Citations

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) is the cell surface receptor for the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK). The Fn14 gene is not normally expressed in healthy tissues, but expression is significantly increased in many primary solid tumor types, including glioblastoma (GBM). High Fn14 expression in tumors is often associated with the stimulation of cancer cell invasion leading to diffuse, aggressive tumors and metastasis. To investigate the effects of increased Fn14 expression in brain tumors, two different tumor types were developed using the RCAS/tv-a transgenic rat model: a low-Fn14, “proneural-like” (PDGFA/shP53 derived) tumor and a high-Fn14 (PDGFA/shP53/Fn14-derived) tumor. Interestingly, rats with high-Fn14 brain tumors had a significantly shorter median survival compared to those with low-Fn14 with 42 days and 70 days median survival, respectively. Using MR proton spectroscopy, both tumor types exhibited the markers of a malignant glioma such as increases in choline to creatinine ratio (Cho/Cr) and decreases in neuronal activity (NAA); however, high-Fn14 tumors also displayed an increase in lactate during tumor progression which is often a sign of high grade, necrotic tumors and poor prognosis. Morphologically, the two tumor subtypes appear quite different. H&E staining of the high-Fn14 tumors showed a highly malignant tumor with several areas of pseudopalisading necrosis within the tumor core. This is different than the somewhat more homogeneous morphology of the low-Fn14 proneural-like tumor. The pattern of tumor cell invasion also differs between the two brain cancer subtypes. High-Fn14 tumors show a more human GBM-like pattern by invading along the white matter tracts whereas low-Fn14 tumors appear to invade more locally with minimal white matter invasion. High-Fn14 tumors were positive for Fn14 throughout the tumor including the invasive rim of the tumor, which is also seen in human GBM, whereas the low-Fn14 tumor revealed very little staining even at the invasive rim. These findings indicate that increased Fn14 expression creates a more malignant brain tumors that develops and behaves more aggressively then low-Fn14 tumors. Citation Format: Nina Connolly, Heather Ames, Nhan L. Tran, Anthony Kim, Jeff Winkles, Graeme Woodworth. Fn14 overexpression in RCAS/tv-a rat gliomas promotes tumor progression, increases invasion and decreases survival [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3701.

PURPOSE This pilot study examined the ability to operationalize the collection of real-world data to explore the potential use of real-world end points extracted from data from diverse health care data organizations and to assess how these relate to similar end points in clinical trials for immunotherapy-treated advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Researchers from six organizations followed a common protocol using data from administrative claims and electronic health records to assess real-world end points, including overall survival (rwOS), time to next treatment, time to treatment discontinuation (rwTTD), time to progression, and progression-free survival, among patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer treated with programmed death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors in real-world settings. Data sets included from 269 to 6,924 patients who were treated between January 2011 and October 2017. Results from contributors were anonymized. RESULTS Correlations between real-world intermediate end points (rwTTD and time to next treatment) and rwOS were moderate to high (range, 0.6 to 0.9). rwTTD was the most consistent end points as treatment detail was available in all data sets. rwOS at 1 year post–programmed death-ligand 1 initiation ranged from 40% to 57%. In addition, rwOS as assessed via electronic health records and claims data fell within the range of median OS values observed in relevant clinical trials. Data sources had been used extensively for research with ongoing data curation to assure accuracy and practical completeness before the initiation of this research. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that real-world end points are generally consistent with each other and with outcomes observed in randomized clinical trials, which substantiates the potential validity of real-world data to support regulatory and payer decision making. Differences observed likely reflect true differences between real-world and protocol-driven practices.

Abstract Background A better understanding of social determinants of health and psychosocial and economic sequelae of cancer for an ethnoculturally diverse population is needed. A Patient-Reported Outcomes Quality of Life (PROQOL) instrument has been developed to capture less commonly discussed patient concerns. We sought to adapt this instrument and pilot it in underserved, ethnic minority cancer patients at Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS) in Phoenix, AZ. Methods Two focus groups (FG) were conducted to understand patient perspectives of an adapted Spanish version of PROQOL. A revised version based on FG data was then piloted among patients on active cancer treatment. Patients also completed a Linear Analog Scale Assessment (from 1-10) for quality of life (QOL) and its domains. Results All participants in both FG (11/12 female) were Hispanic, with a median age of 53 years. Participants agreed that the domains covered in the PROQOL represented the most important psychosocial needs in their cancer continuum. No difficulty in understanding the individual domains or questions for delving deeper into each domain was noted. Median age of 34 pilot study participants (74% female, 79% Hispanic) was 48 years. 28/34 completed the Spanish version. The most common concerns were ‘Money’ (32%) and ‘Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment and Survivorship’ (32%). Median overall QOL was 8 (range 3-10). Conclusions PROQOL is feasible for systematic capture of patient concerns in underserved, ethnic minority cancer patients. A better understanding of these concerns can help design interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes for the vulnerable groups and decrease disparities in care delivery.

Background Calcitonin gene-related peptide plays an important role in migraine pathophysiology. We evaluated eptinezumab, an intravenous (IV) anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody, for the prevention of chronic migraine. Objective To determine the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of four dose levels of eptinezumab and to inform the phase 3 development program. Methods This was a phase 2b, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging clinical trial. Men and women (N = 616) aged 18–55 years were included if they had a diagnosis of chronic migraine, with onset at age ≤35 years and history of chronic migraine ≥1 year. During the 28-day screening period, patients must have had ≥15 headache days, including ≥8 migraine days, with ≥5 migraine attacks as recorded in the electronic diary. Patients were assigned in a 1:1:1:1:1 ratio to eptinezumab 300, 100, 30, 10 mg or placebo, administered as a single IV infusion. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with a ≥75% decrease in monthly migraine days over weeks 1–12 compared with the 28-day screening period. Results The ≥75% migraine responder rates over weeks 1–12 for eptinezumab 300, 100, 30, and 10 mg were 33.3%, 31.4%, 28.2%, and 26.8%, respectively, versus 20.7% for placebo ( p = 0.033, 0.072, 0.201, 0.294 vs. placebo). Secondary efficacy endpoints (e.g. ≥50% responder rate, change from baseline in frequency of migraine/headache days, and percentage of severe migraines) had results favoring the three higher eptinezumab doses versus placebo. Eptinezumab was well tolerated and adverse event rates were similar to placebo. Conclusions The results of this trial demonstrate that eptinezumab appears effective and well-tolerated for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine and justifies the conduct of pivotal phase 3 trials for migraine prevention. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02275117.

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveIncreases in Cheyne–Stokes respiration (CSR) cycle length (CL), lung‐to‐periphery circulation time (LPCT) and time to peak flow (TTPF) may reflect impaired cardiac function. This retrospective analysis used an automatic algorithm to evaluate baseline CSR‐related features and then determined whether these could be used to identify patients with systolic heart failure (HF) who experienced serious adverse events in the Treatment of Sleep‐Disordered Breathing with Predominant Central Sleep Apnea by Adaptive Servo Ventilation in Patients with Heart Failure (SERVE‐HF) substudy.MethodsA total of 280 patients had overnight diagnostic polysomnography data available; an automated algorithm was applied to quantify CSR‐related features.ResultsMedian baseline CL, LPCT and TTPF were similar in the control (n = 152) and adaptive servo‐ventilation (ASV, n = 156) groups. In both groups, CSR‐related features were significantly longer in patients who did (n = 129) versus did not (n = 140) experience a primary endpoint event (all‐cause death, life‐saving cardiovascular intervention or unplanned hospitalization for worsening HF): CL, 61.1 versus 55.1 s (P = 0.002); LPCT, 36.5 versus 31.5 s (P < 0.001); TTPF, 15.20 versus 13.35 s (P < 0.001), respectively. This finding was independent of treatment allocation.ConclusionPatients with systolic HF and central sleep apnoea who experienced serious adverse events had longer CSR CL, LPCT and TTPF. Future studies should examine an independent role for CSR‐related features to enable risk stratification in systolic HF.

e18132 Background: Older adults (65+ years) make up > 50% of cancer patients in the US,1 yet, older patient enrollment onto trials remains < 30%.2 This study’s aim was to determine the association between trial level variables and accrual rates of adults 65+ to better design trials that can more improve enrollment of these patients. Methods: We analyzed enrollment percentages of patients age 65+ in non-age specific Alliance trials with > 50 patients, that completed accrual between 1995- 2015. Enrollment percentage by 65+ for each study was compared to cancer incidence percentage by 65+ according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program for the same time periods. Enrollment Disparity Difference (EDD)3, defined as the difference between SEER incidence percentage of patients 65+ and the trial percentage enrollment of 65+ was calculated for each trial ( SEER % – trial %). Univariate analyses (UVA) were performed using simple linear regression to determine trial variables associated with larger EDDs (higher disparity). Variables that had an F-test p-value < 0.20 were included in a multivariable fixed-effects linear model for multivariate analysis (MVA). Results: Median age of 66,708 patients across 237 trials with 10 cancer types was 60 years. Average % of 65+ in trials was lower than average SEER comparison % 65+ per trial (37.6% vs. 57.8%). The median trial EDD, was 16.7%. On UVA, cancer type was significantly associated with higher EDD (see Table). Use of fewer modalities (1, 2, vs 3+) was associated with lower estimated EDDs (1 = -11 [+/-3.6], 2 = -8.9 [+/-3.9], F-test p = .012). On MVA, non-genitourinary (GU) cancer type, number of treatment modalities, and the phase (II or III compared to observational/other) were all significantly associated with higher EDD. Conclusions: Older adults were under-represented in this large sample of trials. This information can be used as a platform to better design disease-specific trials to improve older patient accrual, particularly in disease areas which are under-performing. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882, UG1CA189823: https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org . References: 1. Smith BD et al. J Clin Oncol 27:2758-65, 2009; 2. Hurria A, et al. J Geriatr Oncol 1:40-44, 2010; 3. Pang HH, et al. J Clin Oncol, 2016.[Table: see text]

e13145 Background: A multiplexed biomarker panel was developed for detection of MSI that is more sensitive than currently available systems. Preliminary data showed an increased MSI sensitivity for colon polyps, endometrial (EC) and skin cancers. This study expands that finding to 14 different types of cancer. Methods: Selection of the best microsatellite markers was done using a cohort of 160 patients ≤55 years with ≥1 colon polyp and 100 EC patients ≤ 50 years. To validate the new panel, a cohort of 100 Lynch syndrome CRC, 100 sporadic MSI-High CRC, 100 sporadic MSI stable CRC and 219 extra-colonic cancers from the Colon Cancer Family Registry were tested for MSI. Samples were screened using a new 8-marker panel and Promega’s MSI Analysis System. Mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutation status and expression were determined. To compare the relative sensitivity of the 8-marker panel across all cancer types we developed a quantitative “MSI-score” for each cancer type. Results: Considerable differences in MSI phenotypes were observed between cancer types and a new approach to scoring MSI in extra-colonic cancers is proposed. Relative intensity of the MSI phenotype was characterized by MSI-Scores ranging from high of 66 (small intestine) to 6 (brain). The mutations in MSI samples were significantly more common and allele size shifts larger with the new biomarkers, making MSI classification more accurate and robost. MSI, IHC and MMR gene mutation status were highly correlated. Conclusions: The MSI sensitivity of the new biomarker panel for most cancer types was significantly higher than currently available PCR-based MSI systems. Development of the new pan-cancer PCR-based MSI system allows laboratories to leverage established equipment and known analysis techniques to keep turnaround time and costs, quick and affordable compared with emerging NGS-based technologies.

Background: Prospective, randomized trials are needed to determine optimal treatment approaches for palliative care problems such as malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). Randomization poses unique issues for such studies, especially with divergent treatment approaches and varying levels of equipoise. We report our experience accruing randomized patients to the Prospective Comparative Effectiveness Trial for Malignant Bowel Obstruction (SWOG S1316) study, comparing surgical and nonsurgical management of MBO. Methods: Patients with MBO who were surgical candidates and had treatment equipoise were accrued and offered randomization to surgical or nonsurgical management. Patients choosing nonrandomization were offered prospective observation. Trial details are listed on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT #02270450). An accrual algorithm was developed to enhance enrollment. Results: Accrual is ongoing with 176 patients enrolled. Most (89%) patients chose nonrandomization, opting for nonsurgical management. Of 25 sites that have accrued to this study, 6 enrolled patients on the randomization arm. Approximately 59% (20/34) of the randomization accrual goal has been achieved. Patient-related factors and clinician bias have been the most prevalent reasons for lack of randomization. An algorithm was developed from clinician experience to aid randomization. Using principles in this tool, repeated physician conversations discussing treatment options and goals of care, and a supportive team–approach has helped increase accrual. Conclusions: Experience gained from the S1316 study can aid future palliative care trials. Although difficult, it is possible to randomize patients to palliative studies by giving clinicians clear recommendations utilizing an algorithm of conversation, allotment of necessary time to discuss the trial, and encouragement to overcome internal bias.