Systemic Triple Therapy in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC): Ready for Prime Time or Still to Be Explored?

For decades, mono androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the gold standard for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) treatment. Several studies have been published within the last seven years demonstrating a significant survival advantage by combination treatment with standard ADT plus docetaxel or androgen receptor-axis-targeted therapy (ARAT) compared to ADT monotherapy. As a result, overall survival can be prolonged by at least 18 months. Recently published congress data of the PEACE-1 study suggests that in the future, triple therapy might be the new gold standard. In addition to this study, which has shown that triple treatment with standard ADT plus docetaxel plus abiraterone is superior to standard ADT plus docetaxel, several other phase III triple therapy studies are currently ongoing. The different modes of action that are investigated reach from AR-targeting over mitotic inhibition and immunotherapy to PARP and AKT inhibition. In this review we will explore if triple therapy has the potential to be the new standard for mHSPC treatment in the near future.

A Multi-Center, Real-World Study of Chidamide for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas in China

Chidamide has demonstrated significant clinical benefits for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) PTCL in previous studies. This multi-center observational study was aimed to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety of chidamide. From February 2015 to December 2017, 548 patients with R/R PTCL from 186 research centers in China were included in the study. Among the 261 patients treated with chidamide monotherapy, ORR was 58.6% and 55 patients (21.1%) achieved complete response (CR). Among the 287 patients receiving chidamide-containing combination therapies, ORR was 73.2% and 73 patients (25.4%) achieved CR. The median OS of all patients was 15.1 months. The median OS of patients receiving chidamide monotherapy and combination therapies was 433 and 463 days, respectively. These results demonstrate a significant survival advantage of chidamide treatments as compared with international historical records. Common adverse effects (AEs) were hematological toxicities. Most AEs in both monotherapy and combined treatments were grade 1–2. No unanticipated AEs occurred. In conclusion, chidamide-based therapy led to a favorable efficacy and survival benefit for R/R PTCL. Future studies should explore the potential advantage of chidamide treatment combined with chemotherapy.

Longer Leukocytes Telomere Length Predicts a Significant Survival Advantage in the Elderly TRELONG Cohort, with Short Physical Performance Battery Score and Years of Education as Main Determinants for Telomere Elongation

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) represents a key integrating component of the cumulative effects of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. A question, however, remains on whether LTL can be considered predictive for a longer and healthier life. Within the elderly prospective TRELONG cohort (n = 612), we aimed to investigate LTL as a predictor of longevity and identify the main determinants of LTL among many different factors (physiological and lifestyle characteristics, physical performance and frailty measures, chronic diseases, biochemical measurements and apolipoprotein E genotyping). We found an ever-increasing relationship between LTL quartiles and survival. Hazard ratio analysis showed that for each unit increase in LTL and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores, the mortality risk was reduced by 22.41% and 8.78%, respectively. Conversely, male gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and age threatened survival, with mortality risk growing by 74.99%, 16.57% and 8.5%, respectively. Determinants of LTL elongation were SPPB scores (OR = 1.1542; p = 0.0066) and years of education (OR = 1.0958; p = 0.0065), while male gender (OR = 0.4388; p = 0.0143) and increased Disease Count Index (OR = 0.6912; p = 0.0066) were determinants of LTL attrition. Longer LTL predicts a significant survival advantage in elderly people. By identifying determinants of LTL elongation, we provided additional knowledge that could offer a potential translation into prevention strategies.

The Role of Total Parenteral Nutrition in Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is often associated with malnutrition and an inability to tolerate enteral feeding. Although total parenteral nutrition (TPN) can be lifesaving for patients with no other means of nutritional support, its use in the management of PC patients remains controversial. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the benefit of TPN on the overall survival of PC patients, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A total of 187 articles were screened; 10 were included in this review and eight were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled median overall survival of patients who received TPN was significantly higher than patients who did not receive TPN (p = 0.040). When only high-quality studies were included, a significant survival advantage was observed in PC patients receiving TPN (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of patients receiving chemotherapy demonstrated a significant survival benefit (p = 0.008) associated with the use of TPN. In conclusion, TPN may improve survival outcomes in PC patients. However, further studies are needed to conclude more definitively on the effect of TPN.

Testing for a Sweet Spot in Randomized Trials

Introduction Randomized trials recruit diverse patients, including some individuals who may be unresponsive to the treatment. Here we follow up on prior conceptual advances and introduce a specific method that does not rely on stratification analysis and that tests whether patients in the intermediate range of disease severity experience more relative benefit than patients at the extremes of disease severity (sweet spot). Methods We contrast linear models to sigmoidal models when describing associations between disease severity and accumulating treatment benefit. The Gompertz curve is highlighted as a specific sigmoidal curve along with the Akaike information criterion (AIC) as a measure of goodness of fit. This approach is then applied to a matched analysis of a published landmark randomized trial evaluating whether implantable defibrillators reduce overall mortality in cardiac patients ( n = 2,521). Results The linear model suggested a significant survival advantage across the spectrum of increasing disease severity (β = 0.0847, P < 0.001, AIC = 2,491). Similarly, the sigmoidal model suggested a significant survival advantage across the spectrum of disease severity (α = 93, β = 4.939, γ = 0.00316, P < 0.001 for all, AIC = 1,660). The discrepancy between the 2 models indicated worse goodness of fit with a linear model compared to a sigmoidal model (AIC: 2,491 v. 1,660, P < 0.001), thereby suggesting a sweet spot in the midrange of disease severity. Model cross-validation using computational statistics also confirmed the superior goodness of fit of the sigmoidal curve with a concentration of survival benefits for patients in the midrange of disease severity. Conclusion Systematic methods are available beyond simple stratification for identifying a sweet spot according to disease severity. The approach can assess whether some patients experience more relative benefit than other patients in a randomized trial. [Box: see text]

Treatment outcomes of laryngectomy compared to non-surgical management of T3 laryngeal carcinomas: a 10-year multicentre audit of 179 patients in the northeast of England

ObjectiveWide-ranging outcomes have been reported for surgical and non-surgical management of T3 laryngeal carcinomas. This study compared the outcomes of T3 tumours treated with laryngectomy or (chemo)radiotherapy in the northeast of England.MethodsThe outcomes of T3 laryngeal carcinoma treatment at three centres (2007–2016) were retrospectively analysed using descriptive statistics and survival curves.ResultsOf 179 T3 laryngeal carcinomas, 68 were treated with laryngectomies, 57 with chemoradiotherapy and 32 with radiotherapy. There was no significant five-year survival difference between treatment with laryngectomy (34.1 per cent) and chemoradiotherapy (48.6 per cent) (p = 0.184). The five-year overall survival rate for radiotherapy (12.5 per cent) was significantly inferior compared to laryngectomy and chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). The recurrence rates were 22.1 per cent for laryngectomy, 17.5 per cent for chemoradiotherapy and 50 per cent for radiotherapy. There were significant differences in recurrence rates when laryngectomy (p = 0.005) and chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.001) were compared to radiotherapy.ConclusionLaryngectomy and chemoradiotherapy had significantly higher five-year overall survival and lower recurrence rates compared with radiotherapy alone. Laryngectomy should be considered in patients unsuitable for chemotherapy, as it may convey a significant survival advantage over radiotherapy alone.

Biomimetic Nanoparticles Potentiate the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Dexamethasone and Reduce the Cytokine Storm Syndrome: An Additional Weapon against COVID-19?

Recent studies on coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology indicated the cytokine release syndrome induced by the virus as the main cause of mortality. Patients with severe COVID-19 infection present a systemic hyper inflammation that can lead to lung and multi-organ injuries. Among the most recent treatments, corticosteroids have been identified to be effective in mitigating these catastrophic effects. Our group has recently developed leukocyte-derived nanovesicles, termed leukosomes, able to target in vivo the inflamed vasculature associated with pathological conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and sepsis. Herein, to gain insights on the anti-inflammatory properties of leukosomes, we investigated their ability to reduce uncontrolled inflammation in a lethal model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia, recapitulating the cytokine storm syndrome observed in COVID-19 infection after encapsulating dexamethasone. Treated animals showed a significant survival advantage and an improved immune response resolution, as demonstrated by a cytokine array analysis of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and other immune-relevant markers. Our results showed that leukosomes enhance the therapeutic activity of dexamethasone and better control the inflammatory response compared to the free drug. Such an approach could be useful for the development of personalized therapies in the treatment of hyperinflammation related to infectious diseases, including the ones caused by COVID-19.

Predictors of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Metastatic Kidney Cancer in SEER and Metropolitan Detroit Databases

Patients without cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) are inadequately represented in metastatic RCC clinical trials. The characteristics that impact the decision of CN were explored in the SEER database. Data on primary, regional or distant(metastatic) stage kidney cancer over the period 2000 – 2013 were extracted from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER-18) database. A sub-analysis of Metropolitan Detroit cases, to evaluate the influence of comorbidities was conducted. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios and Cox model was used to calculate hazard ratios. 37% of 21,052 metastatic RCC cases had CN performed. CN demonstrated significant survival advantage (HR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.30-0.33). Comorbidity data was available on 76% of distant RCC cases from the Detroit SEER database. Neither hypertension, diabetes mellitus nor the number of comorbidities (0, 1 or 2) had a statistically significant impact on the likelihood of CN. Majority of patients (63% ) with distant stage RCC do not undergo CN and have a median OS of 3 months as compared to median OS of 18 months for cases with CN. Patient demographics and tumor characteristics make a significant impact on incidence of CN. The impact of comorbidities (number and type) was modest and not statistically significant. The optimal management of patients with synchronous primary and metastatic RCC needs to be prospectively evaluated in the setting of contemporary systemic therapy.

DDP4 inhibitors as novel agents in improving survival in diabetic patients with CRC and lung cancer: A SEER-Medicare study.

e14633 Background: DPP4 is a cell surface protein that is widely expressed on different tissues and can play important role in tumor biology by acting as a tumor suppressor or activator, depending upon the level of expression and interaction with the microenvironment and chemokines. DPP4 inhibitors are a class of drug used in the clinical setting to treat diabetes mellitus type II (DM-II) while recent research has suggested that they play a role in regulating tumor growth. Methods: We conducted this large population database Surveillance Epidemiology and Endpoint Research (SEER-Medicare) study to evaluate the role of DPP4 inhibitors on the overall survival (OS) of patients with colorectal and lung cancers. Results: Our results showed that diabetic patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) or lung cancer who were treated with DPP4 inhibitors exhibited a statistically significant survival advantage (HR of 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.97, p = 0.007) that remained significant after controlling for all other confounders. When DPP4 inhibitors were used in combination of metformin, which is already known to improve OS in many cancers, the survival advantage was even more pronounced (HR of 0.83; 95% CI: 0.77-0.90, p < 0.0001). When results were analyzed for CRC-only cohort, the use of DPP4 inhibitors alone had a very positive survival advantage trend (HR of 0.87; 95% CI: 0.75-1.00, p = 0.055) whereas the combined use of DPP4 inhibitors and metformin was associated with statistically significant survival advantage (HR of 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67-0.89, p = 0.003). Similarly, in the lung cancer cohort, the DPP4 inhibitor group exhibited a potential survival advantage (HR of 0.93; 95% CI: 0.83-1.03, p = 0.153), while lung cancer patients treated with the combination of DPP4 inhibitors and metformin showed statistically significant survival advantage (HR of 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80-0.97, p = 0.010). Conclusions: These results again establish that DPP4 inhibition in CRC and lung cancer is associated with the suppression of tumor growth and improved OS. The beneficial effects of DPP4 inhibitor treatment are additionally improved when DPP4 inhibitors are used in combination with metformin. While the exact mechanism involved in the observed benefit of DPP4 inhibitor treatment in cancer remains to be elucidated, one possibility may be due to the effect of DPP4 inhibition on immunoregulation of cancer.

P.049 Repeat surgery in recurrent glioblastoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Recurrent glioblastoma portends a poor prognosis and the role of repeat surgery in improving survival remains uncertain. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aims to address whether re-resection provides a meaningful survival benefit and to what degree. Methods: Articles were collected from Pubmed, -CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane from January 1990 to 2018. Studies in the temozolomide era with both single surgery and re-resection cohorts were included. Primary outcomes were odds ratio for survival at 6, 12, and 24 months following re-resection and initial surgery. Results: Fourteen articles were included for analysis (3048 patients). Meta-analysis showed improved overall survival following re-resection at 6- (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.23-2.45, p<0.05), 12- (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.20-2.45, p<0.05), and 24-months (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.01-4.95, p<0.05). Overall survival from diagnosis or first surgery was also improved in patients who underwent re-resection at -recurrence, similarly at 6- (OR 8.22, 95% CI 5.23-12.93, p<0.01), 12- (OR 4.16, 95% CI 3.25-5.36, p<0.01), and 24- (2.35, 95% CI 1.77-3.11, p<0.05) months. Subgroup analyses were done for patients stratified by age, performance status, and number of re-resections. Conclusions: Repeat surgery for recurrent glioblastoma is associated with a significant survival advantage independent of other salvage therapies that include chemotherapy, radiation, and other antineoplastic regimens.