Summary Background Cabozantinib is an oral inhibitor of tyrosine kinases including MET, VEGFR, and AXL. The randomised phase 3 METEOR trial compared the efficacy and safety of cabozantinib versus the ...mTOR inhibitor everolimus in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who progressed after previous VEGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor treatment. Here, we report the final overall survival results from this study based on an unplanned second interim analysis. Methods In this open-label, randomised phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 18 years and older with advanced or metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, measurable disease, and previous treatment with one or more VEGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors to receive 60 mg cabozantinib once a day or 10 mg everolimus once a day. Randomisation was done with an interactive voice and web response system. Stratification factors were Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk group and the number of previous treatments with VEGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival as assessed by an independent radiology review committee in the first 375 randomly assigned patients and has been previously reported. Secondary endpoints were overall survival and objective response in all randomly assigned patients assessed by intention-to-treat. Safety was assessed per protocol in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. The study is closed for enrolment but treatment and follow-up of patients is ongoing for long-term safety evaluation. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01865747. Findings Between Aug 8, 2013, and Nov 24, 2014, 658 patients were randomly assigned to receive cabozantinib (n=330) or everolimus (n=328). The median duration of follow-up for overall survival and safety was 18·7 months (IQR 16·1–21·1) in the cabozantinib group and 18·8 months (16·0–21·2) in the everolimus group. Median overall survival was 21·4 months (95% CI 18·7–not estimable) with cabozantinib and 16·5 months (14·7–18·8) with everolimus (hazard ratio HR 0·66 95% CI 0·53–0·83; p=0·00026). Cabozantinib treatment also resulted in improved progression-free survival (HR 0·51 95% CI 0·41–0·62; p<0·0001) and objective response (17% 13–22 with cabozantinib vs 3% 2–6 with everolimus; p<0·0001) per independent radiology review among all randomised patients. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were hypertension (49 15% in the cabozantinib group vs 12 4% in the everolimus group), diarrhoea (43 13% vs 7 2%), fatigue (36 11% vs 24 7%), palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (27 8% vs 3 1%), anaemia (19 6% vs 53 17%), hyperglycaemia (3 1% vs 16 5%), and hypomagnesaemia (16 5% vs none). Serious adverse events grade 3 or worse occurred in 130 (39%) patients in the cabozantinib group and in 129 (40%) in the everolimus group. One treatment-related death occurred in the cabozantinib group (death; not otherwise specified) and two occurred in the everolimus group (one aspergillus infection and one pneumonia aspiration). Interpretation Treatment with cabozantinib increased overall survival, delayed disease progression, and improved the objective response compared with everolimus. Based on these results, cabozantinib should be considered as a new standard-of-care treatment option for previously treated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Patients should be monitored for adverse events that might require dose modifications. Funding Exelixis Inc.
Summary Background The International Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium model offers prognostic information for patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. We tested the accuracy ...of the model in an external population and compared it with other prognostic models. Methods We included patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma who were treated with first-line VEGF-targeted treatment at 13 international cancer centres and who were registered in the Consortium's database but had not contributed to the initial development of the Consortium Database model. The primary endpoint was overall survival. We compared the Database Consortium model with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) model, the International Kidney Cancer Working Group (IKCWG) model, the French model, and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) model by concordance indices and other measures of model fit. Findings Overall, 1028 patients were included in this study, of whom 849 had complete data to assess the Database Consortium model. Median overall survival was 18·8 months (95% 17·6–21·4). The predefined Database Consortium risk factors (anaemia, thrombocytosis, neutrophilia, hypercalcaemia, Karnofsky performance status <80%, and <1 year from diagnosis to treatment) were independent predictors of poor overall survival in the external validation set (hazard ratios ranged between 1·27 and 2·08, concordance index 0·71, 95% CI 0·68–0·73). When patients were segregated into three risk categories, median overall survival was 43·2 months (95% CI 31·4–50·1) in the favourable risk group (no risk factors; 157 patients), 22·5 months (18·7–25·1) in the intermediate risk group (one to two risk factors; 440 patients), and 7·8 months (6·5–9·7) in the poor risk group (three or more risk factors; 252 patients; p<0·0001; concordance index 0·664, 95% CI 0·639–0·689). 672 patients had complete data to test all five models. The concordance index of the CCF model was 0·662 (95% CI 0·636–0·687), of the French model 0·640 (0·614–0·665), of the IKCWG model 0·668 (0·645–0·692), and of the MSKCC model 0·657 (0·632–0·682). The reported versus predicted number of deaths at 2 years was most similar in the Database Consortium model compared with the other models. Interpretation The Database Consortium model is now externally validated and can be applied to stratify patients by risk in clinical trials and to counsel patients about prognosis. Funding None.
Summary Background Previous prognostic models for second-line systemic therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma have not been studied in the setting of targeted therapy. We sought to ...validate the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) model in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving next-line targeted therapy after progression on first-line targeted therapy. Methods In this population-based study, we analysed patients who received second-line targeted therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma at 19 centres in Canada, USA, Greece, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Denmark. The primary endpoint was overall survival since the initiation of second-line therapy. We compared the prognostic performance of the IMDC model with the three-factor MSKCC model used for previously treated patients for overall survival since the start of second-line targeted therapy. Findings Between Jan 1, 2005, and Nov 30, 2012, we included 1021 patients treated with second-line targeted therapy. Median overall survival since the start of second-line targeted therapy was 12·5 months (95% CI 11·3–14·3). Five of six predefined factors in the IMDC model (anaemia, thrombocytosis, neutrophilia, Karnofsky performance status KPS <80, and <1 year from diagnosis to first-line targeted therapy) were independent predictors of poor overall survival on multivariable analysis. The concordance index using all six prognostic factors (ie, also including hypercalcaemia) was 0·70 (95% CI 0·67–0·72) with the IMDC model and was 0·66 (95% CI 0·64–0·68) with the three-factor MSKCC model. When patients were divided into three risk categories using IMDC criteria, median overall survival was 35·3 months (95% CI 28·3–47·8) in the favourable risk group (n=76), 16·6 months (14·9–17·9) in the intermediate risk group (n=529), and 5·4 months (4·7–6·8) in the poor risk group (n=261). Interpretation The IMDC prognostic model can be applied to patients previously treated with targeted therapy, in addition to previously validated populations in first-line targeted therapy. The IMDC prognostic model in the second-line targeted therapy setting has an improved prognostic performance and is applicable to a more contemporary patient cohort than that of the three-factor MSKCC model. Funding DF/HCC Kidney Cancer SPORE P50 CA101942-01, Kidney Cancer Research Network of Canada, Canadian Institute for Health Research, Trust Family, Loker Pinard, Michael Brigham, and Gerald DeWulf.
Summary Background Ipilimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 to enhance antitumour immunity. Our aim was to assess the use of ipilimumab after ...radiotherapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that progressed after docetaxel chemotherapy. Methods We did a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial in which men with at least one bone metastasis from castration-resistant prostate cancer that had progressed after docetaxel treatment were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive bone-directed radiotherapy (8 Gy in one fraction) followed by either ipilimumab 10 mg/kg or placebo every 3 weeks for up to four doses. Non-progressing patients could continue to receive ipilimumab at 10 mg/kg or placebo as maintenance therapy every 3 months until disease progression, unacceptable toxic effect, or death. Patients were randomly assigned to either treatment group via a minimisation algorithm, and stratified by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, alkaline phosphatase concentration, haemoglobin concentration, and investigator site. Patients and investigators were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was overall survival, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT00861614. Findings From May 26, 2009, to Feb 15, 2012, 799 patients were randomly assigned (399 to ipilimumab and 400 to placebo), all of whom were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Median overall survival was 11·2 months (95% CI 9·5–12·7) with ipilimumab and 10·0 months (8·3–11·0) with placebo (hazard ratio HR 0·85, 0·72–1·00; p=0·053). However, the assessment of the proportional hazards assumption showed that it was violated (p=0·0031). A piecewise hazard model showed that the HR changed over time: the HR for 0–5 months was 1·46 (95% CI 1·10–1·95), for 5–12 months was 0·65 (0·50–0·85), and beyond 12 months was 0·60 (0·43–0·86). The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were immune-related, occurring in 101 (26%) patients in the ipilimumab group and 11 (3%) of patients in the placebo group. The most frequent grade 3–4 adverse events included diarrhoea (64 16% of 393 patients in the ipilimumab group vs seven 2% of 396 in the placebo group), fatigue (40 11% vs 35 9%), anaemia (40 10% vs 43 11%), and colitis (18 5% vs 0). Four (1%) deaths occurred because of toxic effects of the study drug, all in the ipilimumab group. Interpretation Although there was no significant difference between the ipilimumab group and the placebo group in terms of overall survival in the primary analysis, there were signs of activity with the drug that warrant further investigation. Funding Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have shown survival benefit in end-stage heart failure patients. LVAD technology has evolved considerably with the development of continuous-flow devices.
The ...Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried from 2005 to 2011 using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition procedure code 37.66, Insertion of Implantable Heart System, in any procedure field. Patients with primary diagnosis of orthotopic heart transplant or use of temporary mechanical circulatory support devices were excluded. Procedural complications were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition codes and patient safety indicators. Cochran-Armitage and Cuzick tests for trend were used to identify time trends for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.
There were 2,038 LVAD implantations from 2005 to 2011. LVAD use increased from 127 procedures in 2005 to 506 procedures in 2011, and in-hospital mortality declined from 47.2% to 12.7% (p < 0.001), with sharp inflection points in the year 2008. Average length of stay decreased from 44 days in the pulsatile-flow era (2005 to 2007) to 36 days in the continuous-flow era (2008 to 2011). Cost of hospitalization increased from $194,380 in 2005 to $234,808 in 2011 but remained constant from 2008 to 2011. There was a trend of increased incidence of major bleeding and thromboembolism and decreased incidence of infectious and iatrogenic cardiac complications in the continuous-flow era.
LVAD use has increased and in-hospital mortality and LOS after LVAD implantation have declined. These changes coincide with United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of continuous-flow devices in 2008.
Summary Background The endothelin pathway has a role in bone metastases, which are characteristic of advanced prostate cancer. Atrasentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, has shown activity in ...prostate cancer. We therefore assessed its effect on survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases. Methods In a double-blind phase 3 trial, men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, stratified for progression type (prostate-specific antigen or radiological), baseline pain, extraskeletal metastases, and bisphosphonate use, were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to docetaxel (75 mg/m2 every 21 days, intravenously) with atrasentan (10 mg/day, orally) or placebo for up to 12 cycles and treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients who did not progress on treatment were permitted to continue atrasentan or placebo for up to 52 weeks. Coprimary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT00134056. Findings 498 patients were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group and 496 to the placebo group. The trial was halted early for futility in April, 2011, after a planned interim analysis. Median PFS was 9·2 months (95% CI 8·5–9·9) in the atrasentan group and 9·1 months (8·4–10·2) in the placebo group (hazard ratio 1·02, 0·89–1·16; p=0·81). Median overall survival was 17·8 months (16·4–19·8) in the atrasentan group versus 17·6 months (16·4–20·1) in the placebo group (1·04, 0·90–1·19; p=0·64). 278 (57%) of 492 patients in the atrasentan group had grade 3 and greater toxicity compared with 294 (60%) of 486 in the placebo group (p=0·22). Three deaths in the atrasentan group and seven in the placebo group were judged to be possibly or probably due to protocol treatment. Interpretation Atrasentan, when added to docetaxel, does not improve overall survival or PFS in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases; therefore, single-agent docetaxel should remain as one of the standard treatments. Funded National Cancer Institute, Sanofi-Aventis, and Abbott Laboratories.
Summary Background The advent of targeted therapies in the past 7 years has extended median survival for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. This improvement in clinical outcome has created a need for ...new, more accurate prognostic measures. We assessed the use of conditional survival—a measure that accounts for elapsed time since treatment initiation—for prognostication in patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma treated with first-line VEGF-targeted therapies. Methods We obtained data for patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma who were treated with a first-line VEGF-targeted therapy between April 7, 2003, and Oct 12, 2010, from our large multi-institutional International mRCC Database Consortium (centres in Canada, the USA, Singapore, Denmark, and South Korea). All histologies, performance statuses, and prognostic risk groups were included. The primary outcome was 2-year conditional survival, defined as the probability of surviving an additional 2 years from a given timepoint since the start of targeted therapy. Secondary analyses included 1-year and 3-year conditional survival, along with stratification of patients by Heng prognostic risk criteria and Karnofsky performance score, and conditional survival based on length of time on therapy. We used the Kaplan-Meier method and a landmark analysis to calculate conditional survival. Findings In the 1673 patients analysed, median follow-up for alive patients was 20·1 months (IQR 9·0–34·4). We recorded an increase in the 2-year conditional survival probability from 44% (95% CI 41–47) at 0 months to 51% (46–55) at 18 months since beginning targeted therapy. When stratified by the Heng prognostic risk criteria defined at therapy initiation, 2-year conditional survival changed little in the favourable and intermediate groups, but in the poor-risk group, 2-year conditional survival improved from 11% (8–15) at 0 months to 33% (18–48) after 18 months. When conditioned on time on targeted therapy from 0 months to 18 months, 2-year conditional survival improved from 44% (41–47) to 68% (60–75) in the overall population and from 74% (68–79) to 90% (77–96) in the favourable group, 49% (45–53) to 57% (45–67) in the intermediate group, and 11% (8–15) to 73% (43–89) in the poor risk group. Interpretation Conditional survival is a clinically useful prediction measure that adjusts prognosis of patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma on the basis of survival since treatment initiation or therapy duration. Conditional survival might be especially relevant to adjust prognosis for poor-risk patients. Funding The Trust Family Fund for Kidney Cancer Research.
Abstract Background Real-world survival outcomes and prognostic factors among patients receiving first targeted therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) are not well known. Patients and ...Methods Adult patients diagnosed with RCC and treated with first targeted therapy were identified from the SEER-Medicare database (January 1, 1993 - December 31, 2012). Patients were grouped into early (2006-2009) or late (2010-2012) targeted therapy era cohorts by year of first targeted therapy initiation. Overall survival (OS) was measured from first targeted therapy initiation and compared between the cohorts using Kaplan-Meier analyses; prognostic factors for OS were assessed using a multivariable-adjusted Cox model. Results A total of 604 and 641 aRCC patients (mean age 68 years, ∼60% male in both cohorts) initiated first targeted therapy during early and late targeted therapy eras, respectively. OS was significantly longer in the late versus early targeted therapy era. Higher tumor grades (hazard ratio HR=1.61, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.31, 2.00), and lung (HR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.53), bone (HR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.66), and liver (HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.84) metastases, were associated with significantly shorter OS; prior nephrectomy (HR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.72) and pazopanib as first targeted therapy relative to sorafenib (HR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.85) or sunitinib (HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.95) were associated with significantly longer OS. Conclusions These real-world analyses suggest progress in aRCC management and identified positive (nephrectomy, pazopanib versus sunitinib or sorafenib) and negative (higher tumor grade, lung, bone, or liver metastasis) prognostic factors among patients receiving first-line targeted therapy.
Abstract Objectives This study sought to determine whether “real-world” data supported the hypothesis that therapeutic hypothermia (TH) led to increased rates of stent thrombosis. Background TH, ...which is often instituted after cardiac arrest (CA) to improve neurologic outcomes, alters pharmacokinetics of antiplatelet medications, leading to a theoretical risk of stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods CA patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing PCI were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2006 to 2011, with a defined primary outcome of stent thrombosis. The incidence of stent thrombosis in patients undergoing TH versus those not undergoing TH was compared using both logistic regression and propensity score matching. Results In this dataset, 49,109 CA patients underwent PCI for acute myocardial infarction from 2006 to 2011, of whom 1,193 (2.4%) underwent TH. The incidence of stent thrombosis in the TH group was 3.9% (43 of 1,193), compared to 4.7% (2,271 of 47,916) in the no TH group (p = 0.61). Logistic regression showed that TH was not a significant predictor of stent thrombosis with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.28 to 1.76; p = 0.46). Propensity matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences between the TH and no TH groups, matching 1,155 patients in the TH group with 3,399 patients in the no TH group. No difference was observed in the incidence of stent thrombosis in the TH and the no TH groups after propensity matching (3.5% vs. 6.1%; p = 0.17). Conclusions TH does not increase the incidence of stent thrombosis after primary PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting as CA.
Highlights • Increased annual hospital left ventricular assistive device (LVAD) implantation volume predicts decreased in-hospital mortality and length of stay. • An optimal volume threshold of 20 or ...more LVAD implantations per year is associated less than 10% in-hospital mortality. • Improved outcomes at high-volume centers may be due to early identification of patients, and better surgical, techniques, postoperative care and long-term follow-up.