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PURPOSE Biosimilars offer increased patient choice and potential cost-savings, compared with originator biologics. We studied 3 years of prescribed biologics among US physician practices to determine the relationship of practice type and payment source to oncology biosimilar use. METHODS We acquired biologic utilization data from 38 practices participating in PracticeNET. We focused on six biologics (bevacizumab, epoetin alfa, filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, rituximab, and trastuzumab) for the period from 2019 to 2021. We complemented our quantitative analysis with a survey of PracticeNET participants (prescribers and practice leaders) to reveal potential motivators and barriers to biosimilar use. We implemented logistic regression to evaluate the biosimilar use for each biologic, with covariates including time, practice type, and payment source, and accounted for clusters of practices. RESULTS Use of biosimilars increased over the 3-year period, reaching between 51% and 80% of administered doses by the fourth quarter of 2021, depending on the biologic. Biosimilar use varied by practice, with independent physician practices having higher use of biosimilars for epoetin alfa, filgrastim, rituximab, and trastuzumab. Compared with commercial health plans, Medicaid plans had lower biosimilar use for four biologics; traditional Medicare had lower use for five biologics. The average cost per dose decreased between 24% and 41%, dependent on the biologic. CONCLUSION Biosimilars have, through increased use, lowered the average cost per dose of the studied biologics. Biosimilar use differed by originator biologic, practice type, and payment source. There remains further opportunity for increases in biosimilar use among certain practices and payers.

372 Background: An adult oncology practice achieved 41% compliance with communication of ADRs involving infusion drugs to ordering provider during the year 2020. We aim at achieving communication of ADRs to ordering provider with a goal compliance rate of 75% over a period of 8 months. Methods: We assembled an interdisciplinary team comprising of medical oncologists, fellows, clinical nurse managers, infusion & clinic nurses, information technology (IT))providers and a clinical pharmacist. We reviewed ADRs occurring between April-December of 2021 in adult patients receiving outpatient infusion therapy at our institution. We created a current-state process map of ADRs in our infusion center. We identified issues that needed to be addressed including no clear standard for documenting or reporting an infusion reaction, no standard process was in place for proper notification to all parties involved nor was there a consistent location in the EHR regarding the description of events that took place. Acknowledgment by ordering provider to an ADR was used as a primary outcome measure. The RL6 (internal tracking system) patient safety events reported was used as a process measure. PDSA cycle 1 January 2021:We implemented a new flowsheet section in the EHR titled “Adverse Drug Reaction”. We created a smart phrase for clarification of documentation, when used will pull information from the flowsheet section into the note. Education was provided to nursing on this new standardized process. Clinicians were educated where to find this information as a standardized location within the EHR. The ordering provider was notified when an ADR occurred by having the infusion nurse document a clinical support note that is routed to the provider’s EHR in-basket. PDSA cycle 2 June 2021: Once nursing documented an ADR, an automated message was sent to all the care-team members via the ADR event folder within the EHR in-basket. The nursing staff then would add the ADR orders group to the treatment plan for clinician review. An alert was generated which prompted the clinician to acknowledge the ADR within the Beacon plan thereby alerting the nursing team if any changes were made. Results: In 2021 there were 73 ADR events that have occurred in Infusion Services. Our interventions were associated with an 80% improvement in communication of ADRs to ordering providers and 35% increase in reporting ADR within our internal tracking system. Conclusions: Developing a standardized ADR process enhanced communication of ADRs to the ordering providers as our intervention was associated with an 80% improvement in communication of ADRs over a 8-month period. Involving all major stakeholders, especially the staff working in information technology services, resulted in exponential results demonstrating the potential future solutions within the EHR.

This report presents the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO’s) evaluation of the adaptations in care delivery, research operations, and regulatory oversight made in response to the coronavirus pandemic and presents recommendations for moving forward as the pandemic recedes. ASCO organized its recommendations for clinical research around five goals to ensure lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience are used to craft a more equitable, accessible, and efficient clinical research system that protects patient safety, ensures scientific integrity, and maintains data quality. The specific goals are: (1) ensure that clinical research is accessible, affordable, and equitable; (2) design more pragmatic and efficient clinical trials; (3) minimize administrative and regulatory burdens on research sites; (4) recruit, retain, and support a well-trained clinical research workforce; and (5) promote appropriate oversight and review of clinical trial conduct and results. Similarly, ASCO also organized its recommendations regarding cancer care delivery around five goals: (1) promote and protect equitable access to high-quality cancer care; (2) support safe delivery of high-quality cancer care; (3) advance policies to ensure oncology providers have sufficient resources to provide high-quality patient care; (4) recognize and address threats to clinician, provider, and patient well-being; and (5) improve patient access to high-quality cancer care via telemedicine. ASCO will work at all levels to advance the recommendations made in this report.

The role of clinical researchers is vital to cancer progress. The teaching, research, and leadership roles that academic oncologists hold need to be accounted for and appropriately compensated. National metrics are currently inexistent, but are necessary to move the oncology research field forward. Clinical research and routine clinical care must be harmoniously integrated without competing. This article reviews the national landscape of clinical cancer research and proposes a call for action.

TPS8584 Background: Platinum-based concurrent chemoradiation(CRT) followed by one year of the human immunoglobulin G1 kappa (IgG1κ) monoclonal antibody, durvalumab, which blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with its receptors PD-1 and CD80, is the standard of care for locally advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Early studies have noted the feasibility of concomitant administration of radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition in NSCLC. EA5181 will evaluate the use of concomitant durvalumab with chemo-radiotherapy for locally advanced NSCLC. Methods: EA5181 is a randomized, multi-center, phase III study for patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC comparing the efficacy of CRT with concomitant durvalumab to CRT, followed by one year of durvalumab. Eligibility criteria include: an ECOG PS of 0-1, adequate pulmonary function (FEV1 and DLCO both > 40%), no history of auto-immune disease and no past chemotherapy or RT for this lung cancer. Stratification factors include age, sex, stage, and planned concurrent chemotherapy type. Eligible patients with be randomized 1:1 to receive 60Gy RT (2Gy fractions) CRT and durvalumab (Arm A) or 60Gy CRT (Arm B). Investigators will be allowed to choose from three different chemotherapy options: cisplatin/etoposide q 28 days, Pemetrexed/cisplatin q 21 days, and weekly paclitaxel/Carboplatin. Arm A will use 750mg fixed of durvalumab (considered equivalent to 10mg/kg) on days 1, 11, and 21 of RT. Assuming no disease progression, patients in both arms will be followed by monthly (q28 days) fixed dose of 1500mg durvalumab for one year which will be given optimally within 14 days of radiation or when (non)hematologic toxicity is < Grade 2. The primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, incidence of local/distant progression and toxicity. The target sample size is 660 patients, anticipated to recruit over 55 months, with follow up for an additional 42 months. This provides approximately 82% power if the true hazard ratio for overall survival was 0.75 or less, with 2-sided alpha of 0.05, and assuming a median survival of 42.5 months in the control arm. The study was activated on 04/09/20 and has currently accrued 90 patients on 02/03/21. Clinical trial information: NCT04092283.

Renal insufficiency is common in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma and can often limit choice of therapy. Lenalidomide, a critical agent in the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma, is renally cleared., This phase I/II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma and renal insufficiency. Three groups were treated, with creatinine clearance 30–60 cc/hr (group A), CrCl 30, and can be given daily to those with CrCl

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd Background EGFR antibodies have shown promise in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly with squamous cell histology. We hypothesised that EGFR copy number by fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) can identify patients most likely to benefit from these drugs combined with chemotherapy and we aimed to explore the activity of cetuximab with chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC who are EGFR FISH-positive. Methods We did this open-label, phase 3 study (SWOG S0819) at 277 sites in the USA and Mexico. We randomly assigned (1:1) eligible patients with treatment-naive stage IV NSCLC to receive paclitaxel (200 mg/m2; every 21 days) plus carboplatin (area under the curve of 6 by modified Calvert formula; every 21 days) or carboplatin plus paclitaxel and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg; every 21 days), either with cetuximab (250 mg/m2weekly after loading dose; cetuximab group) or without (control group), stratified by bevacizumab treatment, smoking status, and M-substage using a dynamic-balancing algorithm. Co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival in patients with EGFR FISH-positive cancer and overall survival in the entire study population. We analysed clinical outcomes with the intention-to-treat principle and analysis of safety outcomes included patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT00946712). Findings Between Aug 13, 2009, and May 30, 2014, we randomly assigned 1313 patients to the control group (n=657; 277 with bevacizumab and 380 without bevacizumab in the intention-to-treat population) or the cetuximab group (n=656; 283 with bevacizumab and 373 without bevacizumab in the intention-to-treat population). EGFR FISH was assessable in 976 patients and 400 patients (41%) were EGFR FISH-positive. The median follow-up for patients last known to be alive was 35·2 months (IQR 22·9–39·9). After 194 progression-free survival events in the cetuximab group and 198 in the control group in the EGFR FISH-positive subpopulation, progression-free survival did not differ between treatment groups (hazard ratio [HR] 0·92, 95% CI 0·75–1·12; p=0·40; median 5·4 months [95% CI 4·5–5·7] vs 4·8 months [3·9–5·5]). After 570 deaths in the cetuximab group and 593 in the control group, overall survival did not differ between the treatment groups in the entire study population (HR 0·93, 95% CI 0·83–1·04; p=0·22; median 10·9 months [95% CI 9·5–12·0] vs 9·2 months [8·7–10·3]). In the prespecified analysis of EGFR FISH-positive subpopulation with squamous cell histology, overall survival was significantly longer in the cetuximab group than in the control group (HR 0·58, 95% CI 0·36–0·86; p=0·0071), although progression-free survival did not differ between treatment groups in this subgroup (0·68, 0·46–1·01; p=0·055). Overall survival and progression-free survival did not differ among patients who were EGFR FISH non-positive with squamous cell histology (HR 1·04, 95% CI 0·78–1·40; p=0·77; and 1·02, 0·77–1·36; p=0·88 respectively) or patients with non-squamous histology regardless of EGFR FISH status (for EGFR FISH-positive 0·88, 0·68–1·14; p=0·34; and 0·99, 0·78–1·27; p=0·96; respectively; and for EGFR FISH non-positive 1·00, 0·85–1·17; p=0·97; and 1·03, 0·88–1·20; p=0·69; respectively). The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were decreased neutrophil count (210 [37%] in the cetuximab group vs 158 [25%] in the control group), decreased leucocyte count (103 [16%] vs 74 [20%]), fatigue (81 [13%] vs 74 [20%]), and acne or rash (52 [8%] vs one [

Introduction The primary objective of this phase II trial was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of vorinostat and bortezomib as third-line therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods Eligibility criteria included recurrent/metastatic NSCLC, having received 2 prior systemic regimens, and performance status 0–2. Patients took vorinostat 400 mg PO daily days 1–14 and bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 IV day 1, 4, 8 and 11 in a 21-day cycle. Primary endpoint was 3-month progression free survival (3m-PFS), with a goal of at least 40 % of patients being free of progression at that time point. This study followed a two-stage minimax design. Results Eighteen patients were enrolled in the first stage. All patients had two prior lines of treatment. Patients received a median of two treatment cycles (range: 1–6) on study. There were no anti-tumor responses; stable disease was observed in 5 patients (27.8 %). Median PFS was 1.5 months, 3m-PFS rate 11.1 %, and median overall survival 4.7 months. The most common grade 3/4 toxicities were thrombocytopenia and fatigue. Two patients who had baseline taxane-related grade 1 peripheral neuropathy developed grade 3 neuropathy. The study was closed at its first interim analysis for lack of efficacy. Conclusions Bortezomib and vorinostat displayed minimal anti-tumor activity as third-line therapy in NSCLC. We do not recommend this regimen for further investigation in unselected patients.

Testosterone administration can lead to increased antipyrine clearance in humans. Medical or surgical castration is a standard treatment of progressive prostate carcinoma, but the effect of the subsequent fall of testosterone concentrations upon drug metabolism has not been reported. Eleven men with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of progressive prostate cancer were enrolled after providing informed consent. CYP3A4 activity was determined using the erythromycin breath test (EBT) in each patient prior to their beginning with an LHRH-agonist (leuprolide or goserelin). No patients had elected to undergo orchiectomy during the period of subject accrual. Each subject underwent a second EBT 2 months after beginning LHRH suppression. Blood samples were collected at these time points to determine changes in testosterone and leutinizing hormone. All subjects had a predictable drop in serum testosterone concentrations over the 8-week course of the study, but concentrations in three did not fall below castrate levels (

Background The study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of exisulind, a selective apoptotic antineoplastic drug, in combination with gemcitabine as second-line therapy in patients with progressing advanced non–small cell lung cancer. Methods Patients whose disease progressed more than 3 months from completion of first-line chemotherapy were eligible for this phase I/II trial. Primary end points were maximally tolerated dose and time to progression. Patients in the phase I portion of the study were treated with gemcitabine (1250 mg/m 2 ) in combination with three escalated dose levels of exisulind. Treatment involved six cycles of gemcitabine and exisulind followed by exisulind maintenance. The study was subsequently expanded to phase II. Results Thirty-nine patients (15 in phase I and 24 in phase II) were treated. The regimen was well tolerated with grade 3 fatigue and grade 3 constipation being dose-limiting toxicities. The maximally tolerated dose was not reached. Dose level 3 of exisulind (250 mg twice daily) in combination with gemcitabine was used for phase II. The overall response rates were 7% (phase I), 17% (phase II), and 13% (all). Median time to progression and median and 1-year survival, respectively, were 3.7 and 9.7 months and 33% (phase I); 4.3 and 9.4 months and 41% (phase II); and 4.1 and 9.4 months and 39% (all). Conclusion Although the study met its primary end point of improving time to progression (more than 4.1 months in phase II), we did not observe a clear survival advantage and thus do not plan to further investigate this schedule of gemcitabine and exisulind.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of interferon-alpha and doxycycline in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and to assess the effect of this treatment on serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 and life expectancy greater than 4 months with radiologically evident advanced renal cell carcinoma were enrolled. Eight patients had prior nephrectomy and 10 patients were treated within 4 months of their diagnosis. Treatment consisted of interferon-alpha up to 9 million units subcutaneously three times per week and doxycycline 300 mg orally twice per day for weeks one and three of each four-week cycle. Toxicity was evaluated on a biweekly basis and response on a bimonthly basis. VEGF plasma levels were assessed monthly as a measure of potential antiangiogenic effect. Results: No objective responses were seen. The mean duration of study was 2.6 cycles (range: 0.8–6.0 cycles). Three patients (17%) tolerated therapy and displayed stable disease for greater than four months. Five patients withdrew from study before the first response evaluation. Ten patients experienced grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity requiring dose reduction of doxycycline. Eight patients experienced grade 2 fatigue requiring dose reduction of interferon. VEGF plasma levels were initially suppressed in patients who demonstrated progressive disease but not in patients with stable disease. Conclusion: This regimen of doxycycline and interferon-alpha was not efficacious as treatment for renal cell carcinoma. Plasma VEGF levels were significantly decreased during the first two cycles of treatment, but this does not correlate with clinical outcome.

Introduction Nuclear EGFR (nEGFR) has been identified in various human tumor tissues, including cancers of the breast, ovary, oropharynx, and esophagus, and has predicted poor patient outcomes. We sought to determine if protein expression of nEGFR is prognostic in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Resected stages I and II NSCLC specimens were evaluated for nEGFR protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cases with at least one replicate core containing ≥5% of tumor cells demonstrating strong dot-like nucleolar EGFR expression were scored as nEGFR positive. Results Twenty-three (26.1% of the population) of 88 resected specimens stained positively for nEGFR. Nuclear EGFR protein expression was associated with higher disease stage (45.5% of stage II vs. 14.5% of stage I; p =0.023), histology (41.7% in squamous cell carcinoma vs. 17.1% in adenocarcinoma; p =0.028), shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (median PFS 8.7 months [95% CI 5.1–10.7 mo] for nEGFR positive vs. 14.5 months [95% CI 9.5–17.4 mo] for nEGFR negative; hazard ratio (HR) of 1.89 [95% CI 1.15–3.10]; p =0.011), and shorter overall survival (OS) (median OS 14.1 months [95% CI 10.3–22.7 mo] for nEGFR positive vs. 23.4 months [95% CI 20.1–29.4 mo] for nEGFR negative; HR of 1.83 [95% CI 1.12–2.99]; p =0.014). Conclusions Expression of nEGFR protein was associated with higher stage and squamous cell histology, and predicted shorter PFS and OS, in this patient cohort. Nuclear EGFR serves as a useful independent prognostic variable and as a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC.

Introduction: Lenalidomide (Len) and dexamethasone (dex) has proven to be a highly effective treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) and serves as the basis of other combinations in relapsed disease. However, nearly 1/3 of myeloma patients have renal insufficiency, and the optimal use of Len in this population is not well known. We undertook this study in 3 cohorts of pts: Group A had creatinine clearance (CrCl) of 30-60 ml/min, Group B with CrCl < 30 ml/min, and Group C, with CrCl < 30 ml/min and requiring dialysis. The Phase I component of the trial has been previously reported (ASCO 2014) demonstrating that full dose Len (25mg daily 21/28 days) can be given to all patients despite renal insufficiency, even when on dialysis. We now present data on response to treatment. Methods: In the Phase 2 component accrual was slow and the trial was terminated. However, prior to termination a modified exploratory analysis plan was established, including all 34 patients treated at the recommended phase 2 dose. This plan would declare the treatment worthy of further study if 18 or more of the 34 patients responded to treatment. This design had 84% power to distinguish a response rate of 60% from a null rate of 40%, using a 1-sided test with 10% type I error. Results: The Phase 2 efficacy cohort accrued 34 patients, consisting of 20 patients from Group A, 9 patients from Group B, and 5 patients from Group C. Response of PR or greater was seen in 17 patients, resulting in a 50% overall response rate (CI 37-63%). Treatment was well tolerated with expected adverse events; the most common adverse events were anemia, diarrhea, and fatigue. Eleven episodes of Grade 3 and one Grade 4 pneumonia were reported for 10 patients across all cohorts and dose levels; 3 were considered possibly related to treatment. Seventeen patients have remained on treatment for more than 12 cycles. In the exploratory analyses, median PFS was 7.5 months (95% CI, 3.6 - 19.7 months) and median OS was 19.7 months (95% CI, 10.4 - 42.5 months). Conclusions: Len Dex can be safely administered to patients with impaired renal function at full dose of 25mg daily 21/28 days, and is associated with a 50% response rate. Further investigation into other combinations with Len Dex in patients with renal impairment should be considered. Table Table. Disclosures Mikhael: Onyx: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Lonial:Merck: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Weiss:Novartis: Consultancy.

9082Background: Bevacizumab (Bev) combined with chemotherapy improves survival in selected patients (pts) with advanced, nonsquamous NSCLC. However, the benefit of Bev has been questioned in certai...

9090Background: The SWOG 0819 study compared chemotherapy (CT) (+/- bevacizumab) to CT combined with cetuximab and included 1,313 eligible patients (pts) of which 321 had squamous histology (SCC). ...

Chemotherapy has yielded minimal clinical benefit in pancreatic and biliary tract cancer. A high-dose, short course capecitabine schedule with oxaliplatin, has shown some efficacy with a lower incidence of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia. Achieving high exposures of the targeted agent sorafenib may be possible with this shorter schedule of capecitabine by avoiding dermatologic toxicity. All patients had pancreatic or biliary tract cancer. Patients in both cohorts received oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 followed by capecitabine 2250 mg/m2 PO every 8 hours × 6 doses starting on days 1 and 15 of a 28 day cycle, or 2DOC (2 Day Oxaliplatin/Capecitabine). Cohort 1 used sorafenib 200 mg BID, and cohort 2 used sorafenib 400 mg BID. Sixteen patients were enrolled. Across all cycles the most common grade 1 or 2 adverse events were fatigue (10 pts), diarrhea (10 pts), nausea (9 pts), vomiting (8 pts), sensory neuropathy (8 pts), thrombocytopenia (7 pts), neutropenia (5 pts), and hand-foot syndrome (5 pts). Grade 3 toxicites included neutropenia, mucositis, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. Cohort 1 represented the MTD. Two partial responses were seen, one each in pancreatic and biliary tract cancers. The recommended phase II dose of sorafenib in combination with 2DOC is 200 mg BID. There were infrequent grade 3 toxicities, most evident with sorafenib at 400 mg BID.

Immunocompetent cells in bone marrow allografts have been associated with a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. To further characterize effector mechanisms that may be involved in this GVL phenomenon, we have previously established an in vitro model to identify allogeneic T- cell clones that selectively mediate cytotoxicity against a patient's leukemic cells, but not against nonleukemic lymphocytes from the same patient. We have modified this in vitro model to test whether the Ph1 chromosome and the P210 fusion protein it controls have a detectable role in leukemia-specific recognition by allogeneic T-cell clones. In this report, T-cell lines reactive with allogeneic Ph1 chromosome- bearing (Ph1+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell lines were derived and selected to be minimally reactive with Ph1 negative (Ph1-) lymphoid lines from the same patient. However, after prolonged culture, these same T-cell lines also mediated significant destruction of the Ph1- target cells from the same patients. These T-cell lines specifically recognized cells from the allogeneic CML patient to which they were sensitized, and were not contaminated by an outgrowth of natural killer cells. Furthermore, subclones could be derived from these T-cell lines, and some of these subclones again showed selective killing of the allogeneic Ph1+ leukemia cell lines, and not of the Ph1- cell line from the same patient. Analyses of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes showed the alloreactive T-cell lines and the Ph1+ selective subclones derived from them to be of the same clonal origin. This suggests that the same T cells reacting with antigens expressed on the nonleukemic Ph1- targets can at times selectively and preferentially kill the allogeneic Ph1+ cells. As the same TCR that recognizes Ph1+ cells also can recognize the Ph1- targets, it appears that the Ph1+ chromosome does not play a detectable role in recognition by these allogeneic T-cell clones. This in vitro observation may provide a model for evaluating the relationship between GVL and graft-versus-host disease effects.

Transplantation of immunocompetent cells present within allogeneic bone marrow has been associated with the elimination of residual host leukemia, both in animal tumor models and in patients receiving marrow transplants for leukemia. This observation has been called the “graft- versus-leukemia effect.” We have attempted to study this phenomenon in vitro by characterizing the cytolytic response of T cells from normal donors after in vitro activation with allogeneic leukemic cells. As expected, most T cells that react against an allogeneic patient's leukemic cells recognize their foreign HLA antigens and lyse the patient's nonleukemic remission lymphoid cells. In addition, we have shown that a small fraction of the T cells recognize and lyse foreign leukemic targets without lysis of nonmalignant remission targets from the same leukemic patient. These T cells have been isolated and characterized as CD3+, CD4+ cells expressing the alpha/beta T cell receptor (TCR). Their lysis appears to reflect specific antigen recognition mediated via the CD3-TCR complex and interactions involving the CD4 receptor. Some of these “leukemic specific” T cell lines, which are restricted by HLA class II molecules, can also lyse occasional nonleukemic cells from certain unrelated donors. This recognition appears to involve crossreactive determinants shared by the leukemic cells and the unrelated allogeneic nonleukemic cells. These specific interactions may represent an in vitro model of the graft-versus- leukemia effect.

238 Background: Cancer organizations recommend physical activity as part of therapy to aid in symptom management, reduce recurrence and improve overall quality of life. What the optimal exercise program should look like and what stakeholder barriers exist are unclear. Methods: We convened three focus groups, one with metastatic patients, one with non-metastatic patients, one with the providers in the Cancer Center and conducted individual interviews at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The constant comparative method was used to identify themes about exercise as part of cancer treatment. Results: No statistical differences in demographic characteristics exist between metastatic (N = 9) and non-metastatic (N = 11) patients. Impacts of exercise on cancer, who should instruct patients about exercise and how/where the exercise should take place emerged as the main themes. Discordance between patients and providers (N = 10) was identified in these areas. Patients felt that exercise during treatment provided intrinsic value (“Exercise mentally is important”) whereas providers connect exercise to positive disease outcome (“There are decreased recurrence rates for multiple different malignancies that have been proven in large studies”). Patients resoundingly expressed a desire to receive instructions for exercise from their oncologist (“I rely a lot on my oncologist...they are tuned into you”). Providers expressed a desire for a referral process to a cancer trained physical therapist or trainer who would guide patients through an exercise program (“to have assistance from someone who is trained… would be really beneficial”). Conclusions: Providers recognize the importance of exercise as part of a cancer treatment plan, yet they agree that time constraints associated with a busy practice impacts the priority of exercise instructions. Bridging the gap we identified between patient and providers’ perceptions has potential for cancer care across the nation. We plan to further study the discord after designing standard exercise recommendations at varied levels of intensity through collaboration with oncology providers, physical therapy and Livestrong personnel utilizing venues in our region.

Objective. We conducted a phase II multicenter trial of perillyl alcohol in patients with advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). The primary endpoint was to evaluate the 6-month progression-free survival given the potential cytostatic nature of the drug. Secondary objectives included assessing acute and chronic toxicities, as well as measuring objective response rates. Methods. Patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer that failed at least one prior chemotherapeutic or experimental regimen were eligible. Perillyl alcohol was administered orally at 1200 mg/m2/dose four times daily and continued until disease progression or development of unacceptable toxicity. Results. Fifteen patients were eligible. Six patients received less than one cycle (4 weeks) of drug, four of which stopped because of drug intolerance. Only six patients received more than two cycles of therapy and were considered evaluable for response. Main toxicity included grade 1–2 gastrointestinal intolerance (nausea/vomiting in 60% of the patients) and fatigue (47%). One patient developed a grade 4 hypokalemia that was felt likely attributable to the drug. No objective responses were seen. All patients either progressed or withdrew from the study secondary to drug intolerance before the 6-month time period. Conclusion. Perillyl alcohol administered at this dose and formulation did not have any objective clinical activity in this patient population.

e18537 Background: Components of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway are over-expressed in NSCLC. Hh signaling contributes to tumorigenesis in lung cancer and is under investigation as a therapeutic target. We assessed in vitro characteristics of the GLI2 transcription factor, a primary mediator of Hh signaling, in NSCLC tumorigenesis, and its prognostic impact in early stage NSCLC. Methods: Colony formation, growth in soft agar, and measurement of GLI2 RNA were assayed in A549 NSCLC cells. Changes in tumor growth and proliferation were evaluated using a two-sample t-test. The automated quantitative analysis system (AQUA) was used to assess protein expression of GLI2 in NSCLC specimens from 88 deceased patients (pts) with resected stages I and II NSCLC. Pts did not receive additional pre- or post-operative anti-cancer therapies. Pt age, sex, smoking history, histology, TNM stage, and type of resection were also collected. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated per Kaplan-Meier; multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to determine if the GLI2 AQUA score was an independent prognostic factor. Results: GLI2 knockdown in A549 NSCLC cells using GLI2 shRNA resulted in inhibition of colony formation and in the anchorage-independent growth, compared to A549 cells with intact GLI2 function. Characteristics of our population included median age 73 (43-96), males 62.5%, smokers 96%, adenocarcinoma 46.6%, squamous cell histology 40.9%, and stage I 62.5%. GLI2 AQUA score was not associated with any clinical variable per Wilcoxon analyses. High GLI2 AQUA score was associated with shorter PFS (median PFS 8.6 mo [95% CI 7.0-10.7 mo]) compared to low GLI2 AQUA score (median PFS 17.2 mo [95% CI 15.8-22.6 mo], p=0.001), and with shorter OS (median OS 14.8 mo [95% CI 10.5-23.0 mo]), compared to low GLI2 score (median 25.9 mo [95% CI 20.2-35.7 mo], p

1856 Background: Lenalidomide has proven to be a highly effective treatment in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM), particularly when used in combination with dexamethasone. However, over 30% of patients with myeloma have renal insufficiency and as lenalidomide is renally excreted, little information is available about its use in myeloma patients with impaired kidney function. Defining a safe and effective dose of lenalidomide in this context is critical. Objective: We undertook this study to establish the maximum tolerated dose of lenalidomide in three cohorts of patients with different levels of impaired renal function: Group A - patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) between 30 and 60 mL/min, Group B - patients with CrCl

7567 Background: Third-line treatment option for advanced NSCLC patients is very limited with a lack of effective drugs and specific trials targeting this patient population. V+B combination was pr...

7103 Background: Exisulind is an oral selective apoptotic antineoplastic drug which inhibits the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. The combination of exisulind and gemcitabine produced an additive anti...

7272 Background: Exisulind (E) is an oral selective apoptotic antineoplastic drug that exerts its antitumor effect via the inhibition of tumor-related cGMP phosphodiesterase and activation of protein kinase G. E caused growth inhibition when used alone and with chemotherapy in multiple in vitro and in vivo tumor models. The aim of this study is to define the maximum tolerated dose (Phase I) and efficacy (Phase II) of V + E in elderly patients with IIIB/IV NSCLC. Methods: Patients (pts) were > 69 yrs of age. No prior chemotherapy was allowed. PS 0–1. Pts were entered on 3 dose levels of E (125 mg BID, 125 mg qAM and 250 mg qPM, and 250 mg BID) with V (25 mg/m2) given weekly in a 4 week cycle. Pts with clinical benefit (CR/PR/SD) after 6 cycles of V + E were allowed to continue on E alone Results: 14 pts were enrolled in the phase I portion of the study: 3 on dose level 1, 4 on dose level 2 and 7 on an expanded dose level 3. Median age of this group was 78 yrs (range 72–84). Dose limiting toxicities include...

Clinical and experimental data suggest a role for the immune response in preventing leukemic relapses following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. In the context of an allogeneic BMT, a number of different immune mechanisms mediated by donor cells may be responsible for the GVL effect. We have approached this question by using limiting dilution cultures of alloactivated human lymphocytes to analyze the in vitro allogeneic cytolytic response against fresh allogeneic leukemia. Initial results in the limiting dilution assays with split culture analyses demonstrated frequent alloreactive cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors that destroyed remission peripheral blood lymphocytes and leukemic cells from the allogeneic leukemic patient. These assays also demonstrated frequent lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell precursors that lysed both the LAK sensitive Daudi line and the allogeneic leukemia. In these experiments, isolated cultures also showed cytolytic activity directed against the allogeneic leukemic blasts without activity against remission PBL, or the LAK-sensitive Daudi cell line. Two T cell lines (ABL1 and ABL2) isolated from an LDA, demonstrated this form of specificity, mediating destruction specifically against the allogeneic acute lymphoblastic leukemic cells. Both cell lines ABL1 and ABL2 were CD3+, TCR alpha beta +, and CD4+. These 2 cell lines mediated little or no cytotoxicity against a large panel of other targets tested (natural killer sensitive and resistant cell lines, allogeneic PBL, and allogeneic fresh leukemic blasts). Antibody-blocking experiments revealed a role for the CD3-TCR receptor of both cell lines in lysis of leukemic cells; the CD4 and MHC class II molecules were clearly involved in the lysis by the ABL1 cell line. Specificity of recognition for the allogeneic leukemic blasts was further confirmed by unlabeled target competitive inhibition studies. The mechanism of the preferential lysis of leukemia by the alloactivated T cell lines described in this paper remains uncertain. Nevertheless, these leukemic-specific populations provide a means by which the human GVL effect may be further studied in vitro.