Ponsegromab for the Treatment of Cancer Cachexia.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a common complication of cancer and is associated with an increased risk of death. The level of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a circulating cytokine, is elevated in cancer cachexia. In a small, open-label, phase 1b study involving patients with cancer cachexia, ponsegromab, a humanized monoclonal antibody inhibiting GDF-15, was associated with improved weight, appetite, and physical activity, along with suppressed serum GDF-15 levels. METHODS: In this phase 2, randomized, double-blind, 12-week trial, we assigned patients with cancer cachexia and an elevated serum GDF-15 level (≥1500 pg per milliliter) in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive ponsegromab at a dose of 100 mg, 200 mg, or 400 mg or to receive placebo, administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks for three doses. The primary end point was the change from baseline in body weight at 12 weeks. Key secondary end points were appetite and cachexia symptoms, digital measures of physical activity, and safety. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients underwent randomization. Of these patients, 40% had non-small-cell lung cancer, 32% had pancreatic cancer, and 29% had colorectal cancer. At 12 weeks, patients in the ponsegromab groups had significantly greater weight gain than those in the placebo group, with a median between-group difference of 1.22 kg (95% credible interval, 0.37 to 2.25) in the 100-mg group, 1.92 (95% credible interval, 0.92 to 2.97) in the 200-mg group, and 2.81 (95% credible interval, 1.55 to 4.08) in the 400-mg group. Improvements were observed across measures of appetite and cachexia symptoms, along with physical activity, in the 400-mg ponsegromab group relative to placebo. Adverse events of any cause were reported in 70% of the patients in the ponsegromab group and in 80% of those in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with cancer cachexia and elevated GDF-15 levels, the inhibition of GDF-15 with ponsegromab resulted in increased weight gain and overall activity level and reduced cachexia symptoms, findings that confirmed the role of GDF-15 as a driver of cachexia. (Funded by Pfizer; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05546476.).

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome with Unusual Synchronous Malignancies: A Case Report.

Introduction: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder brought on by pathogenic mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene. LFS is characterized by a high lifetime risk of developing various cancers at a relatively young age. Case Presentation: We are presenting a 48-year-old male with a diagnosis of LFS that was confirmed by a genetic test triggered by the patient's son's diagnosis of LFS and leukemia. The patient's main symptoms were abdominal pain and weight loss. The patient was diagnosed with two synchronous primary tumors: first, a metastatic gastric invasive adenocarcinoma that is microsatellite instability (MSI) -high; and second, a low grade (G1) (non-function) well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. These cancers are not the usual type associated with LFS. After eight cycles of chemo-immunotherapy in the form of FOLFOX-Nivolumab, our radiological assessment showed significant response in the metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and stable disease in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The patient remains on single agent Nivolumab and has had stable disease for the last 12 months. Conclusion: Gastric cancer and neuroendocrine tumors are not usually associated with LFS. This case illustrates a rare clinical presentation of multiple malignancies in LFS patients.

Real-World Safety and Effectiveness of a Bevacizumab Biosimilar (ABP 215) in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients in Canada.

BACKGROUND: ABP 215 is a biosimilar to the reference product, bevacizumab, and was one of the first biosimilars approved by Health Canada for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This study aimed to address gaps in real-world evidence (RWE) including patient characteristics, treatment safety (primary objective), and effectiveness (secondary objective) for first-line ABP 215 therapy in Canadian patients with mCRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data were collected in 2 waves, at least 1 year (Wave 1) or 2 years (Wave 2) after commercial availability of ABP 215 at each participating site. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients from Wave 1 and 164 patients from Wave 2 treated with a minimum of 1 cycle of ABP 215 were included. At least one safety event of interest (EOI) was recorded for 34.7% of Wave 1 and 42.7% of Wave 2 patients. The median progression free survival (PFS) for Wave 1 and 2 patients were 9.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.71, 11.90) and 21.38 (95% CI: 15.82, not estimable) months, respectively. Median overall survival was not estimable for Wave 1 and was 26.45 months for Wave 2. CONCLUSION: The safety and effectiveness of ABP 215 observed in this real-world study were comparable to clinical trial findings and to other RWE with longer PFS in the current study.

Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2023.

The annual Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2023 was held in Quebec City, Quebec 2-4 February 2023. The purpose of the conference was to develop consensus statements on emerging and evolving treatment paradigms. Participants included Canadian medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and surgical oncologists from across Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. Consensus statements were developed following rapid review presentations and discussion of available literature. The recommendations proposed here represent the consensus opinions of physicians involved in the care of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies who participated in this meeting.

Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors-10-Year Experience of the Ottawa Hospital (TOH).

(1) Aim: The prevalence and incidence of small bowel NETs have increased significantly over the past two decades. This study aims to report the 10-year experience of SB-NET management at a regional cancer center in Canada. (2) Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven SB-NET at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Ottawa, Canada between 2011 and 2021. We report the clinicopathological characteristics of these patients, as well as their outcomes data, including survival rates. (3) Results: Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 177 SB-NET cases were identified with 51% (n = 91) of cases being males. The most common sites of the tumors were the ileum 53% (n = 94), followed by the duodenum 9% (n = 16) and jejunum 7% (n = 12). Approximately 24% (n = 42) of the patients had symptoms for over six months prior to diagnosis and 18% (n = 32) had functioning SB-NET during the course of the disease. The majority of patients had locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of presentation with stage III, and stage IV representing 42% (n = 75), and 41% (n = 73) respectively. The majority of patients 84% (n = 148) had well-differentiated histology. One hundred twenty patients underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor including 28 patients (16%) with limited metastatic disease. A total of 21 patients (18%) had recurrence after curative surgery. A total of 62 patients (35%) received first-line somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy for unresectable disease and seven patients had PRRT after progression on SSA. Five years OS was 100%, 91%, 97%, and 73% for stages I, II, III, and IV respectively. In univariate analysis, carcinoid symptoms, T stage, and differentiation were significant predictors for worse overall survival, but not RFS. (4) Conclusions: Compared to published historical controls, our study suggests improvement in the 5-year survival rate of SB-NETs over the last 10 years.

Real world use of lanreotide in neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Treatment for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is often with somatostatin analogues (SSA) such as lanreotide in the first-line setting. Real world use of lanreotide in Canada is not well studied. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 69 patients to study real world use of lanreotide at our centre. Results: Lanreotide was the first-line of systemic treatment in 60 patients. Watch-and-wait was a common strategy and was seen in 31 patients. SSA switch strategy was seldom applied. Majority of patients on lanreotide had low-grade NETs. Standard starting dose of lanreotide 120 mg every 28 days was used in 66 patients. Dose escalation to 120 mg every 21 days occurred in 7 patients. The primary intention for treatment was tumor control in 32 patients, and both tumor and symptom control in 34 patients. Median time on treatment was 21.6 months. Conclusions: Overall, our findings were in keeping with current guidelines. It will be interesting to assess how clinical practice evolves in the future and to determine the role of dose escalation for disease control.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: 10-Year Experience in Cancer Center-The Ottawa Hospital (TOH).

(1) Background: The management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has significantly evolved over the last two decades, with the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). We aim to report 10 years of experience of GIST management at a regional cancer center in Canada. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 248 consecutive patients diagnosed with GIST between 2011 and 2021. We describe the clinical and pathological data, management, and outcome, including survival. (3) Results: The most common GIST sites were the stomach 63% (156), followed by the small bowel 29% (73). At diagnosis, 83% (206) of patients had localized disease (stage I-III). According to the modified National Institutes of Health consensus criteria (NIH) for GIST, around 45% (90) had intermediate or high-risk disease. Most patients, 86% (213), underwent curative surgical resection. Forty-nine patients received adjuvant imatinib, while forty-three patients had advanced disease and received at least one line of TKI. With a median follow-up of 47 months, the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates for very low and low risk were 100% and 94%, respectively, while those for intermediate and high risk were 84% and 51%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for very low and low risk were 100% and 94%, while intermediate, high risk, and advanced were 91%, 88%, and 65%, respectively. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, there were statistically significant differences in RFS and OS between NIH risk groups, p < 0.0005. In univariate analysis, ECOG, site, mitosis, secondary malignancy, and size were predictors for OS. High mitosis and large size (>5 cm) were associated with worse RFS. (4) Conclusions: Curative surgical resection remains the gold standard management of GIST. Our results are comparable to the reported literature. Further research is needed to explore histology's role in risk stratification and initiating adjuvant TKI.

Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma: 10-Year Experience in a Cancer Center-The Ottawa Hospital (TOH).

(1) Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is one of the predominant primary small bowel cancers that has a dismal outcome. We aim to report 10 years of experience in SBA management at a regional cancer centre in Canada.; (2) Methods: We retrospectively analysed clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with an SBA between 2011 and 2021 at the Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Ottawa, Canada. We describe the clinicopathological features and outcomes, including survival. Potential prognostic factors were analysed using the Cox proportional hazard model for multivariate analysis.; (3) Results: We identified 115 patients with SBA. The duodenum was the most common SBA location representing 61% (70) of the total patients, followed by the jejunum (17%) and ileum (10%). Around 24% (27) of cases presented with bowel obstructions. The majority of patients (56%, 64) had stage IV disease on presentation. Seven patients had MSI-high tumours, while 24% (27) were MS-stable. In terms of management, 48 patients underwent curative surgical resection, 17 of whom received adjuvant chemotherapy. On the other hand, 57 patients (49.5%) with the advanced disease received palliative systemic therapy, and 18 patients (16%) had supportive care only. Over a median follow-up of 21.5 months (range 0-122), the median overall survival was 94, 61, and 34 months for stages II, III, and IV, respectively (p < 0.05). The median recurrence-free survival was 93 and 23 months for stages II and III, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference between TNM stages in RFS, p = 0.069. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed only poor performance status at diagnosis as a predictor for shorter overall survival (p < 0.05). The univariate analysis didn't show any significant correlation between RFS and covariants.; (4) Conclusions: SBA remains one of the most aggressive tumours with a dismal prognosis even after surgical resection. The optimal chemotherapy regimen has not been established. Further studies are needed to explore the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for stages I-III SBA.

The Impact of Virtual Cancer Care on Chemotherapy Delivery and Clinical Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Systemic Therapy: A Pre- and Intra-Pandemic Analysis.

(1) Background: The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has resulted in an abrupt transition to virtual oncology care worldwide. This study's objective is to evaluate chemotherapy delivery and clinical outcomes in patients on systemic treatment for colorectal cancer before and during the pandemic. (2) Methods: Clinical data was collected on patients with colorectal cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy at The Ottawa Hospital from June 2019 to March 2021. Patients were stratified by whether they were started on chemotherapy pre-pandemic (June 2019-January 2020) or intra-pandemic (February 2020-March 2021). Multiple regression analysis was used to compare outcomes between pandemic periods; (3) Results: There were 220 patients included in this study. The proportion of virtual consultations (1.2% to 64.4%) and follow-up visits (5.2% to 83.3%) increased during the pandemic. There was no difference in the incidence of treatment delays (OR = 1.01, p = 0.78), chemotherapy dose reductions (OR = 0.99, p = 0.69), emergency department visits (OR = 1.23, p = 0.37) or hospitalizations (OR = 0.73, p = 0.43) between pandemic periods. A subgroup analysis revealed no difference in outcomes independent of the presence of metastases; (4) Conclusion: These findings serve as an important quality-care indicator and demonstrate that virtual oncology care appears safe in a cohort of high-risk colorectal cancer patients.

Efficacy and safety of extended duration to perioperative thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin on disease-free survival after surgical resection of colorectal cancer (PERIOP-01): multicentre, open label, randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of extended duration perioperative thromboprophylaxis by low molecular weight heparin when assessing disease-free survival in patients undergoing resection for colorectal cancer. DESIGN: Multicentre, open label, randomised controlled trial. SETTINGS: 12 hospitals in Quebec and Ontario, Canada, between 25 October 2011 and 31 December 2020. PARTICIPANTS: 614 adults (age ≥18 years) were eligible with pathologically confirmed invasive adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum, no evidence of metastatic disease, a haemoglobin concentration of ≥8 g/dL, and were scheduled to undergo surgical resection. INTERVENTIONS: Random assignment to extended duration thromboprophylaxis using daily subcutaneous tinzaparin at 4500 IU, beginning at decision to operate and continuing for 56 days postoperatively, compared with in-patient postoperative thromboprophylaxis only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was disease-free survival at three years, defined as survival without locoregional recurrence, distant metastases, second primary (same cancer), second primary (other cancer), or death. Secondary outcomes included venous thromboembolism, postoperative major bleeding complications, and five year overall survival. Analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: The trial stopped recruitment prematurely after the interim analysis for futility. The primary outcome occurred in 235 (77%) of 307 patients in the extended duration group and in 243 (79%) of 307 patients in the in-hospital thromboprophylaxis group (hazard ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 1.33; P=0.4). Postoperative venous thromboembolism occurred in five patients (2%) in the extended duration group and in four patients (1%) in the in-hospital thromboprophylaxis group (P=0.8). Major surgery related bleeding in the first postoperative week was reported in one person (<1%) in the extended duration and in six people (2%) in the in-hospital thromboprophylaxis group (P=0.1). No difference was noted for overall survival at five years in 272 (89%) patients in the extended duration group and 280 (91%) patients in the in-hospital thromboprophylaxis group (hazard ratio 1.12; 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 1.76; P=0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Extended duration to perioperative anticoagulation with tinzaparin did not improve disease-free survival or overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgical resection compared with in-patient postoperative thromboprophylaxis alone. The incidences of venous thromboembolism and postoperative major bleeding were low and similar between groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01455831.

Histologic and Genotypic Characterization of Lung Cancer in the Inuit Population of the Eastern Canadian Arctic.

Inuit are the Indigenous Arctic peoples and residents of the Canadian territory of Nunavut who have the highest global rate of lung cancer. Given lung cancer's mortality, histological and genomic characterization was undertaken to better understand the disease biology. We retrospectively studied all Inuit cases from Nunavut's Qikiqtani (Baffin) region, referred to the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Center between 2001 and 2011. Demographics were compiled from medical records and tumor samples underwent pathologic/histologic confirmation. Tumors were analyzed by next generation sequencing (NGS) with a cancer hotspot mutation panel. Of 98 patients, the median age was 66 years and 61% were male. Tobacco use was reported in 87%, and 69% had a history of lung disease (tuberculosis or other). Histological types were: non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), 81%; small cell lung carcinoma, 16%. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represented 65% of NSCLC. NGS on 55 samples demonstrated mutation rates similar to public lung cancer datasets. In SCC, the STK11 F354L mutation was observed at higher frequency than previously reported. This is the first study to characterize the histologic/genomic profiles of lung cancer in this population. A high incidence of SCC, and an elevated rate of STK11 mutations distinguishes this group from the North American population.

Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2019.

The annual Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2019 was held in Morell, Prince Edward Island, 19-21 September 2019. Experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology who are involved in the management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies participated in presentations and discussion sessions for the purpose of developing the recommendations presented here. This consensus statement addresses multiple topics in the management of anal, colorectal, biliary tract, and gastric cancers, including: radiotherapy and systemic therapy for localized and advanced anal cancer; watch and wait strategy for the management of rectal cancer; role of testing for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency prior to commencement of fluoropyrimidine therapy; radiotherapy and systemic therapy in the adjuvant and unresectable settings for biliary tract cancer; and radiotherapy and systemic therapy in the perioperative setting for early-stage gastric cancer.

Phosphorylated transducer and activator of transcription-3 (pSTAT3) immunohistochemical expression in paired primary and metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT3) mediates cellular functions. We assessed the IHC expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) in paired primary tumors and liver metastases in patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We included patients with tissue blocks available from both the primary CRC and a surgically resected liver metastasis. The IHC pSTAT3 expression agreement was measured using Cohen's kappa statistic. RESULTS: The study included 103 patients, 55% male, median age was 64. 43% tumors originated in rectum, and 63% of the primary tumors were synchronous. Expression of pSTAT3 was 76% in liver metastases and 71% in primary tumors. A difference in pSTAT3 staining between the primary tumor and liver metastases was noted in 64%. There was lost expression of pSTAT3 in the liver metastases in 28% and gained expression in 36% of cases compared to the primary. The kappa statistic comparing agreement between staining patterns of the primary tumors and liver metastases was a "less-than-chance", at -0.02. Median survival was 4.9 years, with no difference in survival outcomes by pSTAT3 expression in the primary tumor or liver metastases. DISCUSSION: STAT3 is not a prognostic marker in the selective setting of metastatic CRC to liver, but it may remain a potential therapeutic target given most liver metastases expressed pSTAT3. Discordant pSTAT3 expression in between primary tumors and paired liver metastases suggests that use of this class of drug to treat liver predominant metastatic colorectal cancer in a biomarker-driven approach may require confirmatory liver tumor biopsy.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as predictive and prognostic markers in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

BACKGROUND: A standard therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) includes fluoropyrimidine (FP)-based neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). Previous studies have inconsistently demonstrated that baseline neutrophil- and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR and PLR) are predictive of response to nCRT or prognostic of outcomes in LARC. METHODS: We reviewed patients with LARC undergoing nCRT followed by surgery from 2005 to 2013 across 8 Canadian cancer centres. Outcome measures of interest were pathological complete response (pCR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess for associations between baseline hematologic variables and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1527 identified patients, 1237 (81%) were included in the DFS/OS analysis. Median age was 62 (range 23-88), 69% were male, and 80% had performance status (PS) 0-1. Twenty-six percent had elevated NLR (≥ 4), and 66% had elevated PLR (≥ 150). Ninety-seven percent of patients received FP-based nCRT, with 96% receiving ≥44 Gy. 81% completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 95% completed neoadjuvant radiotherapy, with a pCR rate of 18%. After a median follow-up time of 71 months, 8% developed local recurrence, 22% developed distant recurrence and 24% died. 5-year DFS and OS were 69% (95% CI 66-72%) and 79% (95% CI 77-82%), respectively. In multivariate analyses, elevated baseline NLR and PLR were neither prognostic for DFS and OS nor predictive of pCR. CONCLUSIONS: NLR and PLR were not found to be independently prognostic for DFS or OS and did not predict for pCR in patients with LARC undergoing nCRT followed by surgery.

A prospective intervention to improve happiness and reduce burnout in oncologists.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data about effective interventions to improve happiness and reduce burnout in oncologists. Benjamin Franklin developed a 13-week program of "necessary activities" or "virtues" (temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility) to follow, in his attempt at self-improvement. In this pilot study, we explored whether using a modified version of this was associated with any discernable impact on physician happiness, burnout, or compliance with each of the virtues. METHODS: Self-reported happiness (Oxford happiness scores) and burnout (Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory) were completed at baseline (pre-study), week 13, and 1 month after completion of the program. Each day during the 13-week program, oncologists were emailed a list of virtues to focus on and scored how they felt they were complying with them. The oncologist's spouses also assessed how they felt the oncologist was complying with the virtues. RESULTS: Thirteen physicians completed the baseline scores, 11 completed Maslach/Oxford scores at the end of the study, and 8 the 1-month post-study assessment. No significant improvements in happiness and burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment) scores were observed. Statistically significant changes in self-rated virtue scores were observed for temperance (p = 0.046), order (p = 0.049), and resolution (p = 0.014). Additionally, although not reaching statistical significance, 11 of 13 virtues (excepting sincerity and chastity) assessed by spouses indicated a positive change over time. CONCLUSION: In this hypothesis generating study, daily reflection on personal virtues was not associated with any statistically significant change in happiness or burnout scores. Alternative strategies should be considered.

Rationale and Design of the IROCAS Study: Multicenter, International, Randomized Phase 3 Trial Comparing Adjuvant Modified (m) FOLFIRINOX to mFOLFOX6 in Patients With High-Risk Stage III (pT4 and/or N2) Colon Cancer-A UNICANCER GI-PRODIGE Trial.

BACKGROUND: According to the IDEA trial, 6-month adjuvant chemotherapy should remain the treatment standard in stage III T4 or N2 colon cancer. The relatively poor survival in this high-risk subgroup-a 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 65%-and the potential synergistic efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin, and irinotecan suggest that FOLFIRINOX may be a regimen of particular interest in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter international phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02967289) being conducted in 49 centers in France and Canada plans to randomize (1:1; minimization method) 640 patients aged 18 to 70 years with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1. Randomization occurs within 42 days (with treatment initiated within 56 days) after curative-intent R0 surgical resection of a pT4N1 or pT1-4N2 colon adenocarcinoma. Patients will be randomized to receive adjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, irinotecan 180 mg/m2, and 5-FU 2.4 g/m2 over 46 hours) or modified FOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m2, then 2.4 g/m2 over 46 hours) every 2 weeks for 24 weeks (12 cycles). Patients will be followed for 5 years after the end of adjuvant chemotherapy. A gain of 9% in 3-year DFS (primary end point) is expected (74% in the experimental arm vs. 65% in the control arm; α, 5% [2-sided log-rank test]; 1-ß, 80%). Secondary end points of this study include 2-year DFS, overall survival, and toxicity.

Follow-up Recommendations for Completely Resected Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

There is no consensus on optimal follow-up for completely resected gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Published guidelines for follow-up are complex and emphasize closer surveillance in the first 3 years after resection. Neuroendocrine tumors have a different pattern and timescale of recurrence, and thus require more practical and tailored follow-up. The Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumour Collaboration convened an international multidisciplinary expert panel, in collaboration with the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society, to create patient-centered follow-up recommendations for completely resected gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. This panel used the RAND/UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Appropriateness Method to generate recommendations. A large international survey was conducted outlining current the surveillance practice of neuroendocrine tumor practitioners and shortcomings of the current guidelines. A systematic review of available data to date was supplemented by recurrence data from 2 large patient series. The resultant guidelines suggest follow-up for at least 10 years for fully resected small-bowel and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and also identify clinical situations in which no follow-up is required. These recommendations stratify follow-up strategies based on evidence-based prognostic factors that allow for a more individualized patient-centered approach to this complex and heterogeneous malignant neoplasm.

A Randomized Phase II Study of FOLFOX6/Bevacizumab With or Without Pelareorep in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: IND.210, a Canadian Cancer Trials Group Trial.

BACKGROUND: Oncolytic reovirus pelareorep might preferentially infect and destroy rat sarcoma (RAS)-activated cells, and has preclinical and early clinical activity against colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After a 6-patient safety run-in, 103 patients with metastatic CRC were randomly assigned to standard first-line leucovorin/5-FU/oxaliplatin (FOLFOX6)/bevacizumab (FOLFOX/BEV) every 2 weeks with (n = 51) or without (n = 52) pelareorep 3 × 1010 tissue culture infective dose 50 on days 1 to 5 (cycles 1, 2, 4, and alternate cycles thereafter). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), quality of life, and correlative analyses. RESULTS: At 13 months' median follow-up, PFS was inferior in the pelareorep arm (median 7 vs. 9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 1.59 [80% confidence interval (CI), 1.18-2.15]; P = .046). There was no statistical difference in OS (median, 19.2 vs. 20.1 months; HR, 1.22; P = .38). An increased ORR was observed with pelareorep (adjusted odds ratio, 2.52 [80% CI, 1.44-4.41]; P = .03), but with a shorter median duration of response (5 vs. 9 months; P = .028). Pelareorep patients experienced more hypertension and proteinuria, and were more likely to omit bevacizumab before progression. A trend to lower dose intensity and shorter oxaliplatin and bevacizumab treatment duration was observed with pelareorep. CONCLUSION: Combination pelareorep with FOLFOX/BEV was tolerable with an increased ORR, but PFS was inferior. Subgroup analysis of baseline variables including Kirsten rat sarcoma oncogene did not identify subgroups with PFS benefit. Decreased treatment intensity with standard agents likely contributed to the lack of benefit with pelareorep. Future studies might consider alternate pelareorep/chemotherapy strategies or combination therapy with novel agents.

A Phase I Study of Irinotecan, Capecitabine (Xeloda), and Oxaliplatin in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present phase I study was to define the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of irinotecan, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin given in combination (IXO regimen) to patients with previously untreated, unresectable advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received oxaliplatin followed by irinotecan as intravenous infusions on day 1, with oral capecitabine taken twice daily (BID) on days 2 to 15 of a 3-week cycle. The dose ranges were explored as follows: oxaliplatin, 75 to 120 mg/m2; irinotecan, 160 to 230 mg/m2; capecitabine, 750 to 1000 mg/m2 BID. Dose escalation was performed individually for each drug at each dose level according to the type and severity of toxicity encountered in the previous cohort. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were enrolled at 7 dose levels and the MTD. The recommended doses for phase II evaluation were oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2, irinotecan 160 mg/m2, and capecitabine 950 mg/m2 BID. Diarrhea and febrile neutropenia were DLTs. Of the 39 enrolled patients, 26 (67%) had confirmed objective responses. The median progression-free survival was 11 months, and the median overall survival was 25 months. The survival rate at 5 years was 23%. CONCLUSION: The IXO regimen has a manageable toxicity profile with promising antitumor activity as first-line treatment of advanced and metastatic CRC.

Systemic Therapy Outcomes in Adult Patients with Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors.

BACKGROUND: The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is a rare but curable bone neoplastic entity. The current standard of care involves chemotherapy and local disease control with surgery or radiation regardless of the extent of disease at presentation. Data that document the effectiveness of the current approach in the adult patient population are limited. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review including all ESFT patients older than 19 years of age who received systemic therapy between January 2002 and December 2013 at our institution. The main study outcome was overall survival; secondary outcomes were objective response rate, disease-free survival, and progression-free survival. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with ESFT were identified. The median overall survival for the entire group was 20.65 months (range 0.43-114.54). In patients with localized disease, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 90, 80, and 70%, respectively. Age was not correlated with overall survival (r = 0.58, p = 0.76). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 70%. In patients with metastatic disease, the 1-year survival rate was 40%. In patients treated in the neoadjuvant and palliative setting with chemotherapy, we observed an objective response rate of 61.54%. The time to progression in patients with metastatic disease treated with chemotherapy ranged from 0.69 to 4.93 months. CONCLUSION: In this group of adult patients with ESFT treated with multimodality therapy, the outcomes were similar to those reported in well-known larger clinical trials that typically included younger patients. Age was not associated with worse survival.