Three Hoosier Cancer Research Network studies were featured in poster sessions during the 2017 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, Feb. 16-18 in Orlando.

Toni K. Choueiri, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, presented results from HCRN GU12-160. The randomized phase II study, also known as Borealis-2, compared apatorsen plus docetaxel versus docetaxel alone in platinum-resistant metastatic urothelial cancer. The study authors reported the addition of apatorsen to docetaxel provided a statistically significant improvement in overall survival compared to docetaxel alone. See abstract.

Kim N. Chi, MD, of BC Cancer Agency, presented results from HCRN GU12-159, also known as the PACIFIC trial. The randomized phase II study compared apatorsen plus abiraterone and prednisone against a control arm of abiraterone and prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who had PSA progression while receiving abiraterone. The study authors concluded apatorsen may have activity when added to abiraterone for mCRPC patients progressing on abiraterone. See abstract.

Matthew Galsky, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, presented results from the HCRN GU10-148 study. The study authors reported on DNA damage response gene mutations, mutation load, and sensitivity to chemotherapy plus immune checkpoint blockade in urothelial carcinoma. The authors concluded that DNA damage response gene mutations are associated with higher mutation load in urothelial carcinoma; a high likelihood of response to gemcitabine, cisplatin, plus ipilimumab; and may identify a subset of patients achieving durable disease control. See abstract.

Congratulations to all investigators and sites participating in these studies!

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:

Hoosier Cancer Research Network (formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group) conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has initiated more than 160 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 300 publications. More than 5,000 subjects have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.