Early clearance of plasma EGFR mutations as a predictor of response to osimertinib and comparator EGFR-TKIs in the FLAURA trial

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Background: In the Phase III FLAURA trial (NCT02296125), osimertinib, a third generation EGFR-TKI, showed superior efficacy to comparator EGFR-TKIs as first line treatment for EGFR mutation-positive (EGFRm) advanced NSCLC. In an exploratory analysis, we investigated clinical outcomes associated with detection of plasma EGFRm at 3 or 6 weeks (wks) after start of treatment. Methods: Treatment-naïve patients (pts) with EGFRm (ex19del or L858R) locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to receive osimertinib 80 mg once daily (QD) or comparator EGFR-TKIs (gefitinib 250 mg QD or erlotinib 150 mg QD). Plasma EGFR mutation analysis was conducted at baseline (BL), wks 3 and 6 by droplet digital PCR. Clearance was defined as undetectable levels of EGFRm in ctDNA at wks 3/6, where they were detectable at BL. Progression-free survival (PFS) was investigated based on early clearance of EGFRm. Results: In total 489/556 (88%) pts (osimertinib: 244/279; comparator: 245/277) had evaluable ctDNA at BL and wks 3/6. Of these, 342/489 (70%; osimertinib: 168/244; comparator: 174/245) had detectable BL EGFRm and were included in this analysis. See table. Conclusions: Clearance of plasma EGFRm after 3/6 wks of EGFR-TKI therapy was associated with a numerical improvement in PFS. The efficacy of osimertinib was superior to comparator EGFR-TKIs regardless of clearance status. Clinical trial information: NCT02296125. [Table: see text]

Genomic Profiling Identifies Outcome-Relevant Mechanisms of Innate and Acquired Resistance to Third-Generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy in Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

Third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective in acquired resistance (AR) to early-generation EGFR TKIs in EGFR-mutant lung cancer. However, efficacy is marked by interindividual heterogeneity. We present the molecular profiles of pretreatment and post-treatment samples from patients treated with third-generation EGFR TKIs and their impact on treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Using the databases of two lung cancer networks and two lung cancer centers, we molecularly characterized 124 patients with EGFR p.T790M-positive AR to early-generation EGFR TKIs. In 56 patients, correlative analyses of third-generation EGFR TKI treatment outcomes and molecular characteristics were feasible. In addition, matched post-treatment biopsy samples were collected for 29 patients with progression to third-generation EGFR TKIs.

RESULTS

Co-occurring genetic aberrations were found in 74.4% of EGFR p.T790-positive samples (n = 124). Mutations in TP53 were the most frequent aberrations detected (44.5%; n = 53) and had no significant impact on third-generation EGFR TKI treatment. Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) amplifications were found in 5% of samples (n = 6) and reduced efficacy of third-generation EGFR TKIs significantly (eg, median progression-free survival, 1.0 months; 95% CI, 0.37 to 1.72 v 8.2 months; 95% CI, 1.69 to 14.77 months; P ≤ .001). Genetic changes in the 29 samples with AR to third-generation EGFR TKIs were found in EGFR (eg, p.T790M loss, acquisition of p.C797S or p.G724S) or in other genes (eg, MET amplification, KRAS mutations).

CONCLUSION

Additional genetic aberrations are frequent in EGFR-mutant lung cancer and may mediate innate and AR to third-generation EGFR TKIs. MET amplification was strongly associated with primary treatment failure and was a common mechanism of AR to third-generation EGFR TKIs. Thus, combining EGFR inhibitors with TKIs targeting common mechanisms of resistance may delay AR.

Afatinib in patients with metastatic or recurrent HER2-mutant lung cancers: a retrospective international multicentre study

INTRODUCTION

HER2 mutations occur in 1-3% of lung adenocarcinomas. With increasing use of next-generation sequencing at diagnosis, more patients with HER2-mutant tumours present for treatment. Few data are available to describe the clinical course and outcomes of these patients when treated with afatinib, a pan-HER inhibitor.

METHODS

We identified patients with metastatic or recurrent HER2-mutant lung adenocarcinomas treated with afatinib among seven institutions across Europe, Australia, and North America between 2009 and 2017. We determined the partial response rate to afatinib, types of HER2 mutations, duration of response, time on treatment, and survival.

RESULTS

We collected information on 27 patients with stage IV or recurrent HER2-mutant lung adenocarcinomas treated with afatinib. Of 23 patients evaluable for response, three partial responses were noted (13%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4-33%). In addition, 57% of patients (13/23) had stable disease, and 30% (7/23) had progressive disease. We documented partial responses in patients with HER2 exon 20 insertions, including two with YVMA insertion and one with VAG insertion. Two patients with partial responses were previously treated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Median duration of response to afatinib was 6 months (range 5-10); median time on treatment was 3 months (range 1-30) and median overall survival from the date of diagnosis of metastatic or recurrent disease was 23 months (95% CI 18-53 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Afatinib is modestly active in patients with HER2-mutant lung adenocarcinomas, including responses after progression on prior HER2-targeted therapies. However, investigations into the biology of HER2-mutant lung adenocarcinomas and development of better HER2-directed therapies are warranted.

[Strategies to Overcome Acquired Resistance to EGFR-TKI Therapy Based on T790M Specific Substances using Osimertinib as an Example]

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are widely used in non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring activating EGFR mutations. However, resistance mechanisms, particularly the T790 M mutation, hamper longer-term therapeutic success of first and second generation EGFR-TKIs. To address this unmet medical need, EGFR-TKIs of the third generation are under clinical development. Relevant clinical efficacy with mainly mild to moderate class-specific side effects has been shown for third-generation EGFR-TKIs. Molecular testing is of major importance in deciding for treatment with third generation EGFR-TKIs. This article elucidates the developmental state of third generation EGFR-TKIs with its focus on Osimertinib, the first and currently the only compound in this class which is approved in Germany. Additionally, the medical importance of molecular diagnosis using tumor tissue and circulating tumor DNA is discussed.

Frequency of Brain Metastases and Multikinase Inhibitor Outcomes in Patients With RET-Rearranged Lung Cancers

INTRODUCTION

In ret proto-oncogene (RET)-rearranged lung cancers, data on the frequency of brain metastases and, in particular, the outcomes of multikinase inhibitor therapy in patients with intracranial disease are not well characterized.

METHODS

A global, multi-institutional registry (cohort A, n = 114) and a bi-institutional data set (cohort B, n = 71) of RET-rearranged lung cancer patients were analyzed. Patients were eligible if they had stage IV lung cancers harboring a RET rearrangement by local testing. The incidence of brain metastases and outcomes with multikinase inhibitor therapy were determined.

RESULTS

The frequency of brain metastases at the time of diagnosis of stage IV disease was 25% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18%-32%) in all patients from both cohorts. The lifetime prevalence of brain metastasis in stage IV disease was 46% (95% CI: 34%-58%) in patients for whom longitudinal data was available. The cumulative incidence of brain metastases was significantly different (p = 0.0039) between RET-, ROS1-, and ALK receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK)-rearranged lung cancers, with RET intermediate between the other two groups. Although intracranial response data was not available in cohort A, the median progression-free survival of multikinase inhibitor therapy (cabozantinib, vandetanib, or sunitinib) in patients with brain metastases was 2.1 months (95% CI: 1.3-2.9 months, n = 10). In cohort B, an intracranial response was observed in 2 of 11 patients (18%) treated with cabozantinib, vandetanib (± everolimus), ponatinib, or alectinib; the median overall progression-free survival (intracranial and extracranial) was 3.9 months (95% CI: 2.0-4.9 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Brain metastases occur frequently in RET-rearranged lung cancers, and outcomes with multikinase inhibitor therapy in general are suboptimal. Novel RET-directed targeted therapy strategies are needed.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of consolidative local therapy in oligometastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

BACKGROUND

Novel systemic therapies have improved the prognosis of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but costs of some of these drugs are a matter of ongoing debate. More recently, local therapies (LT) such as radiotherapy and surgery have been suggested as additional treatment in oligometastatic NSCLC demonstrating an improved progression-free survival (PFS) in a phase II trial compared to maintenance chemotherapy (MC) alone. The aim of this analysis was to assess the cost-effectiveness of local therapies in oligometastatic NSCLC.

METHODS

We constructed a Markov model comparing the cost-effectiveness of LT versus MC for oligometastatic NSCLC from the Swiss healthcare payer's perspective. Treatment specifications and PFS were based on the phase II trial (NCT01725165). Overall survival (OS) was inferred from a recent phase III trial. Utilities were taken from published data. Primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness-ratio (ICER, costs in Swiss Francs (CHF) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained).

RESULTS

PFS in the model was 3.8 months for MC and 11.4 months for LT (compared to 3.9 months and 11.9 months in the trial). OS in the model was 15.5 months in both arms. LT was cost-effective with a gain of 0.24 QALYs at an additional cost of CHF 9641, resulting in an ICER of CHF 40,972/QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated that LT was dominant or cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of CHF 100,000 per QALY in 61.7% of the simulations.

CONCLUSIONS

LT may be cost-effective for selected patients with oligometastatic NSCLC responding to first-line systemic therapy.

Activity of Afatinib in Heavily Pretreated Patients With ERBB2 Mutation-Positive Advanced NSCLC: Findings From a Global Named Patient Use Program

INTRODUCTION

Approximately 1% to 4% of NSCLC tumors harbor erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) mutation; there is no approved targeted treatment for this subgroup.

METHODS

Patients with stage IV NSCLC that progressed after clinical benefit on erlotinib/gefitinib and/or had activating EGFR or ERBB2 mutations, had exhausted other treatments, and were ineligible for afatinib trials were enrolled in a named patient use program, receiving afatinib 30 to 50 mg/d on a compassionate basis within routine clinical practice. Efficacy and safety were retrospectively assessed in the subgroup with ERBB2 mutation-positive NSCLC.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight heavily pretreated patients in the named patient use program had a documented ERBB2 mutation by local testing. Median time-to-treatment failure (TTF; time from treatment initiation to discontinuation for any reason) was 2.9 months; eight patients (29%) had TTF greater than 1 year. Objective response rate was 19% (3 of 16 patients with response data achieved partial response) and disease control rate (DCR) was 69% (11 of 16). Among 12 patients for whom type of ERBB2 mutation was specified, 10 had a p.A775_G776insYVMA insertion in exon 20, four of whom (40%) remained on afatinib for more than 1 year. This subgroup had median TTF of 9.6 months, objective response rate of 33% (two of six), and disease control rate of 100% (six of six).

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis of patients treated in clinical practice provides further evidence of the activity of afatinib in ERBB2 mutation-positive NSCLC, and suggests that identification of specific subgroups with certain mutations, such as p.A775_G776ins/YVMA insertion in exon 20, could help optimize outcomes with ErbB2-targeted treatment.

Influenza vaccination of cancer patients during PD-1 blockade induces serological protection but may raise the risk for immune-related adverse events

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibiting antibodies were introduced into routine clinical practice for cancer patients. Checkpoint blockade has led to durable remissions in some patients, but may also induce immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Lung cancer patients show an increased risk for complications, when infected with influenza viruses. Therefore, vaccination is recommended. However, the efficacy and safety of influenza vaccination during checkpoint blockade and its influence on irAEs is unclear. Similarly, the influence of vaccinations on T cell-mediated immune reactions in patients during PD-1 blockade remains poorly defined.

Methods

We vaccinated 23 lung cancer patients and 11 age-matched healthy controls using a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine to investigate vaccine-induced immunity and safety during checkpoint blockade.

Results

We did not observe significant differences between patients and healthy controls in vaccine-induced antibody titers against all three viral antigens. Influenza vaccination resulted in protective titers in more than 60% of patients/participants. In cancer patients, the post-vaccine frequency of irAEs was 52.2% with a median time to occurrence of 3.2 months after vaccination. Six of 23 patients (26.1%) showed severe grade 3/4 irAEs. This frequency of irAEs might be higher than the rate previously published in the literature and the rate observed in a non-study population at our institution (all grades 25.5%, grade 3/4 9.8%).

Conclusions

Although this is a non-randomized trial with a limited number of patients, the increased rate of immunological toxicity is concerning. This finding should be studied in a larger patient population.

Efficacy and Safety of Ramucirumab With Docetaxel Versus Placebo With Docetaxel as Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Subgroup Analysis According to Patient Age in the REVEL Trial

INTRODUCTION

Ramucirumab, a recombinant human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody receptor antagonist designed to block the ligand-binding site of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), was evaluated as second-line treatment in combination with docetaxel in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer in the REVEL trial (NCT01168973). Ramucirumab significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). We report age subgroup analysis results primarily on the basis of a 65-year cutoff.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomized 1:1 to ramucirumab with docetaxel or placebo with docetaxel (n = 1253). Of these, 798 were younger than 65 years (ramucirumab, n = 391; control, n = 407) and 455 were 65 years or older (ramucirumab, n = 237; control, n = 218). Treatment comprised 21-day cycles of 75 mg/m2 docetaxel with 10 mg/kg ramucirumab or placebo. Prespecified age subgroup analyses were performed, including OS, PFS, and objective response rate. Quintiles age analysis was conducted to establish a relationship between efficacy and age. The Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) measured quality of life outcomes. Safety was assessed according to adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Patients younger than 65 years showed favorable OS outcomes with ramucirumab treatment (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.87; P < .001) and PFS (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.59-0.79; P < .001). In patients 65 years or older, benefits of ramucirumab were not as evident; after model adjustment for prognostic factors, OS and PFS HRs were 0.96 (95% CI, 0.77-1.21; P = .04) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.71-1.05; P = .03), respectively. Age analysis according to quintiles showed HRs favoring ramucirumab for all age groupings. LCSS scores and AEs did not considerably differ between age groups.

CONCLUSION

In this subgroup analysis, true treatment effect differences on the basis of age have not been established, and treatment should not be deterred solely because of age.

Efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring activating molecular alterations

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Background: Two revolutions recently occur in the treatment of advanced NSCLC: the development of targeted therapies and of ICI). Both strategies have been shown to outperform chemotherapy. Patients with molecular alterations are usually considered as poor candidate for immunotherapy. Here, we aimed to analyze the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with oncogenic addiction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentric study, on patients treated with ICI and carrying an activating molecular abnormality: EGFR, ALK, KRAS, ROS1, HER2, BRAF, MET and RET. We have collected anonymized data, which were evaluated for clinical characteristics and outcome (progression free survival duration of ICI treatment and overall survival since initiation of ICI). Results: 209 patients were registered from 7 centers in France and Switzerland. 198 patients had adenocarcinoma (95.2%), 6 large cell carcinoma (2.9%), 161 were former or current smokers (81.3%), 99 were female (47.4%), median age at diagnosis was 59 yrs. (range 30-79). 33 patients had EGFR mutations (15.8%), 132 KRAS mutation (63.2%), 6 ALK rearrangement (2.9 %), 2 ROS1 rearrangement (1 %), 5 HER2 mutation (2.4 %), 12 BRAF mutations (5.7 %), 7 MET alteration (3.3 %), 3 RET rearrangements (1.4 %), and 9 had concomitant multiple molecular alterations (4.3%). After validated treatment 200 patients were treated with PD1 inhibitors (nivolumab, 97.5% and pembrolizumab, 2.5%), 4 with anti CTLA4 (tremelimumab), 5 with anti PDL1 (4 atezolizumab). The median PFS was 2.8 m. [95%CI 2.3;3.5] for the whole population 2.1 for EGFR [1.7;2.8], 3.5 for KRAS [2.5;4.9], 2.7 for BRAF [1.5;NR] and not estimable for other alterations. Median exposure to ICI was 1.89 m. [0;18.5]. The median overall survival for the whole population was 13.0 m. [9.4; 15.6], for EGFR 13.3 m. [4.7; NR], KRAS 11.3 m. [8.2; 16], BRAF 10.7 m. [1.5; NR] and not yet estimable for the other alterations. Conclusions: PFS (2.8 m.) and OS (13 m.) are very similar from the ones observed in pretreated unselected NSCLC patients. ICI is associated with better PFS in patients with KRAS mutation than in EGFR mutated patients. Analysis of outcome in other molecular subgroups is ongoing.

Population-level effect of molecular testing and targeted therapy in patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a prospective cohort study

Large cancer centres in the USA demonstrated that molecular diagnosis and targeted therapy improved overall survival of patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma. We validated this finding in a rural area of Switzerland, served by private practices, community hospitals and a tertiary referral centre. We conducted a prospective cohort study with the Cancer Registry of Central Switzerland, covering 4 cantons and 517,000 inhabitants. All residents newly diagnosed with stage IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma from 2010 to 2014 were enrolled. We obtained information on patients, tumour, molecular testing, therapy and survival. Three hundred forty-eight patients were included in the study. Molecular testing was performed in 279 (80%); 132 (38%) had oncogenic driver mutations: Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS, 16%), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, 11%), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK, 5%), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, 2%), B rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (BRAF, 1%), rearranged during transfection (RET, 0.5%), MET proto-oncogene (0.5%) and multiple mutations (2%). Fifty-six patients with an oncogenic driver mutation, mostly epidermal growth factor receptor (34) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (12), received genotype-matched targeted therapy, at least 25 (45%) of whom in a clinical trial or named patient programme. Median overall survival was 18 months for patients with driver mutations and targeted therapy, 8 months for patients with driver mutations and conventional therapy and 10 months for patients with no driver mutation and conventional therapy. For patients with driver mutations and targeted therapy, overall survival was significantly better than that for patients with driver mutations and conventional therapy (HR 0.64, p = 0.04). Rigorous testing combined with optimal access to targeted therapy in clinical trials improved the prognosis of patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma in Central Switzerland. This effect was mainly driven by therapies targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors associated with interstitial lung disease in cancer patients

Immunotherapy is becoming a standard of care for many cancers. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) can generate immune-related adverse events. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been identified as a rare but potentially severe event.Between December 2015 and April 2016, we conducted a retrospective study in centres experienced in ICI use. We report the main features of ICI-ILD with a focus on clinical presentation, radiological patterns and therapeutic strategies.We identified 64 (3.5%) out of 1826 cancer patients with ICI-ILD. Patients mainly received programmed cell death-1 inhibitors. ILD usually occurred in males, and former or current smokers, with a median age of 59 years. We observed 65.6% grade 2/3 severity, 9.4% grade 4 severity and 9.4% fatal ILD. The median (range) time from initiation of immunotherapy to ILD was 2.3 (0.2-27.4) months. Onset tended to occur earlier in lung cancer versus melanoma: median 2.1 and 5.2 months, respectively (p=0.02). Ground-glass opacities (81.3%) were the predominant lesions, followed by consolidations (53.1%). Organising pneumonia (23.4%) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (15.6%) were the most common patterns. Overall survival at 6 months was 58.1% (95% CI 37.7-73.8%).ICI-ILD often occurs early and displays suggestive radiological features. As there is no clearly identified risk factor, oncologists need to diagnose and adequately treat this adverse event.

The value of ultrasound-guided biopsy of fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)-positive supraclavicular lymph nodes in patients with suspected lung cancer

Background

Accurate lymph node staging is essential for adequate prognostication and therapy planning in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). FDG-PET/CT is a sensitive tool for the detection of metastases, including non-palpable supraclavicular lymph node (SCLN) metastases. Histological proof of metastatic spread and mutation analysis is crucial for optimal staging and therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core biopsy (CB) of FDG active, non-palpable SCLN’s in patients with suspicion for lung cancer.

Methods

Twelve consecutive patients with suspected lung cancer and FDG-positive SCLN underwent FNAC (n = 11) and/or CB (n = 10) and were included and evaluated retrospectively in this study. Cytologic and/or histologic evaluation was performed to confirm initially suspected diagnosis (lung cancer), to confirm N3 stage, and to screen for driver mutations in lung adenocarcinoma.

Results

FNAC alone showed diagnostic success in 11/11 cases (100%), CB alone in 9/10 patients (90%), and the combination of both procedures was successful in 12/12 cases (100%). Lymph node metastases from NSCLC (7 adenocarcinoma, 2 squamous cell carcinoma) could be confirmed in 9 patients. Other diagnoses were small cell lung cancer (SCLC), breast cancer and sarcoidosis. There was enough material for immunhistochemistry in all patients. For molecular testing, material from this lymph node biopsies and lung biopsy was used. In two patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung driver mutations were detected (EGFR Exon 19 deletion and ALK rearrangement) out of the lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions

US-guided combined FNAC and CB of FDG positive supraclavicular lymph nodes in patients with suspected lung cancer is a safe and effective procedure to confirm N3-stage and to obtain representative material for molecular testing.

Drugging the catalytically inactive state of RET kinase in RET-rearranged tumors

Oncogenic fusion events have been identified in a broad range of tumors. Among them, RET rearrangements represent distinct and potentially druggable targets that are recurrently found in lung adenocarcinomas. We provide further evidence that current anti-RET drugs may not be potent enough to induce durable responses in such tumors. We report that potent inhibitors, such as AD80 or ponatinib, that stably bind in the DFG-out conformation of RET may overcome these limitations and selectively kill RET-rearranged tumors. Using chemical genomics in conjunction with phosphoproteomic analyses in RET-rearranged cells, we identify the CCDC6-RETI788N mutation and drug-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway reactivation as possible mechanisms by which tumors may escape the activity of RET inhibitors. Our data provide mechanistic insight into the druggability of RET kinase fusions that may be of help for the development of effective therapies targeting such tumors.