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Objective We asked if leptin and its cognate receptor were present in normal and diseased parathyroid glands, and if so, whether they had any functional effects on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in parathyroid neoplasms. Background The parathyroid glands acting through PTH play a critical role in the regulation of serum calcium. Based on leptin's recently discovered role in bone metabolism, we hypothesized these glands were the sites of a functional interaction between these 2 hormones. Methods From July 2010 to July 2011, 96 patients were enrolled in a prospective study of leptin and hyperparathyroidism, all of whom were enrolled based on their diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism, and their candidacy for surgical intervention provided informed consent. Immediately after parathyroidectomy, 100 to 300 mg of adenomatous or hyperplastic diseased parathyroid tissue was prepared and processed according to requirements of the following: in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence by conventional and spinning disc confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, parathyroid culture, whole organ explant, and animal model assays. Results Leptin, leptin receptor (long isoform), and PTH mRNA transcripts and protein were detected in an overlapping fashion in parathyroid chief cells in adenoma and hyperplastic glands, and also in normal parathyroid by in situ hybridization, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Confocal microscopy confirmed active exogenous leptin uptake in cultured parathyroid cells. PTH secretion in explants increased in response to leptin and decreased with leptin receptor signaling inhibition by AG490, a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor. Ob/ob mice injected with mouse leptin exhibited increased PTH levels from baseline. Conclusions Taken together, these data suggest that leptin is a functionally active product of the parathyroid glands and stimulates PTH release.

OBJECTIVES Surgeons at different institutions worldwide choose different types of operations for thymic tumours. It is not known whether these differences affect the outcomes of the patients. METHODS A total of 1430 patients with Masaoka-Koga pathological Stage I-II thymic tumours without myasthenia gravis or pre-treatment were identified from the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group retrospective database. Outcomes of patients from 3 major continents (Europe, North America and Asia) were compared. RESULTS Patients from the 3 continents were comparable in gender and performance status. More European patients had more paraneoplastic syndromes; North American patients had the smallest tumour sizes and less adjuvant therapy; and Asian patients were younger and had more Stage I disease but higher grade tumours. Partial thymectomy was performed more often in Asian patients (31.7%) than in European (2.4%) and North American (5.4%; P

Minimally invasive thymectomy (MIT) is a surgical approach to thymectomy that has more favorable short-term outcomes for myasthenia gravis than open thymectomy (OT). The oncologic outcomes of MIT performed for thymoma have not been rigorously evaluated. We analyzed determinants of complete (R0) resection among patients undergoing MIT and OT in a large international database.The retrospective database of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group was queried. Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests, multivariate logistic regression models, and propensity matching were performed.A total of 2514 patients underwent thymectomy for thymoma between 1997 and 2012; 2053 of them (82%) underwent OT and 461 (18%) underwent MIT, with the use of MIT increasing significantly in recent years. The rate of R0 resection among patients undergoing OT was 86%, and among those undergoing MIT it was 94% (p0.0001). In propensity-matched MIT and OT groups (n = 266 in each group); however, the rate of R0 resection did not differ significantly (96% in both the MIT and OT groups, p = 0.7). Multivariate analyses were performed to identify determinants of R0 resection. Factors independently associated with R0 resection were geographical region, later time period, less advanced Masaoka stage, total thymectomy, and the absence of radiotherapy. Surgical approach, whether minimally invasive or open, was not associated with completeness of resection.The use of MIT for resection of thymoma has been increasing substantially over time, and MIT can achieve rates of R0 resection for thymoma similar to those achieved with OT.

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) is associated with an overall survival (OS) benefit in patients with completely resected Masaoka or Masaoka-Koga stage II and III thymoma. Methods All patients with completely resected (R0) stage II or III thymoma were identified in a large database of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group. Clinical, pathologic, treatment, and follow-up information were extracted. OS was the primary end point. A univariate analysis using the log-rank test was performed, and a multivariate Cox model was created to identify factors associated with OS. Results Of 1263 patients meeting the selection criteria, 870 (69%) had stage II thymoma. The WHO histologic subtype was A/AB in 360 patients (30%) and B1/B2/B3 in 827 (70%). PORT was given to 55% of patients (n = 689), 15% (n = 180) received chemotherapy, and 10% (n = 122) received both. The 5- and 10-year OS rates for patients having undergone an operation plus PORT were 95% and 86%, respectively, compared with 90% and 79% for patients receiving an operation alone (p = 0.002). This OS benefit remained significant when patients with stage II (p = 0.02) and stage III thymoma (p = 0.0005) were analyzed separately. On multivariate analysis, earlier stage, younger age, absence of paraneoplastic syndrome, and PORT were significantly associated with improved OS. Conclusions We observed an OS benefit with the use of PORT in completely resected stage II and III thymoma. In the absence of a randomized trial, this represents the most comprehensive analysis of individual patient data and strong evidence in favor of PORT in this patient population.

Summary Background Immunotherapy targeting the PD-1 axis has activity in several tumour types. We aimed to establish the activity and safety of the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab in patients with untreated brain metastases from melanoma or non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods In this non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial, we enrolled patients aged 18 years or older with melanoma or NSCLC with untreated brain metastases from the Yale Cancer Center. Patients had at least one untreated or progressive brain metastasis between 5 and 20 mm in diameter without associated neurological symptoms or the need for corticosteroids. Patients with NSCLC had tumour tissue positive for PD-L1 expression; this was not required for patients with melanoma. Patients were given 10 mg/kg pembrolizumab every 2 weeks until progression. The primary endpoint was brain metastasis response assessed in all treated patients. The trial is ongoing and here we present an early analysis. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02085070. Findings Between March 31, 2014, and May 31, 2015, we screened 52 patients with untreated or progressive brain metastases (18 with melanoma, 34 with NSCLC), and enrolled 36 (18 with melanoma, 18 with NSCLC). A brain metastasis response was achieved in four (22%; 95% CI 7–48) of 18 patients with melanoma and six (33%; 14–59) of 18 patients with NSCLC. Responses were durable, with all but one patient with NSCLC who responded showing an ongoing response at the time of data analysis on June 30, 2015. Treatment-related serious and grade 3–4 adverse events were grade 3 elevated aminotransferases (n=1 [6%]) in the melanoma cohort, and grade 3 colitis (n=1 [6%]), grade 3 pneumonitis (n=1 [6%]), grade 3 fatigue (n=1 [6%]), grade 4 hyperkalemia (n=1 [6%]), and grade 2 acute kidney injury (n=1 [6%]) in the NSCLC cohort. Clinically significant neurological adverse events included transient grade 3 cognitive dysfunction and grade 1–2 seizures (n=3 [17%]) in the melanoma cohort. Interpretation Pembrolizumab shows activity in brain metastases in patients with melanoma or NSCLC with an acceptable safety profile, which suggests that there might be a role for systemic immunotherapy in patients with untreated or progressive brain metastases. Funding Merck and the Yale Cancer Center.

The aim of the study was to compare costs associated with excision of routine cavity shave margins (CSM) versus standard partial mastectomy (PM) in patients with breast cancer.Excision of CSM reduces re-excision rates by more than 50%. The economic implications of this is, however, unclear.Between October 21, 2011 and November 25, 2013, 235 women undergoing PM for Stage 0-III breast cancer were randomized to undergo either standard PM ("no shave", n = 116) or have additional CSM taken ("shave", n = 119). Costs from both a payer and a hospital perspective were measured for index surgery and breast cancer surgery-related care through subsequent 90 days.The 2 groups were well-matched in terms of baseline characteristics. Those in the "shave" group had a longer operative time at the initial surgery (median 76 vs 66 min, P0.01), but a lower re-excision rate for positive margins (13/119 = 10.9% vs 32/116 = 27.6%, P0.01). Actual direct hospital costs associated with operating room time ($1315 vs. $1137, P = 0.03) and pathology costs ($1195 vs $795, P0.01) were greater for the initial surgery in patients in the "shave" group. Taking into account the index surgery and the subsequent 90 days, there was no significant difference in cost from either the payer ($10,476 vs $11,219, P = 0.40) or hospital perspective ($5090 vs $5116, P = 0.37) between the "shave" and "no shave" groups.Overall costs were not significantly different between the "shave" and "no shave" groups due to significantly fewer reoperative surgeries in the former.

Objectives The latest World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification divides thymic epithelial tumours in thymomas and thymic carcinomas (TCs), the latter also including the neuroendocrine thymic tumours (NETTs). NETTs and other TC histotypes have been described to have a significantly lower survival than thymomas, but these two groups of tumours have rarely been compared directly. Using the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group datasets, we wanted to study this issue. Methods This is a retrospective multicentre cohort study of patients operated for TC. Outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). OS was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and RFS was assessed using competing risk analysis. The association with clinical and prognostic factors for OS and RFS was evaluated with log-rank test and Gray's test, respectively. Results A total of 1247 tumours (1042 TCs) were collected between 1984 and 2012. A R0 resection was performed in 363 TCs and in 52 NETTs. The median follow-up was 4.4 years for TCs and 4.1 years for NETTs. Owing to the missing values for survival information, a total of 728 TC patients and 132 NETTs were included in the OS analysis. Among them, 262 TC and 39 NETT patients died. The median OS was 6.6 years for TC and 7.5 years for NETTs. The overall 5-year survival rates were 60% for TC and 68% for NETTs; 10-year survival rates were 40% for TCs and 39% for NETTs (P = 0.19). Five-year RFS was 0.35 and 0.34 for TCs and NETTs (P = 0.36). On multivariate analysis, histology did not influence either OS (P = 0.79) or RFS (P = 0.59). Conclusions This represents the largest clinical series of TCs and NETTs collected. Despite the biological aggressiveness of these rare neoplasms, the 5-year survival rate after resection is over 60% and TCs and NETT showed a similar rate of survival and recurrences after surgery.

Significant racial disparities in survival for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exist between white and black patients. Differences in access to care and comorbidities are possible contributors. To investigate if racial disparities persist when controlling for access to care, we analyzed data from a single‐payer healthcare system. As part of a case–control study within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California system, pathologic and clinical records were obtained for RCC cases (2152 white, 293 black) diagnosed from 1998 to 2008. Patient demographics, comorbidities, tumor characteristics, and treatment status were compared. Overall survival and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. A Cox proportion hazards model estimated the independent associations of race, comorbidity, and clinicopathologic variables with DSS. We found that compared to white patients, black patients were diagnosed at a younger age (median 62 vs. 66 years, P

Purpose To review our institution's experience with treatment of craniopharyngioma in children, and to report long-term treatment outcomes stratified by treatment era to assess whether modern treatment techniques result in improvements in local control and survival. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 100 children who underwent surgery for craniopharygioma at Children's Hospital Boston (CHB) from August 1976 to March 2003. Of these, 79 children (median age 8.5 years) had initial treatment at CHB and sufficient follow-up data to be included in this analysis. We report their treatment course, recurrence rates, and treatment-related morbidity. We compared the results in two different treatment eras based on changes in surgical approach at CHB. Results Thirty-six patients underwent initial treatment with surgery alone; 63% treated prior to 1988 recurred and 36% treated after 1988 recurred. Recurrence rates following combined modality therapy (CMT) with limited surgery followed by radiation were 21 and 5% in the pre- and post-1988 eras, respectively. Accounting for treatment era, patients treated with surgery alone were 7.7 times as likely to recur as those treated with CMT (95%CI: 2.0, 28.7). In the Cox regression model, there was no significant difference in local control or overall survival based on treatment era; initial treatment remained the only statistically significant variable (P = 0.02). Conclusions Advancements in treatment techniques have improved local control in children diagnosed with craniopharyngioma. The excellent survival rates necessitate long-term patient follow-up to identify and manage any treatment-related effects, including second tumors, vascular abnormalities, and endocrinopathies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:1120–1126. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

In young adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), intensification of the anthracycline dose during induction therapy has improved the rate of complete remission but not of overall survival. We evaluated the use of cytarabine plus either standard-dose or high-dose daunorubicin as induction therapy, followed by intensive consolidation therapy, in inducing complete remission to improve overall survival.In this phase 3 randomized trial, we assigned 657 patients between the ages of 17 and 60 years who had untreated AML to receive three once-daily doses of daunorubicin at either the standard dose (45 mg per square meter of body-surface area) or a high dose (90 mg per square meter), combined with seven daily doses of cytarabine (100 mg per square meter) by continuous intravenous infusion. Patients who had a complete remission were offered either allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation or high-dose cytarabine, with or without a single dose of the monoclonal antibody gemtuzumab ozogamicin, followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation. The primary end point was overall survival.In the intention-to-treat analysis, high-dose daunorubicin, as compared with a standard dose of the drug, resulted in a higher rate of complete remission (70.6% vs. 57.3%, P0.001) and improved overall survival (median, 23.7 vs. 15.7 months; P=0.003). The rates of serious adverse events were similar in the two groups. Median follow-up was 25.2 months.In young adults with AML, intensifying induction therapy with a high daily dose of daunorubicin improved the rate of complete remission and the duration of overall survival, as compared with the standard dose. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00049517.)

Background Surgical resection is often the only treatment necessary for pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGGs) and is thought to define a population with an excellent long-term prognosis. The goal of this study was to describe the multidimensional late-effects of pediatric LGG survivors treated exclusively with surgery. Methods A retrospective chart review of “surgery-only” LGG survivors followed at Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Care was undertaken. Patients had to be diagnosed with an LGG before the age of 22 years, treated with “surgery-only” and be at least 2 years from diagnosis. Results Sixty survivors were eligible with a median age at the time of review of 16.3 years and the median time since diagnosis of 8.4 years. Tumor locations were predominantly posterior fossa (47%) or cortical (33%). Eighty-five percent of patients had at least one ongoing late-effect, and 28% had three or more. The most common late-effects consisted of motor dysfunction (43%), visual problems (32%), anxiety (19%), social difficulties (19%), seizure disorders (17%), depression (15%), poor coordination/ataxia (14%), behavioral problems (13%), and endocrinopathies (10%). Nine patients had a history of suicidal ideation; two with suicide attempts. The mean full-scale IQ was normal, however, the number of survivors scoring one standard deviation below the mean was twice the expected number. Special education services were utilized by more than half of the survivors. Conclusions “Surgery-only” LGG survivors may be more affected by their tumor and its resection than previously appreciated. A prospective study is needed to address this survivor population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:417–423. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The survival of untreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), or the natural history, is an important perspective for patients considering resection for NSCLC. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) allows untreated NSCLC patients who were recommended to undergo surgical resection (ie, "operable") to be identified. The survival of untreated NSCLC patients in the NCDB was studied to determine the natural history of operable NSCLC.The NCDB was queried for untreated clinical stage I to IIIA NSCLC patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2009. The natural history cohort was defined as patients who were recommended to undergo resection but went untreated.We identified 1,693 untreated patients with operable NSCLC. The median survival for clinical stage I, II, and IIIA was 16.6, 9.4, and 8.4 months, respectively. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival for clinical stage I, II, and IIIA NSCLC were 10.1%, 7.3%, and 4.9%, respectively. At each stage (I to IIIA), the survival of untreated operable NSCLC patients was superior to that of untreated NSCLC patients not recommended to undergo resection (nonoperable, p 0.001). A multivariable Cox regression model identified increasing age, male gender, white (vs black) race, increasing comorbidity, squamous cell or large cell histology, and increasing stage as predictors of decreased survival.The natural history of operable NSCLC, although poor, varies with clinical stage and is superior to that of nonoperable NSCLC.

BackgroundRoutine resection of cavity shave margins (additional tissue circumferentially around the cavity left by partial mastectomy) may reduce the rates of positive margins (margins positive for tumor) and reexcision among patients undergoing partial mastectomy for breast cancer. MethodsIn this randomized, controlled trial, we assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, 235 patients with breast cancer of stage 0 to III who were undergoing partial mastectomy, with or without resection of selective margins, to have further cavity shave margins resected (shave group) or not to have further cavity shave margins resected (no-shave group). Randomization occurred intraoperatively after surgeons had completed standard partial mastectomy. Positive margins were defined as tumor touching the edge of the specimen that was removed in the case of invasive cancer and tumor that was within 1 mm of the edge of the specimen removed in the case of ductal carcinoma in situ. The rate of positive margins was the primary outcome measure; seco...

The median survival for patients with metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma is 24 months. Treatment-related grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (33.3%), neuropathy (20.5%), thromboembolism (VTE) (7.7%), thrombocytopenia (7.7%), anemia (2.6%), hypertension (2.6%), and proteinuria (2.6%). We observed no GI perforations or grade 3/4 GI hemorrhagic events. First-line mFOLFOX6 with bevacizumab for metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma was well tolerated and associated with longer PFS and OS compared with historical data from similar populations treated without bevacizumab. Our results suggest that the addition of bevacizumab to mFOLFOX6 may provide clinical benefit in American patients with metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, a finding consistent with previous studies of first-line bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy for this disease.

Background Preoperative chemotherapy improves the survival of surgically managed stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A proportion of stage III NSCLC patients in the United States have undergone operations primarily and been given chemotherapy postoperatively. It is unclear whether postoperative chemotherapy is as effective as preoperative chemotherapy. Our objective was to determine the survival of resected stage III NSCLC according to the timing of chemotherapy. Methods The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for clinical T1–4N2M0 NSCLC (cstage III–cN2) undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy between 2003 and 2006. Results 1,356 patients with surgically managed cstage III–cN2 disease who received preoperative chemotherapy were compared with 649 patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy. In a Cox proportional hazards model with adjustment for demographics, comorbidities, and tumor attributes, the results of postoperative chemotherapy appeared similar to those of preoperative chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–1.19, p = 0.438). In separate Cox models, the results of postoperative chemotherapy alone were similar to those of preoperative chemotherapy alone (HR = 1.106, 95% CI 0.91–1.344, p = 0.3124). The results of postoperative chemotherapy + radiation were similar to those of preoperative chemotherapy + radiation (HR = 1.125, 95% CI 0.949–1.333, p = -0.175). Conclusions Adjusted comparison of preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy results for cstage III–N2 NSCLC in the NCDB failed to identify a superior chemotherapy approach. This suggests that a more rigorous examination of the widely held view that preoperative chemotherapy is superior may be warranted.

The role of leptin in mediating calcium-related metabolic processes is not well understood.We enrolled patients with hyperparathyroidism undergoing parathyroidectomy in a prospective study to assess postoperative changes to serum leptin and parathyroid hormone levels and to determine the presence of LEPR (leptin receptor) polymorphisms. Patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy under identical surgical conditions were enrolled as controls. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze changes in leptin. Pearson correlations and Bland-Altman methods were used to examine the between-subject and within-subject correlations in changes in leptin and parathyroid hormone levels. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the LEPR gene were genotyped, and linear regression analysis was performed for each polymorphism.Among the 71 patients included in the clinical study, after-surgery leptin levels decreased significantly in the parathyroid adenoma (p0.001) and parathyroid hyperplasia subgroups (p = 0.002) and increased in the control group (p = 0.007). On multivariate analysis, parathyroid disease subtype, baseline leptin levels, age, body mass index, and calcium at diagnosis was associated with changes in leptin. Among the 132 patients included in the genotyping analysis, under a recessive model of inheritance, single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1137101 had a significant association with the largest parathyroid gland and total mass of parathyroid tissue removed (p = 0.045 and p = 0.040, respectively). When analyzing obese patients only, rs1137100 and rs1137101 were significantly associated with total parathyroid size (p = 0.0343 and p = 0.0259, respectively).Our results suggest a role for the parathyroid gland in regulating leptin production. Genetic contributions from the leptin pathway might predispose to hyperparathyroidism.

ATNT-15. MIBEFRADIL DIHYDROCHORIDE WITH HYPOFRACTIONATED RADIATION FOR RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A PHASE I DOSE EXPANSION TRIAL Nataniel H. Lester-Coll1, Jeannie Kluytenaar1, Kira F. Pavlik2, James B. Yu1, Joseph N. Contessa1, Jennifer Moliterno3, Joseph M. Piepmeier3, Kevin P. Becker4, Joachim M. Baehring4, Anita J. Huttner5, Alexander O. Vortmeyer5, Ramachandran Ramani6, Rachel J. Lampert7, Xiaopan Yao8, and Ranjit S. Bindra1; Departmentof TherapeuticRadiology, YaleUniversity School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Cardiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA BACKGROUND: Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) has limited treatment options and the prognosis is poor. Our group recently performed a high-throughput drug screen for novel DNA repair inhibitors which identified mibefradil dihydrochloride, a T-type calcium channel blocker. Follow-up studies by our group and others subsequently revealed that mibefradil is active as a glioma radiosensitizer. Based on these findings, we sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of mibefradil and hypofractionated radiation (RT), in a Phase I study of patients with recurrent GBM. A subset of patients are enrolled on a molecular biomarker sub-study, in which the drug is administered prior to surgical re-resection, and the tissue is analyzed for tumor penetration and in situ activity. METHODS: The inclusion criteria are histologically proven GBM progressive or recurrent following RT and temozolomide treatment. Patients receive mibefradil, in escalating dose from 150mg/day until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or a dose of 350 mg/day is reached using a standard 3 + 3 design. RT consists of 5 fractions of 600 cGy each, delivered over 2 weeks for a total of 3,000 cGy using stereotactic, intensity-modulated RT. RESULTS: To date, eight patients have been enrolled including two patients on the molecular biomarker sub-study, and seven have been successfully treated. The first dose level cohort has completed accrual. Median progression-free survival was 2.5 months. One patient experienced a complete radiographic response on MRI and one had grade 3 or higher drug-related toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This Phase I dose-escalation study assesses the safety and determines the MTD of mibefradildihydrochlorideas anovel radiosensitizer inpatientswith recurrent GBM. Our preliminary data suggest that mibefradil and RT can be safely co-administered with the potential to improve disease response as a novel radiosensitizer. Neuro-Oncology 17:v10–v17, 2015. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nov205.15 Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology 2015.

Although FOLFIRINOX significantly increases survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC) compared to gemcitabine (Conroy et al. N Engl J Med 364:1817–1825, 2011), toxicities have tempered enthusiasm for its use in full doses. To assess the impact of dose attenuations on toxicity and efficacy, we reviewed our institution’s experience with FOLFIRINOX in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and MPC. We performed a retrospective review of dose, toxicity, and efficacy of FOLFIRINOX in all patients with LAPC and MPC treated between June 2010 and July 2011 at Yale. Toxicities in all patients and response rate (RR) and survival in previously untreated MPC were compared to data reported by Conroy. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were estimated by Kaplan–Meier method. Thirty-five patients were treated (16 LAPC; 19 MPC). Twenty-nine patients received dose attenuations with the first cycle. Median relative doses of irinotecan and bolus fluorouracil were less than those reported by Conroy (64 vs. 81 % and 66 vs. 82 %, respectively). RR was 50 % in LAPC and 47 % in MPC, and the latter did not differ significantly from the RR reported by Conroy (p = 0.19). OS at 6 and 12 months in MPC was comparable to OS reported by Conroy. Grade 3/4 toxicities were less than reported by Conroy, including fatigue (p = 0.009) and neutropenia (p

A multicenter Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) phase 2 trial assessed whether adding prednisone to lenalidomide would improve previously reported responses in persons with myelofibrosis (MF). Forty-eight subjects with anemia (42 evaluable) received lenalidomide, 10 mg/d, with a 3-month low-dose prednisone taper. Ten subjects received 3 months, and 25 received 6 months of therapy. Myelosuppression was the main toxicity with 88% with ≥ grade 3 hematologic toxicity and 45% ≥ grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity. There were responses in 10 subjects (23%) using the International Working Group for Myelofibrosis Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT)–defined clinical improvement of anemia in 8 (19%) and/or decreased spleen size in 4 (10%). Serial bone marrow analysis showed no resolution of disease-related fibrosis or angiogenesis. With a median follow-up of 2.3 years, 23 subjects are alive. Lenali-domide and prednisone for myelofibro-sis evaluated through a multicentered-cooperative group mechanism is only modestly active and myelosuppre-sive. This study was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00227591.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) has limited treatment options and the prognosis is poor. Our group recently performed a high-throughput drug screen for novel DNA repair inhibitors which identified mibefradil dihydrochloride, a T-type calcium channel blocker. Follow-up studies by our group and others subsequently revealed that mibefradil is active as a glioma radiosensitizer. Based on these findings, we sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of mibefradil and hypofractionated radiation (RT), in a Phase I study of patients with recurrent GBM. A subset of patients are enrolled on a molecular biomarker sub-study, in which the drug is administered prior to surgical re-resection, and the tissue is analyzed for tumor penetration and in situ activity. METHODS: The inclusion criteria are histologically proven GBM progressive or recurrent following RT and temozolomide treatment. Patients receive mibefradil, in escalating dose from 150mg/day until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or a dose of 350 mg/day is reached using a standard 3 + 3 design. RT consists of 5 fractions of 600 cGy each, delivered over 2 weeks for a total of 3,000 cGy using stereotactic, intensity-modulated RT. RESULTS: To date, eight patients have been enrolled including two patients on the molecular biomarker sub-study, and seven have been successfully treated. The first dose level cohort has completed accrual. Median progression-free survival was 2.5 months. One patient experienced a complete radiographic response on MRI and one had grade 3 or higher drug-related toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This Phase I dose-escalation study assesses the safety and determines the MTD of mibefradil dihydrochloride as a novel radiosensitizer in patients with recurrent GBM. Our preliminary data suggest that mibefradil and RT can be safely co-administered with the potential to improve disease response as a novel radiosensitizer.

e15274 Background: There is no standard management of LAPC. Although FOLFIRINOX is superior to gemcitabine in metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC) (Conroy et al. N Engl J Med 2011;364:1817), this reg...

1012 Background: Considerable controversy exists regarding the utility of routine CSM in patients undergoing partial mastectomy for breast cancer. We performed a prospective RCT to determine whethe...

395 Background: Although FOLFIRINOX is superior to gemcitabine in MPC, the regimen is associated with significant toxicities (Conroy et al. N Engl J Med 2011;364:1817). In our prior retrospective analysis, efficacy was not compromised by dose attenuations of FOLFIRINOX (Gunturu et al. Med Oncol 2013;30:361). Based on this analysis, a prospective phase II open label study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of mFOLFIRINOX in pts with locally advanced (LAPC) and MPC was conducted. Herein, we report the final analysis of the toxicity in LAPC and MPC, and the efficacy in MPC. Methods: Previously untreated pts with MPC or LAPC received mFOLFIRINOX every two wks with 25% dose reductions of irinotecan & bolus 5FU until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or surgical resection. All pts received prophylactic pegfilgrastim. CAT scans were obtained every 4 cycles for response assessment by RECIST. Toxicities in the entire cohort, and response rate (RR) & pt characteristics in the MPC cohort were compared to historical data reported by Conroy. PFS was determined for MPC cohort. Results: 31 pts with LAPC and 43 pts with MPC with ECOG PS 0/1 were enrolled between 11/11 and 01/14. Characteristics of evaluable (37/43) MPC pts were: med age, 61 yrs (range 50-76); male, 21; ECOG PS 0, 17; med # metastatic sites, 2; peritoneal disease, 14; biliary stent, 9; med # of cycles 10 (range 4-31). Grade 3/4 toxicities in entire cohort were: vomiting & peripheral neuropathy, 2.7%; ALT elevated, thromboembolism and febrile neutropenia, 4.1%; anemia, 5.4%; diarrhea,16.2% (no grade 4 diarrhea reported); neutropenia & fatigue, 12.2%; thrombocytopenia, 9.5%. Neutropenia (p

Objectives The objectives of this collaborative study were to characterize patients with thymic carcinoma, their treatment patterns, and association with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Methods Clinical, pathologic, treatment, and follow-up information were analyzed. OS and RFS were the primary outcome measures. Results In 1042 cases of thymic carcinoma, 42 (5%) patients had pathologic Masaoka stage I, 138 (17%) had stage II, 370 (45%) had stage III, and 274 (33%) had stage IV disease. Overall, 166 patients (22%) underwent induction chemotherapy and 48 (6%) had preoperative radiation therapy. An R0 resection was performed in 447 cases (61%), R1 in 102 cases (14%), and R2 in 184 cases (25%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant histologic subtype (n = 560; 79%). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 237 (31%) patients, and 449 (60%) received adjuvant radiation therapy. The median OS was 6.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.8-8.3) and the cumulative incidence of recurrence at 5 years was 35% (95% CI, 30%-40%). In univariate analysis, early Masaoka stage, R0 resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were associated with OS. Early Masaoka stage and R0 resection were also associated with RFS. On multivariable analysis, R0 resection and radiation therapy were associated with prolonged OS. Radiation therapy and male gender were associated with prolonged RFS. Conclusions R0 resection and radiation therapy are associated with improved OS, whereas radiation therapy and male gender are associated with longer RFS.

256 Background: Although FOLFIRINOX is superior to gemcitabine in MPC, the regimen is associated with significant toxicities (Conroy et al. N Engl J Med 2011;364:1817). In our prior retrospective a...

Pomalidomide (POM) is a novel IMiD(r) immunomodulatory agent with clinical activity in relapsed / resistant myeloma (RRMM) refractory to both lenalidomide and bortezomib. In prior phase II studies, the clinical activity of POM has been demonstrated using both continuous and intermittent dosing schedules. However the optimal dosing regimen for POM remains to be clarified and prospective data comparing these dosing schedules is limited. Herein we report the results of a randomized phase II clinical trial comparing the two POM dosing schedules. The primary objective was to compare clinical response to therapy (greater than or equal to partial response (PR) according to International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria). Patients (n=39) with RRMM documented to be refractory to lenalidomide were randomized to therapy with POM 2 mg/day for 28/28 days (Arm A, n=19) or POM 4 mg/day for 21/28 days (Arm B, n=20) of a 28 day cycle. All patients (pts) received POM alone at 2 or 4 mg for cycle 1, followed by the addition of dexamethasone at 40 mg weekly in subsequent cycles in both arms. Aspirin was utilized for thromboprophylaxis in both arms. Toxicity consisted primarily of myelosuppression which was manageable and similar in both cohorts. The incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) was 36% in arm A and 55% in arm B. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (common toxicity criteria v4.0) was the most common toxicity and was observed in 42% and 45% of patients in arm A and arm B respectively. There was no treatment-emergent grade 3 or 4 neuropathy observed in either arm. Only one patient (in arm B) experienced grade 3 / 4 thromboembolic complication. Overall, objective response to therapy (greater than or equal to PR by IMWG criteria) was observed in 21% (4/19 patients) in arm A and 45% (9/20 patients) in arm B (p=0.18). There were no complete remissions in either cohort. Patients in arm B did have greater maximal reduction in measurable disease compared to arm A (percent maximal reduction mean (+ SD) 54% (+ 34%) in arm B versus 28% (+ 35%) in arm A, p=0.02). However both cohorts had comparable event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). The mean EFS in arm A and arm B was 4.4 months (95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.21 months, 7.67 months) and 5.1 months (95% CI 3.4 months, 9.2 months) respectively (p=0.56). Similarly the median OS in the arm A (17.7 months, 95% CI 10.02, not reached) was similar to that in arm B (17.7 months, 95% CI 9.98, not reached)(p=0.73). These data demonstrate in the context of a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial that both continuous (28/28) and intermittent (21/28) dosing regimens of POM with dexamethasone have remarkable clinical activity in this heavily pretreated MM population. These data provide further support towards the choice of POM at 4 mg/day for 21/28 days for phase III testing. The finding that intermittent dosing at 4 mg/day led to greater maximal cytoreduction of measurable disease compared to continuous dosing at 2 mg/day, without any differences in survival suggests that understanding the biology of residual disease will be essential to further improving outcome in these patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 4941 Introduction: PTLD are lymphoid proliferations that develop as a consequence of immunosuppression in 1% of SOT recipients. The majority of PTLD are associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, as therapeutic immunosuppression causes decreased T-cell surveillance, increasing the proliferative potential of EBV in latently infected B-cells. PTLD may manifest as early lesions including polyclonal plasmacytic hyperplasia and infectious mononucleosis-like PTLD as well as monoclonal polymorphic PTLD. Patients who develop polymorphic PTLD, universally associated with EBV and occurring early after transplant, usually have good prognosis and respond well to reduction of immunosuppression and antiviral therapy. Monomorphic PTLD is indistinguishable from a subset of B-cell and much less frequently T-cell lymphomas that occur in immunocompetent individuals. Monomorphic PTLD in SOT patients frequently involve extranodal sites as well as the allograft and causes significant morbidity and mortality in this group of patients. There is no universally accepted treatment strategy for monomorphic PTLD as randomized trials are lacking with most of the data coming from prospective and retrospective cohort trials evaluating heterogeneous populations of patients. Standard therapy consists of a stepwise treatment approach, aimed at partially restoring cellular immunity by reduction of immunosuppression (RI) sometimes in combination with or followed by rituximab. If there is no response chemotherapy is initiated. However, this strategy is vague as there are no clear rules for how much and for how long immunosuppression is reduced and may be associated with both graft loss and disease progression. We believe that aggressive monomorphic PTLD patients can be successfully treated by employing aggressive chemo-immunotherapy and withdrawal of standard immunosuppressive agents. We prefer to use “dose dense” administration schedule to 1) provide intensive therapy and 2) provide strong enough immunosuppression to prevent rejection. This retrospective study was designed to assess the outcome of such a strategy in monomorphic PTLD patients treated at the Yale Cancer Center (YCC) over a 15 year period. Patients and Methods: We identified patients with the PTLD after SOT by searching Yale Tumor Registry. Patients were eligible for selection if they were diagnosed with PTLD after SOT between January 1st of 1995 and December 31st of 2009 provided they were 18 years of age or older at the time of diagnosis (diagnosis criteria). We planned to analyze the outcomes among patients treated with combined approach (treatment criteria). Sixteen patients met inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 16 identified patients 11 received kidney, 1 kidney and pancreas, 3 heart and 1 liver transplants. Thirteen patients (81%) were diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 3 with Burkitt or Burkitt-like lymphoma (19%). All patients were treated with a combined approach with most of the patients (n=11, 69%) receiving CHOP-R every 2 weeks (“dose dense”). 10 out of the 16 patients had EBV positive lymphoma (62%). Only one patient had early PTLD (< 1 year after SOT) which was EBV positive. 6 out of 15 patients with late PTLD had EBV negative tumors. 9 (56%) patients had an advanced stage disease and 13 (81%) had extranodal involvement. One patient who developed PTLD after kidney transplantation had graft involvement with PTLD. Complete response (CR) was seen in all but one patient (94%). Median overall survival and median progression free survival were 5.39 years. Only 3 patients died due to PTLD and median cause specific survival time has not been reached. Out of the 16 patients, 4 had graft rejection and graft loss due to PTLD. Both the PTLD related-graft-rejection rate and graft loss rate were 25% with 95% CI (0.07-0.52). Conclusion: Combined therapy approach utilized at the YCC yields excellent results for patients with monomorphic PTLD after SOT. High CR rate, low number of PTLD-related deaths and low graft rejection /graft loss rate make this strategy an appealing option in the treatment armamentarium for this disease. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 3315 The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) trial, E2902, was a randomized phase III intergroup trial of the Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitor, R115777(Tipifarnib), as maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients (pts) with AML in remission after requiring salvage therapy (primary induction failure or second or subsequent remission) or over the age of 60 in first remission were eligible. A confirmatory bone marrow exam was required within 2 weeks prior to randomization. Pts were eligible if they were in a complete remission (CR) or morphologic remission (MR). Consolidation or post remission therapy prior to enrollment was allowed but not required. Pts who had received an allogeneic transplant in this remission were ineligible. Adequate blood counts (absolute neutrophil count >= 1000/mm3 and platelet count >=50,000/mm3), and normal renal, and hepatic function were required within 2 weeks of randomization. Pts were randomized to either receive tipifarnib twice daily (BID) or to observation. The main objective of this study was to compare disease free survival in the two groups. Although the study has completed accrual, an insufficient number of events have been recorded at this point to allow for evaluation of the survival data. However, toxicity data are now available. Between August 2004 and December 2009, 144 pts were accrued to the study. The median age of the pts is 70 (range 28–86). Seventy-three pts (51%) were male and 135 pts (94%) were white. Seventy-three pts were enrolled onto the treatment arm (Arm A) and 71 pts were enrolled onto the observation arm (Arm B). When the study was initially opened, pts on Arm A were treated with tipifarnib at a dose of 400 mg BID with dose reductions and interruptions defined per protocol for toxicity. After the first planned interim analysis, based on toxicity data, the ECOG Data Monitoring Committee recommended that the starting dose be decreased to 300 mg BID. The majority of pts enrolled on the study were in first CR (CR1) (Table 2). Among the 30 pts treated with the initial 400 mg BID dose, 23 pts (77%) had their dose held or reduced to a lower dose in the subsequent treatment cycles. For the 41 pts whose initial dose was 300 mg BID, 61% required either dose modification (n=19) or discontinued (n=6) due to toxicity. Table 1: Baseline characteristics Arm A 400 mg BID n=31 Arm A 300 mg BID n=42 Arm B Observation n=71 CR1 16 (52%) 34 (81%) 47 (66%) >CR1 10 (32%) 8 (19%) 16 (23%) Unknown 5 (16%) 16 (11%) Table 2: Toxicity Toxicity Type Arm A 400 mg n=31 Arm A 300 mg n=41 Arm B Observation n=69 Grade (n) Grade (n) Grade (n) 3 4 3 4 3 4 Hemoglobin 1 1 6 1 1 2 Leukocytes 2 4 16 4 3 Neutrophils 5 8 3 7 1 Platelets 4 10 11 11 1 5 Cardiac-ischemia 1 Fatigue 1 Diarrhea 1 Nausea 1 Febrile neutropenia 1 1 Infection w/gr 3-4 neutrophils (ANC) 1 Infection Gr0-2 ANC 1 1 3 GGT 1 Hypokalemia 1 Confusion 1 Agitation 1 Neuropathy-sensory 1 Back pain 1 Worst degree Non Hematologic 4 2 9 1 1 While non-hematologic toxicity was acceptable, significant hematologic toxicity was seen in pts treated at an initial dose of either 400 mg or 300 mg BID (Table 2). Of note, hematologic toxicity was also seen on the observation arm although less frequently than with both treatment doses. Non-hematologic toxicity was much less frequent overall and there were no significant non-hematologic toxicities in the observation arm. Reduction of the initial dose did not ameliorate either the hematologic or non-hematologic toxicity seen on the treatment arms. There was however no fatal toxicity at either dose level. Results of the randomization with respect to efficacy remain essential to determining the utility of this agent as maintenance therapy in AML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Background: Immunomodulatory therapy has been shown to be of benefit for the improvement of anemia, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) initially with thalidomide (Blood2000;96:4007), and further enhanced by combination therapy with corticosteroids (Blood2003;101:2534). We sought to further enhance our previously reported efficacy of single agent lenalidomide for MF patients (Blood2006;108:1158) by combination therapy with prednisone. Methods: Symptomatic patients with MF (all with baseline anemia, hemoglobin 1 x 109/L) and platelets (>100 x 109/L) were required for trial entry. Lenalidomide was administered at 10 mg daily with a 3 month prednisone taper (30mg/daily, 15 mg daily, 15 mg every other day months 1,2, and 3, respectively). Patients with at least stable disease remained on single agent lenalidomide for an additional 3 months. Responses were assessed by the International Working Group for Myelofibrosis Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT) Response Criteria (Blood2006;108:1498). Results: Patients 28 patients were enrolled in the first step of the trial, and a total of 48 patients were enrolled (3 were ineligible because of proximity of prior therapy with 43 deemed evaluable). The enrolled eligible patients (56 % males) had a median age of 64 (range 18–83). At baseline, 52% were red cell transfusion dependent, and the median hemoglobin amongst those non transfusion dependent patients was 8.8 g/dL (range 5.9–12.4). By entry criteria neutrophils (median 5.1 x 109/L (range 1.0–79.4)) and platelets (median 234 x 109/L (range 40–1253)) were adequate. Therapy and Toxicity: A median of 6 cycles of therapy was administered, 10 patients received 3 months, and 25 patients the full 6 months of therapy. Premature discontinuation of therapy occurred in 19 patients; progressive disease (3), toxicity (7), patient withdrawal (5), death from disease (1), comorbidities (2), or seeking alternative therapy other (1). Myelosuppression was the main toxicity with 45% experiencing ≥ grade 3 hematologic toxicity (16%/2% and 23%/26%, grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia, respectively) and with 34% of patients having ≥ grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity. Less severe toxicities (< grade 3) were again mainly secondary to myelosuppression (34%) or gastrointestinal (i.e. diarrhea). No significant steroid induced toxicities were observed. Response: Among 43 patients eligible for response assessment the best confirmed response observed was a partial response in 11 (26%), stable disease (54%), and progression during trial in 8 (18%), 1 was not evaluable because no medication was taken. Among the latter responses improvement in anemia was seen in 9 (21%) (IWG-MRT clinical improvement (CI)-sustained normalization of hemoglobin, >2 g/dL increase, or transfusion independence for >2 months), and major reductions in spleen size in 4 (9%) (IWG-MRT CI - sustained >50% decrease). Serial marrow analysis was available in a subset which did not show any significant resolution of disease related fibrosis, hypercellularity or increased angiogenesis typical of MF. Conclusions: 1) Lenalidomide plus a corticosteroid taper was active in patients with MF primarily in those who suffer from anemia, but myelosuppression (particularly neutropenia is common) 2) Response rates observed with combination therapy are almost identical to our previously reported response rate seen with single agent lenalidomide (22% single agent, 21% in this trial), 3) Current results would suggest that given the myelosuppression observed, and rates of efficacy, thalidomide and prednisone would be first line for treating MF associated cytopenias with lenalidomide being considered second line (first line if a del(5q) present).