Initial findings from the DREAM-GI national database: Assessing the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy (NIT) in patients with deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI-H) gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

Authors

Sakti Chakrabarti

Sakti Chakrabarti

Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Sakti Chakrabarti , J. Eva Selfridge , Marie Parish , David L Bajor , Antony Ruggeri , Sameer Tolay , Madison Conces , Melissa Amy Lumish , AMR MOHAMED , Amit Mahipal , Aditya V. Shreenivas

Organizations

Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, Aurora Advanced Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, Agnesian Healthcare, Fond Du Lac, WI, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Research Funding

No funding sources reported

Background: Patients with dMMR/MSI-H gastrointestinal (GI) cancer occasionally receive neoadjuvant immunotherapy (NIT) due to various clinical considerations. To systematically evaluate the outcome of these patients, we initiated the DREAM-GI national database, intending to harness real-world data to provide crucial insights into the outcomes, safety profile, and response patterns of dMMR/MSI-H GI cancer patients undergoing NIT. Herein, we present the initial findings. Methods: We developed a centralized database to collect de-identified clinical data from patients with dMMR/MSI-H GI cancers receiving NIT. We collected data retrospectively and prospectively through September 15, 2023. Results: The current report includes 50 patients with a median age of 67 years (range 32 to 90); 21 (42%) were female, 9 (18%) were Black, and the remaining were White. The cohort included the following tumor types- 31 (62%) colorectal, 7 (14%) gastroesophageal, and 12 (24 %) pancreaticobiliary. Most patients had localized disease (34, 68%), while the rest had oligometastatic disease. NIT consisted of pembrolizumab monotherapy in 40 (80%) patients, ipilimumab plus nivolumab in 8 (16%), and nivolumab plus chemotherapy in 2 (4%) patients. Most patients, 33 (66%), were treatment-naive. The median duration of NIT was 6 months (range: 1.5 to 55), with a time to best response of 3 months (range: 1.5 to 12). Among 47 evaluable patients, the best responses were as follows: an overall response rate of 75% (35/47), consisting of radiologic complete response (CR) in 20 (43%), pathologic CR in 4 (9%), and partial response in 11 (24%). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached after a median follow-up of 14 months (range: 2-80), calculated from the date of the first immunotherapy dose to the last follow-up or death. Among 24 patients achieving CR, all remained progression-free after a median follow-up of 25.5 months (range: 3-80). Stable and progressive diseases were observed in 7 (15%) and 5 (10%) patients, respectively. Only 5 (10%) patients underwent surgery following NIT, with 4 (80%) achieving pathologic CR. The reasons for not proceeding with surgery were comorbidities in 40 (80%) patients, disease extent in 4 (8%), and patient refusal in 1 (2%). Out of the 12 patients who expired at the data cut-off, 1 was due to immunotherapy-related pneumonitis, 6 due to disease progression, and the remainder from underlying comorbidities. Conclusions: Our study underscores the remarkable response rates and durability of responses achieved with NIT in patients with dMMR/MSI-H GI cancers. Progression on NIT was infrequent. These real-world data support further investigation into non-operative approaches for patients with dMMR/MSI-H GI cancers.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2024 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach and Other Gastrointestinal Cancers

Track

Esophageal and Gastric Cancer,Other GI Cancer

Sub Track

Patient-Reported Outcomes and Real-World Evidence

Citation

J Clin Oncol 42, 2024 (suppl 3; abstr 736)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2024.42.3_suppl.736

Abstract #

736

Poster Bd #

L11

Abstract Disclosures