Immunotherapy-related adverse events in real-world patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer on chemoimmunotherapy: a Spinnaker study sub-analysis.

Background: The Spinnaker study evaluated survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy in the real world. This sub-analysis assessed the immunotherapy-related adverse effects (irAEs) seen in this cohort, their impact on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and related clinical factors. Methods: The Spinnaker study was a retrospective multicentre observational cohort study of patients treated with first-line pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy in six United Kingdom and one Swiss oncology centres. Data were collected on patient characteristics, survival outcomes, frequency and severity of irAEs, and peripheral immune-inflammatory blood markers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). Results: A total of 308 patients were included; 132 (43%) experienced any grade irAE, 100 (32%) Grade 1-2, and 49 (16%) Grade 3-4 irAEs. The median OS in patients with any grade irAES was significantly longer (17.5 months [95% CI, 13.4-21.6 months]) than those without (10.1 months [95% CI, 8.3-12.0 months]) (p<0.001), either if Grade 1-2 (p=0.003) or Grade 3-4 irAEs (p=0.042). The median PFS in patients with any grade irAEs was significantly longer (10.1 months [95% CI, 9.0-11.2 months]) than those without (6.1 months [95% CI, 5.2-7.1 months]) (p<0.001), either if Grade 1-2 (p=0.011) or Grade 3-4 irAEs (p=0.036). A higher rate of irAEs of any grade and specifically Grade 1-2 irAEs correlated with NLR <4 (p=0.013 and p=0.018), SII <1,440 (p=0.029 ad p=0.039), response to treatment (p=0.001 and p=0.034), a higher rate of treatment discontinuation (p<0.00001 and p=0.041), and the NHS-Lung prognostic classes (p=0.002 and p=0.008). Conclusions: These results confirm survival outcome benefits in patients with irAEs and suggest a higher likelihood of Grade 1-2 irAEs in patients with lower NLR or SII values or according to the NHS-Lung score.

Efficacy outcomes and prognostic factors from real-world patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy: The Spinnaker retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Efficacy outcomes and prognostic factors of real-world patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy are still limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the retrospective Spinnaker study, data was collected from patients in six United Kingdom and one Swiss oncology centres with first-line pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy. Efficacy outcomes and potential prognostic factors were estimated aiming at developing a prognostic model. RESULTS: Three-hundred-eight patients were included, 32% ≥ 70 years, with ≥ 3 metastatic sites in 33%, brain or liver metastases in 10% and 12%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 18.0 months (mo.) (range, 15.9-20.1), median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 12.7 mo. (range, 10.2-15.2), and 8.0 mo. (range, 7.1-8.8), respectively. The neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) (i.e., NLR × platelet count) were both significantly higher in ECOG PS 1 (p = 0.0147 and p = 0.0018, respectively), underweight or normal body mass index (p = 0.0456 and p = 0.0062, respectively), ≥3 metastatic sites (p = 0.0069 and p = 0.112), pretreatment steroids (p = 0.0019 and p = 0.0017). By MVA, the number of metastatic sites ≥ 3 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002), squamous histology (p = 0.033 and p = 0.013) and SII ≥ 1444 (p = 0.031 and p = 0.009, respectively) were associated with both worse OS and PFS and led to a highly discriminating three-class risk prognostic model. CONCLUSION: Real-world PFS with chemoimmunotherapy in aNSCLC patients is similar to that reported in clinical trials. A high number of metastatic sites, squamous histology and high SII are adverse prognostic factors that might contribute to a clinically useful prognostic model.

Prognostic effect of body mass index in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with chemoimmunotherapy combinations.

INTRODUCTION: It has been recognized that increasing body mass index (BMI) is associated with improved outcome from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with various malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is unclear whether baseline BMI may influence outcomes from first-line chemoimmunotherapy combinations. METHODS: In this international multicenter study, we evaluated the association between baseline BMI, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a cohort of patients with stage IV NSCLC consecutively treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy combinations. BMI was categorized according to WHO criteria. RESULTS: Among the 853 included patients, 5.3% were underweight; 46.4% were of normal weight; 33.8% were overweight; and 14.5% were obese. Overweight and obese patients were more likely aged ≥70 years (p=0.00085), never smokers (p<0.0001), with better baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status (p=0.0127), and had lower prevalence of central nervous system (p=0.0002) and liver metastases (p=0.0395). Univariable analyses showed a significant difference in the median OS across underweight (15.5 months), normal weight (14.6 months), overweight (20.9 months), and obese (16.8 months) patients (log-rank: p=0.045, log rank test for trend: p=0.131), while no difference was found with respect to the median PFS (log-rank for trend: p=0.510). Neither OS nor PFS was significantly associated with baseline BMI on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to what was observed in the context of chemotherapy-free ICI-based regimens, baseline BMI does not affect clinical outcomes from chemoimmunotherapy combinations in patients with advanced NSCLC.

A phase I clinical trial of irinotecan and carboplatin in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remain inadequate. Irinotecan has been tested in various combinations with platinum agents but the optimal regimen remains uncertain. We undertook a phase I trial to optimise the dose intensity of a 3-weekly irinotecan/carboplatin combination. METHODS: Twenty patients with extensive stage SCLC received intravenous carboplatin at an area under the curve (AUC) of 5 on day 1, and irinotecan in 40-70 mg/m2 dose levels on days 1 and 8, every 21 days, for up to 6 cycles. RESULTS: Dose-limiting toxicity occurred in 1 patient at the 50 mg/m2 irinotecan level (grade 3 diarrhoea) and in 2 patients at 70 mg/m2 (grade 5 neutropenic sepsis; combined grade 4 febrile neutropenia, grade 4 diarrhoea and grade 3 thrombosis). Toxicity patterns were consistent with the expected profile for this combination. The objective response rate was 75% and the median survival was 9.3 months (95% confidence interval 7.5-11.2). CONCLUSION: Irinotecan 60 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 combined with carboplatin AUC 5 every 21 days is recommended for phase II evaluation. This regimen has clinical activity, acceptable toxicity and greater dose intensity over those currently tested in phase III trials.

Study of etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor, in recurrent ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: Convincing data support the link between inflammation and ovarian cancer. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a major mediator of inflammation, is chronically produced in the ovarian tumor microenvironment and may enhance tumor growth and invasion by inducing the secretion of cytokines, proangiogenic factors, and metalloproteinases. Etanercept is a recombinant human soluble p75 TNF receptor that binds to TNF-alpha and renders it biologically unavailable. In the current study, we sought to determine the toxicity, biologic activity, and therapeutic efficacy of etanercept in recurrent ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We initiated a phase I-B, nonrandomized, open-label study in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Etanercept was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 25 mg twice weekly (cohort one) and 25 mg thrice weekly (cohort two) until disease progression. RESULTS: Thirty patients were recruited (cohort one, 17 patients; cohort two, 13 patients). Eighteen of the 30 patients (cohort one, 11 patients; cohort two, seven patients) completed > or = 12 weeks of treatment. Six patients achieved prolonged disease stabilization (cohort one, two patients [40 and 25 weeks]; cohort two, four patients [34, 24, 22, and 24 weeks]). A significant rise in immunoreactive TNF was seen in all patients (pretreatment compared with end of treatment). A phytohemagglutinin-stimulated whole-blood cytokine assay showed a significant fall in interleukin-6 (cohort one [11 of 17]) and CCL2 (cohort one [13 of 17]) levels. Common adverse effects were injection-site reactions and fatigue. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence for the biologic activity and safety of etanercept in recurrent ovarian cancer. Our data suggest possible clinical activity that must be confirmed in future studies.

A phase II study of etanercept (Enbrel), a tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha is a key player in the tumor microenvironment and is involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Etanercept is a recombinant human soluble p75 TNF receptor that binds to TNF-alpha and renders it biologically unavailable. In the current study, we sought to determine the toxicity, biological activity, and therapeutic efficacy of Etanercept in metastatic breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We initiated a Phase II, nonrandomized, open-labeled study in patients with progressive metastatic breast cancer refractory to conventional therapy (Phase I toxicity data were available in patients with rheumatoid arthritis). Etanercept was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 25 mg twice weekly until disease progression. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were recruited [median age 53 years (range, 34 to 74)]. A total of 141.6 weeks of therapy was administered (median of 8.1 weeks). Seven patients received > or =12 weeks of therapy. The most common side effects were injection site reactions (6), fatigue (5), loss of appetite (2), nausea (1), headache (1), and dizziness (1). Brief period of disease stabilization was seen in 1 patient lasting for 16.4 weeks. Immunoreactive TNF-alpha was elevated within 24 hours of therapy and persisted until the end of treatment (days 7, 28, 56, and 84). Phytohemagglutinin stimulates the production of interleukin-6 and CCL2 in peripheral blood cells, and the ability of Etanercept to modulate this response was assessed in a cytokine release assay. A consistent decrease in interleukin-6 and CCL2 level was seen compared with pretreatment values in serial blood samples (days 1, 7, 28, 56, and 84). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows the safety and biological activity of Etanercept in breast cancer and provides data to assess pharmacodynamic endpoints of different schedules of Etanercept and combinations with chemotherapy or other biological therapies.