A review of evidence supporting NCCN category 2B off-label recommendations for determination of Medicare reimbursement eligibility.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6576-6576
Author(s):  
Molly Erin DiScala ◽  
Kenneth Robert Carson ◽  
Gary Irving Grad ◽  
Brett Mahon

6576 Background: Antineoplastic indications supported by a category 1 or 2A NCCN recommendation are reimbursed by insurance and Medicare, as are FDA-approved indications. While initial reimbursement requests for “off-label” NCCN category 2B indications may be denied, Medicare will reimburse off-label antineoplastic use supported by evidence from a peer-reviewed publication from one of 26 designated journals. Here, we evaluated the published clinical evidence supporting NCCN category 2B indications. Methods: Category 2B drug indications for the 10 most common solid tumor types were identified in the NCCN compendium (n=104). The results were then filtered to include drugs with only category 2B indications in a particular tumor type (n=14). Similarly, FDA-approved indications were excluded, resulting in a list of drugs with only a 2B indication that are not FDA approved in the specified cancer type (n=8). Published clinical studies supporting these category 2B indications were assessed for study type and journal name in PubMed, and journal names were cross-referenced with the CMS-supported list. Results: Among the 8 non-FDA-approved drug indications with only category 2B recommendations, 7 (87%) had at least one publication of a clinical trial in one of the 26 designated journals. The only 2B indication without supporting literature was single-agent gemcitabine hydrochloride in bladder cancer. For further details, see Table. Conclusions: These results suggest that clinicians should consider pursuing the appeals process and provide supporting evidence in cases of claim denial. While coverage is not guaranteed, the evidence supporting 2B indications frequently meets the criteria identified in the Medicare statute. Further studies will evaluate if these findings extrapolate to less common tumor types.[Table: see text]

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3618-3618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Cousin ◽  
Jean-Yves Blay ◽  
Irene Braña Garcia ◽  
Johann S. De Bono ◽  
Christophe Le Tourneau ◽  
...  

3618 Background: Molibresib is an orally available, small molecule bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein inhibitor under investigation for treatment of advanced solid tumors. Methods: This was an open-label, single- and repeat-dose, 2-part, Phase 1/2 study including patients (aged ≥16 years) with advanced solid tumors. Part 1: patients received different oral doses of molibresib (2–100mg QD; amorphous free-base formulation) to determine recommended Phase 2 dose. Part 2 (expansion cohort): patients with various tumor types received the bioequivalent besylate formulation (75mg) to explore clinical activity at recommended dose. Safety and efficacy (response rate [RR] based on RECIST 1.1 criteria, progression-free survival [PFS], and overall survival [OS]) were evaluated for the total cohort (patients from Part 1 and 2). Safety, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and efficacy per tumor type were evaluated in Part 2. Results: Part 1 only data have previously been reported. Overall, 196 patients were included in the total cohort (1 patient in Part 1 was counted twice). In the all treated population, 195 patients (median age 58 years; 46% male) received ≥1 dose of molibresib (Part 1: n = 93; Part 2: n = 102). Adverse events (AEs) were experienced by 193/196 (98%) patients; 180/196 (92%) had a treatment-related AE (TRAE). AEs led to permanent treatment discontinuation in 38/196 (19%) patients. Of different tumor types in Part 2, NUT carcinoma (NC) had the lowest frequency of TRAEs (10/12 [83%]) and AEs leading to permanent treatment discontinuation (1/12 [8%]). In total cohort, 3/31 NC patients and 1/35 with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) achieved a confirmed partial response. A further 67/196 (34%) achieved stable disease (SD). In Part 2, RR in 12 NC patients was 8% (CI: 0.2–38.5); 50% had SD and median PFS was 4.8 months with median OS of 5.0 months. In CRPC patients, RR was 4% (CI: 0.1–21.9); 22% had SD; median PFS was 8.0 months with median OS of 9.1 months. Plasma concentrations for molibresib and active metabolites were similar between different tumor types. Gene expression analysis from pre- and post-dose biopsy samples collected from 10 mCRPC patients showed transcriptional downregulation of Myc target genes upon treatment with molibresib. Conclusions: Molibresib demonstrated a manageable safety and tolerability profile with single agent activity observed in selected patients with NC and CRPC. Clinical trial information: NCT01587703 .


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2749-2749
Author(s):  
John D. Hainsworth ◽  
Dana S. Thompson ◽  
F. Anthony Greco ◽  
Eric Raefsky ◽  
Scott Lunin ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2749 Background: Single-agent rituximab produces an overall response rate of approximately 50% and a median PFS of 9 months in patients with previously treated follicular NHL. Since resistance to rituximab eventually develops in nearly all patients, a number of novel agents are currently being evaluated in combination with rituximab to improve treatment efficacy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis and is increased in many tumor types. In NHL, high levels of VEGF are correlated with disease progression. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibiting VEGF, has extended PFS in several solid tumor types when added to combination chemotherapy. In this randomized phase II trial, we compared the efficacy and toxicity of bevacizumab + rituximab versus single-agent rituximab, in patients with previously treated follicular NHL. Methods: Eligible patients had follicular NHL (grade 1 or 2); NHL progression after either 1 or 2 prior chemotherapy regimens; measurable or evaluable disease; and ECOG PS 0–2. Prior rituximab treatment was allowed as long as progression occurred > 6 months following completion of treatment. Patients were randomized to receive single-agent rituximab (Regimen A) or rituximab plus bevacizumab (Regimen B). All patients received 375 mg/m2IV of rituximab weekly for 4 weeks. Regimen B patients also received bevacizumab 10 mg/kg IV on days 3 and 15 during the 4-week course of rituximab. Response evaluations were performed at weeks 6 and 12 as well as 4 weeks after the completion of all therapy. Patients with objective response or stable disease at week 12 received 4 additional doses of rituximab administered at months 3 (week 12), 5, 7, and 9; in addition, regimen B patients received bevacizumab 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks for a total of 16 doses (also beginning week 12). Addition of bevacizumab was hypothesized to improve the median PFS from 15 months to 20 months. Accrual of 90 patients (45/arm) was initially planned; the study was stopped early due to slow accrual. Results: Between 8/2005 and 3/2012, 60 patients were enrolled (Regimen A, 30; Regimen B, 29). Key clinical characteristics including age, performance status, FLIPI score, and previous treatment were comparable in the 2 treatment groups. 95% of patients had received 2 previous regimens, and 78% had received previous rituximab. After a median followup of 36 months, 92% of patients have either completed (40%) or discontinued treatment (lymphoma progression 30%, toxicity 12%, patient/physician decision 8%). The overall response rates were 42% in Regimen A (CR rate 10%) and 45% in Regimen B (CR rate 17%). The median progression-free survivals for Regimens A and B were 10.4 and 18.4 months, respectively (HR 0.33, p=0.0090). Median OS has not been reached for either group; at 3 years, the estimated OS rates are 54% (Regimen A) and 81% (Regimen B) (p=0.12). Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was uncommon, with no grade 4 neutropenia or thrombycytopenia, and 1 episode of febrile neutropenia (Regimen B). No grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity occurred; grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity occurred in 3 patients (10%) on Regimen A (infusion reaction 1, hyperglycemia 1, pneumonia 1) and 7 patients (24%) on Regimen B (hypertension 3, epistaxis 1, abdominal wall hematoma 1, wound dehiscence 1, confusion 1). All 7 patients who discontinued treatment due to toxicity (3 during the first 12 weeks) were on regimen B; 5 had bevacizumab-related toxicity. There were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusion: The addition of bevacizumab to rituximab was feasible with a modest increase in toxicity in this group of patients with previously-treated follicular NHL. The toxicities observed were consistent with the known profiles of each agent. While response rates were similar between regimens, the addition of bevacizumab lengthened the progression-free survival when compared to rituximab alone (median 18.4 vs. 10.4 months). Although results of this study must be interpreted with caution due to its small size, further study of VEGF- targeted therapies in NHL may be warranted. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Off-label bevacizumab use for treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Reeves:Celgene: Equity Ownership.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1683-1685
Author(s):  
Marc Geirnaert ◽  
Jacy Howarth ◽  
Curtis Kellett ◽  
Kristen Martin ◽  
Scott Streilein ◽  
...  

The product monograph for reference bevacizumab (Avastin) and biosimilar bevacizumab (Mvasi) recommend to infuse the first dose of bevacizumab over 90 min, second dose over 60 min and third and subsequent doses over 30 min. Despite the product monograph recommendations, many institutions adopted an accelerated bevacizumab (Avastin) 0.5 mg/kg/min infusion time. Our province adopted the accelerated infusion time at time of biosimilar bevacizumab (Mvasi) adoption. Our experience with the accelerated infusion time was well tolerated in the first five months of biosimilar bevacizumab adoption across different tumor types.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A308-A308
Author(s):  
Lingkang Huang ◽  
Jared Lunceford ◽  
Junshui Ma ◽  
Kenneth Emancipator

BackgroundPD-L1 is expressed on both tumor and immune cells; however, the mechanism by which PD-L1 modulates the adaptive immune response on tumor versus immune cells may differ. Additionally, the prevalence of PD-L1 expression and the partitioning between tumor and immune compartments varies by tumor type. While PD-L1 expression on tumor or immune cells can be scored separately, the PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) captures both tumor and immune cell expression in one aggregate score. We performed a retrospective, exploratory analysis of the effectiveness of CPS as an enrichment biomarker across several studies of pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with multiple tumor types.MethodsPD-L1 expression was assessed using PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx. Expression was measured using CPS (defined as the number of PD-L1–staining cells [tumor cells, lymphocytes, macrophages] divided by the total number of tumor cells, multiplied by 100) in tumor samples from single-arm (KEYNOTE-052 [UC], KEYNOTE-059 cohort 1 [G/GEJ], KEYNOTE-086 [TNBC], KEYNOTE-158 [cervical; SCLC], KEYNOTE-180 [EC], KEYNOTE-224 [HCC], KEYNOTE-427 [RCC]) and randomized (KEYNOTE-040 [HNSCC], KEYNOTE-045 [UC], KEYNOTE-061 [G/GEJ], KEYNOTE-119 [TNBC], KEYNOTE-240 [HCC]) pembrolizumab studies. Data were pooled across tumor types for pembrolizumab and for standard-of-care (in controlled studies), and then estimates of response rate, prevalence, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were performed over various CPS cutpoints. CPS distribution by response, tumor type, and line of therapy were also assessed.ResultsThere were 3769 treated patients with available PD-L1 CPS (pembrolizumab, n=2678; standard-of-care, n=1091). The area under the ROC curve for ORR was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.61–0.66) for pembrolizumab and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.43–0.53) for standard-of-care when a positive association was evaluated between CPS and ORR (figure 1); individual cutpoints of 1, 10, 20, and 50 were examined (table 1). Figure 2 shows a boxplot of CPS distribution for response in pembrolizumab-treated patients.Abstract 282 Table 1Response Rates and Sensitivity at Individual CPS Cutpoints for Pembrolizumab-Treated PatientsAbstract 282 Figure 1ROC analysis of PD-L1 CPS for pembrolizumab versus standard-of-care therapyAbstract 282 Figure 2Boxplot of PD-L1 CPS distribution for responders versus nonresponders in pembrolizumab-treated patients by tumor type and line of therapy in order of descending median CPSConclusionsThis retrospective, exploratory pan-tumor analysis demonstrates that CPS is an effective scoring method for measuring PD-L1 expression and can be used as a predictive biomarker to identify patients likely to respond to pembrolizumab monotherapy. CPS demonstrated enrichment of response to pembrolizumab monotherapy across most, but not all, tumor types, including some tumor types for which efficacy favors pembrolizumab regardless of PD-L1 expression, and for which a companion diagnostic is therefore not needed. In the randomized studies, CPS did not show a consistent association with ORR for standard-of-care therapy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (S3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Cumberbatch ◽  
Nicola Haughton ◽  
Emily Foster ◽  
Xiu Huan Yap ◽  
Simon Barry ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4519-4519
Author(s):  
Arjun Vasant Balar ◽  
Victor Moreno ◽  
Eric Angevin ◽  
Hui Kong Gan ◽  
Maria Vieito ◽  
...  

4519 Background: INDUCE-1 is a first-in-human trial evaluating fela, an IgG4 ICOS agonist non-T-cell depleting mAb, as monotherapy (mono) and in combo with P. ECs include tumor types, such as UC, with high ICOS expression and immunotherapy-favorable features. Fela induced IFNγ, increased PD-1/L1 expression, and enhanced antitumor activity in combo with PD-1 blockade nonclinically. We report preliminary efficacy, safety, and biomarker data of fela ± P in INDUCE-1 UC ECs. Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had recurrent/metastatic (R/M) UC of the upper or lower urinary tract, ≤6 prior systemic therapy lines in the advanced setting, measurable disease, and no active autoimmune disease. Pts received 0.3 or 1 mg/kg fela (mono EC; anti-PD-1/L1–experienced [exp] pts) or 0.3 mg/kg fela + 200 mg P (combo EC; anti-PD-1/L1–naïve pts) every 3 wks, up to 35 cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Disease was assessed every 9 wks through wk 54, then every 12 wks. Archival and/or fresh biopsy tumor tissue was collected for biomarker analyses and safety assessed. Results: By Nov 6 2020, 13 anti-PD-1/L1–exp and 32 anti-PD-1/L1–naïve pts were evaluable in the mono and combo ECs, respectively. In the mono EC, median age was 69 yrs (range: 47–82), 92% of pts were male, and 85% received ≥2 prior therapy lines in the metastatic setting. In the combo EC, median age was 70 yrs (range: 42–84), 75% of pts were male, and 72% received ≥1 prior therapy line in the metastatic setting. In the mono EC, median duration of follow-up (mDoF) was 10.6 mo (range: 1.1–22.8); overall response rate (ORR) was 8% (1 partial response [PR]; 95% CI: 0.2, 36.0) with a duration of response (DoR) of 6.1 mo; disease control rate (DCR [response or stable disease for ≥9 wks]) was 23% (95% CI: 5.0, 53.8), and median overall survival (mOS) was 14.5 mo (95% CI: 2.8, NR), with 74% of pts alive at 6 mo. In the combo EC, mDoF was 9.6 mo (range: 0.9–28.3); ORR was 22% (7 PRs; 95% CI: 9.3, 40.0) with a median DoR of 8.3 months (range: 3.5–23.3+); DCR was 63% (95% CI: 43.7, 78.9), and mOS was 10.7 mo (95% CI: 5.2, 18.1), with 64% of pts alive at 6 mo. Grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs were reported for 0% and 9% of pts in the mono (N = 16) and combo (N = 44) safety populations, respectively. PD-L1 expression and ICOS-specific biomarkers are being evaluated, with promising trends observed in enrichment of clinical activity in preliminary analyses. Conclusions: Fela is the first ICOS agonist with reported single-agent activity in anti-PD-1/L1–exp relapsed/refractory UC. Fela + P in combo shows promising clinical activity and manageable safety in PD-1/L1–naïve R/M UC. Further study is warranted. Updated data to be presented. Funding: Study 204691 (NCT02723955) funded by GlaxoSmithKline in collaboration with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA. Clinical trial information: NCT02723955.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 349-349
Author(s):  
Gennady Bratslavsky ◽  
Joseph M Jacob ◽  
Andrea Necchi ◽  
Philippe E. Spiess ◽  
Petros Grivas ◽  
...  

349 Background: srcRCC is a well-described histologic entity often featuring rapid progression and aggressive clinical course when compared with classic ccRCC. We queried whether CGP would uncover opportunities for targeted and immunotherapy (IO) for srcRCC patients that could individualize their treatment and entry into clinical trials. Methods: Using a hybrid capture-based CGP assay to evaluate all classes of genomic alterations (GA), 160 cases of srcRCC and 1,664 cases of ccRCC were sequenced from FFPE tissue samples. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was determined on up to 1.1 Mbp of sequenced DNA and microsatellite instability (MSI) was determined on up to 114 loci. PD-L1 expression was determined by IHC (Dako 22C3) with low tumor cell positive staining set at 1-49% and high staining >50% expression. Results: Gender and age distributions for both tumor types were similar. srcRCC featured significantly higher GA/tumor than ccRCC (P < .0001). CGP revealed major differences with ccRCC associated more frequently with tumor suppressor gene (TSG) losses in VHL, PBRM1, TSC2 and SETD2 (all P < .0001). In contrast, srcRCC is associated with cell proliferation with increased inactivation of cell cycle regulatory genes including TP53, CDKN2A/B, MDM2 and TERT (all P < .0001). RB1 GA in srcRCC may reflect neuroendocrine differentiation occasionally found in these tumors. NF2 GA were more frequent in srcRCC (P < .0001). Conclusions: CGP reveals striking differences between srcRCC and ccRCC which may in part explain the differing histologic appearances and typical clinical course of these 2 aggressive malignancies. ccRCC is driven more by TSG loss and srcRCC is driven more by cell cycle dysregulation. Targeted therapy opportunities were uncommon for both tumor types although each featured biomarkers potentially predictive of mTOR inhibitor responses ( TSC2 in ccRCC and NF2 in srcRCC). Although the higher PBRM1 GA frequency in ccRCC may explain the IO benefit well-known for this tumor type, the srcRCC group features significantly increased TMB, CD274 amplification and PD-L1 staining which may also create IO opportunities for srcRCC patients. [Table: see text]


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamaria La Torre ◽  
Lucia Anna Muscarella ◽  
Paola Parrella ◽  
Teresa Balsamo ◽  
Michele Bisceglia ◽  
...  

Disturbances in the epigenetic landscape by aberrant methylation of CpG islands can lead to inactivation of cancer-related genes in solid tumors. We analyzed the promoter methylation status of 6 genes previously reported as cancer-specific methylated (MCAM, SSBP2, NISCH, B4GALT1, KIF1A and RASSF1A) in 38 neural crest-derived tumors by quantitative methylation-specific real-time PCR (QMSP). The results demonstrated that the determination of the methylation status of RASSF1A is able to distinguish between normal and tumor samples in cutaneous melanomas, lung carcinoids and small bowel carcinoids. MCAM methylation levels were significantly higher in lung carcinoids tumors (p=0.001), suggesting that this alteration may represent a molecular biomarker in this tumor type.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Fabian Rambau ◽  
Martin Köbel ◽  
Derek Tilley ◽  
Alex Mremi ◽  
Robert Lukande ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ovarian cancer is a spectrum of several histologically distinct tumor types which differ in etiology, response to therapy and prognosis. In a resource-limited settings, the diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be challenging. This study describes the distribution of ovarian cancer tumor types in East Africa as well as assessing the diagnostic accuracy by using contemporary methods. Methods Data from 210 women identified from the records with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in a period of 15 years were included. Two tissue microarrays were constructed and stained with 20 antibodies relevant to ovarian cancer subtyping. An integrated diagnosis was reached by the review of full Haematoxylin and Eosin stained sections, with consideration of immunohistochemical results. The integrated diagnoses were compared with the original diagnoses, and the degree of agreement was evaluated by percentage and Kappa statistics. Results The estimated rates of ovarian cancer were much lower in East Africa compared to a North American population from Alberta, Canada. There was a higher proportion of sex cord stromal tumors and germ cell tumors in the East African population. Diagnostic accuracy for main ovarian tumor type categories was substantial (Kappa 0.70), but only fair for specific ovarian carcinoma histotypes (Kappa 0.34). Poor Haematoxylin and Eosin stain was the main factor hindering correct diagnosis, which was not related to tissue processing. Conclusions In a resource- limited setting, where immunohistochemistry is not routinely carried out, diagnostic accuracy for the main categories of ovarian carcinoma is substantial and could be further improved by standardization of the basic Haematoxylin and Eosin stain.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lorenzi ◽  
Mayur Amonkar ◽  
Jacky Zhang ◽  
Shivani Mehta ◽  
Kai-Li Liaw

Background. Given limited data on the epidemiology of MSI-H and dMMR across solid tumors (except colorectal cancer (CRC)), the current study was designed to estimate their prevalence. Materials and Methods. A structured literature review identified English language publications that used immunohistochemistry (IHC) or polymerase chain replication (PCR) techniques. Publications were selected for all tumors except CRC using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases and key congresses; CRC and pan-tumor genomic publications were selected through a targeted review. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence of MSI-H/dMMR across all solid tumors and for selected tumor types. Where possible, prevalence within tumor types was estimated by disease stages. Results. Of 1,176 citations retrieved, 103 and 48 publications reported prevalence of MSI-H and dMMR, respectively. Five pan-tumor genomic studies supplemented the evidence base. Tumor types with at least 5 publications included gastric (n = 39), ovarian (n = 23), colorectal (n = 20), endometrial (n = 53), esophageal (n = 6), and renal cancer (n = 8). Overall MSI-H prevalence (with 95% CI) across 25 tumors was based on 90 papers (28,213 patients) and estimated at 14% (10%–19%). MSI-H prevalence among Stage 1/2 cancers was estimated at 15% (8%–23%); Stages 3 and 4 prevalence was estimated at 9% (3%–17%) and 3% (1%–7%), respectively. Overall, dMMR prevalence across 13 tumor types (based on 54 papers and 20,383 patients) was estimated at 16% (11%–22%). Endometrial cancer had the highest pooled MSI-H and dMMR prevalence (26% and 25% all stages, respectively). Conclusions. This is the first comprehensive attempt to report pooled prevalence estimates of MSI-H/dMMR across solid tumors based on published data. Prevalence determined by IHC and PCR was generally comparable, with some variations by cancer type. Late-stage prevalence was lower than that in earlier stages.


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