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Objectives Early-phase clinical trials play a pivotal role in drug development. However, limited data are available on outcomes of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients enrolled in phase I clinical trials. Here, we evaluated the characteristics associated with survival in GI cancer patients participating in phase I clinical trials and attempted to validate previously established prognostic models. Materials and methods All consecutive patients with advanced GI tumors who participated in phase I clinical trials at our institution from January 2007 to December 2013 and received at least 1 dose of the study drug were included. Cox regression models were used to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval. Results In 243 study patients (median age, 62 y [range, 26 to 82 y]; 55% male), treatment included chemotherapy only (14%), targeted therapy (41%), chemotherapy+targeted therapy (42%), and others (2%) for the following disease types: pancreatic (42%), colorectal (34%), gastroesophageal (10%), hepatobiliary (13%), and others (2%). Response rate was 4%, with 38% achieving stable disease and 42% having progressive disease. Median survival was 5.8 months (range, 0.2 to 52.4 mo). Our multivariable Cox regression analyses included the following as predictors of survival: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score ≥1 (HR=1.76), prior systemic therapies ≥2 (HR=1.63), lactate dehydrogenase >618 IU/L (HR=1.85), sodium >135 mmol/L (HR=0.46), and white blood count >6×10/L (HR=1.5). Our data set was consistent with previous prognostic scores. Conclusions This is the largest study to assess clinical outcomes in this patient population. Phase I trials provide clinical benefit to patients with advanced GI malignancies and should be recommended as a treatment option in appropriate patients.

BackgroundAcinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare malignancy representing less than 1% of all pancreatic malignancies.MethodsWe report on a case series of 21 patients with acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas treated at a high-volume quaternary center. A systematic review of the medical literature was performed that described typical therapeutic management approaches for acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas and reported on disease control and survival rates. Data for the case series were obtained from a prospective database.ResultsIn our systematic review of 6 articles, study patients had a median age of 61 years, 66% were male, 52% had stage I/II disease, and 55% of lesions were located in the pancreatic head. The rates of median survival were approximately 47 months after resection with adjuvant therapy, 38 months for nonmetastatic, locally unresectable disease, and 17 months for metastatic disease treated with chemotherapy. Combination fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy regimens had better rates of disease control than other therapies. Our case series included 21 study patients, 14 of whom required resection and 7 who had metastatic disease. The rates of median survival were 40.2 + 31.9 months in those who underwent surgery and were treated with adjuvant therapy and 13.8 + 11.3 months for patients with metastatic disease.ConclusionsMultidisciplinary treatment for acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas should be considered due to the rarity of the disease and its lack of high-level therapeutic data. Progress in the molecular analysis of this tumor may improve outcomes through the use of personalized therapy based on underlying tumor mutations.

Background: Neoadjuvant multi-agent chemotherapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are utilized to increase margin negative (R0) resection rates in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) or locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) patients. Concerns persist that these neoadjuvant therapies may worsen perioperative morbidities and mortality. Methods: Upfront resection patients (n=241) underwent resection without neoadjuvant treatment for resectable disease. They were compared to BRPC or LAPC patients (n=61) who underwent resection after chemotherapy and 5 fraction SBRT. Group comparisons were performed by Mann-Whitney U or Fisher’s exact test. Overall Survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier and compared by log-rank methods. Results: In the neoadjuvant therapy group, there was significantly higher T classification, N classification, and vascular resection/repair rate. Surgical positive margin rate was lower after neoadjuvant therapy (3.3% vs . 16.2%, P=0.006). Post-operative morbidities (39.3% vs . 31.1%, P=0.226) and 90-day mortality (2% vs . 4%, P=0.693) were similar between the groups. Median OS was 33.5 months in the neoadjuvant therapy group compared to 23.1 months in upfront resection patients who received adjuvant treatment (P=0.057). Conclusions: Patients with BRPC or LAPC and sufficient response to neoadjuvant multi-agent chemotherapy and SBRT have similar or improved peri-operative and long-term survival outcomes compared to upfront resection patients.

Background: The appropriate adjuvant treatment for resected pancreatic cancer remains a controversy. We sought to determine the effect of adjuvant treatment on overall survival (OS) in patients with pancreatic tail adenocarcinoma. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with upfront surgically resected pancreatic tail cancer treated at our institution between 2000–2012 was performed to determine outcomes of patients treated with and without adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). Survival curves were calculated according to the Kaplan- Meier method. Univariate analysis (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA) were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Thirty-four patients met inclusion criteria. 79% received adjuvant chemotherapy, either concurrent with RT or alone. The groups were well matched, with the only significant difference being patient sex. On both UVA and MVA there was significantly worse survival in patients with a post-op CA19-9 >90 [hazard ratio (HR) 5.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–25.7, P=0.03] and improved survival in patients treated with adjuvant RT (HR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04–0.58, P=0.006). The median and 2-year OS were 21.6 months and 47% for patients treated with adjuvant RT compared with 11.3 months and 21% for those treated without RT. Conclusions: Although few in patient numbers, this data suggests integration of adjuvant RT in resected pancreatic tail adenocarcinoma may improve OS.

Background Vitamin E δ-tocotrienol (VEDT), a natural vitamin E from plants, has shown anti-neoplastic and chemoprevention activity in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. Here, we investigated VEDT in patients with pancreatic ductal neoplasia in a window-of-opportunity preoperative clinical trial to assess its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and apoptotic activity. Methods Patients received oral VEDT at escalating doses (from 200 to 3200 mg) daily for 13 days before surgery and one dose on the day of surgery. Dose escalation followed a three-plus-three trial design. Our primary endpoints were safety, VEDT pharmacokinetics, and monitoring of VEDT-induced neoplastic cell apoptosis (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00985777). Findings In 25 treated patients, no dose-limiting toxicity was encountered; thus no maximum-tolerated dose was reached. One patient had a drug-related adverse event (diarrhea) at a 3200-mg daily dose level. The effective half-life of VEDT was ~ 4 h. VEDT concentrations in plasma and exposure profiles were quite variable but reached levels that are bioactive in preclinical models. Biological activity, defined as significant induction of apoptosis in neoplastic cells as measured by increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, was seen in the majority of patients at the 400-mg to 1600-mg daily dose levels. Interpretation VEDT from 200 to 1600 mg daily taken orally for 2 weeks before pancreatic surgery was well tolerated, reached bioactive levels in blood, and significantly induced apoptosis in the neoplastic cells of patients with pancreatic ductal neoplasia. These promising results warrant further clinical investigation of VEDT for chemoprevention and/or therapy of pancreatic cancer., Highlights • Vitamin E δ-tocotrienol is the bioactive form of one of the natural vitamin E with activity against cancer cells • Vitamin E δ-tocotrienol is safe in patients up to 3200 mg • Vitamin E δ-tocotrienol selectively kills pancreatic tumor cells when compared with normal cells at 400, 600, and 800 mg/day • The biomarker effect of vitamin E δ-tocotrienol suggest significant anticancer activity in patients, justifying further study Vitamin E has been an intriguing vitamin to humans for its potential to promote human health. However, large-scale research with vitamin E to prevent cancer has had mixed results. Because recent laboratory studies have shown that the form of vitamin E used in previous interventions to reduce cancer risk have not been the active tocotrienol form of vitamin E, there is a question as to whether the lack of vitamin activity is due to the use of inactive forms of vitamin E in clinical trials. Based on our laboratory data, which showed that the vitamin E δ-tocotrienol (VEDT) form of vitamin E was active against pancreatic cancer, we tested the ability of VEDT to kill pancreatic tumor cells in patients using a window-of-opportunity design, with measurement of apoptosis as an intermediate endpoint. We found that VEDT was well tolerated at up to 3200 mg when taken for 2 weeks before surgery. We also found that, at doses of 400 to 800 mg, VEDT selectively killed pancreatic tumor cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Adjuvant radiation therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial. Sub-populations of radiosensitive tumors might exist given the genetic heterogeneity of pancreatic cancers. We evaluated whether RSI is predictive of survival in pancreatic cancer treated with radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 73 genomically-profiled pancreas cancer patients treated with upfront surgery between 2000 and 2011 (48 radiation, 25 no radiation). Briefly, RSI score is derived from the expression of 10 specific genes and a linear regression algorithm modeled on SF2 of 48 cancer cells. The primary endpoint was to assess the association of RSI with overall survival. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 67 months for surviving patients. On multivariate analysis, patients with radioresistant tumors had a trend toward worse survival (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.1 [95% CI 1.0–4.3], p = 0.054). Among high-risk, irradiated patients (positive margins, positive lymph nodes, or a post-operative CA19–9 >90; n = 31), radiosensitive patients had significantly improved survival compared with radioresistant patients (median 31.2 vs. 13.2 months; HR 0.42 [0.19, 0.94], p = 0.04). Among irradiated patients (n = 48), low-risk patients lived longer than both high-risk patients with radiosensitive tumors and radioresistant tumors (HR 2.7 [1.0, 7.2], p = 0.04 and HR 6.3 [2.3, 17.0], p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating RSI with standard high-risk variables has the potential to refine the classification of high-risk resected pancreatic cancer patients treated with radiation therapy.

Introduction Pasireotide (SOM230) is a somatostatin analog with high binding affinity for somatostatin receptors including sst1, 2, 3 and 5 and inhibit insulin like growth factor-1. Blocking of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy has demonstrated additive or synergistic activity in pre-clinical models. This study aimed to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of pasireotide in combination with standard FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan) regimen in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Methods This was a phase 1, 3 + 3 design, open-label dose escalation study conducted in sequential cohorts to determine the MTD of pasireotide in combination with FOLFIRI. All patients had gastrointestinal malignancies and were previously treated. Sixteen patients enrolled in five dose cohorts at pasireotide doses of 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 mg were evaluated for safety and tolerability of the combination. Results The tumor types of the enrolled subjects included esophageal (n = 5), biliary tract (n = 3), colon (n = 3), gastric (n = 2), pancreatic (n = 1), anal (n = 1) and small bowel (n = 1). No dose limiting toxicities were observed. The most common adverse events related to the study treatment included hyperglycemia (81 %), neutropenia (62 %), thrombocytopenia (44 %), anorexia (44 %), dehydration (25 %) and elevated alkaline phosphatase (25 %). Two patients had partial response and 7 patients had stable disease. Plasma levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were significantly reduced after treatment with pasireotide. Discussion Combination of pasireotide and FOLFIRI has manageable safety profile and is feasible in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Preliminary signals of activity were observed. Larger phase II trials are warranted.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths in the USA. Despite the fact that the radiotherapy in addition to chemotherapy (CT) is frequently employed, the role of chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) remains controversial. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of radiation treatment in addition to CT in patients with LAPC. Only randomized controlled trials that compared CRT to CT and reported time to event summary were included in this study. The primary end point was overall survival expressed as hazard ratio (HR). Due to significant heterogeneity, random-effects model statistics were used. Five eligible studies were included with a total of 593 patients (CT, N = 298; CRT, N = 295). Two studies demonstrated statistically significant difference in OS in favor of CRT and the rest of the studies did not demonstrate any significant differences. Meta-analysis demonstrated that there was a non-significant trend toward a survival benefit in the CRT arm; HR 0.913 (95 % CI 0.595–1.400, p = 0.675). No significant differences in overall results were seen with sensitivity analysis. The addition of radiation therapy to CT in the treatment of LAPC is associated with a non-significant trend toward survival advantage. Larger randomized controlled trials using modern CT regimens and radiation techniques are needed to further clarify the role of radiation in this setting.

Purpose GVAX pancreas, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor–secreting allogeneic pancreatic tumor cells, induces T-cell immunity to cancer antigens, including mesothelin. GVAX is administered with low-dose cyclophosphamide (Cy) to inhibit regulatory T cells. CRS-207, live-attenuated Listeria monocytogenes–expressing mesothelin, induces innate and adaptive immunity. On the basis of preclinical synergy, we tested prime/boost vaccination with GVAX and CRS-207 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods Previously treated patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned at a ratio of 2:1 to two doses of Cy/GVAX followed by four doses of CRS-207 (arm A) or six doses of Cy/GVAX (arm B) every 3 weeks. Stable patients were offered additional courses. The primary end point was overall survival (OS) between arms. Secondary end points were safety and clinical response. Results A total of 90 patients were treated (arm A, n = 61; arm B, n = 29); 97% had received prior chemotherapy; 51% had received ≥ two regimens for metastatic disease. Mean number of doses (± standard deviation) administered in arms A and B were 5.5 ± 4.5 and 3.7 ± 2.2, respectively. The most frequent grade 3 to 4 related toxicities were transient fevers, lymphopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and fatigue. OS was 6.1 months in arm A versus 3.9 months in arm B (hazard ratio [HR], 0.59; P = .02). In a prespecified per-protocol analysis of patients who received at least three doses (two doses of Cy/GVAX plus one of CRS-207 or three of Cy/GVAX), OS was 9.7 versus 4.6 months (arm A v B; HR, 0.53; P = .02). Enhanced mesothelin-specific CD8 T-cell responses were associated with longer OS, regardless of treatment arm. Conclusion Heterologous prime/boost with Cy/GVAX and CRS-207 extended survival for patients with pancreatic cancer, with minimal toxicity.

Purpose We determined the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and recommended phase II dose of MK-8776 (SCH 900776), a potent, selective checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitor, as monotherapy and in combination with gemcitabine in a first-in-human phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies. Patients and Methods Forty-three patients were treated by intravenous infusion with MK-8776 at seven dose levels ranging from 10 to 150 mg/m2 as monotherapy and then in combination with gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 (part A, n = 26) or gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 (part B, n = 17). Forty percent of patients had three or more prior treatment regimens, and one third of patients had previously received gemcitabine. Results As monotherapy, MK-8776 was well tolerated, with QTc prolongation (19%), nausea (16%), fatigue (14%), and constipation (14%) as the most frequent adverse effects. Combination therapy demonstrated a higher frequency of adverse effects, predominantly fatigue (63%), nausea (44%), decreased appetite (37%), thrombocytopenia (32%), and neutropenia (24%), as well as dose-related, transient QTc prolongation (17%). The median number of doses of MK-8776 administered was five doses, with relative dose-intensity of 0.96. Bioactivity was assessed by γ-H2AX ex vivo assay. Of 30 patients evaluable for response, two showed partial response, and 13 exhibited stable disease. Conclusion MK-8776 was well tolerated as monotherapy and in combination with gemcitabine. Early evidence of clinical efficacy was observed. The recommended phase II dose is MK-8776 200 mg plus gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle.

We evaluated whether preoperative biliary drainage was predictive of recurrence and survival among patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.Patients with pancreatic cancer who were treated with upfront surgery between 2000 and 2012 were identified and stratified by preoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram-guided drainage (PTBD), placement of endoscopic stents (ERCP), or no biliary drainage (NBD). The primary endpoint was overall survival.We identified 193 patients with resectable pancreatic head cancer (33 PTBD; 96 ERCP; and 64 NBD). Key differences between the three groups were more patients who underwent1 preoperative biliary procedures (p = 0.004) in the PTBD cohort. PTBD patients had a significant increase in hepatic recurrence rate compared with patients who did not undergo PTBD (44.8 vs. 23.3 %, p = 0.02). PTBD patients also had worse overall survival. Median and 5-year survival for PTBD, ERCP, and NBD patients were 17.5 months and 3 %, 22.4 months and 24 %, and 28.9 months and 32 %, respectively (p = 0.002). MVA revealed that percutaneous drainage was an independent predictor of worse overall survival [HR 1.76, 95 % CI (1.05-2.99), p = 0.03].Patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who receive PTBD have more advanced disease, higher hepatic recurrence, and worse survival.

Background: We sought to determine the effects of post-operative radiation therapy (PORT) and lymph node resection (LNR) on survival in patients ≥70 years with pancreatic cancer treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Methods: An analysis of patients ≥70 years with surgically resected pancreatic cancer who received chemotherapy from the SEER database between 2004–2008 was performed to determine association of PORT and LNR on survival. Results: We identified 961 patients who met inclusion criteria. There was a trend towards increased survival associated with PORT in all patients (P=0.052) and N1 patients (P=0.060) but no benefit in N0 patients (P=0.161). There was no difference in OS based on number of lymph nodes removed in all (P=0.741), N0 (P=0.588), and N1 (P=0.070) patients. MVA for all patients revealed that higher T stage, N1, and high grade tumors were prognostic for increased mortality, while there was decreased mortality with PORT and mild benefit with increased lymph nodes resected (P=0.084). Conclusions: PORT demonstrated no benefit in survival of pancreatic cancer patients ≥70 who are resected and treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Future investigation will need to address age as a stratification factor for pancreatic cancer in the adjuvant setting.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial yttrium-90 glass microsphere radioembolization in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Materials and Methods Retrospective review of 85 consecutive patients (41 men and 44 women; age, 73.4 ± 9.3 years) was performed. Survival data were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression models, and the log-rank test. Results Median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis was 21.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.6–28.4); median OS from radioembolization was 12.0 months (95% CI: 8.0–15.2). Seven episodes of severe toxicity occurred. At 3 months, 6.2% of patients had partial response, 64.2% had stable disease, and 29.6% had progressive disease. Median OS from radioembolization was significantly longer in patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores of 0 and 1 than patients with an ECOG score of 2 (18.5 vs 5.5 months, P = .0012), and median OS from radioembolization was significantly longer in patients with well-differentiated histology than patients with poorly differentiated histology (18.6 vs 9.7 months, P = .012). Patients with solitary tumors had significantly longer median OS from radioembolization than patients with multifocal disease (25 vs. 6.1 months, P = .006). The absence of extrahepatic metastasis was associated with significantly increased median OS (15.2 vs. 6.8 months, P = .003). Increased time from diagnosis to radioembolization was a negative predictor of OS. The morphology of the tumor (mass-forming or infiltrative, hyper- or hypo-enhancing) had no effect on survival. Post-treatment increased cancer antigen 19-9 level, increased international normalized ratio, decreased albumin, increased bilirubin, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were significant predictors of decreased OS. Conclusions These data support the therapeutic role of radioembolization for the treatment of unresectable ICC with good efficacy and an acceptable safety profile.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine the effects of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) and lymph node dissection (LND) on survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS The 2004 to 2008 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was analyzed to identify patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent surgery and received chemotherapy and to evaluate the correlation between overall survival (OS), PORT, and LND. RESULTS In total, 2966 patients were identified who underwent pancreatic resection (1842 PORT, 1124 no PORT). Median survival, 1-year OS, and 3-year OS were 21 months, 77%, and 28%, respectively, with PORT versus 20 months, 70%, and 25%, respectively, without PORT (P = .02). Subset analysis revealed that the benefit of PORT was limited to lymph node-positive (N1) patients. Median survival, 1-year OS, and 3-year OS for patients with N1 disease were 19 months, 73%, and 25%, respectively, for those who received PORT versus 18 months, 67%, and 20%, respectively, for those who did not receive PORT (P

360 Background: Limited data is available for neoadjuvant treatment of borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced (LAPC) pancreatic cancer. We update our institutional outcomes with a neoadjuvant chemotherapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) approach. Methods: We performed an IRB-approved analysis of all BRPC and LAPC patients treated with our departmental treatment protocol. After staging, medically fit patients underwent chemotherapy for 2-3 months, with regimen at the discretion of the treating medical oncologist (FOLFIRINOX, GTX, gem/abraxane, or gemcitabine alone). Patients then received SBRT delivered in 5 consecutive daily fractions with median radiation doses of 30 Gy to tumor and 40 Gy dose painted to tumor-vessel interfaces. This was followed by restaging imaging for possible resection. Overall survival (OS), event free survival (EFS), and locoregional control (LRC) rates were estimated and compared by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. Results: We identified 159 patients, 110 BRPC and 49 LAPC, with 14.0 months median overall follow-up. The resection and margin negative (R0) rate for BRPC patients who completed neoadjuvant therapy was 50.9% and 96.4%, respectively. Estimated median OS was 14.4 months for BRPC patients and 11.3 months for LAPC patients (p=0.402). Median OS was 34.2 months for surgically resected patients vs 14.0 months for unresected patients (p

Background While intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) are thought to represent non-invasive, high-risk lesions, its natural history following resection is unknown. Methods A retrospective review of HGD-IPMN patients (1999–2015) was performed. Recurrence patterns and clinical outcomes following pancreatectomy were analyzed and the indications for surgery were explored based on current guidelines. Results HGD was diagnosed in 100 of 314 patients (32%) following pancreatectomy for IPMN. IPMNs were classified as main duct, branch duct, or mixed in 15, 58 and 27 patients, respectively. Following resection, 25 patients had low-risk residual disease in the remnant pancreas. With a median follow-up of 35 months (range 1–129), 9 patients developed progressive or recurrent disease, 4 of whom underwent additional pancreatectomy. Three patients developed invasive adenocarcinoma. Median time to recurrence was 15 months (range 7–72). Based on the management algorithm from the international consensus guidelines, resection was indicated in 76 patients (76%). Other indications for surgery included mixed-duct IPMN(13), increased cyst size(7) and other(4). Conclusion The prognosis of HGD-IPMN following resection is good; however, HGD may be a marker for developing IPMN recurrence or adenocarcinoma. Current guidelines regarding surgical indications for IPMN can miss a significant number of patients with HGD.

Objectives This study examined whether a measurement and feedback system led to improvements in adherence to clinical pathways. Design The M-QURE (Moffitt—Quality, Understanding, Research and Evidence) Initiative was introduced in 2012 to enhance and improve adherence to pathways at Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) in three broad clinical areas: breast, lung and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. M-QURE used simulated patient vignettes based on MCC's Clinical Pathways to benchmark clinician adherence and monitor change over three rounds of implementation. Setting MCC, located in Tampa, Florida, a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participants Three non-overlapping cohorts at MCC (one each in breast, lung and GI) totalling 48 providers participated in this study, with each member of the multidisciplinary team (composed of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and advanced practice providers) invited to participate. Interventions Each participant was asked to complete a set of simulated patient vignettes over three rounds within their own cancer specialty. Participants were required to complete all assigned vignettes over each of the three rounds, or they would be excluded from this study. Primary outcome measure Increased domain and overall provider care adherence to clinical pathways, as scored by blinded physician abstractors. Results We found significant improvements in pathway adherence between the third and first rounds of data collection particularly for workup and treatment of cancer cases. By clinical grouping, breast improved by 13.6% (p

Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) have a higher probability of undergoing margin-negative resection after completing neoadjuvant therapy. Here, we describe a novel neoadjuvant approach using induction chemotherapy followed by stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with BRPC. This analysis included patients with nonmetastatic BRPC treated with neoadjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and five-fraction SBRT. Chemotherapy consisted of 3 cycles of Gemzar, Taxotere, and Xeloda. Patients were restaged to determine resectability, and nonmetastatic resectable patients underwent surgical resection. Thirty patients completed neoadjuvant treatment and were offered surgical exploration. Seventeen patients (56.7 %) reported no acute adverse effects during SBRT. No grade 3 or higher toxicity was observed from SBRT. Twenty-nine patients (96.7 %) underwent exploration. Twenty-one (95.6 %) of those who underwent pancreatic tumor resection achieved negative margins, with none requiring vessel resection. One (3.3 %) patient was resected with microscopic positive margins. Median follow-up was 15.6 months (range, 6.3–26.1 months). Median and 1-year overall survival was 20 months and 91 %, respectively. Median and 1-year progression-free survival was 14.9 months and 61 %, respectively. SBRT-based neoadjuvant therapy for BRPC is well tolerated and can result in a high rate of margin-negative tumor resection.

Purpose: Bosutinib, a potent ATP-competitive, quinolinecarbonitrile Src/Abl kinase inhibitor, was tested in this first-in-human phase I trial in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies. Patients and Methods: This trial was conducted in 2 parts. In part 1 (dose escalation), increasing oral bosutinib doses were administered using a 3 + 3 design. In part 2 (dose expansion), approximately 30 patients each with refractory colorectal, pancreas, or non–small cell lung cancer were treated at the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Primary efficacy endpoints for part 2 were median progression-free survival (colorectal and non–small cell lung) and median overall survival (pancreas). Results: In part 1, dose-limiting toxicities of grade 3 diarrhea (two patients) and grade 3 rash occurred with bosutinib 600 mg/day and the maximum tolerated dose identified was 500 mg/day. However, the majority of patients treated with 500 mg/day had grade 2 or greater gastrointestinal toxicity, and 400 mg/day was identified as the RP2D. The most common bosutinib-related adverse events were nausea (60% patients), diarrhea (47%), vomiting (40%), fatigue (38%), and anorexia (36%). Bosutinib had a mean half-life of 19 to 20 hours at the RP2D. A partial response (breast) and unconfirmed complete response (pancreas) were observed; 8 of 112 evaluable patients had stable disease for 22 to 101 weeks. However, the primary efficacy endpoints for part 2 were not met. Conclusions: Bosutinib was generally well tolerated in patients with solid tumors, with the main toxicity being gastrointestinal. The RP2D was 400 mg/day orally. Further study of bosutinib is planned in combination regimens. Clin Cancer Res; 18(4); 1092–100. ©2011 AACR.

Background and Objectives To improve the likelihood of achieving a margin-free resection, neoadjuvant induction chemotherapy with GTX (gemcitabine, docetaxel, and capecitabine) followed by 5-FU-IMRT was administered to patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The utility of computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), positron emission tomography (PET), and CA 19-9 during diagnostic workup and assessment of response was also examined. Methods Seventeen patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer received a median of three cycles of neoadjuvant GTX induction chemotherapy followed by 5-FU-IMRT with dose painting. CA 19-9, CT mass size, and PET SUV were examined before and after neoadjuvant treatment. Results Diagnostic EUS and CT scans displayed similar mean mass sizes and extent of vascular involvement. Eight of the 17 patients achieved an R0 resection. Median CA 19-9 levels, CT mass size, and PET SUV all significantly decreased after neoadjuvant therapy. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 10.48 and 15.64 months, respectively. Six patients are still alive. Conclusions Neoadjuvant GTX induction chemotherapy followed by 5-FU-IMRT shows promise in improving the likelihood of resectability with negative margins in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. CT and EUS play complimentary roles during diagnostic workup. CT scans, CA 19-9, and PET scans are useful in judging response to neoadjuvant therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:155–161. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Summary Background Axitinib is a potent, selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors 1, 2, and 3. A randomised phase 2 trial of gemcitabine with or without axitinib in advanced pancreatic cancer suggested increased overall survival in axitinib-treated patients. On the basis of these results, we aimed to assess the effect of treatment with gemcitabine plus axitinib on overall survival in a phase 3 trial. Methods In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study, eligible patients had metastatic or locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, no uncontrolled hypertension or venous thrombosis, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1. Patients, stratified by disease extent (metastatic vs locally advanced), were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days plus either axitinib or placebo. Axitinib or placebo were administered orally with food at a starting dose of 5 mg twice a day, which could be dose-titrated up to 10 mg twice daily if well tolerated. A centralised randomisation procedure was used to assign patients to each treatment group, with randomised permuted blocks within strata. Patients, investigators, and the trial sponsor were masked to treatment assignments. The primary endpoint was overall survival. All efficacy analyses were done in all patients assigned to treatment groups for whom data were available; safety and treatment administration and compliance assessments were based on treatment received. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00471146. Findings Between July 27, 2007, and Oct 31, 2008, 632 patients were enrolled and assigned to treatment groups (316 axitinib, 316 placebo). At an interim analysis in January, 2009, the independent data monitoring committee concluded that the futility boundary had been crossed. Median overall survival was 8·5 months (95% CI 6·9–9·5) for gemcitabine plus axitinib (n=314, data missing for two patients) and 8·3 months (6·9–10·3) for gemcitabine plus placebo (n=316; hazard ratio 1·014, 95% CI 0·786–1·309; one-sided p=0·5436). The most common grade 3 or higher adverse events for gemcitabine plus axitinib and gemcitabine plus placebo were hypertension (20 [7%] and 5 [2%] events, respectively), abdominal pain (20 [7%] and 17 [6%]), fatigue (27 [9%] and 21 [7%]), and anorexia (19 [6%] and 11 [4%]). Interpretation The addition of axitinib to gemcitabine does not improve overall survival in advanced pancreatic cancer. These results add to increasing evidence that targeting of VEGF signalling is an ineffective strategy in this disease. Funding Pfizer.

Background: Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer are at high risk of having positive surgical margins due to involvement of the tumor with adjacent vasculature. This article reviews the management of this subset of pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: The authors review the current definitions of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and how it is diagnosed and staged. The history, current approaches, and future directions in neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer are also reviewed with emphasis on various chemotherapy regimens that have been used. The application of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy that accounts for respiratory motion to targeting the gross tumor volume in the pancreas are discussed, and the promise of integrating targeted therapies in neoadjuvant treatment programs is highlighted. Results: The use of neoadjuvant treatment programs that employ gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimens followed by chemoradiation increases the likelihood of subsequent margin-negative resection in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: There has been progress in the imaging, staging, surgical technique, and the use of chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in the management of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Patients can benefit from multidisciplinary management at high-volume pancreatic cancer treatment centers. Patients can benefit from the advances made in the assessment and treatment of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVES Although both radiation therapy and chemotherapy are frequently used to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) patients, the role of radiation therapy remains controversial with data evaluating its efficacy mostly derived from small randomized trials. In this study, we evaluate the survival benefit of radiation therapy using SEER dataset in patients with LAPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS The SEER Registry dataset from 2004 to 2011 was queried to identify LAPC (TNM stage III) patients. Patients with survival

Neoadjuvant therapy response correlates with survival in multiple gastrointestinal malignancies. To potentially augment neoadjuvant response for pancreas adenocarcinoma, we intensified treatment with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) following multi-agent chemotherapy. Using this regimen, we analyzed whether the College of American Pathology (CAP) tumor regression grade (TRG) at pancreatectomy correlated with established response biomarkers and survival.We identified borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced (LAPC) pancreatic cancer patients treated according to our institutional clinical pathway who underwent surgical resection with reported TRG (n = 81, median follow-up after surgery 24.2 months). Patients had baseline CA19-9, computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound, and FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/CT then underwent multi-agent chemotherapy (79% with three cycles of gemcitabine, docetaxel and capecitabine) followed by 5-fraction SBRT. They then underwent restaging CT, PET/CT and CA19-9. Overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival were estimated and compared by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. Univariate ordinal logistic regression correlated TRG with baseline, restaging and change in CA19-9 and the PET maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax).Restaging level and decrease in CA19-9 correlated with improved TRG (p = .02 for both) as did restaging SUVmax (p .01), yet there was no TRG correlation with decrease in SUVmax (p = .10) or CT response (p = .30). The TRG groups had similar OS and PFS except the TRG 0 (complete response) group. Compared to partial response levels (TRG 1-3, median OS 33.9 months, median PFS 13.0 months), the six (7%) patients with TRG 0 had no deaths (p = .05) and only one progression (p = .03). A group of 10 (12%) TRG 1 patients with only residual isolated tumor cells had similar outcomes to the other TRG 1-3 patients.Pre-operative PET-CT and CA19-9 response correlate with histopathologic tumor regression. Patients with complete pathologic response have superior outcomes, suggesting a rationale for intensification and personalization of neoadjuvant therapy in BRPC and LAPC.

Purpose: CT-2106 is a 20(S)-camptothecin poly-l-glutamate conjugate. This linkage stabilizes the active lactone form of camptothecin and enhances aqueous solubility. In addition, poly-l-glutamate is postulated to increase tumor delivery of the active compound through enhanced permeability and retention effect in tumor. We studied a weekly schedule of CT-2106 in patients with refractory solid tumor malignancies. Experimental Design: CT-2106 was infused (10 min i.v. infusion) on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Plasma and urine were analyzed for total and unconjugated camptothecin by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a fluorescence detector. Toxicity and response assessments were done with Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events version 3 and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, respectively. Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled. Median age was 58 years (range, 36-83) and median number of doses was 6 (range, 1-9). The most frequent tumor type (50%) was melanoma. Dose limiting toxicities were thrombocytopenia and fatigue. A weekly dose of 25 mg/m2 given every 3 of 4 weeks was the maximum tolerated dose. The majority of grade 3 and 4 toxicities were hematologic. The pharmacokinetic profile of conjugated and unconjugated camptothecin showed a polyexponential decline with similar terminal half life (t1/2 range was 44-63 and 31-48 h for conjugated and unconjugated, respectively). Pharmacokinetics of conjugated and unconjugated camptothecin were dose and time independent in the tested dose range. Urinary excretion of conjugated and unconjugated camptothecin accounted for about 30% and 4% of the administered dose, respectively. Conclusions: CT-2106 has a more manageable toxicity profile compared with unconjugated camptothecin. The maximum tolerated dose is 25 mg/m2 weekly given 3 of 4 weeks. This compound results in prolonged release of unconjugated camptothecin.

Purpose: This phase 1 study evaluated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of cetuximab on patients with epithelial malignancies. Experimental Design: Following a skin and tumor biopsy, patients with advanced epithelial malignancies were randomized to receive a single dose of cetuximab at 50, 100, 250, 400, or 500 mg/m2 i.v. Repeat skin (days 2, 8, 15, and 22) and tumor (day 8) biopsies were obtained. Immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its pathway members was done on biopsies. Blood samples were obtained over 22 days for pharmacokinetic analyses. After day 22, all patients received weekly 250 mg/m2 cetuximab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Thirty-nine patients enrolled. Rash was noted in 26 (67%) patients. Three patients (two with colon cancer and one with laryngeal cancer) achieved a partial response and 13 patients had stable disease. Pharmacokinetic data revealed mean maximum observed cetuximab concentrations and mean area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity increased in a dose-dependent manner up to 400 mg/m2 cetuximab. Mean clearance was similar at cetuximab doses ≥100 mg/m2, supporting saturation of EGFR binding at 250 mg/m2. Pharmacodynamic evaluation revealed that patients with partial response/stable disease had a higher-grade rash and higher cetuximab trough levels than those with progressive disease (P = 0.032 and 0.002, respectively). Administration of single doses (250-500 mg/m2) of cetuximab resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in EGFR protein expression levels in skin over time, supporting a minimal dose of cetuximab at 250 mg/m2 for a pharmacodynamic effect. Conclusion: This study provides a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic rationale for the dosing of cetuximab.

Cutaneous metastasis of an occult malignancy to the umbilicus has come to be known as a Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN). More than 400 cases of this well-described clinical presentation of advanced gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers have been reported. Pancreatic cancer presenting as a SMJN is a rare phenomenon. In most series, the pancreas is the source of a SMJN in 7% to 9% of cases. We report a case of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in which the initial presenting sign was a SMJN. We also reviewed the published literature from the last 100 years on this phenomenon by conducting a detailed PubMed search. Including this case, we identified 57 cases of SMJN originating from the pancreas. The clinical patient characteristics with regard to age, male-female ratio, race, and prognosis of these cases were similar to that of pancreatic cancer in general. In contrast, 91% of these cases originated in the tail and body of the pancreas rather than the head of the pancreas. This case emphasizes that pancreatic cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of umbilical metastasis.

Purpose Occasionally, pancreaticobiliary cancer presents as a relatively indolent disease and localized blood-borne lung metastases may be resectable. We reviewed our experience with therapeutic lung resections in pancreatic cancer patients. Methods In a retrospective cohort study of pancreatic cancer patients who underwent subsequent therapeutic lung resections, from 1996 to 2015, all clinical data were gathered for comparison between patients undergoing pancreatic pulmonary metastasectomy and those undergoing lung resection for other diseases. Results Among 29 patients with definitively treated pancreaticobiliary cancer who underwent lung resections with curative intent, 16 patients (55%) had resection of isolated pancreaticobiliary cancer metastases (group A) and 13 patients (45%) had 15 resections of primary lung cancers, and one granuloma (group B). No surgical complications or operative mortalities occurred. The median disease-free interval (DFI) from definitive pancreatic cancer treatment to pulmonary metastasectomy or other nonmetastasectomy therapeutic lung resection was 24.0 and 8.0 months, respectively. The estimated median overall survival after lung resection was 33 months for all patients (95% confidence interval: 0, 67) and 28 months for the group A pulmonary metastasectomy patients (95% confidence interval: 16, 40), corresponding to an estimated 5-year survival rate of 47% and 37%, respectively. Serum CA 19-9 level before lung resection significantly predicted mortality: adjusted hazard ratio 1.38 (95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.74) per each 100-unit increment, P = .006. Conclusions Although pancreaticobiliary cancers have an overall dismal prognosis, we recommend pulmonary metastasectomy in highly selected patients. Additionally, not all new lung masses in pancreatic cancer patients are metastases, and resection should be considered, for a second primary lung cancer is often found.

Without prospective data establishing a consensus multimodality approach to borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, institutional treatment regimens vary. This study investigated the outcomes of the clinical pathway at the author’s institution, which consists of neoadjuvant gemcitabine, docetaxel, capecitabine, and stereotactic radiotherapy followed by surgery. The study reviewed all cases that met the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) diagnostic criteria for borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 1 January 2006, to 31 December 2013. Pancreatectomy rates, margin status, pathologic response, disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively examined. Standard statistical methods and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were used for statistical comparisons. Of 121 patients who met criteria, 101 entered the clinical pathway, and 94 (93.1 %) completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Of the 101 patients, 55 (54.5 %) underwent pancreatectomy, with 53 patients (96.4 %) having microscopically negative margins (R0) and 2 patients (3.6 %) having microscopically positive margins (R1). Vascular resection was required for 22 patients (40 %), with rates of 95.5 % for R0 (n = 21) and 4.5 % for R1 (n = 1). A pathologic response to treatment was demonstrated by 45 patients (81.8 %) and a complete response by 10 patients (14.5 %). Pancreatectomy resulted in a median DFS of 23 months (95 % conflidence interval [CI] 14.5–31.5), a median DSS of 43 months (95 % CI, 25.7–60.3), and a median OS of 33 months (95 % CI, 25.0–41.0) versus a median DSS and OS of 14 months (95 % CI, 10.9–17.1) for patients without pancreatectomy (DSS: P = 3.5 × 10−13; OS: P = 4.7 × 10−10). The study demonstrated high rates for neoajduvant therapy completion (93.1 %) and pancreatectomy (54.5 %). After pancreatectomy, DSS was significantly improved (43 months), with a pathologic response demonstrated by 81.8 % and a complete response by 14.5 % of the patients. The results support further study of this borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma clinical pathway.

ABSTRACT Aims: To evaluate the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of afatinib combined with nintedanib. Materials & methods: Patients received afatinib 10–20 mg daily plus nintedanib 150–200 mg twice daily (28-day cycle). Dose escalation followed a 3+3 design. Results: Patients received afatinib/nintedanib: 10/150 mg (n = 11); 10/200 mg (n = 13; MTD); 20/200 mg (n = 4). Four patients had dose-limiting toxicities (all grade 3): increased alanine aminotransferase (afatinib/nintedanib: 10/150 mg), diarrhea (10/200 mg), dehydration (20/200 mg), diarrhea with elevated liver enzymes (20/200 mg). Frequent treatment-related adverse events were diarrhea, nausea, anorexia, fatigue and vomiting. In total, 14 patients (46.2%) had objective responses at the MTD. Conclusion: The MTD, afatinib 10 mg daily plus nintedanib 200 mg twice daily, had a manageable safety profile, but was considered subtherapeutic for Phase II evaluation.

Pasireotide LAR (SOM230 LAR) is a cyclohexapeptide engineered to bind to multiple somatostatin receptor subtypes to mimic the action of naturally occurring somatostatin with higher affinity to these receptors than octreotide and is a potent inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Somatostatin receptors and IGF receptors are highly expressed in pancreatic cancer, thereby potentially making it a valuable target. This phase I study evaluated safety, tolerability and preliminary tumor response of pasireotide LAR in combination with gemcitabine in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer were included. A 3 + 3 dose-escalation design was used. Patients received gemcitabine on days 1, 8 and 15 and pasireotide LAR IM monthly in a 28-day cycle. Two dose levels of pasireotide LAR were planned: 40 mg IM and 60 mg. Cohort was expanded by ten more patients at the highest tested dose to further assess the safety and efficacy. Twenty patients were consented on this trial, and 16 patients were evaluable for safety and efficacy. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Two out sixteen patients (12 %) had partial response, and nine of sixteen (56 %) had stable disease as best response. Median progression-free survival was 4.1 months (range 1–16 months), and median overall survival was 6.9 months (range 1–25 months). Most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities were hyperglycemia (n = 5), hyperbilirubinemia (n = 1) and thrombocytopenia (n = 2). Median baseline IGF-1 level was lower in patients with stable disease than in those with progressive disease (63 vs 71 ng/ml). Pasireotide in combination with gemcitabine was well tolerated with disease control rate of 68 %. Larger trials are needed in the future to establish its efficacy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. NCT01385956.

Purpose. Patients with large >5 cm, high-grade resectable soft tissue sarcomas (STS) have the highest risk of distant metastases. Previously we have shown that dendritic cell (DC) based vaccines show consistent immune responses.Methods. This was a Phase I single institution study of neoadjuvant radiation with DC injections on 18 newly diagnosed high-risk STS patients. Neoadjuvant treatment consisted of 50 Gy of external beam radiation (EBRT), given in 25 fractions delivered five days/week, combined with four intratumoral injections of DCs followed by complete resection. The primary endpoint was to establish the immunological response to neoadjuvant therapy and obtain data on its clinical safety and outcomes.Results. There were no unexpected toxicities or serious adverse events. Twelve out of 18 (67%) patients were alive, of which an encouraging 11/18 (61%) were alive with no systemic recurrence over a period of 2–8 years. Favorable immunological responses correlated with clinical responses in some cases.Conclusions. This study provides clinical support to using dendritic cell injections along with radiation in sarcomas, which when used optimally in combination can help clinical outcomes in soft tissue sarcoma. Study registration number isNCT00365872.

Background Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) precursors. Differentiating between high-risk IPMNs that warrant surgical resection and low-risk IPMNs that can be monitored is a significant clinical problem, and we sought to discover a panel of mi(cro)RNAs that accurately classify IPMN risk status. Methodology/Principal Findings In a discovery phase, genome-wide miRNA expression profiling was performed on 28 surgically-resected, pathologically-confirmed IPMNs (19 high-risk, 9 low-risk) using Taqman MicroRNA Arrays. A validation phase was performed in 21 independent IPMNs (13 high-risk, 8 low-risk). We also explored associations between miRNA expression level and various clinical and pathological factors and examined genes and pathways regulated by the identified miRNAs by integrating data from bioinformatic analyses and microarray analysis of miRNA gene targets. Six miRNAs (miR-100, miR-99b, miR-99a, miR-342-3p, miR-126, miR-130a) were down-regulated in high-risk versus low-risk IPMNs and distinguished between groups (P

482 Background: The standard of care for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is systemic chemotherapy. The role of liver directed therapy for ICC is controversial given the lack of level I data. We conducted a phase II study to determine the safety and effectiveness of first-line liver directed therapy with radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y90) glass microspheres for ICC. Methods: Eligible patients were enrolled on an IRB-approved phase II study (NCT01253148). Patients were included if they had no evidence of extrahepatic metastases, Childs-Pugh A, without main portal vein thrombus, bilirubin < 2 mg/dL, ECOG performance status of 0-2, and no prior chemotherapy, liver embolization, or radiation therapy for ICC. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Results: Twenty-five patients were enrolled between 2010 and 2013 with a median followup of 13 months (9-20 months). The median age was 76 years. Twenty patients came off study due to progression or death. The overall response rate was 56%. Median PFS was 6 months (95% CI: 4-12 months). This was likely due to tumors appearing larger after treatment due to tumor inflammation despite a decrease in CA19-9 levels. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA) failed to identify any prognostic factors associated with PFS. Despite the low median PFS, median OS was 22 months (95% CI: 10 months to upper limit not reached). However, UVA and MVA failed to identify and prognostic factors for OS. Treatment was well tolerated with no reported grade 3 gastrointestinal or general disorder toxicities. Grade 3 ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase increase were reported in 4%, 4%, and 8%, respectively. Grade 4 hyperbilirubinemia and thrombocytopenia were reported in 4% and 4%, respectively. There were 2 patient who developed sepsis one patient who died within 30 days of treatment. Conclusions: First-line liver directed therapy with radioembolization with Y90 glass microspheres is a safe and effective treatment for ICC. Further prospective clinical trials are needed to identify the proper sequencing of liver directed therapy and systemic chemotherapy. Clinical trial information: NCT01253148.

383 Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rapidly progressing malignancy that frequently presents at an advanced stage and is often chemorefractory. The median overall survival (OS) with best medical treatment is approximately 12 months. The current study examines survival and characterizes predictors of mortality for ICC patients treated with transarterial yttrium-90 radioembolization (TARE). Methods: All patients with unresectable ICC who underwent TARE between May 2009 and May 2016 at a single institution were included and clinicopathologic variables reviewed. Primary endpoint was OS from time of TARE. Secondary endpoints included OS from time of diagnosis, post procedure toxicities and predictors of mortality. Results: A total of 134 TARE were performed on 85 patients. Average age at treatment was 73.4 ± 9.3 years and most patients were female (52%). More than one third of patients had an ECOG of 2 and had no significant post procedure sequalae. Thirty-six patients (42%) had extrahepatic disease at time of treatment and 61 patients (72%) were treated with systemic chemotherapy prior to TARE. A majority of patients (92.9%) received treatment to one lobe with an average radiation dose of 180.1±127.1 Gy. The median OS from time of the first TARE was 12 months (95% CI 7.8–16.1). The median OS from time of diagnosis was 21.4 months (95% CI 14.9-27.8). 51.8% and 26% of treated patients were still alive at 1 and 3 years, respectively. On univariate analysis, age at treatment, ECOG score, presence of extrahepatic disease, baseline albumin, alkaline phosphatase and AST correlated with OS. On multivariate analysis only low ECOG score and higher baseline albumin predicted improved OS (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Y90 radioembolization demonstrates a survival benefit for patients with unresectable ICC compared to historic controls of best medical treatment and should be considered an effective therapy in select patients. A multi-institutional randomized control trial should be performed to evaluate efficacy of TARE in select patients as both 1st line and salvage therapy.

To determine if age affects outcome in patients with resected pancreatic head cancer.An IRB-approved pancreatic cancer database was queried for patients with upfront resected pancreatic head cancer treated at our institution between 2000 and 2012. Overall survival (OS) curves were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.We identified 193 patients. Patients ≥70 years were less likely to receive adjuvant treatment (p = 0.002); however there were no other significant differences between age groups. There was a trend towards increased pancreatic leaks in the elderly group (p = 0.06), but no difference in post-operative complications or mortality. There was no difference in overall survival based on age. Median and 5-year OS were 23 months and 26.7% in patients70 years, 23.4 months and 23% in those 70-75, 16.1 months and 0% in those 76-80, and 18.7 months and 15.4% in those80 years (p = 0.62). On univariate analysis, there was increased OS in patients with lower T stage, N0 status, post-operative CA19-9 level90, and use of chemoradiotherapy (p0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that lower tumor stage, N0, post-operative CA19-9 level90, and use of any adjuvant therapy predicted decreased mortality (p0.05). Age, gender, tumor site, tumor grade, and positive margins were not prognostic on multivariate analysis.There is no difference in outcomes when comparing elderly patients with resected pancreatic cancer to those patients70 years of age.

Background Despite recent progress with novel chemotherapy regimens, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Innovative approaches to treatment of this disease are needed to accelerate progress. Methods A review was conducted of the results of 2 pancreatic cancer vaccine programs with results that have shown promise in early-phase clinical trials. Results In a phase 2 trial, a cell-based allogeneic pancreatic cancer vaccine exploiting the hyperacute rejection response targeted against alpha-1,3 galactosyl epitopes (algenpantucel-L) has shown improvement in disease-free and overall survival rates in the adjuvant setting compared with a historical control. This vaccine has advanced to ongoing phase 3 trials. Compared with GVAX alone, a second whole-cell vaccine employing GM-CSF-expressing pancreatic cancer cells (GVAX) to enhance the antigen presentation in a priming phase followed by a Listeria-based vaccine targeting mesothelin in a boost phase improved survival rates. This vaccine platform is undergoing additional phase 2 testing. Conclusions Allogenic whole-cell pancreatic adenocarcinoma vaccines show promise in early-phase trials and have the potential to improve survival rates by unleashing antitumor immunity.

TPS469 Background: MEK inhibitors have demonstrated preclinical activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). More importantly, in xenograft models, this class of inhibitors acts synergistically with sorafenib to inhibit tumor growth, prevent metastatic spread and increase survival. In preclinical models, sorafenib leads to overactivation of the MAPK pathway, which can be counterbalanced by the use of MEK inhibitors. Trametinib is a reversible, highly selective, allosteric MEK inhibitor. Methods: This is an open label, single group, phase I study with cohort expansion that utilizes the standard 3+3 design for dose escalation. The primary objective of this study is to determine maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of trametinib in combination with sorafenib as first-line systemic treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic HCC. Secondary objectives are to explore and characterize the safety and tolerability of this combination at the established MTD and to explore its efficacy profile. Up to 24 patients will be enrolled in 4 dose levels. Once the MTD is reached and/or the recommended dose for expansion is determined, an additional cohort of 10 patients with advanced HCC will be accrued. Only patients with Child-Pugh score A will be included. Trametinib will be administered orally daily beginning day 8 of cycle 1. Sorafenib will be administered twice daily beginning day 1 of 28 days cycle. Patients will get restaging scans every 2 cycles. Correlative studies between various biomarkers and clinical outcomes will also be performed. Biomarkers will be assessed in archival tumor tissue. The pre- and post-dose expression level of biomarkers including pan and phospho-Mek and Erk will be measured on peripheral blood mononuclear cells during treatment. Pre and post treatment biopsies will be performed for patients participating in the dose expansion cohort for correlative studies including gene expression. As per September 2015, 3 patients have been enrolled in this trial. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02292173 Clinical trial information: NCT02292173.

240 Background: The median survival of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer remains low at approximately 2 years. A major limitation of treating patients with postoperative radiation therapy (RT) is the close proximity of the small bowel, which confines the RT dose. We hypothesized that a subset of patients might exist who would benefit from an escalated RT dose based on their underlying tumor radiosensitivity. Methods: Genomically-profiled patients with pancreatic cancer were identified from an IRB-approved prospective observational protocol. Patients treated with upfront surgery and postoperative RT were included. Briefly, the radiosensitivity index (RSI) is derived from the expression of 10 specific genes and a linear regression algorithm modeled on SF2 of 48 cancer cells. The RSI was combined with the delivered RT dose to derive a genomically adjusted RT dose (GAD). The GAD patient subsets were split at the middle GAD value and rounded up to the nearest integer (27). Our primary endpoint was to assess whether the GAD would predict for survival. Results: Forty patients underwent surgery and postoperative RT with GAD and clinical outcome data available. The median RT dose was 50.4 Gy (range 45-54) and the median follow-up among surviving patients was 68 months (range 42-141). Eighteen patients with a GAD > 27 had a median survival of 32.1 months, while 22 patients with a GAD < 27 had a median survival of 17.9 months (p = 0.48). On Cox multivariate analysis, both high-risk pancreatic cancer patients (positive margins, positive lymph nodes or a postoperative CA 19-9 > 90) and patients with a GAD < 27 had significantly decreased survival (Hazard ratio [HR] 5.0 [95%CI 1.8,13.6], p = 0.002 and HR 2.6 [1.1-6.0], p = 0.03, respectively). Among patients with a GAD < 27, 3 of 22 (14%) would have exceeded a GAD of 27 with an escalated RT dose of 54 Gy, and 8 of 22 (36%) patients would have exceeded a GAD of 27 with an escalated dose of 56 Gy to the pancreatic bed. Conclusions: GAD is predictive of survival among patients with resectable pancreatic cancer when combined with known prognostic factors. The GAD provides a tool to determine who might benefit from dose-escalated RT based on the underlying tumor radiosensitivity.

TPS467 Background: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR pathway which is aberrantly stimulated in many tumors has emerged as a potential target for anticancer therapy. Although several class I PI3K inhibitors are under development, there is considerable evidence suggesting that targeting a single isoform of PI3K (p110α) would have sufficient antitumor activity and improved therapeutic window. The PI3K pathway is frequently activated and plays an important role in pancreatic cancer. Further, PI3KCA mutations, the gene encoding isoform p110α, are observed in this disease. BYL719 is an oral class I α-specific PI3K inhibitor that showed anti-tumor activity in different preclinical models. Recently, the first in human phase 1 trial of BYL719 defined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) at 400 mg once daily. Methods: This is a single institution, open label, single group, phase I study with cohort expansion that utilizes the standard 3+3 design for dose. The primary objective is to determine the MTD of BYL719 in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as frontline therapy in patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Up to 24 patients will be enrolled in 4 dose escalation levels. The MTD is defined as the highest dose level at which 1 or less of 6 patients experience a dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Once the MTD is reached and/or the recommended dose for expansion is determined, an additional dose expansion cohort of 15 patients will be included. Secondary endpoints include characterizing the safety profile at the MTD and DLTs associated with it as well as obtaining pharmacokinetic data. Peripheral blood and pre-treatment tumor samples will be collected for evaluation of biomarkers that could predict treatment response, including levels of pAKT, p4EBP1 and pS6. BYL719 will be administered daily. Standard doses of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel will be given on days 1, 8 and 15 of the 28 days cycle. Patients will get restaging scans every 2 cycles. As per September 2015, twelve patients have been included in this study which is currently enrolling patients on cohort 3. Clinical trial information: NCT02155088 Clinical trial information: NCT02155088.

TPS468 Background: Currently, there is no standard second line treatment for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BC) who have failed prior systemic therapy. Aberrant activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway occurs in more than 60% of BC indicating the importance of this pathway in biliary carcinogenesis. Furthermore anti-angiogenic agents such as the VEGF-antagonist bevacizumab, and the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib have been tested in BC in the first line setting with modest activity. Regorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor that targets multiple membrane-bound and intracellular kinases including VEGF, the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PDGFR- ß pathways. Given the pivotal role of these pathways in biliary cancer biology, the clinical evaluation of regorafenib represents a novel and rational approach to treat this disease. Methods: This is a multi-institutional phase II single arm single-stage design trial using regorafenib as single agent. Patients with histologically or cytologically-proven locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract carcinomas that failed no more than 2 prior line of systemic chemotherapy are eligible for this study. Patients must have measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 criteria and never been treated with VEGF inhibitors. Patients will receive regorafenib 160 mg daily (21 days on and 7 days off) and will be evaluated for response every 2 cycles (1cycle = 28 days). The study’s primary endpoint is 6 month overall survival. Secondary endpoints are to define disease control, progression-free survival and toxicity related to treatment. Correlative biomarker studies using plasma samples will be performed to investigate levels of 40 relevant proteins associated with the above-mentioned pathways in the attempt to identify predictive markers of drug benefit. As per September 2015, twelve of the 39 planned patients have been accrued for the study. In addition to Moffitt Cancer Center, this trial will enroll patients at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and VCU Massey Cancer Center. Clinical trial information: NCT02115542.

453 Background: Neoadjuvant therapy response correlates with survival in several gastrointestinal malignancies. Thus, we intensified our neoadjuvant approach to pancreas adenocarcinoma in part to induce greater response. Here we analyzed whether pre- and post- therapy CA19-9 or SUVmax correlated with College of American Pathology TRG at pancreatectomy and whether TRG associated with survival. Methods: After IRB approval, we identified BRPC and LAPC patients treated in our standardized pathway who underwent surgical resection with reported TRG (n = 81, median follow-up 30.8 months). Patients had baseline CA19-9, CT, endoscopic ultrasound, and FDG PET/CT then underwent multi-agent chemotherapy (79% with planned 3 cycles of GTX) followed by 5 fraction SBRT. They then underwent restaging CT, PET/CT, and CA19-9 prior to resection. Overall (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were estimated and compared by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. Univariate ordinal logistic regression correlated TRG with baseline, re-staging, and change in CA19-9 (16% with missing values or CA19-9 < 5 excluded) and SUVmax (14% with missing values or no hypermetabolism excluded). Results: Decrease in CA19-9 before and after neoadjuvant therapy correlated with improved TRG (p = 0.02) as did re-staging SUVmax (p < 0.01), though not decrease in SUVmax (p = 0.08). The TRG groupings had similar OS and PFS except the TRG 0 (complete response) group. Compared to TRG 1-3 patients (median OS 38.4 months, median PFS 17.8 months), the 6 patients with TRG 0 had no deaths (p = 0.05) and only 1 failure (p = 0.03). A group of 10 TRG 1 patients with only isolated tumor cells remaining had similar outcomes to the other TRG 1-3 patients. Conclusions: Pre-operative PET-CT and CA19-9 response correlate with neoadjuvant therapy response by TRG. Patients with complete pathologic response have superior outcomes. This provides rationale for further intensification of neoadjuvant therapy in BRPC and LAPC. Further work seeks to identify techniques to better select which BRPC and LAPC patients should undergo tumor resection.

439 Background: Poor outcome in pancreatic cancer (PDA) is associated partly with stromal hyaluronan (HA) accumulation, which compromises chemotherapy perfusion. PEGPH20, PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase, potentiates chemotherapy by depleting HA in tumors. Methods: In an ongoing, phase II, open-label, randomized study of PEGPH20+nab-paclitaxel (Nab)+Gemcitabine (Gem) (PAG) vs Nab+Gem (AG) in previously untreated stage IV PDA, pts receive PEGPH20 3 µg/kg twice weekly (C1), then weekly (C2+) with standard AG dosing. HA status was tested retrospectively. After a temporary clinical hold (Apr-Jul 2014) for an imbalance in thromboembolic (TE) events (29% PAG vs 15% AG), the protocol was amended to exclude high-TE-risk pts and add enoxaparin (LMWH) prophylaxis. Endpoints are PFS and TE events (primary); PFS and ORR by HA level and OS (secondary). Efficacy and safety data through Dec 2014 are for pts enrolled up to clinical hold (Stage 1); TE data are through Sep 2015 (Stage 2). Results: 135 pts were treated (74 PAG, 61 AG). PFS results are shown below (median follow-up 7 mo). In HA-high pts receiving PAG vs AG, ORR was 52% (1 CR) vs 24% (P=.038); ORR was 37% vs 38% in HA-low pts. OS was 12 mo vs 9 mo (HR=0.62) despite 12/23 PAG pts discontinuing PEGPH20 at clinical hold. Common ADRs (PAG vs AG) included peripheral edema (58% vs 31%), muscle spasms (55% vs 1.6%), and neutropenia (32% vs 18%). TE events were: Stage 1 42% vs 25% (no LMWH); Stage 2 (with LMWH; 40 mg/d or 40 mg/d increased to 1 mg/kg/d) 28% vs 29%; (1 mg/kg/d) 5% vs 6%; overall (40 mg/d or 1 mg/kg/d) 13% each arm (to be updated). Conclusions: Pts with HA-high tumors receiving PAG, vs AG, showed significant improvements in PFS and ORR and a trend toward improved OS. PAG was well tolerated, with TE events reduced with LMWH prophylaxis. A global phase III trial of PAG will initiate Q1 2016. Clinical Trial Information: NCT01839487. Clinical trial information: NCT01839487. [Table: see text]