Search

Background: CAVE is a single arm, Phase 2 trial, that demonstrated anti-tumor activity of cetuximab rechallenge plus avelumab in patients with RAS wild type (wt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Objective: We conducted a post hoc analysis to identify potential radiomic biomarkers for patients with CRC liver metastasis (LM). Patients and Methods: Patients with LM that could be measured by enhanced contrast phase computed tomography (CT) imaging at baseline and at first response evaluation were included. Multiple texture parameters were extracted with the LifeX Software. Delta-texture (D-TA) variations were calculated by comparing data at baseline and after treatment. Results: Overall, 55/77 patients (71%) had LM; 39 met the inclusion criteria for the current analysis. The D-TA parameters that significantly correlated at univariate analysis with median progression-free survival (mPFS) were EntropyHistogram (p = 0.021), HomogeneityGLCM (p < 0.001) and Dissimilarity GLCM (p = 0.002). At multivariate analysis, only HomogeneityGLCM resulted significant for PFS (p = 0.001). Patients (19/39, 48.7%) with reduction of HomogeneityGLCM experienced better mPFS (4.6 vs 2.9 months; HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23–0.88; p = 0.021) and median overall survival (mOS) (17.3 vs 6.8 months; HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21–0.80; p = 0.010). A trend to better mPFS, was also observed in patients with RAS/BRAF wt circulating tumor DNA and reduction of HomogeneityGLCM. Overall survival was significantly better in this subgroup of patients with low HomogeneityGLCM: mOS was 17.8 (95% CI 15.5–20.2) versus 6.8 months (95% CI 3.6–10.0) (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.81; p = 0.016). Conclusion: Reduction in the D-TA parameter HomogeneityGLCM by radiomic analysis correlates with improved outcomes in patients with LM receiving cetuximab rechallenge plus avelumab therapy. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate and confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The randomized phase II VELO trial showed that the addition of panitumumab to trifluridine/tipiracil significantly improves progression‐free survival (PFS) as compared to trifluridine/tipiracil in third‐line therapy in patients with refractory RAS wild‐type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). With longer follow‐up, final overall survival results and posttreatment subgroup analysis are presented. Sixty‐two patients with refractory RAS WT mCRC were randomly assigned to receive, as third‐line therapy, trifluridine/tipiracil alone (arm A) or in combination with panitumumab (arm B). Primary endpoint was PFS; secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and overall response rate (ORR). Median OS was 13.1 months (95% CI 9.5‐16.7) in arm A compared to 11.6 months (95% CI 6.3‐17.0) in arm B (HR: 0.96, 95% CI 0.54‐1.71, P =.9). To evaluate the impact of subsequent lines of treatment, subgroup analysis was performed for the 24/30 patients in arm A, that received fourth‐line therapy after disease progression. Median PFS was 4.1 months (95% CI 1.44‐6.83) for 17 patients treated with anti‐EGFR rechallenge as compared to 3.0 months (95% CI 1.61‐4.31) for seven patients that received other therapies (HR: 0.29, 95% CI 0.10‐0.85, P =.024). Median OS from the start of fourth‐line treatment was 13.6 months (95% CI 7.2‐20), and 5.1 months (95% CI 1.8‐8.3) for patients treated with anti‐EGFR rechallenge vs other therapies, respectively (HR: 0.30, 95% CI 0.11‐0.81, P =.019). Final results of the VELO trial support the role of anti‐EGFR rechallenge in the continuum of care of patients with RAS/BRAF WT mCRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rechallenge with epidermal growth factor (EGFR) inhibitors represents a promising therapeutic strategy in patients with refractory RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The maximal benefit is observed in patients without resistance mutation at the baseline plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) evaluation. In the CAVE and VELO clinical trials, 1 out of 4 patients had ctDNA RAS/BRAF mutant disease at pretreatment liquid biopsy assessment. There was no direct association between the length of anti-EGFR drug-free interval and the presence of plasma ctDNA RAS/BRAF mutations at pretreatment liquid biopsy analysis. Interestingly, even the disappearance of mutant clones was time-dependent, and resistance mutations were found at liquid biopsy analysis in approximately 15% of patients after 18 or more months of anti-EGFR drug-free window. These results support the use of liquid biopsy to appropriately select amenable patients to EGFR inhibitor rechallenge. Rechallenge with anti-EGFR drugs represents a promising strategy in refractory RAS/BRAF wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We performed the pooled analysis of the CAVE and VELO studies to evaluate the percentage of patients with WT circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tumors and the association of mutational status with time from the last anti-EGFR drug administration. At baseline, 97/129 patients had RAS/BRAF WT plasma ctDNA, while 32/129 had RAS/BRAF mutated plasma ctDNA. Median anti-EGFR drug-free interval was 10.6 (CI 95%, 8.9–13.4) months in the plasma RAS/BRAF mutant group as compared to 13.0 (CI 95%, 11.1–16.6) months in RAS/BRAF WT group (p = 0.169). To investigate the time window of the RAS/BRAF mutant cancer cell clone disappearance, descriptive analysis using different time points was performed. No difference in the proportion of patients whose baseline plasma ctDNA was RAS/BRAF WT or mutated was found between 4 and 18 months since the last administration of anti-EGFR drugs. In contrast, 38/44 of patients with anti-EGFR drug-free interval of 18 months or more displayed a ctDNA RAS/BRAF WT status. Taken together, these results shows that the length of anti-EGFR free interval is not a sufficient criterion for patient selection, supporting the role of liquid biopsies for improving treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Approaches beyond first-line chemotherapy to treat advanced cervical cancer (CC) are currently limited. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are showing high efficacy, thus remodeling the therapeutic scenario of many solid tumors. With our systematic review, we aimed to summarize the latest clinical trials using ICIs in CC. Our systematic review managed to demonstrate that ICIs might represent an appealing strategy for advanced CC, with 2 out of 3 patients responding to ICIs without further concerns about safety. PD-L1 status might be an indicator of response; however, the search for new predictive biomarkers is mandatory. Further studies are needed for appropriate patient selection and a tailored approach. Background: Cervical cancer (CC) constitutes the fourth most common tumor among the female population. Therapeutic approaches to advanced CC are limited, with dismal results in terms of survival, mainly after progression to platinum-based regimens. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are remodeling the therapeutic scenario of many solid tumors. The role of ICIs in CC should be addressed. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the latest clinical trials employing ICIs in advanced CC to assess which ICIs have been employed and how ICIs might meet the need for new therapeutic options in terms of efficacy and safety. Methods: The review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The following efficacy outcomes were specifically collected: overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS); for safety: type, number, and grade of adverse events (AEs). Results: A total of 17 studies were analyzed. Anti-PD1 (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, cemiplimab, balstilimab, and tislelizumab), anti-PD-L1 (atezolizumab), and anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab, zalifrelimab) agents were employed both as single agents or combinations. Overall ORR ranged from 0% to 65.9%. ORR ranged from 5.9% to 69.6% in PD-L1-positive patients and from 0% to 50% in PD-L1-negative patients. DCR was 30.6–94.1%. mPFS ranged from 2 to 10.4 months. mOS ranged from 8 months to not reached. PD-L1 status did not impact survival. A total of 33.9% to 100% of patients experienced AEs. Conclusion: Immunotherapy represents an appealing strategy for patients with advanced CC, as 2 out of 3 patients seem to respond to ICIs. PD-L1 status might be an indicator of response without impacting survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximatively 8–15% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) harbor mutation in BRAF gene. Recent advances in molecular biology enabled a better knowledge of the molecular heterogeneity within BRAF mutant (BRAFMT) CRCs, including high rate of overlapping with MSI-H status and detection of non-V600E mutations related to more favorable behavior. Treatment armamentarium has been rapidly growing in this subgroup and includes targeted combinations and immunotherapy for concomitant MSI-H patients, thereby making BRAFMT mCRC an innovative model for precision oncology. Nevertheless, duration of responses to targeted strategies remains unsatisfactory due to the development of secondary resistance, which is currently the field of major clinical research on BRAFMT mCRC. This review explores the molecular, clinical and therapeutic landscape of BRAFMT mCRC as well as an update on current treatment strategies and future perspectives in light of the heterogeneity of BRAF-mutated disease. Furthermore, a novel treatment algorithm for BRAFMT mCRC will be proposed. • Wide clinical and molecular heterogeneity is seen among patients with BRAFMT mCRC. • Encorafenib plus binimetinib combination is superior to chemo in 2nd and 3rd line. • Immunotherapy showed encouraging results in concomitant BRAFMT MSI patients. • Understanding resistance mechanisms will help to develop new anti-BRAF strategies. • New treatment algorithm should consider BRAF molecular profile and clinical features. • Novel treatment algorithm will improve outcomes and personalization of the cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Anti-EGFR-related skin toxicity has been described as a predictive biomarker of response in patients with RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). With the CAVE mCRC trial we previously provided the first evidence of the activity of cetuximab plus avelumab as rechallenge treatment in pretreated chemo-refractory RAS WT mCRC. Nowadays, skin toxicity remains the only confirmed clinical biomarker of response to anti-EGFR treatment in mCRC. The role of skin toxicity has not yet been explored in a rechallenge setting. In this paper we provide a post-hoc analysis of the CAVE mCRC trial that investigated the role of skin toxicity as a predictive biomarker of activity of cetuximab plus avelumab treatment and its correlation with different clinico-molecular variables on survival at the univariate and multivariate levels. High-grade skin toxicity, together to the circulating tumor DNA RAS/BRAF/EGFR wild-type status were the only variables with an impact on PFS and OS. The single-arm phase II CAVE mCRC trial evaluated the combination of cetuximab plus avelumab as rechallenge strategy in RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, with clinical response to first-line anti-EGFR-based chemotherapy, who progressed and received a subsequent line of therapy. The correlation of skin toxicity (ST) and different clinico-molecular variables with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and response rate (RR) was assessed at univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 33/77 (42.9%) patients experienced grade 2–3 ST and displayed median OS (mOS) of 17.8 months (CI 95%, 14.9–20.6); whereas 44/77 (57.1%) patients with grade 0–1 ST exhibited mOS of 8.2 months (CI 95%, 5.5–10.9), (hazard ratio (HR), 0.51; CI 95%, 0.29–0.89; p = 0.019). Median PFS (mPFS) was 4.6 months (CI 95%, 3.4–5.7) in patients with grade 2–3 ST, compared to patients with grade 0–1 ST with mPFS of 3.4 months (CI 95%, 2.7–4.1; HR, 0.49; CI 95%, 0.3–0.8; p = 0.004). Grade 2–3 ST (HR, 0.51; CI 95%, 0.29–0.89; p = 0.019) and RAS/BRAF/EGFR WT circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) (HR, 0.50; CI 95%, 0.27–0.9; p = 0.019) had a statistically significant effect on OS at univariate analysis. At the multivariate analysis, RAS/BRAF/EGFR WT ctDNA status maintained statistical significance (HR, 0.49; CI 95%, 0.27–0.9; p = 0.023), whereas there was a trend towards ST grade 2–3 (HR, 0.54; CI 95%, 0.29–1.01; p = 0.054). Skin toxicity is a promising biomarker to identify patients with mCRC that could benefit of anti-EGFR rechallenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous metastasis from solid tumors is a rare event and usually represents a late occurrence in the natural history of an advanced visceral malignancy. Rarely, cutaneous metastasis has been described in colorectal cancer patients. The most frequent cutaneous site of colorectal metastasis is the surgical scar in the abdomen following the removal of the primary malignancy, followed by the extremities, perineum, head, neck, and penis. Metastases to the thigh and back of the trunk are anecdotical. Dermatological diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis can be quite complex, especially in unusual sites, such as in the facial skin or thorax and in cases of single cutaneous lesions since metastasis from colorectal cancer is not usually the first clinical hypothesis, leading to misdiagnosis. To date, due to the rarity of cutaneous metastasis from colorectal cancer, little evidence, most of which is based on case reports and very small case series, is currently available. Therefore, a better understanding of the clinic-pathological characteristics of this unusual metastatic site represents an unmet clinical need. We present a large series of 29 cutaneous metastases from colorectal cancer with particular concerns regarding anatomic localization and the time of onset with respect to primitive colorectal cancer and visceral metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been improved over the years and now reaches 30–40 months. However, few therapeutic options are available after failure of first- and second-line treatments. In fact, prognosis of chemo-refractory mCRC remains poor. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are needed. Emerging evidence suggest that retreatment with epidermal growth factor (EGFR) inhibitors after a treatment break, in patients that obtained a clinical benefit by previous anti-EGFR, could lead to prolonged survival. The rationale beyond this "rechallenge" strategy is that after a "treatment holiday" EGFR resistant cancer cells decay, restoring the sensibility to EGFR blockade. In this review we analyze the current knowledge of retreatment with EGFR inhibitors, examine the role of novel biomarkers that can guide the appropriate selection of patients. Finally, we discuss future perspectives and on-going clinical trials. The prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who progressed to the first and the second lines of treatment is poor. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed. During the last years, emerging evidence suggests that retreatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in the third line of mCRC patients, that have previously obtained clinical benefit by first-line therapy with anti-EGFR MAbs plus chemotherapy, could lead to prolonged survival. The rationale beyond this "rechallenge" strategy is that, after disease progression to first line EGFR-based therapy, a treatment break from anti-EGFR drugs results in RAS mutant cancer cell decay, restoring the sensitivity of cancer cells to cetuximab and panitumumab. In fact, rechallenge treatment with anti-EGFR drugs has shown promising clinical activity, particularly in patients with plasma RAS and BRAF wild type circulating tumor DNA, as defined by liquid biopsy analysis at baseline treatment. The aim of this review is to analyze the current knowledge on rechallenge and to investigate the role of novel biomarkers that can guide the appropriate selection of patients that could benefit from this therapeutic strategy. Finally, we discuss on-going trials and future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor heterogeneity represents a possible cause of error in detecting predictive genetic alterations on tumor tissue and can be overcome by testing alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using liquid biopsy. We assessed 72 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) using Idylla™ Biocartis, a fully automated platform that evaluates the most frequent mutations of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF genes. We correlated the results of liquid biopsy and standard tissue-based next generation sequencing (NGS) analyses to patient clinical features. The overall agreement was 81.94%. Concordance was 85.71% and 96.15% in treatment-naïve patients and in the patient subgroup with liver metastases, respectively. In liver metastases positive, treatment-naïve patients, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were 92.31%, 100% and 100%, respectively. Circulating mutational fraction (CMF) was significantly higher in patients with liver metastases and high carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. In a subgroup of patients pre-treated with anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) agents, emerging KRAS mutations were evidenced in 33% of cases. Testing RAS/BRAF mutations on plasma using the Idylla™ Biocartis platform is feasible and reliable in mCRC patients in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAS mutations are the only validated biomarkers in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy. Limited clinical information is available on AXL expression, marker of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, in mCRC. AXL was retrospectively assessed by immunohistochemistry in 307 patients. RAS wild-type (WT) patients (N = 136) received first-line anti-EGFR–based therapy; RAS mutant patients (N = 171) received anti-angiogenic–based regimens. Preclinical experiments were performed using human RAS WT CRC cell lines and xenograft models. AXL RNA levels were assessed in a cohort of patients with available samples at baseline and at progression to anti-EGFR treatment and in the GSE5851 dataset. AXL was expressed in 55/307 tumour tissues, correlating with worse survival in the overall population (AXL-positive, 23.7 months; AXL-negative, 30.8 months; HR, 1.455, P = 0.032) and in RAS WT patients (AXL-positive, 23.0 months; AXL-negative, 35.8 months; HR,1.780, P = 0.032). Progression-free survival (PFS) in the RAS WT cohort was shorter in the AXL-positive cohort (6.2 months versus 12.1 months; HR, 1.796, P = 0.013). Three-dimensional cultures obtained from a patient following anti-EGFR therapy resulted AXL-positive, showing resistance to anti-EGFR drugs and sensitivity to AXL inhibition. AXL transfection in CRC cell lines induced AXL overexpression and resistance to the EGFR blockade. At progression to cetuximab, 2/10 SW48-tumour xenograft mice showed AXL expression. Consistently, AXL RNA levels increased in 5/7 patients following anti-EGFR therapy. Moreover, in the GSE5851 dataset higher AXL RNA levels correlated with worse PFS with cetuximab in KRAS-exon2 WT chemorefractory patients. AXL is a marker of poor prognosis in mCRC with consistent clinical and preclinical evidences of involvement in primary and acquired resistance to anti-EGFR drugs in RAS WT patients. • AXL, marker of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, is expressed in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). • AXL is associated with poor prognosis and shorter progression-free survival in patients with RAS wild-type (WT) mCRC. • AXL is a biomarker of both primary and acquired resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies in RAS WT mCRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]