Tag: Pancreatic Cancer

Considerations in the Treatment of Metastatic Pancreas Cancer

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Written by: Carlos Becerra, MD
Content Sponsored by: Bristol Myers Squibb
Dr. Becerra is a paid consultant for BMS and was compensated for his contribution in drafting this article.

Pancreas adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive and fatal disease that is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer related death in the US by the year 2030.1 Upon diagnosis, over 50% of the patients present with metastatic disease and we do not have an effective screening tool to detect pancreas cancer at an earlier and potentially curable stage.2-3 Some improvement has been made in median survival for patients with metastatic disease due to better supportive measures and more effective chemotherapy options.3-4 However, the COVID 19 pandemic threatens to disrupt the gains obtained in recent years due to delay in diagnosis and management of this disease.5 In the next paragraphs I will review some key features for the management of patients with metastatic pancreas cancer so that patients can continue to benefit from the current available treatment options in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key elements to consider at diagnosis and during management of patients with metastatic pancreas cancer include pain control with adequate narcotic analgesics titrated to the patient’s pain and consideration for local treatment modalities, such as palliative radiation therapy and celiac block to help control the pain. Patients should also be closely monitored with early intervention in case of bowel obstruction (consider even surgical intervention with a bypass procedure if the patient has an adequate performance status) and obstructive jaundice (with metal stent preferred over plastic stent; Figure 1). Additional elements include adequate control of nausea and vomiting either due to chemotherapy or to bowel dysfunction, optimal management of the hyperglycemia, and replacement therapy with pancreatic enzymes. Consultation of nutritional services and starting medications to stimulate the appetite should also be considered.3,4,6 Genetic counseling for new patients and testing for germline mutations along with testing the tumor for presence of actionable mutations should also be strongly considered, based on recent advances.7 Patients should also be screened for depression.3,4

Figure 1: Key Elements to Consider at Diagnosis and Follow-Up


The overall goal of systemic chemotherapy should be to improve overall survival of patients while maintaining the best possible quality of life.4 To that end we have several treatment options based on evidence from randomized phase III clinical trials. Keep in mind that at present we do not have a marker that will help select one regimen up front for clinical efficacy and or toxicity but the general consensus is to use a multi-drug regimen for patients with a good to marginal performance status or even a single agent in very frail patients.8,9

In 2011, the results of a phase III clinical trial demonstrated efficacy of 5-FU based combination therapy compared to single agent chemotherapy, at the expense of some increased toxicity.10 Since then, a multi-drug regimen approach has been shown to be effective.11 Today, the gemcitabine-based or 5-FU based treatments are recommended for patients with metastatic disease.12 Choice of treatment is based on overall assessment of the patient with regards to performance status, comorbidities, symptom burden, prior treatments, patient preference, goals of therapy and the patient’s home support system along with consideration of the potential side effects of the therapy.4,12

Once a patient begins treatment, close monitoring of the patient for evidence of disease progression is very important in order to offer patients second line chemotherapy. Thus, evaluation of the patient’s clinical status, restaging scans, and CA19-9 in a timely fashion will help guide the clinician on starting second line therapy.7,3 For patients with tumors that have a mutation in BRCA 1 or 2 gene (~7% of patients) maintenance with a PARP inhibitor, after receiving chemotherapy is recommended. Additional targeted agents are a possible treatment option if the tumors have presence of specific mutations.3,7

Despite advances, metastatic pancreatic cancer can be difficult to treat. The aggressive nature of the disease along with a high symptom burden make diligent patient management of the utmost importance, particularly during today’s challenging times. Recognizing and addressing symptoms proactively along with choosing the optimal treatment to allow for anti-tumor efficacy combined with a side effect profile that best fits the patient’s tolerance remains important.3,8,13

References
1. Rahib L, Smith BD, Aizenberg R, Rosenzweig AB, Fleshman JM, Matrisian LM. Cancer Res. 2014;74:2913-2921.
2. National Cancer Institute: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/pancreas.html. Accessed November 2, 2020.
3. Mizrahi JD, Surana R, Valle JW, Shroff RT. Lancet. 2020;395:2008-2020.
4. Moffat GT, Epstein AS, O’Reilly EM. Cancer. 2019;125:3927-3935.
5. Benyon B. Oncology Nursing News. Published online March 31, 2020. https://www.oncnursingnews.com/web-exclusives/to-treat-or-not-to-treat-cancer-during-the-covid-19-pandemic. Accessed November 3, 2020.
6. Gilliland TMVillafane-Ferriol N, Shah KP, Shah RM, Tran Cao HS, Massarweh NN et al. Nutrients. 2017;9:243.
7. Sohal DPS, Kennedy EB, Cinar P, Conroy T, Copur MS, Crane CH et al. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38:3217-3230.
8. Sohal DPS, Mangu PB, Khorana AA, Shah MA, Philip PA, O’Reilly EM, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34:2784-2796.
9. Zhang L, Sanagapalli S, Stoita A. World J Gastroenterol. 2018;24:2047-2060.
10. Conroy T, Desseigne FD, Ychou M, Bouche O, Guimbaud R, Becouarn Y et al. N Engl J Med. 2011;364:1817-1825.
11. Von Hoff DD, Ervin T, Areana FP, Chiorean EG, Infante J, Moore M et al. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:1691-1703.
12. Sohal DPS, Kennedy EB, Khorana A, Copur MS, Crane CH, Garrido-LagunaI et al. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36:2545-2556.
13. Catanese S, Pentheroudakis G, Douillard J-Y, Lordick F. ESMO Open. 2020;5:e000804.

Precision Medicine in Pancreatic Cancer May Improve Overall Survival

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SUMMARY: The American Cancer Society estimates that for 2020, about 57,600 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 47,050 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Unfortunately, unlike other malignancies, very little progress has been made and outcome for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer has been dismal, with a 5-year survival rate for metastatic pancreatic cancer of approximately 9%.

Patients with metastatic Pancreatic Ductal AdenoCarcinoma (PDAC) are often treated with chemotherapy and treatment regimens include FOLFIRINOX and Gemcitabine with nab-Paclitaxel (ABRAXANE®). However, resistance to current treatment modalities is common, and the median Overall Survival (OS) remains less than 1 year, suggesting that treatment with chemotherapy alone probably may not increase response rates and Overall Survival.

In an attempt to improve outcomes in patients with metastatic PDAC, molecular profiling using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and protein IHC panel-based examination of patients’ tumors, has enabled grouping patients into molecular subgroups with therapeutically actionable molecular alterations. It is estimated that approximately 25% of pancreatic cancers harbor actionable molecular alterations, defined as molecular alterations for which there is clinical or strong preclinical evidence of a predictive benefit from a specific therapy. However, less than 5% of patients with pancreatic cancer having actionable molecular alterations receive targeted therapies. This may be because of the aggressive nature of the disease or economic and logistical barriers. The commonly altered pathways include DNA repair (15%), cell cycle (11%), and AKT/mTOR (19%). Molecular targets have included Homologous Recombination Repair genes (14-17%), HER2 amplification genes (2%) and MisMatch Repair gene deficiency (MicroSatellite Instability 2-3%). Mutations in DNA repair genes are the most common “highly actionable” alterations (15%). The most frequently mutated DNA repair genes are ATM (4.5%) and BRCA2 (2.9%). Some examples of available targeted agents for patients with metastatic PDAC include PARP inhibitors for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, TRK inhibitors for NTRK1, NTRK2, or NTRK3 fusions, and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for MMR-deficient or MSI-H tumors. Patients with these genetic alterations constitute about 8% of patients, with pancreatic cancer.

Know Your Tumor (KYT) is a precision medicine program, which is a collaboration between Perthera Inc. and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), and utilizes Perthera’s precision medicine system for multiomic molecular profiling of a nonselected patient population. Multiomics is data analysis at multiple levels such as genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, to comprehensively understand human health and diseases, by interpreting molecular intricacy and variations. The intent of the KYT program is to match patients with appropriate clinical trials and therapies, based on actionable molecular alterations, treatment history, and geographical locations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with pancreatic cancer whose tumors harbored actionable molecular alterations and who received molecularly matched therapy, had a longer median Overall Survival, than similar patients who did not receive molecularly matched therapy.

In this program, of the 1082 patients who received reports on their tumor genomic profile, outcomes were available for 677 patients, of whom 189 patients had actionable molecular alterations. At a median follow up of 383 days, patients with actionable molecular alterations who received a matched therapy (N=46) had a significantly longer median Overall Survival, compared to those patients who only received unmatched therapies (N=143), and this was statistically significant (2.58 years versus 1.51 years; HR=0.42: P=0.0004). The 46 patients who received a matched therapy also had significantly longer Overall Survival than the 488 patients who did not have an actionable molecular alteration (2.58 years versus 1.32 years; HR=0.34; P<0.0001). The median Overall Survival was not different between the patients who received unmatched therapy and those without an actionable molecular alteration (HR=0.82; P=0.10).

It was concluded from these Real-World outcomes that a matched therapy for patients with actionable molecular alterations can have a substantial effect on survival, in patients with pancreatic cancer. The authors acknowledged that only 2% of patients who were referred to undergo molecular profiling ultimately received a matched therapy and 143 patients with actionable molecular alterations received only unmatched therapies due to a variety of reasons including logistical issues and economic barriers.

Overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving matched therapies following molecular profiling: a retrospective analysis of the Know Your Tumor registry trial. Pishvaian MJ, Blais EM, Brody JR, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2020 Apr;21(4):508-518.doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30074-7. Epub 2020 Mar 2.

FDA Approves LYNPARZA® for Germline BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

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SUMMARY: The FDA on December 27, 2019 approved LYNPARZA® (Olaparib) for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of a first-line Platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. The FDA also approved the BRACAnalysis CDx test (Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.) as a companion diagnostic for the selection of patients with pancreatic cancer for treatment with LYNPARZA® based upon the identification of deleterious or suspected deleterious germline mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.

The American Cancer Society estimates that for 2019, about 56,770 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 45,750 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Unfortunately, unlike other malignancies, very little progress has been made and outcome for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer has been dismal, with a 5-year survival rate for metastatic pancreatic cancer of approximately 2%. Pancreatic cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is on track to surpass colorectal cancer, to move to the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States around 2020.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes located on chromosome 17 and chromosome 13 respectively. They control cell growth by repairing DNA damage and thus prevent tumor development. Mutations in these genes predispose an individual to develop malignant tumors. It is well established that the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can significantly increase the lifetime risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer, as high as 85% and 40% respectively. BRCA1/2 mutations have been detected in 4-7% of patients with pancreatic cancer, with a 2-6 fold increase in risk, associated with these mutations. These patients tend to be younger. Among pancreatic cancer patients with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations is 6-19%, with mutations more common for BRCA2. NCCN guideline recommends that germline testing should be considered for all patients with pancreatic cancer and is especially recommended for those with a personal history of cancer, family history or clinical suspicion of a family history of pancreatic cancer. Approximately 10% of pancreatic cancer cases have a familial component. When hereditary cancer syndrome is suspected in patients with pancreatic cancer, genetic counseling should be considered.

BRCA mutations can either be inherited (Germline) and present in all individual cells or can be acquired and occur exclusively in the tumor cells (Somatic). The BRCA gene plays an important role in DNA repair via Homologous Recombination (HR). Mutation of BRCA gene results in loss of BRCA function and likely deregulates Homologous Recombination (HR) pathway. Majority of patients with Germline BRCA mutations (gBRCA) have HR Deficiency (HRD) resulting in inability to repair double strand breaks. HRD can also occur due to other mechanisms, such as somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications of other genes involved in the HR pathway. Patients with HRD exhibit specific clinical behaviors, and improved responses to treatments, such as platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP Inhibitors. The PARP (Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase) family of enzymes, include PARP1 and PARP2, which repair damaged DNA. LYNPARZA® is a first-in-class PARP enzyme inhibitor that causes cell death in tumors that already have a DNA repair defect, such as those with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, through the concept of synthetic lethality. Malignancies such as epithelial ovarian cancers with Homologous Recombination Deficiency, have demonstrated sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Recent studies have confirmed that PARP inhibitors are effective not only in ovarian cancers displaying germline or somatic BRCA mutations but also in cancers with HRD caused by other underlying etiologies. LYNPARZA® in a Phase II trial demonstrated antitumor activity in heavily pretreated metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with a germline BRCA mutation. Maintenance treatment with LYNPARZA® in BRCA mutated ovarian cancer patients resulted in significant improvement in Progression Free Survival.

The POLO (Pancreas Cancer Olaparib Ongoing) trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of maintenance therapy with LYNPARZA® in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with a germline BRCA mutation whose disease had not progressed during first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. In this international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study, 154 patients with BRCA mutant disease were randomly assigned in a 3:2 ratio, to receive maintenance LYNPARZA® tablets 300 mg twice daily (N=92) or matching placebo (N=62). The median patient age was 57 years. Eligible patients should have received at least 16 weeks of continuous first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer and maintenance treatment was initiated 4-8 weeks after the last dose of first-line chemotherapy had been administered. Maintenance intervention was continued until disease progression. Crossover to LYNPARZA® was not permitted during this trial. The Primary end point was Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Secondary end points included Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Quality of Life.

The median PFS was significantly longer in the LYNPARZA® group compared to the placebo group (7.4 months versus 3.8 months; HR for disease progression or death=0.53; P=0.004). This suggested a 47% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death. At 2 years, 22% of the patients in the LYNPARZA® group did not have disease progression compared with 9.6% of patients in the placebo group. The ORR among patients who had measurable disease at baseline was 23% in the LYNPARZA® group and 12% in the placebo group. The interim analysis of Overall Survival showed no significant difference, with a median 18.9 months for the LYNPARZA® group and 18.1 months for the placebo group (HR=0.91; P=0.68). Health-related Quality of Life scores were also not significantly different. Grade 3 or higher adverse events were 40% in the LYNPARZA® group and 23% in the placebo group and 5% and 2% of the patients, respectively, discontinued therapy because of an adverse event.

It was concluded that among metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with germline BRCA mutation and whose cancer has not progressed during platinum-based chemotherapy, Progression Free Survival was significantly longer with maintenance LYNPARZA® than with placebo. This study allows identifying patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who will likely benefit from PARP inhibition. Maintenance Olaparib for Germline BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Golan T, Hammel P, Reni M, et al. N Engl J Med 2019; 381:317-327

LYNPARZA® (Olaparib)

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The FDA on December 27, 2019 approved LYNPARZA® for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of a first-line Platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. The FDA also approved the BRACAnalysis CDx test (Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.) as a companion diagnostic for the selection of patients with pancreatic cancer for treatment with LYNPARZA®, based upon the identification of deleterious or suspected deleterious germline mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. LYNPARZA® is a product of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.

Overall Survival Benefit with ONIVYDE® and Characteristics of Long Term Survivors in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

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SUMMARY: The American Cancer Society estimates that for 2019, about 56,770 people will be diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and about 45,750 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Unfortunately, unlike other malignancies, very little progress has been made and outcome for patients with advanced Pancreatic cancer has been dismal, with a 5-year survival rate for metastatic Pancreatic cancer of approximately 2%. Pancreatic cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is on track to surpass colorectal cancer, to move to the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States around 2020.

ONIVYDE® is a novel nanoliposomal encapsulation of Irinotecan, a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor. It is designed to optimize the delivery of Irinotecan, by extending the duration of circulation of the drug in the body and preferentially activating the drug within the tumor tissues, to achieve higher levels of the active cytotoxic drug metabolite, SN-38. This approach reduces the toxicity of Irinotecan to normal tissues while maintaining or increasing its anti-tumor efficacy.

NAPOLI-1 is an open-label, Phase III study in which 417 patients with Gemcitabine-refractory metastatic Pancreatic adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive either ONIVYDE® monotherapy (N=151), ONIVYDE® plus 5-FluoroUracil (N=117) or 5-FU with Leucovorin (N=149). Sixty one percent (61%) of patients had cancer in the head of the Pancreas and 68% had liver metastases. Treatment consisted of ONIVYDE® 120 mg/m2 IV over 90 minutes every 3 weeks in Group A, ONIVYDE® 80 mg/m2 IV given over 90 minutes followed by 5-FU 2400 mg/m2 given over 46 hours and racemic Leucovorin 400 mg/m2 IV given over 30 minutes every 2 weeks in Group B and 5-FU 2000 mg/m2 IV given over 24 hours plus racemic Leucovorin 200 mg/m2 IV given over 30 minutes weekly for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest in Group C (Control group). Each of the two ONIVYDE® containing groups was compared with the 5FU/Leucovorin control group. Treatment groups were well balanced. The Primary study endpoint was Overall Survival and Secondary endpoints included Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Response Rate (ORR). The authors in this publication reported the updated Overall Survival analysis from a longer follow up in the NAPOLI-1 trial, as well as baseline characteristics associated with long term survivors (survival of 1 year or more) in the NAPOLI-1 trial. The authors also provided the updated safety and tolerability data.

The combination of ONIVYDE®, 5-FU and Leucovorin maintained its median OS of 6.2 months compared with 4.2 months with 5-FU and Leucovorin alone, with an unstratified Hazard Ratio of 0.75 (P=0.04), and stratified Hazard Ratio of 0.63 (P=0.002). The estimated one-year survival rates were 26% in the ONIVYDE®, 5-FU and Leucovorin arm versus 16% in the 5-FU and Leucovorin combination control arm. Patient characteristics associated with long term survival in the ONIVYDE®, 5-FU and Leucovorin combination arm included Karnofsky Performance Status of 90 or more, age 65 years or less, lower serum CA19-9 levels, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio of 5 or less and no liver metastases. There was again no OS advantage with ONIVYDE® monotherapy, when compared with 5-FU and Leucovorin (4.9 versus 4.2 months). The median PFS was 3.1 months in patients receiving ONIVYDE®, 5-FU and Leucovorin and 1.5 months in those receiving 5-FU and Leucovorin combination alone (HR=0.57; P < 0.0001), and was 2.7 months for ONIVYDE® monotherapy compared with 1.6 months for 5-FU and Leucovorin combination control group. The ORR was significantly higher with ONIVYDE®, 5-FU and Leucovorin combination (17%) compared with 1% for the 5-FU and Leucovorin combination (P < 0.0001) and the Disease Control Rate was also higher with ONIVYDE®, 5-FU and Leucovorin combination (52%) versus 24% for the 5-FU and Leucovorin combination control group. No new safety concerns were detected in the current updated analysis.

The authors concluded that for patients with metastatic Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a combination of ONIVYDE®, 5-FU and Leucovorin improves Overall Survival, Progression Free Survival, CA19-9 response and Disease Control Rate, with an acceptable safety profile, and represents a new standard of care following Gemcitabine-based therapy. This updated analysis also identified prognostic markers associated with longer survival. NAPOLI-1 phase 3 study of liposomal irinotecan in metastatic pancreatic cancer: Final overall survival analysis and characteristics of long-term survivors. Wang-Gillam A, Hubner RA, Siveke JT, et al. European Journal of Cancer 2019;108:78-87

Maintenance LYNPARZA® Improves Progression Free Survival in BRCA Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

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SUMMARY: The American Cancer Society estimates that for 2019, about 56,770 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 45,750 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Unfortunately, unlike other malignancies, very little progress has been made and outcome for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer has been dismal, with a 5-year survival rate for metastatic pancreatic cancer of approximately 2%. Pancreatic cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is on track to surpass colorectal cancer, to move to the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States around 2020.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes located on chromosome 17 and chromosome 13 respectively. They control cell growth by repairing DNA damage and thus prevent tumor development. Mutations in these genes predispose an individual to develop malignant tumors. It is well established that the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can significantly increase the lifetime risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer, as high as 85% and 40% respectively. BRCA1/2 mutations have been detected in 4-7% of patients with pancreatic cancer, with a 2-6 fold increase in risk, associated with these mutations. These patients tend to be younger. Among pancreatic cancer patients with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations is 6-19%, with mutations more common for BRCA2. NCCN guideline recommends that germline testing should be considered for all patients with pancreatic cancer and is especially recommended for those with a personal history of cancer, family history or clinical suspicion of a family history of pancreatic cancer. Approximately 10% of pancreatic cancer cases have a familial component. When hereditary cancer syndrome is suspected in patients with pancreatic cancer, genetic counseling should be considered.

BRCA mutations can either be inherited (Germline) and present in all individual cells or can be acquired and occur exclusively in the tumor cells (Somatic). The BRCA gene plays an important role in DNA repair via Homologous Recombination (HR). Mutation of BRCA gene results in loss of BRCA function and likely deregulates Homologous Recombination (HR) pathway. Majority of patients with Germline BRCA mutations (gBRCA) have HR Deficiency (HRD) resulting in inability to repair double strand breaks. HRD can also occur due to other mechanisms, such as germline mutations, somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications of other genes involved in the HR pathway. Patients with HRD exhibit specific clinical behaviors, and improved responses to treatments, such as platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP Inhibitors. MOA-of-LYNPARZA

The PARP (Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase) family of enzymes include PARP1 and PARP2, which repair damaged DNA. LYNPARZA® is a first-in-class PARP enzyme inhibitor that causes cell death in tumors that already have a DNA repair defect, such as those with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, through the concept of synthetic lethality. Malignancies such as epithelial ovarian cancers with Homologous Recombination Deficiency have demonstrated sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Recent studies have confirmed that PARP inhibitors are effective not only in ovarian cancers displaying germline or somatic BRCA mutations but also in cancers with HRD caused by other underlying etiologies. LYNPARZA® in a Phase II trial, demonstrated antitumor activity in heavily pretreated metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with a germline BRCA mutation. Maintenance treatment with LYNPARZA® in BRCA mutated ovarian cancer patients resulted in significant improvement in Progression Free Survival.

The POLO (Pancreas Cancer Olaparib Ongoing) trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of maintenance therapy with LYNPARZA® in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with a germline BRCA mutation whose disease had not progressed during first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. In this international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study, 154 patients with BRCA mutant disease were randomly assigned in a 3:2 ratio, to receive maintenance LYNPARZA® tablets 300 mg twice daily (N=92) or matching placebo (N=62). The median patient age was 57 years. Eligible patients should have received at least 16 weeks of continuous first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer and maintenance treatment was initiated 4-8 weeks after the last dose of first-line chemotherapy had been administered. Maintenance intervention was continued until disease progression. Crossover to LYNPARZA® was not permitted during this trial. The Primary end point was Progression Free Survival and Secondary end points included Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Quality of Life.

The median PFS was significantly longer in the LYNPARZA® group compared to the placebo group (7.4 months versus 3.8 months; HR for disease progression or death=0.53; P=0.004). This suggested a 47% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death. At 2 years, 22% of the patients in the LYNPARZA® group did not have disease progression compared with 9.6% of patients in the placebo group. The interim analysis of Overall Survival showed no significant difference, with a median 18.9 months for the LYNPARZA® group and 18.1 months for the placebo group (HR=0.91; P=0.68). Health-related Quality of Life scores were also not significantly different. Grade 3 or higher adverse events were 40% in the LYNPARZA® group and 23% in the placebo group and 5% and 2% of the patients, respectively, discontinued therapy because of an adverse event.

It was concluded that among metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with germline BRCA mutation and whose cancer has not progressed during platinum-based chemotherapy, Progression Free Survival was significantly longer with maintenance LYNPARZA® than with placebo. This study allows identifying patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who will likely benefit from PARP inhibition. Maintenance Olaparib for Germline BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Golan T, Hammel P, Reni M, et al. N Engl J Med 2019; 381:317-327

2019 NCCN Pancreatic Cancer Guideline Update Draw Attention to Germline Testing and Molecular Profiling

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SUMMARY: The American Cancer Society estimates that for 2019, about 56,770 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 45,750 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Unfortunately, unlike other malignancies, very little progress has been made, and outcomes for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer has been dismal, with a 5-year survival rate for metastatic pancreatic cancer of approximately 2%. Pancreatic cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is on track to surpass colorectal cancer, to move to the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States around 2020.

At the 2019 NCCN Annual Conference, three important pancreatic cancer guideline updates were discussed. They included germline testing, molecular analysis of tumors and a new adjuvant chemotherapy option for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Germline Testing

Germline testing should be considered for all patients with pancreatic cancer and is especially recommended for those with a personal history of cancer, family history or clinical suspicion of a family history of pancreatic cancer. Approximately 10% of pancreatic cancer cases have a familial component. When hereditary cancer syndrome is suspected in patients with pancreatic cancer, genetic counseling should be considered.

1) Lynch Syndrome (Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Carcinoma – HNPCC) is a Autosomal Dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 or PMS2 and most often predisposes to colorectal cancer. Patients with Lynch Syndrome also have a 9-11 fold increase in the risk for pancreatic cancer. Consider testing for MSI and/or MMR for patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

2) BRCA1/2 mutations have been detected in 4-7% of patients with pancreatic cancer, with a 2-6 fold increase in risk, associated with these mutations. These patients tend to be younger. Among pancreatic cancer patients with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations is 6-19%, with mutations more common for BRCA2.

3) Mutations in Fanconi Anemia/BRCA pathway genes including PALB, FANCC and FANCG have also been identified as increasing pancreatic cancer risk.

4) Germline mutations in ATM gene has been identified in approximately 4% of individuals with familial pancreatic cancer.

5) Germline mutations in STK11 gene resulting in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (associated with GI polyps) increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer 132 fold. In approximately 5% of pancreatic cancers, somatic mutations in STK11 has been noted.

6) Similar to non-hereditary forms of pancreatitis, familial pancreatitis is also associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Those with familial pancreatitis have been noted to have mutations in the PRSS1, SPINK1 and CFTR genes, increasing the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 26-87 fold.

7) Familial malignant melanoma syndrome, also known as melanoma–pancreatic cancer syndrome or Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, is associated with a 20-47 fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer. This has been attributed to germline mutation of CDKN2A gene.

Molecular Profiling

Molecular analysis of tumors should be considered for patients with metastatic disease, for treatment guidance

1) In the phase III POLO trial, patients with germline BRCA-mutated metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, benefited with PARP inhibitor, LYNPARZA® (Olaparib), which when given as frontline maintenance therapy, significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death, when compared to placebo.

2) Patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-High or MMR deficient (dMMR) solid tumors who had progressed on prior therapies, have significant responses with KEYTRUDA® (Pembrolizumab), and has been approved by the FDA for this indication.

3) For those patients with PALB2 mutation, Gemcitabine along with Cisplatin is a treatment option.

4) The presence of P16 alterations in resected tumors of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is associated with a worse prognosis and may therefore benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Adjuvant mFOLFIRINOX

In a large phase III multicenter, randomized clinical trial, adjuvant mFOLFIRINOX significantly improved Disease Free Survival, Metastasis Free Survival and Overall Survival, compared to Gemcitabine, after pancreatic cancer resection. The median OS was nearly 20 months longer with a mFOLFIRINOX regimen than with Gemcitabine (54.4 months versus 35 months), representing a 34% reduction in the risk of death with mFOLFIRINOX.

NCCN Guidelines Updates: Tempero MA. Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Presented at: 2019 NCCN Annual Conference; March 21-23, 2019; Orlando, FL.

Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update

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SUMMARY: The American Cancer Society estimates that for 2019, about 56,770 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 45,750 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Unfortunately, unlike other malignancies, very little progress has been made and outcomes for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, has been dismal with a 5-year survival rate for metastatic pancreatic cancer of approximately 2%.

The ASCO Expert Panel in 2016 published a guideline to assist in clinical decision making in metastatic pancreatic cancer for initial assessment after diagnosis, first and second-line treatment options, palliative and supportive care, and follow-up. This present update incorporated new evidence related to second-line therapy, published between June 2015 and January 2018, for patients who have experienced disease progression or intolerable toxicities during first-line therapy.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Recommendation 1.1: A multiphase CT scan of the Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis should be performed to assess extent of disease. Other staging studies should be performed only as dictated by symptoms.

Recommendation 1.2: The baseline Performance Status, symptom burden, and comorbidity profile of a patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer should be evaluated carefully.

Recommendation 1.3: The goals of care including a discussion of an advance directive, patient preferences, as well as support systems, should be discussed with every patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer and his or her caregivers.

Recommendation 1.4: Multidisciplinary collaboration to formulate treatment and care plans and disease management for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer should be the standard of care.

Recommendation 1.5: Every patient with pancreatic cancer should be offered information about clinical trials, which include therapeutic trials in all lines of treatment as well as palliative care, biorepository/biomarker, and observational studies.

FIRST-LINE TREATMENT

Recommendation 2.1: FOLFIRINOX (Leucovorin, Fluorouracil, Irinotecan, and Oxaliplatin) is recommended for patients who meet all of the following criteria: an ECOG PS of 0-1, favorable comorbidity profile, patient preference and a support system for aggressive medical therapy, and access to chemotherapy port and infusion pump management services.

Recommendation 2.2: Gemcitabine plus NAB-Paclitaxel is recommended for patients who meet all of the following criteria: an ECOG PS of 0-1, a relatively favorable comorbidity profile, and patient preference and a support system for relatively aggressive medical therapy.

Recommendation 2.3: Gemcitabine alone is recommended for patients who have either an ECOG PS of 2 or a comorbidity profile that precludes more aggressive regimens and who wish to pursue cancer-directed therapy. The addition of either Capecitabine or Erlotinib to Gemcitabine may be considered in this setting.

Recommendation 2.4: Patients with an ECOG PS 3 or more or with poorly controlled comorbid conditions despite ongoing active medical care should be offered cancer-directed therapy only on a case-by-case basis. The major emphasis should be on optimizing supportive care measures.

SECOND-LINE TREATMENT

Recommendation 3.1: Routine testing for dMMR or MSI-H is recommended, using IHC, PCR, or NGS for patients who are considered to be candidates for checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Recommendation 3.2: PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab is recommended as second-line therapy for patients who have tested positive for dMMR or MSI-H.

Recommendation 3.3: Gemcitabine plus NAB-Paclitaxel can be offered as second-line therapy to patients who had received first-line treatment with FOLFIRINOX, have an ECOG PS of 0-1, with a relatively favorable comorbidity profile, and patient preference and a support system for aggressive medical therapy.

Recommendation 3.4: Fluorouracil plus nanoliposomal Irinotecan, or Fluorouracil plus Irinotecan where the former combination is unavailable, is preferred as second-line therapy for patients who meet all of the following criteria: first-line treatment with Gemcitabine plus NAB-Paclitaxel, an ECOG PS of 0-1, a relatively favorable comorbidity profile, patient preference and a support system for aggressive medical therapy, and access to chemotherapy port and infusion pump management services.

Recommendation 3.5: Fluorouracil plus Oxaliplatin may be considered as second-line therapy for patients who meet all of the following criteria: first-line treatment with Gemcitabine plus NAB-Paclitaxel, an ECOG PS of 0-1, a relatively favorable comorbidity profile, patient preference and a support system for aggressive medical therapy, and access to chemotherapy port and infusion pump management services.

Qualifying statement for Recommendations 3.4 and 3.5: A recent phase III trial comparing mFOLFOX6 with FU + LV demonstrated a higher rate of grade 3 or 4 adverse events and significantly reduced OS within the mFOLFOX6 arm of the trial. However, previous phase III data have demonstrated a benefit with the OFF regimen compared with FU + LV. Considering the inconsistency of these results, although Fluorouracil plus nanoliposomal Irinotecan is preferred, the Expert Panel continues to support the use of Fluorouracil plus Oxaliplatin as an option where the availability of Fluorouracil plus nanoliposomal Irinotecan is limited or where residual toxicity from first-line therapy or comorbidities preclude the use of Fluorouracil plus nanoliposomal Irinotecan.

Recommendation 3.6: Gemcitabine or Fluorouracil can be considered as second-line therapy for patients who have either an ECOG PS of 2 or a comorbidity profile that precludes more aggressive regimens and who wish to pursue cancer-directed therapy.

Recommendation 3.7: No data are available to recommend third-line (or greater) therapy with a cytotoxic agent. Clinical trial participation is encouraged

PALLIATIVE CARE

Recommendation 4.1: Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer should have a full assessment of symptom burden, psychological status, and social supports as early as possible, preferably at the first visit. In most cases, this assessment will indicate a need for a formal palliative care consult and services.

TREATMENT of PAIN and SYMPTOMS

Recommendation 5.1: Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer should be offered aggressive treatment of the pain and symptoms of the cancer and/or the cancer-directed therapy.

FOLLOW-UP/SURVEILLANCE

Recommendation 6.1: For patients on active cancer-directed therapy outside a clinical trial, imaging to assess first response should be offered at 2-3 months from the initiation of therapy. CT scans with contrast are the preferred modality. Thereafter, clinical assessment, conducted frequently during visits for cancer-directed therapy, should supplant imaging assessment. The routine use of PET scans for the management of patients with pancreatic cancer is not recommended. CA19-9 is not considered an optimal substitute for imaging for the assessment of treatment response.

Recommendation 6.2: No data exist on the duration of cancer-directed therapy. An ongoing discussion of goals of care and assessment of treatment response and tolerability should guide decisions to continue or to hold or terminate cancer-directed therapy.

Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update. Sohal DPS, Kennedy EB, Khorana A, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36:2545-2556.

Late Breaking Abstract – ASCO 2018 mFOLFIRINOX Regimen Significantly Improves Overall Survival in Resected Pancreatic Cancer

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SUMMARY: The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2018, about 55,440 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 44,330 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Curative surgical resection has been shown to significantly improve Overall Survival (OS) when compared to Chemoradiation, for resectable Pancreatic Cancer. The standard surgical procedure for tumors of the Pancreatic head is the Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), whereas distal Pancreatectomy is performed for tumors of the body or tail of the Pancreas. Previously published studies concluded that 6 months of Gemcitabine based adjuvant therapy improves Overall Survival for patients with resectable Pancreatic Cancer. FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy regimen however, is more effective than Gemcitabine as first-line treatment, in metastatic pancreatic cancer, for patients with good Performance Status. The following study was conducted to assess the benefit of mFOLFIRINOX regimen in the adjuvant setting.

PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA.6 is a phase III multicenter, randomized clinical trial in which 493 patients were enrolled. Eligible patients had histologically proven, nonmetastatic, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, and had undergone R0 (curative resection) or R1(microscopic residual tumor/positive margins) resection, with no residual tumor on a postoperative CT scan. Patients had a WHO Performance Status of 1 or less and were randomized in a 1:1 ratio, 3-12 weeks after surgery, to receive Gemcitabine on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days for 6 cycles (Group A, N=246)) or mFOLFIRINOX regimen, which consisted of Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², Leucovorin 400 mg/m², Irinotecan 150 mg/m² D1, and 5-FU 2400mg/m² over 46 hours, all drugs given IV, every 14 days for 12 cycles (Group B, N=247). The Primary endpoint was Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Secondary endpoints included Overall Survival (OS), Metastasis Free Survival (MFS), and Adverse Events (AE).

After a median follow up of 33.6 months, patients who received mFOLFIRINOX had a median DFS of 21.6 months compared with 12.8 months with Gemcitabine (HR=0.59; P<0.001) and the 3-year DFS was 39.7% with mFOLFIRINOX and 21.4% with Gemcitabine. The median OS was nearly 20 months longer with a mFOLFIRINOX regimen than with Gemcitabine (54.4 months versus 35 months). This represented a 34% reduction in the risk of death with mFOLFIRINOX (HR=0.66; P=0.003). The median MFS with mFOLFIRINOX regimen was 30.4 months versus 17.7 months with Gemcitabine (HR =0.59). Patients receiving mFOLFIRINOX experienced higher rates of grade 3 or 4 Adverse Events than with Gemcitabine for vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, mucositis and sensory peripheral neuropathy. In the Gemcitabine group, the rate of grade 3/4 Adverse Events was higher for thrombocytopenia and febrile neutropenia.

It was concluded that adjuvant mFOLFIRINOX significantly improves Disease Free Survival, Metastasis Free Survival and Overall Survival, compared to Gemcitabine, after pancreatic cancer resection, in good Performance Status patients and should therefore be considered the new standard of care. It should be noted that patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo surgical resection, are fit enough to undergo this procedure and these patients would be the most likely candidates for mFOLFIRINOX. For those patients whose Performance Status is poor 12 weeks after surgery, and in those with clear contraindications to mFOLFIRINOX regimen, single agent Gemcitabine is an alternative treatment option. Unicancer GI PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA.6 trial: A multicenter international randomized phase III trial of adjuvant mFOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine (gem) in patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Conroy T, Hammel P, Hebbar M, et al. J Clin Oncol 36, 2018 (suppl; abstr LBA4001)

Gut Bacteria May Promote Pancreatic Cancer by Inducing Immune Suppression

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SUMMARY: The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2018, about 55,440 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 44,330 people will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Western Europe. Unfortunately, unlike other malignancies, very little progress has been made and outcomes for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, has been dismal. Diagnosis is often made late in the course of the disease, as patients are often asymptomatic and early tumors cannot be detected during routine physical examination. Research has been underway evaluating the role of modifiable risk factors, early screening biomarkers, and tumor microenvironment and their influence on outcomes.

Recent published studies have shown the influence of gut microbiome alterations, in the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer. A commensal microbiome in a healthy individual maintains a symbiotic relationship conferring protection by its inflammatory-modulating activity, detoxification, hormonal homeostatic and metabolic effects of bacterial metabolites. An imbalanced microbiome can result in dysbiosis, and microbiome alteration has been reported to contribute to carcinogenesis of multiple malignancies. One classic example of influence of microbiome alteration contributing to carcinogenesis is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Eradication of H. pylori causes regression of MALT lymphoma and decreases risk of metachronous gastric carcinoma after endoscopic resection for early stage gastric cancer.

An abundance and alteration of certain microbiomes has been shown to suppress monocytic cellular differentiation in pancreatic cancer leading to T-cell anergy. Targeting the microbiome and bacterial ablation has been shown to be associated with immunogenic reprogramming of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, by reducing the myeloid-derived suppressor cells and increasing macrophage differentiation. Additionally, bacterial ablation also upregulates PD-1 expression, and enables the efficacy for checkpoint-based immunotherapy and reverses intratumoral immune tolerance. These findings have led to the conclusion that, endogenous microbiota promote immune suppression, characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and targeting microbiome potentially can modulate disease progression.

The present study was based on preclinical findings that cancerous pancreas harbors a population of bacteria that is a 1000 fold more, compared with normal pancreas in both mice and humans, and these select bacteria are differentially increased in the tumorous pancreas compared with the gut. The authors in this study noted that bacteria that are more abundant in pancreatic cancers include proteobacteria, actinobacteria, and fusobacteria species. These bacteria release cell membrane components such as lipopolysaccharides and proteins such as flagellins that shift macrophages into immune suppression and prevent the immune system from attacking tumor cells. Their study showed that eliminating these bacteria using antibiotics restored the ability of immune cells to recognize cancer cells, slowed pancreatic tumor growth, and reduced the cancer cell tumor burden by 50% in study animals. Specifically, it was noted that eradicating these bacteria from the gut and pancreas, by treating mice with antibiotics, slowed cancer growth and allowed the recognition of tumor cells by the immune system. Oral antibiotics also increased the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors roughly 3 fold, thereby strongly improving antitumor immunity.

The researchers further pointed out that even though alterations in genes such as KRAS can result in abnormal cell growth and development of pancreatic cancer, the present study showed that bacteria can change the immune environment around cancer cells and facilitate rapid tumor growth in some patients more so than others, despite their similar genetic alterations. The authors hypothesized that changes in the genes that cause abnormal cell growth in the pancreas might also change the immune response, favoring the growth of different bacterial species, other than those found in healthy individuals. Environmental factors like diet, other medical conditions, or common medications, might also cause bacterial changes in the gut, that influence the pancreatic microbiome.

It was concluded that in pancreatic cancer, a distinct and abundant group of bacteria provide an immune suppressed environment, and addition of antibiotics improved the efficacy of a checkpoint inhibitor, in a mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, as demonstrated by an increase in T cells that could attack the tumor. Studies are planned to evaluate the role of antibiotic combinations such as Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole and their benefit in improving the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors, in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The Pancreatic Cancer Microbiome Promotes Oncogenesis by Induction of Innate and Adaptive Immune Suppression. Pushalkar S, Hundeyin M, Daley D, et al. DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-17-1134