Citations

Abstract Background Children’s Oncology Group ACNS0333 treated atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) with surgery, chemotherapy (induction and consolidation) and radiation therapy (RT). M0 had focal RT and M+ had physician-selected focal RT or craniospinal (CSI). Methods Forty patients (29 M0, 11 M+) received RT. Pre-RT chemotherapy response was complete, partial, or stable disease. RT timing (age/stage-based) was pre-consolidation (RT-first) or post-consolidation (consolidation-first). Event-free survival (RT-EFS), overall survival (RT-OS), and cumulative incidence of local relapse (CILR) or distant relapse (RT-CIDR) were calculated. Analyses included log-rank tests and relative hazard rates with 95% confidence intervals to estimate proportional hazards regression. Results Four-year RT-EFS was 56.8% and 4-year RT-OS was 58.8% focal RT: 34 patients, CSI: 6 patients). A trend for superior RT-EFS for M+ compared to M0 (P = .0625, RHR 0.26; 95% CI 0.06-1.18) was shown. RT-EFS was improved for consolidation-first compared to RT-first timing (P = .037, RHR 0.43; 95% CI 0.13-1.37). Pre-RT chemotherapy response was associated with improved RT-EFS (P = .031) and RT-OS (P = .0069). Four-year RT-CILR was 7.84%; no differences in RT-CILR were shown for higher primary RT dose (≥5400 cGy, P = .38) or gross total resection (P = .80). 4-year RT-CIDR was 27.8% for M0 and 9.1% for M+ patients (P = .22). M+ had CSI (n = 6) or focal RT (n = 5). Fatal necrosis potentially-attributable to RT occurred in 3 RT-first patients (occuring either 1.6, 4.6, or 16.2 months post-treatment). Conclusions RT with intensive systemic therapy showed promising survival outcomes and effective primary disease control in ATRT. Sequencing RT prior to myeloblative chemotherapy, rather than post-consolidation, may be associated with increased risk of fatal radionecrosis.

Abstract Objective VEXAS syndrome is a severe systemic haemato-inflammatory disease with heterogeneous clinical presentations. Most patients experience recurrent inflammatory flares despite anti-inflammatory therapy. The lack of accepted definitions of flare in these patients is preventing development of disease activity tools that are essential for conducting clinical trials. We aimed to develop a consensus definition of a VEXAS flare for use in clinical trials. Methods A nine-member international expert advisory committee established a consensus definition of VEXAS flare using modified Delphi methodology. Clinical inflammatory manifestations of VEXAS syndrome were identified through a systematic literature review. Committee members developed a conceptual framework for flare definition, proposed revisions and voted on changes until consensus (≥75% concurrence) was reached. Results Consensus defined VEXAS flare as active inflammatory manifestation(s) of VEXAS syndrome requiring escalation in glucocorticoid therapy. Three flare categories were established: (i) recurrence of a prior documented VEXAS manifestation; (ii) development of a new VEXAS-defining inflammatory manifestation; or (iii) emergence of a new inflammatory manifestation not meeting criteria for A or B. The panel endorsed an independent adjudication committee to assess Category C flares in clinical trials. Conclusions This study proposes a standardized definition of VEXAS flare, providing uniform criteria for identifying VEXAS disease activity. Future research will evaluate its performance in clinical trials.

Abstract Background This phase 1 study aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of rucaparib (RUB), a poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, combined with liposomal irinotecan (nal‐IRI) and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) in metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. RUB targets DNA repair pathways, showing efficacy in tumors with homologous recombination deficiency, such as BRCA mutations. Preclinical data suggest synergy with irinotecan, but overlapping toxicities pose challenges. Methods Eighteen patients with metastatic GI cancers, who previously progressed on at least one systemic therapy, were enrolled. A novel sequential dosing regimen, informed by nal‐IRI pharmacokinetic analysis, was used. Twelve patients were evaluable for dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) and 12 for response per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1 criteria. Results The MTD was established as RUB 600 mg twice daily, nal‐IRI 50 mg/m 2 , and 5‐FU 2400 mg/m 2 over 46 hours. The objective response rate (ORR) was 33% (4 of 12), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 75% (9 of 12). Common grade 3 adverse events included diarrhea (33%) and neutropenia (25%), with no grade 4/5 events. Responses were notable in patients with somatic ATM and BRCA mutations, especially those with prior platinum exposure. No DLTs occurred at the recommended phase 2 dose. Conclusions This optimized dosing schedule successfully established the MTD for RUB with nal‐IRI and 5‐FU, overcoming prior challenges with PARP inhibitor and irinotecan combinations. The promising ORR and DCR support further evaluation of this regimen in advanced GI malignancies.

Abstract Despite concerns about the toxicity of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in older patients, prospective data characterizing prevalence or risk stratification for geriatric morbidity such as disability or frailty are limited. We prospectively assessed the prognostic impact of the novel composite health assessment risk model (CHARM), a score established to predict 1-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM), among 1105 patients aged ≥60 years enrolled on the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network Study 1704. Secondary end points were assessed post-alloHCT at day 100 (D100), D180, and D365 in multivariable models adjusted with predetermined clinical variables. Among alloHCT survivors, the prevalence of disability by instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), frailty by the Physical Frailty Phenotype, and physical function impairment by Patient Reported Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was highest at D100 and lower on D180 and D365. Higher CHARM scores were independently associated with greater disability (coefficient, −0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.85 to −0.43; P< .001), increased frailty (coefficient, 0.19; CI, 0.081-0.31; P< .001), worse PROMIS physical function, greater PROMIS depression, increased serious organ toxicity by D100, more cognitive decline at D100, and higher mortality after acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) but not significantly associated with PROMIS anxiety or acute GVHD. Higher CHARM scores predicted worse disability-free survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.03; CI, 1.66-2.48; P< .001) and lower frailty-free survival (OR, 2.00; CI, 1.61-2.49). In summary, CHARM is an independent prognostic scoring system not only for NRM but also for geriatric morbidity and functional limitation–free survival through 1 year after alloHCT. Pre-alloHCT CHARM is a novel tool to aid shared decision-making for older patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03992352.

Abstract Description This study dissects mechanisms of spontaneous tumor rejection leading to better understanding of successful immune responses to cancer. Cancers persist despite expression of tumor-specific neoantigens promoting ongoing anti-tumor immune responses. While some occult tumor cells likely are cleared by effective anti-tumor immune responses, the targeted antigens are not easily identifiable as those cells spontaneously disappear. Congenic mouse breast carcinoma models expressing a defined protein mimicking neoantigens were used to dissect the protective spontaneous immune response. BALB/c (MHC H-2d) mice challenged with BALB/c breast tumors expressing the rat-erbB2 oncoprotein succumb to their tumors despite demonstrated tumor immunogenicity, mimicking known patient responses to cancer. Meanwhile, H-2b positive BALB.B and H-2d/H-2b F1 hybrid mice spontaneously eliminate genetically matched tumors in an MHC-II dependent manner. CD4+ T-cells and B-cells or the rat-erbB2-specific antibodies they produce are crucial mediators of this protective response. Differences in the tumor microenvironments in rat-erbB2+ tumor-bearing BALB.B and BALB/c mice at the time of fate decision in the models reflect the differences between effective and ineffective anti-tumor immunity. Identifying the nature of the optimal MHC-II antigens, how they activate protective CD4+ T-cells, and the interactions that promote protective antibodies will better inform future cancer therapies. Funding Sources Bernie Fineman Research Fund Mayo Clinic Center for Biomedical Discovery Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences NIH Traning Grant 5 R25 GM 55252 Topic Categories Tumor Immunology: Cellular Responses and Tumor Microevironment (TIME)

Abstract Objective Dravet syndrome (DS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug‐resistant seizures and developmental slowing. Although cognitive and executive function deficits have been described, their early trajectory is not well understood. Methods The prospective ENVISION natural history study (NCT04537832) assessed cognitive, executive, and adaptive function in children younger than 5 years of age with SCN1A + DS every 6 months for up to 2 years using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition (BSID‐III), Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th Edition (WPPSI‐IV), Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, 3rd Edition (VABS‐3), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool Version (BRIEF‐P), and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Results Fifty‐eight children were enrolled, with 47% younger than age 2 years. At least 80% of children did not achieve age‐appropriate milestones. Mean BSID‐III Cognitive raw scores increased minimally, with age‐equivalent gains of only 3 months over 1.5 years. Mean Cognitive Composite scores declined significantly by Month 12 (from 81.6 to 72.2; change: –11.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −15.3 to −6.8), signaling a widening gap compared with neurotypical development. Executive function worsened, with mean BRIEF‐P Global Executive Composite T‐scores increasing by 3.2 points/year. For some participants, scores were 5 standard deviations (SD) above the normative mean, reflecting abilities profoundly below age expectations (bottom .00003% of the population). Adaptive functioning worsened, with mean VABS‐3 Adaptive Behavior Composite decreasing from 78.7 to 68.1 over 1.5 years (change: –9.0, 95% CI: −11.9 to −6.1) and greater decline among children <2 years at enrollment, with scores decreasing by ~15 points (1 SD). Over half of children >3 years could not remove clothing independently; and when placed on a toilet, 48% could not use it. Significance Infants and young children with SCN1A + DS show significant and progressive developmental slowing across several domains, highlighting urgent need for therapies to mitigate the devastating impact on individuals and families.