Feng, Sophie

571 Background: Tumor-induced generation of splenic erythroblast- like cells (Ter-cells) has been shown to promote tumor progression. These Ter-cells produce the glial-line derived neurotropic factor, ARTN. We investigated the association of pre-operative serum ARTN and the risk of recurrence in HCC patients (pts) undergoing curative resection. Methods: Blood samples were collected prior to surgery as part of an institutional molecular epidemiologic study. Serum ARTN concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Demographics, pathological variables known to be associated with outcomes and clinical outcomes were collected. Uni- and multi-variate analysis were conducted. The optimal cutpoint method was used to define high and low ARTN concentrations. Cox models (hazard ratios, HR) were used to compare progression-free (PFS, primary endpoint), and overall survival (OS) of pts with high vs low serum ARTN. Results: Pre-operative blood samples were available for 58 pts. Median age was 63 years (range: 25-85 years); 74% were male and 50% were Asian. Etiology of liver disease was hepatitis B (43%) and hepatitis C (22%); 43% of tumors were ≤5cm, and vascular invasion was seen in 62%. A baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) of > 100 mcg/L was observed in 36% pts. Median follow-up was 18.9 months. Median ARTN concentration was 0.322 ng/mL. The optimal ARTN concentration cut-off was 0.206 ng/mL. Median PFS for pts with high ( > 0.206 ng/mL) vs low (≤0.206 ng/mL) ARTN was 15.7 vs 55 months (p = 0.04) respectively. Three year PFS was 34% vs 55%, and three year OS 54% vs 91% for high vs low groups. Univariate analysis found that high ARTN concentration (HR 2.44, p = 0.05) and multifocal tumors were associated with a worse PFS. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for AFP > 100mcg/L, vascular invasion, hepatitis status and multifocal tumors, high ARTN remained a negative prognostic factor for PFS, aHR 3.32 (95% CI: 1.22-9.05, p = 0.02). Conclusions: A high pre-surgery serum ARTN is associated with earlier recurrence in HCC pts undergoing curative resection. ARTN should be further studied in HCC to determine its value as a prognostic marker.

480 Background: COs associated with varying Tx patterns in mCRC pts are poorly understood because patterns diverge from the randomized trials (RCT). The RCTs of BV (Avastin) plus chemotherapy (CT) in mCRC pts continued BV until progressive disease (PD), even if CT was stopped/changed. Some RCTs of BV+CT in mCRC show ∼50% of pts stopping Tx early for reasons other than PD with possible lessening of benefit. It is unclear if this is due to use of a particular CT regimen or other practice pattern. While the beneficial effect of post-PD BV Tx has been shown in ARIES (HR 0.52 BBP vs No BBP) [A Cohn, ASCO 2010], the effect of stopping BV or CT before PD is unclear. ARIES, a community based observational study with a large cohort of 1st line BV-treated mCRC pts, will assess the COs associated with different 1st line Tx patterns (BV and CT) based on real world practice. Methods: ARIES enrolled mCRC pts receiving first- or second-line CT+BV. No Tx regimens or assessments are protocol specified. Data are collected prospectively at baseline (BL) and quarterly. Analyses included first-line pts with PD. Tx patterns of pts initially treated with FOLFOX/BV or FOLFIRI/BV are described and preliminary COs (PFS and OS) are estimated from K-M curves. Tx duration is calculated from enrollment date. Results: As of 2/5/10, 1,548 first-line mCRC pts enrolled (median follow up = 21 m); 1,133 pts had PD. Of 1,133 pts with PD, most had FOLFOX/BV (63%) or FOLFIRI/BV (16%) as first CT. BL characteristics were similar, but the FOLFOX/BV group had more stage 4 pts (74%). Main reasons for stopping BV include AE, max benefit achieved and CT holiday. Tx patterns and COs are in the table. Conclusions: ARIES first-line mCRC pts treated with FOLFOX/BV or FOLFIRI/BV had similar Tx patterns and COs despite the common opinion that they may differ in tolerability and possibly effectiveness. Additional analyses will assess the impact of stopping BV and/or CT before PD. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]