Nivolumab with or without ipilimumab in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (CheckMate 358): a phase 1-2, open-label, multicohort trial.

BACKGROUND: In preliminary findings from the recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer cohort of CheckMate 358, nivolumab showed durable anti-tumour responses, and the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab showed promising clinical activity. Here, we report long-term outcomes from this cohort. METHODS: CheckMate 358 was a phase 1-2, open-label, multicohort trial. The metastatic cervical cancer cohort enrolled patients from 30 hospitals and cancer centres across ten countries. Female patients aged 18 years or older with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with recurrent or metastatic disease, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, and up to two previous systemic therapies were enrolled into the nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks group, the randomised groups (nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks [NIVO3 plus IPI1] or nivolumab 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four cycles then nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks [NIVO1 plus IPI3]), or the NIVO1 plus IPI3 expansion group. All doses were given intravenously. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to NIVO3 plus IPI1 or NIVO1 plus IPI3 via an interactive voice response system. Treatment continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal, or for up to 24 months. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed objective response rate. Anti-tumour activity and safety were analysed in all treated patients. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02488759) and is now completed. FINDINGS: Between October, 2015, and March, 2020, 193 patients were recruited in the recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer cohort of CheckMate 358, of whom 176 were treated. 19 patients received nivolumab monotherapy, 45 received NIVO3 plus IPI1, and 112 received NIVO1 plus IPI3 (45 in the randomised group and 67 in the expansion group). Median follow-up times were 19·9 months (IQR 8·2-44·8) with nivolumab, 12·6 months (7·8-37·1) with NIVO3 plus IPI1, and 16·7 months (7·2-27·5) with pooled NIVO1 plus IPI3. Objective response rates were 26% (95% CI 9-51; five of 19 patients) with nivolumab, 31% (18-47; 14 of 45 patients) with NIVO3 plus IPI1, 40% (26-56; 18 of 45 patients) with randomised NIVO1 plus IPI3, and 38% (29-48; 43 of 112 patients) with pooled NIVO1 plus IPI3. The most common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were diarrhoea, hepatic cytolysis, hyponatraemia, pneumonitis, and syncope (one [5%] patient each; nivolumab group), diarrhoea, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase, increased lipase, and vomiting (two [4%] patients each; NIVO3 plus IPI1 group), and increased lipase (nine [8%] patients) and anaemia (seven [6%] patients; pooled NIVO1 plus IPI3 group). Serious treatment-related adverse events were reported in three (16%) patients in the nivolumab group, 12 (27%) patients in the NIVO3 plus IPI1 group, and 47 (42%) patients in the pooled NIVO1 plus IPI3 group. There was one treatment-related death due to immune-mediated colitis in the NIVO1 plus IPI3 group. INTERPRETATION: Nivolumab monotherapy and nivolumab plus ipilimumab combination therapy showed promise in the CheckMate 358 study as potential treatment options for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Future randomised controlled trials of nivolumab plus ipilimumab or other dual immunotherapy regimens are warranted to confirm treatment benefit in this patient population. FUNDING: Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical.

Cemiplimab in locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: prospective real-world data from the DRUG Access Protocol.

Background: The DRUG Access Protocol provides patients with cancer access to registered anti-cancer drugs that are awaiting reimbursement in the Netherlands and simultaneously collects prospective real-world data (RWD). Here, we present RWD from PD-1 blocker cemiplimab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (laCSCC; mCSCC). Methods: Patients with laCSCC or mCSCC received cemiplimab 350 mg fixed dose every three weeks. Primary endpoints were objective clinical benefit rate (CBR), defined as objective response (OR) or stable disease (SD) at 16 weeks, physician-assessed CBR, defined as clinician's documentation of improved disease or SD based on evaluation of all available clinical parameters at 16 weeks, objective response rate (ORR), and safety, defined as grade ≥ 3 treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) occurring up to 30 days after last drug administration. Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Findings: Between February 2021 and December 2022, 151 patients started treatment. Objective and physician-assessed CBR were 54.3% (95% CI, 46.0-62.4) and 59.6% (95% CI, 51.3-67.5), respectively. ORR was 35.1% (95% CI, 27.5-43.3). After a median follow-up of 15.2 months, median DoR was not reached. Median PFS and OS were 12.2 (95% CI, 7.0-not reached) and 24.2 months (95% CI, 18.8-not reached), respectively. Sixty-eight TRAEs occurred in 29.8% of patients. Most commonly reported TRAE was a kidney transplant rejection (9.5%). Interpretation: Cemiplimab proved highly effective and safe in this real-world cohort of patients with laCSCC or mCSCC, confirming its therapeutic value in the treatment of advanced CSCC in daily clinical practice. Funding: The DRUG Access Protocol is supported by all participating pharmaceutical companies: Bayer, Janssen, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Roche, and Sanofi.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule in the Netherlands: A clinical and epidemiological review of 763 cases (2008-2021).

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule (SCCNV) is a rare disease, distinctly different in presentation, treatment, and outcome from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. However, these are often not analyzed separately. METHODS: The Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) and pathology reports from the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank (PALGA) were used to identify all newly diagnosed SCCNV cases in the Netherlands between 2008 and 2021. RESULTS: A total of 763 patients were included. The yearly incidence rate displayed a significant downward trend with an annual percentage change (APC) of -3.9%. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were 69.0% and 77.2%, respectively. The 5-year relative survival was 77.9% and improved slightly over the inclusion period. OS for patients who were staged cT3 appeared to be worse than those staged cT4a, calling the applicability of the TNM-classification into question. CONCLUSION: SCC of the nasal vestibule is rare, with declining incidence rates. Introducing a specific topography code for SCCNV is recommended to enhance registration accuracy. The TNM classification seems poorly applicable to SCCNV, suggesting the need to explore alternative staging methods.

Differences in the association of time to treatment initiation and survival according to various head and neck cancer sites in a nationwide cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether there are differences in the effects of time to treatment interval (TTI) on patient survival for head and neck cancer (HNC) sites in order to provide evidence that can support decision-making regarding prioritizing treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in the Netherlands with a first primary HNC without distant metastasis between 2010 and 2014 were included for analysis (N = 10,486). TTI was defined as the time from pathologic diagnosis to the start of initial treatment. Overall survival (OS), cox regression analyses and cubic spline hazard models were calculated and visualized. RESULTS: Overall, the hazard of dying was higher (HR = 1.003; 95 % CI 1.001-1.005) with each additional day until treatment initiation. The pattern, as visualized in cubic spline graphs, differed by site the hazard increased more steeply with increasing TTI for oral cavity cancer. For oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, a slight increase commenced after a longer TTI than for oral cavity cancer, while there was hardly an increase in hazard with increasing TTI for hypopharyngeal cancer. CONCLUSION: The relationship between longer TTI and decreased survival was confirmed, but slight variations in the pattern of the hazard of dying by TTI by tumour site were observed. These findings could support decisions on prioritizing treatment. However, other aspects such as extent of treatment and quality of life should be investigated further so this can also be included.

Diagnostic and Treatment-Related Challenges in Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcoma: A Report of Three Cases.

Background: Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy located almost exclusively in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or anterior skull base. Histopathological diagnosis can be challenging due to the heterogeneous composition. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 3 patients with sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma diagnosed and treated at the University Medical Center Utrecht was conducted. Results: Patients presented with nasal obstruction, epistaxis, headaches, or behavioral changes. All three patients had locally advanced disease, and one had lymph node metastases. Two patients underwent surgery followed by radiotherapy, and one underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. The follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 32 months. All three patients died due to progression of their disease. Conclusion: Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma is characterized by rapid, aggressive local expansion. The prognosis is poor due to a high risk of metastases and locally recurrent disease. Multimodality treatment consisting of surgery, followed by (chemo)-radiotherapy, is essential for optimizing outcomes. Neoadjuvant therapy offers a promising treatment option.

Low dose cisplatin weekly versus high dose cisplatin every three weeks in primary chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients with low skeletal muscle mass: The CISLOW-study protocol.

Chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin in a triweekly regimen of 100 mg/m2 body surface area, is used to treat locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with curative intent. Cisplatin dose limiting toxicity (CDLT) occurs often and impedes obtaining the planned cumulative cisplatin dose. A cumulative cisplatin dose of 200 mg/m2 or more is warranted for better survival and locoregional control. Patients with a low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) have a three-fold higher risk of developing CDLT than patients with a normal SMM. SMM can be assessed through measurements on routinely performed diagnostic head and neck CT- or MRI-scans. A weekly regimen of 40 mg/m2 body surface area cisplatin is proposed as a less toxic schedule, which possibly decreases the risk of developing CDLT and enables reaching a higher cumulative cisplatin dose. The aim of this multicenter randomized clinical trial (NL76533.041.21, registered in the Netherlands Trial Register) is to identify whether a regimen of weekly cisplatin increases compliance to the planned chemotherapy scheme in HNSCC patients with low SMM. The primary outcome is the difference in compliance rate, defined as absence of CDLT, between low SMM patients receiving either the weekly or triweekly regimen. Secondary outcomes consist of toxicities, the cumulative cisplatin dose, time to recurrence, incidence of recurrence at two years of follow-up, location of recurrence, 2-year overall, disease free and disease specific survival, quality of life, patient's experiences, and cost-effectiveness.

Patient-derived head and neck cancer organoids allow treatment stratification and serve as a tool for biomarker validation and identification.

BACKGROUND: Organoids are in vitro three-dimensional structures that can be grown from patient tissue. Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a collective term used for multiple tumor types including squamous cell carcinomas and salivary gland adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Organoids were established from HNC patient tumor tissue and characterized using immunohistochemistry and DNA sequencing. Organoids were exposed to chemo- and radiotherapy and a panel of targeted agents. Organoid response was correlated with patient clinical response. CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing of organoids was applied for biomarker validation. FINDINGS: A HNC biobank consisting of 110 models, including 65 tumor models, was generated. Organoids retained DNA alterations found in HNC. Comparison of organoid and patient response to radiotherapy (primary [n = 6] and adjuvant [n = 15]) indicated potential for guiding treatment options in the adjuvant setting. In organoids, the radio-sensitizing potential of cisplatin and carboplatin could be validated. However, cetuximab conveyed radioprotection in most models. HNC-targeted treatments were tested on 31 models, indicating possible novel treatment options with the potential for treatment stratification in the future. Activating PIK3CA mutations did not predict alpelisib response in organoids. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) inhibitors were identified as a potential treatment option for cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) null HNC. CONCLUSIONS: Organoids hold potential as a diagnostic tool in personalized medicine for HNC. In vitro organoid response to radiotherapy (RT) showed a trend that mimics clinical response, indicating the predictive potential of patient-derived organoids. Moreover, organoids could be used for biomarker discovery and validation. FUNDING: This work was funded by Oncode PoC 2018-P0003.

Identifying somatic changes in drug transporters using whole genome and transcriptome sequencing data of advanced tumors.

Drug resistance is a perpetual problem in cancer therapy with many underlying mechanisms. Alterations in drug transport over the cancer cell membrane can severely alter intratumoral drug exposure, contributing to resistance. Here, we present the somatic mutational landscape of 48 ATP-binding cassette and 416 solute carrier transporter genes in a cohort (CPCT-02; NCT01855477) of 3290 patients with different types of advanced and metastasized cancer through analysis of whole genome and transcriptome sequencing. In order to identify potential stressor mechanisms, we stratified patients based on previous systemic therapies and subsequently investigated the enrichment of mutations and copy-number alterations of transporter genes. In tumors from patients pretreated with protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), genes encoding for specific copper (SLC31A1 and SLC31A2, χ2-test adjusted p-values: 6.9e-09 and 2.5e-09) and nucleoside transporters (SLC28A2 and SLC28A3, χ2-test adjusted p-values: 3.5e-06 and 6.8e-07) were deleted significantly more frequently than in patients pretreated with chemotherapy. Moreover, we detected 16 transporters that were differentially expressed at RNA level between these treatment groups. These findings contradict mechanisms of selective pressure, as they would be expected to originate during treatment with chemotherapy rather than with PKIs. Hence, they might constitute primary drug resistance mechanisms and, therefore, warrant further study.

Long-term oncological follow-up after mold-based pulsed dose rate brachytherapy for early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule: A single center experience of 68 patients over a 17-year period.

PURPOSE: Cancer of the nasal vestibule is a rare type of malignancy constituting less than one percent of all head and neck cancers. These tumors are typically diagnosed at an early stage. Both surgery and radiotherapy provide excellent oncological results, but esthetic results are better after radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term oncological follow-up after brachytherapy for early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of patients with carcinoma of the nasal vestibule who were treated with primary brachytherapy in the Utrecht University Medical Center. RESULTS: In this single center experience over a 17-year period 68 patients with early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule were treated with brachytherapy. Two patients had lymph node metastases at first clinical presentation. Median follow-up duration was 46.5 months. Five-year locoregional recurrence-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival were 91.1%, 96.1%, and 66.2%, respectively. All recurrences occurred within the first 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Brachytherapy offers excellent oncological outcomes and is a safe and effective treatment for early stage carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. Recurrences typically occur within 3 years after treatment.

Disease outcome and associated factors after definitive platinum based chemoradiotherapy for advanced stage HPV-negative head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Definitive concomitant cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the current gold standard for most patients with advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of the pharynx and larynx. Since previous meta-analysis on CRT outcomes in HNSCC have been reported, advances have been made in radiotherapy techniques and clinical management, while HPV-status has been identified as a strong confounding prognostic factor in oropharyngeal cancer. Here, we present real-world outcome data from a large multicenter cohort of HPV-negative advanced stage HNSCC treated with CRT using contemporary IMRT-based techniques. METHOD: Retrospective data were collected from a multicenter cohort of 513 patients treated with definitive concurrent platinum-based CRT with curative intent between January 2009 and August 2017. Only patients with HPV-negative advanced stage (III-IV) HNSCC were included. A prognostic model for outcome was developed based on clinical parameters and compared to TNM. RESULTS: Nearly half of the 513 patients (49%) had an oropharyngeal tumor, often locally advanced (73.3% T3-T4b) and with involvement of the regional lymph nodes (84%). Most patients (84%) received cisplatin as single agent. In total 66% received the planned number of cycles and 75% reached a cumulative cisplatin dose of ≥200 mg/m2. Locoregional control was achieved in 324 (63%) patients during follow-up, and no association with tumor sites was observed (p = 0.48). Overall survival at 5 year follow-up was 47%, with a better survival for laryngeal cancer (p = 0.02) compared to other sites. A model with clinical variables (gender, high pre-treatment weight loss, N2c/N3-stage and <200 mg/m2 dose of cisplatin) provided a noticeably stronger association with overall survival than TNM-staging (C- index 0.68 vs 0.55). Simultaneous Integrated Boosting (SIB) significantly outperformed Sequential Boosting (SEQ) to reduce the development of distant metastasis (SEQ vs SIB: OR 1.91 (1.11-3.26; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Despite advances in clinical management, more than a third of patients with HPV-negative HNSCC do not complete CRT treatment protocols due to cisplatin toxicity. A model that consists of clinical variables and treatment parameters including cisplatin dose provided the strongest association with overall survival. Since cisplatin toxicity is a major obstacle in completing definitive CRT, the development of alternative and less toxic radiosensitizers is therefore warranted to improve treatment results. The association of RT-boost technique with distant metastasis is an important finding and requires further study.

Eftozanermin alfa (ABBV-621) monotherapy in patients with previously treated solid tumors: findings of a phase 1, first-in-human study.

Eftozanermin alfa (eftoza), a second-generation tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor (TRAIL-R) agonist, induces apoptosis in tumor cells by activation of death receptors 4/5. This phase 1 dose-escalation/dose-optimization study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary activity of eftoza in patients with advanced solid tumors. Patients received eftoza 2.5-15 mg/kg intravenously on day 1 or day 1/day 8 every 21 days in the dose-escalation phase, and 1.25-7.5 mg/kg once-weekly (QW) in the dose-optimization phase. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were evaluated during the first treatment cycle to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Pharmacodynamic effects were evaluated in circulation and tumor tissue. A total of 105 patients were enrolled in the study (dose-escalation cohort, n = 57; dose-optimization cohort, n = 48 patients [n = 24, colorectal cancer (CRC); n = 24, pancreatic cancer (PaCA)]). In the dose-escalation cohort, seven patients experienced DLTs. MTD and RP2D were not determined. Most common treatment-related adverse events were increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, nausea, and fatigue. The one treatment-related death occurred due to respiratory failure. In the dose-optimization cohort, three patients (CRC, n = 2; PaCA, n = 1) had a partial response. Target engagement with regard to receptor saturation, and downstream apoptotic pathway activation in circulation and tumor were observed. Eftoza had acceptable safety, evidence of pharmacodynamic effects, and preliminary anticancer activity. The 7.5-mg/kg QW regimen was selected for future studies on the basis of safety findings, pharmacodynamic effects, and biomarker modulations. (Trial registration number: NCT03082209 (registered: March 17, 2017)).

The association between skeletal muscle measures and chemotherapy-induced toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced toxicities frequently occur in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) has been associated with a higher incidence of toxicities for several types of cancers and cytostatics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between skeletal muscle measures and chemotherapy-induced toxicity in a large cohort of NSCLC patients. METHODS: A multicentre prospective follow-up study (PGxLUNG, NTR number NL5373610015) in NSCLC patients was conducted. Included were patients diagnosed with NSCLC (stage II-IV) treated with first-line platinum-based (cisplatin or carboplatin) chemotherapy of whom pretreatment imaging was available. Skeletal muscle area (SMA) segmentation was performed on abdominal imaging at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). SMA at the level of L3 was corrected for squared height (m2 ) to yield the lumbar skeletal muscle mass index (LSMI). Skeletal muscle density (SMD) was calculated as the mean Hounsfield Unit (HU) of the segmented SMA. SMM and SMD were categorized as low, intermediate, and high, based on LSMI and mean HU tertiles, respectively. Chemotherapy-induced toxicity was scored using CTCAE v4.03 and categorized into haematological (anaemia, leukocytopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia), non-haematological (nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and esophagitis), and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) (treatment switch, delay, de-escalation, discontinuation, or hospitalization). The relationship between SMM, SMD, and toxicities was assessed with logistic regression modelling taking into account potential confounders like gender and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: In total, 297 patients (male n = 167, median age 64 years) were included. Haematological toxicity grade 3/4 was experienced in 36.6% (n = 108) of the patients, 24.6% (n = 73) experienced any non-haematological toxicity grade ≥2, and 55.6% (n = 165) any DLT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low SMM (ORadj 2.41, 95% CI 1.31-4.45, P = 0.005) and age at diagnosis >65 years (ORadj 1.76, 95% CI 1.07-2.90, P = 0.025) were statistically significantly associated with overall haematological toxicity grade 3/4. No statistically significant associations were found between low SMM or low SMD and non-haematological toxicities. Low SMM (ORadj 2.23, 95% CI 1.23-4.04, P = 0.008) and high SMD (ORadj 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.74, P = 0.003) were statistically significantly associated with a higher respectively lower risk of DLT. CONCLUSIONS: Non-small cell lung cancer patients with pretreatment low SMM are at significant higher risk for haematological toxicities grade 3/4 and DLT. NSCLC patients with high SMD are at significant lower risk for DLT. Further studies should be aimed to investigate whether platinum dosing based on skeletal muscle measurements and/or improvement of pretreatment SMM/SMD could reduce the risk of toxicity without compromising efficacy.

Image-based analysis of skeletal muscle mass predicts cisplatin dose-limiting toxicity in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Evidence suggests that patients' skeletal muscle mass (SMM) can predict the patients at risk for cisplatin dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). Cisplatin is currently dosed on body surface area (BSA). The predictive value of SMM for cisplatin DLT in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LA-HNC) is investigated. METHODS: Patients with LA-HNC treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were included. SMM was measured using pre-treatment scans. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictive impact of low SMM for DLT. RESULTS: In total, 343 patients were included of which 199 patients (58.0%) had low SMM and 154 patients (44.9%) experienced cisplatin DLT. In multivariate analysis, low SMM at diagnosis was the only predictive factor for DLT (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: Low SMM was associated with an increased risk of DLT. Trials are needed to investigate cisplatin dosing with consideration of SMM rather than solely BSA.

Development and external validation of a prediction model for tube feeding dependency for at least four weeks during chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients who receive chemoradiotherapy or bioradiotherapy (CRT/BRT) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) often experience high toxicity rates interfering with oral intake, causing tube feeding (TF) dependency. International guidelines recommend gastrostomy insertion when the expected use of TF exceeds 4 weeks. We aimed to develop and externally validate a prediction model to identify patients who need TF ≥ 4 weeks and would benefit from prophylactic gastrostomy insertion. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was performed in four tertiary head and neck cancer centers in the Netherlands. The prediction model was developed using data from University Medical Center Utrecht and the Netherlands Cancer Institute and externally validated using data from Maastricht University Medical Center and Radboud University Medical Center. The primary endpoint was TF dependency ≥4 weeks initiated during CRT/BRT or within 30 days after CRT/BRT completion. Potential predictors were extracted from electronic health records and radiotherapy dose-volume parameters were calculated. RESULTS: The developmental and validation cohort included 409 and 334 patients respectively. Multivariable analysis showed predictive value for pretreatment weight change, texture modified diet at baseline, ECOG performance status, tumor site, N classification, mean radiation dose to the contralateral parotid gland and oral cavity. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for this model was 0.73 and after external validation 0.62. Positive and negative predictive value for a risk of 90% or higher for TF dependency ≥4 weeks were 81.8% and 42.3% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and externally validated a prediction model to estimate TF-dependency ≥4 weeks in LAHNSCC patients treated with CRT/BRT. This model can be used to guide personalized decision-making on prophylactic gastrostomy insertion in clinical practice.

The association of pretreatment low skeletal muscle mass with chemotherapy dose-limiting toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing primary chemoradiotherapy with high-dose cisplatin.

BACKGROUND: Low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is an adverse prognostic factor for chemotherapy dose-limiting toxicity (CDLT). In patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT), low SMM is a predictor for CDLT. We aimed to validate these findings. METHODS: Consecutive LA-HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT with high-dose cisplatin were retrospectively included. SMM was measured on pre-treatment CT-imaging. A cumulative cisplatin dose below 200 mg/m2 was defined as CDLT. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty three patients were included; 37 (24.2%) experienced CDLT, and 84 had low SMM (54.9%). Patients with low SMM experienced more CDLT than patients with normal SMM (35.7% vs. 10.1%, p < 0.01). Low SMM (OR 3.99 [95% CI 1.56-10.23], p = 0.01) and an eGFR of 60-70 ml/min (OR 5.40 [95% CI 1.57-18.65], p < 0.01) were predictors for CDLT. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment low SMM is associated with CDLT in LA-HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT. Routine SMM assessment may allow for CDLT risk assessment and treatment optimization.

The association of cisplatin pharmacokinetics and skeletal muscle mass in patients with head and neck cancer: The prospective PLATISMA study.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is commonly treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Cisplatin is associated with severe toxicity, which negatively affects survival. In recent years, a relationship between low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and increased toxicity has been described. This increased toxicity may be related to altered cisplatin distribution and binding in the fat-free body mass of which SMM is the largest contributor. This study aims to investigate the association between cisplatin pharmacokinetics and SMM in patients with HNSCC. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study in patients with HNSCC treated with CRT. Patients received standard-of-care chemotherapy with three cycles of cisplatin at a dose of 100 mg/m2 per cycle. Quantitative data on SMM, measured on computed tomography scans and cisplatin pharmacokinetics (total and ultrafilterable plasma concentrations) were collected, as well as data on toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 45 evaluable patients were included in the study. A large proportion of the study population had a low SMM (46.7%). The majority of patients (57.8%) experienced cisplatin dose-limiting toxicities. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a significant relationship between cisplatin pharmacokinetics and SMM, weight, fat-free mass and body surface area (p < 0.005). In a simulation, patients with a low SMM (<25.8 kg) were predicted to reach higher-bound cisplatin concentrations. CONCLUSION: We found an association between cisplatin pharmacokinetics and SMM; however, this relationship was also seen between cisplatin pharmacokinetics and other body composition descriptors.

First experiences with 177Lu-PSMA-617 therapy for recurrent or metastatic salivary gland cancer.

BACKGROUND: Advanced salivary gland cancers become difficult to treat when they are technically irresectable and radiotherapy limits are exceeded. There is also an unmet need to improve palliative systemic therapy. Salivary glands depict the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) on 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT, a transmembrane protein that is targeted for diagnosis and treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Some salivary gland carcinomas also express PSMA. METHODS: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of 177Lu-PSMA-617 therapy for recurrent or metastatic salivary gland cancers, as a last resort treatment. Patients with serious tumour-related discomfort for whom no regular option was available were selected and critically re-assessed by the tumour board. Radionuclide therapy eligibility was confirmed when tumour targeting was greater than liver SUVmax on 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT. The protocol aimed at four cycles of 6.0-7.4 GBq 177Lu-PSMA-617 every 6-8 weeks. Clinical response was evaluated by questionnaires and radiological response by 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT. RESULTS: Six patients were treated with 177Lu-PSMA: four adenoid cystic carcinomas, one adenocarcinoma NOS and one acinic cell carcinoma. In two patients, radiological response was observed, showing either stable disease or a partial response, and four patients reported immediate relief of tumour-related symptoms. Most reported side effects were grade 1-2 fatigue, nausea, bone pain and xerostomia. Four patients prematurely discontinued therapy: three due to disease progression and one due to demotivating (grade 1) side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative 177Lu-PSMA therapy for salivary gland cancer may lead to rapid relief of tumour-associated discomfort and may even induce disease stabilization. It is safe, relatively well tolerated and can be considered when regular treatment options fail.

Accurate detection of circulating tumor DNA using nanopore consensus sequencing.

Levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid biopsies may serve as a sensitive biomarker for real-time, minimally-invasive tumor diagnostics and monitoring. However, detecting ctDNA is challenging, as much fewer than 5% of the cell-free DNA in the blood typically originates from the tumor. To detect lowly abundant ctDNA molecules based on somatic variants, extremely sensitive sequencing methods are required. Here, we describe a new technique, CyclomicsSeq, which is based on Oxford Nanopore sequencing of concatenated copies of a single DNA molecule. Consensus calling of the DNA copies increased the base-calling accuracy ~60×, enabling accurate detection of TP53 mutations at frequencies down to 0.02%. We demonstrate that a TP53-specific CyclomicsSeq assay can be successfully used to monitor tumor burden during treatment for head-and-neck cancer patients. CyclomicsSeq can be applied to any genomic locus and offers an accurate diagnostic liquid biopsy approach that can be implemented in clinical workflows.