Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Previously Treated HER2-Low Advanced Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Among breast cancers without human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification, overexpression, or both, a large proportion express low levels of HER2 that may be targetable. Currently available HER2-directed therapies have been ineffective in patients with these "HER2-low" cancers. METHODS: We conducted a phase 3 trial involving patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer who had received one or two previous lines of chemotherapy. (Low expression of HER2 was defined as a score of 1+ on immunohistochemical [IHC] analysis or as an IHC score of 2+ and negative results on in situ hybridization.) Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan or the physician's choice of chemotherapy. The primary end point was progression-free survival in the hormone receptor-positive cohort. The key secondary end points were progression-free survival among all patients and overall survival in the hormone receptor-positive cohort and among all patients. RESULTS: Of 557 patients who underwent randomization, 494 (88.7%) had hormone receptor-positive disease and 63 (11.3%) had hormone receptor-negative disease. In the hormone receptor-positive cohort, the median progression-free survival was 10.1 months in the trastuzumab deruxtecan group and 5.4 months in the physician's choice group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.51; P<0.001), and overall survival was 23.9 months and 17.5 months, respectively (hazard ratio for death, 0.64; P = 0.003). Among all patients, the median progression-free survival was 9.9 months in the trastuzumab deruxtecan group and 5.1 months in the physician's choice group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.50; P<0.001), and overall survival was 23.4 months and 16.8 months, respectively (hazard ratio for death, 0.64; P = 0.001). Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 52.6% of the patients who received trastuzumab deruxtecan and 67.4% of those who received the physician's choice of chemotherapy. Adjudicated, drug-related interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis occurred in 12.1% of the patients who received trastuzumab deruxtecan; 0.8% had grade 5 events. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial involving patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, trastuzumab deruxtecan resulted in significantly longer progression-free and overall survival than the physician's choice of chemotherapy. (Funded by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca; DESTINY-Breast04 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03734029.).

Biomarkers Associated With Response to Regorafenib in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In a phase 3 trial (RESORCE), regorafenib increased overall survival compared with placebo in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) previously treated with sorafenib. In an exploratory study, we analyzed plasma and tumor samples from study participants to identify genetic, microRNA (miRNA), and protein biomarkers associated with response to regorafenib. METHODS: We obtained archived tumor tissues and baseline plasma samples from patients with HCC given regorafenib in the RESORCE trial. Baseline plasma samples from 499 patients were analyzed for expression of 294 proteins (DiscoveryMAP) and plasma samples from 349 patients were analyzed for levels of 750 miRNAs (miRCURY miRNA PCR). Tumor tissues from 7 responders and 10 patients who did not respond (progressors) were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (FoundationOne). Forty-six tumor tissues were analyzed for expression patterns of 770 genes involved in oncogenic and inflammatory pathways (PanCancer Immune Profiling). Associations between plasma levels of proteins and miRNAs and response to treatment (overall survival and time to progression) were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Decreased baseline plasma concentrations of 5 of 266 evaluable proteins (angiopoietin 1, cystatin B, the latency-associated peptide of transforming growth factor beta 1, oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 3; adjusted P ≤ .05) were significantly associated with increased overall survival time after regorafenib treatment. Levels of these 5 proteins, which have roles in inflammation and/or HCC pathogenesis, were not associated with survival independently of treatment. Only 20 of 499 patients had high levels and a reduced survival time. Plasma levels of α-fetoprotein and c-MET were associated with poor outcome (overall survival) independently of regorafenib treatment only. We identified 9 plasma miRNAs (MIR30A, MIR122, MIR125B, MIR200A, MIR374B, MIR15B, MIR107, MIR320, and MIR645) whose levels significantly associated with overall survival time with regorafenib (adjusted P ≤ .05). Functional analyses of these miRNAs indicated that their expression level associated with increased overall survival of patients with tumors of the Hoshida S3 subtype. Next-generation sequencing analyses of tumor tissues revealed 49 variants in 27 oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Mutations in CTNNB1 were detected in 3 of 10 progressors and VEGFA amplification in 1 of 7 responders. CONCLUSION: We identified expression patterns of plasma proteins and miRNAs that associated with increased overall survival times of patients with HCC following treatment with regorafenib in the RESORCE trial. Levels of these circulating biomarkers and genetic features of tumors might be used to identify patients with HCC most likely to respond to regorafenib. ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01774344. NCBI GEO accession numbers: mRNA data (NanoString): GSE119220; miRNA data (Exiqon): GSE119221.

Molecular predictors of prevention of recurrence in HCC with sorafenib as adjuvant treatment and prognostic factors in the phase 3 STORM trial.

OBJECTIVE: Sorafenib is the standard systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Survival benefits of resection/local ablation for early HCC are compromised by 70% 5-year recurrence rates. The phase 3 STORM trial comparing sorafenib with placebo as adjuvant treatment did not achieve its primary endpoint of improving recurrence-free survival (RFS). The biomarker companion study BIOSTORM aims to define (A) predictors of recurrence prevention with sorafenib and (B) prognostic factors with B level of evidence. DESIGN: Tumour tissue from 188 patients randomised to receive sorafenib (83) or placebo (105) in the STORM trial was collected. Analyses included gene expression profiling, targeted exome sequencing (19 known oncodrivers), immunohistochemistry (pERK, pVEGFR2, Ki67), fluorescence in situ hybridisation (VEGFA) and immunome. A gene signature capturing improved RFS in sorafenib-treated patients was generated. All 70 RFS events were recurrences, thus time to recurrence equalled RFS. Predictive and prognostic value was assessed using Cox regression models and interaction test. RESULTS: BIOSTORM recapitulates clinicopathological characteristics of STORM. None of the biomarkers tested (related to angiogenesis and proliferation) or previously proposed gene signatures, or mutations predicted sorafenib benefit or recurrence. A newly generated 146-gene signature identifying 30% of patients captured benefit to sorafenib in terms of RFS (p of interaction=0.04). These sorafenib RFS responders were significantly enriched in CD4+ T, B and cytolytic natural killer cells, and lacked activated adaptive immune components. Hepatocytic pERK (HR=2.41; p=0.012) and microvascular invasion (HR=2.09; p=0.017) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: In BIOSTORM, only hepatocytic pERK and microvascular invasion predicted poor RFS. No mutation, gene amplification or previously proposed gene signatures predicted sorafenib benefit. A newly generated multigene signature associated with improved RFS on sorafenib warrants further validation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00692770.

Outcomes of sequential treatment with sorafenib followed by regorafenib for HCC: Additional analyses from the phase III RESORCE trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The RESORCE trial showed that regorafenib improves overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma progressing during sorafenib treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.78; p <0.0001). This exploratory analysis describes outcomes of sequential treatment with sorafenib followed by regorafenib. METHODS: In RESORCE, 573 patients were randomized 2:1 to regorafenib 160 mg/day or placebo for 3 weeks on/1 week off. Efficacy and safety were evaluated by last sorafenib dose. The time from the start of sorafenib to death was assessed. Time to progression (TTP) in RESORCE was analyzed by TTP during prior sorafenib treatment. RESULTS: HRs (regorafenib/placebo) for OS by last sorafenib dose were similar (0.67 for 800 mg/day; 0.68 for <800 mg/day). Rates of grade 3, 4, and 5 adverse events with regorafenib by last sorafenib dose (800 mg/day vs. <800 mg/day) were 52%, 11%, and 15% vs. 60%, 10%, and 12%, respectively. Median times (95% CI) from the start of sorafenib to death were 26.0 months (22.6-28.1) for regorafenib and 19.2 months (16.3-22.8) for placebo. Median time from the start of sorafenib to progression on sorafenib was 7.2 months for the regorafenib arm and 7.1 months for the placebo arm. An analysis of TTP in RESORCE in subgroups defined by TTP during prior sorafenib in quartiles (Q) showed HRs (regorafenib/placebo; 95% CI) of 0.66 (0.45-0.96; Q1); 0.26 (0.17-0.40; Q2); 0.40 (0.27-0.60; Q3); and 0.54 (0.36-0.81; Q4). CONCLUSIONS: These exploratory analyses show that regorafenib conferred a clinical benefit regardless of the last sorafenib dose or TTP on prior sorafenib. Rates of adverse events were generally similar regardless of the last sorafenib dose. LAY SUMMARY: This analysis examined characteristics and outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated with regorafenib after they had disease progression during sorafenib treatment. Regorafenib provided clinical benefit to patients regardless of the pace of their disease progression during prior sorafenib treatment and regardless of their last sorafenib dose. The sequence of sorafenib followed by regorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma may extend survival beyond what has been previously reported. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01774344.

Regorafenib for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed on sorafenib treatment (RESORCE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: There are no systemic treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) whose disease progresses during sorafenib treatment. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of regorafenib in patients with HCC who have progressed during sorafenib treatment. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 trial done at 152 sites in 21 countries, adults with HCC who tolerated sorafenib (≥400 mg/day for ≥20 of last 28 days of treatment), progressed on sorafenib, and had Child-Pugh A liver function were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned (2:1) by a computer-generated randomisation list and interactive voice response system and stratified by geographical region, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, macrovascular invasion, extrahepatic disease, and α-fetoprotein level to best supportive care plus oral regorafenib 160 mg or placebo once daily during weeks 1-3 of each 4-week cycle. Investigators, patients, and the funder were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was overall survival (defined as time from randomisation to death due to any cause) and analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01774344. FINDINGS: Between May 14, 2013, and Dec 31, 2015, 843 patients were screened, of whom 573 were enrolled and randomised (379 to regorafenib and 194 to placebo; population for efficacy analyses), and 567 initiated treatment (374 received regorafenib and 193 received placebo; population for safety analyses). Regorafenib improved overall survival with a hazard ratio of 0·63 (95% CI 0·50-0·79; one-sided p<0·0001); median survival was 10·6 months (95% CI 9·1-12·1) for regorafenib versus 7·8 months (6·3-8·8) for placebo. Adverse events were reported in all regorafenib recipients (374 [100%] of 374) and 179 (93%) of 193 placebo recipients. The most common clinically relevant grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent events were hypertension (57 patients [15%] in the regorafenib group vs nine patients [5%] in the placebo group), hand-foot skin reaction (47 patients [13%] vs one [1%]), fatigue (34 patients [9%] vs nine patients [5%]), and diarrhoea (12 patients [3%] vs no patients). Of the 88 deaths (grade 5 adverse events) reported during the study (50 patients [13%] assigned to regorafenib and 38 [20%] assigned to placebo), seven (2%) were considered by the investigator to be related to study drug in the regorafenib group and two (1%) in the placebo group, including two patients (1%) with hepatic failure in the placebo group. INTERPRETATION: Regorafenib is the only systemic treatment shown to provide survival benefit in HCC patients progressing on sorafenib treatment. Future trials should explore combinations of regorafenib with other systemic agents and third-line treatments for patients who fail or who do not tolerate the sequence of sorafenib and regorafenib. FUNDING: Bayer.

Prognostic factors and predictors of sorafenib benefit in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Analysis of two phase III studies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) vs. placebo in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in two phase III studies, SHARP (Sorafenib HCC Assessment Randomized Protocol) and Asia Pacific (AP). To assess prognostic factors for HCC and predictive factors of sorafenib benefit, we conducted a pooled exploratory analysis from these placebo-controlled phase III studies. METHODS: To identify potential prognostic factors for OS, univariate and multivariate (MV) analyses were performed for baseline variables by Cox proportional hazards model. Hazard ratios (HRs) and median OS were evaluated across pooled subgroups. To assess factors predictive of sorafenib benefit, the interaction term between treatment for each subgroup was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: In 827 patients (448 sorafenib; 379 placebo) analyzed, strong prognostic factors for poorer OS identified from MV analysis in both treatment arms were presence of macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI), high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; ⩽ vs. >median [3.1]). Sorafenib OS benefit was consistently observed across all subgroups. Significantly greater OS sorafenib benefit vs. placebo was observed in patients without extrahepatic spread (EHS; HR, 0.55 vs. 0.84), with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (HR, 0.47 vs. 0.81), and a low NLR (HR, 0.59 vs. 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory analysis, presence of MVI, high AFP, and high NLR were prognostic factors of poorer OS. Sorafenib benefit was consistently observed irrespective of prognostic factors. Lack of EHS, HCV, and lower NLR were predictive of a greater OS benefit with sorafenib. LAY SUMMARY: This exploratory pooled analysis showed that treatment with sorafenib provides a survival benefit in all subgroups of patients with HCC; however, the magnitude of benefit is greater in patients with disease confined to the liver (without extrahepatic spread), or in those with hepatitis C virus, or a lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, an indicator of inflammation status. These results help inform the prognosis of patients receiving sorafenib therapy and provide further refinements for the design of trials testing new agents vs. sorafenib. Clinical Trial Numbers: NCT00105443 and NCT00492752.

Sorafenib or placebo plus TACE with doxorubicin-eluting beads for intermediate stage HCC: The SPACE trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting beads (DC Bead®; DEB-TACE) is effective in patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib enhances overall survival (OS) and time-to-tumor progression (TTP) in patients with advanced HCC. This exploratory phase II trial tested the efficacy and safety of DEB-TACE plus sorafenib in patients with intermediate stage HCC. METHODS: Patients with intermediate stage multinodular HCC without macrovascular invasion (MVI) or extrahepatic spread (EHS) were randomized 1:1 to DEB-TACE (150 mg doxorubicin) plus sorafenib 400 mg twice daily or placebo. The primary endpoint was TTP by blinded central review. Secondary endpoints included time to MVI/EHS, OS, overall response rate (ORR) using modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, disease control rate (DCR), time to unTACEable progression (TTUP), and safety. RESULTS: Of 307 patients randomized, 154 received sorafenib and 153 received placebo. Median TTP for subjects receiving sorafenib plus DEB-TACE or placebo plus DEB-TACE was similar (169 vs. 166 days, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 0.797, p=0.072). Median time to MVI/EHS (HR 0.621, p=0.076) and OS (HR 0.898, p=0.29) had not been reached. The ORRs for patients in the sorafenib and placebo groups with post-baseline scans were 55.9% and 41.3%, respectively, and the DCRs were 89.2% and 76.1%, respectively. TTUP was lower with sorafenib than with placebo (HR 1.586; 95% confidence intervals, 1.200-2.096; median 95 vs. 224 days). No unexpected adverse events related to sorafenib were observed. CONCLUSION: Sorafenib plus DEB-TACE was technically feasible, but the combination did not improve TTP in a clinically meaningful manner compared with DEB-TACE alone.

Adjuvant sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma after resection or ablation (STORM): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no standard of care for adjuvant therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. This trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of sorafenib versus placebo as adjuvant therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection or local ablation. METHODS: We undertook this phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with a complete radiological response after surgical resection (n=900) or local ablation (n=214) in 202 sites (hospitals and research centres) in 28 countries. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 400 mg oral sorafenib or placebo twice a day, for a maximum of 4 years, according to a block randomisation scheme (block size of four) using an interactive voice-response system. Patients were stratified by curative treatment, geography, Child-Pugh status, and recurrence risk. The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival assessed after database cut-off on Nov 29, 2013. We analysed efficacy in the intention-to-treat population and safety in randomly assigned patients receiving at least one study dose. The final analysis is reported. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00692770. FINDINGS: We screened 1602 patients between Aug 15, 2008, and Nov 17, 2010, and randomly assigned 1114 patients. Of 556 patients in the sorafenib group, 553 (>99%) received the study treatment and 471 (85%) terminated treatment. Of 558 patients in the placebo group, 554 (99%) received the study treatment and 447 (80%) terminated treatment. Median duration of treatment and mean daily dose were 12·5 months (IQR 2·6-35·8) and 577 mg per day (SD 212·8) for sorafenib, compared with 22·2 months (8·1-38·8) and 778·0 mg per day (79·8) for placebo. Dose modification was reported for 497 (89%) of 559 patients in the sorafenib group and 206 (38%) of 548 patients in the placebo group. At final analysis, 464 recurrence-free survival events had occurred (270 in the placebo group and 194 in the sorafenib group). Median follow-up for recurrence-free survival was 8·5 months (IQR 2·9-19·5) in the sorafenib group and 8·4 months (2·9-19·8) in the placebo group. We noted no difference in median recurrence-free survival between the two groups (33·3 months in the sorafenib group vs 33·7 months in the placebo group; hazard ratio [HR] 0·940; 95% CI 0·780-1·134; one-sided p=0·26). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were hand-foot skin reaction (154 [28%] of 559 patients in the sorafenib group vs four [<1%] of 548 patients in the placebo group) and diarrhoea (36 [6%] vs five [<1%] in the placebo group). Sorafenib-related serious adverse events included hand-foot skin reaction (ten [2%]), abnormal hepatic function (four [<1%]), and fatigue (three [<1%]). There were four (<1%) drug-related deaths in the sorafenib group and two (<1%) in the placebo group. INTERPRETATION: Our data indicate that sorafenib is not an effective intervention in the adjuvant setting for hepatocellular carcinoma following resection or ablation.

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan‒Related Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis: Computed Tomography Imaging Patterns to Guide Diagnosis and Management.

PURPOSE: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is an antibody-drug conjugate approved for the treatment of several advanced cancers; however, severe or fatal interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis can occur. We characterized the computed tomography (CT) patterns of T-DXd‒related pneumonitis as a marker for its clinical severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients with advanced cancers who developed T-DXd‒related pneumonitis in two completed single-arm clinical trials were included. Three radiologists independently characterized the CT patterns of pneumonitis at diagnosis, for analyses of those patterns' relationships with clinical severity and pneumonitis outcome. RESULTS: T-DXd‒related pneumonitis most commonly presented with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) pattern, observed in 65 patients (72%), followed by a newly identified COP/hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) pattern (13%), acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) pattern (11%), and HP pattern (3%). A subset of cases with COP pattern demonstrated an atypical distribution with upper and peripheral lung involvement (6/65; 9%). CT patterns were associated with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events severity grades of pneumonitis, with the AIP/ARDS pattern having higher grades compared with others (P < .0001). Fatal pneumonitis was more common in the AIP/ARDS pattern than in others (P = .005). The onset of pneumonitis was earlier in the AIP/ARDS pattern compared with others (median time to onset: at 17.9 v 32.7 weeks of therapy; P = .019). Pneumonitis was treated by withholding T-DXd with or without corticosteroids in most patients (78/90; 87%). CONCLUSION: T-DXd‒related pneumonitis most commonly demonstrated a COP pattern, with a subset having an atypical distribution. The AIP/ARDS pattern was indicative of severe, potentially fatal pneumonitis, and requires immediate clinical attention to mitigate serious adverse events.

Final results of DESTINY-CRC01 investigating trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with HER2-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer.

DESTINY-CRC01 (NCT03384940) was a multicenter, open-label, phase 2 trial assessing the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in patients with HER2-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) that progressed after ≥2 prior regimens; results of the primary analysis are published. Patients received T-DXd 6.4 mg/kg every 3 weeks and were assigned to either: cohort A (HER2-positive, immunohistochemistry [IHC] 3+ or IHC 2+/in situ hybridization [ISH]+), cohort B (IHC 2+/ISH-), or cohort C (IHC 1+). Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by independent central review in cohort A. Secondary endpoints included ORR (cohorts B and C), duration of response, disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, pharmacokinetics, and safety of T-DXd. 86 patients were enrolled (53 in cohort A, 15 in cohort B, and 18 in cohort C). Results of the primary analysis are published, reporting an ORR of 45.3% in cohort A. Here, we report the final results. No responses occurred in cohorts B or C. Median progression-free survival, overall survival, and duration of response were 6.9, 15.5, and 7.0 months, respectively. Overall serum exposure (cycle 1) of T-DXd, total anti-HER2 antibody, and DXd were similar regardless of HER2 status. Most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were decreased neutrophil count and anemia. Adjudicated drug-related interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis occurred in 8 patients (9.3%). These findings support the continued exploration of T-DXd in HER2-positive mCRC.

A Systematic Approach for Post Hoc Subgroup Analyses With Applications in Clinical Case Studies.

BACKGROUND: The analysis of subgroups in clinical trials is essential to assess differences in treatment effects for distinct patient clusters, that is, to detect patients with greater treatment benefit or patients where the treatment seems to be ineffective. METHODS: The software application subscreen (R package) has been developed to analyze the population of clinical trials in minute detail. The aim was to efficiently calculate point estimates (eg, hazard ratios) for multiple subgroups to identify groups that potentially differ from the overall trial result. The approach intentionally avoids inferential statistics such as P values or confidence intervals but intends to encourage discussions enriched with external evidence (eg, from other studies) about the exploratory results, which can be accompanied by further statistical methods in subsequent analyses. The subscreen application was applied to 2 clinical study data sets and used in a simulation study to demonstrate its usefulness. RESULTS: The visualization of numerous combined subgroups illustrates the homogeneity or heterogeneity of potentially all subgroup estimates with the overall result. With this, the application leads to more targeted planning of future trials. CONCLUSION: This described approach supports the current trend and requirements for the investigation of subgroup effects as discussed in the EMA draft guidance for subgroup analyses in confirmatory clinical trials (EMA 2014). The lack of a convenient tool to answer spontaneous questions from different perspectives can hinder an efficient discussion, especially in joint interdisciplinary study teams. With the new application, an easily executed but powerful tool is provided to fill this gap.

Analysis of Biomarkers and Association With Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Subanalysis of the Sorafenib Phase III DECISION Trial.

PURPOSE: The phase III DECISION trial (NCT00984282; EudraCT:2009-012007-25) established sorafenib efficacy in locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) refractory to radioactive iodine. We conducted a retrospective, exploratory biomarker analysis of patients from DECISION. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Candidate biomarkers [15 baseline plasma proteins, baseline and during-treatment serum thyroglobulin, and relevant tumor mutations (BRAF, NRAS, HRAS, and KRAS)] were analyzed for correlation with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Plasma biomarker and thyroglobulin data were available for 395 of 417 (94.7%) and 403 of 417 (96.6%) patients, respectively. Elevated baseline VEGFA was independently associated with poor prognosis for progression-free survival [PFS; HR = 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.38-2.44; P = 0.0007], overall survival (HR = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.37-3.36; P = 0.013), and disease-control rate (DCR; OR = 0.30; P = 0.009). Elevated baseline thyroglobulin was independently associated with poor PFS (HR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.52-2.71; P < 0.0001) and DCR (OR = 0.32; P = 0.01). Combined VEGFA/thyroglobulin signatures correlated with poor PFS (HR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.57-2.87; P < 0.00001). Thyroglobulin decrease ≥30% from baseline was achieved by 76% and 14% of patients receiving sorafenib and placebo, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients with ≥30% thyroglobulin reduction had longer PFS than those without ≥30% reduction [HR (95% CI): sorafenib = 0.61 (0.40-0.94), P = 0.022; placebo = 0.49 (0.29-0.85), P = 0.009]. BRAF mutations were associated with better PFS; RAS mutations were associated with worse PFS, although neither was independently prognostic in multivariate models. No examined biomarker predicted sorafenib benefit. CONCLUSIONS: We identified biomarkers associated with poor prognosis in DTC, including elevated baseline VEGFA and thyroglobulin and the presence of RAS mutations. Serum thyroglobulin may be a biomarker of tumor response and progression.

Body Composition in Patients with Radioactive Iodine-Refractory, Advanced Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Treated with Sorafenib or Placebo: A Retrospective Analysis of the Phase III DECISION Trial.

Background: Rates of adverse events with sorafenib were higher in the DECISION trial in radioactive iodine-refractory, advanced differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) than in trials of sorafenib for other tumor types. One possible explanation is that sarcopenia, a known predictive factor of toxicity in patients with cancer, is more common in patients with DTC due to hormone suppressive therapy. Methods: This retrospective exploratory analysis was performed to assess whether the risk of early toxicity leading to dose modification (DMT) with sorafenib was higher in patients with sarcopenia compared with those without sarcopenia. The data set comprised patients from the phase III DECISION trial with a computed tomography scan available to determine muscle mass. The skeletal muscle (SM) cross-sectional area was used to determine the SM index and define sarcopenia. The end points were changes in body composition, DMT, early DMT (within 1 month), severe toxic events (STEs), and early STEs. Results: Overall, 365 patients were eligible for this analysis; baseline characteristics were well balanced between patients receiving sorafenib (n = 180) versus placebo (n = 185). Using a sarcopenia definition of an SM index less than the median sex-specific SM index, approximately half of the patients receiving sorafenib were at risk of sarcopenia (89/180; 49.4%), with wide geographical variation. At 6 months, the mean weight, body mass index, and lean body mass of patients receiving sorafenib were lower than at baseline and significantly lower than for patients receiving placebo (all p < 0.0001). Most DMTs and STEs occurred in the first month of treatment. There was a nonsignificant trend for more early DMTs in patients with sarcopenia compared with those without sarcopenia (55.3% vs. 44.7%, respectively; p = 0.2273). Conclusions: These results show a significant effect of sorafenib on muscle mass. However, there was no association between sarcopenia and DMT or early DMT, in contrast to observations in hepatocellular and renal cell carcinoma.

Exposure-Response Modeling and Simulation of Progression-Free Survival and Adverse Events of Sorafenib Treatment in Patients With Advanced Thyroid Cancer.

Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), renal cell carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the phase III DECISION trial in patients with DTC, sorafenib exposure and the incidence of some adverse events (AEs) were higher than in previous trials; therefore, we analyzed exposure-response relationships, including progression-free survival (PFS) and selected AEs in patients with DTC. A novel, stratified prediction-corrected visual predictive check (pc-VPC) was developed to show robustness of the exposure-response relationships. Time-to-event simulations confirmed the benefit of the recommended dosing schedule of 800 mg/day: initial doses of 800 mg/day were associated with the highest PFS, whereas lower doses (600 or 400 mg/day) were associated with improved tolerability but reduced PFS. A simulated dose-reduction strategy of 800 mg/day for an initial two cycles followed by dose reductions seemed likely to maintain efficacy while possibly mitigating selected AEs (e.g., diarrhea and hand-foot skin reactions).

A Systematic Approach for Post Hoc Subgroup Analyses With Applications in Clinical Case Studies.

BACKGROUND: The analysis of subgroups in clinical trials is essential to assess differences in treatment effects for distinct patient clusters, that is, to detect patients with greater treatment benefit or patients where the treatment seems to be ineffective. METHODS: The software application subscreen (R package) has been developed to analyze the population of clinical trials in minute detail. The aim was to efficiently calculate point estimates (eg, hazard ratios) for multiple subgroups to identify groups that potentially differ from the overall trial result. The approach intentionally avoids inferential statistics such as P values or confidence intervals but intends to encourage discussions enriched with external evidence (eg, from other studies) about the exploratory results, which can be accompanied by further statistical methods in subsequent analyses. The subscreen application was applied to 2 clinical study data sets and used in a simulation study to demonstrate its usefulness. RESULTS: The visualization of numerous combined subgroups illustrates the homogeneity or heterogeneity of potentially all subgroup estimates with the overall result. With this, the application leads to more targeted planning of future trials. CONCLUSION: This described approach supports the current trend and requirements for the investigation of subgroup effects as discussed in the EMA draft guidance for subgroup analyses in confirmatory clinical trials (EMA 2014). The lack of a convenient tool to answer spontaneous questions from different perspectives can hinder an efficient discussion, especially in joint interdisciplinary study teams. With the new application, an easily executed but powerful tool is provided to fill this gap.

Exposure-response relationship of regorafenib efficacy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between regorafenib exposure and efficacy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had disease progression during sorafenib treatment (RESORCE). METHODS: Exposure-response (ER) analyses for regorafenib were performed using data from a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RESORCE). Patients received 160mg regorafenib or placebo once daily (3weeks on/1week off in a 4-week cycle) with best supportive care until disease progression, death, or unacceptable toxicity. Kaplan-Meier analyses for overall survival (OS) and time-to-progression (TTP) were performed in which regorafenib-treated patients were grouped into four categories according to their estimated average exposure over 4weeks in cycle 1. While this analysis primarily focused on efficacy, a potential correlation between exposure and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was also evaluated. If any differences were observed between Kaplan-Meier plots, the ER analysis continued with a multivariate Cox regression analysis to evaluate the correlation between exposure quartile categories and the efficacy and safety parameters while taking into consideration the effect of the predefined clinically relevant demographic and baseline covariates. The functional form of the ER relationship within the regorafenib treatment group was subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: Based on visual assessment of the Kaplan-Meier plots, no meaningful relationship between the exposure categories and TEAEs were observed, although median OS and TTP tended to be longer in the higher exposure categories. Further ER analyses, which considered the effects of predefined covariates and the different shapes of the ER relationship, focused on efficacy. The baseline risk factors Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥1, alpha-fetoprotein levels ≥400ng/ml, and aspartate transaminase or alanine transaminase levels >3×upper limit of normal were significantly associated with OS (P<0.01) and age was associated with TTP. A statistically significant difference was found for OS and TTP between patients receiving regorafenib compared with those receiving placebo in the multivariate ER analysis (P<0.01) in favor of regorafenib. However, within the group of regorafenib-treated patients, the effect of regorafenib exposure on efficacy, either by estimating four effect sizes for each quartile, or by including a continuous linear or nonlinear relationship between individual exposure and efficacy, was not significant (P>0.01) and relatively flat. This suggests that increasing regorafenib exposure would not result in a meaningful increase in OS or TTP. CONCLUSION: After considering the baseline risk factors: ECOG performance status, alpha-fetoprotein levels, and hepatic function for OS and age for TTP, the ER analysis in regorafenib-treated patients showed similar efficacy over the entire predicted exposure range in RESORCE. This supports the selected regorafenib dose of 160mg once daily (3weeks on/1week off in a 4-week cycle) in patients with intermediate or advanced HCC who have experienced disease progression on sorafenib.

RESILIENCE: Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind Trial Comparing Sorafenib With Capecitabine Versus Placebo With Capecitabine in Locally Advanced or Metastatic HER2-Negative Breast Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic/antiproliferative activity. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial, we assessed first- or second-line capecitabine with sorafenib or placebo in patients with locally advanced/metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer resistant to a taxane and anthracycline and with known estrogen/progesterone receptor status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 537 patients were randomized to capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 orally twice per day for days 1 to 14 every 21 days with oral sorafenib 600 mg/d or placebo. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Patients were stratified according to hormone receptor status, previous chemotherapies for metastatic breast cancer, and geographic region. RESULTS: Treatment with sorafenib with capecitabine, compared with capecitabine with placebo, did not prolong median PFS (5.5 vs. 5.4 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.973; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.779-1.217; P = .811) or overall survival (OS; 18.9 vs. 20.3 months; HR, 1.195; 95% CI, 0.943-1.513; P = .140); or enhance overall response rate (ORR; 13.5% vs. 15.5%; P = .515). Any grade toxicities (sorafenib vs. placebo) included palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (PPES; 79.2% vs. 59.6%), diarrhea (47.3% vs. 37.8%), mucosal inflammation (15.4% vs. 6.7%), and hypertension (26.2% vs. 5.6%). Grade 3/4 toxicities included PPES (15.4% vs. 7.1%), diarrhea (4.2% vs. 6.4%), and vomiting (3.5% vs. 0.7%). CONCLUSION: The combination of sorafenib with capecitabine did not improve PFS, OS, or ORR in patients with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. Rates of Grade 3 toxicities were higher in the sorafenib arm.

HATT: a phase IV, single-arm, open-label study of sorafenib in Taiwanese patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sorafenib significantly improves survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This phase IV study assessed sorafenib efficacy/safety in Taiwanese patients with advanced HCC and Child-Pugh A status. METHODS: All patients received 400 mg sorafenib BID. Safety, efficacy, sorafenib pharmacokinetics, and Child-Pugh progression were evaluated. A hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) prevention substudy assessed HFSR incidence and grade/severity and time to HFSR in 29 and 34 patients randomized to corticosteroid and noncorticosteroid ointments, respectively, and in 88 nonrandomized patients. RESULTS: The 151 patients included 120 (80%) male patients and 81 (54%) with stage IV disease. Mean sorafenib dose was 626 mg/day, and median treatment duration was 4.2 months. Median overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, and time to progression (TTP) were 8.6, 2.7, and 3.8 months, respectively. Disease control and response rates (partial responses only) were 48 and 6.6%, respectively. Median TTP from Child-Pugh A to B/C was 88 days. Drug-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 89.4% of patients; none were new or unexpected. The most frequent grade ≥3 drug-related, treatment-emergent AEs were HFSR (13.2%), diarrhea (11.9%), and hypertension (6.6%). Corticosteroid ointment tended to reduce the severity and incidence of all HFSR-associated parameters. Pharmacokinetic exposure was unaltered by Child-Pugh progression. The final pharmacokinetic model predicted 13.1 and 33.8% reductions in sorafenib exposure over 6 and 12 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend of longer OS and TTP in Taiwanese patients with advanced HCC compared with patients with advanced HCC in the Asia-Pacific trial. Sorafenib exposure did not correlate with liver function. Reduced pharmacokinetic exposure over time was unrelated to reduced or interrupted dosing.

Evaluation of chemosensitivity of human bone marrow stromal cells--differences between common chemotherapeutic drugs.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are essential for normal hematopoiesis, but also support the growth and survival of malignant hematopoietic cells. There are currently no data available regarding the sensitivity of BMSCs to cytotoxic drugs widely used in the therapy of hematological diseases such as multiple myeloma or acute leukemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemosensitivity of the BMSC line HS-5 and of primary BMSCs from patients were evaluated in comparison to NCI-H929 myeloma and U937 leukemia cells. RESULTS: Both HS-5 cells and human BMSCs showed substantial cell death in response to chemotherapy. While alkylating agents (melphalan, treosulfan) and doxorubicin demonstrated marked BMSC toxicity, nucleotide analogs (gemcitabine, cytarabine) induced only limited BMSC apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the BMSC toxicity of cytotoxic compounds should be considered in chemotherapeutic regimens.