Immune cell distribution and DNA methylation signatures differ between tumor and stroma enriched compartment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

The presence of abundant tumor stroma is a prominent characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) that potentially influences disease progression and therapy response. This study aims to investigate immune cell infiltration and epigenetic profiles in tumor cell enriched ("Tumor") and stroma cell enriched ("Stroma") regions within human PDAC tissue samples. By comparing those regions, we identified 25,410 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) distributed across 6,963 unique genes. Pathway enrichment analysis using the top 2,000 DMPs that were either hyper- or hypomethylated indicated that immune response pathways and the estrogen receptor pathway are epigenetically dysregulated in Tumor and Stroma regions, respectively. In terms of immune cell infiltration, we observed overall low levels of T cells in both regions. In Tumor regions however, occurrence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) was higher than in Stroma regions (p = 0.02) concomitant with a dualistic distribution that stratifies PDAC patients into those with high and low TAM infiltration. By categorizing TAM levels into quartiles, our analysis revealed that PDAC patients with more than 1,515 TAMs per mm² exhibited significantly shorter overall survival (p = 0.036). Our data suggest that variations in inflammatory characteristics between the Tumor and Stroma defined compartments of PDAC may primarily stem from the presence of macrophages rather than lymphocytes. The abundance of TAMs within regions enriched with tumor cells correlates with patient survival, underscoring the potential significance of exploring therapeutic interventions targeting TAMs. Furthermore, directing attention towards the estrogen receptor pathway may represent a promising strategy to address the stroma cell component within the PDAC tumor microenvironment.

DNA Methylation Signatures Correlate with Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Melanoma

BACKGROUND

DNA methylation profiles have emerged as potential predictors of therapeutic response in various solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the DNA methylation profiles of patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma undergoing first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment and evaluate their correlation with a radiological response according to immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST).

METHODS

A total of 81 tissue samples from 71 patients with metastatic melanoma (27 female, 44 male) were included in this study. We utilized Illumina Methylation EPIC Beadchips to retrieve their genome-wide methylation profile by interrogating >850,000 CpG sites. Clustering based on the 500 most differentially methylated genes was conducted to identify distinct methylation patterns associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor response. Results were further aligned with an independent, previously published data set.

RESULTS

The median progression-free survival was 8.5 months (range: 0-104.1 months), and the median overall survival was 30.6 months (range: 0-104.1 months). Objective responses were observed in 29 patients (40.8%). DNA methylation profiling revealed specific signatures that correlated with radiological response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Three distinct clusters were identified based on the methylation patterns of the 500 most differentially methylated genes. Cluster 1 (12/12) and cluster 2 (12/24) exhibited a higher proportion of responders, while cluster 3 (39/45) predominantly consisted of non-responders. In the validation data set, responders also showed more frequent hypomethylation although differences in the data sets limit the interpretation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that DNA methylation profiling of tumor tissues might serve as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor response in patients with metastatic melanoma. Further validation studies are warranted to confirm the efficiency of DNA methylation profiling as a predictive tool in the context of immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma.

Prognosticators of survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and ascites

BACKGROUND

Identification of factors associated with survival after ascites diagnosis in metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) patients may guide treatment decisions and help to maintain quality of life in this highly symptomatic patient collective.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients treated for mPC at the Medical University of Vienna between 2010 and 2019 developing ascites throughout their course of disease were identified by retrospective chart review. General risk factors, metastatic sites, systemic inflammation and liver function parameters, as well as type of treatment after ascites diagnosis were investigated for associations with survival.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventeen mPC patients with ascites were included in this study. Median time from mPC to ascites diagnosis was 8.9 months (range 0-99 months) and median overall survival (OS) after ascites diagnosis was 27.4 days (range 21.3-42.6 days). Identified prognostic factors at ascites diagnosis independently associated with an impaired OS were presence of liver metastases [hazard ratio (HR): 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-3.79, P = 0.018), peritoneal carcinomatosis (HR: 1.74, 95% CI 1.11-2.71, P = 0.015), and portal vein obstruction (HR: 2.52, 95% CI 1.29-4.90, P = 0.007). Compared with best supportive care, continuation of systemic therapy after ascites diagnosis was independently associated with survival (HR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.20-0.61, P < 0.001) with a median OS of 62 days (95% CI 51-129 days, P < 0.001) versus 16 days (95% CI 11-24 days), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver and peritoneal metastases as well as portal vein obstruction were found to be prognostic factors after ascites diagnosis in mPC patients. Continuation of systemic therapy after ascites diagnosis was associated with a longer OS, which needs to be evaluated in larger clinical trials including quality-of-life assessment.

Frequent Overexpression of HER3 in Brain Metastases from Breast and Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

HER3 belongs to a family of receptor tyrosine kinases with oncogenic properties and is targeted by a variety of novel anticancer agents. There is a huge unmet medical need for systemic treatment options in patients with brain metastases (BM). Therefore, we aimed to investigate HER3 expression in BM of breast (BCa) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as the basis for future clinical trial design.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We analyzed 180 BM samples of breast cancer or NSCLC and 47 corresponding NSCLC extracranial tissue. IHC was performed to evaluate protein expression of HER3, and immune cells based on CD3, CD8, and CD68. To identify dysregulated pathways based on differential DNA methylation patterns, we used Infinium MethylationEPIC microarrays.

RESULTS

A total of 99/132 (75.0%) of BCa-BM and 35/48 (72.9%) of NSCLC-BM presented with HER3 expression. Among breast cancer, HER2-positive and HER2-low BM showed significantly higher rates of HER3 coexpression than HER2-negative BM (87.1%/85.7% vs. 61.0%, P = 0.004). Among NSCLC, HER3 was more abundantly expressed in BM than in matched extracranial samples (72.9% vs. 41.3%, P = 0.003). No correlation of HER3 expression and intratumoral immune cell density was observed. HER3 expression did not correlate with overall survival from BM diagnosis. Methylation signatures differed according to HER3 status in BCa-BM samples. Pathway analysis revealed subtype-specific differences, such as TrkB and Wnt signaling pathways dysregulated in HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer BM, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HER3 is highly abundant in BM of breast cancer and NSCLC. Given the promising results of antibody-drug conjugates in extracranial disease, BM-specific trials that target HER3 are warranted. See related commentary by Kabraji and Lin, p. 2961.

Clinical characteristics, treatment, and long-term outcome of patients with brain metastases from thyroid cancer

Brain metastases (BM) in patients with thyroid cancer (TC) are rare with an incidence of 1% for papillary and follicular, 3% for medullary and up to 10% for anaplastic TC (PTC, FTC, MTC and ATC). Little is known about the characteristics and management of BM from TC. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed patients with histologically verified TC and radiologically verified BM identified from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry. A total of 20/6074 patients included in the database since 1986 had BM from TC and 13/20 were female. Ten patients had FTC, 8 PTC, one MTC and one ATC. The median age at diagnosis of BM was 68 years. All but one had symptomatic BM and 13/20 patients had a singular BM. Synchronous BM at primary diagnosis were found in 6 patients, while the median time to BM diagnosis was 13 years for PTC (range 1.9-24), 4 years for FTC (range 2.1-41) and 22 years for the MTC patient. The overall survival from diagnosis of BM was 13 months for PTC (range 1.8-57), 26 months for FTC (range 3.9-188), 12 years for the MTC and 3 months for the ATC patient. In conclusion, development of BM from TC is exceedingly rare and the most common presentation is a symptomatic single lesion. While BM generally constitute a poor prognostic factor, individual patients experience long-term survival following local therapy.

Challenges in oncology career: are we closing the gender gap? Results of the new ESMO Women for Oncology Committee survey

BACKGROUND

Following a European Society for Medical Oncology Women for Oncology (ESMO W4O) survey in 2016 showing severe under-representation of female oncologists in leadership roles, ESMO launched a series of initiatives to address obstacles to gender equity. A follow-up survey in October 2021 investigated progress achieved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The W4O questionnaire 2021 expanded on the 2016 survey, with additional questions on the impact of ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion on career development. Results were analysed according to respondent gender and age.

RESULTS

The survey sample was larger than in 2016 (n = 1473 versus 482), especially among men. Significantly fewer respondents had managerial or leadership roles than in 2016 (31.8% versus 51.7%). Lack of leadership development for women and unconscious bias were considered more important in 2021 than in 2016. In 2021, more people reported harassment in the workplace than in 2016 (50.3% versus 41.0%). In 2021, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion were considered to have little or no impact on professional career opportunities, salary setting or related potential pay gap. However, gender had a significant or major impact on career development (25.5% of respondents), especially in respondents ≤40 years of age and women. As in 2016, highest ranked initiatives to foster workplace equity were promotion of work-life balance, development and leadership training and flexible working. Significantly more 2021 respondents (mainly women) supported the need for culture and gender equity education at work than in 2016.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender remains a major barrier to career progression in oncology and, although some obstacles may have been reduced since 2016, we are a long way from closing the gender gap. Increased reporting of discrimination and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace is a major, priority concern. The W4O 2021 survey findings provide new evidence and highlight the areas for future ESMO interventions to support equity and diversity in oncology career development.

Macrophage and monocyte subsets as new therapeutic targets in cancer immunotherapy

The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of solid cancers dramatically turned the tables in clinical routine. However, therapy success is still limited with up to 70% of non-responders in patients with ICI treatment. Traditionally, most immunotherapy approaches aim at directly stimulating anti-tumor T cell responses. More recently, tumor-associated macrophages have come into focus due to their predominance in solid tumors. Intensive cross-talk with tumor cells and immune as well as stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment can drive either pro- or anti-tumorigenic macrophage phenotypes. In turn, tumor-associated macrophages strongly shape cytokine and metabolite levels in the tumor microenvironment and thus are central players in anti-tumor immunity. Thus, ambivalent macrophage populations exist which raises therapeutic possibilities to either enhance or diminish their functionality. However, molecular signals controlling tumor-associated macrophage polarization are incompletely understood. Gaining in-depth understanding of monocyte/macrophage properties both in circulation and within distinct tumor microenvironments would (i) allow the development of new therapeutic approaches, and (ii) could additionally aid our understanding of underlying mechanisms limiting current therapy with the option of combinatorial therapies to increase efficacy. In this review, we summarize recent data addressing heterogeneity of tumor-associated macrophage populations and we discuss strategies to target macrophages using known molecular pathways with the potential for straight-forward clinical application.

Direct image to subtype prediction for brain tumors using deep learning

Background

Deep Learning (DL) can predict molecular alterations of solid tumors directly from routine histopathology slides. Since the 2021 update of the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria, the classification of brain tumors integrates both histopathological and molecular information. We hypothesize that DL can predict molecular alterations as well as WHO subtyping of brain tumors from hematoxylin and eosin-stained histopathology slides.

Methods

We used weakly supervised DL and applied it to three large cohorts of brain tumor samples, comprising N = 2845 patients.

Results

We found that the key molecular alterations for subtyping, IDH and ATRX, as well as 1p19q codeletion, were predictable from histology with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.95, 0.90, and 0.80 in the training cohort, respectively. These findings were upheld in external validation cohorts with AUROCs of 0.90, 0.79, and 0.87 for prediction of IDH, ATRX, and 1p19q codeletion, respectively.

Conclusions

In the future, such DL-based implementations could ease diagnostic workflows, particularly for situations in which advanced molecular testing is not readily available.

P11.55.B Postoperative MRI is able to detect an unexpected residual tumor after surgery of brain metastases: experience from 5 specialized centers

Background

Brain metastases (BM) constitute the most common central nervous system tumors. The treatment options of BM consist of surgery, radiotherapy, radiosurgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Regarding surgery in BM, the extent of resection (EOR) represents a crucial factor for patient prognosis. However, first studies using postoperative MRI demonstrated that an unexpected residual tumor after surgery of BM is not uncommon despite these tumors were considered to be well-demarcated. The aim of this study was thus to investigate in a large cohort including multiple neurosurgical centers the EOR following BM resection, potential risk factors for incomplete resection and postsurgical follow-up data.

Material and Methods

In the current retrospective study conducted at 5 specialized neurosurgical centers in Austria, we included patients with BM resection and available postoperative MRI. The EOR following BM resection was determined by postoperative MRI (complete vs incomplete resection). Additionally, the data on the intraoperative judgement of the EOR of the performing neurosurgeon were collected. Moreover, potential factors for incomplete resection including tumor localization, tumor volume, primary tumor, pattern of contrast media enhancement on imaging and tumor eloquence were investigated. Finally, the rate of local progression of BM after initial surgery was analyzed in the follow-up period and overall survival data were collected.

Results

Altogether, 548 patients with 649 surgically treated BM were included. According to postoperative MRI, complete resection was achieved in 407 (66%) of 649 BM and incomplete resection in 176 (29%) of 649 BM. Misjudgment of the EOR by the neurosurgeon was found in 25% of cases and resulted in an unexpected residual tumor which was evident on postoperative MRI in 122 (22%) BM. Preoperative tumor volume was significantly larger in incompletely resected BM. Moreover, local progression was significantly more common in cases with incompletely resected BM and was also associated with shorter overall survival.

Conclusion

Our data of this study including multiple centers indicate that postoperative MRI is capable to detect a relatively high rate of unexpected residual tumors following resection of BM. Since local progression was more common in BM with residual tumors and this was associated with shorter survival, special attention should be paid to achieve a complete tumor resection.

OS01.5.A Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 serum levels in patients with active brain metastases from HER2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd): A biomarker analysis from the TUXEDO-1 trial

Background

T-DXd is a novel antibody-drug conjugate with high activity in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The prospective, single-arm, single-centre phase II TUXEDO-1 trial showed clinically relevant activity of T-DXd in HER2-positive BC pts with active BM with an intracranial response rate of 73.3%. This biomarker sub-study of TUXEDO-1 aimed to investigate changes in the extent of metastases-induced brain damage in patients with and without response to therapy by measuring the serum levels of two proteins constitutively expressed in the human brain and measurable upon brain damage in the blood serum: NSE and S100.

Material and Methods

We assessed serum NSE (sNSE) and serum S100 (sS100) levels in a total of 37 blood samples drawn at cycles 1, 4 and end of treatment (EOT) in all patients of the intent-to-treat population of the TUXEDO-1 trial using commercially available ELISA assays. Intracranial radiological response was centrally assessed by a board-certified neuro-radiologist using RANO criteria. sNSE and sS100 levels were compared between responders and non-responders using the Mann Whitney U test and a significance level of 0.05.

Results

At baseline, we detected no significant difference of sNSE or sS100 levels between T-DXd responders and non-responders, respectively. Baseline median sNSE level was 10.6 ng/ml (interquartile range (IQR) 8.6-12.2) in T-DXd responders as compared with median 12.5 ng/ml (IQR 12.2-12.9) in the non-responder group (n.s.). At cycle 4, corresponding numbers were 8.1 ng/ml in responding patients (IQR 7-11.2) and 12.7 ng/ml (IQR 12.2-12.9) in non-responders, respectively (p=0.009). No differences in sS100 levels were observed between the groups at any time point.

Conclusion

In patients showing intracranial objective response to T-Dxd, sNSE levels were significantly lower at cycle 4 as compared with non-responders, suggesting a reduction in metastases-induced brain damage as a direct treatment effect. sNSE may be a clinically useful biomarker for longitudinal assessment of brain metastasis burden.

OS03.5.A Characterization of the inflammatory tumor microenvironment composition in solid cancer patients with brain metastases after progression to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Background

Immunotherapy (IO) has changed the treatment landscape of metastatic cancer patients, however, treatment resistance is frequent. We aimed to characterize the inflammatory tumor microenvironment in brain metastases (BM) after IO to gain a deeper understanding of immunologic escape mechanisms.

Material and Methods

Solid cancer patients who had BM resection after IO progression (IO cohort) were retrospectively identified. We analyzed tumor-infiltrating immune cell subsets (CD3, CD8, CD45RO, FOXP3) and expression of immune checkpoint molecules (PD-L1, PD-1, LAG-3) by immunohistochemistry. A control cohort of BM tissue samples without prior IO served for comparison (no immunotherapy cohort, NIO).

Results

Twenty-eight IO patients (12/28, 42.9% females; 16/28, 57.1% males; median 61 years; 14/28, 50% lung cancer; 5/28, 17.9% melanoma; 4/28, 14.3% renal cell carcinoma; 1/28, 3.6% breast cancer; 4/28, 14.3% other cancer entities) and 57 NIO patients (28/57, 49.1% females; 29/57, 50.9% males; median 58 years; 35/57, 61.4% lung cancer; 9/57, 15.8% breast cancer; 4/57, 7.0% melanoma; 3/57, 5.3% renal cell carcinoma; 6/57, 10.5% other cancer entities) were included. IO patients had a median of one (range 0-4) systemic therapy line prior to IO. Median time from last IO application until BM resection was 5.6 months (range 0.2-49.8 months). Patients received a median number of 7 (range 1-56) IO applications (14/28, 50% PD-1-targeting IO; 8/28, 28.6% PD-L1; 2/28, 7.1% CTLA4; 4/28, 14.3% CTLA4+PD-1; 3/28, 10.7% IO+chemotherapy). No statistically significant differences in the densities of investigated TILs or PD-L1 expression between the IO and the NIO cohort were observed. Patients of the IO cohort showed higher PD-L1 expression compared to the NIO cohort (57.1 vs. 42.1%, Chi-square, p&gt;0.05). Overall survival (OS) was similar in both cohorts, with a median OS of 11.0 months (range 5.0-17.0) in the IO cohort and 11.0 months (range 5.5-16.5) in the NIO cohort.

Conclusion

Our findings show an upregulation of PD-L1 in BM occurring after prior IO therapy in the absence of other overt changes in the inflammatory microenvironment. Ongoing analyses in this cohort are investigating possible molecular driver of resistance by analyzing DNA methylation profiles of pre-and post-IO tissue samples of the IO cohort to potentially gain insights on inflammatory IO resistance mechanisms in BM patients.

P11.27.B Whole genome DNA methylation as predictive biomarker in CNS WHO grade 2 and 3 oligodendroglioma patients receiving early postoperative treatment

Background

Oligodendrogliomas are glial tumors with a relatively favorable survival prognosis of &gt;10 years. While immediate postoperative treatment prolongs survival, long-term toxicities of adjuvant radio-chemotherapy remain a concern. Predictive biomarkers guiding postoperative treatment decisions are limited.

Material and Methods

In this retrospective study, we included patients treated for a newly diagnosed oligodendroglioma (isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated, 1p/19q-codeleted, CNS WHO grades 2 and 3) in 1992 - 2019 at the Medical University of Vienna or the Kepler University Hospital Linz (Austria). Early treatment was defined as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both within 6 months after resection, whereas benefit from early treatment was defined as progression-free survival (PFS) above the median in the overall cohort. DNA methylation analysis was performed using Illumina MethylationEPIC 850k microarrays.

Results

Of all 201 eligible patients, sufficient tumor tissue for DNA methylation analysis was available in 46 patients. Of these, 25/46 (54.3%) were diagnosed with CNS WHO grade 2 and 21/46 (45.6%) with grade 3 oligodendroglioma. Median age at diagnosis was 41 years (range: 23-70). In total, 21/46 (45.6%) patients received early treatment, of whom 13/21 (61.9%) received radio-chemotherapy, 6/21 (28.6%) radiotherapy only and 2/21 (9.5%) chemotherapy only. Median PFS was 134.0 months (95%CI: 78.3 - not reached) in patients receiving early treatment versus 87.2 months (95%CI: 66.8 - 150) in patients who did not. In patients receiving early treatment, differences in DNA methylation profiles could be detected between patients who drew benefit from postoperative treatment (group 1) versus those who did not (group 2). Based on the top 1000 differentially methylated CpG sites between both groups, two clusters were detected which comprised either patients of group 1 or 2. Clustering was independent from gender, WHO grade, extent of resection, type of postoperative treatment, treating center, and O6-methylguanine-methyltransferease (MGMT) promoter methylation status. Gene set enrichment analysis of the top 1000 differentially methylated gene sites mapped to 694 genes showed differential methylation in genes involved in fibroblast growth receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling, Wnt signaling, integrin signaling, and actin cytoskeleton regulation. Conversely, in patients not receiving early treatment, PFS did neither correlate with DNA methylation clustering nor with MGMT promoter methylation.

Conclusion

In our cohort, whole genome DNA methylation was associated with PFS in patients who received early postoperative treatment, suggesting a predictive but not prognostic role. As the predictive value of MGMT promoter methylation is limited in oligodendroglioma, whole genome DNA methylation should be considered in future clinical trials.

Development of an alarm symptom-based risk prediction score for localized oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma (VIOLA score)

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma is a major contributor to global disease burden with poor prognosis even in resectable, regionally limited stages. Feasible prognostic tools are crucial to improve patient management, yet scarce.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Disease-related symptoms, patient, tumour, treatment as well as laboratory parameters at initial diagnosis and overall survival (OS) of patients with stage II and III gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, who were treated between 1990 and 2020 at the Medical University of Vienna, were evaluated in a cross-validation model to develop a feasible risk prediction score.

RESULTS

In total, 628 patients were included in this single-centre analysis. The final score ranked from 0 to 10 and included the factors sex (female +1), age, years (30-59 +1, >60 +2), underweight classified by body mass index (+2), location of the tumour (stomach +1), stage (III +2), stenosis in endoscopy (+1) and weight loss (+1). The score was grouped into low- (0-3), medium- (4-6) and high-risk (7+) subgroups. The median OS were 70.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 51.2-111.8], 23.4 (95% CI 21.2-26.7) and 12.6 (7.0-16.1) months, respectively. The 1-year survival probabilities were 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.93), 0.75 (95% CI 0.70-0.79) and 0.54 (95% CI 0.39-0.74), whereas the 5-year survival probabilities were 0.57 (95% CI 0.49-0.66), 0.24 (95% CI 0.20-0.28) and 0.09 (95% CI 0.03-0.28), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The VIennese risk prediction score for Oesophagogastric Localized Adenocarcinoma (VIOLA) risk prediction score poses a feasible tool for the estimation of OS in patients with regionally limited gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and, thus, may improve patient management in clinical routine. Prospective analyses should be carried out to confirm our findings.

DNA Methylation Associates With Clinical Courses of Atypical Meningiomas: A Matched Case-Control Study

Background

Accounting for 15–20% of all meningiomas, WHO grade II meningiomas represent an intermediate group regarding risk of tumor recurrence. However, even within this subgroup varying clinical courses are observed with potential occurrence of multiple recurrences. Recently, DNA methylation profiles showed their value for distinguishing biological behaviors in meningiomas. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate DNA methylation profiles in WHO grade II meningiomas.

Methods

All patients that underwent resection of WHO grade II meningiomas between 1993 and 2015 were screened for a dismal course clinical course with ≥2 recurrences. These were matched to control cases with benign clinical courses without tumor recurrence. DNA methylation was assessed using the Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip microarray. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was performed for identification of DNA methylation profiles associated with such a dismal clinical course.

Results

Overall, 11 patients with WHO grade II meningiomas with ≥2 recurrences (Group dismal) and matched 11 patients without tumor recurrence (Group benign) were identified. DNA methylation profiles revealed 3 clusters—one comprising only patients of group dismal, a second cluster comprising mainly patients from group benign and a third cluster comprising one group dismal and one group benign patient. Based on differential methylation pattern associations with the Wnt and the related cadherin signaling pathway was observed.

Conclusion

DNA methylation clustering showed remarkable differences between two matched subgroups of WHO grade II meningiomas. Thus, DNA methylation profiles may have the potential to support prognostic considerations regarding meningioma recurrence and radiotherapeutic treatment allocation after surgical resection.

DNA methylation profiles differ in responders versus non-responders to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers for response prediction to anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are urgently needed for a personalized therapy approach. We investigated the predictive potential of inflammatory parameters and DNA methylation profiling in patients with HNSCC treated with anti-PD-1 ICI.

METHODS

We identified patients with HNSCC that were treated with anti-PD-1 ICI therapy in the recurrent or metastatic setting after progression to platinum-based chemotherapy in two independent centers. We analyzed DNA methylation profiles of >850.000 CpG sites in tumor specimens of these patients by Infinium MethylationEPIC microarrays, immune cell density in the tumor microenvironment (CD8, CD3, CD45RO, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), CD68), PD-1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression by immunohistochemistry, and blood inflammation markers (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, leucocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). DNA methylation profiles and immunological markers were bioinformatically and statistically correlated with radiological response to anti-PD-1 ICI.

RESULTS

37 patients with HNSCC (median age of 62 years; range 49-83; 8 (21.6%) women, 29 (78.4%) men) were included (Center 1 N=26, 70.3%; Center 2 N=11, 29.7%). Median number of prior systemic therapies was 1 (range 1-4). Five out of 37 (13.5%) patients achieved an objective response to ICI. Median progression-free survival and median overall survival times were 3.7 months (range 0-22.9) and 9.0 months (range 0-38.8), respectively. Microarray analyses revealed a methylation signature including both hypomethylation and hypermethylation which was predictive for response to ICI and included several genes involved in cancer-related molecular pathways. Over-represented differentially methylated genes between responders and non-responders were associated with 'Axon guidance', 'Hippo signaling', 'Pathways in cancer' and 'MAPK signaling'. A statistically significant correlation of PD-L1 expression and response was present (p=0.0498).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that tumor DNA methylation profiling may be useful to predict response to ICI in patients with HNSCC.

Focal Radiotherapy of Brain Metastases in Combination With Immunotherapy and Targeted Drug Therapy

BACKGROUND

Advances in systemic treatment and in brain imaging have led to a higher incidence of diagnosed brain metastases. In the treatment of brain metastases, stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery, systemic immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy are important evidence-based options. In this review, we summarize the available evidence on the treatment of brain metastases of the three main types of cancer that give rise to them: non-small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and malignant melanoma.

METHODS

This narrative review is based on pertinent original articles, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews that were retrieved by a selective search in PubMed. These publications were evaluated and discussed by an expert panel including radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, and oncologists.

RESULTS

There have not yet been any prospective randomized trials concerning the optimal combination of local stereotactic radiotherapy/radiosurgery and systemic immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Retrospective studies have consistently shown a benefit from early combined treatment with systemic therapy and (in particular) focal radiotherapy, compared to sequential treatment. Two metaanalyses of retrospective data from cohorts consisting mainly of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and melanoma revealed longer overall survival after combined treatment with focal radiotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor therapy (rate of 12-month overall survival for combined versus non-combined treatment: 64.6% vs. 51.6%, p <0.001). In selected patients with small, asymptomatic brain metastases in non-critical locations, systemic therapy without focal radiotherapy can be considered, as long as follow-up with cranial magnetic resonance imaging can be performed at close intervals.

CONCLUSION

Brain metastases should be treated by a multidisciplinary team, so that the optimal sequence of local and systemic therapies can be determined for each individual patient.

P14.03 Shifting trends and entity-specific aspects in patients with brain metastasis: real-life analysis from 6031 individuals over an observation period of 30 years

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the changing clinical characteristics of patients with brain metastases (BM) over the last three decades as the foundation for modern BM specific clinical trial planning.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

6031 patients with newly diagnosed BM from different solid tumors treated between 1986–2020 were identified from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry.

RESULTS

The fraction of BM originating from the most common BM causing primary tumors (lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma) was stable over the observation period from 1986–2020. BM from renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer and cancer of unknown primary (CUP) decreased over time (p&lt;0.001). Synchronous diagnosis of BM and primary tumor was more frequently observed in lung cancer and CUP patients compared to breast cancer patients (p&lt;0.001). An increasing fraction of patients presented with asymptomatic BM (1986–1999: 20.2% vs. 2010–2020: 30.4%; p&lt;0.001), specifically in lung cancer (p&lt;0.001), melanoma (p&lt;0.001) and renal cell cancer (p=0.004). A decrease of neurosurgical procedures (1986–1999: 39.3% vs. 2010–2020: 20.4%) and an increase of radiation treatments (1986–1999: 56.5% vs. 2010–2020: 73.0%) and systemic therapies (1986–1999: 0.6% vs. 2010–2020: 2.4%; p&lt;0.001) was observed. Furthermore, median overall survival significantly increased across entities (1986–1999: 5 months vs. 2010–2020: 7 months; p=0.001). Intracranial progression as the cause of death increased across entities (p&lt; 0.001). The prognostic DS-GPA (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.42; p&lt; 0.001) and the Lung-molGPA (HR 1.67; p&lt;0.001) could be validated.

CONCLUSION

We observed changes of BM presentation and clinical parameters during the observation period depending on primary tumor origins. Future BM studies should follow an entity-specific approach and address the characteristics of modern BM cohorts.

P14.14 Adjuvant treatment versus initial observation in newly diagnosed WHO grade II and grade III oligodendroglioma: real-life data from two academic, tertiary care centers in Austria

BACKGROUND

Oligodendrogliomas are rare, slow-growing brain tumors with a survival prognosis of &gt;10 years. Although adjuvant radio-chemotherapy has been shown to prolong survival, aggressive treatment comes at the cost of increased toxicity. Systematic data on the optimal timing of adjuvant treatment in oligodendroglioma are lacking.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients treated for a newly diagnosed IDH-mutated, 1p/19q-codeleted oligodendroglioma (WHO grades II/III) in 2000 - 2018 at the Medical University of Vienna or the Kepler University Hospital Linz (Austria) were included in this retrospective study. Adjuvant treatment was defined as radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy (CHT) or radio-chemotherapy (R-CHT) within 6 months after resection in the absence of progression. “Wait and see” was defined as regular follow up with magnetic resonance imaging and treatment at progression.

RESULTS

185 patients were identified, comprising 123/185 (66.5%) WHO grade II and 62/185 (33.5%) WHO grade III oligodendrogliomas. Median age at diagnosis was 42 years (range: 20–82). Gross total resection (GTR) could be achieved in 77/178 (42.3%) evaluable patients. Adjuvant treatment was applied in 63/185 (38.2%) patients, of whom 43/63 (68.3%) underwent R-CHT, 9/63 (14.3%) CHT only and 11/63 (17.5%) RT only. 43/52 (82.7%) received temozolomide-based treatment, 1/52 (1.9%) procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (PCV), 1/52 dacarbazine/fotemustine and in 7/52 (13.5%) patients, no data on used regimens was available. Adjuvant treatment was more frequently applied in WHO grade 3 tumors (p&lt;0.001), while there was no association of adjuvant treatment with extent of resection (p=0.24). Patients after GTR who underwent adjuvant therapy presented with longer progression-free survival (PFS) compared to patients initially managed with observation (median: 150 months, 95%CI: 100 - not reached (n.r.) vs. median: 101 months, 95%CI: 73.2–115; p=0.053). In non-GTR tumors, patients with adjuvant therapy presented with a significantly longer median PFS of 107.5 months (95%CI: 62.8-n.r.) as compared to patients initially managed with observation (45.3 months, 95%CI: 41.2–78.8; p=0.025).

CONCLUSION

The application of adjuvant therapy was associated with favorable PFS in patients who underwent resection of newly diagnosed oligodendroglioma in this retrospective study. Prospective clinical trials should investigate the risks and benefits of adjuvant treatment versus initial observation in patients with oligodendroglioma.

Primary tumor side is associated with prognosis of colorectal cancer patients with brain metastases

Background

Brain metastases (BM) are a rare complication in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and associated with an unfavorable survival prognosis. Primary tumor side (PTS) was shown to act as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in several trials including metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients. Here, we aim to investigate whether PTS is also associated with the outcome of CRC patients with BM.

Methods

Patients treated for CRC BM between 1988 and 2017 at an academic care center were included. Right-sided CRC was defined as located in the appendix, cecum and ascending colon and left-sided CRC was defined as located in the descending colon, sigma and rectum.

Results

Two hundred and eighty-one CRC BM patients were available for this analysis with 239/281 patients (85.1%) presenting with a left-sided and 42/281 patients (14.9%) with a right-sided primary CRC. BM-free survival (BMFS) was significantly longer in left-sided compared with right-sided CRC patients (33 versus 20 months, P = 0.009). Overall survival from CRC diagnosis as well as from diagnosis of BM was significantly longer in patients with a left-sided primary (42 versus 25 months, P = 0.002 and 5 versus 4 months, P = 0.005, respectively). In a multivariate analysis including graded prognostic assessment, PTS remained significantly associated with prognosis after BM (hazard ratio 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.92 months, P = 0.0016).

Conclusions

PTS was associated with survival times after the rare event of BM development in CRC patients. Therefore, its prognostic value remains significant even thereafter.

•

Primary tumor side is a relevant and independent prognostic factor in mCRC.

•

Left-sided CRC was associated with a significantly longer BMFS compared with right-sided CRC.

•

OS from initial diagnosis of CRC as well as from BM was significantly longer in patients with left-sided primaries.

Systemic and local inflammation characteristics in patients with cancer after lung transplantation

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Background: Immune suppressive treatment is associated with an increased cancer risk due to its negative impact on immunosurveillance. We analyzed the association of immune suppressive treatment with the inflammatory tumor microenvironment and systemic inflammation parameters in patients with solid cancers after lung transplantation. Methods: Systemic inflammation was measured by neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), leucocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (LLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and CRP/albumin ratio (CRP/Alb) and analyzed at time of lung transplantation and time of tumor diagnosis. In tumor samples, the expression of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) including CD3, CD8, CD45RO and PD-L1 using the Ventana Benchmark Ultra system for immunohistochemistry were investigated. Automated tissue analyses were performed for CD3, CD8 and CD45RO TIL (Definiens software). PD-L1 expression was determined by using the combined positive score (CPS). Results: 28 patients with cancer (10 lung cancer, 4 colorectal cancer, 2 renal cell carcinoma, 2 gastric cancer, 2 pancreatic cancer, 2 head&neck tumor, and others) were included in the study. Median time from transplantation to cancer diagnosis was 45 months (range 29-61). 57% (16/28) experienced a period of transplant rejection between transplantation and tumor diagnosis. Therefore, 25% (7/28) of the patients received intensified immunosuppression up to 8 weeks before tumor diagnosis. Median density of CD3+TIL was 5742 cells/ mm2 (range 3,203-8,429), median density of CD8+TIL was 6,363 cells/ mm2 (range 3,643-8,190), median density of CD45RO TIL was 72 cells/ mm2 (range 4-635) and median expression of PD-L1 was 60 (range 5-100) in tumor samples. No statistically significant changes in systemic inflammation were observed from time of transplantation to time of tumor diagnosis (p>0.05; Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test). Furthermore, a history of transplant rejection before tumor diagnosis was not statistically significant associated with changes in TIL densities or systemic inflammation parameters (p>0.05; Mann Whitney U test). Conclusions: An activated local inflammatory tumor microenvironment as well as stable systemic inflammation characteristics were observed in our cohort. These results support the further development of immunotherapy as treatment approach also in cancer patients under immunosuppression after lung transplantation.[Table: see text]

Favourable outcome of patients with breast cancer brain metastases treated with dual HER2 blockade of trastuzumab and pertuzumab

Background:

Dual human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab (TP) is a standard therapy of metastatic and localized HER2-positive breast cancer (BC), but its activity in breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is unknown.

Methods:

Patients with HER2-positive BCBM were identified from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry and clinical data including patient characteristics, therapies and overall survival (OS) were obtained. Patients were grouped into ‘TP’, ‘other-HER2-targeted therapy’ and ‘no-HER2-targeted therapy’ according to received first-line systemic therapy after diagnosis of BCBM. Radiological re-assessment of intracranial lesions was performed in patients treated with TP as systemic first-line therapy according to RANO response criteria for brain metastases (BM).

Results:

A total of 252 HER2-positive BC patients with BM were available for this analysis. Patients treated with TP as systemic first-line therapy after diagnosis of BM had a significantly longer OS compared with treatment with other-HER2-targeted therapy and no-HER2-targeted therapy (44 versus 17 versus 3 months, p < 0.001; log-rank test). Among radiologically re-assessed patients treated with TP as systemic first-line therapy after diagnosis of BM, 5/14 patients (35.7%) had complete intracranial remission (CR), 8/14 patients (57.1%) partial intracranial remission (PR), 1/14 patients (7.1%) stable intracranial disease (SD) and 0/14 patients (0.0%) progressive intracranial disease (PD) as best response resulting in an intracranial objective response rate (iORR) of 92.9% and an intracranial clinical benefit rate (iCBR) of 100.0%.

Conclusion:

First-line therapy with dual HER2-inhibition of TP after BM diagnosis was associated with the longest median OS times in patients with BCBM.

Tumor mutational burden and immune infiltrates in renal cell carcinoma and matched brain metastases

BACKGROUND

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) and density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) have been postulated as predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy. Therefore, we investigated the concordance of TMB and TIL of primary/extracranial renal cell carcinoma (RCC) specimens and matched brain metastases (BM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty specimens from 10 patients were retrieved from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry (6/10 primary tumor, 4/10 lung metastasis, 10/10 matched BM). TMB was assessed using the TruSight Oncology 500 gene panel with libraries sequenced on a NextSeq instrument. TIL subsets (CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO+, FOXP3+, PD-L1+) were investigated using immunohistochemistry (Ventana Benchmark Ultra system) and automated tissue analysis (Definiens software).

RESULTS

No significant difference in TMB, CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO+, FOXP3+ or PD-L1+ expression was observed between extracranial and matched intracranial specimens (P > 0.05). Higher CD8+ TIL (P = 0.053) and CD45RO+ TIL (P = 0.030) densities in the primary tumor compared with the intracranial samples were observed in specimens collected after exposure to systemic treatment. Neither extracranial sample origin (lung metastasis versus primary RCC) nor extracranial disease status at BM diagnosis (progressive versus stable disease) were significantly associated with TMB or TIL densities in extracranial and intracranial samples (P > 0.05). No significant correlation was found between the median differences of TMB or TIL densities from extracranial to intracranial samples and BM-free survival.

CONCLUSION

The comparable immunological microenvironment of extra- and intracranial tumor samples in our study underscores the immunological activation also in BM from RCC, and therefore, supports the development of immune modulatory treatments also in patients with brain metastatic RCC.

NCOG-02. PROGNOSTIC VALIDATION OF THE EANO ESMO CLASSIFICATION OF LEPTOMENINGEAL METASTASIS

BACKGROUND

The EANO ESMO guidelines have proposed a classification of leptomeningeal metastases (LM) based on clinical (typical/atypical), cytological (positive/negative/equivocal) and MRI (A linear, B nodular, C linear and nodular, D normal or hydrocephalus only) presentation. Type I LM is defined by the presence of tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (confirmed LM) whereas type II LM is defined by typical clinical and MRI signs (probable or possible LM). Here we explored the clinical utility of these EANO ESMO LM subtypes for choice of treatment and outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively assembled data from 254 patients with newly diagnosed LM from different solid tumors, including as main primary tumors breast cancer (n=98, 45%), lung cancer (n=65, 25.5%) and melanoma (n=51, 13.5%). Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by Log-rank test.

RESULTS

Median age at LM diagnosis was 56.5 years (range 20-82 years). Typical clinical LM symptoms or signs were noted in 225 patients (88.5%); only 13 patients (5%) were clinically asymptomatic. The most common MRI subtype was A seen in 117 patients (46%). Types B (n=33, 13%), C (n=54, 21%) and D (n=50, 19.5%) were less common. Tumor cells in the CSF were observed in 186 patients (73%) whereas the CSF was equivocal in 24 (9.5%) and negative in 44 (17.5%) patients. Patients with confirmed LM had inferior outcome than patients with probable or possible LM (p=0.0063). Type I patients had inferior outcome than type II patients (p=0.0019). Nodular disease was a negative prognostic factor in type II LM, but not in type I LM (p=0.0138).

CONCLUSION

The EANO ESMO LM subtypes are highly prognostic and should be considered for stratification and overall design of clinical trials.

Neurological symptom burden impacts survival prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases

BACKGROUND

Brain metastases (BM) are a frequent complication of advanced cancer and are characterized by a variety of neurological symptoms. Although the presence of neurological symptoms is included in the response assessment in patients with primary brain tumors, to the authors' knowledge little is known regarding the prognostic impact of neurological symptoms in patients with BM.

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed BM from non-small cell lung cancer were identified from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry and were evaluated according to the incidence, distribution, and prognostic impact of neurological symptoms at the time of diagnosis of BM.

RESULTS

A total of 1608 patients (57.3% male and 42.7% female; median age, 62 years) were available for further analyses. Neurological symptoms including focal deficits (985 patients; 61.3%), signs of increased intracranial pressure (483 patients; 30.0%), epileptic seizures (224 patients; 13.9%), and neuropsychological symptoms (233 patients; 14.5%) were documented in 1186 of the 1608 patients (73.8%). Patients with asymptomatic BM presented with a longer median overall survival after the diagnosis of BM compared with patients with symptomatic BM (11 months vs 7 months; P < .001). In multivariate analysis with a diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment (hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.33-1.50 [P < .001]), the presence of neurological symptoms (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23-1.57 [P < .001]) was found to be independently associated with survival prognosis from the time of diagnosis of BM.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological symptoms at the time of BM diagnosis demonstrated a strong and independent association with survival prognosis. The results of the current study have highlighted the need for the integration of the presence of neurological symptoms into the prognostic assessment of patients with BM from non-small cell lung cancer.

LAY SUMMARY

Neurological symptom evaluation is included regularly in the assessment of patients with primary brain tumors. However, to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding the prognostic impact in patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases (BM). The current study has provided a detailed clinical characterization of the incidence, distribution, and prognostic impact of neurological symptoms in a large, real-life cohort of patients with BM from non-small cell lung cancer. In this cohort, neurological symptoms at the time of diagnosis of BM demonstrated a strong, independent prognostic impact on the survival prognosis. The results of the current study have highlighted the need for the integration of neurological symptom burden into the prognostic assessment of patients with BM from non-small cell lung cancer.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in oncology healthcare professionals and patients with cancer at a tertiary care centre during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

During the COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare professionals (HCP) are at the frontline of clinical management and at increased risk for infection. The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of oncological HCP and their patients has significant implications for oncological care.

Methods

HCP and patients with cancer at the Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna were included between 21 March and 4 June and tested for total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 employing the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay. Reactive samples were confirmed or disproved by the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG test. Additionally, a structured questionnaire regarding basic demographic parameters, travel history and COVID-19-associated symptoms had to be completed by HCP.

Results

146 subjects (62 HCP and 84 patients with cancer) were enrolled. In the oncological HCP cohort, 20 (32.3%) subjects were medical oncologists, 28 (45.2%) nurses at our ward and 14 (22.6%) fulfil other functions such as study coordinators. In the patient cohort, most individuals are on active anticancer treatment (96.4%). 26% of the HCP and 6% of the patients had symptoms potentially associated with COVID-19 since the end of February 2020. However, only in 2 (3.2%) HCP and in 3 (3.6%) patients, anti-SARS-Cov-2 total antibodies were detected. The second assay for anti-SARS-Cov-2 IgG antibodies confirmed the positive result in all HCP and in 2 (2.4%) patients, suggesting an initial assay’s unspecific reaction in one case. In individuals with a confirmed test result, an active COVID-19 infection was documented by a positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA PCR test.

Conclusion

Specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were found solely in persons after a documented SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, thus supporting the test methods’ high sensitivity and specificity. The low prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in our cohorts indicates a lack of immunity against SARS-CoV-2. It highlights the need for continued strict safety measures to prevent uncontrolled viral spread among oncological HCPs and patients with cancer.

41. PROGNOSTIC VALIDATION OF THE EANO ESMO CLASSIFICATION OF LEPTOMENINGEAL METASTASIS

BACKGROUND

The EANO ESMO guidelines have proposed a classification of leptomeningeal metastases (LM) based on clinical (typical/atypical), cytological (positive/negative/equivocal) and MRI (A linear, B nodular, C linear and nodular, D normal or hydrocephalus only) presentation. Type I LM is defined by the presence of tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (confirmed LM) whereas type II LM is defined by typical clinical and MRI signs (probable or possible LM). Here we explored the clinical utility of these EANO ESMO LM subtypes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively assembled data from 254 patients with newly diagnosed LM from different solid tumors, including as main primary tumors breast cancer (n=98, 45%), lung cancer (n=65, 25.5%) and melanoma (n=51, 13.5%). Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by Log-rank test.

RESULTS

Median age at LM diagnosis was 56.5 years (range 20–82 years). Typical clinical LM symptoms or signs were noted in 225 patients (88.5%); only 13 patients (5%) were clinically asymptomatic. The most common MRI subtype was A seen in 117 patients (46%). Types B (n=33, 13%), C (n=54, 21%) and D (n=50, 19.5%) were less common. Tumor cells were observed in the CSF in 186 patients (73%) whereas the CSF was equivocal in 24 (9.5%) and negative in 44 (17.5%) patients. Patients with confirmed LM had inferior outcome than patients with probable or possible LM (p=0.0063). Type I patients had inferior outcome than type II patients (p=0.0019). Nodular disease was a negative prognostic factor in type II LM, but not in type I LM (p=0.0138).

CONCLUSION

The presence of tumor cells in the CSF appears to have a greater prognostic role than the neuroimaging presentation. EANO ESMO LM subtypes are highly prognostic and should be considered in the design of clinical trials.

Radiation-induced changes in the inflammatory microenvironment composition of lung cancer brain metastases

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Background: Radiotherapy was postulated to impact the inflammatory microenvironment composition in patients with lung cancer brain metastases (BM). Methods: Formalin fixed and paraffin embedded BM specimens from treatment naïve patients (group 1) and from patients treated with radiation therapy including whole brain radiotherapy and/or stereotactic radiosurgery (group 2) or prophylactic cranial irradiation (group 3) before BM resection were identified from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry. T cell subsets (CD3+,CD8+,CD45RO+,FOXP3+,PD-L1+) were investigated using the Ventana Benchmark Ultra system Definiens software. Results: Specimens from 41 patients (28/41;68.3% NSCLC, 13/41;31.7% SCLC) were included in the study. A significant difference in CD3+TIL density between group 1 (median: 964.5cells/mm2) and group 2 (median: 283.4cells/mm2; p-value=0.021; Mann-Whitney-U test), as well as group 3 (median: 168.8 cells/mm2; p-value= 0.028; Mann-Whitney-U test) were observed. Furthermore, CD8+ and FOXP3+TIL densities of group 2 (CD8+ median: 172.1cells/mm2; FOXP3+ median: 210.7cells/mm2) were numerically lower compared to group 1 (CD8+ median: 190.1 cells/mm2; FOXP3+ median: 221.2 cells/mm2). Of 10/41 (24.4%) patients further resected BM tissue specimens after initial resection were available. Here, the inflammatory microenvironment of BM treated with radiation therapy between the resections was significantly associated with lower densities of CD3+ (median: 105.1 cells/mm2) and CD8+ (median: 20.3cells/mm2) compared to radiation-naïve patients (CD3+ median: 825.4cells/mm2; CD8+median: 105.5cells/mm2; p=0.037; Mann-Whitney U-test). Conclusions: Radiation treatment was associated with lower densities of TIL subsets in our BM cohort. Although results have to be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size, further studies investigating the sequencing of radiotherapy and immune modulating therapies might be of interest. [Table: see text]

DNA methylation profiling in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

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Background: Biomarkers for response prediction to immune checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients are needed for a personalized therapy regimen. Therefore, we investigated the predictive potential of inflammatory biomarkers and DNA methylation. Methods: We profiled the methylation status of 850.000 CpG sites in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary HNSCC samples collected before ICI therapy start using Infinium Methylation EPIC microarrays. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression were analyzed employing immunohistochemistry staining. Methylation profile, TIL density and PD-L1 expression were correlated with best radiological response to ICI treatment. Results: 29 patients (median age of 61; range 28-80) years; 8 (27.6%) females, 21 (72.4%) males) with HNSCC were included. Median number of prior systemic therapies was 1 (range 0-3). Median number of ICI applications was 6 (range 1-45). 2/29 (6.9%) patients achieved an objective response (complete response or partial response) under anti-PD-1 therapy. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) were 3.3 months (range 0-28.8) and 7.2 months (range 0-29.4), respectively. 7/29 (24.1%) patients were still alive and one of these patients was still on ICI therapy at data cut-off. Methylation analyses revealed a combination of methylation changes (both hypo- and hypermethylation) that was predictive for response to ICI. 11/27 (40.7%) patients had PD-L1 expressing tumor cells ( > 1% PD-L1 expression). Median density of CD8+ TILs was 423.49 cells/mm2 tumor (range 5.71-11528.43 cells/mm2) and median density of CD3+ TILs was 794.82 cells/mm2 tumor (range 1.68-8811.74 cells/mm2). There was no correlation of PD-L1 expression, density of CD8+ or CD3+ TILs with response or disease control (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In contrast to PD-L1 expression and TIL density, methylation profiles were associated with response to ICI treatment in HNSCC patients.

Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) expression in the inflammatory microenvironment of glioma

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Background: The blockade of lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), an inhibitory receptor on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, is currently under investigation in many extracranial tumor entities. Methods: 54 patients with diffuse glioma were included: 35 patients with glioblastoma (GBM, median age at diagnosis: 61 years) as well as 14 with WHO grade II and 5 with WHO grade III glioma (lower-grade glioma, LGG, median age at diagnosis: 45 years). Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 mutations (IDH-mt) were present in 17/54 patients and 37/54 patients had IDH wildtype (IDH-wt) tumors. LAG-3 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (monoclonal anti-LAG-3 antibody, clone 17B4, LSBio Inc.). Results: LAG-3+ TILs could be observed in 5/54 (9.3%) samples, while CD3+ TILs were present in 32/54 (59.3%) and CD8+ TILs in 24/54 (44.4%) samples. Only IDH-wt glioma presented with LAG-3+ TILs (p = 0.168). Samples with LAG-3+ TILs presented with a numerical trend towards higher presence of CD3+ (5/27 CD3+ vs. 0/22 CD3−, p = 0.072) and CD8+ TILs (4/24 CD8+ vs. 1/30 CD8−, p = 0.159). 4/7 (57.1%) samples presenting with PD-1+ TILs also presented with LAG-3+ TILs (p = 0.001). Furthermore, glioma samples with LAG3+ TILs presented with higher expression of PD-L1 (median: 1% vs. 0%; p = 0.166). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) according to LAG-3+ TIL infiltration (median OS in LAG-3+: 21.7 months vs. LAG-3−: 41.4 months, p > 0.05). Conclusions: LAG-3+ TILs are rarely observed in IDH-wt and absent in IDH-mt glioma. Gliomas with an active inflammatory microenvironment present more frequently with LAG3+ TILs. The diverse composition of the inflammatory microenvironment and particular inflammatory subgroups should be considered in future clinical trials on immune-modulating therapies in glioma.

Bevacizumab-based treatment as salvage therapy in patients with recurrent symptomatic brain metastases

Background

Salvage treatment for recurrent brain metastases (BM) of solid cancers is challenging due to the high symptomatic burden and the limited local treatment options.

Methods

Patients with recurrent BM with no option for further local therapies were retrospectively identified from BM databases. Bevacizumab-based treatment was initiated as a salvage treatment. Radiological imaging before and after bevacizumab-based treatment was reevaluated for treatment response using the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) BM criteria.

Results

Twenty-two patients (36.4% male) with recurrent BM from breast cancer (40.9%), colorectal cancer (31.8%), or lung cancer (27.3%) were identified. Previous BM-directed therapies were radiosurgery in 16/22 (72.7%) patients, whole-brain radiotherapy in 8/22 (36.4%), and neurosurgical resection in 11/22 (50.0%). Time since BM diagnosis to initiation of bevacizumab treatment was 16.5 months. Of 22 patients 14 (63.6%) received concurrent systemic therapies. Neurological symptom improvement could be achieved in 14/22 (63.6%) and stabilization in 6/22 (27.3%) patients, resulting in a clinical benefit in 20/22 (90.9%) patients. Steroids could be reduced or stopped in 15/22 (68.2%) patients. Rate of improvement on T1-weighted imaging was 15/19 (78.9%; median reduction: -26.0% ± 32.9) and 19/20 (95%; median reduction: -36.2% ± 22.2) on T2-weighted FLAIR imaging. According to RANO-BM best response was partial response in 7/19 (36.8%), stable disease in 9/19 (47.3%), and progressive disease in 3/19 (15.7%) patients. Median CNS-specific progression-free survival was 8 months and median overall survival after initiation of bevacizumab treatment was 17 months.

Conclusions

Bevacizumab-based treatment had clinically relevant intracranial activity in the vast majority of patients suffering from recurrent, symptomatic BM. The data supports a prospective clinical trial of bevacizumab as a salvage treatment in BM.

Viennese risk prediction score for Advanced Gastroesophageal carcinoma based on Alarm Symptoms (VAGAS score): characterisation of alarm symptoms in advanced gastro-oesophageal cancer and its correlation with outcome

INTRODUCTION

The prognostic value of symptoms at disease presentation of advanced gastro-oesophageal cancer is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterise these symptoms and correlate them with the outcome, so new prognostic markers can be defined.

METHODS

We analysed clinical data including symptoms, therapies and survival of patients with stage IV gastro-oesophageal cancer treated between 2002 and 2018 at the Vienna General Hospital, Austria. Initial symptoms as well as stenosis in endoscopy and HER2 positivity were evaluated in a cross-validation model to ascertain the impact of each variable on patient survival.

RESULTS

In total, 258 patients were evaluated. Five factors (stenosis in endoscopy, weight loss, HER2 positivity, dyspepsia, ulcer or active bleeding) have proven to be statistically relevant prognostic factors and were given a count of +1 and -1, if applicable. The resulting score ranges between -3 and +2. The survival probability for 180 days with a score of -3/-2, -1, 0, +1 and +2 is 90%, 80%, 73%, 72% and 42%, whereas for 2 years, it is 30%, 30%, 8%, 7% and 3%, respectively. The median overall survival of a score of -3/-2, -1, 0, +1 and +2 was 579 (95% CI 274 to not measurable), 481 (95% CI 358 to 637), 297 (95% CI 240 to 346), 284 (95% CI 205 to 371), 146 (95% CI 120 to 229) days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The data from this retrospective study indicate that the Viennese risk prediction score for Advanced Gastroesophageal carcinoma based on Alarm Symptoms score provides independent prognostic information that may support clinical decision making at diagnosis of advanced gastro-oesophageal cancer. Our findings should be evaluated in prospective studies.

Low Systemic Levels of Chemokine C-C Motif Ligand 3 (CCL3) are Associated with a High Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Glioma

A tight interplay between inflammation and hemostasis has been described as a potential driver for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Here, we investigated the association of systemic cytokine levels and risk of VTE in patients with glioma. This analysis was conducted within the prospective, observational Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study. Patients with glioma were included at time of diagnosis or progression and were observed for a maximum of two years. Primary endpoint was objectively confirmed VTE. At study entry, a single blood draw was performed. A panel of nine cytokines was measured in serum samples with the xMAP technology developed by Luminex. Results: Overall, 76 glioma patients were included in this analysis, and 10 (13.2%) of them developed VTE during the follow-up. Chemokine C-C motif ligand 3 (CCL3) levels were inversely associated with risk of VTE (hazard ratio [HR] per double increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.385, 95% CI: 0.161–0.925, p = 0.033), while there was no association between the risk of VTE and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), respectively. In conclusion, low serum levels of CCL3 were associated with an increased risk of VTE. CCL3 might serve as a potential biomarker to predict VTE risk in patients with glioma.

New emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy: the role of Cluster of Differentiation 40 (CD40/TNFR5)

Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor family and a new immune-modulating target in cancer treatment. B cells, myeloid cells and dendritic cells can express CD40 and mediate via the ligand cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L) cytotoxic T cell priming under physiological conditions. Therapeutically, recombinant CD40L molecules, intratumour application of adenoviral vectors leading to CD40L expression and agonistic monoclonal CD40 antibodies are currently tested in various cancer entities for their immune-modulating potential. Early clinical trials suggest safety for agonistic CD40 antibodies with encouraging antitumour effects. Adverse events encompass cytokine release storm, hepatoxicity, thromboembolic events and were so far reported to be clinically manageable and transient. Ongoing studies investigate CD40 activation in combination with chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies and immunomodulatory agents. Further studies are awaited to specifically identify patients with the greatest clinical benefit based on predictive biomarkers.

Correlation of systemic and local inflammation with survival prognosis in glioma patients

2052

Background: Immune modulating therapies have been a long withstanding treatment approach in glioma. However, gliomas are characterized by a particular absence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in the local tumor microenvironment. We aimed to gain insight on the distinct patterns of inflammation associated with survival prognosis in glioma. Methods: Patients were recruited at time of glioma diagnosis or progression in the prospective observational Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study (CATS). A single blood draw was performed at study inclusion. PD-L1 expression in the tumor tissue was investigated via immunohistochemistry. Optimal cut-off according to ROC curve was used to assess cut off values for survival analysis. Results: 193 patients with glioma (75.6% glioblastoma (WHO grade IV), 19.7% anaplastic glioma (WHO grade III), and 4.7% diffuse glioma (WHO grade II)) were included. 40/193 (20.7%) glioma had an IDH1 mutation. Membranous PDL1 expression in the tumor tissue was observed in 20/193 (10.4%) patients. 1/20 patient presented with PD-L1 expression and IDH1 mutation ( p = 0.082). PD-L1 significantly correlated with increased monocyte count (median: 0.657 vs. 0.450 [G/L], p = 0.008), higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (0.43 vs. 0.1 [mg/dL], p = 0.005) and higher fibrinogen (379 vs. 303 [mg/dL], p = 0.001). Presence of IDH1 mutation significantly correlated with increased platelet count (303 vs. 232 [G/L], p = 0.001) and lower Neutrophil/Lymphocyte (N/L) ratio (3.34 vs. 5.13, p = 0.016). Higher lymphocyte count ( > 1.484 [G/L], log-rank: p = 0.011), higher platelet count ( > 245.5 [G/L], p = 0.0001), as well as decreased N/L ratio ( < 5.13, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with increased survival prognosis. Conclusions: PD-L1 expression in tumor tissue was associated with markers of systemic inflammation in glioma patients. Systemic inflammation markers furthermore predicted improved survival. Immune modulating therapy approaches might be a promising approach in subgroups of glioma associated with increased baseline interaction of immune system and glioma.

Brain metastases as first manifestation of advanced cancer: exploratory analysis of 459 patients at a tertiary care center

Symptomatic brain metastases (BM) are a frequent and late complication in cancer patients. However, a subgroup of cancer patients presents with BM as the first symptom of metastatic cancer. Here we aimed to analyze the clinical course and prognostic factors of this particular BM patient population. Patients presenting with newly diagnosed BM without a history of metastatic cancer were identified from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry. Clinical characteristics and overall survival were retrieved by chart review. 459/2419 (19.0%) BM patients presented with BM as first symptom of advanced cancer. In 374/459 (81.5%) patients, an extracranial primary tumor, most commonly lung cancer, could be identified within 3 months after BM diagnosis. In 85/459 (18.5%) patients no extracranial primary tumor could be identified despite comprehensive diagnostic workup within the first 3 months after diagnosis of BM. Survival of patients with identified extracranial tumor differed only numerically from patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP), however patients receiving targeted therapy after molecular workup showed significantly enhanced survival (20 months vs. 7 months; p = 0.003; log rank test). The GPA score showed a statistically significant association with median overall survival times in the CUP BM patients (class I: 46 months; class II: 7 months; class III: 4 months; class IV: 2 months; p < 0.001; log rank test). The GPA score has a strong prognostic value in patients with CUP BM and may be useful for patient stratification in the clinical setting. Comprehensive diagnostic workup including advanced imaging techniques and molecular tissue analyses appears to benefit patients by directing specific molecular targeted therapies.

Correlation of immune phenotype with IDH mutation in diffuse glioma

Background

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are targets of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods

Forty-three World Health Organization (WHO) grade II/III gliomas (39 IDH-mutant [mut], 4 IDH-wildtype [wt]) and 14 IDH-mut glioblastomas (GBM) were analyzed for TIL (CD3+; PD1+) infiltration and PD-L1 expression. Results were compared with the data of a previously published series of 117 IDH-wt glioblastomas. PD-L1 gene expression levels were evaluated in 677 diffuse gliomas grades II-IV from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Results

TIL and PD-L1 expression were observed in approximately half of WHO grade II/III gliomas. IDH-wt status was associated with significantly higher TIL infiltration and PD-L1 expression among all (grades II-IV) cases (n = 174, P < 0.001) and within the cohort of glioblastomas (n = 131, P < 0.001). In low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma cohorts of TCGA, significantly higher PD-L1 gene expression levels were evident in IDH-wt compared with IDH-mut samples (LGG: N = 516; P = 1.933e-11, GBM: N = 161; P < 0.009). Lower PD-L1 gene expression was associated with increased promoter methylation (Spearman correlation coefficient -0.36; P < 0.01) in the LGG cohort of TCGA. IDH-mut gliomas had higher PD-L1 gene promoter methylation levels than IDH-wt gliomas (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The immunological tumor microenvironment of diffuse gliomas differs in association with IDH mutation status. IDH-wt gliomas display a more prominent TIL infiltration and higher PD-L1 expression than IDH-mut cases. Mechanistically this may be at least in part due to differential PD-L1 gene promoter methylation levels. Our findings may be relevant for immune modulatory treatment strategies in glioma patients.

Large-scale database mining reveals hidden trends and future directions for cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has fundamentally changed the landscape of oncology in recent years and significant resources are invested into immunotherapy research. It is in the interests of researchers and clinicians to identify promising and less promising trends in this field in order to rationally allocate resources. This requires a quantitative large-scale analysis of cancer immunotherapy related databases.

We developed a novel tool for text mining, statistical analysis and data visualization of scientific literature data. We used this tool to analyze 72002 cancer immunotherapy publications and 1469 clinical trials from public databases. All source codes are available under an open access license.

The contribution of specific topics within the cancer immunotherapy field has markedly shifted over the years. We show that the focus is moving from cell-based therapy and vaccination towards checkpoint inhibitors, with these trends reaching statistical significance. Rapidly growing subfields include the combination of chemotherapy with checkpoint blockade. Translational studies have shifted from hematological and skin neoplasms to gastrointestinal and lung cancer and from tumor antigens and angiogenesis to tumor stroma and apoptosis.

This work highlights the importance of unbiased large-scale database mining to assess trends in cancer research and cancer immunotherapy in particular. Researchers, clinicians and funding agencies should be aware of quantitative trends in the immunotherapy field, allocate resources to the most promising areas and find new approaches for currently immature topics.

Next-Generation Sequencing-based genomic profiling of brain metastases of primary ovarian cancer identifies high number of BRCA-mutations

Ovarian cancer represents the most common gynaecological malignancy and has the highest mortality of all female reproductive cancers. It has a rare predilection to develop brain metastases (BM). In this study, we evaluated the mutational profile of ovarian cancer metastases through Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) with the aim of identifying potential clinically actionable genetic alterations with options for small molecule targeted therapy. Library preparation was conducted using Illumina TruSight Rapid Capture Kit in combination with a cancer specific enrichment kit covering 94 genes. BRCA-mutations were confirmed by using TruSeq Custom Amplicon Low Input Kit in combination with a custom-designed BRCA gene panel. In our cohort all eight sequenced BM samples exhibited a multitude of variant alterations, each with unique molecular profiles. The 37 identified variants were distributed over 22 cancer-related genes (23.4%). The number of mutated genes per sample ranged from 3 to 7 with a median of 4.5. The most commonly altered genes were BRCA1/2, TP53, and ATM. In total, 7 out of 8 samples revealed either a BRCA1 or a BRCA2 pathogenic mutation. Furthermore, all eight BM samples showed mutations in at least one DNA repair gene. Our NGS study of BM of ovarian carcinoma revealed a significant number of BRCA-mutations beside TP53, ATM and CHEK2 mutations. These findings strongly suggest the implication of BRCA and DNA repair malfunction in ovarian cancer metastasizing to the brain. Based on these findings, pharmacological PARP inhibition could be one potential targeted therapeutic for brain metastatic ovarian cancer patients.

The value of 18F-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the detection of the primary lesion and for staging in brain metastasis (BM) patients with cancer of unknown primary site (CUPS)

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Background: Brain metastasis (BM) are the first clinical presentation of cancer in around 30% of patients. They are then referred as BM from cancer of unknown primary site (BM-CUPS). The value of 18F-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/CT has not yet be determined for the management of these patients. Methods: A total of 566 patients were operated for BM at the University Hospital Zurich between 2004 and 2014, of whom 127 were identified as BM-CUPS patients. Two cohorts from other independent centers (n = 100 and 120) were used for the validation of data. Results: No difference in determining the localization of the primary lesion was observed between FDG-PET/CT and CT (FDG-PET/CT: 73/78, 93.6%; CT: n = 70/78, 89.7%; p = 0.25, McNemar’s test). The same pattern of primary lesion and other extracranial lesions was observed in 36 of 64 patients (56.3%). Additional suspicious extracranial metastases were identified by FDG-PET/CT in 28 patients (43.7%). The median graded prognostic assessment (GPA) scores were 2.5 determined according to FDG-PET/CT and 3 according to CT alone (p = 3.8x10-5), resulting in predicted survival times of 3.8 versus 5.3 months (p = 6.1x10-5; Wilcoxon’s test). Conclusions: A similar sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT and chest CT was observed for the detection of the primary tumor in BM-CUPS, however, FDG-PET/CT significantly improved the accuracy of staging. FDG-PET/CT should be preferred for the management of BM-CUPS and may help to avoid redundant CT imaging.

Primary tumor sidedness associates with prognosis of patients with brain metastases of colorectal cancer

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Background: Brian metastases (BM) are a rare but devastating complication of colorectal cancer. We aimed to analyse prognostic factors in patients suffering from colorectal cancer (CRC) BM. Methods: Patients with histological proven CRC and BM were identified from the brain metastasis database of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna. Clinical characteristics including established prognostic factors were retrieved by chart review. Established clinical prognostic scores for BM patients including the graded prognostic assessment (GPA) and the GPA for gastrointestinal tumours (GI-GPA) were calculated based on clinical characteristics as previously published. Results: 215 (male: 125/215 (58.1%); female 90/215 (41.9%)) patients with CRC BM were available for this study. The following established clinical prognostic factors showed a significant association with median overall survival (OS) times from BM diagnosis: number of brain metastases (n = 1: 6 months; n = 2-3: 4 months; n > 3: 3 months; p = 0.001), age at BM diagnosis ( < 65 years: 6 months; > 65 years: 4 months; p = 0.047), extracranial disease (present: 4 months; absent: 8 months; p = 0.002) and Karfnofsky performance score (KPS < 70%: 3 months; KPS > 70%: 5 months; p = 0.002), graded prognostic assessment (GPA) class (class I: 15 months; class II: 13 months; class III: 4 months; class IV: 4 months) and the gastro-intestinal disease-specific GI-GPA (class I: 11 months; class II: 6 months; class III: 6 months; class IV: 3 months; p < 0.001). In addition, the location of the primary tumour in the left colon (n = 176 (81.9%); 5 months) was associated with significantly longer median overall survival times from diagnosis of BM than primary tumour location in the right colon (n = 39 (18.1%); 3 months; p = 0.010). Primary tumor sidedness (HR 0.577; 95% CI 0.397-0.841; p = 0.004) remained a strong prognostic factor at multivariate analysis independently of GI-GPA (HR 0.718; 95% CI 0.612-0.842). Conclusions: Primary tumor sidedness is an independent prognostic factor in patients with CRC BM and should be included in disease-specific prognostic scores.

Decreased body mass index is associated with impaired survival in lung cancer patients with brain metastases: A retrospective analysis of 624 patients

Body mass index (BMI) is a prognostic factor in several cancer types. We investigated the prognostic role of BMI in a large patient cohort with newly diagnosed lung cancer brain metastases (BM) between 1990 and 2013. BMI at diagnosis of BM and graded prognostic assessment (GPA) were calculated. Definitions were underweight (BMI <18.50), weight within normal range (BMI 18.50-24.99) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25.00). A total of 624 patients (men 401/624 [64.3%]; women 223/624 [35.7%]; median age of 61 [range 33-88]) were analysed. Histology was non-small cell lung cancer in 417/622 (66.8%), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in 205/624 (32.9%) and not otherwise specified in 2/624 (0.3%) patients. About 313/624 (50.2%) had normal BMI, 272/624 (43.5%) were overweight and 39/624 (6.3%) were underweight. Underweight patients had shorter median overall survival (3 months) compared to patients with normal BMI (7 months) and overweight (8 months; p < .001; log rank test). At multivariate analysis, higher GPA class (HR 1.430; 95% cumulative incidence, CI 1.279-1.598; p < .001; Cox regression model), SCLC histology (HR 1.310; 95% CI 1.101-1.558) and presence of underweight (HR 1.845; 95% CI 1.317-2.585; p = .014; Cox regression model) were independent prognostic factors. Underweight at diagnosis of BM in lung cancer is associated with an unfavourable prognosis.