Philippa Corrie

Adjuvant Ganglioside GM2-KLH/QS-21 Vaccination Versus Observation After Resection of Primary Tumor > 1.5 mm in Patients With Stage II Melanoma: Results of the EORTC 18961 Randomized Phase III Trial

PURPOSE The GM2 ganglioside is an antigen expressed in the majority of melanomas. The GM2-KLH/QS-21 vaccine induces high immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody responses. The EORTC 18961 trial compared the efficacy of GM2-KLH/QS-21 vaccination versus observation. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 1,314 patients with a primary tumor > 1.50 mm in thickness (T3-4N0M0; American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II) were randomly assigned to GM2-KLH/QS-21 vaccination (n = 657) or observation (n = 657). Treatment consisted of subcutaneous injections once per week from week 1 to 4, then every 3 months for the first 2 years and every 6 months during the third year. Primary end point was relapse-free survival (RFS). Secondary end points were distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS). Analyses were by intent to treat. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 1.8 years, the trial was stopped at the second interim analysis for futility regarding RFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.00; P = .99) and detrimental outcome regarding OS (HR, 1.66; P = .02). After a median follow-up of 4.2 years, we had recorded 400 relapses, nine deaths without relapse, a total of 236 deaths. At 4 years, the vaccination arm showed a decreased RFS rate of 1.2% (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.25) and OS rate of 2.1% (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.51). Toxicity was acceptable, with 4.6% of patients ending study participation because of toxicity. CONCLUSION GM2-KLH/QS-21 vaccination does not improve outcome for patients with stage II melanoma.

A phase III randomized trial of chemoimmunotherapy comprising gemcitabine and capecitabine with or without telomerase vaccine GV1001 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

LBA4004 Background: GV1001, a promiscuous class II epitope encompassing aa 611-626 of hTERT led to the development of CD4+ clones recognizing hTERT in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). Preclinically gemcitabine increases antigen cross-presentation, enhances T cell trafficking/activation, and reduces MDSCs and Tregs. METHODS Patients with APC were randomized 1:1:1 to: Arm 1 GemCap; 2 GemCap for 8/52 followed by GV1001 followed by further GemCap if no PD at week 8; 3 concurrent administration of GemCap and GV1001. 735 (69.2%) had metastatic disease and 948 (89.3%) had ECOG PS=0 or 1. Randomization was stratified by stage and PS. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints included ORR, TTP, and AEs. Recruitment target was 1,110 patients (780 deaths) to permit detection of a hazard ratio of 0.748 between either GV1001 arm and Arm 1 using a 2-sided α=0.025 level of significance with at least 80% power. RESULTS 1,062 pts from 51 centers were randomized. Trial maturity was high (72.7% patients died): median follow-up was 6.11 months. The overall response rates were Arm 1=17.6%; Arm 2=8.9% (p=0.001); Arm 3: 15.5% (p=0.460 compared with Arm 1). CONCLUSIONS OS with concurrent GemCap/GV1001 was not different to that with GemCap alone. OS with sequential GV1001 was not statistically different to GemCap alone as it did not meet the criterion for statistical significance (p<0.0175). The addition of a T helper epitope vaccine to GemCap did not improve outcome compared to GemCap alone. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION 43482138. [Table: see text].

Adjuvant bevacizumab as treatment for melanoma patients at high risk of recurrence: Preplanned interim results for the AVAST-M trial.

LBA9000 Background: Bevacizumab (Bev) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) shown to improve survival in several advanced solid tumors. Multiple adjuvant trials are underway, but trials that have reported in colon and triple-negative breast cancer did not meet their primary end points. Since VEGF is a relevant target in melanoma, AVAST-M aimed to evaluate the role of Bev in patients (pts) with resected melanoma at high risk of recurrence. METHODS AVAST-M is a randomized phase III trial evaluating single agent Bev (7.5mg/kg IV 3 weekly for 1 year) as adjuvant therapy following resection of AJCC stage IIB, IIC, and III cutaneous melanoma compared to standard observation (Obs). 1,320 pts were required to detect 8% differences in 5-year overall survival (OS) rate from 40% to 48%; 85% power, 5% alpha level. Primary endpoint is OS; secondary endpoints are disease free interval (DFI), distant-metastasis free interval (DMFI), safety, and quality of life (QoL). An associated translational study is ongoing. Results of the first pre-planned interim analysis (agreed by the IDSMC) are reported here. RESULTS Between July 2007 and March 2012, 1,343 pts were recruited. 56% were male; median age 56 years (range 18-88 years), 16% were stage IIB, 11% IIC, 15% IIIA, 36% IIIB, 20% IIIC, and 2% unknown stage. Ulceration status of the primary melanoma was: 38% present, 45% absent, 17% unknown. At the time of the interim analysis, 286 (21%) patients had died. Median follow-up for survival was 25 months. Median duration of Bev treatment in 671 treated pts was 51 weeks (dose intensity 86%). Main outcomes are shown in the table. Grade 3/4 adverse events were experienced in 101 (15%) Bev pts and 36 (5%) Obs pts. CONCLUSIONS Interim analysis of this large, multicenter trial of melanoma patients at high risk of recurrence has shown that adjuvant Bev monotherapy is well tolerated and improved DFI. Longer follow-up is required to determine an impact on the primary endpoint of 5-year OS. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION 81261306. [Table: see text].