TAS-102, Irinotecan, and bevacizumab in pre-treated metastatic colorectal cancer (TABAsCO), a phase II clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of FOLFIRI plus an antiangiogenesis biologic agent as 2nd line therapy for metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma is limited. TAS-102 is a novel oral antimetabolite with a distinct mechanism of action from fluoropyrimidines. We evaluated the antitumour efficacy of TAS-102, irinotecan and bevacizumab in patients with pre-treated, advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma in a multicenter, phase II, single-arm study. METHODS: Patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma who had progressed after oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine and were eligible for treatment with bevacizumab were treated with irinotecan, bevacizumab, and TAS-102 in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: We enrolled 35 evaluable patients. The study was positive. The median PFS was 7.9 (90% CI 6.2-11.8) months (vs. 6 months in historical control, p = 0.018). The median overall survival was 16.5 (90% CI 9.8-17.5) months. Sixty-seven per cent of patients experienced grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events. The most common toxicities were hematological (neutropenia) and gastrointestinal (diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting). CONCLUSIONS: Irinotecan, TAS-102 and bevacizumab is an active 2nd line therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. Neutropenia is common and can affect dose density/intensity mandating use of G-CSF. A randomized study versus standard-of-care therapy is warranted. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04109924.

Models using comprehensive, lesion-level, longitudinal [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET-derived features lead to superior outcome prediction in neuroendocrine tumor patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE.

PURPOSE: Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) imaging features are predictive of treatment outcome for neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients receiving peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). However, comprehensive (all metastatic lesions), longitudinal (temporal variation), and lesion-level measured features have never been explored. Such features allow for capturing the heterogeneity in disease response to treatment. Furthermore, models combining these features are lacking. In this work we evaluated the predictive power of comprehensive, longitudinal, lesion-level 68GA-SSTR-PET features combined with a multivariate linear regression (MLR) model. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled NET patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and imaged with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE at baseline and post-therapy. All lesions were segmented, anatomically labeled, and longitudinally matched. Lesion-level uptake and variation in uptake were measured. Patient-level features were engineered and selected for modeling of progression-free survival (PFS). The model was validated via concordance index, patient classification (ROC analysis), and survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards). The MLR was benchmarked against single feature predictions. RESULTS: Thirty-six NET patients were enrolled and stratified into poor and good responders (PFS ≥ 25 months). Four patient-level features were selected, the MLR concordance index was 0.826, and the AUC was 0.88 (0.85 specificity, 0.81 sensitivity). Survival analysis led to significant patient stratification (p<.001) and hazard ratio (3⨯10-5). Lastly, in a benchmark study, the MLR modeling approach outperformed all the single feature predictors. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive, lesion-level, longitudinal 68GA-SSTR-PET analysis, combined with MLR modeling, leads to excellent predictions of PRRT outcome in NET patients, outperforming non-comprehensive, patient-level, and single time-point feature predictions. MESSAGE: Neuroendocrine tumor, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, Somatostatin Receptor Imaging, Outcome Prediction, Treatment Response Assessment.

COMPANION-002 A clinical trial of investigational drug CTX-009 plus paclitaxel vs paclitaxel in second line advanced BTC.

Treatment options for patients with biliary tract cancer are limited, and the prognosis is poor. CTX-009, a novel bispecific antibody targeting both DLL4 and VEGF-A, has demonstrated antitumor activity in patients with advanced cancers as both a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. In a phase II study of patients with advanced biliary tract cancer who had received one or two prior therapies, CTX-009 with paclitaxel demonstrated a 37.5% overall response rate (ORR). Described here is the design of and rationale for COMPANION-002, a randomized phase II/III study, which will evaluate the safety and efficacy of CTX-009 in combination with paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone as second-line treatment for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. The primary end point is ORR, and crossover is allowed.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05506943 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Looking for new options for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer? Explore COMPANION-002, Compass Therapeutics' phase II/III study of CTX-009 + paclitaxel as a second line treatment.#CMPX #biotech #healthcare #rarecancer.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Biliary Tract Cancers, Version 2.2023.

In 2023, the NCCN Guidelines for Hepatobiliary Cancers were divided into 2 separate guidelines: Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Biliary Tract Cancers. The NCCN Guidelines for Biliary Tract Cancers provide recommendations for the evaluation and comprehensive care of patients with gallbladder cancer, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The multidisciplinary panel of experts meets at least on an annual basis to review requests from internal and external entities as well as to evaluate new data on current and emerging therapies. These Guidelines Insights focus on some of the recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Biliary Tract Cancers as well as the newly published section on principles of molecular testing.

A multicenter, phase Ib/II, open-label study of tivozanib with durvalumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (DEDUCTIVE).

Durvalumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor, is part of an immunotherapeutic drug class shown to have prolonged survival benefit in patients with advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tivozanib is a potent and selective VEGFR 1, 2 and 3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor. While these medications have both demonstrated single-agent activity in HCC and have been combined safely with other therapies, there is no data on their concurrent therapeutic effects. In the phase Ib DEDUCTIVE trial, the combination of tivozanib plus durvalumab is evaluated for safety and tolerability. Here, the design of and rationale for this trial in both treatment naive patients and those who progress on atezolizumab and bevacizumab for advanced or metastatic HCC are described. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03970616.

A phase I study of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors.

In this phase I, dose-escalation study, we sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase/c-ROS oncogene 1 receptor (ALK/ROS1) inhibitor ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. Secondary objectives were characterization of the safety profile, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of these combinations, and identification of potential biomarkers of efficacy. Ceritinib was combined with gemcitabine (Arm 1), gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (Arm 2) or gemcitabine/cisplatin (Arm 3). Drug concentrations in plasma were measured by tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS). We analyzed archival tumor tissue for ALK, ROS1, hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) expression by immunohistochemistry. Arm 2 closed early secondary to toxicity. Twenty-one patients were evaluable for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). There was one DLT in Arm 1 (grade 3 ALT increase) and three DLTs in Arm 3 (grade 3 acute renal failure, grade 3 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 dyspnea). The MTD of ceritinib was determined to be 600 mg (Arm 1) and 450 mg orally daily (Arm 3). Main toxicities were hematologic, constitutional and gastrointestinal as expected by the chemotherapy backbone. The apparent clearance for ceritinib decreased substantially after repeated dosing; cisplatin did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of ceritinib. The overall response rate was 20%; the median progression-free survival was 4.8 months. Three out of five response-evaluable cholangiocarcinoma patients had clinical benefit. Increased expression of c-MET was associated with a lack of clinical benefit. Ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine and gemcitabine/cisplatin has a manageable toxicity profile. Further development of this strategy in tumors with ALK or ROS1 fusions is warranted.

Targeting the NTRK Fusion Gene in Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC) is a rare pancreatic exocrine malignancy. Compared with the more common pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), PACC is more common in younger White men, has earlier stages and a lower mean age (56 vs 70 years) at the time of presentation, and has a better prognosis. In addition to differences in demographic, histologic, and clinical characteristics, PACC has a genomic profile distinct from PDAC, with only rare mutations in TP53, KRAS, and p16 that are commonly found in PDAC. This case report presents a man aged 81 years who presented with a pancreatic body mass with peripancreatic lymph node enlargement. Biopsy of the mass showed acinar cell carcinoma. The patient underwent upfront surgical resection, followed by one cycle of adjuvant gemcitabine, with stoppage of therapy due to poor tolerance. Lower-dose gemcitabine was reintroduced after disease progression 6 months later. Nab-paclitaxel was added to gemcitabine after 6 cycles because of a continued increase in the size of peripancreatic lymph nodes. Combination chemotherapy was stopped after 4 cycles because of further disease progression with new liver metastasis. Molecular testing showed the presence of an SEL1L-NTRK1 fusion. Targeted therapy was started with the oral neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) inhibitor larotrectinib at a dosage of 100 mg twice daily. At the time of writing, the patient has been on therapy for 13 months with an exceptional radiographic response and has not experienced any grade 3 adverse effects. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of an NTRK gene fusion in a patient with PACC. This case study highlights the significance of tumor molecular profiling in patients with pancreatic tumors, especially rare histologies.

Hepatobiliary Cancers, Version 2.2021, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

The NCCN Guidelines for Hepatobiliary Cancers focus on the screening, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), gallbladder cancer, and cancer of the bile ducts (intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma). Due to the multiple modalities that can be used to treat the disease and the complications that can arise from comorbid liver dysfunction, a multidisciplinary evaluation is essential for determining an optimal treatment strategy. A multidisciplinary team should include hepatologists, diagnostic radiologists, interventional radiologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and pathologists with hepatobiliary cancer expertise. In addition to surgery, transplant, and intra-arterial therapies, there have been great advances in the systemic treatment of HCC. Until recently, sorafenib was the only systemic therapy option for patients with advanced HCC. In 2020, the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab became the first regimen to show superior survival to sorafenib, gaining it FDA approval as a new frontline standard regimen for unresectable or metastatic HCC. This article discusses the NCCN Guidelines recommendations for HCC.

Multicenter phase 2 trial of nintedanib in advanced nonpancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND: Antiangiogenic-targeting agents have low response rates in patients with nonpancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Nintedanib is an oral antiangiogenic agent that has inhibitory effects on the fibroblast growth factor receptor, which is highly expressed in NETs. The authors hypothesized that nintedanib would be active in patients with nonpancreatic NETs. METHODS: Patients with advanced, grade 1 or 2, nonpancreatic NETs who were receiving a stable dose of somatostatin analogue were enrolled. Nintedanib was administered at a dose of 200 mg twice daily in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at 16 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were enrolled, and 30 were evaluable for the primary outcome. Most had radiographic disease progression within 12 months before enrollment. The 16-week PFS rate was 83%, and the median PFS and overall survival were 11.0 months and 32.7 months, respectively. Nintedanib was well tolerated and delayed deterioration in quality of life. The baseline serotonin level had a strong, positive correlation with activated but exhausted T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Nintedanib is active in nonpancreatic NETs. The immunosuppressive effect of serotonin should be targeted in future clinical trials.

A multicentre phase 1b/2 study of tivozanib in patients with advanced inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related death. It is a highly vascular tumour with multiple angiogenic factors, most importantly vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), involved in HCC progression. Tivozanib is an oral inhibitor of VEGFR-1/2/3 with promising activity against HCC in vivo. METHODS: We conducted a phase 1b/2 study of tivozanib in patients with advanced HCC. The safety, dosing, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary antineoplastic efficacy of tivozanib were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients received at least one dose of tivozanib. Using a 3+3 design, the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of tivozanib was determined to be 1 mg per os once daily, 21 days on-7 days off. The median progression-free and overall survival were 24 weeks and 9 months, respectively, for patients treated at RP2D. The overall response rate was 21%. Treatment was well tolerated. A significant decrease in soluble plasma VEGFR-2 was noted, assuring adequate target engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study did not proceed to stage 2, there was an early efficacy signal with a very favourable toxicity profile. A phase 1/2 trial of tivozanib in combination with durvalumab is currently underway. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01835223, registered on 15 April 2013.

Phase Ib Study of Enzalutamide with or Without Sorafenib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

LESSONS LEARNED: Androgen receptor as assessed by immunohistochemistry is expressed in a high proportion of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Enzalutamide at 160 mg orally daily is safe and tolerable in patients with advanced HCC but has no single-agent antitumor activity. Enzalutamide, a CYP3A4 inducer, at a standard dose of 160 mg reduces the exposure of sorafenib, a CYP3A4 substrate. Enzalutamide and sorafenib is safe and tolerable in patients with advanced HCC, but the addition of enzalutamide to sorafenib did not enhance the antitumor activity of sorafenib. BACKGROUND: Androgen receptor (AR) interference is deleterious to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preclinical models. METHODS: This is a multicenter, phase Ib study of enzalutamide ± sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC. In part 1, a 3 + 3 dose de-escalation design with expansion established the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of enzalutamide in patients in whom sorafenib treatment had failed. In part 2, a 3 + 3 dose escalation with expansion established the safety of enzalutamide with sorafenib in treatment-naive patients with HCC. Secondary objectives included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), pharmacokinetics (PK), and determination of AR expression by immunohistochemistry. A 7-day run-in with sorafenib alone in part 2 allowed assessment of the impact of enzalutamide on sorafenib pharmacokinetics. RESULTS: In part 1, 16 patients received enzalutamide 160 mg daily. No dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred; 1 patient required dose reduction. Responses were not observed; median PFS and OS were 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-3.6) and 7 (95% CI: 3.6 to not reached [NR]) months, respectively. In part 2, patients received sorafenib 400 mg daily (4) or twice a day (8) both with enzalutamide at the recommended phase II dose-no DLTs were observed. ORR was 10% (95% CI: 0.3-44.5), and median PFS and OS were 2.9 (95% CI: 1.6 to NR) and 6.7 (95% CI: 4.6 to NR) months, respectively. Enzalutamide reduced sorafenib exposure by 60%. Tumor AR expression did not associate with outcome. CONCLUSION: Enzalutamide is ineffective in HCC; further development is not supported by this study.

A Translational Hepatic Artery Infusion (HAI) Model for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Woodchucks.

BACKGROUND: Woodchucks (Marmota monax) are a well-accepted animal model for the investigation of spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As HCC tumors obtain nutrient blood supply exclusively from the hepatic artery, hepatic artery infusion (HAI) has been applied to HCC. However, there is a scarcity of experimental animal models to standardize drug regimens and examine novel agents. The purpose of this study was to establish an HAI model in woodchucks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HAI ports were placed in the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) of 11 woodchucks. The ports were infused with either a vehicle (dextrose 5% in water) or an experimental drug, CBL0137, once a week for 3 wk. Technical success rates, anatomical variation, morbidity and mortality, and tumor responses between groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The GDA access was feasible and reproducible in all woodchucks (11/11). The average operation time was 95 ± 20 min with no increase in the levels of liver enzymes detected from either infusate. The most common morbidity of CBL0137 therapy was anorexia after surgery. One woodchuck died due to hemorrhage at the gallbladder removal site from hepatic coagulopathy. Significantly higher CBL0137 concentrations were measured in the liver compared with blood after each HAI. Tumor growth was suppressed after multiple CBL0137 HAI treatments which corresponded to greater T cell infiltration and increased tumor cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: HAI via GDA was a feasible and reproducible approach with low morbidity and mortality in woodchucks. The described techniques serve as a reliable platform for the identification and characterization of therapeutics for HCC.

Woodchuck VEGF (wVEGF) characteristics: Model for angiogenesis and human hepatocellular carcinoma directed therapies.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulates angiogenesis. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a VEGF-driven tumor often associated with chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection. The woodchuck is a well-characterized model of hepatitis B virus related HCC and a valuable tool for translational studies of novel VEGF targeted agents. We cloned the cDNA encoding woodchuck VEGF (wVEGF), transiently expressed it in COS cells and functionally characterized the recombinant protein. The open reading frame of wVEGF contained 645 nucleotides encoding a protein of 214 amino acids. Two protein bands (17 and 25 kDa) were detected in conditioned media of wVEGF expressing COS-1 cells and a single band of 25 kDa was identified in cell lysates. Addition of recombinant wVEGF to COS cells enhanced cell proliferation and stimulated VEGFR2, Akt, ERK1/2, and FAK phosphorylation. Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibited wVEGF- induced VEGFR2 phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, development of HCC in woodchucks was accompanied by increased laminin and PECAM1 expressing vessels, VEGFR2 expression, increased ligation of VEGF to VEGFR2, and a decrease in collagen IV-positive blood vessels. Our results suggest that woodchuck model can be used further to study angiogenesis and the effect of VEGF directed therapies in human HCC.

Guidelines Insights: Hepatobiliary Cancers, Version 2.2019.

The NCCN Guidelines for Hepatobiliary Cancers provide treatment recommendations for cancers of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. The NCCN Hepatobiliary Cancers Panel meets at least annually to review comments from reviewers within their institutions, examine relevant new data from publications and abstracts, and reevaluate and update their recommendations. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel's discussion and updated recommendations regarding systemic therapy for first-line and subsequent-line treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

A phase 1, open-label, dose escalation study of intravenous paricalcitol in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Calcitriol, the active analogue of vitamin D, is antiproliferative and enhances the cytotoxicity of several anticancer agents, including gemcitabine. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in the tumor stroma and treatment with VDR ligands results in stromal remodeling and increased intratumoral gemcitabine delivery. Furthermore, calcitriol can decrease the activity of the gemcitabine deactivating enzyme cytidine deaminase (CDD). Because hypercalcemia has been the most worrisome calcitriol-related adverse event, the less hypercalcemic agent paricalcitol may be preferred for further investigation. METHODS: The authors undertook a phase 1 study of gemcitabine in combination with escalating doses of paricalcitol administered weekly intravenously in patients with advanced cancers. A standard 3+3 dose escalation schema was used. Pharmacokinetic assessment of gemcitabine and its metabolite 2',2'-difluorodeoxyuridine (dFdU) was performed. Pharmacodynamic assessment of paricalcitol was performed by measurement of CDD activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were enrolled. Somnolence was the main dose-limiting toxicity. The highest dose of paricalcitol administered was 10.5 µg/kg. Hypercalcemia was infrequent and mild in severity. Paricalcitol did not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and dFdU. Evaluation of CDD activity was available for 9 patients; no clear trend for CDD activity after treatment with paricalcitol was established. The overall response rate was 4%; the rate of disease control was 67% in patients who were pretreated with gemcitabine. Progression-free and overall survival were 3.4 months and 6.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Paricalcitol can be administered safely in doses up to 7 µg/kg weekly with fixed dose rate gemcitabine without dose-limiting hypercalcemia. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the maximum tolerated dose has not been formally established to date. Preliminary clinical activity deserves further exploration.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Hepatobiliary Cancers, Version 1.2017.

The NCCN Guidelines for Hepatobiliary Cancers provide treatment recommendations for cancers of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. The NCCN Hepatobiliary Cancers Panel meets at least annually to review comments from reviewers within their institutions, examine relevant new data from publications and abstracts, and reevaluate and update their recommendations. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel's discussion and most recent recommendations regarding locoregional therapy for treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recent advances in the management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: insights from the 2017 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are rare malignancies that originate in the gastrointestinal system. GEP-NETs are typically indolent, but tumors known as "functional" secrete hormones that can lead to a complex of symptoms, including flushing, diarrhea, bronchospasm, and valvular heart disease. Management of patients with GEP-NETs requires a multidisciplinary approach, as treatment modalities include surgery, radiology, and pharmacotherapy. The available pharmacologic agents have increased in recently, and now include cytotoxic chemotherapies, somatostatin analogues, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and radioisotopic radiotherapies. The optimal sequencing of treatments is unknown. Advances in the management of GEP-NETs have been based on the results of recently completed clinical trials that have shown improvement in disease outcome and symptom management. The amount of positive data that has emerged from these studies is unprecedented in the GEP-NETs field. At the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, several abstracts provided subanalyses of previous trials and new data for emerging treatments. Management will likely evolve as these therapies are incorporated into clinical care.

Octreotide and Lanreotide in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors are heterogeneous, rare malignancies that arise most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. They often secrete vasoactive substances resulting in carcinoid syndrome and the tumor cells exclusively express somatostatin receptors. Octreotide and lanreotide are the two synthetic somatostatin analogs used for the control of carcinoid symptoms and tumor progression in advanced inoperable disease. Recent pivotal trials (PROMID and CLARINET studies) established their antitumor activity. We discuss the available data to support their use as symptom controlling and antiproliferative agents. This article also reviews the guidelines (National Comprehensive Cancer Network and North American Neuro Endocrine Tumor Society), cost-analysis (suggesting the cost-effectiveness of lanreotide autogel compared to higher doses of octreotide long acting release formulation in refractory patients), and future directions of somatostatin analogs in the management of patients refractory to conventional doses of octreotide and lanreotide.

Molecular Targets in Biliary Carcinogenesis and Implications for Therapy.

UNLABELLED: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) encompass a group of invasive carcinomas, including cholangiocarcinoma (intrahepatic, perihilar, or extrahepatic), and gallbladder carcinoma. Approximately 90% of patients present with advanced, unresectable disease and have a poor prognosis. The latest recommendation is to treat advanced or metastatic disease with gemcitabine and cisplatin, although chemotherapy has recorded modest survival benefits. Comprehension of the molecular basis of biliary carcinogenesis has resulted in experimental trials of targeted therapies in BTCs, with promising results. This review addresses the emerging role of targeted therapy in the treatment of BTCs. Findings from preclinical studies were reviewed and correlated with the outcomes of clinical trials that were undertaken to translate the laboratory discoveries. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Biliary tract cancers are rare. Approximately 90% of patients present with advanced, unresectable disease and have a poor prognosis. Median overall and progression-free survival are 12 and 8 months, respectively. Because chemotherapy has recorded modest survival benefits, targeted therapies are being explored for personalized treatment of these cancers. A comprehensive review of targeted therapies in biliary tract cancers was undertaken to present emerging evidence from laboratory and/or molecular studies as they translate to clinical trials and outcomes. The latest evidence on this topic is presented to clinicians and practitioners to guide decisions on treatment of this disease.

Baseline serum albumin is a predictive biomarker for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with bevacizumab: a pooled analysis of 7 prospective trials of gemcitabine-based therapy with or without bevacizumab.

BACKGROUND: Phase 3 studies of bevacizumab in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APCA) demonstrated no improvement in outcome. To the authors' knowledge, no validated predictive biomarkers for bevacizumab exist, although emerging data suggest that subsets of patients with APCA may benefit from treatment with bevacizumab. The authors evaluated baseline serum albumin (b-alb) as a predictive biomarker in a pooled analysis from 7 prospective clinical trials of gemcitabine-based therapy with or without bevacizumab. METHODS: Data were collected from individual databases from 7 prospective clinical trials. Patients were grouped by exposure to bevacizumab and by b-alb level (≥ 3.4 g/L or < 3.4 g/dL). Overall survival (OS), time to disease progression (TTP), overall response rate, and disease control rate (overall response rate plus stable disease lasting ≥ 16 weeks) were compared between groups. Univariate and multivariable analyses of prognostic factors were performed. RESULTS: A total of 264 patients were included. The median age was 59 years (range, 31 years-85 years) and all patients had stage IV disease per TNM staging. Normal b-alb was associated with significantly improved median OS (10.2 months vs 4.1 months; P = .0001), median TTP (6.2 months vs 3.7 months; P = 0.0488), and disease control rate (71% vs 46%; P = .007) for patients receiving bevacizumab, but not for those treated without bevacizumab. Multivariable analysis revealed a significant influence of normal b-alb on OS (P = .0008) and TTP (P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with APCA with normal b-alb derive benefit from treatment with bevacizumab. Future prospective investigations of bevacizumab in patients with APCA should consider selecting patients with normal b-alb to maximize potential benefit.