Demographic stratification of inflammatory signature in lung cancer patients in North Carolina: A prospective cohort study

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Background: Lung Cancer remains the major cause of cancer related mortality in the state of North Carolina. There is a growing body of evidence that implicates inflammation as a mechanism of disease progression and reduced survival in patients with advanced cancer (Laird et al, Oncologist 2013). Smoldering inflammation in the tumor microenvironment regulates and escalates cancer invasion, angiogenesis and immune surveillance escape (Balkwill and Mantovani, Lancet 2001). We investigated the predictive value of inflammatory signature according to social stratification of cancer patients using Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS). mGPS is a composite inflammatory score based on CRP and serum albumin with proven prognostic and predictive value in various tumor types. Methods: A prospective observational single institutional study was conducted whereby serum albumin and CRP were drawn at baseline for 333 patients with diagnosis of cancer regardless of stage from 30 counties in Eastern North Carolina. The mGPS score was compared according to rural urban divide and occupational regional exposure of various counties stratified per US Census Data. Results: Lung cancer was the predominant cancer type in 93% of patients. The mGPS of zero in Urban vs Rural counties was noted in 36% and 24% patients respectively. The mGPS score of two in Urban vs Rural counties was noted in 26% and 41% respectively. The mGPS of two in areas of hog farming, cattle farming and wet waste lands was seen in 41%, 38% and 43% respectively (p = 0.0019). The mGPS of zero was seen in 24%, 20% and 27% respectively (p = 0.0008). Conclusions: This study suggests a strikingly unfavorable inflammatory signature in rural population as well as areas of hog farm, cattle farm and wet waste lands. The hog and poultry operations heighten the harmful effect on waterways and can adversely affect the inflammatory signature, hence the tumor biology. This underscores additional interventions in these high risk populations that can have significant implications for quality of life and survival, especially in the era of immunotherapy.

Survival stratification using a baseline inflammatory physiology based scoring system in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy

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Background: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has shown promise in NSCLC with improved survival and durability in disease control. Despite these advances, the response to ICB remains variable. Thus identifying easily available biomarkers that can assist in the optimal selection of patients for ICB holds paramount importance. Methods: Retrospectively we identified 87 stage III/IV NSCLC patients initiated on anti-PD-1 therapy from April 2015 to March 2017 after progressing on a platinum doublet. These patients were part of an ongoing prospective biomarker-based study at our institution. Follow up cutoff for survival analysis was set at October 1, 2017. Enrolled participants had inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, absolute neutrophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, serum albumin) measured on the day of first dose of anti-PD-1 administration as well as subsequent doses. Using multivariate Cox analysis, factors demonstrating an association with overall survival after immunotherapy (OSI) were used to develop a composite score to stratify patient survival. Results: The median age was 64 years with predominant histology being adenocarcinoma in 46.0 % followed by squamous cell carcinoma (43.7 %). Stage IV disease was present in 70.1%, with skeletal involvement (54.1 %) and liver (27.9 %) being the most common metastatic sites. In the multivariate Cox regression with backward elimination, factors independently associated with OSI were noted to be: CRP, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and prognostic nutritional index. A composite inflammatory biomarker score was developed using the B-coefficients from the Cox multivariate regression. A score > 1 demonstrated inferior OSI compared to a score of ≤ 1 [1.7 vs. 9.3 months; P < 0.001, HR 4.00, 95% CI (2.21-7.25)]. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence in favor of a composite inflammation based score that can aid in survival stratification of these patients. Validation of this score in prospective NSCLC trials to elucidate its potential utility as a predictive or prognostic tool in facilitating optimal patient selection for ICB is required.

Sequence of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade in the treatment of metastatic lung cancer

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Background: Monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoint proteins have recently been shown to elicit robust and durable responses in patients with advanced lung cancer. However, with response rates ranging from 15-20%, immunomodulatory strategies are needed to improve outcomes. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) may be a promising immunomodulatory strategy given its synergistic effects without added toxicity. Several pre-clinical trials combining SABR and immunotherapy have shown improvement in progression free and overall survival. Given this, it has been our multidisciplinary programmatic approach to bring in SABR in patients receiving immunotherapy for a potential immune boost. Methods: This is a retrospective study evaluating the overall survival (OS) of all lung cancer patients who received Nivolumab with SABR at our institution. We included lung cancer patients of all pathologic subtypes who received Nivolumab. We identified patients who received SABR, to sites of symptomatic metastatic disease, within 30 days preceding (Before) or during (Sandwich) Nivolumab treatment. Results: Out of 76 lung cancer patients treated with Nivolumab, 22 received RT- 10 Before and 12 Sandwich. At a median follow up time of 10.6 months (mo), median OS for patients with no RT was 4.8 mo, Before was 5.2 mo and Sandwich was not reached (NR) (p = 0.06). The 1 year OS for the Sandwich arm was 52.1%. When compared to no RT, the Before arm had a statistically insignificant reduction in mortality (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.25 – 1.41, p = 0.24). The Sandwich arm had a statistically significant reduction in mortality (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.14 – 0.94, p = 0.04). Conclusions: There is an improvement in OS when SABR is administered as a Sandwich approach during Nivolumab treatment, likely due to SABR-induced neoantigen release, increased PDL1 expression and subsequent abscopal effect. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate optimal sequencing, dose and site of RT with immunotherapy. [Table: see text]

Tocilizumab for the management of immune mediated adverse events secondary to PD-1 blockade

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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are poised to revolutionize the management of a growing number of malignancies. Unfortunately, the management of steroid-refractory immune mediated adverse events (irAEs) is based on a paucity of randomized data and limited to single center experiences. Our initial experience with the IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab showed clinical improvement in a wide variety of irAEs. As a result, we adopted the use of tocilizumab for the management of steroid-refractory irAEs. Methods:The character and clinical course of irAEs were abstracted from the medical record and analyzed. The dose of tocilizumab was 4 mg/kg given IV over 1 hour. C-reactive protein was drawn at first nivolumab infusion and at q 2 weeks (and with irAEs) thereafter. Clinical improvement was defined as either: documentation of resolution of symptoms or hospital d/c within 7 days. Results:Of the initial 87 patients that were treated with nivolumab, 34 required tocilizumab (39.1%). All pts were on corticosteroids. The majority (88.2%) were lung cancer patients. The index grade 3/4 irAE was pneumonitis in 35.3%, cytokine release syndrome/SIRS in 35.3%, cerebritis in 14.7% and one case each of hypophysitis, colitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis and immune mediated coagulopathy. Median time between first nivolumab and initiation of tocilizumab was 76 days (range 1-429). Median CRP at initial tocilizumab dose was 100.5 mg/L (2.0 -350.4). Clinical improvement was noted in 27/34 pts (79.4%). 52.9% of pts required a single dose, while 35.3% required two, 8.8% required three and 1 pt required 4 doses. Twenty seven doses were given in the inpatient setting (49.1%). Median time to discharge was 4 days (range 1-27). Seventy four percent of pts were discharged home. For the 55 doses of tocilizumab that were delivered there was a cost savings of $147,174.94 (WAC) during the 18 month period versus infliximab 5 mg/kg IV dose. Conclusions: Tocilizumab is a therapeutic option for the management of steroid refractory irAEs secondary to immune checkpoint blockade. However, randomized trials are needed to better elucidate the relative efficacy and safety of these agents.

Veristrat based stratification of responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)

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Background: Veristrat (Biodesix, Boulder, CO) is a blood based proteomic assay that is dominated by inflammatory proteins and is prognostic and predictive in metastatic NSCLC after treatment with platinum based chemotherapy (Gregorc et al, Lancet 2014). Smoldering inflammation in the tumor microenvironment regulates and escalates cancer invasion, angiogenesis and immune surveillance escape (Balkwill and Mantovani, Lancet 2001). There is preclinical evidence to suggest that the tumor microenvironment can be altered with immunomodulatory interventions (Martino et al, 2016). While immune checkpoint blockade has shown durable benefit in metastatic NSCLC, the response rates still hover around 20%. As a result, identification of predictive biomarkers are of critical importance. The predictive value of the Veristrat assay with respect to ICB is poorly defined. Methods: At our institution, 83 pts with metastatic lung cancer pts were treated with nivolumab between 6/2015 to 12/2016. The following clinicopathologic characteristics were abstracted from medical records: tumor histology, Veristrat status, no. of doses of nivolumab, irAEs and overall survival. Results: Of the 83 pts, 65 pts were found to have NSCLC. Veristrat status was available for 17/65 of these pts. Nine pts were identified to have “Veristrat good” and seven pts were “Veristrat poor”. Median number of nivolumab doses was 4. Median survival for all patients was 30 weeks. Median survival was 20 weeks for “Veristrat poor” and 26 weeks for “Veristrat good”(p = 0.68). Grade 3-4 irAEs were noted in 5/9 patients with “Veristrat good” and 5/7 patients with “Veristrat poor”. Conclusions: “Veristrat poor” pts treated with ICB have a lower median survival as compared to “Veristrat good” pts. Our study did not meet statistically significant end point due to limited sample size. Further studies are needed to identify poorly immunogenic tumors and develop novel treatment approaches to optimize outcomes. [Table: see text]

Modified Glasgow prognostic score in a North American population of metastatic lung cancer patients: Baseline characteristics from the SNAP trial

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Background: There is a growing body of evidence that implicates inflammation as a mechanism of disease progression and reduced survival in patients with advanced cancer (Laird B et al. Oncologist 2013;18:1050-5.). Specifically, elevated c-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been associated with a severe symptom burden including pain, dyspnea, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, impaired quality of life, and inferior overall survival (Laird B et al. Oncologist 2013;18:1050-5.). The Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) is a composite inflammatory score based on CRP and serum albumin with proven prognostic value in patients with advanced lung cancer (Simmons CP et al. Lung Cancer 2015;88:304-309.). There is a significant body of evidence supporting the use of the mGPS in both Europe and Asia but the significance of the mGPS in a North American population has not been completely elucidated. We present preliminary data from a group of patients from Eastern North Carolina. Methods: Serum albumin and CRP were drawn at baseline and patients were followed for clinical course and overall survival. Patients with a dx of cancer were included regardless of stage. Clinicopathological features were abstracted from the chart and compared to a similar population from Europe (Simmons CP et al. Lung Cancer 2015;88:304-309.). Statistical comparisons were done by chi-squared test. Results: Two-hundred and twenty seven patients were eligible. Of these, 110 had either stage IV NSCLC (N= 97) or extensive stage small cell lung cancer (n=13). Median CRP was 21.9 mg/L (0.01 - 329.5). Median serum albumin was 3.4 g/dl (2.3-4.6). The number of patients with mGPS of 0, 1, and 2 were 27 (24.5%), 37 (33.6%) and 46 (41.8%), respectively. As compared to the population from Europe, the chi squared statistic was 10.1229 (p = 0.0063). There was no significant association between mGPS and race (p = 0.2277) or gender (p=0.0607). Conclusions: Lung cancer patients in Eastern North Carolina possess a strikingly poor inflammatory signature with significant implications for quality of life and survival. [Table: see text]

Nonconventional responses and survival benefit of immunotherapy in advanced lung cancer

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Background: Objective response rates (ORR) utilizing RECIST or WHO criteria have been traditionally used as clinical endpoints to assess efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy. However in the era of immunotherapeutic agents, response rate assessment can be misleading due to nonconventional responses resulting in premature discontinuation of treatment. Wolchok et al proposed immune-related response criteria (irRC) to assess immune responses in melanoma. He also noted that stable disease which is not indicative of antitumor activity could be a potential surrogate marker of better clinical outcome. Brahmer et al reported nonconventional pattern of responses with Nivolumab in lung cancer. Methods: A retrospective chart review was done to assess differences in responses utilizing both RECIST v1.1 and irRC criteria in lung cancer patients treated with Nivolumab. Patients who received minimum of 4 cycles of Nivolumab were included in the study. The CT scans were reviewed by a senior radiologist. We reviewed 64 patients treated with Nivolumab between 4/30/2015 to 6/21/2016 and 30 patients were found eligible. Results: Patient characteristics. Male 53%; median age 61 years; squamous 47%; adeno 40%; small cell 13%; Median cycles of Nivolumab 6. Response rates utilizing both criteria was essentially similar with only 2 patients showing dis-concordant responses (6.6%). We utilized RECIST responses criteria for further analysis. Partial response (PR) 2/30; stable disease (SD) 12/30; progressive disease (PD) 15/30 and not evaluable (NE) 1/30. ORR 6.6%. Kaplan–Meier curve was used to analyze difference in survival between patients with PR+SD and PD. The median survival for PD was 9 months and PR+SD was not reached at median follow up of 1 year. Overall survival at 1 year for PD 33% and PR+SD 60% (p = 0.048). Hazard ratio for PD was 3.060 (p = 0.60). Conclusions: Patients with stable disease had a better survival and should be considered as responders though traditionally not included in the ORR. However irRC did not help in differentiating nonconventional immune responses in lung cancer patients. [Table: see text]

Efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with KRAS or EGFR T790M mutations

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Background: Immune checkpoint blockade(ICB) has revolutionized the treatment of progressive NSCLC with its durable benefit when compared to cytotoxic agents. In the era of personalized medicine, there is a need to identify effective predictive biomarkers to detect exceptional responders to ICB. Immune modulating interventions with cytotoxic or biologic agents can maximize clinical responses from ICB in poorly immunogenic tumors. KRAS mutations are a negative prognostic factor for survival and generally lack targeted therapies. The T790M mutation in EGFR is the most common cause of acquired resistance to first line TKIs. As a group, patients with EGFR mutations generally do not derive clinical benefit from ICB versus cytotoxic chemotherapy. Preclinical data suggests that mutations like T790 m are associated with higher immunogenicity leading to avid stimulation of antigen specific T-cells (Ofuzi et al, 2014) and better response to ICB (Yamada, 2013). However, the efficacy of ICB by specific molecular mutations remains poorly defined. Methods: We reviewed data for 83 pts with recurrent or progressive metastatic lung cancer treated with nivolumab from June 2015-Dec 2016. All pts were treated with ICB as a second or subsequent line of treatment. The patients were assessed for pathology, mutational status and overall survival. Mutational status was checked on either tissue biopsy or serum samples submitted for proteomic veristrat/genestrat (Biodesix Inc., Boulder, CO, USA) assay. Results: Of the 83 patients treated with nivolumab, 65 patients were found to have NSCLC. Eleven pts were found to have KRAS mutation which was further subdivided as: 6 pts with KRAS G12C, 4 with KRAS G12V, 1 with KRAS G12D. Two pts were found to have T790M mutation. 81%(9/11) pts with KRAS mutation died. Median survival in pts with KRAS G12C mutation was 10 weeks and KRAS G12V was 12 weeks (p = 0.17). Median survival was not reached for patients with T790M mutation. Conclusions: KRAS mutations tend to have a shorter overall survival with ICB as compared to patients with EGFR T790M mutations. Further studies are necessary to isolate poorly immunogenic subtypes of NSCLC and develop novel treatment approaches to optimize outcomes.

Incidence and impact of thromboembolic events in lung cancer patients treated with nivolumab

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Background: Lung cancer has one of the highest incidences of thromboembolic events (TEE) ranging from 8.4 to13.2%. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy in lung cancer is a well-established risk factor for TEE (11.8%). The incidence of TEE in lung cancer patients (pts) treated with nivolumab (nivo) is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of TEE, risk factors and its impact on overall survival in lung cancer pts treated with nivo. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that included all lung cancer pts treated with nivo from April 2015 to October 2016 at our institution. Medical records were reviewed for incidence, timing, CTCAE grade, type and site of TEE, risk factors and patient demographics. Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify independent predictive factors for TEE. Risk factors with p <0.15 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate model using a stepwise approach. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS). Results: The cumulative incidence (CI) of TEE over a median follow up of 10.8 months after starting nivo was 18.4% (14/76 pts). Of the 14 pts who had TEE, 8 had deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 7 had pulmonary embolism (PE), 1 had concurrent DVT/PE and 2 had arterial thrombosis (AT). 28.6% (4/14) of pts experienced recurrent TEE resulting in 18 total episodes. Median time to TEE after starting nivo was 2.9 months (95% CI 1.9 - 8.4). Gender was the only covariate included in multivariate analysis that showed a significant association with TEE (Female vs Male HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.02 – 9.5, p= 0.045). At a median follow up of 31.8 months since diagnosis of lung cancer, pts who had TEE before receiving nivo had worse OS. TEE occurring after nivo had no impact on OS. Conclusions: The CI of TEE is significantly high at 18.4% in lung cancer pts treated with nivo. However, it had no impact on OS. Further studies are needed to determine the role of prophylactic anticoagulation in this high-risk population. [Table: see text]

Immune related adverse events (irAEs): A unique profile based on tumor type

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Background: Immune checkpoint blockade(ICB) has revolutionized the treatment of a growing number of malignancies. Real world administration of oncolytics is often associated with increased adverse event rates versus what is demonstrated in clinical trials. Whether the tumor biology, site of disease burden or underlying organ dysfunction dictates the differing immune side effect profile in various malignancies remains to be understood. Methods: The incidence of grade 2-4 irAE was abstracted from medical records of all patients (pts) treated with ICB (ipilimumab and/or nivolumab) from 2011 to 2016 at a single institution. Results: Of the 126 pts reviewed, 82 pts had metastatic lung cancer, 31 pts had unresectable or metastatic melanoma, 13 pts had metastatic renal cancer(RCC). In the melanoma cohort, concurrent or sequential PD-1 and CTLA4 blockade was used in 10/31 pts. All of the lung cancer and RCC patients received anti-PD-1 alone. In the patients with lung cancer: pneumonitis was identified in 24%, SIRS in 16%, thrombosis in 11%, cerebritis in 9%, colitis in 4%, hepatitis in 4%, thyroiditis in 5%. In RCC, 8% pts experienced pneumonitis and 8% had thyroiditis. In the melanoma population, colitis was identified in 19%, SIRS in 10%, pneumonitis in 3%, thrombosis in 6%, adrenalitis in 6%, hepatitis in 3%. Colitis was seen in 2/13(15%) pts who got ipilimumab alone and 4/10(40%) pts who got both ipilimumab and nivolumab. Conclusions: Pneumonitis, SIRS and cerebritisappear to be the most prevalent irAEs in lung cancer as compared to melanoma or RCC. The incidence of pneumonitis was higher in RCC compared to melanoma. Colitis appears to have a higher incidence in melanoma, the incidence of which further increases when CTLA4 inhibitors are used in conjunction with anti-PD-1. The majority of the RCC patients tolerated ICB with no major irAEs. With the expanding use of ICB in advanced malignancies, increased awareness of these clinically significant and potentially serious irAEs is indispensable. Future trials designed to distinguish the incidence of irAEs in relation to specific tumor types would be informative. [Table: see text]

Outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitor use in lung cancer patients with hepatic metastases

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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising responses in advanced lung cancer as well as a number of other malignancies. However, efficacy appears to be variable based on the site of disease. We reviewed the outcomes of patients with lung cancer and hepatic metastases from a single institution. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the lung cancer patients treated at East Carolina University with the PD1 inhibitor Nivolumab. Patients were enrolled in an IRB approved study designed to evaluate predictive markers of response to immune checkpoint blockade. Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and imaging studies were analyzed and recorded. Results: Data for 75 patients with lung cancer who received anti-PD1 therapy was analyzed. Of the 75 patients included, 13% (n = 9) had liver metastases. Average age of the patients was 61.8 years, 66% patients were male, 22% had squamous cell, 33% had adenocarcinoma and 44 % small cell neuroendocrine histology. Average number of prior therapies was 1.7 (range 1-4). Thirty three percent of patients had modified Glasgow prognostic score of 2 and a mean CRP of 63.61mg/L (range 0.1-172.7mg/ L) at the initiation of anti-PD1 therapy. They received an average of 4 cycles of anti-PD1 therapy. Forty four percent of patients received adjunctive therapy such as ablative radiation (33%) or immune modulating chemotherapy with the aim of augmenting the effect of the anti-PD1 therapy. None of the analyzed patients with liver metastases had an objective decrease in liver metastases and the average survival in these patients after starting anti-PD1 therapy was 132 days. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study is the largest reported series examining patients with hepatic metastases from lung cancer treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Our observations are consistent with prior reports indicating poor outcomes with anti-PD1 therapy in patients with liver metastases. The mechanisms underlying such resistance must be elucidated so that more effective treatment combinations can be developed.

Outcomes of ERCC1 high locally advanced esophageal cancer patients treated with non-platinum vs platinum based CRT

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Background: ERCC1 is a DNA excision repair enzyme which repairs the DNA adduct damage caused by platinum and hence high levels of ERCC1 has been associated with platinum resistance. Thus utility of platinum as a first line chemotherapy in esophageal cancers with high ERCC1 levels is controversial. SWOG S0356 trial noted a significantly low 2 year overall survival of 37% for platinum based CRT in ERCC1 high esophageal carcinomas, yet no studies have identified the alternative first line chemotherapy. Our Program utilized combined irinotecan 65mg/m2 on D1 and D8 and nab-paclitaxel 100mg/m2with concurrent radiation therapy of 50.4Gy for ERCC1 high esophageal cancers at the treating physician’s discretion. We compared the differences in survival with non-platinum versus platinum CRT. Methods: Retrospective analysis from 2011 to 2016 identified 25 locally advanced esophageal cancer patients in whom ERCC1 levels were checked. Out of this 25 patients 23 had high ERCC1 levels and 2 had low ERCC1 levels. Patients with low ERCC1 were excluded. Patients with high ERCC1 levels received either non-platinum or platinum CRT as neo-adjuvant, adjuvant or definitive chemotherapy. Results: Patient characteristics: Male 69.5%, female 30.5%, squamous 43.4%, adenocarcinoma 52.1%, other 4.5%, operable 39%, non-operable 61%. Non-platinum therapy was utilized for 69.5% and platinum based therapy for 30.5% of the patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis for survival showed clear separation of the curves around 2 years. Median overall survival of non-platinum doublet was not reached during a median follow up of 22 months. Overall survival at 2 years was 57%. The median overall survival for the platinum doublet was 22 months and the 2 year overall survival was 42%. (p = 0.22). Hazard ratio (HR) 0.48(95% CI 0.14-1.58 p = 0.23) .This statistical non significance was due to small sample size. Conclusions: Abraxane and irinotecan showed improved overall survival in the ERCC1 high group when compared with platinum based therapy demonstrated both in our population and the SWOG 0356 trial. [Table: see text]