Endoscopic follow-up of low-grade precancerous bronchial lesions in high-risk patients: long-term results of the SELEPREBB randomised multicentre trial

BACKGROUND

3-9% of low-grade preinvasive bronchial lesions progress to cancer. This study assessed the usefulness of an intensive bronchoscopy surveillance strategy in patients with bronchial lesions up to moderate squamous dysplasia.

METHODS

SELEPREBB (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00213603) was a randomised study conducted in 17 French centres. After baseline lung computed tomography (CT) and autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) to exclude lung cancer and bronchial severe squamous dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIS), patients were assigned to standard surveillance (arm A) with CT and AFB at 36 months or to intensive surveillance (arm B) with AFB every 6 months. Further long-term data were obtained with a median follow-up of 4.7 years.

RESULTS

364 patients were randomised (A: 180, B: 184). 27 patients developed invasive lung cancer and two developed persistent CIS during the study, with no difference between arms (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.20-1.96, p=0.42). Mild or moderate dysplasia at baseline bronchoscopy was a significant lung cancer risk factor both at 3 years (8 of 74 patients, OR 6.9, 95% CI 2.5-18.9, p<0.001) and at maximum follow-up (16 of 74 patients, OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.9-12.0, p<0.001). Smoking cessation was significantly associated with clearance of bronchial dysplasia on follow-up (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-0.66, p=0.005) and with a reduced risk of lung cancer at 5 years (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.003-0.99, p=0.04).

CONCLUSION

Patients with mild or moderate dysplasia are at very high risk for lung cancer at 5 years, with smoking cessation significantly reducing the risk. Whereas intensive bronchoscopy surveillance does not improve patient outcomes, the identification of bronchial dysplasia using initial bronchoscopy maybe useful for risk stratification strategies in lung cancer screening programmes.

Radial-EBUS and virtual bronchoscopy planner for peripheral lung cancer diagnosis: How it became the first-line endoscopic procedure

Background

Various advanced bronchoscopy methods have been developed to reach peripheral lung lesions (PLL). In a large cohort, we aimed to assess a standardized procedure of first‐line radial‐endobronchial ultrasound (r‐EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopy planner for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer.

Methods

This retrospective, single center study included patients who had r‐EBUS‐guided bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of a PLL between 2008 and 2019. Cases without a final diagnosis of cancer or follow‐up were excluded.

Results

Between 2008 and 2019, 2735 patients had a r‐EBUS procedure, among whom 1627 had a final diagnosis of cancer and were included in the present study. Over the 12‐year study period, r‐EBUS became the first‐line endoscopic procedure to assess PLL (25% as first‐line bronchoscopy in 2008 vs. 92% in 2019). The frequency of the bronchus sign decreased from 2009 to 2019 (100% to 80%; p = 0.001), whereas US visualization of the lesion remained stable (88%). The median number of biopsies increased from two (2008 to 2014) to four (2015 to 2019) (p < 0.0001), with the same diagnostic efficiency (74% total and 80% when a bronchus sign was present). Of the 651 adenocarcinomas, molecular analysis was possible in 86%. PD‐L1 expression analysis was possible in 81% of cases. During the study period, the lifetime of the radial probe increased from 57 procedures to 77 procedures/probe.

Conclusion

Because r‐EBUS and VB planner is easy to perform under local anesthesia, inexpensive and efficient it can be used as a first‐line procedure to assess peripheral lung cancer.

Abstract 4019: RET-MAP: An international multi-center study of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and RET fusions

Introduction: RET fusions (RET+) are identified in nearly 1% of advanced NSCLC (aNSCLC). We evaluated characteristics and outcomes of patients (pts) with RET+ aNSCLC.

Methods: This is an international, multicenter, retrospective study evaluating clinical, biological, pathological and radiological data of pts with RET+ aNSCLC. Objective response rates (ORR), duration of response (DOR) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated under double or single agent chemotherapy (CT), immunotherapy (ICI), CT-ICI, multityrosine kinase inhibitors (MTKi) and RET inhibitors (RETi). Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the start of first line therapy and compared between pts treated or not by RETi, after stratification by number of treatment lines.

Results: A total of 71 pts was included from 11 centers. Median age was 60 [IQR 47-69], 58% were female, 93% had adenocarcinoma, 2 pts (3%) had squamous and 2 (3%) neuroendocrine carcinoma, 38 (53.5%) were tobacco consumers (median 18.5 PY [7.8-31.3]), 50 (70%) had stage IV disease at diagnosis. Fusion partners were KIF5B (35/49, 71%), CCDC6 (9/49, 18%), others (5/49, 10%). Median TMB was 2.76 [2.0-8.5], median PD-L1 5% [0-29]. The most frequent co-mutation was TP53 (18/58 cases, 31%). Median number of metastatic sites was 2 [1-3], most commonly lung (48%), bone (45%), pleura (41%) and nodes (35%). Brain metastases were found in 18% of cases at diagnosis and in 31% at last follow-up or death. Table reports outcomes by treatment. mOS was 50.6 months [95%CI 37.6 - NR]. Fifty-two pts received 1st generation RETi. The use of RETi improved OS in pts treated with ≤2 lines of therapy (NR vs 17.8 months, p=0.024) and in those receiving &gt;2 lines (50.6 vs 12.7 months, p=0.0037). Pts responding to ICI had a median PD-L1 of 85% [15.5-90].

Conclusions: Pts with RET+ aNSCLC have mainly thoracic and bone disease. Despite smoking history, median TMB and PD-L1 expression are low. ICI may have a significant activity in selected cases. RETi improve OS.

Outcomes by treatment First use of Doublet CT (N=46) Single agent CT (N=12) CT-ICI (N=9) ICI (N=19) MTKi (N=9) RETi (N=52) Line of treatment (median, range) 1 [1-1] 2 [2-3] 1 [1-2] 2 [2-3] 3 [1.5-3.5] 2 [1-3] ORR (N,%) 25/40 (62.5%) 3/12 (25%) 3/9 (33%) 7/17 (41%) 4/8 (50%) 36/45 (80%) mPFS (months, 95%CI) 7.89 [6.18-14] 2.81 [2.43-NR] 5.62 [2.79-NR] 3.71 [2.99-11.5] 2.76 [1.51-NR] 24.7 [16.2-NR] mDOR (months,95%CI) 11.83 [7.06-15.6] 8.90 [4.21-NR] 14.47 [10.25-NR] 20.47 [11.3-NR] 8.18 [1.64-NR] 24.74 [17.12-NR] Stopped for toxicity (N,%) 7/46 (15%) 1/12 (8%) 2/9 (22%) 4/18 (22%) 1/9 (11%) 14/50 (28%)

Citation Format: Mihaela Aldea, Arianna Marinello, Wael Zrafi, Fabrizio Tabbo, Florian Guisier, Damien Vasseur, Vincent Fallet, Clarisse Audigier-Valette, Laura Mezquita, Antonio Calles, Giannis Mountzios, Marco Tagliamento, Judith Raimbourg, Safae Terrisse, Silvia Novello, Maria-Rosa Ghigna, Fabrice Barlesi, David Planchard, Benjamin Besse. RET-MAP: An international multi-center study of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and RET fusions [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 4019.

Randomized phase III study of nivolumab and ipilimumab versus carboplatin-based doublet in first-line treatment of PS 2 or elderly (≥ 70 years) patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (Energy-GFPC 06-2015 study)

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Background: Combination of anti-PD1 and CTLA4 have showed superiority to chemotherapy (CT) in advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but data for fit elderly or PS2 patients are scarce. Methods: eNErgy compared the combination of nivolumab ipilimumab (N-I) to a platinum doublet in elderly or PS2 patients with advanced NSCLC. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and safety. Main inclusion criteria were: stage IV histologically proven NSCLC, age ≥ 70 y, and PS 0/1/2 or age < 70 and PS2, EGFR ALK/ROS1 negative, judged fit enough to receive a platinum doublet. The main exclusion criteria were active cerebral metastasis or contraindication to N-I. Patients were randomly selected 1/1, stratified by age (≥ 70 vs. < 70 y), PS (0/1 vs. 2), and histology (squamous vs. no-squamous). Nivolumab (240 mg, 2w), ipilimumab, 1 mg/kg, 6w, was administrated until progression or unacceptable toxicity. CT was planned for 4 cycles, with carboplatin (AUC5) and pemetrexed (500 mg/m2, 3w) or paclitaxel (90 mg/m2, d1,d8, d15); 242 patients had to be randomized to detect a treatment effect hazard ratio (HR) on OS of 0.65, with a 85% power at a 2-sided alpha level of 5%. Results: A preplanned interim analysis carried out after observation of 33% of deaths, out of 174 randomized patients, showed a risk of futility especially for PS 2 patients, HR: 1.8 (95% CI, 0.99-3.3). This led to a halt in randomization but continued follow-up of the 204 patients randomized at the time of the decision. The current final analysis is carried out 18 months after the inclusion of the last patient: men, 71%, median age 74 (51-89, PS 0/1/2 in 30%, 37.5%, and 36.6% respectively), smokers or former smokers in 25.5 and 64.4%, with 62% adenocarcinoma. The median OS of N-I and chemo arms were 14.7 (95% CI, 8.0-19.7) and 9.9 (95% CI, 7.7-12.3) months, HR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.62-1.16. The subgroup analyses showed a significant benefit of the association N-I compared to CT for elderly PS 0/1 patients, with median OS of 22.6 (95% CI, 18.1-36) vs. 11.8 (95% CI, 8.9-20.5) months, p = 0.02. In PS2 patients, median OS of N-I and CT arms was 2.9 (1.4-4.8) vs. 6.1 (3.5-10.4) months (p = 0.22). Median PFS was significantly in favor of N-I arm in the entire population: 5.5 (2.8-8.7) vs. 4.6 (3.5-5.6); p = 0.015. Safety was similar with 31.4% of patients with grade ≥ 3 related SAES in N-I arm vs. 49.5% for CT. Treatment was discontinued for toxicity in 28.6% in N-I arm vs. 22.3% of patients in CT arm. Conclusions: Despite no statistically significant benefit in OS observed in the entire population, there was a clinical signal of efficacy of N-I combination over platinum doublet in elderly NSCLC patients PS 0-1 with a significant benefit of OS of 22.6 months vs. 11.8 for CT arm. Clinical trial information: NCT03351361.

Long-Term Survival Following Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery: Comparing Robotic-Assisted and Video-Assisted Surgery

Simple Summary

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) are known to be safe and efficient surgical procedures to treat lung cancer. Both VATS and RATS allow anatomical resection associated with radical lymph node dissection. However, RATS, unlike VATS, allows the thoracic surgeon to mimic an open approach and to perform lung resection. We hypothesized that the technical advantages of RATS, compared with VATS, would allow more precise resection, with “better lymph node dissection” which could increase survival compared to VATS. Nevertheless, VATS, and RATS nodal up-staging are still debated, with conflicting results and in our study, as well as in the medical literature, RATS failed to show its superiority over VATS in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) are known to be safe and efficient surgical procedures to treat early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We assessed whether RATS increased disease-free survival (DFS) compared with VATS for lobectomy and segmentectomy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients treated for resectable NSCLC performed by RATS or VATS, in our tertiary care center from 2012 to 2019. Patients’ data were prospectively recorded and reviewed in the French EPITHOR database. Primary outcomes were 5-year DFS for lobectomy and 3-year DFS for segmentectomy, compared by propensity-score adjusted difference of Kaplan–Meier estimates. Results: Among 844 lung resections, 436 VATS and 234 RATS lobectomies and 46 VATS and 128 RATS segmentectomies were performed. For lobectomy, the adjusted 5-year DFS was 60.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 52.9–68.8%) for VATS and 52.7% (95%CI 41.7–63.7%) for RATS, with a difference estimated at −8.3% (−22.2–+4.9%, p = 0.24). For segmentectomy, the adjusted 3-year DFS was 84.6% (95%CI 69.8–99.0%) for VATS and 72.9% (95%CI 50.6–92.4%) for RATS, with a difference estimated at −11.7% (−38.7–+7.8%, p = 0.21). Conclusions: RATS failed to show its superiority over VATS for resectable NSCLC.

ROS-1 Fusions in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Evidence to Date

The ROS-1 gene plays a major role in the oncogenesis of numerous tumors. ROS-1 rearrangement is found in 0.9–2.6% of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), mostly lung adenocarcinomas, with a significantly higher rate of women, non-smokers, and a tendency to a younger age. It has been demonstrated that ROS-1 is a true oncogenic driver, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting ROS-1 can block tumor growth and provide clinical benefit for the patient. Since 2016, crizotinib has been the first-line reference therapy, with two-thirds of the patients’ tumors responding and progression-free survival lasting ~20 months. More recently developed are ROS-1-targeting TKIs that are active against resistance mechanisms appearing under crizotinib and have better brain penetration. This review summarizes current knowledge on ROS-1 rearrangement in NSCLCs, including the mechanisms responsible for ROS-1 oncogenicity, epidemiology of ROS-1-positive tumors, methods for detecting rearrangement, phenotypic, histological, and molecular characteristics, and their therapeutic management. Much of this work is devoted to resistance mechanisms and the development of promising new molecules.

Hypnosis associated with 3D immersive virtual reality technology during bronchoscopy under local anesthesia

Background

Patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy under local anesthesia usually experience anxiety before and during the procedure. Different non-pharmacological techniques, including music and hypnosis, are used to distract patients’ attention, and to reduce anxiety. The new technique “virtual reality hypnosis (VRH)”, defined as a hypnotic induction suggestion delivered by personalized virtual reality software, can generate a simulation of a lifelike environment. No study has described the use of VRH during bronchoscopy. The objective is to investigate the anxiety reducing effect and the satisfaction of patients, physicians, and nurses using VRH during bronchoscopy.

Methods

VRH was proposed to all patients who experienced anxiety before undergoing flexible bronchoscopy under local anesthesia. Local anesthesia was performed using 5% lidocaine spray only. No sedation was used. After the procedure, patients, physicians and nurses filled a standardized satisfaction form.

Results

Twenty consecutive patients who reported pre-procedure anxiety were included. The sex ratio was 16 women/4 men, the median age was 65 years. Eight patients (40%) had undergone a previous bronchoscopy under local anesthesia. The median duration of the procedure was 10 minutes, and all procedures were completed. The median level of anxiety of patients decreased from 9/10 before the procedure to 4/10 during the procedure. The median satisfaction rate regarding the use of VRH was 10/10. All patients agreed to use VRH again in case of a new bronchoscopy procedure.

Conclusions

This preliminary report has shown that VRH was useful to reduce patients’ anxiety during bronchoscopy under local anesthesia. VRH was easily implemented in the routine practice.

Virtual Bronchoscopy Planner and Radial-EBUS Guided Biopsy for Organizing Pneumonia Diagnosis

Background: The diagnosis of organizing pneumonia (OP) often requires histological confirmation. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and complication rate of radial endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS) for OP. Methods: All patients who had r-EBUS as a first diagnostic procedure for a peripheral pulmonary lesion at Rouen University Hospital, France, between April 2008 and December 2020 were included. Cases without a final diagnosis of OP or follow-up were excluded. Patients, lesions, and r-EBUS characteristics were retrospectively analyzed. Results: 2735 r-EBUS procedures were performed, and 33 cases with final OP could be analyzed. Procedures were performed under local anesthesia in 28/33 cases (85%). Among the 33 final OP cases, 17 were considered cryptogenic, and 16 secondary. The lesions were patchy alveolar opacities in 23 cases (70%), masses or pulmonary nodules in 8 cases (24%), and diffuse infiltrative opacities in 2 cases (6%). A bronchus sign on CT scan was found in all cases. In 22 cases (67%), a histopathological diagnosis was obtained from the r-EBUS samples. In 4 cases (12%), histopathological diagnosis was made by surgery, and in 7 cases (21%) the diagnosis was made based on clinical, radiological, and evolution features. An ultrasound image was found in 100% (22/22) of cases in the r-EBUS positive (r-EBUS+) group vs. 60% (6/10) in the r-EBUS negative (r-EBUS-) group, respectively (p < 0.002). The diagnostic yield of r-EBUS for OP was 67% and increased to 79% (22/28) when an ultrasound image was obtained. The median time between CT scan and r-EBUS procedure was 14 days (3–94): 11.5 days in the r-EBUS+ group and 22 days in the r-EBUS- group (p < 0.0001). No severe complications were reported. Conclusion: r-EBUS, when performed shortly after a CT scan showing a bronchus sign, is an efficient and safe technique for OP diagnosis.

The Role of Surgery in Lung Cancer Treatment: Present Indications and Future Perspectives-State of the Art

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are different today, due to the increased use of screening programs and of innovative systemic therapies, leading to the diagnosis of earlier and pre-invasive tumors, and of more advanced and controlled metastatic tumors. Surgery for NSCLC remains the cornerstone treatment when it can be performed. The role of surgery and surgeons has also evolved because surgeons not only perform the initial curative lung cancer resection but they also accompany and follow-up patients from pre-operative rehabilitation, to treatment for recurrences. Surgery is personalized, according to cancer characteristics, including cancer extensions, from pre-invasive and local tumors to locally advanced, metastatic disease, or residual disease after medical treatment, anticipating recurrences, and patients' characteristics. Surgical management is constantly evolving to offer the best oncologic resection adapted to each NSCLC stage. Today, NSCLC can be considered as a chronic disease and surgery is a valuable tool for the diagnosis and treatment of recurrences, and in palliative conditions to relieve dyspnea and improve patients' comfort.

First-line pembrolizumab with or without platinum doublet chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with PD-L1 expression ≥50

Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy is currently used in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer without EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements, regardless of PD-L1 expression status. A study comparing chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone has never been performed in patients with PD-L1 ≥50%. The aim of this trial is to perform such a comparison as first-line treatment in patients not eligible for locally advanced treatment who have expression of PD-L1 on ≥50% of tumor cells. The expected results are a reduction in the risk of early progression. A higher objective tumor response is also expected with the combination of chemotherapy and pembrolizumab compared with pembrolizumab alone. The study will allow a direct comparison of the proportion of patients who derive long-term benefit from the treatment. Clinical trial number: EudraCT (2020-002626-86); ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04547504).

First-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for PD-L1-positive (TPS ≥ 50%) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) in the real world: A national French bispective multicentric cohort—ESCKEYP trial (GFPC 05-2018)

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Background: To determine real-world outcomes with first line pembrolizumab monotherapy, for aNSCLC with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%. Methods: Bispective, national and multicentric study including consecutively aNSCLC patients who initiated first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy from May 5, 2017 (marketing authorization of pembrolizumab monotherapy in France) to Nov 22, 2019 (marketing authorization of pembrolizumab-chemotherapy for non-squamous aNSCLC). Data were collected on medical charts. Responses were locally assessed according to RECIST v1.1; overall survival (OS) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 845 patients (pts) were included by 33 centres: 67.8% were men, PS 0/1/≥2: 25.5%/46.9%/27.6%, active/former/nonsmokers: 39.1%/51.7%/6.4%, adenocarcinoma: 70.8%; stage IV at diagnosis: 91.6%; median number of metastatic sites at baseline: 2±1 (brain (20.8%), liver (13.9%) and bone (35%)); KRAS mutated: 27.7%, PDL1 TPS > 75%: 53.7% At the cut off date (31 December 2020), on the 783/845 (92.7%) evaluable pts, CR, PR, disease stabilization and progression were reported on 4.7%, 42.6%, 24.1% and 28.6% of cases, respectively; 588 (69.6%) pts had discontinued pembrolizumab, 390 (66.4%) had a first disease progression; 320/390 (82.1%) received a second line treatment, mainly platinum-based chemotherapy (90.6%). With a median follow up of 25,8 [95%CI: 24,8-26,7] months, median rwPFS and median OS were 8,2 [95%CI: 6,9-9,5] and 22,6 [95%CI: 18,5-27,4] months, respectively; 6, 12, 18-months survival rates were 76,8%, 64,8% and 54,3%. 835 adverse events were reported in 48% of the patients, grade ≥3 in 13.8% of cases, mainly asthenia, colitis, pneumonitis. For evaluable patients receiving a platinum-based doublet in second line (266/290, 89%), CR, PR, disease stabilization and progression were reported on 1.9%, 41%, 35.3% and 21.8% of cases, respectively. Uni and multivariate analysis of factors related to OS will be presented at the congress. Conclusions: Despite a less stringent selection of patients, pembrolizumab as a single agent achieves similar tumor shrinkage, rwPFS and OS than those of pivotal clinical trials.

An improved assay for detection of theranostic gene translocations and MET exon 14 skipping in thoracic oncology

Theranostic translocations may be difficult to detect by routine techniques, especially when specimens are exiguous. We recently demonstrated in a series of translocated lung adenocarcinomas that LD-RT-PCR (ligation-dependent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) assay could identify ALK, ROS1 and RET rearrangements with 64% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Here, we report an upgraded version of this assay used in a routine prospective cohort of lung carcinomas. Newly diagnosed lung carcinomas referred to the Rouen molecular platform between 15/05/2018 and 15/05/2019 for ALK and ROS1 IHC, genotyping (SNaPshot© +/- high-throughput genotyping) and sometimes FISH (standard routine process) were tested prospectively in parallel with the LD-RT-PCR assay designed to detect at one go ALK, ROS1 and RET translocations and MET exon 14 skipping. 413 tumors from 396 patients were included. LD-RT-PCR had a global sensitivity of 91.43% (standard routine process: 80%), with a specificity of 100%. It detected 15/18 ALK and 4/4 ROS1 translocated tumors, but also 6/6 tumors with MET exon 14 skipping retrieved by genotyping. In addition, it retrieved 7 alterations missed by the routine process, then confirmed by other means: 5 MET exon 14 skipping and 2 RET translocated tumors. Finally, it allowed to deny an effect on MET exon 14 skipping for 8 mutations detected by routine genotyping. We successfully implemented LD-RT-PCR in routine analysis. This technique is cheap, fast, sensitive, specific, and easily upgradable (e.g., NTRK translocations), but still requires IHC to be performed in parallel. Owing to its advantages, we recommend considering it, in parallel with IHC and genotyping, as an excellent cost-effective alternative, for the systematic testing of lung adenocarcinoma, to FISH and to more expensive and complex assays such as RNA-seq.

Impact of Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients, Treated by Chemotherapy (GFPC 06-2015 Study)

Background

Few data have been published on the clinical and histopathological characteristics of advanced non-small–cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high PD-L1 expression versus intermediate or none and the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression for patients treated with chemotherapy is unknown. This study was undertaken to prospectively assess the prognostic value of tumor-cell (TC) and immune-cell (IC) PD-L1 expressions for advanced NSCLC patients.

Methods

It was a prospective, multicenter study on advanced NSCLC patients, with performance status 0/1, scheduled, consecutively, to receive first-line platin-based chemotherapy. PD-L1 expression was determined immunochemically (Dako Autostainer and monoclonal antibody 22C3) and its impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) assessed.

Results

Among 198 patients screened in 19 centers, 140 were included median age: 66.5 ± 10 years; 76.4% men; 79.3% Caucasians; 10.7% nonsmokers; 63.6% adenocarcinomas; <1%, 1–50% and ≥50% TC PD-L1–expression rates were 47.1%, 25.7% and 27.2% of patients, respectively; respective null, intermediate and high rates on ICs were 35.7%, 38.6% and 25.7%. Second- and third-line chemotherapies were administered to 58.6% and 26.4% of the patients, respectively. None received immunotherapy. First-, second- and third-line median (95% CI) PFS lasted 4.6 (3.6–5.2), 3.7 (2.3–4.7) and 2.2 (1.5–4.3) months, respectively; median OS was 16.9 (11.4–19.9) months. No significant PFS and OS differences were observed according to TC or IC PD-L1 expression.

Conclusion

According to the results of this prospective, multicenter study, neither TC nor IC PD-L1 expression appears to be prognostic for chemotherapy-managed advanced NSCLC patients.

Circulating Tumor DNA as a Prognostic Determinant in Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Atezolizumab

BACKGROUND

The IFCT-1603 trial evaluated atezolizumab in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), prospectively collected at treatment initiation, was associated with the prognosis of SCLC, and whether it identified patients who benefited from atezolizumab.

METHODS

68 patients were included in this study: 46 patients were treated with atezolizumab and 22 with conventional chemotherapy. Circulating DNA was extracted from plasma and NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) looked for mutations in the TP53, RB1, NOTCH1, NOTCH2, and NOTCH3 genes. ctDNA was detectable when at least one somatic mutation was identified, and its relative abundance was quantified by the variant allele fraction (VAF) of the most represented mutation.

RESULTS

We found that 49/68 patients (70.6%) had detectable baseline ctDNA. The most frequently identified mutations were TP53 (32/49; 65.3%) and RB1 (25/49; 51.0%). Patients with detectable ctDNA had a significantly lower disease control rate at week 6 compared with patients with no detectable ctDNA, regardless of the nature of the treatment. Detection of ctDNA was associated with a poor OS prognosis. The detection of ctDNA at a relative abundance greater than the median value was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Interestingly, the benefit in overall survival (OS) associated with low ctDNA was more pronounced in patients treated with atezolizumab than in patients receiving chemotherapy. Among patients whose relative ctDNA abundance was below the median, those treated with atezolizumab tended to have higher OS than those in the chemotherapy arm.

CONCLUSION

ctDNA is strongly associated with the prognosis of SCLC patients treated with second-line immunotherapy. Its analysis seems justified for future SCLC clinical trials.

PD-L1-expression patterns in large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: potential implications for use of immunotherapy in these patients: the GFPC 03-2017 "EPNEC" study

Background

Few data are available on programmed cell-death-protein-1-ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression on large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung (LCNECs). We analyzed PD-L1 expression on tumor (TCs) and inflammatory cells (ICs) from LCNEC patients to assess relationships between this expression, clinical characteristics, and disease outcomes.

Methods

PD-L1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibody 22C3 in consecutive LCNEC patients managed in 17 French centers between January 2014 and December 2016.

Results

After centralized review, only 68 out of 105 (64%) patients had confirmed LCNEC diagnoses. Median overall survival (OS) (95% CI) was 11 (7-16) months for all patients, 7 (5-10), 21 (10-not reached) and not reached months for metastatic, stage III and localized forms (p = 0.0001). Respectively, 11% and 75% of the tumor samples were TC+ and IC+, and 66% had a TC-/IC+ profile. Comparing IC+ versus IC- metastatic LCNEC, the former had significantly longer progression-free survival [9 (4-13) versus 4 (1-8) months; p = 0.03], with a trend towards better median OS [12 (7-18) versus 9.5 (4-14) months; p = 0.21]. Compared to patients with TC- tumors, those with TC+ LCNECs tended to have non-significantly shorter median OS [4 (1-6.2) versus 11 (8-18) months, respectively]. Median OS was significantly shorter for patients with TC+/IC- metastatic LCNECs than those with TC-IC+ lesions (2 versus 8 months, respectively; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

TC-/IC+ was the most frequent PD-L1-expression profile for LCNECs, a pattern quite specific compared with non-small-cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer. IC PD-L1 expression seems to have a prognostic role.

Self-expanding metallic Y-stent compared to silicone Y-stent for malignant lesions of the main carina: A single center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Bifurcation stents are often required in patients with malignant airway obstruction or fistulization involving the main carina. The silicone Y stent is the most used but remains challenging to place. The self-expanding metallic Y (SEM) stent appears easy to use. The objective is to report the feasibility, efficacy, and tolerance of SEM Y stent compared to silicone Y stent in patients with malignant tumors involving the main carina.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective single center study was performed between May 2004 and May 2017. All patients with malignant carina involvement treated with a bronchial Y stent were included.

RESULTS

Forty silicone Y stents and 38 SEM Y stents were placed. Seven stenting placements failed in the silicone Y group but none in the SEM Y stent group (P=0.008). The median duration of the procedure was 80min (25-210) in the silicone Y group and.50min (25-110min) in the SEM Y group (P=0.001). There was no significant difference in terms of early or late complications between the 2 groups. Nine silicone Y stents (26.5%) and 7 SEM Y stents (18.4%) were removed (P=0.4). The median survival time following stent insertion was 171 days (Interquartile range (IQR): 53-379) in the silicone Y group and 104 days (IQR: 53-230) in the SEM Y group.

CONCLUSION

If silicone Y stent remains the best solution for benign obstruction, SEM Y stent seems to be an easy alternative with no difference in terms of complication or ablation for malignant lesions involving the main carina.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Rechallenge Efficacy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPi) rechallenge could represent an attractive option in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet no sufficient data supporting this strategy are available. This retrospective observational multicenter national study explored the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) rechallenge in advanced NSCLC patients, looking for potential clinical features associated with greater outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from 144 advanced NSCLC patients whose disease was rechallenged with ICPis after ≥ 12 weeks of discontinuation. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from first or second ICPi initiation to disease progression (PFS1 and PFSR, respectively), death, or last follow-up (OS1, OSR), respectively.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) age was 63 (58-70) years. Most patients were male (67%) and smokers (87%). Most had adenocarcinomas (62%) and/or stage IV disease at diagnosis (66%). The best response at rechallenge was not associated with that under the first ICPi (P = 1.10^-1). The median (95% confidence interval) PFS1 and PFSR were 13 (10-16.5) and 4.4 (3-6.5) months, respectively. The median (95% confidence interval) OS1 and OSR were 3.3 (2.9-3.9) and 1.5 (1.0-2.1) years, respectively. Longer PFSR and OSR were found in patients discontinuing first ICPi because of toxicity or clinical decision, those not receiving systemic treatment between the two ICPis, and those with good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status at rechallenge. Only performance status proved to affect outcomes at multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Patients discontinuing first ICPi because of toxicity or clinical decision, those able to maintain a treatment-free period, and those with good performance status may be potential candidates for rechallenge.

Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Lung Sarcomatoid Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved cancer prognosis but have not been evaluated specifically in sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC), a rare lung cancer subtype with poor prognosis. As such, our study sought to retrospectively assess the efficacy of ICI in SC.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with centrally confirmed SC treated using ICI as a second-line treatment or beyond between 2011 and 2017 were enrolled. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry (SP263 clone) and the tumor mutational burden (TMB) with the Foundation One panel. TMB was considered high if it was greater than or equal to 10 mutations per megabase.

RESULTS

Overall, 37 patients with SC were evaluated, predominantly men (73%) with a median age of 63.2 years (36.8-79.7) and who were current or former smokers (94.6%). Immunotherapy (nivolumab, 86.5% of cases) was given as a second-line treatment in 54% of the patients and as third-line treatment or beyond in 46% of the patients. The objective response rate was 40.5% and disease control rate was 64.8%, regardless of PD-L1 status. Median overall survival was 12.7 months (range: 0.3-45.7). One-third of patients exhibited early progression. The median PD-L1 expression was 70% (0-100). There was a trend toward higher PD-L1 expression in responsive diseases, with an objective response rate of 58.8% in patients with PD-L1+ and 0% in the one patient with PD-L1- (p = 0.44). The median TMB was 18 (4-39) mutations per megabase, with 87.5% of the cases displaying a high TMB. There was a trend toward higher TMB in responders versus stable or progressive diseases (p = 0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SC exhibited high response rates and prolonged overall survival under ICI treatment. These data support the prospective investigation of ICI in patients with SC who are under first-line treatment.