Citations

Abstract Purpose: Little is known about the molecular signatures associated with specific metastatic sites in breast cancer. Using comprehensive multi-omic molecular profiling, we assessed whether alterations or activation of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway is associated with specific sites of breast cancer metastasis. Experimental Design: Next-generation sequencing–based whole-exome sequencing was coupled with reverse-phase protein microarray (RPPA) functional signaling network analysis to explore the PI3K–AKT–mTOR axis in 32 pretreated breast cancer metastases. RPPA-based signaling data were further validated in an independent cohort of 154 metastatic lesions from breast cancer and 101 unmatched primary breast tumors. The proportion of cases with PI3K–AKT–mTOR genomic alterations or signaling network activation were compared between hepatic and nonhepatic lesions. Results: PIK3CA mutation and activation of AKT (S473) and p70S6K (T389) were detected more frequently among liver metastases than nonhepatic lesions (P < 0.01, P = 0.056, and P = 0.053, respectively). However, PIK3CA mutations alone were insufficient in predicting protein activation (P = 0.32 and P = 0.19 for activated AKT and p70S6K, respectively). RPPA analysis of an independent cohort of 154 tumors confirmed the relationship between pathway activation and hepatic metastasis [AKT (S473), mTOR (S2448), and 4EBP1 (S65); P < 0.01, P = 0.02, and P = 0.01, respectively]. Similar results were also seen between liver metastases and primary breast tumors [AKT (S473) P < 0.01, mTOR (S2448) P < 0.01, 4EBP1 (S65) P = 0.01]. This signature was lost when primary tumors were compared with all metastatic sites combined. Conclusions: Breast cancer patients with liver metastasis may represent a molecularly homogenized cohort with increased incidence of PIK3CA mutations and activation of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR signaling network. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4919–28. ©2017 AACR.

Nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal‐IRI) is a liposomal formulation of irinotecan with a longer half‐life (t1/2), higher plasma total irinotecan (tIRI), and lower SN‐38 maximum concentration (Cmax) compared with nonliposomal irinotecan. Population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of nal‐IRI was performed for tIRI and total SN‐38 (tSN38) using patient samples from six studies. PK‐safety association was evaluated for neutropenia and diarrhea in 353 patients. PK‐efficacy association was evaluated from a phase III study in pancreatic cancer NAPOLI1. Efficacy was associated with longer duration of unencapsulated SN‐38 (uSN38) above a threshold and higher Cavgof tIRI, tSN38, and uSN38. Neutropenia was associated with uSN38Cmaxand diarrhea with tIRICmax. Baseline predictive factors were race, body surface area, and bilirubin. Analysis identified PK factors associated with efficacy, safety, and predictive baseline factors. The results support the benefit of nal‐IRI dose of 70 mg/m2(free‐base; equivalent to 80 mg/m2salt base) Q2W over 100 mg/m2Q3W.

ASCO believes that high-quality observational studies can advance evidence-based practice for cancer care and are complementary to randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Observational studies can generate hypotheses by evaluating novel exposures or biomarkers and by revealing patterns of care and relationships that might not otherwise be discovered. Researchers can then test these hypotheses in RCTs. Observational studies can also answer or inform questions that either have not been or cannot be answered by RCTs. In addition, observational studies can be used for postmarketing surveillance of new cancer treatments, particularly in vulnerable populations. The incorporation of observational research as part of clinical decision making is consistent with the position of many leading institutions. ASCO identified five overarching recommendations to enhance the role of observational research in clinical decision making: (1) improve the quality of electronic health data available for research, (2) improve interoperability and the exchange of electronic health information, (3) ensure the use of rigorous observational research methodologies, (4) promote transparent reporting of observational research studies, and (5) protect patient privacy.

SummaryBackgroundThe goal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS‐1) treatment is to improve renal function. Terlipressin, a synthetic vasopressin analogue, is a systemic vasoconstrictor used for the treatment of HRS‐1, where it is available.AimTo compare the efficacy of terlipressin plus albumin vs. placebo plus albumin in patients with HRS‐1.MethodsPooled patient‐level data from two large phase 3, randomised, placebo‐controlled studies were analysed for HRS reversal [serum creatinine (SCr) value ≤133 μmol/L], 90‐day survival, need for renal replacement therapy and predictors of HRS reversal. Patients received intravenous terlipressin 1–2 mg every 6 hours plus albumin or placebo plus albumin up to 14 days.ResultsThe pooled analysis comprised 308 patients (terlipressin: n = 153; placebo: n = 155). HRS reversal was significantly more frequent with terlipressin vs. placebo (27% vs. 14%; P = 0.004). Terlipressin was associated with a more significant improvement in renal function from baseline until end of treatment, with a mean between‐group difference in SCr concentration of −53.0 μmol/L (P < 0.0001). Lower SCr, lower mean arterial pressure and lower total bilirubin and absence of known precipitating factors for HRS were independent predictors of HRS reversal and longer survival in terlipressin‐treated patients.ConclusionsTerlipressin plus albumin resulted in a significantly higher rate of HRS reversal vs. albumin alone in patients with HRS‐1. Terlipressin treatment is associated with improved renal function. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: OT‐0401, NCT00089570; REVERSE, NCT01143246).

181 Background: To evaluate whether metformin (Met) a widely-used, nontoxic oral antidiabetic drug with putative anticancer properties leads to improvements in prostate cancer (PC) outcomes in the CHAARTED trial. Methods: In the CHAARTED database where metformin use at baseline was recorded prospectively, we identified patients with metastatic PC who underwent either ADT alone or ADT and docetaxel (D) chemotherapy. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the effect of Metformin on outcomes. Results: A total of 788 patients (median age, 63 y) had complete data after randomization. Comparison of ADT+D+Met (n = 39) to ADT+D (n = 357) and ADT+Met (n = 29) to ADT alone (n = 363) revealed similar clinicopathologic characteristics. Cause of death was PC in 13(81%) of ADT+D+Met, 72(85%) ADT+D, 9(82%) ADT+Met and 105(84%) ADT alone groups. See table for PC outcomes and overall survival by metformin use. Cox regression analysis for overall survival stratified by stratification factors at randomization demonstrates Met use was associated with a trend for worse overall survival (HR 1.47 95%CI: [0.95,2.26], p = 0.08) with adjustment for treatment arm and prior local therapy. In contrast, ADT+D use (HR 0.62; 95%CI: [0.47,0.81]) and prior local therapy with surgery or radiation (HR 0.56; 95% CI: [0.38, 0.82]) were associated with improved survival. Conclusions: In this study, baseline metformin did not improve PC outcomes. Partial support and drug supply by Sanofi. Clinical trial information: NCT00309985. [Table: see text]

137 Background: Prior work from SWOG 9346 revealed that PSA ≤ 0.2 ng/dL at 7 months (mo) is prognostic for longer OS with ADT alone. We sought to evaluate if this optimal decline remained predictive of better OS when D was added to ADT for initial mHSPC treatment. Methods: We performed a landmark survival analysis at 7 mo using the E3805 database (NCT00309985). Inclusion required at least 7 mo of followup and PSA levels at 7 mo from ADT initiation. Survival was defined from ADT start or randomization to death. SWOG 9346 PSA nadirs of ≤ 0.2, > 0.2-4 and > 4 were used as classifiers. Results: 719 patients were eligible for analysis: 358 treated with ADT plus D and 361 with ADT alone. Median follow-up was 23.1 mo. On multivariable analysis (MVA), achieving a PSA ≤ 0.2 at 7 mo was more likely if the patient received D and had lower volume disease, prior local therapy, and lower baseline PSAs (all p ≤ 0.01). Across all patients, median OS was significantly longer if PSA at 7 mo reached ≤ 0.2 compared to > 4 (p < 0.0001) (Table). On MVA, PSA ≤ 0.2 at 7 mo and low volume disease were prognostic of longer OS (all p < 0.01). On ADT, 28.8% achieved a PSA ≤ 0.2 at 7 mo vs. 45.3% on ADT+D. Patients on ADT alone who achieved a PSA nadir ≤ 0.2 had the best survival. These patients were more likely to have low volume disease (56.7%) compared to the ADT + D pts (46.3%). Conclusions: Achieving PSA ≤ 0.2 at 7 mo remains prognostic for longer OS with ADT for mHSPC, whether administered alone or with D. Adding D to ADT increased the likelihood of a lower PSA and improved survival. Partial support and drug supply by Sanofi. Clinical trial information: NCT00309985. [Table: see text]

ABSTRACT In addition to humans, only certain nonhuman primates are naturally susceptible to measles virus (MeV) infection. Disease severity is species dependent, ranging from mild to moderate for macaques to severe and even lethal for certain New World monkey species. To investigate if squirrel monkeys ( Saimiri sciureus ), which are reported to develop a course of disease similar to humans, may be better suited than macaques for the identification of virulence determinants or the evaluation of therapeutics, we infected them with a green fluorescent protein-expressing MeV. Compared to cynomolgus macaques ( Macaca fascicularis ) infected with the same virus, the squirrel monkeys developed more-severe immunosuppression, higher viral load, and a broader range of clinical signs typical for measles. In contrast, infection with an MeV unable to interact with the epithelial receptor nectin-4, while causing immunosuppression, resulted in only a mild and transient rash and a short-lived elevation of the body temperature. Similar titers of the wild-type and nectin-4-blind MeV were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymph node homogenates, but only the wild-type virus was found in tracheal lavage fluids and urine. Thus, our study demonstrates the importance of MeV interactions with nectin-4 for clinical disease in the new and better-performing S. sciureus model of measles pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE The characterization of mechanisms underlying measles virus clinical disease has been hampered by the lack of an animal model that reproduces the course of disease seen in human patients. Here, we report that infection of squirrel monkeys ( Saimiri sciureus ) fulfills these requirements. Comparative infection with wild-type and epithelial cell receptor-blind viruses demonstrated the importance of epithelial cell infection for clinical disease, highlighting the spread to epithelia as an attractive target for therapeutic strategies.