Outcomes After Preoperative Chemoradiation With or Without Pazopanib in Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Report From Children's Oncology Group and NRG Oncology
Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported. ARST1321 was a phase II study designed to compare the near complete pathologic response rate after preoperative chemoradiation with/without pazopanib in children and adults with intermediate-/high-risk chemotherapy-sensitive body wall/extremity non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02180867 ). Enrollment was stopped early following a predetermined interim analysis that found the rate of near complete pathologic response to be significantly greater with the addition of pazopanib. As a planned secondary aim of the study, the outcome data for this cohort were analyzed. Eight-five eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive (regimen A) or not receive (regimen B) pazopanib in combination with ifosfamide and doxorubicin + preoperative radiotherapy followed by primary resection at week 13 and then further chemotherapy at week 25. As of December 31, 2021, at a median survivor follow-up of 3.3 years (range, 0.1-5.8 years), the 3-year event-free survival for all patients in the intent-to-treat analysis was 52.5% (95% CI, 34.8 to 70.2) for regimen A and 50.6% (95% CI, 32 to 69.2) for regimen B ( P = .8677, log-rank test); the 3-year overall survival was 75.7% (95% CI, 59.7 to 91.7) for regimen A and 65.4% (95% CI, 48.1 to 82.7) for regimen B ( P = .1919, log-rank test). Although the rate of near complete pathologic response was significantly greater with the addition of pazopanib, outcomes were not statistically significantly different between the two regimens.
A phase II study of cabozantinib and temozolomide in patients with unresectable or metastatic leiomyosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas.
11505 Background: Potentiation of chemotherapy, without increased toxicity, to improve outcome is an area of interest. Preclinical and clinical evidence shows simultaneous utilization of antiangiogenic agents and chemotherapy have a synergistic effect. We hypothesized that the dual targeting of VEGF and c-MET pathways with cabozantinib (CAB) would result in clinical benefit for patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) when combined with temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent. Utilization of CAB/TMZ is anticipated to produce a synergistic antitumor effect worthwhile to explore in STS. Methods: A multicenter phase II study of CAB/TMZ in patients with unresectable/metastatic leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and other STS was conducted by the Midwest Sarcoma Trials Partnership. Age ≥ 18, adequate performance status, organ function, measurable disease (RECIST 1.1), and 0-5 prior chemotherapy regimens were required. CAB 40 mg PO daily plus TMZ 150-200 mg/m2 PO 1-5 days were given in 28-day cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients enrolled in 2 cohorts: 1. Uterine and non-uterine LMS 2. Other STS. The first 14 subjects to be enrolled in the study in either cohort served as a safety lead in. The primary endpoint was progression-free rate (PFR) at 12 weeks for cohort 1. Secondary endpoints include overall response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate, median progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and safety and tolerability. The exploratory endpoint was to estimate the correlation of PFR and OS to expression levels of VEGF, amongst others. A Simon 2-stage design was used. Results: A total of 42 patients were enrolled in Cohort 1, and 30 in Cohort 2, across 5 sites. For Cohort 1, median age was 59 years (range 35-86), 85.7% were non-Hispanic, 73.8% were female, 61.9% had ECOG of 0. The PFR at 12 weeks was 45.9% (for 37 evaluable patient) with a median PFS of 6.4 months (95% CI 4.6-6.7). Five PR were observed for an ORR of 13.5%. For Cohort 2, median age was 63 (20-86), 83.3% were non-Hispanic, 36.7% were female, 53.3% had ECOG of 0. The PFR at 12 weeks was 50% (for 28 evaluable patients) with a median PFS of 3.2 months (95% CI 1.4-4.6). One PR was observed. Reported grade 3-4 adverse events attributed to one or both intervention drugs affecting ≥10% of patients (n = 70) included hypertension (10%), decreased neutrophils (18.7%), decreased platelets (31%). Conclusions: The combination therapy of CAB/TMZ in patients with unresectable or metastatic LMS exceeded its primary endpoint with a PFR at 12 weeks > 39%. The PFS of 6.4 months in Cohort 1 exceeds rates achieved with second line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and alkylators in LMS patients. Treatment was feasible and did not reveal any previously unreported toxicities. The combination with CAB with TMZ demonstrated meaningful clinical benefit and is worth further exploration in LMS. Clinical trial information: NCT04200443 .
Trimodality Therapy Improves Disease Control in Radiation-Associated Angiosarcoma of the Breast
Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the impact of trimodality treatment versus monotherapy or dual therapy for radiation-associated angiosarcoma of the breast (RAASB) after prior breast cancer treatment. Experimental Design: With Institutional Review Board approval, we identified patients diagnosed with RAASB and abstracted data on disease presentation, treatment, and oncologic outcomes. Trimodality therapy included (i) taxane induction, (ii) concurrent taxane/radiation, and then (iii) surgical resection with wide margins. Results: A total of 38 patients (median age 69 years) met inclusion criteria. Sixteen received trimodality therapy and 22 monotherapy/dual therapy. Skin involvement and disease extent were similar in both groups. All trimodality patients required reconstructive procedures for wound closure/coverage, compared with 48% of monotherapy/dual therapy patients (P < 0.001). Twelve of 16 (75%) patients receiving trimodality therapy had a pathologic complete response (pCR). With median follow-up of 5.6 years, none had local recurrence, 1 patient (6%) had distant recurrence, and no patients died. Among 22 patients in the monotherapy/dual therapy group, 10 (45%) had local recurrence, 8 (36%) had distant recurrence, and 7 (32%) died of disease. Trimodality therapy demonstrated significantly better 5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS; 93.8% vs. 42.9%; P = 0.004; HR, 7.6 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.3–44.2)]. Combining all patients with RAASB regardless of treatment, local recurrence was associated with subsequent distant recurrence (HR, 9.0; P = 0.002); distant recurrence developed in 3 of 28 (11%) patients without local recurrence compared with 6 of 10 (60%) with local recurrence. The trimodality group had more surgical complications that required reoperation or prolonged healing. Conclusions: Trimodality therapy for RAASB was more toxic but is promising, with a high rate of pCR, durable local control, and improved RFS.
The Midwest Sarcoma Trials Partnership: Bridging Academic and Community Networks in a Collaborative Approach to Sarcoma
The treatment of sarcoma necessitates a collaborative approach, given its rarity and complex management. At a single institution, multidisciplinary teams of specialists determine and execute treatment plans involving surgical, radiation, and medical management. Treatment guidelines for systemic therapies in advanced or nonresectable soft tissue sarcoma have advanced in recent years as new immunotherapies and targeted therapies become available. Collaboration between institutions is necessary to facilitate accrual to clinical trials. Here, we describe the success of the Midwest Sarcoma Trials Partnership (MWSTP) in creating a network encompassing large academic centers and local community sites. We propose a new model utilizing online platforms to expand the reach of clinical expertise for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma.
Neoadjuvant pazopanib in nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (ARST1321): A report of major wound complications from the Children's Oncology Group and NRG Oncology
AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe impact upon wound healing of targeted molecular therapies, when incorporated into neoadjuvant therapy of soft tissue sarcoma, is largely unknown. Here, we describe wound complications following addition of pazopanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), to neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) +/− chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma.MethodsWound complications were evaluated on dose‐finding and randomized arms of ARST1321, a phase II/III study incorporating neoadjuvant RT, +/− pazopanib, +/− ifosfamide/doxorubicin (ID) for sarcoma therapy.ResultsOf 85 evaluable patients, 35 (41%) experienced postoperative wound complications. Most (57%) were grade III. Randomization to pazopanib + RT + ID carried a 50% wound complication rate (17/34, with 47% grade III), compared to 22% (5/23) with ID + RT alone. In nonchemotherapy study arms, pazopanib + RT resulted in a 59% wound complication rate versus 25% for those receiving RT alone. Grade III wound complications occurred among 26% (15/58) of all patients receiving pazopanib. Wound complications occurred a median of 35 days postoperatively. Some occurred following diagnostic biopsies and at remote surgical sites.ConclusionThe addition of pazopanib to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and RT resulted in a higher wound complication rate following therapy of soft tissue sarcoma. The rate of grade III complications remained comparable to that reported in contemporary literature.
Letter to the Editor:
The Effectiveness of Empathic Communication Training on Goals of Care and End-of-Life Conversations
Abstract Background Regorafenib is one of several FDA‐approved cancer therapies targeting multiple tyrosine kinases. However, there are few subtype‐specific data regarding kinase inhibitor activity in sarcomas. We report results of a single arm, phase II trial of regorafenib in advanced Ewing family sarcomas. Methods Patients with metastatic Ewing family sarcomas (age ≥ 18, ECOG 0–2, good organ function) who had received at least one line of therapy and experienced progression within 6 months of registration were eligible. Prior kinase inhibitors were not allowed. The initial dose of regorafenib was 160 mg oral days 1–21 of a 28‐day cycle. The primary endpoint was estimating progression‐free rate (PFR) at 8 weeks employing RECIST 1.1. Results Thirty patients (median age, 32 years; 33% women [10 patients]; bone primary, 40%; extraskeletal primary, 60%) enrolled at 14 sites. The most common grade 3 or higher toxicities were hypophosphatemia (5 grade 3, 1 grade 4), hypertension (2 grade 3), elevated ALT (2 grade 3). Sixteen patients required dose reductions, most often for hypophosphatemia ( n = 7 reductions in 6 patients); two stopped regorafenib for toxicity. There was one death unrelated to treatment in the 30‐day post‐study period. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 14.8 weeks (95% CI 7.3–15.9); PFR at 8 weeks by Kaplan–Meier analysis was 63% (95% CI 46–81%). The RECIST 1.1 response rate was 10%. Median OS was 53 weeks (95% CI 37–106 weeks). Conclusions Regorafenib has modest activity in the Ewing family sarcomas. Toxicity was similar to that seen in approval studies.
Outcome and surveillance pattern in older GIST population.
e24016 Background: Recent studies of patients (pts) with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) have included an older patient population. The majority of these have focused on treatment, but little is known regarding the optimal duration of surveillance following surgery for localized disease. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of pts age 70 years (yrs) and above (≥) at diagnosis (dx), who underwent surgery for their localized GIST. Charts were reviewed of GIST diagnosed between 1992 to 2016, to allow at least 5 yrs for surveillance, if performed. Demographics were analyzed and pts were risk stratified using modified NIH criteria. Results: We identified 42 pts with a median age of 74 yrs (70 to 89 yrs) at dx. The majority of pts were male (31, 74%) and non-Hispanic White (37, 88%). Most pts had gastric GIST (25, 60%). The median resected tumor was 47 mm (range 6 to 190). Thirty-nine of 42 pts had margin status documented R0 resection. The median overall survival for all pts was 7.9 yrs (1.1 to 17.7), with median recurrence free survival 5.6 yrs (1.1 to 13.7). Only 4 of 16 (25%) pts died from GIST recurrence, and all were detected under 5 yrs from surgery. Fourteen of 34 pts (41%) who survived over 5 yrs from resection had extended surveillance imaging. Demographics and risk stratification are shown in Table. None of the 16 low risk pts developed recurrence, including 6 (38%) whose surveillance imaging continued beyond 5 yrs. Among 7 intermediate risk pts, only 1 pt (14%) extended surveillance imaging beyond 5 yrs. Two intermediate risk pts (29%) developed recurrence and were symptomatic at dx. One intermediate risk pt died from GIST metastasis within 1 yr from surgery. Seven of 19 (37%) high risk pts had surveillance imaging beyond 5 yrs following surgical resection. Seven high risk pts (37%) developed recurrence within median 5.6 yrs (1.6 to 13.7) from surgery; five of these were detected on imaging. In the high risk pts with recurrence, 5 had received adjuvant imatinib and 2 declined any systemic therapy. Three pts (16%) in the high risk cohort died from GIST. Conclusions: In this cohort of pts age ≥ 70 yrs with resected GIST, the majority of pts were symptomatic at relapse. Older pts who undergo surgery for low risk GIST may not require extended surveillance. Fit, older pts with high risk GIST may benefit from extended surveillance imaging, even if they received adjuvant imatinib.[Table: see text]
Outcomes following preoperative chemoradiation +/- pazopanib in non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS): A report from Children's Oncology Group (COG) and NRG Oncology.
11504 Background: Pazopanib is a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with activity in advanced soft tissue sarcoma. ARST1321 was a phase II study designed to compare the near complete pathologic response rate (≥ 90% necrosis) following preoperative chemoradiation +/- pazopanib in children and adults with intermediate/high risk chemotherapy-sensitive body wall/extremity NRSTS. Enrollment was stopped early following a predetermined interim analysis that found the rate of near complete pathologic response to be significantly greater with the addition of pazopanib. As a planned secondary analysis of the study, we now report the outcome data for this cohort. Methods: ARST1321 was a jointly designed COG and NRG Oncology study open to enrollment July 2014-October 2018. Eligible adult (≥18 years) and pediatric (< 18 years) patients with newly-diagnosed unresected body wall/extremity NRSTS were enrolled into the Chemotherapy Cohort (> 5 cm, FNCLCC grade 2/3, protocol-designated chemotherapy-sensitive histology). Following a dose-finding phase, patients were randomized to receive (Regimen A) or not receive (Regimen B) pazopanib (< 18 years: 350 mg/m2/day; ≥ 18 years: 600 mg/day) in combination with ifosfamide (7.5 gm/m2/cycle) and doxorubicin (75 mg/m2/cycle) + 45 Gy preoperative RT followed by primary resection at week 13, then further chemotherapy to week 25. Results: Eighty-five eligible patients were enrolled in the Chemotherapy Cohort and randomized to receive or not receive pazopanib. Median age 22.1 years (range: 5.7-64.2 years); 30 patients < 18 years. Most common histologies were synovial sarcoma (n = 42) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (n = 19). As of December 31, 2021, at a median survivor follow-up of 3.3 years (range: 0.1 – 5.8 years), the 3-year event-free survival (EFS) for all patients in the intent-to-treat analysis was 52.5% (95% CI: 34.8%-70.2%) for Regimen A and 50.6% (32%-69.2%) for Regimen B (p = 0.8677); 3-year overall survival (OS) was 75.7% (59.7%-91.7%) for Regimen A and 65.4% (48.1%-82.7%) for Regimen B (p = 0.1919). Conclusions: Although the rate of near complete pathologic response was significantly greater with the addition of pazopanib to preoperative chemoradiation in children and adults with intermediate/high risk body wall/extremity NRSTS, outcomes were not statistically significantly different between the two regimens. Pathologic response could be a TKI-related phenomenon and may not be a good surrogate marker of outcome in future studies. Clinical trial information: NCT02180867.
Selinexor in Advanced, Metastatic Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma: A Multinational, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PURPOSE Antitumor activity in preclinical models and a phase I study of patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DD-LPS) was observed with selinexor. We evaluated the clinical benefit of selinexor in patients with previously treated DD-LPS whose sarcoma progressed on approved agents. METHODS SEAL was a phase II-III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients age 12 years or older with advanced DD-LPS who had received two-five lines of therapy were randomly assigned (2:1) to selinexor (60 mg) or placebo twice weekly in 6-week cycles (crossover permitted). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Patients who received at least one dose of study treatment were included for safety analysis (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02606461 ). RESULTS Two hundred eighty-five patients were enrolled (selinexor, n = 188; placebo, n = 97). PFS was significantly longer with selinexor versus placebo: hazard ratio (HR) 0.70 (95% CI, 0.52 to 0.95; one-sided P = .011; medians 2.8 v 2.1 months), as was time to next treatment: HR 0.50 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.66; one-sided P < .0001; medians 5.8 v 3.2 months). With crossover, no difference was observed in overall survival. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events of any grade versus grade 3 or 4 with selinexor were nausea (151 [80.7%] v 11 [5.9]), decreased appetite (113 [60.4%] v 14 [7.5%]), and fatigue (96 [51.3%] v 12 [6.4%]). Four (2.1%) and three (3.1%) patients died in the selinexor and placebo arms, respectively. Exploratory RNA sequencing analysis identified that the absence of CALB1 expression was associated with longer PFS with selinexor compared with placebo (median 6.9 v 2.2 months; HR, 0.19; P = .001). CONCLUSION Patients with advanced, refractory DD-LPS showed improved PFS and time to next treatment with selinexor compared with placebo. Supportive care and dose reductions mitigated side effects of selinexor. Prospective validation of CALB1 expression as a predictive biomarker for selinexor in DD-LPS is warranted.