Search

Background: Arginine depletion is a putative target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC often lacks argininosuccinate synthetase, a citrulline to arginine-repleting enzyme. ADI-PEG 20 is a cloned arginine degrading enzyme--arginine deiminase--conjugated with polyethylene glycol. The goal of this study was to evaluate this agent as a potential novel therapeutic for HCC after first line systemic therapy. Methods and patients: Patients with histologically proven advanced HCC and Child-Pugh up to B7 with prior systemic therapy, were randomized 2: 1 to ADI-PEG 20 18 mg/m2 versus placebo intramuscular injection weekly. The primary end point was overall survival (OS), with 93% power to detect a 4-5.6 months increase in median OS (one-sided α=0.025). Secondary end points included progression-free survival, safety, and arginine correlatives. Results: A total of 635 patients were enrolled: median age 61, 82% male, 60% Asian, 52% hepatitis B, 26% hepatitis C, 76% stage IV, 91% Child-Pugh A, 70% progressed on sorafenib and 16% were intolerant. Median OS was 7.8 months for ADI-PEG 20 versus 7.4 for placebo (P=0.88, HR=1.02) and median progression-free survival 2.6 months versus 2.6 (P=0.07, HR=1.17). Grade 3 fatigue and decreased appetite occurred in <5% of patients. Two patients on ADI-PEG 20 had≤grade 3 anaphylactic reaction. Death rate within 30 days of end of treatment was 15.2% on ADI-PEG 20 versus 10.4% on placebo, none related to therapy. Post hoc analyses of arginine assessment at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks, demonstrated a trend of improved OS for those with more prolonged arginine depletion. Conclusion: ADI-PEG 20 monotherapy did not demonstrate an OS benefit in second line setting for HCC. It was well tolerated. Strategies to enhance prolonged arginine depletion and synergize the effect of ADI-PEG 20 are underway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ph 1b data has shown promising efficacy and safety for atezo + bev in unresectable HCC pts who have not received prior systemic therapy. Here, we report the primary analysis data from the Ph 3 IMbrave150 trial comparing atezo + bev vs sor in this pt population. Methods IMbrave150 enrolled systemic treatment (tx)-naïve pts with unresectable HCC. Pts were randomised 2:1 to receive either atezo 1200 mg IV q3w + bev 15 mg/kg IV q3w or sor 400 mg BID until unacceptable toxicity or loss of clinical benefit per investigator. Coprimary endpoints were OS and PFS by independent review facility (IRF)-assessed RECIST 1.1. The key secondary endpoints IRF-ORR per RECIST 1.1 and IRF-ORR per HCC mRECIST were also part of the study statistical testing hierarchy. Results The ITT population included 336 pts randomised to atezo + bev and 165 randomised to sor. Baseline demographics were well balanced between arms. With a median follow up of 8.6 mo, OS HR was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.42, 0.79; P = 0.0006) and PFS HR was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.47, 0.76; P < 0.0001; see table) for atezo + bev vs sor. ORR was 27% vs 12% (P < 0.0001) per IRF RECIST 1.1 and 33% vs 13% (P < 0.0001) per IRF HCC mRECIST for atezo + bev vs sor, respectively. Results were generally consistent across clinical subgroups. Atezo + bev delayed deterioration of quality of life vs sor. Median tx duration was 7.4 mo for atezo, 6.9 for bev and 2.8 for sor. Grade 3-4 AEs occurred in 57% of pts receiving atezo + bev and 55% of pts receiving sor. Grade 5 AEs were seen in 5% and 6% of pts, respectively. Conclusions IMbrave150 demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in both OS and PFS for atezo + bev vs sor in pts with unresectable HCC who have not received prior systemic therapy. The safety of atezo + bev is consistent with the known safety profile of each agent, and no new safety signals were identified. Atezo + bev has the potential to be a practice changing tx in HCC. Clinical trial identification NCT03434379. Editorial acknowledgement Medical writing assistance for this abstract was provided by Jessica Bessler, PhD, of Health Interactions, Ltd. and funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd. Legal entity responsible for the study F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd. Funding F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd. Table: LBA3 Coprimary endpoints  Atezo + bev n = 336  Sor n = 165  OS  Median, mo 95% CI  NE  13.2 (10.4, NE)  HR a 95% CI  0.58 (0.42, 0.79)  P value a,b   0.0006  PFS  Median, mo 95% CI  6.8 (5.7, 8.3)  4.3 (4.0, 5.6)  HR a 95% CI  0.59 (0.47, 0.76)  P value a,b   <0.0001  Coprimary endpoints  Atezo + bev n = 336  Sor n = 165  OS  Median, mo 95% CI  NE  13.2 (10.4, NE)  HR a 95% CI  0.58 (0.42, 0.79)  P value a,b   0.0006  PFS  Median, mo 95% CI  6.8 (5.7, 8.3)  4.3 (4.0, 5.6)  HR a 95% CI  0.59 (0.47, 0.76)  P value a,b   <0.0001  NE, non-estimable. a Stratified analysis. b Log rank. Table: LBA3 Coprimary endpoints  Atezo + bev n = 336  Sor n = 165  OS  Median, mo 95% CI  NE  13.2 (10.4, NE)  HR a 95% CI  0.58 (0.42, 0.79)  P value a,b   0.0006  PFS  Median, mo 95% CI  6.8 (5.7, 8.3)  4.3 (4.0, 5.6)  HR a 95% CI  0.59 (0.47, 0.76)  P value a,b   <0.0001  Coprimary endpoints  Atezo + bev n = 336  Sor n = 165  OS  Median, mo 95% CI  NE  13.2 (10.4, NE)  HR a 95% CI  0.58 (0.42, 0.79)  P value a,b   0.0006  PFS  Median, mo 95% CI  6.8 (5.7, 8.3)  4.3 (4.0, 5.6)  HR a 95% CI  0.59 (0.47, 0.76)  P value a,b   <0.0001  NE, non-estimable. a Stratified analysis. b Log rank. Disclosure A-L. Cheng: Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer Schering Pharma; Advisory / Consultancy: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck Serono; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Novartis; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Ono Pharmaceutical; Advisory / Consultancy: Exelixis; Advisory / Consultancy: Nucleix Ltd.; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche/Genentech; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: IQVIA; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Amgen Taiwan; Honoraria (self): Bayer; Honoraria (self): Merck Sharp Dohme; Honoraria (self): Merck Serono. M. Ikeda: Honoraria (self): Abbott Japan; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer Yakuhin; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self): Bristol-Myers Squibb Japan; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai Pharma; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly Japan; Honoraria (self): Nippon Kayaku; Honoraria (self): Novartis; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho Pharmaceutical; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Kyowa Hakko Kirin; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): NanoCarrier; Research grant / Funding (self): ASLAN Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (self): AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (self): Baxter; Research grant / Funding (self): Boehringer Ingelheim; Research grant / Funding (self): Kowa; Research grant / Funding (self): Merck Serono; Research grant / Funding (self): Ono Pharmaceutical, Yakult, Zeria Pharmaceutical. P.R. Galle: Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Honoraria (self): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self): MSD; Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self): SIRTEX; Honoraria (self): Merck; Honoraria (self): Lilly; Honoraria (self): Blueprint; Honoraria (self): AdaptImmune; Honoraria (self): Eisai; Honoraria (self): Roche; Honoraria (self): Ipsen. M.P. Ducreux: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Lilly; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Servier; Advisory / Consultancy: Amgen; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Celgene; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck Serono; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bayer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck KGaA; Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Spouse / Financial dependant: Sandoz. A.X. Zhu: Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy: Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy: Exelixis; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Merck; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche/Genentech. M. Kudo: Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): AbbVie; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb Japan; Honoraria (self): EA Pharma; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Eisai; Honoraria (self): Gilead Sciences; Honoraria (self): Merck Serono; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: MSD; Honoraria (self): Novartis; Honoraria (self): Pfizer; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho Pharmaceutical; Advisory / Consultancy: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Research grant / Funding (institution): Astellas Pharma; Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai Pharma; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Otsuka. V. Breder: Honoraria (self), Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: BioCad; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Eisai; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: MSD Oncology; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Honoraria (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Takeda. P. Merle: Research grant / Funding (self): ONXEO; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy: Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb. A. Kaseb: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Gilead Sciences; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer Health; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Exelixis; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck; Research grant / Funding (self): Genentech; Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer/Onyx. D. Li: Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Exelixis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Ipsen; Honoraria (institution), Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Lexicon; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Advanced Accelerator Applications. W. Verret: Full / Part-time employment: Genentech. Z.D. Xu: Full / Part-time employment: Roche. S. Hernandez: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Genentech. J. Liu: Full / Part-time employment: Roche. C. Huang: Full / Part-time employment: Roche. S. Mulla: Full / Part-time employment: Roche. R. Finn: Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy: BristolMyersSquibb; Advisory / Consultancy: Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy: Eli Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche/Genentech; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was published in 2018, and covered the diagnosis, management, treatment and follow-up of early, intermediate and advanced disease. At the ESMO Asia Meeting in November 2018 it was decided by both the ESMO and the Taiwan Oncology Society (TOS) to convene a special guidelines meeting immediately after the Taiwan Joint Cancer Conference (TJCC) in May 2019 in Taipei. The aim was to adapt the ESMO 2018 guidelines to take into account both the ethnic and the geographic differences in practice associated with the treatment of HCC in Asian patients. These guidelines represent the consensus opinions reached by experts in the treatment of patients with intermediate and advanced/relapsed HCC representing the oncology societies of Taiwan (TOS), China (CSCO), India (ISMPO) Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS) and Singapore (SSO). The voting was based on scientific evidence, and was independent of the current treatment practices, the drug availability and reimbursement situations in the individual participating Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy and safety of axitinib, a potent and selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1-3 inhibitor, combined with best supportive care (BSC) was evaluated in a global, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II trial in patients with locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and methods: Patients with HCC and Child-Pugh Class A who progressed on or were intolerant to one prior antiangiogenic therapy were stratified by tumour invasion (presence/absence of extrahepatic spread and/or vascular invasion) and region (Asian/non-Asian) and randomized (2:1) to axitinib/BSC (starting dose 5 mg twice-daily) or placebo/ BSC. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Results: The estimated hazard ratio for OS was 0.907 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.646-1.274; one-sided stratified P = 0.287] for axitinib/BSC (n = 134) versus placebo/BSC (n = 68), with the median (95% CI) of 12.7 (10.2-14.9) versus 9.7 (5.9-11.8) months, respectively. Results of prespecified subgroup analyses in Asian versus non-Asian patients or presence versus absence of tumour invasion were consistent with the overall population. Improvements favouring axitinib/ BSC (P < 0.01) were observed in secondary efficacy end point analyses [progression-free survival (PFS), time to tumour progression (TTP), and clinical benefit rate (CBR)], and were retained among Asian patients in the prespecified subgroup analyses. Overall response rate did not differ significantly between treatments and patient-reported outcomes favoured placebo/BSC. Most common all-causality adverse events with axitinib/BSC were diarrhoea (54%), hypertension (54%), and decreased appetite (47%). Baseline serum analyses identified potential new prognostic (interleukin-6, E-selectin, interleukin-8, angiopoietin-2, migration inhibitory factor, and c-MET) or predictive (E-selectin and stromalderived factor-1) factors for survival. Conclusions: Axitinib/BSC did not improve OS over placebo/BSC in the overall population or in stratification subgroups. However, axitinib/BSC resulted in significantly longer PFS and TTP and higher CBR, with acceptable toxicity in patients with advanced HCC. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01210495. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The phase III, randomized, open-label ENSURE study (NCT01342965) evaluated first-line erlotinib versus gemcitabine/cisplatin (GP) in patients from China, Malaysia and the Philippines with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods: Patients ≥18 years old with histologically/cytologically confirmed stage IIIB/IV EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2 were randomized 1:1 to receive erlotinib (oral; 150 mg once daily until progression/unacceptable toxicity) or GP [G 1250 mg/m² i.v. days 1 and 8 (3-weekly cycle); P 75 mg/m² i.v. day 1, (3-weekly cycle) for up to four cycles]. Primary end point: investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Other end points include objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results: A total of 217 patients were randomized: 110 to erlotinib and 107 to GP. Investigator-assessed median PFS was 11.0 months versus 5.5 months, erlotinib versus GP, respectively [hazard ratio (HR), 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.51; log-rank P < 0.0001]. Independent Review Committee-assessed median PFS was consistent (HR, 0.42). Median OS was 26.3 versus 25.5 months, erlotinib versus GP, respectively (HR, 0.91, 95% CI 0.63-1.31; log-rank P = .607). ORR was 62.7% for erlotinib and 33.6% for GP. Treatment-related serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in 2.7% versus 10.6% of erlotinib and GP patients, respectively. The most common grade ≥3 AEs were rash (6.4%) with erlotinib, and neutropenia (25.0%), leukopenia (14.4%), and anemia (12.5%) with GP. Conclusion: These analyses demonstrate that first-line erlotinib provides a statistically significant improvement in PFS versus GP in Asian patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC (NCT01342965). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]