Colón‐Otero, Gerardo

Abstract Background: We previously demonstrated that intrinsic subtypes were associated with prognosis for early recurrence risk in patients (pts) with early-stage HER2-positive (HER2+) BC treated with trastuzumab (H) in the N9831 trial. Here, we evaluated the prognostic value of Intrinsic subtypes and 21-gene assay and the risk of early and late recurrence in the N9831 trial. Methods: NanoString custom code set, which included PAM50 and housekeeping genes, was used to quantify mRNA and generated intrinsic subtypes and risk of recurrence (ROR) score from the N9831 trial in Arms A and C: Arm A chemotherapy alone and arm C concurrent H. Quantitative RT-PCR of 21 genes, calculation of the axis, including estrogen axis (ER, PGR, BCL2, SCUBE2), HER2 axis (GRB7, HER2), proliferation axis (Ki67, STK15, Survivin, CCNB1, MYBL2), invasion axis (MMP11, CTSL2), and recurrence score (RS) risk group assignment (RS group 1 and 2: RS < 31 and RS group 3: RS ≥ 31) were performed using Oncotype DX assay. Cox regression models for RFS were used for analysis. Early recurrence was defined as a recurrence that occurred at ≤ 5 years, and late recurrence was defined as recurrence at > 5 years. Results: A total of 783 patients (Arm A 409 and Arm C 374) were included in this analysis. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis to evaluate the risk of early recurrence in patients who received chemotherapy alone in arm A, both invasion genes (MMP11 HR 1.23, 95%CI 1.05-1.44, p 0.01 and CTSL2 HR 1.36, 95%CI 1.1-1.69, p 0.005) and invasion axis (HR 1.64, 95%CI 1.26-2.13, p < 0.001) were associated with a higher rate of early recurrence. CD68 was associated with improved outcomes (HR 0.56, 95%CI 0.38-0.83, p 0.004). For the risk of early recurrence in patients treated with trastuzumab in arm C, ER (HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.74-0.97, p 0.02), PR (HR 0.78, 95%CI 0.64-0.94, p 0.008), and estrogen axis (HR 0.7, 95%CI 0.57-0.87, p 0.001) were associated with improved outcomes. Invasion axis (HR 1.61, 95%CI 1.08-2.41, p 0.02), Oncotype Dx risk group (3 vs. 1 and 2, HR 8.89, 95%CI 1.27-1124, p 0.02), and basal subtype (HR 2.77, 95%CI 1.1-5.95, p 0.03) were also significantly associated with worse outcomes. For risk of late recurrence, in arm A, ER (HR 1.22, 95%CI 1.04-1.44, p 0.02), PR (1.26, 95%CI 1.05-1.5, p 0.01), and estrogen axis (1.39, 95%CI 1.09-1.77, p 0.008) were associated with worse outcomes. Oncotype Dx risk group (3 vs. 1 and 2, HR 0.4, 95%CI 0.16-0.98, p 0.05) was associated with improved outcomes. However, neither individual gene, axis, nor intrinsic subtypes were associated with the risk of late recurrence in patients treated with trastuzumab. Conclusions: For risks of early recurrence, the invasion genes/axis were associated with increased risks of recurrence in patients with early-stage HER2+ BC regardless of trastuzumab treatment. Among patients treated with trastuzumab, ER genes/axis, Oncotype Dx risk group, and intrinsic subtype were prognostic for risks of recurrence in the first five years. For risks of late recurrence, ER genes/axis and Oncotype Dx risk group were prognostic but only in patients treated with chemotherapy alone. The ER genes/axis were associated with less recurrence in the first five years but worse after five years, reflecting a higher risk of late recurrence in ER/PR+ HER2+ BC patients treated with chemotherapy alone. However, none of the individual gene, axis, or intrinsic subtypes were associated with the risk of late recurrence in patients treated with trastuzumab. Therefore, future studies are needed to identify biomarkers for the risk of late recurrence in HER2+ BC patients treated with adjuvant trastuzumab. Support: BCRF-19-161; U10CA180821, U10CA180882, Genentech. https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org; Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00005970 Citation Format: Saranya Chumsri, Zhuo Li, Nadine Norton, Alvaro Moreno-Aspitia, Gerardo Colon-Otero, Keith L. Knutson, Antonio C. Wolff, Edith A. Perez, E. A. Thompson. Effects of Intrinsic Subtypes and 21-gene Assay on the Early and Late Recurrence Risks in Patients with Early Stage HER2+ Breast Cancer: An Analysis of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) N9831 (Alliance) Trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-05.

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gemcitabine plus nab‐paclitaxel in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.MethodsWe performed a single institution retrospective review of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who were treated with gemcitabine plus nab‐paclitaxel from 2012 to 2018 at the Mayo Clinic in Florida.ResultsTwenty patients were identified and the median PFS for patients treated with gemcitabine plus nab‐paclitaxel was 9 months (95% CI, 5.7–20.7). Overall, 17 of the 20 patients (85%) achieved a clinical benefit (complete response 5%, partial response 55%, or stable disease at 3 months 25%). For platinum‐sensitive disease and platinum‐resistant disease, the median OS were 38.7 months (95% CI, 5.8–63.1) and 31.2 months (95% CI, 12.8–51.8), respectively (p = 0.4306).ConclusionThis well‐tolerated regimen shows promising activity in recurrent ovarian cancer and is a viable option for patients who are intolerant to paclitaxel or carboplatin because of allergic reactions.

Abstract Background: Previous studies showed conflicting results regarding association between stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTIL) and outcome in HER2+ breast cancer. While sTIL were not associated with outcome in patients (pts) treated with trastuzumab in N9831, immune functions genes are linked to outcome in these pts. TLS is an organized form of ectopic lymphoid aggregates (LA) with secondary lymphoid organ structure. Several studies showed that TLS associates with improved outcome in multiple cancers. However, distinguishing TLS and simple LA is challenging, particularly when germinal center is absent. In this study, we evaluated integrated pathological quantification and genomic data to assess functional TLS. Methods: Pathological evaluation of LA in H&E slides from pts treated in Arm A (chemotherapy alone) and Arm C (chemotherapy with concurrent trastuzumab) in N9831 was performed. NanoString was used to quantify mRNA. Wilcoxon rank sum test, Chi squared test, Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model were used to evaluate association between LA and baseline characteristics as well as outcomes. Results: LA was quantified in 1011 pts (526 Arm A, 485 Arm C). Greater number of LA was significantly associated with higher tumor grade, ER/PR negativity and increasing sTIL, but not age, tumor size or lymph node status. Increasing numbers of LA were associated with improved RFS in both arms combined (p 0.028). However, using multivariable Cox regression analysis in each treatment arm, LA (≥ 1 vs 0) was associated with improved RFS only in Arm A (HR 0.6, 95%CI 0.43-0.84, p 0.003) but not Arm C (HR 0.72, 95%CI 0.47-1.1, p 0.134). Further evaluation of expression of TLS-related immune genes including IFNG, ICOSLG, CXCL13, CXCR3, BCL6, IL21R, ICOS, PDCD1, CXCR5, CXCL9, TBX21, CD38, CXCL10, CLXCL11, IL21, CD200 was carried out among 252 pts in Arm C with LA ≥ 1. Among these 16 TLS-related immune genes, as a continuous variable, higher expression of BCL6 (HR 0.61, 95%CI 0.41-0.92, p 0.019) and IL21R (HR 0.78, 95%CI 0.62-0.98, p 0.03) were associated with improved RFS in Arm C pts with LA ≥ 1. However, these genes were not significantly associated with outcome in Arm C pts without LA with BCL6 HR1.07 (95%CI 0.67-1.71, p 0.776) and IL21R HR 0.96 (95%CI 0.71-1.29, p 0.775). Conclusion: Similar to sTIL, greater number of LA was associated with improved outcome in HER2+ pts treated with chemotherapy alone but not chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab. Using histogenomic integration with the combination of pathological LA and TLS-related immune genes, we identified that pts with functional TLS with LA ≥ 1 and higher expression of BCL6 or IL21R had significantly improved outcome when treated with trastuzumab. Future studies are needed to further confirm these findings. Support: U10 CA180821, U24 CA196171, https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org; Genentech; Clinicaltrials.gov Id: NCT00005970 Citation Format: Saranya Chumsri, Tracy R. Shachner, Zhuo Li, Nadine Norton, Alvaro Moreno-Aspitia, Gerardo Colon-Otero, Edith A. Perez, E. A. Thompson, Aziza Nassar, Keith L. Knutson. Functional tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) and outcome in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer in NCCTG N9831 (Alliance) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5627.

2637 Background: Mutation-associated neoantigens (MANAs) constitute attractive antigens for the design of cancer vaccines. However, clinical implementation remains challenging because of the patient specific nature of MANAs, hereby requiring that a bespoke vaccine is designed for each subject. We developed a pipeline for the genomic characterization and the design of tailored vaccine using a modified vaccinia Ankara viral vector. Methods: Immunogenicity, safety and early clinical activity of personalized cancer vaccines are being assessed in two phase I trials, respectively in high grade serous OC and HPV-negative HNSCC. Patients (Pts) at high risk of relapse are enrolled in the study being in remission following surgical primary treatment. High risk is defined as stage IIIC or IVA for OC and stage III or IVA for HNSCC. A vaccine is manufactured for each patient. OC pts are treated at asymptomatic relapse based on radiological finding or elevation of CA-125 with the vaccine alone; HNSCC pts in complete remission after surgery and adjuvant therapy are randomized to receive the vaccine either at the end of locoregional treatment or in combination with standard of care at relapse. The vaccine was administered weekly for 6 weeks and a booster dose every three weeks over a year or until progression, whichever occurred first. Results: At the time of the data cut-off, a total of 8 pts were treated: 4 relapsing OC pts, 3 HNSCC pts in complete remission and 1 relapsing HNSCC pt. AE attributable to the vaccine were mainly grade 1 injection site reactions and fatigue. One OC pt displayed an objective response 6 weeks after initiation of vaccine and for 9 months with a normalization of CA-125 until death from an unrelated cause; 1 other OC pt remains on treatment with a stable radiological disease for 11 months. The 2 other OC progressed at the first evaluation on day 43. HNSCC pts treated in complete remission received respectively 20, 15 and 4 doses, and remain on treatment and disease free. One HNSCC patient received 9 doses of vaccine after relapse in conjunction with chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy and remains on treatment with stable disease after 5 months. Immune monitoring demonstrates priming of a polyepitopic T cell response against class I and II antigens. Responses were observed regardless of HLA and without cross-reactivity to the germline protein. Adaptive response was associated with a shift of CD4 and CD8 T cells toward an effector phenotype and innate cellular immunity was activated with a strong maturation and activation of NK cells. Immune changes were stronger in pts with controlled disease versus progressors. Conclusions: Data demonstrate that TG4050 is safe, well tolerated and able to induce T cell responses whatever the HLA haplotype. Early signs of clinical activity were observed in OC pt. These data pave the way for further development and synergistic immunotherapeutic combinations. Clinical trial information: NCT04183166.

535 Background: Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a rarer form of breast cancer, accounting for 10% of the disease cases. HER2 overexpression in ILC is infrequent and limited data exist regarding clinical characteristics and outcome of HER2-positive (HER2+) ILC patients (pts) treated with adjuvant trastuzumab. Methods: Patient characteristics were compared between ILC and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) using Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and Chi-square test for categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used to estimate the freedom from mortality and recurrence. Cox regression model was used to evaluate the association between ILC and outcomes adjusted for other characteristics. NanoString technology was used to quantify mRNA to develop immune-related gene signatures. Results: From a total of 3,304 pts, 122 (3.7%) pts had ILC. Pts with ILC were significantly older (median age 54 vs. 49 years), had larger tumors, lower grade, more ER and PR positive tumors, and more lymph node involvement (25.4% had N3 disease compared to 12.7% in IDC). Overall, with KM analysis, pts with ILC had significantly worse overall survival (OS, p = 0.005) and recurrence-free survival (RFS, p = 0.046) compared to IDC. The 15-year freedom from recurrence was merely 57.67% in ILC compared to 72.68% in IDC. A significant number of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) ILC pts developed late recurrence with cumulative event rates increasing from 23% at 5 years to 42% at 15 years. Nevertheless, in multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusting for other clinical characteristics, including age, tumor size, grade, ER/PR, and lymph node status, lobular histology was not significantly associated with worse outcome for OS (HR = 1.19, 95%CI 0.67-2.1, p = 0.55) and RFS (HR = 1.5, 95%CI 0.9-2.5, p = 0.12), as compared with IDC. However, ILC pts appeared to have similar degree of benefit from trastuzumab, with RFS HR = 0.58 compared to HR = 0.67 in the entire population. For immune landscape, there was no significant difference in gene signatures related to CD45, CD8, B cells, or cytotoxic cells. However, ILC had more enrichment in mast cell gene signature and fewer macrophage, NK CD56dim, and regulatory T cell signatures compared to IDC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: HER2+ ILC has distinct clinical characteristics and immune landscape compared to IDC. ILC pts appeared to have worse outcome compared to IDC likely because ILC pts often presented with more locally advanced disease. However, similar benefit of trastuzumab was observed in ILC pts. Due to high risk of late relapse in HR+ HER2+ ILC, extended adjuvant endocrine therapy should be considered in this group of high-risk pts. Clinical trial information: NCT00005970.

Abstract Background: Although risk of late relapse in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer is well established, most existing data pertain to the HR+ HER2-negative (HER2-) subgroup. CTS5 is one of the models for predicting risk of late relapse in HR+ HER2- breast cancer. However, the value of this model in HR+ HER2+ disease is less known, particularly in the context of adjuvant trastuzumab. Here, we evaluated CTS5 in patients with early stage HR+ HER2+ breast cancer treated in the NCCTG N9831 (Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology) and NSABP B-31 (NRG) trials. Methods: Stage I-III HR+ (ER+ and/or PR+) HER2+ breast cancer patients who were free of recurrence after 5 years in N9831 and B-31 trials were included. The online CTS5 calculator was used to determine CTS5 score and risk group (low, intermediate, and high) based on age, tumor size, grade, and number of involved nodes. Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimates, Cox regression models, and C index were used for analysis. N9831 and B-31 trials were analyzed separately. Results: 1,204 patients in N9831 and 658 patients in B-31 met the entry criteria. Baseline characteristics were similar between both trials, including median age, tumor size, and follow up. Similar distribution within CTS5 risk group was observed in both trials; 68.2% and 70.1% patients were high risk, 24% and 21.9% as intermediate risk, as well as 7.8% and 8.1% as low risk classified in N9831 and B-31, respectively. Using univariate Cox regression analysis, CTS5 score as a continuous variable was associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the entire study cohort, including patients who received chemotherapy alone or in combination with trastuzumab, (HR 1.37, 95%CI 1.03-1.81, p=0.03, C index 0.57 in N9831 and HR 1.36, 95%CI 1.06-1.76, p=0.02, C index 0.54 in B-31), but not in patients who received concurrent trastuzumab (HR 1.19, 95%CI 0.73-1.2, p=0.49, C index 0.54 in N9831 and HR 1.35, 95%CI 0.96-1.9, p=0.08, C index 0.54 in B-31). As categorical variable in the entire study cohort, CTS5 risk group was not significantly associated with RFS among patients with intermediate vs. low (HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.18-1.22, p=0.12 and HR 1.61, 95%CI 0.66-3.92, p=0.29) and high vs. low (HR 1.23, 95%CI 0.57-2.67, p=0.6 and HR 1.93, 95%CI 0.85-4.41, p=0.12) with the C index of 0.58 and 0.53 in N9831 and B-31 respectively. There was also no significant difference in RFS among 3 CTS5 risk groups with Kaplan-Meier estimates. Among patients who received concurrent trastuzumab, similar trends were observed with no statistical difference in RFS between high vs. low (HR 0.68, 95%CI 0.24-1.97, p=0.48 and HR 1.44, 95%CI 0.52-3.96, 0.49) with the C index of 0.55 and 0.51 in N9831 and B-31, respectively. Paradoxically, patients with intermediate risk had better RFS than low risk (HR 0.18, 95%CI 0.03-0.97, p=0.05) in N9831 but no significant difference in B-31 (HR 1.31, 95%CI 0.44-3.95, p=0.63). Conclusions: While CTS5 score as a continuous variable was associated with outcome in overall HR+ HER2+ population, this model was not prognostic in patients receiving adjuvant trastuzumab in both N9831 and B-31 trials. Furthermore, the correlation (C index) was modest and CTS5 risk group as a categorical variable could not stratify outcome in this group of patients. This study underlines the need to develop a new prognostic model to better delineate the risk of late relapse in HR+ HER2+ breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab as this model can facilitate clinical decision for extended adjuvant endocrine therapy. Support: BCRF-19-161, U10CA180821, U10CA180868 and U10CA180822 (NRG), Genentech. https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org Citation Format: Tanyami Pai, Angelica Gil, Yaohua Ma, Zhuo Li, Pooja Advani, Moreno Moreno-Aspitia, Gerardo Colon-Otero, Edith A. Perez, Yan Asmann, Katherine Pogue-Geile, E. A. Thompson, Saranya Chumsri. Prognostic value of clinical treatment score post-5 years (CTS5) and late relapse risk in hormone receptor-positive HER2-positive breast cancer in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) N9831 (Alliance) and NSABP B-31 (NRG) trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS6-03.

AbstractBackgroundThere are few treatment options for patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM).MethodsWe report a case series of patients with breast cancer and LM treated with intra‐CSF topotecan (TOPO). Outcome was assessed by clinical exam and MRI at baseline, at end of induction (4‐5 weeks), then every 3 months; CSF cytology was determined at baseline and with each treatment.ResultsThirty‐one women [median age, 58 (37‐81); median KPS 60 (40‐100)] received treatment. At baseline, 68% had positive CSF cytology, and 90%, leptomeningeal enhancement on MRI. 84% of patients also received focal RT (not during TOPO) and 77% received concomitant systemic hormonal or chemotherapy. Median number of TOPO treatments was 14.5 (range, 3‐71); median duration of treatment, 11 weeks (1‐176); and median OS, 6.9 months (range, 0.9‐48.8). Patients remaining progression‐free during 4‐6 weeks of induction (81%) had a median OS of 11.5 months (range, 1.8‐48.8). Overall neurologic PFS at 6, 12, and 24 months was 39%, 26%, and 6%, respectively. Clearing of CSF malignant cells for >3 consecutive samples occurred in 10/21 (48%) patients with positive CSF cytology at baseline, remaining clear for a median duration of 15.9 months (range, 1.4‐34.5). Grade 3 adverse events included headache or vomiting (3pts), T2 hyperintensity surrounding the ventricular catheter (2 pts), and meningitis (2 pts).ConclusionsIntra‐CSF TOPO, with focal RT as needed for symptomatic areas of enhancement produced durable clearing of CSF malignant cells in 48% of patients positive at baseline, with promising median PFS and OS.

529 Background: Multiple prognostic models exist to predict late relapse risk in early stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC). The CTS5 is one such model that has been validated in HR+ HER2-negative BC. The value of this model in HR+ HER2+ has not been established. Here, we assessed CTS5 in patients (pts) with early stage HER2+ BC treated in the NCCTG N9831 (Alliance) trial. Methods: Pts with stage I-III HER2+ HR+ BC who survived ≥ 5 years were included. The online CTS5 calculator was used to determine CTS5 score and risk group (low, intermediate, and high) based on age, tumor size, grade, and number of involved nodes. Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimates, Cox regression models, and C index were used for analysis. Results: From 3,130 pts, 1,204 pts met the criteria and were included. Median age was 49 (22-79) years and median tumor size was 2.4 (0.1-12) cm. 63.6% had grade 3 tumors, 33.6% grade 2, and 2.8% grade 1. Median follow up was 10.89 (5.01-15.32) years. Based on CTS5, 821 (68.2%) pts were classified as high risk, 289 (24%) as intermediate risk, and 94 (7.8%) as low risk. Overall, using univariate Cox regression analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in recurrence free survival (RFS) among pts with intermediate vs. low (HR 0.47 95%CI 0.18-1.22, p = 0.12) and high vs. low (HR1.23 95%CI0.57-2.67, p = 0.6) with the C index of 0.58. Among pts who received concurrent trastuzumab (H) with HR+ BC, there was also no statistical difference in RFS between high vs. low (HR 0.68 95%CI0.24-1.97, p = 0.48) with the C index of 0.55. Paradoxically, pts with intermediate risk had better RFS than low risk (HR 0.18 95%CI0.03-0.97, p = 0.05). As a continuous variable, there is also no significant improvement in RFS per 1 unit increase in CTS5 score (HR 1.19 95%CI 0.73-1.96, p = 0.49) with the C index of 0.54. After 5 years, 7.06% (n = 30/425) of HR+ pts treated with concurrent H recurred. Conclusions: The CTS5 model is not prognostic in pts with early stage HR+ HER2+ BC receiving adjuvant H. While most HR+ HER2+ pts are classified as high risk by CTS5, the recurrence between years 5-10 was low in pts who received adjuvant H. This study highlights the need to develop a new predictive model for risk of late relapse in this specific group of pts to enable clinicians to determine which pts would benefit from extended adjuvant endocrine therapy. Support: BCRF-19-161, U10CA180821, Genentech. https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org Clinical trial information: NCT00005970 .

2015 Background: A prior study of intra-CSF topotecan (TOPO) for unselected pts w/ NM reported PFS 6 mo of 19%, and OS of 15 wks (Groves, NeuroOncol 2008;10:208). We postulated that greater activity might occur in pts w/ malignancies considered sensitive to topoisomerase inhibitors. Methods: We reviewed outcome of women with NM and adenocarcinoma of the breast, ovary or lung receiving IVe TOPO (0.4 mg 2x/wk x 4wk, Q wk x 4, Q 2wk x 2, Q mo x 3, Q 2mo x 3, and Q 3mo x 4) until progression (PROG) or adverse events (AE). All had baseline CSF cytology, and MRI of brain and spine. CSF cytology was obtained at each treatment (Rx), and brain/spine MRI Q 3mo. Neuro-specific PROG was defined as recurrent + CSF cytology; PROG of NM on MRI; all-cause neurologic worsening; pt refusal; or death. PFS/OS were measured from 1st TOPO Rx. All pts signed consent; the study was IRB approved. Results: 17 women (breast -12; lung-3; ovary - 2) were treated via Ommaya reservoirs; 7 (41%) had VP shunts w/ valves, adjusted for Rx. Median (med) age was 53 (41-79), and KPS 70 (50-90). At presentation, 11(65%) had + CSF cytology and 14 (82%) had NM on MRI [brain-11 (65%); spine-10 (59%)]. 15 (88%) had no prior intrathecal Rx. 13 pts (76%) received focal RT for CNS disease, and 8 (47%), chemotherapy for extracranial disease. Med.number of Rx were 13/pt (range, 3-50); med. duration of TOPO Rx was 14 wks (range, 1-109). Med. neuro-specific PFS was 13 wks; PFS6 was 41%, and PFS12, 29 %. Med. OS was 33 wks (range, 5-180), w/ 4 alive at 13+, 30+, 33+, and 180+ wks. 4 pts (24%) lived > 95 wks. Of 11 w/ baseline + CSF cytology, 7 (64%) cleared CSF of malignant cells (med. duration clear = 47 wk (range, 9-104). AE included arachnoiditis (18%), leukoencephalopathy (18%), and Ommaya infections (12%). Rx was stopped for neuro PROG (29%); systemic PROG (23%); refusal (18%); AE (12%); or persistent negative CSF (6%); 12% are still on Rx. Conclusions: Promising activity of IVe TOPO was observed in women with NM from breast, lung and ovarian cancer. PFS 6 and 12, OS and cytologic response were twice that noted in prior studies of NM pts w/ unselected malignancies. This data supports our plan for a phase II study targeting this select cohort.