Faculty Bibliography

IMPORTANCE/UNASSIGNED:The oral microbiota may be involved in the development of pancreatic cancer, yet current evidence is largely limited to bacterial 16S amplicon sequencing and small retrospective case-control studies. OBJECTIVE/UNASSIGNED:To test whether the oral bacterial and fungal microbiome is associated with the subsequent development of pancreatic cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS/UNASSIGNED:This cohort study used data from 2 epidemiological cohorts: the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort and the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Among cohort participants who provided oral samples, those who prospectively developed pancreatic cancer were identified during follow-up. Control participants who remained free of cancer were selected by 1:1 frequency matching on cohort, 5-year age band, sex, race and ethnicity, and time since oral sample collection. Data were collected from August 2023 to September 2024, and data were analyzed from August 2023 to January 2025. EXPOSURES/UNASSIGNED:The oral bacterial and fungal microbiome were characterized via whole-genome shotgun sequencing and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, respectively. The association of periodontal pathogens of the red complex (Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia) and orange complex (Fusobacterium nucleatum, F periodonticum, Prevotella intermedia, P nigrescens, Parvimonas micra, Eubacterium nodatum, Campylobacter shower, and C gracilis) with pancreatic cancer was tested via logistic regression. The association of the microbiome-wide bacterial and fungal taxa with pancreatic cancer was assessed by Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes With Bias Correction 2 (ANCOM-BC2). Microbial risk scores (MRS) for pancreatic cancer were calculated from the risk-associated bacterial and fungal species. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES/UNASSIGNED:Pancreatic cancer incidence. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:Of 122 000 cohort participants who provided samples, 445 developed pancreatic cancer over a median (IQR) follow-up of 8.8 (4.9-13.4) years and were matched with 445 controls. Of these 890 participants, 474 (53.3%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 67.2 (7.5) years. Three oral bacterial periodontal pathogens-P gingivalis, E nodatum, and P micra-were associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer. A bacteriome-wide scan revealed 8 oral bacteria associated with decreased and 13 oral bacteria associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer (false discovery rate-adjusted Q statistic less than .05). Of the fungi, genus Candida was associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The MRS, based on 27 oral species, was associated with an increase in pancreatic cancer risk (multivariate odds ratio per 1-SD increase in MRS, 3.44; 95% CI, 2.63-4.51). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE/UNASSIGNED:In this cohort study, oral bacteria and fungi were significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer development. Oral microbiota hold promise as biomarkers to identify individuals at high risk of pancreatic cancer, potentially contributing to personalized prevention.

BACKGROUND:Surgical resection without visible or residual microscopic disease (R0 resection) is known as the optimal path to cure localized pancreatic cancer (PDAC). Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is used to improve R0 resection rates; however, the optimal regimen is unclear. We assessed the safety and efficacy of peri-operative gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GEM/NAB) and pre-operative stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with resectable (R-PDAC) and borderline resectable PDAC (BR-PDAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS/METHODS:This was a prospective, multicenter single arm phase 2 study in patients with R-PDAC and BR-PDAC. Patients received three cycles of GEM/NAB prior to SBRT followed by surgery and three cycles of adjuvant GEM/NAB. Primary endpoint was R0 surgical resection rate in each cohort. Secondary endpoints included safety and overall survival (OS). RESULTS:Eighty-six patients consented and following radiologic screening, 49 were enrolled into two cohorts: R-PDAC (n = 20) and BR-PDAC (n = 29) between June 2016 and April 2021. Seventy percent of R-PDAC (14/20) and 55.2% of BR-PDAC patients (16/29) completed all NAT. Eleven R-PDAC (55.0%) and 11 BR-PDAC patients (37.9%) underwent surgical resection. Nine R-PDAC (45.0%) and 9 BR-PDAC patients (31.0%) had R0 resections. The median OS for R-PDAC and BR-PDAC patients with R0 resections was 22 months (95% CI: 17.7months-NA) and 39 months (95%CI:13.21months-NA), respectively. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:While the trial failed to meet one of its primary objectives as only 45% of R-PDAC patients had an R0 resection, the objective of 30% R0 resection for the BR-PDAC group was met. NAT should be part of current therapeutic strategies for BR-PDAC; however, our trial does not answer what is the best NAT for BR-PDAC.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although surgery can be curable for a subset of patients, the five-year overall survival remains less than 15%. Despite extensive molecular characterization of pancreatic cancer, cytotoxic chemotherapy has served as the major component in therapeutic management. A major driver of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is mutations in KRAS, present in over 90% of cases. However, attempts to inhibit KRAS through upstream and downstream targets through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway have not been successful in the past. Despite this, multiple KRAS inhibitors have recently entered clinical trials and have shown promising results. These inhibitors have the potential to dramatically alter the landscape of treatment. In parallel, immunological approaches utilizing vaccines and bispecific antibodies are also in clinical development. Given these rapid new developments, the future of pancreatic cancer treatment will likely be determined by discovering the appropriate combinations of targeted and immune-based treatments.

BACKGROUND:The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system has shown tumor-suppressive effects in preclinical models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by inhibiting cancer stem cells and suppressing inflammatory cytokine production. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that bethanechol, an FDA-approved parasympathomimetic agent targeting muscarinic receptors, could enhance treatment efficacy in PDAC. METHODS:We conducted a Phase 0/window of opportunity study evaluating short term parasympathetic activation with fixed dose bethanechol (100 mg twice daily) in subjects with resectable or borderline resectable PDAC prior to surgery. The primary endpoint was change in cell proliferation by Ki-67 expression compared to stage matched controls. Secondary endpoints included tissue expression of stem cell markers (CD44), infiltrating immune cells (CD8a, Granzyme B, and CD68), and changes in circulating inflammatory cytokine concentrations. RESULTS:Seventeen patients were enrolled with 13 eligible for analysis of endpoints. Median age was 74 (59-86), 6 female (46%), all ECOG 0-1 and median duration of treatment was 8 days (7-13). R0 resections were achieved in 9 patients (69%). There was no difference in Ki67 and CD44 tissue biomarkers between bethanechol-treated and control samples. Decreased numbers of Granzyme B-expressing cells were seen in bethanechol-treated tissues. Bethanechol treatment was associated with suppression of circulating IL-18. The most common treatment related adverse events (TRAE) were hot flashes (30.7%), urinary frequency (15.4%), increased salivation (15.4%), hyperhidrosis (7.7%), and nausea (7.7%). There were no Grade 3 or higher adverse effects. No surgical complications were attributed to bethanechol treatment. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Bethanechol 100 mg twice daily is well tolerated in patients with PDAC in this small phase 0/window of opportunity study (NCT03572283). Bethanechol treatment was associated with decreased Granzyme B positive cells and decreased circulating IL-18 consistent with an anti-inflammatory role for parasympathetic muscarinic signaling in PDAC.

NCT06203600.

The pancreas tumor microbiota may influence tumor microenvironment and influence survival in early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, current studies are limited and small. We investigated the relationship of tumor microbiota to survival in 201 surgically resected patients with localized PDAC (Stages I-II), from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohorts. We characterized the tumor microbiome using RNA-sequencing data. We examined the association of the tumor microbiome with overall survival (OS), via meta-analysis with the Cox PH model. A microbial risk score (MRS) was calculated from the OS-associated microbiota. We further explored whether the OS-associated microbiota is related to host tumor immune infiltration. PDAC tumor microbiome α- and β-diversities were not associated with OS; however, 11 bacterial species, including species of Gammaproteobacteria, confirmed by extensive resampling, were significantly associated with OS (all Q < 0.05). The MRS summarizing these bacteria was related to a threefold change in OS (hazard ratio = 2.96 per standard deviation change in the MRS, 95% confidence interval = 2.26-3.86). This result was consistent across the two cohorts and in stratified analyses by adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy/radiation). Identified microbiota and the MRS also exhibited association with memory B cells and naïve CD4⁺ T cells, which may be related to the immune landscape through BCR and TCR signaling pathways. Our study shows that a unique tumor microbiome structure, potentially affecting the tumor immune microenvironment, is associated with poorer survival in resected early-stage PDAC. These findings suggest that microbial mechanisms may be involved in PDAC survival, potentially informing PDAC prognosis and guiding personalized treatment strategies.IMPORTANCEMuch of the available data on the PDAC tumor microbiome and survival are derived from relatively small and heterogeneous studies, including those involving patients with advanced stages of pancreatic cancer. There is a critical knowledge gap in terms of the tumor microbiome and survival in early-stage patients treated by surgical resection; we expect that advancements in survival may initially be best achieved in these patients who are treated with curative intent.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) followed by surgical resection represents a standard approach for patients with locally advanced esophageal/GEJ cancers. Sotigalimab is a high affinity CD40 agonist antibody capable of inducing and expanding anti-tumor immune responses by activating dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, and M1 macrophages. This study examined the safety and efficacy of combining sotigalimab with NCRT in patients with esophageal or GEJ cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS/METHODS:Patients with resectable (T1-3, Nx) adenocarcinoma(AC) or squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) of the esophagus or GEJ were eligible. T1N0 and cervical tumors were excluded. Study treatment: weekly carboplatin/paclitaxel with concurrent radiation 5040 cGy plus 3-4 doses of sotigalimab prior to Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Primary efficacy endpoint was pathologic complete response (path CR) rate. RESULTS:33 patients were enrolled (AC 76%, SCC 24%; clinical stage III 67%). Ninety percent of patients received all planned doses of sotigalimab. The most common adverse events attributed to sotigalimab were nausea, fever/chills, fatigue, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS); most of these were Grade 1-2. Grade >3 CRS was observed in 3 pts (9%). Twenty-five of the 29 efficacy-evaluable patients underwent an R0 resection (87.9%), with an overall path CR rate of 37.9% (11/29). Post-tumor samples demonstrated increased infiltration and activation of dendritic cells, monocytes, and cytotoxic T cells compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS:Sotigalimab combined with NCRT for esophageal or GEJ cancers was generally well tolerated and achieved path CR rates that compare favorably to historical data and are promising for this treatment strategy. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION/BACKGROUND:NCT03165994.

BACKGROUND:Modulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity in tumor cells enhances chemotherapy efficacy. We evaluated the selective GR modulator relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) who had received at least 2 prior therapy lines. PATIENTS AND METHODS/METHODS:In this open-label, single-arm, phase III study, patients received once-daily oral relacorilant (100 mg, titrated to 150 mg in 25 mg increments/cycle) and nab-paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, and 15 of 28-day cycles. The primary efficacy endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), target gene modulation, and safety were also assessed. RESULTS:Of 43 patients enrolled, 31 were evaluable for ORR (12 did not reach first postbaseline radiographic assessment). An interim analysis to assess whether ORR was ≥10% showed no confirmed responses and the study was discontinued. Two (6.5%) patients attained unconfirmed partial responses and 15 (48.4%) had stable disease. Fourteen of 31 (45.2%) patients had reductions in target lesion size, despite prior nab-paclitaxel exposure in 12 of the 14. Median PFS and OS were 2.4 months (95% CI, 1.4-4.2) and 3.9 months (95% CI, 2.8-4.9), respectively. The most common adverse events were fatigue and nausea. RNA analysis confirmed that relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel suppressed 8 cortisol target genes of interest. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel showed modest antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with mPDAC, with no new safety signals. Studies of this combination in other indications with a high unmet medical need are ongoing.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The benefit of adjuvant therapy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN)-derived pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear because of severely limited evidence. Although biologically distinct entities, adjuvant therapy practices for IPMN-derived PDAC are largely founded on pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia-derived PDAC. We aimed to evaluate the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in IPMN-derived PDAC. METHODS:This international multicenter retrospective cohort study (2005-2018) was conceived at the Verona Evidence-Based Medicine meeting. Cox regressions were performed to identify risk-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) associated with overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were employed for survival analysis. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors motivating adjuvant chemotherapy administration. A decision tree was proposed and categorized patients into overtreated, undertreated, and optimally treated cohorts. RESULTS:> .05). Based on this model, we observed undertreatment in 18.1% and overtreatment in 61.2% of patients. Factors associated with chemotherapy administration included younger age, R1-margin, poorer differentiation, and nodal disease. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Almost half of patients with resected IPMN-derived PDAC may be overtreated or undertreated. In patients with node-negative disease or normal CA19-9, adjuvant chemotherapy is not associated with a survival benefit, whereas those with node-positive disease and elevated CA19-9 have an associated benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. A decision tree was proposed. Randomized controlled trials are needed for validation.

BACKGROUND:5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a major component of gastrointestinal cancer treatments. In multidrug regimens such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and FOLFIRINOX, 5-FU is commonly administered as a bolus followed by an infusion. However, the pharmacologic rationale for incorporating the 5-FU bolus in these regimens is unclear, and there are other effective regimens for gastrointestinal cancers that do not include the bolus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether omission of the 5-FU bolus was associated with a difference in survival and toxicity. METHODS:A real-world database from Flatiron Health was queried for patients with advanced colorectal, gastroesophageal, and pancreatic cancers who received first-line FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and FOLFIRINOX regimens. Cox proportional hazards and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to compare survival outcomes between patients who received the 5-FU bolus and those who did not. Inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW) analysis was performed to adjust for treatment selection bias. RESULTS:This study included 11,765 patients with advanced colorectal (n=8,670), gastroesophageal (n=1,481), and pancreatic (n=1,614) cancers. Among all first-line 5-FU multidrug regimens, 10,148 (86.3%) patients received a 5-FU bolus and 1,617 (13.7%) did not. After IPTW analysis, we found that omitting the bolus was not associated with a decrease in overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.91-1.07; P=.74). However, omitting the bolus was associated with reductions in neutropenia (10.7% vs 22.7%; P<.01), thrombocytopenia (11.2% vs 16.1%; P<.01), and use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors after treatment (19.6% vs 29.1%; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS:After adjusting for baseline clinical factors, we found that omission of the 5-FU bolus from FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and FOLFIRINOX regimens was not associated with decreased survival, but resulted in decreased toxicity and possible health care savings.