Surgery (RMH) - Research Publications

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    Radiomic features of glucose metabolism enable prediction of outcome in mantle cell lymphoma.
    Mayerhoefer, ME ; Riedl, CC ; Kumar, A ; Gibbs, P ; Weber, M ; Tal, I ; Schilksy, J ; Schöder, H (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2019-12)
    PURPOSE: To determine whether [18F]FDG PET/CT-derived radiomic features alone or in combination with clinical, laboratory and biological parameters are predictive of 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and whether they enable outcome prognostication. METHODS: Included in this retrospective study were 107 treatment-naive MCL patients scheduled to receive CD20 antibody-based immuno(chemo)therapy. Standardized uptake values (SUV), total lesion glycolysis, and 16 co-occurrence matrix radiomic features were extracted from metabolic tumour volumes on pretherapy [18F]FDG PET/CT scans. A multilayer perceptron neural network in combination with logistic regression analyses for feature selection was used for prediction of 2-year PFS. International prognostic indices for MCL (MIPI and MIPI-b) were calculated and combined with the radiomic data. Kaplan-Meier estimates with log-rank tests were used for PFS prognostication. RESULTS: SUVmean (OR 1.272, P = 0.013) and Entropy (heterogeneity of glucose metabolism; OR 1.131, P = 0.027) were significantly predictive of 2-year PFS: median areas under the curve were 0.72 based on the two radiomic features alone, and 0.82 with the addition of clinical/laboratory/biological data. Higher SUVmean in combination with higher Entropy (SUVmean >3.55 and entropy >3.5), reflecting high "metabolic risk", was associated with a poorer prognosis (median PFS 20.3 vs. 39.4 months, HR 2.285, P = 0.005). The best PFS prognostication was achieved using the MIPI-bm (MIPI-b and metabolic risk combined): median PFS 43.2, 38.2 and 20.3 months in the low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk groups respectively (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In MCL, the [18F]FDG PET/CT-derived radiomic features SUVmean and Entropy may improve prediction of 2-year PFS and PFS prognostication. The best results may be achieved using a combination of metabolic, clinical, laboratory and biological parameters.
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    Precision oncology using a clinician-directed, tailored approach to molecular profiling
    Lam, M ; Tran, B ; Beck, S ; Tie, J ; Herath, D ; Whittle, J ; Kwan, EM ; Fox, SB ; Fellowes, A ; Ananda, S ; Lipton, L ; Gibbs, P ; Rosenthal, MA ; Desai, J (WILEY, 2018-02)
    AIM: Precision oncology involves molecularly matching patients to targeted agents usually in early drug development (EDD) programs. Molecular profiling (MP) identifies actionable targets. Comprehensive commercial MP platforms are costly and in resource limited environments, a more practical approach to MP is necessary to support EDD and precision oncology. We adopted a clinician-directed, tailored approach to MP to enrol patients onto molecularly targeted trials. We report the feasibility of this approach. METHODS: All patients referred to the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) EDD between September 2013 and September 2015 were identified in a prospective database. Key captured data included clinicopathological data, MP platform ordered (if any), molecular targets identified and subsequent enrolment onto clinical trials. EDD-clinician decisions to order MP and the platform utilized was guided by patient consultation, tumor type, trial availability and requirement for molecular information. RESULTS: We identified 377 patients referred to RMH EDD. A total of 216 (57%) had MP ordered. The remainder had known actionable targets (19%), or were inappropriate for clinical trials (24%). In those undergoing MP, 187 genetic aberrations were found in 113 patients with 98 considered actionable targets in 86 patients. Ninety-eight (25%) patients were enrolled onto a clinical trial, including 40 (11%) receiving molecularly matched treatments. Median progression-free survival was improved in patients enrolled onto molecularly matched trials compared to those on unmatched trials (3.6 months vs 1.9 months, HR 0.58 [0.38-0.89], P  =  0.013). CONCLUSION: A clinician-directed, tailored approach to the use of MP is feasible, resulting in 11% of patients enrolled onto molecularly matched trials.
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    How accurate are medical oncologists' impressions of management of metastatic colorectal cancer in Australia?
    Au, L ; Turner, N ; Wong, H-L ; Field, K ; Lee, B ; Boadle, D ; Cooray, P ; Karikios, D ; Kosmider, S ; Lipton, L ; Nott, L ; Parente, P ; Tie, J ; Tran, B ; Wong, R ; Yip, D ; Shapiro, J ; Gibbs, P (WILEY, 2018-04)
    AIM: Current efforts to understand patient management in clinical practice are largely based on clinician surveys with uncertain reliability. The TRACC (Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer) database is a multisite registry collecting comprehensive treatment and outcome data on consecutive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients at multiple sites across Australia. This study aims to determine the accuracy of oncologists' impressions of real-word practice by comparing clinicians' estimates to data captured by TRACC. METHODS: Nineteen medical oncologists from nine hospitals contributing data to TRACC completed a 34-question survey regarding their impression of the management and outcomes of mCRC at their own practice and other hospitals contributing to the database. Responses were then compared with TRACC data to determine how closely their impressions reflected actual practice. RESULTS: Data on 1300 patients with mCRC were available. Median clinician estimated frequency of KRAS testing within 6 months of diagnosis was 80% (range: 20-100%); the TRACC documented rate was 43%. Clinicians generally overestimated the rates of first-line treatment, particularly in patients over 75 years. Estimate for bevacizumab in first line was 60% (35-80%) versus 49% in TRACC. Estimated rate for liver resection varied substantially (5-35%), and the estimated median (27%) was inconsistent with the TRACC rate (12%). Oncologists generally felt their practice was similar to other hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Oncologists' estimates of current clinical practice varied and were discordant with the TRACC database, often with a tendency to overestimate interventions. Clinician surveys alone do not reliably capture contemporary clinical practices in mCRC.
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    Examining the impact of regular aspirin use and PIK3CA mutations on survival in stage 2 colon cancer
    Murphy, C ; Turner, N ; Wong, H-L ; Sinnathamby, M ; Tie, J ; Lee, B ; Desai, J ; Skinner, I ; Christie, M ; Hutchinson, R ; Lunke, S ; Waring, P ; Gibbs, P ; Ben, T (WILEY, 2017-01)
    BACKGROUND/AIM: Data suggest aspirin improves survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) harbouring PIK3CA mutations. The impact of aspirin is thought predominantly to be through an anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of aspirin use on survival in a real-world cohort of stage 2 colon cancer (CC) patients. METHODS: A prospective CRC database identified patients diagnosed with stage 2 CC between 2000 and 2011. PIK3CA mutation status was determined by next generation sequencing. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio greater than 5 at diagnosis represented systemic inflammation. Chart review was used to record regular aspirin use at diagnosis. Clinico-pathological features and survival data were available. Survival analyses used the Cox proportional hazards method. RESULTS: Of 488 patients with stage 2 CC, 95 patients were aspirin users and 70 patients had PIK3CA mutations. Aspirin users were more likely to be older (median: 76.4 years vs 68.3 years, P < 0.001), to be less fit (American Society of Anaesthetists Score 3-4: 58% vs 31%, P < 0.001) and to have systemic inflammation (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio > 5: 39% vs 27%, P = 0.027). Regular aspirin use did not significantly improve recurrence-free survival. In the PIK3CA mutated group, there was a trend towards improved recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.45, P = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not demonstrate a significant survival advantage from aspirin use in stage 2 PIK3CA mutated CC. The 'real-world' nature of our cohort and the subsequent uncontrolled differences in age and fitness in aspirin users are likely to have contributed to this result. Defining the true impact of aspirin in CRC requires prospective randomised clinical trials.
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    The impact of bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer with an intact primary tumor: Results from a large prospective cohort study
    Lee, B ; Wong, H-L ; Tacey, M ; Tie, J ; Wong, R ; Lee, M ; Nott, L ; Shapiro, J ; Jennens, R ; Turner, N ; Tran, B ; Ananda, S ; Yip, D ; Richardson, G ; Parente, P ; Lim, L ; Stefanou, G ; Burge, M ; Iddawela, M ; Power, J ; Gibbs, P (WILEY, 2017-08)
    BACKGROUND: Debate continues regarding the benefits versus risks of initial resection of the primary tumor in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with an asymptomatic primary tumor. Although the benefit of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent bevacizumab alongside first-line chemotherapy in mCRC is established, the impact of bevacizumab on the intact primary tumor (IPT) is less well understood. METHODS: Data from an Australian mCRC registry were used to assess the impact of bevacizumab-based regimens in the presence of an IPT, to see if this differs from effects in resected primary tumor (RPT) patients and to understand the safety profile of bevacizumab in patients with IPT. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety endpoints were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 1204 mCRC patients, 826 (69%) were eligible for inclusion. Bevacizumab use was similar in both arms (IPT (64%) versus RPT (70%)); compared with chemotherapy alone, bevacizumab use was associated with significantly longer PFS (IPT: 8.5 months vs 4.7 months, P = 0.017; RPT: 10.8 months vs 5.8 months, P < 0.001) and OS (IPT: 20 months vs 14.8 months, P = 0.005; RPT: 24.4 months vs 17.3 months, P = 0.004)).1 Bevacizumab use in an IPT was associated with more GI perforations (4.5% vs 1.8%, P = 0.210) but less frequent bleeding (1.5% vs 5.3%, P = 0.050) and thrombosis (1.5% vs 2.7%, P = 0.470), versus chemotherapy alone. Median survival was equivalent between patients that did or did not experience bevacizumab-related adverse events - 20.0 months versus 19.9 months, hazard ratio = 0.98, P = 0.623.1 CONCLUSIONS: The addition of bevacizumab significantly improved survival outcomes in mCRC with an IPT. The occurrence of bevacizumab-related adverse events did not significantly impact survival outcomes.
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    Incidence of pulmonary embolism in patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer
    Daniel, ES ; Dean, AE ; Lim, M ; Master, M ; Gibbs, P ; Faragher, I (WILEY, 2018-04)
    BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested a benefit from extended venous thromboprophylaxis post-operatively in colorectal cancer with an assumed base rate of zero venous thromboembolic events prior to treatment. We aim to establish the incidence of pulmonary embolism in patients with newly diagnosed stage III or IV colorectal cancer prior to any treatment. METHOD: Consecutive patients presenting to a single health service with a new diagnosis of stage III or IV colorectal cancer were identified from a prospective database, for the period between January 2011 and September 2014. Contemporaneous clinical data was reviewed. Included patients had a computerized tomography (CT) chest scan for pre-operative staging for cancer. The diagnosis of pulmonary emboli was made on chest CT. RESULTS: Of 330 patients identified, 224 had baseline CT chest imaging available for review, of which 107 (47.8%) were technically adequate scans. Pulmonary emboli were identified on five (4.7%) of these 107, including one of five patients (1.7%) with stage III and four of five patients (8.3%) with stage IV disease. None of the 107 patients with adequate scans had post-operative pulmonary emboli or deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: There is a clinically significant baseline rate of asymptomatic pulmonary emboli in patients with stage III and IV colorectal cancer that can be demonstrated on the staging chest CT scan. Pulmonary emboli described as a post-operative event in previous series may have been present prior to surgery.
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    Australian contemporary management of synchronous metastatic colorectal cancer
    Malouf, P ; Gibbs, P ; Shapiro, J ; Sockler, J ; Bell, S (WILEY, 2018-01)
    INTRODUCTION: This article outlines the current Australian multidisciplinary treatment of synchronous metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma and assesses the factors that influence patient outcome. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the prospective 'Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer' registry, describing the patient treatment pathway and documenting the extent of disease, resection of the colorectal primary and metastases, chemotherapy and biological therapy use. Cox regression models for progression-free and overall survival were constructed with a comprehensive set of clinical variables. Analysis was intentionn-ton-treat, quantifying the effect of treatment intent decided at the multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT). RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and nine patients presented with synchronous metastatic disease between July 2009 and November 2015. Median follow-up was 15.8 months; 4.4% (group 1) had already curative resections of primary and metastases prior to MDT, 22.2% (group 2) were considered curative but were referred to MDT for opinion and/or medical oncology treatment prior to resection and 70.2% were considered palliative at MDT (group 3). Overall, 83% received chemotherapy, 55% had their primary resected and 23% had their metastases resected; 13% of resections were synchronous, 20% were staged with primary resected first and 62% had only the colorectal primary managed surgically. Performance status, metastasis resection (R0 versus R1 versus R2 versus no resection), resection of the colorectal primary and treatment intent determined at MDT were the most significant factors for progression-free and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest Australian series of synchronous metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma and offers insight into the nature and utility of contemporary practice.
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    Chemotherapy and biologic use in the routine management of metastatic colorectal cancer in Australia: is clinical practice following the evidence?
    Semira, C ; Wong, H-L ; Field, K ; Lee, M ; Lee, B ; Nott, L ; Shapiro, J ; Wong, R ; Tie, J ; Tran, B ; Richardson, G ; Zimet, A ; Lipton, L ; Tamjid, B ; Burge, M ; Ma, B ; Johns, J ; Harold, M ; Gibbs, P (WILEY, 2019-04)
    BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence on the optimal use of chemotherapy and biologics in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer should impact management in routine care. Recent studies have demonstrated benefits for initial triplet chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan, FOLFOXIRI) and for initial treatment with an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRi) in patients with a RAS wild-type tumour and a left-sided primary tumour. AIM: To explore evolving pattern of metastatic colorectal cancer care over time in Australia. METHODS: We analysed data from the Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer registry. RESULTS: From July 2009 to December 2017, 2552 metastatic colorectal cancer patients were entered into the Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer registry. Of 1585 patients who initially underwent chemotherapy, treatment was with a doublet in 76%. FOLFOXIRI was given to 22 patients (1.4%), mostly young patients and those with potentially resectable disease. Along with first-line chemotherapy, 61% received bevacizumab, while 3.3% received an EGFRi, predominantly over the last 2 years. Within the KRAS wild-type left-sided tumour cohort, EGFRi use increased from 9% in 2015 to 37% in 2017. Across treatment sites, there was a wide variation in the utilisation of FOLFOXIRI and EGFRi therapy; bevacizumab use was more consistent. A clear impact on survival outcomes from these regimens is not evident, potentially due to multiple confounders. CONCLUSION: Doublet chemotherapy + bevacizumab remains the dominant initial strategy, with limited uptake of triplet chemotherapy and of EGFRi. Potential explanations include uncertainty about the significance of post hoc analyses for EGFRi and concerns regarding adverse events for both strategies.
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    Right versus left sided metastatic colorectal cancer: Teasing out clinicopathologic drivers of disparity in survival
    Mendis, S ; Beck, S ; Lee, B ; Lee, M ; Wong, R ; Kosmider, S ; Shapiro, J ; Yip, D ; Steel, S ; Nott, L ; Jennens, R ; Lipton, L ; Burge, M ; Field, K ; Ananda, S ; Wong, H-L ; Gibbs, P (WILEY, 2019-06)
    BACKGROUND: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with a right-sided primary (RC) have an inferior survival to mCRC arising from a left-sided primary (LC). Previous analyses have suggested multiple factors contribute. METHODS: The Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer (TRACC) Registry prospectively captured data on consecutive mCRC patients. RC were defined as tumors proximal to the splenic flexure; LC were those at and distal to the splenic flexure and included rectal cancers. Patient, tumor, treatment, and survival data were analyzed stratified by side. RESULTS: Of 2306 patients enrolled from July 2009-March 2018, 747 (32%) had an RC. Patients with RC were older, more likely to be female and have a Charlson score ≥3. RC were more frequently BRAF mutated, deficient in mismatch repair, associated with peritoneal metastases, and less likely to receive chemotherapy. Progression-free survival on first-line systemic therapy was inferior for RC patients (8.1 vs. 10.8 months, hazard ratio [HR] for progression in RC 1.38, P < 0.001). Median overall survival for all RC patients was inferior (19.6 vs. 27.5 months, HR for death in RC 1.44, P < 0.001), and inferior within the treated (21 vs. 29.5 months, HR 1.52, P < 0.001) and untreated subgroups (5.9 vs. 10.3 months, HR 1.38, P = 0.009). Primary side remained a significant factor for overall survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our data from a real-world population confirms the poorer prognosis associated with RC. Primary tumor location remains significantly associated with overall survival even when adjusting for multiple factors, indicating the existence of further side-based differences that are as yet undefined.
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    Registry-based randomized clinical trials as a method to improve cancer care in Australia
    Foroughi, S ; Wong, H-L ; Gately, L ; Lee, M ; Simons, K ; Tie, J ; Burgess, AW ; Gibbs, P (WILEY, 2019-06)