients treated with second-line nivolumab or pembrolizumab. Methods: Patients with stage IV NSCLC who received at least one cycle of nivolumab or pembrolizumab after first-line treatment with a platinum doublet between January 2015 and December 2016 were included. Patient demographics including NLR at baseline, date of starting immunotherapy, and date of progression were recorded. The association between NLR and duration of response was assessed using a Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. A cutoff of NLR of 3.5 and 5.0 based on published data (ref) were analyzed for differences in median overall survival and progression free survival. Results: 113 patients were analyzed: median age 68, male/female 38.9%/61.1%, 15% never smoked. The median PFS for patients with NLR < 5 was 4.14 months vs. 2.27 months in those with NLR > 5 (p = 0.031). Overall survival was also impacted by NLR. There were a total of 29 deaths in the cohort, 24 of these occurred in patients with NLR > 3.5 and 5 were in patients with NLR < 3.5. A lower NLR at baseline was significantly associated with improved overall survival (p = 0.036). Conclusions: A low baseline NLR is associated with superior progression free survival and overall survival in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab. These findings suggest that evaluating mediators of inflammation might help to identify potential therapeutic targets which could enhance effectiveness of PD-1 immune check point inhibitors in advanced NSCLC.

Transposition of Great Arteries with Complex Coronary Artery Variants: Time-Related Events Following Arterial Switch Operation

Coronary artery anatomy represents a challenging and, often, determining predictor of outcome in an arterial switch operation (ASO). Impact of specific coronary artery variants, such as single, intramural and inverted, on time-related events following ASO, is, yet, to be determined. We sought to compare early and late outcomes within the group of nonstandard coronary artery variants. Patients who underwent ASO from January 1995 to October 2010 were reviewed. Patients with coronary artery variants other than L1Cx1R2 ("standard" by Leiden classification) were included. Patients with single, intramural and inverted coronary artery variants incorporated in group A. All other nonstandard coronary variants incorporated in group B. Demographics, perioperative variables, early and late outcomes were assessed. Of the 123 ASO, 24 patients (19.5%) with nonstandard coronary variant were studied. Thirteen were in group A and 11 in group B. There were two early deaths (1 in group A and 1 in group B) (p > 0.05). There is one death early after hospital discharge (group A). Mean follow-up was 59.4 ± 55.1 months. There was no structural coronary artery failure after hospital discharge following ASO. Freedom from any reintervention at 8 years was (78.3 ± 9.6%) (p 0.55) with no late neo-aortic or mitral valve intervention. ASO with single, intramural or inverted coronary artery course carries no added longitudinal risk for structural or flow impairment within the group of nonstandard coronary artery variants. There is an early hazard period with no late survival attrition. Aortic arch repair as part of staged strategy prior to ASO might influence early and late outcome.

The prognostic value of regadenoson SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with end-stage renal disease

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of regadenoson SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has not been specifically studied in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively followed ESRD patients enrolled in the ASSUAGE and ASSUAGE-CKD trials in which they received regadenoson-stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT-MPI. Images were semiquantitatively analyzed by an investigator blinded to clinical and outcome data. Patients were followed for cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and coronary revascularization (CR). Revascularizations occurring >90 days post-MPI were considered "late" events. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression models, adjusting for age, gender, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and known coronary artery disease. We analyzed 303 patients (mean age 54 years; 64% men), who were followed for 35 ± 10 months. Adjusting for clinical covariates, abnormal regadenoson-stress MPI (SSS ≥ 4) was associated with increased risk of the composite of cardiac death or MI (23.9% vs 14.4%; HR 1.88; CI 1.04-3.41; P = .037) and the composite of cardiac death, MI, or late CR (27.3% vs 16.7%; HR 1.80; CI 1.03-3.14; P = .039). Adjusting for clinical covariates, regadenoson-induced myocardial ischemia (SDS ≥ 2) was associated with increased rate of the composite endpoint of cardiac death, MI, or CR (33.3% vs 16.9%; HR 1.97; CI 1.19-3.27; P = .008).

CONCLUSION

Regadenoson-stress SPECT-MPI provides a significant prognostic value in patients with ESRD. ESRD patients with normal SPECT-MPI have relatively high adverse event rates.

The Use of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for Early Detection of Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Cardiac complications are the leading cause of death in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Two-dimensional echocardiography is the current standard for monitoring of LV systolic function in these patients, but it might not detect early systolic dysfunction. The current study examined the use of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to detect early signs of cardiac dysfunction in DMD patients. A retrospective review of charts and offline strain analysis of transthoracic echocardiographic studies of DMD patients at our institution from April 2014 to January 2015 were performed and compared to age-matched healthy male subjects. Nineteen DMD patients (age range 12.6 ± 3.1 years) with normal ejection fraction and shortening fraction were compared with sixteen controls. The global circumferential strain was lower in DMD patients compared with controls (-14.7 ± 4.7 vs. -23.1 ± 2.9 %, respectively, p value: 0.001). Circumferential strain measured at basal, mid-ventricular and apical parasternal short-axis views was lower in DMD patients compared with controls. Segmental circumferential strain was lower in DMD patients in most segments compared with controls. The global longitudinal strain was lower in DMD patients compared with controls (-13.6 ± 5 vs. -18.8 ± 3 %, respectively, p value: 0.001). Segmental longitudinal strain measured in various segments was lower in DMD patients compared with controls. DMD patients can have occult cardiovascular dysfunction as shown by reduction in circumferential and longitudinal strain measurements with STE despite normal standard echocardiographic parameters. The clinical significance of early detection of cardiac dysfunction in these patients warrants further studies.

Prognostic value of heart rate response during regadenoson stress myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with end stage renal disease

BACKGROUND

Blunted heart rate response (HRR) to vasodilator stress agents is associated with worse outcomes. There are limited data assessing the effect of impaired HRR to regadenoson among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).

METHODS

We prospectively followed patients with ESRD enrolled in the ASSUAGE and ASSUAGE-CKD trials. HRR was defined as 100*(peak stress heart rate-resting heart rate)/resting heart rate. Study cohort was dichotomized to blunted and normal HRR groups according to an established median HRR value <28% or ≥28%, which were propensity-score matched based on 22 clinical and imaging covariates. The Primary endpoint was all-cause death. The secondary cardiac-specific endpoints included: (1) the composite endpoint of cardiac death or myocardial infarction; (2) the composite endpoint of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or late (>90 days) coronary revascularization.

RESULTS

There were 303 patients followed for 35 ± 10 months. In the entire cohort, there was a stepwise increase in the rates of death and all secondary endpoints with worsening HRR (P values ≤.001). Blunted HRR (<28%) was associated with increased risk of death (unadjusted hazard ratio 4.10 [1.98-8.46], P < .001) and all secondary endpoints (P ≤ .001). After multivariate adjustment, HRR remained an independent predictor of mortality and secondary endpoints whether used as continuous or dichotomous variable, and added incremental prognostic value for all-cause death (P = .046). Blunted HRR was associated with increased event rate among patients with normal myocardial perfusion (P = .001) and abnormal perfusion (P = .053). In the propensity-matched cohort of 132 patients (66 in each group), blunted HRR was associated with significant increase in all-cause death (21% vs. 5%, HR 5.09 [1.46-17.7], P=.011), and similarly for the secondary endpoints.

CONCLUSION

Blunted HRR (<28%) to regadenoson is a strong and independent predictor of death and cardiovascular events in patients with ESRD and adds incremental prognostic value.

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of ischemic electrocardiographic changes with regadenoson-stress myocardial perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic and prognostic value of regadenoson-induced ST-segment depression (ST↓) is not defined. Due to the low incidence of ST↓ ≥1.0 mm with vasodilator stress, a lower threshold to define ischemic ECG response may provide improved clinical utility.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent regadenoson-stress SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) followed by coronary angiography within 6 months. Ischemic ST↓ was defined as ≥0.5 mm. The prevalence of angiographically severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and the rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization were determined.

RESULTS

In a diagnostic cohort of 629 subjects, 117 (18.6%) had ST↓ ≥0.5 mm. Severe CAD was more prevalent in the ST↓ ≥0.5 vs ST <0.5 group (13.7% vs 5.3%, P = .001). Among patients with normal MPI (n = 229), the prevalence of severe CAD was higher in the ST↓ ≥0.5 group (8.2% vs 2.2%, P = .04). Adjusting for clinical and imaging covariates, ST↓ ≥0.5 mm was independently predictive of severe CAD [odds ratio = 3.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.67-6.83, P = .001], and provided incremental diagnostic value (Chi square increment = 10.3, P = .001). In an outcome cohort of 748 subjects, after adjusting for clinical and imaging covariates, ST↓ ≥0.5 mm was associated with increased MACE rate in the entire cohort [hazard ratio = 1.41, CI 1.01-1.96, P = .04] and in the subgroup of patients with normal MPI [hazard ratio = 2.2, CI 1.11-4.39, P = .02], and provided incremental prognostic value (Chi square increment = 3.9, P = .049). A diagnostic ST↓ threshold of 0.5 mm provided greater discriminatory capacity than a 1.0 mm cutoff (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients selected to undergo coronary angiography, regadenoson-induced ST↓ ≥0.5 mm was associated with higher rates of severe CAD and MACE, irrespective of MPI finding.