Citations 146

Impact of baseline alterations in HER2-pathway oncogenic drivers on response to anti-HER2 therapy in patients (pts) with HER2-amplified advanced colorectal cancer (aCRC).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 243-243

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.243

243 Background: HER2-amplified aCRC is associated with poor prognosis despite new anti-HER2 regimens. Insight on biomarkers that predict response to these therapies is limited. This study aims to evaluate whether baseline alterations in oncogenic drivers along the HER2 pathway predict response to anti-HER2 therapy in HER2-amplified aCRC. Methods: In this international multi-center study involving Mayo Clinic, Duke Cancer Institute and National Cancer Center Hospital East (Japan), we collected baseline genomic alterations from tissue or blood samples using next-generation sequencing (NGS) prior to anti-HER2 therapy initiation. We defined PIK3CA, RAS, RAF, MAP2K, and MET as oncogenic drivers of resistance within the HER2 pathway. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier method and a log-rank test was used to compare median OS (mOS) between pts with and without alterations in the above genes. A chi-square test (significance level 0.05) was performed to compare overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Results: We identified 39 pts with HER2-amplified aCRC and baseline NGS. Median age was 57 (range 30-77), 54% were male. Baseline alterations in HER2 pathway oncogenic drivers were identified in 17 pts (43.5%). 18 (46%) received monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) plus tyrosine kinase inhibitors, 12 (30%) received dual mAbs and 7 (18%) received trastuzumab deruxtecan. The mOS was 41.9 months (mos) (95%CI 23.7-60.1) for other alterations vs 24.2 mos (95%CI 14.1-34.3) in pts with HER2 pathway alterations (p = 0.1). ORR was 47% vs 41% (p = 0.7) and DCR 82% vs 73% (p = 0.4), for pts with HER2 pathway alterations and without HER2 pathway alterations, respectively. 4 pts receiving trastuzumab/tucatinib had complete response, none of which had HER2 pathway alterations. Conclusions: Pts with baseline alterations in oncogenic drivers of the HER2 pathway had clinically worse outcomes compared to pts without such alterations despite receiving HER2-targeted therapy, though results lacked statistical significance. Larger studies are needed to confirm the lack of benefit from anti-HER2 therapy in this subgroup.
Neoadjuvant immunotherapy and nonoperative management of dMMR gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA): A retrospective case series.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 451-451

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.451

451 Background: Perioperative chemotherapy with surgery is the standard of care for patients (pts) with resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEA). However, recent studies have shown more favorable responses after neoadjuvant immunotherapy (NIO) in patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) cancers. Herein, we present the outcomes of 10 cases with dMMR GEA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with GEA at Mayo Clinic Arizona who met the following criteria: have dMMR disease by IHC, nonmetastatic operable disease, and received NIO +/- chemotherapy. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and clinical outcomes were extracted. The primary endpoint was clinical complete response (cCR) in patients treated with non-operative management (NOM) defined as complete radiological response and no residual disease on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and biopsy. Results: 10 pts with dMMR GEA with a median age of 70 (43-85) were identified. 6 pts had T2N0, 1 had T4N0, 3 had N+ disease. 8 pts received NIO monotherapy upfront, 1 received NIO after progressing on chemotherapy, and 1 concurrently with chemotherapy. No grade 3/4 toxicities were reported, however, 2 pts discontinued therapy due to arthralgia and colitis. After NIO, 9/10 pts had significant or complete resolution of FGD avidity on PET/CT, while 1/10 had stable disease. 3/10 pts underwent surgical resection, with 2 achieving pathological complete response (pCR) and the third showing T1N0 disease with no recurrence 1 year after surgery. Notably, one of the pts with pCR passed away due to surgical complications. 7/10 patients had NOM, of whom, 4 had cCR and 3 had radiological response only, as no EUS data was available. 4/7 NOM pts had follow up data at 6 months with no evidence of progression, of whom one pt remained progression-free at 33 months. ctDNA testing was performed in 6/10 pts: 2 had undetectable ctDNA at baseline, while 3 became MRD-negative after NIO, consistent with radiological and/or pathological response, and 1 had persistent ctDNA both before and after NIO, despite cCR. Conclusions: This study demonstrates exceptional and prolonged response, along with good tolerability to NIO in pts with dMMR GEA, supporting the feasibility of non-operative management in such patients.
A global comparative study on real-world clinical and genomic differences in advanced biliary tract cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 628-628

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.628

628 Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are aggressive malignancies with poor survival outcomes and limited treatment options. This study compared the epidemiological and molecular differences of advanced BTC patients through a global collaboration involving the Mayo Clinic and National Cancer Center Hospital East. Methods: We included patients with advanced BTC who underwent comprehensive tumor molecular profiling who received at least 30 days of systemic therapy. Patients were grouped based on specific alterations. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the start of first-line therapy until death and compared among subgroups using Cox regression models. Results: 332 (36%) out of 932 patients had at least one actionable mutation : somatic BRCA1/2 mutations N=106, FGFR2 fusions N=61, HER2 amplifications N=65, KRAS G12C/D mutations N=46, IDH1 mutations N=38, and TMB >10 mut/Mb N=16. BRCA1/2 -mutated BTC were more commonly found in older Asian males with intrahepatic tumors and often presented with peritoneal and liver metastases upon initial diagnosis. FGFR2 fusions were more prevalent in younger White females with intrahepatic tumors, while HER2 amplifications were mainly seen in Asian females with gallbladder tumors. KRAS mutations were primarily observed in Asian males, and IDH1 mutations were common in White males with intrahepatic tumors, frequently presenting with liver metastasis. Survival outcomes varied significantly based on the alteration type: patients with FGFR2 fusions had the longest median OS (mOS) at 23.3 months (mo) (95%CI 18.4-34.9), followed by those with IDH1 mutations (19.3 mo; 95% CI 17.4-NE) and TMB >10 mut/Mb (17.8 mo; 95% CI 13.6-NE). BRCA mutations had a mOS of 16 mo (95% CI 14.6-19.8), while HER2 amplifications and KRAS mutations had mOS of 15.5 (95% CI 11.9-20.2) and 11.6 mo (95% CI 10.0-20.9), respectively. Conclusions: These findings underscore the heterogeneity in clinical and genomic characteristics among BTC patients, highlighting the importance of tailored therapeutic approaches. Baseline patient characteristics stratified by mutation status. KRAS G12C/D (N=46) BRCA 1/2 (N=106) IDH1 (N=38) HER2 amplification(N=65) FGFR2 fusion(N=61) TMB>10 mut/Mb(N=16) P-value Median Age, year 67 68 64 66 52 73 <0.001 Female, n (%) 19 (41) 34 (32) 18(47) 34 (52) 45(74) 6 (38) <0.001 Race, n (%) <0.001 Asian 31 (67) 97 (92) 13 (34) 51 (79) 10 (16) 6 (38) White 14 (30) 8 (8) 24 (63) 13 (20) 48 (79) 10 (63) Primary tumor location, n (%) <0.001 Intrahepatic 28 (68) 45 (45) 33 (100) 19 (31) 54(95) 10 (67) Extrahepatic 9 (22) 27(27) 0 (0) 10 (16) 2 (4) 4 (27) Gallbladder 4 (10) 28 (28) 0 (0) 32 (53) 1 (2) 1 (7) Sites of Metastasis at diagnosis, n (%) Abdominal Wall / Peritoneal 9 (24) 15 (19) 4(13) 7 (12) 6 (10) 4 (27) 0.309 Bone 33 (92) 70 (90) 26 (87) 2 (3) 9(15) 0 (0) 0.212 Liver 20 (49) 52 (61) 28 (82) 45 (73) 45 (76) 6 (38) 0.001 Lung 26 (70) 65 (82) 22 (69) 36 (58) 27(45) 11 (69) 0.006
Clinical and genomic characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma: Insights from real-world data.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 556-556

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.556

556 Background: Combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare and complex liver cancer with features of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), making its management challenging. This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics, genomic profiles, and treatment outcomes of cHCC-CCA patients in a real-world setting. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of cHCC-CCA patients across three first-line treatment groups: chemotherapy alone(Gemcitabine/Cisplatin, FOLFOX), HCC-directed therapies (atezolizumab/bevacizumab, lenvatinib, nivolumab, durvalumab, sorafenib), and chemoimmunotherapy (Gemcitabine/Cisplatin combined with immunotherapy). This international study, involving Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Center East (Japan), assessed overall survival (OS) using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models. Results: A total of 68 patients were included, with a mean age of 66 years; 74% were male and 66% were White Non-Hispanics. Cirrhosis was present in 74% of patients at diagnosis, and Hepatitis B and C were common etiologies in 57%. Prior primary resection and regional therapies (Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), Transarterial radioembolization (TARE)) were recorded in 39% and 50% of patients, respectively. Advanced/metastatic disease was present in 52% of the cohort. The distribution of first-line treatments was as follows: 47% received chemotherapy alone, 39% received HCC-directed therapy, and 14% received chemoimmunotherapy. Genomic alterations were detected in 44% patients, with TP53 (28%), ARID1A (25%), and TERT (22%) being the most frequent. The HCC-directed therapy group demonstrated the best overall response rate (52%) and had a median OS of 15.8 months (mo), compared to 11.8 mo for chemotherapy and 4.7 mo for chemoimmunotherapy (p=0.8). Patients who received regional treatments had a longer median OS of 15.8 mo compared to those who did not (10.2 mo) (p=0.4). Conclusions: HCC-directed therapy showed a trend towards better survival outcomes compared to other treatments, though not statistically significant. A considerable proportion of patients had genomic alterations, which may have influenced survival outcomes. Ongoing research with larger cohorts is underway to further elucidate the impact of genomic variations on treatment efficacy and refine therapeutic strategies for this challenging malignancy. Baseline characteristics of patients with combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). Total(N=68) Mean age at diagnosis, years (SD) 66(6.4) Gender, n (%) Male 50 (74%) Ethnicity, n (%) White, Non-Hispanic 45 (66%) Cirrhosis at diagnosis, n (%) 50 (74%) Etiology of Liver disease, n (%) Viral (Hepatitis B and C) 39 (57%) History of Primary resection, n (%) 27 (39%) Regional treatment, n (%) 34 (50%) Afp, n (%) < 200 23 (64%) ca19_9, n (%) < 50 27 (82%)
Acquired gene alterations potentially related to resistance to anti-HER2 therapy in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 277-277

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.277

277 Background: While HER2-targeted therapies benefit patients (pts) with advanced HER2-positive mCRC, the development of resistance remains inevitable. This study aims to explore the landscape and frequency of genetic alterations putatively associated with acquired resistance to anti-HER2 therapy in HER2-positive mCRC. Methods: In this retrospective-multicenter international study involving Mayo Clinic, Duke Cancer Center and National Cancer Center Hospital East (Japan), we descriptively compared comprehensive genomic analyses from tissue or blood samples of pts with HER2-positive CRC pre-treatment and post-treatment with HER2-targeting agents. Results: A total of 36 pts were included in this study. 29 (80%) had HER2-positive mCRC as confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (ISH), the remaining pts had HER2 amplification detected on blood or tissue . 34/36 (94%) pts were administered their first anti-HER2 agent after progressing on ≥2 prior lines of treatment. The most common anti-HER2 regimen administered was trastuzumab/pertuzumab (50%, 18/36), followed by trastuzumab-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (tucatinib or neratinib) (30%, 11/36) and trastuzumab deruxtecan (14%, 5/36). Putative genomic mechanisms of acquired resistance were detected in 72% (26/36), while the remaining pts lacked new genomic alterations that might explain resistance to anti-HER2 therapy, suggesting alternative escape mechanisms. Acquired alterations in downstream or alternate bypass pathways were identified in 72% (26/36) of pts; most commonly in the RAS/RAF pathway and in EGFR (34.6%, 9/26 each), followed by 27% (7/26) of pts with MET point mutations (mts) and amplification; activating muts in PI3K/AKT and in 27% (7/26), most commonly CDK12 (60%, 4/7) . HER2 receptor alterations were detected in 3 pts (8.3%), all of whom received trastuzumab-tucatinib and included HER2 L755S, HER2 V777L, HER2 D769Y, HER2 G727A and HER2 S310F, which are known to cause resistance to , however, information about tucatinib resistance is not yet available. Other altered pathways included AR, RB, NOTCH and HRD. Two pts lost HER2 expression on blood and tissue NGS post anti-HER2 therapy. Conclusions: The emergence of resistance might be in part related to acquired alterations that constitutively activate signaling pathways parallel or downstream of HER2, bypassing HER2 inhibition. Additional histologic studies, deep mutational scanning, larger populations and correlative analysis are needed to validate these findings.
Real-world impact of matched targeted therapy on survival in advanced biliary tract cancer: An international collaborative study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 536-536

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.536

536 Background: The prognosis of advanced BTC remains poor. Although targeted agents have expanded late-line options, many patients (pts) become ineligible for these therapies after progressing on first-line treatment. Herein, we examined the real-world impact of targeted therapy on survival in advanced BTC. Methods: In this international collaborative study between the Mayo Clinic (US) and the National Cancer Center East (Japan), we included pts with advanced BTC with comprehensive tumor molecular profiling who had received at least 30 days of systemic therapy. Pts were categorized into 3 groups: 1) non-actionable, 2) pts with alterations who received matched targeted therapy at any point during their treatment (matched group), and 3) those with mutations who did not receive matched therapy (unmatched group). OS was calculated from the start date of first-line therapy until death and compared among three subgroups using Cox regression models. Results: Of 932 pts, 366 (39.3%) had an actionable alteration, and 135 of these received matched therapy. 566 (61.7%) did not have an actionable alteration (Table). The most common alterations were somatic BRCA1/2 (N=106, 11.4%), HER2 amplification (N=65, 7%), FGFR2 fusion (N=61, 6.5%), KRAS G12C/D (N=46, 4.9%), and IDH1 (N=38, 4.1%). 78.7% of FGFR2 fusions were found in Caucasian pts, whereas BRCA1/2 (97.5%), HER2 (78.5%), and KRAS G12C/D (67.4%) alterations were more prevalent in Asian pts. The median OS was significantly longer in the matched group (21.4 months; 95% CI 18.4-27.9) compared to the unmatched group (14.6 months; 95% CI 12.8-17.6) and the non-actionable group (17.2 months; 95% CI 15.5-19.0). The 36-month OS rate was 33% in the matched group vs. 7% in the unmatched group (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, gender, prior surgical resection, primary tumor location, and country of origin, matched targeted therapy remained a strong independent predictor for improved OS (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.48-0.79). Conclusions: These real-world findings suggest that matched targeted therapies significantly improve survival in advanced BTC, underscoring the need to incorporate them earlier in the treatment course and address barriers to treatment access. The regional prevalence of actionable alterations should also be considered when developing new targeted therapies. Patient baseline characteristics stratified by actionable alterations and targeted therapy. Non-actionable(N=566) Unmatched group(N=231) Matched group(N=135) Site, n (%) Japan 409 (72%) 166 (72%) 50 (37%) US 157 (28%) 65 (28%) 85 (63%) Age at Dx > 65, n (%) 324 (57%) 122 (53%) 54 (40%) Female, n (%) 235 (42%) 92 (40%) 77 (57%) Primary tumor location (category), n (%) Intrahepatic 217 (43%) 115 (55%) 99 (76%) Extrahepatic 150 (30%) 39 (19%) 17 (13%) Gallbladder 142 (28%) 54 (26%) 14 (11%) Prior surgical resection, n (%) 220 (42%) 74 (34%) 48 (37%)
Phase II study of niraparib and dostarlimab for the treatment of germline or somatic homologous recombination repair mutated (HRD) metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 727-727

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.727

727 Background: PARP inhibition (PARPi) is a standard maintenance therapy for patients (pts) with germline BRCA1/2 mutations in pancreatic cancer. Combination of PARPi therapy and immunotherapy has potential to increase efficacy and may offer benefit beyond germline BRCA1/2 . Methods: We performed a multisite single-arm phase 2 study using the highly potent PARPi niraparib with anti-PD1 drug dostarlimab in pts with germline or somatic HRD mutations in BRCA1/2, PALB2, RAD51C/D, or BARD1 . Pts were required to have metastasis, progressed on ≥1 regimen, and prior platinum-exposure unless refused/intolerant. Pts were treated with niraparib 200 mg orally once daily continuously. Dostarlimab 500 mg was administered IV every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, then 1000 mg IV every 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR) at 12 weeks (DCR12) using iRECIST criteria. At least 8 pts with DCR12 in the first 19 eligible pts (41%) would be considered promising for further trials. Results: 22 pts were enrolled from Dec 2020 to Oct 2023. Two pts withdrew prior to receiving therapy, and 2 were later found to be ineligible, leaving 18 eligible pts for final analyses. Median age was 63.0 yrs, 39% male, 94% non-Hispanic white, 1 black (6%). 17 pts were platinum exposed, 7 were platinum-refractory, and 5 had previously progressed on PARPi maintenance. Mutation distribution was: BRCA2 13/18 (72%), BRCA1 4/18 (22%), BARD1 2/18 (11%). One pt had both BRCA1 (somatic) and BRCA2 (germline) mutations. Germline mutations were identified in 14/18 (78%). DCR12 was achieved in 5/18 (27.8%), so the primary endpoint (>41%) was not met. Pts received a median 2 cycles (range 1-8) of niraparib + dostarlimab. No clinical factors were significantly associated with improved DCR12 (all p > 0.05) in subgroup analyses, but we did observe the following statistically nonsignificant associations. Pts who were platinum-refractory had a lower DCR12 compared to those not (14.3% vs. 36.4%). Counterintuitively, PARPi exposed/refractory pts had a higher DCR12 than non-exposed/non-refractory (50 vs 17% exposed/nonexposed and 40% vs 23% refractory/nonrefractory). Pts with germline mutations had a higher DCR12 compared to those without (38.5% vs. 0%). Non- BRCA2 mutations had a higher DCR12 than those with BRCA2 mutations (50% vs.17%), with highest DCR12 rates among BRCA1 patients (67%). Tolerability was in line with similar combinations, with 60% non-hematologic Gr3 or higher, including fatigue (15%), AST increase (10%), nausea/vomiting (10%), sepsis (10%). Two grade 5 events were not attributed to treatment. Conclusions: PARPi plus anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibition was not sufficiently active as later line therapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer for the majority of patients with HRD mutations. Additional molecular analyses to elucidate predictive markers of sensitivity/resistance are ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04493060 .
Clinical outcomes and molecular characteristics of patients with locoregional ampullary carcinoma.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 27, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 732-732

10.1200/jco.2025.43.4_suppl.732

732 Background: Ampullary carcinoma (AC) is a rare malignancy arising from the ampulla of Vater which has a more favorable prognosis compared to other pancreatic malignancies. Current guidelines favor surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapy for average risk patients (pts), however the type of regimen as well as other perioperative treatment modalities are still being explored. The objective of this retrospective study aims to provide insight into the management of locoregional disease. Methods: Pathology records from Mayo Clinic (AZ, FL, MN) denoting AC between 2010 to 2024 were searched using Mayo Data Explorer and selected for retrospective review. Pt demographics, treatment courses, and next generation sequencing (NGS) data were collected. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.04. Results: A total of 137 pts (62% male, n = 85) were identified with median age 66 years old. Histologic subtypes were 54% pancreatobiliary (44/81), 40% intestinal (32/81), 6% mixed (5/81), with 56 pts unknown. Stages at diagnosis were 81% resectable (111/137), 11% locally advanced (15/137), and 8% metastatic (11/137). Nearly all (93%, n = 103/111) pts with localized disease had resection with a 97% R0 resection rate (100/103). Majority (68%, n = 75/111) of resectable pts had perioperative chemotherapy with 5-FU or gemcitabine-based regimens (24%, n = 18/75 neoadjuvant vs. 76%, n = 57/75 adjuvant). Perioperative chemoradiation was given in 17% (19/111) of pts. At median follow up of 30.5 months, recurrence rates were 40% (41/103), primarily to the liver (18/41). Median recurrence free survival (RFS) was 29.3 months (95% CI 24.7 – NE). Median overall survival (OS) has not been reached. The 5-year RFS and OS rates were 0.37 (95% CI 0.25 - 0.55) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.58 - 0.82), respectively. Univariate analysis showed no difference in OS with the addition of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation. Somatic NGS testing showed pathogenic mutations in 90% of pts (63/70): 57% KRAS (36/63; 44% G12D, 19% G12V, 8% G12C, 8% G12D, 19% others); 13% homologous recombination (HR) (8/63); 6% ERRB2 /Her2 amplification (4/63), and 5% mismatch repair (MMR) (3/63). Conclusions: AC has a favorable prognosis in resectable pts. However, high recurrence rates indicate the need for better systemic therapies and improved selection of pts who would benefit from these treatments. Future research should focus on refining perioperative strategies to enhance outcomes and reduce recurrence.
Circulating Tumor DNA Testing for Minimal Residual Disease and Its Application in Colorectal Cancer

Cells | January 22, 2025 | Volume: 14 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 161

10.3390/cells14030161 | PMID 39936953

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a heterogeneous group of diseases that imposes a considerable global and national health burden. Although most CRC patients are diagnosed at an early stage and undergo potentially curative treatment, a significant proportion experience recurrence. Currently, adjuvant chemotherapy decisions are primarily based on clinicopathological characteristics, which have well-recognized limitations in accurately identifying patients harboring minimal residual disease (MRD), often resulting in unnecessary chemotherapy exposure. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising surrogate marker for MRD, offering a more precise approach to identifying patients at risk of recurrence after curative-intent surgery and refining adjuvant chemotherapy decisions. Growing evidence from multiple studies has demonstrated that ctDNA outperforms traditional clinicopathological factors as a marker for MRD. This review synthesizes key studies supporting the role of ctDNA in MRD detection for CRC patients and evaluates clinical trials investigating the application of ctDNA in guiding adjuvant therapy decisions. This emerging strategy holds the potential to transform the adjuvant treatment paradigm in colorectal cancer by optimizing therapeutic precision and minimizing unnecessary treatment.
Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Biliary Tract Cancers Treated with Gemcitabine-Based Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Study

Cancers | January 20, 2025 | Volume: 17 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 305

10.3390/cancers17020305 | PMID 39858087

Background: Historically, the standard of care for advanced biliary tract cancers (aBTCs) was gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GemCis). Immunotherapy plus GemCis is now recommended as a first-line treatment for aBTCs. Whether patients can tolerate eight cycles of GemCis in clinical practice, as per the Advanced Biliary Cancer (ABC)-02 study, remains to be assessed. We performed a retrospective observational cohort study to assess real-world treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) in patients with de novo or recurrent aBTCs treated with first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in the United States. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study used Optum’s de-identified Market Clarity Data (Market Clarity). Adults diagnosed with de novo or recurrent aBTCs in the United States who began first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy from January 2016–March 2022 were identified and followed from index until death, the end of continuous enrolment, or the end of study period. Treatment patterns and OS were assessed. Results: Overall, 559 patients were included (de novo, n = 462; recurrent, n = 97). GemCis was the most common first-line therapy received (de novo: 73.8%; recurrent: 57.7%). Most patients received approximately five cycles of GemCis; median (95% CI) time to discontinuation was 4.6 (4.3–5.1) months. Most patients died over the follow-up period (de novo: 70.3%; recurrent: 62.9%). Median OS (95% CI) was 14.2 (12.1–16.1) months (de novo) and 18.5 (15.6–26.9) months (recurrent). Conclusions: GemCis was the most common first-line therapy received during the study period; most patients were unable to receive eight cycles of GemCis. Survival was limited over the follow-up period, highlighting the need for new treatments for aBTCs. Future studies are warranted to understand the real-world impact of first-line immunotherapy plus GemCis for patients with aBTCs.