ctDNA-guided adjuvant chemotherapy escalation in stage III colon cancer: Primary analysis of the ctDNA-positive cohort from the randomized AGITG dynamic-III trial (intergroup study of AGITG and CCTG).

Abstract

3503 Background: Despite adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) a proportion of patients (pts) with stage III colon cancer (CC) will recur. Most at risk are those with detectable ctDNA, whereas those with undetectable ctDNA have a reduced recurrence risk. The DYNAMIC-III study explored the impact of ACT de-escalation or escalation as informed by post-surgery ctDNA results. Here, we report the primary analysis on the impact of treatment escalation in ctDNA-positive pts. Outcome data for treatment de-escalation in ctDNA-negative pts is immature. Methods: DYNAMIC-III is a multi-center, randomized, phase II/III trial. Eligible pts had resected stage III CC and were fit for ACT. Pts were randomly assigned 1:1 to ctDNA-informed or standard of care (SOC) management. Clinicians nominated the selected SOC ACT regimen prior to randomization. For ctDNA-informed management, a ctDNA-positive result at 5-6 weeks after surgery with a tumor-informed assay prompted an escalation ACT strategy (from single agent fluoropyrimidine [FP] to oxaliplatin-based doublet, from 3 months doublet to 6 months doublet or FOLFOXIRI [clinician choice], or from 6 months doublet to FOLFOXIRI). The primary efficacy endpoint for the ctDNA-positive cohort was 2-year RFS. The target sample size of 250 provided 80% power with 90% confidence to confirm superiority of ctDNA-informed treatment escalation compared to SOC with a HR of 0.746. Results: Of 961 eligible pts randomized between Oct 2017 and Apr 2023, 259 (27%) were ctDNA-positive. Of these, 113 (44%) had clinical low risk disease (non-N2 + non-T4). Median follow-up was 42.2 months (range 0.78 – 63.0). 115 (89%) of 129 ctDNA-informed pts received ACT escalation, with 65 (56%) receiving FOLFOXIRI. Of 130 SOC pts, 14 (11%) and 112 (86%) received single agent FP and oxaliplatin doublet, respectively. 2-year RFS for ctDNA-informed treatment escalation was 52% (90% CI: 44 - 59%) vs 61% (90% CI: 54 - 68%) for SOC (HR 1.11, 90% CI: 0.83 - 1.48; P = 0.6). The 3-year RFS for ctDNA-positive pts receiving FOLFOXIRI and FOLFOX/CAPOX was similar (47% vs 51%, HR 1.09, 90% CI 0.78 to 1.53; P = 0.7). In a pre-specified correlative analysis of all ctDNA positive pts, recurrence risk increased with ctDNA burden, with 3-year RFS of 78%, 63%, 36% and 22% for tumor-derived mutant molecules/mL quartiles < 0.06, 0.06 – 0.17, 0.18 – 1.31, and > 1.31, respectively (P < 0.01). Treatment-related hospitalisation was similar for escalated and SOC pts (OR 1.21, P = 0.58). Analysis of post-ACT ctDNA is underway. Conclusions: In this first randomised study of ctDNA-informed management in stage III CC, we confirm the prognostic significance of detectable ctDNA, with the novel finding of recurrence risk increasing markedly with ctDNA burden. Treatment escalation, including to FOLFOXIRI, did not improve RFS. Future studies in ctDNA positive pts should explore other escalation strategies. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12617001566325 .