PURPOSE:There is no standard second-line therapy for gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) and lung large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) after the failure of platinum-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of nivolumab ± ipilimumab. METHODS:The GCO-001-NIPINEC (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03591731) trial was a noncomparative, open-label, phase II trial. The main inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, performance status (PS) ≤2, advanced large- and small-cell GEP-NEC and large-cell lung NEC, and second- or third-line treatment for NECs refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) and stratified by age and PS to receive nivolumab (3 mg/kg/once every 2 weeks) ± ipilimumab (1 mg/kg/once every 6 weeks) for 2 years or until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) at 8 weeks, assessed by investigators. RESULTS:A total of 185 patients (91 in the nivolumab arm and 94 in the nivolumab-ipilimumab arm) were enrolled between December 2018 and March 2021; 169 were analyzed (median age of 64.5 years, 71% male, 91% PS 0-1). The main primary tumor locations were lungs (50%), colorectal (15%), gastroesophageal (14%), and pancreatic (13%) regions. The ORR at 8 weeks was 7.2% (95% CI, 2.7 to 15.1]) in the nivolumab arm and 14.0% (95% CI, 7.4 to 23.1) in the nivolumab-ipilimumab arm. The best ORR was 9.6% and 20.9%, respectively, whereas the median progression-free and overall survival were approximately 2 months and 6 months in both arms. One treatment-related death occurred, in the nivolumab arm. The grade 3-4 adverse events (≥5%) were asthenia (13%), gamma-glutamyl transferase increase (10%), alkaline phosphatase increase (9%), dyspnea (7%), and anemia (6%) in the nivolumab-ipilimumab arm. CONCLUSION:Nivolumab-ipilimumab could be a second-/third-line treatment option for patients with NECs. However, given the limited magnitude of benefit, studies are warranted to evaluate its use earlier and/or associated with chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND:Alterations of the Y chromosome are frequent events in solid tumors, yet their biological and clinical significance remains incompletely understood. In colorectal cancer (CRC), recent studies have suggested context-dependent roles of Y-linked genes in tumor progression, while the impact of tumor-associated loss of the Y chromosome (LoY) in metastatic disease has not been clearly established. METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed primary tumor samples from 91 male patients with metastatic CRC treated at a single institution. Tumor LoY status was assessed using a droplet digital PCR-based assay. Associations between LoY, clinicopathological characteristics, KRAS/BRAF mutation status, and patient outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), were evaluated. Exploratory analyses of TCGA-COAD/READ data were performed using chromosome Y copy-number segment data, mutation data, and survival information. RESULTS:Tumor LoY was detected in 46 cases (50.5%) and was more frequent in rectal cancers (p = 0.038). LoY was not associated with age, microsatellite instability status, KRAS or BRAF mutations. While PFS did not differ according to LoY status, OS was longer in patients with LoY-positive tumors (p = 0.046). In multivariable analysis, LoY showed a non-significant trend toward improved OS (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.25-1.10; p = 0.07). In exploratory TCGA analyses, chromosome Y copy-number signal did not significantly differ between colon and rectal cancers, but lower chromosome Y signal was associated with worse OS, particularly in TCGA-COAD after adjustment for age and KRAS/BRAF status. CONCLUSIONS:LoY is a frequent chromosomal alteration in metastatic CRC and appears enriched in rectal primary tumors in our cohort. Its association with clinical outcome may depend on disease stage, molecular background, and analytical methodology. These findings support further investigation of Y chromosome loss as a context-dependent biomarker in CRC.
INTRODUCTION:Polypectomy-related costs could potentially be reduced through optical diagnosis strategies, such as "diagnose-and-leave" and "resect-and-discard." Artificial intelligence, using computer-aided diagnosis (CAD), may provide a reproducible optical diagnosis of colorectal lesions. This study aimed to assess the performance of the CAD-EYE system in the real-time characterization of colonic polyps. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter study evaluating the CAD-EYE system in patients undergoing screening colonoscopies at 5 French centers. CAD-EYE predictions and assessments by endoscopists (hyperplastic vs neoplastic) were compared with histopathology results. The primary outcome was the sensitivity of CAD-EYE for predicting neoplastic polyps, compared with the predefined threshold of 85%. The secondary outcomes were the specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, endoscopists' performance, and polyp detection rates. RESULTS:Of 398 polyps analyzed, 343 were included in the primary analysis. CAD-EYE characterization was feasible in 96% of cases. The sensitivity was 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.85), which failed to achieve the predefined threshold of 85% (P = 0.064). The specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 0.79, 0.64, and 0.90, respectively. Performance was higher for diminutive rectosigmoid polyps (DRSPs). Endoscopists showed higher sensitivity than CAD-EYE (0.90 vs 0.80, P = 0.001). CAD-EYE-assisted colonoscopies detected more polyps per procedure (3.3 vs 2.3, P < 0.001) than endoscopists alone. DISCUSSION:The performance of CAD-EYE was insufficient for the characterization of neoplastic colonic polyps. CAD-EYE performed better for DRSPs. AI seems to be beneficial for polyp detection.
There is an unmet need for effective and safe treatments for patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction (mG/GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Targeting claudin 18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), represents a promising strategy. Zolbetuximab, a CLDN18.2-targeting antibody, plus chemotherapy improved survival outcomes in patients with CLDN18.2-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative mG/GEJ adenocarcinoma. Cohort 4 of the global, open-label, phase 2 ILUSTRO study examined first-line zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 and nivolumab (a PD-L1 inhibitor). Here we report results from cohorts 4A (safety lead-in phase) and 4B (expansion phase). The primary endpoint of ILUSTRO was specific to cohort 1 and was previously published; the main efficacy endpoint of interest for cohort 4 was progression-free survival (PFS), as assessed by the investigators per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. At data cutoff (2 September 2025) for this final analysis, 77 patients were enrolled in 4A + 4B (85.5% with CLDN18.2-high tumors). Cohort 4B median follow-up was 11.5 months, and median PFS (95% confidence interval (CI)) was 14.8 months (8.3-not estimable) overall (n = 71) and 18.0 months (11.1-not estimable) in patients with CLDN18.2-high tumors (n = 59). Objective response rate (measurable disease; 95% CI) was 62.1% (48.4-74.5) in 4B overall (n = 58) and 68.1% (52.9-80.9) in CLDN18.2-high (n = 47). In 4A + 4B, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea (80.5%) and decreased appetite (72.7%). Efficacy and safety data support randomized evaluation of zolbetuximab plus chemoimmunotherapy in patients with CLDN18.2-positive and PD-L1-positive mG/GEJ adenocarcinoma in the ongoing phase 3 LUCERNA study. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03505320 .
BACKGROUND:To our knowledge, no randomised trial with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy has been done in patients with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. We aimed to evaluate the antitumour activity and safety of [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate in this setting. METHODS:OCLURANDOM is a randomised, open-label, non-comparative, phase 2 trial conducted in ten academic centres in France. Patients aged 18 years and older with pretreated, progressive, somatostatin receptor-positive, metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were randomly assigned (1:1) using web-based software to receive intravenous [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate (7·4 GBq every 8 weeks up to four cycles) with concomitant amino acid infusion or oral sunitinib (37·5 mg once daily). Amino acid infusion was for at least 4 h starting 30 min before [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate infusion and included 16·8 g of arginine and 22 g of lysine in 2 L until May, 2018, and, from that date, a solution of 25 g of arginine and 25 g of lysine in 2 L. Randomisation was stratified according to Ki-67, liver involvement, and previous therapies. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 12 months assessed by real-time central review using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1 in the intention-to-treat population. Cross-over was allowed. Adverse events in the as-treated population were assessed continuously during the active phase of treatment and then every 3 months. Patients and the public were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting, or dissemination plans of this research. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02230176, and is closed to enrolment. FINDINGS:Between Feb 13, 2015, and July 16, 2020, 84 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group (n=41) or the sunitinib group (n=43). 44 (52%) patients were women and 40 (48%) were men. Median follow-up was 72·5 months (IQR 61·4-88·4). Progression-free survival rate at 12 months was 33 (80·5% [90% CI 67·5-89·9]) of 41 patients in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group versus 18 (41·9% [29·1-55·5]) of 43 patients in the sunitinib group. Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 18 (44%) of 41 patients in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group and 31 (72%) of 43 patients in the sunitinib group. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events for all treatment groups were neutropenia (two [5%] of 41 in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group vs 13 [30%] of 43 in the sunitinib group) and hypertension (four [10%] in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group vs eight [19%] in the sunitinib group). Drug-related serious adverse events occurred in six (15%) patients in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group (transaminase increase, neutropenia, thrombosis, and fever) and ten (23%) in the sunitinib group (gastrointestinal, general disorders, and sepsis). There was a 10·3-point (95% CI 2·4-18·2) difference in the Global Health Status score between the two groups in favour of [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate. Late adverse events (grade 2 or worse) were reported in 24 (60%) patients in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group and in three (43%) of seven patients in the sunitinib group. One treatment-related death (acute leukaemia) occurred in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group. INTERPRETATION:Using sunitinib as an internal control, our results show clinically significant antitumour efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate in pretreated, progressive, somatostatin receptor-positive, metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, and a better quality of life during the treatment phase. Late adverse events were reported in the [177Lu]Lu-dota-tate group that might affect the tolerance of subsequent lines of treatment. FUNDING:French Ministry of Health, through the National Institute for Cancer.
Germline pathogenic variants of the RPS20 (ribosomal protein S20) gene are suspected to be involved in the predisposition to familial colorectal cancer (CRC) with no DNA mismatch repair deficiency. RPS20 pathogenic variants are very rare with only five reported cases in the literature. We report in this work the retrospective germline analysis of RPS20 for 1035 consecutive patients with a personal and/or familial history suggestive of hereditary predisposition to CRC. Within this series, a pathogenic variant in known CRC genes was found in 15% of cases and we describe one RPS20 loss-of-function variant (NM_001146227.1:c.115_116del, p.(Leu39Aspfs*33)). This frameshift is the first reported de novo variant in CRC, it was identified in in a female patient diagnosed with rectal cancer at the age of 35, 11 adenomatous polyps in 5 years and breast cancer at the age of 43. RPS20 has an intriguing role in oncogenesis, acting as an oncogene or tumour suppressor depending on the context, and is also involved in Diamond-Blackfan anemia via gain of function or dominant negative variants. This is therefore a complex gene for genetic counselling and, given the rarity of RPS20 pathogenic variants, we emphasise the need to collect data to clarify the phenotypic spectrum of RPS20-associated cancers and thus improve management.
BACKGROUND:Microsatellite instability (MSI) or mismatch‑repair deficiency (dMMR) defines a biologically distinct subgroup of colorectal cancers that are highly responsive to immune checkpoint inhibition. Major and complete pathological responses have been observed with neoadjuvant immunotherapy, raising the possibility of avoiding upfront surgery in selected patients. METHODS:PREMICES is a multicenter, open‑label, randomized (1:1), non‑comparative phase II trial evaluating neoadjuvant pembrolizumab followed by a structured watch‑and‑wait strategy versus standard-of-care surgery ± adjuvant chemotherapy in adults with resectable, localized MSI/dMMR colon or upper rectal adenocarcinoma. Sixty patients will be randomized across nine French centers. The primary endpoint is 6-month strategy success after randomization (or after two successive colonoscopies), defined as the absence of death, disease progression, a decision to operate due to residual tumor on biopsies, or any primary‑tumor surgery. Secondary endpoints include the 24-month success, event‑free and overall survival, postoperative morbidity, health‑related quality of life (EORTC QLQ‑C30/CR29), tumor regression, and endoscopic complete response. Embedded translational studies include circulating tumor DNA and gut microbiota analyses. Randomization started in September 2025. DISCUSSION:PREMICES will determine whether a neoadjuvant PD‑1 blockade‑based non‑operative approach can be pursued safely and effectively in localized MSI/dMMR colon cancer and will generate prospective patient‑centered outcomes and biomarker data to inform future phase III trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION:EU‑CT (CTIS) number: 2023‑509322‑22‑00. Registered prior to first patient enrolment.
The management of rectal cancer has been transformed by advances in neoadjuvant treatments, leading to complete response in approximately 30
Purpose Preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) is expected to increase the rate of curative resection and complete histological response. In this trial, we investigated the efficacy of a neoadjuvant CRT regimen in gastric adenocarcinoma (NCT01565109 trial). Materials and Methods Patients with stage IB to IIIC gastric adenocarcinoma, endoscopy ultrasound and computed tomography- scan diagnosed, were eligible for this phase II trial. Neoadjuvant treatment consisted of 2 cycles of chemotherapy with DCF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil [5FU]) followed by preoperative CRT with oxaliplatin, continuous 5FU and radiotherapy (45 Gy in 25 fractions of 1.8 Gy, 5 fractions per week for 5 weeks) administered before surgery. R0-resection rate, pathological complete response (pathCR) rate, and survival (progression-free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]) were evaluated as primary endpoints. Results Among 33 patients included, 32 patients (97%) received CRT and 26 (78.8%) were resected (R0 resection for all patients resected). Among resected patients, we report pathCR in 23,1% and pathologic major response (tumor regression grade 2 according to Mandard's classification) in 26,9%. With a median follow-up duration of 5.82 years (range, 0.4 to 9.24 years), the estimated median OS for all 33 patients was not reached; 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 85%, 61%, and 52%, respectively. Among resected patients, those whose histological response was tumor grade regression (TRG) 1-2 had significantly better OS and PFS rates than those with a TRG 3-4-5 response (p=0.019 and p=0.016, respectively). Conclusion Promising results from trials involving preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgery in gastric cancer need to be further evaluated in a phase III trial.
BACKGROUND:Results from the phase III KEYNOTE-177 study established pembrolizumab as a new first-line standard of care for microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Previous results from KEYNOTE-177 showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy ± bevacizumab/cetuximab in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC. Results after >5 years of follow-up are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS:Adults with untreated MSI-H/dMMR mCRC were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to receive pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks or chemotherapy. Patients assigned to chemotherapy could cross over to pembrolizumab after centrally confirmed progressive disease. Dual primary endpoints were PFS per RECIST v1.1 and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included duration of response and safety. RESULTS:At data cut-off (17 July 2023), median follow-up was 73.3 months (range, 64.9-89.2 months). Overall, 307 patients were assigned to receive pembrolizumab (n = 153) or chemotherapy (n = 154). Fifty-seven (37.0%) patients assigned to chemotherapy crossed over to pembrolizumab per protocol; 39 (25.3%) received a programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 [PD-(L)1] inhibitor off protocol (effective crossover rate, 62%). Median OS was 77.5 months with pembrolizumab versus 36.7 months with chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.53-0.99); 5-year OS rates were 54.8% versus 44.2%. Median PFS was 16.5 months with pembrolizumab and 8.2 months with chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.79). Median duration of response was 75.4 months (range, 2.3+ to 80.1+ months) with pembrolizumab versus 10.6 months (range, 2.8 to 71.5+ months) with chemotherapy. Compared with chemotherapy, fewer patients in the pembrolizumab arm experienced adverse events (80% versus 99%; grade 3-5, 22% versus 67%). CONCLUSIONS:With >5 years of follow-up, responses to pembrolizumab remained durable. Median OS was more than twice as long in patients treated with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in first line despite an effective crossover rate of 62%. Pembrolizumab remains a standard of care for MSI-H/dMMR mCRC.
Background:Sunitinib, a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor, showed encouraging antitumor activity and manageable toxicity in patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in earlier results from phase I and II trials. Patients and methods:In this phase II trial, patients with a nonresectable grade 1 or 2 midgut progressive NET and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1 were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive 37.5 mg sunitinib or a placebo, combined with 120 mg lanreotide autogel every 28 days. The planned sample size was 104 patients. The primary outcome was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Results:The study was stopped early because of insufficient patient recruitment. Between January 2013 and December 2016, 44 patients were enrolled and received sunitinib (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22). The median age was 63.7 years (Q1-Q3 range, 56.6-68.1) and 26 patients (59.1%) were male. The main localization was ileum (N = 37, 84.1%) and the majority were grade 2 (n = 25, 56.8%). The median follow-up was 36.7 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 34.6-48.2). The median PFS was 9.84 months (95% CI 6.8-23.3) with sunitinib and 11.47 months (95% CI 5.4-15.3) with placebo (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.80, 95% CI 0.41-1.56, p = 0.51). There was no difference in overall survival between treatment arms (HR = 0.81, (95% CI 0.32-2.01), p = 0.64). The objective response rate was 9.1% with sunitinib and 0.0% with placebo, and 19 patients (86.4%) had stable disease. Thirty-nine patients (88.6%) completed the baseline QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Baseline health-related quality of life level was similar between treatment arms, except for physical and emotional functioning which were higher (p = 0.089) and lower (p = 0.023) in the sunitinib arm, respectively. Trends toward longer time until a definitive deterioration in favor of the sunitinib arm were observed for 10 out of 15 dimensions (HRs < 1), with a significant result for financial difficulties (HR = 0.31, (90% CI 0.10-0.94)). Twenty-seven patients (61.4%) had at least one adverse event grade ⩾3 (sunitinib: 72.7%, placebo: 50.0%), with only one patient grade 4 for hypertension and vomiting. Eleven deaths non-related to treatment occurred (sunitinib arm: n = 5, placebo arm: n = 6). Conclusion:Our study does not provide enough evidence to conclude the role of sunitinib in advanced midgut NETs, primarily due to a lower-than-expected number of enrolled patients. While we cannot entirely rule out the efficacy of sunitinib, lanreotide alone may play a significant role. Trial registration:EudraCT: 2012-001098-94.
BACKGROUND:Triplet chemotherapy plus cetuximab showed promising results in phase II trials in unsystematically selected RAS population. We evaluated FOLFIRINOX+cetuximab efficacy as first-line treatment in extended RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed patients treated with FOLFIRINOX+cetuximab, using data from clinical trials and real-life practice. Extended mutation analysis was performed when RAS/BRAF status was unavailable. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS:Seventy patients (61.4 % male, median age 58.7 years) were analyzed. Eighty percent had left-sided mCRC and 97.1 % had liver metastases. Median PFS and overall survival (OS) were 13.3 and 48.5 months, respectively. The objective response rate was 85.7 %, with 20 % complete response. Primary tumor location did not affect OS and PFS. BRAF wild-type patients (n = 65) had longer PFS (13.3 vs. 6.0 months; p = 0.005) and OS (50.1 vs. 21.2 months; p = 0.007) than BRAF mutated patients (n = 5, including four BRAFV600E). Median OS was significantly longer in resected patients (n = 39, 55.1 vs. 30.7 months; p = 0.030). Main toxicities were diarrhea (31.4 %) and neutropenia (21.4 %). CONCLUSION:FOLFIRINOX+cetuximab provides good PFS, high response rate and prolonged disease control in initially unresectable extended RAS wild-type mCRC. This combination is particularly interesting for selected patients with liver-limited disease eligible to secondary resection.
Introduction: Duodenal neuroendocrine tumours (D-NETs) have a low incidence; however, their diagnosis has been increasing. Features such as tumour location, size, type, histological grade, and stage were used to adapt the treatment to either endoscopic (ER) or surgical (SR) resections. There is no consensus regarding the definitive treatment. The authors' study aimed to describe the management of non-metastatic, well-differentiated D-NETs in France and its impact on patient survival. Methods: A registry-based multicenter study using prospectively collected data between 2000 and 2019, including all patients managed for non-metastatic G1 and G2 D-NETs, was conducted in the GTE group. Results: A total of 153 patients were included. Fifty-eight benefited from an ER, and 95 had an SR. No difference in recurrence-free survival (RFS) was observed regardless of treatment type. There was no significant difference between the two groups (ER vs. SR) in terms of location, size, grade, or lymphadenopathy, regardless of the type of incomplete resection performed or regarding the pre-therapeutic assessment of lymph node invasion in imaging. The surgery allowed for significantly more complete resection (patients with R1 resection in the SR group: 9 vs. 14 in the ER group, P<0.001). Among the 51 patients with positive lymph node dissection after SR, tumour size was less than or equal to 1 cm in 25 cases. Surgical complications were more numerous (P=0.001). In the sub-group analysis of G1-G2 D-NETs between 11 and 19 mm, there was no significant difference in grade (P=0.977) and location (P=0.617) between the two groups (ER vs. SR). No significant difference was found in both morphological and functional imaging, focusing on the pre-therapeutic assessment of lymph node invasion (P=0.387). Conclusion: Regardless of the resection type (ER or SR) of G1-G2 non-metastatic D-NETs, as well as the type of management of incomplete resection, which was greater in the ER group, long-term survival results were similar between ER and SR. Organ preservation seems to be the best choice owing to the slow evolution of these tumours.
Background The modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (mDCF) regimen has shown efficacy and safety as first -line treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, making it a standard regimen. Inhibitors of programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand, such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, retifanlimab, avelumab, and atezolizumab, have shown some antitumour activity as monotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anus that is refractory to chemotherapy. This phase 2 study evaluated the combination of mDCF and atezolizumab as first -line treatment in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Methods In this randomised, open -label, non -comparative, phase 2 study, participants from 21 centres (academic, private, and community hospitals and cancer research centres) across France with chemo-naive, metastatic, or unresectable locally advanced recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, aged 18 years or older, and with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, were randomly allocated (2:1) to receive either atezolizumab (800 mg intravenously every 2 weeks up to 1 year) plus mDCF (eight cycles of 40 mg per m 2 docetaxel and 40 mg per m 2 cisplatin on day 1 and 1200 mg per m 2 per day of fluorouracil for 2 days, every 2 weeks intravenously; group A) or mDCF alone (group B). Randomisation was done centrally using a minimisation technique and was stratified by age (<65 years vs >= 65 years) and disease status. The primary endpoint was investigator -assessed 12 -month progression -free survival in the modified intention -to -treat population in group A (35% for the null hypothesis and 50% for the alternative hypothesis). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03519295, and is closed to new participants. Findings 97 evaluable participants (64 in group A and 33 in group B) were enrolled between July 3, 2018, and Aug 19, 2020. The median follow-up was 265 months (95% CI 248-284). The median age of participants was 641 years (IQR 562-716), and 71 (73%) were female. 12 -month progression -free survival was 45% (90% CI 35-55) in group A and 43% (29-58) in group B. In participants with a PD -L1 combined positive score of 5 or greater, 12 -month progression -free survival was 70% (95% CI 47-100) in group A and 40% (19-85) in group B (interaction p=0051) Both groups showed high compliance. Adverse events of grade 3 or higher were observed in 39 (61%) participants in group A and 14 (42%) in group B. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (nine [14%] participants in group A vs five [15%] in group B), anaemia (nine [14%] vs one [3%]), fatigue (three [5%] vs four [12%]), and diarrhoea (seven [11%] vs one [3%]). Serious adverse events occurred in 16 (25%) participants in group A and four (12%) in group B, and these were mDCF-related in seven (11%) participants in group A and four (12%) in group B. Atezolizumabrelated serious adverse events occurred in nine (14%) participants in group A, including grade 2 infusion -related reaction in three (5%), grade 3 infection in two (3%), and grade 2 colitis, grade 3 acute kidney injury, grade 3 sarcoidosis, and a grade 4 platelet count decrease each in one participant (2%). There were no treatment -related deaths. Interpretation Despite a higher incidence of adverse events, combining atezolizumab with mDCF is feasible, with similar dose intensity in both groups, although the primary efficacy endpoint was not met. The predictive value of a PD -L1 combined positive score of 5 or greater now needs to be confirmed in future studies. Copyright (c) 2024 Elsevier. All rights reserved.
Importance:Efficacy of second-line chemotherapy in advanced gastric or gastrooesphageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma remains limited. Ojectives:To determine the efficacy of 1 or 2 immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with FOLFIRI (leucovorin [folinic acid], fluorouracil, and irinotecan) in the treatment of advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma. Design, Setting, and Participants:The PRODIGE 59-FFCD 1707-DURIGAST trial is a randomized, multicenter, noncomparative, phase 2 trial, conducted from August 27, 2020, and June 4, 2021, at 37 centers in France that included patients with advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma who had disease progression after platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. Intervention:Patients were randomized to receive FOLFIRI plus durvalumab (anti-programmed cell death 1 [PD-L1]) (FD arm) or FOLFIRI plus durvalumab and tremelimumab (anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 [CTLA-4]) (FDT arm). The efficacy analyses used a clinical cutoff date of January 9, 2023. Main outcome and Measures:The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) at 4 months according to RECIST 1.1 criteria evaluated by investigators. Results:Overall, between August 27, 2020, and June 4, 2021, 96 patients were randomized (48 in each arm). The median age was 59.7 years, 28 patients (30.4%) were women and 49 (53.3%) had GEJ tumors. Four month PFS was 44.7% (90% CI, 32.3-57.7) and 55.6% (90% CI, 42.3-68.3) in the FD and FDT arms, respectively. The primary end point was not met. Median PFS was 3.8 and 5.4 months, objective response rates were 34.7% and 37.7%, and median overall survival was 13.2 and 9.5 months in the FD and FDT arms, respectively. Disease control beyond 1 year was 14.9% in the FD arm and 24.4% in the FDT arm. Grade 3 to 4 treatment-related adverse events were observed in 22 (47.8%) patients in each arm. A combined positive score (CPS) PD-L1 of 5 or higher was observed in 18 tumors (34.0%) and a tumor proportion score (TPS) PD-L1 of 1% or higher in 13 tumors (24.5%). Median PFS according to CPS PD-L1 was similar (3.6 months for PD-L1 CPS ≥5 vs 5.4 months for PD-L1 CPS <5) by contrast for TPS PD-L1 (6.0 months for PD-L1 TPS ≥1% vs 3.8 months for PD-L1 TPS <1%). Conclusions and Relevance:Combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with FOLFIRI in second-line treatment for advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma showed an acceptable safety profile but antitumor activity only in a subgroup of patients. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03959293.
OBJECTIVE:Glucagonoma is a very rare functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET). We aimed to provide data on the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of patients with glucagonoma. DESIGN AND METHODS:In this retrospective national cohort, we included all patients with glucagonoma, defined by at least 1 major criterion (necrolytic migratory erythema [NME] and/or recent-onset diabetes, and/or weight loss ≥ 5 kg) associated with either glucagonemia > 2 × upper limit of normal or positive glucagon immunostaining. Antisecretory efficacy was defined as partial/complete resolution of glucagonoma symptoms. Antitumor efficacy was assessed according to the time to next treatment (TTNT). RESULTS:Thirty-eight patients were included with median age 58.7 yo, primary PanNET located in the tail (68.4%), synchronous metastases (63.2%). Median Ki-67 index was 3%. Most frequent glucagonoma symptoms at diagnosis were NME (86.8%), weight loss (68.4%), and diabetes (50%). Surgery of the primary PanNET was performed in 76.3% of cases, mainly with curative intent (61.5%). After surgery, complete resolution of NME was seen in 93.8% (n = 15/16). The secretory response rates were 85.7%, 85.7%, 75%, and 60% with surgery of metastases (n = 6/7), chemotherapy (n = 6/7), liver-directed therapy (n = 6/8), and somatostatin analogs (n = 6/10), respectively. All lines combined, longer TTNT was reported with chemotherapy (20.2 months). Median overall survival (OS) was 17.3 years. The Ki-67 index > 3% was associated with shorter OS (hazard ratio 5.27, 95% CI [1.11-24.96], P = .036). CONCLUSION:Patients with glucagonoma had prolonged survival, even in the presence of metastases at diagnosis. Curative-intent surgery should always be considered. Chemotherapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, or liver-directed therapy seems to provide both substantial antitumor and antisecretory efficacies.
For shrinkage of RAS/BRAF WT tumors, anti-EGFR antibodies combinated with triplet chemotherapy (CT) regimen have shown promising results in phase I-II trials. Ultrasensitive cirDNA analysis as those with IntPlex® technology might result in better selection of super-responders to anti-EGFR-based therapies. Thus, the aim of PANIRINOX was studying the complete response (CR) rate obtained with P plus a tri-CT regimen (FOLFIRINOX = Arm A) or a standard bi-CT (mFOLFOX6 = Arm B) in pts with cirDNA-based RAS/BRAF V600E WT unresectable mCRC tumors.
Background There is no standard second-line treatment after platinum-etoposide chemotherapy for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab, and FOLFIRI alone, in this setting.Methods We did a randomised, non-comparative, open-label, phase 2 trial (PRODIGE 41-BEVANEC) at 26 hospitals in France. We included patients aged 18 years or older with locally advanced or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma or neuroendocrine carcinoma of unknown primary origin, documented progressive disease during or after first-line platinum-etoposide chemotherapy, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1; block size of three), without stratification, to receive FOLFIRI (irinotecan 180 mg/m2, calcium folinate 400 mg/m2 or levofolinate 200 mg/m2, and fluorouracil 400 mg/m2 bolus then 2400 mg/m2 over 46 h) plus bevacizumab 5 mg/kg or FOLFIRI alone, intravenously, every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Neither patients nor investigators were masked to group assignment. The primary outcome was overall survival at 6 months after randomisation, evaluated in the modified intention-to-treat population (all enrolled and randomly assigned patients who received at least one cycle of FOLFIRI). This study is now complete and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02820857.Findings Between Sept 5, 2017, and Feb 8, 2022, 150 patients were assessed for eligibility and 133 were enrolled and randomly assigned: 65 to the FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab group and 68 to the FOLFIRI group. 126 patients (59 in the FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab group and 67 in the FOLFIRI group) received at least one cycle of FOLFIRI and were included in the modified intention-to-treat population, 83 (66%) of whom were male and 43 (34%) were female, and the median age of the patients was 67 years (IQR 58-73). The primary tumour location was colorectal in 38 (30%) of 126 patients, pancreatic in 34 (27%), gastro-oesophageal in 22 (17%), and unknown in 23 (18%). After a median follow-up of 25middot7 months (95% CI 22middot0-38middot2), 6-month overall survival was 53% (80% CI 43-61) in the FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab group and 60% (51-68) in the FOLFIRI group. Grade 3-4 adverse events that occurred in at least 5% of patients were neutropenia (eight [14%] patients), diarrhoea (six [10%]), and asthenia (five [8%]) in the FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab group, and neutropenia (seven [10%]) in the FOLFIRI group. One treatment-related death (ischaemic stroke) occurred in the FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab group.Interpretation The addition of bevacizumab did not seem to increase the benefit of FOLFIRI with regard to overall survival. FOLFIRI could be considered as a standard second-line treatment in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma.Funding French Ministry of Health and Roche SAS.Copyright (c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Triplet DCF (docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-flurouracil) and doublet CP/CF (carboplatin and paclitaxel/cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) regimens were prospectively evaluated in advanced squamous anal cell carcinoma (SCCA), and validated as standard treatments. Even though the high efficacy and good tolerance of DCF regimen were confirmed in 3 independent prospective trials, doublet CP regimen is still recommended in several guidelines based in its better safety profile with similar efficacy compared to CF regimen. We performed a propensity score-adjusted method with inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW) and matched case control (MCC) comparison among patients with metastatic or non-resectable locally advanced recurrent SCCA, treated with chemotherapy as first line regimen. The primary endpoint was the overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoint was the progression-free survival (PFS). 247 patients were included for analysis. 154 patients received DCF and 93 patients received a doublet regimen. The median OS was 32.3 months with DCF and 18.3 months with doublet regimens (HR 0.53, 95%CI 0.38–0.74; p = 0.0001), and the median PFS was 11.2 months with DCF versus 7.6 months with doublet regimens (HR 0.53, 95%CI 0.39–0.73; p < 0.0001). The hazard ratios by IPTW and MCC analyses were 0.411 (95% CI, 0.324–0.521; p < 0.0001) and 0.406 (95% CI, 0.261–0.632; p < 0.0001) for OS, and 0.466 (95% CI, 0.376–0.576; p < 0.0001) and 0.438 (95% CI, 0.298–0.644; P < 0.0001) for PFS. The triplet DCF regimen provides a high and significant benefit in OS and PFS over doublet regimens, and should be considered as upfront treatment for eligible patients with advanced SCCA.