Supplementary Figure 2: Emotional distress and tumor burden do not explain the systemic inflammatory signature.

Supplementary Figure 1: The duration of response to various therapy lines for patients in the Ipi arm is depicted. For each line of therapy, the duration of response (DOR) is indicated if applicable. Active therapy is represented by an arrow, and dashed arrows are used for patients who were lost to follow-up. Monotherapy with trastuzumab (T), ramucirumab (R), radiotherapy (#), or surgery (*) is also indicated.

Supplementary Figure 3: Low NLR defines patients with superior survival in the Ipi arm.

A hallmark of human tumors is the loss of p53 or its transcriptional functions. In this study, we describe the generation of the conditionally replicating adenovirus Adp53sensor for the treatment of p53-dysfunctional tumors. p53-selective attenuation of viral replication was achieved by using p53-dependent expression of the transcriptional repressor Gal4-KRAB that was directed against the adenoviral E1A locus. Adp53sensor shows efficient replication in p53-dysfunctional, but not in p53-active cells. In p53-dysfunctional cells, p53-analogous transcriptional activity by other p53 family members was not sufficient to compromise replication of Adp53sensor. In comparison with a genetically similar, but p53-insensitive virus, Adp53sensor replication was inhibited after systemic infection of p53-wt-mice, but not in p53-ko-mice thus confirming the correct function of the chosen approach. Adp53sensor showed efficient lytic and replicative properties in all investigated cells with p53-dysfunction and successfully inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenotransplants in vivo. We further demonstrated that intravenous injection of Adp53sensor lead to significantly reduced liver damage compared to the control virus. Together, our data show that Adp53sensor is an oncolytic, p53-selective adenovirus for efficient treatment of p53-dysfunctional tumors with a favorable toxicity profile. Moreover, Adp53sensor provides a strategy that should be applicable to other transcriptionally regulated DNA viruses.

Supplementary Figure 4: PFS in selected patients and overall survival of NLR > 5 patients. (A) PFS in months is shown for patients selected by CPS ≥ 1, HER2-3+, and NLR < 5 within the Ipi arm (n=12). Median PFS was 20.9 months. (B) Final overall survival is shown for the Ipi vs FOLFOX arm of NLR >5 preselected patients. Number of patients at risk are indicated. Log-rank test was performed (B).

Anti-PD-1, trastuzumab, and chemotherapy are used in the treatment of patients with advanced HER2-positive esophagogastric adenocarcinoma, but long-term survival remains limited. In this study, we report extended follow-up data from the INTEGA trial (NCT03409848), which investigated the efficacy of the anti-PD-1 nivolumab, trastuzumab, and FOLFOX chemotherapy (FOLFOX arm) in comparison with a chemotherapy-free regimen involving nivolumab, trastuzumab, and the anti-CTLA-4 ipilimumab (Ipi arm) in the first-line setting for advanced disease. The 12-month overall survival (OS) showed no statistical difference between the arms, with 57% OS (95% confidence interval, 41%-71%) in the Ipi arm and 70% OS (95% confidence interval, 54%-82%) in the FOLFOX arm. Crossing of the survival curves indicated a potential long-term benefit for some patients within the Ipi arm, but early progressors in the Ipi arm underlined the need for biomarker-guided strategies to optimize treatment selection. To this end, metabolomic and cytokine analyses demonstrated elevated levels of normetanephrine, cortisol, and IL6 in immunotherapy-unresponsive patients in the Ipi arm, suggesting a role for systemic inflammatory stress in modulating antitumor immune responses. Patients with this signature also showed an increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio that persisted in the Ipi arm, but not in the FOLFOX arm, and strongly correlated with survival. Furthermore, a low neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio characterized patients benefiting from immunotherapy and targeted therapy without the need for additional chemotherapy. These data suggest that patient selection based on inflammatory stress-driven immune changes could help customize first-line treatment in patients with advanced HER2-positive esophagogastric adenocarcinoma to potentially improve long-term survival.

Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an option for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer at low risk for local recurrence. This randomized phase II trial investigated whether the addition of aflibercept to modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) could improve the rates of centrally confirmed pathological complete remissions (pCR) and (disease-free) survival in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-staged cT3 rectal cancer. Patients and methods Patients with rectal cancer fulfilling the following criteria were included: lower border of tumor >5 cm and <16 cm from anal verge; circumferential resection margin >2 mm and T3-tumor with a maximum infiltration of 10 mm, as determined by MRI. Patients were randomized 1 : 2 to six cycles mFOLFOX6 ± aflibercept. Surgery was scheduled 4 weeks after chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was the rate of centrally confirmed pCR. The study was designed to detect an improvement of pCR from 10% to 27% (power 80%, type I error 20%). Results A total of 119 randomized patients started treatment (39 patients mFOLFOX6, arm A, and 80 mFOLFOX + aflibercept, arm B). The incidence of all grade adverse events was similar in both arms, however, adverse events grade ≥3 were more than twice as high in the experimental arm due to hypertension. Surgical complications were comparable. Aflibercept did not improve the pCR rate (arm A 26% versus arm B 19%, P = 0.47) and more patients in arm B had node positivity. With a median follow-up of 40.1 months, the 4-year disease-free survival was 83% in arm A and 85% in arm B (P = 0.82). Only two patients in arm A and one patient in arm B developed local recurrence. Conclusions In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and MRI-defined low risk of local recurrence, neoadjuvant mFOLFOX6 + aflibercept was feasible and did not compromise surgery. Survival data were favorable in both arms, but pCR rates were not increased by the addition of aflibercept.

204 Background: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are widely used for tumor treatment, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). So far, there are no biomarkers that reliably predict resistance to anti-VEGF mAbs like bevacizumab. A biomarker-guided strategy for early and accurate assessment of resistance could avoid the use of non-effective treatment and improve patient outcomes. We hypothesized that repeated analysis of multiple cytokines and angiogenic growth factors (CAFs) before and during treatment using machine learning could provide an accurate and earlier, i.e., 100 days before conventional radiologic staging, prediction of resistance to first-line mCRC treatment with FOLFOX plus bevacizumab. Methods: 15 German and Austrian centers prospectively recruited 154 mCRC patients receiving FOLFOX plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment. Plasma samples were collected every two weeks until radiologic progression (RECIST 1.1) as determined by CT scans performed every 2 months. 102 pre-selected CAFs were centrally analyzed using a cytokine multiplex assay (Luminex, Myriad RBM). Results: Using random forest machine learning, we developed a predictive model that discriminated between the situations of ”no progress within 100 days before radiological progress” and ”progress within 100 days before radiological progress”. Into this we incorporated a combination of ten out of the 102 CAF markers, which fulfilled this task with 81% accuracy, 72% sensitivity, and 88% specificity. Conclusions: Using artificial intelligence we identified a CAF marker combination that indicates treatment resistance to FOLFOX plus bevacizumab in patients with mCRC within 100 days prior to radiologic progress. Further studies are required to show its clinical value. Clinical trial information: NCT02331927 .

BACKGROUND:Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are widely used for tumor treatment, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). So far, there are no biomarkers that reliably predict resistance to anti-VEGF mAbs like bevacizumab. A biomarker-guided strategy for early and accurate assessment of resistance could avoid the use of non-effective treatment and improve patient outcomes. We hypothesized that repeated analysis of multiple cytokines and angiogenic growth factors (CAFs) before and during treatment using machine learning could provide an accurate and earlier, i.e., 100 days before conventional radiologic staging, prediction of resistance to first-line mCRC treatment with FOLFOX plus bevacizumab.PATIENTS AND METHODS:15 German and Austrian centers prospectively recruited 50 mCRC patients receiving FOLFOX plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment. Plasma samples were collected every two weeks until radiologic progression (RECIST 1.1) as determined by CT scans performed every 2 months. 102 pre-selected CAFs were centrally analyzed using a cytokine multiplex assay (Luminex, Myriad RBM).RESULTS:Using random forests, we developed a predictive machine learning model that discriminated between the situations of "no progress within 100 days before radiological progress" and "progress within 100 days before radiological progress". We could further identify a combination of ten out of the 102 CAF markers, which fulfilled this task with 78.2% accuracy, 71.8% sensitivity, and 82.5% specificity.CONCLUSIONS:We identified a CAF marker combination that indicates treatment resistance to FOLFOX plus bevacizumab in patients with mCRC within 100 days prior to radiologic progress.

Purpose: Platinum-fluoropyrimidine combinations are standard of care for treatment of metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. The optimal duration of first-line chemotherapy is unknown, however, and maintenance strategies have not yet been established. Design: MATEO is an international randomized phase II trial exploring efficacy and safety of S-1 maintenance therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. After 3 months of first-line platinum-fluoropyrimidine-based induction therapy, patients without progression were randomized in a 2 : 1 allocation to receive S-1 monotherapy (arm A) or to continue combination chemotherapy (arm B). The primary objective was to show non-inferiority of overall survival in the S-1 maintenance group. Progression-free survival, adverse events, and quality of life were secondary endpoints.Results: From 2014 to 2019, 110 and 55 patients were randomized in arm A and arm B, respectively (recruitment closed prematurely). Median overall survival from randomization was 13.4 months for arm A and 11.4 months for arm B [hazard ratio 0.97 (80% confidence interval 0.76-1.23), P = 0.86]. Median progression-free survival from randomization was 4.3 and 6.1 months for arm A versus arm B, respectively [hazard ratio 1.10 (80% confidence interval 0.86-1.39), P = 0.62]. Patients in arm A had numerically fewer treatment-related adverse events (84.9% versus 93.9%) and significantly less peripheral sensory polyneuropathy & GE;grade 2 (9.4% versus 36.7%).Conclusions: S-1 maintenance following platinum-based induction therapy leads to non-inferior survival outcomes compared with the continuation of platinum-based combination. Toxicity patterns favor a fluoropyrimidine maintenance strategy. These data challenge the continued use of platinum combination chemotherapy after response to 3 months induction therapy in patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative esophagogastric adenocarcinoma.

4026 Background: In metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA), the addition of PD-1 inhibitors (i) to chemotherapy has improved the outcome in selected patient populations. The randomized INTEGA trial investigated trastuzumab and PD-1i with FOLFOX or CTLA-4i in 1 st line treatment of advanced HER2+ EGA. Methods: Patients with previously untreated, metastatic HER2+ (local IHC3+ or 2+/ISH+) EGA, and adequate organ function were randomized to trastuzumab and nivolumab (1mg/kg Q3W x4 /240mg Q2W for up to 12 months) in combination with ipilimumab (3mg/kg x4 Q3W; Ipi arm) or mFOLFOX6 (FOLFOX arm) accompanied by a large translational program. The primary endpoint was the 12month overall survival (OS) rate. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03409848. Results: Between March 2018 and May 2020, 97 patients were enrolled and 88 randomized across 21 German sites with the following baseline characteristics: female/male 18/70, median age 60.5 (range 41-80), ECOG 0/1 54/34, GEJ/stomach 66/22. Central post hoc biomarker analysis on 82 evaluable patients showed PD-L1 CPS≥1/≥5 in 59/46 patients and confirmed HER2 (central IHC3+ or 2+/ISH+) positivity in 77 patients. The observed OS rate at 12 months was 70% (95% confidence interval (CI) 54-81%) in the FOLFOX arm, and 57% (95% CI 41-71%) in the Ipi arm. The progression free survival was 10.7 and 3.2 months, and the overall response rate was 53.5% and 34% in the FOLFOX and the Ipi arm, respectively. Although these data are in favor of the FOLFOX arm, the overall survival curves crossed with increased follow-up (median follow-up of 18.8 months) and thus the final median OS was 22.1 and 23.3 months, numerically favoring the Ipi arm. According to the centrally assessed CPS the OS was: 22.1 and 32.2 months in the CPS<5 group, and 22.7 and 12.6 months in the CPS≥5 group for the FOLFOX and the Ipi arm, respectively. Notably, the median tumor burden calculated as the sum of target lesions was numerically lowest in the Ipi arm with higher than median OS. Conclusions: In contrast to limited short term efficacy of the Ipi arm as reflected by the lower PFS, the Ipi arm showed favorable OS, that was inversely correlated to the CPS status. Further analysis of baseline clinical and molecular data to better identify the subgroup of patients benefitting the most of trastuzumab/nivolumab/ipilimumab will be presented at the meeting. Clinical trial information: NCT03409848 . [Table: see text]

Analysis of of activation markers on CD8 T cells after neoadjuvant treatment.

AbstractMcKittrick–Wheelock syndrome (MKWS) is an uncommon clinical manifestation of large, villous, epithelial lesions of the distal colon and rectum. Excessive secretion of electrolyte-rich mucus from these lesions leads to secretory diarrhea, electrolyte disorders and acute renal failure. Several cases of MKWS have been reported since its initial description in 1954. The definitive treatment for the great majority of MKWS cases has consisted of surgical resection of the affected part of the colorectum, usually in the form of a low anterior resection or an abdominoperineal resection with the formation of an ostomy. Recent developments in endoscopic resection techniques now offer new, minimally invasive treatment alternatives for MKWS patients. We present the first reported case in the Western world of MKWS caused by a rectal adenoma with a size of 19 × 10 cm, treated through endoscopic submucosal dissection. Through the lessons learned by this case, as well as by a thorough review of the literature, we discuss this uncommon syndrome, focusing on treatment alternatives.

Importance In metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA), the addition of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors to chemotherapy has improved outcomes in selected patient populations. Objective To investigate the efficacy of trastuzumab and PD-1 inhibitors with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors or FOLFOX in first-line treatment of advanced ERBB2-positive EGA. Design, Setting, and Participants This phase 2 multicenter, outpatient, randomized clinical trial with 2 experimental arms compared with historical control individually was conducted between March 2018 and May 2020 across 21 German sites. The reported results are based on a median follow-up of 14.3 months. Patients with previously untreated, metastatic ERBB2-positive (local immunohistochemistry score of 3+ or 2+/in situ hybridization amplification positive) EGA, adequate organ function, and eligibility for immunotherapy were included. Data analysis was performed from June to September 2021. Interventions Patients were randomized to trastuzumab and nivolumab (1 mg/kg × 4/240 mg for up to 12 months) in combination with mFOLFOX6 (FOLFOX arm) or ipilimumab (3 mg/kg × 4 for up to 12 weeks) (ipilimumab arm). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was survival improvement with a targeted increase of the 12-month overall survival rate from 55% (trastuzumab/chemotherapy-ToGA regimen) to 70% in each arm. Results A total of 97 patients were enrolled, and 88 were randomized (18 women, 70 men; median [range] age, 61 [41-80] years). Baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 in 54 patients (61%) and 1 in 34 patients (39%); 66 patients (75%) had EGA localized in the esophagogastric junction and 22 in the stomach (25%). Central post hoc biomarker analysis (84 patients) showed PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score of 1 or greater in 59 patients (72%) and 5 or greater in 46 patients (56%) and confirmed ERBB2 positivity in 76 patients. The observed overall survival rate at 12 months was 70% (95% CI, 54%-81%) with FOLFOX and 57% (95% CI, 41%-71%) with ipilimumab. Treatment-related grade 3 or greater adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs occurred in 29 and 15 patients in the FOLFOX arm and in 20 and 17 patients in the ipilimumab arm, respectively, with a higher incidence of autoimmune-related AEs in the ipilimumab arm and neuropathy in the FOLFOX arm. Liquid biopsy analyses showed strong correlation of early cell-free DNA increase with shorter progression-free and overall survival and emergence of truncating and epitope-loss ERBB2 resistance sequence variations with trastuzumab treatment. Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial, trastuzumab, nivolumab, and FOLFOX showed favorable efficacy compared with historical data and trastuzumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab in ERBB2-positive EGA. The ipilimumab arm yielded similar OS compared with the ToGA regimen. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03409848.

Immune therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) have drastically improved survival for an increasing number of entities and thereby revolutionized modern oncology. However, even in combined multi-agent approaches, therapy resistance presents a major limitation and imposes the need for tight and sensitive monitoring of the disease status. Liquid biopsy holds the potential to track both the tumor and the patient’s immune response and therefore to monitor even hardly accessible solid tumors as well as to predict therapy outcomes. In the work presented here, we explored the prognostic value of liquid biopsy in patients with advanced HER2+ esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) receiving first-line treatment of trastuzumab (αHER2) and nivolumab (αPD-1) in combination with ipilimumab (αCTLA-4) or FOLFOX as translational part of the INTEGA trial (NCT03409848). From blood sampled at baseline, after the first treatment cycle (2-3 weeks) and at the end of treatment, we isolated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to quantify tumor burden and to derive the mutational landscape of the tumor from the contained circulating tumor DNA. Furthermore, we analyzed genomic DNA of blood cells via next-generation sequencing for imprints of the T cell receptor repertoire. We identified a potential tumor driver mutation from cfDNA at baseline in 88 % of cases implying that liquid biopsy is suitable to track malignant lesions in the setting of advanced HER2+ EGA. In some progressive patients, we found truncating or epitope-loss HER2 resistance mutations acquired on therapy, representing a new tumor escape mechanism under ICI with HER2 blockade. Analysis of the T cell immune repertoire in blood showed a significant correlation between high T cell richness and longer survival already after 2-3 weeks, which might represent a read-out for restored T cell activity upon ICI. Moreover, the crude amount of cfDNA per ml blood plasma after 2-3 weeks significantly correlated with response to treatment. Thus, the quantification of cfDNA could offer a relevant prognostic parameter to be implemented into the clinical praxis without the need for time-consuming and cost-intensive analyses.

Ralf Hofheinz · Dirk Arnold · Stefan Fichtner-Feigl · Emmanouil Fokas · Gunnar Folprecht · Michael Geissler · Michael Ghadimi · Susanne Hegewisch-Becker · Volker Heinemann · Stefan Kasper-Virchow · Stefan Kubicka · Dominik Paul Modest · Pompilio Piso · Anke Reinacher-Schick · Claus-Michael Rödel · Thomas Seufferlein · Alexander Stein · Sebastian Stintzing 1 Interdisziplinäres Tumorzentrum, TagesTherapieZentrum amMannheim Cancer Center, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland; 2 Hämatologie, Internistische Onkologie, Palliativmed., Asklepios Tumorzentrum Hamburg, AK Altona, Hamburg, Deutschland; 3 Klinik für Allgemeinund Viszeralchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland; 4 Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Deutschland; Medizinische Klinik I, UniversitätsklinikumCarl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland; 6 Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Deutschland; 7 Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeralund Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinik Göttingen, Göttingen, Deutschland; 8 HämatologischOnkologische Praxis Eppendorf (HOPE), Hamburg, Deutschland; Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Deutschland; 10 Innere Klinik (Tumorforschung), Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Deutschland; Medizinische Klinik I, Klinikum am Steinenberg, Reutlingen, Deutschland; Medizinische Klinik m.S. Hämatologie, Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie, Charité, Berlin, Deutschland; 13 Klinik für Allgemeinund Viszeralchirurgie, Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder Regensburg, Regensburg, Deutschland; 14 Klinikum der RuhrUniversität Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Deutschland; 15 Klinik für Innere Medizin I, UniversitätsklinikumUlm, Ulm, Deutschland