Optimized delay of the second COVID-19 vaccine dose reduces ICU admissions

Slower than anticipated, COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution have impaired efforts to curtail the current pandemic. The standard administration schedule for most COVID-19 vaccines currently approved is two doses administered 3 to 4 wk apart. To increase the number of individuals with partial protection, some governments are considering delaying the second vaccine dose. However, the delay duration must take into account crucial factors, such as the degree of protection conferred by a single dose, the anticipated vaccine supply pipeline, and the potential emergence of more virulent COVID-19 variants. To help guide decision-making, we propose here an optimization model based on extended susceptible, exposed, infectious, and removed (SEIR) dynamics that determines the optimal delay duration between the first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses. The model assumes lenient social distancing and uses intensive care unit (ICU) admission as a key metric while selecting the optimal duration between doses vs. the standard 4-wk delay. While epistemic uncertainties apply to the interpretation of simulation outputs, we found that the delay is dependent on the vaccine mechanism of action and first-dose efficacy. For infection-blocking vaccines with first-dose efficacy ≥50%, the model predicts that the second dose can be delayed by ≥8 wk (half of the maximal delay), whereas for symptom-alleviating vaccines, the same delay is recommended only if the first-dose efficacy is ≥70%. Our model predicts that a 12-wk second-dose delay of an infection-blocking vaccine with a first-dose efficacy ≥70% could reduce ICU admissions by 400 people per million over 200 d.

Feasibility of an adapted schedule of carboplatin plus paclitaxel in elderly women with advanced ovarian cancer: A retrospective cohort.

5546 Background: The EWOC-1 trial compared Carboplatin monotherapy (C mono) to two different Carboplatin + Paclitaxel (CP) regimens (weekly or 3-weekly) in vulnerable elderly patients treated for advanced ovarian cancers (OC). This study was closed prematurely because of a worse outcome in the C mono group. Both CP regimens were equivalent in terms of feasibility and efficacy with different toxicity profiles. Optimal CP regimen in elderly patient is still unknown. Here we propose a study of another adapted regimen of CP (aCP) performed in elderly patients in our institution. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed OC patients ≥ 70 years who received a Carboplatin AUC 4-5 d1q3week + Paclitaxel 80 mg/m² d1-d8 q3week regimen between 2015 and 2019. Primary endpoint was treatment feasibility according to the EWOC-1 standard: completion of 6 courses of chemotherapy without early stopping for disease progression, death or unacceptable toxicity (adverse event (AE) related to chemotherapy or treatment procedure leading either to early treatment stopping, to an unplanned hospital admission or to death or to a dose delay lasting more than 14 days or more than 2 dose reductions). Results: We identified 36 pts with a median age of 79 years (table). All patient but one had an ONCODAGE-G8 score ≤ 14, 30.6% of patients had a comorbidity Charlson’s index > 4 and 52.5% had an albumin rate < 35 g/L. The feasibility endpoint was met in 58.3% of patients (IC95% = [25.6; 57.8]). Main causes of treatment failure (TF) were early discontinuation because of toxicity in 6 patients (16.7%) and progressive disease in 3 patients (8.33%). Median PFS was 35.3 months (IC95% = [22.7; NR]) and median OS was 62.1 months (IC95% = [31.4.0; NR]). The most frequent AE were asthenia (all grades = 94.4%, grade 3-4 = 13.9%), anemia (all grades = 94.4%, grade 3-4 = 27.8%), neutropenia (all grades = 66.7%, grade 3-4 = 38.9%) and neuropathy sensory (all grades = 61.1%, no grade 3-4). Non high-grade-serous histological type and a poor Charlson’s score were associated with a higher rate of TF (100% and 63.6%, respectively). Conclusions: These results are consistent with the findings of the EWOC-1 trial in both CP regimens and suggest that aCP could be non-inferior with an acceptable toxicity profile. Further prospective and comparative studies are mandatory to confirm this trend and to better identify predictive factors of TF in OC elderly patients.[Table: see text]

Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Immunotherapy Toxicity Monitoring Program for Patients Receiving Ipilimumab for Metastatic Melanoma

PURPOSE: Ipilimumab is an effective treatment for melanoma; however, toxicity rates remain high. The objective of this study was to describe the rates of adverse events (AEs), emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and nursing resource utilization for patients enrolled in a nurse-led telephone toxicity monitoring program. METHODS: Patients received weekly telephone calls from nursing to review a toxicity checklist during ipilimumab treatment and for 8 weeks after completion. To evaluate this program, a single-center retrospective review was performed for patients treated between July 2012 and September 2017 with single agent ipilimumab for advanced melanoma. Data were collected up to 3 months post-ipilimumab. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 61 (14.6) years. Thirty-three (49%) patients received four doses of ipilimumab, and 17 (25%) had one dose delay. The median (IQR) of any AEs reported per patient was 11 (8-17). There were 44 (66%) patients with AEs deemed to be definitely or probably related to ipilimumab, and of those, 3 (4%) experienced a grade 3 AE, whereas 4 (6%) experienced grade 4 AEs. Twenty patients (30%) had ER visits, and 31 (46%) were hospitalized during follow-up (9% ER visits and 6% hospitalizations were related to drug toxicity). CONCLUSION: Ipilimumab is associated with high rates of toxicity; however, a proactive nurse-led monitoring program was feasible and patients had low rates of grade 3-4 toxicity. Hospitalization rates and ER visits remained high; however, the minority of those were related to drug toxicity.

Preliminary safety analysis of phase II open-label NIVACOR trial (GOIRC-03-2018) in patients with advanced colorectal cancer RAS or BRAF mutated.

37 Background: NIVACOR trial is an open-label, multicentric Italian phase II trial of FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab in association with an anti-PD1 antibody, nivolumab, in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We report preliminary safety analysis by an Independent Monitoring Committee. Methods: Pts with mCRC RAS or BRAF mutated, regardless microsatellite status and eligible to receive a first line treatment will be enrolled. FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab (BEV) in association with nivolumab (NIV) was administered every 2 weeks for 8 cycles (induction) followed by BEV plus NIV every 2 weeks (maintenance) until PD or unacceptable toxicities. BEV was administered intravenously at dose of 5 mg/kg and NIV intravenously as a flat dose of 240 mg every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was the ORR. The safety is assessed after the inclusion of the 10th patient, receiving ≥1 dose. Results: As of September 20, 2020, 25/70 pts are enrolled. The first 10 pts were evaluated for preliminary safety analysis. Median age was 58 years (32-66), 60% of pts were male, median cycles of treatment was 5.5 (1-9). 100% were KRAS G12D mut and BRAF wild type, respectively, and 2% MSI-H/dMMR. 7/10 pts experienced at least one AE related to FOLFOXIRI/BEV and 2/10 related to NIV. The most frequent grade 1-2 AEs related to FOLFOXIRI/BEV were nausea and vomiting 4(57%), fatigue 5(71%), and diarrhea 5(71%); 3(43%) pts had grade 3-4 neutropenia, and 1(14%) febrile neutropenia. Only 2 pts developed grade 1-2 AEs related to NIV represented by rash (50%) and salivary gland infection (50%); no grade 3-4 was reported. One of pts with dose delay because of serious AES (proteinuria) BEV related, and one patient discontinued due to serious AEs (ileo-urethral fistula) not related to NIV. Conclusions: Combination of FOLFOXIRI/BEV and NIV was generally well tolerated and showed an acceptable toxicity profile. The final analysis will be scheduled at the end of enrollment. Clinical trial information: NCT04072198.

Avoiding Peg-Filgrastim Prophylaxis During the Paclitaxel Portion of the Dose-Dense Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel Regimen: A Prospective Study

PURPOSE The use of growth factors adds considerable expense and some toxicity to adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy. We tested the feasibility and safety of omitting routine peg-filgrastim use during the paclitaxel portion of the dose-dense doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide–paclitaxel regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective, single-arm study in which patients 18 to 65 years of age who completed 4 cycles of dose-dense doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide for stage I-III breast cancer received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 2 weeks. Peg-filgrastim was administered after paclitaxel only if patients had had febrile neutropenia in a prior cycle or at investigator discretion if patients had infections or treatment delays of > 1 week. Once a patient received peg-filgrastim, it was administered in all future cycles. The primary end point was the rate of paclitaxel completion within 7 weeks from cycle 1 day 1 to cycle 4 day 1. If ≥ 100 out of 125 patients completed 4 cycles of paclitaxel without dose delay, the regimen would be considered feasible. RESULTS The enrollment goal of 125 patients was met. Median age was 46 years (range, 21-65 years), and 112 patients (90% [95% CI, 83% to 94%]) completed dose-dense paclitaxel within 7 weeks. Omission of peg-filgrastim was not causally related to noncompletion of paclitaxel in any patients. The most common reasons for dose reduction or delays were nonhematologic. One patient experienced febrile neutropenia but was able to complete paclitaxel on time. Eight patients (6.4%) received peg-filgrastim during the trial. Overall, peg-filgrastim was administered in only 4.3% of paclitaxel cycles. CONCLUSION Omission of routine peg-filgrastim during dose-dense paclitaxel according to a prespecified algorithm seems to be safe and feasible and was associated with a 95.7% reduction in the use of peg-filgrastim relative to the current standard of care.

Duration of rifampin therapy is a key determinant of improved outcomes in early-onset acute prosthetic joint infection due to Staphylococcus treated with a debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR): a retrospective multicenter study in France

Introduction: In patients undergoing a « debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention » (DAIR) procedure for acute staphylococcal prosthetic joint infection (PJI), post-operative treatment with rifampin has been associated with a higher probability of success.(1,2) However, it is not known whether it is the total dose, delay of introduction or length of therapy with rifampin that is most strongly associated with the observed improved outcomes.Methods: A multicentric, retrospective cohort study of patients with acute staphylococcal hip and knee PJI treated with DAIR between January 2011 and December 2016. Failure of the DAIR procedure was defined as persistent infection, need for another surgery or death. We fitted logistic and Cox regression multivariate models to identify predictors of DAIR failure. We compared Kaplan-Meier estimates of failure probability in different levels of the 3 variables of interest - total dose, delay of introduction or length of therapy with rifampin - with the log-rank test.Results: 79 patients included (median age 71 years [63.5-81]; 55 men [70%]), including 54 (68%) DAIR successes and 25 (32%) DAIR failures. Patients observed for a median of 435 days [IQR 107.5-834]. Median ASA score significantly lower in DAIR successes than in DAIR failures (2 vs. 3, respectively p = 0.011). Bacterial cultures revealed 65 (82.3%) S. aureus and 16 (20.3%) coagulase negative staphylococci, with 2 patients being infected simultaneously with S. aureus and CNS. Among S. aureus isolates, 7 (10.8%) resistant to methicillin; 2 (3.1 %) resistant to rifampin. Median duration of antimicrobial therapy was 85 days [IQR 28.5-97.8]. Fifty-eight patients (73.4%) received rifampin at a median dose of 14.6 mg/kg/day |IQR 13-16.7], started at a median delay of 8.5 days [IQR, 4-7.5] after debridement surgery. Twenty-one patients (26.6%) developed a drug-related adverse event, leading to rifampin interruption in 6 of them (7.6% of total cohort). Determinants of DAIR failure were rifampin use (HR 0.17, IC [0.06, 0.45], p-value <0.001), association of rifampin with a fluoroquinolone (HR 0.19, IC [0.07, 0.53], p-value = 0.002) and duration of rifampin therapy (HR 0.97, IC [0.95, 1], p-value = 0.022). We did not observe a significant difference between DAIR successes and failures in rifampin use, dose and delay of introduction. In a multivariate Cox model, only duration of rifampin therapy was significantly associated with DAIR failure. Kaplan Meier estimate of DAIR failure probability was significantly higher in patients receiving less than 14 days of rifampin in comparison with those receiving more than 14 days of rifampin (p = 0.0017).Conclusion: Duration of rifampin therapy is a key determinant of improved outcomes in early-onset acute prosthetic joint infection due to Staphylococcus treated with DAIR.

Delays in Administration of the Second Antibiotic Dose in Patients With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of significant delays in administration of the second antibiotic dose in patients treated for severe sepsis and septic shock at a single community teaching hospital as well as to assess patient outcomes associated with second dose delays. Methods: This single-center, retrospective chart review evaluated patients who received at least 2 antibiotic doses for severe sepsis or septic shock. Patients were classified as having experienced a significant second dose delay if the actual interval between the first and the second antibiotic doses was greater than or equal to 125% of the recommended dosing interval. Results: Of 197 patients, 38 (19.3%) experienced a significant second antibiotic dose delay. The rate of significant delays was 17.1% in patients treated initially in the emergency department and 30.3% in patients treated initially in another inpatient location. Conclusions: This single-center study found a 19.3% rate of significant delays in antibiotic second dose administration in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. This study was not powered to identify differences in outcomes in patients with and without significant second dose delays. Additional large-scale studies are needed to investigate the impact of antibiotic second dose delays on outcomes in patients with sepsis.

A Pilot Trial of Adriamycin, Pembrolizumab, Vinblastine and Dacarbazine (APVD) for Patients with Untreated Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background: ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) forms the backbone of frontline management of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) in North America regardless of stage. Expected cure rates with upfront therapy approach 75% in advanced stage, and 85-90% in early stage. A novel regimen incorporating brentuximab vedotin sought to improve upon ABVD in untreated advanced stage CHL patients (brentuximab vedotin + AVD). While it demonstrated a modest modified PFS benefit, it was associated with notable toxicities including higher rates of neuropathy and infection. PD-1 inhibition is highly effective in relapsed/refractory CHL, leading to the FDA approval of nivolumab and pembrolizumab in this setting. The first-line setting may represent the ideal time for a PD-1 inhibitor, with relatively intact host immunity and coexistence of malignant cells and T-cells in the microenvironment. Using a proven chemotherapy backbone, we designed a trial adding pembrolizumab to AVD chemotherapy (APVD) without a PD-1 inhibitor lead-in for untreated CHL (NCT03331341). Methods: This is a single arm pilot study combining pembrolizumab with AVD in untreated CHL of any stage. Eligibility requires ECOG 0-1, adequate organ function, and measurable disease. The trial intends to enroll 30 patients. AVD is given at standard doses on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Pembrolizumab (200 mg IV) is given starting cycle 1 day 1 and every 21 days thereafter (cycle 1 day 22, cycle 2 day 15 etc.). The primary objective is to estimate the safety of delivering 2 cycles of APVD. The study will be determined a success if > 85% of subjects are able to complete 2 cycles of therapy without a dose delay > 3 weeks. Operationally, the stopping rule will be activated if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of toxicity crosses 15%. Thus, the trial would stop if 4/10, 7/20, 8/25, or 9/30 had a dose delay of >3 weeks due to toxicity. The secondary objective is to estimate the FDG-PET2 negative (Deauville score 1-3) after 2 cycles of APVD. Exploratory objectives include overall and progression free survival, predictive capacity of PET2 after APVD, peripheral blood flow cytometry of T-cell subsets, and analysis of ctDNA. After PET2 response assessment, subjects may continue APVD for up to 6 total cycles, or pursue treatment deemed appropriate for their stage/risk factors (including alternate systemic therapy or radiotherapy) at investigator discretion. Results: Six subjects have enrolled and received 2 cycles of therapy. Median age of these subjects was 28 years (range 18-69). Most subjects have advanced stage (stage II n=1 (17%), stage III n=3 (50%), stage IV n=2, (33%)). 3/6 (50%) of subjects had B symptoms at diagnosis, while 1/6 (17%) had bulky disease. Among the 6 subjects enrolled thus far, all have completed the first 2 cycles of therapy without any treatment delays. 3/6 subjects achieved a complete metabolic response (Deauville 1-3) on PET2, and 3/6 had a partial response (PR) with Deauville 4. The only subject who has completed all 6 cycle of therapy had a PET2 with Deauville 4 which converted to Deauville 2 upon completion of all therapy. There were no grade 2+ AEs attributable to pembrolizumab. No serious AEs have been reported. Non-hematologic grade 1 AEs of note include fatigue (50%), AST/ALT increase (33%), nausea (33%), arthralgia (17%), diarrhea (17%), maculopapular rash (17%), fever (17%), and alkaline phosphatase increased (17%). Conclusion: The concurrent combination of pembrolizumab with AVD chemotherapy for untreated CHL has been safe to date without any dose delays, serious adverse events, or immune-related adverse events of grade 2 or higher. All patients treated thus far achieved an objective response by PET2, with 3/6 achieving a complete metabolic response by interim scan. One subject has completed all therapy with a complete metabolic response (Deauville 2) after PET2 showed Deauville 4. Trial enrollment is ongoing. Disclosures Lynch: Incyte Corporation: Research Funding; T.G. Therapeutics: Research Funding; Johnson Graffe Keay Moniz & Wick LLP: Consultancy; Juno Therapeutics: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A: Research Funding. Ujjani:Atara: Consultancy; Astrazeneca: Consultancy; Genentech: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy; PCYC: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria. Kurtz:Roche: Consultancy. Gopal:Seattle Genetics, Pfizer, Janssen, Gilead, Sanofi, Spectrum, Amgen, Aptevo, BRIM bio, Acerta, I-Mab-pharma, Takeda, Compliment, Asana Bio, and Incyte.: Consultancy; Teva, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Takeda, Seattle Genetics, Pfizer, Janssen, Takeda, and Effector: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics, Pfizer, Janssen, Gilead, Sanofi, Spectrum, Amgen, Aptevo, BRIM bio, Acerta, I-Mab-pharma, Takeda, Compliment, Asana Bio, and Incyte: Honoraria.