Highlights • BTK is a TEC-family kinases member, expressed in lymphocytes and other cell subtypes. • TEC kinases inhibition by Ibrutinib has promising results in cancer cellular models. • Ibrutinib ...is able to modify the tumor microenvironment with therapeutic implications. • BTK inhibitors may have synergistic effect with other active drugs in solid tumors.
The management of advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has recently changed. We assessed the activity of pazopanib after failure of other systemic treatments in advanced NETs.
This was a ...multicenter, open-label, phase II study evaluating pazopanib as a single agent in advanced NETs (PAZONET study). The clinical benefit rate (CBR) at 6 months was the primary end point. Translational correlation of radiological response and progression-free survival (PFS) with circulating and tissue biomarkers was also evaluated.
A total of 44 patients were enrolled. Twenty-five patients (59.5%) were progression-free at 6 months (4 partial responses, 21 stable diseases) with a median PFS of 9.5 months 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.8-14.1. The CBR varied according to prior therapy received, with 73%, 60% and 25% in patients treated with prior multitarget inhibitors, prior mTOR inhibitors and both agents, respectively. A nonsignificant increase in PFS was observed in patients presenting lower baseline circulating tumor cell (CTC) counts (9.1 versus 5.8 months; P = 0.22) and in those with decreased levels of soluble-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (sVEGFR-2) (12.6 versus 9.1 months; P = 0.067). A trend toward reduced survival was documented in patients with VEGFR3 rs307821 and rs307826 missense polymorphisms hazard ratio (HR): 12.3; 95% CI 1.09-139.2; P = 0.042 and HR: 6.9; 95% CI 0.96-49.9; P = 0.055, respectively.
Pazopanib showed clinical activity in patients with advanced NETs regardless of previous treatments. Additionally, CTCs, soluble-s VEFGR-2 and VEGFR3 gene polymorphisms constitute potential biomarkers for selecting patients for pazopanib (NCT01280201).
NCT01280201.
Single immune checkpoint blockade in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) shows limited efficacy; dual checkpoint blockade may improve treatment activity. Dune (NCT03095274) is a non-randomized ...controlled multicohort phase II clinical trial evaluating durvalumab plus tremelimumab activity and safety in advanced NENs. This study included 123 patients presenting between 2017 and 2019 with typical/atypical lung carcinoids (Cohort 1), G1/2 gastrointestinal (Cohort 2), G1/2 pancreatic (Cohort 3) and G3 gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) (Cohort 4) NENs; who progressed to standard therapies. Patients received 1500 mg durvalumab and 75 mg tremelimumab for up to 13 and 4 cycles (every 4 weeks), respectively. The primary objective was the 9-month clinical benefit rate (CBR) for cohorts 1-3 and 9-month overall survival (OS) rate for Cohort 4. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival according to irRECIST, overall survival, and safety. Correlation of PD-L1 expression with efficacy was exploratory. The 9-month CBR was 25.9%/35.5%/25% for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The 9-month OS rate for Cohort 4 was 36.1%, surpassing the futility threshold. Benefit in Cohort 4 was observed regardless of differentiation and Ki67 levels. PD-L1 combined scores did not correlate with treatment activity. Safety profile was consistent with that of prior studies. In conclusion, durvalumab plus tremelimumab is safe in NENs and shows modest survival benefit in G3 GEP-NENs; with one-third of these patients experiencing a prolonged OS.
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) represent a less frequent and heterogeneous group of tumours, which has experienced, in recent years, a significant increase in effective therapeutic possibilities ...overcoming the disappointing results from chemotherapy. Initial improvements in treatment strategies came from somatostatin analogues (SSAs) that have widely demonstrated a significant improvement in symptomatic relief and tumour control growth by a complex mechanism of action over cell survival, angiogenesis and immunomodulation. Recent investigations have pointed out novel SSAs with a wider binding profile (pasireotide), chimeric molecules against somatostatin receptors and dopamine receptors and the combination with targeted agents, such as mTOR inhibitors or antiangiogenic agents. Immunotherapy is the second cornerstone in NET treatment and has been represented with interferon alpha for a long time, with a demonstrated activity on tumour and clinical response. Its less manageable adverse events have limited its usage. However, different checkpoints in immune system regulation have been effectively targeted in different solid tumours, and novel approaches are currently arising in NETs. In conclusion, biotherapy remains an active treatment strategy for initial approach in patients with NETs. Further investigation on patients' selection, molecular profiles, treatment sequence or combination and optimisation of current and novel biotherapy agents is required.
Advanced thyroid carcinoma is an infrequent tumor entity with limited treatment possibilities until recently. The extraordinary improvement in the comprehension of genetic and molecular alterations ...involving the RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling and interacting pathways that are involved in tumor survival, proliferation, differentiation, motility and angiogenesis have been the rationale for the development of new effective targeted therapies. Data coming from phase II clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of those targeted agents against receptors in cell membrane and cytoplasmic molecules. Moreover, four of those investigational drugs, vandetanib, cabozantinib, sorafenib and lenvatinib, have reached a phase III clinical trial with favorable results in progression-free survival and overall survival in medullary thyroid carcinoma and differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Further analysis for an optimal approach has been conducted according to mutational profile and tumor subtypes. However, consistent results are still awaited and the research for adequate prognostic and predictive biomarkers is ongoing. The following report offers a comprehensive review from the rationale to the basis of targeted agents in the treatment of thyroid carcinoma. In addition, current and future therapeutic developments by the inhibition of further molecular targets are discussed in this setting.
Objective
To offer a practical guide for the presurgical and anesthetic management of pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas (PGLs).
Methods
This protocol was based on a comprehensive ...review of the literature and on our own multidisciplinary team’s experience from managing pheochromocytoma and sympathetic PGLs at a referral center.
Results
Patients with pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas (PGLs) may develop potentially life-threatening complications, especially during surgical procedures. A complete biochemical, radiological, genetic, and cardiological assessment is recommended in the preoperative stage as it provides an evaluation of the risk of surgical complications and malignancy, allowing individualization of the presurgical treatment. Treatment with α-blockade and proper volume expansion in the preoperative stage significantly reduces the perioperative morbidity. During surgery, the anesthesiologist should look for a deep anesthetic level that inhibits the cardiovascular effects of catecholamines to minimize the risk of intraoperative complications.
Conclusions
An optimal presurgical evaluation of pheochromocytomas/ sympathetic PGL requires a multidisciplinary approach, including a complete hormonal, radiological, cardiac, genetic, and functioning evaluation in most cases. A proper preoperative evaluation in combination with strict blood pressure and heart rate control, and blood volume status optimization, will significantly reduce the risk of intraoperative and perioperative complications. In those patients who unfortunately develop intraoperative complications, the role of the anesthesiologist is essential since the selection of the appropriate management has a direct impact on morbimortality reduction.
Background
The studies IMvigor 210 cohort 2 and IMvigor211 evaluated the efficacy of atezolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) upon progression to ...platinum-based chemotherapy worldwide. Yet, the real impact of this drug in specific geographical regions is unknown.
Materials and methods
We combined individual-level data from the 131 patients recruited in Spain from IMvigor210 cohort 2 and IMvigor211 in a pooled analysis. Efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed in the overall study population and according to PD-L1 expression on tumour-infiltrating immune cells.
Results
Full data were available for 127 patients; 74 (58%) received atezolizumab and 53 (42%) chemotherapy. Atezolizumab patients had a numerically superior median overall survival although not reaching statistical significance (9.2 months vs 7.7 months). No statistically significant differences between arms were observed in overall response rates (20.3% vs 37.0%) or progression-free survival (2.1 months vs 5.3 months). Nonetheless, median duration of response was superior for the immunotherapy arm (non-reached vs 6.4 months;
p
= 0.005). Additionally, among the responders, the 12-month survival rates seemed to favour atezolizumab (66.7% vs 19.9%). When efficacy was analyzed based on PD-L1 expression status, no significant differences were found. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade occurred more frequently in the chemotherapy arm 46/57 (81%) vs 44/74 (59%).
Conclusion
Patients who achieved an objective response on atezolizumab presented a longer median duration of response and numerically superior 12 month survival rates when compared with chemotherapy responders along with a more favorable safety profile. PD-L1 expression did not discriminate patients who might benefit from atezolizumab.
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are considered a heterogeneous and rare entity. Its natural history is influenced by multiple clinicopathological characteristics, which guide the management of these ...patients. The development of molecular biology reveals that the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway plays a relevant role in tumorigenesis and progression of NENs. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, targeted agents that block this pathway, has improved outcomes in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Different therapeutic approaches, such as somatostatin analogs, chemotherapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and targeted agents, have shown benefits in the treatment of NETs. However, there are not any established prognostic or predictive biomarkers to select the best therapy option to individualize treatment. Although a relation between alterations in the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway and clinical outcomes has not been found, these anomalies are considered attractive biomarkers. Additional molecular analysis should be integrated in future clinical trials’ design to identify potential predictive or prognostic biomarkers.
The standard treatment for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) is now a combination of androgen deprivation therapy plus an androgen receptor-targeted therapy (abiraterone, ...apalutamide, enzalutamide or darolutamide), with or without chemotherapy (docetaxel). The selection of suitable patients for each therapeutic approach has become a determining factor to ensure efficacy and minimize side effects. This article combines recent clinical evidence with the accumulated experience of experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology and urology, to provide a comprehensive view and therapeutic recommendations for mHSPC.
Stage IS testicular cancer is defined by the persistence of elevated serum tumor markers, including α-fetoprotein and/or β-human chorionic gonadotropin, after orchiectomy without radiological ...evidence of metastatic disease. Current treatment recommendations include cisplatin based chemotherapy up front but the recommendations are based on limited single center series.
We retrospectively analyzed clinical and pathological characteristics, and long-term outcomes in 110 patients uniformly treated with primary chemotherapy between 1994 and 2016. The primary objective was to evaluate long-term disease-free survival. We also explored factors associated with the need for additional treatment.
The elevated prechemotherapy tumor markers were α-fetoprotein in 48% of cases, β-human chorionic gonadotropin in 14%, and α-fetoprotein and β-human chorionic gonadotropin in 38%. Median α-fetoprotein and β-human chorionic gonadotropin values were 71 ng/ml and 80 mIU/ml, respectively. The IGCCCG (International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group) prognostic classification was good in 94% of cases. Mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor was found in 78% of cases. Of the patients 103 achieved a complete response to chemotherapy. In 6 patients radiological signs of progressive disease developed during chemotherapy, while 8 experienced relapse after an initial complete response. At a median followup of 108 months 108 patients were alive and disease-free. Five and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 87% and 85
, respectively. The predominance of embryonal carcinoma in the primary tumor was the only factor associated with the probability of needing additional therapy.
Stage IS testicular cancer is more commonly associated with elevated α-fetoprotein, an IGCCCG good prognosis and mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. Treatment with cisplatin based chemotherapy leads to cure in most cases. However, a proportion of patients require the integration of additional therapies, including more frequently when embryonal carcinoma is not predominant.
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