Oettel, Kurt R.

Importance Preoperative and perioperative nivolumab improve event-free survival in resectable non–small cell lung cancer. The role of adjuvant nivolumab after upfront surgery is unknown. Objective To determine whether adjuvant nivolumab improves disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with resected non–small cell lung cancer with any tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and in those with at least 50% PD-L1 expression. Design, Setting, and Participants This open-label, randomized phase 3 study enrolled participants from May 2016 through September 2019, with median follow-up of 72.6 months at the data cutoff in December 2025. The study was conducted at 378 centers in the US National Clinical Trials Network. Patients were identified through a screening trial. Those with resected tumors at least 4 cm and/or who were lymph node positive (N1/N2) were eligible for inclusion after completion of planned standard adjuvant therapy if the tumor was adenocarcinoma without sensitizing sequence variants in EGFR and ALK or squamous cell carcinoma. Intervention Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive nivolumab 480 mg intravenously every 4 weeks for up to 1 year or standard care observation. Main Outcomes and Measures Co–primary end points were disease-free survival in the intention-to-treat population and in those with tumoral PD-L1 expression at least 50%. Overall survival was examined if the corresponding test of disease-free survival was statistically significant. Results A total of 466 patients (median age, 66 years; 241 [52%] male) were assigned to receive nivolumab and 469 (median age, 67 years; 245 [52%] male) to undergo standard care observation. The median duration of follow-up was 72.6 months. The trial was stopped for futility at 75% information. In the intention-to-treat population, median disease-free survival was 71.3 months with nivolumab and 68.8 months with observation (hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.97 [97% CI, 0.79-1.20]; [95% CI, 0.81-1.17]; 1-sided P = .39). In the subset of participants with PD-L1 of at least 50%, median disease-free survival was 89.8 months with nivolumab and 78.5 months with observation (hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.86 [98% CI, 0.55-1.34]; [95% CI, 0.59-1.25]; 1-sided P = .22). Conclusions and Relevance Adjuvant nivolumab was not associated with improved disease-free survival in patients with resected non–small cell lung cancer without sensitizing EGFR and ALK alterations when given after planned adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02595944

8000 Background: The NCI’s ALCHEMIST program has screened thousands of patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma for mutations in EGFR and ALK. EA5142 studied the efficacy of adjuvant nivolumab after standard of care adjuvant therapy in patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma without sensitizing EGFR and ALK alterations and squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Patients enrolled in the ALCHEMIST screening trial (A151216) with resected NSCLC tumors at least 4 cm and/or lymph node positive (N1/2) (for lung adenocarcinoma, without sensitizing EGFR and ALK alterations), were centrally tested for tumor cell PD-L1 expression using the DAKO 28-8 clone. After completion of all planned adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and/or post-operative radiation) patients were randomized 1:1 to adjuvant nivolumab 480 mg IV every 4 weeks for up to 1 year or best supportive care. Patients were stratified by tumor histology, stage (AJCC 7 th edition IB/IIA vs IIB/IIIA), prior adjuvant treatment, and PD-L1 status (<1% vs ≥1%). The primary study endpoints were disease free survival (DFS) in all patients and in patients with high tumor PD-L1 expression (≥50%). Overall survival was powered to be tested hierarchically, if DFS was positive. Results: Between July 2016 and October 2019, 935 patients were randomized across 378 sites. The treatment arms were balanced for age (median 66 years), sex (52% male), smoking status (10% never smoked), histology (29% squamous), stage and PD-L1 expression (29% PD-L1 high). With a median follow-up of 72.6 months, nivolumab did not improve DFS in the intention to treat population (median DFS 71.3 months vs. 68.8 months in observation arm), hazard ratio (HR) 0.97 (95% CI 0.81-1.17, p=0.78) or the PD-L1 ≥50% subset (median DFS 89.8 months vs. 78.5 months in observation arm), HR 0.86 (95% CI 0.59-1.25, p=0.43). In multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, gender, and smoking history, the DFS HR was 0.99 (95% CI 0.82-1.19, p=0.89) in all randomized patients and 0.82 (95% CI 0.56-1.2, p=0.31) in the PD-L1 ≥50% subset. As the primary recurrence endpoint included any lung cancer, including new primaries, a sensitivity analysis was performed excluding new primary lung cancers, DFS HR 0.97 (95% CI 0.80-1.18, p=0.76) in all patients and HR 0.88 (95% CI 0.60-1.30, p=0.52 in the ≥50% subset. The median duration of treatment with adjuvant nivolumab was 9.4 months (range 0-12.7 months). The most common reasons for nivolumab discontinuation were adverse event (29%), patient withdrawal (11%), and disease progression while on treatment (10%). Treatment related grade 3-5 toxicities were reported in 25% of patients: Grade 3: 23%, Grade 4: 2%, Grade 5: <1%. Conclusions: In patients with resected NSCLC (≥4cm or LN+, EGFR/ALK -) adjuvant nivolumab did not improve DFS, irrespective of tumor PD-L1 expression. Clinical trial information: NCT02595944 .

This report presents the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO’s) evaluation of the adaptations in care delivery, research operations, and regulatory oversight made in response to the coronavirus pandemic and presents recommendations for moving forward as the pandemic recedes. ASCO organized its recommendations for clinical research around five goals to ensure lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience are used to craft a more equitable, accessible, and efficient clinical research system that protects patient safety, ensures scientific integrity, and maintains data quality. The specific goals are: (1) ensure that clinical research is accessible, affordable, and equitable; (2) design more pragmatic and efficient clinical trials; (3) minimize administrative and regulatory burdens on research sites; (4) recruit, retain, and support a well-trained clinical research workforce; and (5) promote appropriate oversight and review of clinical trial conduct and results. Similarly, ASCO also organized its recommendations regarding cancer care delivery around five goals: (1) promote and protect equitable access to high-quality cancer care; (2) support safe delivery of high-quality cancer care; (3) advance policies to ensure oncology providers have sufficient resources to provide high-quality patient care; (4) recognize and address threats to clinician, provider, and patient well-being; and (5) improve patient access to high-quality cancer care via telemedicine. ASCO will work at all levels to advance the recommendations made in this report.

Abstract Introduction: Lenalidomide (Len) and dexamethasone (dex) has proven to be a highly effective treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) and serves as the basis of other combinations in relapsed disease. However, nearly 1/3 of myeloma patients have renal insufficiency, and the optimal use of Len in this population is not well known. We undertook this study in 3 cohorts of pts: Group A had creatinine clearance (CrCl) of 30-60 ml/min, Group B with CrCl < 30 ml/min, and Group C, with CrCl < 30 ml/min and requiring dialysis. The Phase I component of the trial has been previously reported (ASCO 2014) demonstrating that full dose Len (25mg daily 21/28 days) can be given to all patients despite renal insufficiency, even when on dialysis. We now present data on response to treatment. Methods: In the Phase 2 component accrual was slow and the trial was terminated. However, prior to termination a modified exploratory analysis plan was established, including all 34 patients treated at the recommended phase 2 dose. This plan would declare the treatment worthy of further study if 18 or more of the 34 patients responded to treatment. This design had 84% power to distinguish a response rate of 60% from a null rate of 40%, using a 1-sided test with 10% type I error. Results: The Phase 2 efficacy cohort accrued 34 patients, consisting of 20 patients from Group A, 9 patients from Group B, and 5 patients from Group C. Response of PR or greater was seen in 17 patients, resulting in a 50% overall response rate (CI 37-63%). Treatment was well tolerated with expected adverse events; the most common adverse events were anemia, diarrhea, and fatigue. Eleven episodes of Grade 3 and one Grade 4 pneumonia were reported for 10 patients across all cohorts and dose levels; 3 were considered possibly related to treatment. Seventeen patients have remained on treatment for more than 12 cycles. In the exploratory analyses, median PFS was 7.5 months (95% CI, 3.6 - 19.7 months) and median OS was 19.7 months (95% CI, 10.4 - 42.5 months). Conclusions: Len Dex can be safely administered to patients with impaired renal function at full dose of 25mg daily 21/28 days, and is associated with a 50% response rate. Further investigation into other combinations with Len Dex in patients with renal impairment should be considered. Table Table. Disclosures Mikhael: Onyx: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Lonial:Merck: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Weiss:Novartis: Consultancy.

Abstract Abstract 1856 Background: Lenalidomide has proven to be a highly effective treatment in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM), particularly when used in combination with dexamethasone. However, over 30% of patients with myeloma have renal insufficiency and as lenalidomide is renally excreted, little information is available about its use in myeloma patients with impaired kidney function. Defining a safe and effective dose of lenalidomide in this context is critical. Objective: We undertook this study to establish the maximum tolerated dose of lenalidomide in three cohorts of patients with different levels of impaired renal function: Group A - patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) between 30 and 60 mL/min, Group B - patients with CrCl <30 mL/min not on dialysis, and Group C - patients with CrCl < 30mL/min who are on dialysis. Secondary endpoints included response rate, progression free survival and overall survival. Methods: Eligible patients had previously treated MM with renal impairment defined as creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min measured within 21 days prior to registration. Patients previously treated with lenalidomide were required to demonstrate clinical response (any duration) or stable disease with progression-free interval of > 6 months from start of that therapy. All patients received dexamethasone 40 mg orally on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of a 28-day cycle. Prophylactic anticoagulation consisted of either 81 mg or 325 mg per day of aspirin. Patients also received lenalidomide orally every 1 or 2 days on days 1 through 21 of a 28-day cycle, as described below (Table 1). Starting doses were as in US Product Insert. Dose escalation follows a standard 3+3 design. Results: There have been 23 patients enrolled into groups and cohorts as shown in Table 1. Median age was 73 (range 49–89) and 13 (57%) were women. ISS stage was advanced in all patients, 0 in stage 1, 4 (18%) in stage 2 and 19 (82%) in stage 3. The regimen was well tolerated. Indeed, the MTD has not been reached in any of the groups, as no DLTs have occurred to date. The most commonly reported clinical adverse events (all grades, independent of attribution) across all patients included infections, hyperglycemia, constipation, dizziness, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia and tremor. Hematological toxicities (grade 3–4) occurred in 13 out of 21 pts (62%), mostly neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Grade 3–4 events at least possibly related to the regimen occurred in 70% and included pneumonia (26%) and otitis media (9%). Response was seen in 14 patients, resulting in an overall response rate of 61%. CR was seen in 1 patient (4%), VGPR in 2 patients (9%), PR in 11 patients (43%), and SD for 9 patients. With median follow-up of 15.5 months, median progression-free survival is 9.8 months and median overall survival is 22 months. Conclusion: Lenalidomide and dexamethasone is a safe and effective regimen in patients with multiple myeloma and renal insufficiency. It is also very well tolerated, although cytopenias are common but manageable. MTD has yet to be reached in each group, allowing for higher doses to be given than previously thought, including 25mg daily (for 21/28 days) in patients with CrCl 30–60 mL/min, 25 mg every other day (for 21/28 days) in patients with CrCl < 30 mL/min not on dialysis, and 10mg daily (for 21/28 days) in patients with CrCl < 30 mL/min on dialysis. These results will provide needed, clinically relevant dosing for lenalidomide in MM patients with renal insufficiency. Disclosures: Kaufman: Millenium: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy.