Emiloju, Oluwadunni Eunice

e15628 Background: Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) with cytotoxic chemotherapy and chemoradiation followed by surgical resection is a standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). In a limited number of LARC patients with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR), treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) resulted in all patients achieving complete clinical response (cCR) (median follow-up of 29 months) such that radiotherapy and surgery were avoided. These and other data have resulted in the routine use of neoadjuvant ICI for dMMR LARC. Here we report a multicenter series of patients with dMMR LARC treated with neoadjuvant ICI. Methods: Adult patients (N = 21) with dMMR LARC who received neoadjuvant ICI at Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Duke University or University of Pittsburgh were identified from the electronic medical record (EMR) and relevant data were abstracted. All patients were staged with pelvic MRI; clinical response was evaluated by repeat pelvic MRI and sigmoidoscopy. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. This study was approved by the Mayo Clinic IRB. Results: Patients with clinical stage I (n = 2), II (n = 3) or III (n = 15) dMMR LARC were treated with neoadjuvant PD-1 monotherapy (n = 20) or combination (n = 1, ipilimumab+ nivolumab). Median age was 46 years (IQR 39, 65), 15 (71%) were male, 10 (48%) had distal tumors, and 14 had Lynch Syndrome. Median duration of ICI treatment was 7 mos (IQR 6, 12); one patient remains on dostarlimab at data cut-off. Clinical complete response (cCR) was achieved in 11 (52%) patients, partial response (PR) in 7 (33%), stable disease (SD) in 1 (5%), and progressive disease (PD) in 2 (10%) patients. Median time from first dose of ICI to best clinical response was 6 mos (IQR 5, 8) months. All partial or non-responders received salvage TNT with (n = 6) or without (n = 3) surgery. At a median follow up of 19 mos (range 6 to 56), tumor regrowth occurred in 1 patient who was subsequently treated with TNT. Any grade immune-related adverse event occurred in 6 (29%) patients; one grade 3 hepatitis occurred in the patient on Ipi+Nivo (Table1). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant ICI treatment of dMMR LARC resulted in half of treated patients achieving cCR. Careful monitoring is necessary to identify non responders who will require salvage TNT. Patient characteristics and clinical response to ICI. ID Sex Age Stage ICI Response to ICI ID Sex Age Stage ICI Response to ICI 1 M 62 T3N+ Pembro cPR 12 M 37 T3N+ Pembro cCR 2 M 60 T2N0 Pembro cCR 13 M 41 T3N0 Pembro cCR 3 M 80 T2N0 Pembro cPD 14 M 46 T4N+ Pembro cPR 4 M 36 T3N+ Ipi+Nivo cCR 15 M 68 T3N+ Pembro cPR 5 M 57 T3N+ Dostarli cCR 16 M 77 T3N0 Pembro cPR 6 M 39 T3N+ Dostarli cPR 17 M 40 T4Nx Pembro cCR 7 F 44 T2N+ Dostarli cPD 18 F 35 T3N+ Dostarli cCR 8 M 74 T3N+ Pembro cCR 19 M 60 T2N+ Pembro cPR 9 M 43 T3N+ Nivo cCR 20 F 65 T3N+ Pembro cCR 10 F 81 T3N0 Dorstali cPR 21 F 39 T4N+ Dorstali cSD 11 F 32 T2N+ Pembro cCR

251 Background: The development of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is associated with poor prognosis, and recent data suggest that metastasis to the liver is associated with resistance to immunotherapy. We characterized the microenvironment of primary colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) relative to their synchronous CRLM using a validated segmentation algorithm that quantifies 15 distinct morphologic tumor features. Methods: Adult CRC patients with synchronous CRLM (N=57) at Mayo Clinic were identified from the electronic health record using Epic Slicer Dicer and from an internal database. Tumor H&E sections were digitized and reviewed for quality control (RKP). QuantCRC (Aiforia, Inc) was applied to digitized images to extract 15 GI pathologist pre-defined morphological features. Tumor features were compared between primaries and CRLM using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The project was approved by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board. Results: The study included 57 patients (median age 59 years [IQR 50, 73], 51% female) with CRC primaries and synchronous CRLM. Among primaries, 20 (35%) were right-sided and 37 (65%) were left-sided. QuantCRC identified 6 of 15 morphological features that differed significantly between primaries and their CRLM, including reduced stroma, more high-grade and necrosis, and a higher tumor: stromal ratio (TSR) in CRLM (Table). The increase in TIL density in CRLM vs the primary tumor was of borderline significance (p =0.053). Among patients with left-sided primary tumors, their CRLM had significantly higher TSR, percent high-grade, percent necrosis, and TIL density compared to the primary (all p values ≤ 0.02). Among right sided primaries, CRLM had a significantly reduced percent mature stroma (p=0.034) whereas percent necrosis was increased (p =0.01). Conclusions: Using deep learning, we identified tumor morphological features that differed significantly between primary CRC and their synchronous CRLM. This included higher TSR in CRLMs compared to primaries that is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and has been shown to contribute to treatment resistance. Analysis of tumor morphological features with patient prognosis is ongoing. Deep learning-derived morphological features of primary CRC and CRLM. Morphological feature (Median) Primary tumor Liver metastasis P-value Tumor-Stroma Ratio 0.78 1.50 0.008 % High-grade 23.08 31.72 0.005 TIL Count 44.36 60.20 0.053 % Necrosis 6.35 19.32 <0.001 %Signet Ring Cells 0.25 0.13 0.088 TB/PDC 0.89 1.13 0.484 % Stroma 54.89 40.98 <0.001 % Immature Stroma 46.76 34.13 <0.001 % Mature Stroma 6.27 5.08 0.030

507 Background: Navitoclax (ABT-263) is an oral Bcl-2 homology-3 mimetic that binds with high affinity to pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins, resulting in apoptosis. Sorafenib, an oral multi kinase inhibitor inhibits tumor angiogenesis and also promotes apoptosis. The efficacy of either agent alone is limited; however, preclinical studies demonstrate synergy with the combination of navitoclax and sorafenib. Methods: In this phase 1 pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study (NCT01364051), we evaluated the combination of navitoclax and sorafenib in a dose escalation cohort of patients with refractory solid tumors, with an expansion cohort in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study agents were provided by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program at National Cancer Institute under CRADA. Navitoclax and sorafenib were administered continuously on days 1 through 21 of 21-day cycles. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined using the continual reassessment method. Results: Ten patients were enrolled in the dose escalation cohort and 15 patients with HCC were enrolled in the expansion cohort. Two dose levels were tested, dose level 1 (navitoclax 150 mg daily plus sorafenib 400 mg twice daily) and dose level 2 (navitoclax 200 mg daily plus sorafenib 400 mg twice daily). At dose level 1, one dose limiting toxicity (DLT) [grade 3 aspartate aminotransferase elevation] was observed among 6 patients treated at this dose level. In a cohort of 3 patients treated at dose level 2, two DLTs were observed (grade 3 hypertension, and grade 3 rash), hence dose level 1 was identified as the MTD. Among all patients, the most common grade 3 toxicity was thrombocytopenia (5 patients, 20%): there were no grade 4 or 5 toxicities (Table). Patients received a median of 2 cycles (range 1-36 cycles) and all patients were off study treatment at data cut off. Six patients in the expansion cohort had stable disease, 5 had progressive disease and 4 with unavailable data. There were no partial or complete responses. Drug-drug interaction between navitoclax and sorafenib was not observed. The combination of navitoclax and sorafenib did not increase induction of apoptosis compared with navitoclax alone. Conclusions: Navitoclax plus sorafenib resulted in manageable, but not ideal toxicities for continuous oral administration which precluded dose escalation. The lack of clinical benefit in the HCC expansion cohort does not support further development of this combination for the treatment of advanced HCC. Clinical trial information: NCT01364051 . [Table: see text]

200 Background: We developed and validated a quantitative segmentation algorithm (QuantCRC) to predict disease recurrence in stage I-III colorectal cancer patients (pts) based on the analysis of digitized hematoxylin and eosin (H+E) stained pathology slides. In this study, we aim to determine if QuantCRC analysis on pre-treated RC biopsies can predict pathological complete response (pCR) after NAT which include total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), chemoradiation (CRT) and others. Methods: Stage II-IV RC pts treated with curative intent modalities between 2005-2023 at Mayo Clinic and University of Pittsburgh were evaluated. Eligible pts had pre and post-treatment tissue available for analysis. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome data were extracted from the medical record. QuantCRC extracted 15 features: %tumor, %stroma, tumor:stroma ratio, %TB/PDC, %mucin, %necrosis, %high-grade, %signet ring cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) per cm2 of a tumor, %immature stroma (tumor bed), %inflammatory stroma (tumor bed), %mature stroma (tumor bed), %immature (stromal region), %inflammatory (stromal region), and %mature (stromal region). The associations between the QuantCRC features and pCR were evaluated using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and logistic regression models while adjusting for primary tumor location and NAT. Results: The identified 288 pts had the following demographics: median age 60, 59% male, 52% distal tumor, 42% TNT. Pts who achieved pCR had smaller pre-treatment tumors (p=0.03), higher TILS, and lower %immature (stroma) (Table 1). After multivariable adjustment, higher TILS and lower %immature (stroma) remain to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of pCR. A higher %mature (stroma) and %mature stroma (tumor bed) were also identified, in multivariable models, to be associated with a higher rate of pCR. NAT protocol and tumor location (proximal vs. distal) were not associated with pCR. Conclusions: The ability to integrate pathological features with AI may allow for personalized treatment. Using this technology, we recognize that patients who harbor a more mature stromal archetype and inflammatory tumor predisposition, are more likely to achieve pCR to conventional NAT. These pathological features are not currently incorporated into risk stratification in RC. Additional validation and integration into current risk stratification methods is warranted. [Table: see text]

175 Background: Alterations to mismatch repair (MMR) genes such as MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2, can lead to microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors. MMR mutations can be inherited in Lynch syndrome (LS) but can also be a result of de novo alterations resulting in MSI-H malignancies. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown to improve survival in such patients (pts) compared to systemic chemotherapy. However, there is a paucity of information in the literature with respect to outcomes of pts with germline vs somatic MMR mutations in MSI-H colorectal cancer (CRC). Furthermore, the presence of underlying BRAF mutation confers resistance to chemotherapy in pts with CRC, however data regarding outcomes with immunotherapy in such pts with MSI-H CRC is lacking. Methods: Pt records from the Mayo Clinic (AZ, MN, FL) between 2008-2023 denoted as MSI-H CRC, were included for retrospective review. Pt demographics, treatment courses, and genomic profiles were collected. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Outcome differences between sub-groups were accessed with the log rank test and univariate analyses were assessed with Cox-regression. Results: A total of 81 pt records were identified (n = 18 LS, n = 63 non-LS). Stage IV disease was found in 28% of LS pts vs 59% of non-LS pts at diagnosis. Pembrolizumab was the most common ICI selected for metastatic CRC pts for both LS and non-LS pts (65% vs 94%) with median treatment duration for each group 11.7 vs 8.8 months. There were no differences in OS or PFS for any stage between LS vs non-LS. Median OS for all patients was 82 months. For all stage IV patients, median OS was 44 months, and median PFS was 19 months. Interestingly, for stage IV pts treated with immunotherapy, tumors that harbored BRAF V600E mutation (n = 21) vs BRAF wild type (n = 20) had a significantly lower median OS 19 vs 113 months (HR = 2.69, p = 0.043) as well as median PFS 12 vs 95 months (HR = 2.48, p = 0.041). Conclusions: In this study, we found that patient treated with ICIs have similar outcomes in the presence of germline vs. somatic MMR mutations in MSI-H CRC. The presence of an associated BRAF V600E mutation, which occurs in non-LS MSI-H CRC conferred worse outcomes.

e15599 Background: Screening and removal of pre-malignant adenomas has reduced CRC incidence in adults older than 50 years (later onset CRC [LOCRC]), but EOCRC incidence has increased by 1-2% annually since the 1990s. The liver is the commonest site of CRC metastasis, and EOCRC presents with more advanced stage compared with LOCRC. Oligometastasis (OM) refers to potentially resectable CRC, and complete resection of CRC primary and OM is associated with improved survival and potential cure. Here, we examined treatment outcomes of EOCRC with synchronous liver oligometastases (sLiOM) at our institution. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of institutional electronic health records and identified 160 EOCRC patients with sLiOM treated with curative intent in the last decade. Demographics, treatment, and follow up data were recorded, and analysis for survival outcomes performed. The study protocol was exempt after review by Mayo Clinic institutional review board. Results: Of 160 patients, median age at diagnosis was 43 years. Primary tumor was in the left colorectum in 73% and right colon in 26% of patients. Metastasis was limited to the liver only in 64%, and liver metastasis was solitary in 14% of patients (table 1). Fluoropyrimidine doublet backbone (81%) was more commonly used compared to triplet (19%), with doublet + bevacizumab (41%) as the most common regimen. Hepatectomy only (59%), combined hepatectomy with ablation (32%), ablation only (5%), transarterial radioembolization (2%), and trans arterial embolization (1%) were the modalities employed for sLiOM. Of the 148 patients who underwent hepatectomy, R0 resection was achieved in 51%. After a median follow-up of 37 months, progression-free survival was 11.6 mos (95% CI 9-14mos) and median overall was 83.6 mos (95% CI 62-105mos). The median time to liver progression was 16 mos (95% CI 12-20 mos). At data cut off, 41 patients (26%) were alive and disease-free, and 60 patients (38%) were alive and disease free in the liver only. Conclusions: This multi-site, retrospective analysis of EOCRC patients demonstrates excellent survival outcomes with localized treatment of sLiOM. Median OS in this cohort compares favorably to previously reported mOS of 36 months in EOCRC patients (Arhin et al, 2021). Cure is not often achieved even after treatment of sLiOM in this cohort, suggesting aggressive disease biology and the need for improved patient selection. [Table: see text]

3623 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has steadily increased in adults younger than 50 years (EO-CRC) since the 1990s, with a predominance in the left colon and rectum. Precursor lesions of CRCs are adenomas, including advanced adenomas, and sessile serrated polyps. Given that neoplastic development is age-related, we hypothesized that patients with early-onset CRC (EO-CRC) may have fewer adenomas compared to patients with average-onset CRC (AO-CRC) at diagnosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of electronic health records at Mayo Clinic or Mayo Health System [2012 to 2021] and randomly selected 150 patients with EO-CRC who met eligibility criteria and matched them with 150 AO-CRC patients based on gender and colonoscopy indication. Known hereditary syndromes or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded. At colonoscopy where CRC was diagnosed, we recorded findings of adenomas, advanced adenomas (> 1 cm, villous histology, or high-grade dysplasia), and sessile serrated polyps (SSP). Results: Median age at diagnosis was 43 years for EO-CRC and 67 years for AO-CRC. No significant differences in BMI, family history of CRC, MMR, BRAFV 600E KRAS status or SSPs were found between groups (all p > 0.05). Among patients with colon cancer, no difference was found for adenoma number yet patients with EO-colon cancer (EO-CC) had larger polyps [median of 10 mm vs 5 mm, p = 0.001] (Table) compared with AO-colon cancer (AO-CC). At least 1 adenoma was found in 56% and 47% of patients with EO-CC and AO-CC, respectively. Moreover, advanced adenomas were significantly more common in the EO-CC group compared with the AO-CC group (42% and 14%, p < 0.001) [ Table]. Among patients with rectal cancer, non-advanced adenomas were less frequent and although advanced adenoma were similar in frequency, they were more commonly located in the rectum in EO-rectal compared to AO-rectal cancers (Table). Conclusions: Patients with EO-colon cancer had a significantly higher likelihood of a synchronous advanced adenoma in the colon compared to those with AO-CRC. Together, these data suggest accelerated carcinogenesis throughout the colorectum in early onset patients, with increased risk for development of synchronous and metachronous CRC. [Table: see text]

74 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has steadily increased in adults younger than 50 years (EO-CRC) since the 1990s, with a reported higher prevalence in the left colon and rectum. Established precursor lesions of CRCs are adenomas, including advanced adenomas, and sessile serrated polyps. We hypothesized that patients at diagnosis of early-onset colon cancer (EO-CC) would have fewer adenomas compared to patients with later-onset colon cancer (LO-CC). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of electronic health records and identified 58 patients diagnosed with EO-CC who had colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic or Mayo Health System who were then matched with 58 LO-CC patients based on gender and procedure indication (diagnostic in 76%, surveillance 16%, screening 8%)[2012 to 2021]. At colonoscopy where colon cancer was diagnosed, we recorded findings of adenomas, advanced adenomas (≥ 1 cm, villous histology, and/or high-grade dysplasia) and sessile serrated polyps. On CCs, limited molecular data were available [mismatch repair (MMR); BRAFV600E, KRAS]. Results: Among 116 patients included in the EO-CC and LO-CC study arms, the median age at cancer diagnosis were 42 and 74 years, respectively. No significant differences were found between study arms and risk factors for CRC including tobacco, alcohol, BMI, genetic syndromes, family history of CRC, and MMR, BRAFV600E or KRAS status (all p> 0.05). While no difference was found for polyp number by arm, patients with EO-CC had larger polyps (median of 10 mm vs 6 mm, p=0.001) compared with LO-CC. At least 1 adenoma was found in 50% and 52% of patients with EO-CC and LO-CC, respectively. Importantly, advanced adenomas were significantly more common in the EO-CC group compared with the LO-CC group (41% and 21%, p=0.027). Sidedness of all adenomas did not differ significantly for EO-CC vs LO-CCs. Conclusions: Patients found to have a primary EO-CC had a significantly higher likelihood of a synchronous advanced adenoma in the colon compared to those with a primary LO-CRC. Together, these data suggest accelerated carcinogenesis throughout the colorectum with increased risk of synchronous and metachronous patients with EO-CC. [Table: see text]

227 Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) consists of small fragments of DNA released into the plasma from cancer cells. Tumor informed ctDNA testing by whole exome sequencing of the primary tumor coupled with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based next generation sequencing of cell free DNA in serum, can detect and quantify ctDNA, allowing for detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 120 patients with colorectal cancer who had at least one tumor-informed ctDNA MRD assay completed between May 6, 2019, and July 1, 2022, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Disease recurrence was defined as radiographic evidence consistent with recurrence with or without biopsy confirmation. Data are presented descriptively, including number of ctDNA assays completed, ctDNA positivity prior to disease recurrence, and ctDNA concordance with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The study protocol was exempt after review by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board. Results: One-hundred twenty patients were included in the study with median age at initial disease diagnosis of 67.0 years. Sixty-four percent were male and 94% were white. At time of initial diagnosis, 10 had stage I, 23 stage II, 60 stage III, and 25 stage IV disease. In 120 patients, 476 ctDNA assays were performed, and 110 recurrences were observed among 62 patients. There were 39 instances in which ctDNA was obtained prior to clinical detection of recurrence and of these, at least one ctDNA assay was positive in 28 cases (72%). CEA was obtained prior to recurrence in 88 instances and was elevated in only 39 cases (44%). Among 37 instances where both ctDNA and CEA testing were obtained prior to recurrence, ctDNA was positive in 27 cases (73%) while CEA was positive in 14 cases (38%). ctDNA was positive in 83% of recurrences involving liver and 62.5% of recurrences involving only the lungs. ctDNA and CEA positivity are shown by location of recurrence. ctDNA and CEA were discordant in 44% of instances in which the assays were completed within 2-weeks of each other. Results of a ctDNA assay impacted management decisions in 16% of cases. Conclusions: ctDNA detected 72% of recurrences with higher rates of detection in liver versus lung metastasis. ctDNA performed superiorly to serum CEA in detection of recurrence, suggesting a role in disease surveillance. However, ctDNA impacted disease management in only 16% of patients, suggesting need for better patient selection and further study for ctDNA-based disease management strategy (more details will be reported). [Table: see text]