Computational repurposing of oncology drugs through off-target drug binding interactions from pharmacological databases.

PURPOSE: Systematic repurposing of approved medicines for another indication may accelerate drug development in oncology. We present a strategy combining biomarker testing with drug repurposing to identify new treatments for patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Tumours were sequenced with the Illumina TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO-500) platform or the FoundationOne CDx panel. Mutations were screened by two medical oncologists and pathogenic mutations were categorised referencing literature. Variants of unknown significance were classified as potentially pathogenic using plausible mechanisms and computational prediction of pathogenicity. Gain of function (GOF) mutations were evaluated through repurposing databases Probe Miner (PM), Broad Institute Drug Repurposing Hub (Broad Institute DRH) and TOPOGRAPH. GOF mutations were repurposing events if identified in PM, not indexed in TOPOGRAPH and excluding mutations with a known Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved biomarker. The computational repurposing approach was validated by evaluating its ability to identify FDA-approved biomarkers. The total repurposable genome was identified by evaluating all possible gene-FDA drug-approved combinations in the PM dataset. RESULTS: The computational repurposing approach was accurate at identifying FDA therapies with known biomarkers (94%). Using next-generation sequencing molecular reports (n = 94), a meaningful percentage of patients (14%) could have an off-label therapeutic identified. The frequency of theoretical drug repurposing events in The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer dataset was 73% of the samples in the cohort. CONCLUSION: A computational drug repurposing approach may assist in identifying novel repurposing events in cancer patients with no access to standard therapies. Further validation is needed to confirm a precision oncology approach using drug repurposing.

Symptomatic brain metastases in melanoma.

Although clinical outcomes in metastatic melanoma have improved in recent years, the morbidity and mortality of symptomatic brain metastases remain challenging. Response rates and survival outcomes of patients with symptomatic melanoma brain metastases (MBM) are significantly inferior to patients with asymptomatic disease. This review focusses upon the specific challenges associated with the management of symptomatic MBM, discussing current treatment paradigms, obstacles to improving clinical outcomes and directions for future research.

Sustained Clinical Response to Immunotherapy Followed by BET Inhibitor in a Patient with Unresectable Sinonasal NUT Carcinoma.

NUT carcinomas (NCs) are a group of rare tumors that can occur anywhere in the body and are defined by the fusion of the nuclear protein in testis (NUTM1) resulting in increased transcription of proto-oncogenes. NCs have a poor prognosis that varies according to the site of origin with an urgent need to develop new treatment strategies. Case reports on immunotherapy in pulmonary NC have been published, and bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors have shown activity in NC in phase I/II trials. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with an unresectable sinonasal NC who had a sustained clinical response to both immunotherapy and BET inhibitor therapy. This is the first reported case of immunotherapy in sinonasal NC, and it highlights the different responses to a range of treatments including BET inhibitor therapy. This case supports the theory that NCs arising from different primary sites have differing prognoses.

A systematic review of the impact of brain tumours on risk of motor vehicle crashes.

PURPOSE: Brain tumours are associated with neurocognitive impairments that are important for safe driving. Driving is vital to maintaining patient autonomy, despite this there is limited research on driving capacity amongst patients with brain tumours. The purpose of this review is to examine MVC risk in patients with brain tumours to inform development of clearer driving guidelines. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using Medline and EMBASE. Observational studies were included. The outcome of interest was MVC or measured risk of MVC in patients with benign or malignant brain tumours. Descriptive analysis and synthesis without meta-analysis were used to summarise findings. A narrative review of driving guidelines from Australia, United Kingdom and Canada was completed. RESULTS: Three studies were included in this review. One cohort study, one cross-sectional study and one case-control study were included (19,135 participants) across United States and Finland. One study evaluated the incidence of MVC in brain tumour patients, revealing no difference in MVC rates. Two studies measured MVC risk using driving simulation and cognitive testing. Patients found at higher risk of MVC had greater degrees of memory and visual attention impairments. However, predictive patient and tumour characteristics of MVC risk were heterogeneous across studies. Overall, driving guidelines had clear recommendations on selected conditions like seizures but were vague surrounding neurocognitive deficits. CONCLUSION: Limited data exists regarding driving behaviour and MVC incidence in brain tumour patients. Existing guidelines inadequately address neurocognitive complexities in this group. Future studies evaluating real-world data is required to inform development of more applicable driving guidelines. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO 2023 CRD42023434608.

Globe Salvage and Vision Preservation by Neoadjuvant Darovasertib and Crizotinib in Uveal Melanoma.

PURPOSE: To report the effective use of neoadjuvant darovasertib and crizotinib in a patient with a large uveal melanoma (UM) in his only functional eye. DESIGN: Case report. SUBJECTS: One patient with T4b UM. INTERVENTION: Neoadjuvant darovasertib and crizotinib, followed by plaque brachytherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Objective tumor response and conversion from planned enucleation to placement of fovea- and optic nerve-sparing plaque brachytherapy. RESULTS: A patient with a history of left eye blindness from retinal artery occlusion presented with rapidly declining right eye vision due to a primary UM measuring 18 mm in maximal diameter and 16.5 mm in maximal thickness. To salvage vision, neoadjuvant treatment was initiated using darovasertib and crizotinib. After 6 months of neoadjuvant treatment, which included intraocular lens replacement for tumor-associated cataract, the tumor regressed to 14.1 mm in maximal diameter and 2.6 mm in maximal thickness, enabling treatment with plaque brachytherapy rather than enucleation. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of darovasertib and crizotinib for UM is an effective neoadjuvant strategy that warrants further investigation as an approach to improve visual outcomes from the treatment of primary UM. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The other authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

UHRF1/UBE2L6/UBR4-mediated ubiquitination regulates EZH2 abundance and thereby melanocytic differentiation phenotypes in melanoma.

Cellular heterogeneity in cancer is linked to disease progression and therapy response, although mechanisms regulating distinct cellular states within tumors are not well understood. We identified melanin pigment content as a major source of cellular heterogeneity in melanoma and compared RNAseq data from high-pigmented (HPCs) and low-pigmented melanoma cells (LPCs), suggesting EZH2 as a master regulator of these states. EZH2 protein was found to be upregulated in LPCs and inversely correlated with melanin deposition in pigmented patient melanomas. Surprisingly, conventional EZH2 methyltransferase inhibitors, GSK126 and EPZ6438, had no effect on LPC survival, clonogenicity and pigmentation, despite fully inhibiting methyltransferase activity. In contrast, EZH2 silencing by siRNA or degradation by DZNep or MS1943 inhibited growth of LPCs and induced HPCs. As the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 induced EZH2 protein in HPCs, we evaluated ubiquitin pathway proteins in HPC vs LPCs. Biochemical assays and animal studies demonstrated that in LPCs, the E2-conjugating enzyme UBE2L6 depletes EZH2 protein in cooperation with UBR4, an E3 ligase, via ubiquitination at EZH2's K381 residue, and is downregulated in LPCs by UHRF1-mediated CpG methylation. Targeting UHRF1/UBE2L6/UBR4-mediated regulation of EZH2 offers potential for modulating the activity of this oncoprotein in contexts in which conventional EZH2 methyltransferase inhibitors are ineffective.

Phase 1, dose-escalation study of guadecitabine (SGI-110) in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Data suggest that immunomodulation induced by DNA hypomethylating agents can sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We conducted a phase 1 dose-escalation trial (NCT02998567) of guadecitabine and pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. We hypothesized that guadecitabine will overcome pembrolizumab resistance. METHODS: Patients received guadecitabine (45 mg/m2 or 30 mg/m2, administered subcutaneously on days 1-4), with pembrolizumab (200 mg administered intravenously starting from cycle 2 onwards) every 3 weeks. Primary endpoints were safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose; secondary and exploratory endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), changes in methylome, transcriptome, immune contextures in pre-treatment and on-treatment tumor biopsies. RESULTS: Between January 2017 and January 2020, 34 patients were enrolled. The recommended phase II dose was guadecitabine 30 mg/m2, days 1-4, and pembrolizumab 200 mg on day 1 every 3 weeks. Two dose-limiting toxicities (neutropenia, febrile neutropenia) were reported at guadecitabine 45 mg/m2 with none reported at guadecitabine 30 mg/m2. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were neutropenia (58.8%), fatigue (17.6%), febrile neutropenia (11.8%) and nausea (11.8%). Common, grade 3+ TRAEs were neutropaenia (38.2%) and febrile neutropaenia (11.8%). There were no treatment-related deaths. Overall, 30 patients were evaluable for antitumor activity; ORR was 7% with 37% achieving disease control (progression-free survival) for ≥24 weeks. Of 12 evaluable patients with non-small cell lung cancer, 10 had been previously treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors with 5 (42%) having disease control ≥24 weeks (clinical benefit). Reduction in LINE-1 DNA methylation following treatment in blood (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and tissue samples was demonstrated and methylation at transcriptional start site and 5' untranslated region gene regions showed enriched negative correlation with gene expression. Increases in intra-tumoural effector T-cells were seen in some responding patients. Patients having clinical benefit had high baseline inflammatory signature on RNAseq analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Guadecitabine in combination with pembrolizumab is tolerable with biological and anticancer activity. Reversal of previous resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors is demonstrated.

A phase 1 safety and bioimaging trial of antibody DS-8895a against EphA2 in patients with advanced or metastatic EphA2 positive cancers.

Ephrin type-A 2 (EphA2) is a transmembrane receptor expressed in epithelial cancers. We report on a phase I dose escalation and biodistribution study of DS-8895a, an anti-EphA2 antibody, in patients with advanced EphA2 positive cancers. DS-8895a was administered at 1, 3, 10 or 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks to determine safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor efficacy. All patients underwent 89Zr trace-labelled infusion of DS-8895a (89Zr-DS-8995a) positron emission tomography imaging to determine the biodistribution of DS-8895a, and correlate findings with EphA2 expression, receptor saturation and response. Nine patients were enrolled on study. Of patients enrolled, seven patients received at least one infusion of DS-8895a: four patients received 1 mg/kg dose (Cohort 1) and three patients received 3 mg/kg dose (Cohort 2). Median age was 67.0 years (range 52-81), majority male (71%), and median number of prior systemic therapies was three (range 0-8). The primary cancer diagnosis was colorectal cancer (two patients) and one patient each had gastric, head and neck, high-grade serous adenocarcinoma, lung, and pancreatic cancers. No dose-limiting toxicities or treatment-related adverse events reported. The best response for the patients in Cohort 1 was stable disease and in Cohort 2 was progressive disease. 89Zr-DS-8895a demonstrated no normal tissue uptake and specific low-grade uptake in most tumours. DS-8895a had limited therapeutic efficacy at doses evaluated and 89Zr-DS-8895a demonstrated low tumour uptake. The biodistribution data from this study were key in halting further development of DS-8895a, highlighting the importance of biodistribution studies in drug development. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02252211).

Dramatic clinical response in the treatment of small cell glioblastoma multiforme.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Small cell glioblastoma (scGBM) is a rare subtype of primary glioblastoma, which typically behave more aggressively compared with classical glioblastoma (GBMs). They are generally associated with poor responses to treatment, and optimal treatment is not known. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 51-year-old woman with scGBM with O6 -methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, demonstrating an unexpected dramatic clinical response to chemoradiotherapy. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This case highlights that treatment with temozolomide-based chemoradiotherapy is justified in patients with scGBM, despite their poor prognosis. MGMT methylation may be associated with clinical responses.

Tumor volumes as a predictor of response to the anti-EGFR antibody drug conjugate depatuxizumab mafadotin.

BACKGROUND: The adverse impact of increasing brain tumor size on the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) was investigated preclinically then validated with clinical data. METHODS­PRECLINICAL STUDY: The impact of tumor size on ADC tumor delivery and treatment response was evaluated in an EGFR-amplified patient-derived glioblastoma (GBM) model following treatment with Depatuxizumab mafadotin (Depatux-M). Biodistribution and imaging studies correlated drug distribution with starting treatment volume and anti-tumor activity. METHODS­CLINICAL STUDY: M12-356 was a Phase I study of Depatux-M in patients with GBM. Blinded volumetric analysis of baseline tumor volumes of M12-356 patients was undertaken by two reviewers and results correlated with response and survival. RESULTS: Preclinically, imaging and biodistribution studies showed specific and significantly higher tumor uptake of zirconium-89 labeled Depatux-M (89Zr-Depatux-M) in mice with smaller tumor volume (~98 mm3) versus those with larger volumes (~365 mm3); concordantly, mice with tumor volumes ≤100 mm3 at treatment commencement had significantly better growth inhibition by Depatux-M (93% vs 27%, P < .001) and significantly longer overall survival (P < .0001) compared to tumors ≥400 mm3. Clinically, patients with tumor volumes <25 cm3 had significantly higher response rates (17% vs. 0%, P = .009) and longer overall survival (0.5 vs 0.89 years, P = .001) than tumors above 25 cm3. CONCLUSION: Both preclinical and clinical data showed intra-tumoral concentration and efficacy of Depatux-m inversely correlated with tumor size. This finding merit further investigation with pretreatment tumor volume as a predictor for response to ADCs, in both gliomas and other solid tumors.

First-in-human Phase 1 open label study of the BET inhibitor ODM-207 in patients with selected solid tumours.

BACKGROUND: Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are reported to be epigenetic anti-cancer drug targets. This first-in-human study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary anti-tumour activity of the BET inhibitor ODM-207 in patients with selected solid tumours. METHODS: This was an open-label Phase 1 study comprised of a dose escalation part, and evaluation of the effect of food on pharmacokinetics. ODM-207 was administered orally once daily. The dose escalation part was initiated with a dose titration in the initial cohort, followed by a 3 + 3 design. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were treated with ODM-207, of whom 12 (34%) had castrate-resistant prostate cancer. One dose-limiting toxicity of intolerable fatigue was observed. The highest studied dose achieved was 2 mg/kg due to cumulative toxicity observed beyond the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) treatment window. Common AEs included thrombocytopenia, asthenia, nausea, anorexia, diarrhoea, fatigue, and vomiting. Platelet count decreased proportionally to exposure with rapid recovery upon treatment discontinuation. No partial or complete responses were observed. CONCLUSIONS: ODM-207 shows increasing exposure in dose escalation and was safe at doses up to 2 mg/kg but had a narrow therapeutic window. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial registration number is NCT03035591.

Radiological Patterns of Drug-induced Interstitial Lung Disease (DILD) in Early-phase Oncology Clinical Trials.

PURPOSE: Drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DILD) is a rare, but potentially fatal toxicity. Clinical and radiological features of DILD in the early experimental setting are poorly described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2,499 consecutive patients with advanced cancer on phase I clinical trials were included. DILD was identified by a dedicated radiologist and investigators, categorized per internationally recognized radiological patterns, and graded per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and the Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) DILD score. Clinical and radiological features of DILD were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty patients overall (2.4%) developed DILD. Median time to onset of DILD was 63 days (range, 14-336 days). A total of 45% of patients who developed DILD were clinically asymptomatic. Incidence was highest in patients receiving drug conjugates (7.4%), followed by inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway (3.9%). The most common pattern seen was hypersensitivity pneumonitis (33.3%), followed by nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (30%), and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (26.7%). A higher DILD score [OR, 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-1.81; P < 0.001] and the pattern of DILD (OR, 5.83 for acute interstitial pneumonia; 95% CI, 0.38-90.26; P = 0.002) were significantly associated with a higher CTCAE grading. The only predictive factor for an improvement in DILD was an interruption of treatment (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.35; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: DILD in early-phase clinical trials is a toxicity of variable onset, with diverse clinical and radiological findings. Radiological findings precede clinical symptoms. The extent of the affected lung parenchyma, scored by the RMH DILD score, correlates with clinical presentation. Most events are low grade, and improve with treatment interruption, which should be considered early.

The kinase polypharmacology landscape of clinical PARP inhibitors.

Polypharmacology plays an important role in defining response and adverse effects of drugs. For some mechanisms, experimentally mapping polypharmacology is commonplace, although this is typically done within the same protein class. Four PARP inhibitors have been approved by the FDA as cancer therapeutics, yet a precise mechanistic rationale to guide clinicians on which to choose for a particular patient is lacking. The four drugs have largely similar PARP family inhibition profiles, but several differences at the molecular and clinical level have been reported that remain poorly understood. Here, we report the first comprehensive characterization of the off-target kinase landscape of four FDA-approved PARP drugs. We demonstrate that all four PARP inhibitors have a unique polypharmacological profile across the kinome. Niraparib and rucaparib inhibit DYRK1s, CDK16 and PIM3 at clinically achievable, submicromolar concentrations. These kinases represent the most potently inhibited off-targets of PARP inhibitors identified to date and should be investigated further to clarify their potential implications for efficacy and safety in the clinic. Moreover, broad kinome profiling is recommended for the development of PARP inhibitors as PARP-kinase polypharmacology could potentially be exploited to modulate efficacy and side-effect profiles.

Combination of BRAF and MEK inhibition in BRAF V600E mutant low-grade ganglioglioma.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Post-surgical management of low grade gangliogliomas is controversial with paucity of data for the use of chemotherapy. BRAF mutations are present in a number of glioma subtypes and offer an opportunity for treatment with targeted therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 32-year-old man with an unresectable, BRAF V600E mutant, WHO grade 1 ganglioglioma is commenced on combination BRAF and MEK inhibition (vemurafenib and cobimetinib). Partial radiological and clinical response was noted after 13 weeks of treatment. Treatment complication with grade 2 skin and liver toxicity was resolved with dose interruption and reduction. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Combination BRAF and MEK inhibition present a safe and feasible treatment strategy in unresectable BRAF V600E mutant low grade ganglioglioma.

To Cycle or Fight-CDK4/6 Inhibitors at the Crossroads of Anticancer Immunity.

Dysregulation of cell division resulting in aberrant cell proliferation is a key hallmark of cancer, making it a rational and important target for innovative anticancer drug development. Three selective cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors are FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved for hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. A major emerging appreciation is that these inhibitors not only are cytostatic, but also play critical roles in the interaction between tumor cells and the host immune response. However, to trigger an effective immune response, lymphocytes must also proliferate. This review aims to assimilate our emerging understanding on the role of CDK4/6 inhibitors in cell-cycle control, as well as their biological effect on T cells and other key immune cells, and the confluence of preclinical evidence of augmentation of anticancer immunity by these drugs. We aim to provide a framework for understanding the role of the cell cycle in anticancer immunity, discussing ongoing clinical trials evaluating this concept and challenges for developing rational combinations with immunotherapy.

Anti-angiogenic therapy for high-grade glioma.

BACKGROUND: This is an updated version of the original Cochrane Review published in September 2014. The most common primary brain tumours in adults are gliomas. Gliomas span a spectrum from low to high grade and are graded pathologically on a scale of one to four according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. High-grade glioma (HGG) carries a poor prognosis. Grade IV glioma is known as glioblastoma and carries a median survival in treated patients of about 15 months. Glioblastomas are rich in blood vessels (i.e. highly vascular) and also rich in a protein known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that promotes new blood vessel formation (the process of angiogenesis). Anti-angiogenic agents inhibit the process of new blood vessel formation and promote regression of existing vessels. Several anti-angiogenic agents have been investigated in clinical trials, both in newly diagnosed and recurrent HGG, showing preliminary promising results. This review was undertaken to report on the benefits and harms associated with the use of anti-angiogenic agents in the treatment of HGGs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of anti-angiogenic therapy in people with high-grade glioma (HGG). The intervention can be used in two broad groups: at first diagnosis as part of 'adjuvant' therapy, or in the setting of recurrent disease. SEARCH METHODS: We conducted updated searches to identify published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 9), MEDLINE and Embase to October 2018. We handsearched proceedings of relevant oncology conferences up to 2018. We also searched trial registries for ongoing studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: RCTs evaluating the use of anti-angiogenic therapy to treat HGG versus the same therapy without anti-angiogenic therapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Review authors screened the search results and reviewed the abstracts of potentially relevant articles before retrieving the full text of eligible articles. MAIN RESULTS: After a comprehensive literature search, we identified 11 eligible RCTs (3743 participants), of which 7 were included in the original review (2987 participants). There was significant design heterogeneity in the included studies, especially in the response assessment criteria used. All eligible studies were restricted to glioblastomas and there were no eligible studies evaluating other HGGs. Ten studies were available as fully published peer-reviewed manuscripts, and one study was available in abstract form. The overall risk of bias in included studies was low. This risk was based upon low rates of selection bias, detection bias, attrition bias and reporting bias. The 11 studies included in this review did not show an improvement in overall survival with the addition of anti-angiogenic therapy (pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 1.02; P = 0.16; 11 studies, 3743 participants; high-certainty evidence). However, pooled analysis from 10 studies (3595 participants) showed improvement in progression-free survival with the addition of anti-angiogenic therapy (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.79; P < 0.00001; high-certainty evidence).We carried out additional analyses of overall survival and progression-free survival according to treatment setting and for anti-angiogenic therapy combined with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. Pooled analysis of overall survival in either the adjuvant or recurrent setting did not show an improvement (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.02; P = 0.12; 8 studies, 2833 participants; high-certainty evidence and HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.16; P = 0.90; 3 studies, 910 participants; moderate-certainty evidence, respectively). Pooled analysis of overall survival for anti-angiogenic therapy combined with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy also did not clearly show an improvement (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.00; P = 0.05; 11 studies, 3506 participants; low-certainty evidence). The progression-free survival in the subgroups all showed findings that demonstrated improvements in progression-free survival with the addition of anti-angiogenic therapy. Pooled analysis of progression-free survival in both the adjuvant and recurrent setting showed an improvement (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.82; P < 0.00001; 8 studies, 2833 participants; high-certainty evidence and HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.76; P < 0.00001; 2 studies, 762 participants; moderate-certainty evidence, respectively). Pooled analysis of progression-free survival for anti-angiogenic therapy combined with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone showed an improvement (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.77; P < 0.00001; 10 studies, 3464 participants). Similar to trials of anti-angiogenic therapies in other solid tumours, adverse events related to this class of therapy included hypertension and proteinuria, poor wound healing, and the potential for thromboembolic events, although generally, the rate of grade 3 and 4 adverse events was low (< 14.1%) and in keeping with the literature. The impact of anti-angiogenic therapy on quality of life varied between studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The use of anti-angiogenic therapy does not significantly improve overall survival in newly diagnosed people with glioblastoma. Thus, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of anti-angiogenic therapy for people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma at this time. Overall there is a lack of evidence of a survival advantage for anti-angiogenic therapy over chemotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma. When considering the combination anti-angiogenic therapy with chemotherapy compared with the same chemotherapy alone, there may possibly be a small improvement in overall survival. While there is strong evidence that bevacizumab (an anti-angiogenic drug) prolongs progression-free survival in newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma, the impact of this on quality of life and net clinical benefit for patients remains unclear. Not addressed here is whether subsets of people with glioblastoma may benefit from anti-angiogenic therapies, nor their utility in other HGG histologies.

A study of 1088 consecutive cases of electrolyte abnormalities in oncology phase I trials.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and clinical significance of electrolyte abnormalities (EAs) in phase I clinical trials are unknown. The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence and severity of EAs, graded according to CTCAE, v4.03, to identify variables associated with EAs and their prognostic significance in a phase I population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 1088 cases in 82 phase I clinical trials consecutively treated from 2011 to 2015 at the Drug Development Unit of the Royal Marsden Hospital. Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between overall survival (OS) and baseline characteristics, treating the occurrence of grade III/IV EAs as a time-varying covariate. RESULTS: The most common emergent EAs (all grades) were as follows: hyponatraemia 62%, hypokalaemia 40%, hypophosphataemia 32%, hypomagnesaemia 17% and hypocalcaemia 12%. Grade III/IV EAs occurred in 19% of cases. Grade III/IV EAs occurred during the dose-limiting toxicity window in 8.46% of cases. Diarrhoea was associated with hypomagnesaemia at all grades (p < 0.001), hyponatraemia at all grades (p = 0.006) and with G3/G4 hypokalaemia (p = 0.02). Baseline hypoalbuminaemia and hyponatraemia were associated with a higher risk of developing other EAs during the trial in the univariate analysis. Patients who developed grade III/IV EAs during follow-up had an inferior median OS (26 weeks vs 37 weeks, hazard ratio = 1.61; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate the clinical significance of baseline hypoalbuminaemia and hyponatraemia, which are predictors of development of other EAs in phase I patients. Grade III/IV EAs are adverse prognostic factors of OS independent of serum albumin levels.

A single-institution prospective evaluation of a neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team meeting.

Multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDTs) are considered essential to quality cancer care. For some malignancies, MDTs have been associated with improved outcomes, but data regarding the neuro-oncology MDT is limited. We prospectively described the MDT at our institution and evaluated its impact on clinical management. Cases were discussed amongst the treating team and a pre-MDT plan and reason for discussion (RFD) was documented before the MDT. Patient specific clinical data was captured prospectively, with further pathological and radiological information captured during the MDT. Subsequently, the MDT consensus decision was recorded. High impact decisions (HID) were those in which the pre-MDT plan was substantially modified. A HID rate of >10% was considered clinically significant. Adherence to MDT recommendations was recorded. Seventy-nine cases were discussed at the MDT. Fifty-two cases (66%) were male. The median age was 53 (17-84). Thirty-three cases were new diagnoses and the remainder were relapsed/progressive disease. Thirty-nine cases were primary brain tumours, 25 were metastatic tumours and 15 were other. Twenty-eight (35%) had HID. No RFDs were statistically significantly associated with a HID (p = 0.265). Adherence data was collected for 95% (75) of cases. Treatment concordance with the MDT plan occurred in 90% (67) of cases. For cases of non-concordance, six out of eight (75%) were due to patient choice. Overall, a clinically significant proportion of treatment modifications are made at the neuro-oncology MDT. There were no case types which did not benefit from MDT discussion. MDT recommendations were largely adhered to, and in cases of non-concordance, were largely due to patient choice.

Clinical outcomes of adolescents and young adults with advanced solid tumours participating in phase I trials.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with advanced solid tumours are often considered for phase I clinical trials with novel agents. The outcome of AYAs in these trials have not been described before. AIM: To study the outcome of AYA patients in phase I clinical trials. METHODS: Clinical trial data of AYAs (defined as aged 15-39 years at diagnosis) treated at the Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, between 2002 and 2016, were analysed. RESULTS: From a prospectively maintained database of 2631 patients treated in phase I trials, 219 AYA patients (8%) were identified. Major tumour types included gynaecological cancer (25%) and sarcoma (18%). Twenty-five (11%) had a known hereditary cancer syndrome (most commonly BRCA). Molecular characterisation of tumours (n = 45) identified mutations most commonly in TP53 (33%), PI3KCA (18%) and KRAS (9%). Therapeutic targets of trials included DNA damage repair (16%), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) (16%) and angiogenesis (16%). Grade 3/4 toxicities were experienced in 26% of patients. Of the 214 evaluable patients, objective response rate was 12%, with clinical benefit rate at 6 months of 22%. Median overall survival (OS) was 7.5 months (95% confidence interval: 6.3-9.5), and 2-year OS was 11%. Of patients with responses, 36% were matched to phase I trials based on germline or somatic genetic aberrations. CONCLUSION: We describe the outcome of the largest cohort of AYA patients treated in phase I trials. A subgroup of these patients demonstrates benefit, with several durable responses beyond 2 years. A sizeable proportion of AYA patients have cancer syndromes, significant family history or somatic molecular aberrancies which may influence novel therapeutic treatment options.

CNS cancer immunity cycle and strategies to target this for glioblastoma.

Immunotherapeutics have revolutionized the management of solid malignancies over the last few years. Nevertheless, despite relative successes of checkpoint inhibitors in numerous solid tumour types, success in tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) has been lacking. There are several possible reasons for the relative lack of success of immunotherapeutics in this setting, including the immune microenvironment of glioblastoma, lymphocyte tracking through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system and impairment of drug delivery into the CNS through the BBB. This review utilizes the cancer-immunity cycle as a conceptual framework through which the specific challenges associated with the development of immunotherapeutics for CNS malignancies can be viewed.