Mody, Kabir

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal malignancy that currently ranks fourth in cancer-related deaths in the US and is projected to become the third leading cause of cancer death in the US by 2030. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify modifying risk factors to improve survival after diagnosis of HCC. Statins and metformin are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the elderly in the US and there are experimental data suggesting that these medications may improve overall survival after cancer diagnosis; however, results from observational studies have been equivocal. We therefore investigated the potential benefits of pre- and post-diagnosis use of statins and metformin both independently and jointly on overall survival after diagnosis of HCC. Methods: The study was performed using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-18) registry linked to Medicare claims data and included 8,922 elderly (≥65 years) patients diagnosed with HCC between 2009-2013. Data on metformin and statins use were extracted from the Medicare Part D Claims file and the patients were grouped as statins only users, metformin only users, both statins and metformin users, or neither (i.e., non-users, referent group). We assessed association of both pre-diagnosis (≥2 years) and post-diagnosis statins and metformin use on risk of death after diagnosis of HCC. Statins users were further categorized into high potency statins users (simvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin) or low potency statins users (pravastatin, lovastatin, and fluvastatin) and compared with non-users. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for multiple risk factors, including age sex, race, cancer stage at diagnosis, cancer grade, first course therapy, neighborhood level education and income, Charlson comorbidity index, and diabetes severity index. Results: Compared with non-users, post-diagnosis statins use was independently associated with 27% lower risk of death after diagnosis of HCC (HR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.60-0.88; p-value = 0.002), adjusting for pre-diagnosis statins use and other risk factors. Further analysis showed that the association for post-diagnosis statins use is evident only among high potency statins users (HR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.60-0.88; users versus non-users) but not low potency statins users (HR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.55-1.25; users versus non-users). No association was found for pre-diagnosis statins use or for pre- or post-diagnosis metformin use. Conclusions: This study suggests that post-diagnosis statins use, particularly high potency statins use, may improve overall survival after diagnosis of HCC. Metformin use, both before and after diagnosis of HCC, is not associated with overall survival. Citation Format: Samuel O. Antwi, Zhuo Li, Kabir Mody, Tushar C. Patel. Independent and joint use of statins and metformin on overall survival after diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A SEER-Medicare matched study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1192.

Abstract Background: Targeted therapies are increasingly under evaluation in clinical trials for the treatment of biliary tract cancer (BTC), and cell-free tumor DNA assays are an emerging technology for the detection of actionable alterations. Methods: ctDNA analysis was performed in patients with BTC using the CLIA-certified Guardant360 liquid biopsy assay as part of routine clinical care. The assay screens up to 73 genes for single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), 23 for insertions or deletions (INDELs), 18 for copy number variations (CNVs), and 6 for fusions. Results: 855 samples were analyzed from 751 unique BTC patients. Median age was 64 years (range, 29-89), 53% were female, and 631 (84%) had at least one alteration in their first sample. In the 751 patients, the most common genes altered were TP53 (39%), KRAS (15%), PIK3CA (13%), ARID1A (13%), EGFR (11%), FGFR2 (11%), ERBB2 (11%), NF1 (10%), IDH1 (10%), APC (9%), BRAF (9%), MYC (8%), MET (7%), CCNE1 (7%), and FGFR1 (7%). Alterations in DNA damage response genes were also seen, including BRCA2 (6%), BRCA1 (5%), ATM (4%), and MLH1 (1%). The median number of alterations per sample was 3 (range, 0-40). In a clinically annotated dataset from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 112 samples were obtained from 61 unique patients. Among these, 52 (85%) had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), 3 (5%) had extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 6 (10%) had gallbladder cancer. 20/61 (33%) patients were treated with targeted therapy. Among 20 patients with both ctDNA and tumor sequencing results, the targetable mutation was found in both ctDNA and tumor tissue in 7/20 (35%), solely in ctDNA in 1/20 (5%), and solely in tissue in 12/20 (60%) patients. The patient with the alteration detected solely in ctDNA had insufficient tissue for analysis; she was found to have an FGFR2 F276C mutation and benefited for 8.5 months from an FGFR inhibitor on a clinical trial. Of the 12 patients whose targetable mutation was not detected in plasma, 10 (83%) had an FGFR2 fusion, 1 had an INDEL in FGFR2 (Leu262_Ala266delinsAsp), and 1 had an FGFR3 splice site mutation. 15/20 (75%) patients treated with targeted therapy were followed with serial ctDNA analysis, and a potential resistance mechanism was identified in 5/15 (33%). All 5 patients had FGFR2-fusion positive ICC and developed mutations in the FGFR2 kinase domain as a potential resistance mechanism to FGFR inhibition, including the FGFR2 V564F gatekeeper mutation in 4/5 patients. Conclusions: In patients with BTC, ctDNA-based genomic profiling can detect alterations in IDH, FGFR, PIK3CA, ERBB2, BRAF, and MET. The technology is still evolving for the detection of FGFR2 fusions, which is hindered in capture-based methods in plasma by the large number of unique breakpoints and fusion partners. ctDNA analysis may also provide a noninvasive mechanism to study resistance to targeted therapy and clonal dynamics in BTC. Citation Format: Lipika Goyal, Robin Kate Kelley, Lesli Kiedrowski, Daniel Catenacci, Kabir Mody, Rachna Shroff, Aparna Parikh, Stephanie Reyes, Jordan R. Maurer, Ryan B. Corcoran, Paul Fanta, Mike Cusnir, Becky Nagy, Richard Lanman, Michael Morse, Benjamin Tan, Milind Javle, Andrew Zhu. Blood-based genomic profiling of cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with biliary tract cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A183.

Abstract Colorectal carcinoma is the third most common cancer worldwide. Approximately 20% of patients with colorectal cancer will have metastatic disease at the time of initial diagnosis, and approximately 30% to 50% of patients with primary colon cancer will relapse and die of metastatic cancer. The 5-year survival rate of metastatic colorectal cancer remains disappointing at approximately 10%. Angiogenesis plays a significant role in tumor growth and metastasis in colorectal carcinoma. There are currently 4 US Food and Drug Administration–approved antiangiogenic agents for metastatic colorectal cancer. Bevacizumab is the only antiangiogenic agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Other antiangiogenic agents include ramucirumab, ziv-aflibercept, and regorafenib. We review the data supporting the use of antiangiogenics in this disease.

Adverse drug reactions can be unpredictable. However, pharmacogenomic testing can help identify patients who may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of certain drugs. Genetic variations in the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase and thymidylate synthase genes have been shown to increase the risk of 5-fluorouracil toxicity. 5-Fluorouracil toxicity can be life threatening. Fortunately, there is treatment available for 5-fluorouracil toxicity, called uridine triacetate. Although, the indications for its use limit its administration to within 96 h of receiving 5-fluorouracil, we report a case of effective therapy in a patient started on uridine triacetate beyond the recommended 96 h, who was found to carry a thymidylate synthase gene variation but no dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase mutations. This provides important implications for pharmacogenomic testing.

Abstract Background: The paucity of effective therapeutic agents for hepatocellular cancer (HCC) underscores the critical need for more effective therapeutic strategies. Recent studies indicate lipid biosynthesis and desaturation is required for HCC survival. Targeting these may prove beneficial because such changes contribute to therapeutic resistance. Stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD1), a key mediator of fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis and rate-limiting in conversion of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), is upregulated in HCC and many other cancers. As such, we therapeutically targeted a novel lipogenic tumor survival mechanism mediated by SCD1 as a means to combat the chemoresistance associated with HCC. In so doing, we evaluated a novel lead SCD1 inhibitor in HCC. Methods: Paraffin embedded patient HCC tissues were examined for SCD1 expression. Using combined computational and synthetic chemistry approaches, we synthesized four novel specific SCD1 inhibitors with SSI-4 being the lead SCD1 inhibitor. HCC cell lines were examined using proliferation assays for response to SSI-4. IC50 concentrations for blocking SCD1 enzyme activity was determined. Blood half-life and bioavailability of single dose SSI-4 was determined. Mechanisms of action of SCD1 were examined that included Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In vivo, antitumor activity was determined using HCC patient derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. Results: We identified elevated SCD1 mRNA and protein in HCCs tissues. SSI-4 dose-dependently inhibits cell proliferation in HCC cell lines with specificity demonstrated by oleic acid (MUFA) co-culture. Single dose oral gavage SSI-4 demonstrated a half-life of ~4 hours and excellent oral bioavailability. SSI-4 was well tolerated with long-term daily dosing. SSI-4 treatment of HCC cells and tumors led to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress followed by apoptotic cell death. Single agent SSI-4 demonstrated antitumor activity in HCC PDX mouse models with suppression of ER stress regulated proteins. Conclusions: Targeting a novel lipid metabolic pathway in HCC may provide effective therapy for aggressive HCC. Citation Format: John Alton Copland, Laura A. Marlow, Ilah Bok, James L. Miller, Matsuda Akiko, Yan W. Asmann, Vivekananda Sarangi, Steven R. Alberts, Kabir Mody, Lewis R. Roberts, Mark J. Truty, Tushar C. Patel. Targeting stearoyl CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) in hepatobilliary carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 192. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-192

365 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by dense stroma and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) overexpression. Although prolonged overall survival (OS) can be achieved through resection, only approximately 15% to 20% of patients are treated with surgery. Previously, pamrevlumab (P), a fully human monoclonal antibody blocking CTGF, was combined with gemcitabine/erlotinib (G/E) in a study of advanced PDAC. P plasma levels of > 150 μg/mL and low baseline CTGF levels resulted in prolonged OS. We hypothesize that neoadjuvant (NA) treatment of LAPC with P + G/nab-paclitaxel (NP) may alter LAPC’s stroma, increase R0 resectability, and improve OS similar to that of patients resectable at presentation. Methods: LAPC subjects, confirmed by NCCN criteria and staging laparoscopy, were randomized 2:1 to G/NP ± P for 6-cycle/24-week treatment. Safety and efficacy (resection rate, OS, progression-free survival, tumor response) were assessed. Resection was performed in subjects who met protocol-defined criteria with no contraindications. Results: As of 26 Sep 2016, 25 subjects were enrolled. Of 14 subjects in Arm A (G/NP + P), 7 completed, 2 discontinued. Of 11 subjects in Arm B (G/NP), 4 completed, 4 discontinued. 6 subjects (43%) in Arm A and 4 (36%) in Arm B experienced SAEs; no P-related SAEs were reported. Out of 7 eligible Arm A subjects, 3 were not resected. Successful resection was achieved in 4 Arm A subjects (3 R0, 1 R1) and 1 Arm B subject (R0) (Table). Conclusions: The combination of G/NP + P is feasible and well-tolerated with no incremental safety signals in this study. The addition of P suggests a trend toward increased resectability among LAPC subjects. Clinical trial information: NCT02210559. [Table: see text]

294 Background: CX-4945 is a first-in-class casein kinase-2 (CK2) threonine kinase small molecule inhibitor. CK2 is pleiotropic and regulates key cellular processes such as proliferation and DNA damage repair, and has been shown to enhance efficacy of gemcitabine (G) and cisplatin (C) in cell line and xenograft CCA model systems. A Phase IB study of G+C with CX-4945 was conducted in advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients. Methods: A multi-center “3+3” dose escalation study was conducted in advanced CCA patients. Eligible patients had ECOG PS 0-1 and adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal function. Primary endpoints were maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary endpoints included pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses, overall toxicity evaluation and preliminary assessment of efficacy. Routine clinical dosing for G (1000 mg/m2) and C (25 mg/m2), both on days 1 and 8 every 21 days, was used. Dose escalation cohort were CX-4945 given twice daily on days 0,1,2 and 7,8,9 at 200 mg (DL1), 400mg (DL2), 600 mg (DL3), 800 mg (DL4) and 1000 (DL5) mg. NCI CTCAE v4.03 was used for toxicity assessment and RECIST v1.1 for efficacy evaluation. Results: Nineteen patients were enrolled (DL1:n = 3; DL2:n = 4 DL3:n = 3; DL4:n = 4; DL5:n = 5). No dose limiting toxicities were encountered. MTD and RP2D were ascertained to be DL5. No grade 3 or 4 toxicities at prevalence > 10% were encountered and the overall toxicity profile of the combination was reflective of standard G+C toxicity profile. At data cut-off, preliminary efficacy evaluation demonstrated disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) of 64% (PR:32%, SD:32% and CR:0%), along with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5 months (range 0-14 months). PK analyses showed no evidence of drug-drug interactions between G, C and CX-4945. Conclusions: RP2D for G+C with CX-4945 is DL5 (CX-4945 dosed on days 0,1,2 and 7,8,9 at 1000 mg PO bid with standard G and C dosing). Preliminary clinical efficacy and tolerability of the regimen support planned controlled, randomized Phase 2 evaluation. Clinical trial information: NCT02128282.

457 Background: Curative therapy for PDAC is currently achievable through resection only, but ≤ 15% of patients are candidates for surgery. FG-3019, a recombinant human mAb to connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), plus gemcitabine (G) significantly reduced tumor growth, increased apoptosis and improved survival vs G alone in the KPC mouse model. Higher FG-3019 exposure and lower baseline (BL) CTGF were independently and significantly associated with improved overall median and 1-year survival (OS) in a Ph2a trial with G and erlotinib in stage 3 or 4 PDAC. Neoadjuvant treatment of LAPC with FG-3019 combined with multidrug therapy may change the fibrotic character of LAPC and thus may make it amenable to surgical resection and potentially improve OS. Methods: Patients with unresectable LAPC (confirmed by laparoscopy) are randomized to G/NP ±FG-3019 for 6-cycle/24-week treatment. Safety, efficacy, PK and changes in CT, PET, & CA19.9 from BL through end of treatment (EOT) are assessed. Up to 4 endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided core biopsies are collected at BL. Protein microarrays of pre- and post-treatment biopsies are prepared from tumor and stromal cells isolated by laser capture microdissection. Surgical exploration is performed in subjects who achieved the protocol-defined criteria for possible resection. Results: To date, 11 subjects were enrolled with 5 randomized to +FG-3019 arm. There were no complications from laparoscopy or EUS core biopsies that were clinically significant or delayed dosing. Per investigator assessment, no FG-3019-related SAEs were reported, nor any identified toxicity suspected from combination of FG-3019 with chemotherapy. Overall, CA19.9 mean change from BL was −62.7% at Week 8 (n = 8), and target lesions were reduced by 20.6% (n = 6) at Week 16. Three out of 4 subjects had PET SUVmax reductions of ≥ 30% at EOT. Additional data from protein microarrays will be presented. Conclusions: Based on the limited data collected so far, this trial design is feasible and the G/NP +FG-3019 combination is well-tolerated and appears to be active. Summary results on surgical exploration of subjects will be provided later. Clinical trial information: NCT02210559.

289 Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are all devastating malignancies. Limited data exists about PD-1 and PDL1 expression in these cancers. We assessed expression of PD1/PDL1 in a large cohort of patients with hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) cancers and explored the existence of accompanying genomic mutations associated with expression of PD-1/PD-L1. Methods: 524 patients with HPB cancers (354 PDAC, 58 HCC, 54 intrahepatic (ICC), 18 extrahepatic (ECC), and 40 gallbladder (GBC)) were included in the study and tumors tested centrally at a CLIA lab (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). Tests included one or more of the following: gene sequencing (next generation sequencing, Illumina TruSeq), protein expression (immunohistochemistry [IHC]) and gene amplification). PD-1 (SP142 antibody) and PD-L1 (MRQ-22 antibody) status was tested in all samples. Two-tailed Fisher's exact test was performed to test where proportions of positive results were different by subgroup (p²0.05). Results: Among those with PDAC, HCC, ICC, ECC, and GBC, rates of PD1 expression on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1 expression on tumor cells is detailed in the Table. In PD-1+, compared with PD-1- HPB cancers, mutations in the following were more prevalent, though not statistically significant: BRCA2, ATM, CTNNB1, and PIK3CA. Among all theranostic biomarkers tested, TOP2A expression (IHC) was significantly increased in PD-L1+ versus PD-L1- tumors (82% vs 60%; p=0.0083). Conclusions: HPB tumors express PD-L1 at a frequency of 4-18%, and PD-1 at a frequency of 29-45%. A statistically significant association of mutations with PD-1+ or PD-L1+ tumors was not identified in this group of tumors. PD-L1 expression associates with TOP2a expression, a marker of proliferation and also anthracycline sensitivity. Further evaluation of this correlation and PDL1/PD-1 + anthracycline combination therapy may be warranted. [Table: see text]

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) has been shown to have short‐term benefits over open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). Its application for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains controversial.MethodsFrom 1995 to 2014, 72 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy for PDAC at a single institution and were included in the study. Postoperative and long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing LDP (n = 44) or ODP (n = 28) were compared.ResultsLDP was associated with less blood loss (332 vs. 874 mL, p = 0.0012) and lower transfusion rates than ODP (18.2 vs. 50 %, p = 0.0495). Operative time was similar (254 vs. 266 min) for LDP and ODP; five patients (11.4 %) required conversion to ODP. Pancreatic fistulas (13.6 vs. 7.1 %) and major complications (13.6 vs. 25 %), were similar between LDP and ODP, respectively. Length of hospital stay (5.1 vs. 9.4 days, p = 0.0001) and time to initiate adjuvant therapy (69.4 vs. 95.6 days, p = 0.0441) was shorter for LDP than ODP. Tumor characteristics were similar but LDP was associated with more resected lymph nodes than ODP (25.9 vs. 12.7, p = 0.0001). One‐, three‐, and five‐year survival rates were similar between LDP (69, 41, and 41 %, respectively) and ODP (78, 44, and 32 %, respectively).ConclusionLDP is associated with less blood loss and need for blood transfusion, shorter hospital stay, and faster time to initiate adjuvant therapy than ODP for patients with PDAC. Postoperative outcomes and long‐term survival are similar between the two groups. LDP appears to be safe in the treatment of patients with PDAC.