Colorectal cancer metastatic dMMR immunotherapy (COMMIT) study: A randomized phase III study of atezolizumab (atezo) monotherapy versus mFOLFOX6/bevacizumab/atezo in the first-line treatment of patients with deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) or microsat
TPS311 Background: Approximately 45% of dMMR/MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the immunotherapy arm progressed at 12 mos (KEYNOTE 177). We hypothesize that dMMR/MSI-H mCRC patients (pts) may be more effectively treated with the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 (PD-1) pathway blockade and mFOLFOX6/bevacizumab (bev) rather than with anti-PD-L1 therapy (atezo) alone. Preclinical work demonstrated synergistic effects between anti-PD-1/anti-VEGF as well as between oxaliplatin/anti-PD-1 in murine CRC models, and phase II data showed activity of anti-PD-1/anti-VEGF in chemotherapy refractory colon cancer. Within the AtezoTRIBE 8-pt dMMR CRC subgroup treated with FOLFOXIRI+bev+atezo, median PFS was not reached, with the first progression event at ~16 mos. Additionally, in other solid tumor malignancies, anti-PD-1 plus anti-VEGFr (i.e., HCC and RCC) as well as anti-PD-1 plus chemotherapy (i.e., gastroesophageal and lung cancers) combinations are standard first-line treatments. Methods: This two-arm prospective phase III open-label trial randomizes (1:1) mCRC dMMR/MSI-H to atezo monotherapy v mFOLFOX6/bev+atezo combination. Key inclusion criteria have been simplified on recent amendments to better mirror clinical practice for pts receiving mFOLFOX6/bev+atezo: One cycle of FOLFOX or CAPOX, with or without bev (or biosimilar) prior to enrollment allowed, dMMR tumor determined by local CLIA-certified IHC assay (MLH1/MSH2/MSH6/PMS2) or MSI-H by local CLIA-certified PCR or NGS panel; pts with total bilirubin ≤4.0 x ULN; duration of therapy for up to two years for both arms; imaging frequency on post-treatment follow-up has been reduced; as has measurable disease per RECIST. Primary endpoint is PFS. Assuming the atezo monotherapy control arm has a 48% PFS at 24 mos as assessed by site investigator, we have 80% power to detect a hazard ratio of 0.6 (equivalent to 64.4% PFS at 24 mos) with alpha 0.025 one-sided. Stratification factors include BRAFV600E status, metastatic site, and prior adjuvant CRC therapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, safety profile, disease control rate, and duration of response. Archived tumor tissue and blood samples will be collected for correlative studies. Harmonization of translational analyses is planned between GI004 (COMMIT) and A021502 (ATOMIC). Sample size has been modified with the accrual goal of 120 pts randomized between the two immunotherapy arms needed for study completion. Enrollment actively continues at U.S. sites. Current accrual (as of 9-20-2024): 100/120. Clinical trial information: NCT02997228 .
NRG-GI008: Colon adjuvant chemotherapy based on evaluation of residual disease (CIRCULATE-North America).
TPS310 Background: Currently, there are no biomarkers validated prospectively in randomized studies for resected colon cancer (CC) to determine need for adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). However, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) represents a highly specific and sensitive approach (especially with serial monitoring) for identifying minimal/molecular residual disease (MRD) post-surgery in CC patients (pts), and may outperform traditional clinical and pathological features in prognosticating risk for recurrence. CC pts who do not have detectable ctDNA (ctDNA-) are at a much lower risk of recurrence and may be spared the toxicities associated with AC. Furthermore, for CC pts with detectable ctDNA (ctDNA+) who are at a very high risk of recurrence, the optimal AC regimen has not been established. We hypothesize that for pts whose CC has been resected, ctDNA status may be used to risk-stratify for making decisions about AC. Methods: In this prospective phase II/III trial, up to 1,912 pts with resected stage IIB, IIC, and III CC will be enrolled. Based on the post-operative ctDNA status using personalized and tumor-informed assay (Signatera, bespoke assay), those who are ctDNA- (Cohort A) will be randomized to immediate AC with fluoropyrimidine (FP)+oxaliplatin (Ox) for 3-6 mos per established guidelines v serial ctDNA monitoring. Patients who are ctDNA+ post-operatively, or with serial monitoring (Cohort B), will be randomized to FP+Ox v more intensive AC with addition of irinotecan (I) for 6 mos. One cycle of chemotherapy is allowed while awaiting ctDNA testing results for cohort assignment. The primary endpoints for Cohort A are time to ctDNA+ status (phase II) and disease-free survival (DFS) (phase III) in the immediate v delayed AC arms. The primary endpoint for Cohort B is DFS in the FP+Ox v FP+Ox+I arms for both phase II and phase III portions of the trial. Secondary endpoints include prevalence of detectable ctDNA post-operatively, time-to-event outcomes (overall survival and time to recurrence) by ctDNA status, and the assessment of compliance to adjuvant therapy. Biospecimens including archival tumor tissue, as well as post-operative plus serial matched/normal blood samples, will be collected for exploratory correlative research. Active enrollment across the NCTN started in June 2022 with CCTG sites joining in August 2023. Current accrual (as of 9-20-2024): 500/1,912. Clinical trial information: NCT05174169 .
Quality-of-life outcomes from NRG Oncology NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413: whole-breast irradiation vs accelerated partial-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery
Abstract Background NRG Oncology NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 compared whole-breast irradiation (WBI) to accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI). APBI was not equivalent to WBI in local tumor control. Secondary outcome was quality of life (QOL). Methods The QOL sub-study used validated self-report questionnaires, including the Breast Cancer Treatment Outcome Scale (BCTOS) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) vitality scale. Assessments occurred before random assignment, at treatment completion (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), 4 weeks later, at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Primary aims: cosmesis change equivalency (baseline to 3 years; a priori margin of equivalence 0.4 standard deviations) and fatigue change superiority (baseline to end of treatment [EOT]) for APBI vs WBI, by patient groups treated with or without chemotherapy when appropriate. Results From March 21, 2005 to May 25, 2009, 975 patients enrolled in this sub-study; 950 had follow-up data. APBI had 3-year cosmesis equivalent to WBI (95% CI = -0.0001 to -0.16; equivalence margin -0.22 to -0.22) in all patients. The APBI group without chemotherapy had less EOT fatigue (P = .011; mean score APBI 63 vs WBI 59); the APBI group receiving chemotherapy had worse EOT fatigue (P = .011; APBI 43 vs WBI 49). The APBI group reported less pain (BCTOS) at EOT (WBI 2.29 vs APBI 1.97) but worse pain at 3 years (WBI 1.62 vs APBI 1.71). APBI patients reported greater convenience of care than with WBI and reported less symptom severity at EOT and 4 weeks later. Conclusion Cosmetic outcomes were similar for the APBI and WBI groups, with small statistically significant differences in other outcomes that varied over time. Differences in fatigue and other symptoms appeared to resolve by ≥6 months. APBI may be preferred by some patients, for whom extended treatment is burdensome. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00103181.
Assessment of the Addition of Oxaliplatin to Fluoropyrimidine-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer: An ACCENT Pooled Analysis
PURPOSE The adjuvant treatment for stage III colon cancer (CC) is chemotherapy combining fluoropyrimidine (FP) and oxaliplatin (OX). FP regimen plus OX (FPOX) may benefit in high-risk stage II CC. We performed a pooled analysis of pivotal MOSAIC and C-07 studies evaluating FPOX for the treatment of high-risk stage II CC according to prognostic factors, number of high-risk factors, and current clinicopathologic risk classification on the basis of T stage, tumor perforation, and number of lymph nodes examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS One thousand five hundred and ninety-five patients with stage II CC receiving FP or FPOX were pooled. The overall survival (OS) benefit of OX was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and unadjusted Cox models stratified by study. Three thousand and fifty-nine patients with stage III CC were used only for interaction tests between the allocated chemotherapy and stage. RESULTS In the pooled analysis of stage II patients, independent prognostic factors in multivariable analysis were sex, age, perforation/obstruction, and tumor sidedness. There was a significant interaction in OS between stage and allocated chemotherapy with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.03 for stage II (95% CI, 0.82 to 1.29; P = .813) and 0.82 for stage III (95% CI, 0.73 to 0.92; P = .001; P int = .073). There was no benefit from the addition of OX to FP for any of the prognostic factors. The number of high-risk factors tested was not predictive of OX benefit. According to the currently agreed clinicopathologic risk classification, no OS benefit of OX was observed, as HR was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.63 to 1.18; P = .349). CONCLUSION No OS benefit of adjuvant OX was found in high-risk stage II CC, regardless of the definition used to characterize tumors as having a high risk for recurrence. Hence, our analysis suggests that OX should not be the standard of care for adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II CC, even in high-risk patients.
Outcomes in Stage IIA vs. Stage IIB/III in the PALLAS Trial [ABCSG-42/AFT-05/PrE0109/BIG-14-13])
Abstract Background The PALLAS trial investigated the addition of palbociclib to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy reduces breast cancer recurrence. This pre-specified analysis was conducted to determine whether adjuvant palbociclib benefited patients diagnosed with lower risk stage IIA disease compared to those with higher stage disease. Methods PALLAS was an international, multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III trial, representing a public-private partnership between Pfizer, the Austrian Breast Cancer Study Group and, the U.S. ALLIANCE Foundation. Patients diagnosed with stage II-III, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2/neu negative breast cancer who were within 12 months of diagnosis, and had completed all definitive therapy aside from endocrine therapy, which was started within 6 months prior to study entry. All patients were required to submit a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor block. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive standard adjuvant endocrine therapy (of physicians’ choice) for at least 5 years with or without 2 years of Palbociclib, administered orally at a starting dose of 125 mg daily, given for 21 days followed by a 7-day break. Results A total of 5,796 patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer (including 1,010 with stage IIA) were enrolled. Median follow-up was 50 months for stage IIA patients and 43.1 months overall. In the stage IIA cohort, four-year iDFS in the palbociclib arm was 92.9% versus 92.1% for ET alone (HR 0.75, 95%CI 0.48–1.19, p = 0.23). There was no differential benefit by histologic grade, chemotherapy receipt, age, or anatomic/clinical risk. Additionally, no benefit to palbociclib was seen in this cohort in invasive breast cancer-free survival (iBCFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), distant relapse-free survival (DRFS), or overall survival (OS). For the stage IIB/III patients, 4-year iDFS was 85.3% for palbociclib + ET versus 83.6% for ET alone (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.77–1.07, p = 0.24). Conclusions and Relevance: While there were substantial differences in outcome for stage IIA versus IIB/III patients at 4 years of follow-up, the addition of 2 years of palbociclib did not improve outcomes for patients, regardless of stage. Trial Registration: The study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov on July 31, 2015, and was assigned the clinical trial number (NCT02513394).
Clinical and Genomic Risk for Late Breast Cancer Recurrence and Survival
NRG-GI004/SWOG-S1610: Colorectal cancer metastatic dMMR immuno-therapy (COMMIT) study—A randomized phase III study of atezolizumab (atezo) monotherapyversus mFOLFOX6/bevacizumab/atezo in the first-line treatment of patients with deficient DNA mismatch repa
TPS3632 Background: Approximately 45% of dMMR/MSI-H mCRC in the immunotherapy arm progressed at 12 mos (KEYNOTE 177). We hypothesize that dMMR/MSI-H mCRC patients (pts) may be more effectively treated with the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 (PD-1) pathway blockade and mFOLFOX6/bevacizumab (bev) rather than with anti-PD-L1 therapy (atezo) alone. Preclinical work demonstrated synergistic effects between anti-PD-1/anti-VEGF as well as between oxaliplatin/anti-PD-1 in murine CRC models, and phase II data showed activity of anti-PD-1/anti-VEGF in chemotherapy refractory colon cancer. Upon AtezoTRIBE subgroup analysis of the 8 pts with dMMR mCRC treated with FOLFOXIRI+bev+atezo, median PFS was not reached, with the first pt having progression ~16 mos. Additionally, in other solid tumor malignancies, anti-PD-1 plus anti-VEGFr (i.e., HCC and RCC) as well as anti-PD-1 plus chemotherapy (i.e., gastroesophageal and lung cancers) combinations are standard first-line treatments. Methods: This two-arm prospective phase III open-label trial randomizes (1:1) mCRC dMMR/MSI-H to atezo monotherapy v mFOLFOX6/bev+atezo combination. Key inclusion criteria have been simplified on recent amendments to better mirror clinical practice for pts receiving mFOLFOX6/bev+atezo: One cycle of FOLFOX or CAPOX, with or without bev (or biosimilar) prior to enrollment allowed, dMMR tumor determined by local CLIA-certified IHC assay (MLH1/MSH2/MSH6/PMS2) or MSI-H by local CLIA-certified PCR or NGS panel; pts with total bilirubin ≤4.0 x ULN; duration of therapy for up to two years for both arms; imaging frequency on post-treatment follow-up have been reduced; as has measurable disease per RECIST. Primary endpoint is PFS. Assuming the atezo monotherapy control arm has a 48% PFS at 24 mos as assessed by site investigator, we have 80% power to detect a hazard ratio of 0.6 (equivalent to 64.4% PFS at 24 mos) with alpha 0.025 one-sided. Stratification factors include BRAFV600E status, metastatic site, and prior adjuvant CRC therapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, safety profile, disease control rate, and duration of response. Archived tumor tissue and blood samples will be collected for correlative studies. Harmonization of translational analyses is planned between GI004 (COMMIT) and A021502 (ATOMIC). Sample size has been modified with the accrual goal of 120 pts randomized between the two immunotherapy arms needed for study completion. Enrollment actively continues. Current accrual (as of 02-02-2024): 96/120. NCT02997228. Support: U10CA180868, -180822, -180888, UG1CA189867, U24CA196067; Genentech, Inc. Clinical trial information: NCT02997228 .
Colon adjuvant chemotherapy based on evaluation of residual disease (CIRCULATE-NORTH AMERICA): NRG-GI008.
TPS3641 Background: Currently, there are no biomarkers validated prospectively in randomized studies for resected colon cancer (CC) to determine need for adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). However, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) represents a highly specific and sensitive approach (especially with serial monitoring) for identifying minimal/molecular residual disease (MRD) post-surgery in CC patients (pts), and may outperform traditional clinical and pathological features in prognosticating risk for recurrence. CC pts who do not have detectable ctDNA (ctDNA-) are at a much lower risk of recurrence and may be spared the toxicities associated with AC. Furthermore, for CC pts with detectable ctDNA (ctDNA+) who are at a very high risk of recurrence, the optimal AC regimen has not been established. We hypothesize that for pts whose CC has been resected, ctDNA status may be used to risk-stratify for making decisions about AC. Methods: In this prospective phase II/III trial, up to 1,912 pts with resected stage IIB, IIC, and III CC will be enrolled. Based on the post-operative ctDNA status using personalized and tumor-informed assay (Signatera, bespoke assay), those who are ctDNA- (Cohort A) will be randomized to immediate AC with fluoropyrimidine (FP)+oxaliplatin (Ox) for 3-6 mos per established guidelines vserial ctDNA monitoring. Patients who are ctDNA+ post-operatively, or with serial monitoring (Cohort B), will be randomized to FP+Ox v more intensive AC with addition of irinotecan (I) for 6 mos. One cycle of chemotherapy is allowed while awaiting ctDNA testing results for cohort assignment. The primary endpoints for Cohort A are time to ctDNA+ status (phase II) and disease-free survival (DFS) (phase III) in the immediate v delayed AC arms. The primary endpoint for Cohort B is DFS in the FP+Ox v FP+Ox+I arms for both phase II and phase III portions of the trial. Secondary endpoints include prevalence of detectable ctDNA post-operatively, time-to-event outcomes (overall survival and time to recurrence) by ctDNA status, and the assessment of compliance to adjuvant therapy. Biospecimens including archival tumor tissue, as well as post-operative plus serial matched/normal blood samples, will be collected for exploratory correlative research. Active enrollment across the NCTN started in June 2022 with CCTG sites joining in August 2023. Current accrual (as of 02-02-2024) is 240/1,912. NCT05174169. Support: U10-CA-180868, -180822; UG1CA-189867; Natera, Inc. Clinical trial information: NCT05174169 .
NRG-BR007: A phase III trial evaluating de-escalation of breast radiation (DEBRA) following breast-conserving surgery of stage 1, HR+, HER2-, RS ≤18 breast cancer.
TPS622 Background: Approximately 50% of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers are stage 1, with the majority being ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative. Genomic assays such as the Oncotype DX have identified patients (pts) with reduced risk of distant metastasis and without benefit from chemotherapy added to endocrine therapy, freeing them from excess toxicity. Genomic assays are also recognized as prognostic for in-breast recurrence (IBR) after BCS and could similarly allow de-escalation of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Reducing overtreatment is of interest to pts, providers, and payers. Methods: We hypothesize that breast-conserving surgery (BCS) alone is non-inferior to BCS plus RT for IBR and breast preservation in women intending endocrine therapy (ET) for stage 1 invasive breast cancer (ER and/or PR-positive, HER2-negative with an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score [RS] of ≤18). Stratification is by age (<60; ≥60), tumor size (≤1 cm; >1-2cm), and RS (≤11, >11-18/MammaPrint Low). Pts are randomized post-BCS to Arm 1 with breast RT using standard methods (moderate or ultra hypo- or conventional-fractionated whole breast RT with/without boost, or APBI) with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) or Arm 2 with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) alone. The specific regimen of ET in both arms is at the treating physician’s discretion. Eligible pts are stage 1: pT1 (≤2 cm), pN0, age ≥50 to <70 yrs, s/p BCS with negative margins (no ink on tumor), s/p axillary nodal staging (SNB or ALND), ER and/or PR-positive (ASCO/CAP), HER2-negative (ASCO/CAP), and Oncotype DX RS ≤18 (diagnostic core biopsy or resected specimen); (a “low risk” MammaPrint is permissible if completed as part of usual care prior to screening). Primary endpoint is IBR (invasive breast cancer or DCIS). Secondary endpoints are breast conservation rate, invasive in-breast recurrence, relapse-free interval, distant disease-free survival, overall survival, patient-reported breast pain, patient-reported worry about recurrence, and adherence to ET. We assume a clinically acceptable difference in IBR of 4% at 10 yrs to judge omission of RT as non-inferior (10-yr event-free survival for RT group is 95.6% v 91.6% for the omission-of-RT group). BR007 is powered to detect non-inferiority with 80% power and a one-sided α=0.025, assuming that there would be a ramp-up in accrual in the first two years (leveling off in yrs 3-5); 1,670 pts (835 per arm) are required for randomization. Conservative loss to follow-up is 1%/yr. Some T1a pts screened may have Oncotype DX scores >18, making them ineligible for the study. In the accrual process, 1,714 pts will be required to register to ensure that our final randomized cohort is 1,670 pts. Current accrual (02-05-2024) is 805 screened and 716 randomly assigned. Clinical trial information: NCT04852887 .
A phase III trial evaluating addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to ovarian function suppression + endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with pN0-1, HR+/HER2- breast cancer (BC) and oncotype recurrence score (RS) ≤25 (OFSET): NRG-BR009.
TPS612 Background: The TAILORx and RxPONDER trials demonstrated that RS identifies many postmenopausal pts with node-neg and node-pos BC and RS ≤25, who do not benefit from addition of ACT to endocrine therapy (ET). Both trials also showed that certain subsets of premenopausal pts (node-neg/high clinical risk/RS 16-20, node-neg/RS 21-25, and node-pos/RS ≤25) benefited from adding ACT to ET. Most premenopausal pts in these trials did not receive ovarian function suppression (OFS) as part of their ET regimen. Given the observed benefit from OFS in high-risk premenopausal pts with HR+/HER2- BC in the SOFT/TEXT trials, many questioned whether all or part of the observed ACT benefit in the TAILORx/RxPONDER trials may have been the result of chemotherapy-induced OFS. To address this question, we developed OFSET, a phase III, multicenter clinical trial comparing OFS+ET v ACT+OFS+ET. Methods: We hypothesize that addition of ACT to OFS+ET is superior to OFS+ET in improving invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) among premenopausal, early-stage BC pts with HR+/HER2- tumors, and a 21-gene RS between 16-25 (for pN0 pts) and 0-25 (for pN1 pts). Secondary objectives include invasive disease-free survival, overall survival, distant recurrence-free interval, breast cancer-free interval, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Pts must be node-neg with RS 16-20 (plus high clinical risk), or RS 21-25, or have 1-3 positive nodes with RS ≤25. Stratification is by nodal status/RS status (pN0 RS 16-25 v pN1 RS 0-15 and pN1 RS 16-25), intent to receive CDK4/6 inhibitor (yes; no), and age (18-39 v ≥40). Pts are randomized after surgery to either OFS+ET or ACT+OFS+ET. ET is an aromatase inhibitor (AI). Choice is per investigator discretion; tamoxifen is allowed if AI is not tolerated or if OFS is incomplete. Radiotherapy will be administered per investigator discretion per protocol guidelines. The HRQOL substudy will assess differences in severe menopausal symptoms, measured by the FACT ESS-19 score between arms, as well as increased pain severity (PROMIS). Blood and tumor specimens will be collected for future research. Accrual of 3,960 pts is anticipated to be completed in 7 yrs, 7 mos. Per NSABP B-28 and RxPONDER data, 5yr IBCFS of pN1 pts on the ACT+OFS+ET arm is estimated at 92.3%. Based on TAILORx data, 5yr IBCFS of pN0 pts on the ACT arm is ~95%. Assuming 56% of pts to be pN0 and 44% pN1, and a 0.5% annual loss-to-follow-up rate, the definitive analyses to detect a hazard ratio: 0.75 with ACT+OFS+ET v OFS+ET, with one-sided α of 0.025 and 80% power, will require 380 IBCFS events, expected to occur~11 yrs after study initiation. OFSET was activated Aug 2023. Clinical trial information: NCT05879926 .