Purpose Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is characterized by excessive hyaluronan (HA) accumulation in the tumor microenvironment, elevating interstitial pressure and impairing perfusion. Preclinical studies demonstrated pegvorhyaluronidase alfa (PEGPH20) degrades HA, thereby increasing drug delivery. Patients and Methods Patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to treatment with PEGPH20 plus nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (PAG) or nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (AG). Tumor HA levels were measured retrospectively using a novel affinity histochemistry assay. Primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS; overall) and thromboembolic (TE) event rate. Secondary end points included overall survival, PFS by HA level, and objective response rate. An early imbalance in TE events in the PAG arm led to a clinical hold; thereafter, patients with TE events were excluded and enoxaparin prophylaxis was initiated. Results A total of 279 patients were randomly assigned; 246 had HA data; 231 were evaluable for efficacy; 84 (34%) had HA-high tumors (ie, extracellular matrix HA staining ≥ 50% of tumor surface at any intensity). PFS was significantly improved with PAG treatment overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.53 to 1.00; P = .049) and for patients with HA-high tumors (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.26 to 1.00; P = .048). In patients with HA-high tumors (PAG v AG), the objective response rate was 45% versus 31%, and median overall survival was 11.5 versus 8.5 months (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.61). The most common treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse events with significant differences between arms (PAG v AG) included muscle spasms (13% v 1%), neutropenia (29% v 18%), and myalgia (5% v 0%). TE events were comparable after enoxaparin initiation (14% PAG v 10% AG). Conclusion This study met its primary end points of PFS and TE event rate. The largest improvement in PFS was observed in patients with HA-high tumors who received PAG. A similar TE event rate was observed between the treatment groups in stage 2 of the trial.

Summary Many tumor cells are fueled by altered metabolism and increased glutamine (Gln) dependence. We identify regulation of the L-glutamine carrier proteins SLC1A5 and SLC38A2 (SLC1A5/38A2) by the ubiquitin ligase RNF5. Paclitaxel-induced ER stress to breast cancer (BCa) cells promotes RNF5 association, ubiquitination and degradation of SLC1A5/38A2. This decreases Gln uptake, levels of TCA cycle components, mTOR signaling and proliferation while increasing autophagy and cell death. Rnf5-deficient MMTV-PyMT mammary tumors were less differentiated and showed elevated SLC1A5 expression. Whereas RNF5 depletion in MDA-MB-231 cells promoted tumorigenesis and abolished paclitaxel responsiveness, SLC1A5/38A2 knockdown elicited opposing effects. Inverse RNF5HI/SLC1A5/38A2LO expression was associated with positive prognosis in BCa. Thus, RNF5 control of Gln uptake underlies BCa response to chemotherapies.

4008 Background: Hyaluronan (HA) accumulation in the tumor microenvironment produces elevated tumor pressure, vascular compression, and reduced drug delivery. PEGPH20 degrades HA, increasing the access and therapeutic index of anticancer agents. Methods: In Stage 1 of this phase II study, pts with untreated mPDA were randomized 1:1 to PAG (P; 3 µg/kg IV 2x/wk x 3 wks in C1, then 1x/wk x 3 wks in C2+, plus AG) vs AG every 28 days. An imbalance in thromboembolic (TE) events in the PAG arm led to a clinical hold (~40% of pts discontinued PEGPH20), exclusion of pts at high risk for TE events and enoxaparin prophylaxis in both study arms. In Stage 2, randomization was 2:1 to PAG vs AG. Tumor HA was tested using a novel assay (VENTANA HA RxDx). Primary endpoints were PFS (evaluable pts) and TE event rate (Stage 2). Secondary endpoints were PFS by HA level and ORR. Results: 279 pts were randomized; 231 are evaluable for efficacy. Of 246 pts with HA data, 84 (34%) were HA-High. As of December 16, 2016, the primary PFS endpoint was statistically significant for PAG vs AG (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.53-1.00; p = 0.048) (Table). PFS in HA-High pts was also statistically significant in the PAG vs AG arm (HR 0.51; 95% CI 0.26-1.00; p = 0.048). ORR in HA-High pts was 46% (PAG) vs 34% (AG). Overall survival in HA-High pts (exploratory) was 11.5 months (mo) (PAG) and 8.5 mo (AG) (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.57-1.61). TE events were similar (PAG 14% vs AG 10%) following enoxaparin initiation. All grade treatment-related AE included peripheral edema (PAG 63% vs AG 26%), muscle spasms (56% vs 3%), neutropenia (34% vs 19%), and myalgia (26% vs 7%). Conclusions: Randomized Phase II study met both primary endpoints (PFS and TE event rate), with the largest improvement in the secondary endpoint of PFS in HA-High pts. These data support HA as a potential predictive biomarker for patient selection of PEGPH20, currently investigated in the ongoing global Phase III HALO 301 study with PFS and OS as co-primary endpoints. Clinical trial information: NCT01839487. [Table: see text]

In the absence of the gene amplification, HER2 protein overexpression may be explained by other mechanisms including polysomy 17.

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