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Among patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer, the use of niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, was associated with a significantly longer duration of progression-free survival than placebo, with moderate bone marrow toxicity. Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers worldwide. 1 , 2 Despite a high initial response rate to platinum and taxane treatment in patients with advanced cancer, the effectiveness of the treatments diminishes over time, and most patients have a relapse. 3 Platinum retreatment is used in patients in whom there is an assumed platinum sensitivity, with diminishing effectiveness and a cumulative increase in toxicity. 3 Niraparib is a highly selective inhibitor of poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]–ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1/2, 4 nuclear proteins that detect DNA damage and promote its repair. Clinical studies have evaluated PARP inhibitors in patients with recurrent ovarian . . .

Purpose Anemia is common in oncology and negatively impacts quality of life. However, there is lack of knowledge about iron deficiency (ID) epidemiology. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess iron status in patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer beginning chemotherapy. Methods In this prospective, multicenter cohort study, anemia and ID were evaluated in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors and lymphoma before starting chemotherapy. Blood samples were collected at inclusion (W0), 6 weeks (W6), and 12 weeks (W12). Prevalence was evaluated in the general population, according to tumor location and was correlated with tumor response. Results One hundred twenty-nine patients were enrolled between 2013 and 2015; 119 had solid tumors and 10 lymphomas. At W0, there were no significant difference between locations with a prevalence around 50–60% (range 47.2–70.4%) and only a trend for colorectal cancer (70.4%, P  = 0.069) due to a higher prevalence of absolute ID (18.5%). Prevalence of ID+ decreased between W0 and W6 and remained stable until W12 due to the proportion of patients with ID and without anemia. However, anemia prevalence increased during W0 and W6 and remained stable to W6 from W12 due to patients with anemia but without ID. A significant correlation between tumor response and ID prevalence was found ( P  = 0.036). Conclusions We confirm the high prevalence of ID and anemia in cancer patients. ID status is correlated to tumor response providing a strong rationale for iron monitoring during cancer management.

Introduction/Background*As stated by ESGO-ESMO, there is a need for indicators of chemotherapy efficacy in ovarian carcinoma patients treated in first-line setting (Colombo et al, IGCS, 2020). The pathological chemotherapy response score (CRS) and the modeled CA-125 KELIM during neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were reported as potential markers. Moreover, changes in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were reported as a prognostic factor (Leary et al, Cancer Immunol Immunother, 2021). We studied the relationships between changes in TILs, the pathological response (pR) and KELIM in patients treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy +/- interval debulking surgery (IDS) from CHIVA phase II trial.MethodologyThe patients were enrolled in the randomized phase II trial CHIVA (NCT01583322, neo-adjuvant carboplatin-paclitaxel +/- nintedanib, +/- IDS, n=188 patients). KELIM were previously calculated (You et al CCR 2020). The 30 patients with the highest KELIM (very chemosensitive) or the lowest KELIM (poorly chemosensitive) were selected. HE-stained sections from available tissue blocks at baseline and after chemotherapy were analyzed for stromal TILs (sTILs, surface of the tumor stroma occupied by lymphocytes) and intra-epithelial TILs (ieTILs, brisk or non-brisk). The pathological response (pR) was assessed on the most tumoral available tissue block obtained after chemotherapy (good response if extensive fibrous changes with no or isolated tumor cells, or <2 mm cell clusters). Descriptive statistics assessed the relationships between KELIM, TIL changes, and pR.Result(s)*No relationships between KELIM and TILs infiltrates on baseline tumor samples were found. However, strong associations were found between KELIM and TIL infiltrates after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for sTILs (median KELIM for sTILs 0-5% vs >5%: 0.28 versus 1.32, P < 0.001) and for ieTILs (median KELIM for ieTILs non-brisk versus brisk: 0.31 versus 1.31, P = 0.04). Similarly, an association was found between KELIM and the quality of pR (median KELIM for patients with poor vs good pR: 0.31 versus 1.32, P = 0.05).Conclusion*High consistency was found between the modeled CA125 KELIM calculated during the first 100 days of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and the pathological response, consistent with their values as indicators of the tumor chemosensitivity in first-line setting. Moreover, TILs changes were strongly associated with chemosensitivity, opening hypotheses about the mechanisms of chemosensitivity, and immunotherapy opportunity.

Introduction/Background*Endometrial cancer (EC) patients (Pts) with advanced and recurrent disease relapse despite treatment with combination chemotherapy and have a short progression-free survival (PFS). Nintedanib (N) is a potent, orally available triple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFR 1–3, PDGFR α/β, and FGFR 1–3. This study explored the preliminary efficacy of nintedanib in EC.MethodologyThe primary objective of this placebo-controlled, randomized study was to evaluate efficacy defined by median PFS of concomitant and maintenance N against placebo (P) in combination with chemotherapy. Patients with histologically confirmed stage IIIC2 or IVA & B or relapsed after adjuvant therapy for stage I-III disease; prior surgery; adjuvant chemotherapy; radiation therapy; hormonal therapy in metastatic setting; with measurable/non-measurable disease were permitted. Pts were randomized 1:1 to receive N 200mg or P, twice daily days 2–21 during chemotherapy (six cycles of Carboplatin (AUC5) and paclitaxel (175mg/m2) every 21 days) and continuously in maintenance phase. N/P was continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. Stratification by stage of disease, prior adjuvant chemotherapy and measurable/non-measurable disease. This is an ENGOT Model A study. Clinical trial information: NCT02730416.Result(s)*146 of 148 pts were eligible for PFS: 72N/74P; mean age 66yrs; FIGO stage III 18%, IV 42%, recurrent 40%; follow-up 30 mo. N added to chemotherapy did not improve PFS (119 events) as compared to chemotherapy plus P: median for N 8.3 vs. for P 7.2 mo; hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for stratification factors 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI),[0.71 to 1.48]; p0.879. Median overall survival (85 events) for N 20 vs. for P 22 mo; HR: 1.10; CI: 0.72–1.69; p0.665. Treatment-emerged grade 3–4 adverse events were higher in N vs P arm: liver function tests 13%/0%; diarrhea 12%/6%; neutropenia 21%/14%; asthenia 4%/1%. Patient-reported outcomes will be reported.Conclusion*Addition of nintedanib to chemotherapy did not improve PFS nor OS. This regimen cannot be recommended to undergo further testing in a phase III trial.

The GOG240 trial established bevacizumab with chemotherapy as standard first-line therapy for metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. In the BEATcc trial (ENGOT-Cx10–GEICO 68-C–JGOG1084–GOG-3030), we aimed to evaluate the addition of an immune checkpoint inhibitor to this standard backbone. In this investigator-initiated, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial, patients from 92 sites in Europe, Japan, and the USA with metastatic (stage IVB), persistent, or recurrent cervical cancer that was measurable, previously untreated, and not amenable to curative surgery or radiation were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive standard therapy (cisplatin 50 mg/m2 or carboplatin area under the curve of 5, paclitaxel 175 mg/m2, and bevacizumab 15 mg/kg, all on day 1 of every 3-week cycle) with or without atezolizumab 1200 mg. Treatment was continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, patient withdrawal, or death. Stratification factors were previous concomitant chemoradiation (yes vs no), histology (squamous cell carcinoma vs adenocarcinoma including adenosquamous carcinoma), and platinum backbone (cisplatin vs carboplatin). Dual primary endpoints were investigator-assessed progression-free survival according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1 and overall survival analysed in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03556839, and is ongoing. Between Oct 8, 2018, and Aug 20, 2021, 410 of 519 patients assessed for eligibility were enrolled. Median progression-free survival was 13·7 months (95% CI 12·3–16·6) with atezolizumab and 10·4 months (9·7–11·7) with standard therapy (hazard ratio [HR]=0·62 [95% CI 0·49–0·78]; p<0·0001); at the interim overall survival analysis, median overall survival was 32·1 months (95% CI 25·3–36·8) versus 22·8 months (20·3–28·0), respectively (HR 0·68 [95% CI 0·52–0·88]; p=0·0046). Grade 3 or worse adverse events occurred in 79% of patients in the experimental group and in 75% of patients in the standard group. Grade 1–2 diarrhoea, arthralgia, pyrexia, and rash were increased with atezolizumab. Adding atezolizumab to a standard bevacizumab plus platinum regimen for metastatic, persistent, or recurrent cervical cancer significantly improves progression-free and overall survival and should be considered as a new first-line therapy option. F Hoffmann-La Roche.

Background: Elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer have a prognosis and outcome that may be dependent on a host of factors. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 401 female breast cancer patients who developed metastatic disease after the age of 70 years in order to define potential prognostic factors for specific survival at the time of first recurrence. Results: With a median follow-up of 60 months from the time of recurrence, the median specific survival was 21.0 months (95% CI 17.0-23.0). In multivariate analysis we demonstrated that negative hormonal receptor status (p = 0.002), presence of positive lymph nodes at initial cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio, HR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.07-1.75; p = 0.01), site of metastasis (p < 10 -4 ) and metastasis-free interval (HR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.95-0.99; p = 0.008) constituted unfavorable independent prognostic factors able to predict specific survival from the time of metastatic occurrence. Age at initial diagnosis, Scarff-Bloom Richardson grade and adjuvant treatments were significant only in univariate analysis. Conclusion: These survival prognostic factors associated with the use of a specific geriatric questionnaire to assess frailty may assist physicians in evaluating the patient's survival potential and choose a tailored treatment to this cancer population.

Single-agent maintenance poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition may represent an effective strategy in patients with advanced/metastatic endometrial cancer responding to platinum-based chemotherapy, including for molecular subtypes with suboptimal options. To explore this approach, we initiated the randomized phase IIb UTOLA trial (NCT03745950). Female patients without progression following front-line platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced/metastatic endometrial cancer were randomized 2:1 to twice-daily maintenance oral olaparib 300 mg or placebo until progression or intolerance, stratified by p53 status, mismatch repair status, and response to initial chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary endpoints were PFS in subgroups, time to second progression or death, time to first and second subsequent therapy, objective response rate, overall survival, patient-reported outcomes, and safety. In the intention-to-treat population ( n  = 145), there was no PFS difference between olaparib and placebo (median 5.6 vs. 4.0 months, respectively; hazard ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.65–1.35; p  = 0.74). However, intriguing numerical PFS effects were observed in exploratory analyses of pre-specified subgroups (p53-abnormal, complete response to initial chemotherapy, chromosomal instability). There was no overall survival difference between treatments. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 36% versus 10% of olaparib- versus placebo-treated patients and were consistent with the olaparib safety profile in other cancers. Maintenance olaparib did not improve PFS, but promising numerical effects in subsets of patients warrant prospective evaluation. Single-agent maintenance PARP inhibition may represent an effective strategy for advanced/metastatic endometrial cancer treatment. Here this randomized phase IIb UTOLA trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of orally administered olaparib in female patients ( n = 145) without progression following front-line platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced/metastatic endometrial cancer.

ObjectiveTo identify characteristics associated with long-term progression-free survival (≥2 years) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with niraparib first-line maintenance therapy in the phase III PRIMA/ENGOT-OV26/GOG-3012 study.MethodsIn this post hoc analysis of PRIMA, patients randomized to niraparib were grouped based on investigator-assessed progression-free survival (progressive disease/censoring <2 years or ≥2 years after randomization). Variables assessed for predictive value were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage at diagnosis, clinical response to platinum-based chemotherapy, number of prior chemotherapy cycles, primary tumor location, body mass index, categorical age, debulking surgery type, number of baseline target lesions, number of baseline non-target lesions, BRCA/homologous recombination-deficiency status, residual disease status, and duration from end of chemotherapy to randomization. Logistic regression modeling using backward elimination (significance level=0.15) identified covariates associated with long-term progression-free survival (clinical cut-off date November 17, 2021).ResultsOf 487 patients randomized to niraparib, 152 (31%) had progressive disease/censoring ≥2 years after randomization. Multivariable logistic regression modeling using backward elimination identified BRCA1/2 mutation/homologous recombination deficiency status (p<0.0001), FIGO stage (p=0.041), primary tumor location (p=0.095), and number of baseline non-target lesions (p=0.0001) to be associated with long-term progression-free survival. Patients significantly more likely to achieve progression-free survival of ≥2 years in the final model were those with BRCA1- and BRCA2-mutated/homologous recombination-deficient tumors or BRCA wild-type/not determined/homologous recombination-deficient tumors (vs BRCA wild-type/homologous recombination-proficient/not determined tumors), FIGO stage III (vs IV), and 0 or 1 baseline non-target lesions (vs ≥2 baseline non-target lesions).ConclusionsThe hypothesis-generating results of this analysis suggest that BRCA1/2 mutation/homologous recombination-deficiency status, FIGO stage, and number of baseline non-target lesions may predict progression-free survival of ≥2 years in patients with advanced ovarian cancer receiving niraparib first-line maintenance therapy.Trial registration number NCT02655016.

Introduction: Bevacizumab-containing therapy is considered a standard-of-care front-line option for stage IIIB–IV ovarian cancer based on results of randomized phase 3 trials. The multicenter non-interventional ENCOURAGE prospective cohort study assessed treatment administration and outcomes in the French real-world setting. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients were aged ≥ 18 years with planned bevacizumab-containing therapy for newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. The primary objective was to assess the safety profile of front-line bevacizumab in routine clinical practice; secondary objectives were to describe patient characteristics, indications/contraindications for bevacizumab, treatment regimens and co-medications, follow-up and monitoring, progression-free survival, and treatment at recurrence. In this non-interventional study, treatment was administered as chosen by the investigator and participation in the trial had no influence on the management of the disease. Results: Of 1,290 patients screened between April 2013 and February 2015, 468 were eligible. Most patients (86%) received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks or equivalent, typically with carboplatin (99%) and paclitaxel (98%). The median duration of bevacizumab was 12.2 (range 0–28, interquartile range 6.9–14.9) months; 8% of patients discontinued bevacizumab because of toxicity. The most common adverse events were hypertension (38% of patients), fatigue (35%), and bleeding (32%). There were no treatment-related deaths. Most physicians (90%) reported blood pressure measurement immediately before each bevacizumab infusion and almost all (97%) reported monitoring for proteinuria before each bevacizumab infusion. Median progression-free survival was 17.4 (95% CI, 16.4–19.1) months. The 3-year overall survival rate was 62% (95% CI, 58–67%). The most commonly administered chemotherapies at recurrence were carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. Discussion: Clinical outcomes and tolerability with bevacizumab in this real-life setting are consistent with randomized trial results, notwithstanding differences in the treated patient population and treatment schedule. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , Identifier NCT01832415.

Background: Despite current treatment options, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains essentially incurable, requiring research on new drugs or combinations to improve survival and quality of life. Patients and Methods: This phase I study was designed to define the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and recommended dose of all-oral tegafur-uracil (UFT)/folinic acid combined with vinorelbine as chemotherapy for MBC. Starting doses were 40 mg/m 2 /week of oral vinorelbine administered continuously and 250 mg/m 2 /day of UFT plus 90 mg/day of folinic acid from day 1 to day 28, followed by a 1-week rest period. Results: Ten patients were included. Eight were evaluable for toxicity and antitumor response. The second dose level was shown to be the MTD. At this dose, 2 out of 5 patients receiving oral vinorelbine at 40 mg/m 2 /week and UFT at 300 mg/m 2 /day developed DLT consisting of grade 3 asthenia and grade 3nausea despite standard prophylaxis. Other toxicities were grade 1 diarrhea and anemia. There were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: The recommended dose for this combination seems to be the first dose level. A stable response was observed for 6 patients (average 33 weeks). This combination appears to be well-tolerated and offers an alternative to intravenous chemotherapy.