Prediction of recurrence risk in endometrial cancer with multimodal deep learning

Predicting distant recurrence of endometrial cancer (EC) is crucial for personalized adjuvant treatment. The current gold standard of combined pathological and molecular profiling is costly, hampering implementation. Here we developed HECTOR (histopathology-based endometrial cancer tailored outcome risk), a multimodal deep learning prognostic model using hematoxylin and eosin-stained, whole-slide images and tumor stage as input, on 2,072 patients from eight EC cohorts including the PORTEC-1/-2/-3 randomized trials. HECTOR demonstrated C-indices in internal (n = 353) and two external (n = 160 and n = 151) test sets of 0.789, 0.828 and 0.815, respectively, outperforming the current gold standard, and identified patients with markedly different outcomes (10-year distant recurrence-free probabilities of 97.0%, 77.7% and 58.1% for HECTOR low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, respectively, by Kaplan-Meier analysis). HECTOR also predicted adjuvant chemotherapy benefit better than current methods. Morphological and genomic feature extraction identified correlates of HECTOR risk groups, some with therapeutic potential. HECTOR improves on the current gold standard and may help delivery of personalized treatment in EC.

Clinical Validation of Human Papilloma Virus Circulating Tumor DNA for Early Detection of Residual Disease After Chemoradiation in Cervical Cancer

PURPOSE

Most cervical cancers are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), and HPV circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may identify patients at highest risk of relapse. Our pilot study using digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) showed that detectable HPV ctDNA at the end of chemoradiation (CRT) is associated with inferior progression-free survival (PFS) and that a next-generation sequencing approach (HPV-seq) may outperform dPCR. We aimed to prospectively validate HPV ctDNA as a tool for early detection of residual disease.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter validation study accrued patients with stage IB-IVA cervical cancer treated with CRT between 2017 and 2022. Participants underwent phlebotomy at baseline, end of CRT, 4-6 weeks post-CRT, and 3 months post-CRT for HPV ctDNA levels. Plasma HPV genotype-specific DNA levels were quantified using both dPCR and HPV-seq. The primary end point was 2-year PFS.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 2.2 (range, 0.5-5.5) years, there were 24 PFS events among the 70 patients with HPV+ cervical cancer. Patients with detectable HPV ctDNA on dPCR at the end of CRT, 4-6 weeks post-CRT, and 3 months post-CRT had significantly worse 2-year PFS compared with those with undetectable HPV ctDNA (77% v 51%, P = .03; 82% v 15%, P < .001; and 82% v 24%, P < .001, respectively); the median lead time to recurrence was 5.9 months. HPV-seq showed similar results as dPCR. On multivariable analyses, detectable HPV ctDNA on dPCR and HPV-seq remained independently associated with inferior PFS.

CONCLUSION

Persistent HPV ctDNA after CRT is independently associated with inferior PFS. HPV ctDNA testing can identify, as early as at the end of CRT, patients at high risk of recurrence for future treatment intensification trials.

A phase I study of the Wee1 kinase inhibitor adavosertib (AZD1775) in combination with chemoradiation in cervical, upper vaginal, and uterine cancers

OBJECTIVE

Wee1 kinase is a crucial regulator of the G2/M checkpoint which prevents entry of damaged DNA into mitosis. Adavosertib (AZD1775), a selective inhibitor of Wee1, induces G2 escape and increases cytotoxicity when combined with DNA damaging agents. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of adavosertib in combination with definitive pelvic radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin in patients with gynecological cancers.

METHODS

A multi-institutional, open-label phase I trial was designed to assess dose escalation (3+3 design) of adavosertib in combination with standard chemoradiation. Eligible patients with locally advanced cervical, endometrial or vaginal tumors were treated with a 5-week course of pelvic external beam radiation 45-50 Gy in 1.8-2 Gy daily fractions plus concurrent weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2 and adavosertib 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 3 and 5 of each week during chemoradiation. The primary endpoint was to determine the recommended phase II dose of adavosertib. Secondary endpoints included toxicity profile and preliminary efficacy.

RESULTS

Ten patients were enrolled (nine locally advanced cervical and one endometrial cancer). Two patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity at dose level 1 (adavosertib 100 mg by mouth daily on days 1, 3 and 5), including one patient with grade 4 thrombocytopenia, and one with treatment hold >1 week due to grade 1 creatinine elevation and grade 1 thrombocytopenia. At dose level -1 (adavosertib 100 mg by mouth daily on days 3 and 5), one out of five patients enrolled had a dose-limiting toxicity in the form of persistent grade 3 diarrhea. The overall response rate at 4 months was 71.4%, including four complete responses. At 2 years follow-up, 86% of patients were alive and progression-free.

CONCLUSION

The recommended phase II dose could not be determined due to clinical toxicity and early trial closure. Preliminary efficacy appears promising, yet selecting the adequate dose/schedule in combination chemoradiation warrants further investigation to limit overlapping toxicities.

Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab in Previously Treated Advanced Endometrial Cancer: Updated Efficacy and Safety From the Randomized Phase III Study 309/KEYNOTE-775

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported.We report the final prespecified analysis for overall survival (OS), along with updated progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR), and safety from the open-label, randomized, phase III Study 309/KEYNOTE-775. In total, 827 patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic endometrial cancer (EC) were randomly assigned to receive lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily plus pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously once every 3 weeks (n = 411) or chemotherapy of the treating physician's choice (doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 intravenously once every 3 weeks or paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 intravenously once weekly [3 weeks on; 1 week off] [n = 416]). Efficacy was reported for patients with mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) tumors and all-comers, and by subgroups (histology, prior therapy, MMR status). Updated safety was also reported.Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab showed benefits in OS (pMMR HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.83; all-comer HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.77), PFS (pMMR HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.72; all-comer HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.66), and ORR (pMMR patients, 32.4% v 15.1%; all-comers, 33.8% v 14.7%) versus chemotherapy. OS, PFS, and ORR favored lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in all subgroups of interest. No new safety signals were observed. Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab continued to show improved efficacy versus chemotherapy and manageable safety in patients with previously treated advanced EC.

A novel PA-led urgent care model for medical oncology patients at a large academic cancer center

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Background: Oncology patients are high users of the emergency department (ED), which often results in hospital admissions for management of cancer symptoms or cancer treatment toxicities. Interventions such as urgent care (UC) models can decrease such visits, and help improve patient management, health care utilization, and patient experience. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a large tertiary care hospital in Toronto, Canada has a high volume of medical oncology ED visits (average 4 per day) with about 50% admitted for management. Methods: A novel physician-assistant (PA) led and physician supervised UC model was developed to assist in medical oncology patient phone triage, assessment, and management of cancer or treatment related issues that would otherwise have been sent to the ED by the oncology team. There were two phases: 1) due to COVID, the patients were managed in a dedicated stream primarily using space and nursing in the ED, 2) a dedicated UC clinic with nursing support was opened for these patients. Results: In phase 1, there were 424 referrals over 24 months; 84% would have otherwise been sent through the usual ED process. 26% of patients were managed with PA navigation outside the UC program in other hospital settings. Of the 204 patients formally treated in the UC stream, 67.7% were discharged home. At 48 hours, 89% of discharged patients were stable or improved; this was 80% at 14 days, and 17.3% came back to the ED or were admitted within 14 days of the UC visit. In phase 2, there have so far been 214 referrals over 5 months; 83.6% would have otherwise been sent to the ED. Of the patients who were assessed, 77.9% were discharged home. Outcomes of these patients are being collected. The top 3 patient issues managed during both phases were: fever, pain, and dyspnea. Fifteen patient telephone surveys were completed, and 93.3% were either satisfied or highly satisfied with their UC experience. Conclusions: A novel PA-led triage and management model for urgent medical oncology patient issues was found in initial phase to be feasible and effective with streamlined care through the ED. Once a dedicated UC clinic was opened, referral volumes increased, and a high rate of ED diversion, patient discharge, and effective care was continued. Patients were also highly satisfied. Several ongoing process and outcome measures are being evaluated to help expand the scope and impact of this resource.

Analysis of fine particulates from fuel burning in a reconstructed building at Çatalhöyük World Heritage Site, Turkey: assessing air pollution in prehistoric settled communities

The use of wood, dung and other biomass fuels can be traced back to early prehistory. While the study of prehistoric fuel use and its environmental impacts is well established, there has been little investigation of the health impacts this would have had, particularly in the Neolithic period, when people went from living in relatively small groups, to living in dense settlements. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Çatalhöyük, Turkey, is one of the earliest large 'pre-urban' settlements in the world. In 2017, a series of experiments were conducted to measure fine particulate (PM_2.5) concentrations during typical fuel burning activities, using wood and dung fuel. The results indicate that emissions from both fuels surpassed the WHO and EU standard limits for indoor air quality, with dung fuel being the highest contributor for PM_2.5 pollution inside the house, producing maximum values > 150,000 µg m^-3. Maximum levels from wood burning were 36,000 µg m^-3. Average values over a 2-3 h period were 13-60,000 µg m^-3 for dung and 10-45,000 µg m^-3 for wood. The structure of the house, lack of ventilation and design of the oven and hearth influenced the air quality inside the house. These observations have implications for understanding the relationship between health and the built environment in the past.

Vulnerability of the North Water ecosystem to climate change

High Arctic ecosystems and Indigenous livelihoods are tightly linked and exposed to climate change, yet assessing their sensitivity requires a long-term perspective. Here, we assess the vulnerability of the North Water polynya, a unique seaice ecosystem that sustains the world’s northernmost Inuit communities and several keystone Arctic species. We reconstruct mid-to-late Holocene changes in sea ice, marine primary production, and little auk colony dynamics through multi-proxy analysis of marine and lake sediment cores. Our results suggest a productive ecosystem by 4400–4200 cal yrs b2k coincident with the arrival of the first humans in Greenland. Climate forcing during the late Holocene, leading to periods of polynya instability and marine productivity decline, is strikingly coeval with the human abandonment of Greenland from c. 2200–1200 cal yrs b2k. Our long-term perspective highlights the future decline of the North Water ecosystem, due to climate warming and changing sea-ice conditions, as an important climate change risk.

The North Water polynya is a unique but vulnerable ecosystem, home to Indigenous people and Arctic keystone species. New palaeoecological records from Greenland suggest human abandonment c. 2200–1200 cal yrs BP occurred during climate-forced polynya instability, foreshadowing future ecosystem declines.

Ancient DNA, lipid biomarkers and palaeoecological evidence reveals construction and life on early medieval lake settlements

Direct evidence of ancient human occupation is typically established through archaeological excavation. Excavations are costly and destructive, and practically impossible in some lake and wetland environments. We present here an alternative approach, providing direct evidence from lake sediments using DNA metabarcoding, steroid lipid biomarkers (bile acids) and from traditional environmental analyses. Applied to an early Medieval Celtic settlement in Ireland (a crannog) this approach provides a site chronology and direct evidence of human occupation, crops, animal farming and on-site slaughtering. This is the first independently-dated, continuous molecular archive of human activity from an archeological site, demonstrating a link between animal husbandry, food resources, island use. These sites are under threat but are impossible to preserve in-situ so this approach can be used, with or without excavation, to produce a robust and full site chronology and provide direct evidence of occupation, the use of plants and animals, and activities such as butchery.

Phase II trial assessing niraparib with or without dostarlimab (anti-PD-1) in recurrent endometrial carcinoma

5574

Background: Treatment options in recurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC) are limited. Endometrioid EC shows alterations in PTEN, a possible biomarker of response to PARP inhibitors (PARPi). Similarly, homologous recombination deficiency (HRd), a biomarker of response to PARPi in ovarian cancer, is associated with serous EC harbouring TP53 mutations. Preclinical EC models have shown synergy between combining a PARPi and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Methods: A pilot multi-centre, non-randomized, phase II trial enrolled patients (pts) with recurrent serous or endometrioid EC in two consecutive cohorts (NCT03016338). In the first cohort (C1) pts received niraparib 200 or 300 mg qd, based on baseline body weight and platelet count, in 4 week (w) cycles. In the second cohort (C2) niraparib was given with dostarlimab 500 mg q 3 w for 4 cycles, followed by 1000 mg q 6 w thereafter. There was no limit on prior lines of therapy. Prior ICI was not allowed in C2. Primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate (CBR; complete, partial response or stable disease ≥16w). Secondary endpoints included toxicity assessment and ORR. CT scans were performed q 8 w. Potential biomarkers were assessed in archival tissue by IHC (PTEN, p53, MMR, PDL-1 [threshold 1%]) and a NGS panel (including TP53, PTEN, POLE and other HRd genes). Tumour mutational burden-high (TMBh) was defined as top 20% mutation load. Results: In C1, 25 pts were enrolled (23 evaluable for response). Median age was 69 years old, 64% had serous EC, 72% were platinum resistant (PlatR) and median prior therapies was 2 (range 1-4). Median number of cycles was 3. The CBR was 20% (95% CI: 9-39) and median clinical benefit (CB) duration was 5.3 (1.8-7.2) months. The ORR was 1/23 (4%; 0-20). Related grade (g) ≥3 AEs ≥10% were anemia (24%), fatigue (16%) and thrombocytopenia (16%). In C2, 22 pts were enrolled (all evaluable) and two continue on-treatment. Median age was 64 years old, 46% had serous EC, 68% were PlatR and median prior therapies was 2 (1-6). Three pts had MMR deficient (MMRd) tumors (14%) and one pt a POLE mutation (5%). Median number of cycles was 3. The CBR was 31.8% (16-53) and median CB duration was 6.8 months (3.7-9.5). The ORR was 3/22 (14%; 3-35), out of the three responders one had MMRd and one a POLE mutation. Related g≥3 AEs ≥10% were anemia (27%) and neutropenia (14%). No significant correlation was detected between CB and IHC markers (PTEN, p53, MMR, PDL-1), or NGS ( PTEN, TP53, HRd TMBh) in C1 and C2. Conclusions: Niraparib as single agent for treatment in a PlatR enriched recurrent EC population showed modest activity with clinical benefit rate at 16w of 20%. The combination of niraparib and dostarlimab showed a clinical benefit rate at 16w of 31.8% in a predominantly PlatR recurrent EC. PTEN loss by IHC or NGS, and alterations in HRd genes did not correlate with clinical benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT03016338.

Factors impacting length of stay and survival in patients with advanced gynecologic malignancies and malignant bowel obstruction

OBJECTIVES

Malignant bowel obstruction in patients with gynecologic malignancies can impose a large symptomatic burden. The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with shorter length of hospital stay and overall survival in gynecologic oncology patients with malignant bowel obstructions.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed from December 2014 to March 2019 on patients admitted to a tertiary care center with a malignant bowel obstruction and advanced gynecologic malignancy. Data collection included patient and tumor characteristics, malignant bowel obstruction management (such as conservative management with bowel rest, nasogastric tube, pharmacotherapy or active intervention with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, total parenteral nutrition or interventional stents), length of hospital stay, and survival outcomes. Statistical analysis included comparisons with Student's t-test and χ² test, multivariable analysis, and survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 107 patients with gynecologic cancer with malignant bowel obstruction were included. The majority of patients (63%, n=67) had ovarian cancer. The median length of hospital stay was 12 days (range 1-23), with a median overall survival after malignant bowel obstruction diagnosis of 7 months (range 0.1-64.1). Patients with active interventions had a longer length of stay compared with those with conservative management (13 vs 6 days, p<0.001). However, patients who received multiple active interventions had increased overall survival (9.1 vs 2.9 months, p=0.049).

CONCLUSION

Patients who received multimodal treatment for malignant bowel obstruction had an increased length of stay and improvement in survival of over 6 months. This emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to actively manage malignant bowel obstruction in advanced gynecologic cancer.

NRG GY012: A randomized phase II study comparing single-agent olaparib, single agent cediranib, and the combination of cediranib/olaparib in women with recurrent, persistent or metastatic endometrial cancer

TPS5609

Background: The Cancer Genome Atlas and others identified genomic events suggesting that endometrial cancer (EC) should be susceptible to DNA repair inhibition. Mutations in classical homologous recombination genes occur in 22% of EC, ARID1A 41% and PTEN loss occurs in 55% of EC. Data from pre-clinical models suggest poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors alone or in combination may be an effective therapeutic strategy in EC (Hansen 2016). Combinations of angiogenic inhibitors and PARP inhibitors have demonstrated synergistic effects and have been well tolerated in other tumor types. This study has been designed to compare 2 experimental arms exploring DNA repair inhibition versus cediranib alone which has previously shown promising activity in GOG 229J (Bender 2015). Methods: This is a multicenter randomized three arm study for patients with recurrent, metastatic or persistent EC. Patients are randomized 1:1:1 to cediranib PO 30 mg OD; olaparib 300 mg PO BID or the combination of cediranib 20 mg PO OD with olaparib 300 mg PO BID. All treatment cycles are 28 days. Primary endpoint is progression free survival (PFS). The study is powered to detect an increase in median PFS from 3.6 (based on cediranib alone) to 7.2 months with 90% power, using a one-sided test with α = 0.05 per comparison. Forty patients will be enrolled per arm, with an interim futility analysis planned. Eligibility includes endometroid, serous, and mixed histology EC; at least 1 prior line of chemotherapy (no more than 2 lines for metastatic disease), prior endocrine or immunotherapy is allowed; ECOG PS ≤ 2; adequate hepatic, bone marrow, coagulation and renal function. Archival tumor tissue and blood samples are being collected for translational studies. The study is open across the NRG network; 24 patients are enrolled to date . Amendments are planned to include additional arms investigating combination strategies targeting DNA repair and angiogenesis. Clinical trial information: 03660826.

Impact of somatic molecular profiling on clinical trial outcomes in rare epithelial gynecologic cancer patients

OBJECTIVES

Conducting clinical trials in rare malignancies is challenging due to the limited number of patients and differences in biologic behavior. We investigated the feasibility and clinical utility of using genomic profiling for rare gynecologic malignancies.

METHODS

Rare epithelial gynecologic cancer patients were analyzed for somatic variants through an institutional molecular profiling program using the Sequenom MassArray platform or the TruSeq Amplicon Cancer Panel on the MiSeq platform. Clinical trial outcomes by RECIST 1.1, and time on treatment were evaluated.

RESULTS

From March 2012 to November 2015, 767 gynecologic patients were enrolled and 194 (27%) were classified as rare epithelial malignancies. At least one somatic mutation was identified in 72% of patients, most commonly in TP53 (39%), KRAS (28%) and PIK3CA (27%). A total of 14% of patients were treated on genotype-matched trials. There were no significant differences in overall response rate between genotype-matched versus unmatched trials, nor in median time on treatment between genotype trials and the immediate prior systemic standard treatment. Among 13 evaluable Low Grade Serous ovarian cancer patients treated on genotype-matched trials with MEK inhibitor-based targeted combinations, there were four partial responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Somatic molecular profiling is feasible and enables the identification of patients with rare gynecologic cancers who are candidates for genotype-matched clinical trials. Genotype-matched trials, predominantly MEK-based combinations in KRAS and/or NRAS mutant Low Grade Serous ovarian cancer patients, and genotype-unmatched trials, have shown potential clinical activity. Prospective trials with integrated genotyping are warranted to assess the clinical utility of next generation sequencing tests as a standard clinical application in rare malignancies.

Association of Ipilimumab With Safety and Antitumor Activity in Women With Metastatic or Recurrent Human Papillomavirus-Related Cervical Carcinoma

Importance

Based on evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced immune evasion, immunotherapy may be an attractive strategy in cervical cancer. Ipilimumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), which acts to downregulate the T-cell immune response.

Objective

To assess the safety and antitumor activity of ipilimumab in recurrent cervical cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A multicenter trial was designed for patients with metastatic cervical cancer (squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma) with measurable disease and progression after at least 1 line of platinum chemotherapy. A run-in safety cohort using ipilimumab, 3 mg/kg, every 21 days for 4 cycles in 6 patients was followed by a phase II cohort of ipilimumab, 10 mg/kg, every 21 days for 4 cycles and then 4 cycles of maintenance therapy every 12 weeks for patients demonstrating radiologic response or stabilization. Immune correlative studies were performed on peripheral blood before and after therapy on archival tissue and fresh tumor obtained prior to registration and 7 days after cycle 2. The study was conducted from December 3, 2012, to September 15, 2014. The data were analyzed from April 2016 to June 2016 and in July 2017.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end points were safety and objective response rate. Immune analyses were performed on blood and tumor tissue.

Results

A total of 42 women (median age, 49 years; range, 23-78 years) were enrolled (29 [69%] squamous cell cervical cancer and 13 [31%] adenocarcinoma; 37 [93%] of 40 patients with tissue available for analysis had HPV-positive confirmation; there was no archival tissue for 2 women). Grade 3 toxic effects included diarrhea in 4 patients, 3 of whom had colitis. Of 34 patients evaluated for best response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1), 1 patient had partial response and 10 had stable disease. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 2.5 months (95% CI, 2.1-3.2 months) and 8.5 months (95% CI, 3.6-not reached; 1 patient was still alive), respectively. Intratumoral pretreatment CD3, CD4, CD8, FoxP3, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was not predictive of benefit and did not significantly change with treatment. Multicolor flow cytometry on peripheral lymphocytes revealed a treatment-dependent increase of inducible T-cell costimulator, human leukocyte antigen-antigen D related, and PD-1 during initial treatment, which returned to baseline during maintenance.

Conclusions and Relevance

Ipilimumab was tolerable in this population but did not show significant single-agent activity. Immune changes were induced by anti-CTLA-4 therapy but did not correlate with clinical activity. Changes in these markers may guide further treatment strategies.

Moving forward with actionable therapeutic targets and opportunities in endometrial cancer: A NCI clinical trials planning meeting report

The incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) in the U.S. has been rising, from an estimated annual incidence of 49,560 in 2013 to 61,380 in 2017. Meanwhile, the SEER-based relative survival of women with EC in the U.S. has remained flat [82.3% from 1987 to 1989, 82.8% from 2007 to 2013] and our recent increased understanding of EC biology and subtypes has not been translated into therapeutic advances. The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) therefore convened a Uterine Clinical Trials Planning Meeting in January 2016 to initiate and accelerate design of molecularly-targeted EC trials. Prior to the meeting a group of experts in this field summarized available data, emphasizing data on human samples, to identify potentially actionable alterations in EC, and the results of their work has been separately published. The Clinical Trials Meeting planners focused on discussion of (1) novel trial designs, including window-of opportunity trials and appropriate control groups for randomized trials, (2) targets specific to serous carcinoma and promises and pitfalls of separate trials for women with tumors of this histology (3) specific recommendations for future randomized trials.

Systemic therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a clinical practice guideline

Objective

The purpose of this guideline is to recommend systemic therapy options for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, including fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers.

Methods

This document updates the recommendations published in the 2011 Optimal Chemotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer guideline from Cancer Care Ontario. Draft recommendations were formulated based on evidence obtained through a systematic review of phase ii and iii randomized controlled trials (rcts). The draft recommendations underwent internal review by clinical and methodology experts, and external review by clinical practitioners through a survey assessing the clinical relevance and overall quality of the guideline. Feedback from the internal and external reviews was integrated into the clinical practice guideline.

Results

The primary literature search yielded thirty-six primary research papers representing thirty rcts that met the eligibility criteria. The guideline provides recommendations for patients with serous tumour histologies and with recurrent, platinum-resistant, and platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

Conclusions

The body of evidence from trials that included olaparib and bevacizumab consistently shows a benefit in progression-free survival (pfs) without a corresponding benefit in overall survival (os). The Working Group for this guideline designated pfs, which is associated with symptom control, as a critical outcome. A finding of net benefit can therefore be concluded based on significant differences in pfs. However, that benefit is not without identified harms. Given the identified harms, patient involvement in the decision-making process must take into consideration the side effect profiles of olaparib and bevacizumab within the context of improved pfs but minimal change in os.

Molecular Profiling of Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Experience

BACKGROUND

Molecular aberrations in KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA have been well-described in advanced colorectal cancer. The incidences of other mutations are less known. We report results of molecular profiling of advanced colorectal cancer in an academic cancer center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced colorectal were enrolled in an institution-wide molecular profiling program. Profiling was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded archival tissues using a customized MassArray panel (23 genes, 279 mutations) or the Illumina MiSeq TruSeq Cancer Panel (48 genes, 212 amplicons, ≥ 500× coverage) in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified laboratory. PTEN was determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

From March 2012 to April 2014, 245 patients were enrolled. At least one mutation was found in 54% (97/178) and 91% (61/67) of patients using MassArray or MiSeq platforms, respectively (P < .01). Of all patients, KRAS G12/13 mutation was identified in 39%, and non-G12/13 KRAS, BRAF, or NRAS mutations were present in 9%, 6%, and 4%, respectively. Other common mutations included TP53 (68.7%), APC (41.8%), and PIK3CA (13.5%). Co-mutation with KRAS, NRAS, or BRAF was found in 75% of patients with PIK3CA mutation. Of 106 patients with known PTEN immunohistochemistry status, 16% were negative. A higher average number of mutations were observed in right versus left colorectal cancer (P < .01), with 13 of 14 BRAF mutations located in right colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

Mutations are common in advanced colorectal cancer. Right colon cancers harbor more genetic aberrations than left colon or rectal cancers. These aberrations may contribute to differential outcomes to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy among patients with right colon, left colon, or rectal cancers.

A Phase II Multicentre, Open-Label, Proof-of-Concept Study of Tasquinimod in Hepatocellular, Ovarian, Renal Cell, and Gastric Cancers

BACKGROUND

Tasquinimod is a small molecule with immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic properties that targets the tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to obtain a clinical proof of concept that tasquinimod was active and tolerable in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This early stopping design, open-label, proof-of-concept clinical trial evaluated the clinical activity of tasquinimod in four independent cohorts of patients with advanced hepatocellular (n = 53), ovarian (n = 55), renal cell (n = 38), and gastric (n = 21) cancers. Tasquinimod was given orally every day (0.5 mg/day for at least 2 weeks, with dose increase to 1 mg/day) until radiological progression according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) 1.1 criteria, intolerable toxicity, or patient withdrawal. The primary efficacy endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) rate according to RECIST 1.1 by central assessment.

RESULTS

Interim futility analyses at 8 weeks (6 weeks for the gastric cancer cohort) found adequate clinical activity of tasquinimod only in the hepatocellular cohort and recruitment to the other three cohorts was stopped. PFS rates were 26.9% at 16 weeks, 7.3% at 24 weeks, 13.2% at 16 weeks, and 9.5% at 12 weeks, respectively, in hepatocellular, ovarian, renal cell, and gastric cancer cohorts. The pre-defined PFS threshold was not reached in the hepatocellular cancer cohort at the second stage of the trial. The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (48.5%), nausea (34.1%), decreased appetite (31.7%), and vomiting (24.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study failed to demonstrate clinical activity of tasquinimod in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced hepatocellular, ovarian, renal cell, and gastric cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01743469.

The impact of interruptions on physician workflow, productivity, and delivery of care

201

Background: Physician interruptions during clinic and non-clinic hours can lead to medical errors, provider fatigue, prolonged clinic times, reduced academic output and poor job satisfaction. Repetitive interruptions can hamper the ability of physicians to deliver high quality patient-centered care. This study aims to evaluate the type, frequency, duration and self-reported physician response interruptions physicians experience in clinic. Methods: A work observation study was conducted at the Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada. In-clinic data were collected from September 22 to October 6, 2016 using time-motion analyses by shadowing multiple oncologists in clinic. Interruption data were collected and categorized as follows: type of interruption, length of interruption, reason for interruption and role of interrupter. Physicians were asked to record and track themselves regarding interruptions they experienced during non-clinic hours using the same criteria. Results: Over a 2-week period, 5 medical oncology clinics (median 4 hours (hrs) per clinic), were observed and tracked. The clinic physicians averaged 22 interruptions per block, equating to 6 interruptions/hr (one interruption every 10 minutes (mins)). Over the 5 sessions, 112 data points were collected totaling over 1 hr 48 mins of interrupted time. Interruptions averaged 80 seconds (range of 4 to 517) in length with a positive skewed distribution. This calculates to approximately 30 mins of cumulative interrupted time per clinic session. Most interruptions were under 4 mins in length (4.1 at 95th percentile). The type of interruption varied but was most commonly in-person (67), email (24) and text message (10). Conclusions: Interruptions account for approximately 30 mins of physician time during a 4-hour clinic. An assessment of the type and frequency of requests proved highly variable, creating inconsistent ways messages are delivered to physicians. Interruptions potentially impact on patient care and disrupt the workflow of the clinic. These data provide future directions for exploring efficient clinic workflows and establishing standardized means of communicating with physicians during clinic hours.

Feasibility and acceptability of implementing an electronic patient reported outcome (e-PRO) dysphagia screening tool for routine multidisciplinary care

155

Background: In Ontario, Canada, longitudinal patient self-reporting of 9 common cancer symptoms and a global health scale (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, ESAS) is mandated and used clinically as a screening tool for multidisciplinary precision care (chemo/rads/surg). However, a common GI symptom, dysphagia, is not assessed in the same setting. Methods: Mostly gastro-esophageal cancer outpatients (some head and neck and lung cancer patients undergoing radiation were also included for generalizability) received one of two versions (V1, V2) of the dysphagia screening tool based on PRO-CTCAE-derived language. The tool included two screening questions, which when answered affirmatively, led to more comprehensive dysphagia/odynophagia questioning. The survey was introduced on iPads with V1. An assessment of acceptability through patient survey was additionally included in V2, and the duration of survey completion was recorded. Exploratory in-depth interviews were conducted with oncologists to assess usability in the clinic setting. Results: Of 101 approached and eligible, 79 consented, and 66 completed the survey. Median completion time was 2.12 ± 0.80 min. 95% were happy to complete survey on a touchscreen tablet, 88% did not find completion of survey time-consuming, and 91% found completion of survey useful in order to tell the clinician how they feel physically and emotionally. The prevalence of dysphagia based on screening question #1 (“difficulty upon swallowing?”) was 38% (25/66), while for screening question #2 (“pain upon swallowing?”) prevalence was 18% (12/66). Five interviewed physicians found the survey to be clinically informative, not burdensome in terms of time consumption, and felt it would be a valuable addition to outpatient clinics. One recurring suggestion was to combine the two screening questions into one. Results were similar across GI, head and neck, and lung cancer sites. Conclusions: The e-PRO dysphagia screening tool is acceptable and feasible for patients, and useful for clinicians. Next, a modified one-question dysphagia tool will be assessed in the multidisciplinary care of gastro-esophageal cancer patients.

Hedgehog inhibition enhances efficacy of radiation and cisplatin in orthotopic cervical cancer xenografts

BACKGROUND

The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is upregulated in cervical cancer and associated with poor outcome. We explored the effects of Hh pathway inhibition in combination with RTCT in a patient derived orthotopic cervical cancer xenograft model (OCICx).

METHODS

5E1, a monoclonal antibody for SHH, or Sonidegib (LDE225), a clinical SMO inhibitor (Novartis) were added to RTCT. We investigated tumour growth delay, metastasis and GI toxicity using orthotopic cervical cancer xenografts models. The xenografts were treated with radiotherapy (15 × 2 Gy daily fractions over 3 weeks) and weekly cisplatin 4 mg kg^-1 concurrently, with or without 5E1 or Sonidegib (LDE225). The Hh inhibitors were administered by subcutaneous injection (5E1; 20 mg kg^-1 weekly for 3 weeks), or by oral gavage (Sonidegib; 60 mg kg^-1 daily for 3 weeks).

RESULTS

We observed that both Hh inhibitors administered with RTCT were well tolerated and showed increased tumour growth delay, and reduced metastasis, with no increase in acute GI-toxicity relative to RTCT alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest Hh can be a valid therapeutic target in cervical cancer and supports data suggesting a potential therapeutic role for targeting Hh in patients undergoing RTCT. This warrants further investigation in clinical trials.

OV21/PETROC: A randomized Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) phase II study of intraperitoneal (IP) versus intravenous (IV) chemotherapy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and optimal debulking surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)

LBA5503

Background: The aim of this 2 stage randomized trial was to evaluate whether women undergoing neoadjuvant IV chemotherapy followed by delayed debulking surgery benefit from the addition of IP/IV treatment after surgery. Methods: Stage 1 was a randomized 3-arm design including 2 IP platinum regimens: 153 women who received 3-4 courses of IV platinum-based chemo for stage IIB-III (IV pleural effusion only) EOC followed by optimal debulking surgery ( < 1 cm) were randomized to: ARM1 D1 IV paclitaxel (pacli) 135mg/m2 + IV Carboplatin AUC 5/6 with d8 pacli IV 60 mg/m2 Q 21d X3; ARM 2 D1 IV pacli 135mg/m2 + IP cisplatin (Cis) 75 mg/m2 and d8 IP pacli 60 mg/m2 Q21d X3; or ARM 3 d1 IV pacli 135mg/m2+ IP Carboplatin AUC 5/6 and d8 IP pacli 60mg/m2 Q21dX3. A planned DSMC review confirmed dropping ARM2 (IP cis) and continuing study as an expanded phase II comparing 200 patients randomized to ARMs 1 and 3, which has 80% power to detect a 19% difference in progression rate at 9 mo (PD9, primary endpoint), 2-sided α = 0.05. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are secondary efficacy endpoints. Results: Between 2009 and May 2015, 275 patients were accrued: n = 101 Arm 1, 72 Arm 2, 102 Arm 3. Median age was 62; 81.8%s had stage 3 C disease; 12.7% stage IV. Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms. Median number of cycles was 3 all arms; completion rates Arm 1, 93.7% and Arm 3, 84.8%. Intention to treat PD9 rates: Arm 1: 38.6% (95% CI 29.1%- 48.8%) and Arm 3: 24.5% (95% CI 16.5%-34.0%); p = 0.065 stratified; p = 0.03 unstratified. Per protocol (eligible, received > one dose of protocol therapy) PD9 rates: Arm 1: 42.2% (95% CI 31.9%- 53.1%), Arm 3: 23.3% (95% CI 15.1%-33.4%); p = 0.03 stratified; p = 0.01 unstratified. Median PFS 11.3 mo (Arm1) and 12.5 mo (Arm 3); HR 0.82 (95% CI 0.57 - 1.17); p = 0.27. Median OS: 38.1 mo (Arm 1) and 59.3 mo (Arm 3); HR 0.80 (95% CI 0.47-1.35) p = 0.40. Adverse events > Gr 3 rates: 23% (Arm 1) and 16% (Arm 3) (p = 0.24). Conclusions: The IP carboplatin based regimen, post neoadjuvant chemotherapy and debulking surgery, is well tolerated and associated with a lower PD9 rate compared to IV therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT00993655.

Pathway map development as an approach to identifying priority areas for quality improvement in Ontario

108

Background: Disease Pathway Management (DPM) is the unifying approach to the way in which Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) sets priorities for cancer control, plans cancer services and improves the quality of care in Ontario. In 2014 DPM began developing a cervical cancer pathway map (CCPM) to map the patient journey along the cervical cancer care continuum. Objective: to report on the CPPM development process as a tool to identify key priorities for cervical cancer management in Ontario. Methods: DPM convened a multidisciplinary/multi-stakeholder cervical cancer working group with regional and specialty representation from across Ontario. Over 12 months, 33 individuals participated in an in-person meeting and monthly teleconferences. The CCPM was drafted using guidelines developed by CCO’s Program in Evidence Based Care (PEBC) and considering clinical guidance documents from several jurisdictions. Throughout the development process the team were asked to discuss and reach consensus on key priorities for improving care. Results: Twenty-two priority areas were identified across the continuum in: prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and survivorship. Opportunities were identified for: development/endorsement of evidence based guidelines; patient-centered approaches to screening; quality improvement; survivorship; drug funding implementation and a CPPM Knowledge Translation strategy. Potentially actionable items were aligned with relevant internal and external stakeholders including organized screening programs, the PEBC, provincial drug reimbursement programs and other quality improvement teams within CCO. Conclusions: The process of bringing multidisciplinary experts together in order to develop the CPPM successfully identified key priorities across the spectrum of care in Ontario and allowed identification of potential opportunities for quality improvement, development of practice guidelines and new models of care. In turn, the CCPM provides a patient-centred disease focused framework from which stakeholders can approach and evaluate new initiatives in the context of the cervical cancer continuum.

Prospective evaluation of quality of life (QOL) during a phase I/II study of adjuvant chemotherapy with image-guided high-precision radiotherapy for completely resected gastric cancer

164

Background: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improves overall and relapse free survival in patients with completely resected gastric cancer, but confers toxicity. This prospective phase I/II clinical trial assessed the toxicity, efficacy and QOL when adding bi-weekly cisplatin to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Phase I data showed promising outcomes with acceptable toxicity. Methods: Treatment comprised 45 Gy in 25 fractions of image-guided 3D-CRT or IMRT concurrently with weeks 3-7 of 12 weeks of infusional 5-FU. Cisplatin (up to bi-weekly) was added in a standard dose-escalation protocol. Patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline, end of radiotherapy, 4 weeks post chemotherapy and at 1 and 2 years. Results: Among 55 participants (mean age 54, range 28 to 77; 55% male; median follow-up 3.03 years), QOL compliance ranged from 93% at baseline to 70% at 4 weeks post-treatment. Maximal tolerable dose of cisplatin was 40 mg/m2 bi-weekly for 4 cycles. OS and DFS rates are 85% and 74% respectively at 2 years. Mean scores for global QOL (median difference = -25, p < 0.0001), role and social functioning, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and appetite declined at completion of radiation; physical functioning showed a statistically significant decline of borderline clinical importance (median difference = -6.7, p <.0001). All scales recovered by 4 weeks after chemotherapy except fatigue, which returned to baseline by one year. Conclusions: Adjuvant gastric chemoradiotherapy incorporating cisplatin worsened global QOL, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and appetite. Most scales recovered by 4 weeks post-chemotherapy. This regimen is tolerable not only by observer rated toxicity, but also by patient reported QOL measures. Clinical trial information: NCT00188266.

Abstract 02: Pan-cancer analysis of hotspot mutations in genes encoding the members of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinosidtide-3 kinase (PI3K) pathways among smokers and non-smokers

Background: In lung cancer, the MAPK pathway is activated mainly by KRAS and EGFR mutations in smokers and non-smokers, respectively. It is relatively unknown how smoking affects MAPK and PI3K pathways across multiple cancers.

Methods: Mutation data and smoking status were available from 854 solid tumor patients whose tumors were profiled by NGS with Illumina MiSeq TruSeq Amplicon Cancer Panel (48 genes, 212 amplicons) in the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Integrated Molecular Profiling in Advanced Cancer Trial (IMPACT). The panel included hotspot exons of EGFR, ERBB2, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, PTEN and AKT1. Mutation frequencies between smokers and non-smokers (never smoker + former light smoker [&lt;5pack year]) were compared using Chi-Square test or Fisher's exact test.

Results: Lung cancers (N=101) from smokers contained more KRAS mutations (38% vs.12%, P=0.004) while those from non-smokers had more EGFR mutations (34% vs. 10%, P=0.003). In contrast, non-lung cancers (N=753) had no difference in KRAS mutation frequencies between smokers and non-smokers (19% vs.17%, P=0.47). Too few EGFR and NRAS mutations were found in this cohort for meaningful analysis. Across the cohorts, there was no difference in BRAF, PIK3CA, or PTEN mutation frequency between smokers and non-smokers (BRAF, 5% vs. 4.5%, P=0.6; PIK3CA, 14% vs.15%, P=0.8; PTEN, 4.5% vs. 3.6%, P=0.6). Five non-lung cancers (4 non-smokers, 1 smoker) had AKT1 mutations. All nine cases with ERBB2 mutations (2 lung and 7 non-lung cancers) were non-smokers. No difference in KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA and PTEN mutation frequencies between smokers and non-smokers was observed within specific cancers; breast, cervix, colorectal, endometrium, ovarian, pancreatobiliary and upper aerodigestive (P values&gt;0.05, N= 107, 36, 126, 55, 167, 70, 81 respectively).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that, with the exception of lung cancer, there is no difference in frequencies of hotspot mutations in critical genes encoding MAPK and PI3K pathways members between smokers and non-smokers across multiple cancers analysed. ERBB2 hotspot mutations (N=9) were exclusively found in non-smokers.

Citation Format: Kyaw L. Aung, Trevor J. Pugh, Tracy Stockley, Lisa Wang, Greg Korpanty, Stefano Serra, Patricia Shaw, Ming S. Tsao, Neesha Dhani, Helen Mackay, Frances A. Shepherd, Suzanne Kamel-Reid, Lillian L. Siu, Philippe L. Bedard. Pan-cancer analysis of hotspot mutations in genes encoding the members of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinosidtide-3 kinase (PI3K) pathways among smokers and non-smokers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Integrating Clinical Genomics and Cancer Therapy; Jun 13-16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(1_Suppl):Abstract nr 02.

Prediction model for regional or distant recurrence in endometrial cancer based on classical pathological and immunological parameters

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant therapy increases disease-free survival in endometrial cancer (EC), but has no impact on overall survival and negatively influences the quality of life. We investigated the discriminatory power of classical and immunological predictors of recurrence in a cohort of EC patients and confirmed the findings in an independent validation cohort.

METHODS

We reanalysed the data from 355 EC patients and tested our findings in an independent validation cohort of 72 patients with EC. Predictors were selected and Harrell's C-index for concordance was used to determine discriminatory power for disease-free survival in the total group and stratified for histological subtype.

RESULTS

Predictors for recurrence were FIGO stage, lymphovascular space invasion and numbers of cytotoxic and memory T-cells. For high risk cancer, cytotoxic or memory T-cells predicted recurrence as well as a combination of FIGO stage and lymphovascular space invasion (C-index 0.67 and 0.71 vs 0.70). Recurrence was best predicted when FIGO stage, lymphovascular space invasion and numbers of cytotoxic cells were used in combination (C-index 0.82). Findings were confirmed in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In high-risk EC, clinicopathological or immunological variables can predict regional or distant recurrence with equal accuracy, but the use of these variables in combination is more powerful.

Stage I granulosa cell tumours: A management conundrum? Results of long-term follow up

Optimal management of women with early stage granulosa cell tumours (GCT) presents a management conundrum - they have excellent prognosis but a third will relapse. Advances uncovering the molecular characteristics of GCT have not been matched by improvements in our understanding and treatment.

METHODS

Stage I GCT patients referred to Auckland City Hospital (1955-2012) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (1992-2012) were identified. Baseline characteristics, histopathology and outcomes were recorded retrospectively.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty stage I GCT patients were identified with a median age of 49 years. Median follow-up was 7.0 years (range 0.1-44.2 years). Fifty-one patients (32%) relapsed with a median time to relapse (TTR) of 12.0 years (1.3-17.7 years) - 20 initial relapses occurred 10 years post-diagnosis. Higher relapse rates (43% vs. 24% p=0.02) and shorter TTR (10.2 vs. 16.2 years p=0.007) were seen with stage Ic versus stage Ia disease. Cyst rupture was associated with increased relapse (p=0.03). Surgery was the main therapeutic modality at relapse. Eighty six percent of patients received non-surgical management at least once post-relapse. Clinical benefit rate was 43% with chemotherapy, 61% with hormonal therapy and 86% with radiation. Five- and 10-year overall survival (OS) were 98.5 and 91.6%, respectively. Median OS was similar in patients with (24.3 years) and without relapse (22.3 years).

CONCLUSION

Surgery remains fundamental at diagnosis and relapse. Caution should be exercised in recommending adjuvant chemotherapy at initial diagnosis given median OS was greater than 20 years even with relapse. Hormonal therapy at relapse appears encouraging but needs further assessment. Novel treatment strategies need exploration with international collaboration essential for this.

The relationship between health utility, quality of life, and symptom scores in Canadian patients with esophageal cancer

149

Background: Health Utility scores (HUS) are an increasingly important tool in helping to determine the cost-effectiveness of therapies worldwide. The EQ-5D is a validated HUS questionnaire, with reference data in numerous populations. Previously, HUS in esophageal cancer (EC) were based on limited datasets, and the relationship between HUS and either quality of life (QOL, through the validated FACT-E) or esophageal-specific symptoms such as dysphagia, has not been studied. Methods: This cross-sectional survey of EC patients at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (2012-2014) assessed EQ-5D, FACT-E, a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), patient reported performance status (PRO-ECOG), and dysphagia scoring. EQ-5D scores were converted to HUS using Canadian references. Correlation analyses were performed between HUS and global FACT-E scores, global dysphagia scores, and specific esophageal symptom scores included in FACT-E. Results: Of 198 patients, median age was 67 (range 32-93) years, 76% were male, with localized (LD stage 1, 6%), regional (RD, stage II-IVA, 62%), and metastatic (MD, stage IVB, 27%) disease. Mean + SEM EQ-5D HUS was 0.80+0.01 (all patients), 0.90+0.05 (LD), 0.82+0.01 (RD), and 0.73+0.03 (MD) [p=0.03]. Mean FACT-E total score was 130, mean total FACT-G score was 80, and mean ECS score was 49. There was a strong correlation between FACT-E total scores and EQ-5D HUS (r=0.73, p<0.001), and mild-to-moderate correlation between FACT-E dysphagia questions and HUS (r= 0.28-0.37; p<0.001, each comparison) and between the odynophagia question and HUS (r=0.28, p<0.001). A moderate correlation was observed between a non-FACT-E based global swallow score and HUS (r=0.48, p<0.001). Conclusions: In this large cross-sectional study of EC patients, stage, QOL, and esophageal-specific symptoms were all associated with HUS. Additional results will be presented on the relationship of VAS, PRO-ECOG and specific FACT-E domains, with HUS and changes in questionnaire scores over time, as well as stage-specific EC reference HUS using UK and USA references. This research enhances our understanding of the factors driving EQ5D HUS in EC, thereby validating its potential usefulness in economic analyses.

Intratumoral heterogeneity in a minority of ovarian low-grade serous carcinomas

Background

Ovarian low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) has fewer mutations than ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) and a less aggressive clinical course. However, an overwhelming majority of LGSC patients do not respond to conventional chemotherapy resulting in a poor long-term prognosis comparable to women diagnosed with HGSC. KRAS and BRAF mutations are common in LGSC, leading to clinical trials targeting the MAPK pathway. We assessed the stability of targetable somatic mutations over space and/or time in LGSC, with a view to inform stratified treatment strategies and clinical trial design.

Methods

Eleven LGSC cases with primary and recurrent paired samples were identified (stage IIB-IV). Tumor DNA was isolated from 1–4 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor blocks from both the primary and recurrence (n = 37 tumor and n = 7 normal samples). Mutational analysis was performed using the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq^TM Cancer Panel, with targeted validation using Fluidigm-MiSeq, Sanger sequencing and/or Raindance Raindrop digital PCR.

Results

KRAS (3/11), BRAF (2/11) and/or NRAS (1/11) mutations were identified in five unique cases. A novel, non-synonymous mutation in SMAD4 was observed in one case. No somatic mutations were detected in the remaining six cases. In two cases with a single matched primary and recurrent sample, two KRAS hotspot mutations (G12V, G12R) were both stable over time. In three cases with multiple samplings from both the primary and recurrent surgery some mutations (NRAS Q61R, BRAF V600E, SMAD4 R361G) were stable across all samples, while others (KRAS G12V, BRAF G469V) were unstable.

Conclusions

Overall, the majority of cases with detectable somatic mutations showed mutational stability over space and time while one of five cases showed both temporal and spatial mutational instability in presumed drivers of disease. Investigation of additional cases is required to confirm whether mutational heterogeneity in a minority of LGSC is a general phenomenon that should be factored into the design of clinical trials and stratified treatment for this patient population.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2407-14-982) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evidence for a time-dependent association between FOLR1 expression and survival from ovarian carcinoma: implications for clinical testing. An Ovarian Tumour Tissue Analysis consortium study

BACKGROUND

Folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) is expressed in the majority of ovarian carcinomas (OvCa), making it an attractive target for therapy. However, clinical trials testing anti-FOLR1 therapies in OvCa show mixed results and require better understanding of the prognostic relevance of FOLR1 expression. We conducted a large study evaluating FOLR1 expression with survival in different histological types of OvCa.

METHODS

Tissue microarrays composed of tumour samples from 2801 patients in the Ovarian Tumour Tissue Analysis (OTTA) consortium were assessed for FOLR1 expression by centralised immunohistochemistry. We estimated associations for overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival using adjusted Cox regression models. High-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were evaluated independently for association between FOLR1 mRNA upregulation and survival.

RESULTS

FOLR1 expression ranged from 76% in HGSC to 11% in mucinous carcinomas in OTTA. For HGSC, the association between FOLR1 expression and OS changed significantly during the years following diagnosis in OTTA (Pinteraction=0.01, N=1422) and TCGA (Pinteraction=0.01, N=485). In OTTA, particularly for FIGO stage I/II tumours, patients with FOLR1-positive HGSC showed increased OS during the first 2 years only (hazard ratio=0.44, 95% confidence interval=0.20-0.96) and patients with FOLR1-positive clear cell carcinomas (CCC) showed decreased PFS independent of follow-up time (HR=1.89, 95% CI=1.10-3.25, N=259). In TCGA, FOLR1 mRNA upregulation in HGSC was also associated with increased OS during the first 2 years following diagnosis irrespective of tumour stage (HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

FOLR1-positive HGSC tumours were associated with an increased OS in the first 2 years following diagnosis. Patients with FOLR1-negative, poor prognosis HGSC would be unlikely to benefit from anti-FOLR1 therapies. In contrast, a decreased PFS interval was observed for FOLR1-positive CCC. The clinical efficacy of FOLR1-targeted interventions should therefore be evaluated according to histology, stage and time following diagnosis.

Evidence for a time-dependent association between FOLR1 expression and survival from ovarian carcinoma: implications for clinical testing. An Ovarian Tumour Tissue Analysis consortium study

BACKGROUND

Folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) is expressed in the majority of ovarian carcinomas (OvCa), making it an attractive target for therapy. However, clinical trials testing anti-FOLR1 therapies in OvCa show mixed results and require better understanding of the prognostic relevance of FOLR1 expression. We conducted a large study evaluating FOLR1 expression with survival in different histological types of OvCa.

METHODS

Tissue microarrays composed of tumour samples from 2801 patients in the Ovarian Tumour Tissue Analysis (OTTA) consortium were assessed for FOLR1 expression by centralised immunohistochemistry. We estimated associations for overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival using adjusted Cox regression models. High-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were evaluated independently for association between FOLR1 mRNA upregulation and survival.

RESULTS

FOLR1 expression ranged from 76% in HGSC to 11% in mucinous carcinomas in OTTA. For HGSC, the association between FOLR1 expression and OS changed significantly during the years following diagnosis in OTTA (Pinteraction=0.01, N=1422) and TCGA (Pinteraction=0.01, N=485). In OTTA, particularly for FIGO stage I/II tumours, patients with FOLR1-positive HGSC showed increased OS during the first 2 years only (hazard ratio=0.44, 95% confidence interval=0.20-0.96) and patients with FOLR1-positive clear cell carcinomas (CCC) showed decreased PFS independent of follow-up time (HR=1.89, 95% CI=1.10-3.25, N=259). In TCGA, FOLR1 mRNA upregulation in HGSC was also associated with increased OS during the first 2 years following diagnosis irrespective of tumour stage (HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

FOLR1-positive HGSC tumours were associated with an increased OS in the first 2 years following diagnosis. Patients with FOLR1-negative, poor prognosis HGSC would be unlikely to benefit from anti-FOLR1 therapies. In contrast, a decreased PFS interval was observed for FOLR1-positive CCC. The clinical efficacy of FOLR1-targeted interventions should therefore be evaluated according to histology, stage and time following diagnosis.

Olaparib combined with chemotherapy for recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer: a randomised phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib has shown antitumour activity in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent, high-grade serous ovarian cancer with or without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of olaparib in combination with chemotherapy, followed by olaparib maintenance monotherapy, versus chemotherapy alone in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent, high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In this randomised, open-label, phase 2 study, adult patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent, high-grade serous ovarian cancer who had received up to three previous courses of platinum-based chemotherapy and who were progression free for at least 6 months before randomisation received either olaparib (200 mg capsules twice daily, administered orally on days 1-10 of each 21-day cycle) plus paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2), administered intravenously on day 1) and carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 4 mg/mL per min, according to the Calvert formula, administered intravenously on day 1), then olaparib monotherapy (400 mg capsules twice daily, given continuously) until progression (the olaparib plus chemotherapy group), or paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) on day 1) and carboplatin (AUC 6 mg/mL per min on day 1) then no further treatment (the chemotherapy alone group). Randomisation was done by an interactive voice response system, stratified by number of previous platinum-containing regimens received and time to disease progression after the previous platinum regimen. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, analysed by intention to treat. Prespecified exploratory analyses included efficacy by BRCA mutation status, assessed retrospectively. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01081951, and has been completed.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 12 and July 30, 2010, 173 patients at 43 investigational sites in 12 countries were enrolled into the study, of whom 162 were eligible and were randomly assigned to the two treatment groups (81 to the olaparib plus chemotherapy group and 81 to the chemotherapy alone group). Of these randomised patients, 156 were treated in the combination phase (81 in the olaparib plus chemotherapy group and 75 in the chemotherapy alone group) and 121 continued to the maintenance or no further treatment phase (66 in the olaparib plus chemotherapy group and 55 in the chemotherapy alone group). BRCA mutation status was known for 107 patients (either at baseline or determined retrospectively): 41 (38%) of 107 had a BRCA mutation (20 in the olaparib plus chemotherapy group and 21 in the chemotherapy alone group). Progression-free survival was significantly longer in the olaparib plus chemotherapy group (median 12.2 months [95% CI 9.7-15.0]) than in the chemotherapy alone group (median 9.6 months [95% CI 9.1-9.7) (HR 0.51 [95% CI 0.34-0.77]; p=0.0012), especially in patients with BRCA mutations (HR 0.21 [0.08-0.55]; p=0.0015). In the combination phase, adverse events that were reported at least 10% more frequently with olaparib plus chemotherapy than with chemotherapy alone were alopecia (60 [74%] of 81 vs 44 [59%] of 75), nausea (56 [69%] vs 43 [57%]), neutropenia (40 [49%] vs 29 [39%]), diarrhoea (34 [42%] vs 20 [27%]), headache (27 [33%] vs seven [9%]), peripheral neuropathy (25 [31%] vs 14 [19%]), and dyspepsia (21 [26%] vs 9 [12%]); most were of mild-to-moderate intensity. The most common grade 3 or higher adverse events during the combination phase were neutropenia (in 35 [43%] of 81 patients in the olaparib plus chemotherapy group vs 26 [35%] of 75 in the chemotherapy alone group) and anaemia (seven [9%] vs five [7%]). Serious adverse events were reported in 12 (15%) of 81 patients in the olaparib plus chemotherapy group and 16 of 75 (21%) patients in the chemotherapy alone group.

INTERPRETATION

Olaparib plus paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by maintenance monotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival versus paclitaxel plus carboplatin alone, with the greatest clinical benefit in BRCA-mutated patients, and had an acceptable and manageable tolerability profile.

FUNDING

AstraZeneca.