Organoids for Functional Precision Medicine in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are promising tumor avatars that could enable ex vivo drug tests to personalize patients' treatments in the frame of functional precision oncology. However, clinical evidence remains scarce. This study aims to evaluate whether PDOs can be implemented in clinical practice to benefit patients with advanced refractory pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: During 2021 to 2022, 87 patients were prospectively enrolled in an institutional review board-approved protocol. Inclusion criteria were histologically confirmed PDAC with the tumor site accessible. A panel of 25 approved antitumor therapies (chemogram) was tested and compared to patient responses to assess PDO predictive values and map the drug sensitivity landscape in PDAC. RESULTS: Fifty-four PDOs were generated from 87 pretreated patients (take-on rate, 62%). The main PDO mutations were KRAS (96%), TP53 (88%), and CDKN2A/B (22%), with a 91% concordance rate with their tumor of origin. The mean turnaround time to chemogram was 6.8 weeks. In 91% of cases, ≥1 hit was identified (gemcitabine (n = 20 of 54), docetaxel (n = 18 of 54), and vinorelbine (n = 17 of 54), with a median of 3 hits/patient (range, 0-12). Our cohort included 34 evaluable patients with full clinical follow-up. We report a chemogram sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 92.9%. The overall response rate and progression-free survival were higher when patients received a hit treatment as compared to patients who received a nonhit drug (as part of routine management). Finally, we leveraged our PDO collection as a platform for drug validation and combo identification. We tested anti-KRASG12D (MRTX1133), alone or combined, and identified a specific synergy with anti-EGFR therapies in KRASG12D variants. CONCLUSIONS: We report the largest prospective study aiming at implementing PDO-based functional precision oncology and identify very robust predictive values in this clinical setting. In a clinically relevant turnaround time, we identify putative hits for 91% of patients, providing unexpected potential survival benefits in this very aggressive indication. Although this remains to be confirmed in interventional precision oncology trials, PDO collection already provides powerful opportunities for drugs and combinatorial treatment development.

Clinical and molecular features of early onset pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a major health burden and may become the second cause of death by cancer in developed countries. The incidence of early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC, defined by an age at diagnosis <50 years old) is increasing. Here, we conducted a study of all PDAC patients followed at our institution. Patients were classified as EOPC or non-early onset (nEOPC, >50). Eight hundred and seventy eight patients were included, of which 113 EOPC, exhibiting a comparable performance status. EOPC were more often diagnosed at the metastatic stage (70.0% vs 58.3%) and liver metastases were more prevalent at diagnosis (60.2% vs. 43.9%). The median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis was 18.1 months, similar between EOPC and nEOPC. Among patients who underwent surgery, recurrence-free survival was similar between age groups. Among metastatic patients, first line progression free survival was similar but EOPC received more treatment lines (72.3% vs. 58.1% received ≥2 lines). Regarding molecular alterations, the mean tumor mutational burden (TMB) was lower in EOPC (1.42 vs. 2.95 mut/Mb). The prevalence of KRAS and BRCA1/2 mutations was similar, but EOPC displayed fewer alterations in CNKN2A/B. Fifty eight patients (18.6%) had actionable alterations (ESCAT I-III) and 31 of them received molecularly matched treatments. On the transcriptomic level, despite its clinical aggressiveness, EOPC was less likely to display a basal-like phenotype. To conclude, EOPC were diagnosed more frequently at the metastatic stage. OS and 1st line PFS were similar to nEOPC. EOPC displayed specific molecular features, such as a lower TMB and fewer alterations in CDKN2A/B.

Management of biliary tract cancers in early-onset patients: A nested multicenter retrospective study of the ACABI GERCOR PRONOBIL cohort.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Accumulating data has shown the rising incidence and poor prognosis of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers, but few data exist on biliary tract cancers (BTC). We aimed to analyse the clinico-pathological, molecular, therapeutic characteristics and prognosis of patients with early onset BTC (EOBTC, age ≤50 years at diagnosis), versus olders. METHODS: We analysed patients diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder adenocarcinoma between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2021. Baseline characteristics and treatment were described in each group and compared. Progression-free survival, overall survival and disease-free survival were estimated in each group using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Overall, 1256 patients were included, 188 (15%) with EOBTC. Patients with EOBTC demonstrated fewer comorbidities (63.5% vs. 84.5%, p < .0001), higher tumour stage (cT3-4: 50.0% vs. 32.3%, p = .0162), bilobar liver involvement (47.8% vs. 32.1%, p = .0002), and metastatic disease (67.6% vs. 57.5%, p = .0097) compared to older. Patients with EOBTC received second-line therapy more frequently (89.5% vs. 81.0% non-EOBTC, p = .0224). For unresectable patients with BTC, median overall survival was 17.0 vs. 16.2 months (p = .0876), and median progression-free survival was 5.8 vs. 6.0 months (p = .8293), in EOBTC vs. older. In advanced stages, fewer actionable alterations were found in EOBTC (e.g., IDH1 mutations [7.8% vs. 16.6%]; FGFR2-fusion [11.7% vs. 8.9%]; p = .029). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with EOBTC have a more advanced disease at diagnosis, are treated more heavily at an advanced stage but show similar survival. A distinctive molecular profile enriched for FGRF2 fusions was found.

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous arterial port Implantation for Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 40% of patients with colorectal cancer will develop liver metastases. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) represents a valuable treatment option, with curative, palliative, or adjuvant intent. The aim of our study was to describe technical considerations, safety, and oncological outcomes of patients receiving HAIC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent percutaneous hepatic arterial port placement in our institution between 2004 and 2021 were included in this retrospective analysis. Demographic, anatomical and technical data were collected. Tumor response was assessed using RECIST 1.1. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used for overall survival (OS) and hepatic progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse events (AEs) were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: A total of 360 patients (median age, 58.6 years [interquartile range (IQR): 49.5-65.4]; 208 men [57.8%]) were included. Percutaneous hepatic arterial port placement was successful in 87.9% of cases, resulting in 379 port placements (431 attempts). Overall, 394 HAIC courses were delivered, mostly oxaliplatin-based (94.7%), with a median of 6 cycles per course (IQR: 3-8). AEs (all grades) were observed in 42.0% of ports (grade IIIb-V: 1.1%). Most port dysfunctions could be resolved, resulting in a 73.1% rate of HAIC resumption, without impact on OS. Median OS was 22 months (IQR: 18-24), and median hepatic PFS was 11 months (IQR: 9.5-13). Tumor downstaging allowed surgery in 35.6% of patients, with significantly longer median OS than non-operated patients (39 months [IQR: 33-79] versus 14 months [IQR: 12-16], p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This retrospective cohort study demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of percutaneous hepatic arterial port placement with an impact on survival for selected patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Percutaneous hepatic arterial port placement is feasible, safe and effective with an impact on the survival of selected patients. KEY POINTS: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy provides promising tumor response and overall survival, especially in cases of resection/ablation. Total complication rate of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy port use is high, but serious complications are rare. Port revision is often necessary but allows the resumption of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy without affecting overall survival.

Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy with hepatic arterial versus intravenous infusion in metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin, a major drug in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), is responsible for cumulative, dose-limiting peripheral neuropathy (PN). Whether the hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) route can limit oxaliplatin-induced PN in comparison with the intravenous (IV) route has not been specifically explored so far. METHODS: We compared the frequency and severity of PN in oxaliplatin-naive patients with mCRC included in trials that evaluated treatment with oxaliplatin administered either by HAI (ACCORD 04, CHOICE, OSCAR, and PACHA-01 trials) or by IV route (FFCD 2000-05 trial). We retrieved anonymized, prospectively collected data from trial databases for the ACCORD 04, CHOICE, and FFCD 2000-05 trials and through a review of Gustave Roussy patients' electronic medical records for PACHA-01 and OSCAR trials. The primary endpoint was the incidence of clinically significant PN (grades 2 to 4) according to the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin received. Secondary endpoints were time to onset of neuropathy as a function of the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin, discontinuation of oxaliplatin for neurotoxicity, and safety. RESULTS: A total of 363 patients were included (IV, 300; HAI, 63). In total, 180 patients in the IV group (60%) and 30 patients in the HAI group (48%) developed clinically significant PN, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.23). No difference was shown in the time to onset of PN either (p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: The administration of oxaliplatin HAI rather than IV in the treatment of mCRC does not reduce the incidence, precocity, and severity of PN.

Safety of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with advanced solid tumors receiving anti-VEGF agents: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Kinase inhibitors (KI) and antibodies targeting the VEGF pathway are approved in a broad spectrum of cancers and associated with an increased risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events (TE). The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) apixaban and rivaroxaban is increasing in cancer patients, but limited data are available for patients receiving anti-VEGF agents. METHODS: To assess safety of DOAC with concomitant anti-VEGF agents, a retrospective chart review of all patients receiving concomitantly DOAC and anti-VEGF agents was performed from 2013 to 2020 in our center. Data on demographics, safety, and time on treatment were collected. Main outcome was safety (bleeding and thromboembolic events). RESULTS: Of 92 patients (median age 66 years (IQR: 59-72)), 40 were treated with KI and 52 with bevacizumab. The most frequent primary tumor sites were colon/rectum (24%), kidney (21%), ovary (13%), lung (11%), soft tissue sarcoma (10%), and thyroid (9%); 2% had brain metastases. Apixaban 5 mg bid (n = 41) or rivaroxaban 20 mg daily (n = 51) were given for TE (65%), atrial fibrillation (32%), or other indications (3%). The median duration of concomitant treatment was 4.8 months (95%CI: 0.7-50.0) with bevacizumab and 11.7 months (95%CI: 0.1-53.8) with KI. Grade ≥ 3 bleeding events occurred in 5 patients (5%): 4 patients receiving bevacizumab (one grade 5 upper digestive tract bleeding and three grade 3 rectal or vaginal hemorrhages) and 1 patient under cabozantinib for kidney cancer with endobronchial metastasis (grade 3 hemoptysis). Grade ≥ 3 TE occurred in 8 patients (9%): 7 patients receiving bevacizumab (including one grade 5 pulmonary embolism), and one patient receiving sunitinib (grade 3 pulmonary embolism). Median time-to-event (bleeding or thrombotic event) was not reached (NR) (95%CI: 76.9-NR) for KI and 86.9 months (95%CI: 42.9-148.0) for bevacizumab. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In our experience, the use of DOAC was safe in selected patients treated with KI, but unclear with bevacizumab. More data are needed to endorse guidelines in this specific group of patients.

Evaluation of supportive care needs, sexuality and quality of life in phase 1 trials: a prospective monocentric study.

PURPOSE: Patients enrolled in oncology phase 1 trials (ph1) usually have advanced heavily pre-treated cancers with few therapeutic options. Quality of life (QoL) is one of the key cancer-treatment outcome measures, especially in ph1, and sexuality is an important part of Qol but rarely explored. This prospective study aims to assess supportive care needs, QoL and sexuality in ph1. METHODS: Between September 2020 and June 2021, we prospectively recruited patients enrolled in ph1 at Gustave Roussy in France. Supportive care needs, QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) and sexuality (female sexual function index for women, male sexual health questionnaire [MSHQ] for men) were assessed at baseline, one, three and 5 months. We performed multivariate analyses to identify associations between clinical characteristics, QoL and quality of sexual life over time. RESULTS: At baseline, we analyzed 187 patients (45% women (n = 84) and 55% men (n = 103)). Patients expressed the need for consultations in pain management, nutrition, psychology and sexology in 28%, 26%, 19% and 9%, respectively. Lower global QoL was independently associated with Royal Marsden Hospital score (p = 0.012), urogenital location tumor (p = 0.021), elevated CRP levels (p = 0.014) and pain intensity (p = 0.005). Ninety-two percent of women had sexual dysfunction. In men, a lower MSHQ score was independently associated with urogenital location tumor (p = 0.021), ECOG Performance Status (p = 0.006), comorbidity at risk (p = 0.024) and pain intensity (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant needs for supportive care in ph1, especially in some subgroups of patients. New models of care should be developed to improve early phase pathways.

Acute and fatal cephalosporin-induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

We report the case of an 82-year old male patient admitted in our medical intensive care unit for diffuse skin lesions, 3 days after the onset of ceftriaxone for bilateral pneumonia without microbiological documentation. The patient concomitantly exhibited diffuse skin lesions compatible with livedo and neurological and haemodynamic failure. Biological analysis revealed acute haemolytic anaemia. Warming of patient, red blood-cells transfusion and high-doses corticosteroids were initiated and ceftriaxone was stopped. Despite these therapeutics, the patient exhibited multiple organ failure and died. The main suspected triggering factor of this acute and fatal haemolytic anaemia was ceftriaxone administration considering: (i) the delay between cephalosporin administration and symptoms; (ii) the worsening of livedo and acrocyanosis a few hours after meningeal ceftriaxone doses; and (iii) fatal evolution. Cephalosporin-induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is a rare and serious cause of livedo that should be suspected in patients exhibiting livedo and acute haemolytic anaemia within hours/days following cephalosporin administration.

Mastocytosis onset in a patient with treated hairy cell leukemia: Just a coincidence?

Mastocytosis is a mast cell disease caused by functionally defective infiltrating mast cells and CD34+ mast cell precursors. The heterogeneous group of mast cell disorders is categorized into five variants in the updated 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification among those systemic mastocytosis with an associated neoplasm (SM-AHN). Except for myeloid neoplasia, lymphoproliferative disorders associated to SM-AHN are more scarce. Here, we report the second case ever described of associated mastocytosis and hairy-cell disease. A 38-year-old female patient without any specific medical history was diagnosed a hairy cell leukemia and BRAFV600E mutation was found in hairy cells. Since purine-analogs were avoided to prevent prolonged myelosuppression, she was treated with vemurafenib and rituximab. Despite early discontinuation due to vemurafenib-induced agranulocytosis, a partial response was observed. Strikingly, bone marrow biopsy performed one month after vemurafenib discontinuation revealed a nodular infiltration by 30% tumoral mastocytes. Along with elevated tryptase level, KITD816V mutation on mastocytes and clinical exam, the patient was diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis with an associated hematological neoplasm (SM-AHN). No BRAFV600E mutation was found on mastocytes. The physiopathology of this association is not known and might be only a coincidence or a common genetic driver mutation enhancing mast and hairy cells.

Treatment intensification with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in patients with liver-only colorectal metastases still unresectable after systemic induction chemotherapy - a randomized phase II study -- SULTAN UCGI 30/PRODIGE 53 (NCT03164655)- study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 40% of colorectal cancer patients will develop colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The most effective approach to increase long-term survival is CRLM complete resection. Unfortunately, only 10-15% of CRLM are initially considered resectable. The objective response rates (ORR) after current first-line systemic chemotherapy (sys-CT) regimens range from 40 to 80% and complete resection rates (CRR) range from 25 to 50% in patients with initially unresectable CRLM. When CRLM patients are not amenable to complete resection after induction of sys-CT, ORRs obtained with second-line sys-CT are much lower (between 10 and 30%) and consequently CRRs are also low (< 10%). Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) oxaliplatin may represent a salvage therapy in patients with CRLM unresectable after one or more sys-CT regimens with ORRs and CRRs up to 60 and 30%, respectively. This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of an intensification strategy based on HAI oxaliplatin combined with sys-CT as a salvage treatment in patients with CRLM unresectable after at least 2 months of first-line induction sys-CT. OBJECTIVES AND ENDPOINTS OF THE PHASE II STUDY: Our main objective is to investigate the efficacy, in term of CRR (R0-R1), of treatment intensification in patients with liver-only CRLM not amenable to curative-intent resection (and/or ablation) after at least 2 months of induction sys-CT. Patients will receive either HAI oxaliplatin plus systemic FOLFIRI plus targeted therapy (i.e. anti-EGFR antibody or bevacizumab) or conventional sys-CT plus targeted therapy (i.e. anti-EGFR or antiangiogenic antibody). Secondary objectives are to compare: progression-free survival, overall survival, objective response rate, depth of response, feasibility of delivering HAI oxaliplatin including HAI catheter-related complications, and toxicity (NCI-CTCAE v4.0). METHODS: This study is a multicenter, randomized, comparative phase II trial (power, 80%; two-sided alpha-risk, 5%). Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive HAI oxaliplatin combined with systemic FOLFIRI plus targeted therapy (experimental arm) or the best sys-CT plus targeted therapy on the basis of their first-line prior sys-CT history and current guidelines (control arm). One hundred forty patients are required to account for non-evaluable patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT03164655). Trial registration date: 11th May 2017.

Partial response in hairy cell leukemia with vemurafenib despite early discontinuation due to agranulocytosis.

Vemurafenib is an oral BRAF kinase inhibitor approved since 2012 for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF mutations. Vemurafenib also demonstrated efficacy for patients with hairy cell leukemia genetically characterized by BRAF mutation. Here, we report the case of a 38-year-old female patient without any previous medical history who experienced agranulocytosis associated with erythrodermia after vemurafenib initiation for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia. Agranulocytosis was confirmed with bone marrow examination. Vemurafenib was considered the most probable drug responsible for this agranulocytosis and was thus stopped. We observed a full neutrophils recovery 10 days after vemurafenib cessation without any haematopoietic growth factors. A bone marrow biopsy performed 1 month after aplasia ending showed a good partial response with less than 5% of hairy cells remaining. To our knowledge, this is the first case ever described by vemurafenib-induced agranulocytosis. Thus, physicians should be warned about this risk given the growing number of patients treated with vemurafenib.

COVID-19 management in a cancer center: the ICU storm.

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was first reported as a respiratory illness in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Committee declared a global health. COVID-19 has now spread worldwide and is responsible of more than 472,216 persons, out of 9,100,090 officially diagnosed worldwide since 23 of June. In the context of cancer patients, COVID-19 has a severe impact, regarding pulmonary infection but also cancer treatments in this fragile and immunocompromised population, and ICU admission for cancer patients in the context of COVID-19 requires ethical and clinical consideration. In our cancer center, intensivists, oncologists, pharmacists, and hospital administrators had to prepare for a substantial increase in critical care bed capacity (from 10 ICU beds, 6 medical intensive care beds, and 12 surgical intensive care beds, bed capacity was increased to 28 medical intensive care beds with ventilating capacity) and to adapt infrastructure (i.e., ICU beds), supplies (i.e., drugs, ventilators, protective materials), and staff (i.e., nurses and medical staff). Overall, thirty-three COVID-19 patients were admitted in our ICU, 17 cancer-free and 16 with cancer, and 23 required mechanical ventilation, resulting in 4 deaths (of them two patients with cancer). We report here management of a dedicated intensive care unit of a cancer center during the COVID-19 infection pandemic, considering resource allocation and redistribution of healthcare workers.

5-Fluorouracil rechallenge after 5-fluorouracil-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy.

For several decades, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the backbone of many chemotherapy regimens for various tumor types. Its most common side effects are gastrointestinal disorders, mucositis, myelosuppression, hand-foot syndrome, and rarely cardiac toxicity. More rarely, 5-FU infusion can induce hyperammonemic encephalopathy. 5-FU toxicities can be worsened by complete or partial genetic and/or phenotypic dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency. Here, we report the case of a patient who initially developed a 5-FU-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy after receiving FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, folinic acid, and 5-FU) chemotherapy with bevacizumab to treat a metastatic gastrointestinal cancer of unknown primary. Thereafter, the patient was rechallenged successfully by the same chemotherapy regimen (FOLFIRINOX) for more than 6 months with a protocol consisting in a free protein diet, and administration of ammonium chelators, and Krebs and urea cycle intermediates, to prevent further hyperammonemia. We also present a review of the literature on 5-FU rechallenge after 5-FU-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy.

Resveratrol and aspirin eliminate tetraploid cells for anticancer chemoprevention.

Tetraploidy constitutes a genomically metastable state that can lead to aneuploidy and genomic instability. Tetraploid cells are frequently found in preneoplastic lesions, including intestinal cancers arising due to the inactivation of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). Using a phenotypic screen, we identified resveratrol as an agent that selectively reduces the fitness of tetraploid cells by slowing down their cell cycle progression and by stimulating the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Selective killing of tetraploid cells was observed for a series of additional agents that indirectly or directly stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) including salicylate, whose chemopreventive action has been established by epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Both resveratrol and salicylate reduced the formation of tetraploid or higher-order polyploid cells resulting from the culture of human colon carcinoma cell lines or primary mouse epithelial cells lacking tumor protein p53 (TP53, best known as p53) in the presence of antimitotic agents, as determined by cytofluorometric and videomicroscopic assays. Moreover, oral treatment with either resveratrol or aspirin, the prodrug of salicylate, repressed the accumulation of tetraploid intestinal epithelial cells in the Apc(Min/+) mouse model of colon cancer. Collectively, our results suggest that the chemopreventive action of resveratrol and aspirin involves the elimination of tetraploid cancer cell precursors.

Role of molecular biology in the management of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant challenges in patient management due to a dismal prognosis, increasing incidence, and limited treatment options. In this regard, precision medicine, which personalizes treatments based on tumour molecular characteristics, has gained great interest. However, its widespread implementation is not fully endorsed in current recommendations. This review explores key molecular alterations in PDAC, while emphasizing differences between KRAS-mutated and KRAS-wild-type tumours. It assesses the practical application of precision medicine in clinical settings and outlines potential future directions with respect to PDAC. Actionable molecular targets are examined with the aim of enhancing our understanding of PDAC molecular biology. Insights from this analysis may contribute to a more refined and personalized approach to pancreatic cancer treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Real-life data on biliary tract cancers in France: The nested Amber study from the French ACABi GERCOR PRONOBIL retro-prospective, observational cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To gather real-life data on biliary tract cancer (BTC) in France, an ambispective ACABi GERCOR Pronobil cohort was initiated. This nested study, Amber, utilized data from this cohort to document clinical practices in this setting. METHODS: Inclusion criteria encompassed patients with locally advanced/metastatic BTC managed between 2019 and 2021 in nine French referral hospitals. Objectives included describing demographic and clinical data, treatments outcomes (safety and efficacy), and overall survival. RESULTS: Of the 138 patients (median age 65 years, a balanced sex ratio) included, most displayed ECOG 0-1 (83 %), at least one comorbidity (79 %), and had intrahepatic (56 %) and metastatic (82 %) BTC. Among surgically-resected patients, 60 % received adjuvant chemotherapy, mainly capecitabine (67 %). CisGem, the primary first-line palliative chemotherapy (69 %), showed a 23 % objective response rate, a median progression-free survival of 5.3 months, and a median overall survival of 13.4 months. Second-, third-, and fourth-line were given to 75 % (FOLFOX: 35 %, targeted therapy: 14 %), 32 %, and 13 % of patients. In total, 67 % of patients had a molecular profile (IDH1 mutations and FGFR2 fusions: accounting for 21 % each in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma). CONCLUSION: BTC patients were predominantly treated according to international recommendations. The obtained demographic, tumor, and molecular data were consistent with existing literature.

Precision medicine for KRAS wild-type pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: KRAS mutation is the most common molecular alteration in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and around 10% of patients harbor KRAS wild-type tumors (KRASWT). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of clinical/molecular data was performed including all PDAC patients with a determined KRAS status (tumor molecular profiling on tissue or liquid biopsy). RESULTS: 342 patients were included with 54 KRASWT PDAC (16%) compared to 288 patients with KRASm PDAC. Median age was 61 years [IQR:54.0;67.0] and 164 pts (48%) were female. At diagnosis, KRASWT patients (63%) were more frequently diagnosed at a non-metastatic stage compared to KRASm patients (41%) (p = 0.003). Regarding metastatic sites, liver was less frequent in KRASWT (39%, p < 0.0001). Median overall survival (mOS) from initial diagnosis was significantly higher in the KRASWT group compared to KRASm (50.8 months, CI95% [32.0-NR] vs 21.1 months, CI95% [18.9-23.4] (p < 0.004 after adjustment on age, ECOG and stage at diagnosis). In first-line systemic treatment, (mostly FOLFIRINOX) progression-free survival (PFS) was also higher in KRASWT. Based on ESCAT classification, a putative actionable alteration (ESCAT I-III) was identified in 19 (36%) KRASWT pts and 46 (16%) KRASm patients (p < 0.0001) with more alterations in FGFR2, BRAF(V600E), NRTK and more MSI tumors. KRASWT harbored also fewer alterations in TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4. 12 KRASWT patients received a molecularly-matched treatment with clinical benefit and improved outcomes compared to KRASm patients. CONCLUSIONS: KRASWT patients display distinct disease characteristics and outcomes with prolonged overall survival. KRASWT patients also harbor more actionable molecular alterations, leading to higher survival rates after receiving molecularly matched treatments.

Olaparib as maintenance therapy in non resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma associated with homologous recombination deficiency profile: A French retrospective multicentric AGEO real-world study.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis. The POLO trial showed that olaparib (PARP inhibitor) improved progression-free survival (PFS) but not overall survival (OS), when used as maintenance therapy after ≥ 16 weeks of disease control with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with germline (g) BRCA 1 or 2 pathogenic variants (PV) metastatic PDAC. However, real-world data on the effectiveness of olaparib are missing. METHODS: Patients with unresectable PDAC associated with somatic (s) or (g)BRCA1/2 and (g)non-BRCA-HRD PV (i.e. other homologous recombination deficiency/HRD genes) who were treated with olaparib between 2020-2023 were included. The primary objective was to describe treatment patterns. Secondary exploratory objectives included OS and PFS in patients treated with olaparib according to the POLO trial or not, OS and PFS in patients with (g)HRD PV-associated PDAC versus (s)PVs, olaparib safety profile and factors associated with olaparib poor outcomes. RESULTS: Among 85 patients, 45.9 % received olaparib as defined by the POLO trial. No difference in OS and PFS was observed between patients who received olaparib according to the POLO trial versus not. Patients with (g)HRD PV-associated PDAC had better OS compared to others (22.3 versus 10.5 months, p = 0.038). Factors associated with olaparib poor outcomes included a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the use of olaparib outside the recommendations of the POLO trial. Few grade ≥ 3 adverse events were reported (9.4 %). CONCLUSION: Patients with (g)HRD PV-associated PDAC had longer OS than those with (s)HRD PV. Olaparib use beyond the scope of the POLO trial was associated with poor outcomes.

Targetable Molecular Alterations in the Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancers: An Overview of the Available Treatments.

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare tumours, most often diagnosed at an unresectable stage, associated with poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate not exceeding 10%. Only first- and second-line treatments are well codified with the combination of cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by 5-FU and oxaliplatin chemotherapy, respectively. Many studies have shown that BTC, and more particularly intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), have a high rate of targetable somatic alteration. To date, the FDA has approved several drugs. Ivosidenib targeting IDH1 mutations, as well as futibatinib and pemigatinib targeting FGFR2 fusions, are approved for pre-treated advanced CCA. The combination of dabrafenib and trametinib are approved for BRAFV600E mutated advanced tumours, NTRK inhibitors entrectinib and larotrectinib for tumours bearing NTRK fusion and prembrolizumab for MSI-H advanced tumours, involving a small percentage of BTC in these three settings. Several other potentially targetable alterations are found in BTC, such as HER2 mutations or amplifications or KRASG12C mutations and mutations in genes involved in DNA repair mechanisms. This review aims to clarify the specific diagnostic modalities for gene alterations and to summarize the results of the main trials and developments underway for the management of advanced BTC with targetable alterations.

Precision Medicine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: The Impact of Targeted Therapies on Survival of Patients Harboring Actionable Mutations.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of death by cancer worldwide. Mostly diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease, patients lack treatment options. Gene alterations (GAs) are frequently observed in PDAC, some of which are considered for molecular targeted therapies (MTTs), with potential clinical benefits and improved outcomes. However, the applicability of molecular profiling (MP) for precision medicine in PDAC remains to be demonstrated. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients, aged ≥18 years with histologically confirmed PDAC, who underwent tumor MP between 2010 and 2020 in our institution as part of personalized medicine trials. The primary study endpoint was overall survival (OS), and (minimal follow-up was 6 months after MP). RESULTS: Of 115 eligible patients, MP was successful in 102 patients (89%). KRAS mutations were the most frequent GAs, mostly G12D. Based on ESCAT classification, actionable GAs were found in 29 patients (28%), involving mainly BRCA1 or BRCA2 (5 (18%)), HER2 (5 (18%)), MTAP (5 (18%)), and FGFR (3 (11%)). Only 12 of these 29 patients (41%, or 10% of the whole population) received MTTs, with a median progression-free survival of 1.6 months. Median OS was 19 months in patients with actionable GAs treated with MTTs (n = 12 (11.8%)), 14 months in patients with actionable GAs treated with standard therapies (n = 17 (16.7%)), and 17 months in patients without actionable GAs treated with standard therapies (n = 73 (71.5%); p = 0.26). The absence of liver metastases was associated with better OS (HR = 0.471, p = 0.01). The highest OS following MTT was observed in patients with BRCA mutations treated with olaparib. INTERPRETATION: Actionable GAs were found in more than a quarter of patients with advanced PDAC. Overall, targeting actionable GAs with MTTs was not associated with improved OS in this retrospective study with limited patient numbers. However, selected GA/MTT combinations (e.g., BRCA mutations/olaparib) were associated with a better outcome.