Investigator

Jonathan Ledermann

University College London

JLJonathan Ledermann
Papers(12)
Controversies in the …A multicenter retrosp…A randomized phase II…Poor Concordance Betw…An easy, fast, and ac…ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidel…How long is long enou…CINOVA: a phase II st…Prognostic nomogram f…Frontline Maintenance…Rucaparib maintenance…Symptom burden and qu…
Collaborators(10)
Michael FriedlanderEric Pujade LauraineYeh Chen LeeNicole ConcinChee Khoon LeeIain A. McNeishAngelina TjokrowidjajaIsabelle Ray-CoquardDomenica LorussoSally Lord
Institutions(9)
University College Lo…Prince of Wales Hospi…Arcagy GinecoUniversity of New Sou…Medical University of…The University of Syd…Imperial College Lond…Centre Leon BErardHumanitas San Pio X

Papers

A randomized phase II trial to examine modified vaccinia Ankara-5T4 vaccine in patients with relapsed asymptomatic ovarian cancer (TRIOC)

Background Immunotherapy directed at 5T4 tumor antigen may delay the need for further chemotherapy. An attenuated modified vaccinia Ankara virus containing the gene encoding for 5T4 (MVA-5T4) was studied in asymptomatic relapsed ovarian cancer. Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of MVA-5T4 as treatment for asymptomatic relapsed ovarian cancer. Methods TRIOC was a phase II randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled, double-blind multicenter study. The primary aim was to assess the effectiveness and safety of MVA-5T4 as a treatment for asymptomatic patients with relapsed ovarian cancer. Eligible patients had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IC1–III or IVA epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0–1, with relapse defined by a rise in CA-125 to twice the upper limit of normal or low-volume disease on CT scan. The primary endpoint was disease progression (including deaths from ovarian cancer) at 25 weeks. Following a brief suspension, the trial restarted as a single-arm study. The revised single-arm design required 45 evaluable patients treated with MVA-5T4 to detect a 25-week progression rate of 50%, assuming an expected 70% rate without MVA-5T4; 85% power with one-sided 5% significance. Results A total of 94 eligible patients were recruited, median age was 65 years (range 42–82), median follow-up 34 months (range 2–46). Overall, 59 patients received MVA-5T4 and 35 patients received placebo. The median number of MVA-5T4 injections received was 7 (range 0–9), compared with a median of 6 (range 1–12) for patients receiving placebo. Median progression-free survival was the same in both arms (3.0 months). The 25-week progression rate was similar in both arms: 80.0% for patients treated with MVA-5T4 and 85.7% for those receiving placebo (risk difference −5.7%, 95% CI −21.4% to 10.0%). Median time to clinical intervention was improved with MVA-5T4: 7.6 months (range 6.7–9.5) vs 5.6 (range 4.9–7.6), Conclusion MVA-5T4 vaccination in patients with asymptomatic relapse was well-tolerated but did not improve the progression rate at 25 weeks. The majority of patients who received MVA-5T4 had clinical intervention later than those assigned to placebo. Trial registration number NCT01556841 .

Poor Concordance Between Cancer Antigen-125 and RECIST Assessment for Progression in Patients With Platinum-Sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer on Maintenance Therapy With a Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor

PURPOSE Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) is recommended by treatment guidelines and widely used to diagnose ovarian cancer recurrence. The value of CA-125 as a surrogate for disease progression (PD) and its concordance with radiologic progression are unclear, particularly for women with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSROC) who have responded to chemotherapy and treated with maintenance poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi). METHODS In this pooled analysis of four randomized trials of maintenance PARPi or placebo (Study 19, SOLO2, ARIEL3, and NOVA), we extracted data on CA-125 PD as defined by Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup criteria and RECIST v1.1. We evaluated the concordance between CA-125 and RECIST PD and reported on the negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV). RESULTS Of 1,262 participants (n = 818 PARPi, n = 444 placebo), 403 (32%) had CA-125 PD, and of these, 366 had concordant RECIST PD (PPV, 91% [95% CI, 88 to 93]). However, of 859 (68%) without CA-125 PD, 382 also did not have RECIST PD (NPV, 44% [95% CI, 41 to 48]). Within the treatment arms, PPV remained high (PARPi, 91% [95% CI, 86 to 94]; placebo, 91% [95% CI, 86 to 95]) but NPV was lower on placebo (PARPi, 53% [95% CI, 49 to 57]; placebo, 25% [95% CI, 20 to 31]). Of 477 with RECIST-only PD, most (95%) had a normal CA-125 at the start of maintenance therapy and the majority (n = 304, 64%) had CA-125 that remained within normal range. Solid organ recurrence without peritoneal disease was more common in those with RECIST-only PD than in those with CA-125 and RECIST PD (36% v 24%; P < .001). CONCLUSION In patients with PSROC treated with maintenance PARPi, almost half with RECIST PD did not have CA-125 PD, challenging current guidelines. Periodic computed tomography imaging should be considered as part of surveillance, particularly in those with a normal CA-125 at the start of maintenance therapy and on treatment.

An easy, fast, and accurate way for implementing the standards of care for the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma into daily clinical practice: the ESGO mobile app

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) jointly published comprehensive evidence-based guidelines on all relevant issues of diagnosis and treatment in endometrial carcinoma in a multidisciplinary setting. In order to improve their implementation, a free downloadable easy-to-use mobile app was developed.Two interactive decision tools were created for (1) helping users to identify the recommended surgical steps, especially in terms of nodal staging approach based on the pre-operatively assumed risk group (tool #1), and (2) to facilitate prognostic risk group allocation and adjuvant treatment decision-making after primary surgery integrating both clinicopathological and molecular markers (if known) (tool #2). Algorithms and readable guidelines were also incorporated into the mobile app on all relevant issues of diagnosis and treatment. The scientific content presented in the app will be updated and modified in the future based on new evidence and user feedback.This article presents the decision tools and two practical examples of using these calculators to illustrate that the ESGO mobile app (available without the necessity of an internet connection) can provide fast and accurate responses to complex clinical questions that require the evaluation of numerous parameters.

How long is long enough? An international survey exploring practice variations on the recommended duration of maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors in patients with platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer and long-term outcomes

There are no data, and thus no consensus, on the optimal duration of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor maintenance therapy for exceptional responders (here defined as progression-free for 5 years or longer) with platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. The current licence is to continue PARP inhibitors until progression or toxicity; however, international practice varies considerably. The risks of late progression and late-onset myeloid malignancies, defined as occurring beyond 5 years of PARP inhibition, are unknown. This study aims to examine the practice patterns and opinions regarding the management and surveillance protocols of exceptional responders with platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. An online international survey of experts from June 2023 to June 2024 was carried out, disseminated at Gynaecologic Cancer Intergroup meetings and by Chairs of Cooperative Groups. 210 responses were received from 26 countries including Australia (27 respondents), Germany (24), the UK (21), the Netherlands (16), France (13), Spain (12), Canada (12), Italy (11), Japan (11), and other countries (63). Most respondents did not have institutional or trials group guidelines regarding duration of PARP inhibitors (154, 73.3%). For the minority with guidelines, recommendations varied: 1 year (2), 2 years (13), 3 years (4), and indefinite treatment (22). Individual practice varied considerably for those without guidelines: most (116, 76.3%) recommended ≥5 years of PARP inhibition, of which 73 (48.0%) recommended indefinite PARP inhibition. Sixty-six respondents (31.4%) reported having patients with late progression and 46 (22.0%) had cases with late-onset myeloid malignancies. Surveillance practices varied widely across all respondents. This international survey highlights the diverse practice variations and disparate views on the optimal duration of maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors in platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. The responses suggest a notable risk of late progression and myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia among exceptional responders which needs confirmation. Detailed individual patient data is required to draw more reliable conclusions; another study is underway addressing this.

CINOVA: a phase II study of CPC634 (nanoparticulate docetaxel) in patients with platinum resistant recurrent ovarian cancer

Recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis with limited therapeutic options. Sub-therapeutic intra-tumoral drug concentrations may add to therapy resistance. CPC634 (docetaxel entrapped in CriPec nanoparticles) was designed to enhance tumor accumulation of drug with localized drug release at the target site to increase therapeutic efficacy. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of CPC634 in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. According to a Simon 2-stage design trial, the first stage included 13 patients, and 12 patients were enrolled in the second stage. Eligible patients had measurable disease and had progressed ≤6 months after the last platinum-based therapy. Platinum-refractory disease was excluded. In stage 1, the number of previous treatment lines was unlimited; in the second stage, a maximum of two prior lines altogether were allowed. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) V1.1. Secondary endpoints included safety, progression-free survival at 6 months, cancer antigen 125 (CA125) response, and disease control rate. The patients' median age was 66 years (range 22-77) and most were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III (56%). The median number of previous treatment lines was 3 (range 3-5) in stage I and 2 (range 1-4) in stage II of the study. None of the patients had an objective response, one patient had a CA125 response (5%), and seven patients had stable disease at first evaluation (35%). Median progression-free survival was 1.4 months in stage 1 and 3.0 months in stage 2. Adverse events (all grades) were mainly gastrointestinal in 24 patients (96%), fatigue in 11 (44%), dyspnea in 10 (40%), and infections in 10 (40%) of patients. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 14 patients (36%), including gastrointestinal in 4 (16%), anemia in 3 (12%), and febrile neutropenia, fatigue, chronic kidney disease, dehydration, and hypertension each in 1 (4%) patient. The trial was stopped prematurely due to futility. Treatment with CPC634 was feasible, but without apparent clinical activity in patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Side effects were mainly gastrointestinal in 24 (96%) patients, including nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite, fatigue, anemia, and dyspnea.

Prognostic nomogram for progression-free survival in patients with BRCA mutations and platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer on maintenance olaparib therapy following response to chemotherapy

The impact of maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors (PARPi) on progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with BRCA mutations and platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (PSROC) varies widely. Individual prognostic factors do not reliably distinguish patients who progress early from those who have durable benefit. We developed and validated a prognostic nomogram to predict PFS in these patients. The nomogram was developed using data from a training patient cohort with BRCA mutations and high-grade serous PSROC on the placebo arm of two maintenance therapy trials, Study 19 and SOLO2/ENGOT-ov21. We performed multivariable Cox regression analysis based on pre-treatment characteristics to develop a nomogram that predicts PFS. We assessed the discrimination and validation of the nomogram in independent validation patient cohorts treated with maintenance olaparib. The nomogram includes four PFS predictors: CA-125 at randomisation, platinum-free interval, presence of measurable disease and number of prior lines of platinum therapy. In the training (placebo) cohort (internal validation C-index 0.64), median PFS in the model-predicted good, intermediate and poor-risk groups was: 7.7 (95% CI 5.3-11.3), 5.4 (4.8-5.8) and 2.9 (2.8-4.4) months, respectively. In the validation (olaparib) cohort (C-index 0.71), median PFS in the model-predicted good, intermediate and poor-risk groups was: not reached, 16.6 (13.1-22.4) and 8.3 (7.1-10.8) months, respectively. The nomogram showed good calibration in the validation cohort (calibration plot). This nomogram can be used to predict PFS and counsel patients with BRCA mutations and PSROC prior to maintenance olaparib and for stratification of patients in trials of maintenance therapies.

Rucaparib maintenance treatment for recurrent ovarian carcinoma: the effects of progression-free interval and prior therapies on efficacy and safety in the randomized phase III trial ARIEL3

In ARIEL3 (NCT01968213), the poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor rucaparib significantly improved progression-free survival versus placebo regardless of biomarker status when used as maintenance treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer. The aim of the current analyses was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rucaparib in subgroups based on progression-free interval following penultimate platinum, number of prior chemotherapies, and prior use of bevacizumab. Patients were randomized 2:1 to rucaparib 600 mg twice daily or placebo. Within subgroups, progression-free survival was assessed in prespecified, nested cohorts: In the intent-to-treat population, median investigator-assessed progression-free survival was 8.2 months with rucaparib versus 4.1 months with placebo (n=151 vs n=76; HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.46, p12 months. Median progression-free survival was 10.4 versus 5.4 months (n=231 vs n=124; HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.54, p<0.0001) for patients who had received two prior chemotherapies, and 11.1 versus 5.3 months (n=144 vs n=65; HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.41, p<0.0001) for those who had received ≥3 prior chemotherapies. Median progression-free survival was 10.3 versus 5.4 months (n=83 vs n=43; HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.68, p=0.0004) for patients who had received prior bevacizumab, and 10.9 versus 5.4 months (n=292 vs n=146; HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.45, p<0.0001) for those who had not. Across subgroups, median progression-free survival was also significantly longer with rucaparib versus placebo in the Rucaparib maintenance treatment significantly improved progression-free survival versus placebo irrespective of progression-free interval following penultimate platinum, number of lines of prior chemotherapy, and previous use of bevacizumab.

Symptom burden and quality of life with chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer: the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup-Symptom Benefit Study

The Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG)-Symptom Benefit Study was designed to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy on symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in women having chemotherapy for platinum resistant/refractory recurrent ovarian cancer (PRR-ROC) and potentially platinum sensitive with ≥3 lines of chemotherapy (PPS-ROC ≥3). Participants completed the Measure of Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Treatment (MOST) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire QLQ-C30 questionnaires at baseline and every 3-4 weeks until progression. Participants were classified symptomatic if they rated ≥4 of 10 in at least one-third of symptoms in the MOST index. Improvement in MOST was defined as two consecutive scores of ≤3 in at least half of the symptomatic items at baseline. Improvement in HRQL was defined as two consecutive scores ≥10 points above baseline in the QLQ-C30 summary score scale (range 0-100). Of 948 participants enrolled, 910 (96%) completed baseline questionnaires: 546 with PRR-ROC and 364 with PPS-ROC ≥3. The proportions of participants symptomatic at baseline as per MOST indexes were: abdominal 54%, psychological 53%, and disease- or treatment-related 35%. Improvement was reported in MOST indexes: abdominal 40%, psychological 35%, and disease- or treatment-related 38%. Median time to improvement in abdominal symptoms occurred earlier for PRR-ROC than for PPS-ROC ≥3 (4 vs 6 weeks, p=0.044); median duration of improvement was also similar (9.0 vs 11.7 weeks, p=0.65). Progression-free survival was longer among those with improvement in abdominal symptoms than in those without (median 7.2 vs 2.5 months, p<0.0001). Improvements in HRQL were reported by 77/448 (17%) with PRR-ROC and 61/301 (20%) with PPS-ROC ≥3 (p=0.29), and 102/481 (21%) of those with abdominal symptoms at baseline. Over 50% of participants reported abdominal and psychological symptoms at baseline. Of those, 40% reported an improvement within 2 months of starting chemotherapy. Approximately one in six participants reported an improvement in HRQL. Symptom monitoring and supportive care is important as chemotherapy palliated less than half of symptomatic participants.

Homologous recombination deficiency in newly diagnosed FIGO stage III/IV high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer: a multi-national observational study

Olaparib plus bevacizumab maintenance therapy improves survival outcomes in women with newly diagnosed, advanced, high-grade ovarian cancer with a deficiency in homologous recombination. We report data from the first year of routine homologous recombination deficiency testing in the National Health Service (NHS) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between April 2021 and April 2022. The Myriad myChoice companion diagnostic was used to test DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue in women with newly diagnosed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. Tumors with homologous recombination deficiency were those with a The myChoice assay was performed on 2829 tumors. Of these, 2474 (87%) and 2178 (77%) successfully underwent This is the largest real-world evaluation of homologous recombination deficiency testing in newly diagnosed FIGO stage III/IV high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. It is important to select tumor tissue with adequate tumor content and quality to reduce the risk of assay failure. The rapid uptake of testing across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland demonstrates the power of centralized NHS funding, center specialization, and the NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub network.

Rucaparib for maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian carcinoma: Final results of the phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled ARIEL3 trial.

In ARIEL3, rucaparib maintenance significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS; primary endpoint) and long-term follow-up (LTFU) outcomes (including PFS2: time to disease progression on subsequent therapy or death) versus placebo in patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Here we report the final analysis of overall survival (OS; key secondary endpoint), LTFU outcomes, and safety. OS and updated LTFU efficacy outcomes were analyzed (data cutoff date: April 4, 2022) across three nested populations (BRCA-mutated, homologous recombination deficient [HRD], and intention to treat [ITT]). Patients were randomized 2:1 to rucaparib (600 mg BID; n = 375) or placebo (n = 189). Median follow-up was 77.0 months. 168 patients in the placebo arm received subsequent treatment; of these, 77 (46 %) received a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor-containing treatment. Median OS from randomization post chemotherapy for rucaparib vs placebo was 45.9 vs 47.8 months (HR 0.83, 95 % CI 0.58-1.19) for the BRCA-mutated population; no OS benefit was found with rucaparib in the HRD and ITT populations. Median PFS2 for rucaparib vs placebo was 26.1 vs 18.4 months (HR 0.67, 95 % CI 0.48-0.94) for the BRCA-mutated population. Rucaparib numerically improved PFS2 and other LTFU outcomes versus placebo in the HRD and ITT populations. Safety was consistent with prior reports; myelodysplastic syndrome and/or acute myeloid leukemia occurred in 4 % and 3 % of patients in the rucaparib and placebo arms, respectively. OS was similar between treatment arms. PFS benefit with rucaparib was maintained through the subsequent therapy line. These data support rucaparib as maintenance treatment for recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

Ofranergene Obadenovec (Ofra-Vec, VB-111) With Weekly Paclitaxel for Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer: Randomized Controlled Phase III Trial (OVAL Study/GOG 3018)

PURPOSE To evaluate the addition of ofranergene obadenovec (ofra-vec, VB-111), a novel gene-based anticancer targeted therapy, to once a week paclitaxel in patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). METHODS This placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase III trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03398655 ) randomly assigned patients with PROC 1:1 to receive intravenous ofra-vec every 8 weeks with once a week IV paclitaxel or placebo with paclitaxel until disease progression. The dual primary end points were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review. RESULTS Between December 2017 and March 2022, 409 patients were randomly assigned. The median PFS was 5.29 months in the ofra-vec arm and 5.36 months in the control arm, hazard ratio (HR) 1.03 (CI, 0.83 to 1.29; P = .7823). The median OS with ofra-vec was 13.37 months versus 13.14 months, HR 0.97 (CI, 0.75 to 1.27; P = .8440). Objective response rates (ORRs) per RECIST 1.1 were similar in both arms: 28.9% with ofra-vec versus 29.6% with control. In both treatment arms, response to CA-125 was a substantial prognostic factor for both PFS and OS. In the ofra-vec arm, the HR in CA-125 responders compared with that in nonresponders for PFS was 0.2428 (CI, 0.1642 to 0.3588), and for OS, the HR was 0.3343 (CI, 0.2134 to 0.5238). Safety profile was characterized by common transient flu–like symptoms such as fever and chills. CONCLUSION The addition of ofra-vec to paclitaxel did not improve PFS or OS. The PFS and ORR in the control arm exceeded the results that were anticipated on the basis of the AURELIA chemotherapy control arm. CA-125 response was a substantial prognostic biomarker for PFS and OS in patients with PROC treated with paclitaxel.

Clinical Trials (5)

31Works
15Papers
62Collaborators
5Trials
Ovarian NeoplasmsGenital Neoplasms, FemaleEndometrial NeoplasmsDrug Resistance, NeoplasmCancer VaccinesResponse Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors

Positions

Researcher

University College London

Links & IDs
0000-0003-3799-3539UCL IRIS Profile

Researcher Id: M-8353-2014