scholarly journals Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Oesophago-Gastric Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Anica Högner ◽  
Peter Thuss-Patience

Immune checkpoint inhibitors enrich the therapeutic landscape in oesophago-gastric carcinoma. With regard to oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the selective PD-1 (programmed cell death receptor 1)-inhibitor nivolumab improves disease-free survival in the adjuvant therapy setting (CHECKMATE-577). In first-line treatment, ESCC patients (pts) benefit in overall survival (OS) from the PD-1-inhibitor pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy (KEYNOTE-590). In the second-line setting, nivolumab (ATTRACTION-03) and pembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-181) demonstrate a benefit in OS compared with chemotherapy. These data resulted in the approval of nivolumab for the second-line treatment of advanced ESCC pts regardless of PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) status in Europe, Asia, and the USA, and pembrolizumab for pts with PD-L1 CPS (combined positivity score) ≥ 10 in Asia and the USA. Further approvals can be expected. In gastro-oesophageal junction and gastric cancer, the addition of nivolumab to chemotherapy in first-line treatment improves OS in pts with advanced disease with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 5 (CHECKMATE-649). Additionally, pembrolizumab was non-inferior to chemotherapy for OS in PD-L1 CPS ≥ 1 pts (KEYNOTE-062). In third-line treatment, nivolumab shows benefits in OS regardless of PD-L1 expression (ATTRACTION-02) with approval in Asia, and pembrolizumab prolonged the duration of response in PD-L1 positive pts (KEYNOTE-059) with approval in the USA. We discuss the recent results of the completed phase II and III clinical trials.

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (41) ◽  
pp. 1613-1621
Author(s):  
János László Iványi ◽  
Éva Marton ◽  
Márk Plander

Introduction: Treatment of immune thrombocytopenia is sometimes difficult and needs personal setting. According to evidence-based guidelines, corticosteroids are suggested for first-line treatment. In case of corticosteroid ineffectiveness, second-line therapeutic options (splenectomy, immunosuppressive drugs and, recently, thrombopoietin-mimetics) may result in beneficial therapeutic effect. Aims: The aim of the authors was to examine the clinicopathological data, disease course, treatment results, and the effectiveness of novel drugs in patients with immune thrombocytopenia. Patients and methods: The authors retrospectively analysed the files of 79 immune thrombocytopenic patients (26 males and 53 females) diagnosed and treated at the hematologic in- and outpatient units of the Markusovszky Hospital, County Vas, Hungary between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2011. Remission rates, disease-free and overall survivals in response to corticosteroids (first-line treatment), after splenectomy (in cases when corticosteroids proved to be ineffective) and following second-line treatment were analysed. Survival curves were constructed using statistical software programs. Results: Of the 79 patients during a median follow-up of 66 months (min. 3, max. 144 months), 28 patients receiving first-line corticosteroids achieved complete remission and remained in a prolonged disease-free condition (35.4%; median disease-free survival 75.5 months; min. 2, max. 140 months). Thirty-eight patients underwent splenectomy after ineffective treatment with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive (48.0%; median disease-free survival 94.2 months; min. 6, max. 136 months). Surgical complications occurred in 2 cases, while postoperative and late infections were absent. Five patients died but death was not related to immune thrombocytemia. Second-line treatment was applied in 13 patients (16.4%) and among these patients relapse of immune thrombocytopenia after splenectomy was observed in 6 patients. Favourable effects of both conventional (immunosuppressive) and novel treatments (rituximab, thrombopoietin-mimetics) were also detected. Conclusions: More than two-thirds of patients with immune thrombocytopenia responded to corticosteroids or to splenectomy and achieved prolonged disease-free remission. Novel drugs (rituximab, thrombopoietin-mimetics) applied only in few cases produced also favourable results in patients not responding to corticosteroids and splenectomy. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1613–1621.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingling Li ◽  
Chenghui Pi ◽  
Xin Yan ◽  
Jiangyue Lu ◽  
Xuhui Yang ◽  
...  

BackgroundLung immune prognostic index (LIPI) refers to a biomarker combining derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Its prognostic effect on advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients receiving programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment remains unclear. Our research investigated the relationship between pretreatment LIPI and the prognosis of patients receiving first-line PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy.MethodsAdvanced SCLC patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment from Jan 2015 to Oct 2020 were included. Based on the values of dNLR and LDH, the study population was divided into two groups: LIPI good and LIPI intermediate/poor. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compute the median survival time and the log-rank test was used to compare the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the correlation between the pretreatment LIPI and clinical outcomes.ResultsOne hundred patients were included in this study, of which, 64% were LIPI good (dNLR < 4.0 and LDH < 283 U/L), 11% were LIPI poor (dNLR ≥ 4.0 and LDH ≥ 283 U/L), and the remaining 25% were LIPI intermediate. The LIPI good group had better progression-free survival (PFS) (median: 8.4 vs 4.7 months, p = 0.02) and overall survival (OS) (median: 23.8 vs 13.3 months, p = 0.0006) than the LIPI intermediate/poor group. Multivariate analysis showed that pretreatment LIPI intermediate/poor was an independent risk factor for OS (HR: 2.34; 95%CI, 1.13, 4.86; p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis showed that pretreatment LIPI good was associated with better PFS and OS in males, extensive disease (ED), PD-1 inhibitor treatment, smokers, and liver metastasis (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPretreatment LIPI could serve as a prognostic biomarker for advanced SCLC patients receiving first-line PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Yue Lee ◽  
Christine Song

Abstract Background Immediate hypersensitivity reaction to ursodiol is rare and there is no previously published protocol on ursodiol desensitization. Case presentation A 59-year-old woman with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) developed an immediate hypersensitivity reaction to ursodiol—the first-line treatment for PBC. When she switched to a second-line treatment, her PBC continued to progress. As such, she completed a novel 12-step desensitization protocol to oral ursodiol. She experienced recurrent pruritus after each dose following desensitization, which subsided after a month of being on daily ursodiol. Conclusion Immediate hypersensitivity reaction to ursodiol is uncommon. Our case demonstrated that this novel desensitization protocol to ursodiol could be safely implemented when alternative options are not available or have proven inferior in efficacy.


Author(s):  
B. González Astorga ◽  
F. Salvà Ballabrera ◽  
E. Aranda Aguilar ◽  
E. Élez Fernández ◽  
P. García-Alfonso ◽  
...  

AbstractColorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. For metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, it is recommended, as first-line treatment, chemotherapy (CT) based on doublet cytotoxic combinations of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) and fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX). In addition to CT, biological (targeted agents) are indicated in the first-line treatment, unless contraindicated. In this context, most of mCRC patients are likely to progress and to change from first line to second line treatment when they develop resistance to first-line treatment options. It is in this second line setting where Aflibercept offers an alternative and effective therapeutic option, thought its specific mechanism of action for different patient’s profile: RAS mutant, RAS wild-type (wt), BRAF mutant, potentially resectable and elderly patients. In this paper, a panel of experienced oncologists specialized in the management of mCRC experts have reviewed and selected scientific evidence focused on Aflibercept as an alternative treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7717
Author(s):  
Guido Giordano ◽  
Pietro Parcesepe ◽  
Giuseppina Bruno ◽  
Annamaria Piscazzi ◽  
Vincenzo Lizzi ◽  
...  

Target-oriented agents improve metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) survival in combination with chemotherapy. However, the majority of patients experience disease progression after first-line treatment and are eligible for second-line approaches. In such a context, antiangiogenic and anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) agents as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved as second-line options, and RAS and BRAF mutations and microsatellite status represent the molecular drivers that guide therapeutic choices. Patients harboring K- and N-RAS mutations are not eligible for anti-EGFR treatments, and bevacizumab is the only antiangiogenic agent that improves survival in combination with chemotherapy in first-line, regardless of RAS mutational status. Thus, the choice of an appropriate therapy after the progression to a bevacizumab or an EGFR-based first-line treatment should be evaluated according to the patient and disease characteristics and treatment aims. The continuation of bevacizumab beyond progression or its substitution with another anti-angiogenic agents has been shown to increase survival, whereas anti-EGFR monoclonals represent an option in RAS wild-type patients. In addition, specific molecular subgroups, such as BRAF-mutated and Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) mCRCs represent aggressive malignancies that are poorly responsive to standard therapies and deserve targeted approaches. This review provides a critical overview about the state of the art in mCRC second-line treatment and discusses sequential strategies according to key molecular biomarkers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13020-e13020
Author(s):  
Carla Pires Amaro ◽  
Atul Batra ◽  
Sasha M. Lupichuk

e13020 Background: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) has emerged as the standard first line treatment in patients with hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In this analysis, we describe population-based outcomes for first-line treatment with a CDK4/6i combined with an AI. Methods: All patients who were prescribed CDK4/6i + AI from January 2016 through June 2019 in a large Canadian province were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics, tumor and treatment characteristics. Survival distributions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis (MVA) using a Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to examine associations between potentially prognostic clinical variables and progression free survival (PFS). Results: A total of 316 patients were included. Median age was 61 years (interquartile range, 53-70 years), 82% were postmenopausal women, 39% had de novo MBC, and 48% had non-visceral disease. Palbociclib was prescribed in 94% of patients and the remaining patients received ribociclib. The CDK4/6i was dose-reduced upfront or during treatment in 47%. While 70% of the patients discontinued treatment due to progression, 30% stopped due to toxicity/patient preference/physician recommendation. With a median follow-up of 28.1 months, the median PFS was 37.9 months (95% CI, 26.7-NR). In the MVA, PR-negative tumour (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.45-3.88; P = 0.001) and dose reduction of the CDK4/6i (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.06-2.16; P = 0.022) predicted worse PFS. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached. The 30-month and 36-month OS rates were 74% and 68%, respectively. Of patients who progressed (n = 131), 89% received second-line treatment (chemotherapy in 46%, single agent hormonal therapy in 35%, hormonal therapy plus a targeted agent in 15%, and other in 4%). Median time to progression on second line chemotherapy was 9.0 (5.8-17.6) months and second line hormonal therapy +/- targeted agent was 4.0 (3.4-8.6) months (P = 0.012). Conclusions: The real-world outcomes of first-line use of CDK4/6i and AI are encouraging. PR negative tumors and dose reduction appear to be negative prognostic markers. CDK4/6i + AI as first-line treatment for HR-positive, HER2-negative MBC in Alberta is justified based on favorable PFS and early OS outcomes.


Author(s):  
Francovito Piantedosi ◽  
Raffaela Cerisoli ◽  
Ciro Battiloro ◽  
Francesca Andreozzi ◽  
Fabiana Vitiello ◽  
...  

AIM: To provide an updated picture of the therapies most commonly used in the advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) setting, together with the relevant costs.METHODS: This study considered the clinical records of patients affected by stage IIIb and IV NSCLC treated in the AORN dei Colli - Plesso Monaldi in Naples during the period January 2016-July 2017 and diagnosed since 2014, as well as the pathology lab database. Multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify the main predictors of time to next treatment and the main cost drivers.RESULTS: Data were collected on 575 patients, who were mainly affected by adenocarcinoma (62%) and squamous cell carcinoma (34%). 64% of patients were reported having been tested for molecular biomarkers (among the patients tested, 13% were EGFR+, 4% Alk t, and 1% ROS1 t). In accordance with the international guidelines, chemotherapy – as single agent or platinum-based doublets – was the prevalent first-line treatment, except among EGFR+ and ROS1 t patients, for whom the target therapy was authorized as first-line therapy. As second-line treatment, the target therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab) were the most commonly used treatments. Drug expenditure per patient was remarkably higher in mutated patients (€ 29,053) versus wild-type patients, or patients with unknown mutational status (€ 11,854), who received just chemotherapy. The costs sustained in 2017 are proportionally higher than those sustained in 2016, mainlydue to the increasing eligibility to target therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors and the wider biomarker analysis performed. From multivariate analyses, among the predictors of a longer time to next treatment (TTNT) were a better performance status and target therapy both in first and second line. The therapy for squamous cell carcinoma and other nonadeno histotypes turned out to be less expensive in patients treated just in the first line than that for adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the second line results in increased costs compared to the use of chemotherapy. Also the target therapy in the first line results in an increase in the total costs with respect to chemotherapy in patients who received just a first-line therapy.CONCLUSIONS: Generally, in this study population, the treatments administered are in accordance with the international guidelines. The costs borne by the Health Systems are higher for the target therapy and the immune checkpoint inhibitors.


Endoscopy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (02) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Valli ◽  
Joachim Mertens ◽  
Arne Kröger ◽  
Christoph Gubler ◽  
Christian Gutschow ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and study aims Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) has evolved as a promising option for endoscopic treatment of foregut wall injuries in addition to the classic closure techniques using clips or stents. To improve vacuum force and maintain esophageal passage, we combined endosponge treatment with a partially covered self-expandable metal stent (stent-over-sponge; SOS). Patients and methods Twelve patients with infected upper gastrointestinal wall defects were treated with the SOS technique. Results Indications for SOS were anastomotic leakage after surgery (n = 11) and chronic foregut fistula (n = 1). SOS treatment was used as a first-line treatment in seven patients with a success rate of 71.4 % (5/7) and as a second-line treatment after failed previous EVT treatment in five patients (success rate 80 %; 4/5). Overall, SOS treatment was successful in 75 % of patients (9/12). No severe adverse events occurred. Conclusion SOS is an effective method to treat severely infected foregut wall defects in patients where EVT has failed, and also as a first-line treatment. Comparative prospective studies are needed to confirm our preliminary results.


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