PEOPLE (NCT03447678), a first-line phase II pembrolizumab trial, in negative and low PD-L1 advanced NSCLC: clinical outcomes and association with circulating immune biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: The PEOPLE trial aimed to identify new immune biomarkers in negative and low programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) (0%-49%) advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients treated with first-line pembrolizumab. Here we report the main outcomes and the circulating immune biomarkers analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The primary endpoint of this phase II trial was the identification of immune biomarkers associated with progression-free survival (PFS). Overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR) and safety were secondary endpoints. Absolute cell counts for 36 subsets belonging to innate and adaptive immunity were determined by multiparametric flow cytometry in peripheral blood at baseline and at first radiologic evaluation. An orthoblique principal components-based clustering approach and multivariable Cox regression model adjusted for clinical variables were used to analyze immune variables and their correlation with clinical endpoints. RESULTS: From May 2018 to October 2020, 65 patients were enrolled. After a median follow-up of 26.4 months, the median PFS was 2.9 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-5.6 months] and median OS was 12.1 months (95% CI 8.7-17.1 months). The ORR was 21.5%, DCR was 47.7% and median DoR was 14.5 months (95% CI 6.4-24.9 months). Drug-related grade 3-4 adverse events were 9.2%. Higher T cell and natural killer (NK) cell count at baseline and at the first radiologic evaluation were associated with improved PFS, DCR and OS. On the contrary, higher myeloid cell count at baseline or at the first radiologic evaluation was significantly associated with worse OS and DCR. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating immune biomarkers can contribute to predict outcomes in negative and low PD-L1 aNSCLC patients treated with first-line single-agent pembrolizumab.

The role of follow-up after treatment for gynecologic cancer.

The quality of life of the genital cancer patient may be considered in its many different aspects and principally from a medical, sexual and psychological point of view. In order to verify whether a substantial modification of the variable "anxiety" and of the bipolar axis male-female exists, we are conducting a research on our patients undergoing oncologic follow-up (806 patients, treated from 1975 to 1990). The result shows that the state "anxiety" decreases after follow-up examination; on the contrary to trait "anxiety" increases before and after follow-up examination. More complete information could perhaps be obtained having knowledge of the patient's personality, attitudes, feelings etc.

Multiple carboxylase deficiency: clinical and biochemical improvement following neonatal biotin treatment.

Multiple carboxylase deficiency is characterized by deficient activities of three biotin-dependent enzymes, propionyl coenzyme A carboxylase, pyruvate carboxylase, and beta-methylcrotonyl coenzyme A carboxylase. A newborn infant was seen with metabolic ketoacidosis, hyperammonemia, organic aciduria, seizures, and coma. Multiple carboxylase deficiency was subsequently confirmed by enzyme activity determinations in his peripheral blood leukocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts. The infant's neurologic and metabolic status improved markedly within a few days of administration of pharmacologic doses of oral biotin. His EEG, which was distinctly abnormal, became normal; his extensive computed tomography scan changes resolved, with the exception of ventricular dilation, over the next two months. After two weeks of biotin treatment the excretion of abnormal organic acid metabolites was reduced and his carboxylase activities increased to the normal range. However, the activities of these enzymes increased only to 30% to 55% of normal in fibroblasts incubated in supplemental biotin. This partial correction of enzyme activity differs from that observed in other individuals with multiple carboxylase deficiency and suggests biochemical heterogeneity in this disorder. Prompt diagnosis and intervention can avert some of the pathologic complications of this biotin-responsive condition.