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Anti-tumour immune activation by checkpoint inhibitors leads to durable responses in a variety of cancers, but combination approaches are required to extend this benefit beyond a subset of patients. In preclinical models tumour-derived VEGF limits immune cell activity while anti-VEGF augments intra-tumoral T-cell infiltration, potentially through vascular normalization and endothelial cell activation. This study investigates how VEGF blockade with bevacizumab could potentiate PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition with atezolizumab in mRCC. Tissue collections are before treatment, after bevacizumab and after the addition of atezolizumab. We discover that intra-tumoral CD8 + T cells increase following combination treatment. A related increase is found in intra-tumoral MHC-I, Th1 and T-effector markers, and chemokines, most notably CX3CL1 (fractalkine). We also discover that the fractalkine receptor increases on peripheral CD8 + T cells with treatment. Furthermore, trafficking lymphocyte increases are observed in tumors following bevacizumab and combination treatment. These data suggest that the anti-VEGF and anti-PD-L1 combination improves antigen-specific T-cell migration. Cancer immunotherapy can be used in combination with other therapies for a better response. Here, the authors conduct a phase Ib clinical study and report the clinical activity and the immune response of the anti-PDL1 agent, atezolizumab, in combination with bevacizumab in ten patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract Background Tumor mutation burden (TMB), a biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) response, is reported by both blood- and tissue-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) vendors. However, the agreement between TMB from blood (bTMB) and tissue (tTMB) in real-world settings, both in absolute value and association with CPI response, is not known. Materials and Methods This study utilizes Sarah Cannon’s precision medicine platform, Genospace, to harmonize clinico-genomic data from 17 206 patients with cancer with NGS results from September 2015 to August 2021. A subset of patients have both bTMB and tTMB results. Statistical analyses are performed in R and include (1) correlation (r) and concordance (ρ) between patient-matched bTMB-tTMB pairs, (2) distribution of total bTMB and tTMB values, and (3) association of bTMB and tTMB with time to CPI therapy failure. Results In 410 patient-matched bTMB-tTMB pairs, the median bTMB (m = 10.5 mut/Mb) was significantly higher than the median tTMB (m = 6.0 mut/Mb, P < .001) leading to conflicting “high” and “low” statuses in over one-third of cases at a threshold of 10 mut/Mb (n = 410). Significant differences were observed in the distribution of bTMB values from blood-NGS vendors, with guardant health (GH) reporting higher (m = 10.5 mut/Mb, n = 2183) than Foundation Medicine (FMI, m = 3.8 mut/Mb, n = 462, P < .001). bTMB from GH required a higher threshold (≥40 mut/Mb) than bTMB from FMI (≥12 mut/Mb) in order to be associated with CPI response. Conclusions This study uncovers variability in bTMB reporting among commercial NGS platforms, thereby evidencing a need for assay-specific thresholds in identifying patients who may respond to CPI therapy. Identifying those patients who will benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is a major challenge. This article assesses the concordance between blood tumor mutation burden (bTMB) and tissue tumor mutation burden (tTMB) from patients in real-world settings and compares associations with immune checkpoint inhibitor response.

Background: Binimetinib (MEK162; ARRY-438162) is a potent and selective oral MEK 1/2 inhibitor. This phase 1 study determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, and preliminary anti-tumour activity of binimetinib in patients with advanced solid tumours, with expansion cohorts of patients with biliary cancer or KRAS - or BRAF -mutant colorectal cancer. Methods: Binimetinib was administered twice daily. Expansion cohorts were enroled after MTD determination following a 3+3 dose-escalation design. Pharmacokinetic properties were determined from plasma samples. Tumour samples were assessed for mutations in RAS , RAF , and other relevant genes. Pharmacodynamic properties were evaluated in serum and skin punch biopsy samples. Results: Ninety-three patients received binimetinib (dose-escalation phase, 19; expansion, 74). The MTD was 60 mg twice daily, with dose-limiting adverse events (AEs) of dermatitis acneiform and chorioretinopathy. The dose for expansion patients was subsequently decreased to 45 mg twice daily because of the frequency of treatment-related ocular toxicity at the MTD. Common AEs across all dose levels included rash (81%), nausea (56%), vomiting (52%), diarrhoea (51%), peripheral oedema (46%), and fatigue (43%); most were grade 1/2. Dose-proportional increases in binimetinib exposure were observed and target inhibition was demonstrated in serum and skin punch biopsy samples. Three patients with biliary cancer had objective responses (one complete and two partial). Conclusions: Binimetinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile, target inhibition, and dose-proportional exposure. The 45 mg twice daily dose was identified as the recommended phase 2 dose. The three objective responses in biliary cancer patients are encouraging and support further evaluation in this population.

Summary Objective VS-6063 (also known as defactinib or PF-04554878) is a second-generation inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (Pyk2). This phase I dose-escalation study was conducted in patients with advanced solid malignancies. Methods Using a traditional 3 + 3 design, VS-6063 was administered orally twice daily (b.i.d.) in 21-day cycles to cohorts of three to six patients. In cycle 1, a lead-in dose was administered to assess single-dose pharmacokinetics; steady-state pharmacokinetics was assessed after 15 days of continuous dosing. Dose escalation was performed in the fasted state, and repeated in two additional cohorts in the fed state. Results Forty-six patients were treated across nine dose levels (12.5–750 mg b.i.d.). Dose-limiting toxicities, comprising headache ( n  = 1), fatigue ( n  = 1) and unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia ( n  = 3), occurred at the 300- or 425-mg b.i.d. dose level and were reversible. Frequent adverse events included nausea (37 %), fatigue (33 %), vomiting (28 %), diarrhea (22 %) and headache (22 %). A maximum-tolerated dose was not defined. Dose escalation was stopped at the 750-mg b.i.d. dose due to decreased serum exposure in the 500- and 750-mg versus 300- and 425-mg groups. Food delayed the time to peak serum concentration without affecting serum drug exposure. No radiographic responses were reported. Disease stabilization at ~12 weeks occurred in six of 37 (16 %) patients receiving doses ≥100 mg b.i.d. Conclusions VS-6063 has an acceptable safety profile. Treatment-related adverse events were mild to moderate, and reversible. The recommended phase II fasting dose of VS-6063 is 425 mg b.i.d.

Background This was an open-label, multicenter, single-arm phase Ib dose-escalation study of oral LCL161 administered in combination with oral topotecan in patients with relapsed/refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and select gynecological cancers. Methods Cohorts of 3-6 patients initiated treatment with LCL161 and topotecan in escalating doses. LCL161 was administered orally on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 21-day cycle; topotecan was administered orally for the first 5 days of each 21-day cycle. Results A total of 35 patients were enrolled in 6 cohorts; 30 patients were female; 4 patients had SCLC and 19 patients had ovarian cancer. Median prior lines of therapy were 3 (1-10). Median duration of treatment was 7.1 weeks (0.1-174). The most frequent grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (51.43%) and anemia (31.43%). ORR was 9.7%; 58% of patients had SD. The study was stopped early before the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) were determined. Conclusion The addition of LCL161 to oral topotecan caused more myelosuppression when dosed together than what was associated with either drug alone. Moreover, the drug combination did not improve outcomes. The study was terminated early (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02649673). This article reports the results of a clinical trial of oral LCL161 administered in combination with oral topotecan in patients with relapsed/refractory small cell lung cancer and select gynecological cancers.

Downy mildew of opium poppy is the single biggest disease constraint afflicting the Australian poppy industry. Within the pathosystem, the transmission of infections via infested seed is of major concern. Both downy mildew pathogens of poppy; Peronospora meconopsidis and P. somniferi, are known contaminants of commercial seed stocks. Using seed naturally infested with these pathogens, the effect of physio-chemical seed treatments on seedling health and disease transmission were evaluated. Individual seed treatments were tested to determine optimal treatment parameters for each; including incubation time, temperature and treatment concentration. Optimised physiochemical treatments were then compared. The most effective treatment methods were seed washes in acidified electrolytic water (400 ppm hypochlorous acid for 5 min) and hypochlorite solution (2% NaOCI for 5 min). In seed to seedling transmission assays, these two treatments reduced transmission of P. somniferi by 88.8% and 74.61%, and P. meconopsidis by 93.3% and 100%, respectively. These methods are recommended for seed treatment of commercial opium poppy seed to assist in the control of the downy mildew diseases.

Background The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends that patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer be considered for adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) after primary treatment like surgical excision. Adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) use primarily depends on risk of recurrence. Biomarkers such as Ki-67 potentially have most value in patients with intermediate risk factors, such as involvement of 1–3 positive nodes. This study evaluated the use of Ki-67 testing and treatment patterns in patients with HR+, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early breast cancer. Methods This was an observational retrospective cohort study of patients with electronic medical records from January 2010 to August 2018 treated for HR+, HER2− early breast cancer at Sarah Cannon sites in the United States (US). Overall, 567 patients were randomly selected after using the eligibility criteria: female or male ≥18 years, without distant metastases, and with available physician and pathology reports. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors predicting Ki-67 testing and test results. Descriptive analyses were applied to treatment patterns. Results Multivariable logistic regression analyses found no clinical or pathological factors that predicted whether Ki-67 testing had been ordered by physicians. Of all tested patients ( N =  130), having Grade-2 tumors (OR, 7.95 [95% CI: 2.05, 30.9]; p  = 0.0027) or Grade-3 tumors (OR, 95.3 [95% CI, 11.9, 760.7]; p  < 0.001) at initial diagnosis was a predictor of high Ki-67 expression (≥20%). Ki-67 expression was tested in 23.6% (61/258) of patients with 1–3 positive nodes; 54.1% of them (33/61) had high Ki-67 expression (≥20%). While having a higher grade tumor predicted high Ki-67 (≥20%), 28.6% of patients with Grade-1 tumors also had high Ki-67 expression. Neo-adjuvant therapy was received by 16.0% of patients (91/567), most of whom (66/91; 72.5%) received CT alone. Adjuvant therapy, either endocrine and/or chemotherapy, was received by 92.6% (525/567) of patients and by 67.0% (61/91) of those who received neo-adjuvant therapy. Most (428/525, 81.5%) received ET in the adjuvant treatment setting. Conclusions High grade tumors predicted high Ki-67 (≥20%) expression, but Ki-67 testing was not widely used in these US patients. Most HR+, HER2− early breast cancers were treated with adjuvant ET, with or without CT.

Purpose To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and biologic activity of OPB-31121, an oral inhibitor of STAT3, administered twice daily (BID) to subjects with advanced solid tumors. Methods .Subjects received escalating doses of OPB-31121 BID for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle in a standard 3 + 3 design. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity were assessed. Results Thirty subjects were treated twice daily with OPB-31121 at 6 dose levels: 50 mg ( n  = 4); 70 mg ( n  = 3); 140 mg ( n  = 3); 200 mg ( n  = 4); 300 mg ( n  = 9); 350 mg ( n  = 7). There were no DLTs observed until 300 mg BID (Grade 3 lactic acidosis). At the next dose level (350 mg BID), two subjects had DLTs (Grade 3 vomiting and Grade 3 diarrhea). Thus, 300 mg BID was declared the MTD. OPB-31121-related adverse events included nausea (80 %), vomiting (73 %), diarrhea (63 %), and fatigue (33 %), all of which were primarily grade 1/2. Pharmacokinetics demonstrated high inter-subject variability with exposures 146- to 4,788-fold lower than target concentrations from tumor-bearing mouse models. No objective responses were observed, and all subjects who completed two cycles of treatment had disease progression at their first assessment. Conclusions Twice-daily administration of OPB-31121 was feasible up to doses of 300 mg. The pharmacokinetic profile was unfavorable, and no objective responses were observed.

Summary Purpose To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination of linsitinib (OSI-906), a dual inhibitor of IGFR and IR tyrosine kinase activity, and everolimus as treatment for patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods Eligible adult patients with refractory mCRC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1, and adequate end-organ function received escalating doses of OSI-906 and everolimus in a 3 + 3 design. Treatment continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, with response evaluations every 8 weeks. Results Eighteen patients with metastatic CRC were treated. There were no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in the first dose level (DL, OSI-906 50 mg BID; everolimus 5 mg QD). At DL2 (OSI-906 100 mg BID; everolimus 10 mg QD, n =6), three patients had DLTs considered related to everolimus (grade 3 mucositis, 2; grade 3 thrombocytopenia, 1). An amendment introduced DL2a (OSI-906 100 mg BID; everolimus 5 mg QD, n =5); DLTs were seen in two patients (one patient each: grade 3 thrombocytopenia with bleeding; inability to receive 75 % of doses due to neutropenia/thrombocytopenia). DL1 was the MTD; a total of 7 patients were treated at this dose. Common adverse events across all DLs included grade 1/2 fatigue (50 %) and anorexia (50 %). There were no objective responses to treatment; median time of study treatment was 7.6 weeks (range: 3.9–53 weeks). Conclusions The MTD of OSI-906 and everolimus was 50 mg BID and 5 mg QD, respectively. No indications of clinical activity were observed in refractory mCRC patients.