Peripheral lymphocytes and lactate dehydrogenase correlate with response and survival in head and neck cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Little is known regarding associations between peripheral blood biomarkers (PBBMs) and survival, response, and toxicity in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (R/M HNSCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

METHODS

In this single-institution retrospective cohort study, a dataset of patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICIs between 08/2012-03/2021 was established, including demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics. Pretreatment PBBMs were collected and evaluated for associations with grade ≥3 adverse events (G ≥ 3AE) by CTCAEv5, objective response (ORR) by RECIST 1.1, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariable models for each outcome were created using elastic net variable selection.

RESULTS

Our study included 186 patients, with 51 (27%) demonstrating complete or partial response to immunotherapy. Multivariable models adjusted for ECOG performance status (PS), p16, and smoking demonstrated that pretreatment higher LDH and absolute neutrophils, as well as lower percent lymphocytes correlated with worse OS and PFS. Higher LDH and lower % lymphocytes also correlated with worse ORR.

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest study to date examining PBBMs in ICI-treated R/M HNSCCs, our variable selection method revealed PBBMs prognostic for survival and response to immunotherapy. These biomarkers warrant further investigation in a prospective study along with validation with CPS biomarker.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and peripheral blood biomarkers correlate with survival outcomes but not response among head and neck and salivary cancer treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat

BACKGROUND

Associations between peripheral blood biomarkers and oncologic outcomes were explored in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HN) and salivary gland cancer (SGC) treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat on a phase II trial (NCT02538510).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Twenty-five HN and 25 SGCs were treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat. Baseline peripheral blood was available in 21 HN and 20 SGCs and evaluated for associations with grade ≥3 adverse events (G ≥ 3AE) by CTCAEv4, objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Higher pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and neutrophils, as well as lower pretreatment lymphocytes and T helper cells correlated with worse OS and PFS. Higher NLR further predicted increased rates of G ≥ 3AEs. No correlations with ORR were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In a prospectively evaluated cohort of HN and SGCs treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat, we observed novel associations between peripheral blood biomarkers and oncologic outcomes and toxicities.

Landscape of pathogenic germline variants in patients with lung cancer

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Background: Few studies have aimed to investigate the prevalence and spectrum of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Given the growing opportunities for precision therapies based on PGVs in DNA damage-repair (DDR)/homologous recombination-repair (HRR) genes and the importance of identifying PGVs to inform future cancer screening and cascade testing, we investigated the prevalence and potential clinical implications of PGVs in individuals with lung cancer. Methods: Deidentified data were retrospectively reviewed for 7,788 individuals diagnosed with lung cancer for whom germline DNA sequencing and exon-level copy number analysis were performed between 2014-2022 at a commercial diagnostic laboratory. The diagnosis of lung cancer was based on ICD-10 codes or language on the test requisition suggesting a primary lung cancer diagnosis. Individuals with requisitions suggesting lung metastases, neuroendocrine tumors or sarcomas as the basis for testing were excluded. Number of genes tested varied per ordering clinician preference. Clinically actionable PGVs were defined as those associated with clinical management recommendations or trial eligibility per current, standard of care guidelines. Descriptive statistics were utilized. Results: The cohort was predominantly female (71.1%), White (64.5%), and most had a history of > 1 cancer (71.1%). A median of 79 genes (range 1-159) were tested. Testing identified 1,503 PGVs in 81 known cancer-risk genes in 1,161/7,788 (14.9%) patients; an additional 229 (2.9%) patients carried a single PGV in a gene associated with autosomal recessive inheritance. PGV rates stratified by self-reported ancestry: Black/African American, 11.8%; Asian or Pacific Islander, 11.8%; Hispanic, 14.5%; White, 15.4%. Among genes with >1,000 individuals tested, PGVs were most common in BRCA2 (2.8%), CHEK2 (2.1%), ATM (1.9%), TP53 (1.3%), BRCA1 (1.2%), and EGFR (1.0%). Of 1,161 individuals, 712 (61.3%) had a PGV in a DDR/HRR gene, making them potentially eligible for a clinical treatment trial, and 1,104/1,161 (95.1%) had a PGV that was potentially clinically actionable. Conclusions: From this large cohort of individuals with lung cancer, 14.9% had PGVs, nearly all of which were clinically actionable. Notably, HRR PGVs were common (64%). Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines endorse targeted therapies for patients with breast, pancreatic, prostate, and ovarian cancers who carry HRR PGVs. Recently, the NCCN Guidelines panel recommended germline testing be considered for all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Given the profound implications for both patients and their families that result from identifying PGVs, our results suggest that all patients with lung cancer also be considered for germline genetic testing.

Peripheral blood T-cell receptor repertoire profiling of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 treatment

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Background: Whether peripheral blood T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire profiling can serve as a biomarker to predict clinical benefit from anti-PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint immunotherapy is not well understood. Moreover, it is not known which methods for TCR repertoire analysis are most clinically meaningful. To address this, we have performed TCR repertoire analysis of patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. Methods: We analyzed 29 patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy or combination therapy in any line of treatment, excluding patients with EGFR mutations or Alk alterations. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood examples, and CDR3 regions of the rearranged TCR beta genes were amplified and sequenced using the immunoSEQ platform (Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA). Libraries were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2500. TCR clonality, diversity, evenness, and the percentage of high-frequency clones (> 0.1% of the repertoire) were calculated at pre-treatment and post-treatment (1 – 3 months) timepoints. Morisita’s overlap index was calculated for 25 paired pre- and post-treatment samples. Metrics were compared in patients with and without durable clinical response at 6 months using the Mann-Whitney test. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in TCR repertoire clonality, diversity, evenness, or high-frequency clones between patients with and without durable clinical benefit, either at pre-treatment or post-treatment time points (p > 0.05). Conclusions: TCR repertoire metrics including clonality, diversity, evenness, percentage of high-frequency clones, and Morisita’s overlap index do not predict immunotherapy responses in this cohort of advanced/metastatic NSCLC patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy or combination therapy. Limitations of this study include sample size and heterogeneity of the patient cohort. This highlights the need for advanced TCR repertoire metrics, for example, considering shared TCR specificities and clonal identity. In ongoing work, we are defining TCR specificity groups and TCR clones in NSCLC as biomarkers of immunotherapy responsiveness.

Performance status (PS) as a predictor of poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer (RMHNSCC) patients

BACKGROUND

Anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) represent an established standard-of-care for patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RMHNSCC). Landmark studies excluded patients with ECOG performance status (PS) ≥2; the benefit of ICI in this population is therefore unknown.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed RMHNSCC patients who received 1+ dose of ICI at our institution between 2013 and 2019. Demographic and clinical data were obtained; the latter included objective response (ORR), toxicity, and any unplanned hospitalization (UH). Associations were explored using uni- and multivariate analysis. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model; ORR, toxicity, and UH were evaluated with logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 152 patients, 29 (19%) had an ECOG PS ≥2. Sixty-six (44%) experienced toxicity; 54 (36%) had a UH. A multivariate model for OS containing PS, smoking status, and HPV status demonstrated a strong association between ECOG ≥2 and shorter OS (p < 0.001; HR = 3.30, CI = 2.01-5.41). An association between OS and former (vs. never) smoking was also seen (p < 0.001; HR = 2.17, CI = 1.41-3.35); current smoking did not reach statistical significance. On univariate analysis, poor PS was associated with inferior ORR (p = 0.03; OR = 0.25, CI = 0.06-0.77) and increased UH (p = 0.04; OR = 2.43, CI = 1.05-5.71). There was no significant association between toxicity and any patient characteristic.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed inferior OS, ORR, and rates of UH among ICI-treated RMHNSCC patients with ECOG 2/3. Our findings help frame discussion of therapeutic options in this poor-risk population.

Prognostic Value of Early Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography Response Imaging and Peripheral Immunologic Biomarkers: Substudy of a Phase II Trial of Risk-Adaptive Chemoradiation for Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose

We sought to examine the prognostic value of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging during chemoradiation for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer for survival and hypothesized that tumor PET response is correlated with peripheral T-cell function.

Methods and Materials

Forty-five patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer version 7 stage IIB-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer enrolled in a phase II trial and received platinum-doublet chemotherapy concurrent with 6 weeks of radiation (NCT02773238). Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET was performed before treatment start and after 24 Gy of radiation (week 3). PET response status was prospectively defined by multifactorial radiologic interpretation. PET responders received 60 Gy in 30 fractions, while nonresponders received concomitant boosts to 74 Gy in 30 fractions. Peripheral blood was drawn synchronously with PET imaging, from which germline DNA sequencing, T-cell receptor sequencing, and plasma cytokine analysis were performed.

Results

Median follow-up was 18.8 months, 1-year overall survival (OS) 82%, 1-year progression-free survival 53%, and 1-year locoregional control 88%. Higher midtreatment PET total lesion glycolysis was detrimental to OS (1 year 87% vs 63%, P < .001), progression-free survival (1 year 60% vs 26%, P = .044), and locoregional control (1 year 94% vs 65%, P = .012), even after adjustment for clinical/treatment factors. Twenty-nine of 45 patients (64%) were classified as PET responders based on a priori definition. Higher tumor programmed death-ligand 1 expression was correlated with response on PET (P = .017). Higher T-cell receptor richness and clone distribution slope were associated with improved OS (P = .018-0.035); clone distribution slope was correlated with PET response (P = .031).

Conclusions

Midchemoradiation PET imaging is prognostic for survival; PET response may be linked to tumor and peripheral T-cell biomarkers.

Impact of Diagnostic Delays on Lung Cancer Survival Outcomes: A Population Study of the US SEER-Medicare Database

PURPOSE

Time from diagnosis to treatment has been associated with worse survival outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about the impact of delay in time to diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the impact of time from radiographic suspicion to histologic diagnosis on survival outcomes using the US SEER-Medicare population database.

METHODS

We identified patients from the SEER-Medicare data set diagnosed with any stage NSCLC between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, who received stage-appropriate treatment and had a computed tomography scan within 1 year of diagnosis. Time to confirmation was determined as the interval between most recent computed tomography imaging and date of histologic diagnosis. Our primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

In total, 10,824 eligible patients were identified. The median time to confirmation was 20 (range 0-363) days. Using multivariate Cox regression models, longer time to confirmation was associated with improved OS in all comers driven by stage IV patients after adjustment for age, sex, diagnosis year, histology, and comorbidity index. In a separate landmark analysis excluding patients deceased within 6 months of diagnosis, the association between time to diagnosis and survival was no longer evident.

CONCLUSION

Time to confirmation of NSCLC was inversely associated with OS in this US SEER population study. This association was lost when patients deceased within 6 months of diagnosis were excluded, suggesting that retrospective registry-claims databases may not be the optimal data source to study time to diagnosis as a quality metric because of the unaccounted confounding effects of tumor behavior. Prospective evaluations of clinically enriched data sources may better serve this purpose.

High End-of-Life Health Care Utilization in a Contemporary Cohort of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Background/Objective: End-of-life health care utilization (EOLHCU) is largely uncharacterized among patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (RMHNSCC), particularly now that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been introduced to the treatment landscape. We examined this in a single-institution, retrospective study. Design/Settings: We utilized a database of deceased, ICI-treated RMHNSCC patients to obtain demographic and EOLHCU data, the latter of which included advanced care plan documentation (ACPD) and systemic therapy or emergency room (ER)/hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) admission within 30 days of death (DOD). This was compared with a cohort of deceased thoracic malignancy (TM) patients in an exploratory analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed to examine for association between patient factors (such as age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, or smoking status) and overall survival (OS); associations between the said patient factors and EOLHCU were also evaluated. This study was conducted at an academic, tertiary center in the United States. Results: The RMHNSCC patients (n = 74) were more likely to have ACPD (p < 0.01), an emergency department visit (p < 0.01), and/or hospital admission (p < 0.01) within 30 DOD relative to the TM group. There was no difference in ICU admissions, ICU deaths, or systemic therapy at end of life (EOL). The OS declined in association with ECOG performance status (PS) and smoking. No association was observed between patient factors and any EOLHCU metric. Conclusions: At our center, patients with ICI-treated RMHNSCC have higher rates of both ACPD and EOLHCU, suggesting high symptom burden and representing opportunities for further study into supportive care augmentation.

Adaptive Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography Based Chemotherapy Selection for Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objectives

The change in tumor fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake by positron emission tomography (PET) scan after one cycle of platinum-based chemotherapy has been shown to predict progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) among advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Using early FDG-PET response to determine subsequent chemotherapy, we aim to evaluate the role that adaptive chemotherapy regimens have on later CT response, PFS, and OS in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Materials and Methods

Chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic NSCLC received carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) on day one and repeated FDG-PET on day 18. PET-responding patients continued CP chemotherapy for a total of four cycles. PET non-responders were switched to alternate docetaxel and gemcitabine (DG) for three additional cycles. The primary outcome was the CT Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.0) response. Secondary endpoints included PFS and OS.

Results 

Forty-six patients initiated treatment with chemotherapy on trial and were evaluable by PET/CT. Of these, 19 (41%) met the FDG-PET criteria for the response after a single cycle of CP. Only one non-responding patient had a CT response. Despite the lack of CT response in the DG arm, no trend for worse PFS or OS was seen between the two arms.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates that changing chemotherapy in the event of non-response by PET did not lead to improved CT RECIST response. However, non-responding patients who switched chemotherapy had similar PFS and OS to those who responded by PET and continued the same regimen.

Effect of Clinical Trial Participation on Costs to Payers in Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

The costs associated with clinical trial enrollment remain uncertain. We hypothesized that trial participation is associated with decreased total direct medical costs to health care payers in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we linked clinical data from electronic medical records to sociodemographic data from a cancer registry and claims data from Medicare and two private insurance plans. We used a difference-in-difference analysis to estimate mean per patient per month total direct medical costs for patients enrolled on a second-line (2L) trial versus patients receiving standard-of-care 2L systemic therapy.

RESULTS

Among 70 eligible patients, the difference-in-difference of mean per patient per month total direct medical costs between 2L trial participants and nonparticipants was -$6,663 (P = .01), for a mean savings of $45,308 per patient for the duration of 2L trial therapy. In a secondary analysis by primary insurance payer, this difference-in-difference was -$5,526 (P = .26) for patients with commercial insurance and -$7,432 (P = .01) for patients with Medicare.

CONCLUSION

Participation in a 2L trial was associated with a $6,663 per month cost savings to health care payers for the duration of trial participation. Further studies are necessary to elucidate differences in cost savings from trial participation for Medicare and commercial payers. If confirmed, these results support health care payer investment in programs to improve clinical trial access and enrollment.

Timing of postoperative radiation therapy and survival in resected salivary gland cancers: Long-term results from a single institution

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Background: Timely administration of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) impacts oncologic outcomes in resected squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are uncommon, and timing of PORT has not been extensively explored. We aimed to determine if the interval between surgery and PORT impacts outcomes in SGCs. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with SGCs who underwent curative intent surgical resection followed by adjuvant PORT at our tertiary referral center. Demographic, tumor, and treatment data were collected. Patients with non-oncologic resections and/or delay of > 6 months to radiation start were excluded. Locoregional control (LRC), relapse free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method. A multivariate analysis explored the association between demographics, tumor characteristics, and PORT timing with oncologic outcomes using a stepwise Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Between 1/1/1997 and 12/31/2017 180 eligible patients were identified. Patient characteristics are described in Table. The median time to PORT start was 61 (range 8-121) days, 169 (93.9%) of patients received neutron beam PORT. With a median follow up of 8.2 years in surviving patients, the 5-year OS and LRC estimates were 73% and 67%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, only nodal involvement, histologic grade, and age at diagnosis were associated with OS, while nodal involvement, tumor size, and age at time of diagnosis were associated with LCR and RFS. Time to PORT start or completion was not statistically associated with survival outcomes on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: SGC patients who underwent surgery in our tertiary institution received PORT within a median of 61 days after surgery. With long term follow up, PORT timing in this retrospective series was not associated with worse oncologic outcomes, and support timely administration of PORT with 3 months of surgical resection. Further work is necessary to assess generalizability of these results.[Table: see text]

Impact of ECOG performance status on recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas treated with anti-PD1 inhibitors

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Background: Anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) represent an established standard of care for patients with recurrent/metastatic head & neck squamous cell carcinoma (RMHNSCC). Landmark studies excluded patients with ECOG performance status (PS) ≥ 2; the benefit of ICI in this population is therefore unknown. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed RMHNSCC patients who received at least 1 dose of ICI at our institution. Demographic data and clinical outcomes were obtained; the latter included objective response to ICI (ORR), physician-documented CTCAE grade 2+ toxicity (irAE), and any unplanned hospitalization within 100-days of last ICI dose (UH). Associations between demographic data and clinical outcomes were explored using both uni- and multivariate analysis. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model; ORR, irAE, and UH were evaluated with logistic regression. This project was approved by our institutional IRB. Results: We identified 152 RMHNSCC patients who were treated with ICI between 1/2013 and 1/2019. ECOG PS was 0 in 42 (27%), 1 in 75 (50%), 2 in 27 (18%), 3 in 2 (1%), and unknown in 6 (4%) patients. The median age was 61 (range: 25 - 90). 124 (82%) were male, 124 (82%) were white, and 69 (45%) were never-smokers. The most common primary sites were the oropharynx (n = 59, 40%), oral cavity (n = 39, 26%), nasopharynx (n = 11, 7%), and larynx (n = 10, 6%). 54 (36%) were p16+ oropharynx cancers. CPS score was available in 10 (6.6%). Single agent ICI was received by 118 (77%) patients. 66 (44%) had a documented irAE and 54 (36%) had an UH. A multivariate model for OS containing PS, smoking status and HPV status showed a strong association between inferior OS and ECOG 2/3 compared to 0/1 (p < 0.001; HR = 3.30, CI = 2.01-5.41), as well as former (vs. never) smoking status (p < 0.001; HR = 2.17, CI = 1.41-3.35). Current smoking (p = 0.25) did not reach statistical significance. On univariate analysis, poor PS was associated with inferior ORR (p = 0.03; OR = 0.25, CI = 0.06-0.77) and increased UH (p = 0.04; OR = 2.43, CI = 1.05—5.71). There was no significant association between irAE and any patient characteristic. Conclusions: We observed inferior overall survival among ICI-treated RMHNSCC patients with ECOG 2/3 in our single-institution, retrospective series. Our findings help frame discussion of therapeutic options in this poor-risk population. Further study must be done to determine which interventions are of greatest benefit for RMHNSCC patients with declining performance status.

Impact of Clinical Trial Participation on Survival of Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The impact of clinical trial participation on overall survival is unclear. We hypothesized that enrollment in a therapeutic drug clinical trial is associated with longer overall survival in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We linked electronic medical record and Washington State cancer registry data to identify patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2015 who received treatment at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. The exposure was trial enrollment. The primary outcome was overall survival, defined as the date of second-line treatment initiation to date of death or last follow-up. We used a conditional landmark analysis starting at the date of second-line treatment initiation and propensity scores with inverse probability of treatment weighting to estimate the association between trial enrollment and survival.

RESULTS

Of 215 patients, 40 (19%) participated in a second-line trial. Trial participants were more likely to be never smokers (45% vs 27%), have a good performance status (88% vs 77%) and have EGFR (48% vs 14%) and ALK mutations (8% vs 5%) than nonparticipants. Trial participants had similar overall survival to nonparticipants (HR 1.05; 95% CI, 0.72, 1.53; p = 0.81) after adjusting for sociodemographic and disease characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Accounting for the immortal time bias and selection bias, trial participation does not appear detrimental to survival. This finding may be reassuring to patients and supports programs and policies to improve clinical trial access.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Version 2.2021

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) address all aspects of management for NSCLC. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines regarding targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and their respective biomarkers.

Costs to healthcare payers associated with clinical trial (CT) participation in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: To assess the financial implications of therapeutic CT participation for healthcare payers, we compared first-line (1L) and second-line (2L) total direct medical costs between patients enrolled in 2L CT vs non-CT participants receiving 2L therapy for metastatic NSCLC. Methods: We linked electronic health records from a single academic center with tumor registry and claims data to identify patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed from 1/1/2007-12/31/2015. Eligibility criteria included 60 day minimum survival, receipt of ≥ 1 anti-cancer drug within 180 days of diagnosis, insurance enrollment for ≥ 12 months after diagnosis and receipt of ≥ 2 therapy lines. Patients on 1L trials were excluded. We calculated mean per-patient-per-month (PPPM) total direct medical costs from the payer perspective for 1L and 2L. We performed a difference-of-difference analysis to estimate the effect of trial enrollment on costs by calculating the mean PPPM difference between 2L and 1L in trial (Diff trial) and non-trial enrollees (Diff non-trial). Then we calculated the difference between Diff trial and Diff non-trial. We used paired and non-paired t-tests for statistical comparisons and report all costs in 2019 US dollars. Results: Of 63 patients, 22 (35%) enrolled in a 2L CT. CT enrollees were younger (mean age 63.5 vs 66.7 years), female (73% vs 41%), had commercial insurance (36% vs 32%), were never smokers (36% vs 32%), had EGFR mutations (27% vs 22%) and fewer had brain metastases (14% vs 29%). The mean PPPM total direct medical costs decreased between 2L and 1L for patients enrolled in 2L CTs but increased in non-trial participants (Diff trial = -$5,585, SD ± $6,541; Diff non-trial = $1,532, SD ± $14,739). The mean difference of difference (Diff trial - Diff non-trial) was -$7,117 (p = 0.01; Table). Conclusions: This small observational study suggests that CT enrollment results in substantial cost-savings to payers. If confirmed in larger studies, our findings suggest that insurers support trial participation for patients with NSCLC. [Table: see text]

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Version 1.2020

The NCCN Guidelines for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) address all aspects of management for NSCLC. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates in immunotherapy. For the 2020 update, all of the systemic therapy regimens have been categorized using a new preference stratification system; certain regimens are now recommended as "preferred interventions," whereas others are categorized as either "other recommended interventions" or "useful under certain circumstances."

End-of-life health care utilization (EOLHCU) in patients with recurrent, metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RMHNSCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (IO)

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Background: Demographic and EOLHCU trends are undefined in the growing population of IO-treated RMHNSCC; we sought to study these in a single institution retrospective study. Methods: We identified 228 RMHNSCC pts who received ≥1 IO dose between 01/2013 and 12/2018; of these, 74 were deceased with accessible EOLHCU data such as advanced care plan documentation (ACPD) or evidence of systemic therapy or ER/hospital/ICU admission within 30 days of death (DOD). Demographic, tumor and treatment data were obtained. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan Meier method; multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model. In an exploratory analysis, EOLHCU was compared to a cohort of 379 deceased thoracic malignancy (TM) pts using a chi-square test. This project was approved by our institutional IRB. Results: Median pt age was 62 (25 – 90). Most were male (56, 75%), white (60, 81%), current/former smokers (46, 62%); 34 (46%) smoked ≥10 pack years. Common primary sites included the oral cavity (28, 37.8%) and oropharynx (24, 32.4%). ECOG PS at IO initiation was 0 in 15 pts (20%,) 1 in 37 (50%), 2 in 20 (27%), 3 in 1 (1%), and unknown in 1 (1%). Of the 42 (57%) treated off-trial, 18 (42%) had an ECOG ≥ 2. 71 (95%) had prior curative intent therapy. 42 (57%) had distant metastases. Compared to TM, IO-treated RMHNSCC pts were more likely to have ACPD (66% vs. 45% p < 0.01), an ED visit (42.3% vs 19.5%, p < 0.01) and/or a hospital admission (42.3% vs 17%, p < 0.01) within 30 DOD. There was no difference in ICU admissions within 30 DOD (9.9% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.81), ICU deaths (7% vs. 4%, p = 0.4), or systemic therapy within 7 (4.2% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.63), 14 (8.5% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.76) or 30 (25% vs 19%, p = 0.31) DOD. Among IO-treated RMHNSCC pts, multivariable analysis revealed inferior OS with worse PS (ECOG 2-3 vs. 0: HR = 7.76, p = 0.00002, 95% CI = 3.07 - 19.64; ECOG 1 vs. 0: HR = 2.97, p = 0.008, CI = 1.33 - 6.62). OS also decreased with smoking status (current/former vs. never: HR 2.18, p = 0.007, CI = 1.24-3.84). No association was observed between ECOG PS, age or smoking status at IO initiation and any EOLHCU metric. Conclusions: At our center, a significant proportion of deceased, IO-treated RMHNSCC pts had an ECOG PS ≥ 2 and an inferior OS compared to ECOG 0/1. Exploratory comparison with a non-RMHNSCC TM cohort suggests high rates of EOLHCU within 30 DOD despite ACPD, representing an opportunity for supportive care augmentation. Whether EOLHCU differs among IO vs non-IO treated RMHNSCC is unknown and merits further study.

Prognostic role of mid-treatment PET/CT and plasma cytokines in patients undergoing chemoradiation for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC)

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Background: Patients with unresectable LA-NSCLC are treated with concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) and consolidation immunotherapy with survival that range from months to years or even decades. Early predictive biomarkers have potential to identify patients who are unlikely to benefit from continuing standard of care therapy and require a change in management. We investigated biomarkers that are widely available (PET/CT scan and plasma cytokine levels) to develop early predictors (mid-CRT) of survival in a phase II clinical trial of chemoradiation for LA-NSCLC. Methods: 37 Patients with AJCC v7 stage IIB-IIIB NSCLC were prospectively enrolled on the FLARE-RT trial (NCT02773238) from 2016-9. All patients underwent chemoradiation; 18 also received adjuvant durvalumab. PET/CT exams were performed at week 3 of CRT and response status was pre-defined by published metrics. 21 patients consented to peripheral blood collection at baseline and week 3, and plasma levels of 43 common inflammatory cytokines were measured. Bootstrapping over 100 iterations of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was performed to reduce feature dimensionality and guard against false discoveries. Cox regression of selected cytokine levels and PET response status, as well as time-dependent receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, were evaluated for associations to overall survival (OS). Results: Median follow-up was 18 months with 1-year OS 81% and PFS 52%. Mid-CRT PET response (as determined by pre-defined metrics) was strongly associated with OS (HR 5.6 [1.4-22.0], p = 0.015) after adjusting for radiation target volume, with 1-yr OS 94% for responders vs. 68% for non-responders (p = 0.017). Plasma TNFα level was also prognostic for OS (HR 1.9 [1.1-3.5], p = 0.030). TNFα retained significance for OS (HR 2.3 [1.2-4.6], p = 0.016) after adjusting for PET response. Bivariate mid-CRT PET response and TNFα generated a parsimonious model to predict OS (AUC = 0.85, 18-month horizon). Conclusions: Risk stratification for long-term survival after chemoradiation in patients with LA-NSCLC may be achievable based on mid-chemoradiation assessment of widely available biomarkers (PET imaging and plasma TNFα level). Combined functional imaging and peripheral blood biomarkers will be validated in a larger sample of our trial cohort, along with other independent patient populations. Clinical trial information: NCT02773238.

Cost implications of clinical trial (CT) participation in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: To assess the value of CTs in advanced NSCLC from the payer perspective, we compared insurance-related total direct medical costs for NSCLC patients who enrolled in CTs vs. those who did not. Methods: After linking electronic health records with tumor registry and claims data, we identified 101 patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between 1/1/2007 and 12/31/2015 and treated at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Eligibility criteria included 60-day minimum survival, claims for ≥ 1 anti-cancer drug within 180 days of diagnosis and insurance enrollment for the first 12 months after diagnosis. We abstracted patient sociodemographic, disease and treatment data, and obtained death dates from the Washington State Cancer Registry, censoring patients alive on 3/7/2019.We used the Kaplan-Meier sample-average (KMSA) estimator with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals to describe direct medical costs and compared costs in CT enrollees vs. non-enrollees by applying a generalized linear model (Gamma distribution, log link) adjusted for confounding covariates. Results: Of 101 patients, 39 (39%) enrolled in CTs. Compared with non-enrollees, CT enrollees were younger (mean age 61.6 vs. 66.5 years), female (67% vs. 47%), Asian (18% vs. 11%), never smokers (41% vs.32%), had commercial insurance (44% vs. 35%), resided in metropolitan areas (90% vs. 79%) and had a higher median income ($81,149 vs. $76,844). Table shows KMSA estimates of total direct medical costs and adjusted mean lifetime total direct medical costs by CT participation. After adjusting for sex, smoking status, residence, income, insurance payer, ECOG and mutation status, CT enrollment was associated with an increase in lifetime total direct medical costs compared with no enrollment (adjusted cost ratio=1.39; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.90; p=0.043). Conclusions: CT participation is associated with increased total direct medical costs in patients with metastatic NSCLC. Our results may inform partnerships between trial sponsors, oncology centers and payers to sustain treatment innovation through CTs. [Table: see text]

Potential impact of clinical trial (CT) participation on survival of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

137

Background: Evidence is conflicting as to whether enrollment in therapeutic drug trials confers a survival benefit for NSCLC patients. We assessed the effect of CT participation on overall survival in a cohort of metastatic NSCLC patients treated at a single large academic center. Methods: We retrospectively revised medical records of patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between 1/1/2007 and 12/31/2015 that received treatment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Eligibility criteria included receipt of ≥ 1 anti-cancer drug within 180 days of M1 diagnosis, no active second malignancy, and 60 day minimum survival. We abstracted patient sociodemographic characteristics, smoking history, ECOG score, tumor histology, EGFR and ALK status, presence of brain metastases, systemic treatment history up to 5 lines, drug trial enrollment, and trial characteristics. We obtained death dates from the Washington State cancer registry complemented by medical records, censoring patients that were alive at end of follow-up (3/7/2019). We used multivariate Cox regression to test whether enrollment in ≥ 1 CT was associated with overall survival. Results: Of 371 eligible patients (median age 63.9 years, 47% male, 94% non-squamous histology, 30% never-smokers, 58% ECOG 0-1, 20% EGFR positive and 8% ALK positive, and 27% brain metastases), 118 (32%) enrolled in ≥ 1 CT. Of CT enrollees: 19% enrolled in > 1 CT, 89% in phase I/II trials, 15% in phase III trials, 26% in randomized trials, and 51% in trials of drugs later approved by the FDA. Median survival in CT enrollees was 838 days (95% CI 688, 1,021), as compared to 454 days in non-enrollees (95% CI 378, 511). After adjusting for sex, ECOG score, smoking, histology, EGFR and ALK status, and presence of brain metastases, CT enrollees had a 47% lower risk of death relative to non-enrollees (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.13, 0.92; P = 0.002). Conclusions: Participation in therapeutic drug trials is associated with longer overall survival in advanced NSCLC. Besides supporting drug development, CT participation may directly benefit NSCLC patients by providing access to promising agents and/or enhanced supportive care.

Long term follow-up of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) investigating early positron emission tomography (PET) scan as a predictor of outcome

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is effective in improving survival of resectable NSCLC. Based on findings in the adjuvant and metastatic setting, FDG positron emission tomography (PET) scans may offer early prognostic or predictive value after one cycle of induction chemotherapy.

Methods

In this phase II non-randomized trial, patients with AJCC version 6 stage IB to IIIB operable NSCLC were treated with 3 cycles of cisplatin and pemetrexed neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients underwent FDG-PET scanning prior to and 18 to 21 days after the first cycle of chemotherapy. Investigators caring for patients were blinded to results, unless the scans showed evidence of disease progression. FDG-PET response was defined prospectively as a ≥ 20% decrease in the SUV of the primary lesion.

Results

Between October 2005 and February 2010, 25 patients enrolled. Fifty two percent were female, 88% white, and median age was 62 years. Histology was divided into adenocarcinoma 66%, not otherwise specified (NOS) 16%, squamous cell 12%, and large cell 4%. Stage distribution was: 16% IB, 4% IIB, and 79% IIIA. Treatment was well tolerated and only one patient had a grade 4 toxicity. The median follow up was 95 months. The 5 year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the entire population were 54 and 67%, respectively. Eighteen patients had a baseline FDG-PET scan and a repeat scan at day 18–21 available for comparison. Ten patients (56%) were considered metabolic responders on the day 18–21 FDG-PET scan. Responders had a 5 year PFS and OS of 60 and 70%, respectively, while the percentage for non-responders was 63 and 75% (p = 0.96 and 0.85).

Conclusions

This phase II trial did not demonstrate that a PET scan after one cycle of chemotherapy can predict survival outcomes of patients with NSCLC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Trial registration

NCT00227539 registered September 28th, 2005.

Patterns of recurrence in patients with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) treated with multimodality therapy at a single center

e17575

Background: SNUCs are rare and without established therapeutic standards. This is a retrospective review of therapeutic outcomes in pts with SNUCs treated at our center. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively on pts with a confirmed diagnosis of SNUC treated at the University of Washington Medical Center. Demographic data, tumor/treatment characteristics,and dates of recurrence/progression and death were recorded. The Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate survival outcomes; the log-rank and Wilcoxon tests were used to explore associations of clinical characteristics with outcome. Results: Between 5/1992 and 11/2016, 32 pts were treated, 1 was excluded due to incomplete data. The median age was 52 (range 22-82) years, 14(45%) were female, 26(83%) were white, 17(54%) reported current or former tobacco use. One presented with distant metastases, 1 had T2N0 disease, and all other pts had locally advanced disease. Six pts had nodal involvement on initial staging, and 25 patients had T4 disease. Eleven(35%) pts had no skull base/CNS invasion, 7(22%) had skull base extension up to the cribriform plate, 13(42%) had extension beyond the cribriform plate and into the CNS. Twenty-one(67%) pts underwent surgical resection, 29(93%) underwent radiation(XRT) with a median dose of 70 (range 54-72) Gy, and 28(90%) received cisplatin based chemotherapy, with 24 of these given concurrent with XRT, 19(60%) were treated with surgery followed by chemoradiation. With a median 61 months of follow up, 15 pts have recurred, 10 of these recurrences occurred in local sites, with 6 having intracranial progression, 2 of which were leptomeningeal. The median time to progression was 15 months and median overall survival was 58 months . Any vs no tobacco use (58 vs 35 mo p = 0.8), was not predictive of overall survival. The presence of nodal disease (87 vs 7 mo p = 0.005), and CNS invasion beyond the cribriform plate (NR vs 14 mo p = 0.04) was associated with inferior median overall survival. Conclusions: Local/CNS recurrence was the predominant failure pattern in our pts. CNS invasion beyond the cribriform plate and nodal disease were associated with significantly worse survival.

Prognostic significance of performance status in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) receiving immune checkpoint monoclonal antibodies (ICmAB) in a single institution

e17506

Background: The anti-PD1/-PDL1 ICmABs can result in objective responses in some (13-20%) patients (pts) with HNSCC. We evaluated clinical factors that may predict oncologic outcomes. Methods: We identified pts who received an ICmAB at our institution and retrospectively collected demographic, tumor, treatment, progression, and survival data. The Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate survival. Log-rank and Wilcoxon tests were used to explore associations between clinical features and outcomes. Results: 55 pts received ICmAB in a clinical trial at our center from 8/2012 to 12/2016. The median age was 64 years, 13 (24%) were female, and 45 (82%) were white. ECOG Performance Status (PS) was 0 and 1 in 23 (42%) and 32 (58%) pts, respectively. 29 (53%) were current/former smokers who smoked a median of 20 (range 0-70) pack years. Primary sites included: oropharynx (OP) 31 (56%), oral cavity 9 (16%), nasopharynx 6 (11%), nasal cavity 3 (5%), hypopharynx (HP) 2 (4%), unknown (UK) 2 (4%), and skin 2 (4%). 28 (51%) were p16+, with the following primary sites: OP in 26, UK in 1, and HP in 1. 53 (96%) received prior curative intent therapy. A median of 2 (range 0-5) lines of systemic therapy (including curative intent) were given prior to ICmAB initiation, and 31 received an ICmAB as a single agent. There were 19 (35%) objective responses with 1 complete response, and 14 (25%) had stable disease. With a median follow-up of 12 months (m), the median overall survival (OS) was 15m (95% CI 11,47), and median time to progression was 4m (95% CI 2.2, 6.8). An ECOG PS of 0 vs 1 was associated with superior OS (36m vs 11m p = 0.001). Tobacco use, p16+ disease, single agent ICmAB vs. combination, number of lines of prior systemic therapy, or radiation therapy within 3m prior to ICmAB initiation did not appear to have a relationship with survival. Conclusions: A PS of 0 predicted for more favorable OS among HNSCC pts receiving ICmAB in this single center retrospective cohort. In contrast to data with chemotherapy, established prognostic markers (including p16+ and limited/no tobacco use) did not appear to impact survival.

The role of chronic disease in the costs of potentially preventable emergency department use during treatment: A regional study

6505

Background: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a quality metric for potentially preventable chemotherapy-associated emergency department (ED) use, effective in 2020. This metric excludes diagnoses with emerging evidence for outpatient management, such as proactive symptom management (PSM) and those for ambulatory care sensitive chronic conditions. Little is known about the intersection between potentially preventable ED visits due to cancer vs. other chronic disease. This study characterized the number and costs of ED visits during treatment. Methods: Western Washington cancer registry records from 2011- 2015 were linked with claims from two commercial insurers. Patients with newly diagnosed solid tumors undergoing initial treatment with chemotherapy or radiation were eligible. ED use was tracked one year post treatment initiation. ED diagnosis codes for fields 1-10 from the CMS metric and the PSM literature were labeled “Potentially Preventable” (Pp). Codes from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Prevention Quality Indicators (PQI) for Chronic Conditions were labeled “Potentially Preventable-Chronic Disease” (PpChronic). Costs were adjusted to $2016. Results: Of the 7,053 eligible patients, 2,543 (36.1%) visited the ED (median # visits [IQR]: 1 [1-2]). The most commonly listed codes included Pain (1,054 visits) and Dyspnea (279 visits) for Pp, Hypertension-PQI (652 visits) and COPD-PQI (206 visits) for PpChronic, and Diabetes (247 visits) and Hyperlipidemia (181 visits) for the other codes. Spending on ED visits including both potentially preventable cancer and chronic disease diagnoses totalled $706,552 (20% of ED costs). Conclusions: One fifth of ED costs potentially resulted from simultaneous poor cancer symptom and chronic disease management. Future research should explore the role of chronic illness in categorizing which ED visits are potentially preventable during cancer treatment. [Table: see text]

First-line carboplatin and pemetrexed (CP) with or without pembrolizumab (pembro) for advanced nonsquamous NSCLC: Updated results of KEYNOTE-021 cohort G

9094

Background: Data from the randomized, phase 2 cohort G of KEYNOTE-021 (NCT02039674) showed that adding pembro to first-line CP in patients (pts) with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC significantly improved the primary end point of ORR (55% vs 29%, P = 0.0016) and the key secondary end point of PFS (HR 0.53, P= 0.0102) compared with CP alone and had a manageable safety profile (grade 3-4 treatment-related AEs, 39% vs 26%; treatment-related AEs leading to discontinuation, 10% vs 13%). We present updated efficacy for cohort G based on 5 mo additional follow-up. Methods: 123 pts with stage IIIB/IV, chemotherapy-naive, nonsquamous NSCLC and no EGFR mutation or ALK translocation were randomized to 4 cycles of carboplatin AUC 5 + pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 Q3W ± 24 mo of pembro 200 mg Q3W; maintenance pemetrexed was permitted in both arms. Eligible pts in the CP arm who had radiologic progression could crossover to pembro monotherapy. Response was assessed per RECIST v1.1 by blinded, independent central review. All Pvalues are nominal. Results: As of Dec 31, 2016, median follow-up was 14.5 mo (range, 0.8-24.0). 36 of 48 pts (75.0%) in the CP arm who discontinued CP received subsequent anti–PD-1 or PD-L1 therapy. There was 1 additional response in each arm, and ORR was 56.7% (95% CI 43.2%-69.4%) with pembro + CP vs 30.2% (95% CI 19.2%-43.0%) with CP ( P = 0.0016). Median DOR was not reached for pembro + CP (range, 1.4+ to 18.6+ mo) and was 16.2 mo (range, 2.8 to 20.7+) for CP alone. PFS remained longer with pembro + CP (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.83, P = 0.0035; median [95% CI] NR [9.7 mo-NR] vs 8.9 mo [6.2-10.3]; 12-mo estimate, 56% vs 34%). With 16 deaths in the pembro + CP arm and 23 deaths in the CP arm, HR for OS was 0.69 (95% CI 0.36-1.31, P= 0.13). Median OS was not reached in either arm; at 12 mo, estimated OS was 76% in the pembro + CP arm and 69% in the CP alone arm. Conclusions: With 5 mo additional follow-up, first-line pembro + CP continues to provide a substantial, clinically relevant improvement in efficacy over CP alone in pts with advanced nonquamous NSCLC, including an almost doubled ORR, halved risk of progression or death, and a trend toward improved OS despite a 75.0% crossover rate in the CP arm. Clinical trial information: NCT02039674.

A phase I clinical trial of AZD1775 in combination with neoadjuvant weekly cisplatin and docetaxel in borderline resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

6034

Background: The WEE1 tyrosine kinase regulates G2/M transition and maintains genomic stability. In TP53-deficient tumors (via mutation or HPV inactivation), inhibiting WEE1 with AZD1775 can lead to unrestrained mitosis and cell death. We conducted a Phase I clinical trial of AZD1775 in combination with chemotherapy to define the toxicity profile, establish the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and assess preliminary efficacy in borderline resectable HNSCC. Methods: Stage III/IVB HNSCC deemed borderline resectable by a multidisciplinary team were enrolled in a phase 1, 3 + 3 design to evaluate escalating doses of AZD1775 starting at 125 mg PO BID x 2.5 days alone as lead-in and in combination with cisplatin (25mg/m2) and docetaxel (35 mg/m2) for three additional weeks. Tumors were sequenced with UWOncoPlex (262 cancer genes); HPV status assessed via p16 IHC; toxicities graded with CTCAE v. 4.04; responses measured via RECIST 1.1 and through pathologic assessment when available. Trial is open but primary endpoints were met. Results: Eleven patients were screened; 10 enrolled and were evaluable for toxicities. The most common Grade ≥ 2 toxicities were diarrhea (4), fatigue (4), neutropenia (3) and nausea (3). The drug-limiting toxicity was Grade 3 diarrhea (2). The MTD was established at 150mg PO BID x 2.5 days, alone and in combination with neoadjuvant cisplatin and docetaxel. Two patients were HPV+/TP53wt, 1 was HPV+/ TP53 mut; 6 were TP53mut/HPV-; 1 was TP53 wt/HPV-. Seven out 10 patients had a response. Two patients dropped out after the first week with AZD1775, one due to an allergic reaction to docetaxel and another due to non-compliance. Eight completed neoadjuvant therapy and 7 of those converted to surgery: 2 had pathologic CRs (both HPV+/TP53wt); 4 had PR (all TP53 mutants); 1 (TP53wt/HPV-) had a PR by RECIST, but SD by pathology and 1 had PD. Conclusions: AZD1775 is safe and tolerable in combination with neoadjuvant cisplatin and docetaxel. Results show this combination to have promising anti-tumor efficacy in borderline resectable HNSCC with TP53 deficiency, and merits further investigation with the established MTD as the recommended Phase II dose. Clinical trial information: NCT02508246.

Clinic level variation in emergency department and inpatient utilization in a community setting

226

Background: Early studies of the oncology medical home suggest that intensive outpatient care (e.g. 24-hour phone triage, same-day infusion) reduces emergency department (ED) and inpatient (IP) use during cancer treatment. Little is known about which services are most cost-effective. One strategy is to measure observed variation in ED and IP rates to pinpoint care features associated with low-use clinics. This study examined clinic-level variation in ED and IP use in a community setting. Methods: Cancer registry records for Western Washington from 2011 to 2015 were linked with claims from two regional commercial insurers. Included patients were diagnosed with breast, lung, colorectal, or prostate cancer and treated with chemotherapy or radiation. All ED and IP use was tracked 1 year after treatment start using claims data. Observed clinic rates were measured as the percentage of patients with 1 or more visits. Expected clinic rates were determined from regional average rates weighted by clinic’s cancer-specific stage mix. Observed-to-expected clinic ratios were calculated and the Wilson Score test (95% CI) was used to determine statistically different rates. Results: The 18 clinics included 4,558 eligible patients (median 196 pts/clinic; range: 35-859). Unstaged lung patients had the highest ED rates (38.5%); unstaged breast had the lowest (13.3%). The highest IP rate was among unstaged colorectal (66.7%); the lowest in local breast (11.1%). One clinic had an observed rate that was significantly above its expected rate in both ED only and ED to IP. One clinic was significantly below its expected rate in both ED to IP and IP only. Conclusions: Even after adjusting for cancer-specific stage, there was sizable clinic-level variation in the percentage of patients visiting the ED or IP. Investigation into care delivery features and practice characteristics, along with further risk adjustment, may yield insights into best practices and identify clinics for intervention. [Table: see text]

Costs of potentially preventable emergency department use during cancer treatment: A regional study

2

Background: There is growing recognition that many emergency department (ED) visits during cancer treatment may be related to poorly controlled disease or treatment-related symptoms and could be prevented. An RCT using the Symptom Tracking and Reporting (STAR) tool for proactive symptom management decreased the percentage of patients admitted to the ED (34% vs. 41%; p=0.02). Little is known about the costs of potentially preventable ED visits in a community setting. This study examined the number and costs of ED visits and their associated diagnoses. Methods: Cancer registry records for patients in Western Washington from 2011 to 2015 were linked with claims from two regional commercial insurers. Patients diagnosed with a solid tumor and treated with chemotherapy or radiation were selected. All ED utilization was tracked for 1 year after the start of treatment. ED-related diagnoses codes were labeled “Potentially Preventable” (PP) if they mapped to the 13 symptom categories targeted by STAR (e.g. pain, nausea) and non-PP otherwise. Costs of ED visits were inflation-adjusted and include claims with ED-related procedure, revenue, and place of service codes. All subsequent inpatient costs were excluded, likely under-estimating total costs. Results: Of the 7,075 eligible patients, 2,543 (35.9%) visited the ED an average of 1.79 times. Pain (720 visits), Dyspnea (279 visits), and Nausea (232 visits) were the most common potentially preventable diagnoses; Hypertension (506 visits), Fever (230 visits), and Diabetes (215 visits) were the most common non-PP diagnoses. $1,134,254 (25.2% of the total ED costs) was spent on PP ED visits. Of PP ED visits 20.3% (178/875) resulted in an inpatient stay. Conclusions: In our community setting, at least one quarter of ED costs were potentially the result of poor symptom management. An investment in better symptom management has a significant opportunity to both improve cancer care and lower total costs.[Table: see text]

Phase Ib Trial of the Toll-like Receptor 8 Agonist, Motolimod (VTX-2337), Combined with Cetuximab in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic SCCHN

Purpose: As Toll-like receptors (TLR) are key mediators of immune responses, TLR agonists may be important for augmenting the efficacy of therapies for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Motolimod (VTX-2337), a selective small-molecule agonist of TLR8, stimulates natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes. A phase Ib clinical trial assessed the safety and antitumor activity of motolimod in combination with cetuximab in patients with SCCHN. Correlative biomarkers of immune activity were explored.Experimental Design: Thirteen patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN were enrolled in this open-label, dose-escalation study using a standard 3 + 3 design. Doses of motolimod (2.5, 3.0, or 3.5 mg/m²) were given on days 1, 8, and 15, in combination with fixed weekly doses of cetuximab in 28-day cycles.Results: There were no protocol-defined dose-limiting toxicities, drug-related deaths, or evidence of synergistic toxicities between motolimod and cetuximab. Clinical tolerability at the 3.5 mg/m² dose level was not optimal for repeated dosing and 3.0 mg/m² was identified as the MTD. Two patients achieved partial responses for an overall response rate of 15%. Five patients had disease stabilization equating to a disease control rate of 54%. Statistically significant increases in plasma cytokines and in the frequency and activation of circulating NK cells were observed.Conclusions: Motolimod can be safely administered in combination with cetuximab with an acceptable toxicity profile. Encouraging antitumor activity and robust pharmacodynamic responses were observed. Motolimod is being further investigated in a phase II trial in patients with SCCHN (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01836029). Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2442-50. ©2016 AACR.

Carboplatin and pemetrexed with or without pembrolizumab for advanced, non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomised, phase 2 cohort of the open-label KEYNOTE-021 study

BACKGROUND

Limited evidence exists to show that adding a third agent to platinum-doublet chemotherapy improves efficacy in the first-line advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) setting. The anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab has shown efficacy as monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC and has a non-overlapping toxicity profile with chemotherapy. We assessed whether the addition of pembrolizumab to platinum-doublet chemotherapy improves efficacy in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC.

METHODS

In this randomised, open-label, phase 2 cohort of a multicohort study (KEYNOTE-021), patients were enrolled at 26 medical centres in the USA and Taiwan. Patients with chemotherapy-naive, stage IIIB or IV, non-squamous NSCLC without targetable EGFR or ALK genetic aberrations were randomly assigned (1:1) in blocks of four stratified by PD-L1 tumour proportion score (<1% vs ≥1%) using an interactive voice-response system to 4 cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg plus carboplatin area under curve 5 mg/mL per min and pemetrexed 500 mg/m² every 3 weeks followed by pembrolizumab for 24 months and indefinite pemetrexed maintenance therapy or to 4 cycles of carboplatin and pemetrexed alone followed by indefinite pemetrexed maintenance therapy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved an objective response, defined as the percentage of patients with radiologically confirmed complete or partial response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 assessed by masked, independent central review, in the intention-to-treat population, defined as all patients who were allocated to study treatment. Significance threshold was p<0·025 (one sided). Safety was assessed in the as-treated population, defined as all patients who received at least one dose of the assigned study treatment. This trial, which is closed for enrolment but continuing for follow-up, is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02039674.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 25, 2014, and Jan 25, 2016, 123 patients were enrolled; 60 were randomly assigned to the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group and 63 to the chemotherapy alone group. 33 (55%; 95% CI 42-68) of 60 patients in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group achieved an objective response compared with 18 (29%; 18-41) of 63 patients in the chemotherapy alone group (estimated treatment difference 26% [95% CI 9-42%]; p=0·0016). The incidence of grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events was similar between groups (23 [39%] of 59 patients in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group and 16 [26%] of 62 in the chemotherapy alone group). The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group were anaemia (seven [12%] of 59) and decreased neutrophil count (three [5%]); an additional six events each occurred in two (3%) for acute kidney injury, decreased lymphocyte count, fatigue, neutropenia, and sepsis, and thrombocytopenia. In the chemotherapy alone group, the most common grade 3 or worse events were anaemia (nine [15%] of 62) and decreased neutrophil count, pancytopenia, and thrombocytopenia (two [3%] each). One (2%) of 59 patients in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group experienced treatment-related death because of sepsis compared with two (3%) of 62 patients in the chemotherapy group: one because of sepsis and one because of pancytopenia.

INTERPRETATION

Combination of pembrolizumab, carboplatin, and pemetrexed could be an effective and tolerable first-line treatment option for patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC. This finding is being further explored in an ongoing international, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study.

FUNDING

Merck & Co.

Carboplatin and pemetrexed with or without pembrolizumab for advanced, non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomised, phase 2 cohort of the open-label KEYNOTE-021 study

BACKGROUND

Limited evidence exists to show that adding a third agent to platinum-doublet chemotherapy improves efficacy in the first-line advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) setting. The anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab has shown efficacy as monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC and has a non-overlapping toxicity profile with chemotherapy. We assessed whether the addition of pembrolizumab to platinum-doublet chemotherapy improves efficacy in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC.

METHODS

In this randomised, open-label, phase 2 cohort of a multicohort study (KEYNOTE-021), patients were enrolled at 26 medical centres in the USA and Taiwan. Patients with chemotherapy-naive, stage IIIB or IV, non-squamous NSCLC without targetable EGFR or ALK genetic aberrations were randomly assigned (1:1) in blocks of four stratified by PD-L1 tumour proportion score (<1% vs ≥1%) using an interactive voice-response system to 4 cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg plus carboplatin area under curve 5 mg/mL per min and pemetrexed 500 mg/m² every 3 weeks followed by pembrolizumab for 24 months and indefinite pemetrexed maintenance therapy or to 4 cycles of carboplatin and pemetrexed alone followed by indefinite pemetrexed maintenance therapy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved an objective response, defined as the percentage of patients with radiologically confirmed complete or partial response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 assessed by masked, independent central review, in the intention-to-treat population, defined as all patients who were allocated to study treatment. Significance threshold was p<0·025 (one sided). Safety was assessed in the as-treated population, defined as all patients who received at least one dose of the assigned study treatment. This trial, which is closed for enrolment but continuing for follow-up, is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02039674.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 25, 2014, and Jan 25, 2016, 123 patients were enrolled; 60 were randomly assigned to the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group and 63 to the chemotherapy alone group. 33 (55%; 95% CI 42-68) of 60 patients in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group achieved an objective response compared with 18 (29%; 18-41) of 63 patients in the chemotherapy alone group (estimated treatment difference 26% [95% CI 9-42%]; p=0·0016). The incidence of grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events was similar between groups (23 [39%] of 59 patients in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group and 16 [26%] of 62 in the chemotherapy alone group). The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group were anaemia (seven [12%] of 59) and decreased neutrophil count (three [5%]); an additional six events each occurred in two (3%) for acute kidney injury, decreased lymphocyte count, fatigue, neutropenia, and sepsis, and thrombocytopenia. In the chemotherapy alone group, the most common grade 3 or worse events were anaemia (nine [15%] of 62) and decreased neutrophil count, pancytopenia, and thrombocytopenia (two [3%] each). One (2%) of 59 patients in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group experienced treatment-related death because of sepsis compared with two (3%) of 62 patients in the chemotherapy group: one because of sepsis and one because of pancytopenia.

INTERPRETATION

Combination of pembrolizumab, carboplatin, and pemetrexed could be an effective and tolerable first-line treatment option for patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC. This finding is being further explored in an ongoing international, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study.

FUNDING

Merck & Co.

Beyond "second-line" in non-small cell lung cancer: therapy and supportive care

Although there once was a single algorithm for the treatment of patients with advanced lung cancer, the modern treatment of advanced lung cancer has multiple treatment pathways that depend on multiple factors, including histology and molecular subtype of disease. New molecular targets, targeted agents, and modes of therapy for patients, including immunotherapy, are being identified at an accelerating pace. These advances are changing outcomes and the treatment landscape, but they also highlight situations with inadequate data to support the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy. In this article, we provide an overview of data regarding cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted therapy and their value after second line, review the critical role of supportive care and palliative care, and emphasize the importance of advance care planning with our patients. Although this article focuses primarily on NSCLC, the comments about palliative care and advanced care planning also apply to patients with small cell lung cancer.

A Phase II Trial of the Multitargeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Lenvatinib (E7080) in Advanced Medullary Thyroid Cancer

PURPOSE

Positive results of phase I studies evaluating lenvatinib in solid tumors, including thyroid cancer, prompted a phase II trial in advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Fifty-nine patients with unresectable progressive MTC per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.0 within the prior 12 months received lenvatinib (24-mg daily, 28-day cycles) until disease progression, unmanageable toxicity, withdrawal, or death. Prior anti-VEGFR therapy was permitted. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.0 and independent imaging review.

RESULTS

Lenvatinib ORR was 36% [95% confidence interval (CI), 24%-49%]; all partial responses. ORR was comparable between patients with (35%) or without (36%) prior anti-VEGFR therapy. Disease control rate (DCR) was 80% (95% CI, 67%-89%); 44% had stable disease. Among responders, median time to response (TTR) was 3.5 months (95% CI, 1.9-3.7). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.0 months (95% CI, 7.0-not evaluable). Common toxicity criteria grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events included diarrhea (14%), hypertension (7%), decreased appetite (7%), fatigue, dysphagia, and increased alanine aminotransferase levels (5% each). Ret proto-oncogene status did not correlate with outcomes. Low baseline levels of angiopoietin-2, hepatocyte growth factor, and IL8 were associated with tumor reduction and prolonged PFS. High baseline levels of VEGF, soluble VEGFR3, and platelet-derived growth factor BB, and low baseline levels of soluble Tie-2, were associated with tumor reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Lenvatinib had a high ORR, high DCR, and a short TTR in patients with documented progressive MTC. Toxicities were managed with dose modifications and medications.

A phase 2 trial of lenvatinib (E7080) in advanced, progressive, radioiodine-refractory, differentiated thyroid cancer: A clinical outcomes and biomarker assessment

BACKGROUND

Lenvatinib is an oral, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 through 3 (VEGFR1-VEGFR3), fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 through 4 (FGFR1-FGFR4), platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα), ret proto-oncogene (RET), and v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT) signaling networks implicated in tumor angiogenesis. Positive phase 1 results in solid tumors prompted a phase 2 trial in patients with advanced, radioiodine-refractory, differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC).

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients with RR-DTC who had disease progression during the previous 12 months received lenvatinib 24 mg once daily in 28-day cycles until disease progression, unmanageable toxicity, withdrawal, or death. Previous VEGFR-targeted therapy was permitted. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) based on independent imaging review. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. Serum levels of 51 circulating cytokines and angiogenic factors also were assessed.

RESULTS

After ≥14 months of follow-up, patients had an ORR of 50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37%-63%) with only partial responses reported. The median time to response was 3.6 months, the median response duration was 12.7 months, and the median PFS was 12.6 months (95% CI, 9.9-16.1 months). The ORR for patients who had received previous VEGF therapy (n = 17) was 59% (95% CI, 33%-82%). Lower baseline levels of angiopoietin-2 were suggestive of tumor response and longer PFS. Grade 3 and 4 treatment-emergent adverse events, regardless of their relation to treatment, occurred in 72% of patients and most frequently included weight loss (12%), hypertension (10%), proteinuria (10%), and diarrhea (10%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with and without prior exposure to VEGF therapy, the encouraging response rates, median time to response, and PFS for lenvatinib have prompted further investigation in a phase 3 trial. Cancer 2015;121:2749-2756. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

The role of chemotherapy in the management of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer

Patients with confirmed stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represent a very heterogeneous group which includes those with limited microscopic ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node involvement discovered after a surgical resection, as well as those who have radiologically evident bulky subcarinal lymph node involvement at presentation. Different therapeutic options in stage IIIA disease include neoadjuvant chemo- or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, primary surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with or without sequential adjuvant radiation therapy or definitive chemoradiation without surgery. The roles of surgery and radiation in stage IIIA disease are controversial, and there is inadequate data from randomized trials to inform the optimal therapeutic strategy. In contrast, chemotherapy has a clear indication in the curative setting. Data from randomized trials indicates that cisplatin-based chemotherapy should be given in either adjuvant or neoadjuvant settings to patients who are undergoing curative surgical resection and who are candidates for cisplatin therapy. In definitive chemoradiotherapy, cisplatin-based therapy is recommended although a carboplatin-based regimen may be given if patients cannot receive cisplatin. Finally, all patients with stage IIIA NSCLC should be evaluated early in a multidisciplinary setting that includes medical and radiation oncologists and thoracic surgeons with experience in lung cancer therapy.

Cisplatin and radiotherapy with or without erlotinib in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a randomized phase II trial

PURPOSE

The combination of cisplatin and radiotherapy is a standard treatment for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cetuximab-radiotherapy is superior to radiotherapy alone in this population, validating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a target. Erlotinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of EGFR. Adding EGFR inhibition to standard cisplatin-radiotherapy may improve efficacy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with locally advanced SCCHN were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) on days 1, 22, and 43 combined with 70 Gy of radiotherapy (arm A) or the same chemoradiotherapy with erlotinib 150 mg per day, starting 1 week before radiotherapy and continued to its completion (arm B). The primary end point was complete response rate (CRR), evaluated by central review. The secondary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Available tumors were tested for p16 and EGFR by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Between December 2006 and October 2011, 204 patients were randomly assigned. Arms were well balanced for all patient characteristics including p16, with the exception of more women on arm A. Patients on arm B had more rash, but treatment arms did not differ regarding rates of other grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Arm A had a CRR of 40% and arm B had a CRR of 52% (P = .08) when evaluated by central review. With a median follow-up time of 26 months and 54 progression events, there was no difference in PFS (hazard ratio, 0.9; P = .71).

CONCLUSION

Erlotinib did not increase the toxicity of cisplatin and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced HNSCC but failed to significantly increase CRR or PFS.

The role of chemotherapy in the management of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer

Patients with confirmed stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represent a very heterogeneous group which includes those with limited microscopic ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node involvement discovered after a surgical resection, as well as those who have radiologically evident bulky subcarinal lymph node involvement at presentation. Different therapeutic options in stage IIIA disease include neoadjuvant chemo- or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, primary surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with or without sequential adjuvant radiation therapy or definitive chemoradiation without surgery. The roles of surgery and radiation in stage IIIA disease are controversial, and there is inadequate data from randomized trials to inform the optimal therapeutic strategy. In contrast, chemotherapy has a clear indication in the curative setting. Data from randomized trials indicates that cisplatin-based chemotherapy should be given in either adjuvant or neoadjuvant settings to patients who are undergoing curative surgical resection and who are candidates for cisplatin therapy. In definitive chemoradiotherapy, cisplatin-based therapy is recommended although a carboplatin-based regimen may be given if patients cannot receive cisplatin. Finally, all patients with stage IIIA NSCLC should be evaluated early in a multidisciplinary setting that includes medical and radiation oncologists and thoracic surgeons with experience in lung cancer therapy.

A Phase II study of pulse dose imatinib mesylate and weekly paclitaxel in patients aged 70 and over with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background

In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), interstitial hypertension is a barrier to chemotherapy delivery, and is mediated by platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). Antagonizing PDGFR with imatinib may improve intra-tumoral delivery of paclitaxel, increasing response rate (RR).

Methods

This single-stage, open-label phase II study evaluated pulse dose imatinib and weekly paclitaxel in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Eligible patients were aged ≥ 70 with untreated, stage IIIB-IV NSCLC and ECOG performance status 0-2. Primary endpoint was RR. Secondary endpoints included median progression free and overall survival (PFS, OS) and correlatives of PDGFR pathway activation. Baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Vulnerable Elder Survey-13 (VES-13) were correlated with outcomes.

Results

Thirty-four patients with median age 75 enrolled. Eleven of 29 (38%) were frail by VES-13 score. Overall RR was 11/34 (32%; 95% CI 17%-51%), meeting the primary endpoint. Median PFS and OS were 3.6 and 7.3 months, respectively. High tumoral PDGF-B expression predicted inferior PFS. Frail patients by VES-13 had significantly worse median PFS (3.2 vs. 4.5 months; p=0.02) and OS (4.8 vs. 12 months; p=0.02) than non-frail.

Conclusions

The combination of imatinib and paclitaxel had encouraging activity as measured by the primary endpoint of RR. However, PFS and OS were typical for elderly patients treated with single agent chemotherapy and the regimen is not recommended for further study. Adjunct imatinib did not overcome the established association of tumoral PDGF-B expression with inferior PFS. VES-13 was a powerful predictor of poor survival outcomes. Frailty should be further studied as a predictor of non-benefit from chemotherapy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01011075

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue in a patient with Fanconi anemia treated with radiotherapy and concurrent cetuximab: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure and increased risk of cancers including acute myelogenous leukemia and various solid tumors, especially head and neck cancer. Management of head and neck cancer in the setting of FA is complicated by pancytopenia, poor tolerance of chemotherapy, and potentially increased radiosensitivity. There are limited reports on tolerance of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with FA.

METHODS

We report a case of a patient with FA who presented with a small oral tongue cancer that was excised. He rapidly developed extensive locoregional recurrence and underwent surgical resection followed by postoperative RT with concurrent cetuximab.

RESULTS

Both RT and cetuximab were well tolerated with manageable toxicities. Unfortunately, the patient died of early locoregional disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

RT with concurrent cetuximab was well tolerated and may be an appropriate option in patients with FA. However, many patients have a poor prognosis due to aggressive disease.