Changes In Serum CXCL13 Levels Are Associated With Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing First-Line Oxaliplatin-Based Treatment.

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) currently lacks reliable biomarkers for precision medicine, particularly for chemotherapy-based treatments. This study examines the behavior of 11 CXC chemokines in the blood of 104 mCRC patients undergoing first-line oxaliplatin-based treatment to pinpoint predictive and prognostic markers. Serum samples were collected before treatment, at response evaluation (EVAR), and at disease progression or last follow-up. Chemokines were assessed in all samples using a Luminex® custom panel. CXCL13 levels increased at EVAR in responders, while in non-responders it decreased. Increasing levels of CXCL13 at EVAR, independently correlated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Nanostring® analysis in primary tumor samples showed CXCL13 gene expression's positive correlation not only with gene profiles related to an immunogenic tumor microenvironment, increased B cells and T cells (mainly CD8+) but also with extended OS. In silico analysis using RNAseq data from liver metastases treated or not with neoadjuvant oxaliplatin-based combinations, and deconvolution analysis using the MCP-counter algorithm, confirmed CXCL13 gene expression's association with increased immune infiltration, improved OS, and Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLSs) gene signatures, especially in neoadjuvant-treated patients. CXCL13 analysis in serum from 36 oxaliplatin-treated patients from the METIMMOX study control arm, reported similar findings. In conclusion, the increase of CXCL13 levels in peripheral blood and its association with the formation of TLSs within the metastatic lesions, emerges as a potential biomarker indicative of the therapeutic efficacy in mCRC patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based treatment.

Total neoadjuvant therapy with or without aflibercept in rectal cancer: 3-year results of GEMCAD-1402.

BACKGROUND: The results of the Grupo Español Multidisciplinar en Cáncer Digestivo (GEMCAD)-1402 phase II randomized trial suggested that adding aflibercept to modified fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and leucovorin (mFOLFOX6) induction, followed by chemoradiation and surgery, could increase the pathological complete response (pCR) rate in patients with high-risk, locally advanced rectal cancer. Here we update results up to 3 years of follow-up and evaluate the predictive value of consensus molecular subtypes identified with immunohistochemistry (IHC). METHODS: Patients with magnetic resonance imaging-defined T3c-d and/or T4 and/or N2 rectal adenocarcinoma in the middle or distal third were randomly assigned to mFOLFOX6 induction, with aflibercept (mF+A; n = 115) or without aflibercept (mF; n = 65), followed by capecitabine plus radiotherapy and surgery. The risk local relapse, distant metastases, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated at 3 years. Selected samples were classified via IHC into immune-infiltrate, epithelial, or mesenchymal subtypes. RESULTS: mF+A and mF had 3-year DFS of 75.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 66.1% to 82.2%) and 81.5% (95% CI = 69.8% to 89.1%), respectively; 3-year OS of 89.3% (95% CI = 82.0% to 93.8%) and 90.7% (95% CI = 80.6% to 95.7%), respectively; 3-year cumulative local relapse incidences of 5.2% (95% CI = 1.9% to 11.0%) and 6.1% (95% CI = 1.7% to 15.0%), respectively; and 3-year cumulative distant metastases rates of 17.3% (95% CI = 10.9% to 25.5%) and 16.9% (95% CI = 8.7% to 28.2%), respectively. pCRs were achieved in 27.5% (n = 22 of 80) and 0% (n = 0 of 10) of patients with epithelial and mesenchymal subtypes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adding aflibercept to mFOLFOX6 induction was not associated with improved DFS or OS. Our findings suggested that consensus molecular subtypes identified with IHC subtypes could be predictive of pCR with this treatment.

Determining the optimal interval between neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and surgery in rectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: In locally advanced rectal cancer, the optimal interval between completion of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RT-ChT) and surgical resection remains unclear due to contradictory data on the benefits of extending this interval. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to determine the impact of this interval on outcomes in patients treated for rectal cancer at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 382 consecutive patients treated for stage II/III rectal cancer between October 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017. We evaluated four different cut-off points (56, 63, 70, and 77 days) to determine which had the greatest impact on treatment outcomes. RESULTS: The median time between completion of RT-ChT and surgery was 67.2 days (range, 28-294). Intervals > 8 weeks (56 days) were associated with worse therapeutic outcomes. Specifically, an interval ≥ 77 days was associated with a significant decrease in overall survival (OS; 84% vs. 70%; p = 0.004), which is why we selected this interval for the comparative analysis. Several outcome variables were significantly better in the short interval (< 77 days) group, including margin involvement (5.2% vs. 13.9%; p = 0.01), sphincter preservation (78% vs. 59.3%; p = 0.003), and distant dissemination (22.6% vs. 32.5%; p = 0.04). No significant between-group differences were found in complete/nearly complete response rates (19.2% vs. 24.4%; p = 0.3). Time to surgery was statistically significant on both the univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that surgery should not be delayed more than 8 weeks (56 days) after neoadjuvant treatment. An interval > 8 weeks should only be considered in patients who demonstrate a good response to neoadjuvant RT-ChT.

Recommendations for the optimal management of peritoneal metastases in patients with colorectal cancer: a TTD and GECOP-SEOQ expert consensus statement.

Peritoneal metastases (PM) occur when cancer cells spread inside the abdominal cavity and entail an advanced stage of colorectal cancer (CRC). Prognosis, which is poor, correlates highly with tumour burden, as measured by the peritoneal cancer index (PCI). Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in specialized centres should be offered especially to patients with a low to moderate PCI when complete resection is expected. The presence of resectable metastatic disease in other organs is not a contraindication in well-selected patients. Although several retrospective and small prospective studies have suggested a survival benefit of adding hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to CRS, the recently published phase III studies PRODIGE-7 in CRC patients with PM, and COLOPEC and PROPHYLOCHIP in resected CRC with high-risk of PM, failed to show any survival advantage of this strategy using oxaliplatin in a 30-min perfusion. Final results from ongoing randomized phase III trials testing CRS plus HIPEC based on mitomycin C (MMC) are awaited with interest. In this article, a group of experts selected by the Spanish Group for the Treatment of Digestive Tumours (TTD) and the Spanish Group of Peritoneal Oncologic Surgery (GECOP), which is part of the Spanish Society of Surgical Oncology (SEOQ), reviewed the role of HIPEC plus CRS in CRC patients with PM. As a result, a series of recommendations to optimize the management of these patients is proposed.

Genomically matched therapy in refractory colorectal cancer according to ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets: experience of a comprehensive cancer centre network.

Efficiency of expanded genomic profiling (EGP) programmes in terms of final inclusion of patients in genomically matched therapies is still unknown. Fit patients with advanced and refractory colorectal cancer (CRC) were selected for an EGP programme. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour samples was performed. The purpose was to describe the prevalence of genomic alterations defined by the ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets (ESCAT), as well as the percentage of patients finally included in genomically guided clinical trials. In total, 187 patients were recruited. Mutational profile was obtained in 177 patients (10 patients were failure due to insufficient tumour sample), copy number alterations in 41 patients and fusions in 31 patients. ESCAT-defined alterations were detected in 28.8% of the intention-to-analyse population. BRAF V600E was clustered in ESCAT I, with a prevalence of 3.7%, KRAS G12C and ERBB2 amplification were clustered in ESCAT II, whose prevalence was 4.2% and 1.6%, respectively. Most alterations were classified in ESCAT III (mutations in ERBB2, PIK3CA or FGFR genes and MET amplification) and IV (mutations in BRAF non-V600E, ERBB3, FBXW7, NOTCH, RNF43), with a single prevalence under 5%, except for PIK3CA mutation (9%). The final rate of inclusion into genomically guided clinical trials was 2.7%, including therapies targeting BRAF V600E or RNF43 mutations in two patients each, and ERBB2 mutation in one patient. In conclusion, EGP programmes in patients with advanced CRC are feasible and identify a subset of patients with potentially druggable genomic alterations. However, further efforts must be made to increase the rate of patients treated with genomically guided therapies.

Liquid Biopsy Detects Early Molecular Response and Predicts Benefit to First-Line Chemotherapy plus Cetuximab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: PLATFORM-B Study.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy plus anti-EGFR is standard first-line therapy in RAS wild-type (wt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but biomarkers of early response are clinically needed. We aimed to define the utility of ctDNA to assess early response in patients with mCRC receiving first-line anti-EGFR therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Prospective multicentric study of tissue patients with RAS wt mCRC treated with first-line chemotherapy plus cetuximab undergoing sequential liquid biopsies. Baseline and early (C3) ctDNA were analyzed by NGS. Trunk mutations were assessed as surrogate marker of total tumor burden. RAS/BRAF/MEK/EGFR-ECD were considered mutations of resistance. ctDNA results were correlated with clinical outcome. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included. ctDNA was detected in 72% of patients at baseline and 34% at C3. Decrease in ctDNA trunk mutations correlated with progression-free survival (PFS; HR, 0.23; P = 0.001). RAS/BRAF were the only resistant mutations detected at C3. An increase in the relative fraction of RAS/BRAF at C3 was followed by an expansion of the RAS clone until PD, and was associated with shorter PFS (HR, 10.5; P < 0.001). The best predictor of response was the combined analysis of trunk and resistant mutations at C3. Accordingly, patients with "early molecular response" (decrease in trunk and decrease in resistant mutations) had better response (77.5% vs. 25%, P = 0.008) and longer PFS (HR, 0.18; P < 0.001) compared with patients with "early molecular progression" (increase in trunk and/or increase in resistant mutations). CONCLUSIONS: ctDNA detects early molecular response and predicts benefit to chemotherapy plus cetuximab. A comprehensive NGS-based approach is recommended to integrate information on total disease burden and resistant mutations. See related commentary by Eluri et al., p. 302.

SEOM-GECOD clinical guideline for unknown primary cancer (2021).

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) is defined as a heterogeneous group of tumors that appear as metastases, and of which standard diagnostic work-up fails to identify the origin. It is considered a separate entity with a specific biology, and nowadays molecular characteristics and the determination of actionable mutations may be important in a significant group of patients. In this guide, we summarize the diagnostic, therapeutic, and possible new developments in molecular medicine that may help us in the management of this unique disease entity.

Spatial Immunology in Liver Metastases from Colorectal Carcinoma according to the Histologic Growth Pattern.

Colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRC-LM) present differential histologic growth patterns (HGP) that determine the interaction between immune and tumor cells. We explored the spatial distribution of lymphocytic infiltrates in CRC-LM in the context of the HGP using multispectral digital pathology. We did not find statistically significant differences of immune cell densities in the central regions of desmoplastic (dHGP) and non-desmoplastic (ndHGP) metastases. The spatial evaluation reported that dHGP-metastases displayed higher infiltration by CD8+ and CD20+ cells in peripheral regions as well as CD4+ and CD45RO+ cells in ndHGP-metastases. However, the reactive stroma regions at the invasive margin (IM) of ndHGP-metastases displayed higher density of CD4+, CD20+, and CD45RO+ cells. The antitumor status of the TIL infiltrates measured as CD8/CD4 reported higher values in the IM of encapsulated metastases up to 400 µm towards the tumor center (p < 0.05). Remarkably, the IM of dHGP-metastases was characterized by higher infiltration of CD8+ cells in the epithelial compartment parameter assessed with the ratio CD8epithelial/CD8stromal, suggesting anti-tumoral activity in the encapsulating lesions. Taking together, the amount of CD8+ cells is comparable in the IM of both HGP metastases types. However, in dHGP-metastases some cytotoxic cells reach the tumor nests while remaining retained in the stromal areas in ndHGP-metastases.

Effect of aflibercept plus FOLFIRI and potential efficacy biomarkers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: the POLAF trial.

BACKGROUND: Aflibercept is an antiangiogenic drug against metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) combined with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/irinotecan (FOLFIRI); however, no antiangiogenic biomarker has yet been validated. We assessed aflibercept plus FOLFIRI, investigating the biomarker role of baseline vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). METHODS: Phase II trial in oxaliplatin-treated mCRC patients who received aflibercept plus FOLFIRI. The reported 135 ng/mL ACE cut-off was used and ROC analysis was performed to assess the optimal VEGF-A cut-off for progression-free survival (PFS). Overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), time to treatment failure (TTF), overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were also assessed. RESULTS: In total, 101 patients were followed for a median of 12 (6-17) months. The 1941 pg/mL VEGF-A was an optimal cut-off, with a longer median PFS when VEGF-A was <1941 versus ≥1941 pg/mL (9 versus 4 months). Patients with VEGF-A < 1941 pg/mL showed longer median OS (19 versus 8 months), TTP (9 versus 4 months) and TTF (8 versus 4 months), along with higher ORR (26% versus 9%) and DCR (81% versus 55%). No differences were identified according to ACE levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports aflibercept plus FOLFIRI benefits, suggesting VEGF-A as a potential biomarker to predict better outcomes.

A Challenging Task: Identifying Patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) According to ESMO Guidelines: The CUPISCO Trial Experience.

BACKGROUND: CUPISCO is an ongoing randomized phase II trial (NCT03498521) comparing molecularly guided therapy versus platinum-based chemotherapy in patients newly diagnosed with "unfavorable" cancer of unknown primary (CUP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with an unfavorable CUP diagnosis, as defined by the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), and available cancer tissue for molecular sequencing are generally eligible. Potential patients with CUP entering screening undergo a review involving reference histopathology and clinical work-up by a central eligibility review team (ERT). Patients with "favorable" CUP, a strongly suspected primary site of origin, lack of tissue, or unmet inclusion criteria are excluded. RESULTS: As of April 30, 2020, 628 patients had entered screening and 346 (55.1%) were screen failed. Screen fails were due to technical reasons (n = 89), failure to meet inclusion and exclusion criteria not directly related to CUP diagnosis (n = 89), and other reasons (n = 33). A total of 124 (35.8%) patients were excluded because unfavorable adeno- or poorly differentiated CUP could not be confirmed by the ERT. These cases were classified into three groups ineligible because of (a) histologic subtype, such as squamous and neuroendocrine, or favorable CUP; (b) evidence of a possible primary tumor; or (c) noncarcinoma histology. CONCLUSION: Experience with CUPISCO has highlighted challenges with standardized screening in an international clinical trial and the difficulties in diagnosing unfavorable CUP. Reconfirmation of unfavorable CUP by an ERT in a clinical trial can result in many reasons for screen failures. By sharing this experience, we aim to foster understanding of diagnostic challenges and improve diagnostic pathology and clinical CUP algorithms. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A high unmet need exists for improved treatment of cancer of unknown primary (CUP); however, study in a trial setting is faced with the significant challenge of definitively distinguishing CUP from other cancer types. This article reports the authors' experience of this challenge so far in the ongoing CUPISCO trial, which compares treatments guided by patients' unique genetic signatures versus standard chemotherapy. The data presented will aid future decision-making regarding diagnosing true CUP cases; this will have far-reaching implications in the design, execution, and interpretation of not only CUPISCO but also future clinical studies aiming to find much-needed treatment strategies.

Clinical Impact of Presurgery Circulating Tumor DNA after Total Neoadjuvant Treatment in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Biomarker Study from the GEMCAD 1402 Trial.

PURPOSE: Total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) is a valid strategy for patients with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Biomarkers of response to TNT are an unmet clinical need. We aimed to determine the value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to predict tumor response, recurrence, and survival in patients with LARC treated with TNT. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The GEMCAD 1402 was a phase II randomized, multicentric clinical trial that randomized 180 patients with LARC to modified schedule of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) +/- aflibercept, followed by chemoradiation and surgery. Plasma samples were collected at baseline and after TNT within 48 hours before surgery (presurgery). An ultrasensitive assay that integrates genomic and epigenomic cancer signatures was used to assess ctDNA status. ctDNA results were correlated with variables of local tumor response in the surgery sample, local/systemic recurrence, and survival. RESULTS: A total of 144 paired plasma samples from 72 patients were included. ctDNA was detectable in 83% of patients at baseline and in 15% following TNT (presurgery). No association was found between ctDNA status and pathologic response. Detectable presurgery ctDNA was significantly associated with systemic recurrence, shorter disease-free survival (HR, 4; P = 0.033), and shorter overall survival (HR, 23; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LARC treated with TNT, presurgery ctDNA detected minimal metastatic disease identifying patients at high risk of distant recurrence and death. This study sets the basis for prospective clinical trials that use liquid biopsy to personalize the therapeutic approach following TNT.

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin: Retrospective Molecular Classification Considering the CUPISCO Study Design.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoma of unknown primary origin (CUP) accounts for 2%-5% of newly diagnosed advanced malignancies, with chemotherapy as the standard of care. CUPISCO (NCT03498521) is an ongoing randomized trial using comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) to assign patients with CUP to targeted or immunotherapy treatment arms based on genomic profiling. We performed a retrospective analysis of CUP cases referred for CGP to determine how many were potentially eligible for enrollment into an experimental CUPISCO arm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Centrally reviewed adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated CUP specimens in the FoundationCore database were analyzed using the hybrid capture-based FoundationOne CDx assay (mean coverage, >600×). Presence of genomic alterations, microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), genomic loss of heterozygosity (gLOH), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) positivity were determined. RESULTS: A total of 96 of 303 patients (31.7%) could be matched to an experimental CUPISCO arm. Key genomic alterations included ERBB2 (7.3%), PIK3CA (6.3%), NF1 (5.6%), NF2 (4.6%), BRAF (4.3%), IDH1 (3.3%), PTEN, FGFR2, EGFR (3.6% each), MET (4.3%), CDK6 (3.0%), FBXW7, CDK4 (2.3% each), IDH2, RET, ROS1, NTRK (1.0% each), and ALK (0.7%). Median TMB was 3.75 mutations per megabase of DNA; 34 patients (11.6%) had a TMB ≥16 mutations per megabase. Three patients (1%) had high MSI, and 42 (14%) displayed high PD-L1 expression (tumor proportion score ≥50%). gLOH could be assessed in 199 of 303 specimens; 19.6% had a score of >16%. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-two percent of patients would have been eligible for targeted therapy in CUPISCO. Future studies, including additional biomarkers such as PD-L1 positivity and gLOH, may identify a greater proportion potentially benefiting from CGP-informed treatment. Clinical trial identification number. NCT03498521 IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this retrospective analysis of carcinoma of unknown primary origin (CUP) cases validate the experimental treatment arms being used in the CUPISCO study (NCT03498521), an ongoing randomized trial using comprehensive genomic profiling to assign patients with CUP to targeted or immunotherapy treatment arms based on the presence of pathogenic genomic alterations. The findings also suggest that future studies including additional biomarkers and treatment arms, such as programmed death-ligand 1 positivity and genomic loss of heterozygosity, may identify a greater proportion of patients with CUP potentially benefiting from comprehensive genomic profiling-informed treatment.

Phase II randomized trial of capecitabine with bevacizumab and external beam radiation therapy as preoperative treatment for patients with resectable locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma: long term results.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine is considered as a standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. The "Tratamiento de Tumores Digestivos" group (TTD) previously reported in a randomized Ph II study that the addition of Bevacizumab to capecitabine-RT conferred no differences in the pre-defined efficacy endpoint (pathological complete response). We present the follow-up results of progression-free survival, distant relapse-free survival, and overall survival data at 3 and 5 years. METHODS: Patients (pts) were randomized to receive 5 weeks of radiotherapy (45 Gy/25 fractions) with concurrent Capecitabine 825 mg/m2 twice daily, 5 days per week with (arm A) or without (arm b) bevacizumab (5 mg/kg once every 2 weeks). RESULTS: In our study, the addition of bevacizumab to capecitabine and radiotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting shows no differences in pathological complete response (15.9% vs 10.9%), distant relapse-free survival (81.0 vs 80.4 and 76.2% vs 78.2% at 3 and 5 years respectively), disease-free survival (75% vs 71.7 and 68.1% vs 69.57% at 3 and 5 years respectively) nor overall survival at 5-years of follow-up (81.8% vs 86.9%). CONCLUSIONS: the addition of bevacizumab to capecitabine plus radiotherapy does not confer statistically significant advantages neither in distant relapse-free survival nor in disease-free survival nor in Overall Survival in the short or long term. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT number: 2009-010192-24 . Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT01043484 .

Short-Course Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: To date, we do not know the best therapeutic scheme in locally advanced rectal cancer when patients are older or have comorbidities. METHODS: In 2009, we established a prospective treatment protocol that included short-course preoperative radiotherapy (RT) with standard surgery +/- chemotherapy in frail patients, mostly older than 80 years or with comorbidities. RESULTS: We included 87 patients; the mean follow-up was 43.5 months (0.66-106.3). Disease-specific survival and disease-free survival at 36 months were 86.3% and 82.8%; at 60 months, they were 78.2% and 78%, respectively, with a local recurrence rate of 2.5%. The rate of late radiotoxicity was 9% in the form of sacral insufficiency fracture and small bowel obstruction with one death. The interval before surgery varied according to the involvement of the mesorectal fascia, but it was less than 2 weeks in 45% of cases. The rate of R0 was 95%. Surgical complications included abdominal wound dehiscence (3.5%), anastomotic leak (2.4%), and reoperations (11.5%). Downstaging was observed in 51% of the cases, regardless of the interval before surgery. DISCUSSION: Therapeutic outcomes in our group of elderly patients and/or patients with comorbidities with neoadjuvant short-course RT are such as those of the general population treated with neoadjuvant RT-chemotherapy, all with acceptable toxicity. Therefore, this treatment scheme, with short-course preoperative RT, would be the most appropriate in this group of patients.

Effect of Aflibercept Plus Modified FOLFOX6 Induction Chemotherapy Before Standard Chemoradiotherapy and Surgery in Patients With High-Risk Rectal Adenocarcinoma: The GEMCAD 1402 Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Preclinical studies suggest that a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade may play a role in the preoperative treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma; however, how to combine anti-VEGF drugs with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and/or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of aflibercept plus modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) induction CT prior to standard CRT and total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery in patients with high-risk rectal adenocarcinoma. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In the Grupo Español Multidisciplinar En Cancer Digestivo (GEMCAD) 1402 phase 2 randomized clinical trial, 180 patients aged 18 to 75 years, identified by centrally reviewed magnetic resonance imaging to have mrT3c-d/T4/N2 rectal adenocarcinoma, were enrolled from 20 treatment centers in Spain between January 2015 and March 2017. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 treatment to control arm ratio. The primary end point was evaluated at 2 interim and 1 final analyses. The study was designed to perform hypothesis testing at α = .2 and ß = .2. A 2-sided P value of <.1984 in the final analysis of the intention-to-treat population was the threshold for considering the experimental treatment to be more effective than the control. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received neoadjuvant mFOLFOX6 with (arm A; n = 115) or without (arm B; n = 65) aflibercept, 4 mg/kg (every 2 weeks, 6 cycles, and 3 months) prior to standard CRT and TME surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was a pathologic complete response (pCR) (ypT0N0). Secondary end points included toxic effects, surgical morbidity, R0 resections, compliance, and 3-year disease-free survival. RESULTS: For the 115 patients who received treatment with mFOLFOX6 plus aflibercept, the median (range) age was 60 (32-75) years, 77 men (66.9%) and 38 women (33.0%). For the 65 patients who received induction CT treatment with only mFOLFOX6, the median (range) age was 65 (39-75) years, 39 men (60.0%) and 26 women (40.0%). The pCR rate in the intention-to-treat population was 22.6% (95% CI, 15.3%-31.3%) in arm A and 13.8% (95% CI, 6.5%-24.6%) in arm B (P = .15). The main differential toxic effect was grade 3/4 hypertension during the induction phase. Postoperative complications were similar in both arms (15.5% in arm A and 12.9% in arm B). A total of 106 patients (92.1%) in arm A and 63 (96.9%) in arm B received all treatment cycles. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The study met its primary end point. The findings suggest that adding aflibercept to an induction regimen using mFOLFOX6 plays a role in increasing the pCR rate in patients with high-risk rectal adenocarcinoma, without substantially increasing surgical complications. The GEMCAD 1402 trial provides a rationale for phase 3 trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02340949.

[2018 Consensus statement by the Spanish Society of Pathology and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of unknown primary]. / Consenso 2018 de la Sociedad Española de Anatomía Patológica y la Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de origen desconocido.

Cancer of unknown primary is defined as a heterogeneous group of tumours that present with metastasis, and in which attempts to identify the original site have failed. They differ from other primary tumours in their biological features and how they spread, which means they can be considered a separate entity. There are several hypotheses regarding their origin, but the most plausible explanation for their aggressiveness and chemoresistance seems to involve chromosomal instability. Depending on the type of study done, cancer of unknown primary can account for 2-9% of all cancer patients, mostly 60-75 years old. This article reviews the main clinical, pathological and molecular studies conducted to analyse and determine the origin of cancer of unknown primary. The main strategies for patient management and treatment, by both clinicians and pathologists, are also addressed.

Optimization of RAS/BRAF Mutational Analysis Confirms Improvement in Patient Selection for Clinical Benefit to Anti-EGFR Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), recent studies have shown the importance to accurately quantify low-abundance mutations of the RAS pathway because anti-EGFR therapy may depend on certain mutation thresholds. We aimed to evaluate the added predictive value of an extended RAS panel testing using two commercial assays and a highly sensitive and quantitative digital PCR (dPCR). Tumor samples from 583 mCRC patients treated with anti-EGFR- (n = 255) or bevacizumab- (n = 328) based therapies from several clinical trials and retrospective series from the TTD/RTICC Spanish network were analyzed by cobas, therascreen, and dPCR. We evaluated concordance between techniques using the Cohen kappa index. Response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were correlated to the mutational status and the mutant allele fraction (MAF). Concordance between techniques was high when analyzing RAS and BRAF (Cohen kappa index around 0.75). We observed an inverse correlation between MAF and response in the anti-EGFR cohort (P < 0.001). Likelihood ratio analysis showed that a fraction of 1% or higher of any mutated alleles offered the best predictive value. PFS and OS were significantly longer in RAS/BRAF wild-type patients, independently of the technique. However, the predictability of both PFS and OS were higher when we considered a threshold of 1% in the RAS scenario (HR = 1.53; CI 95%, 1.12-2.09 for PFS, and HR = 1.9; CI 95%, 1.33-2.72 for OS). Although the rate of mutations observed among techniques is different, RAS and BRAF mutational analysis improved prediction of response to anti-EGFR therapy. Additionally, dPCR with a threshold of 1% outperformed the other platforms. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(9); 1999-2007. ©2017 AACR.

First-line panitumumab plus FOLFOX4 or FOLFIRI in colorectal cancer with multiple or unresectable liver metastases: A randomised, phase II trial (PLANET-TTD).

BACKGROUND: In first-line wild-type (WT)-Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), panitumumab (Pmab) improves outcomes when added to FOLFOX [folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin] or FOLFIRI [folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan]. However no trial has directly compared these combinations. METHODS: Multicentre, open-label study in untreated patients ≥ 18 years with (WT)-KRAS mCRC and multiple or unresectable liver-limited disease (LLD) randomised to either Pmab-FOLFOX4 or Pmab-FOLFIRI. The primary end-point was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary end-points included liver metastases resection rate (R0 + R1), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), adverse events and perioperative safety. Exploratory end-points were: response by RAS status, early tumour shrinkage (ETS) and depth of response (DpR) in WT-RAS patients. RESULTS: Data on 77 patients were analysed (38 Pmab-FOLFOX4; 39 Pmab-FOLFIRI; WT-RAS: 27/26, respectively). ORR was 74% with Pmab-FOLFOX4 and 67% with Pmab-FOLFIRI (WT-RAS: 78%/73%). Out of the above, 45% and 59% underwent surgical resection, respectively (WT-RAS: 37%/69%). The R0-R1 resection rate was 34%/46% (WT-RAS:26%/54%). Median PFS was 13/14 months (hazard ratio [HR] Pmab-FOLFIRI versus Pmab-FOLFOX4: 0.9; 95% confidence interval: [0.6-1.5]; WT-RAS:13/15; HR: 0.7 [0.4-1.3]). Median OS was 37/41 months (HR:1.0 [0.6-1.8]; WT-RAS: 39/49; HR:0.9 [0.4-1.9]). In WT-RAS patients with confirmed response, median DpR was 71%/66%, and 65%/77% of patients showed ETS ≥ 30%/ ≥ 20% at week 8, without significant differences between arms; these patients had longer median PFS and OS and higher resectability rates. Surgery was associated with longer survival. Perioperative and overall safety were similar, except for higher grade 3/4 neutropenia (40%/10%; p = 0.003) and neuropathy (13%/0%; p = 0.025) in the Pmab-FOLFOX4 arm. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with WT-KRAS mCRC and LLD, both first-line Pmab-FOLFOX4 and Pmab-FOLFIRI resulted in high ORR and ETS, allowing potentially curative resection. No significant differences in efficacy were observed between the two regimens. (clinicaltrials.gov:NCT00885885).

Capecitabine and irinotecan with bevacizumab 2-weekly for metastatic colorectal cancer: the phase II AVAXIRI study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal sequence of chemotherapeutic agents is not firmly established for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This phase II multi-centre study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of a standard capecitabine plus irinotecan (XELIRI) regimen with bevacizumab in previously untreated patients with mCRC. METHODS: Patients received intravenous irinotecan 175 mg/m(2) on day 1 and oral capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) (800 mg/m(2) for patients >65 years of age) twice daily on days 2-8, followed by a 1-week rest, and bevacizumab 5 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion on day 1 every 2 weeks. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included in the intention-to-treat and safety populations. Progression-free survival at 9 months was 61%. The overall response and disease control rates were 51% and 84%, respectively. Median progression-free and overall survival times were 11.9 and 24.8 months, respectively. 48 patients (62%) had at least one grade 3/4 adverse event, the most common being asthenia, diarrhoea and neutropenia. Quality of life varied little over the study period with mean visual analogue scale general health scores ranging from 71 to 76 over cycles 1-11. CONCLUSION: Our study found irinotecan and capecitabine administered fortnightly with bevacizumab in patients with mCRC to be an effective and tolerable regimen. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00875771. Trial registration date: 04/02/2009.

A randomized phase II study of capecitabine-based chemoradiation with or without bevacizumab in resectable locally advanced rectal cancer: clinical and biological features.

BACKGROUND: Perioperatory chemoradiotherapy (CRT) improves local control and survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the addition of bevacizumab (BEV) to preoperative capecitabine (CAP)-based CRT in LARC, and to explore biomarkers for downstaging. METHODS: Patients (pts) were randomized to receive 5 weeks of radiotherapy 45 Gy/25 fractions with concurrent CAP 825 mg/m(2) twice daily 5 days per week and BEV 5 mg/kg once every 2 weeks (3 doses) (arm A), or the same schedule without BEV (arm B). The primary end point was pathologic complete response (ypCR: ypT0N0). RESULTS: Ninety pts were included in arm A (44) or arm B (46). Grade 3-4 treatment-related toxicity rates were 16% and 13%, respectively. All patients but one (arm A) proceeded to surgery. The ypCR rate was 16% in arm A and 11% in arm B (p =0.54). Fifty-nine percent vs 39% of pts achieved T-downstaging (arm A vs arm B; p =0.04). Serial samples for biomarker analyses were obtained for 50 out of 90 randomized pts (arm A/B: 22/28). Plasma angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) levels decreased in arm A and increased in arm B (p <0.05 at all time points). Decrease in Ang-2 levels from baseline to day 57 was significantly associated with tumor downstaging (p =0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of BEV to CAP-based preoperative CRT has shown to be feasible in LARC. The association between decreasing Ang-2 levels and tumor downstaging should be further validated in customized studies. TRIAL REGISTRY: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01043484. Trial registration date: 12/30/2009.