A Novel Paradigm Between Leukocytosis, G-CSF Secretion, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells, and Prognosis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Leukocytosis is a common feature of malignancies. While controversial, there appears to be an association between the degree of tumor-related leukocytosis and prognosis. In this paper, we provide evidence supporting an untapped clinical paradigm linking G-CSF secretion to the induction of leukocytosis and expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, providing an explanation for the association between leukocytosis, elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. Clinically validating this mechanism may identify MDSCs and G-CSF as dynamic markers of early disease progression and therapeutic response, and shed light onto novel therapeutic avenues for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Romiplostim for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia: Efficacy and safety of extended use

Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) is common during treatment with antineoplastic therapies and may adversely impact chemotherapy dose intensity. There is no approved therapy for CIT. In our recent phase II randomized study, romiplostim led to correction of platelet counts in 85% of treated patients and allowed resumption of chemotherapy, with low rates of recurrent CIT in the first two cycles or 8 weeks of chemotherapy. However, there is a lack of long-term data on the efficacy and safety of romiplostim in CIT. To analyze efficacy and safety of romiplostim in the patients in the phase 2 study, who received romiplostim for ≥1 year. Twenty-one patients remained on romiplostim for ≥1 year. We analyzed the effect of romiplostim on platelet counts, absolute neutrophil counts, and hemoglobin, as well as impact on ongoing chemotherapy. We also tracked venous or arterial thrombotic events. During the study period, romiplostim was effective in preventing reduction of chemotherapy dose intensity due to CIT. Fourteen of the 20 (70%) analyzable patients experienced no episode of CIT, 4 subjects experienced a single chemotherapy dose delay due CIT, and 2 patients required a chemotherapy dose reduction. Platelet counts were preserved throughout the duration of the extension analysis. One patient experienced a proximal deep vein thrombosis, and one patient experienced multiple tumor-related ischemic events. Long-term use of romiplostim for treatment of CIT was effective and safe, with no evidence of resistance or increased risk of thrombosis

Preventing Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Cancer

To the Editor: Central venous catheters are commonly used for long periods in patients with cancer, and a nonnegligible increased risk of venous thromboembolism is associated with these devices. 1 Nonetheless, the presence of a central venous catheter is not included as a component of established risk scores to determine which patients could benefit from thromboprophylaxis. We and others have reported on the role of anticoagulation (heparin or vitamin K antagonists) in reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism related to the use of a central venous catheter. 1,2 Carrier et al. (Feb. 21 issue) 3 report the results of the Apixaban for the . .

Rivaroxaban thromboprophylaxis for gastric/gastroesophageal junction tumors versus other tumors: A post hoc analysis of the randomized CASSINI trial

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic anticoagulation with rivaroxaban significantly reduced the risk of cancer‐associated thrombosis during the intervention period in the CASSINI trial. Direct oral anticoagulants may increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding in patients with an in situ GI tract cancer or lesion. OBJECTIVE: This post hoc analysis characterized the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in patients with and without gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) tumors. METHODS: Primary and secondary efficacy end points and adjudicated bleeding events, including bleeding sites, were analyzed for the intent‐to‐treat population by cancer type (G/GEJ vs non‐G/GEJ) for the 180‐day observation period. RESULTS: In patients with G/GEJ tumors, the rates for the primary efficacy end point were 3.4% for rivaroxaban versus 6.9% for placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11‐1.80). In patients with non‐G/GEJ tumors, the rivaroxaban group had a lower risk of the primary end point (6.6% vs 9.3%; HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.40–1.21). Rates of major bleeding in patients with G/GEJ tumors were 4.6% (4/88) versus 1.2% (1/85) for rivaroxaban and placebo; rates in patients with non‐G/GEJ tumors were 1.3% (4/317) versus 0.9% (3/319), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Excluding patients with G/GEJ tumors resulted in a definable population of cancer patients who achieved an improved benefit‐risk balance from rivaroxaban prophylaxis

Romiplostim Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia

PURPOSE Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) leads to delay or reduction in cancer treatment. There is no approved treatment. METHODS We conducted a phase II randomized trial of romiplostim versus untreated observation in patients with solid tumors with CIT. Before enrollment, patients had platelets less than 100,000/mu L for at least 4 weeks, despite delay or dose reduction of chemotherapy. Patients received weekly titrated romiplostim with a target platelet count of 100,000/mu L or more, or were monitored with usual care. The primary end point was correction of platelet count within 3 weeks. Twenty-three patients were treated in a randomization phase, and an additional 37 patients were treated in a single-arm, romiplostim phase. Resumption of chemotherapy without recurrent CIT was a secondary end point. RESULTS The mean platelet count at enrollment was 62,000/mu L. In the randomization phase, 14 of 15 romiplostim-treated patients (93%) experienced correction of their platelet count within 3 weeks, compared with one of eight control patients (12.5%; P < .001). Including all romiplostim-treated patients (N = 52), the mean platelet count at 2 weeks of treatment was 141,000/mu L. The mean platelet count in the eight observation patients at 3 weeks was 57,000/mu L. Forty-four patients who achieved platelet correction with romiplostim resumed chemotherapy with weekly romiplostim. Only three patients (6.8%) experienced recurrent reduction or delay of chemotherapy because of isolated CIT. CONCLUSION This prospective trial evaluated treatment of CIT with romiplostim. Romiplostim is effective in correcting CIT, and maintenance allows for resumption of chemotherapy without recurrence of CIT in most patients

Genomic profiling identifies somatic mutations predicting thromboembolic risk in patients with solid tumors

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with cancer (CAT) is a well-described complication of cancer and a leading cause of death in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess potential associations of molecular signatures with CAT, including tumor-specific mutations and the presence of clonal hematopoiesis. We analyzed deep-coverage targeted DNA-sequencing data of >14 000 solid tumor samples using the Memorial Sloan Kettering-Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets platform to identify somatic alterations associated with VTE. End point was defined as the first instance of cancer-associated pulmonary embolism and/or proximal/distal lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. Cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression was used, adjusting for pertinent clinical covariates. Of 11 695 evaluable individuals, 72% had metastatic disease at time of analysis. Tumor-specific mutations in KRAS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.64; adjusted P = .08), STK11 (HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.55-2.89; adjusted P<.001), KEAP1 (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.21-2.79; adjusted P=.07), CTNNB1 (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.15-2.60; adjusted P=.09), CDKN2B (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.85; adjusted P=.07), and MET (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.15-2.92; adjusted P=.09) were associated with a significantly increased risk of CAT independent of tumor type. Mutations in SETD2 were associated with a decreased risk of CAT (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16-0.79; adjusted P=.09). The presence of clonal hematopoiesis was not associated with an increased VTE rate. This is the first large-scale analysis to elucidate tumor-specific genomic events associated with CAT. Somatic tumor mutations of STK11, KRAS, CTNNB1, KEAP1, CDKN2B, and MET were associated with an increased risk of VTE in patients with solid tumors. Further analysis is needed to validate these findings and identify additional molecular signatures unique to individual tumor types