Luca Mariani

Combining Homologous Recombination-Deficient Testing and Functional RAD51 Analysis Enhances the Prediction of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Sensitivity

PURPOSE To meet the urgent need for accessible homologous recombination-deficient (HRD) test options, we validated a laboratory-developed test (LDT) and a functional RAD51 assay to assess patients with ovarian cancer and predict the clinical benefit of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor therapy. METHODS Optimization of the LDT cutoff and validation on the basis of samples from 91 patients enrolled in the ENGOT-ov24/NSGO-AVANOVA1&2 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02354131 ), previously subjected to commercial CDx HRD testing (CDx). RAD51 foci analysis was performed and tumors with ≥five foci/nucleus were classified as RAD51-positive (homologous recombination-proficient). RESULTS The optimal LDT cutoff is 54. Comparing CDx genome instability score and LDT HRD scores show a Spearman's correlation of rho = 0.764 ( P < .0001). Cross-tabulation analysis shows that the sensitivity of the LDT HRD score is 86% and of the LDT HRD status is 91.8% (Fisher's exact test P < .001). Survival analysis on progression-free survival (PFS) of LDT-assessed patients show a Cox regression P < .05. RAD51 assays show a correlation between low RAD51 foci detection (<20% RAD51+ cells) and significantly prolonged PFS ( P < .001). CONCLUSION The robust concordance between the open standard LDT and the CDx, especially the correlation with PFS, warrants future validation and implementation of the open standard LDT for HRD testing in diagnostic settings.

Niraparib Versus Niraparib-bevacizumab Combination in Women With Platinum-sensitive Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Part 1 (Phase 1): safety and tolerability of bevacizumab-Niraparib combination Part 2 (Randomized Phase 2): to compare Progression-Free Survival (PFS) PARP inhibitors are active as monotherapy to treat patients with recurrent ovarian cancer; the strongest activity being observed in the platinum sensitive, gBRCAmut subgroup as well as in gBRCAwt, HRD population but also in HRD negative disease. In the same population there is level one evidence that bevacizumab is beneficial. And a phase two randomized study has indicated that combination of a PARP inhibitor with anti-angiogenic drug is superior to PARP inhibitor alone. The question is: Is niraparib combined with bevacizumab superior to niraparib? The comparison of tolerability and efficacy of niraparib-bevacizumab combination against niraparib.