Phase 3 Trial of Cabozantinib to Treat Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors are limited. The efficacy of cabozantinib in the treatment of previously treated, progressive extrapancreatic or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is unclear. METHODS: We enrolled two independent cohorts of patients - those with extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and those with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors - who had received peptide receptor radionuclide therapy or targeted therapy or both. Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive cabozantinib at a dose of 60 mg daily or placebo. The primary end point was progression-free survival as assessed by blinded independent central review. Key secondary end points included objective response, overall survival, and safety. RESULTS: In the cohort of 203 patients with extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, the median progression-free survival with cabozantinib was 8.4 months, as compared with 3.9 months with placebo (stratified hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25 to 0.59; P<0.001). In the cohort of 95 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, the median progression-free survival with cabozantinib was 13.8 months, as compared with 4.4 months with placebo (stratified hazard ratio, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.42; P<0.001). The incidence of confirmed objective response with cabozantinib was 5% and 19% among patients with extrapancreatic and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, respectively, as compared with 0% with placebo. Grade 3 or higher adverse events were noted in 62 to 65% of the patients treated with cabozantinib, as compared with 23 to 27% of the patients who received placebo. Common treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher included hypertension, fatigue, diarrhea, and thromboembolic events. CONCLUSIONS: Cabozantinib, as compared with placebo, significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with previously treated, progressive advanced extrapancreatic or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of cabozantinib. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others; CABINET ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03375320.).

177Lu-Dotatate plus long-acting octreotide versus high­dose long-acting octreotide in patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumours (NETTER-1): final overall survival and long-term safety results from an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: The primary analysis of the phase 3 NETTER-1 trial showed significant improvement in progression-free survival with 177Lu-Dotatate plus long-acting octreotide versus high-dose long-acting octreotide alone in patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumours. Here, we report the prespecified final analysis of overall survival and long-term safety results. METHODS: This open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial enrolled patients from 41 sites in eight countries across Europe and the USA. Patients were 18 years and older with locally advanced or metastatic, well differentiated, somatostatin receptor-positive midgut neuroendocrine tumours (Karnofsky performance status score ≥60) and disease progression on fixed-dose long-acting octreotide. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via an interactive web-based response system to intravenous 177Lu-Dotatate 7·4 GBq (200 mCi) every 8 weeks (four cycles) plus intramuscular long-acting octreotide 30 mg (177Lu-Dotatate group) or high-dose long-acting octreotide 60 mg every 4 weeks (control group). The primary endpoint of progression-free survival has been previously reported; here, we report the key secondary endpoint of overall survival in the intention-to-treat population. Final overall survival analysis was prespecified to occur either after 158 deaths or 5 years after the last patient was randomised, whichever occurred first. During long-term follow-up, adverse events of special interest were reported in the 177Lu-Dotatate group only. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01578239. FINDINGS: From Sept 6, 2012, to Jan 14, 2016, 231 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned for treatment. The prespecified final analysis occurred 5 years after the last patient was randomly assigned (when 142 deaths had occurred); median follow-up was 76·3 months (range 0·4-95·0) in the 177Lu-Dotatate group and 76·5 months (0·1-92·3) in the control group. The secondary endpoint of overall survival was not met: median overall survival was 48·0 months (95% CI 37·4-55·2) in the 177Lu-Dotatate group and 36·3 months (25·9-51·7) in the control group (HR 0·84 [95% CI 0·60-1·17]; two-sided p=0·30). During long-term follow-up, treatment-related serious adverse events of grade 3 or worse were recorded in three (3%) of 111 patients in the 177Lu-Dotatate group, but no new treatment-related serious adverse events were reported after the safety analysis cutoff. Two (2%) of 111 patients given 177Lu-Dotatate developed myelodysplastic syndrome, one of whom died 33 months after randomisation (this person was the only the only reported 177Lu-Dotatate treatment-related death). No new cases of myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukaemia were reported during long-term follow-up. INTERPRETATION: 177Lu-Dotatate treatment did not significantly improve median overall survival versus high-dose long-acting octreotide. Despite final overall survival not reaching statistical significance, the 11·7 month difference in median overall survival with 177Lu-Dotatate treatment versus high-dose long-acting octreotide alone might be considered clinically relevant. No new safety signals were reported during long-term follow-up. FUNDING: Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis company.

Initiation of Somatostatin analogues for neuroendocrine tumor patients: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are heterogeneous neoplasms. Although some have a relatively benign and indolent natural history, others can be aggressive and ultimately fatal. Somatostatin analogues (SSAs) improve both quality of life and survival for these patients once they develop metastatic disease. However, these drugs are costly and their cost-effectiveness is not known. METHODS: A decision-analytic model was developed and analyzed to compare two treatment strategies for patients with Stage IV GEP-NETs. The first strategy had all patients start SSA immediately while the second strategy waited, reserving SSA initiation until the patient showed signs of progression. Sensitivity analysis was performed to explore model parameter uncertainty. RESULTS: Our model of patients age 60 with metastatic GEP-NETs suggests empiric initiation of SSA led to an increase 0.62 unadjusted life-years and incremental increase in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of 0.44. The incremental costs were $388,966 per QALY and not cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000. Death was attributed to GEP-NETs for 94.1% of patients in the SSA arm vs. 94.9% of patients in the DELAY SSA arm. Sensitivity analysis found that the model was most sensitive to costs of SSAs. Using probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the SSA strategy was only cost-effective 1.4% of the time at a WTP threshold of $100,000 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Our modeling study finds it is not cost-effective to initiate SSAs at time of presentation for patients with metastatic GEP-NETs. Further clinical studies are needed to identify the optimal timing to initiate these drugs.

Phase 3 Trial of 177Lu-Dotatate for Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors who have had disease progression during first-line somatostatin analogue therapy have limited therapeutic options. This randomized, controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of lutetium-177 (177Lu)-Dotatate in patients with advanced, progressive, somatostatin-receptor-positive midgut neuroendocrine tumors. METHODS: We randomly assigned 229 patients who had well-differentiated, metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumors to receive either 177Lu-Dotatate (116 patients) at a dose of 7.4 GBq every 8 weeks (four intravenous infusions, plus best supportive care including octreotide long-acting repeatable [LAR] administered intramuscularly at a dose of 30 mg) (177Lu-Dotatate group) or octreotide LAR alone (113 patients) administered intramuscularly at a dose of 60 mg every 4 weeks (control group). The primary end point was progression-free survival. Secondary end points included the objective response rate, overall survival, safety, and the side-effect profile. The final analysis of overall survival will be conducted in the future as specified in the protocol; a prespecified interim analysis of overall survival was conducted and is reported here. RESULTS: At the data-cutoff date for the primary analysis, the estimated rate of progression-free survival at month 20 was 65.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.0 to 76.8) in the 177Lu-Dotatate group and 10.8% (95% CI, 3.5 to 23.0) in the control group. The response rate was 18% in the 177Lu-Dotatate group versus 3% in the control group (P<0.001). In the planned interim analysis of overall survival, 14 deaths occurred in the 177Lu-Dotatate group and 26 in the control group (P=0.004). Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia occurred in 1%, 2%, and 9%, respectively, of patients in the 177Lu-Dotatate group as compared with no patients in the control group, with no evidence of renal toxic effects during the observed time frame. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with 177Lu-Dotatate resulted in markedly longer progression-free survival and a significantly higher response rate than high-dose octreotide LAR among patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors. Preliminary evidence of an overall survival benefit was seen in an interim analysis; confirmation will be required in the planned final analysis. Clinically significant myelosuppression occurred in less than 10% of patients in the 177Lu-Dotatate group. (Funded by Advanced Accelerator Applications; NETTER-1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01578239 ; EudraCT number 2011-005049-11 .).

Impact of liver tumour burden, alkaline phosphatase elevation, and target lesion size on treatment outcomes with 177Lu-Dotatate: an analysis of the NETTER-1 study.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of baseline liver tumour burden, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) elevation, and target lesion size on treatment outcomes with 177Lu-Dotatate. METHODS: In the phase 3 NETTER-1 trial, patients with advanced, progressive midgut neuroendocrine tumours (NET) were randomised to 177Lu-Dotatate (every 8 weeks, four cycles) plus octreotide long-acting release (LAR) or to octreotide LAR 60 mg. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Analyses of PFS by baseline factors, including liver tumour burden, ALP elevation, and target lesion size, were performed using Kaplan-Meier estimates; hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95% CIs were estimated using Cox regression. RESULTS: Significantly prolonged median PFS occurred with 177Lu-Dotatate versus octreotide LAR 60 mg in patients with low (< 25%), moderate (25-50%), and high (> 50%) liver tumour burden (HR 0.187, 0.216, 0.145), and normal or elevated ALP (HR 0.153, 0.177), and in the presence or absence of a large target lesion (diameter > 30 mm; HR, 0.213, 0.063). Within the 177Lu-Dotatate arm, no significant difference in PFS was observed amongst patients with low/moderate/high liver tumour burden (P = 0.7225) or with normal/elevated baseline ALP (P = 0.3532), but absence of a large target lesion was associated with improved PFS (P = 0.0222). Grade 3 and 4 liver function abnormalities were rare and did not appear to be associated with high baseline liver tumour burden. CONCLUSIONS: 177Lu-Dotatate demonstrated significant prolongation in PFS versus high-dose octreotide LAR in patients with advanced, progressive midgut NET, regardless of baseline liver tumour burden, elevated ALP, or the presence of a large target lesion. Clinicaltrials.gov : NCT01578239, EudraCT: 2011-005049-11.

Prognostic value of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Accessible prognostic tools are needed to individualize treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Data suggest neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) have prognostic value in some solid tumors, including NETs. In the randomized double-blind CLARINET study (NCT00353496; EudraCT 2005-004904-35), the somatostatin analog lanreotide autogel/depot increased progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo in patients with inoperable or metastatic intestinal and pancreatic NETs (grades 1-2, Ki-67 < 10%). The exploratory post-hoc analyses presented here evaluated the prognostic value of NLR in the CLARINET study cohort, in the context of and independently from treatment. Kaplan-Meier PFS plots were generated for patients with available NLR data, in subgroups based on NLR values, and 24-month survival rates were calculated. P values and hazard ratios for prognostic effects were generated using Cox models. 31216222 Baseline characteristics were balanced between lanreotide autogel/depot 120 mg (n = 100) and placebo (n = 101) arms. Irrespective of treatment, raw 24-month PFS rates were comparable across subgroups based on NLR tertiles [37.3% (low), 38.8% (middle), 38.8% (high); n = 67 per group] and NLR cutoff of 4 [38.1% (NLR ≤ 4; n = 176), 40.0% (NLR > 4; n = 25)]. Furthermore, NLRs were not prognostic in Cox models, irrespective of subgroups used. The therapeutic effect of lanreotide autogel/depot 120 mg was independent of NLRs (P > 0.1). These exploratory post-hoc analyses in patients with advanced intestinal and pancreatic NETs contrast with previous data suggesting NLR has prognostic potential in NETs. This may reflect the inclusion of patients with lower-grade tumors or use of higher NLR cutoff values in the current analysis.

Effect of Lanreotide Depot/Autogel on Urinary 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid and Plasma Chromogranin A Biomarkers in Nonfunctional Metastatic Enteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) is an established biomarker in neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome; however, its role in nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors is not defined. We present post hoc data on urinary 5-HIAA and plasma chromogranin A (CgA) from the CLARINET study. METHODS: Patients with well- or moderately differentiated, nonfunctioning, locally advanced or metastatic enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors were randomized to deep subcutaneous lanreotide depot/autogel 120 mg or placebo once every 28 days for 96 weeks. Tumor response, evaluated centrally (RECIST 1.0), and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed by treatment and biochemical response, defined as (a) baseline >upper limit of normal (ULN, 41.6 µmol per day 5-HIAA; 98.1 µg/L CgA) and (b) ≥50% decrease from baseline and to ≤ULN value on study. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent (82 of 171; lanreotide, n = 45; placebo, n = 37) and 66% (129 of 195; lanreotide, n = 65; placebo, n = 64) of randomized patients had 5-HIAA and CgA > ULN at baseline. Among patients with >ULN baseline values who did not progress after 96 weeks of treatment, significantly greater reductions in 5-HIAA and CgA were observed in lanreotide-treated versus placebo-treated patients throughout the study (all p < .05). PFS was significantly prolonged among 5-HIAA responders versus nonresponders (median not reached vs. 16.2 months, p < .0001; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.48) and CgA responders versus nonresponders (median not reached vs. 16.2 months, p = .0070; HR = 0.30, 95% CI, 0.12-0.76), regardless of treatment arm. PFS was also significantly prolonged among lanreotide-treated 5-HIAA responders versus nonresponders (p = .0071) but was not significantly different among placebo-treated 5-HIAA responders versus nonresponders. There were no significant differences in PFS between lanreotide-treated CgA responders versus nonresponders or between placebo-treated CgA responders versus nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-HIAA findings are noteworthy because they occurred in patients with nonfunctioning enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Monitoring 5-HIAA and CgA may be useful when treating patients with nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Current guidelines focus only on the monitoring of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the diagnosis and management of functional neuroendocrine tumors with carcinoid syndrome. The current post hoc analysis of patients with nonfunctional enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in the CLARINET study demonstrated that measuring and following both 5-HIAA and chromogranin A as biomarkers of disease progression may be useful in the management of patients with nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors.

Systemic Treatment Options for Carcinoid Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoid syndrome symptoms significantly reduce quality of life in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Evidence supporting the use of somatostatin analogues in carcinoid syndrome symptom control dates back 30 years. The introduction of new treatment options for carcinoid syndrome, such as telotristat ethyl in 2017, highlights the need for a review of high-level evidence of new and established systemic treatments. OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of systemic treatment options for patients with carcinoid syndrome. METHOD: A systematic review of English language articles was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register using the search terms carcinoid syndrome, clinical trial, clinical study, and prospective study. Additional studies were identified by searching abstracts from oncology or neuroendocrine tumor congresses during the previous year. Prospective, interventional, phase II or III clinical trials or pivotal trials leading to drug approval were included. Studies were required to have >85% of patients with carcinoid syndrome; secondary publications were excluded. RESULTS: The search identified 233 unique records, of which 12 trials met the criteria for inclusion. Interventions assessed in these trials included short-acting and long-acting octreotide, lanreotide prolonged-release and autogel/depot, short-acting and long-acting pasireotide, telotristat ethyl, everolimus, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Somatostatin analogues provided substantial symptom relief for patients with carcinoid syndrome. For refractory symptoms, an increased dose of somatostatin analogue or addition of telotristat ethyl were valuable options. Interventions were generally well tolerated, with few serious treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: By critically evaluating high-level evidence in a rigorous manner, this review highlights the general lack of consensus regarding what defines symptom control in studies of carcinoid syndrome and the need for standardized treatment guidelines for this disease. More prospective trials of treatments for carcinoid syndrome are warranted to assist oncologists with optimizing treatment selection and sequencing in this patient population.

Everolimus in advanced, progressive, well-differentiated, non-functional neuroendocrine tumors: RADIANT-4 lung subgroup analysis.

In the phase III RADIANT-4 study, everolimus improved median progression-free survival (PFS) by 7.1 months in patients with advanced, progressive, well-differentiated (grade 1 or grade 2), non-functional lung or gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) vs placebo (hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.67; P < .00001). This exploratory analysis reports the outcomes of the subgroup of patients with lung NETs. In RADIANT-4, patients were randomized (2:1) to everolimus 10 mg/d or placebo, both with best supportive care. This is a post hoc analysis of the lung subgroup with PFS, by central radiology review, as the primary endpoint; secondary endpoints included objective response rate and safety measures. Ninety of the 302 patients enrolled in the study had primary lung NET (everolimus, n = 63; placebo, n = 27). Median PFS (95% CI) by central review was 9.2 (6.8-10.9) months in the everolimus arm vs 3.6 (1.9-5.1) months in the placebo arm (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.28-0.88). More patients who received everolimus (58%) experienced tumor shrinkage compared with placebo (13%). Most frequently reported (≥5% incidence) grade 3-4 drug-related adverse events (everolimus vs. placebo) included stomatitis (11% vs. 0%), hyperglycemia (10% vs. 0%), and any infections (8% vs. 0%). In patients with advanced, progressive, well-differentiated, non-functional lung NET, treatment with everolimus was associated with a median PFS improvement of 5.6 months, with a safety profile similar to that of the overall RADIANT-4 cohort. These results support the use of everolimus in patients with advanced, non-functional lung NET. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT01524783).

Patient-Reported Symptom Control of Diarrhea and Flushing in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors Treated with Lanreotide Depot/Autogel: Results from a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind and 32-Week Open-Label Study.

BACKGROUND: In the double-blind (DB) ELECT study, lanreotide depot/autogel significantly reduced versus placebo the need for short-acting octreotide for symptomatic carcinoid syndrome (CS) control in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients. Here we present patient-reported symptom data during DB and initial open-label (IOL) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adults with NETs and CS history, with/without prior somatostatin analog use, were randomized to 16 weeks' DB lanreotide 120 mg subcutaneous or placebo every 4 weeks, followed by 32 weeks' IOL lanreotide. Patients recorded diarrhea and/or flushing frequency and severity daily by Interactive Voice (Web) Response System for 1 month prior to randomization and throughout the study. RESULTS: Of 115 patients randomized (n = 59 lanreotide, n = 56 placebo), 56 lanreotide and 45 placebo patients enrolled in the IOL phase. During DB treatment, least square (LS) mean percentages of days with moderate/severe diarrhea and/or flushing were significantly lower for lanreotide (23.4%) versus placebo (35.8%; LS mean difference [95% confidence interval]: -12.4 [-20.73 to -4.07]; p = .004). For DB lanreotide patients, average daily composite (frequency × severity) diarrhea scores improved significantly between DB and IOL treatment (mean difference: -0.71 [-1.20 to -0.22]; p = .005), and remained stable for diarrhea and/or flushing. For DB placebo patients, composite scores for diarrhea, flushing, and diarrhea and/or flushing improved significantly between DB and IOL treatment (mean differences: -1.07 [-1.65 to -0.49]; -1.06 [-1.93 to -0.19]; and -2.13 [-3.35 to -0.91]; all p ≤ .018). CONCLUSION: Improved diarrhea and flushing control in CS patients during 16-week lanreotide treatment was sustained during maintenance of lanreotide treatment for the 32-week IOL phase (48 weeks total). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study prospectively collected daily patient-reported data on diarrhea and flushing from the ELECT trial to evaluate the direct impact of lanreotide depot on patients' relief of carcinoid syndrome symptoms. Treatment with lanreotide depot was associated with significant reductions in the percentages of days patients reported symptoms of diarrhea and flushing, as well as reductions in the frequency and severity of daily symptoms compared with placebo during 16 weeks of double-blind treatment. These improvements were sustained for 32 additional weeks of open-label lanreotide treatment (i.e., through week 48 of treatment), resulting in clinically meaningful, long-term symptom reduction.

Everolimus in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Unknown Primary.

PURPOSE: The RADIANT-4 randomized phase 3 study demonstrated significant prolongation of median progression-free survival (PFS) with everolimus compared to placebo (11.0 [95% CI 9.2-13.3] vs. 3.9 [95% CI 3.6-7.4] months) in patients with advanced, progressive, nonfunctional gastrointestinal (GI) and lung neuroendocrine tumors (NET). This analysis specifically evaluated NET patients with GI and unknown primary origin. METHODS: Patients in the RADIANT-4 trial were randomized 2:1 to everolimus 10 mg/day or placebo. The effect of everolimus on PFS was evaluated in patients with NET of the GI tract or unknown primary site. RESULTS: Of the 302 patients enrolled, 175 had GI NET (everolimus, 118; placebo, 57) and 36 had unknown primary (everolimus, 23; placebo, 13). In the GI subset, the median PFS by central review was 13.1 months (95% CI 9.2-17.3) in the everolimus arm versus 5.4 months (95% CI 3.6-9.3) in the placebo arm; the hazard ratio (HR) was 0.56 (95% CI 0.37-0.84). In the unknown primary patients, the median PFS was 13.6 months (95% CI 4.1-not evaluable) for everolimus versus 7.5 months (95% CI 1.9-18.5) for placebo; the HR was 0.60 (95% CI 0.24-1.51). Everolimus efficacy was also demonstrated in both midgut and non-midgut populations; a 40-46% reduction in the risk of progression or death was reported for patients in the combined GI and unknown primary subgroup. Everolimus had a benefit regardless of prior somatostatin analog therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus showed a clinically meaningful PFS benefit in patients with advanced progressive nonfunctional NET of GI and unknown primary, consistent with the overall RADIANT-4 results, providing an effective new standard treatment option in this patient population and filling an unmet treatment need for these patients.

LANREOTIDE THERAPY IN CARCINOID SYNDROME: PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PATIENT-REPORTED SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS RESPONSIVE TO PRIOR OCTREOTIDE THERAPY AND PATIENTS NAÏVE TO SOMATOSTATIN ANALOGUE THERAPY IN THE ELECT PHASE 3 STUDY.

OBJECTIVE: This ELECT prospective analysis examined lanreotide depot/autogel for carcinoid syndrome (CS) symptom control in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) who were responsive to prior octreotide (prior octreotide group) compared with patients who were naïve to prior somatostatin analogue treatment (de novo group). METHODS: Adults with histopathologically confirmed NET and stable CS (diarrhea and/or flushing) were randomized to subcutaneous (SC) lanreotide 120 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. Patients reported diarrhea and/or flushing symptom severity and frequency and short-acting SC octreotide rescue therapy daily using an Interactive Voice/Web Response System. To evaluate the efficacy of lanreotide compared with placebo, the novel primary endpoint of patient-determined use of SC octreotide rescue therapy for breakthrough symptoms was used as a surrogate for symptom control. Clinically meaningful patient-reported treatment benefit was examined using daily patient-reported symptoms of diarrhea and flushing. RESULTS: Of the 115 randomized patients, 51 (n = 26 lanreotide, n = 25 placebo) were octreotide-naïve (de novo) and 64 (n = 33 lanreotide; n = 31 placebo) received prior octreotide. Lanreotide versus placebo patients had a lower mean percentage of days of SC octreotide rescue therapy in de novo and prior octreotide groups (least squares [LS] mean difference -19.1, P = .0477 and -6.9, P = .4332, respectively). The mean percentage of days with moderate/severe diarrhea and/or flushing was lower in lanreotide versus placebo patients in de novo and prior octreotide groups (LS mean difference -14.6, P = .0140 and -10.9, P = .0746, respectively). The transition from octreotide to lanreotide was generally well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: Improvement in CS symptoms occurred with lanreotide treatment, regardless of prior octreotide use. ABBREVIATIONS: CI = confidence interval CS = carcinoid syndrome DB = double blind ELECT = Evaluation of Lanreotide depot/autogel Efficacy and safety as a Carcinoid-syndrome Treatment IOL = initial open-label IVRS/IWRS = interactive voice/web response system LS = least square NET = neuroendocrine tumor OR = odds ratio SC = subcutaneous SSA = somatostatin analogue SSTR = somatostatin receptor TEAE = treatment-emergent adverse event.

Health-related quality of life for everolimus versus placebo in patients with advanced, non-functional, well-differentiated gastrointestinal or lung neuroendocrine tumours (RADIANT-4): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: In the phase 3 RADIANT-4 trial, everolimus increased progression-free survival compared with placebo in patients with advanced, progressive, non-functional, well-differentiated gastrointestinal or lung neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). We now report the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) secondary endpoint. METHODS: RADIANT-4 is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial done in 97 centres in 25 countries worldwide. Adults (aged ≥18 years) were eligible for the study if they had pathologically confirmed, advanced (unresectable or metastatic), non-functional, well-differentiated (grade 1 or 2) NETs of lung or gastrointestinal origin. Patients were randomly allocated (2:1) using block randomisation (block size of three) by an interactive voice response system to receive oral everolimus (10 mg per day) or placebo, both with best supportive care, with stratification by tumour origin, WHO performance status, and previous somatostatin analogue treatment. HRQOL was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) questionnaire at baseline (visit 2, day 1), every 8 weeks (±â€ˆ1 week) during the study for the first 12 months after randomisation, and every 12 weeks thereafter until study drug discontinuation. The primary endpoint, reported previously, was progression-free survival assessed by central review; HRQOL was a prespecified secondary endpoint. The prespecified secondary outcome measure was time to definitive deterioration (≥7 points) in FACT-G total score. Analyses were done on the full analysis set, consisting of all randomised patients, by intention to treat. Only data obtained while receiving the randomly allocated treatment were included in this analysis. Enrolment for RADIANT-4 was completed on Aug 23, 2013, but the trial is ongoing pending final analysis of the key secondary endpoint of overall survival. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01524783. FINDINGS: Between April 3, 2012, and Aug 23, 2013, 302 patients were enrolled; 205 were randomly allocated everolimus and 97 were assigned placebo. At baseline, 193 (94%) of 205 patients assigned everolimus and 95 (98%) of 97 allocated placebo had completed either fully or partly the FACT-G questionnaire; at week 48, 70 (83%) of 84 patients assigned everolimus and 22 (85%) of 26 allocated placebo completed FACT-G. Median time to definitive deterioration in FACT-G total score was 11·27 months (95% CI 9·27-19·35) with everolimus and 9·23 months (5·52-not estimable) with placebo (adjusted hazard ratio 0·81, 95% CI 0·55-1·21; log-rank p=0·31). INTERPRETATION: HRQOL was maintained for patients with advanced, non-functional, gastrointestinal or lung NETs, with no relevant differences noted between the everolimus and placebo groups. In view of the previous RADIANT-4 findings of longer progression-free survival with everolimus, our findings suggest that everolimus delays disease progression while preserving overall HRQOL, even with the usual toxic effects related to active targeted drug treatment for cancer. FUNDING: Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Everolimus for the treatment of advanced, non-functional neuroendocrine tumours of the lung or gastrointestinal tract (RADIANT-4): a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study.

BACKGROUND: Effective systemic therapies for patients with advanced, progressive neuroendocrine tumours of the lung or gastrointestinal tract are scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of everolimus compared with placebo in this patient population. METHODS: In the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 RADIANT-4 trial, adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with advanced, progressive, well-differentiated, non-functional neuroendocrine tumours of lung or gastrointestinal origin were enrolled from 97 centres in 25 countries worldwide. Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio by an interactive voice response system to receive everolimus 10 mg per day orally or identical placebo, both with supportive care. Patients were stratified by tumour origin, performance status, and previous somatostatin analogue treatment. Patients, investigators, and the study sponsor were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival assessed by central radiology review, analysed by intention to treat. Overall survival was a key secondary endpoint. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01524783. FINDINGS: Between April 3, 2012, and Aug 23, 2013, a total of 302 patients were enrolled, of whom 205 were allocated to everolimus 10 mg per day and 97 to placebo. Median progression-free survival was 11·0 months (95% CI 9·2-13·3) in the everolimus group and 3·9 months (3·6-7·4) in the placebo group. Everolimus was associated with a 52% reduction in the estimated risk of progression or death (hazard ratio [HR] 0·48 [95% CI 0·35-0·67], p<0·00001). Although not statistically significant, the results of the first pre-planned interim overall survival analysis indicated that everolimus might be associated with a reduction in the risk of death (HR 0·64 [95% CI 0·40-1·05], one-sided p=0·037, whereas the boundary for statistical significance was 0·0002). Grade 3 or 4 drug-related adverse events were infrequent and included stomatitis (in 18 [9%] of 202 patients in the everolimus group vs 0 of 98 in the placebo group), diarrhoea (15 [7%] vs 2 [2%]), infections (14 [7%] vs 0), anaemia (8 [4%] vs 1 [1%]), fatigue (7 [3%] vs 1 [1%]), and hyperglycaemia (7 [3%] vs 0). INTERPRETATION: Treatment with everolimus was associated with significant improvement in progression-free survival in patients with progressive lung or gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours. The safety findings were consistent with the known side-effect profile of everolimus. Everolimus is the first targeted agent to show robust anti-tumour activity with acceptable tolerability across a broad range of neuroendocrine tumours, including those arising from the pancreas, lung, and gastrointestinal tract. FUNDING: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Lanreotide in metastatic enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND: Somatostatin analogues are commonly used to treat symptoms associated with hormone hypersecretion in neuroendocrine tumors; however, data on their antitumor effects are limited. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational study of the somatostatin analogue lanreotide in patients with advanced, well-differentiated or moderately differentiated, nonfunctioning, somatostatin receptor-positive neuroendocrine tumors of grade 1 or 2 (a tumor proliferation index [on staining for the Ki-67 antigen] of <10%) and documented disease-progression status. The tumors originated in the pancreas, midgut, or hindgut or were of unknown origin. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an extended-release aqueous-gel formulation of lanreotide (Autogel [known in the United States as Depot], Ipsen) at a dose of 120 mg (101 patients) or placebo (103 patients) once every 28 days for 96 weeks. The primary end point was progression-free survival, defined as the time to disease progression (according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.0) or death. Secondary end points included overall survival, quality of life (assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires QLQ-C30 and QLQ-GI.NET21), and safety. RESULTS: Most patients (96%) had no tumor progression in the 3 to 6 months before randomization, and 33% had hepatic tumor volumes greater than 25%. Lanreotide, as compared with placebo, was associated with significantly prolonged progression-free survival (median not reached vs. median of 18.0 months, P<0.001 by the stratified log-rank test; hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30 to 0.73). The estimated rates of progression-free survival at 24 months were 65.1% (95% CI, 54.0 to 74.1) in the lanreotide group and 33.0% (95% CI, 23.0 to 43.3) in the placebo group. The therapeutic effect in predefined subgroups was generally consistent with that in the overall population, with the exception of small subgroups in which confidence intervals were wide. There were no significant between-group differences in quality of life or overall survival. The most common treatment-related adverse event was diarrhea (in 26% of the patients in the lanreotide group and 9% of those in the placebo group). CONCLUSIONS: Lanreotide was associated with significantly prolonged progression-free survival among patients with metastatic enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors of grade 1 or 2 (Ki-67 <10%). (Funded by Ipsen; CLARINET ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00353496; EudraCT 2005-004904-35.).

EVALUATION OF LANREOTIDE DEPOT/AUTOGEL EFFICACY AND SAFETY AS A CARCINOID SYNDROME TREATMENT (ELECT): A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lanreotide depot/autogel 120 mg for the control of carcinoid syndrome (CS) symptoms in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). METHODS: This was a 16-week, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00774930). Patients with/without prior somatostatin analog (SSA) use were randomized to lanreotide depot/autogel 120 mg or placebo every 4 weeks, with access to short-acting octreotide as rescue medication. The primary endpoint was the percentage of days in which short-acting octreotide was used, which was assessed from daily diaries using an analysis of covariance including the stratification variables baseline short-acting octreotide use and frequency of diarrhea/flushing. The proportions of patients experiencing treatment success was a supportive analysis. Adverse events were recorded at all visits. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients were enrolled (lanreotide, n = 59; placebo, n = 56). The adjusted mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) percentage of days with rescue octreotide use (primary endpoint) was significantly lower in the lanreotide (33.7%; 95% CI, 25.0%-42.4%) versus the placebo group (48.5%; 95% CI, 39.6%-57.4%), representing an absolute difference of -14.8% (95% CI, -26.8% to -2.8%; P = .017). The odds ratio of full/partial treatment success (≤3 days short-acting octreotide use weeks 12 to 15) was significantly greater with lanreotide than placebo (2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.3; P = .036). No new safety concerns were identified, and lanreotide was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Lanreotide depot/autogel is effective for the control of CS symptoms in patients (SSA-naïve or experienced) with NETs. ABBREVIATIONS: AE = adverse event BMI = body mass index CS = carcinoid syndrome ELECT = Evaluating Lanreotide Efficacy and safety as a Carcinoid-syndrome Treatment HRQoL = health-related quality of life LTOLE = long-term open-label extension NET = neuroendocrine tumor OL = open label SSA = somatostatin analog.

Consensus on biomarkers for neuroendocrine tumour disease.

Management of neuroendocrine neoplasia represents a clinical challenge because of its late presentation, lack of treatment options, and limitations in present imaging modalities and biomarkers to guide management. Monoanalyte biomarkers have poor sensitivity, specificity, and predictive ability. A National Cancer Institute summit, held in 2007, on neuroendocrine tumours noted biomarker limitations to be a crucial unmet need in the management of neuroendocrine tumours. A multinational consensus meeting of multidisciplinary experts in neuroendocrine tumours assessed the use of current biomarkers and defined the perquisites for novel biomarkers via the Delphi method. Consensus (at >75%) was achieved for 88 (82%) of 107 assessment questions. The panel concluded that circulating multianalyte biomarkers provide the highest sensitivity and specificity necessary for minimum disease detection and that this type of biomarker had sufficient information to predict treatment effectiveness and prognosis. The panel also concluded that no monoanalyte biomarker of neuroendocrine tumours has yet fulfilled these criteria and there is insufficient information to support the clinical use of miRNA or circulating tumour cells as useful prognostic markers for this disease. The panel considered that trials measuring multianalytes (eg, neuroendocrine gene transcripts) should also identify how such information can optimise the management of patients with neuroendocrine tumours.

Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung (Typical and Atypical Carcinoid): Current Status and Future Considerations.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the lung represent approximately 25% of all primary lung tumors and can be classified as low grade (typical carcinoids), intermediate grade (atypical carcinoids), or high grade (large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma or small cell lung carcinoma). Low- and intermediate-grade lung NET are increasingly recognized as biologically distinct from high-grade lung NET based on clinical behavior and underlying molecular abnormalities. This review summarizes current knowledge and challenges in the diagnosis and management of low- and intermediate-grade lung NET. Accurate histopathologic classification of lung NET is critical to determining appropriate treatment options but can be challenging even for experts. For low- and intermediate-grade lung NET, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for localized disease. Although no standard systemic therapy has been established for the treatment of advanced, unresectable disease, a number of promising treatment options are emerging, including somatostatin analogs, temozolomide-based chemotherapy, targeted therapy with mammalian target of rapamycin or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Given the difficulty in accurately diagnosing these tumors, and the paucity of data supporting establishment of standard systemic therapy options, management of patients within the setting of a multidisciplinary team, including specialists with expertise in NET, is recommended. Ongoing and future clinical trials hopefully will provide stronger evidence to support treatment recommendations for low- and intermediate-grade lung NET.

Pharmacokinetic study of aldoxorubicin in patients with solid tumors.

Introduction Aldoxorubicin, a prodrug of doxorubicin, binds covalently to serum albumin in the bloodstream and accumulates in tumors. Aldoxorubicin can be administered at doses several-fold higher than doxorubicin can, without associated acute cardiotoxicity. Purpose This study fully evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile of aldoxorubicin (serum and urine). Methods Eighteen patients with advanced solid tumors received aldoxorubicin 230 or 350 mg/m(2) (equivalent in drug load to doxorubicin at doses of 170 or 260 mg/m(2), respectively) once every 21 days. Blood samples were taken in cycle 1 before aldoxorubicin infusion, and at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min, and at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h after infusion. Urine samples were taken in cycle 1 at 24, 48, and 72 h after infusion. Limited blood sampling was done in cycle 3, before aldoxorubicin infusion, and at 60 min and at 2, 4, and 8 h after infusion. Results The long mean half-life (20.1-21.1 h), narrow mean volume of distribution (3.96-4.08 L/m(2)), and slow mean clearance rate (0.136-0.152 L/h/m(2)) suggest that aldoxorubicin is stable in circulation and does not accumulate readily in body compartments outside of the bloodstream. Very little doxorubicin and its major metabolite doxorubicinol, which has been implicated in doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity, are excreted in urine. This might explain the lack of cardiotoxicity observed thus far with aldoxorubicin. Conclusions Our findings support dosing and administration schemas used in an ongoing phase 3 clinical study of aldoxorubicin in soft tissue sarcoma, and phase 2 clinical studies in small cell lung cancer, glioblastoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma.

Everolimus for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND: Everolimus, an oral inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), has shown antitumor activity in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, in two phase 2 studies. We evaluated the agent in a prospective, randomized, phase 3 study. METHODS: We randomly assigned 410 patients who had advanced, low-grade or intermediate-grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with radiologic progression within the previous 12 months to receive everolimus, at a dose of 10 mg once daily (207 patients), or placebo (203 patients), both in conjunction with best supportive care. The primary end point was progression-free survival in an intention-to-treat analysis. In the case of patients in whom radiologic progression occurred during the study, the treatment assignments could be revealed, and patients who had been randomly assigned to placebo were offered open-label everolimus. RESULTS: The median progression-free survival was 11.0 months with everolimus as compared with 4.6 months with placebo (hazard ratio for disease progression or death from any cause with everolimus, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.45; P<0.001), representing a 65% reduction in the estimated risk of progression or death. Estimates of the proportion of patients who were alive and progression-free at 18 months were 34% (95% CI, 26 to 43) with everolimus as compared with 9% (95% CI, 4 to 16) with placebo. Drug-related adverse events were mostly grade 1 or 2 and included stomatitis (in 64% of patients in the everolimus group vs. 17% in the placebo group), rash (49% vs. 10%), diarrhea (34% vs. 10%), fatigue (31% vs. 14%), and infections (23% vs. 6%), which were primarily upper respiratory. Grade 3 or 4 events that were more frequent with everolimus than with placebo included anemia (6% vs. 0%) and hyperglycemia (5% vs. 2%). The median exposure to everolimus was longer than exposure to placebo by a factor of 2.3 (38 weeks vs. 16 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus, as compared with placebo, significantly prolonged progression-free survival among patients with progressive advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and was associated with a low rate of severe adverse events. (Funded by Novartis Oncology; RADIANT-3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00510068.).