Real-World Impact of Upfront Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with First-Line Immunotherapy Combinations or Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (A Sub-Analysis from the ARON-1 Retrospective Study)

BACKGROUND

About 20% of patients with renal cell carcinoma present with non-clear cell histology (nccRCC), encompassing various histological types. While surgery remains pivotal for localized-stage nccRCC, the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in metastatic nccRCC is contentious. Limited data exist on the role of CN in metastatic nccRCC under current standard of care.

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study focused on the impact of upfront CN on metastatic nccRCC outcomes with first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (IO) combinations or tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy.

METHODS

The study included 221 patients with nccRCC and synchronous metastatic disease, treated with IO combinations or TKI monotherapy in the first line. Baseline clinical characteristics, systemic therapy, and treatment outcomes were analyzed. The primary objective was to assess clinical outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Statistical analysis involved the Fisher exact test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, analysis of variance, Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and univariate/multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models.

RESULTS

Median OS for patients undergoing upfront CN was 36.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.9-71.3) versus 20.8 (95% CI 12.6-24.8) months for those without CN (p = 0.005). Upfront CN was significantly associated with OS in the multivariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio 0.47 [95% CI 0.31-0.72], p < 0.001). In patients without CN, the median OS and PFS was 24.5 (95% CI 18.1-40.5) and 13.0 months (95% CI 6.6-23.5) for patients treated with IO+TKI versus 7.5 (95% CI 4.3-22.4) and 4.9 months (95% CI 3.0-8.1) for those receiving the IO+IO combination (p = 0.059 and p = 0.032, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the survival benefits of upfront CN compared with systemic therapy without CN. The study suggests that the use of IO+TKI combination or, eventually, TKI monotherapy might be a better choice than IO+IO combination for patients who are not candidates for CN regardless of IO eligibility. Prospective trials are needed to validate these findings and refine the role of CN in current mRCC management.

Prognostic impact of pretreatment cell-free DNA concentration in newly diagnosed peripheral T-cell lymphomas

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) have a poor prognosis and, to date, there are no reliable predictive biomarkers of response. In this work we explored the prognostic impact of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration in 75 newly diagnosed patients enrolled in a prospective multicenter study. Pre-treatment cfDNA was strongly associated with clinical risk factors and was identified as a superior predictor for shorter progression-free survival in multivariable analysis, outweighing canonical risk parameters. Furthermore, we identified a cfDNA value above which survival worsens. In conclusion, pre-treatment cfDNA concentration represents an easily usable predictive biomarker that is highly associated with survival of PTCL patients.

Global real-world experiences with pembrolizumab in advanced urothelial carcinoma after platinum-based chemotherapy: the ARON-2 study

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed previous treatment paradigm of advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). The ARON-2 study (NCT05290038) aimed to assess the real-world effectiveness of pembrolizumab in patients recurred or progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records of patients with documented metastatic UC treated by pembrolizumab as second-line therapy were retrospectively collected from 88 institutions in 23 countries. Patients were assessed for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR). Cox proportional hazards models were adopted to explore the presence of prognostic factors.

RESULTS

In total, 836 patients were included: 544 patients (65%) received pembrolizumab after progression to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in the metastatic setting (cohort A) and 292 (35%) after recurring within < 12 months since the completion of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cohort B). The median follow-up time was 15.3 months. The median OS and the ORR were 10.5 months and 31% in the overall study population, 9.1 months and 29% in cohort A and 14.6 months and 37% in cohort B. At multivariate analysis, ECOG-PS ≥ 2, bone metastases, liver metastases and pembrolizumab setting (cohort A vs B) proved to be significantly associated with worst OS and PFS. Stratified by the presence of 0, 1-2 or 3-4 prognostic factors, the median OS was 29.4, 12.5 and 4.1 months (p < 0.001), while the median PFS was 12.2, 6.4 and 2.8 months, respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms that pembrolizumab is effective in the advanced UC real-world context, showing outcome differences between patients recurred or progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy.

A Review of Recent Advances in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative condition and a form of dementia encountered in medical practice. Despite many proposed and attempted treatments, this disease remains a major puzzle in the public health systems worldwide. The initial part of this article provides an overview and illustration of the primary mechanisms responsible for neuronal damage in AD. Subsequently, it offers a critical evaluation of the most noteworthy studies on pharmacological therapy for AD and outlines recent advancements and novel approaches to managing this condition. Main properties, categorization, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) status, mechanisms of action, benefits, and common side effects of the classical and the most recently proposed pharmacological treatments for AD are described. The conventional pharmacological agents revised comprise cholinesterase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and other therapies, such as memantine, valproic acid, and rosiglitazone. The innovative reviewed pharmacological agents comprise the monoclonal antibodies: donanemab, gantenerumab, solanezumab, bapineuzumab, crenezumab, and semorinemab. Nutritional supplements such as alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and caprylidene are also revised. Tau and amyloid-targeting treatments include methylthioninium moiety (MT), leuco-methylthioninium bis (LMTM), an oxidized form of MT, and tramiprosate, which inhibits the beta-amyloid (Aβ) monomer aggregation into toxic oligomers. Antidiabetic and anti-neuroinflammation drugs recently proposed for AD treatment are discussed. The antidiabetic drugs include NE3107, an anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizer, and the diabetes mainstream drug metformin. The anti-neuroinflammatory AD therapies include the use of sodium oligomannate (GV-971), infusions with intravenous immunoglobulin aiming to decrease plasma levels of the constituents of Aβ plaques, and masitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that impacts mast and microglia cells. Additional anti-inflammatory agents being currently tested in phase-2 clinical trials, such as atomoxetine (selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), losartan (angiotensin 2 receptor agonist), genistein (anti-inflammatory isoflavone neuroprotective agent), trans-resveratrol (polyphenol antioxidant plant estrogen), and benfotiamine (synthetic thiamine precursor), were reviewed. Lastly, drugs targeting Alzheimer's-associated symptoms, such as brexpiprazole (serotonin dopamine activity modulator) and suvorexant (orexin receptor antagonist), respectively, used for agitation and insomnia in AD patients, are reviewed. As experimental investigations and clinical research progress, there is a possibility that a combination of newly tested medications and traditional ones may emerge as a promising treatment option for AD in the future.

Real-world Outcome of Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma and Intermediate- or Poor-risk International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium Criteria Treated by Immune-oncology Combinations: Differential Effectiveness by Risk Group?

BACKGROUND

Renal c carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common urinary cancers worldwide, with a predicted increase in incidence in the coming years. Immunotherapy, as a single agent, in doublets, or in combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), has rapidly become a cornerstone of the RCC therapeutic scenario, but no head-to-head comparisons have been made. In this setting, real-world evidence emerges as a cornerstone to guide clinical decisions.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the outcome of patients treated with first-line immune combinations or immune oncology (IO)-TKIs for advanced RCC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Data from 930 patients, 654 intermediate risk and 276 poor risk, were collected retrospectively from 58 centers in 20 countries. Special data such as sarcomatoid differentiation, body mass index, prior nephrectomy, and metastatic localization, in addition to biochemical data such as hemoglobin, platelets, calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, neutrophils, and radiological response by investigator's criteria, were collected.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The median follow-up was calculated by the inverse Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

The median follow-up time was 18.7 mo. In the 654 intermediate-risk patients, the median OS and PFS were significantly longer in patients with the intermediate than in those with the poor International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria (38.9 vs 17.3 mo, 95% confidence interval [CI] p < 0.001, and 17.3 vs 11.6 mo, 95% CI p < 0.001, respectively). In the intermediate-risk subgroup, the OS was 55.7 mo (95% CI 31.4-55.7) and 40.2 mo (95% CI 29.6-51.6) in patients treated with IO + TKI and IO + IO combinations, respectively (p = 0.047). PFS was 30.7 mo (95% CI 16.5-55.7) and 13.2 mo (95% CI 29.6-51.6) in intermediate-risk patients treated with IO + TKI and IO + IO combinations, respectively (p < 0.001). In the poor-risk subgroup, the median OS and PFS did not show a statistically significant difference between IO + IO and IO + TKI. Our study presents several limitations, mainly due to its retrospective nature.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed differences between the IO + TKI and IO + IO combinations in intermediate-risk patients. A clear association with longer PFS and OS in favor of patients who received the IO + TKI combinations compared with the IO-IO combination was observed. Instead, in the poor-risk group, we observed no significant difference in PFS or OS between patients who received different combinations.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Renal cancer is one of the most frequent genitourinary tumors. Treatment is currently based on immunotherapy combinations or immunotherapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, but there are no comparisons between these.In this study, we have analyzed the clinical course of 930 patients from 58 centers in 20 countries around the world. We aimed to analyze the differences between the two main treatment strategies, combination of two immunotherapies versus immunotherapy + antiangiogenic therapy, and found in real-life data that intermediate-risk patients (approximately 60% of patients with metastatic renal cancer) seem to benefit more from the combination of immunotherapy + antiangiogenic therapy than from double immunotherapy. No such differences were found in poor-risk patients. This may have important implications in daily practice decision-making for these patients.

Phase II trial of afatinib in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma with genetic alterations in ERBB1-3 (LUX-Bladder 1)

BACKGROUND

Preclinical and early clinical data suggest that the irreversible ErbB family blocker afatinib may be effective in urothelial cancers harbouring ERBB mutations.

METHODS

This open-label, phase II, single-arm trial (LUX-Bladder 1, NCT02780687) assessed the efficacy and safety of second-line afatinib 40 mg/d in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma with ERBB1-3 alterations. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival rate (PFS6) (cohort A); other endpoints included ORR, PFS, OS, DCR and safety (cohorts A and B). Cohort A was planned to have two stages: stage 2 enrolment was based on observed antitumour activity.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were enroled into cohort A and eight into cohort B. In cohorts A/B, PFS6 was 11.8%/12.5%, ORR was 5.9%/12.5%, DCR was 50.0%/25.0%, median PFS was 9.8/7.8 weeks and median OS was 30.1/29.6 weeks. Three patients (two ERBB2-amplified [cohort A]; one EGFR-amplified [cohort B]) achieved partial responses. Stage 2 for cohort A did not proceed. All patients experienced adverse events (AEs), most commonly (any/grade 3) diarrhoea (76.2%/9.5%). Two patients (4.8%) discontinued due to AEs and one fatal AE was observed (acute coronary syndrome; not considered treatment-related).

CONCLUSIONS

An exploratory biomarker analysis suggested that basal-squamous tumours and ERBB2 amplification were associated with superior response to afatinib.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02780687.

Radioimmunotherapy versus autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma: a Fondazione Italiana Linfomi multicenter, randomized, phase III trial

BACKGROUND

Optimal consolidation for young patilents with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) remains uncertain in the rituximab era, with an unclear benefit of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The multicenter, randomized, phase III FLAZ12 (NCT01827605) trial compared anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with ASCT as consolidation after chemoimmunotherapy, both followed by rituximab maintenance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (age 18-65 years) with R/R FL and without significant comorbidities were enrolled and treated with three courses of conventional, investigator-chosen chemoimmunotherapies. Those experiencing at least a partial response were randomized 1 : 1 to ASCT or RIT before CD34+ collection, and all received postconsolidation rituximab maintenance. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. The target sample size was 210 (105/group).

RESULTS

Between August 2012 and September 2019, of 164 screened patients, 159 were enrolled [median age 57 (interquartile range 49-62) years, 55% male, 57% stage IV, 20% bulky disease]. The study was closed prematurely because of low accrual. Data were analyzed on 8 June 2023, on an intention-to-treat basis, with a 77-month median follow-up from enrollment. Of the 141 patients (89%), 70 were randomized to ASCT and 71 to RIT. The estimated 3-year PFS in both groups was 62% (hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.69-1.80, P = 0.6662). The 3-year overall survival also was similar between the two groups. Rates of grade ≥3 hematological toxicity were 94% with ASCT versus 46% with RIT (P < 0.001), and grade ≥3 neutropenia occurred in 94% versus 41%, respectively (P < 0.001). Second cancers occurred in nine patients after ASCT and three after radioimmunotherapy (P = 0.189).

CONCLUSIONS

Even if prematurely discontinued, our study did not demonstrate the superiority of ASCT versus RIT. ASCT was more toxic and demanding for patients and health services. Both strategies yielded similar, favorable long-term outcomes, suggesting that consolidation programs milder than ASCT require further investigation in R/R FL.

Use of concomitant proton pump inhibitors, statins or metformin in patients treated with pembrolizumab for metastatic urothelial carcinoma: data from the ARON-2 retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Concomitant medications may potentially affect the outcome of cancer patients. In this sub-analysis of the ARON-2 real-world study (NCT05290038), we aimed to assess the impact of concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), statins, or metformin on outcome of patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) receiving second-line pembrolizumab.

METHODS

We collected data from the hospital medical records of patients with mUC treated with pembrolizumab as second-line therapy at 87 institutions from 22 countries. Patients were assessed for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall response rate. We carried out a survival analysis by a Cox regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 802 patients were eligible for this retrospective study; the median follow-up time was 15.3 months. PPI users compared to non-users showed inferior PFS (4.5 vs. 7.2 months, p = 0.002) and OS (8.7 vs. 14.1 months, p < 0.001). Concomitant PPI use remained a significant predictor of PFS and OS after multivariate Cox analysis. The use of statins or metformin was not associated with response or survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results suggest a significant prognostic impact of concomitant PPI use in mUC patients receiving pembrolizumab in the real-world context. The mechanism of this interaction warrants further elucidation.

Clinico-Pathological Features Influencing the Prognostic Role of Body Mass Index in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated by Immuno-Oncology Combinations (ARON-1)

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been associated with improved response to immunotherapy in cancer patients. We investigated the role of body mass index (BMI) in patients from the ARON-1 study (NCT05287464) treated by dual immuno-oncology agents (IO+IO) or a combination of immuno-oncology drug and a tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) as first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records of patients with documented mRCC treated by immuno-oncology combinations were reviewed at 47 institutions from 16 countries. Patients were assessed for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (OS), and overall clinical benefit (OCB), defined as the sum of the rate of partial/complete responses and stable disease. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the association of variables of interest with survival.

RESULTS

A total of 675 patients were included; BMI was >25 kg/m2 in 345 patients (51%) and was associated with improved OS (55.7 vs. 28.4 months, P < .001). The OCB of patients with BMI >25 kg/m2 versus those with BMI ≤25 kg/m2 was significantly higher only in patients with nonclear cell histology (81% vs. 65%, P = .011), and patients with liver metastases (76% vs. 58%, P = .007), Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio >4 (77% vs 62%, P = .022) or treated by nivolumab plus ipilimumab (77% vs. 64%, P = .044). In the BMI ≤25 kg/m2 subgroup, significant differences were found between patients with NLR >4 versus ≤4 (62% vs. 82%, P = .002) and patients treated by IO+IO versus IO+TKIs combinations (64% vs. 83%, P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that the prognostic significance and the association of BMI with treatment outcome varies across clinico-pathological mRCC subgroups.

Geographical differences in the management of metastatic de novo renal cell carcinoma in the era of immune-combinations

BACKGROUND

The upfront treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been revolutionized by the introduction of immune-based combinations. The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in these patients is still debated. The ARON-1 study (NCT05287464) was designed to globally analyze real-world data of mRCC patients receiving first-line immuno-oncology combinations. This sub-analysis is focused on the role of upfront or delayed partial or radical CN in three geographical areas (Western Europe, Eastern Europe, America/Asia).

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study in mRCC patients treated with first-line immune combinations from 55 centers in 19 countries. From 1152 patients in the ARON-1 dataset, we selected 651 patients with de novo mRCC. 255 patients (39%) had undergone CN, partial in 14% and radical in 86% of cases; 396 patients (61%) received first-line immune-combinations without previous nephrectomy.

RESULTS

Median overall survival (OS) from the diagnosis of de novo mRCC was 41.6 months and not reached (NR) in the CN subgroup and 24.0 months in the no CN subgroup, respectively (P<0.001). Median OS from the start of first-line therapy was NR in patients who underwent CN and 22.4 months in the no CN subgroup (P<0.001). Patients who underwent CN reported longer OS compared to no CN in all the three geographical areas.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences in terms of patients' outcome seem to clearly emerge, even if the rate CN and the choice of the type of first-line immune-based combination varies across the different Cancer Centers participating in the ARON-1 project.

Global Real-World Outcomes of Patients Receiving Immuno-Oncology Combinations for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: The ARON-1 Study

BACKGROUND

Immuno-oncology combinations have achieved survival benefits in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

OBJECTIVE

The ARON-1 study (NCT05287464) was designed to globally collect real-world data on the use of immuno-combinations as first-line therapy for mRCC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≥ 18 years with a cytologically and/or histologically confirmed diagnosis of mRCC treated with first-line immuno-combination therapies were retrospectively included from 47 International Institutions from 16 countries. Patients were assessed for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall clinical benefit (OCB).

RESULTS

A total of 729 patients were included; tumor histology was clear-cell RCC in 86% of cases; 313 patients received dual immuno-oncology (IO + IO) therapy while 416 were treated with IO-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (IO + TKI) combinations. In the overall study population, the median OS and PFS were 36.5 and 15.0 months, respectively. The median OS was longer with IO+TKI compared with IO+IO therapy in the 616 patients with intermediate/poor International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk criteria (55.7 vs 29.7 months; p = 0.045). OCB was 84% for IO+TKI and 72% for IO + IO combination (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study may suggest that immuno-oncology combinations are effective as first-line therapy in the mRCC real-world context, showing outcome differences between IO + IO and IO + TKI combinations in mRCC subpopulations.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05287464.

The Sapienza count-down for a healthy and sustainable diet

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and of other non-communicable diseases related to overnutrition is significantly increasing in the past few years. Policy makers are called to counteract this pandemic, orienting consumers towards a healthier and more sustainable diet. Most of the proposed initiatives are dedicated to the content of nutrients with "unfavourable" effects but, in fact, focusing the attention only or mainly on single foods or nutrients is not effective in decreasing the incidence/prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Whole dietary patterns play by far a more important role than specific dietary components in promoting health and modulating survival; and the adherence to eating patterns like the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases. The challenge is therefore to be able to transmit information relating to a healthy eating pattern through positive messages in a few simple indications which in turn represent the nutritional, but also the socio-cultural, environmental and economic characteristics of a healthy and sustainable dietary model. The Mediterranean Diet is normally proposed through a graphic depiction that represents a pyramid which is a simple and effective representation but not of immediate impact. For this reason, we are proposing to adopt the "Sapienza Count-down for a Healthy and Sustainable Diet" that will integrate the pyramid with a more immediate approach.

Evaluation of deep learning techniques (DL) in RNA sequencing data for the prediction of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer m(RCC)

641

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become a cornerstone in the management of mRCC. However, to identify the most suitable patients for this treatment is an unmet medical need. We aimed to explore the utility of DL integrating clinical and molecular data to predict response to immunotherapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using publicly available data from patients treated with nivolumab in the clinical trials Checkmate 009, 010 and 025. The primary objective was to assess the performance of different DL models (autoencoder and convolutional neural network (CNN)) predicting the PFS of these patients. With that scope, we followed several research lines including the creation of combined datasets with clinic and RNA sequencing and comparing the results of the DL models against the performance of traditional machine learning (ML) models. Finally, we came up with an interpretability analysis of those black-box models using LIME and SHAP values. Results: Clinical and transcriptomic data were available from 181 nivolumab-treated patients. Outcomes achieved confirmed that we can model the response for NIVOLUMAB using RNA sequencing data. (Table) However, DL models have not demonstrated to be significantly better than traditional ML methods when predicting response (p= 0.068). Deep autoencoder provided 68.9% accuracy, but the most accurate model was logistic regression classifier which achieved 86.4% of hit rate. Interpretability results revealed that most relevant genes for the decision making were related with the immune response and the regulation of kinases. Regarding interpretability, best results were achieved integrating both transcriptomic and clinical data (7 out of 10 DL and ML tested models achieved higher hit rates with combined data set. Logistic regression classifier improved its accuracy in 11%). Conclusions: The integration of clinical and molecular data could lead to more accurate predictions of outcome than any dataset by its own. However, further research is intended in the field of the DL analysis, as data codification and data structure could bias the results. The ongoing study ART (Artificial Intelligence in Renal Tumors) will address this issue prospectively. [Table: see text]

Real-world treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and health care resource utilization (HCRU) for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) in Spain

463

Background: Real-world evidence on la/mUC management in Europe is limited. This study describes patient (pt) characteristics, treatment patterns, survival, and HCRU for pts with la/mUC in Spain. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using electronic medical records from 9 university hospitals in Spain. The study population included all pts aged ≥18 y with a first diagnosis/record of la/mUC from 1/1/2015–12/31/2020 (study period). Date of first la/mUC record/diagnosis during the study period was the index date. Pts with urachus carcinoma or other nonurothelial cancers were excluded. Pt characteristics are described for the full study population. Treatment patterns, survival, and la/mUC-associated HCRU are described for the follow-up cohort: a subset of the study cohort with a first la/mUC diagnosis/record from 1/1/2015–6/30/2020 (ie, to allow for ≥6 mo follow-up). Pts were followed from index date to death, loss to follow-up, or end of study. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS; evaluated in a real-world setting) were determined using Kaplan–Meier curves. Time to progression, excluding pts who died and were censored at death, was also estimated. HCRU included inpatient admissions, outpatient visits, and emergency visits. Results: Overall, 903 pts were included. Median age at la/mUC diagnosis was 70 y; 79.6% were men. Most (71.0%) had ≥1 comorbidity, most commonly cardiovascular disease (54.2%). Primary tumor sites were the bladder (83.7%), urethra (7.0%), and upper tract (6.6%). De novo la/mUC (41.9%) was the most common initial UC diagnosis. In the follow-up cohort (n = 829), median follow-up was 12.7 mo. Most (84.7% [n = 702]) pts received first-line (1L) systemic treatment; of these, 46.9% (n = 329) received second-line (2L) and 16.6% (n = 116) received third-line (3L) therapy. Chemotherapy was the most common treatment (1L: 77.8% [n = 546]; 2L: 49.8% [n = 164]; 3L: 74.1% [n = 86]), followed by PD-1/L1 inhibitors (1L: 28.3% [n = 199]; 2L: 47.7% [n = 157]; 3L: 19.0% [n = 22]). From index la/mUC diagnosis, estimated median (95% CI) OS was 18.8 (17.5–21.5), PFS was 9.9 (8.9–10.5), and time to progression was 12.7 (11.3–14.6) mo. From the start of 1L, 2L and 3L therapy, estimated median (95% CI) OS were 16.9 (14.3–18.9), 11.6 (9.6–14.3), and 9.9 (7.9–12.6) mo. For HCRU, 71.8% (n = 595) of pts had ≥1 outpatient visit (mean: 2.2/mo), 56.6% (n = 469) had ≥1 inpatient admission (0.4/mo; median duration: 8.0 d), and 56.5% (n = 468) had ≥1 emergency visit (0.4/mo). Conclusions: This retrospective study of university hospital data describes pt characteristics and real-world treatment patterns, survival, and HCRU for pts with la/mUC in Spain. Advances in immunotherapy are shifting the treatment landscape for targeted groups of pts with la/mUC, but a need remains for innovative treatments that could improve pt outcomes.

Early efficacy results from atezolizumab (ATZ) with split doses of cisplatin plus gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (SOGUG-AUREA)

502

Background: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) commonly affects patients (pts) who are ineligible for full doses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CT) due to bad performance status, advanced age, or renal impairment. The combination of split-dose cisplatin with ATZ might be a feasible treatment for pts with UC who are unfit for full doses of cisplatin. Methods: The phase II SOGUG-AUREA clinical trial recruited treatment-naive pts in advanced or metastatic settings considered unfit for full dose of platinum-based CT. Pts received a split dose of cisplatin (35 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) days 1 and 8 (up to 6 cycles) in combination with 3-weekly ATZ 1200 mg in D1 intravenously until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or absence of clinical benefit. Here we present the early results from the confirmed objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST 1.1, the primary endpoint for efficacy, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. Results: Between Jan 2021 and Mar 2022, 82 pts were screened, 66 pts were enrolled and received at least one dose of study treatment. Baseline characteristics are outlined in the table. The median duration of ATZ treatment was 4.4 months (m) (95%CI: 4.1-4.6). The confirmed ORR was 40.9%, with 5 (7.6%) pts having CR and 22 (33.3%) PR. The median duration of the response was 7 m (95%CI: 4.9-10.4). The clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 53%, and SD (maintained > 6m) was reported in 8 (12.1%) pts. Eight (12.1%) pts were not evaluable for response due to exitus previous to disease evaluation (9.1%), non measurable target lesions (1.5%) or withdrawal (1.5%). With a median follow-up of 9.3 m (range: 0.6-18.1), the median PFS was 6.9 m (95%CI: 6.4-9.2), with a 6-m PFS rate of 67.1% (95% CI: 56.5-79.7). The reasons for platinum ineligibility did not correlate with PFS. The 6-m OS rate was 78.2% (95%CI: 68.6-89). Most frequent grade 3-4 toxicities were neutrophil count decreased (24.2%), anemia (21.5%) and platelet count decreased (13.6%). Conclusions: ATZ with split doses of CT was safely administered in a population of frail pts with mUC who were unfit for CT showing promising preliminary survival outcomes in terms of response. Final survival results are awaited. Clinical trial information: NCT04602078 . [Table: see text]

Exploring in vitro markers of potency of extracellular vesicles from cardiosphere-derived cells in the treatment of cardiac ageing

Background

Cardiac ageing is associated to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF-pEF) and increased senescence, hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. No treatments have yet proved to reduce HF-pEF morbidity and mortality. Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) and their secreted extracellular vesicles (CDC-EVs) have demonstrated efficacy in old animals with cardiac dysfunction, but variability of effect and lack of adequate potency tests remain as challenges.

Purpose

To explore in vitro predictors of cardiac protective potency of CDC-EVs, focusing on the chronological age of the CDC-donors, CDC-senescence, and their in vitro anti-senescent and pro-angiogenic effect.

Methods

CDCs derived from 34 patients (age range 0–81 years old, both sexes) were characterized in terms of senescence, proliferative and migration capacities, VEGF secretion, expression of specific surface markers and cardiosphere size. CDC-EVs were purified and their in vitro anti-senescent potential (at genetic, secretory and cellular level over cardiac stromal cells) and their pro-angiogenic potential (ability to induce tube formation over endothelial cells) quantified. According to the performance in each of these tests, potency was scored and CDC-EVs were classified as potent (P-EVs) and non-potent (NP-EVs). The effect of P-EVs and NP-EVs were then tested in vivo in rats with induced cardiac aging. SD-rats received 3-months of daily intraperitoneal injections (IP) of saline (healthy control) or D-galactose. Rats in the D-Gal group were randomly allocated to receive IP saline (sham control, n=12), P-EVs (n=7) or NP-EVs (n=6) and followed-up for one month.

Results

Chronological age of the donor or expression of surface markers did not relate to most CDC properties nor to their in vitro potency. CDC senescence did relate to other CDC bioactive properties, but this was insufficient to predict CDC-EV anti-senescence and pro-angiogenic in vitro potency. In vivo, EV classified as P-EVs, but not NP-EVs, prevented D-gal induced hypertrophy (2.4 vs. 2.9 mg/gr, p=0.05). This finding was in parallel to the levels of galactosidase-beta 1 expression in cardiac tissue, which were increased in sham vs. P-EVs (1.22 vs. 0.73, p=0.03) but levels in NP-EVs were not significantly different to the sham group (0.86, p=0.1). P-EVs tended to reduce TGFB1 expression, while NP-EVs significantly increased cardiac fibrosis and reduced cardiac perfusion. At systemic level, while P-EVs significantly improved glucose metabolism and tended to drive total antioxidant capacity and hair growth to a healthier profile, NP-EVs did not significantly improve any of the explored parameters and significantly increased total antioxidant capacity.

Conclusions

After further validation, the matrix potency assay proposed here, scoring the anti-senescent and pro-angiogenic in vitro effect of CDC-EVs could be used to predict EV suitability as an allogenic product in the treatment of cardiac ageing.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaciόn, Spain: PI16/01123; PI19/00161; Red de Terapia Celular, Tercel, (RD16.0011.0029) and CIBERCV (CB16.11.00292)

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC).

FINDINGS

In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683-0·717]).

INTERPRETATION

In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required.

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

Senescence-based predicted potency of extracellular vesicles determines their rejuvenating cardiac effects in an ageing rodent model

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

CIBERCV

Background

Cardiac ageing is characterized by increased cell senescence, hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, which can frequently lead to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Still, this is an unmet medical need for treatment development. Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) have demonstrated efficacy in old animals with cardiac dysfunction, however variability of effect among different CDC-donors is observed.

Purpose

To identify if the in vitro anti-senescent potential of CDC-secreted extracellular vesicles (CDC-EVs) predicts the in vivo anti-senescent effect in a model of cardiac ageing.

Methods

CDCs were derived from cardiac biopsies of 18 patients (age range 0 - 81 years old, both sexes included) who underwent cardiac surgery for other reasons. CDC-secreted extracellular vesicles (CDC-EVs) from the 18 donors were purified and used in vitro and in vivo experiments. Their in vitro anti-senescent potential (at genetic, secretory and cellular level) was evaluated over cardiac stromal cells from two human patients. CDC-EVs with the most anti-senescent potential and with the least anti-senescent potential were classified as potent (P-EVs) and non-potent (NP-EVs), respectively. Cardiac anti-senescent effect of P-EVs and NP-EVs were then tested in vivo in rats with induced cardiac aging. 3-months old SD-rats (30% female) received 3-months of daily intraperitoneal injections of saline (healthy control) or D-galactose. Animals in the D-Gal group were randomly allocated to receive intraperitoneal injection of saline (sham control, n=12), P-EVs (n=7) or NP-EVs (n=6) and followed-up for one month.

Results

Variations in the extent of the anti-senescent potential were observed in vitro among the CDC-EVs from the different donors. While most CDC-EVs significantly reduced cellular senescence and increased IL-6 secretion of human cardiac stromal cells, most CDC-EVs decreased the expression of senescence-related genes (p21, p16, p53, TGF-b). In vivo, D-gal induced cardiac hypertrophy (2.5 mg/g vs. 2.2 mg/g, p&lt;0.01). P-EVs, but not NP-EVs, prevented this hypertrophy (2.4 vs. 2.9 mg/gr, p=0.05). This finding was in parallel to the levels of galactosidase-beta 1 expression in cardiac tissue, which were increased in sham vs healthy (1.22 vs. 0.78, p=0.04) and in sham vs. P-EVs (1.22 vs. 0.73, p=0.03) but levels in NP-EVs were not significantly different to the sham group (0.86, p=0.1).

Conclusions

The anti-senescent in vitro effect of CDC-EVs is correlated to their anti-senescent and anti-hypertrophic effect in an in vivo model of cardiac ageing. This study shows the relevance of exploring senescence-related markers as determinant of therapeutic potency of the tested product and confirms the potential utility of CDC-EVs as a therapy for cardiac ageing-related pathologies.

Does timing of Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) administration in first line Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) have impact in survival outcomes?

e16512

Background: Recent data in metastatic melanoma patients shows that time-of-day infusion of ICIs may directly impact on the efficacy based on the dependence of the adaptive immune system on circadian rhythm. ICIs either as single agents or in combinations, are now considered the backbone systemic treatment of mRCC pts. There is a strong biological rational showing that “Clock genes”, particularly PER2, TIMELESS and TIPIN have an altered expression in RCC compared with normal tissue. We conducted a retrospective analysis in pts with mRCC receiving ICIs-based therapies in order to determinate whether timing of ICIs administration has an impact on survival outcomes. Methods: This is a multicenter and retrospective study performed in 3 academic institutions in Spain and 3 in Italy to describe the outcome of all pts who received ICIs-ICIs or ICIs-TKI treatment for the first line setting of mRCC in daily standarc practice related to the timing of administration. We selected 16.30h as the time-limit and identified the pts receiving more than 20% of the treatment infusion after that time. Pts were treated and evaluated according to institutional local guidelines. Pts characteristics, efficacy and treatment-related toxicities were gathered. A Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the association of baseline variables. Results: From 2019, 61 pts received either Nivolumab/Ipilimumab (N = 46, 75.4%) or pembrolizumab/axitinib (N = 15, 24,6%) for the upfront mRCC treatment. 52 (85.2%) pts (17 ICI+TKI and 25 ICI+ICI) received less than 20% of the ICIs combination treatment infusion after 16.30h compared with 9 (14.8%) pts (3 ICI+TKI and 6 ICI+ICI) who received more than 20% of the treatment infusion after 16.30h. Median follow up was 14.6 months (m). Pts who received most treatment before 16.30h had a significantly longer median PFS compared with those pts with the latest administration (12.3 vs 5.6m; HR 2.28: 95%CI 1.1-5.15; p = 0.048). Overall Survival (OS) data were immature but showed a tend to a better survival for those patients with earlier infusion administration (HR 2.33 p = 0.16). Corticosteroids concomitant administration or immune-related adverse events did not seem to have an impact on these results. Conclusions: Consistently to the melanoma findings, we also identified a potential survival impact from timing of IO administration in mRCC pts receiving ICIs-based combinations in first line treatment. Despite these promising results, there are study limitations such as number of patients and heterogeneous treatment groups. Larger prospective and randomized data are needed to assess the robustness of this hypothesis in the clinic.

Bio-miR: A prognostic microRNA-based signature for localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma

e16519

Background: Prognosis of localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients is estimated by nomograms based on clinico-pathological factors. However, clinical guidelines do not recommend their use. Recently, pembrolizumab has demonstrated benefit in disease-free survival (DFS) in medium-high risk localized ccRCC, increasing the need for better patient stratification tools. In this study, we have defined and validated a molecular signature, Bio-miR, based on the expression of nine microRNAs, with prognostic value in ccRCC. Methods: The discovery and two validation cohorts (Leeds-UK and Spain) consisted of patients with resected localized (stage Ib-III) ccRCC and no adjuvant therapy. miRNA expression was analyzed using microarrays and validated using qPCR in FFPE nephrectomy tissues. Cox regression was used to define the best microRNAs combination to predict risk of relapse. Results: In the discovery cohort (n = 71), DFS at 5 years was 93.9% amongst Bio-miR-defined low-risk patients and 61.6% in high-risk patients (HR = 6.9 (3.4-42.9), p < 0.001). Cancer-specific survival at 5 years was 95.7% and 86.4% in low- and high-risk patients, respectively (HR = 7.7 (1.7-35.1), p < 0.01). Bio-miR compared favorably with different histopathological factors and UISS and Karakiewicz´s nomograms. In the Leeds validation cohort (n = 75/95 passing qPCR quality control), patients defined as low-risk had a 5-year DFS rate of 94% versus 62% in high-risk defined disease. In this cohort Bio-miR was able to divide the Leibovich intermediate-risk population into two groups with divergent five-year DFS rates (100% vs 71%). In the Spanish validation cohort (n = 180), DFS rates at 5 years were 82.9% in the low-risk group and 58.7% in the high-risk group (HR = 2.4 (1.4-4.4); p < 0.005). Applying the inclusion criteria from the phase III KEYNOTE-564 trial, Bio-miR identifies a small low-risk population who could be spared adjuvant treatment. Conversely, amongst patients excluded from the study due to low-risk features, Bio-miR defines a high-risk population (DFS at five years of 50%) who should be prioritized for adjuvant therapy. Conclusions: We define and validate a nine-microRNA based signature capable of dichotomizing patients with localized ccRCC into low- and high-risk groups based on risk of relapse. Importantly, Bio-miR acts independently of tumor stage and grade and could, therefore, help refine the selection of patients for adjuvant therapy as well as inform the design of future adjuvant ccRCC trials.

Time-of-day infusion of immunotherapy in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC): Should it be considered to improve survival outcomes?

e16541

Background: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are key in the current management of mUC pts. Recent data in melanoma revealed a link in between the circadian rhythm of the immune-system and expected activity with ICIs (Quian et al, Lancet Oncol 2021). In preclinical models naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells in blood have shown to approach nadir levels around 4 P.M., and therefore, to lower adaptative immune responses after that time. We aimed to correlate the activity of single agent ICIs for the systemic treatment of mUC pts depending on the time of administration. Methods: This is a multicenter and retrospective study performed in 3 academic institutions in Spain and 1 in Italy of patients with mUC who initiated treatment with anti-PD1 or anti-PDL1 as 1st or subsequent line. ICIs were administered and managed according to product labelling. Time cut-off as adaptive immune-modulation for ICIs administration was considered after 4:30 PM. We divided pts into those who received at least 20% of their infusions after 4:30 PM and those who received fewer than 20% after that time. Other data such as patient characteristics and adverse-events related to the treatment were also collected. We carried out a survival analysis by a Cox regression model. Results: From 2016, 92 pts were treated with single agent ICIs for mUC. Most of the pts (n = 62; 67.4%) received less than 20% of the doses after 4:30 PM, while a lower proportion (n = 26; 28.3%) received at least 20% of the doses after that time. Median follow-up time of immunotherapy was 8.6 months. 35 (38.0%) and 57 (62.0%) pts received ICIs as 1st and subsequent lines of treatment respectively. There were no differences in the proportion of pts in 1st vs subsequent lines and time of administration, nor other well prognostic baseline factors like PD-L1 expression, or Bajorin or Bellmunt’s scoring. A significant benefit in both PFS (11.38 vs 3.58 months; HR 2.66: 95%CI 1.53-4.63; p = 0.001) and in OS (14.04 vs 6.80 months; HR 2.62: 95%CI 1.48-4.63: p = 0.001) benefited to pts who received less than 20% of the doses after 4:30 PM. Response rate also favored (59.3% vs 16.0%) the earlier administration of the treatments. Neither corticosteroids concomitant use nor immune-related toxicity appeared to impact on these outcomes. Conclusions: Time of the day administration of ICIs may influence the efficacy of ICIs in mUC pts. Although the small size of the sample and the short median follow-up is something to be considered, this data are promising and consistent with the previous studies. Prospective confirmation is needed.

Association between biomarkers and clinical outcomes of lenvatinib + pembrolizumab in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC): Results from Study 111/KEYNOTE-146

375

Background: In the Study 111/KEYNOTE-146 trial (NCT02501096; N=147), lenvatinib (lenva) + pembrolizumab (pembro) showed encouraging antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in treatment-naive (n=23) or previously treated metastatic RCC (n=105, previously treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor [ICI]; n=19, previously treated ICI naive); 145 had clear cell RCC and 2 had non-clear cell RCC. In this exploratory analysis, we evaluated the association between clinical outcomes and gene expression signatures and DNA variants for individual RCC-specific driver genes of interest based on published reports. Methods: Patients (pts) with metastatic RCC were treated with lenva 20 mg orally once daily + pembro 200 mg intravenously once every 3 weeks. The analysis population included pts with treatment-naive (n=10) and ICI pretreated (n=70) disease with evaluable RNA-sequencing data for the 18-gene T-cell–inflamed gene expression profile (TcellinfGEP) and for 11 other signatures (angiogenesis; glycolysis; gMDSC; hypoxia; mMDSC; MVD; MYC; proliferation; RAS; stroma/EMT/TGFβ; WNT) and whole exome sequencing (WES) data for DNA variants for individual genes ( VHL, PBRM1, BAP1, and SETD2). Specimens were collected prior to the start of treatment. The associations between each signature score and ORR and PFS per immune-related RECIST were evaluated using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards, respectively. One-sided P values for TcellinfGEP (hypothesized positive association) and two-sided P values for all other signatures (no hypothesized association) were adjusted for multiplicity using the Hochberg step-up procedure; significance was prespecified at α=0.05. The association between DNA variants for individual genes and ORR was evaluated descriptively. Clinical data cutoff was August 18, 2020. Results: Of 147 treated pts, RNA sequencing and WES data were available for 80 (54%) and 60 (41%), respectively. TcellinfGEP was not associated with ORR ( P=0.827) or PFS ( P=0.741), nor were the other 11 signatures before or after adjustment for TcellinfGEP. ORR for DNA variants reported in the table. Conclusions: In this exploratory analysis of pts with metastatic RCC enrolled in Study 111/KEYNOTE-146 treated with lenva + pembro, responses were observed regardless of biomarker status. There were no statistically significant associations between gene signatures and clinical outcomes. Clinical benefit was observed regardless of VHL, PBRM1, BAP1, or SETD2 mutation status. Analyses in larger randomized datasets will provide additional information on the role of biomarkers in RCC. Clinical trial information: NCT02501096. [Table: see text]

Efficacy and safety of erdafitinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: long-term follow-up of a phase 2 study

BACKGROUND

Erdafitinib, a pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was shown to be clinically active and tolerable in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma and prespecified FGFR alterations in the primary analysis of the BLC2001 study at median 11 months of follow-up. We aimed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the selected regimen of erdafitinib determined in the initial part of the study.

METHODS

The open-label, non-comparator, phase 2, BLC2001 study was done at 126 medical centres in 14 countries across Asia, Europe, and North America. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with locally advanced and unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, at least one prespecified FGFR alteration, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and progressive disease after receiving at least one systemic chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy or were ineligible for cisplatin. The selected regimen determined in the initial part of the study was continuous once daily 8 mg/day oral erdafitinib in 28-day cycles, with provision for pharmacodynamically guided uptitration to 9 mg/day (8 mg/day UpT). The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed confirmed objective response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1. Efficacy and safety were analysed in all treated patients who received at least one dose of erdafitinib. This is the final analysis of this study. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02365597.

FINDINGS

Between May 25, 2015, and Aug 9, 2018, 2328 patients were screened, of whom 212 were enrolled and 101 were treated with the selected erdafitinib 8 mg/day UpT regimen. The data cutoff date for this analysis was Aug 9, 2019. Median efficacy follow-up was 24·0 months (IQR 22·7-26·6). The investigator-assessed objective response rate for patients treated with the selected erdafitinib regimen was 40 (40%; 95% CI 30-49) of 101 patients. The safety profile remained similar to that in the primary analysis, with no new safety signals reported with longer follow-up. Grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events of any causality occurred in 72 (71%) of 101 patients. The most common grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events of any cause were stomatitis (in 14 [14%] of 101 patients) and hyponatraemia (in 11 [11%]). There were no treatment-related deaths.

INTERPRETATION

With longer follow-up, treatment with the selected regimen of erdafitinib showed consistent activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma and prespecified FGFR alterations.

FUNDING

Janssen Research & Development.

Prediction of Chemotoxicity, Unplanned Hospitalizations and Early Death in Older Patients with Colorectal Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy

Simple Summary

Chemotoxicity, unplanned hospitalizations (Uhs) and early death (ED) are common among older patients with cancer who receive chemotherapy. Our objective was to determine factors predicting these complications. A predictive score for these three complications based on geriatric, tumor and laboratory variables was developed in a series of 215 older patients with colorectal carcinoma receiving chemotherapy. The use of this score may reliably identify patients at risk to have excessive toxicity with chemotherapy, UH or ED, thus helping to plan treatment, implement adaptive measures, and intensify follow-up.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify risk factors for toxicity, unplanned hospitalization (UH) and early death (ED) in older patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) initiating chemotherapy. Methods: 215 patients over 70 years were prospectively included. Geriatric assessment was performed before treatment, and tumor and treatment variables were collected. The association between these factors and grade 3–5 toxicity, UH and ED (<6 months) was examined by using multivariable logistic regression. Score points were assigned to each risk factor. Results: During the first 6 months of treatment, 33% of patients developed grade 3–5 toxicity, 31% had UH and 23% died. Risk factors were, for toxicity, instrumental activities of daily living, creatinine clearance, weight loss and MAX2 index; for UH, Charlson Comorbidity Score, creatinine clearance, weight loss, serum albumin, and metastatic disease; and for ED, basic activities in daily living, weight loss, metastatic disease, and hemoglobin levels. Predictive scores were built with these variables. The areas under receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves for toxicity, UH and ED were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.64–0.766), 0.726 (95% IC: 0.661–0.799) and 0.74 (95% IC: 0.678–0.809), respectively. Conclusion: Simple scores based on geriatric, tumor and laboratory characteristics predict severe toxicity, UH and ED, and may help in treatment planning.

Antisenescence in vitro potency of extracellular vesicles secreted by cardiosphere-derived cells predicts the antihypertrophic effect in a rat model of cardiac ageing

Background

Cardiac ageing is characterized by hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction and related with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, an unmet medical need for treatments development. Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) have demonstrated glimpses of efficacy in old animals with cardiac dysfunction, however variability of effect among different CDC-donors is observed.

Purpose

To identify markers of in vitro potency of CDCs and to test it in an in vivo model of cardiac ageing.

Methods

CDCs were derived from cardiac biopsies of forty patients (age range 0 - 81 years old, 16 females) who underwent cardiac surgery for other reasons. CDC-secreted extracellular vesicles (CDC-EVs) were purified and used in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Since anti-ageing effect was targeted in vivo, in vitro potency of CDC-EVs was checked in terms of their anti-senescence bioactivity. A panel of six parameters (genetic, secretory and cellular) related with cellular senescence were analysed in vitro for all 40-donors CDC-EVs and those with most favourable and unfavourable profiles were classified as potent (P-EVs) and non-potent (NP-EVs), respectively. P-EVs and NP-EVs were then tested in vivo in 25 rats with D-galactose-induced cardiac ageing and 7-healthy controls in a randomized blinded study.

Results

In vitro, despite variations in the extent of the observed effect, all CDC-EVs significantly reduced cellular senescence and increased IL-6 secretion of human cardiac stromal cells. Most CDC-EVs decreased the expression of senescence-related genes (p21, p16, p53, TGF-b). Based on the observed profiles as P-EVs were selected CDC-EVs from 75- and 14-years old donors and as NP-EVs from 73-years old. In vivo, 3-months old SD-rats (30% female) after 3-months of daily intraperitoneal injections of saline (healthy control) or D-Gal, were randomly allocated (D-Gal group) to receive intraperitoneal injection of saline (sham control, n=12), P-EVs (n=7), NP-EVs (n=6) and followed-up for one month. While sham control group developed myocardial hypertrophy compared to healthy control animals (heart/body weight 2.7 vs. 2.2 mg/gr, p=0.03), this effect was prevented by P-EVs but not by NP-EVs (2.5 vs. 2.9 mg/gr, p=0.02). This finding was in parallel to the levels of serum antioxidants which were increased in sham vs healthy (p=0.02) and in sham vs. P-EVs (p=0.01) but levels in NP-EVs were similar to the sham group.

Conclusions

Anti-senescence in vitro effect of CDC-EVs is correlated to their therapeutic efficacy in vivo model of cardiac ageing. The relevance of this study is double: identification of senescence-related markers as determinant of therapeutic potency of the tested product and confirming the potential utility of CDC-EVs as therapy for cardiac ageing-related pathologies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaciόn,CIBERCV, Spain

The impact of the cardiac rehabilitation program in patients with mid-range heart failure (40-50%) in improving cardio respiratory predictors

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central

Methods

We studied 30 patients (P) with ejection fraction (EF) 40-50%, in a number of 198 P that participated in cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). Of these P, 24 (80%) male and 6 (20%) female, 20 P were diagnosed myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation, 2 P myocardial infarction non ST and 8 P with myocardial hypertrophy non ischemic. Of these P 30% were diabetics, 56% hypertension, 70% dyslipidemia, 36% smokers previous to CRP and body mass index 26,3 medium.

All P were submitted to previous echocardiogram, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CET) and a rehabilitation program minimum 4 sessions and maximum 52 sessions. At the end of the total sessions the echocardiogram and CET were repeated.

Results

Of the 30 P that participated in CRP only 20 completed the program, while the other 10 P dropped out because of social and economic problems. Of the P that completed the CRP, 70% got better on EF, 80% improved VE/VCO2 slope &lt; 33 therefore are classified VC-II in ventilatory classification (VC), 5% VE/VCO2 slope &gt; 40  VC-III classification, and 15% maintained the initial classification.  50% of the P increased at least one level metabolic equivalent of task (MET) from the first CET. Only 3 of the 20 patients came, once, to the hospital after the CRP with heart failure, and one died but did not fulfill the program.

Conclusion

Patients with mid-range heart failure submitted to a CRP can improve cardiorespiratory predictors, leading to a better quality of life. However, it is important to find solutions to minimize the causes that make patients to give up CRP.

The role of periodontal bacteria, Porphyromonas Gingivalis, in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and aggravation: a review

The aim of this study was to establish the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer's disease. An electronic search of publications was established from three electronic databases: Cochrane, PubMed and Web of Science. The search strategy used a combination of controlled vocabulary and free-text words. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined by the authors before the start of the study. The inclusion criteria were: all studies published in English language; in vitro analysis; in vivo on animals and postmortem biopsies on humans; studies analyzing the correlation between periodontal disease and Alzheimer. The search resulted in 262 titles. Only 9 articles were included in the quantitative analysis. An inflammatory status in the oral cavity might be connect to a brain degeneration syndrome such as dementia and AD. However, a strictly connection is still not evincible. More trials are recommended in order to investigate the role of periodontal bacteria and Porphyromonas gingivalis in AD pathogenesis and aggravation.

Upper-lip laser frenectomy with a diode laser in a pediatric patient: a case report

The case report aims to describe the parameters of performing upper labial frenectomy with the use of diode laser beams without infiltrated local anaesthesia. A 6-year-old patient was referred by the orthodontist for assessment of the upper anterior labial frenum. The dental treatment plan reported only the presence of caries on deciduous teeth and seals on the first permanent molars. The clinical examination reported the presence of a high attachments of labial frenum with a pathologically attachment and the presence of a diastema supports this theory. The laser used to remove the frenulum was a diode laser used with a wavelength of 980 nm with 320 microns of fiber in contact with a power of 2.0 W in continuous wave mode. The clinical examination showed an acceptable healing by secondary intention of the wound and the initial functional recovery of a physiological upper lip movements. The patient reported that the procedure was well tolerated. The diode laser can be used with good result for the removal of pathological frenum. The diode laser can be used in pediatric dentistry because of its application, adequate coagulation, no need for sutures and less inflammation and pain.

Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in patients with either treatment-naive or previously treated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (Study 111/KEYNOTE-146): a phase 1b/2 study

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), there is an unmet need for options to address disease progression during or after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Pembrolizumab and lenvatinib are active as monotherapies in RCC; thus, we aimed to evaluate the combination of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in these patients.

METHODS

We report results of the metastatic RCC cohort from an open-label phase 1b/2 study of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in patients aged at least 18 years with selected solid tumours and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1. Oral lenvatinib at 20 mg was given once daily along with intravenous pembrolizumab at 200 mg once every 3 weeks. Patients remained on study drug treatment until disease progression, development of unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. Efficacy was analysed in patients with clear cell metastatic RCC receiving study drug by previous therapy grouping: treatment naive, previously treated ICI naive (previously treated with at least one line of therapy but not with an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 ICI), and ICI pretreated (ie, anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1) patients. Safety was analysed in all enrolled and treated patients. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate at week 24 per immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (irRECIST) by investigator assessment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02501096) and with the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT2017-000300-26), and is closed to new participants.

FINDINGS

Between July 21, 2015, and Oct 16, 2019, 145 patients were enrolled in the study. Two patients had non-clear cell RCC and were excluded from the efficacy analysis (one in the treatment-naive group and one in the ICI-pretreated group); thus, the population evaluated for efficacy comprised 143 patients (n=22 in the treatment-naive group, n=17 in the previously treated ICI-naive group, and n=104 in the ICI-pretreated group). All 145 enrolled patients were included in the safety analysis. The median follow-up was 19·8 months (IQR 14·3-28·4). The number of patients with an objective response at week 24 by irRECIST was 16 (72·7%, 95% CI 49·8-89·3) of 22 treatment-naive patients, seven (41·2%, 18·4-67·1) of 17 previously treated ICI-naive patients, and 58 (55·8%, 45·7-65·5) of 104 ICI-pretreated patients. Of 145 patients, 82 (57%) had grade 3 treatment-related adverse events and ten (7%) had grade 4 treatment-related adverse events. The most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse event was hypertension (30 [21%] of 145 patients). Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 36 (25%) patients, and there were three treatment-related deaths (upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, sudden death, and pneumonia).

INTERPRETATION

Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab showed encouraging antitumour activity and a manageable safety profile and might be an option for post-ICI treatment of metastatic RCC.

FUNDING

Eisai and Merck Sharp & Dohme.

AB0317 ADHERENCE TO MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND NUTRITIONAL STATE IN ITALIAN WOMEN WITH ISOLATED SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME

Background:

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects1,2 suggesting a protective role in rheumatic diseases. There is limited knowledge about the eating habits and the nutritional state in patients with isolated Sjögren Syndrome (SS) living within the Mediterranean area.

Objectives:

assessment of adherence to the MD and analysis of the nutritional state in women with SS and their correlations with the clinical, laboratory and histological data of the disease.

Methods:

patients classified as isolated SS according to AECG criteria 20023 who had undergone to minor salivary gland biopsy during the previous twelve months were consecutively enrolled during follow-up visits. The adherence to the MD was assessed by the Med Diet (MDiet)4 which includes eleven groups of foods; to each group is assigned a value ranging between 0 and 5 based on the frequency of monthly intake. The total score spans from 0 (poor adherence) to 55 (maximum adherence). The level of physical activity was measured by the 6-minutes walking test (6MWT) and by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Systemic disease activity was evaluated with the EULAR SS disease activity index (ESSDAI); EULAR SS patient-reported index (ESSPRI) was calculated as well. A subgroup of patients was asked to fill a daily food diary processed with FOOD CONS software which allows to study in detail their eating habits. Nutritional state, muscle strength and basal metabolic rate were assessed. Alcoholism or drug abuse, diabetes mellitus, specific dietary models, treatment with drugs and/or food supplements with anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant activity were considered exclusion criteria. Multivariate linear regression was performed with R project for Statistical Computing.

Results:

N= 40 N= 26Age, median (range) 53 (25-80) 33 (25-71)BMI, median (range) 21 (19-29.3) 25.1 (19-33.7)MedDiet score, median (range) 33 (26-43) 33 (23-40)ESSDAI, median (range) 2 (0-16) 1 (0-16)ESSPRI, median (range) 6 (0-8.6) 5.3 (1.6-9)ESSPRI dryness, median (range) 6 (0-10) 6 (2-10)Focus score, median (range) 2.5 (0-9.6) 1.7 (0.8-6.24)ASM kg, median (range) - 16.8 (13.3-21.7)IPAQ meters, median (range) - 1386 (99-11865)6MWT meters, median (range) - 595 (536-680)

BMI, body mass index; ASM appendicular skeletal mass; IPAQ International Physical Activity Questionnaire; 6MWT, six minute walking test.

MDiet was administered to 40 female SS outpatients. Even if not reaching significativity, patients with a higher focus score in their MSG have a lower value of MDiet score (p = 0.058, r = -1.00). The MDiet score is not associated with ESSDAI (p = 0.85, r 0.02), but only with lower serum levels of C3 (p = 0.004, r = - 0.08).

In 26 patients, daily food questionnaire shows that their diet consists of 43% of carbohydrates while fats represent 40% of total energy intake, the remaining 17% daily energy comes from proteins. Fat consumption is higher compared to the levels of energy and nutrient intake for the Italian population5. Six patients had a reduction in muscle mass; sarcopenia is not associated to ESSDAI (p = 0.610).The MDiet score and the amount eaten of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were reduced in patients with high value of subscale dryness of ESSPRI (p = 0.057, r -1.21; p =0.610, r -1.00).

Conclusion:

This study highlights a lower degree of glandular lymphocytic infiltration (expressed as focus score) in minor salivary glands in patients following MD, so its anti-inflammatory role of seems to be confirmed. SS patients have an unbalanced diet because of a higher intake of fat foods, likely for their lubricating effect. Despite the absence of correlation with objective parameters, the increased dryness in patients with a reduced intake of PUFA arouses our interest in a future study including omega-3 supplementation.

References:

[1]Schwingshackl L et al., Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2014

[2]Mena MP et al., Am J Clin Nutr. 2009

[3]Vitali C et al, ARD 2002

[4]Panagiotakos D et al., J Med Food 2007

[5]LARN 2014

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Retrospective study for the characterization of COVID-19 in renal cancer (COVID-REN) patients treated with antiangiogenics or immunotherapy and outcome comparison with non-infected cases

4577

Background: Cancer is recognized as a major risk factor for severe COVID19. However little is known about the impact of oncologic treatments in the evolution of the disease. On the other hand, the influence of SARS-CoV2 in cancer response remains to be established. We aim to determine both aspects in renal cancer patients receiving different therapeutic options. Methods: We designed a retrospective case-control study to compare the outcome of patients with advanced renal cancer who developed COVID19 under antiangiogenic treatment (cohort A [ChA]) vs immunotherapy (alone or in combination: cohort B [ChB]) vs matched controls (cohort C [ChC]). Controls were renal cancer patients who were not infected during the period of study. One control per case was selected regarding age, gender, kidney cancer histology and type of treatment. Results: From May 20 to Feb 21, 80 patients were recruited. We present the first 55 patients included (15 ChA, 16 ChB and 20 ChC, 4 patients were screening failure) from 13 centers in Spain. Median age was 62 (range 25 to 88) overall and 62 (range 44 to 88) in Ch A, 64,5 (range 42 to 83) in ChB and 61 (range 41 to 77) in ChC. 38 patients were male and 13 were female. Overall 45 cases were clear cell carcinoma (13 ChA, 14 ChB and 18 ChC), 4 papillary (1 ChA, 2 ChB and 1 ChC), 1 chromophobe (ChA) and 1 unclassified (ChC). Median number of prior lines of treatment was 2 (range 1 to 6) overall, (1 [range 1 to 4] in ChA, 2 [range 1 to 4] in ChB and 2 [range 1 to 6] in ChC). 25 patients required treatment interruptions (8 in ChA [32%], 14 in ChB [56%] and 3 [12%] in ChC). 9 patients were hospitalized (4 in Ch A, 5 in ChB and none in ChC) for a median of 10 days (range 4 to 16) overall (7 [range 4 to 14] in ChA and 12 [range 5 to 16] in ChB). No patient required ICU admission. Best tumor response was complete or partial (CR+PR) in 25 patients (5 [20%] in ChA, 9 [36%] in ChB and 11 [44%] in ChC). Clinical benefit (CR+PR+stable disease) was observed in 38 patients (11 [28,9%] in ChA, 10 [26,3%] in ChB and 17 [44,7%] in ChC). One patient in ChB died (due to COVID19). Updated results will be presented. Conclusions: Patients with renal cancer who developed COVID19 held treatment more frequently and presented lower clinical benefit rates than non infected cases. Patients receiving immunotherapy required more frequent dose interruptions and longer hospitalizations than cases on antiangiogenics. These results point to an impact of SARS-CoV2 in renal cancer outcome. Therapies administered to treat renal cancer, could play a role in the evolution of COVID19.

AUREA study: Atezolizumab (Atezo) combined with split-dose gemcitabine plus cisplatin (s-GC) in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (LA/mUC): A SOGUG study

TPS4589

Background: First-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy (70 mg/m2) is the standard of care for LA/mUC patients (pts). However, about 50% will be ineligible for Cisplatin according to Galsky´s criteria. Moreover, a significant proportion of cisplatin-fit pts will receive carboplatin based on physician criteria. s-GC represents a feasible alternative in such situations, and could improve response rate compared to carboplatin regimens. Atezo is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor that is approved as first line treatment for cisplatin-ineligible LA/mUC pts with PD-L1 expression ≥5% (Ventana SP142). We present the study design of a phase II single arm trial of Atezo +s-GC in previously untreated pts with LA/mUC (NCT04602078). Methods: This single arm, open-label, multicenter study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Atezo +s-GC in previously untreated pts with LA/mUC. 66 pts will be enrolled and receive s-GC x 6 cycles (Cisplatin 35mg/m2 + Gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 Q3W) and Atezo (1200 mg IV Q3W), followed by Atezo (1200 mg IV Q3W) until disease progression, toxicity or absence of clinical benefit. Eligibility criteria include histologically confirmed unresectable LA/mUC, measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 and adequate organ and marrow. Pts must be unfit for full cisplatin dose based on: age > 70 years, PS ECOG 0-2, creatinine Clearance >30 and <60 mL/min per Cockroft-Gault formula or by 24-hour urine collection. Other reasons for cisplatin ineligibility as considered by investigator, including those uncovered by Galsky´s criteria, will be allowed, prior discussion with PI. Exclusion criteria include prior systemic therapy for LA/mUC (adjuvant/neoadjuvant allowed if finished > 12 months prior to inclusion), prior autoimmune disease and uncontrolled significant illnesses. The primary endpoint is ORR per RECIST 1.1 assessed by investigator; the secondary endpoints are DoR, OS, PFS and safety. Biomarker analysis, including PD-L1 expression and microbiome relationship, will be an exploratory objective. The first two patients were enrolled in February 2021. Clinical trial information: NCT04602078.

Lenvatinib (LEN) + pembrolizumab (PEMBRO) treatment in patients (pts) with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC): Final results of a phase 1b/2 trial

e16542

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are commonly used as first-line treatment for pts with advanced RCC. In the recent phase 3 CLEAR trial, LEN + PEMBRO showed improved objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) vs sunitinib in first-line treatment of advanced RCC (Motzer R et al. NEJM. 2021). Additional treatment options are needed for pts with disease progression on ICIs. A phase 1b trial of LEN + PEMBRO was performed in multiple tumor types and included an expansion part into a phase 2 cohort of ICI-pretreated, treatment-naïve, or previously treated ICI-naïve pts with metastatic RCC (NCT02501096). We report the final results of the RCC cohort with an extended follow-up. Methods: Eligible pts were ≥18 years old and had measurable disease. Efficacy analyses were conducted by prior therapy grouping. The primary endpoint was ORR at week 24 (ORRwk24) per immune-related (ir) RECIST by investigator assessment. Secondary endpoints included ORR, duration of response (DOR), PFS, OS, and safety. Exploratory endpoints included tumor response assessed per RECIST v1.1 by independent review committee (IRC). Subgroup analyses of the ICI-pretreated group will be included in the poster. Results: The recommended doses determined in phase 1b were LEN 20 mg daily + PEMBRO 200 mg once every 3 weeks (Taylor M et al. JCO. 2020). The study enrolled 145 pts (efficacy analysis, n=143; safety analysis, n=145). At data cutoff (August 18, 2020), the median follow-up time was 19.8 months. The ORRwk24 was 55.8% (95% CI 45.7–65.5) for ICI-pretreated pts (n=104), 72.7% (95% CI 49.8–89.3) for treatment-naïve pts (n=22), and 41.2% (95% CI 18.4–67.1) for previously treated ICI-naïve pts (n=17). The median OS for the previously treated ICI-naïve pts was 30.3 months and was not reached in the other groups. Additional efficacy analyses are shown in the table. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 99.3% of pts; the most common were fatigue (58.6%), diarrhea (55.2%), and hypertension (40.0%). Most pts (69%) maintained the LEN starting dose or were reduced to LEN 14 mg daily (dose level −1). Conclusions: LEN + PEMBRO demonstrated promising antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile in pts with metastatic RCC, including pts who were ICI-pretreated. Clinical trial information: NCT02501096. [Table: see text]

Development and Validation of an Early Mortality Risk Score for Older Patients Treated with Chemotherapy for Cancer

Background: Estimation of life expectancy in older patients is relevant to select the best treatment strategy. We aimed to develop and validate a score to predict early mortality in older patients with cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 749 patients over 70 years starting new chemotherapy regimens were prospectively included. A prechemotherapy assessment that included sociodemographic variables, tumor/treatment variables, and geriatric assessment variables was performed. Association between these factors and early death was examined using multivariable logistic regression. Score points were assigned to each risk factor. External validation was performed on an independent cohort. Results: In the training cohort, the independent predictors of 6-month mortality were metastatic stage (OR 4.8, 95% CI [2.4–9.6]), ECOG-PS 2 (OR 2.3, 95% CI [1.1–5.2]), ADL ≤ 5 (OR 1.7, 95% CI [1.1–3.5]), serum albumin levels ≤ 3.5 g/dL (OR 3.4, 95% CI [1.7–6.6]), BMI < 23 kg/m² (OR 2.5, 95% CI [1.3–4.9]), and hemoglobin levels < 11 g/dL (OR 2.4, 95% CI (1.2–4.7)). With these results, we built a prognostic score. The area under the ROC curve was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.73 to 0.84), and in the validation set, it was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.67–0.79). Conclusions: This simple and highly accurate tool can help physicians making decisions in elderly patients with cancer who are planned to initiate chemotherapy treatment.

Lithium treatment and estimate glomerular filtration rate in bipolar disorder patients: A cross-sectional study

Introduction

Lithium has been the mainstay therapy for bipolar disorder (BD) for decades, but there is little consensus regarding its possible effects on kidney function and the rate of change in estimated glomerular flow rate (eGFR) over time.

Objectives

To describe patients with BD regarding their renal function and their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics potentially related to eGFR.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with an initial sample of 95 patients with BD. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to investigate the association of lithium serum levels and their duration of treatment with eGFR, independent of confounding factors. We excluded patients without data regarding any of the variables from the final model.

Results

In the multivariable analysis, the model was composed of eight variables (Figure 1). The mean duration of treatment was 10 years (Figure 2). Serum lithium level was associated with low levels of eGFR (β = -18.06 [-34.70 - -1.42], p = 0.03); among the other variables, only age remained associated with it (β = -0.72 (-1.10 - -0.33), p = <0.01).

Prediction of Unplanned Hospitalizations in Older Patients Treated with Chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of unplanned hospitalization (UH) and to identify risk factors for UH in elderly patients with cancer who start chemotherapy.

METHODS

In all, 493 patients over 70 years starting new chemotherapy regimens were prospectively included. A pre-chemotherapy geriatric assessment was performed, and tumor and treatment variables were collected. The association between these factors and UH was examined by using multivariable logistic regression. Score points were assigned to each risk factor.

RESULTS

During the first 6 months of treatment, 37% of patients had at least one episode of UH. Risk factors were the use of combination chemotherapy at standard doses, a MAX2 index ≥1, a Charlson comorbidity score ≥2, albumin level <3.5 g/dL, falls in the past 6 months ≥1, and weight loss >5%. Three risk groups for UH were established according to the score in all patients: 0-1: 17.5%; 2: 34%; and 3-7: 57% (p < 0.001). The area under receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.67-0.77).

CONCLUSION

This simple tool can help to reduce the incidence of UH in elderly patients with cancer who are scheduled to initiate chemotherapy treatment.

The targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults by the Canadian food and beverage industry on television: a cross-sectional study

Unhealthy food advertising can negatively impact children's food preferences and nutritional health. In Canada, only companies participating in the self-regulatory Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CAI) commit to limiting unhealthy food advertising to children. We analyzed food advertising from 182 Canadian television stations in 2018. A principal component analysis explored patterns of advertising by 497 food companies and their targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents, and adults. Chi-square analyses tested differences in the volume of advertising between target age groups by heavily advertising food companies and by CAI-participating and non-participating companies. In 2018, Maple Leaf Foods, Boulangerie St-Méthode, Exceldor Foods, Goodfood Market and Sobeys advertised most frequently during preschooler-programming. General Mills, Kellogg's, the Topps Company, Parmalat and Post Foods advertised most frequently during child-programming, while Burger King, McDonald's, General Mills, Kellogg's and Wendy's advertised most frequently during adolescent-programming. CAI-participating companies were responsible for over half of the food advertising broadcast during programs targeted to children (55%), while they accounted for less than half of the food advertising aired during programs targeting preschoolers (24%), adolescents (41%) and adults (42%). Statutory food advertising restrictions are needed to limit food companies' targeting of young people on television in Canada. Novelty: Advertising from fast food restaurant chains dominated television programming targeted to adolescents in 2018. Advertising from breakfast cereal, candy, and snack manufacturers dominated television programming targeted at children in 2018. Over 100 Canadian and transnational companies contravened broadcast restrictions on advertising to preschoolers in 2018.