February 14, 2022:

Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Investigators recently presented abstracts during the 2022 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. The abstracts included a poster featuring the BTCRC-GI15-015 study, led by Al B. Benson III, MD of Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, and a trials in progress poster featuring BTCRC-GI20-457 led by Kristen Renee Spencer, DO, MPH of Rutgers Cancer Institute.

BTCRC-GI15-015, a phase II study of FOLFOX combined with Nab-Paclitaxel (FOLFOX-A) in the treatment of metastatic or advanced unresectable gastric, gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma, found FOLFOX-A has a significant response rate, expected toxicities, and should be considered for future investigation in combination with immunotherapy given the recent approvals.

This multi-institution study included other Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium members Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin.

Authors include: Al B. Benson III, Masha Kocherginsky, Pashtoon Murtaza Kasi, Nataliya Volodymyrivna Uboha, Emil Lou, Yolande Chen, Howard S. Hochster, Sheetal Mehta Kircher, Mary Frances Mulcahy

See Abstract

BTCRC-GI20-457, a phase II study of atezolizumab and bevacizumab in child-pugh B7 hepatocellular carcinoma, is currently enrolling subjects. The study is a single arm phase II study investigating the safety of the combination of AB in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic HCC with Child-Pugh B7 liver dysfunction.

The primary objective of BTCRC-GI-457 is to estimate the safety of the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab in patients with advanced/metastatic HCC and Child-Pugh B7 liver dysfunction by grade 3-5 adverse event rate. The secondary objective is to estimate the efficacy of the combination in this patient population by overall response rate, disease control rate, duration of response, progression free survival, and overall survival. This study is currently open to accrual at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, University of Illinois Cancer Center, and University of Wisconsin.

Authors include Kristen Renee Spencer, Anita Ahmed Turk, Shikha Jain, Kelsey Klute, Sam Joseph Lubner, Dirk F. Moore, Howard S. Hochster

See abstract

About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium was created in 2013 to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative, hypothesis-driven, highly translational oncology trials that leverage the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities. The goal of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium is to create a unique team-research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to new approaches to cancer treatment. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow with the unified goal of improving the lives of all patients with cancer.

About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org