Early Stage and Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treatment from Present to Future: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?

OPINION STATEMENT: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare malignancy, endemic in China, that is commonly diagnosed in locally advanced scenarios. Its pathogenesis is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), an infection for which measuring EBV plasma DNA levels has helped as a prognostic factor guiding treatment options, including a stronger treatment in those with high titers. Additionally, tobacco and alcohol are often implicated in EBV-negative patients. The local disease is treated with radiotherapy alone, preferentially intensity modulated radiotherapy. For locally advanced disease, the backbone treatment is concurrent chemoradiotherapy with the ongoing research dilemma being adding adjuvant chemotherapy or induction chemotherapy. The ongoing research is focused not only on identifying patients that will benefit from adjuvant or induction chemotherapy, but also on identifying the best chemotherapeutic regimen, regimen alternatives to diminish toxicity, the role that immune checkpoint inhibitors play, and the use of molecularly guided treatment targeting patients with NPC whether driven by EBV or tobacco and alcohol. Knowing the precise oncogenesis of NPC not only offers a better understanding of the role that EBV plays in this tumor but also helps create targeted therapies that could potentially block important pathways such as the NF-κB pathway. Much is yet to be done, but the prognosis and management of NPC patients have changed drastically, offering precise treatment methods and excellent control of the disease, even in locally advanced scenarios.

Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treatment from Present to Future: Where Are We and Where Are We Heading?

OPINION STATEMENT: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is distinct in its anatomic location and biology from other epithelial head and neck cancer (HNC). There are 3 WHO subtypes, which considers the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and other histopathology features. Despite the survival benefit obtained from modern treatment modalities and techniques specifically in the local and locally advanced setting, a number of patients with this disease will recur and subsequently die of distant metastasis, locoregional relapse, or both. In the recurrent setting, the ideal therapy approach continues to be a topic of discussion and current recommendations are platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Phase III clinical trials which led to the approval of pembrolizumab or nivolumab for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) specifically excluded NPC. No immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, to date, has been approved by the FDA to treat NPC although the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommendations do include use of these agents. Hence, this remains the major challenge for treatment options. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is challenging as it is really 3 different diseases, and much research is required to determine best options and sequencing of those options. This article is going to address the data to date and discuss ongoing research in EBV + and EBV - inoperable recurrent/metastatic NPC patients.

Phase I study of nab-paclitaxel-based induction followed by nab-paclitaxel-based concurrent chemotherapy and re-irradiation in previously treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with poor overall survival (OS). Prior studies suggested incorporation of nab-paclitaxel (A) may improve outcomes in recurrent HNSCC. METHODS: This Phase I study evaluated induction with carboplatin and A followed by concomitant FHX (infusional 5-fluorouracil, hydroxyurea and twice-daily radiation therapy administered every other week) plus A with cohort dose escalation ranging from 10-100 mg/m2 in recurrent HNSCC. The primary endpoint was maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of A when given in combination with FHX (AFHX). RESULTS: Forty-eight eligible pts started induction; 28 pts started AFHX and were evaluable for toxicity. Two DLTs occurred (both Grade 4 mucositis) at a dose level 20 mg/m2. No further DLTs were observed with subsequent dose escalation. The MTD and recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) of A was 100 mg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: In this Phase I study, the RP2D of A with FHX is 100 mg/m2 (AFHX). The role of re-irradiation with immunotherapy warrants further investigation. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: This clinical trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01847326.

BETA PRIME: Phase I study of AdAPT-001 as monotherapy and combined with a checkpoint inhibitor in superficially accessible, treatment-refractory solid tumors.

AdAPT-001 is an investigational therapy consisting of a replicative type 5 adenovirus armed with a TGF-ß receptor-immunoglobulin Fc fusion trap, designed to neutralize isoforms 1 and 3 of the profibrotic and immunosuppressive cytokine, TGF-ß. In preclinical studies with an immunocompetent mouse model, AdAPT-001 eradicated directly treated 'cold' tumors as well as distant untreated tumors, and, from its induction of systemic CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity, protected the mice from rechallenge with tumor cells. AdAPT-001 also sensitized resistant tumors to checkpoint blockade. This manuscript describes the rationale and design of the first-in-human phase I, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study of AdAPT-001 alone and in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor in adults with treatment-refractory superficially accessible solid tumors.

The purpose of this study is to find out more about the experimental oncolytic virus called AdAPT-001 that has been designed to selectively eliminate cancer cells. The virus is also designed to make a particular protein called a TGF-ß trap, which neutralizes TGF-ß, an overproduced chemical in cancer cells that puts the immune system into a comatose state. This article discusses a clinical trial called BETA PRIME for patients with no other standard treatment options. The trial will explore different doses of AdAPT-001 both alone and in combination with an approved checkpoint inhibitor or another immunotherapy, which blocks the 'off' signal on immune cells, to determine the safest and best dose. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04673942 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Myocarditis with Myositis/Myasthenia Gravis Overlap Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Cases.

BACKGROUND: The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancers. Despite showing remarkable efficacy, these agents can be associated with life-threatening immune-related adverse events. In recent years, several cases of myocarditis with myositis and/or myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome (IM3OS) have been reported. However, given the rarity, the clinical features and outcomes of these cases remain poorly understood. We, therefore, attempted to systematically review and summarize all cases of IM3OS reported in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies reporting IM3OS were identified in Embase and MEDLINE. Only case reports and case series published in journals or presented at conferences were included. We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA Harms guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 60 cases were eligible. The patients' median age was 71 years, and the majority (67%) were males; melanoma was the most common indication for ICIs (38%). The most-reported symptoms were fatigue (80%) and muscle weakness (78%). The median number of doses to the development of IM3OS was one. The average creatine kinase level was 9,645 IU/L. Cardiac arrhythmias occurred in 67% of patients, and 18% had depressed ejection fraction. Initial treatment consisted of immunosuppression with high-dose steroids and supportive therapies. Sixty percent of the patients died in hospital because of acute complications. CONCLUSION: IM3OS can be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Prospective studies are needed to understand the optimal approach to diagnose and manage these patients and to develop biomarkers to predict the occurrence and severity of this rare but serious condition. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinicians should suspect coexisting myositis and/or myasthenia gravis in all patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis, given their propensity to occur together. Early recognition and prompt treatment with the help of a multidisciplinary team might help improve the outcomes of this life-threatening condition.

Neoadjuvant Treatment for Locally Invasive Esophageal Cancer.

Locally advanced esophageal carcinoma has a poor prognosis, and epidemiologic trends show that more patients are being diagnosed with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma and with adenocarcinoma histology. This prompts a review and evaluation of the field regarding standard of care treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma, both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. We review the evidence showing the moderate benefit of neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy compared to perioperative chemotherapy plus esophagectomy in patients who are good operative candidates. Also, we summarize the emerging clinical trial landscape in the perioperative setting primarily seeking to apply targeted therapies against HER2 (trastuzumab or pertuzumab) or immune checkpoint inhibitors against programmed death 1 (PD-1; pembrolizumab and nivolumab) or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1; durvalumab). Understanding the foundations that have determined the current standard of care for patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma will aid in interpreting the clinical trial results that will soon appear with the novel treatment strategies.

BETA prime: a first-in-man phase 1 study of AdAPT-001, an armed oncolytic adenovirus for solid tumors.

AdAPT-001 is an oncolytic adenovirus (OAV) with a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) trap, which neutralizes the immunosuppressive and profibrotic cytokine, TGF-ß. The aim or purpose of this phase 1 study was to assess the safety and tolerability and, secondarily, the efficacy of AdAPT-001 after single intratumoral injection (IT) (Part 1) and multidose IT injection (Part 2) in patients with superficially accessible, advanced refractory solid tumors. Part 1 enrolled 9 patients with a 3 + 3 single dose-escalation safety run-in involving 2.5 × 1011, 5.0 × 1011, 1.0 × 1012 viral particles (vps). No dose-limiting toxicities or treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs) were seen. In Part 2, a dose-expansion phase, 19 patients received AdAPT-001 at 1.0 × 1012 vps until disease progression according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors or RECIST 1.1. The overall responses to treatment included confirmed partial responses (3), durable stable disease ≥ 6 months (5), and progressive disease (13). AdAPT-001 is well tolerated. Evidence of an anti-tumor effect was seen in both injected and uninjected lesions. The recommended Phase 2 dose was 1.0 × 1012 vp administered by intratumoral injection once every 2 weeks. Combination of AdAPT-001 with a checkpoint inhibition is enrolling.

Targeted agents in non-small cell lung cancer therapy: What is there on the horizon?

Lung cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases. There has been much research in lung cancer over the past decade which has advanced our ability to treat these patients with a more personalized approach. The scope of this paper is to review the literature and give a broad understanding of the current molecular targets for which we currently have therapies as well as other targets for which we may soon have therapies. Additionally, we will cover some of the issues of resistance with these targeted therapies. The molecular targets we intend to discuss are epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma kinase (ALK), KRAS, C-MET/RON, PIK3CA. ROS-1, RET Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR). Ephrins and their receptors, BRAF, and immunotherapies/vaccines. This manuscript only summarizes the work which has been done to date and in no way is meant to be comprehensive.

O-6-methylguanine-deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferase methylation enhances response to temozolomide treatment in esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: World-wide, esophageal cancer is a growing epidemic and patients frequently present with advanced disease that is surgically inoperable. Hence, chemotherapy is the predominate treatment. Cytotoxic platinum compounds are mostly used, but their efficacy is only moderate. Newer alkylating agents have shown promise in other tumor types, but little is known about their utility in esophageal cancer. METHODS: We utilized archived human esophageal cancer samples and esophageal cancer cell lines to evaluate O-6-methylguanine-deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferase (MGMT) hypermethylation status and determined sensitivity to the alkylating drug temozolomide (TMZ). Immunoblot analysis was performed to determine MGMT protein expression in cell lines. To assess and confirm the effect of TMZ treatment in a methylated esophageal cancer cell line in vivo, a mouse flank xenograft tumor model was utilized. RESULTS: Nearly 71% (12/17) of adenocarcinoma and 38% (3/8) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patient samples were MGMT hypermethylated. Out of four adenocarcinoma and nine SCC cell lines tested, one of each histology was hypermethylated. Immunoblot analyses confirmed that hypermethylated cell lines did not express the MGMT protein. In vitro cell viability assays showed the methylated Kyse-140 and FLO cells to be sensitive to TMZ at an IC50 of 52-420 µM, whereas unmethylated cells Kyse-410 and SKGT-4 did not respond. In an in vivo xenograft tumor model with Kyse-140 cells, which are MGMT hypermethylated, TMZ treatment abrogated tumor growth by more than 60%. CONCLUSION: MGMT methylation may be an important biomarker in subsets of esophageal cancers and targeting by TMZ may be utilized to successfully treat these patients.

Building Team Medicine in the Management of CNS Metastases.

CNS metastases are often terminal for cancer patients and occur at an approximately 10-fold higher rate than primary CNS tumors. The incidence of these tumors is approximately 70,000-400,000 cases annually in the US. Advances that have occurred over the past two decades have led to more personalized treatment approaches. Newer surgical and radiation techniques, as well as targeted and immune therapies, have enanled patient to live longer, thus increasing the risk for the development of CNS, brain, and leptomeningeal metastases (BM and LM). Patients who develop CNS metastases have often been heavily treated, and options for future treatment could best be addressed by multidisciplinary teams. Studies have indicated that patients with brain metastases have improved survival outcomes when cared for in high-volume academic institutions using multidisciplinary teams. This manuscript discusses a multidisciplinary approach for both parenchymal brain metastases as well as leptomeningeal metastases implemented in three academic institutions. Additionally, with the increasing development of healthcare systems, we discuss optimizing the management of CNS metastases across healthcare systems and integrating basic and translational science into our clinical care to further improve outcomes. This paper summarizes the existing therapeutic approaches to the treatment of BM and LM and discusses novel and emerging approaches to optimizing access to neuro-oncologic care while simultaneously integrating multidisciplinary teams in the care of patients with BM and LM.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for multisite extracranial oligometastases: final report of a dose escalation trial in patients with 1 to 5 sites of metastatic disease.

BACKGROUND: A subset of patients with metastatic cancer in limited organs may benefit from metastasis-directed therapy. The authors investigated whether patients with limited metastases could be safely treated with metastasis-directed radiotherapy. METHODS: Patients with 1 to 5 metastatic cancer sites with a life expectancy of >3 months received escalating stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) doses to all known cancer sites. Patients were followed radiographically with CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis and metabolically with fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography, 1 month after treatment, and then every 3 months. Acute toxicities were scored using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0, and late toxicities were scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group late toxicity scoring system. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients with 113 metastases were enrolled from November 2004 to November 2009 on a prospective radiation dose escalation study. Median follow-up was 20.9 months. Patients tolerated treatment well; the maximal tolerated dose was not reached in any cohort. Eleven patients (18.3%) have not progressed. One and 2-year progression-free survival are 33.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.8-46.1) and 22.0% (95% CI, 12.8-34.4); 1-year and 2-year overall survival are 81.5% (95% CI, 71.1-91.1) and 56.7% (95% CI, 43.9-68.9). Seventy-two percent of patients whose tumors progressed did so in limited (1-3) metastatic sites. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with 1 to 5 metastases can be safely treated to multiple body sites and may benefit from SBRT. Further investigation should focus on patient selection.

Prolonged response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy in two metastatic mucoepidermoid salivary gland carcinoma cases: a research report.

Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are heterogeneous tumors that range from benign masses to aggressive high-grade carcinomas with distant metastatic potential and limited response to chemotherapy. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) accounts for 10% of SGTs and has a poor prognosis. In this research report, we describe two cases of metastatic high-grade MECs with prolonged response to immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab. Case 1 presented with a left neck mass, and biopsy of the parotid mass revealed MEC. The patient underwent surgical resection and adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for stage IVB disease. Post-treatment, she was found to have brain and spinal metastases and was placed on pembrolizumab. Case 2 presented with a left neck mass, and biopsy of the right parotid gland revealed MEC. Further staging demonstrated metastatic disease in the lungs, and he was placed on pembrolizumab. Both cases of MEC demonstrated prolonged extracranial responses to pembrolizumab. Although both cases reported little to no PD-L1 expression, these results demonstrate immunotherapy efficacy in advanced/metastatic MEC.

Prior chemoradiotherapy adversely impacts outcomes of recurrent and second primary head and neck cancer treated with concurrent chemotherapy and reirradiation.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that concomitant chemotherapy (C) with reirradiation (ReRT) is feasible and effective for select patients with recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer (HNC). To examine potential prognostic factors associated with survival, the authors of this report retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients who received CReRT. METHODS: The study cohort comprised previously irradiated patients with nonmetastatic disease from 9 consecutive phase 1 and 2 protocols for poor-prognosis HNC. For all patients, reirradiation (ReRT) was delivered with concurrent chemotherapy. Chemotherapy generally was 5-fluorouracil, hydroxyurea, and a third agent. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-six patients were identified, including 81 patients who underwent surgical resection or debulking before enrollment. The median ReRT dose was 66 gray. After a median follow-up of 53 months among surviving patients, the median overall survival (OS) was 10.3 months. The 2-year rates for OS, disease-free survival, locoregional control, and freedom from distant metastasis were 24.8%, 19.9%, 50.7%, and 61.4%, respectively. Thirty-three patients (19.9%) died of treatment-related toxicity. In subgroup analysis, survival was significantly reduced in patients who received previous concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) compared with patients who were naive to CRT (2-year OS rate, 10.8% vs 28.4%; P = .0043). In multivariable analysis, prior CRT was associated independently with OS along with surgery before protocol treatment, full-dose ReRT, and radiotherapy interval. CONCLUSIONS: CReRT achieved a long-term cure for a small group of patients with recurrent or second primary HNC. Previous treatment with CRT was among the important prognostic factors for survival. Because of the associated risk of severe toxicity, CReRT should be limited only to carefully selected patients.

Histologic Transformation in EGFR-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinomas: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications.

With the advent of potent EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the treatment landscape of EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinomas has changed drastically in recent years. However, the development of resistance to EGFR TKIs remains a critical barrier to improving survival in these patients. Histologic transformations to small cell lung carcinoma, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the sarcomatoid phenotype have been increasingly recognized as important mechanisms of resistance. In this article, we summarize the known biological bases for such phenotypic switches in regard to EGFR TKIs and describe novel pathways that might be harnessed to develop effective novel therapies for patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancers.

The Role of Immunotherapy to Overcome Resistance in Viral-Associated Head and Neck Cancer.

A subset of head and neck cancers arising in the oropharynx and the nasopharynx are associated with human papillomavirus or Epstein-Barr virus. Unfortunately, limited treatment options exist once patients develop recurrent or metastatic disease in these cancers. Interest has risen in utilizing novel strategies including combination immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, and adoptive cellular therapy, to improve treatment response and outcomes. Several ongoing studies are investigating the potential to overcome resistance to standard of care chemoradiation therapy with monotherapy or combination immunotherapy strategies in these viral-associated head and neck cancers.

The Impact of Beta Blockers on Survival Outcomes in Patients With Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Beta blockers have been associated with anti-tumorigenic effects, potentially by reducing adrenergic-mediated stress responses. Preclinical studies have additionally shown that beta blockade may enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. We investigated patients with lung cancer who concomitantly used beta blockers and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), with the hypothesis that beta blockade would positively impact clinical outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the health records of 109 patients who were treated at Northwestern University from January 2014 through August 2018 with ICIs for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Comparisons of overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) were performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test, and a univariate regression analysis was performed with a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among 109 patients treated with ICIs for NSCLC, 28 of them were concomitantly prescribed beta blockers. Use of beta blockers was associated with increased PFS, with a hazard ratio of 0.58 and 95% confidence interval of 0.36 to 0.93. There was not a significant increase in overall survival among patients who took beta blockers (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-1.17). In a regression model, beta blockers were identified as predictive of PFS, as were non-squamous histology, tumor programmed death-ligand 1 positivity, and lower line of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests beta blocker use may be associated with improved PFS among patients treated with ICIs for NSCLC. This was a small study, and these findings should be further validated in prospective clinical studies.

Survivorship support in head and neck cancer: American Head and Neck Society survey.

BACKGROUND: The value of supporting cancer survivors beyond formal treatment has become increasingly recognized among clinicians who care for patients with head and neck cancer. METHODS: A survey was developed by the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) Survivorship Committee and distributed to members of the AHNS electronically. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 1403 AHNS members, with 202 responses (14.4%). Among survivorship topics, respondents were most likely to address detection of recurrence/second primary malignancies (97.5%), dysphagia (93.1%), and thyroid function (90.1%) with their patients; they were least likely to address sleep disturbance/apnea (27.7%) and body and self-image issues (29.7%.) Less than half provide patients with a written treatment summary (43.1%) or follow-up care plan (36.9%). CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need for improved survivorship care planning and offer an opportunity for the development of educational and survivorship research in head and neck cancer care.

Acquired Resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade in Lung Cancer: Mechanisms and Patterns of Failure.

Immunotherapy is now the preferred treatment for most lung cancer patients. It is used to treat unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer and is the first-line therapy for non-oncogene-driven advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer patients (either alone or in combination with chemotherapy). Unfortunately, most patients that respond initially to immunotherapy develop resistance over time, thus limiting the durability of immunotherapy. A better understanding of the mechanisms of acquired resistance is urgently needed to expand the benefit of immunotherapy in lung cancer patients. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms and clinical outcomes of acquired resistance of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

The potential predictive value of cyclooxygenase-2 expression and increased risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with erlotinib and celecoxib.

PURPOSE: Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, potentiates antitumor effects of erlotinib in preclinical studies, and COX-2 is frequently expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With these observations, we designed a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of erlotinib plus celecoxib in advanced NSCLC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Previously treated stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients were given celecoxib at 400 mg orally twice daily and erlotinib at 150 mg orally daily until disease progression. Planned accrual was 40 patients. Tissue was collected for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) analysis and COX-2 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were enrolled (17 men, 9 women; median age, 66 years). Eighteen and 21 patients had tissue available for EGFR analysis and COX-2 immunohistochemistry, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 2.0 and 9.2 months, respectively. Eleven of 21 patients tested had increased tumor COX-2 expression, which was strongly associated with prolonged PFS (P=0.048). Four patients on anticoagulation or with a history of peptic ulcer disease had grade 3/grade 4 upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), prompting early study closure. Three patients with GIB had endoscopy that found peptic ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of erlotinib and celecoxib does not seem superior to erlotinib alone in unselected patients. However, longer PFS with high-tumor COX-2 expression suggests that trials of EGFR and COX-2 inhibitors may be warranted in this patient subset. GIB observed in our trial supports excluding patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease or those requiring therapeutic anticoagulation from future EGFR and COX-2 inhibitor studies.

Complexity of Delivering Precision Medicine: Opportunities and Challenges.

Precision medicine has emerged as a tool to match patients with the appropriate treatment based on the precise molecular features of an individual patient's tumor. Although examples of targeted therapies exist resulting in dramatic improvements in patient outcomes, comprehensive genomic profiling of tumors has also demonstrated the incredible complexity of molecular alterations in tissue and blood. These sequencing methods provide opportunities to study the landscape of tumors at baseline and serially in response to treatment. These tools also serve as important biomarkers to detect resistance to treatment and determine higher likelihood of responding to particular treatments, such as immune checkpoint blockade. Federally funded and publicly available data repositories have emerged as mechanisms for data sharing. In addition, novel clinical trials are emerging to develop new ways of incorporating molecular matched therapy into clinical trials. Various challenges to delivery of precision oncology include understanding the complexity of advanced tumors based on evolving "omics" and treatment resistance. For physicians, determining when and how to incorporate genetic and molecular tools into clinic in a cost-effective manner is critical. Finally, we discuss the importance of well-designed prospective clinical trials, biomarkers such as liquid biopsies, the use of multidisciplinary tumor boards, and data sharing as evidence-based medicine tools to optimally study and deliver precision oncology to our patients.