Results of a UK National Cancer Research Institute Phase II study of brentuximab vedotin using a response-adapted design in the first-line treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma unsuitable for chemotherapy due to age, frailty or comorbidity (BREVITY).

Standard treatment for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is poorly tolerated in older patients and results disappointing. We assessed safety and efficacy of brentuximab vedotin (BV), in previously untreated patients with cHL unfit for standard treatment due to age, frailty or comorbidity. The primary outcome was complete metabolic response (CMR) by positron emission tomography/computed tomography after four BV cycles (PET4). The secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. In all, 35 patients with a median age of 77 years and median total Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) score of 6 were evaluable for toxicity and 31 for response. A median of four cycles were given (range one-16). In all, 14 patients required dose reduction due to toxicity and 11 patients stopped treatment due to adverse events (AEs). A total of 716 AEs were reported, of which 626 (88%) were Grade 1/2 and 27 (77%) patients had at least one AE Grade ≥3. At PET4, CMR was 25·8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 13·7-42.2%] and objective response rate 83·9% (95% CI 63·7-90·8%). Median PFS was 7·3 months (95% CI 5·2-9·0), and OS 19·5 months. Our results suggest that BV monotherapy is tolerable but suboptimal in the front-line therapy of elderly or comorbid patients with cHL. Combining BV with other agents may be more effective. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02567851.

Targeted deep sequencing of urothelial bladder cancers and associated urinary DNA: a 23-gene panel with utility for non-invasive diagnosis and risk stratification.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a focused panel of somatic mutations (SMs) present in the majority of urothelial bladder cancers (UBCs), to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of this panel, and to compare the identification of SMs in urinary cell-pellet (cp)DNA and cell-free (cf)DNA as part of the development of a non-invasive clinical assay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A panel of SMs was validated by targeted deep-sequencing of tumour DNA from 956 patients with UBC. In addition, amplicon and capture-based targeted sequencing measured mutant allele frequencies (MAFs) of SMs in 314 urine cpDNAs and 153 urine cfDNAs. The association of SMs with grade, stage, and clinical outcomes was investigated by univariate and multivariate Cox models. Concordance between SMs detected in tumour tissue and cpDNA and cfDNA was assessed. RESULTS: The panel comprised SMs in 23 genes: TERT (promoter), FGFR3, PIK3CA, TP53, ERCC2, RHOB, ERBB2, HRAS, RXRA, ELF3, CDKN1A, KRAS, KDM6A, AKT1, FBXW7, ERBB3, SF3B1, CTNNB1, BRAF, C3orf70, CREBBP, CDKN2A, and NRAS; 93.5-98.3% of UBCs of all grades and stages harboured ≥1 SM (mean: 2.5 SMs/tumour). RAS mutations were associated with better overall survival (P = 0.04). Mutations in RXRA, RHOB and TERT (promoter) were associated with shorter time to recurrence (P < 0.05). MAFs in urinary cfDNA and cpDNA were highly correlated; using a capture-based approach, >94% of tumour SMs were detected in both cpDNA and cfDNA. CONCLUSIONS: SMs are reliably detected in urinary cpDNA and cfDNA. The technical capability to identify very low MAFs is essential to reliably detect UBC, regardless of the use of cpDNA or cfDNA. This 23-gene panel shows promise for the non-invasive diagnosis and risk stratification of UBC.

The association between smoking cessation before and after diagnosis and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer recurrence: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer, but the relationship between smoking cessation after initial treatment and bladder cancer recurrence has been investigated less frequently and not prospectively yet. METHODS: 722 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients (pTa, pT1, and CIS) from the prospective Bladder Cancer Prognosis Programme (BCPP) cohort, selected in the UK between 2005 and 2011, provided complete data on smoking behavior before and up to 5 years after diagnosis. The impact of smoking behavior on NMIBC recurrence was explored by multivariable Cox regression models investigating time-to-first NMIBC recurrence. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up period of 4.21 years, 403 pathologically confirmed NMIBC recurrences occurred in 210 patients. Only 25 current smokers at diagnosis quit smoking (14%) during follow-up and smoking cessation after diagnosis did not decrease risk of recurrence compared to continuing smokers (p = 0.352). CONCLUSIONS: Although quitting smoking after diagnosis might reduce the risk of recurrence based on retrospective evidence, this is not confirmed in this prospective study because the number of NMIBC patients quitting smoking before their first recurrence was too low. Nevertheless, this indicates an important role for urologists and other health care professionals in promoting smoking cessation in NMIBC.

Selenium and Vitamin E for Prevention of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Recurrence and Progression: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Selenium and vitamin E have been identified as promising agents for the chemoprevention of recurrence and progression of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Objective: To determine whether selenium and/or vitamin E may prevent disease recurrence in patients with newly diagnosed NMIBC. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial randomized clinical trial included patients with newly diagnosed NMIBC recruited from 10 secondary or tertiary care hospitals in the UK. A total of 755 patients were screened for inclusion; 484 did not meet the inclusion criteria, and 1 declined to participate. A total of 270 patients were randomly assigned to 4 groups (selenium plus placebo, vitamin E plus placebo, selenium plus vitamin E, and placebo plus placebo) in a double-blind fashion between July 17, 2007, and October 10, 2011. Eligibility included initial diagnosis of NMIBC (stages Ta, T1, or Tis); randomization within 12 months of first transurethral resection was required. Interventions: Oral selenium (200 µg/d of high-selenium yeast) and matched vitamin E placebo, vitamin E (200 IU/d of d-alfa-tocopherol) and matched selenium placebo, selenium and vitamin E, or placebo and placebo. Main Outcome and Measures: Recurrence-free interval (RFI) on an intention-to-treat basis (analyses completed on November 28, 2022). Results: The study randomized 270 patients (mean [SD] age, 68.9 [10.4] years; median [IQR] age, 69 [63-77] years; 202 male [75%]), with 65 receiving selenium and vitamin E placebo, 71 receiving vitamin E and selenium placebo, 69 receiving selenium and vitamin E, and 65 receiving both placebos. Median overall follow-up was 5.5 years (IQR, 5.1-6.1 years); 228 patients (84%) were followed up for more than 5 years. Median treatment duration was 1.5 years (IQR, 0.9-2.5 years). The study was halted because of slow accrual. For selenium (n = 134) vs no selenium (n = 136), there was no difference in RFI (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.65-1.31; P = .65). For vitamin E (n = 140) vs no vitamin E (n = 130), there was a statistically significant detriment to RFI (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02-2.09; P = .04). No significant differences were observed for progression-free interval or overall survival time with either supplement. Results were unchanged after Cox proportional hazards regression modeling to adjust for known prognostic factors. In total, 1957 adverse events were reported; 85 were serious adverse events, and all were considered unrelated to trial treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of selenium and vitamin E, selenium supplementation did not reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with NMIBC, but vitamin E supplementation was associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Neither selenium nor vitamin E influenced progression or overall survival. Vitamin E supplementation may be harmful to patients with NMIBC, and elucidation of the underlying biology is required. Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN13889738.

Breast Cancer Index Is a Predictive Biomarker of Treatment Benefit and Outcome from Extended Tamoxifen Therapy: Final Analysis of the Trans-aTTom Study.

PURPOSE: The Breast Cancer Index (BCI) HOXB13/IL17BR (H/I) ratio predicts benefit from extended endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early-stage breast cancer. Here, we report the final analysis of the Trans-aTTom study examining BCI (H/I)'s predictive performance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: BCI results were available for 2,445 aTTom trial patients. The primary endpoint of recurrence-free interval (RFI) and secondary endpoints of disease-free interval (DFI) and disease-free survival (DFS) were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression and log-rank test. RESULTS: Final analysis of the overall study population (N = 2,445) did not show a significant improvement in RFI with extended tamoxifen [HR, 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69-1.16; P = 0.401]. Both the overall study population and N0 group were underpowered due to the low event rate in the N0 group. In a pre-planned analysis of the N+ subset (N = 789), BCI (H/I)-High patients derived significant benefit from extended tamoxifen (9.7% absolute benefit: HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.14-0.75; P = 0.016), whereas BCI (H/I)-Low patients did not (-1.2% absolute benefit; HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.76-1.64; P = 0.581). A significant treatment-to-biomarker interaction was demonstrated on the basis of RFI, DFI, and DFS (P = 0.037, 0.040, and 0.025, respectively). BCI (H/I)-High patients remained predictive of benefit from extended tamoxifen in the N+/HER2- subgroup (9.4% absolute benefit: HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15-0.81; P = 0.047). A three-way interaction evaluating BCI (H/I), treatment, and HER2 status was not statistically significant (P = 0.849). CONCLUSIONS: Novel findings demonstrate that BCI (H/I) significantly predicts benefit from extended tamoxifen in HR+ N+ patients with HER2- disease. Moreover, BCI (H/I) demonstrates significant treatment to biomarker interaction across survival outcomes.

Comparing an Imaging-guided Pathway with the Standard Pathway for Staging Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: Preliminary Data from the BladderPath Study.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is central to the diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). With the oncological safety of TURBT unknown, staging inaccuracies commonplace, and correct treatment of MIBC potentially delayed, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) may offer rapid, accurate, and noninvasive diagnosis of MIBC. BladderPath is a randomised trial comparing risk-stratified (5-point Likert scale) image-directed care with TURBT for patients with newly diagnosed BC. To date, we have screened 279 patients and randomised 113. Here we report on the first 100 participants to complete staging: 48 in pathway 1 (TURBT) and 52 in pathway 2 (mpMRI for possible MIBC, Likert 3-5). Fifty of 52 participants designated Likert 1-2 (probable NMIBC) from both pathways were confirmed as having NMIBC (96%). Ten of 11 cases diagnosed as NMIBC by mpMRI have been pathologically confirmed as NMIBC, and 10/15 cases diagnosed as MIBC by mpMRI have been treated as MIBC (5 participants underwent TURBT). The specificity of mpMRI for identification of MIBC remains a limitation. These initial experiences indicate that it is feasible to direct possible MIBC patients to mpMRI for staging instead of TURBT. Furthermore, a 5-point Likert scale accurately identifies patients with low risk of MIBC (Likert 1-2), and flexible cystoscopy biopsies appear sufficient for diagnosing BC. PATIENT SUMMARY: We are conducting a clinical trial to assess whether some bladder tumour surgery can be replaced by magnetic resonance imaging scans to determine the stage of the cancer in patients whose tumours appear to be invasive. Our early data suggest that this approach is feasible. The data also show that using a visual score ('Likert scale') can help to identify bladder tumours that are very unlikely to be invasive, and that taking a biopsy in the outpatient clinic when first inspecting the bladder via a camera (diagnostic flexible cystoscopy) is useful for confirming bladder cancer.

Total Fluid Intake and the Risk of Recurrence in Patients With Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of fluid intake from beverages before and after a diagnosis of bladder cancer in relation to the risk of developing bladder cancer recurrence. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: 716 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), who received transurethral resection of a primary bladder tumour (TURBT) and completed self-administrated questionnaires on usual fluid intake from beverages at time of diagnosis (over the year before diagnosis) and during follow-up (over the year after diagnosis), were included. Multivariable Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of developing recurrent bladder cancer in relation to the intake of total fluid, total alcohol, and individual beverages. RESULTS: During 2,025 person-years of follow-up, 238 (33%) of the included 716 NMIBC patients developed one or more recurrences of bladder cancer. Total fluid intake before diagnosis was not associated with a first recurrence of bladder cancer when comparing the highest and lowest intake group (HR = 0.98, 95% C.I. 0.70-1.38, p = 0.91). Comparable results were obtained for total fluid intake pre-diagnosis and the risk of developing multiple recurrences of bladder cancer (HR = 1.01, 95% C.I. 0.87-1.19, p = 0.85). A total of 379 of the 716 patients reported on usual fluid intake within 1 year of diagnosis. No significant associations between total fluid intake 1 year after diagnosis and a first recurrence of bladder cancer were found when comparing the highest and lowest intake group (HR = 0.91; 95% C.I. 0.60-1.37, p = 0.65) or with multiple recurrences of bladder cancer (HR = 1.06; 95% C.I. 0.89-1.26, p = 0.54). In addition, total alcohol intake and individual beverages were not associated with bladder cancer recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that an individual's fluid intake from beverages is unlikely to have an important role in bladder cancer recurrence.

Clinical Outcomes and Survival Following Treatment of Metastatic Castrate-Refractory Prostate Cancer With Docetaxel Alone or With Strontium-89, Zoledronic Acid, or Both: The TRAPEZE Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Bony metastatic castrate-refractory prostate cancer (CRPC) has a poor prognosis and high morbidity. Zoledronic acid (ZA) is commonly combined with docetaxel in practice but lacks evidence that combining is effective, and strontium-89 (Sr89) is generally used palliatively in patients unfit for chemotherapy. Phase 2 analysis of the TRAPEZE trial confirmed combining the agents was safe and feasible, and the objectives of phase 3 include assessment of the treatments on survival. OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of combining docetaxel, ZA, and Sr89, all having palliative benefits and used in bony metastatic CRPC to control bone symptoms and, for docetaxel, to prolong survival. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The TRAPEZE trial is a 2 × 2 factorial trial comparing docetaxel alone or with ZA, Sr89, or both. A cohort of 757 participants were recruited between February 2005 and February 2012 from hospitals in the United Kingdom. Overall, 169 participants (45%) had received palliative radiotherapy, and the median (IQR) prostate-specific antigen level was 146 (51-354). Follow-ups were performed for at least 12 months. INTERVENTIONS: Up to 10 cycles of docetaxel alone; docetaxel with ZA; docetaxel with a single Sr89 dose after 6 cycles; or docetaxel with both ZA and Sr89. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes included clinical progression-free survival (CPFS) (pain progression, skeletal-related events [SREs], or death) and cost-effectiveness. Secondary outcomes included SRE-free interval, pain progression-free interval, total SREs, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Overall, of 757 participants, 349 (46%) completed docetaxel treatment. Median (IQR) age was 68 (63-73) years. Clinical progression-free survival did not reach statistical significance for either Sr89 or ZA. Cox regression analysis adjusted for all stratification variables showed benefit of Sr89 on CPFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-0.99; P = .03) and confirmed no effect of ZA (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.85-1.14; P = .81); ZA had a significant effect on SRE-free interval (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.95; P = .01). For OS, there was no effect of either Sr89 (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.79-1.08; P = 0.34) or ZA (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.84-1.16; P = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Strontium-89 combined with docetaxel improved CPFS but did not improve OS, SRE-free interval, or total SREs; ZA did not improve CPFS or OS but did significantly improve median SRE-free interval and reduced total SREs by around one-third, suggesting a role as postchemotherapy maintenance therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: isrctn.com Identifier: ISRCTN12808747.

The detection of hepatocellular carcinoma using a prospectively developed and validated model based on serological biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common complication of chronic liver disease (CLD), and is conventionally diagnosed by radiological means. We aimed to build a statistical model that could determine the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in individual patients with CLD using objective measures, particularly serological tumor markers. METHODS: A total of 670 patients with either CLD alone or hepatocellular carcinoma were recruited from a single UK center into a case-control study. Sera were collected prospectively and specifically for this study. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and a model built and assessed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and proportion of correct diagnoses. RESULTS: The final model involving gender, age, AFP-L3, α fetoprotein (AFP), and des-carboxy-prothrombin ("GALAD") was developed in a "discovery" data set and validated in independent data sets both from the same institution and from an external institution. When optimized for sensitivity and specificity, the model gave values of more than 0.88 irrespective of the disease stage. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of hepatocellular carcinoma can be detected in patients with CLD on the basis of a model involving objective clinical and serological factors. It is now necessary to test the model's performance in a prospective manner and in a routine clinical practice setting, to determine if it may replace or, more likely, enhance current radiological approaches. IMPACT: Our data provide evidence that an entirely objective serum biomarker-based model may facilitate the detection and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and form the basis for a prospective study comparing this approach with the standard radiological approaches.