Hypertension As A Predictor Of Outcome And Treatment Response To Cetuximab: A Retrospective Analysis Of Ncic Ctg Co.17.

256 Background: Adrenergic receptor stimulation is involved in development of hypertension (HTN), and is implicated in progression and dissemination of metastases in tumour types such as colon cancer (CRC). Adrenergic antagonists, such as beta-blockers (BB), demonstrate inhibition of invasion and migration in CRC cell lines and have been associated with decreased mortality in advanced CRC. We examined the association of baseline HTN (BHTN) and use of BB on overall (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) of pts with pre-treated, chemotherapy refractory, metastatic CRC (mCRC). We also examined BHTN and BB use as predictors of Cetuximab (CET) efficacy. Methods: Using data from NCIC CO.17 (CET vs. BSC), we coded BHTN and use of anti-HTN meds (Rx), including BB, for 572 pts. Chi-square test assessed association between these variables and baseline characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses of OS and PFS by BHTN diagnosis and BB use were performed using Cox regression models. Results: Pts with BHTN (...