Back to Authors

Thomas, James P.

0009-0006-7170-5982

Mayo Clinic

Medical College of Wisconsin

Citations 6

MEK-inhibitor (inh) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in KRAS-mutated advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Mehdi, Maahum , Thalji, Samih Z, Shreenivas, Aditya , Thomas, James P. , Christians, Kathleen K. , Evans, Douglas B. , Hall, William A. , Erickson, Beth , Yazdanpanah, Omid , Aldakkak, Mohammed , Holden, Mary Beth, George, Ben , Oxencis, Carolyn, Chakrabarti, Sakti , Thapa, Bicky , Ahmed, Gulrayz , Kurzrock, Razelle , Tsai, Susan , McFall, Thomas B. , Kamgar, Mandana

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: e16260-e16260

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.e16260 Get It

e16260 Background: Therapeutic inhibition of constitutive signaling mediated by mutated KRAS in PDAC remains a challenge except for modest success reported with KRAS G12C inhibition. A combinatorial strategy utilizing simultaneous MEK and autophagy inhibition holds therapeutic promise based on mechanism of action and preclinical data. We described characteristics and outcomes of patients (pts) treated with MEK-inh and HCQ at our institution. Methods: Ten KRAS-mutated advanced PDAC pts were treated with trametinib-HCQ (n = 9) or cobimetinib-HCQ (n = 1) off label due to lack of standard treatment options or toxicity concerns with cytotoxic systemic therapy. Trametinib dose was 2 mg once daily orally, Cobimetinib dose was 20 mg BID orally for 3/4 weeks cycles. HCQ was started at 200 mg BID and up-titrated weekly to 600 mg BID. Description of baseline and treatment (tx) characteristics, safety and efficacy is provided. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 61.3 years, and 7 pts were female. The number of prior lines of tx were 0/1/2/3/4 in 3/2/1/2/2 pts, respectively. KRAS mutations were: G12R/G12D/G12V/Q61H in 6/2/1/1 pts. Median overall survival was 6.6 months (m) in all pts, and 6.6/1.7 m in KRAS G12R/other KRAS (p = 0.31). Median progression-free survival was 5.7/6.2/1.5 m in all/ KRAS G12R/other KRAS (p = 0.16). Among 8 pts with evaluable response, 1 (12%) had partial response ( KRAS G12R) and 4 (50%) stable disease (3/4 KRAS G12R) as best response with disease control rate of 63%/80%/33% in total/ KRAS G12R/other KRAS (p = 0.29). Toxicity data are summarized in table 1. Conclusions: MEK-inh-HCQ demonstrated modest efficacy and manageable toxicities among KRAS G12R PDAC pts. Unlike G12D and G12V mutations in the KRAS gene, G12R is defective of conductive interactions for both PI3Ka and NF1. This ultimately results in a weakened signal being shunted through MAPK cascade and provides a unique opportunity where MEK inh can ablate signaling without the alternate pathways and WT-RAS isoforms compensating. Furthermore, as activation of PI3Ka is known to suppress autophagy, its lack of activation by KRAS G12R further sensitizes cells to HCQ. The combination therapy MEK-inh-HCQ is therefore mechanistically-rationale and warrants the further investigation of KRAS G12R as an actionable biomarker.[Table: see text]
Targeted therapy (TT) in patients with KRAS wildtype (WT) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) produces durable response.
Mehdi, Maahum , Annunzio, Kaitlin , Taylor, Bradley , Shreenivas, Aditya , Chakrabarti, Sakti , Thomas, James P. , Christians, Kathleen K. , Evans, Douglas B. , Hall, William A. , George, Ben , Chakrabarti, Sakti , Taylor, Bradley , Szabó, Anikó , Tsai, Susan , Clarke, Callisia N. , Erickson, Bradley A. , Thapa, Bicky , Ahmed, Gulrayz , Kamgar, Mandana

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 19, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 596-596

10.1200/jco.2022.40.4_suppl.596 Get It

596 Background: Genomic alterations (GA) that drive cancer development and predict therapeutic response remain elusive in patients (pts) with KRAS WT PDAC. We interrogated our institutional database to identify actionable GAs in pts with metastatic, KRAS WT PDAC and analyzed the therapeutic impact of matched TT. Methods: We reviewed electronic medical records of KRAS WT PDAC pts (n=24) who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) utilizing Foundation One CDx (25.0%) or Tempus (75.0%) between 2015-2021. Duration of response (DOR) was calculated from date of treatment (Tx) initiation to Tx discontinuation. Overall survival (OS) was measured from the date of the diagnosis (Dx) of advanced disease (AD) to death or last follow-up. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with at-risk periods left-truncated at the time of CGP. The effect of covariates on survival was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Of the 24 KRAS WT pts, 14 (58%) had AD: 8 (57%) pts had metastatic disease at or shortly after Dx, 6 (43%) pts developed metachronous recurrence. Median age at Dx for pts with AD was 65, and 57% were female. Seven of 14 pts with AD (50%) had highly actionable GA (HAGA), (Table). Pts with HAGA demonstrated durable responses to TT (Table) with manageable toxicities. Pts with HAGA had a median OS of 28 mo compared to 5.9 mo for those without (Hazard Ratio = 0.47, p = 0.33). Conclusions: The sustained therapeutic benefit noted with TT matched to HAGA in pts with KRAS WT PDAC underscores the need for systematic interrogation of the somatic genome in PDAC pts. Optimal sequencing of cytotoxic therapy with TT and its impact on modulating clonal selection pressure in pts with KRAS WT PDAC merits prospective evaluation.[Table: see text]
Prognostic effect of RAS/BRAF mutations in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Abid, Haisam, Taylor, Bradley , Shreenivas, Aditya , Chakrabarti, Sakti , Thomas, James P. , George, Ben , Chakrabarti, Sakti , Taylor, Bradley , Szabó, Anikó , Kamgar, Mandana

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 19, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 191-191

10.1200/jco.2022.40.4_suppl.191 Get It

191 Background: Somatic alterations in KRAS and BRAF have prognostic as well as predictive impact in pts with mCRC; however, the differential impact of various somatic alterations in these genes need further characterization. We analyzed the prognostic impact of specific somatic mutations in K RAS and BRAF in mCRC pts. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of pts with mCRC at our institution who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) utilizing the Foundation One assay. Prevalence of genetic alterations was estimated using proportions and compared between groups using a chi-squared test. Patients were followed for survival from metastatic diagnosis until death or last follow-up, with left truncation at the time of CGP. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to estimate overall survival, and groups were compared using a Cox-regression based likelihood ratio test. Results: 192 pts were identified - median age at diagnosis was 55 years, 62% (119/192) presented with metachronous metastatic disease, and 28% (54/192) had a rectal primary. Somatic mutations in KRAS were found in 49% (95/192) pts, and 53% (50/95) had a left sided primary (p = 0.3). Majority of the KRAS mutations localized to codon 12 (72/95 -76%), KRAS G12C comprised 12% (11/95). Median Overall Survival (mOS) of KRAS mutated pts was 3.0 years compared to 3.5 years for KRAS wild type (WT) pts (p = 0.5). Median OS of pts with different KRAS mutations were as follows: codon 12 mutations (excluding G12C) - 2.7 years; KRAS G12C – 5.2 years; non-codon 12 KRAS mutations - 4.8 years. BRAF mutations were identified in 7.8% (15/192) pts, and 67% (10/15) had a right sided primary (p = 0.062). BRAF V600E represented the most common alteration in BRAF – 87% (13/15). Patients with BRAF mutation had a mOS of 1.8 years compared to 3.1 years for BRAF WT pts (p = 0.2). Median OS of pts with different BRAF mutations were as follows: BRAF V600E – 1.8 years and BRAF non V600E - 2.1 years (p = 0.4). Conclusions: The numerically higher mOS in pts with KRAS G12C and non-codon 12 KRAS mutations merit further biologic characterization with functional assays. Individualized therapeutic strategies must be conceptualized for mCRC pts with specific RAS/BRAF mutations, considering their widely disparate prognosis and putative downstream signaling mechanisms. Dynamic molecular simulation to understand conformational changes in proteins associated with specific mutations will be pivotal to optimizing precision therapeutic strategies.
Impact of KRAS alterations in localized pancreatic cancer (PC).
Shreenivas, Aditya , Annunzio, Kaitlin , Kamgar, Mandana , Chakrabarti, Sakti , Thomas, James P. , Madhavan, Srivats, Dua, Kulwinder S. , Hall, William A. , Christians, Kathleen K. , Evans, Douglas B. , George, Ben , Chakrabarti, Sakti , Khan, Abdul H. , Erickson, Bradley A. , Clarke, Callisia N. , Tsai, Susan , Szabó, Anikó , Urrutia, Raúl , Zimmermann, Michael T. , Reddi, Honey V.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 22, 2021 | Volume: 39 | Issue: 3_suppl | Pages: 431-431

10.1200/jco.2021.39.3_suppl.431 Get It

431 Background: Patients (pts) with localized PC do not routinely undergo comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) unless they develop recurrent or metastatic disease. KRAS is the most frequently mutated gene in PC, however, the impact of different KRAS mutations in localized PC has not been well characterized. We interrogated our genomic database to analyze the KRAS status in PC pts who presented with localized disease at diagnosis (Dx). Methods: We identified PC pts at our institution who underwent CGP utilizing the Foundation One CDx assay and had localized disease at initial Dx; these pts were categorized into resectable/borderline resectable PC (LPC) and locally advanced PC (LAPC). All pts with LPC and LAPC underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiation prior to possible surgery (all intended therapy - AIT). Tissue from metastatic sites was used for CGP in pts who developed recurrent/metastatic disease before or after completion of AIT. The primary tumor was used for CGP in pts who completed AIT without subsequent relapse or in the absence of adequate metastatic tissue. Effect of each gene on response and survival outcomes was estimated using proportional odds and Cox regression analysis, respectively, adjusting for stage. Results: 75 pts were identified, median age at Dx was 65 years, 59% were male, 65% had a primary tumor in the pancreatic head. 38 (86%) pts with LPC completed AIT compared to 21 (68%) pts with LAPC (p<0.001). KRAS mutation was detected in 95% (71/75) of pts– 94% (67/71) in codon 12 and 6% (4/71) in codon 61. The various KRAS mutations and their association with completion of AIT is summarized in the table. The likelihood of completing AIT did not differ based on KRAS wildtype (WT) vs mutated status (p =1.00), the mutated codon (codon 12 vs. codon 61; p =1.00) or the individual KRAS point mutations (p = 0.7); however, all patients with G12A (N= 1), G12C (N=1), G12L (N=1) and G12R (N=11) mutations completed AIT. KRAS status (mutated vs. WT) and the individual KRAS mutations were not associated with overall survival (OS) after adjusting for stage (p= 0.13 and p = 0.26 respectively). Median OS for patients with LPC and LAPC, was 39 months (mos) and 29 mos respectively. Conclusions: KRAS status and individual KRAS mutations did not have an impact on completing AIT or mOS; however, these findings need to be interpreted with caution due to the inherent biases involved in such analyses. The clinical significance and functional relevance of KRAS G12A, G12C, G12L and G12R mutations, though relatively rare, needs further characterization as well as mechanistic elucidation. [Table: see text]
Prognostic effect of specific RAS/BRAF mutations in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
George, Ben , Lasowski, Matthew, Ritch, Paul S., Shreenivas, Aditya , Thomas, James P. , Taylor, Bradley , Chakrabarti, Sakti , Kamgar, Mandana , Zimmermann, Michael T. , Reddi, Honey V. , Urrutia, Raúl

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 25, 2020 | Volume: 38 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 4050-4050

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.4050 Get It

4050 Background: Somatic mutations in KRAS, HRAS, NRAS (extended RAS) and BRAF have prognostic and predictive impact in pts with mCRC. We analyzed the prognostic impact of specific somatic mutations in extended RAS and BRAF. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of pts with mCRC at our institution who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) utilizing the Foundation One assay. DNA was extracted from clinical specimens and CGP was performed on hybrid-capture, adaptor ligation-based libraries for up to 315 genes plus 47 introns from 19 genes frequently rearranged in cancer. BRAF mutations were classified as class I, II and III according to accepted nomenclature. Fisher’s exact test and Kaplan Meier estimates were used for statistical analyses. This project was approved by the Medical College of Wisconsin Institutional Review Board. Results: 273 pts were identified - median age at diagnosis was 57, 48% were male. Somatic mutations in extended RAS were found in 138 (50%) pts, majority being mutations in KRAS (46%). Among pts with KRAS mutations, codon 12, 13, 61 and 146 mutations accounted for 73%, 11%, 4% and 6% respectively while KRAS G12C mutations accounted for 9%. BRAF mutations were detected in 22 (8%) pts - BRAF V600E and non–V600E mutations accounting for 4.4% and 3.6% respectively. Among pts with BRAF mutations, 17 (77%) were kinase domain mutations, 16 of which could be further classified as class I (12/16), II (1/16) and III (3/16). Median overall survival (mOS) for the entire cohort was 26.4 months (mo). KRAS mutated pts had a mOS of 25.8 mo; pts with KRAS G12C mutation had a mOS of 23 mo compared to 27.1 mo for pts with other KRAS mutations (p < 0.001).Pts with BRAF mutation had a mOS of 26.2 mo; pts with BRAF V600E mutation had a mOS of 14.1 mo compared to 30.6 mo for pts with BRAF non-V600E mutations (p = 0.1). Conclusions: The poor prognosis of pts with KRAS G12C and BRAF V600E mutations compared to pts with other KRAS and BRAF mutations merit further biologic characterization with functional assays. Individualized therapeutic strategies must be conceptualized for mCRC pts with specific RAS/BRAF mutations, considering their widely disparate prognosis and putative downstream signaling mechanisms. Dynamic molecular simulation to understand conformational changes in proteins associated with specific mutations will be pivotal to optimizing precision therapeutic strategies.
A Phase I and Pharmacologic Trial of Two Schedules of the Proteasome Inhibitor, PS-341 (Bortezomib, Velcade), in Patients with Advanced Cancer
Dy, Grace K. , Thomas, James P. , Wilding, George, Bruzek, Laura M., Mandrekar, Sumithra J. , Erlichman, Charles , Alberti, Dona, Binger, Kim, Pitot, Henry C., Hanson, Lorelei J., Marnocha, Rebecca, Tutsch, Kendra D., Adjei, Alex A. , Alberts, Steven R. , Kaufmann, Scott H.

Clinical Cancer Research | September 21, 2005 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 3410-3416

10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-2068 Get It

Abstract Purpose: To define the toxicities, pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity of the proteasome inhibitor, PS-341 (bortezomib), in patients with advanced malignancies. Patients and Methods: Twenty-eight patients (14 male and 14 female) received PS-341 twice weekly for 4 of 6 weeks (schedule I). Because toxicity necessitated dose omissions on this schedule, 16 additional patients (12 male and 4 female) received PS-341 twice weekly for 2 of every 3 weeks (schedule II). A total of 73 courses of treatment was given (median, 2; range, 1-4). Inhibition of 20S proteasome activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and accumulation of proteasome-targeted polypeptides in tumor tissue were evaluated as pharmacodynamic markers of PS-341 activity. Results: The most common toxicity was thrombocytopenia, which was dose limiting at 1.7 mg/m2 (schedule I) and 1.6 mg/m2 (schedule II), respectively. Sensory neuropathy was dose-limiting in a patient in schedule I. Grade ≥3 toxicities for schedule I were constipation, fatigue, myalgia, and sensory neuropathy. Grade ≥3 toxicities for schedule II were dehydration resulting from diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, hypoglycemia, and hypotension. The maximum tolerated dose was 1.5 mg/m2 for both schedules. Reversible dose-dependent decreases in 20S proteasome activity in PBMCs were observed, with 36% inhibition at 0.5 mg/m2, 52% at 0.9 mg/m2, and 75% at 1.25 mg/m2. Accumulation of proteasome-targeted polypeptides was detected in tumor samples after treatment with PS-341. A patient with multiple myeloma had a partial response. Conclusion: PS-341 given 1.5 mg/m2 twice weekly for 2 of every 3 weeks is well tolerated and should be further studied.