Citations

Background/Objectives: Surveillance for anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) recurrence relies on clinical examination and imaging. Post-treatment edema, fibrosis, and inflammation can result in clinically indeterminate findings (CIFs) that delay diagnosis and increase patient and system burden. Circulating tumor tissue-modified viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA offers a biologically specific, noninvasive biomarker that may clarify equivocal assessments. Methods: In this multi-center retrospective study, 233 patients with HPV-associated ASCC were evaluated, including 185 with ≥1 post-treatment TTMV-HPV DNA test. CIFs were defined as exams or imaging results not definitively positive or negative for disease, and were paired with subsequent TTMV-HPV DNA tests. Concordance was defined by prespecified follow-up windows comparing TTMV-HPV DNA results with subsequent clinical outcomes. Results: Ninety patients (39%) experienced 214 CIFs, arising from exams (46%, 98) or imaging (54%, 116). Indeterminate rates by assessment were 7% for exams, 17% for imaging, and 1.3% for TTMV-HPV DNA testing. Overall, 52 CIF/TTMV-HPV DNA pairs were eligible for analysis, and TTMV-HPV DNA resolved disease status accurately for 48/52 (92%, 95% CI: 81.5–97.9). Negative tests predicted cancer-free status for 37/41 CIFs (90%), while 100% of positive tests (11/11) were concordant with clinically confirmed recurrence. In 73% of positive cases (8/11), TTMV-HPV DNA was the first indication of recurrence (median lead-time 29 days; IQR 25–147). Conclusions: TTMV-HPV DNA testing reliably clarifies clinically indeterminate findings during ASCC surveillance, demonstrating high accuracy (92%) and earlier detection of recurrence. These data support integration into post-treatment management to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and guide timely care.

Gastric cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Over 95% of gastric cancers are adenocarcinomas, which are typically classified based on anatomic location and histologic type. Gastric cancer generally carries a poor prognosis because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Systemic therapy can provide palliation, improve survival, and enhance the quality of life in patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. The implementation of biomarker testing has had a significant impact on clinical practice and patient care. Targeted therapies have demonstrated encouraging results in clinical trials for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. This selection from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Gastric Cancer highlights recommendations for biomarker testing and discusses updates for the treatment of advanced disease, including peritoneal carcinoma as only disease and unresectable locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease.

Objective To pool data from prospective clinical trials investigating combined stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with metastatic cancers. Methods and analysis PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE were queried for full-length articles of prospective clinical trials involving patients with metastatic solid tumours. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed with the Knapp-Hartung method. Multilevel regression analyses with primary cancers used as random effects and pairwise comparisons with two-tailed test adjusted with Benjamini-Hochberg method were performed. Regression coefficients (β) were calculated to assess the correlation between dose and outcomes. Results We identified 30 trials and 35 individual treatment arms with a total of 951 patients with at least one outcome metric reported. Large heterogeneity was identified for all outcomes measured (I 2 range: 75%–86%). The pooled rate of grade 3+ treatment-related adverse events was 18% (95% CI 11% to 24%). The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 6 months were 27% (95% CI 19% to 36%) and 67% (95% CI 59% to 76%), respectively. On multilevel regression, we identified improvement in 6-month PFS (β=0.6, p=0.003) and OS (β=1.6, p=0.04) with increasing BED10Gy doses. Combined-target ICI correlated with better 6-month OS when compared with αPD-1/PD-L1 alone. Conclusion We report a safety profile of combined ICI with SABR in patients with metastatic cancer that is comparable to that of ICI alone. We identified higher doses of radiotherapy and dual-target ICI to be associated with better OS at 6 months. Large heterogeneity and the lack of a control group limit the interpretation of our findings.

Abstract Background: Although colorectal cancer survival rates are improving, the risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) among Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (ANHPI) ethnic groups is poorly understood. This study aims to identify high-risk groups and quantify the risk across different periods. Methods: Using the SEER–Medicare database, colorectal cancer survivors who were ANHPI were matched to non-Hispanic White (NHW) survivors at a ratio of 1:3. Multivariable Cox regression models computed HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for incident T2D. Results: The study included 6,463 NHW and 2,901 ANHPI colorectal cancer survivors diagnosed between 2000 and 2017. Among them, 715 NHW and 484 ANHPI developed T2D during 39,097 and 10,769 person-years of follow-up, respectively. ANHPI colorectal cancer survivors had an elevated T2D risk compared with NHW across all follow-up periods (HRoverall: 1.84, 95% CI, 1.51–2.25; HR1–5 years: 1.83, 95% CI, 1.45–2.30). Southeast and East Asians demonstrated the highest T2D risks. Colon cancer was linked to early postdiagnosis T2D risk, whereas rectal cancer was associated with later risk. No significant association was observed for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Conclusions: ANHPI colorectal cancer survivors face a greater risk of T2D, particularly among Southeast and East Asians. These findings highlight the need for evidence-based survivorship strategies to prevent T2D and reduce ethnic disparities. Impact: This is the first study to examine T2D risk among ANHPI colorectal cancer survivors, providing critical insights to inform tailored diabetes prevention and survivorship care.

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe investigated mental health diagnoses (MHDs) in mycosis fungoides (MF) patients compared to the general population, evaluated risk factors, and studied survival outcomes in a large population database.MethodsMF patients from the Utah Cancer Registry diagnosed from 2001 to 2014 were matched with up to five general population individuals from the Utah Population Database. MHDs were retrospectively tracked in both populations (median follow‐up = 6.67 years). Risk factors for new MHDs among MF patients were studied using the Cox proportional hazards model. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsThe incidence of anxiety disorders (HR = 1.99, 95% CI [1.16, 3.42]) and delirium/dementia disorders (HR = 2.43, 95% CI [1.05, 5.63]) was higher among MF patients than the matched general population. Among MF patients, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 2 and BMI < 18 kg/m2 were risk factors for new anxiety disorders. Radiation therapy, CCI ≥ 2, and female gender were risk factors for new delirium/dementia disorders. The 15‐year OS was worse for MF patients with versus without an MHD (36% vs. 81%, HR 2.62, 95%CI [1.24, 5.65]). The 15‐year DSS also worsened for MF patients with versus without an MHD (63% vs. 97%, HR 6.55, 95%CI [1.64, 26.2]).ConclusionsMF patients developed anxiety and delirium/dementia disorders at rates above the general population, and MHDs correlated with worse DSS and OS. Careful mental health monitoring may be an actionable step towards improving health‐related quality of life in this population.

Background: The incidence and mortality of anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) are rising, with greater than 80% of cases linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily HPV16. Post-treatment surveillance can be challenging due to the limitations of anoscopy, digital anal rectal exam (DARE), and imaging. Plasma tumor tissue modified viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA has shown strong sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value in detecting the recurrence of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer. Here, we investigate the ability of TTMV-HPV DNA for the early recurrence detection of ASCC. Methods: This retrospective clinical case series included 117 patients with HPV-driven ASCC across 7 U.S. centers, monitored with TTMV-HPV DNA during routine clinical care between March 2020 and June 2024. Physician-reported clinical data and biomarker testing data were combined to create a comprehensive, longitudinal dataset for evaluating test performance metrics. Results: Patients had a median age of 63 years and median post-diagnosis follow-up of 19 months. HPV status was primarily confirmed by TTMV-HPV DNA (52%) or p16 immunohistochemistry (39%). Of those tested for TTMV-HPV DNA pretreatment, 85% had a positive result. TTMV-HPV DNA clearance during or within three months post-treatment was associated with significantly better recurrence-free survival. The per-patient surveillance sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 82.8%, 98.4%, 96.0%, and 92.5%. Of 24 patients with a documented recurrence and a positive TTMV-HPV DNA test, the test was the first evidence of recurrence in 14 patients (58.3%), with a median lead time of 59 days (range: 10–536). TTMV-HPV DNA accurately resolved 94.3% of cases with indeterminate clinical findings. Conclusions: TTMV-HPV DNA testing provides a sensitive and specific approach for detecting patients with recurrent ASCC and resolving the status of patients with indeterminate clinical findings.

Abstract Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is primarily driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Up to 30% of patients experience recurrence, necessitating improved surveillance strategies. Liquid biopsies have shown promise as a tool in oncology. This study investigates the clinical performance of circulating tumor tissue modified viral (TTMV)- HPV DNA in the post-treatment surveillance of SCCA. Patients and methods: This central IRB-approved retrospective cohort study included 117 patients diagnosed with HPV-driven SCCA from seven U.S. centers who had ≥1 TTMV-HPV DNA tests (NavDx®, Naveris, Inc., Waltham, MA) performed between March 2020 and June 2024. TTMV-HPV DNA for HPV subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35 were analyzed using droplet digital PCR. The diagnostic accuracy of TTMV-HPV DNA was evaluated by comparing test results with clinical evidence of SCCA recurrence determined through anoscopy, radiology, and/or tissue biopsy. Recurrence is defined as either a positive biopsy or subsequent salvage therapy. Results: Patients were primarily female (73%) with a median age 63 years. Median follow-up after initial treatment was 19 months. Forty-seven patients (40%) had pretreatment TTMV-HPV DNA testing, with a baseline detectability of 85.1% (40/47, 95% CI: 74.9–95.3). Of these, 24 were re-tested within 3 months post-treatment and 18 had undetectable TTMV-HPV DNA (75%). Those patients whose scores became undetectable had significantly longer recurrence-free survival than those whose scores remained detectable (log-rank test, p=0.01). One hundred and four patients (89%) underwent post-treatment testing, of which 91 provided relevant data for the analysis. Of these 91 patients, 27 (29.7%) experienced recurrence. Post-treatment testing demonstrated a per- patient sensitivity of 85.7% (24/28, 95% CI: 72.8-98.7). Of four patients with a false negative test, only one had biopsy-confirmed recurrence, whereas the remaining recurrences were not biopsied prior to starting salvage treatment. The positive predictive value of a single positive test was 97.6% (40/41; 95% CI: 92.8–100.0). One patient remains in active follow-up. Of the true positive post-treatment tests, 58% (14/24) predicted recurrence before clinical detection, with a median lead time of 59 days (range: 10–536). There were 141 negative post-treatment tests across 66 patients. This yielded a per-test specificity and negative predictive value of 99.3% (136/137, 95% CI: 97.8-100.0) and 97.2% (136/140, 95% CI: 94.9-99.9), respectively. Indeterminate TTMV-HPV DNA tests were rare (5/268,1.9%). However, clinically indeterminate findings (CIFs) were common, with 141 post-treatment CIFs identified across 52/117 patients (44.4%). TTMV-HPV DNA testing was able to correctly predict recurrence status in 94.3% of CIF cases. Conclusion: TTMV-HPV DNA testing is a sensitive and specific surveillance method for detecting early recurrence of HPV-driven SCCA. Citation Format: Shane Lloyd, Rafi Kabarriti, James Jabalee, Tyler Slater, Corbin Jacobs, Sean Inocencio, Michael Rutenberg, Chance Matthiesen, Kasha Neff, Gene-Fu F Liu, Tiffany M Juarez, Catherine DV Fitz, Stanley Liauw. Plasma-based circulating tumor tissue modified viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA for detection of recurrent HPV-driven anal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Liquid Biopsy: From Discovery to Clinical Implementation; 2024 Nov 13-16; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(21_Suppl):Abstract nr B018.

Importance For many types of epithelial malignant neoplasms that are treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT), treatment prolongation and interruptions have an adverse effect on outcomes. Objective To analyze the association between RT duration and outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer who were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Design, Setting, and Participants This study was an unplanned, post hoc secondary analysis of 3 prospective, multi-institutional phase 3 randomized clinical trials (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group [RTOG] 8501, RTOG 9405, and RTOG 0436) of the National Cancer Institute–sponsored NRG Oncology (formerly the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, RTOG, and Gynecologic Oncology Group). Enrolled patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer underwent definitive CRT in the trials between 1986 and 2013, with follow-up occurring through 2014. Data analyses were conducted between March 2022 to February 2023. Exposures Treatment groups in the trials used standard-dose RT (50 Gy) and concurrent chemotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcomes were local-regional failure (LRF), distant failure, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Multivariable models were used to examine the associations between these outcomes and both RT duration and interruptions. Radiotherapy duration was analyzed as a dichotomized variable using an X-Tile software to choose a cut point and its median value as a cut point, as well as a continuous variable. Results The analysis included 509 patients (median [IQR] age, 64 [57-70] years; 418 males [82%]; and 376 White individuals [74%]). The median (IQR) follow-up was 4.01 (2.93-4.92) years for surviving patients. The median cut point of RT duration was 39 days or less in 271 patients (53%) vs more than 39 days in 238 patients (47%), and the X-Tile software cut point was 45 days or less in 446 patients (88%) vs more than 45 days in 63 patients (12%). Radiotherapy interruptions occurred in 207 patients (41%). Female (vs male) sex and other (vs White) race and ethnicity were associated with longer RT duration and RT interruptions. In the multivariable models, RT duration longer than 45 days was associated with inferior DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.77; P = .04). The HR for OS was 1.33, but the results were not statistically significant (95% CI, 0.99-1.77; P = .05). Radiotherapy duration longer than 39 days (vs ≤39 days) was associated with a higher risk of LRF (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.65; P = .01). As a continuous variable, RT duration (per 1 week increase) was associated with DFS failure (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28; P = .03). The HR for LRF 1.13, but the result was not statistically significant (95% CI, 0.99-1.28; P = .07). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this study indicated that in patients with esophageal cancer receiving definitive CRT, prolonged RT duration was associated with inferior outcomes; female patients and those with other (vs White) race and ethnicity were more likely to have longer RT duration and experience RT interruptions. Radiotherapy interruptions should be minimized to optimize outcomes.

Objectives: To determine the risk and risk factors for mental illness among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors across short-term and long-term follow-up periods. Methods: We used the Utah Cancer Registry to identify CRC survivors diagnosed between 1997 and 2013. Mental health diagnoses were available in electronic medical records and statewide facilities data that were linked by the Utah Population Database. CRC survivors were matched to individuals from a general population cohort. The risk of developing a mental illness was compared between cohorts. The association between mental illness and mortality was also analyzed. Results: In total, 8961 CRC survivors and 35,897 individuals in a general population cohort were identified. CRC survivors were at increased risk for any mental health diagnosis at 0 to 2 years (hazard ratio [HR], 3.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.47-3.95), >2 to 5 years (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.09-1.38), and >5 years (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.36) after cancer diagnosis. CRC survivors were also at increased risk of depressive disorders specifically during the same time periods. At >5 years, CRC survivors still had an increased risk of developing many mental health diagnoses. Factors associated with increased risk of any mental health disorder among CRC survivors included colostomy and Charlson Comorbidity Index of 1+. There was an increased risk of death for CRC survivors diagnosed with any mental health disorder (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 2.02-2.35) and depression (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.92-2.28). Conclusions: CRC survivors are at increased risk for mental health disorders in the short-term and long-term. Survivors who develop mental health disorders also experience decreased survival.

Purpose: To present the most updated American College of Radiology consensus guidelines formed from an expert panel on treatment of locally advanced, high-risk prostate cancer Methods: The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment. Results: The panel summarized the most recent and relevant literature on the topic and voted on 4 clinical variants illustrating the appropriate management of locally advanced, high-risk cancer. Numerical rating and commentary reflecting the panel consensus was given for each treatment approach in each variant. Conclusions: Aggressive local approaches including surgery followed by adjuvant XRT, beam combined with androgen deprivation therapy, and beam combined with brachytherapy have resulted in unpresented success in locally advanced, high-risk prostate cancer. By combining most recent medical literature and expert opinion, this guideline can aid clinicians in the appropriate integration of available therapeutic modalities.