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Introduction: Following initial response to TKI, advanced NSCLC patients with actionable mutations ultimately develop treatment resistance. In a proportion of patients (15-40%), initial, limited progression (≤5 lesions) is observed, termed oligoprogressive disease (OPD). SBRT offers hypofractionated, targeted radiotherapy treatment hypothesised to prolong clinical benefit from TKI prior to widespread disease development. With limited evidence to date, and poor clinical/biological selection criteria, the potential benefit offered by SBRT to ablate OPD sites prior to change in systemic therapy is an important question to address. Methods: HALT is a randomised, multi-centre, phase II/III international trial with seamless transition to phase III incorporated. Eligible patients (stage IV NSCLC, actionable mutation, TKI response prior to OPD) are randomised 2:1 to SBRT/continued TKI or continued TKI alone. Eligibility is confirmed by a virtual MDT (vMDT) comprising trial clinicians and radiologists (confirmation of OPD, SBRT suitability). Follow-up assessments are aligned with routine care at 3-monthly intervals until change in systemic therapy is clinically indicated, with imaging and toxicity assessment at each visit. Results: Recruitment commenced November 2017 with 25 centres (17 UK;8 non-UK) open to date. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment is recovering with 129 registered and 74 randomised patients. Over the last 4 years, little evidence has emerged to confirm any potential benefit of SBRT in this patient group and the impact on patient toxicity remains unknown. Therefore, with persisting questions around clinical equipoise, HALT remains highly relevant. With an 18-month extension and a recent amendment to the HALT inclusion criteria (≤5 OPD lesions, ≤7cm and OPD assessments by PET-avidity), the target of 110 randomised patients remains achievable. Conclusions: As the first randomised trial assessing SBRT benefit in this mutation-positive NSCLC patient population, HALT will provide valuable treatment efficacy and safety information, informing subsequent trial design and contribute to the development of international guidelines for the identification and clinical management of oligoprogression in mutation positive lung cancer. Keywords: Stereotactic body radiotherapy, NSCLC, Phase II
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Background: Most patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) and biliary tract cancer (BTC) present with advanced disease. In confirmed cases, circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) may be detected through liquid biopsy in 80-90%. Obtaining a diagnostic biopsy can be technically challenging, require complex invasive procedures and may not be feasible due to comorbidity. Reduction in capacity of aerosol generating diagnostic procedures in many healthcare systems due to COVID19 has highlighted the unmet need for simple, noninvasive diagnostic tools. We piloted the use of ctDNA to support the diagnostic pathway in patients with suspected cancer across 6 tumour types, here we present its use in PC/BTC. Methods: This single centre prospective cohort pilot trial was conducted at the Royal Marsden from June 2020 to August 2021. 16 patients were planned each in the PC and BTC cohorts. Eligibility included radiologically suspicious PC/BTC without histological diagnosis, patients with prior non-diagnostic biopsy and inaccessible tumours. Liquid biopsy for ctDNA was collected for plasma based next generation sequencing, using a custom 59 gene panel of common variants in PC/BTC tumours, including analysis for somatic, copy number and structural variants. Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and germline variants were identified and subtracted. A molecular tumour board (MTB) reviewed results for interpretation and clinical context. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a ctDNA result consistent with a diagnosis of malignancy following MTB discussion. Results: 32 patients with suspected PC (n= 16) and BTC (n=16) were recruited. Baseline characteristics are shown in table. ctDNA was detected in 69% off, 23 patients had a subsequent biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity of ctDNA as a diagnostic tool was 80% (90% CI 49.3-96.3) and 100% (90% CI 36.8-100) for PC respectively, and 100% (90% CI 60.7-100) and 75% (90% CI 24.9- 98.7) for BTC respectively. There were 2 false negatives in the PC cohort subsequently diagnosed with PC, and 1 false positive in the BTC cohort subsequently diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Conclusions: ctDNA can be used to support a diagnosis of cancer in patients with radiologically suspected PC/BTC. A blood first, tissue second strategy in the diagnosis of PC/BTC could improve diagnostic efficiency, speed, and add resilience to the current diagnostic pathway.
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Background: Following initial response to TKI, advanced NSCLC patients with actionable mutations ultimately develop treatment resistance. In a proportion of patients (15-40%), initial, limited progression (<3 lesions) is observed, termed oligoprogressive disease (OPD). SBRT offers hypofractionated, targeted radiotherapy treatment hypothesised to prolong clinical benefit from TKI prior to widespread disease development. The potential benefit offered by SBRT to ablate OPD sites prior to change in systemic therapy is an important question to address, particularly during the current pandemic, where reducing clinic visits is particularly advantageous. Method: HALT is a randomised, multi-centre, phase II/III international trial with seamless transition to phase III incorporated. Eligible patients (stage IV NSCLC, actionable mutation, TKI response prior to OPD) are randomised 2:1 to SBRT/continued TKI or continued TKI alone. Eligibility is confirmed by a virtual MDT comprising trial clinicians and radiologists (OPD, SBRT suitability). Follow-up assessments aligned with routine care at 3-monthly intervals until change in systemic therapy is clinically indicated, imaging and toxicity assessment at each visit. Current status: Recruitment commenced November 2017;27 centres (16 UK;11 non-UK) open to date (09/03/2021), 94 patients registered and 50 randomised. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment was temporarily paused on 20/03/2020 and restarted in accordance with national guidelines on 16/06/2020. Of 94 patients registered, vMDT review performed for 74 patients (18 screen fails prior to vMDT);50 randomised, 22 confirmed ineligible via vMDT (inc. >3 lesions, lesion >5cm, intracranial disease identified). Conclusion: The vMDT remains an important, novel aspect of the trial, ensuring robust patient selection ahead of randomisation. As the first randomised trial assessing SBRT benefit in this patient population, HALT will provide valuable treatment efficacy and safety information, informing subsequent trial design and contribute to the development of international guidelines for the identification and clinical management of oligoprogression in mutation positive lung cancer. Disclosure: No significant relationships.
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Introduction: Previously reported data on patients with thoracic malignancies who develop COVID-19 have suggested a higher mortality rate compared to the general population and to other cancer types, particularly in patients over 65 years of age or suffering from active or progressive disease. Preliminary data from other studies have suggested that gender and ethnicity may also impact patient outcomes. Methods: TERAVOLT is a multi-center, international observational study composed of a cross-sectional component and a longitudinal cohort component. Eligibility criteria include the presence of any thoracic cancer and a COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed in the laboratory with RT-PCR/serology, highly suspicious radiological and clinical findings, or suspected with symptoms and known contact with a positive person. The overarching goals of this consortium are to provide data for guidance to oncology professionals on managing patients with thoracic malignancies while understanding the risk factors for morbidity and mortality from this novel virus. Clinical outcomes including hospitalization, ICU admission, oxygen requirement and mortality were collected. The association between demographic/clinical characteristics and outcomes were measured with odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals using a logistic regression model. Results: As of August 20, 2020, a total of 1,053 patients with COVID-19 and thoracic cancers from 19 countries and 130 centers have been identified, including 42% females and 84% White, 9.3% African American, 25% Hispanic. The median age of male patients was 69 compared to 66 years of age for females. While ECOG PS was similar between treatment groups, 77% of males were admitted to hospital with a mortality rate of 37% compared to 66% of females with a mortality rate of 28%. The median age of African American patients was 66 years of age compared to 68 and 69 years of age for white and Hispanic patients, respectively;26% of African American and 25% White patients had an ECOG PS ≥2 compared to 19% of Hispanics. A similar percentage of patients were admitted to the hospital and ICU, while the mortality rate for Hispanics was 36% compared to 34% for whites and 26% for African Americans. Conclusion: Similar to the general population, the mortality rate of males with thoracic cancer is higher than females. Regarding ethnicity, there is a difference in the median age of African American patients compared to Whites and Hispanics. Although the severity of COVID-19 disease, as defined by hospital admission, is similar between ethnic groups, the mortality rate in Hispanics is higher. We will present a multivariate analysis of these data according to gender and ethnicity, including the impact of cancer stage, prior cancer therapy, and COVID-19 therapy on outcomes. Keywords: TERAVOLT, international COVID-19 registry, thoracic malignancies
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COVID-19 pandemic is taking a dangerous turn due to unavailability of approved and effective vaccines and therapy. Currently available diagnostic techniques are time-consuming, expensive, and maybe impacted by the mutations produced in the virus. Therefore, investigation of novel, rapid, and economic diagnosis techniques, prophylactic vaccines and targeted efficacious drug delivery systems as treatment strategy is imperative. Carbohydrates are essential biomolecules which also act as markers in the realization of immune systems. Moreover, they exhibit antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Carbohydrate-based vaccines and therapeutics including stimuli sensitive systems can be developed successfully and used effectively to fight COVID-19. Thus, carbohydrate-based diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic alternatives could be promising to defeat COVID-19 propitiously. Morphology of SARS-CoV-2 and its relevance in devising combat strategies has been discussed. Carbohydrate-based approaches for tackling infectious diseases and their importance in the design of various diagnostic and treatment modalities have been reviewed.
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Background: At the last update of the TERAVOLT registry, patients with thoracic malignancies and COVID-19showed a high mortality rate (35.5% overall and 31% due to COVID-19) compared to the general population and toother solid tumors. Major determinants of mortality were age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PerformanceStatus (ECOG-PS), and previous administration of chemotherapy. No cancer-specific data are available with respectto small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other rare thoracic malignancies. Methods: TERAVOLT is an international, multicenter observational registry launched to collect data on patients withthoracic malignancies diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. Risk factors for hospitalization and mortality wereidentified by Wilcoxon rank sum tests (continuous variables) or χ2 tests (categorical variables). Here we present thesubgroup analyses of SCLC and other rare thoracic malignancies, including malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), thymic carcinoma/thymoma, and carcinoid/neuroendocrine lung tumors. Results: As of June 4th, 2020, a total of 581 patients with COVID-19 and thoracic cancers have been entered;among them, 66 (11%) were SCLC, 22 (4%) were MPM, 18 (3%) were thymic carcinoma/thymoma, 12 (2%) werecarcinoid/neuroendocrine lung tumors, and 442 (76%) NSCLC;21 were an unknown type. Among SCLC patients,54% were > 65 years old, 56% were males, 98% were current/former smokers, 31% had an ECOG-PS ≥ 2, 67%had stage IV disease, 82% were on current oncologic treatment at the COVID-19 diagnosis, and 58% werereceiving chemotherapy alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Among other non-NSCLCpatients, 56% were > 65 years old, 56% were males, 69% were current/former smokers, 24% had an ECOG-PS ≥ 2,50% had stage IV disease, 52% were on current oncologic treatment at the COVID-19 diagnosis, and 37% werereceiving chemotherapy alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Overall, 79.7% of the patientsrequired hospitalization, 15.4% were admitted to an ICU, and 39.8% died (36.2% due to COVID-19). Among SCLCpatients, 74.2% required hospitalization, 14.3% were admitted to an ICU, and 42.2% died (37.5% due to COVID-19).Among SCLC patients, age > 65 years old (p=0.81), gender (p=0.71), smoking status (p=1.0), ECOG-PS ≥2(p=0.17), disease stage of IV (p=0.37), and having received chemotherapy alone or with checkpoint inhibitors(p=0.84) were not associated with mortality. Conclusions: This analysis confirmed that patients with thoracic malignancies have a high mortality and risk forhospitalization due to COVID-19 overall. SCLC patients showed the highest mortality rate among thoracic cancerpatients.
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Background: Globally, United Kingdom (UK) has the second highest mortality rate from COVID-19. Risk factors include cancer and lung disease;thus thoracic cancer pts are especially vulnerable. Methods: Thoracic cancer pts diagnosed with COVID-19 (PCR, radiological or clinical) at a UK academic centre between March-May 2020 were included. Data were extracted from pts records. Demographics, treatment and outcomes are described. Results: 27 pts were included, 12 (44%) diagnosed by PCR, 4 (15%) radiologically and 11 (41%) clinically. 89% had advanced thoracic malignancies. Symptoms included dyspnoea (52%), cough (67%), fever (59%), fatigue (37%), confusion (22%), diarrhoea (11%), anosmia (7%). 14 (52%) patients were hospitalised (median 6d);4 (15%) required intensive care (ICU), of which 3 died. 10 (37%) pts required oxygen, 4 (14%) required non invasive ventilation. No pts were intubated. Complications included pneumonia (26%), sepsis (11%) and ARDS (7%). 2 pts required home oxygen at discharge. 5 (19%) pts died;all were smokers. Median time from symptom onset to death was 10d (range 3-13). Cancer therapy was delayed or ceased in 11 (41%) patients. [Formula presented] Conclusions: Despite UK patient shielding and risk-minimizing therapy modifications, the immediate morbidity from COVID-19 remains high in thoracic cancer pts. Rates of hospitalisation and treatment interruption were high. Although numbers were small, no deaths occurred in never smokers or pts on single modality therapy. Continued follow up is needed to better understand the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on morbidity and subsequent mortality. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: A.R. Minchom: Honoraria (self): Loxo Oncology;Honoraria (self): Janssen Pharmaceuticals;Honoraria (self): Faron Pharmaceuticals;Honoraria (self): Bayer Pharmaceuticals;Honoraria (self): Novartis Oncology;Honoraria (self): Merck Pharmaceuticals. M. Ahmed: Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (self): BMS;Research grant/Funding (self): MSD;Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: AstraZeneca. F. McDonald: Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Elekta;Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Astra Zeneca;Advisory/Consultancy: Accuray;Research grant/Funding (institution): MSD. S. Popat: Advisory/Consultancy: BMS;Advisory/Consultancy: Roche;Advisory/Consultancy: Takeda;Advisory/Consultancy: Astra Zeneca;Advisory/Consultancy: Pfizer;Advisory/Consultancy: MSD;Advisory/Consultancy: EMD Serono;Advisory/Consultancy: Guardant Health;Advisory/Consultancy: Abbvie;Advisory/Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim;Advisory/Consultancy: OncLive;Advisory/Consultancy: Medscape;Advisory/Consultancy: Incyte;Advisory/Consultancy: Paradox Pharmaceuticals;Advisory/Consultancy: Eli Lilly. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.