Myelofibrosis is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterised by splenomegaly, cytopenias, bone marrow fibrosis, and debilitating symptoms including fatigue, weight loss, and bone pain. ...Mutations in Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) occur in approximately 50% of patients. The only approved JAK2 inhibitor for myelofibrosis is the dual JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, ruxolitinib. 58-71% of patients treated with ruxolitinib in clinical trials so far have not achieved the primary endpoint of 35% or more reduction in spleen volume from baseline assessed by MRI or CT. Furthermore, more than 50% of patients discontinue ruxolitinib treatment after 3-5 years. On the basis of this unmet need, we investigated the efficacy and safety of fedratinib, a JAK2-selective inhibitor, in patients with ruxolitinib-resistant or ruxolitinib-intolerant myelofibrosis.
This single-arm, open-label, non-randomised, phase 2, multicentre study, done at 31 sites in nine countries, enrolled adult patients with a current diagnosis of intermediate or high-risk primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythaemia vera myelofibrosis, or post-essential thrombocythaemia myelofibrosis, found to be ruxolitinib resistant or intolerant after at least 14 days of treatment. Other main inclusion criteria were palpable splenomegaly (≥5 cm below the left costal margin), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or less, and life expectancy of 6 months or less. Patients received oral fedratinib at a starting dose of 400 mg once per day, for six consecutive 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was spleen response (defined as the proportion of patients with a ≥35% reduction in spleen volume as determined by blinded CT and MRI at a central imaging laboratory). We did the primary analysis in the per-protocol population only (patients treated with fedratinib, for whom a baseline and at least one post-baseline spleen volume measurement was available) and the safety analysis in all patients receiving at least one dose of fedratinib. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01523171.
Between May 8, 2012, and Aug 29, 2013, 97 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of fedratinib. Of 83 assessable patients, 46 (55%, 95% CI 44-66) achieved a spleen response. Common grade 3-4 adverse events included anaemia (37 38% of 97 patients) and thrombocytopenia (21 22% of 97), with 18 (19%) patients discontinuing due to adverse events. Seven (7%) patients died during the study, but none of the deaths was drug related. Suspected cases of Wernicke's encephalopathy in other fedratinib trials led to study termination.
This phase 2 study met its primary endpoint, suggesting that patients with ruxolitinib-resistant or ruxolitinib-intolerant myelofibrosis might achieve significant clinical benefit with fedratinib, albeit at the cost of some potential toxicity, which requires further evaluation. Fedratinib development in this setting is currently being assessed.
Sanofi.
Background and purpose:
Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are potentially useful prognostic markers in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate ...cancer (mCRPC). This post hoc analysis investigated whether these markers can be utilized for dose considerations and evaluated the prognostic impact of leukocyte subtypes.
Patients and methods:
PROSELICA assessed the non-inferiority of cabazitaxel 20 mg/m2 (C20; n = 598) versus 25 mg/m2 (C25; n = 602) for overall survival (OS) in patients with mCRPC previously treated with docetaxel. The association of grade ⩾ 3 neutropenia, NLR, baseline neutrophilia and lymphopenia with OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and prostate-specific antigen response rate (PSArr) was investigated by an unplanned uni- and multivariate analyses.
Results:
PROSELICA confirmed the negative prognostic value of increased baseline NLR ⩾3, hazard ratio (HR) 1.40; p < 0.0001, but did not identify a subgroup of patients benefiting more from C20 or C25. In this post hoc analysis, patients who developed grade ⩾3 neutropenia (n = 673) had a significantly improved OS ∆OS = 2.7 months, HR = 0.78 (95% CI 0.68–0.89) with the greatest advantage observed in patients with baseline neutrophilia n = 85; 5.3 months, 0.60 (0.42–0.84). After adjustment for the Halabi criteria, neutropenia grade ⩾ 3 was the only biomarker that remained significantly associated with OS (HR 0.86 (0.75–0.98), PFS HR 0.78 (0.68–0.88), and PSArr odds ratio (OR) 1.82 (1.37–2.41) while neutrophilia showed the strongest association with OS 1.53 (1.29–1.81).
Conclusions:
Grade ⩾ 3 neutropenia was the only leukocyte-based biomarker associated with all key outcome parameters in mCRPC patients receiving cabazitaxel and might be able to overcome the negative prognostic effect of baseline neutrophilia.
NCT number:
NCT01308580
In the clinical drug development, proof of clinical concept (PoC) refers to the evidence of treatment efficacy that is obtained from early phase clinical studies. PoC is critical, as it motivates the ...initiation of late stage clinical trials, and has a profound impact on the “Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls” (CMC) process, which is preferably launched as early as possible so as to save valuable time for drug development. A new type of oncology clinical trial called basket trial has emerged recently, where the experimental treatment targets on a specific oncogenic pathway that is hypothesized to modulate tumor growth and/or metastasis, and patients with potentially multiple cancer types can be enrolled. The problem of PoC in basket trials has not been formally investigated in the statistical literature. In early phase basket trials, the commonly used independent analysis lacks statistical power of detecting PoC due to limited sample size. A more powerful approach is needed, especially when the treatment effect is not strong enough for each individual cancer type. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for PoC detection in the early phase basket trials under a Bayesian framework. We classify cancer types into a “sensitive subgroup” that responds positively to the treatment, and an “insensitive subgroup” that does not respond to the treatment. We then assess PoC using the posterior probability that at least one cancer type is sensitive. Simulation results show that our proposed approach has a promising performance, with considerable gain in power compared with the independent approach when a relatively large number of the cancer types are sensitive to the treatment.
It is shown that the usual Laplace approximation is not a valid asymptotic approximation when the dimension of the integral is comparable with the limiting parameter n. The formal Laplace expansion ...for multidimensional integrals is given and used to construct asymptotic approximations for high dimensional integrals. One example is considered in which the dimension of the integral is O(n1/2) and the relative error of the unmodified Laplace approximation is O(1). Nevertheless, it is possible to construct a valid asymptotic expansion by regrouping terms in the formal expansion according to asymptotic order in n.
Introduction: R/R FLT3-ITD AML is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with a generally poor prognosis and high relapse rate even after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). ...QuANTUM-R (NCT02039726), a large, global, phase 3, randomized, controlled trial, showed that single-agent quizartinib significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) vs salvage chemotherapy (SC) in patients with R/R FLT3-ITD AML after first-line treatment with or without HSCT (Cortes et al, Lancet Oncol 2019). To evaluate both quality and quantity of life for patients with R/R FLT3-ITD AML, we conducted a Q-TWiST analysis of QuANTUM-R data to compare survival between patients receiving quizartinib and SC adjusted for quality of life (QOL).
Methods: The primary analysis cohort was the intent-to-treat (ITT) QuANTUM-R population, which included 367 patients (245 patients receiving quizartinib; 122 patients receiving SC). The secondary analysis cohort was the per-protocol analysis set (PPS), which excluded patients randomized but not treated and patients with major protocol violations who would affect assessment of efficacy endpoints (231 patients receiving quizartinib; 88 patients receiving SC).
Each patient's OS was partitioned into 3 health states: time with any grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) before relapse (TOX), time without relapse or grade 3/4 toxicity (TWiST), and time after relapse (REL). Q-TWiST was assessed at 104 weeks (approximate median follow-up of QuANTUM-R) as the mean time spent in each state weighted by its respective QOL, represented by health utility (u; 0.0-1.0). Q-TWiST was calculated as follows:
Q-TWiST = u(TWiST) × TWiST + u(TOX) × TOX + u(REL) × REL
for which u(TWiST), u(TOX), and u(REL) represent the utilities applied to the restricted mean time in TWiST, TOX, and REL, respectively.
Relative Q-TWiST gain (ie, Q-TWIST gain divided by mean OS of salvage chemotherapy) of ≥ 15% was considered clinically important, based on published minimally important difference norms (Revicki et al, Qual Life Res 2006).
The base case that assessed the Q-TWiST difference between quizartinib and SC for the ITT population included any grade 3/4 TEAEs and set utilities at commonly assumed values: u(REL) = u(TOX) = 0.5, relative to u(TWiST) = 1.0. A sensitivity analysis was conducted for which u(TOX) and u(REL) were varied from 0.0 to 1.0. The following additional scenarios analyses were conducted: (1) including only treatment-related (TR) grade 3/4 TEAEs, (2) assessing Q-TWiST difference between quizartinib and SC for the PPS cohort, and (3) including only TR grade 3/4 TEAEs for the PPS cohort. 95% CIs were estimated via nonparametric bootstrap.
Results: For the ITT population, quizartinib was associated with a mean OS gain of 8.5 weeks vs SC at 104 weeks from randomization (Table). In base case, the mean (95% CI) Q-TWiST gain at 104 weeks for quizartinib vs SC was 6.7 weeks (1.7-12.3; relative gain, 20.3%), which was statistically significant and clinically meaningful (Table). For the sensitivity analysis for which u(TOX) and u(REL) were varied from 0.0 to 1.0, Q-TWiST gains for quizartinib ranged from 5.0 (uREL = uTOX = 0.0) to 8.5 weeks (uREL = uTOX = 1.0). The relative Q-TWiST gains for quizartinib vs SC remained clinically important, irrespective of the values for u(TOX) and u(REL) and ranged from 15.2% to 25.5% (Figure). In the scenario analyses (Table), (1) when only TR grade 3/4 TEAEs were included, the Q-TWiST gain for quizartinib was 7.4 weeks (2.2-13.0; relative gain, 22.5%), (2) in the PPS cohort, the mean (95 % CI) Q-TWiST gain for quizartinib was 6.9 weeks (0.8-13.5; relative gain, 20.7%), and (3) when including only TR grade 3/4 TEAEs in the PPS, the Q-TWiST gain for quizartinib was 7.5 weeks (1.5-14.2; relative gain, 22.5%).
Conclusions: Quizartinib significantly prolonged quality-adjusted survival vs SC in patients with R/R FLT3-ITD AML after disease control, safety, and QOL were accounted for, providing evidence of meaningful clinical benefit in a patient population with few treatment options. To put these results in perspective, the relative Q-TWiST gains for quizartinib reported herein are larger than nearly 90% of the relative Q-TWiST gains reported in a recent systematic review of 81 Q-TWiST comparisons across 13 cancers (Solem et al, Exp Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2018).
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Cortes:Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merus: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Immunogen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biopath Holdings: Consultancy, Honoraria; BiolineRx: Consultancy; Sun Pharma: Research Funding. Ganguly:Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau. Khaled:Omeros: Consultancy; Alexion: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Other: Travel support. Krämer:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding. Levis:Daiichi Sankyo Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Menarini: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; FUJIFILM: Consultancy, Research Funding. Martinelli:Janssen: Consultancy, Other: trial grant; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: trial grant; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: trial grant; Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: trial grant; Roche: Consultancy, Other: trial grant; Incyte: Consultancy, Other: trial grant; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: trial grant; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: trial grant; Ariad: Consultancy, Other: trial grant. Perl:Bayer: Research Funding; BioMed Valley Discoveries: Research Funding; FujiFilm: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Advisory board, Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings as well as a medical writing company that assisted with manuscript preparation/submission and slide deck assembly for academic meeting presentations of the data., Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings.; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings.; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Clinical Advisory Board member, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings.; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; Arog: Consultancy, Other: Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings.; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings as well as a medical writing company that assisted with manuscript preparation/submission and slide deck assembly for academic meeting presentations of trial data., Research Funding; NewLink Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings.; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Non-financial support included travel costs for advisory board meetings.. Russell:Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; DSI: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Botteman:Pharmerit International: Employment, Equity Ownership; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding. Shah:Merck: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Luo:Pharmerit International: Employment. Shun:Daiichi Sankyo: Employment. Ray:Daiichi Sankyo: Employment, Equity Ownership.
Aflibercept (vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF trap), a recombinant fusion protein, blocks the activity of VEGF-A and placental growth factor and has demonstrated activity in pretreated ...patients with lung cancer in a phase I trial. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravenous aflibercept in patients with platinum- and erlotinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma.
An open-label, single arm, multicenter trial was conducted, with the primary end point of response rate (modified RECIST). Additional endpoints included safety, duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Patients with platinum- and erlotinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma were eligible. Aflibercept 4.0 mg/kg intravenous every 2 weeks was administered until progression of disease or intolerable toxicity.
Ninety-eight patients were enrolled; 89 were evaluable for response. Median age was 60 years, 41% were men with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0/1/2 in 35/55/9% of patients. The overall response rate was 2.0%, (95% confidence interval, 0.2-7.2%). Median progression-free survival was 2.7 months, and overall was survival 6.2 months. Six- and 12-month survival rates were 54 and 29%, respectively. A median of four cycles was administered (range 1-22). Common grade 3/4 toxicities included dyspnea (21%), hypertension (23%), and proteinuria (10%). Two cases of grade 5 hemoptysis were reported, and one case each of tracheoesophageal fistula, decreased cardiac ejection fraction, cerebral ischemia, and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy.
Aflibercept has minor single agent activity in heavily pretreated lung adenocarcinoma, and is well tolerated, with no unexpected toxicities. Further studies evaluating aflibercept in lung cancer, in combination with chemotherapy and other targeted therapies, are ongoing.
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