Jozef Mardiak

Pazopanib in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results of a Randomized Phase III Trial

PURPOSE Pazopanib is an oral angiogenesis inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and c-Kit. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study evaluated efficacy and safety of pazopanib monotherapy in treatment-naive and cytokine-pretreated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Adult patients with measurable, locally advanced, and/or metastatic RCC were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive oral pazopanib or placebo. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival, tumor response rate (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), and safety. Radiographic assessments of tumors were independently reviewed. Results Of 435 patients enrolled, 233 were treatment naive (54%) and 202 were cytokine pretreated (46%). PFS was significantly prolonged with pazopanib compared with placebo in the overall study population (median, PFS 9.2 v 4.2 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.62; P < .0001), the treatment-naive subpopulation (median PFS 11.1 v 2.8 months; HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.60; P < .0001), and the cytokine-pretreated subpopulation (median PFS, 7.4 v 4.2 months; HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.84; P < .001). The objective response rate was 30% with pazopanib compared with 3% with placebo (P < .001). The median duration of response was longer than 1 year. The most common adverse events were diarrhea, hypertension, hair color changes, nausea, anorexia, and vomiting. There was no evidence of clinically important differences in quality of life for pazopanib versus placebo. CONCLUSION Pazopanib demonstrated significant improvement in PFS and tumor response compared with placebo in treatment-naive and cytokine-pretreated patients with advanced and/or metastatic RCC.

A randomised, double-blind phase III study of pazopanib in patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Final overall survival results and safety update

BACKGROUND In this randomised phase III study (VEG105192; NCT00334282), pazopanib previously demonstrated statistically and clinically meaningful improvement of progression-free survival versus placebo in patients with advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Final overall survival (OS) and updated safety results are now reported. METHODS Treatment-naive or cytokine-pretreated mRCC patients (n=435) stratified and randomised (2:1) to pazopanib 800 mg daily or placebo, were treated until disease progression, death or unacceptable toxicity. Upon progression, placebo patients could receive pazopanib through an open-label study. Final OS in the intent-to-treat population was analysed using a stratified log-rank test. Rank-preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) and inverse probability of censoring weighted (IPCW) analyses were performed post-hoc to adjust for crossover. FINDINGS The difference in final OS between pazopanib- and placebo-treated patients was not statistically significant (22.9 versus 20.5 months, respectively; hazard ratio [HR]=0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-1.16; one-sided P=.224). Early and frequent crossover from placebo to pazopanib and prolonged duration of crossover treatment confounded the OS analysis. In IPCW analyses, pazopanib decreased mortality (HR=0.504; 95% CI, 0.315-0.762; two-sided P=.002). Similar, albeit non-significant, results were obtained in RPSFT analyses (HR=0.43; 95% CI, 0.215-1.388; two-sided P=.172). Since the last cutoff, cumulative exposure to pazopanib increased by 30%. The pazopanib safety profile showed no new safety signals or changes in the type, frequency and severity of adverse events. INTERPRETATION Although no significant difference in OS was observed in this study, extensive crossover from placebo to pazopanib confounded final OS analysis. Post-hoc analyses adjusting for crossover suggest OS benefit with pazopanib treatment for mRCC patients.

Prognostic value of programmed-death-1 receptor (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1) in testicular germ cell tumors

BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) belong to the most chemosensitive solid tumors; however, a small proportion of patients fail to be cured with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 pathways represent a new class of promising drugs in anticancer therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression and prognostic value of PD-1 and PD-L1 in TGCTs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Surgical specimens from 140 patients with TGCTs (131 with primary testicular tumor and 9 with extragonadal GCTs) were included into the translational study. PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was detected in the tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies, scored by the multiplicative quickscore (QS) method, compared with their expression in normal testicular tissue and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcome. RESULTS None of the GCTs exhibited PD-1 protein, although expression of PD-L1 was significantly higher in GCTs in comparison with normal testicular tissue (mean QS = 5.29 versus 0.32, P < 0.0001). Choriocarcinomas exhibit the highest level of PD-L1 with decreasing positivity in embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, yolk sac tumor and seminoma. PD-L1 expression was associated with poor prognostic features, including ≥3 metastatic sites, increased serum tumor markers and/or non-pulmonary visceral metastases. Patients with low PD-L1 expression had significantly better progression-free survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16-1.01, P = 0.008] and overall survival (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.15-1.23, P = 0.040) compared with patients with high PD-L1 expression. CONCLUSIONS In this translational study, we showed, for the first time, the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression in TGCTs and our data imply that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway could be a novel therapeutic target in TGCTs.

Delays in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: a multinational analysis

BACKGROUND Reducing treatment delay improves outcomes in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing patient- and system-related delays in commencing breast cancer treatment in different countries. METHODS A total of 6588 female breast cancer patients from 12 countries were surveyed. Total delay time was determined as the sum of the patient-related delay time (time between onset of the first symptoms and the first medical visit) and system-related delay time (time between the first medical visit and the start of therapy). RESULTS The average patient-related delay time and total delay time were 4.7 (range: 3.4-6.2) weeks and 14.4 (range: 11.5-29.4) weeks, respectively. Longer patient-related delay times were associated with distrust and disregard, and shorter patient-related delay times were associated with fear of breast cancer, practicing self-examination, higher education level, being employed, having support from friends and family and living in big cities. The average system-related delay time was 11.1 (range: 8.3-24.7) weeks. Cancer diagnosis made by an oncologist versus another physician, higher education level, older age, family history of female cancers and having a breast lump as the first cancer sign were associated with shorter system-related delay times. Longer patient-related delay times and higher levels of distrust and disregard were predictors of longer system-related delay times. CONCLUSIONS The delay in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer remains a serious problem. Several psychological and behavioural patient attributes strongly determine both patient-related delay time and system-related delay time, but their strength is different in particular countries.

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 and circulating tumor cells in early breast cancer

BackgroundMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play role in tumor dissemination and are an independent survival predictor in breast cancer (BC) patients. The aim of this study was to assess correlation between CTCs and tumor MMP1 in BC.MethodsStudy included 149 primary BC patients treated by surgery from March 2012 to March 2013. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were depleted of hematopoietic cells using RossetteSepTM selection kit. RNA extracted from CD45-depleted PBMC was interrogated for expression of EMT (TWIST1, SNAIL1, SLUG, ZEB1) and epithelial (CK19) gene transcripts by qRT-PCR. Patient samples with higher epithelial and/or mesenchymal gene transcripts than those of healthy donors (n = 60) were considered as CTC positive. Expression of MMP1 in surgical specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.ResultsCTCs were detected in 24.2% patients. CTCs exhibiting only epithelial markers were present in 8.7% patients, whereas CTCs with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (CTC_EMT) were observed in 13.4% of patients and CTCs co-expressing both markers were detected in 2.0% patients. Patients with CTC_EMT in peripheral blood had significantly increased expression of MMP1 in tumor cells (p = 0.02) and tumor associated stroma (p = 0.05) than those of patients without CTC_EMT. In multivariate analysis, CTC_EMT and tumor grade were independently associated with MMP1 expression in cancer cells, while CTC_EMT and Ki67 were independently associated with MMP1 expression in cancer associated stroma.ConclusionOur data suggest link between MMP1 and CTCs with EMT phenotype and support role of MMPs and EMT in tumor dissemination.

Prevention of irinotecan induced diarrhea by probiotics: A randomized double blind, placebo controlled pilot study

PURPOSE Diarrhea is one of the dose limiting toxicity of irinotecan. SN-38 is main irinotecan metabolite responsible for diarrhea development, which is excreted in glucuronidated form into the intestine. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the probiotics in the prevention of irinotecan induced diarrhea due to reduction of intestinal beta-d-glucuronidase activity. METHODS Between January 2011 and December 2013, 46 patients with colorectal cancer starting a new line of irinotecan based therapy were included. Patients were randomized 1:1 to probiotics (PRO) or placebo (PLA). Probiotic formula Colon Dophilus™, was administered at a dose of 10×10(9)CFU of bacteria tid, orally for 12 weeks of chemotherapy. The study was prematurely terminated due to slow accrual, when 46 of 220 planned patients were accrued. RESULTS Twenty-three patients were randomized to PRO and 23 patients to PLA. Administration of probiotics compared to placebo led to a reduction in the incidence of severe diarrhea of grade 3 or 4 (0% for PRO vs. 17.4% for PLA, p=0.11), as well as reduction of the overall incidence of diarrhea (39.1% for PRO vs. 60.9% for PLA, p=0.24) and incidence of enterocolitis (0% for PRO vs. 8.7% for PLA). Patients on PRO used less antidiarrheal drugs compared to PLA. There was no infection caused by probiotic strains recorded. CONCLUSIONS Administration of probiotics in patients with colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan-based chemotherapy is safe and could lead to a reduction in the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal toxicity.

A phase III trial of personalized chemotherapy based on serum tumor marker decline in poor-prognosis germ-cell tumors: Results of GETUG 13.

LBA4500 Background: Poor-prognosis GCT (IGCCCG, J Clin Oncol 1997) remains a challenge with no improvement in the 50% survival demonstrated in phase III trials for 25 years. Day 21 serum tumor marker decline rate identified a subgroup of patients (pts) with a better outcome (J Clin Oncol 2004, 22: 3868-76). The hypothesis we tested in this study is that treatment allocation based on early tumor marker decline will improve the progression-free survival (PFS). METHODS Pts with IGCCCG poor-prognosis GCT were treated with a first cycle of BEP. AFP and hCG were assessed at day 18-21: 1) Pts with a favorable decline continued BEP for a total of 4 courses (Fav-BEP); 2) Pts with an unfavorable decline were randomized to receive either BEP (Unfav-BEP) or a dose-dense regimen (Unfav-dose-dense), consisting of paclitaxel-BEP plus day-10 oxaliplatin x 2 cycles, followed by 2 cycles of cisplatin, ifosfamide, and continuous infusion bleomycin (depending on lung function) + G-CSF. The primary endpoint was PFS (hypothesis: 20% difference, type 1 error: 5%, power 80%, 196 randomized pts needed). RESULTS 263 pts were enrolled and 254 were evaluable at day 21 (6 early deaths, 3 withdrawals): 51 pts (20%) had favorable tumor marker decline and 203 had unfavorable decline (randomized: 105 Unfav-dose-dense arm, 98 Unfav-BEP). The prognostic value of early tumor marker decline (Fav-BEP vs Unfav-BEP) was confirmed: 70% vs 48% for 3-year PFS (p=0.01), and 84% vs 65% for overall survival (OS) (p=0.02). The 3-year PFS was 59% in the Unfav-dose-dense arm vs 48% in the Unfav-BEP arm (p=0.05; HR: 0.66 [0.44-1.00]). 3-year OS was 73% and 65%, respectively. More ≥ grade 2 neurotoxicity (21% vs 4%) and more hematotoxicity occurred in the dose-dense arm, with no excess febrile neutropenia (17% each arm) or toxic deaths (1 each arm). Salvage high-dose chemotherapy + stem-cell transplant were required in 6% in the Unfav-dose-dense arm and 16% in the Unfav-BEP arm (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS An algorithm of individualized treatment intensification determined by the rate of early tumor marker decline reduces the risk of progression or death in men with poor-prognosis GCT. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION NCT00104676.

Safety of everolimus plus exemestane in patients with hormone-receptor–positive, HER2–negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer progressing on prior non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors: primary results of a phase IIIb, open-label, single-arm, expanded-access multicenter trial (BALLET)

BACKGROUND This European phase IIIb, expanded-access multicenter trial evaluated the safety of EVE plus EXE in a patient population similar to BOLERO-2. PATIENTS AND METHODS Post-menopausal women aged ≥18 years with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor-receptor-2-negative advanced breast cancer (ABC) recurring/progressing during/after prior non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors were enrolled. The primary objective was safety of EVE plus EXE based on frequency of adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs). The secondary objective was to evaluate AEs of grade 3/4 severity. RESULTS The median treatment duration was 5.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.8-5.6] for EVE and 5.3 months (95% CI 4.8-5.6) for EXE. Overall, 2131 patients were included in the analysis; 81.8% of patients experienced EVE- or EXE-related or EVE/EXE-related AEs (investigator assessed); 27.2% were of grade 3/4 severity. The most frequently reported non-hematologic AEs were (overall %, % EVE-related) stomatitis (52.8%; 50.8%) and asthenia (22.8%; 14.6%). The most frequently reported hematologic AEs were (overall %, % EVE-related) anemia (14.4%; 8.1%) and thrombocytopenia (5.9%; 4.6%). AE-related treatment discontinuations were higher in elderly (≥70 years) versus non-elderly patients (23.8% versus 13.0%). The incidence of EVE-related AEs in both elderly and non-elderly patients appeared to be lower in first-line ABC versus later lines. The incidence of AEs (including stomatitis/pneumonitis) was independent of BMI status (post hoc analysis). Overall, 8.5% of patients experienced at least one EVE-related SAE. Of the 121 on-treatment deaths (5.7%), 66 (3.1%) deaths were due to disease progression and 46 (2.2%) due to AEs; 4 deaths were suspected to be EVE-related. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest ever reported safety dataset on a general patient population presenting ABC treated with EVE plus EXE and included a sizeable elderly subset. Although the patients were more heavily pretreated, the safety profile of EVE plus EXE in BALLET was consistent with BOLERO-2. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT Number: 2012-000073-23.

PARP expression in germ cell tumours

Background Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) inhibitors represent a new class of promising drugs in anticancer therapy. Aims To evaluate PARP expression in testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) and to correlate expression patterns with clinicopathological variables. Methods In this translational study, tumour specimens from 124 patients with GCTs (114 patients with testicular primary tumours and 10 with extragonadal GCTs) were identified. PARP expression was detected by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies, scored by the multiplicative quickscore (QS) method and compared to PARP expression in normal testicular tissue. Results We observed higher expression of PARP in testicular tumours compared to normal testicular tissue (mean QS=10.04 vs 3.31, p<0.0000001). Mean QS±SD for each histological subtype was as follows: intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified (IGCNU)=18.00±0.00, embryonal carcinoma=9.62±5.64, seminoma=9.74±6.51, yolk sac tumour=7.8±7.20, teratoma=5.87±5.34, and choriocarcinoma=4.50±8.33. The PARP overexpression (QS>9) was most often detected in IGCNU (100% of specimen with PARP overexpression), seminona (52.6%), embryonal carcinoma (47.0%), yolk sac tumour (33.3%), teratoma (26.7%) and choriocarcinoma (25.0%), compared to 1.9% of normal testicular tissue specimens. There was no association between PARP expression and clinical variables. Conclusions In this pilot study, we showed for the first time, that PARP is overexpressed in testicular germ cell tumours compared to normal testis.

Relationship between circulating tumor cells, blood coagulation, and urokinase-plasminogen-activator system in early breast cancer patients.

Cancer is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and plasma d‐dimer (DD) and tissue factor (TF) are established VTE associated markers. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are associated with the risk of VTE in metastatic breast cancer. This study aimed to correlate CTCs, blood coagulation and the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system in primary breast cancer (PBC) patients. This prospective study included 116 PBC patients treated by primary surgery. CTCs were detected by quantitative RT‐PCR assay for expression of epithelial (CK19) or epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes (TWIST1, SNAIL1, SLUG, ZEB1, FOXC2). Plasma DD, TF, uPA system proteins were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, while expressions of uPA system in surgical specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. CTCs were detected in 27.6% patients. Patients with CTCs had a significantly higher mean plasma DD (ng/mL) than those of patients without CTCs (632.4 versus 365.4, p = 0.000004). There was no association between plasma TF and CTCs. Epithelial CTCs exhibit higher expression of uPA system genes compared to EMT_CTCs. Patients with CTCs had higher plasma uPA proteins than those of patients without CTCs; there was no correlation between tissue expression of uPA system, CTCs, DD or TF levels. In multivariate analysis CTCs and patients age were independent factors associated with plasma DD. We found association between plasma DD and CTCs indicating a potential role for activation of the coagulation cascade in the early metastatic process. CTCs could be directly involved in coagulation activation or increased CTCs could be marker of aggressive disease and increased VTE risk.