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Concomitant direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (anti-VEGF TKI) have been associated with a higher risk of bleeding. Nevertheless, concomitant administration seems frequent in clinical practice in patients with cancer-associated thrombosis and appears to be safe according to the retrospective study by Boileve A. et al. But the risk of an additional pharmacokinetic interaction between anti-VEGF TKI and DOACs must be considered, in case of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition by the TKI. We describe a case report with a major bleeding event in a renal metastatic cancer patient treated with cabozantinib and rivaroxaban. This case highlights the difficult therapeutic decision in a complex patient with cancer-associated thrombosis, who refused the anticoagulant subcutaneous route. Accumulation of bleeding risk factors (genito-urinary tumor localization) was additive to several pharmacodynamic interactions (acetylsalicylic acid, venlafaxine) and a potential pharmacokinetic interaction between cabozantinib and rivaroxaban. Indeed, cabozantinib-related P-glycoprotein inhibition could have led to a supratherapeutic level of rivaroxaban, contributing partly to the bleeding event. Before combining an anti-VEGF TKI and DOACs, a multidisciplinary pretherapeutic assessment seems crucial to evaluate the patient’s bleeding risk factors, pharmacodynamic interactions, and the risk of pharmacokinetic interactions mediated by P-gp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pazopanib is approved in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and soft-tissue sarcoma at a flat-fixed dose despite a large pharmacokinetics interindividual variability and a narrow therapeutic index. To our knowledge, pazopanib exposure in patients with gastrointestinal resections (GIR) has not been described. This report focuses on feasibility of pharmacokinetics-guided dose escalation in these patients and clinical implications for their management. Method: A retrospective data collection was performed for three patients with GIR treated with pazopanib, including pazopanib plasma concentrations (high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection) and treatment adherence (Girerd score). Case presentation: First patient (55-year-old man, RCC, gastric bypass surgery) pazopanib Cmin,ss at day 39 was 4.1 mg/L. Dose escalation to 1800 mg/day fractionated allowed to reach Cmin,ss of 18.5 mg/L (target threshold in RCC patients: 20.5 mg/L). Patient 2 (50-year-old woman, metastatic myxofibrosarcoma, gastric band) showed Cmin,ss of 4.0 mg/L at day 13. In patient 3 (49-year-old man, gastric malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, gastrectomy), Cmin,ss at day 13 was 2.7 mg/L. For these two patients, intake with food and dose fractioning only slightly increased pazopanib Cmin,ss to 12.0 mg/L and 6.5 mg/L, respectively (therapeutic threshold in sarcoma patients: 27 mg/L). Treatment adherence was good in all patients. Conclusion: Optimal pazopanib exposure cannot be achieved in patients with GIR, and thus, other therapeutic strategies should be encouraged. Pretherapeutic assessment seems crucial to evaluate factors as bariatric surgery that may impact pazopanib concentrations. Therapeutic drug monitoring could be helpful to optimize pazopanib response in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pazopanib (PAZ) is an oral angiogenesis inhibitor approved to treat soft tissue sarcoma (STS) but associated with a large interpatient pharmacokinetic (PK) variability and narrow therapeutic index. We aimed to define the specific threshold of PAZ trough concentration (Cmin) associated with better progression-free survival (PFS) in STS patients. Methods: In this observational study, PAZ Cmin was monitored over the treatment course. For the primary endpoint, the 3-month PFS in STS was analyzed with logistic regression. Second, we performed exposure–overall survival (OS) (Cox model plus Kaplan–Meier analysis/log-rank test) and exposure–toxicity analyses. Results: Ninety-five STS patients were eligible for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) assessment. In the multivariable analysis, PAZ Cmin < 27 mg/L was independently associated with a risk of progression at 3 months (odds ratio (OR) 4.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.47–12.12), p = 0.008). A higher average of PAZ Cmin over the first 3 months was associated with a higher risk of grade 3–4 toxicities according to the NCI-CTCAE version 5.0 (OR 1.07 per 1 mg/L increase, CI95 (1.02–1.13), p = 0.007). Conclusion: PAZ Cmin ≥ 27 mg/L was independently associated with improved 3-month PFS in STS patients. Pharmacokinetically-guided dosing could be helpful to optimize the clinical management of STS patients in daily clinical practice.

This article discusses a case report of a pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction between olaparib and apixaban in a cancer patient. The patient was receiving off-label treatment with olaparib and also taking apixaban for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis recurrence. The study found that the concurrent use of olaparib and apixaban resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in apixaban concentration. This interaction could potentially increase the risk of bleeding in patients. The authors recommend a multidisciplinary approach and therapeutic drug monitoring for cancer patients receiving both apixaban and olaparib. [Extracted from the article]

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) possesses potent metastasis-inducing capacities and is highly expressed in several cancer cells. Previous work has shown that ADAM9 participates in the adhesive–invasive phenotype in lung cancer cells in vitro. In this study, we evaluated whether ADAM9 expression plays a critical role in metastatic processes in vivo and in angiogenesis. We first found that high ADAM9 expression was correlated with poor lung adenocarcinoma patient prognosis on Prognoscan data base. In vivo model based on intravenous injection in nude mice showed that a stable downregulation of ADAM9 in A549 (TrA549 A9-) cells was associated with a lower number of nodules in the lung, suggesting lower potentials for extravasation and metastasis. On a subcutaneous xenograft we showed that TrA549 A9− produced significantly smaller tumours and exhibited fewer neovessels. In addition, in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to supernatant from TrA549 A9− could reduce the formation of more vessel-like structures. To further understand the mechanism, a human antibody array analysis confirmed that five cytokines were downregulated in TrA549 A9− cells. Interleukin 8 was the most significantly downregulated, and its interaction with CXCR2 was implicated in angiogenesis on an in vitro model. These results emphasize the critical influence of ADAM9 on lung cancer progression and aggressiveness. ADAM9 should at least be a marker of cancer aggressiveness and a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

This case report describes a pharmacokinetic drug–drug interaction between crizotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, a direct-acting antiviral drug, leading to cardiac toxicity. A 75-year-old man, with no cardiovascular history but a diagnosis of metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer with mesenchymal–epithelial transition exon-14 deletion and hepatitis C virus infection genotype 1A, received both crizotinib and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. Crizotinib was well tolerated, but 1 week after sofosbuvir/velpatasvir initiation, the patient experienced bilateral lower-limb oedema and class III New York Heart Association dyspnoea. We assumed that increased exposure to crizotinib could account for this cardiac toxicity. Drug causality was probable according to the Naranjo scale. We hypothesized a reciprocal interaction between crizotinib and velpatasvir, mediated by both cytochrome 3A4 (CYP3A4) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Clinicians should be aware of the risk of drug–drug interactions between direct-acting antiviral agents that inhibit CYP3A4 (glecaprevir) and/or P-gp (voxilaprevir, velpatasvir) and anticancer tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are mostly CYP3A4 and/or P-gp substrates (gefitinib, afatinib, erlotinib, crizotinib, ceritinib, lorlatinib, brigatinib, capmatinib etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pazopanib (PAZ) is an oral angiogenesis inhibitor approved to treat soft tissue sarcoma (STS) but associated with a large interpatient pharmacokinetic (PK) variability and narrow therapeutic index. We aimed to define the specific threshold of PAZ trough concentration (Cmin) associated with better progression-free survival (PFS) in STS patients. Methods: In this observational study, PAZ Cmin was monitored over the treatment course. For the primary endpoint, the 3-month PFS in STS was analyzed with logistic regression. Second, we performed exposure–overall survival (OS) (Cox model plus Kaplan–Meier analysis/log-rank test) and exposure–toxicity analyses. Results: Ninety-five STS patients were eligible for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) assessment. In the multivariable analysis, PAZ Cmin < 27 mg/L was independently associated with a risk of progression at 3 months (odds ratio (OR) 4.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.47–12.12), p = 0.008). A higher average of PAZ Cmin over the first 3 months was associated with a higher risk of grade 3–4 toxicities according to the NCI-CTCAE version 5.0 (OR 1.07 per 1 mg/L increase, CI95 (1.02–1.13), p = 0.007). Conclusion: PAZ Cmin ≥ 27 mg/L was independently associated with improved 3-month PFS in STS patients. Pharmacokinetically-guided dosing could be helpful to optimize the clinical management of STS patients in daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIdentifying predictive biomarkers of drug response is of key importance to improve therapy management and drug selection in cancer therapy. To date, the influence of drug exposure and pharmacogenetic variants on sorafenib-induced toxicity remains poorly documented. The aim of this pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) study was to investigate the relationship between early toxicity and drug exposure or pharmacogenetic variants in unselected adult outpatients treated with single-agent sorafenib for advanced solid tumors.MethodsToxicity was recorded in 54 patients on days 15 and 30 after treatment initiation and sorafenib exposure was assessed in 51 patients. The influence of polymorphisms in CYP3A5, UGT1A9, ABCB1 and ABCG2 was examined in relation to sorafenib exposure and toxicity. Clinical characteristics, drug exposure and pharmacogenetic variants were tested univariately for association with toxicities. Candidate variables with pResultsGender was the sole parameter independently associated with sorafenib exposure (p = 0.0008). Multivariate analysis showed that increased cumulated sorafenib (AUC(cum)) was independently associated with any grade ≥ 3 toxicity (p = 0.037); UGT1A9 polymorphism (rs17868320) with grade ≥ 2 diarrhea (p = 0.015) and female gender with grade ≥ 2 hand-foot skin reaction (p = 0.018). Using ROC curve, the threshold AUC(cum) value of 3,161 mg/L.h was associated with the highest risk to develop any grade ≥ 3 toxicity (p = 0.018).ConclusionIn this preliminary study, increased cumulated drug exposure and UGT1A9 polymorphism (rs17868320) identified patients at high risk for early sorafenib-induced severe toxicity. Further PK/PD studies on larger population are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.

Aims: Cytidine deaminase (CDA) activity in cancer patients' serum has been proposed as a predictive biomarker for efficacy and toxicity of nucleoside analogues. However, discrepant results about its predictive value have been reported due to the high interindividual variability in CDA activity. This study aimed at identifying determinants of this interindividual variability. Methods: From December 2014 to November 2015, 183 patients were prospectively included. Serum CDA activity, biological and clinical characteristics as well as five common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CDA gene (c.‐451C > T, c.‐92A > G, c.‐33_‐31delC, c.79A > C, c.435 T > C) were analysed. Associations between clinical characteristics, pharmacogenetic variants and CDA activity were univariately tested. P < 0.1‐candidate variables were analysed through a multivariate analysis. The association between CDA activity and toxicity was assessed for the 56 gemcitabine‐treated patients. Intraindividual variability in CDA activity was explored in six pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine. Results: Median CDA activity was 3.97 U mg–1 (range 1.53–15.49 U mg–1). A univariate analysis showed that CDA activity was statistically associated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, mild or severe malnutrition, inflammatory syndrome, leucocyte count, neutrophil count, albumin, C‐reactive protein and ‐c.‐33_‐31delC single nucleotide polymorphism. A multivariate analysis identified that only neutrophil count (P < 0.0001) and severe malnutrition (P = 0.0278) were independently associated with CDA activity. Low CDA activity (<2 U mg–1) was not statistically associated with severe gemcitabine‐related toxicities (P = 0.16). A decrease in CDA activity was observed during the longitudinal follow‐up of six pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine (P = 0.03). Conclusions: These results suggest that neutrophil count and malnutrition should be considered for the interpretation of pretherapeutic CDA activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dabrafenib is a potent and selective inhibitor of BRAF-mutant kinase that is approved, as monotherapy or in combination with trametinib (mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) inhibitor), for unresectable or metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma, advanced non-small cell lung cancer and anaplastic thyroid cancer harbouring the BRAFV600E mutation. The recommended dose of dabrafenib is 150 mg twice daily (bid) under fasted conditions. After single oral administration of the recommended dose, the absolute oral bioavailability (F) of dabrafenib is 95%. Dabrafenib shows a time-dependent increase in apparent clearance (CL/F) following multiple doses, which is likely due to induction of its own metabolism through cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. Therefore, steady state is reached only after 14 days of daily dose administration. Moreover, the extent of this auto-induction process is dependent on the dose, which explains why dabrafenib systemic exposure at steady state increases less than dose proportionally over the dose range of 75-300 mg bid. The main elimination route of dabrafenib is the oxidative metabolism via CYP3A4/2C8 and biliary excretion. Among the three major metabolites identified, hydroxy-dabrafenib appears to contribute to the pharmacological activity. Age, sex and body weight did not have any clinically significant influence on plasma exposure to dabrafenib. No dose adjustment is needed for patients with mild renal or hepatic impairment, whereas the impacts of severe impairment on dabrafenib pharmacokinetics remain unknown. Considering that dabrafenib is a substrate of CYP3A4/2C8 and is a CYP3A4/2B6/2C inducer, drug-drug interactions are expected with dabrafenib. The relationship between clinical outcomes and plasma exposure to dabrafenib and hydroxy-dabrafenib should be investigated more deeply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) possesses potent metastasis-inducing capacities and is highly expressed in several cancer cells. Previous work has shown that ADAM9 participates in the adhesive-invasive phenotype in lung cancer cells in vitro. In this study, we evaluated whether ADAM9 expression plays a critical role in metastatic processes in vivo and in angiogenesis. We first found that high ADAM9 expression was correlated with poor lung adenocarcinoma patient prognosis on Prognoscan data base. In vivo model based on intravenous injection in nude mice showed that a stable downregulation of ADAM9 in A549 (TrA549 A9-) cells was associated with a lower number of nodules in the lung, suggesting lower potentials for extravasation and metastasis. On a subcutaneous xenograft we showed that TrA549 A9- produced significantly smaller tumours and exhibited fewer neovessels. In addition, in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to supernatant from TrA549 A9- could reduce the formation of more vessel-like structures. To further understand the mechanism, a human antibody array analysis confirmed that five cytokines were downregulated in TrA549 A9- cells. Interleukin 8 was the most significantly downregulated, and its interaction with CXCR2 was implicated in angiogenesis on an in vitro model. These results emphasize the critical influence of ADAM9 on lung cancer progression and aggressiveness. ADAM9 should at least be a marker of cancer aggressiveness and a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been reported as a prognostic marker in melanoma. In BRAF V600-mutant melanoma, a plasma under-exposure to vemurafenib could favor emerging resistance but no biological data are available to support this hypothesis.Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between vemurafenib plasma concentrations and the ctDNA plasma concentration during follow-up of BRAF-mutated melanoma patients.Patients and Methods: Eleven patients treated with single-agent vemurafenib for advanced BRAF V600-mutant melanoma were analyzed in an exploratory monocentric study. The vemurafenib plasma concentration was measured by liquid chromatography. ctDNA was extracted from plasma samples and the ctDNA concentration was evaluated using picoliter droplet-based digital PCR with Taqman® detection probes targeting the BRAF p.V600E/K mutation and wild-type BRAF sequences.Results: At baseline, plasma ctDNA was detectable in 72% (n = 8/11) of patients and the ctDNA concentration decreased in 88% of these patients (n = 7/8) from day (D) 0 to D15 after vemurafenib initiation. During follow-up, an increased ctDNA concentration was detected in nine patients: in five patients, the first increase in ctDNA concentrations followed a decrease in vemurafenib concentrations. More interestingly, an inverse correlation between vemurafenib concentration and ctDNA concentrations was demonstrated (p = 0.026). The ctDNA concentration at baseline was associated with overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.61, 95% CI 1.04-6.56; p = 0.04).Conclusions: This study demonstrates the relevance of vemurafenib plasma monitoring during the follow-up of metastatic melanoma patients. Plasma drug monitoring and ctDNA concentrations could be combined to monitor tumor evolution in melanoma patients treated with anti-BRAF therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Abiraterone acetate combined with prednisone improves survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. This oral anticancer agent may result in drug-drug interactions (DDI). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of DDI with abiraterone and the possible determinants for the occurrence of these DDI.Methods: We performed a single centre retrospective review from electronic medical records of mCRPC patients treated with abiraterone from 2011 to 2015. Potential DDI with abiraterone were identified using Micromedex and were categorized by a 4-point scale severity.Results: Seventy-two out of ninety-five mCRPC pts (median age: 77 years [68-82]) had comorbidities. The median number of drugs used per patient was 7 [5-9]. 66 potential DDI with abiraterone were detected in 49 patients (52%): 39 and 61% were classified as major and moderate DDI, respectively. In the univariate analysis, pain (p < 0.0001), hypo-albuminemia (p = 0.032), and higher ECOG performance status (PS) (p = 0.013) were significantly associated with a higher risk of DDI with abiraterone. Pain (p < 0.0001) and PS (p = 0.018) remained significant in the multivariate analysis.Conclusions: Polypharmacy is an issue among mCRPC patients. In our study, half of the patients have potential DDI with abiraterone. Patients with pain and poor PS are at higher risk of DDI with abiraterone. A medication review by a pharmacist is of crucial importance to prevent DDI with abiraterone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] This study describes a sensitive and precise HPLC-UV assay for vemurafenib in plasma. [•] This assay allows the simultaneous determination of erlotinib. [•] Plasma concentrations of vemurafenib and erlotinib were assayed in cancer patients. [•] The assay is applicable for the therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical settings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Immunotherapy is a promising antitumor strategy that can successfully be combined with current anticancer treatment. In this study, arsenic trioxide (As203) was shown to increase the antitumor immune response in CT26 colon tumor-bearing mice through the modulation of regulatory T cell (Treg) numbers. As203 induced Trcg-selective depletion in vitro. In vivo, tumor-bearing mice injected with 1 mg/kg As203 showed a significant decrease in the Treg/CD4 cell ratio and in absolute Trcg count versus controls. As203 exerted antitumor effects only in immunocompetent mice and enhanced adoptive immunotherapy effects. Inhibition of As203-induced Tri;g depletion by the NO synthase inhibitor A'G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and the superoxide dismutase mimic manganese [III] tetrakis-(5, 10, 15, 20)-benzoic acid porphyrin suggested that it was mediated by oxidative and nitrosative stress. The differential effect of As203 on Treg versus other CD4 cells may be related to differences in the cells' redox status, as indicated by significant differences in 2'7'dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate fluorescence levels. In conclusion, these results show for the first time, to our knowledge, that low doses As203 can delay solid tumor growth by depleting Tregs through oxidative and nitrosative bursts, and suggest that As203 could be used to enhance the antitumor activity of adoptive immunotherapy strategies in human cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is disrupting our health environment. As expected, studies highlighted the great susceptibility of cancer patients to COVID-19 and more severe complications, leading oncologists to deeply rethink patient cancer care. This review is dedicated to the optimization of care pathways and therapeutics in cancer patients during the pandemic and aims to discuss successive issues. First we focused on the international guidelines proposing adjustments and alternative options to cancer care in order to limit hospital admission and cytopenic treatment in cancer patients, most of whom are immunocompromised. In addition cancer patients are prone to polypharmacy, enhancing the risk of drug-related problems as adverse events and drug-drug interactions. Due to increased risk in case of COVID-19, we reported a comprehensive review of all the drug-related problems between COVID-19 and antineoplastics. Moreover, in the absence of approved drug against COVID-19, infected patients may be included in clinical trials evaluating new drugs with a lack of knowledge, particularly in cancer patients. Focusing on the several experimental drugs currently being evaluated, we set up an original data board helping oncologists and pharmacists to identify promptly drug-related problems between antineoplastics and experimental drugs. Finally additional and concrete recommendations are provided, supporting oncologists and pharmacists in their efforts to manage cancer patients and to optimize their treatments in this new era related to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large interindividual variability has been observed in anti Programmed cell Death 1 (anti-PD1) therapies efficacy. The aim of this study is to assess the correlation of soluble PD-1 (sPD-1), soluble Programmed cell Death Ligand 1 (sPD-L1), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and soluble CD44 (sCD44), with survival in nivolumab-treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Plasma biomarkers were assayed at baseline and after two cycles of nivolumab. A cut-off of positivity for sPD-1, sPD-L1 and sCD40L expressions was defined as a plasma level above the lower limit of quantification. Baseline sPD-1 and sPD-L1 levels were subsequently analyzed in a control group of EGFR-mutated (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) NSCLC patients. Association between survival and biomarkers was investigated using Cox proportional hazard regression model. Eighty-seven patients were included (51 nivolumab-treated patients, 36 in EGFR-mutated group). In nivolumab group, baseline sPD-1, sPD-L1 and sCD40L were positive for 15(29.4%), 27(52.9%) and 18(50%) patients, respectively. We defined a composite criteria (sCombo) corresponding to sPD-1 and/or sPD-L1 positivity for each patient. In nivolumab group, baseline sCombo positivity was associated with shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) (78 days 95%CI (55–109) vs. 658 days (222-not reached); HR: 4.12 (1.95–8.71), p = 0.0002) and OS (HR: 3.99(1.63–9.80), p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, baseline sCombo independently correlated with PFS (HR: 2.66 (1.17–6.08), p = 0.02) but not OS. In EGFR-mutated group, all patients were baseline sCombo positive; therefore this factor was not associated with survival. After two cycles of nivolumab, an increased or stable sPD-1 level independently correlated with longer PFS (HR: 0.49, 95%CI (0.30–0.80), p = 0.004) and OS (HR: 0.39, 95%CI (0.21–0.71), p = 0.002). VEGFA, sCD40L and sCD44 did not correlate with survival. We propose a composite biomarker using sPD-1and sPDL-1 to predict nivolumab efficacy in NSCLC patients. A larger validation study is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data from real-world cohort are sparse in non small–cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with nivolumab. The aim of this prospective observational study was to explore the exposure-response relationship for effectiveness and toxicity of nivolumab in 81 outpatients with metastatic lung cancer. Nivolumab plasma trough concentrations (Cmin) were assayed at days 14, 28, and 42. Prognostic factors (including Cmin) regarding progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were explored using a multivariate Cox model. A Spearman's rank test was used to investigate the relationship between Cmin and grade >2 immune-related adverse events (irAE). Mean nivolumab Cmin was 16.2 ± 6.0 µg/mL (n = 76), 25.6 ± 10.2 µg/mL (n = 64) and 33.4 ± 11.3 µg/mL (n = 53) at days 14, 28, and 42, respectively. No pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationship was observed with either survival or onset of irAE. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (hazard ratio 1.85, 95%confidence interval 1.02–3.38, p-value = 0.043) and baseline use of corticosteroids (HR 8.08, 95%CI 1.78–36.62, p-value = 0.007) as independent risk factor for PFS and only baseline use of corticosteroids (HR 6.29, 95%CI 1.46–27.08, p-value = 0.013) for OS. No PK/PD relationship for nivolumab was observed in real-world NSCLC patients. This supports the recent use of flat dose regimens without plasma drug monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of precision medicine, research of biomarkers for identification of responders to nivolumab therapy is a major challenge. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) could be an interesting surrogate tissue for identifying pharmacodynamic biomarkers. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the global serine/threonine kinase (STK) activity in PBMC from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using a high throughput kinomic profiling method. PamChip® microarrays were used to explore the STK kinomic profile in PBMC from 28 NSCLC patients before nivolumab initiation (D0) and on day 14 (D14) of the first administration. Two clusters of patients (A and B) were identified at D0, median overall survival (OS) tended to be longer in cluster A than in B (402 vs. 112.5 days, respectively; p = 0.15). Interestingly, the PD-L1 tumor cell score (p = 0.045), the count of CD8+ cells (p = 0.023) and the total body weight (p = 0.038) were statistically different between the clusters. On D14, clusters C and D were identified. Greater activity of most STK, especially those of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, was noticed among cluster C. No significant difference between C and D was observed regarding OS. Considering the small number of patients, results from this preliminary study are not conclusive. However, the 4-fold longer median OS in cluster A paves the way to further investigate, in a larger cohort of NSCLC patients, the benefit of basal STK kinomic profile in PBMC to identify responders to nivolumab therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depletion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance antitumor immune responses. Our recent findings indicate that low doses of arsenic trioxide can delay tumor growth in murine models of colon and breast cancer by depleting Tregs through oxidative and nitrosative bursts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of severe, acute limiting toxicity in patients receiving anti–programmed cell death receptor-1 monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, is largely unpredictable. Sarcopenia was found to be associated with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 acute toxicity. We explore the clinical and pharmacological parameters influencing nivolumab toxicity, including body composition. From June 2015 to January 2017, all consecutive patients treated with nivolumab in our institution were prospectively included. We studied the relationship between muscle mass assessed by computed tomography, nivolumab trough level (C min) at day 14 assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and the occurrence of immune grade III or IV toxicity or any toxicity leading to treatment discontinuation (immune-related acute limiting toxicity [irALT]). In our population (n = 92) with a majority of lung cancer (72%), forty-five (51.7%) patients were sarcopenic. The median plasma nivolumab C min at day 14 was 15.4 μg/mL (interquartile range = 11.8–21.0). In multivariate analysis, hypoalbuminaemia (<35 g/L) was independently associated with low nivolumab C min on day 14 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01–0.59, p = 0.01) and overweight/obesity with high nivolumab C min on day 14 (OR = 5.94; 95% CI = 1.25–28.29, p = 0.03). We observed 22 irALTs in 19 patients (21%). The most frequent irALT was respiratory (6.5%) disorders and gastrointestinal (4.3%) disorders. Patients with sarcopenia were at significantly increased risk of experiencing an irALT (OR = 3.84; 95% CI = 1.02–14.46, p = 0.047). No association was found between toxicity and nivolumab plasma C min at day 14. Our results highlight the importance of assessing body composition and suggest that sarcopenia could predict severe immune-related toxicity of nivolumab in real life. • Patients with sarcopenia are more likely to experience severe toxicity to nivolumab. • Sarcopenia is not associated with plasma nivolumab trough level at day 14. • Plasma nivolumab trough level at day 14 is not associated with nivolumab toxicity. • Body mass index is associated with plasma nivolumab trough level at day 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) of five tyrosine kinase inhibitors (afatinib, crizotinib, osimertinib, erlotinib and nintedanib) used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was developed and validated in human plasma. Separation was performed on an Accucore ® C18 (2.1 × 50 mm; 2.6 μm) column using a gradient elution of water acidified with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid (A) and acetonitrile containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid (B) at a flow rate of 500 μL/min. The analytes were detected in the selected reaction monitoring mode of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer after positive ionization with heated electrospray interface. After addition of three isotopically labeled internal standards, plasma pretreatment consisted in a simple protein precipitation. This method presented satisfactory results in terms of sensitivity, specificity, precision (intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation from 2.6% to 10.6%), accuracy (from 96.1% to 108.5%), recovery and matrix effects. The lower limit of quantification and the linearity of these five tyrosine kinases inhibitors are suitable with the expected concentrations in clinical practice. This new bioanalytical method can be used in daily clinical practice for therapeutic drug monitoring of these tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The therapeutic response to vemurafenib, a BRAF serine-threonine kinase inhibitor, exhibits large variations between patients. Evaluation of factors predicting the clinical efficacy of vemurafenib may help to identify patients at high risk of non-response in the early phase of treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze the pharmacokinetics of vemurafenib by a population approach and to evaluate the relationship between plasma drug exposure and pre-treatment plasma hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels with clinical effects (progression-free survival (PFS), peripheral lymphocytes depletion) in patients with metastatic BRAF V600 mutated melanoma treated with single agent vemurafenib. Concentration-time data ( n = 332) obtained in 44 patients were analyzed using the NONMEM program. Pre-treatment plasma levels of HGF ( n = 36) were assayed by ELISA method. A Cox model was used to identify prognostic factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS), and a linear regression to identify factors contributing to the depletion of peripheral lymphocytes at day 15. Steady-state pharmacokinetics of vemurafenib was described by a one compartment model with first order absorption and first order elimination. None of the tested covariates explained the inter-patient variability in CL/ F . A significant decrease in total lymphocytes count was observed within the first 15 days (median ratio Day15/Day0 = 0.66, p < 0.0001). Patients with Day15/Day0 ratio below 0.66 had longer PFS (14 vs 4 months, HR = 0.41, CI95% = [0.15–0.77], p = 0.0095). In the multivariate Cox model analysis, ECOG PS was the only parameter independently associated with PFS (grade 1 vs 0, HR = 3.26, CI95% = [1.29–8.22], p = 0.01 and grade ≥2 vs 0, HR = 4.77, CI95% = [1.52–14.95], p = 0.007). Plasma vemurafenib exposure ( p = 0.046) and pre-treatment HGF levels ( p = 0.003) were independently associated with the total lymphocyte ratio Day15/Day0. These findings show that plasma vemurafenib exposure and pre-treatment HGF levels are two factors contributing to the early peripheral lymphocytes depletion which itself is associated with PFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiraterone acetate is an oral prodrug of abiraterone, a selective inhibitor of CYP17, used for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). To date, a single liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectroscopy method has been reported to assay abiraterone concentration in plasma from mCRPC patients. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection for quantification of abiraterone in plasma from mCRPC patients. After protein precipitation with acetonitrile and a liquid–liquid extraction with diethyl ether, abiraterone, and hydroxy-itraconazole (internal standard) were separated on a C8 Xterra ® MS column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile and glycine buffer 88.4 mM (pH 9.0) (60:40, v/v). Samples were eluted isocratically at a flow rate of 0.9 ml/min throughout an 11-min run. Fluorescence wavelengths’ excitation and emission were 255 and 373 nm, respectively. The calibration was linear in the range 1.75–50 ng/ml. Inter- and intraday imprecision were less than 3.5 and 7%, respectively. This method is simple, sensitive, and selective. This analytical method was successfully applied to determine the steady-state plasma exposure to abiraterone in mCRPC patients. This method can be used in routine clinical practice to monitor plasma abiraterone concentrations in mCRPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]