Point of Care Molecular Testing: Community-Based Rapid Next-Generation Sequencing to Support Cancer Care.

Purpose: Biomarker data are critical to the delivery of precision cancer care. The average turnaround of next-generation sequencing (NGS) reports is over 2 weeks, and in-house availability is typically limited to academic centers. Lengthy turnaround times for biomarkers can adversely affect outcomes. Traditional workflows involve moving specimens through multiple facilities. This study evaluates the feasibility of rapid comprehensive NGS using the Genexus integrated sequencer and a novel streamlined workflow in a community setting. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to assess the early experience and performance characteristics of a novel approach to biomarker testing at a large community center. This approach to NGS included an automated workflow utilizing the Genexus integrated sequencer, validated for clinical use. NGS testing was further integrated within a routine immunohistochemistry (IHC) service, utilizing histotechnologists to perform technical aspects of NGS, with results reported directly by anatomic pathologists. Results: Between October 2020 and October 2021, 578 solid tumor samples underwent genomic profiling. Median turnaround time for biomarker results was 3 business days (IQR: 2-5). Four hundred eighty-one (83%) of the cases were resulted in fewer than 5 business days, and 66 (11%) of the cases were resulted simultaneously with diagnosis. Tumor types included lung cancer (310), melanoma (97), and colorectal carcinoma (68), among others. NGS testing detected key driver alterations at expected prevalence rates: lung EGFR (16%), ALK (3%), RET (1%), melanoma BRAF (43%), colorectal RAS/RAF (67%), among others. Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating clinical implementation of rapid NGS. This supports the feasibility of automated comprehensive NGS performed and interpreted in parallel with diagnostic histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This novel approach to biomarker testing offers considerable advantages to clinical cancer care.

A Guide to Implementing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors within a Cancer Program: Experience from a Large Canadian Community Centre.

The increased use of immune checkpoint inhibitors across cancer programs has created the need for standardized patient assessment, education, monitoring, and management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). At William Osler Health System in Brampton, Ontario, a practical step-wise approach detailing the implementation of cancer immunotherapy in routine practice was developed. The approach focuses on four key steps: (1) identification of patient educators; (2) development of patient education materials; (3) development of patient monitoring tools; (4) involvement and education of multidisciplinary teams. Here, we provide an in-depth description of what was included in each step and how we integrated the different elements of the program. For each step, resources, tools, and materials that may be useful for patients, healthcare providers, and multidisciplinary teams were developed or modified based on existing materials. At our centre, the program led to improved patient comprehension of irAEs, the ability to act on symptoms (patient self-efficacy), and low rates of emergency room visits at first presentation for irAEs. We recognize that centres may need to tailor the approaches to their institutional policies and encourage centres to adapt and modify the forms and tools according to their needs and requirements.

Pan-cancer analysis of longitudinal metastatic tumors reveals genomic alterations and immune landscape dynamics associated with pembrolizumab sensitivity.

Serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring is emerging as a non-invasive strategy to predict and monitor immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapeutic efficacy across cancer types. Yet, limited data exist to show the relationship between ctDNA dynamics and tumor genome and immune microenvironment in patients receiving ICB. Here, we present an in-depth analysis of clinical, whole-exome, transcriptome, and ctDNA profiles of 73 patients with advanced solid tumors, across 30 cancer types, from a phase II basket clinical trial of pembrolizumab (NCT02644369) and report changes in genomic and immune landscapes (primary outcomes). Patients stratified by ctDNA and tumor burden dynamics correspond with survival and clinical benefit. High mutation burden, high expression of immune signatures, and mutations in BRCA2 are associated with pembrolizumab molecular sensitivity, while abundant copy-number alterations and B2M loss-of-heterozygosity corresponded with resistance. Upon treatment, induction of genes expressed by T cell, B cell, and myeloid cell populations are consistent with sensitivity and resistance. We identified the upregulated expression of PLA2G2D, an immune-regulating phospholipase, as a potential biomarker of adaptive resistance to ICB. Together, these findings provide insights into the diversity of immunogenomic mechanisms that underpin pembrolizumab outcomes.

Development of a Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Prognostic Score (MUMPS) for Use in Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) is a rare disease. There are limited data on prognostic clinical factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with mUM treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Retrospective and non-randomized prospective studies have reported response rates of 0-17% for anti-PD1/L1 ± anti-CTLA4 ICI in mUM, indicating a potential benefit only in a subset of patients. This study evaluates the characteristics associated with ICI benefit in patients with mUM. We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with mUM who received anti-PD1/L1 ± anti-CTLA4 ICI between 2014-2019. Clinical and genomic characteristics were collected from a chart review. Treatment response and clinical progression were determined by physician assessment. Multivariable Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier log-rank tests were used to assess differences in clinical progression-free survival (cPFS) and OS between groups and identify clinical variables associated with ICI outcomes. We identified 71 mUM patients who received 75 lines of ICI therapy. Of these, 54 received anti-PD1/L1 alone, and 21 received anti-PD1/L1 + anti-CTLA4. Patient characteristics were: 53% female, 48% were 65 or older, 72% received one or fewer lines of prior therapy. Within our cohort, 53% of patients had developed metastatic disease <2 years after their initial diagnosis. Bone metastases were present in 12% of patients. The median cPFS was 2.7 months, and the median OS was 10.0 months. In multivariable analyses for both cPFS and OS, the following variables were associated with a good prognosis: ≥2 years from the initial diagnosis to metastatic disease (n = 25), LDH < 1.5 × ULN (n = 45), and absence of bone metastases (n = 66). We developed a Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Prognostic Score (MUMPS). Patients were divided into 3 MUMPS groups based on the number of the above-mentioned prognostic variables: Poor prognosis (0-1), Intermediate prognosis (2) and Good prognosis (3). Good prognosis patients experienced longer cPFS (6.0 months) and OS (34.5 months) than patients with intermediate (2.3 months cPFS, 9.4 months OS) and poor prognosis disease (1.8 months cPFS, 3.9 months OS); p < 0.0001. We developed MUMPS-a prognostic score based on retrospective data that is comprised of 3 readily available clinical variables (time to metastatic diagnosis, presence of bone metastases, and LDH). This MUMPS score has a potential prognostic value. Further validation in independent datasets is warranted to determine the role of this MUMPS score in selecting ICI treatment management for mUM.

Clinicopathologic factors that influence prognosis and survival outcomes in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with Radium-223.

BACKGROUND: In men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with primarily bone metastases, radium-223 (223 Ra) improves overall survival (OS). However, the selection of 223 Ra is not guided by specific validated clinicopathologic factors, and thus outcomes are heterogeneous. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective survival analysis was performed in men with mCRPC treated with 223 Ra at our cancer center. Demographics and disease characteristics were collected. OS was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank). The potential prognostic factors were determined using both univariable (UVA) and multivariable analysis (MVA) (Cox-regression) methods. RESULTS: In total, 150 patients with a median age of 74 years (52-93) received 223 Ra between May 2015 and July 2018, and 58% had 6-20 bone metastases. Ninety-four (63%) patients received >4 223 Ra doses, and 56 (37%) received ≤4. The following pre-treatment factors were analyzed (median [range]): eastern cooperative oncology group performance status (ECOG PS), (1 [0-3]); Albumin (ALB), (39 g/L [24-47]); alkaline phosphatase (ALP), (110 U/L [35-1633]); and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), (49 µg/L [0.83-7238]). The median OS for all patients was 14.5 months (95% CI: 11.2-18). These factors were associated with poor survival outcomes in UVA and MVA: ALB <35 g/L, ALP >150 U/L, ECOG PS 2-3, and PSA >80 µg/L. By assigning one point for each of these factors, a prognostic model was developed, wherein three distinct risk groups were identified: good, 0-1 (n = 103); intermediate, 2 (n = 30); and poor risk, 3-4 points (n = 17). The median OS was 19.4, 10.0, and 3.1 months, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment ALB, ALP, ECOG, and PSA, were significantly correlated with OS and could guide treatment selection for men with mCRPC by identifying those who are most or least likely to benefit from 223 Ra. Validation in an independent dataset is required prior to widespread clinical utilization.

Evaluation of liver enzyme elevations and hepatotoxicity in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used in cancer therapy. Elevated liver enzymes frequently occur in patients treated with ICI but evaluation is poorly described. We sought to better understand causes of liver enzyme elevation, investigation and management. METHODS: Patients treated with anti-PD-1, PDL-1 or CTLA-4 therapy in Phase I/II clinical trials between August 2012 and December 2018 were included. Clinical records of patients with significant liver enzyme elevations were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of 470 ICI-treated patients, liver enzyme elevation occurred in 102 (21.6%), attributed to disease progression (56; 54.9%), other drugs/toxins (7; 6.9%), other causes (22; 21.6%) and ICI immunotoxicity (17; 16.7%; 3.6% of total cohort). Immunotoxicity was associated with higher peak ALT than other causes of enzyme elevation (N = 17; M = 217, 95% CI 145-324 for immunotoxicity, N = 103; M = 74, 95% CI 59-92 for other causes; ratio of means 0.34, 95% CI 0.19-0.60, p = <0.001) and higher ALT:AST ratio (M = 1.27, 95% CI 0.78-2.06 for immunotoxicity, M = 0.69, 95% CI 0.59-0.80 for other causes, ratio of means 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.82, p = 0.004). Immunotoxicity was more often seen in patients with prior CPI exposure (41.2% of immunotoxicity vs 15.9% of patients without, p = 0.01), anti-CTLA-4 -containing ICI treatments (29.4% of immunotoxicity vs 6.8% of patients without, p = <0.001) and other organ immunotoxicity (76.5% of immunotoxicity vs 19.2% of patients without, p = <0.001). Cause for enzyme elevation was established in most patients after non-invasive investigation. Liver biopsy was reserved for four patients with atypical treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: Liver enzyme elevation is common in patients receiving ICI, but often has a cause other than immunotoxicity. A biochemical signature with higher ALT and ALT/AST ratio, a history of prior ICI exposure and other organ immunotoxicities may help to identify patients at a higher likelihood of immunotoxicity. Liver biopsy can be safely deferred in most patients. We propose an approach to diagnostic evaluation in patients with liver enzyme elevations following ICI exposure.

Predicting Toxicity and Response to Pembrolizumab Through Germline Genomic HLA Class 1 Analysis.

Background: Human leukocyte antigen class 1 (HLA-1)-dependent immune activity is linked to autoimmune diseases. HLA-1-dependent CD8+ T cells are required for immune checkpoint blockade antitumor activity. It is unknown if HLA-1 genotype is predictive of toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade. Methods: Patients with advanced solid tumors stratified into 5 cohorts received single agent pembrolizumab (anti-programmed cell death-1) 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks in an investigator-initiated phase II trial (Investigator-Initiated Phase II Study of Pembrolizumab Immunological Response Evaluation study, NCT02644369). Germline whole-exome sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed using the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. HLA-1 haplotypes were predicted from whole-exome sequencing using HLAminer and HLAVBSeq. Heterozygosity of HLA-A, -B, and -C, individual HLA-1 alleles, and HLA haplotype dimorphism at positions -21 M and -21 T of the HLA-A and -B leader sequence were analyzed as predictors of toxicity defined as grade 2 or greater immune-related adverse events and clinical benefit defined as complete or partial response, or stable disease for 6 or more cycles of pembrolizumab. Statistical significance tests were 2-sided. Results: In the overall cohort of 101 patients, the frequency of toxicity and clinical benefit from pembrolizumab was 22.8% and 25.7%, respectively. There was no association between any of the HLA-1 loci or alleles with toxicity. HLA-C heterozygosity had an association with decreased clinical benefit relative to HLA-C homozygosity when controlling for cohort (odds ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval = 0.09 to 0.91, P = .04). HLA-A and -B haplotype -21 M/T dimorphism and heterozygosity of HLA-A, -B, and -C were not predictive of outcomes. Conclusions: HLA-C heterozygosity may predict decreased response to pembrolizumab. Prospective validation is required.

Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Targeted Therapy After Immuno-oncology Checkpoint Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Immuno-oncology (IO) therapies have changed the treatment standards of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, the effectiveness of targeted therapy following discontinuation of IO therapy in real-world settings has not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: To describe treatment sequence and assess clinical effectiveness of targeted therapy for mRCC patients who received prior IO therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study using data from eight international cancer centers was conducted. Patients with mRCC were ≥18yr old, received IO therapy in any line, and initiated targeted therapy following IO therapy discontinuation. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) or mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORIs). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Outcomes were time to treatment discontinuation (TTD), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate (ORR). Crude and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. Models were adjusted for age, sex, therapy line, and International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium risk group. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among 314 patients, 276 (87.9%) and 38 (12.1%) were treated with VEGFR-TKI and mTORI therapy, respectively. The most common tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments were axitinib, cabozantinib, and sunitinib following IO therapy. In adjusted models, patients treated with VEGFR-TKI versus mTORI therapy had lower hazard of TTD after IO treatment (aHR=0.46; 95% CI: 0.30-0.71; p < 0.01). One-year OS probability (65% vs 47%, p < 0.01) and proportion of ORR (29.8% vs 3.6%, p < 0.01) were significantly greater for patients treated with VEGFR-TKIs versus those treated with mTORIs. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted therapy has clinical activity following IO treatment. Patients who received VEGFR-TKIs versus mTORIs following IO therapy had improved clinical outcomes. These findings may help inform treatment guidelines and clinical practice for patients post-IO therapy. PATIENT SUMMARY: Patients may continue to experience clinical benefits from targeted therapies after progression on immuno-oncology treatment.

Predicting response and toxicity to PD-1 inhibition using serum autoantibodies identified from immuno-mass spectrometry.

Background: Validated biomarkers are needed to identify patients at increased risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Antibodies directed against endogenous antigens can change after exposure to ICB. Methods: Patients with different solid tumors stratified into cohorts received pembrolizumab every 3 weeks in a Phase II trial (INSPIRE study). Blood samples were collected prior to first pembrolizumab exposure (baseline) and approximately 7 weeks (pre-cycle 3) into treatment. In a discovery analysis, autoantibody target immuno-mass spectrometry was performed in baseline and pre-cycle 3 pooled sera of 24 INSPIRE patients based on clinical benefit (CBR) and irAEs. Results: Thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) were identified as the candidate autoantibody targets. In the overall cohort of 78 patients, the frequency of CBR and irAEs from pembrolizumab was 31% and 24%, respectively. Patients with an anti-Tg titer increase ≥1.5x from baseline to pre-cycle 3 were more likely to have irAEs relative to patients without this increase in unadjusted, cohort adjusted, and multivariable models (OR=17.4, 95% CI 1.8-173.8, p=0.015). Similarly, patients with an anti-TPO titer ≥ 1.5x from baseline to pre-cycle 3 were more likely to have irAEs relative to patients without the increase in unadjusted and cohort adjusted (OR=6.1, 95% CI 1.1-32.7, p=0.035) models. Further, the cohort adjusted analysis showed patients with anti-Tg titer greater than median (10.0 IU/mL) at pre-cycle 3 were more likely to have irAEs (OR=4.7, 95% CI 1.2-17.8, p=0.024). Patients with pre-cycle 3 anti-TPO titers greater than median (10.0 IU/mL) had a significant difference in overall survival (23.8 vs 11.5 months; HR=1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2, p=0.05). Conclusions: Patient increase ≥1.5x of anti-Tg and anti-TPO titers from baseline to pre-cycle 3 were associated with irAEs from pembrolizumab, and patients with elevated pre-cycle 3 anti-TPO titers had an improvement in overall survival.

Systematic Review and STARD Scoring of Renal Cell Carcinoma Circulating Diagnostic Biomarker Manuscripts.

BACKGROUND: No validated molecular biomarkers exist to help guide diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. We seek to evaluate the quality of published RCC circulating diagnostic biomarker manuscripts using the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) guidelines. METHODS: The phrase "(renal cell carcinoma OR renal cancer OR kidney cancer OR kidney carcinoma) AND circulating AND (biomarkers OR cell free DNA OR tumor DNA OR methylated cell free DNA OR methylated tumor DNA)" was searched in Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed in March 2018. Relevant manuscripts were scored using 41 STARD subcriteria for a maximal score of 26 points. All tests of statistical significance were 2 sided. RESULTS: The search identified 535 publications: 27 manuscripts of primary research were analyzed. The median STARD score was 11.5 (range = 7-16.75). All manuscripts had appropriate abstracts, introductions, and distribution of alternative diagnoses. None of the manuscripts stated how indeterminant data were handled or if adverse events occurred from performing the index test or reference standard. Statistically significantly higher STARD scores were present in manuscripts reporting receiver operator characteristic curves (P < .001), larger sample sizes (P = .007), and after release of the original STARD statement (P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Most RCC circulating diagnostic biomarker manuscripts poorly adhere to the STARD guidelines. Future studies adhering to STARD guidelines may address this unmet need.

Real-World Assessment of Clinical Outcomes Among First-Line Sunitinib Patients with Clear Cell Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) by the International mRCC Database Consortium Risk Group.

BACKGROUND: International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) Database Consortium (IMDC) risk groups are important when considering therapeutic options for first-line treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients with clear cell mRCC initiating first-line sunitinib between 2010 and 2018 were included in this retrospective database study. Median time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Outcomes were stratified by IMDC risk groups and evaluated for those in the combined intermediate and poor risk group and separately for those in the intermediate risk group with one versus two risk factors. RESULTS: Among 1,769 patients treated with first-line sunitinib, 318 (18%) had favorable, 1,031 (58%) had intermediate, and 420 (24%) had poor IMDC risk. Across the three risk groups, patients had similar age, gender, and sunitinib initiation year. Median TTD was 15.0, 8.5, and 4.2 months in the favorable, intermediate, and poor risk groups, respectively, and 7.1 months in the combined intermediate and poor risk group. Median OS was 52.1, 31.5, and 9.8 months in the favorable, intermediate, and poor risk groups, respectively, and 23.2 months in the combined intermediate and poor risk group. Median OS (35.1 vs. 21.9 months) and TTD (10.3 vs. 6.6 months) were significantly different between intermediate risk patients with one versus two risk factors. CONCLUSION: This real-world study found a median OS of 52 months for patients with favorable IMDC risk treated with first-line sunitinib, setting a new benchmark on clinical outcomes of clear cell mRCC. Analysis of intermediate risk group by one or two risk factors demonstrated distinct clinical outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This analysis offers a contemporary benchmark for overall survival (median, 52.1 months; 95% confidence interval, 43.4-61.2) among patients with clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma who were treated with sunitinib as first-line therapy in a real-world setting and classified as favorable risk according to International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk group classification. This study demonstrates that clinical outcomes differ between IMDC risk groups as well as within the intermediate risk group based on the number of risk factors, thus warranting further consideration of risk group when counseling patients about therapeutic options and designing clinical trials.

Personalized circulating tumor DNA analysis as a predictive biomarker in solid tumor patients treated with pembrolizumab.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) provides clinical benefit to a subset of patients with cancer. However, existing biomarkers do not reliably predict treatment response across diverse cancer types. Limited data exist to show how serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing may perform as a predictive biomarker in patients receiving ICB. We conducted a prospective phase II clinical trial to assess ctDNA in five distinct cohorts of patients with advanced solid tumors treated with pembrolizumab (NCT02644369). We applied bespoke ctDNA assays to 316 serial plasma samples obtained at baseline and every three cycles from 94 patients. Baseline ctDNA concentration correlated with progression-free survival, overall survival, clinical response and clinical benefit. This association became stronger when considering ctDNA kinetics during treatment. All 12 patients with ctDNA clearance during treatment were alive with median 25 months follow up. This study demonstrates the potential for broad clinical utility of ctDNA-based surveillance in patients treated with ICB.

Systematic review and REMARK scoring of renal cell carcinoma prognostic circulating biomarker manuscripts.

BACKGROUND: No validated molecular biomarkers exist to help guide prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. We seek to evaluate the quality of published prognostic circulating RCC biomarker manuscripts using the Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies (REMARK) guidelines. METHODS: The phrase "(renal cell carcinoma OR renal cancer OR kidney cancer OR kidney carcinoma) AND circulating AND (biomarkers OR cell free DNA OR tumor DNA OR methylated cell free DNA OR methylated tumor DNA)" was searched in Embase, Medline and PubMed March 2018. Relevant manuscripts were scored using 48 REMARK sub-criteria for a maximal score of 20 points. RESULTS: The search identified 535 publications: 33 were manuscripts of primary research and were analyzed. The mean REMARK score was 10.6 (range 6.42-14.2). All manuscripts stated their biomarker, study objectives and method of case selection. The lowest scoring criteria: time lapse between storage of blood/serum and marker assay (n = 2) and lack of flow diagram (n = 2). REMARK scores were significantly higher in publications stating adherence to REMARK guidelines (p = 0.0307) and reporting statistically significant results (p = 0.0318). CONCLUSIONS: Most RCC prognostic biomarker manuscripts poorly adhere to the REMARK guidelines. Better designed studies and appropriate reporting are required to address this urgent unmet need.

First-line Immuno-Oncology Combination Therapies in Metastatic Renal-cell Carcinoma: Results from the International Metastatic Renal-cell Carcinoma Database Consortium.

BACKGROUND: In metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC), recent data have shown efficacy of first-line ipilimumab and nivolumab (ipi-nivo) as well as immuno-oncology (IO)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor combinations. Comparative data between these strategies are limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of ipi-nivo versus IO-VEGF (IOVE) combinations in mRCC, and describe practice patterns and effectiveness of second-line therapies. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Using the International Metastatic Renal-cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) dataset, patients treated with any first-line IOVE combination were compared with those treated with ipi-nivo. INTERVENTION: All patients received first-line IO combination therapies. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: First- and second-line response rates, time to treatment failure (TTF), time to next treatment (TNT), and overall survival (OS) were analysed. Hazard ratios were adjusted for IMDC risk factors. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: In total, 113 patients received IOVE combinations and 75 received ipi-nivo. For IOVE combinations versus ipi-nivo, first-line response rates were 33% versus 40% (between-group difference 7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -8% to 22%, p =  0.4), TTF was 14.3 versus 10.2 mo (p =  0.2), TNT was 19.7 versus 17.9 mo (p =  0.4), and median OS was immature but not statistically different (p = 0.17). Adjusted hazard ratios for TTF, TNT, and OS were 0.71 (95% CI 0.46-1.12, p =  0.14), 0.65 (95% CI 0.38-1.11, p =  0.11), and 1.74 (95% CI 0.82-3.68, p =  0.14), respectively. Sixty-four (34%) patients received second-line treatment. In patients receiving subsequent VEGF-based therapy, second-line response rates were lower in the IOVE cohort than in the ipi-nivo cohort (15% vs 45%; between-group difference 30%, 95% CI 3-57%, p =  0.04; n = 40), though second-line TTF was not significantly different (3.7 vs 5.4 mo; p =  0.4; n = 55). Limitations include the study's retrospective design and sample size. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in first-line outcomes between IOVE combinations and ipi-nivo. Most patients received VEGF-based therapy in the second line. In this group, second-line response rate was greater in patients who received ipi-nivo initially. PATIENT SUMMARY: There were no significant differences in key first-line outcomes for patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma receiving immuno-oncology/vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor combinations versus ipilimumab and nivolumab.

Serum PD-1 Is Elevated after Pembrolizumab Treatment but Has No Predictive Value.

Immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) uses antibody targeting of specific inhibitory receptors and ligands. The major limitations of ICB, such as high cost, limited success rate, and immune-related adverse events (irAE), highlight the need for predictive biomarkers. We analyzed pre-immunotherapy and post-immunotherapy serum samples of 24 patients treated with pembrolizumab for changes in PD-1 and over 1,000 additional protein markers using a multiplex proximity extension assay (PEA) to identify potential predictive biomarkers of response and/or toxicity. Candidates were selected based on the criteria that at least 2 patients within any of 3 patient groups (responders without irAEs, responders with irAEs, or nonresponders with irAEs) had either a ≥4-fold increase or 4-fold decrease in expression post-immunotherapy. Female and male control samples were used as technical duplicates. A patient group with no response and no irAEs was used to exclude candidates. Following treatment with pembrolizumab, there was a relative increase of PD-1 in the serum of all patients, compared with controls (average 4.4-fold). We identified 7 additional serum proteins that met our candidate selection criteria. These candidate markers did not have any significant association with response or toxicity to pembrolizumab. Overall, we show that serum PD-1 increases post-therapy with pembrolizumab treatment but has no predictive value for response or toxicity in this small set of patients.

Cobimetinib- and vemurafenib-induced granulomatous dermatitis and erythema induratum: A case report.

Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive malignancy. Survival can be increased with the combination of BRAF and MEK inhibition. BRAF inhibitor-induced cutaneous toxicities can be attenuated with MEK inhibition. Here, we describe the first reported case of a patient with metastatic melanoma who developed granulomatous dermatitis and erythema induratum when treated with combination BRAF (vemurafenib) and MEK inhibitor (cobimetinib) therapy and discuss the clinical features and management of dermatologic side-effects secondary to BRAF +/- MEK inhibition.

Rational design and identification of immuno-oncology drug combinations.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials investigating immuno-oncology (IO) drug combinations are largely based on empiricism or limited non-clinical evaluations. This study identified the current combination IO drug clinical trials and investigated how tumour molecular profiling can help rationalise IO drug combinations. METHODS: IO targets were identified via PubMed search and expert opinion. IO drugs were compiled by searching the National Cancer Institute Drug Dictionary and pharmaceutical pipelines, August 2016. Combination IO trials were obtained by searching doublet IO drug combinations in www.clinicaltrials.gov from September to November 2016. IO target gene expressions were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data set and compared with normal tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression database. Differentially expressed genes for each cancer were determined using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and p-values were corrected for multiple testing. RESULTS: In total, 178 IO targets were identified; 90 targets have either regulatory approved or investigational therapeutics. In total, 410 combination trials involving ≥2 IO drugs were identified: skin (n = 102) and genitourinary (n = 41) malignancies have the largest number of combination IO trials; 109 trials involved >2 disease sites. Summative patient accrual estimates among all trials are 71,345. Trials combining cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) with programmed cell death protein 1 (n = 79) and CTLA4 with programmed cell death ligand 1 (n = 44) are the most common. Gene expression data from TCGA were mined to extract the 178 IO targets in 9089 tumours originating from 19 cancer types. IO target expression-clustered heatmap analysis identified several promising drug combinations. CONCLUSION: Our review highlights the great interest in combination IO clinical trials. Our analysis can enrich IO combination therapy selection.

The Changing Epidemiology of Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Over 30 Years: A Single-center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a complication of solid organ transplantation (SOT) associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). METHODS: We analyzed the incidence of and risk factors for PTLD among adult SOT recipients at our center over 30 years (1984-2013). We also compared PTLD incidence before and after a prevention strategy of EBV viral load monitoring in EBV serology mismatched patients was adapted in 2001 (ie, transplant era 1 [1983-2001] vs era 2 [2002-2013]). RESULTS: Among 4171 SOT patients, 109 developed PTLD. Cumulative incidence at 1, 10, and 20 years posttransplant was 0.95, 2.3, and 3.5 per 100 person-years, respectively. Beyond the first year peak of almost exclusively EBV-positive PTLD, a lower incidence of PTLD, predominantly EBV negative, persisted for 20 years. Thoracic transplant (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; P = 0.007) and negative EBV serology (HR, 7.7; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for PTLD on multivariate Cox regression analysis. EBV seronegativity significantly increased risk of early (HR, 18.5) and EBV-positive PTLD (HR, 14.2), as well as late (HR, 4.9) and EBV-negative PTLD (HR, 3.6) on univariate analyses. Risk of early PTLD was significantly reduced in the recent transplant era (0.8% era 2 vs 1.9% era 1 at 5 years, P = 0.002); this reduction was seen in recent era EBV seropositive (P = 0.035 at 5 years) but not seronegative recipients (P = 0.90 year 5), suggesting lack of impact of viral load monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Adult SOT recipients face a prolonged risk of late PTLD, whereas risk of early PTLD may have declined in recent years.

Update on Programmed Death-1 and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Inhibition in the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a large worldwide prevalence with a high mortality rate. Chemotherapy has offered modest improvements in survival over the past two decades. Immune checkpoint modulation with programmed death-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibition has shown the promise of changing the future landscape of cancer therapy. This update reviews recent advances in the treatment of NSCLC with immune checkpoint modulation. METHODS: Publications and proceedings were identified from searching PubMed and proceedings from the annual meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society for Medical Oncology, and European Lung Cancer Conference. RESULTS: Atezolizumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab increase overall survival in second-line treatment of Stage III/IV squamous and non-squamous NSCLC when compared to docetaxel. Pembrolizumab increases progression-free survival in the first-line treatment of Stage IV NSCLC with 50% PD-L1 expression when compared to platinum-based chemotherapy. Combination therapy with chemotherapy and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors has shown promise in early trials. CONCLUSION: Immune checkpoint modulation produces durable responses and overall survival benefits with less toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy. Future investigations are combining PD-1/L1 inhibition with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or other immuno-oncology agents in an effort to further improve efficacy.

Transplantation of umbilical cord blood-derived cells for novel indications in regenerative therapy or immune modulation: a scoping review of clinical studies.

Although used mainly for transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells in the treatment of blood disorders, umbilical cord blood (UCB)-based therapies are now being used increasingly for novel applications in nonhematopoietic diseases and as a form of cellular regenerative therapy or immune modulation. We performed a systematic scoping review by searching Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for published articles, and we searched www.clinicaltrials.com and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to describe the breadth of published studies and ongoing clinical activity in umbilical cord-based cellular therapy for regenerative therapy and immune modulation. The most commonly published area of expertise in the use of UCB-derived cellular transplantation for novel indications is for neurological disorders and this remains the most active area of study in ongoing registered trials. An increasingly broad range of disorders, however, are reflected in ongoing registered trials, which suggests greater activity, interest, and investment in UCB-derived cellular therapy. Interestingly, adult patients compose the majority of patients reported in published reports and registered ongoing clinical studies continue to enroll predominantly adult subjects. Geographically, Asian countries appear most active in UCB-derived cellular therapy and our analysis of ongoing studies suggests this trend will likely continue. Regular assessment of published and ongoing activity in UCB transplantation for emerging novel indications will be critical for informing UCB banking establishments and funding agencies to guide changes in banking practices related to emerging trends in cell therapy.