K. Dumon

Combining bevacizumab and chemoradiation in rectal cancer. Translational results of the AXEBeam trial.

Background:This study characterises molecular effect of bevacizumab, and explores the relation of molecular and genetic markers with response to bevacizumab combined with chemoradiotherapy (CRT).Methods:From a subset of 59 patients of 84 rectal cancer patients included in a phase II study combining bevacizumab with CRT, tumour and blood samples were collected before and during treatment, offering the possibility to evaluate changes induced by one dose of bevacizumab. We performed cDNA microarrays, stains for CD31/CD34 combined with α-SMA and CA-IX, as well as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for circulating angiogenic proteins. Markers were related with the pathological response of patients.Results:One dose of bevacizumab changed the expression of 14 genes and led to a significant decrease in microvessel density and in the proportion of pericyte-covered blood vessels, and a small but nonsignificant increase in hypoxia. Alterations in angiogenic processes after bevacizumab delivery were only detected in responding tumours. Lower PDGFA expression and PDGF-BB levels, less pericyte-covered blood vessels and higher CA-IX expression were found after bevacizumab treatment only in patients with pathological complete response.Conclusions:We could not support the ‘normalization hypothesis’ and suggest a role for PDGFA, PDGF-BB, CA-IX and α-SMA. Validation in larger patient groups is needed.

579PFINAL RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED PHASE II STUDY WITH NEO-ADJUVANT TRIPLET OR DOUBLET THERAPY, RADIATION AND TOTAL MESORECTAL EXCISION FOR LOCALLY ADVANCED RECTAL CANCER: AXE BEAM

ABSTRACT Aim: To assess the activity and safety of bevacizumab (A) with capecitabine (X) and radiotherapy (RT) with or without oxaliplatin (E) in the preoperative treatment (thx) of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). To identify biomarkers for early response prediction. Methods: Patients (pts) with LARC were randomized to RT (1.8Gy/day) with the triplet A (5mg/kg), X (1650mg/m2/day) and E (50mg/m2) in Arm A or the doublet A + X without E in Arm B. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) started at 2 weeks after 1st infusion of A and continued for 5 weeks. Total mesorectal excision (TME) was planned at 6-8 weeks post CRT. Pathological complete response (pCR) rate in Arm A was the primary endpoint. Safety profile and identification of biomarkers for early response prediction were secondary endpoints. Immunohistochemical staining for the functionality of blood vessels, proliferation and hypoxia as well as Luminex analyses to assess changes in circulating VEGF ligands are performed on tissues and blood samples from consenting pts. Results: Eighty-four pts with median age 61 completed thx, 81 including surgery, with a relative dose intensity of 98% for A and X and 93% for E. During CRT, serious adverse events (SAEs) were more frequent in Arm A vs Arm B: fever (4 vs 0), diarrhea (3 vs 0), infection (4 vs 1). Postoperative SAEs (wound infections, leaks) occurred in 17 pts, 10 in Arm A and 7 in Arm B. Five pts deceased post-study, 3 due to distant disease progression, 2 to postoperative complications. Post-surgery data are available for 81 pts. pCR was seen in 18 pts, 33% (14/43) in Arm A and 10% (4/41) in Arm B in an intent-to-treat analysis (ITT). The rate of good responders (Dworak TRG 3, 4) was higher in Arm A 29/43 vs Arm B 16/41 in ITT. Changes of the pericyte coverage of the blood vessels were observed. The decrease of plasma concentration of PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB correlated with pCR (p = 0.04 and 0.03 respectively). Conclusions: Both triplet and doublet combination showed acceptable safety profiles. The addition of E to X and A with RT seemed beneficial in terms of pCR rates in this patient population, with a slight increase of toxicity. The main endpoint has been reached with 14/43 pCRs in Arm A. PDGF may be a predictor of response in this setting. Final data after a blind central review of the main endpoint and translational research data will be available at the conference. Support from Roche and Sanofi Aventis. Disclosure: K. Haustermans: The author declares an educational grant from Roche for this study. No further conflict of interest; E. Van Cutsem: The author received research funding from Roche and Sanofi, paid to the university. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.