Citations

460 Background: The immune response has emerged as a strong prognostic factor in colon cancer. Whereas CD8+ T cells mediate antitumor response, regulatory T cells expressing FoxP3+ can antagonize this effect, though prognostic data conflict. These markers have yet to be analyzed with MMR status, which is important since dMMR tumors show enhanced immune response. Methods: CD8+ and FoxP3+ density were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in resected stage II and III colon carcinomas (N = 216) from participants in phase III adjuvant 5-fluorouracil-based trials. High vs low immune density was dichotomized at the median. MMR status, determined by IHC or analysis of microsatellite instability, was categorized as dMMR (12%) or proficient MMR (pMMR). Cox models, stratified by study, were adjusted for age, stage, grade and, where noted, MMR. Results: The association of FoxP3+ density with overall survival (OS) differed by CD8+ density (P for interaction = .040). By multivariable analysis, FoxP3+high was significantly associated with improved OS in CD8+low tumors (hazard ratio 0.43 [95% confidence interval 0.19 – 0.95]; P = .030], but not in CD8+high tumors (P = .91). Results were consistent after MMR adjustment. We then determined their prognostic impact in the larger pMMR subset (N = 119). Tumors with high FoxP3+ were associated with improved OS in cases with low, but not high, CD8+ density ( Table ). These patients (FoxP3+high, CD8+low) had similar 5-year OS rates as 107 dMMR cases from parent studies (89% vs 80%; P = .74), despite having distinct clinicopathologic features. Conclusions: The prognostic impact of FoxP3+ T cells depends on CD8+, indicating the importance of analyzing both in combination. High FoxP3+ exerts a paradoxically favorable survival impact, but only when CD8+ is low. Survival in pMMR tumors with high FoxP3+ and low CD8+ was similar to that of dMMR tumors, indicating that a favorable pMMR subset can be identified. [Table: see text]

446 Background: MutKRAS and mutBRAF are important predictive and prognostic markers, respectively, in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, little is known about why some tumors harbor these mutations. N0147 is a phase III adjuvant trial for stage III CRC patients (N=3397) in which patients completed questionnaires and tumor variables and KRAS/BRAF mutation status was assessed. Methods: 2,323/3,397 patients who were enrolled prior to a 2008 amendment requiring KRAS testing completed a Patient Questionnaire. Primary tumors were assessed for mutKRAS and mutBRAF using standard methods; MMR status was determined using IHC. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of mutation status. Results: 60% and 86% of mutKRAS and mutBRAF tumors were right-sided, respectively. MutKRAS was less likely if there was a family history of CRC and in ever-smokers, and was nearly mutually exclusive with mutBRAF. MutBRAF was associated with deficient MMR (dMMR), high grade histology, and 4+ positive lymph nodes at surgery. MutBRAF was more likely in patients age > 70, retired persons, ever-smokers, but was less likely in non-whites and men. Conclusions: Smoking, family history of CRC, and dMMR status are associated with lower frequency of mutKRAS , but higher mutBRAF. Both mutations tend to be right sided, and mutBRAF is more common in the elderly, females, and non-Hispanic whites. [Table: see text]

443 Background: Identification of a sensitive and specific prognostic marker would aid in the management of patients (pts) with standard histopathology node negative colon cancer (CC). We conducted a pooled individual pt data analysis to confirm the prognostic value of GCC for disease recurrence in untreated stage II CC. Methods: GCC mRNA was quantified by RT-qPCR using formalin-fixed LN from 310 stage II pts diagnosed from 1991-2006 enrolled in two studies (Sargent 2011 [study1] and Haince 2009 [study2]). Patients were classified by GCC LN ratio (LNR) (high risk: LNR ≥ 0.1; low risk: LNR < 0.1), with LNR defined as number of GCC positive LN divided by number of informative LNs. Clinical outcomes included time to recurrence (TTR), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Stratified log-rank tests and multivariate Cox models assessed the association between clinical outcomes and GCC LN status. Results: The 5-year recurrence rate in study 1 (n=241) was 15.8%, 24.9% in study 2 (n=69). GCC LNR high risk pts had significantly higher risk of TTR, OS, DSS and DFS, which remained after adjusting for age, T stage, grade, number of LNs examined, and presence of lymphovascular invasion ( Table ). In a secondary analysis of low risk stage II pts (T3, ≥12 LNs examined, and negative surgical margins, n=241), a strong relationship between GCC LNR and each endpoint remained (TTR HR=4.34, 95% CI=2.07 – 9.13, p<0.001). Conclusions: Pts with GCC LNR high risk status have significantly poorer outcomes compared to pts with low risk status, particularly among those traditionally considered to be low risk. [Table: see text]

419 Background: Deficient DNA mismatch repair (MMR) results in microsatellite instability (MSI) that is detected in ∼15% of sporadic colon cancers. MMR status has been shown to provide prognostic and predictive information. We developed a model to predict MMR deficiency using clinically available data, and thereby facilitate the selection of patient tumors for MMR testing. Methods: Data were utilized from stage II and III colon carcinoma patients (n = 2016) who participated in 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant studies (NCCTG, FFCD, NCIC, GIVIO, NSABP) and an Italian cohort. MMR status in tumors had been determined by MSI testing or by immunohistochemistry for hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins. Logistic regression and a recursive partitioning and amalgamation analysis was used to identify factors (histologic grade, gender, tumor site, stage, age, lymph node status, T-stage) predictive of MMR status. Results: Of the cancers, 357 (17.7%) showed deficient MMR. Tumor site was the most important predictor of MMR status followed by histologic grade, then stage (II vs. III) and then gender. Distal tumors had a low likelihood of deficient MMR (5% rate overall), whereas proximal tumors had a greater likelihood of deficient MMR (30%). For patients with proximal tumors, the addition of histologic grade and stage increased the prediction of deficient MMR (Table). Using tumor site, histologic grade, and stage, the logistic regression model showed excellent discrimination (c-statistic = 0.80). Conclusions: Routine clinicopathological data can facilitate the identification of MMR deficient cases. Tumor site and histologic grade were the strongest predictors of MMR deficiency. Within proximal, poorly differentiated tumors, stage was highly predictive. These findings suggest that our model can assist in selecting sporadic colon cancers for MMR testing for use in clinical decision-making, especially for stage II patients. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]

369 Background: A multi-center prospectively specified retrospective study Validating Indicators to Associate Recurrence (VITAR) is assessing the relationship between guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) gene expression in formalin fixed LNs and recurrence risk in stage II CC pts not treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Here we report the preplanned initial analysis performed with 241 pts. Methods: GCC mRNA was quantified by RT-qPCR using FFPE LNs tissues from untreated stage II CC pts diagnosed from 1999-2006 with at least 10 LN examined blinded to clinical outcomes. Cox regression models examined the relationship between GCC nodal status and the prespecified primary endpoint of recurrence risk. Results: Twenty-ninepts (12%) had a disease recurrence or cancer death, median follow-up was 60 months and median LNs examined was 15. The ratio of the number of GCC+ LNs over the total number of informative LNs (LNR) significantly predicted higher recurrence risk for 84 pts classified as high risk (HR, 2.38; p=0.02). The estimated 5-yr recurrence rates were 10% and 27% for the low and high risk group, respectively. After adjusting for age, T stage, number of LNs assessed, and MMR status, the significant association remained (HR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.17-5.83; p=0.02). In a subset of 181 pts with negative margin, T3 tumor only and ≥12 LN examined, the GCC LNR had a HR for recurrence of 5.06 (95% CI 1.61-15.91, p=0.003), translating into 5-yr recurrence rates of 4% among low risk pts and 27% for the high-risk group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that GCC expression in LNs is a significant determinant of recurrence in appropriately staged CC pts not treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. The validation component of the study is ongoing. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]

363 Background: Irinotecan (CPT-11) has demonstrated antitumor activity against metastatic colorectal cancer used alone or with 5-fluorouracil (5FU)/leucovorin (LV). Two arms with CPT-11, 5FU, and LV (FOLFIRI) +/- cetuximab (Cmab) were originally included in N0147. However, after CALGB 89803 (J Clin Oncol. 25:3456, 2007), PETACC-3 (J Clin Oncol. 27:3117, 2009), and Accord02 (Ann Oncol. 20:674, 2009) showed no benefit to the three-drug combination in adjuvant therapy, the CPT-11 arms of N0147 were discontinued. We report the outcomes for patients given FOLFIRI +/- Cmab. Methods: Following a signed informed consent patients with resected stage III colon cancer were randomized to one of 6 arms including 12 biweekly cycles of CPT-11 180 mg/m2 d1 with LV 400 mg/m2, 5FU 400 mg/m2 bolus IV, then 46-hr IV 5FU 2,400 mg/m2 on d1-2 without (Arm B, FOLFIRI) or with Cmab (Arm E) 400 mg/m2 d1 cycle 1 then Cmab at 250 mg/m2 d1 and 8. Primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Results: 156 patients (Arm B-111, Arm E-45) were enrolled; median follow-up on 81 patients in Arm B was 60.3 months and 58.2 months in Arm E for 41 patients. wtKRAS (vs mt) status was associated with improved DFS (HR=0.6 [95% CI 0.4-1.1], p = 0.09) and OS (HR 0.7 [95% CI 0.4-1.5], p = 0.38). The addition of Cmab improved DFS and OS in the overall group and within wtKRAS pts. Grade greater than III non-hematologic adverse effects were significantly increased in the Cmab arm (46% vs. 64%, p = 0.05). Conclusions: In this randomized phase III trial adjuvant FOLFIRI resulted in a 3-year DFS lower than that expected for FOLFOX. Trends for improved DFS and OS with the addition of Cmab were observed in patients with resected stage III colon cancer patients, regardless of KRAS status. Supported by NIH Grant CA25224, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ImClone, Sanofi-Aventis, and Pfizer. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]

CRA3507 Background: FOLFOX is standard adjuvant therapy for stage III CC. Adding Cmab to FOLFOX benefits pts with metastatic CC WT KRAS tumors. N0147 assessed the potential benefit of Cmab added to FOLFOX. Methods: 21-56 days following resection and informed consent, KRAS status was centrally determined. Pts with wtKRAS CC were randomized to 12 biweekly cycles of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 d1, with leucovorin 400 mg/m2, 5FU 400 mg/m2 bolus IV, then 46-hr IV 5FU 2,400 mg/m2 on d1-2 (mFOLFOX6), without (arm A) or with Cmab (arm D) 250 mg/m2 d1&8, with Cmab at 400 mg/m2, cycle 1, d1. Primary endpoint was 3-yr disease free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Planned accrual of 2,070 wtKRAS pts provided 90% power to detect hazard ratio (HR) of 1.33 with 2-sided α=0.05; with interim analyses after 25%, 50%, and 75% of planned events. Results: 1,760 wtKRAS pts (Arm A-858, Arm D-902) were enrolled at the time of closure; median follow-up on 1,624 pts is 15.9 months. Trial closed to accrual when preplanned interim analysis after 50% of planned events demonstrated no benefit to addition of Cmab. 3-yr DFS favored FOLFOX alone (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.92-1.52; p=0.33). No benefit of Cmab was observed in any subgroups assessed. Any grade ≥ 3 AE, diarrhea, and failure to complete 12 cycles was significantly increased in arm D. Increased toxicity and greater differences in all outcomes were observed in pts aged ≥ 70 ( Table ). Conclusions: In this randomized phase III trial the addition of Cmab to mFOLFOX6 was of no benefit for pts with resected stage III wtKRAS CC. Supported by NIH Grant CA25224, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ImClone, Sanofi-Aventis, and Pfizer. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]