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Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has challenged cancer care globally, introducing resource limitations and competing risks into clinical practice. Aims To describe the COVID‐19 impact on medical oncology care provision in an Australian setting. Methods Calvary Mater Newcastle and Newcastle Private Hospital medical oncology data from 1 February to 31 April 2019 versus 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Results Three hundred and sixty‐four inpatient admissions occurred in 2020, 21% less than in 2019. Total inpatient days decreased by 22% (2842 vs 2203). April was most impacted (36% and 44% fewer admissions and inpatient days respectively). Mean length of stay remained unchanged (6.4 vs 6.2 days, P = 0.7). In all, 5072 outpatient consultations were conducted, including 417 new‐patient consultations (4% and 6% increase on 2019 respectively). Telephone consultations (0 vs 1380) replaced one‐quarter of face‐to‐face consultations (4859 vs 3623, −25%), with minimal telehealth use (6 vs 69). Day Treatment Centre encounters remained stable (3751 vs 3444, −8%). The proportion of new patients planned for palliative treatment decreased (35% vs 28%, P = 0.04), observation increased (16% vs 23%, P = 0.04) and curative intent treatment was unchanged (both 41%). Recruiting clinical trials decreased by one‐third (45 vs 30), two trials were activated (vs 5 in 2019) and 45% fewer patients consented to trial participation (62 vs 34). Conclusion Our medical oncology teams adapted rapidly to COVID‐19 with significant changes to care provision, including fewer hospital admissions, a notable transition to telephone‐based outpatient clinics and reduced clinical trial activity. The continuum of care was largely defended despite pandemic considerations and growing service volumes.

Breast cancer survival rate has greatly improved in the last two decades due to the emergence of next-generation anti-cancer agents. However, cardiotoxicity remains a significant adverse effect arising from traditional and emerging chemotherapies as well as targeted therapies for breast cancer patients. In this review, we will discuss cardiotoxicities of both traditional and emerging therapies for breast cancer. We will discuss current practices to detect cardiotoxicity of these therapies with the focus on new and emerging biomarkers. We will then focus on ‘omics approaches, especially the use of epigenetics to discover novel biomarkers and therapeutics to mitigate cardiotoxicity. Significant cardiotoxicities of conventional chemotherapies remain and new and unpredictable new forms of cardiac and/or vascular toxicity emerge with the surge in novel and targeted therapies. Yet, there is no clear guidance on detection of cardiotoxicity, except for significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and even then, there is no uniform definition of what constitutes cardiotoxicity. The gold standard for detection of cardiotoxicity involves a serial echocardiography in conjunction with blood-based biomarkers to detect early subclinical cardiac dysfunction. However, the ability of these tests to detect early disease remains limited and not all forms of toxicity are detectable with these modalities. There is an unprecedented need to discover novel biomarkers that are sensitive and specific for early detection of subclinical cardiotoxicity. In that space, novel echocardiographic techniques, such as strain, are becoming more common-place and new biomarkers, discovered by epigenetic approaches, seem to become promising alternatives or adjuncts to conventional non-specific cardiac biomarkers.

Background Currently, there is no single validated biomarker which can prognosticate survival in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study examines the prognostic significance of four biomarkers: neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) in patients with stage IV NSCLC. Methods This study aimed to establish the relationship between NLR, LMR, PLR, ALI and overall survival (OS) at baseline and post first cycle of treatment using Cox univariate PH models. We also studied these biomarkers in the elderly (age ≥70 years). Clinical data was sourced from Calvary Mater Newcastle between 2010 and 2015. Results Baseline NLR, PLR, LMR and ALI showed strong association with OS. Five unit increase in NLR and PLR was associated with an 11% and 0.5% increase in the hazard of death respectively while 1 unit increase in ALI resulted in 4% increase in hazard of death. Five unit increase in LMR was associated with a 50% reduction in hazard of death. Post-treatment NLR and low ALI correlated with shorter OS but no statistically significant relationship could be demonstrated for PLR nor LMR. Similar prognostic trends were noted for elderly. Conclusions High NLR, high PLR, low LMR and low ALI at baseline are significantly associated with poor OS. High NLR and low ALI are significantly associated with poor OS post treatment. Findings are similar regardless of age.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but aggressive skin cancer. Response to chemotherapy is not durable but avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 inhibitor, showed promising ongoing response in a phase II trial. Checkpoint inhibitors including avelumab are known to cause overactivation of the immune system, leading to immune-related adverse events (irAE). We describe the first reported case of hypercalcaemia secondary to reactivation of sarcoidosis in a patient with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma on avelumab. Hypercalcaemia was managed with corticosteroids to full resolution and avelumab therapy was safely continued.

Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) makes up a third of all NSCLC cases and is potentially curable. Despite this 5-year survival rates remain between 15% and 20% with chemoradiation treatment alone given with curative intent. With the recent exciting breakthroughs in immunotherapy use (durvalumab) for stage III NSCLC, further improvements in patient survival can be expected. Most patients with stage III NSCLC present initially to their general practitioner (GP). The recommended time from GP referral to first specialist appointment is less than 14 days with treatment initiated within 42 days. Our review found that there is a shortfall in meeting these recommendations, however a number of initiatives have been established in Australia to improve timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment patterns. The lung cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) is critical to consistency of evidence-based diagnosis and treatment and can improve patient survival. We aimed to review current patterns of care and clinical practice recommendations for stage III NSCLC across Australia and identify opportunities to improve practice in referral, diagnosis and treatment pathways.

Background: Bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody commonly used for the treatment of various cancers, is often associated with adverse cardiovascular effects such as hypertension, cardiac and cerebral ischemia, thrombosis, and bleeding events. Factors associated with increased risks of adverse cardiovascular effects with bevacizumab have not been intensively studied. In this study, we determined factors associated with hospital admissions due to cardiovascular complications in patients who received bevacizumab for cancer treatment. Methods and Results: We retrospectively collected data for all patients treated with bevacizumab between the 1st January 2016 and the 31st December 2017 at the Hunter New England Local Health District. Patients&rsquo, characteristics and their medical history were obtained from hospital electronic medical records. Outcome data were sourced from the Institutional Cardiac and Stroke Outcomes Unit database. A total of n = 230 patients (mean age 65, males n = 124 (53.9%)) were treated with bevacizumab during the study period. N = 28 patients were admitted to hospital for a major cardiovascular-related event. Higher total treatment dose (p &lt, 0.05), concomitant hypertension (p = 0.005), diabetes (p = 0.04), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.03), and lack of use of statin therapy (p = 0.03) were key contributors to hospital admission. Conclusions: Results of our study highlight the fact that patients with concomitant baseline cardiovascular disease/risk factors are at an increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalization related to bevacizumab treatment. Careful baseline cardiovascular assessment may be an essential step to minimize cardiovascular complications.

BACKGROUND: Pegfilgrastim, a pegylated granulocyte colony‐stimulating‐factor (GCSF), reduces chemotherapy morbidity and mortality in early stage breast cancer. The optimal approach to individual patient selection for GCSF is unknown, in particular whether secondary GCSF should be given after asymptomatic neutropenia, or only after febrile neutropenia (FN). AIMS: To determine if preplanned nadir blood counts and subsequent nadir‐neutropenia directed GCSF was effective to reduce rates of FN associated with (neo)adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy. We also aimed to describe (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and GCSF prescribing practices at our institution. METHODS: This was a retrospective electronic medical record review. The rate of FN with secondary GCSF after cycle 1 nadir‐neutropenia 20% in TC and TCH in routine clinical practice should guide primary GCSF use in accordance with international guidelines.

9543 Background: mMCC is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine cancer which often occurs in older patients (pts) with multiple comorbidities. While initial response rates to ICI are high, optimal treatment duration, durability of response after treatment cessation and response to retreatment with ICI is unknown. Methods: mMCC pts from 12 international centres who received at least one dose of ICI and subsequently stopped treatment without progression for a minimum of 12 weeks were studied. Demographics, disease characteristics and treatment course were examined. Results: 40 pts with mMCC were included. Pt characteristics are summarised in Table. Median time on treatment was 13.5 months (range 1 to 35). Median time to best response was 4.5 months (range 1 to 17) and median time receiving treatment after best response was 8 months (range 0 to 29). 25 pts (63%) stopped primarily due to being in a complete or partial response (CR or PR), 9 (23%) due to toxicity and 6 (15%) due to other reasons, primarily pt choice or comorbidities. At time of discontinuation, 30 pts (75%) were in a CR, 8 (20%) in a PR and 2 pts (5%) had stable disease (SD). After a median follow up of 12 months from discontinuation, 14 pts (35%) have progressed (PD); 5 (36%) at a previous site, 5 (36%) at a new site and 4 (29%) at both. PD occurred after a median of 5.5 months (range 4 to 29) off treatment. 4 pts (29%) had a CNS recurrence, none of whom previously had CNS involvement. Pts in CR at time of discontinuation were less likely to progress (CR: 26% PD vs non-CR: 67% PD, p=0.044), but still had a considerable rate of PD (CR: 26%, PR: 57%, SD: 100%). Those who progressed had numerically less cycles of ICI prior to treatment cessation (17 vs 32, p>0.05). Baseline disease factors, time to best response and duration of treatment after best response were not associated with PD. ICI was restarted in 8 of 14 pts (57%) with PD, with response rate to retreatment of 75% (4 CR, 2 PR, 1 SD, 1 PD – pt with leptomeningeal disease). Median time to best response at retreatment was 3 months (range 2 to 7), with all responses ongoing after a median of 10 months back on treatment. 3 pts had an isolated site of PD successfully treated with radiation therapy and remain in remission off ICI. Conclusions: ICI responses in mMCC do not appear as durable off treatment as in other cancers, including in patients who achieve a CR. Ongoing treatment should be considered, though initial data on response to retreatment is promising.[Table: see text]

Introduction: We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of pembrolizumab in patients with mesothelioma from a real-world Australian population. We aimed to determine clinical factors and predictive biomarkers that could help select patients who are likely to benefit from pembrolizumab. Method: Patients with mesothelioma who were treated with pembrolizumab as part of the Insurance and Care New South Wales compensation scheme were included. Clinical information was collected retrospectively. Tumor biomarkers such as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), BAP1, and CD3-positive (CD3+) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were examined using archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples. Results: A total of 98 patients were included with a median age of 70 years (range, 46–91 y); 92% were men; 76% had epithelioid subtype; 21% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0. Pembrolizumab was used as second-line or subsequent-line treatment in 94 patients and as first-line treatment in four patients. The overall response rate was 18%, and the disease control rate was 56%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.8 months (95% confidence interval: 3.6–6.2), and the median overall survival (OS) was 9.5 months (95% confidence interval: 6.6–13.7). Immune-related adverse events occurred in 27% of patients, of which nine (9%) were of grade 3 or higher. In the multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with longer PFS included baseline ECOG status of 0 (median PFS: 12 mo versus 4 mo, p < 0.01) and PD-L1 tumor proportion score of greater than or equal to 1% (median PFS: 6 mo versus 4 mo, p < 0.01). Baseline platelet count of less than or equal to 400 × 109/liter was independently associated with longer PFS and OS (median PFS: 6 mo versus 2 mo, p = 0.05; median OS: 10 mo versus 4 mo, p = 0.01), whereas lack of pretreatment dexamethasone was independently associated with OS but not PFS (median OS: 10 mo versus 3 mo, p = 0.01). The odds of response were higher for patients with baseline ECOG status of 0 (p = 0.02) and with greater than or equal to 5% CD3+ TILs in the tumor (p < 0.01). PD-L1 expression, BAP1 loss, and CD3+ TILs in the stroma were not significantly associated with the overall response rate. Conclusions: Immunotherapy is a reasonable treatment option for patients with mesothelioma. Our results are comparable to other clinical trials investigating pembrolizumab in mesothelioma in terms of response. Good performance status assessment remains the most robust predictor for patient outcomes. CD3+ TILs in the tumor may help select patients that are likely to respond to pembrolizumab, whereas factors such as PD-L1 expression, baseline platelet count, and lack of pretreatment dexamethasone may help predict survival outcomes from pembrolizumab treatment.

e14029 Background: A significant delay in oncology patient journey through emergency department (ED) due to various reasons such as multiple specialists involved, difficulty in accessing timely advice from extremely busy inpatient/outpatient oncology teams, etc. In order to streamline admissions and discharges for oncology patients, a new model of care was created with the introduction of oncology nurse practitioner (ONP) at Calvary Mater Newcastle ED. This model operated during business hours three days a week with an aim to improve continuity of care, to enhance patients’ experience and meet organisations key performance indicators (KPIs). Limited research into the impact of these services on patient care and patient experience, particularly from service users’ perspective. Methods: A retrospective audit (6 months) has been undertaken to determine the impact of this model of care on time to specialty transfer, number of admissions versus discharges and patients representations through ED when ONP was available versus standard care. Results: During the audit period, ONP reviewed 149 patients. Fifty-four (36%) patients were discharged and of those 6 (11%) returned (within 28 days) with same or related issues. There was an average reduction in time to disposition planning for ED oncology patients of approximately 83 (193 vs 110) minutes when ONP was present at ED (one month review). Using a raw bed day costing, this resulted in a significant financial saving. Further cost analysis of this model is underway. Conclusions: The introduction of ONP into an acute care hospital ED has proven to be effective in terms of continuity of patient care, financial savings and assisted ED in meeting KPIs. The perception within the senior emergency management team is that this new model of care has been an unqualified success. ONP has rapidly and effectively joined emergency team and has seamlessly adjusted practice to the new environment. ED remains highly supportive of this new model of care. This model of care is one that could be translated easily to other specialities. Further analysis will be presented at the time of ASCO meeting.

The successful treatment of the rare malignancy eccrine porocarcinoma (EP) is extremely challenging, often not rewarding and when associated with metastatic disease, therapy results are disappointing. We present a unique case of treatment response of metastatic EP, with a significant disease-free interval. The patient has remained in clinical and radiological remission for 36 months since diagnosis of metastatic disease.

e20630 Background: Baseline high NLR predicts poorer outcome in stage IV NSCLC; post-treatment variation in NLR and potential impact on overall survival (OS) is not clear in this group. Prognostic implications of PLR and LMR are not well studied for stage IV NSCLC. We aimed to assess the prognostic role of NLR, LMR and PLR in stage IV NSCLC at diagnosis and post-treatment. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of 279 patients with Stage IV NSCLC treated at our centre over five year period (2010 to 2015). NLR, PLR and LMR calculated at diagnosis and post first cycle chemotherapy/targeted treatment. Demographic variables summarized. Estimates of Kaplan-Meier survival distributions for OS were generated. Cox regression used to derive OS hazard ratios of predictive variables. Approval from ethics committee obtained. Results: Baseline NLR, PLR and LMR showed strong association with OS. A five-unit increase at baseline (treatment start date) in NLR was associated with an 11% increase in the hazard of death (HR = 1.115, 95% CI: 1.077-1.148) while the same increase in PLR was associated with 0.5% increase in the hazard of death (HR = 1.005, 95% CI:1-1.005). A five-unit increase in LMR at baseline was associated with a 50% reduction in the hazard of death (HR = 0.50, 95% CI:0.260-0.956). Post-treatment NLR, PLR and LMR were examined in 221 patients. Fitted models incorporating adjustment for baseline values demonstrated that increasing NLR correlated with a shorter OS (HR = 1.574, 95% CI:1.295-1.917) but no statistically significant relationship could be demonstrated for PLR nor LMR. Conclusions: While NLR, PLR and LMR showed significant associations with OS prior to treatment, only NLR showed an association with OS after treatment. OS was shorter for high NLR and high PLR at baseline compared to low NLR and low PLR at baseline. OS was longer for high LMR at baseline compared to low at baseline. An increase in NLR post-treatment correlated with a shorter OS. This is the first study examining the prognostic significance of all three ratios in patients with untreated and treated stage IV NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: Reporting of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) often is suboptimal. Cancer drug trials are complicated further by multiple survival and response endpoints. The authors of this report determined the frequency of reporting of time-to-event endpoints and tumor response outcomes in advanced colorectal cancer and examined the relation between the year of publication and the reported effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil or equivalent agents. METHODS: A literature search identified 144 RCTs that involved 35,853 patients. The patient characteristics, trial designs, and methods for endpoint reporting were extracted. The clinical effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil or equivalent agents was analyzed in 3 time periods (pre-1990, 1990s, and 2000s) in 28,636 patients. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine trials (90%) reported overall survival (OS) and response rates; whereas time to progression (44%), duration of response (43%), progression-free survival (22%), and time to treatment failure (12%) were reported less frequently. Except for stable and progressive disease, the frequency of reporting of endpoints did not improve over the period studied. The median OS for patients who received 5-fluorouracil or equivalent agents increased significantly (from 9.4 months before 1990 to 13.5 months after 2000). During the same period, the rate of stable disease increased (38.2%, 40.5%, and 45.1% for pre-1990, 1990s, and 2000s, respectively; P =.004); whereas the rate of progressive disease decreased significantly (39.2%, 33.3%, and 27.8%, respectively; P =.002). CONCLUSIONS: Its likely that the increasing availability of alternative treatments and better supportive care improved OS, whereas the rates of stable and progressive disease altered because of changes in follow-up schedules. Other intermediate endpoints (duration of response and time to progression) remained largely constant over the time course of the current study, making them superior benchmarks for comparison with future studies.