BACKGROUND:Few germline susceptibility genes have been well established for lung cancer. We aimed to evaluate associations between germline variants in known hereditary cancer genes and lung cancer risk. METHODS:We analyzed subjects of European ancestry from two datasets: 2,272 LC cases and 185,510 controls from the UK Biobank, and 824 LC cases from Rush University Medical Center (RUSH) with 56,878 population controls from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). Rare pathogenic germline variants in 123 ClinGen-curated hereditary cancer genes were first tested for lung cancer risk in the UK Biobank using gene-based burden testing (robust SKAT-O). Genes with suggestive associations were further evaluated in the RUSH/gnomAD dataset. Meta-analysis of the two datasets was performed to estimate overall evidence and pooled odds ratios. RESULTS:Rare germline variants in ten genes showed nominally significant associations with lung cancer in the UK Biobank (p<0.05), and TP53 showed a borderline signal (p=0.11). These genes were tested in the RUSH/gnomAD dataset, and meta-analysis identified suggestive evidence supporting eight genes associated with increased lung cancer risk (p<0.05), including three previously reported lung cancer genes (ATM, BRCA2, TP53) and five novel genes (RB1, MET, CYLD, PDGFRA, CTNNA1). In the UK Biobank incident lung cancer cohort, aggregated rare pathogenic variants in these eight genes were significantly associated with lung cancer risk and earlier age at lung cancer diagnosis, independent and complementary to smoking history at recruitment. CONCLUSIONS:Suggestive evidence supporting associations between rare germline variants in eight hereditary cancer genes and lung cancer were obtained from two large independent datasets.

Supplementary Methods, Figure Legend from Optical Detection of Buccal Epithelial Nanoarchitectural Alterations in Patients Harboring Lung Cancer: Implications for Screening

Objective:To determine the frequency of pathogenic mutations in high-penetrance genes (HPGs) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and identify whether such mutations are associated with clinicopathologic outcomes. Methods:Patients with NSCLC who had consented to participate in a linked clinical database and biorepository underwent germline DNA sequencing using a next-generation sequencing panel that included cancer-associated HPGs and cancer risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These data were linked to the clinical database to assess for associations between germline variants and clinical phenotype using Fisher's exact test and multivariable logistic and Cox regression. Results:We analyzed 151 patients, among whom 33% carried any pathogenic HPG mutation and 23% had a genetic risk score (GRS) >1.5. Among the patients without any pathogenic mutation, 31% were at cancer stage II or higher, compared with 55% of those with 2 types of HPG mutations (P = .0293); 40% of patients with both types of HPG mutations had cancer recurrence, compared with 21% of patients without both types (P = .0644). In multivariable analysis, the presence of 2 types of HPG mutations was associated with higher cancer stage (odds ratio [OR], 3.32; P = .0228), increased recurrence of primary tumor (OR, 2.93; P = .0527), shorter time to recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 3.03; P = .0119), and decreased cancer-specific (HR, 3.53; P = .0039) and overall survival (HR, 2.44; P = .0114). Conclusions:The presence of mutations in HPGs is associated with higher cancer stage, increased risk of recurrence, and worse cancer-specific and overall survival in patients with NSCLC. Further large studies are needed to better delineate the role of HPGs in cancer recurrence and the potential benefit of adjuvant treatment in patients harboring such mutations.

BACKGROUND COVID-19 represents a grave risk to residents in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). OBJECTIVE To determine whether establishment of an appropriate-use committee was associated with a reduction in SNF utilization. DESIGNS, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective cohort study at NorthShore University HealthSystem, a multihospital integrated health system in northern Illinois. Participants were patients hospitalized from March 19, 2019, to July 16, 2020. INTERVENTION Creation of a multidisciplinary committee to assess appropriateness of discharge to SNF following hospitalization. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES Primary outcome was total discharges to SNFs. Secondary outcomes were new discharges to SNFs, readmissions, length of stay (LOS), and COVID-19 incidence following discharge. RESULTS Matched populations pre and post intervention were each 4424 patients. Post intervention, there was a relative reduction in total SNF discharges of 49.7% (odds ratio [OR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.38-0.47) and in new SNF discharges of 66.9% (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.25-0.34). Differences in readmissions and LOS were not statistically significant. For patients discharged to a SNF, 2.99% (95% CI, 1.59%-4.39%) developed COVID-19 within 30 days, compared with 0.26% (95% CI, 0.29%-0.93%) of patients discharged to other settings (P < .001). CONCLUSION Implementing a review committee to assess for appropriateness of SNF use after a hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic is highly effective. There was no negative impact on safety or efficiency of hospital care, and reduced SNF use likely prevented several cases of COVID-19. This model could serve as a template for other hospitals to reduce the risks of COVID-19 in SNFs and as part of a value-based care strategy.

Introduction: The sequence of chemotherapy and pembrolizumab may affect antitumor immune response and efficacy of immunotherapy. Methods: This multicenter, randomized, phase 2 trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of two sequences of chemotherapy and pembrolizumab in patients with stage 4 NSCLC. Both arms were considered investigational, and the study used a “pick a winner” design. The primary end point was objective response rate by independent radiologic review after eight cycles (24 wk). Patients were randomized 1:1 to arm A (chemotherapy for four cycles followed by pembrolizumab for four cycles) or arm B (pembrolizumab for four cycles followed by chemotherapy for four cycles). Patients in both arms without disease progression after the initial eight cycles continued pembrolizumab until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or a maximum of 2 years. Results: From March 2016 to July 2018, a total of 90 eligible patients were randomized (43 patients to arm A and 47 patients to arm B). The objective response rate at 24 weeks in arms A and B was 39.5 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 24.9%–54.1 %) and 40.4 % (95 % CI: 26.4%–54.5 %), respectively (p = 0.93). The progression-free survival in arms A and B was as follows: hazard ratio of B versus A equals to 1.06, 95 % CI: 0.68–1.66, p value equals to 0.84, and median progression-free survival of 5.8 months and 4 months, respectively. The overall survival was as follows: hazard ratio of B versus A equals to 1.04, 95 % CI: 0.63–1.74, p value equals to 0.85, and median overall survival of 15.5 months and 14 months, respectively. Conclusions: Additional evaluation of either sequence in a phase 3 trial is not warranted.

251 Background: A significant number of cancer-directed therapies are associated with cardiotoxicity. This adverse effect is well-established in anthracyclines and anti-HER2 agents. At our ambulatory oncology practice, the recent availability of echocardiograms with strain imaging has prompted an evaluation of current practices for cardiotoxicity monitoring. A review of the electronic health record (EHR) in 2019 found that although our institution maintains high rates of baseline monitoring, follow-up monitoring is not standardized and not consistent between different practices. Methods: A multidisciplinary team was formed to conduct a quality improvement project with the aim of increasing the rate of follow-up monitoring in patients who receive anthracyclines or infusional anti-HER2 agents. A survey of providers identified the potential reasons that follow-up cardiac monitoring was not completed. A Pareto chart showed that lack of familiarity with clinical necessity and appropriate timing were the most common barriers to follow-up monitoring. Our first plan-do-study-act focused on addressing these barriers, and a pilot in breast cancer treatment plans was started. Cardiac monitoring orders were added to curative intent protocols containing doxorubicin, trastuzumab, or pertuzumab. Education was provided to physician and nursing teams regarding utility and timing of cardiotoxicity monitoring. Collaboration with the cardiology group ensured timely access and result turnaround time. Results: An initial review of the EHR was conducted to identify current trends in cardiac monitoring. The review showed that there was an increase in the use of echocardiograms with strain imaging for baseline and follow-up monitoring in our patients. From January to April 2020, there was a total of 102 echocardiogram orders which was a 23% increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. The majority (61%) of those echocardiogram orders included strain imaging compared to 8% in the previous year. Review of treatment plan utilization and appropriate timing of cardiac monitoring in breast cancer patients is ongoing. Conclusions: This quality improvement project suggests that efforts to standardize cardiac monitoring practices can be achieved through provider education and workflow modifications. Further long-term review of the EHR will be needed to determine whether the timing of follow-up monitoring is appropriate and to identify what changes to the intervention should be made.

e14088 Background: The checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) immunotherapy class of drugs is redefining how we treat cancer. The US FDA has approved CPI drugs as 1st, 2nd or salvage line after progression on conventional chemotherapy (CTX) for multiple cancers including melanoma, lung, bladder and other cancers. However, many questions remain regarding optimal treatment post-progression. Indeed, it has been noted that the patterns of response and relapse to CPI agents are quite different from those of standard cytotoxic agents and that response to CTX AFTER CPI may be different than in the de novo setting. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the activity (response rate (RR), response duration (DOR) and progression free survival (PFS)) of subsequent CTX after disease progression following treatment with CPI. Methods: In this analysis, patients (pts) were enrolled under an IRB approved waiver of consent. We identified pts treated with CPI agents between Jan, 2011 and Dec, 2018 at a multi-site community cancer program who received subsequent CTX as a result of disease progression (PD). We assessed the RECIST RR to subsequent therapy, DOR from onset of response, and PFS from the onset of post CPI CTX, identifying index lesions from the most recent pre-treatment anatomic scan. Results: A total of 47 cases satisfying the above criteria were found; 31 NSCLC, 8 melanoma, 1 SCLC, 1 GEJ, 1 gastric, 2 head/neck, 1 large cell neuroendocrine tumor, 2 bladder cancer. 25 pts had PD as best response to post-CPI CTX. 9 pts (19%) achieved a partial response (PR) with a median DOR of 99 days. 22 pts achieved a PR or stable disease (SD) for a clinical benefit (CB) rate of 47%. The median duration of CB was 92 days. Of the 9 patients who achieved PR, 5/6 had achieved response to CTX prior to CPI . The median PFS for the entire cohort was 97 days. Conclusions: While an expected RR could not be calculated in this heterogenous group of pts, the number and degree of responses suggests CPI possible “priming” that may enhance response to CTX. Post-CPI CTX may be of value and in this retrospective study of a heterogenous group of pts, responses may be more frequent than expected. A larger further study is warranted.

9088 Background: KEYNOTE-024 established single-agent P as a 1st-line option for pts with metastatic NSCLC without targetable alterations and PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥ 50%. KEYNOTE-189 and 407 established concurrent C + P as a treatment option irrespective of PD-L1 expression. In this randomized phase II selection trial, we explored sequencing of C and P in this pt. population. Methods: Eligible pts were randomized 1:1 to (arm A) C (carboplatin (AUC 6) + pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 (non-squamous) or paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 (squamous)) x 4 cycles followed by P 200 mg x 4 cycles, or the reverse sequence (arm B) of P x 4 cycles followed by C x 4 cycles. After 8 cycles, pts on both arms were eligible to receive maintenance P for up to 24 months. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1 by independent review. Secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 and overall survival (OS). Efficacy endpoints were also evaluated by PD-L1 expression. Results: 89 pts (47 arm B & 42 arm A) were enrolled and are included in the analysis (PD-L1 TPS 0/1-49%/≥50% = 24 pts (34%)/25 pts (36%)/21 pts (30%)). There was no significant difference in ORR (36% vs 38%, p = 0.829), median PFS (2.7 vs 5.5 months (mo), HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.77-2.02, p = 0.363) or OS (13.1 vs 19.8 mo, HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.69-2.25, p = 0.4573), arm B (Px4→C) vs arm A (Cx4→P). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated significant interaction between treatment and PD-L1 TPS ( < 50% vs ≥ 50%) for PFS (HR 6.76, 95% CI 2.14-21.35, p = 0.0011) and a trend for OS (HR 5.02, 95% CI 0.92-27.55, p = 0.0632), arm B vs arm A. Incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events was 71% for arm A and 65% for arm B. No new safety signals were observed. Conclusions: In pts with stage IV NSCLC and PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50% there was an observed improvement in PFS and OS in favor of C followed by P vs P x 4 followed by C. Given small # of pts and trial design, this observation should be considered hypothesis-generating, but supports further exploration of sequential C + P in this setting. Support:Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org Clinical trial information: NCT02591615.

Lessons Learned Adding docetaxel to the modified FOLFOX7 backbone (DOF) is a feasible three-drug combination therapy for advanced gastric cancer with high activity, providing evidence that leucovorin is not necessary in this setting. The DOF regimen represents an alternative to the FLOT (5-FU 2,600 mg/m(2) as 24-hour infusion with leucovorin 200 mg/m(2), oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2), and docetaxel 50 mg/m(2)) regimen that can be considered in select patients with advanced gastric cancer and is a potential choice in the curative setting. Background The combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) demonstrates high response rates in advanced gastric cancer, albeit with increased toxicity. Given the efficacy of platinum-taxane-fluoropyrimidine regimens, this phase II study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and 5-FU (DOF) for the treatment of metastatic or unresectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Methods Patients with metastatic or unresectable gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma with no prior therapy for metastatic disease received docetaxel 50 mg/m(2) on day 1, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) on day 1, and 5-FU 2,400 mg/m(2) continuous intravenous infusion over 46 hours; cycles were repeated every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Results Forty-four patients were enrolled. Assessment of treatment response and toxicity was feasible in 41 and 43 patients, respectively. ORR was 73.2% (68.3% partial response; 4.9% complete response). Therapy was discontinued for progressive disease in 53%, toxicity in 26%, and death on treatment in 16%. Two patients underwent surgical resection. Thirty-three patients (76.7%) received at least seven cycles (7-34). Grade 3-4 toxicities occurred in 31 patients (72.1%), including neutropenia (23.3%), neurologic (20.9%), and diarrhea (14.0%). Median overall survival was 10.3 months. Conclusion DOF demonstrates a high response rate, expected safety profile, and prolonged survival and remains an option for select patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma.

e14128 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are changing the landscape of treatment in oncology. The use of ICIs is growing rapidly as the indications for these medications broaden and new ICIs become approved. Given the rapid growth and relative infancy of the use of ICIs, much information stands to be gained on their use in the clinical practice setting, especially regarding toxicity. Methods: The primary objective of this project was to examine the incidence and severity of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), after treatment with single-agent or combination ICIs at a multi-site community cancer center. A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who had received ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, or ipilimumab plus nivolumab from May 1, 2011 to June 30, 2017. Data collected included patient demographics, disease state, treatment information, preexisting autoimmune disease, previous immunotherapy, and adverse event details. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Data was collected on 383 patients. Dermatologic irAEs were common across single agent ICIs (overall incidence 23%). Diarrhea and/or colitis incidence was highest with CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab (26% at 3 mg/kg and 22% at 10 mg/kg) versus the other monotherapy PD-1/PDL-1 inhibitors. Endocrinopathies were most common with ipilimumab 10 mg/kg (55%) and pneumonitis incidence was highest with nivolumab (6%). ICI toxicity occurred in 63% of patients with preexisting autoimmune disease versus 54% of those without a baseline autoimmune disease. Incidence of hospitalization and treatment holds due to irAEs was higher with combination therapy (57% and 66%, respectively) than with monotherapy (10% and 24%, respectively). Conclusions: Overall, there was increased incidence in ICI toxicity in patients at this oncology institution versus what has been reported in clinical trials. Patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases appeared to have mainly low-grade toxicities with slightly increased incidence of irAE compared with those without pre-existing autoimmune disease. Treatment holds and hospitalizations were higher in patients treated with combination therapy ICIs compared to monotherapy ICIs.

Purpose: This study aims to develop amulti-gene assay predictive of the clinical benefits of chemotherapy in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and substantiate their protein expression as potential therapeutic targets. Patients and methods: The mRNA expression of 160 genes identified from microarray was analyzed in qRT-PCR assays of independent 337 snap-frozen NSCLC tumors to develop a predictive signature. A clinical trial JBR. 10 was included in the validation. Hazard ratio was used to select genes, and decision-trees were used to construct the predictive model. Protein expression was quantified with AQUA in 500 FFPE NSCLC samples. Results: A 7-gene signature was identified from training cohort (n = 83) with accurate patient stratification (P= 0.0043) andwas validated in independent patient cohorts (n = 248, P b 0.0001) in Kaplan-Meier analyses. In the predicted benefit group, there was a significantly better disease-specific survival in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy in both training (P = 0.035) and validation (P = 0.0049) sets. In the predicted non-benefit group, there was no survival benefit in patients receiving chemotherapy in either set. The protein expression of ZNF71 quantified with AQUA scores produced robust patient stratification in separate training (P = 0.021) and validation (P = 0.047) NSCLC cohorts. The protein expression of CD27 quantified with ELISA had a strong correlationwith its mRNA expression in NSCLC tumors (Spearman coefficient = 0.494, P b 0.0088). Multiple signature genes had concordant DNA copy number variation, mRNA and protein expression in NSCLC progression. Conclusions: This study presents a predictive multi-gene assay and prognostic protein biomarkers clinically applicable for improving NSCLC treatment, with important implications in lung cancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

38 Background: To meet Commission on Cancer accreditation requirements, cancer programs must implement processes to monitor the dissemination of survivorship care plans (SCP) for patients with Stages I-III cancers who were treated with curative intent and completed active therapy. Challenges of SCP delivery across disease sites include lack of designated/trained staff, time burden, knowledge of current evidence-based guidelines, and sustainability. We describe the challenges NorthShore University HealthSystem Kellogg Cancer Center (NKCC) and their Living in the Future (LIFE) Cancer Survivorship Program faced in meeting this standard and how evolving the SCP delivery process has resulted in a sustainable model. Methods: LIFE implemented a technology-based SCP tool using a centralized consultative model led by a nurse practitioner (NP) with specialized survivorship training. Physicians referred eligible patients to the survivorship clinic for an education visit where they received a SCP from the NP. Since the centralized model was dependent on one person for delivery, a more sustainable model was needed. NKCC transitioned to a decentralized process, moving SCP creation and delivery responsibility to all oncology care providers (OCPs). Although not all OCPs had specialized survivorship training, care quality was supported by automated SCP creation based on evidence-based care recommendations embedded in the technology. Results: To date, 143 evidence-based SCPs have been delivered since tool implementation in April 2017. During the centralized model (April 25– June 30) 67 SCPs were created by the lead LIFE NP; 76 were created during the decentralized process while the lead NP was on leave (July 3 – Oct 1). By using a technology-based SCP, OCPs incorporated SCP delivery into their workflow and no longer had to refer patients to a separate clinic. Conclusions: This project demonstrates the feasibility of a sustainable, decentralized process using a technology-based SCP as an option for augmenting centralized SCP delivery. A comparable number of patients received a SCP during both processes with an equivalent number of SCPs being delivered via the decentralized model by OCPs supported by evidence-based technology.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) make up the majority of all lung cancer cases and is associated with very poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint blockers have now been shown to induce unprecedented durable response in a fraction of NSCLC patients with pre-existing T cell infiltration within their tumor. However in order to improve their efficacies beyond this subset of patients, a detailed molecular characterization to identify factors associated with lack of T cell infiltration is needed. A recent analysis in metastatic melanoma identified Wnt/B-catenin pathway activation as a mechanism for lack of T cell infiltration. We pursued similar analyses of immunologic gene signatures and molecular associations in squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LA). We analyzed RNAseq data from two lung cancer datasets of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (N = 499 for SCC and N = 514 for LA). Samples were categorized into non-T cell inflamed and T cell-inflamed groups using unsupervised consensus clustering based on the expression of 160 immune-related genes. Ingenuity pathway analysis was utilized to identify molecular pathways activated in non-T cell-inflamed tumors. A similar proportion of non-T cell-inflamed tumors were identified in the two cohorts (SCC: 34%; LA: 31%). 47% of the SCC tumors were identified as T cell-inflamed, as compared to 37% in LA. A positive correlation was observed between CD8A and PD-L1, IDO1, LAG3 and TIM3 (p<0.00001). Total of 1,216 genes are significantly up-regulated in non-T cell-inflamed SCC tumors and 596 in LA with at least 1.5-fold change and FDR-adjusted p<0.05. Among these, a total of 194 genes are up-regulated in both SCC and LA, with the rest being specific for each subtype (SCC: 84%; LA: 67%). Pathway analysis suggested 35 upstream regulators were activated in SCC and 32 in LA (activation z-score≥2.0). Among these, 10 upstream regulators are activated in both datasets (ATF4, CTNNB1, KAT6A, KLF4, MYC, NFE2L2, PI3K, SCAP, SP1, SREBF2). Finally, we performed the same gene expression analysis on RNAseq data from matched normal tissues (N = 51 for SCC and N = 59 for LA) and confirmed that the T-cell inflamed gene signature is a property of the tumor rather than normal lung tissue. Our analyses successfully identified genes and associated pathways that are enriched in NSCLC subtypes with no immune infiltration. Rational strategies to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockers beyond the current subset of responders should be based on targeting these pathways.

114 Background: Due to escalating cost of cancer care, patients (PTs) with cancer are at increased risk for financial toxicity (FTOX) that can exacerbate disparities in care and lead to clinically relevant adverse PT outcomes; including quality of life; symptom burden; adherence; and survival. A review of our informed consent (IC) process demonstrated that PTs were not routinely informed of financial risks of high-cost (HC) cancer therapies at the time of IC. Methods: A multidisciplinary team was formed to conduct a rapid-cycle quality improvement project with the aim of reducing FTOX through improvement in patient education at the time of IC. Because of HC and increased utilization, the initial pilot focused on treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). A cause and effect diagram identified the potential causes that FTOX was not addressed during the IC process. Diagnostic data were obtained through staff surveys and querying our EMR from June to August, 2016. A Pareto chart identified lack of educational (ED) tools at the time of IC and a poorly understood prior authorization (PA) process as the most common causes for not addressing risk of FTOX during IC. Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) #1 began with development of a PT ED tool to be used during IC. The tool was approved by the Patient Advisory Board. Staff from clinical teams utilizing ICI for approved indication completed training on its use and a pilot study was initiated. PDSA#2 focused on optimizing the PA process and PDSA#3 focused on PT distress and FTOX monitoring through the NCCN distress and a validated patient-reported-outcome tools (COST), respectively. Results: The utilization of the PT ED tool reached the project aim (administer to > 65% of pts during IC) during initial phase of PDSA#1, although accrual is ongoing. A revised PA process (PDSA#2) was developed, staff were educated and the updated PA process was initiated. Work on PDSA#3 is ongoing. Conclusions: This QI project suggests that it is feasible to address FTOX through PT ED during IC for HC cancer therapies. However, the impact of this intervention on PT distress, overall FTOX and treatment disparities will need to be monitored closely.

97 Background: Node positive disease (N+) is frequent (~40%) following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and esophagectomy, yet limited data exist regarding the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in this setting. There are no randomized studies addressing this question and single-institution, retrospective studies have reported mixed findings. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the National Cancer Database. 2,258 N+ patients were identified who had received NAT (83.3% chemoradiation and 17.7% chemotherapy alone) followed by esophagectomy. Patients with either incomplete staging or treatment data were excluded, as were those who died within 90 days following esophagectomy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test for differences in patient characteristics between those who did (AC+) or did not (AC-) receive AC. Overall survival (OS) after surgery, by AC status, was analyzed using Cox regression in a sample propensity matched on relevant demographic and clinical factors. Results: 433/2258 patients received AC (19.2%). Patients who received AC tended to be younger (OR 0.98 per 1-year increase, P = .03) and had a higher socioeconomic status (SES) (OR 1.47 for high vs. low SES, P = .01). Although there were no significant differences in comorbidity (P = .32), AC+ patients had significantly shorter hospital stays after surgery (OR 0.98 per 1-day increase, P = .03). Pathologic T classification was unrelated to the likelihood of receiving AC (P = .39), however patients with a higher pathologic N stage were more likely receive AC (OR 2.12 for pN3 vs. pN1, P < .001). Those receiving AC had demonstrably longer OS from the time of surgery than those who did not (HR 0.78, P = .004). Median OS for the entire cohort was 22.6 months, whereas the administration of AC was associated with an improvement in median OS of 6.2 months (26.3 vs. 20.1 months). Conclusions: This retrospective analysis indicates that AC is associated with a significant improvement in OS (median 6.2 months) in N+ patients following NAT and esophagectomy. Further studies are needed to clarify the optimal role of AC in this setting.

Hypothesis The majority of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy develop either innate or acquired resistance. Across tumor types, the “T cell-inflamed” tumor microenvironment correlates with clinical response to immunotherapy. We hypothesize that clinical characteristics may be predictive of resistance and that “T cell-inflamed” NSCLC tumors can be identified by gene expression profiling. Results Of 93 patients, 36 (38.7%) had innate resistance and 57 (61.3%) had initial benefit to immunotherapy. Innate resistance was associated with non-smokers (p = 0.013), more involved disease sites (p = 0.011), more prior therapy (p = 0.001), and a lower albumin level (p = 0.014). Among patients with initial benefit, factors associated with subsequent progression-free survival included higher Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) (p = 0.004) and lower depth of response to anti-PD-1 therapy (p = 0.003). A “T cell-inflamed” microenvironment was identified in 42% of TCGA adenocarcinoma samples versus 21.0% of squamous cell. Discussion Specific clinical characteristics appear to be predictive of either innate or acquired resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. A “T cell-inflamed” tumor was more common in adenocarcinoma than squamous histology. Methods A retrospective review of NSCLC patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy. Patients with innate resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy (defined as progression at first CT evaluation) were compared to patients with initial clinical benefit. Among those with initial clinical benefit, we identified prognostic factors for time to progression (acquired resistance) or death. To further corroborate our findings on limited numbers, immune gene expression profiling of all NSCLC samples from the TCGA database was also pursued.

The development of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitors has changed the landscape of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy, with 2 approvals from the US Food and Drug Administration of PD-1 inhibitors for second-line therapy. Information regarding relapse patterns, however is limited. This study investigates the the incidence, timeframe, and clinical features of acquired resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. We collected retrospective data on 37 NSCLC patients treated at the University of Chicago Cancer Center from 2011-2016 with either Nivolumab or Pembrolizumab monotherapy. Acquired resistance was defined as patients who achieved initial partial or complete response (PR/CR) measured by RECIST v1.1 criteria followed by progression after initial response. From this cohort, median age was 68.2, 22/37 (59%) had adenocarcinoma histology, and 18/37 (48%) were males. All patients had a prior smoking history (average of 40 pack years). 35 patients were treated with nivolumab, 2 patients with pembrolizumab. PR and SD were achieved in 14 (37.8%) and 9 (24.3%) of patients, respectively (overall clinical benefit rate was 62%). Median PFS was 6.3 months, while median OS was not reached. Best median RECIST change in tumor size for all PR and SD treated patients was 22.5%. Of the patients with SD or PR, 7/23 (30.4%) acquired resistance. For these patients, all had an ECOG score of 1-2 and 5/7 had received 2 lines of prior therapy. Five patients had squamous histology, two patients had adenocarcinoma. The two adenocarcinoma patients both had KRAS mutations (A146T and G12C). There was a 20.5% increase in tumor size from best median RECIST response. Median PFS was 6.30 months (1.3 months – 8.7 months). All patients had progression of existing lesions, rather than new lesions. We observed 30.4% of patients who initially had a clinical benefit develop resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy with a median PFS of 6.3 months (1.3 months – 8.7 months). These occurred in patients with squamous histology or KRAS-mutant adenocarcinoma histology. In all cases, this was characterized by progression of prior lesions, rather than new lesions. Further studies are needed to fully characterize patterns of relapse and molecular characteristics of these patients.

Introduction. For patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to benefit from ALK inhibitors, sensitive and specific detection of ALK genomic rearrangements is needed. ALK break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved and standard-of-care diagnostic assay, but identification of ALK rearrangements by other methods reported in NSCLC cases that tested negative for ALK rearrangements by FISH suggests a significant false-negative rate. We report here a large series of NSCLC cases assayed by hybrid-capture-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in the course of clinical care.Materials and Methods. Hybrid-capture-based CGP using next-generation sequencing was performed in the course of clinical care of 1,070 patients with advanced lung cancer. Each tumor sample was evaluated for all classes of genomic alterations, including base-pair substitutions, insertions/deletions, copy number alterations and rearrangements, as well as fusions/rearrangements.Results. A total of 47 patients (4.4%) were found to harbor ALK rearrangements, of whom 41 had an EML4-ALK fusion, and 6 had other fusion partners, including 3 previously unreported rearrangement events: EIF2AK-ALK, PPM1B-ALK, and PRKAR1A-ALK. Of 41 patients harboring ALK rearrangements, 31 had prior FISH testing results available. Of these, 20 were ALK FISH positive, and 11 (35%) were ALK FISH negative. Of the latter 11 patients, 9 received crizotinib based on the CGP results, and 7 achieved a response with median duration of 17 months.Conclusion. Comprehensive genomic profiling detected canonical ALK rearrangements and ALK rearrangements with noncanonical fusion partners in a subset of patients with NSCLC with previously negative ALK FISH results. In this series, such patients had durable responses to ALK inhibitors, comparable to historical response rates for ALK FISH-positive cases.

Introduction: As epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in approximately 90% of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN), several therapeutic agents that target EGFR have been evaluated for the treatment of SCCHN. Although patients with SCCHN derive clinical benefit from anti-EGFR agents, most notably the EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab, these patients eventually become resistant to EGFR-based therapies; preclinical studies have shown activation of secondary signaling pathways that lead to resistance to EGFR inhibition and, as such, serve as potential therapeutic targets to overcome resistance to EGFR inhibitors.Areas covered: This review summarizes the results of recently completed trials of anti-EGFR agents in SCCHN, highlights the various mechanisms that drive resistance to EGFR inhibitors in SCCHN, and focuses on several novel targeted agents that could potentially help overcome resistance to EGFR-based therapies in SCCHN.Expert commentary: Due to the development of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies, novel treatment approaches to overcome resistance are a key unmet need for SCCHN.