Efficacy and safety of nivolumab for patients with pre-treated type B3 thymoma and thymic carcinoma: results from the EORTC-ETOP NIVOTHYM phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Thymic malignancies are rare intrathoracic tumors, which may be aggressive and difficult to treat. They represent a therapeutic challenge in the advanced/metastatic setting, with limited treatment options after the failure of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. They are frequently associated with autoimmune disorders that also impact oncological management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

NIVOTHYM is an international, multicenter, phase II, two-cohort, single-arm trial evaluating the activity and safety of nivolumab [240 mg intravenously (i.v.) q2 weeks] alone or with ipilimumab (1 mg /kg i.v. q6 weeks) in patients with advanced/relapsed type B3 thymoma or thymic carcinoma, after exposure to platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival rate at 6 months (PFSR-6) based on RECIST 1.1 as per independent radiological review.

RESULTS

From April 2018 to February 2020, 55 patients were enrolled in 15 centers from 5 countries. Ten patients (18%) had type B3 thymoma and 43 (78%) had thymic carcinoma. The majority were male (64%), and the median age was 58 years. Among the 49 eligible patients who started treatment, PFSR-6 by central review was 35% [95% confidence interval (CI) 22% to 50%]. The overall response rate and disease control rate were 12% (95% CI 5% to 25%) and 63% (95% CI 48% to 77%), respectively. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, median progression-free survival and overall survival by local assessment were 6.0 (95% CI 3.1-10.4) months and 21.3 (95% CI 11.6-not estimable) months, respectively. In the safety population of 54 patients, adverse events (AEs) of grade 1/2 were observed in 22 (41%) patients and grade 3/4 in 31 (57%) patients. Treatment-related AEs of grade 4 included one case of neutropenia, one case of immune-mediated transaminitis, and two cases of myocarditis.

CONCLUSIONS

Nivolumab monotherapy demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and objective activity, although it has been insufficient to meet its primary objective. The second cohort of NIVOTHYM is currently ongoing to assess the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab.

The IASLC Mesothelioma Staging Project: Proposals for the M Descriptors and for Revision of the TNM Stage Groupings in the Forthcoming (Eighth) Edition of the TNM Classification for Mesothelioma

INTRODUCTION

The M component and TNM stage groupings for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) have been empirical. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer developed a multinational database to propose evidence-based revisions for the eighth edition of the TNM classification of MPM.

METHODS

Data from 29 centers were submitted either electronically or by transfer of existing institutional databases. The M component as it currently stands was validated by confirming sufficient discrimination (by Kaplan-Meier analysis) with respect to overall survival (OS) between the clinical M0 (cM0) and cM1 categories. Candidate stage groups were developed by using a recursive partitioning and amalgamation algorithm applied to all cM0 cases.

RESULTS

Of 3519 submitted cases, 2414 were analyzable and 84 were cM1 cases. Median OS for cM1 cases was 9.7 months versus 13.4 months (p = 0.0013) for the locally advanced (T4 or N3) cM0 cases, supporting inclusion of only cM1 in the stage IV group. Exploratory analyses suggest a possible difference in OS for single- versus multiple-site cM1 cases. A recursive partitioning and amalgamation-generated survival tree on the OS outcomes restricted to cM0 cases with the newly proposed (eighth edition) T and N components indicates that optimal stage groupings for the eighth edition will be as follows: stage IA (T1N0), stage IB (T2-3N0), stage II (T1-2N1), stage IIIA (T3N1), stage IIIB (T1-3N2 or any T4), and stage IV (any M1).

CONCLUSIONS

This first evidence-based revision of the TNM classification for MPM leads to substantial changes in the T and N components and the stage groupings.

The IASLC Mesothelioma Staging Project: Proposals for Revisions of the T Descriptors in the Forthcoming Eighth Edition of the TNM Classification for Pleural Mesothelioma

INTRODUCTION

The current T component for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has been predominantly informed by surgical data sets and consensus. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer undertook revision of the seventh edition of the staging system for MPM with the goal of developing recommendations for the eighth edition.

METHODS

Data elements including detailed T descriptors were developed by consensus. Tumor thickness at three pleural levels was also recorded. An electronic data capture system was established to facilitate data submission.

RESULTS

A total of 3519 cases were submitted to the database. Of those eligible for T-component analysis, 509 cases had only clinical staging, 836 cases had only surgical staging, and 642 cases had both available. Survival was examined for T categories according to the current seventh edition staging system. There was clear separation between all clinically staged categories except T1a versus T1b (hazard ratio = 0.99, p = 0.95) and T3 versus T4 (hazard ratio = 1.22, p = 0.09), although the numbers of T4 cases were small. Pathological staging failed to demonstrate a survival difference between adjacent categories with the exception of T3 versus T4. Performance improved with collapse of T1a and T1b into a single T1 category; no current descriptors were shifted or eliminated. Tumor thickness and nodular or rindlike morphology were significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

A recommendation to collapse both clinical and pathological T1a and T1b into a T1 classification will be made for the eighth edition staging system. Simple measurement of pleural thickness has prognostic significance and should be examined further with a view to incorporation into future staging.

Long-term overall survival (os) and prognostic factors of patients (pts) with surgery of liver metastases from colorectal cancer origin (lm/crc): Retrospective analysis of a Spanish single institution

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Background: Hepatectomy is the only potentially curative treatment for LM/CRC. Long-term survival following liver resection (LR) has improved. The aim of this study was to analyze prognostic factors and OS after LR Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of pts who underwent LR for LM/CRC from 1997 to 2007 was conducted. Multiple potential prognostic factors for survival were analyzed: synchronic vs. metachronic, post-op chemotherapy (CT) vs. no, lymph node (LN) status of primary tumor, R0 vs. R1–2 resection, gender, location of primary tumor, number and size of metastases, and unilobar vs. bilobar disease. Results: 190 pts (colon 130, rectum 60) underwent LR. Pts’ characteristics: 123 male, 67 female; median age 63 yrs (32–85); 95 pts synchronic, 95 metachronic; 145 pts (76%) received post-op CT; LN status was pN0 in 61 (32%) pts, pN1 in 74 (39%) and pN2 in 52 (27%). A R0 resection was performed in 164 (86%) and R1 in 25 (13%). Post-op mortality was 2.6%.Median OS was 68 months with 5- and 10-year OS of 52% and 31%, and 5- and 10-year disease free survival of 36% and 18%. 5-year OS differed between metachronic and synchronic (64% vs. 39%; p<0.001); LN-status (73% for pN0 vs. 41% for pN1–2; p<0.001); R0/R1–2 surgery (58% for R0 vs. 21% for R1- 2; p=0.002). With a median follow-up of 70 months, 71 (37%) pts remained free of disease, 60 (32%) had new metachronic LM/CRC, 18 (9.5%) had LM/CRC and extrahepatic disease and 36 (19%) had extrahepatic disease alone. Non-significant factors for prognosis were gender, location of primary tumor, number and size of metastases, bilobar disease and adjuvant CT. Conclusions: Pts with LM/CRC who undergo liver resection can achieve long-term OS, our data identifying as prognostic factors: LN status, synchronic/metachronic disease and Type of resection (R0).

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Validation of CA-125 concentration nadir within the normal range following primary treatment as a predictor of survival for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)

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Background: Recent studies suggest that the CA-125 nadir within the normal range after surgery and chemotherapy treatment is a predictor of survival (Crawford, ASCO 2004; Crawford, Ann Oncol 2005) and relapse (Markman, J Clin Oncol 2006). In order to validate these previous findings, we have conducted a retrospective analysis of patients (pts) treated in our institution for EOC. Methods: Between March 1, 1997, and October 30, 2005, all pts treated for EOC at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital were identified from the tumor registry database and screened retrospectively for their standard prognostic factors (age at diagnosis (=65 vs. >65), stage (III-IV vs. IC-II), and suboptimal vs. optimal cytorreduction). Inclusion criteria: an elevated CA-125 at time of diagnosis (>35 U/mL); primary treatment (PT) that consisted in surgery and intravenous carboplatin/paclitaxel for a maximum of 6–9 cycles; complete clinical and radiological response to initial treatment with normalization of CA-125 (=35 U/mL); and disease status at the time of last follow-up. Standard Kaplan-Meier methods were used to plot the progression-free survival (PFS) of members of each of the nadir groups. The relative contribution of the different potential correlates of prognosis was assessed by the Cox proportional hazards method. Results: 123 pts were identified: 64 Group A (=10 U/mL), 42 Group B (11–20 U/mL), 17 Group C (21–35 U/mL). Median age: 56. Stage IC 25%, II 13%, III 52%, IV 10%. Median follow-up 39.2 months (m). Median PFS was 69.7 m, 27.7 m, and 15.8 m for A, B and C, respectively (p< .0001, log-rank test). The Cox model showed a highly-significant impact on PFS in relation to CA-125 nadir levels, residual tumor after surgery and stage. Hazard ratios (HR) for PFS (95% CI) of B vs. A, C vs. B, and C vs. A were 1.98 (p= .034), 2.35 (p= .02), and 4.67 (p< .001), respectively. HR for PFS (95% CI) of suboptimal vs. optimal cytorreduction and stage III-IV vs. IC-II were 1.84 (p= .058) and 3.2 (p= .002), respectively. Conclusions: The CA-125 nadir in the normal range following PT for EOC is a reproducible predictor of PFS in stage IC-IV. Prospective studies of maintenance-consolidation therapies or different approaches in selected pts based on CA-125 nadir seem warranted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.