Dataset Information

Circulating Tumor DNA Correlates with Outcome in Metastatic Melanoma Treated by BRAF and MEK Inhibitors - Results of a Prospective Biomarker Study.

ABSTRACT: Purpose:BRAF and MEK inhibitors significantly improved the prognosis of metastatic melanoma. Nevertheless, initial treatment response may be only temporary. Liquid biopsies (LB) offer a possibility to monitor patients by measuring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). We sought to find out whether ctDNA can be used to reliably determine progressive disease under targeted therapy. In addition, we wanted to check whether ctDNA may represent a possible prognostic marker for survival. Patients and Methods:We included 19 melanoma patients with BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy. For each patient, a 710 gene panel was analyzed on the latest available tumor tissue before the start of therapy. Repetitive LB were collected in which BRAF V600E/K mutations were monitored using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). We correlated radiological staging results and overall survival with ctDNA results. Results:In 13 patients, ctDNA was detectable when starting targeted therapy, whereas in six patients, ddPCR was always negative, which we confirmed with ultra-deep sequencing. All patients with initially detectable ctDNA had ctDNA values declining to zero during follow-up, increasing again at the time of extracerebral progression or even slightly before detection by imaging. Survival was significantly worse for patients with elevated LDH (p=0.034) or detectable ctDNA (p=0.008) at the start of targeted therapy. Conclusion:Therapy monitoring by ctDNA seems to be a reliable method for detecting extracranial progression, even more sensitive and specific than LDH or S100B. However, due to the small number of cases in our study, further studies are necessary.

SUBMITTER: Forschner A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7280255 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Circulating Tumor DNA Correlates with Outcome in Metastatic Melanoma Treated by BRAF and MEK Inhibitors - Results of a Prospective Biomarker Study.

Forschner Andrea A Weißgraeber Stephanie S Hadaschik Dirk D Schulze Martin M Kopp Maria M Kelkenberg Sabine S Sinnberg Tobias T Garbe Claus C Biskup Saskia S Battke Florian F

OncoTargets and therapy 20200604

<h4>Purpose</h4>BRAF and MEK inhibitors significantly improved the prognosis of metastatic melanoma. Nevertheless, initial treatment response may be only temporary. Liquid biopsies (LB) offer a possibility to monitor patients by measuring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). We sought to find out whether ctDNA can be used to reliably determine progressive disease under targeted therapy. In addition, we wanted to check whether ctDNA may represent a possible prognostic marker for survival.<h4>Patients a ...[more]

PMID: 32581559

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Immune checkpoint inhibitors, along with BRAF and MEK inhibitors, have dramatically changed the management of and outlook for patients with metastatic melanoma. Analyses of long-term follow-up data and subanalyses based on disease characteristics may inform clinical decision making. METHODS:Reports of clinical trials in metastatic melanoma published between January 1, 2012, and August 30, 2018, were identified using PubMed (terms: melanoma AND [dabrafenib OR trametinib OR vemurafenib OR cobimetinib OR encorafenib OR ipilimumab OR nivolumab OR pembrolizumab]) and were systematically reviewed. Relevant congress proceedings were also assessed. Efficacy data from key phase III trials were analyzed and trends identified. RESULTS:Substantial improvements in objective response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival were documented across 14 identified publications. Subgroup findings supported that patients with lower disease burden derive greater benefit than patients with more advanced disease, limiting the value of disease burden in the clinical decision-making process. However, these agents consistently conferred benefits despite the presence of poor prognostic features. Several clinically relevant questions remain, including how best to sequence immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination targeted therapy. CONCLUSION:This research, coupled with ongoing investigations, including those on predictive biomarkers, suggests that the treatment decision-making process is likely to become more nuanced. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:The management of melanoma has been rapidly advancing with new classes of agents, including immune checkpoint and BRAF inhibitors. With long-term follow-up, their impact on response rates and survival outcomes is well documented. Additional findings from subgroup analyses suggest that patients with lower disease burden derive greater benefit, yet both consistently confer benefit in patients with higher disease burden. Currently, there is a paucity of data to guide first-line treatment selection between immunotherapy and BRAF-targeted therapy in clinical practice or to estimate their impact when sequenced. Gaining these insights will facilitate a more nuanced management approach.

Project description:Resistance to therapy with BRAF kinase inhibitors is associated with reactivation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. To address this problem, we conducted a phase 1 and 2 trial of combined treatment with dabrafenib, a selective BRAF inhibitor, and trametinib, a selective MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor.In this open-label study involving 247 patients with metastatic melanoma and BRAF V600 mutations, we evaluated the pharmacokinetic activity and safety of oral dabrafenib (75 or 150 mg twice daily) and trametinib (1, 1.5, or 2 mg daily) in 85 patients and then randomly assigned 162 patients to receive combination therapy with dabrafenib (150 mg) plus trametinib (1 or 2 mg) or dabrafenib monotherapy. The primary end points were the incidence of cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma, survival free of melanoma progression, and response. Secondary end points were overall survival and pharmacokinetic activity.Dose-limiting toxic effects were infrequently observed in patients receiving combination therapy with 150 mg of dabrafenib and 2 mg of trametinib (combination 150/2). Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma was seen in 7% of patients receiving combination 150/2 and in 19% receiving monotherapy (P=0.09), whereas pyrexia was more common in the combination 150/2 group than in the monotherapy group (71% vs. 26%). Median progression-free survival in the combination 150/2 group was 9.4 months, as compared with 5.8 months in the monotherapy group (hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.25 to 0.62; P<0.001). The rate of complete or partial response with combination 150/2 therapy was 76%, as compared with 54% with monotherapy (P=0.03).Dabrafenib and trametinib were safely combined at full monotherapy doses. The rate of pyrexia was increased with combination therapy, whereas the rate of proliferative skin lesions was nonsignificantly reduced. Progression-free survival was significantly improved. (Funded by GlaxoSmithKline; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01072175.).

Dataset Information

Circulating Tumor DNA Correlates with Outcome in Metastatic Melanoma Treated by BRAF and MEK Inhibitors - Results of a Prospective Biomarker Study.

Publications

Circulating Tumor DNA Correlates with Outcome in Metastatic Melanoma Treated by BRAF and MEK Inhibitors - Results of a Prospective Biomarker Study.

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