Objectives A platinum/etoposide doublet is standard first-line therapy for poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PD NEC); however, evidence to guide treatment beyond first-line regimens is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of second-line regimens in PD NEC. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated with second-line chemotherapy for PD NEC. Inclusion criteria were previous first-line therapy with platinum/etoposide, extrapulmonary PD NEC, and follow-up data. The primary end points were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after second-line therapy. Secondary end points included OS and PFS from first-line therapy. Results Sixty-four patients were included. The median OS from initiation of second-line therapy was 6.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9–8.9). The median PFS was 2.3 months (95% CI, 2.0–3.2). No second-line regimen showed a statistically significant difference in OS or PFS. There was a significant increase in OS for cisplatin first-line regimens compared with carboplatin (17.0 months [95% CI, 12.5–22.6] vs 11.7 months [95% CI, 8.0–14.0]). Conclusions The efficacy of current second-line therapy in PD NEC is poor. No second-line regimen showed statistically significant superiority. Cisplatin was associated with longer OS regardless of second-line regimen or age. However, unmeasured confounders such as performance status or comorbidities may explain this effect.
The impact of dose modification and temporary interruption of ibrutinib on outcomes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients in routine clinical practice
Abstract To study the impact of dose modification and temporary interruption of ibrutinib in routine clinical practice, we conducted a retrospective study of consecutive CLL patients treated with ibrutinib outside the context of a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic, (Rochester, MN) from 11/2013 to 12/2017. Of 209 patients, 131 (74%) had unmutated IGHV , 38 (20%) had TP53 disruption, and 47 (22%) were previously untreated. A total of 87/209 (42%) patients started reduced dose ibrutinib (<420 mg daily; n = 43, physician preference; n = 33, concomitant medications; and n = 11, other). During 281 person‐years of treatment, 91/209 patients had temporary dose interruption (54%, nonhematologic toxicity; 29%, surgical procedures; 10%, hematologic toxicity; and 7%, other). After a median follow‐up of 24 months, the estimated median event‐free survival (EFS) was 36 months, and median overall survival (OS) was not reached. On multivariable analyses, temporary ibrutinib interruption (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.37, P = .006) and TP53 disruption at ibrutinib initiation (HR: 1.81, P = .048) were associated with shorter EFS, whereas only TP53 disruption (HR: 2.38, P = .015) was associated with shorter OS. Initial ibrutinib dose and dose modification during therapy did not appear to impact EFS or OS. These findings illustrate the challenges associated with continuous oral therapy with ibrutinib in patients with CLL.
CYP3A inhibitors and adverse outcomes in patients treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.
2596 Background: Docetaxel (D) is an anti-mitotic drug metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 enzyme. While case reports have demonstrated a potential association of CYP3A inhibitor use with severe toxicity in D treated patients (pts), there are no data whether co-administration of CYP3A inhibitors with D increases the rate of hospitalization and/or death. Methods: A retrospective cohort of pts treated with D at the Mayo Clinic Rochester from 1/1/09-10/1/11 was identified. Information regarding D and concomitant chemotherapy (starting dose and dose reductions), type of CYP3A inhibitor, growth factor use, hospitalizations and deaths was abstracted. Time to event analyses (either hospitalization or death) were conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimates and proportional hazards modeling. Results: 384 pts (median age 63, range 20-93) received D as monotherapy (48%) or as multi-agent chemotherapy (52%) for a median of 4 cycles. 56 pts were co-administered CYP3A inhibitors (45 moderate, 11 strong). 90 pts were hospitalized during D chemotherapy and 15 died. The mean time to hospitalization was significantly shorter in pts treated with a mod/strong CYP3A inhibitor (186 days) vs not treated (408 days) (p=0.02) . While time to death was not significantly different based on inhibitor use (111 vs. 177 days, p=0.49), time to first event (hospitalization or death) varied significantly according to those on inhibitors (187 days) versus not (397 days) (HR: 1.78, p=0.02). Time dependent analyses indicated that use of multiage chemotherapy (combination vs D monotherapy; HR 1.96, p= 0.002) and chemotherapy dose reduction of either D (HR 0.54, p<0.01) or other chemotherapy (HR 0.61, p=0.02) were significantly associated with the risk of an event. In a multivariate analysis, moderate/strong CYP3A inhibitor use was associated with a higher risk of any event (HR 1.79, p<0.02), independent of the use or dose of either multi-agent chemotherapy or D dose. Conclusions: These are the first data to demonstrate that co-administration of CYP3A inhibitors with D increases the risk of hospitalization and/or death. Oncologists should reconcile medications prior to D administration and mod/strong CYP3A inhibitors should be avoided or used with caution.
Acute Interstitial Nephritis and Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy
Background The objective of this case cohort study was to describe our experience in the care of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor–related acute interstitial nephritis (ICI-AIN) including rechallenge. Methods A descriptive case series of patients that received an ICI and had an AKI (defined as a ≥1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine) as an immune-related adverse event (irAE), with biopsy-proven or clinically suspected ICI-AIN from January 1, 2014 to December 1, 2018 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. We studied details regarding diagnosis, clinical course, management, and outcomes of rechallenge of immunotherapy. Complete response (CR) was defined as return of kidney function back to baseline or <0.3 mg/dl above baseline creatinine; partial response (PR) was defined as creatinine >0.3 mg/dl from baseline, but less than twofold above the baseline by the end of steroid course. Results A total of 14 cases of biopsy-proven (35%) or clinically suspected (65%) ICI-AIN was identified. All patients had their ICI withheld and 12 patients received steroids. Steroid regimens were highly variable. The starting equivalent dose of prednisone was higher in those that had a CR versus a PR (median 0.77 mg/kg versus 0.66 mg/kg). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were used in 11 patients and were stopped in eight (73%) patients at the time of the AKI event. A CR was seen in five (63%) of the eight patients who discontinued PPIs. Rechallenge was attempted in four of the 14 patients: three were successful with no recurrence of AKI, but one patient had recurrent AKI and fatal pneumonitis. Conclusions Careful review, withholding ICI and concomitant known AIN-inducing medications, along with prompt initial steroid management were the key in complete renal kidney recovery. A kidney biopsy should be strongly considered. Rechallenge of immunotherapy after a kidney irAE, although challenging, is possible and would need careful evaluation on an individual basis. Podcast This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/K360/2020_01_30_KID0000152019.mp3
Defining current gaps in quality measures for cancer immunotherapy: consensus report from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2019 Quality Summit
Background Quality measures are important because they can help improve and standardize the delivery of cancer care among healthcare providers and across tumor types. In an environment characterized by a rapidly shifting immunotherapeutic landscape and lack of associated long-term outcome data, defining quality measures for cancer immunotherapy is a high priority yet fraught with many challenges. Methods Thus, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer convened a multistakeholder expert panel to, first, identify the current gaps in measures of quality cancer care delivery as it relates to immunotherapy and to, second, advance priority concepts surrounding quality measures that could be developed and broadly adopted by the field. Results After reviewing the existing quality measure landscape employed for immunotherapeutic-based cancer care, the expert panel identified four relevant National Quality Strategy domains (patient safety, person and family-centered care, care coordination and communication, appropriate treatment selection) with significant gaps in immunotherapy-based quality cancer care delivery. Furthermore, these domains offer opportunities for the development of quality measures as they relate to cancer immunotherapy. These four quality measure concepts are presented in this consensus statement. Conclusions This work represents a first step toward defining and standardizing quality delivery of cancer immunotherapy in order to realize its optimal application and benefit for patients.
The Importance of Pharmacovigilance during Ibrutinib Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in Routine Clinical Practice
Abstract Introduction: Ibrutinib has shown remarkable safety and efficacy in CLL. Due to CYP3A4 (3A4) metabolism, the concurrent use of 3A4 inhibitors/inducers with ibrutinib should be avoided. Ibrutinib is also associated with bleeding complications, in part due to effects on collagen-mediated platelet aggregation, thus caution is advised with the simultaneous use of anticoagulant (AC) and antiplatelet agents. It is unknown what proportion of CLL patients starting ibrutinib therapy in routine practice are on these medications. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate these aspects in a large cohort of CLL pts treated with ibrutinib outside the context of clinical trials. Methods: Following IRB approval, consecutive CLL pts who initiated ibrutinib off-protocol at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN from November 2013 through July 2015 were evaluated. A medication review for drug-drug interactions was performed by a pharmacist on all pts. Baseline characteristics, concomitant medications, and toxicity were recorded. Time to toxicity and ibrutinib discontinuation were analyzed by Kaplan Meier and cumulative incidence methods accounting for competing risk of death, respectively. Results: Ninety-six CLL pts started ibrutinib. Median age was 66 years and 64 (67%) were male. Ibrutinib indications included: relapsed/refractory CLL (n=84), treatment-naïve CLL with del17p (n=8), and CLL with Richter's transformation (n=4). Approximately 80% had unmutated IGHV and 45% had del17p or del11q on FISH. Upon initial pharmacy consult prior to ibrutinib, the median number of concomitant medications was 9 (range, 1-31). Sixty (63%) pts were taking concurrent medications increasing their risk of ibrutinib toxicity and 4 (4%) pts were on drugs potentially reducing ibrutinib efficacy. At ibrutinib initiation, 16 (17%) pts were on concomitant 3A4 inhibitors. This included 9 (9%) on moderate 3A4 inhibitors (fluconazole, diltiazem, imatinib, cyclosporine) and 7 (7%) on strong 3A4 inhibitors (voriconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin, itraconazole). In 4 pts, the 3A4 inhibitor was switched to another agent or discontinued to allow standard 420 mg daily dosing. Ibrutinib was initiated at 140 mg daily in 7 pts on moderate 3A4 inhibitors and at 140 mg every 48 hours in 5 pts on strong 3A4 inhibitors. Four (4%) pts were on strong 3A4 inducers (carbamazepine, rifampin, rifabutin) at the initiation of ibrutinib. The 3A4 inducer was discontinued prior to ibrutinib start in 3 pts, while the initial ibrutinib dose was decreased to 140 mg every 48 hours in the remaining patient (also on 2 strong 3A4 inhibitors). During the course of ibrutinib, an additional 8 (8%) pts were started on 3A4 inhibitors/inducers which necessitated dose modifications. Upon commencing ibrutinib, 9 (9%) pts were on concomitant AC (6 warfarin, 3 enoxaparin). Due to significant bleeding risk, warfarin was switched to enoxaparin in 2 pts, to aspirin (ASA) in 1 and warfarin was discontinued in 1. In 2 pts, an alternative AC could not be used so ibrutinib was begun at 140 mg daily and titrated upward. Twenty-nine (30%) pts were on ASA (3 [3%] also on clopidogrel) at ibrutinib initiation. Nineteen (20%) pts were on selective serotonin release inhibitors (SSRIs), and 9 (9%) were on NSAIDs. Thirteen (13%) pts were on fish oil and 24 (25%) were on herbal medications; all of which were discontinued prior to starting ibrutinib. Ten (10%) pts had clinically significant bleeding on ibrutinib including 4 (4%) requiring hospitalization (1 subdural hematoma). Of these 4 pts, 1 was on enoxaparin, 2 were on a SSRI and 1 a NSAID. Six pts had minor bleeding necessitating a dose reduction of ibrutinib to 140-280 mg daily. After 16 months follow-up, the risk of bleeding was 21% (95% CI: 1-37%, Figure). After a median follow-up of 7.6 months, 73 (76%) pts remain on ibrutinib. There was no difference in rates of discontinuation of ibrutinib between patients who were on 3A4 inhibitors/inducers versus those who were not. Conclusion: In the "real-world" setting, 2 out of 3 CLL patients commencing ibrutinib therapy is on a concomitant medication with a potentially clinically significant drug-drug interaction with ibrutinib. These findings have implications for the practicing hematologist who must maintain a high degree of vigilance when prescribing ibrutinib to CLL pts. We highly recommend a formal medication review by a clinical pharmacist in all patients initiating ibrutinib. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Ding: Merck: Research Funding. Kay:Hospira: Research Funding; Tolero Pharma: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Shanafelt:Glaxo-Smith_Kline: Research Funding; Pharmactckucs: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Polyphenon E Int'l: Research Funding.
Intratumoral CD3+ and CD8+ T-Cell Densities in Patients With DNA Mismatch Repair–Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Programmed Cell Death-1 Blockade
Intratumoral CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell densities in patients with deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) receiving programmed death-1 (PD-1) blockade.
3532 Background: Colorectal cancer with dMMR display heterogeneity in the extent of intratumoral T-cell infiltration which may explain their variable responsiveness to PD-1 blockade. We examined the association of intratumoral CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell densities (TCD) with objective response rate (ORR) and response duration in patients with dMMR mCRCs receiving pembrolizumab (PEM). Methods: Record review was performed on 12 patients with dMMR mCRC treated with PEM (200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks) after failure of prior chemotherapy [median no. of regimens was 1 (range 1-4)] between 01/2015 and 12/2017. CD3+ and CD8+ TCDs were analyzed in the primary tumor core (CT) and at the invasive margin (IM) by immunohistochemistry and automated image analysis to determine density score (0 to 100) for each T-cell subtype and compartment (Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.). Patients were categorized as 1) responders [CR (complete response) + PR (partial response)] vs. non responders [SD (stable disease) + PD (progressive disease)] per RECIST version 1.1, and 2) by duration of response (< or > 12 months). Results: Median follow-up post PEM was 19.5 (9-41) months. Responders included 2 CR and 5 PR; non-responders included 4 SD and 1 PD. The ORR and median time to response were 58.3% (7/12) and 12 weeks (range 9-40), respectively. CD3+ and CD8+ TCD scores were higher in responders vs. in non-responders as well as in patients who had disease control for > 12 months; differences were greatest for CD8+ CT (Table). Conclusions: Among patients treated with PEM, data suggest higher intratumoral CD3+ and CD8+ TCDs in responders versus non-responders and in those with a longer duration of disease control. If confirmed, TCDs may potentially predict responsiveness to PD-1 blockade in dMMR mCRCs. [Table: see text]
Rheumatic Syndromes Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Single‐Center Cohort of Sixty‐One Patients
ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence, clinical presentation, and management of rheumatic immune‐related adverse effects (Rh‐irAEs) from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.MethodsFrom a database of all patients who received any ICI at the Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota campus between January 1, 2011 and March 1, 2018, we retrospectively identified those with Rh‐irAEs, using diagnostic codes, search terms, and manual chart review.ResultsOf the 1,293 patients who received any ICI, Rh‐irAEs were clinically diagnosed in 43. Eighteen patients with Rh‐irAEs who received ICI therapy elsewhere were also analyzed. Clinical syndromes included inflammatory arthritis (n = 34 [prevalence 2%]), myopathy (n = 10), and other rheumatic syndromes (n = 17). Inflammatory arthritis was most commonly polyarticular, and glucocorticoid treatment was required in 26 patients (76%). The mean ± SD duration of treatment was 18 ± 18 weeks. Five patients (15%) also received disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs, and ICI therapy had to be discontinued in 3 patients (9%). Myopathy was treated with glucocorticoids in all cases (mean ± SD treatment duration 15 ± 17 weeks) and led to 2 deaths and permanent ICI discontinuation in 9 patients (90%). Other syndromes included connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica–like syndrome, and flare of preexisting rheumatic disease. Most (71%) were treated with immunosuppression, with 12% requiring ICI discontinuation.ConclusionThis study represents the largest cohort of patients with Rh‐irAEs reported to date. Most patients received long courses of immunosuppressive treatment, although discontinuation of ICI therapy was required in only a minority.
Chemotherapy for lung cancer in patients on renal replacement therapy: The Mayo Clinic experience.