Citations 139

The Management of Older Adults with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Geriatrics | November 26, 2018 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 85

10.3390/geriatrics3040085 | PMID 31011120

Pancreatic cancer is the eleventh most common cancer, yet it is the third leading cause of mortality. It is also largely a disease of older adults, with the median age of 71 at diagnosis in the US, with <1% of diagnoses occurring prior to age 50. Current NCCN guidelines recommend surgery for localized disease, followed by adjuvant therapy and/or consideration of enrollment in a clinical trial. For metastatic disease, current guidelines recommend clinical trial enrollment or systemic chemotherapy based on results from the landmark ACCORD-11 and MPACT trials. However, these trials focused heavily on younger, more fit patients, with the ACCORD-11 trial excluding patients over age 75 and the MPACT trial having 92% of its patients with a Karnofsky performance score >80. This article summarizes the available evidence in current literature in regards to the best treatment options for older adults, who represent the majority of pancreatic cancer diagnoses.
Characterization of Comorbidities Limiting the Recruitment of Patients in Early Phase Clinical Trials

The Oncologist | November 9, 2018 | Volume: 24 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 96-102

10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0687 | PMID 30413668

Abstract Background Early phase clinical trials evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments. The exclusion/inclusion criteria in these trials are usually rigorous and may exclude many patients seen in clinical practice. Our objective was to study the comorbidities limiting the participation of patients with breast, colorectal, or lung cancer in clinical trials. Materials and Methods We queried ClinicalTrials.gov on December 31, 2016. We reviewed the eligibility criteria of 1,103 trials. Logistic regression analyses were completed, and exclusion was studied as a binary variable. Results Out of 1,103 trials, 70 trials (6%) excluded patients &gt;75 years of age, and 45% made no reference to age. Eighty-six percent of trials placed restrictions on patients with history of prior malignancies. Regarding central nervous system (CNS) metastasis, 416 trials (38%) excluded all patients with CNS metastasis, and 373 (34%) only allowed asymptomatic CNS metastasis. Regarding chronic viral infections, 347 trials (31%) excluded all patients with human immunodeficiency virus, and 228 trials (21%) excluded all patients with hepatitis B or C infection. On univariate analysis, chemotherapy trials were more likely to exclude patients with CNS metastasis and history of other malignancies than targeted therapy trials. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that industry-sponsored trials had higher odds of excluding patients with compromised liver function. Conclusion Many clinical trials excluded large segments of the population of patients with cancer. Frequent exclusion criteria included patients with CNS metastasis, history of prior malignancies, and chronic viral infections. The criteria for participation in some clinical trials may be overly restrictive and limit enrollment. Implications for Practice The results of this study revealed that most early phase clinic trials contain strict exclusion criteria, potentially excluding the patients who may be more likely to represent the population treated in clinical settings, leaving patients susceptible to unintended harm from inappropriate generalization of trial results. Careful liberalization of the inclusion/exclusion criteria in clinical trials will allow investigators to understand the benefits and drawbacks of the experimental drug for a broader population, and possibly improve recruitment of patients with cancer into clinical trials.
A patient-reported outcome driven case management system for hematology/oncology patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: e18035-e18035

10.1200/jco.2016.34.15_suppl.e18035

Academic and Community Cancer Research United (ACCRU) RU011301I: Adjuvant ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) for older patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: TPS629-TPS629

10.1200/jco.2016.34.15_suppl.tps629

What are patients’ biggest concerns? A patient reported outcome case-management system.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 6572-6572

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.6572

6572 Background: Cancer patients (pts) receive complex care that may cause physical, emotional, & financial sequelae. Current practice limits clinician time to address patient concerns. The Patient Reported Outcome Quality Of Life (PROQOL) system was developed as a self-reported electronic questionnaire to assess symptoms, QOL and provide data about bothersome issues. Our aim was to determine if the PROQOL system improves QOL without negatively impacting routine clinic workflow. Methods: Eligible pts had multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, head & neck or gynecologic cancer seen in Hematology/Oncology clinics at Mayo Clinic, and were stratified by stem cell transplant and active treatment status. Pts were randomized 2:1 to PROQOL system or usual care. PROQOL system was offered prior to every visit. Pts select from various categories about their single biggest concern, and receive a printed list of actionable resources based on selected concern. Clinicians also receive the PROQOL results to review with pts. Providers and pts randomized to PROQOL completed a “was it worth it survey” (WIWI). An 8 item Linear Analogue Self-Assessment was used to assess QOL. The study was powered to detect a 0.5 standard deviation difference in QOL between groups. Herein we report the planned results of first 6 months. Results: Among the first 118 pts accrued, 55% were female, median age was 63 (32-86), & 93% were on therapy. Median time from diagnosis to PROQOL was 26 months. The PROQOL system took 3.6 minutes to complete. Baseline median QOL (range) was 7 (3-10) for both groups. The most common PROQOL issue selected was “cancer & diagnosis” (36.5%) followed by “physical health” (35.3%). Specific concerns were related to treatment plan, prognosis, fatigue, sleep, and neuropathy. WIWI showed: 71% of pts thought it was worthwhile, 83% would participate again, 80% would recommend it, & 65% used resources provided. 80% of providers reported the PROQOL did not interfere with care & 75% believed the pt wellbeing may improve. Conclusions: Notably treatment plan & prognosis remain pts' greatest concern despite being over 2 year from diagnosis.The PROQOL system demonstrates integrated PRO reporting in clinic is quick & worthwhile to pts & providers.
Alliance for clinical trials in oncology trial A021501: Preoperative extended chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy plus hypofractionated radiation therapy for borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: TPS4151-TPS4151

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.tps4151

TPS4151 Background: Borderline resectable pancreatic cancers infiltrate into adjacent vascular structures to an extent that makes an R0 resection unlikely when pancreatectomy is performed de novo. In a pilot study, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Trial A021101, the median survival of patients who received chemotherapy and radiation prior to anticipated pancreatectomy was 22 months, and an R0 resection was achieved in 64% of operations. However, the individual contributions of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy are poorly defined.This study, Alliance for Clinical Oncology Trial A021501, will help define a standard preoperative treatment regimen for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and position the superior arm for further evaluation in future phase III trials. Methods: In this recently activated randomized phase II trial, 134 patients with a biopsy-confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that meets centrally-reviewed radiographic criteria for borderline resectable disease are randomized to receive either 8 cycles of modified FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, irinotecan 180 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2 and infusional 5-fluorouracil 2400 mg/m2 for 4 cycles) or to 7 cycles of modified FOLFIRINOX followed by stereotactic body radiation therapy (33-40 Gy in 5 fractions). Patients without evidence of disease progression following preoperative therapy undergo pancreatectomy and subsequently receive 4 cycles of postoperative modified FOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2 and infusional 5-fluorouracil 2400 mg/m2 for 4 cycles). The primary endpoint is the 18-month overall survival rate of patients enrolled into each of the two treatment arms. An interim analysis of the R0 resection rate within each arm will be conducted to assess treatment futility after accrual of 30 patients. Secondary endpoints include rates of margin-negative resection and event-free survival. The trial is activated nationwide and eligible to be opened for accrual at any National Clinical Trials Network cooperative group member site. Clinical trial information: NCT02839343.
Outcome of mismatch repair deficient metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC): The Mayo Clinic Experience.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: e15030-e15030

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.e15030

e15030 Background: Deficiencies in the DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) system cause errors during DNA replication, which in turn give rise to microsatellite instability (MSI-H). MSI-H in mCRC is rare and its prognostic and predictive impact on outcome is unclear. This cohort study aims to investigate the prognostic and predictive value of MSI-H in metastatic CRC prior to the immune therapy era. Methods: 75 MSI-H mCRC patients (pts) and 75 matched (age, gender, disease sidedness, metachronous) MSS mCRC pts were identified from 1268 mCRC who had MSI/MMR test results at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1/1992 and 7/2016. A retrospective review was conducted by using data from electronic medical records (EMR). Statistical analyses utilized Kaplan-Meier method, Log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: In the MSI-H group, there were 39 male (52%) and 36 female (48%) pts. Median age at metastatic disease diagnosis was 54.7 years. 35 patients presented with stage IV CRC. Primary tumors location: 38 right side, 11 transverse colon, 15 left side, 11 rectum. The MSS group was well matched (3 mismatches for gender and 1 mismatch for metachronous metastatic disease). Median overall survivals (OS) were 28.1 and 37.4 months for MSI-H and MSS pts, respectively ( p= 0.098). 98.7% MSS pts and 94.7% MSI-H pts had Fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for metastatic disease and there was no median OS difference between these two groups (37.4 vs. 32.3 months p= 0.91). 43 MSI-H and 39 MSS pts had metastasectomy including ablation ( p= 0.51) with longer median OS (82.0 and 69.9 months, p= 0.90) compared to pts without metastasectomy (13.9 and 19.7 months, p= 0.15). Age < 65, metastasectomy, asymptomatic metastatic lesions, BRAF wild type, and multiple metastasectomy were associated with better survival in univariate analysis. Only metastasectomy remained statistically significant in multivariate analysis ( p< 0.0001). Conclusions: MSI-H mCRC do not appear to have improved prognosis compared with MSS cancers, in fact, there is a trend toward inferior outcome. In both groups, metastasectomy including multiple metastasectomy should be considered to optimize OS.
Heterogeneity in early lesion changes on treatment as a marker of poor prognosis in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with first line systemic chemotherapy ± biologic: Findings from 9,092 pts in the ARCAD database.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 3535-3535

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.3535

3535 Background: CRC is known to be a heterogeneous disease. This study quantifies within pt heterogeneity in early lesion change rate (LCR) in the era of targeted agents compared to chemo alone and its potential impact on survival. Methods: Pts with 2-10 lesions measured at baseline were included. For each lesion, the early LCR was defined as the change in size (shrinking or growing) from baseline to 12 weeks on treatment. Within pt heterogeneity in early LCR among lesions was estimated by standard deviation (STD). A larger value of STD indicates larger variation of LCR per pt. Stratified multivariate Cox models were used to assess the associations between LCR STD with overall survival (OS). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRadj) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Results: Data were available on 9,092 mCRC pts (median age 61; 60% male, 55% ECOG PS 0; 61% 2+ metastatic sites) enrolled in 16 1st-line randomized trials, with 44%, 42%, and 10% of pts received chemo alone, + a VEGF inhibitor (VEGFi) or an EGFR inhibitor (EGFRi), respectively. LCR heterogeneity is the highest among pts received EGFRi but lowest among pts received VEGFi (Table). Overall, higher heterogeneity is associated with worst OS (HRadj1.22, 95% CI (1.16, 1.27)). The effect is most pronounced in pts received VEGFi (interaction p=0.0012). Conclusions: There was heterogeneity observed in lesion size changes within pts. Its magnitude varies across treatment approaches, and was associated with poor survival. This preliminary result reveals the great potentials to define novel response endpoint and refine treatment decision-making by incorporating heterogeneities in lesion changes. [Table: see text]
Phase 1b/II study of cancer stemness inhibitor napabucasin (BBI-608) in combination with FOLFIRI +/- bevacizumab (bev) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients (pts).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 3529-3529

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.3529

3529 Background: Cancer stem cells are considered to be fundamentally important for resistance, recurrence and metastasis. Napabucasin is a first-in-class cancer stemness inhibitor in development identified by its ability to inhibit STAT3-driven gene transcription and spherogenesis of cancer stem cells (Li et al, PNAS 112(6):1839, 2015). Preclinically, napabucasin sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy and targeted agents. Methods: A phase Ib/II multi-center study in mCRC pts was done to confirm the RP2D and signs of anti-cancer activity of napabucasin in combination with FOLFIRI +/- Bev. Pts received napabucasin 240 mg PO BID with bi-weekly FOLFIRI IV +/- Bev 5 mg/kg until disease progression or other discontinuation criterion. Results: 82 pretreated mCRC pts were enrolled (ITT); including 32 (39%) previously treated with FOLFIRI +/- bev. Of the 82 pts, 48 received FOLFIRI and 34 FOLFIRI plus bev in combination with napabucasin. There was no dose-limiting or unexpected toxicity or significant PK interactions. Most common adverse events (AEs) included grade 1/2 diarrhea, cramping, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and anorexia with grade 4 diarrhea in 1 pt and 27 pts with grade 3 AEs including: diarrhea (15), fatigue (5), dehydration (1), electrolyte imbalance (4), abdominal pain (1), vomiting (1) and weight loss (1), which resolved with dose reduction and supportive care. Disease control (CR+PR+SD) was observed in 55 of 66 pts who received RECIST evaluation (83%), with 1 CR (1.5%), 13 PR (20%) (33-100% regression) and 27 SD with tumor regression (41%). Conclusions: This phase Ib/II study confirmed that napabucasin can be safely combined with FOLFIRI +/- bev, and shows encouraging signs of efficacy in pretreated mCRC pts, including pts previously treated with FOLFIRI +/- bev. Clinical trial information: NCT02024607. [Table: see text]
Phase 1b extension study of cancer stemness inhibitor BB608 (napabucasin) administered in combination with FOLFIRI +/- bevacizumab (Bev) in patients (pts) with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 6, 2018 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 3564-3564

10.1200/jco.2016.34.15_suppl.3564