Kelley, Robin Kate

Background : Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Optimal treatment decisions are challenging, and existing treatment allocation frameworks may not fully reflect the evolving therapeutic landscape or contemporary clinical practices in North America. Methods : Using a modified Delphi process, a multidisciplinary panel of 20 North American experts in hepatology, medical oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology developed a consensus-based treatment framework for HCC, termed the BEACON-HCC system. The framework was informed by current evidence and expert opinion through iterative discussion and voting. In a pilot study using 29 real-world patient cases, we assessed concordance between external expert recommendations and BEACON-HCC recommendations and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) 2025 treatment recommendations. Results : The BEACON-HCC treatment allocation framework diverges from prior frameworks by incorporating nuanced clinical features such as degree of intrahepatic tumor burden and vascular invasion, and adverse tumor prognostic markers, to align treatment allocation with tumor biology and therapeutic potential. Key innovations include the incorporation of emerging modalities such as external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), transarterial radioembolization (TARE), and systemic-locoregional combination therapies. In the pilot exercise, expert treatment decisions showed 96.6% concordance with BEACON-HCC recommendations and 72.4% concordance with BCLC recommendations. Conclusions : BEACON-HCC is a consensus-based framework for treatment allocation that incorporates the expanding range of therapeutic options available to patients in the North American HCC population. Expert treatment decisions showed a high concordance with the BEACON-HCC system; further validation using empiric clinical data is planned through the HCC-Live Consortium.

Background and Aims: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare but aggressive malignancy with poorly understood genetic susceptibility. To date, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating germline variants associated with CCA risk remain limited. We aimed to identify genetic risk loci for CCA and its clinical subtypes through comprehensive GWAS and post-GWAS analyses. Approach and Results: We conducted a GWAS of 2366 CCA cases and 11,750 controls of European ancestry. Genome-wide significant loci ( p <5×10 −8 ) were identified and further examined through fine-mapping, functional annotation, and HLA imputation. Subgroup analyses were conducted by CCA subtypes and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) status. Cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression and Mendelian randomization were employed to investigate the shared genetic architecture and potential causal relationships with a diverse range of traits. We identified 1 new genome-wide significant variant, rs535777 (OR=1.44), near HLA-DRB1/DQA1 associated with CCA, and 2 variants associated with extrahepatic CCA: rs116224263 (OR=0.17) in LINC02506 at 4p15.1 and rs6914950 (OR=1.63) near HLA-DRB1/DQB1 . Stratified analyses revealed rs2395184 (OR=3.51) near HLA-DRA/DRB5 associated with PSC-related CCA, and rs142674434 (OR=2.98) in THSD7A at 7p21.3 associated with non-PSC-related CCA. HLA imputation uncovered new amino acid residues associated with disease risk. Cross-trait analyses identified shared genetic signals between CCA and anthropometric, lipidemic, lifestyle, and medical traits. Mendelian randomization supported putative causal associations for 12 traits with CCA or its subtypes. Conclusions: Our large-scale GWAS highlights new genetic variants and HLA-linked mechanisms underlying CCA susceptibility. Integrating multi-step post-GWAS approaches enhances understanding of CCA pathogenesis and may facilitate the development of risk biomarkers for early detection and precision prevention strategies.

Abstract Purpose: Mutant IDH1 (mIDH1) defines a therapeutically targetable subtype of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), with the mIDH1 inhibitor ivosidenib approved for advanced disease. A subset of patients experiences prolonged disease stabilization; however, the molecular basis for eventual progression remains poorly defined. Experimental Design: We performed molecular profiling of matched baseline and postprogression circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) samples from patients with mIDH1 ICC enrolled in the ClarIDHy phase III trial. Functional studies were conducted to characterize candidate resistance mechanisms. Results: Longitudinal ctDNA analysis of 18 patients treated with ivosidenib for &gt;6 months revealed emergent genomic alterations in multiple cases. Acquired mutations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway genes (KRAS, NRAS, MAP2K1, NF1) were identified in five cases, with instances of concurrent alterations and/or high variant allele fractions (VAF). Additional candidate resistance events included a secondary IDH1 mutation and a hotspot IDH2 mutation, detected at low VAF in the same patient. Functional studies showed that these IDH mutations conferred sustained 2-hydroxyglutarate production and ivosidenib resistance, whereas MAPK activation blunted gene expression induced by ivosidenib plus IFNγ, a key therapeutic output of mIDH1 inhibition. In parallel, baseline ctDNA profiling of 81 patients revealed that ARID1A mutations and elevated mIDH1 VAF were associated with reduced clinical benefit. Conclusions: MAPK pathway alterations represent a recurrent mechanism of resistance to mIDH1 inhibition in ICC, whereas emergent IDH1/IDH2 mutations appear infrequent. Functional data suggest that MAPK-mediated resistance may involve impaired IFN signaling. These results support MAPK-directed combination strategies and highlight the utility of ctDNA profiling to identify predictive and resistance biomarkers in mIDH1-driven ICC.

Abstract Background Eligibility criteria for clinical trials are crucial for maintaining safety and study integrity. However, overly restrictive criteria can result in unrepresentative trial populations, leading to gaps in understanding real‐world treatment efficacy. Addressing potentially modifiable exclusions (PMEs) could enhance trial accessibility and participation without compromising safety. Methods The authors retrospectively analyzed screen‐failed patients with biliary tract cancer or pancreatic cancer between August 2019 and November 2024 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Screen‐failed patients were those who provided informed consent but did not participate for any reason. Clinical data were obtained from screening logs and electronic health records. PMEs were identified and validated by two independent medical oncologists. Results Of 585 screen‐failed patients from 18 trials, 509 were analyzed (367 with pancreatic cancer and 142 with biliary tract cancer) after excluding 76 because of incomplete data. Leading causes of screen failure were declined participation (19%), comorbidities (12%), suboptimal organ function (11%), absence of a biomarker (10%), and insufficient biospecimens (7%). Reasons for declining included preference for standard care (23%), travel (22%), and competing trials (5%). The authors identified 69 patients (13.6%) who had PMEs (primarily borderline laboratory abnormalities), including liver function (23%), kidney function (20%), platelet count (12%), hemoglobin (7%), and white blood cell count (6%) abnormalities. Other PMEs included previous or concurrent malignancies (9%) and viral hepatitis (4%). PMEs were evenly distributed across trials. Conclusions Rigid eligibility criteria exclude stable patients who might benefit from investigational treatments. Easing criteria related to incidental or asymptomatic laboratory abnormalities could broaden trial accessibility and improve enrollment in populations that are more representative of real‐world use.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality is increasing globally, partly due to the growing prevalence of nonviral liver diseases. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with HCC development. Leveraging GWAS summary statistics and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR), we investigated disease co‐development with hepatitis C virus‐negative (HCV‐negative) HCC to provide unique insights into HCC etiology and prioritize relationships for further causal inquiry. We utilized the LDSR statistical framework to estimate the genetic correlation and heritability between HCV‐negative HCC with 901 epidemiologic, behavioral, and clinical traits from the United Kingdom Biobank (UKBB). First, we set the threshold for observed scale heritability of each trait at 0.02 to ensure reliable inferences with adequate study power. Next, we observed significant positive genetic correlations between HCV‐negative HCC and blood‐based biomarkers of liver injury (ALT, GGT) and allostatic load (including glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and total albumin). We also identified a positive genetic correlation between HCV‐negative HCC and diseases associated with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), including diabetes, hypertension, chronic ischemic heart disease, and others. Taken together, our results help to identify polygenic and pleiotropic signals related to different phenotypic traits associated with HCC and support further exploration of the predictive power of blood‐based biomarkers identified in this study for inferring HCC development among HCV‐negative individuals.

The NCCN Guidelines for Biliary Tract Cancers (BTCs) provide recommendations for the evaluation and comprehensive care of patients with gallbladder cancer, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The multidisciplinary panel of experts is convened at least once annually to review requests from internal and external entities as well as to evaluate new data on current and emerging therapies. This manuscript focuses on the adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiation treatment options for BTCs as well as the systemic treatment recommendations for patients with advanced BTCs.

e23011 Background: Eligibility criteria for clinical trials are crucial for maintaining safety and study integrity. However, they often exclude patients due to medical conditions that are not relevant, leading to gaps in understanding the real-world effectiveness of treatments. Addressing potentially modifiable exclusions (PMEs) could enhance accessibility and participation in trials without compromising safety, particularly given the low rates of enrollment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed ‘screen-failed’ patients (those who were excluded after providing consent because they did not meet the eligibility criteria or other protocol requirements) with biliary tract (BTC) or pancreatic cancer (PDAC) between August 2019 and November 2024. Screening logs and electronic health records provided clinical data. PMEs were identified and validated by two independent medical oncologists. Results: Of 585 screen-failed patients from 18 trials, 76 were excluded due to incomplete data. Among the 509 patients analyzed (367-PDAC, 142-BTC), the leading causes of screen failure were declined participation (99, 19%), comorbidities (59, 12%), suboptimal organ function (56, 11%), absence of biomarker (49, 10%), and insufficient biospecimens (36, 7%). Among patients declining participation, reasons included preference for standard care (23%), travel (22%), competing trials (5%), adverse event concerns (4%), financial issues (3%), and unknown reasons (43%). Of the 509 patients deemed ineligible for study entry at screening, we identified 69 patients (13.6%) with PMEs, primarily related to borderline laboratory abnormalities: liver function (16, 23%), kidney function (14, 20%), platelet count (8, 12%), hemoglobin (5, 7%), and white blood cell count (4, 6%). Other PMEs included previous or concurrent malignancies (6, 9%) and viral hepatitis (3, 4%). PMEs were evenly distributed across trials. Notably, all screen-failed patients proceeded to receive standard therapy. Conclusions: This analysis underscores the potential for rigid eligibility criteria to exclude stable patients who might benefit from investigational treatments. Easing specific criteria, particularly those related to laboratory abnormalities, could broaden trial accessibility. Furthermore, examining the reasons for declined participation and addressing PMEs could help develop strategies to enhance trial enrollment.

Background and Aims: In the global phase III HIMALAYA study in unresectable HCC, STRIDE significantly improved overall survival (OS) versus sorafenib; durvalumab was noninferior to sorafenib. Immune checkpoint inhibitor studies have shown an association between the occurrence of immune-mediated adverse events (imAEs) and improved OS. We assessed potential associations between the occurrence of imAEs and OS, and temporal patterns of imAEs, in HIMALAYA. Approach and Results: OS in participants who did and did not experience imAEs and the frequency and timing of imAEs were assessed for STRIDE and durvalumab in the safety analysis set of HIMALAYA. imAEs occurred in 139/388 (35.8%) and 64/388 (16.5%) participants with STRIDE and durvalumab, respectively; most were low grade. OS HRs (95% CI) in participants who experienced imAEs versus those who did not were 0.73 (0.56–0.95) for STRIDE and 1.14 (0.82–1.57) for durvalumab. The 36-month OS rate (95% CI) for STRIDE was 36.2% (28.1–46.7) and 27.7% (22.4–34.2) in participants who did and did not experience imAEs, respectively. The most common imAE category with STRIDE was endocrine events (16.5%). Most imAEs occurred ≤3 months after treatment initiation. Conclusions: Participants who experienced imAEs with STRIDE had a numerical improvement in OS versus those who did not, which was not observed for durvalumab. Long-term OS with STRIDE was observed regardless of imAEs. Most imAEs were low grade, manageable, and occurred in the first 3 months after treatment initiation. Results continue to support the benefits of STRIDE in a diverse population that reflects unresectable HCC globally.

Abstract Background: Ivosidenib (IVO) is a first-in-class oral inhibitor of the IDH1 mutant (mIDH) enzyme. In the ClarIDHy phase 3 study of previously treated patients with mIDH cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), IVO treatment led to improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) vs placebo (median PFS: 2.7 vs. 1.4 months and OS 10.3 vs. 5.1 months, when adjusted for the 70% crossover rate; HR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.34-0.70]; 1-sided P&lt;0.001. Here, we studied the dynamics of mutations emerging after 6 months of IVO treatment using ctDNA analyses. Methods: Prior to enrollment, all subjects in ClarIDHy had IDH1 R132 mutations confirmed by a central NGS panel utilizing tumor biopsy tissue. Since post-progression tissue samples were unavailable, discovery of emerging mutations was limited to plasma ctDNA assessments. To explore molecular changes associated with acquired resistance, an analysis was performed on 18 subjects treated with IVO for ≥6 months (4 partial response; 12 stable disease, 2 NA) using matched baseline and end of treatment (EOT) samples (PGDx elioTM plasma complete, 521 gene panel). A subset of the oncogenic alterations identified were selected for confirmation by ddPCR analysis in ctDNA samples collected longitudinally. Longitudinal plasma 2HG levels were also evaluated. Results: This analysis identified several EOT mutations not present at baseline. The most common mutations were in the MAPK pathway, including activating KRAS, NRAS, and MAP2K1 mutations and loss-of-function NF1 mutations (6/18 patients, 33%). In 2/6 patients, multiple MAPK pathway mutations were detected. There was a range of variant allele frequencies (VAFs) of RAS alterations, including some that had comparable levels to the truncal mIDH, suggesting that MAPK activation may have made a major contribution to the burden of resistant disease. ddPCR analyses from longitudinal plasma samples from selected cases confirmed these findings. In addition, 2 patients had mutations affecting transcription/epigenetics (WT1 and KMT2C). Finally, only 1 patient had acquired mutations in IDH genes (IDH2-R172K and IDH1-G131V). The WT1, KMT2C, and IDH variants had a low VAF. Accordingly, EOT plasma 2HG levels were reduced vs pre-treatment levels in the patient with secondary mIDH, indicating a limited role in the overall emergence of resistance. Conclusion: Analyses of paired baseline/EOT samples suggest that multiple acquired mutations could contribute to IVO resistance, with oncogenic MAPK pathway alterations being the most common. Consistent with previous clinical studies conducted in AML, IDH1 second site mutations and isotype switching to IDH2, rarely emerge during IVO treatment. The lack of detectable mutations in the majority of patients could reflect the sensitivity of the NGS assay or a role for non-genetic mechanisms of resistance. Citation Format: Hatice Duygu Saatcioglu, Haley Ellis, Jinkai Wan, Sam Lubner, Milind Javle, Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, James M. Cleary, Robin Kate Kelley, Mitesh J. Borad, Teresa Macarulla, Do Youn Oh, Camelia Gliser, Susan Pandya, Sung Chloe, Nabeel Bardeesy, Adriana Tron. Circulating tumor DNA analysis demonstrates newly emerging alterations in previously treated IDH1 mutated cholangiocarcinoma patients enrolled in the ClarIDHy study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4648.

PURPOSE SWOG S1815 was a randomized, open label phase III trial, evaluating gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and cisplatin (GAP) versus gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) in patients with newly diagnosed advanced biliary tract cancers (BTCs). METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BTC, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) and gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), were randomly assigned 2:1 to either GAP (gemcitabine 800 mg/m 2 , cisplatin 25 mg/m 2 , and nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m 2 intravenously once per day on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle) or GC (gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m 2 and cisplatin 25 mg/m 2 intravenously once per day on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle). RESULTS Among 452 randomly assigned participants, 441 were eligible and analyzable, 67% with ICC, 16% with GBC, and 17% with ECC. There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between GAP versus GC. Median OS with GAP was 14.0 months (95% CI, 12.4 to 16.1) and 13.6 months with GC (95% CI, 9.7 to 16.6); hazard ratio (HR), 0.91 (95% CI, 0.72 to 1.14); P = .41. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was similar between groups with median PFS for GAP being 7.5 months (95% CI, 6.4 to 8.5) versus 6.3 months for GC (95% CI, 4.4 to 8.2); HR, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.71 to 1.12); P = .32. In exploratory subset analyses, the OS and PFS benefits of GAP versus GC treatment were greater in locally advanced disease compared with metastatic disease, although not statistically significant (interaction P = .14 for OS and P = .17 for PFS). Moreover, GAP versus GC showed greater improvement in PFS among participants with GBC than those with ICC or ECC (interaction P = .01), but not OS (interaction P = .28). CONCLUSION The addition of a taxane in the GAP regimen to the standard gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen did not improve OS in newly diagnosed BTC. More toxicity was encountered with GAP versus GC.