Outcomes on anti-VEGFR-2/paclitaxel treatment after progression on immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Through our involvement in KEYNOTE-059, we unexpectedly observed durable responses in two patients with metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (mGEA) who received ramucirumab (anti-VEGFR-2)/paclitaxel after immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). To assess the reproducibility of this observation, we piloted an approach to administer ramucirumab/paclitaxel after ICI in more patients, and explored changes in the immune microenvironment. Nineteen consecutive patients with mGEA received ICI followed by ramucirumab/paclitaxel. Most (95%) did not respond to ICI, yet after irRECIST-defined progression on ICI, all patients experienced tumor size reduction on ramucirumab/paclitaxel. The objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) on ramucirumab/paclitaxel after ICI were higher than on the last chemotherapy before ICI in the same group of patients (ORR, 58.8% vs 11.8%; PFS 12.2 vs 3.0 months; respectively). Paired tumor biopsies examined by imaging mass cytometry showed a median 5.5-fold (range 4-121) lower frequency of immunosuppressive forkhead box P3+ regulatory T cells with relatively preserved CD8+ T cells, post-treatment versus pre-treatment (n = 5 pairs). We then compared the outcomes of these 19 patients with a separate group who received ramucirumab/paclitaxel without preceding ICI (n = 68). Median overall survival on ramucirumab/paclitaxel was longer with (vs without) immediately preceding ICI (14.8 vs 7.4 months) including after multivariate analysis, as was PFS. In our small clinical series, outcomes appeared improved on anti-VEGFR-2/paclitaxel treatment when preceded by ICI, in association with alterations in the immune microenvironment. However, further investigation is needed to determine the generalizability of these data. Prospective clinical trials to evaluate sequential treatment with ICI followed by anti-VEGF(R)/taxane are underway.

A Case of Donor-Transmitted Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Liver Transplantation: An Unwelcome Guest.

Cancer transmission with organ donation has been previously reported with a variety of malignancies and organ transplants. The risk of transmission through organ transplantation from donors with a history of previously treated malignancies has been addressed by guidelines from transplant societies. Herein, we report a case of a patient who developed lung cancer confined to the liver after liver transplantation with no known history of malignancy in the donor. The suspicion of donor origin arose after positron emission tomography-computerized tomography scan showed metastatic lung cancer only involving the transplanted liver without a primary focus. Genetic analysis of the malignant cells confirmed donor origin of the cancer.

First Report of Dramatic Tumor Responses with Ramucirumab and Paclitaxel After Progression on Pembrolizumab in Two Cases of Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma.

Checkpoint inhibitors targeted at programmed cell death-1 receptor (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) can result in significant benefit to a small proportion of patients with cancer, including those with tumors of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction. These drugs are now approved for several solid tumors, including the recent accelerated approval of pembrolizumab for gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas in the third-line setting and beyond based on the KEYNOTE-059 phase II trial. Data are lacking on the efficacy of chemotherapy after progression on PD-1 blockade in metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. This report describes the exceptional response of two patients who received ramucirumab plus paclitaxel after progressive disease on pembrolizumab. This early clinical observation suggests that the sequence of administration of PD-1 blockade and chemotherapy may be important in this disease.

A Randomized Phase II Study of Linsitinib (OSI-906) Versus Topotecan in Patients With Relapsed Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

LESSONS LEARNED: Targeted therapy options for SCLC patients are limited; no agent, thus far, has resulted in a strategy promising enough to progress to phase III trials.Linsitinib, a potent insulin growth factor-1-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may be one agent with activity against SCLC.Despite lack of a reliable predictive biomarker in this disease, which may have partly contributed to the negative outcome reported here, linsitinib, although safe, showed no clinical activity in unselected, relapsed SCLC patients. BACKGROUND: Treatment of relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains suboptimal. Insulin growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling plays a role in growth, survival, and chemoresistance in SCLC. Linsitinib is a potent IGF-1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor that potentially may be active against SCLC. METHODS: In this phase II study, 8 eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to topotecan (1.5 mg/m2 intravenously or 2.3 mg/m2 orally, daily for 5 days for 4 cycles) or linsitinib (150 mg orally twice daily until progression). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Patients with relapsed SCLC, platinum sensitive or resistant, performance status (PS) 0-2, and adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic function were enrolled. Patients with diabetes, cirrhosis, and those taking insulinotropic agents were excluded. Crossover to linsitinib was allowed at progression. RESULTS: Fifteen patients received topotecan (8 resistant, 3 with PS 2) and 29 received linsitinib (16 resistant, 5 with PS 2). Two partial responses were observed with topotecan. Only 4 of 15 patients with topotecan and 1 of 29 with linsitinib achieved stable disease. Median progression-free survival was 3.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-3.6) and 1.2 (95% CI, 1.1-1.4) months for topotecan and linsitinib, respectively (p = .0001). Median survival was 5.3 (95% CI, 2.2-7.6) and 3.4 (95% CI, 1.8-5.6) months for topotecan and linsitinib, respectively (p = .71). Grade 3/4 adverse events (>5% incidence) included anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia/leukopenia, diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, and hypokalemia for topotecan; and thrombocytopenia, fatigue, and alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase elevations for linsitinib. CONCLUSION: Linsitinib was safe but showed no clinical activity in unselected, relapsed SCLC patients.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and paraneoplastic neurological syndrome associated with long-term survival in limited stage small-cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have a very poor prognosis. However, a subset of SCLC achieves long-term survival. The objective of this study was to investigate factors and pattern of long-term survival in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) who achieved a complete response (CR) after chemoradiotherapy. PATIENT AND METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study. The analysis of hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed using Cox proportional hazards model. For pattern analysis, the date of recurrence was used as the endpoint. The nominal categorical variables were analyzed by the χ2 test. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier model, and the results were reported as the median and interquartile range. RESULTS: We identified 162 patients, median age was 64.7 (56.2-70.2) years, and 94 (58%) were females. Eighty-one patients (50%) had recurrence during follow-up. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45-0.93; p = 0.016) and neurological paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.29-0.72; p < 0.001) were independent factors associated with improved overall survival (OS). Patients with GERD had prolonged recurrence free survival (RFS) compared to patients without GERD (median, 29.1 months vs. 13.9 months, p < 0.001), whereas patients with neurological PNS had a reduced recurrence rate compared to those patients without neurological PNS (No. [%], 8 [20.5] vs. 73 [59.3], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LS-SCLC achieving a CR after chemoradiotherapy, GERD, and neurological PNS were associated with improved OS. GERD and neurological PNS were associated with longer RFS and lower recurrence rate, respectively.

Early Outcomes of Patients With Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy Versus Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: The Mayo Clinic Experience.

PURPOSE: There are very little data available comparing outcomes of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients with locally advanced NSCLC (LA-NSCLC). METHODS: Seventy-nine consecutively treated patients with LA-NSCLC underwent definitive IMPT (n = 33 [42%]) or IMRT (n = 46 [58%]) from 2016 to 2018 at our institution. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Acute and subacute toxicities were graded based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.03. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 10.5 months (range, 1-27) for all surviving patients. Most were stage III (80%), received median radiation therapy (RT) dose of 60 Gy (range, 45-72), and had concurrent chemotherapy (65%). At baseline, the IMPT cohort was older (76 vs 69 years, P < .01), were more likely to be oxygen-dependent (18 vs 2%, P = .02), and more often received reirradiation (27 vs 9%, P = .04) than their IMRT counterparts. At 1 year, the IMPT and IMRT cohorts had similar overall survival (68 vs 65%, P = .87), freedom from distant metastasis (71 vs 68%, P = .58), and freedom from locoregional recurrence (86 vs 69%, P = .11), respectively. On multivariate analyses, poorer pulmonary function and older age were associated with grade +3 toxicities during and 3 months after RT, respectively (both P ≤ .02). Only 5 (15%) IMPT and 4 (9%) IMRT patients experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicities 3 months after RT (P = .47). There was 1 treatment-related death from radiation pneumonitis 6 months after IMRT in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with IMRT, our early experience suggests that IMPT resulted in similar outcomes in a frailer population of LA-NSCLC who were more often being reirradiated. The role of IMPT remains to be defined prospectively.

Safety and Clinical Activity of MEDI1873, a Novel GITR Agonist, in Advanced Solid Tumors.

PURPOSE: The safety and preliminary efficacy of MEDI1873, an agonistic IgG1 fusion protein targeting glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor-related protein (GITR), were evaluated in an open-label, first-in-human, phase I, dose escalation study in previously treated patients with advanced solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two single-patient cohorts at 1.5 and 3 mg i.v. were followed by 3+3 dose escalation in six cohorts at 7.5, 25, 75, 250, 500, and 750 mg, all every 2 weeks, for up to 52 weeks. Primary endpoints were safety and tolerability, dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), and MTD. Secondary endpoints included antitumor activity, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamics. RESULTS: Forty patients received MEDI1873. Three experienced DLTs: grade 3 worsening tumor pain (250 mg); grade 3 nausea, vomiting, and headache (500 mg); and grade 3 non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (750 mg). An MTD was not reached and treatment was well tolerated up to 500 mg. Most common treatment-related adverse events were headache (25%), infusion-related reaction (17.5%), and decreased appetite (17.5%). MEDI1873 exposure was dose proportional. Antidrug-antibody incidence was low. MEDI1873 increased peripheral CD4+ effector memory T-cell proliferation as well as cytokines associated with effector T-cell activation at dose levels ≥75 mg. The best response was stable disease (SD) in 17 patients (42.5%), including 1 unconfirmed partial response. Eight patients (20.0%) had SD ≥24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: MEDI1873 showed acceptable safety up to 500 mg i.v. every 2 weeks with pharmacodynamics activity, and prolonged SD in some patients. However, further development is not planned because of lack of demonstrated tumor response.

Expanding the Spectrum of Radiation Necrosis After Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for Intracranial Metastases From Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Review.

OBJECTIVE: Radiation therapy (RT) is the primary treatment of intracranial metastasis (ICM) from lung cancer (LC). Radiation necrosis (RN) has been reported post-RT with an incidence of 5% to 24%. We reviewed the spectrum of imaging changes in patients treated with RT for ICM from LC in an effort to identify potential risk factors for RN. METHODS: We reviewed 63 patients with LC and ICM who received RT (radiosurgery [stereotactic radiosurgery] with/without whole brain radiation therapy) at our institution between 2013 and 2018. Data evaluated included demographics, tumor type, ICM burden and location, chemotherapy, surgery, and RT details as well as treatment choices and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients, clinical and radiographic criteria for RN were noted in 24 (38%) as early as 2 months and as late as 5 years posttreatment. Six patients required surgical resection due to refractory symptoms revealing pathology-proven RN and occasionally tumor. Patients were significantly more likely to develop RN if they had surgical resection of an ICM (45.8% vs. 20.5%, P=0.05). No differences were found in location, size, or genetic profile of lesions. In total, 80% of patients received treatment for symptoms and/or radiographic change. This was generally a combination of steroids, bevacizumab, laser interstitial thermal treatment, or surgical resection. Most patients required >1 treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS: This review of outcomes of RT for ICM in LC demonstrates a higher rate of RN than previously reported in the literature in those having had a surgical resection plus stereotactic radiosurgery. Our observation of RN as late as 5 years post-RT for ICM necessitates clinician awareness.

Acute Toxicities and Short-Term Patient Outcomes After Intensity-Modulated Proton Beam Radiation Therapy or Intensity-Modulated Photon Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Carcinoma: A Mayo Clinic Experience.

PURPOSE: Intensity modulated proton beam radiation therapy (IMPT) has a clinically significant dosimetric advantage over intensity modulated photon radiation therapy (IMRT) for the treatment of patients with esophageal cancer, particularly for sparing the heart and lungs. We compared acute radiation therapy-related toxicities and short-term clinical outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer who received treatment with IMPT or IMRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic health records of consecutive adult patients with esophageal cancer who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy with IMPT or IMRT in the definitive or neoadjuvant setting from January 1, 2014, through June 30, 2018, with additional follow-up data collected through January 31, 2019. Treatment-related toxicities were evaluated per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4. Survival outcomes were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients (32 per group) were included (median follow-up time: 10 months for IMPT patients vs 14 months for IMRT patients). The most common radiation therapy regimen was 45 Gy in 25 fractions, and 80% of patients received a simultaneous integrated boost to a median cumulative dose of 50 Gy. Similar numbers of IMPT patients (n = 15; 47%) and IMRT patients (n = 18; 56%) underwent surgery (P = .07), with no difference in pathologic complete response rates (IMPT: n = 5; 33% vs IMRT: n = 7; 39%; P = .14). At 1 year, the clinical outcomes also were similar for IMPT and IMRT patients, respectively. Local control was 92% versus 84% (P = .87), locoregional control 92% versus 80% (P = .76), distant metastasis-free survival 87% versus 65% (P = .08), progression-free survival 71% versus 45% (P = .15), and overall survival 74% versus 71% (P = .62). The rate of acute treatment-related grade 3 toxicity was similar between the groups (P = .71). CONCLUSIONS: In our early experience, IMPT is a safe and effective treatment when administered as part of definitive or trimodality therapy. Longer follow-up is required to evaluate the effectiveness of IMPT.

Small-cell Lung Cancer in Very Elderly (≥ 80 Years) Patients.

BACKGROUND: This analysis was performed to describe the outcome of very elderly (≥ 80 years) patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) as there is no published data regarding these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-six very elderly patients with SCLC were identified from the Institutional Lung Cancer Database ranging in age from 80 to 92 years (median, 82 years). Of these, 47 (32%) patients had limited-stage SCLC (L-SCLC), and 99 (68%) had extensive-stage SCLC (E-SCLC). All were Caucasian, and the majority (64%) were female. Sixty-seven (46%) patients had Zubrod performance status (PS) of 0 to 1. RESULTS: Of the 146 patients, 44 (30%) received no therapy, 65 (45%) received chemotherapy alone, 27 (19%) received chemotherapy plus local therapy (thoracic radiotherapy [TRT] or surgery), and 10 (7%) received local therapy alone. The median survival was 5.4 months. On univariable analysis, age (P = .019), stage (L-SCLC vs. E-SCLC; P = .0002), PS (P < .0001), and treatment option (P < .0001) were associated with survival. On multivariable analysis, stage (P = .011), PS (P = .029), and treatment option (P < .0001) maintained significance. For entire cohort, the median survival was 1.3 months without active therapy, 6 months with local therapy alone, 7.2 months with chemotherapy alone, and 14.4 months with chemotherapy plus local therapy (P < .0001, univariable and multivariable). Similar survival findings in response to treatment were found when the L-SCLC and E-SCLC cohorts were separately analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The survival of very elderly patients with SCLC was associated with stage (L-SCLC vs. E-SCLC), PS, and treatment option. Very elderly patients with SCLC often have limited functional reserve required to tolerate aggressive multimodality therapy but appeared to benefit from it. Geriatric assessments, careful monitoring, and extra support are warranted in elderly patients. Care should be individualized based on the desires and needs of each patient.

Single-arm, open label study of pemetrexed plus cisplatin in chemotherapy naïve patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: outcomes of an expanded access program.

BACKGROUND: An expanded access program (EAP) provided patient access to pemetrexed prior to its commercial availability. The current report consists of US patients in the EAP who had chemotherapy naïve pleural mesothelioma. METHODS: Eligible patients had a histologic or cytologic diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma that was not amenable to curative treatment with surgery. Study treatment consisted of pemetrexed 500mg/m(2) in combination with cisplatin 75mg/m(2) once every 21 days. Vitamin B12, folic acid, and dexamethasone were administered as prophylaxis. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported by investigators and compiled in a pharmacovigilance database for all patients enrolled in the EAP. RESULTS: Of 1056 patients receiving at least one dose of pemetrexed in the EAP, 728 had chemotherapy naïve pleural mesothelioma. Median age of this group was 70 years (range 23-89 years) and 84% were male. Among 615 patients, overall response rate was 20.5%, including 12 complete responses (2.0%) and 114 partial responses (18.5%). An additional 290 patients (47.2%) had stable disease. Median survival for all 728 patients was 10.8 months (95% CI=9.8, 12.3; 60.3% censorship) and 1 year survival was 45.4%. The most commonly reported SAEs in the overall EAP irrespective of causality were dehydration (7.2%), nausea (5.2%), vomiting (4.9%), dyspnea (3.8%), and pulmonary embolism (2.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort, 67.7% of patients treated with first-line chemotherapy experienced a response or stable disease. Survival time and toxicity from this EAP were promising for this difficult-to-treat disease.

Long-Term Results of a Trial of Concurrent Chemotherapy and Escalating Doses of Radiation for Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: NCCTG N0028 (Alliance).

INTRODUCTION: This phase I/II trial was designed to determine the maximally tolerated dose of thoracic radiotherapy as part of a combined modality approach. This report includes the long-term outcomes of patients treated on this study. The phase II portion was never completed, as RTOG-0617 opened before it was concluded. METHODS: In this study, the maximally tolerated dose was defined as 74 Gy of radiation in 37 fractions. Twenty-five patients with unresectable NSCLC were treated with 2-Gy daily fractions and concurrent weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel. Of these patients, 20 had stage III disease and five had stage I or II disease. RESULTS: Patients were followed until death or for a minimum of 5 years in the case of survivors. The median and 5-year survivals were 42.5 months and 20% for all patients, 52.9 months and 40% in patients with stages I or II disease, and 39.8 months and 15% in patients with stage III disease. CONCLUSIONS: The median survival of the stage III patients was quite favorable. We believe that this may have been due to a robust central review program of radiotherapy plans before treatment, ensuring compliance with protocol guidelines along with very low exposure of the heart to radiotherapy. Further improvements in 5-year survival will likely require research on both systemic therapy and thoracic radiotherapy. Potential therapeutic modalities that may aid in these efforts include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, improved imaging, adaptive radiotherapy, simultaneous integrated boost techniques, novel dose fractionation regimens, and charged particle therapy.

A pilot study of an autologous tumor-derived autophagosome vaccine with docetaxel in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-derived autophagosome vaccines (DRibbles) have the potential to broaden immune response to poorly immunogenic tumors. METHODS: Autologous vaccine generated from tumor cells harvested from pleural effusions was administered to patients with advanced NSCLC with the objectives of assessing safety and immune response. Four patients were vaccinated and evaluable for immune response; each received two to four doses of vaccine. Study therapy included two cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on days 1 and 29 to treat the tumor, release hidden antigens and produce lymphopenia. DRibbles were to be administered intradermally on days 14, 43, 57, 71, and 85, together with GM-CSF (50 µg/d x 6d, administered via SQ mini pump). Peripheral blood was tested for immune parameters at baseline and at each vaccination. RESULTS: Three of four patients had tumor cells available for testing. Autologous tumor-specific immune response was seen in two of the three, manifested by IL-5 (1 patient after 3 doses), and IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-10 (after 4 doses in one patient). All 4 patients had evidence of specific antibody responses against potential tumor antigens. All patients came off study after 4 or fewer vaccine treatments due to progression of disease. No significant immune toxicities were seen during the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: DRibble vaccine given with GM-CSF appeared safe and capable of inducing an immune response against tumor cells in this small, pilot study. There was no evidence of efficacy in this small poor-prognosis patient population, with treatment not feasible. Trial registration NCT00850785, initial registration date February 23, 2009.

A randomized, multicenter study to determine the safety and efficacy of the immunoconjugate SGN-15 plus docetaxel for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy prolongs survival and improves quality of life (QOL) for good performance status (PS) patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Targeted therapies may improve chemotherapy effectiveness without worsening toxicity. SGN-15 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), consisting of a chimeric murine monoclonal antibody recognizing the Lewis Y (Le(y)) antigen, conjugated to doxorubicin. Le(y) is an attractive target since it is expressed by most NSCLC. SGN-15 was active against Le(y)-positive tumors in early phase clinical trials and was synergistic with docetaxel in preclinical experiments. This Phase II, open-label study was conducted to confirm the activity of SGN-15 plus docetaxel in previously treated NSCLC patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Sixty-two patients with recurrent or metastatic NSCLC expressing Le(y), one or two prior chemotherapy regimens, and PS< or =2 were randomized 2:1 to receive SGN-15 200 mg/m2/week with docetaxel 35 mg/m2/week (Arm A) or docetaxel 35 mg/m2/week alone (Arm B) for 6 of 8 weeks. Intrapatient dose-escalation of SGN-15 to 350 mg/m2 was permitted in the second half of the study. Endpoints were survival, safety, efficacy, and quality of life. RESULTS: Forty patients on Arm A and 19 on Arm B received at least one treatment. Patients on Arms A and B had median survivals of 31.4 and 25.3 weeks, 12-month survivals of 29% and 24%, and 18-month survivals of 18% and 8%, respectively. Toxicity was mild in both arms. QOL analyses favored Arm A. CONCLUSIONS: SGN-15 plus docetaxel is a well-tolerated and active second and third line treatment for NSCLC patients. Ongoing studies are exploring alternate schedules to maximize synergy between these agents.

Past approaches and future directions for targeting tumor hypoxia in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) carries a poor prognosis. Tumor hypoxia (TH) has been implicated as one of many factors contributing to SCCHN recurrence. TH leads to radiation resistance by reversing radiation-induced DNA damage. Effective strategies to overcome TH may improve outcomes in patients with SCCHN. We searched the English literature on PubMed and reviewed the reference sections of key articles related to TH (publications spanning from the early 1900s to the present). We summarized the underlying theory of TH in SCCHN, methods for quantifying it, and the numerous therapies developed to modulate it. We included articles that set the foundation of TH as a theory and the most relevant articles published within the last 15 years related to TH quantification and therapeutic targeting. Despite extensive research, targeting TH in SCCHN has not become a part of routine clinical practice in North America, and we analyze the pitfalls in hypoxia research that have led to this failure. We propose that future studies should test a combined approach of targeting the immune system in addition to cellular pathways rendered aberrant in TH and should include development of novel surrogate markers of TH and/or TH imaging.

Outcomes of patients with loco-regionally recurrent or new primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck treated with curative intent reirradiation at Mayo Clinic.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed outcomes of patients with loco-regionally recurrent (LRR) or new primary (NP) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) treated at our institution with reirradiation (RRT). METHODS: Patients received definitive RRT (DRRT) or post-operative RRT following salvage surgery (PRRT) from 2003 to 2011. Measured survival outcomes included loco-regional relapse free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 81 patients (PRRT, 42; DRRT, 39), median PRRT and DRRT doses were 60 Gy (12-70 Gy) and 69.6 Gy (48-76.8 Gy). The majority of patients received IMRT-based RRT (n = 77, 95 %). With median follow-up of 78.1 months (95 % CI, 56-96.8 months), 2-year OS was 53 % with PRRT and 48 % with DRRT (p = 0.12); 23 % of patients were alive at last follow-up. LRFS at 2 years was 60 %, and did not differ significantly between PRRT and DRRT groups. A trend toward inferior LRFS was noted among patients receiving chemotherapy with RRT versus RRT alone (p = 0.06). Late serious toxicities were uncommon, including osteoradionecrosis (2 patients) and carotid artery bleeding (1 patient, non-fatal). CONCLUSIONS: OS of PRRT- and DRRT-treated patients in this series appears superior to the published literature. We used IMRT for the majority of patients, in contrast to several series and trials previously reported, which may account in part for this difference. Future studies should seek to improve outcomes among patients with LRR/NP SCCHN via alternative therapeutic modalities such as proton radiotherapy and by incorporating novel systemic agents.

Open-label study of pemetrexed alone or in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma: outcomes of an expanded access program.

BACKGROUND: To date, few large studies have been reported of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, and treatment of this disease has been largely extrapolated from the treatment of pleural disease. Hence, it was considered important to study and report on this specific patient population. Before the regulatory approval of pemetrexed, an expanded access program (EAP) provided access to eligible patients with malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 alone or in combination with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 once every 21 days for > or = 6 cycles. All patients received folic acid, vitamin B12, and steroid prophylaxis. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were compiled in a pharmacovigilance database, which included all patients in the EAP with pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. From June 12, 2002 to February 18, 2004, 1056 patients with malignant mesothelioma were enrolled and received > or = 1 dose of treatment at 462 sites in the United States. Of these patients, 98 (9.3%) had peritoneal mesothelioma (57 previously treated, 38 chemotherapy-naive, and 3 with missing data). RESULTS: Response data were available for 73 patients (43 previously treated, 28 chemotherapy-naive, and 2 not classified), indicating response rates of 23.3% for previously treated patients (0 complete responses [CRs], 10 partial responses [PRs], 21 cases of stable disease [SDs], 12 cases of progressive disease [PDs]) and 25% for chemotherapy-naive patients (3 CRs, 4 PRs, 12 SDs, and 9 PDs). Median survival was 13.1 months for previously treated patients and has not been reached for chemotherapy-naive patients. The most commonly reported SAEs for the total EAP were dehydration (7.2%), nausea (5.2%), and vomiting (4.9%). CONCLUSION: Pemetrexed with or without cisplatin had a favorable safety profile, and the disease control rate (CR + PR + SD) of 71.2% in the subset of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma indicated activity in this patient population.

A new scoring system for predicting survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

This analysis was performed to create a scoring system to estimate the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Data from 1274 NSCLC patients were analyzed to create and validate a scoring system. Univariate (UV) and multivariate (MV) Cox models were used to evaluate the prognostic importance of each baseline factor. Prognostic factors that were significant on both UV and MV analyses were used to develop the score. These included quality of life, age, performance status, primary tumor diameter, nodal status, distant metastases, and smoking cessation. The score for each factor was determined by dividing the 5-year survival rate (%) by 10 and summing these scores to form a total score. MV models and the score were validated using bootstrapping with 1000 iterations from the original samples. The score for each prognostic factor ranged from 1 to 7 points with higher scores reflective of better survival. Total scores (sum of the scores from each independent prognostic factor) of 32-37 correlated with a 5-year survival of 8.3% (95% CI = 0-17.1%), 38-43 correlated with a 5-year survival of 20% (95% CI = 13-27%), 44-47 correlated with a 5-year survival of 48.3% (95% CI = 41.5-55.2%), 48-49 correlated to a 5-year survival of 72.1% (95% CI = 65.6-78.6%), and 50-52 correlated to a 5-year survival of 84.7% (95% CI = 79.6-89.8%). The bootstrap method confirmed the reliability of the score. Prognostic factors significantly associated with survival on both UV and MV analyses were used to construct a valid scoring system that can be used to predict survival of NSCLC patients. Optimally, this score could be used when counseling patients, and designing future trials.

PRONOUNCE: randomized, open-label, phase III study of first-line pemetrexed + carboplatin followed by maintenance pemetrexed versus paclitaxel + carboplatin + bevacizumab followed by maintenance bevacizumab in patients ith advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: PRONOUNCE compared the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed+carboplatin followed by pemetrexed (Pem+Cb) with paclitaxel+carboplatin+bevacizumab followed by bevacizumab (Pac+Cb+Bev) in patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Patients ≥18 years of age with stage IV nonsquamous NSCLC (American Joint Committee on Cancer v7.0), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0/1 were randomized (1:1) to four cycles of induction Pem+Cb (pemetrexed, 500 mg/m, carboplatin, area under the curve = 6) followed by Pem maintenance or Pac+Cb+Bev (paclitaxel, 200 mg/m, carboplatin, area under the curve = 6, and bevacizumab, 15 mg/kg) followed by Bev maintenance in the absence of progressive disease or discontinuation. The primary objective was progression-free survival (PFS) without grade 4 toxicity (G4PFS). Secondary end points were PFS, overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. Resource utilization was also assessed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the patients randomized to Pem+Cb (N = 182) and Pac+Cb+Bev (N = 179) were well balanced between the arms. Median (months) G4PFS was 3.91 for Pem+Cb and 2.86 for Pac+Cb+Bev (hazard ratio = 0.85, 90% confidence interval, 0.7-1.04; p = 0.176); PFS, OS, ORR, or DCR did not differ significantly between the arms. Significantly more drug-related grade 3/4 anemia (18.7% versus 5.4%) and thrombocytopenia (24.0% versus 9.6%) were reported for Pem+Cb. Significantly more grade 3/4 neutropenia (48.8% versus 24.6%), grade 1/2 alopecia (28.3% versus 8.2%), and grade 1/2 sensory neuropathy were reported for Pac+Cb+Bev. Number of hospitalizations and overall length of stay did not differ significantly between the arms. CONCLUSIONS: Pem+Cb did not produce significantly better G4PFS compared with Pac+Cb+Bev. Pem+Cb was not superior in PFS, OS, ORR, or DCR compared with Pac+Cb+Bev. Both regimens were well tolerated, although, toxicity profiles differed.