Multicentre phase II study of cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy for advanced large-cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma: the GFPC 0302 study

Efficacy of cadonilimab and anlotinib combination in treating multiple drug‑resistant pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A case report and literature review

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) has a poor prognosis, and there is no consensus on optimal treatment strategies for pulmonary LCNEC. Certain patients with pulmonary LCNEC may benefit from targeted and traditional programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody therapies, however, for most patients, only a few drugs are effective after chemotherapy. The present report describes the case of a 68-year-old man with advanced pulmonary LCNEC treated with cadonilimab and anlotinib after becoming resistant to PD-1 monoclonal antibody therapy and multiple chemotherapies. Computed tomography was used to evaluate treatment response. The treatment was efficacious and met the partial response criteria after three treatment cycles, and the coughing and dyspnea resolved. The primary mass and lymph node metastases continued to shrink after five treatment cycles. Therefore, the present case report suggests that a combination of cadonilimab and anlotinib is a potential treatment strategy for patients with pulmonary LCNEC.

Clinical characteristics and treatment management of combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, a subtype of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (CLCNEC) is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma, accounting for approximately 10% of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Mainly composed of coexisting adenocarcinoma components, with strong invasiveness and poor prognosis. The treatment regimen for CLCNEC mainly refers to complete surgical resection as the first choice in the early stage, while patients with stage II or higher require adjuvant treatment. At present, research on CLCNEC is mostly small sample and retrospective, and there is no consensus on whether molecular typing and treatment should be carried out. There is considerable controversy over whether it should be managed as small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, in order to solve the problem of confusion in the selection of treatment regimens for CLCNEC, while also considering the therapeutic effects, this article summarizes and analyzes previous studies, fully seeks evidence, and boldly proposes new therapeutic insights: the etoposide-platinum (EP) regimen serves as the basis for adjuvant therapy; In addition, SCLC/NSCLC-CLCNEC can be distinguished based on presence of RB1 and TP53 co-mutation, and targeted therapy or NSCLC type chemotherapy including platinum + gemcitabine or taxanes (NSCLC-GEM/TAX) can be used in combination or sequentially for NSCLC-CLCNEC.

YAP1 Status Defines Two Intrinsic Subtypes of LCNEC with Distinct Molecular Features and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities

PURPOSE

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a high-grade neuroendocrine malignancy that, like small cell lung cancer (SCLC), is associated with the absence of druggable oncogenic drivers and dismal prognosis. In contrast to SCLC, however, there is little evidence to guide optimal treatment strategies, which are often adapted from SCLC and non-small cell lung cancer approaches.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

To better define the biology of LCNEC, we analyzed cell line and patient genomic data and performed IHC and single-cell RNA sequencing of core needle biopsies from patients with LCNEC and preclinical models.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrate that the presence or absence of YAP1 distinguishes two subsets of LCNEC. The YAP1-high subset is mesenchymal and inflamed and is characterized, alongside TP53 mutations, by co-occurring alterations in CDKN2A/B and SMARCA4. Therapeutically, the YAP1-high subset demonstrates vulnerability to MEK- and AXL-targeting strategies, including a novel preclinical AXL chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cell. Meanwhile, the YAP1-low subset is epithelial and immune-cold and more commonly features TP53 and RB1 co-mutations, similar to those observed in pure SCLC. Notably, the YAP1-low subset is also characterized by the expression of SCLC subtype-defining transcription factors, especially ASCL1 and NEUROD1, and as expected, given its transcriptional similarities to SCLC, exhibits putative vulnerabilities reminiscent of SCLC, including delta-like ligand 3 and CD56 targeting, as is with novel preclinical delta-like ligand 3 and CD56 chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells, and DNA damage repair inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

YAP1 defines distinct subsets of LCNEC with unique biology. These findings highlight the potential for YAP1 to guide personalized treatment strategies for LCNEC.

Combined large‑cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and small‑cell lung cancer: A case report

Combined large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is extremely rare, with only a few reports available in the literature. An accurate diagnosis is difficult to make due to the overlapping clinical features between LCNEC and SCLC, and a standardized treatment option is lacking. A 53-year-old female patient was admitted to Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Hangzhou, China) due to symptoms of dyspnea and phlegm, with blood in the sputum. Computed tomography revealed a 52×32×26-mm irregular soft-tissue mass in the left upper lung. Pathological examination of the biopsy specimen showed a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma with compression injury, consistent with a mixed type of large and small cell carcinoma. The patient was administered chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy, and as of October 2023, the patient had a survival period of 29 months. LCNEC combined with SCLC is a sporadic tumor with a high potential for malignancy. Multidisciplinary treatment and close follow-up are recommended. The multidisciplinary treatment strategy used in the present study is expected to help inform future therapeutic decisions.

Early death incidence and prediction in stage IV large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung

Nearly half of lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and face a high early death risk. Our objective was to develop models for assessing early death risk in stage IV LCNEC patients. We used surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) databases to gather data on patients with stage IV LCNEC to construct models and conduct internal validation. Additionally, we collected a dataset from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University for external validation. We used the Pearson correlation coefficient and variance inflation factor to identify collinearity among variables. Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis were employed to identify important independent prognostic factors. Prediction nomograms and network-based probability calculators were developed. The accuracy of the nomograms was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. The goodness of fit of the nomograms was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curves. The clinical value of the models was assessed through decision curve analysis. We enrolled 816 patients from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database and randomly assigned them to a training group and a validation group at a 7:3 ratio. In the training group, we identified 9 factors closely associated with early death and included them in the prediction nomograms. The overall early death model achieved an area under the curve of 0.850 for the training group and 0.780 for the validation group. Regarding the cancer-specific early death model, the area under the curve was 0.853 for the training group and 0.769 for the validation group. The calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test both demonstrated a high level of consistency for the constructed nomograms. Additionally, decision curve analysis further confirmed the substantial clinical utility of the nomograms. We developed a reliable nomogram to predict the early mortality risk in stage IV LCNEC patients that can be a helpful tool for health care professionals to identify high-risk patients and create personalized treatment plans.

Real world results of locally advanced and metastatic lung cancer patients treated with platinum doublet chemotherapy in first line: Moroccan cohort

BACKGROUND

Doublet platin-chemotherapy was the old standard treatment for different histology types of advanced and metastatic lung cancer (LC) and is still an option for patients who are not eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, in low- and middle-income countries, chemotherapy, either in monotherapy or in combination with platinum, is still the only accessible option in public institutions. The efficacy of different platin-based chemotherapy in patients with LC who are treatment-naïve is unknown.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we selected patients with advanced and metastatic (IIIB-IVB) non-squamous non-small cell LC (NSCLC), squamous NSCLC, and lung neuroendocrine tumours (small cell LC (SCLC), large cell neuroendocrine, and atypical carcinoid) aged beyond 18 years who received first-line chemotherapy (docetaxel, gemcitabine, etoposide, paclitaxel, pemetrexed, and vinorelbine) combined with platinum between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Within the population with non-squamous NSCLC, squamous NSCLC, and neuroendocrine tumours, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary assessed endpoints. Hematologic safety was the secondary endpoint.

RESULTS

Overall, 611 patients were included. In the group of patients with non-squamous NSCLC (n = 390), there was no statistical difference between subgroups of patients who received first-line platin-chemotherapy. The median PFS was 182 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 167-208) days (hazard ratio for progression: NR [Not Reached]; p = 0.37), and the median OS was 446 (95 % CI, 405-559) days (hazard ratio for death: 1.31; 95 % CI, 0.94 - 1.82; p = 0.1). In the group of patients with squamous NSCLC (n = 149), we note the absence of statistical significance between subgroups of patients who received platin-based chemotherapy. The median PFS was 195 (95 % CI, 142-238; hazard ratio for progression: 1.21, 95 % CI, 0.29-5.02; p = 0.27), while the median OS was 428 (95 % CI, 324-940) days (hazard ratio for death: 1.76; 95 % CI, 0.93 to 3.3; p = 0.32). The absence of significance has been noticed in the neuroendocrine subgroup of patients who received first etoposide-platinum, vinorelbine-platinum, or paclitaxel-platinum (n = 72). The median PFS was 216 (95 % CI, 193-277) days; hazard ratio for progression: 1.74, 95 % CI, 0.41-7.27; p = 0.69, while the median OS was 273 (95 % CI, 241-459) days (hazard ratio for death: 2.95; 95 % CI, 0.4-21.7; p = 0.51). Grade 3-4 neutropenia grade was the predominant adverse event associated with chemotherapy in almost 11 % of patients.

CONCLUSION

Moving forward, treatment strategies must be refined for patients, with an emphasis on increasing the number of patients who can benefit from emergent approaches in order to guarantee a wider, deeper, and longer-lasting outcome.

The Effectiveness of Atezolizumab in Metastatic Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lungs: Insights from the LANCE Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) presents significant treatment challenges due to its rarity and limited therapeutic options. The LANCE study was designed to explore the survival benefits of incorporating atezolizumab in chemotherapy for metastatic LCNEC.

METHODS

In this non-randomized study, patients with metastatic LCNEC were prospectively enrolled and assigned to receive either standard chemotherapy plus atezolizumab followed by maintenance with atezolizumab or standard chemotherapy alone. The primary outcomes measured were 12- and 24-month survival rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) between the two groups.

RESULTS

Of the 22 patients screened, 17 met the inclusion criteria and received either atezolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy (n = 10) or chemotherapy alone (n = 7). After a median follow-up of 23.3 months, the 12-month survival rate was 57.1% (95% CI: 32.6-100%) and 14.3% (95% CI: 2.33-87.7%) for the atezolizumab and the chemotherapy-only groups, respectively. The survival benefit for the atezolizumab group was sustained at 24 months (45.7% vs. 14.3%). Overall survival was significantly higher for the atezolizumab group, and PFS was non-significantly associated with the addition of atezolizumab (log-rank p = 0.04 and 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study suggests that the addition of atezolizumab to standard platinum-based chemotherapy may provide a substantial survival benefit compared with chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of metastatic LCNEC.

Prognostic factors and predictive models for patients with lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: Based on SEER database

BACKGROUND

Lung Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare, aggressive, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma with a poor prognosis, mainly seen in elderly men. To date, we have found no studies on predictive models for LCNEC.

METHODS

We extracted data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of confirmed LCNEC from 2010 to 2018. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors, and then we constructed a novel nomogram and assessed the predictive effectiveness by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

A total of 2546 patients with LCNEC were included, excluding those diagnosed with autopsy or death certificate, tumor, lymph node, metastasis (TNM) stage, tumor grade deficiency, etc., and finally, a total of 743 cases were included in the study. After univariate and multivariate analyses, we concluded that the independent risk factors were N stage, intrapulmonary metastasis, bone metastasis, brain metastasis, and surgical intervention. The results of ROC curves, calibration curves, and DCA in the training and validation groups confirmed that the nomogram could accurately predict the prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram obtained from our study is expected to be a useful tool for personalized prognostic prediction of LCNEC patients, which may help in clinical decision-making.

Efficacy of second-line chemotherapy in patients with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

The efficacy of second-line chemotherapy in patients with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of second-line chemotherapy in patients with pulmonary LCNEC. We retrospectively reviewed patients with pulmonary LCNEC or possible LCNEC (pLCNEC) who received platinum-based chemotherapy as the first-line treatment. Among these patients, we evaluated the efficacy of second-line treatment by comparing patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC group). Of the 61 patients with LCNEC or pLCNEC (LCNEC group) who received first-line chemotherapy, 39 patients were treated with second-line chemotherapy. Among the 39 patients, 61.5% received amrubicin monotherapy. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the LCNEC groups were 3.3 and 8.3 months, respectively. No significant differences in the PFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.924, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.647-1.320; P = 0.664) and OS (HR: 0.926; 95% CI 0.648-1.321; P = 0.670) were observed between the LCNEC and SCLC groups. In patients treated with amrubicin, the PFS (P = 0.964) and OS (P = 0.544) were not different between both the groups. Second-line chemotherapy, including amrubicin, may be considered as a treatment option for patients with pulmonary LCNEC.

New clinical trial design in precision medicine: discovery, development and direction

In the era of precision medicine, it has been increasingly recognized that individuals with a certain disease are complex and different from each other. Due to the underestimation of the significant heterogeneity across participants in traditional "one-size-fits-all" trials, patient-centered trials that could provide optimal therapy customization to individuals with specific biomarkers were developed including the basket, umbrella, and platform trial designs under the master protocol framework. In recent years, the successive FDA approval of indications based on biomarker-guided master protocol designs has demonstrated that these new clinical trials are ushering in tremendous opportunities. Despite the rapid increase in the number of basket, umbrella, and platform trials, the current clinical and research understanding of these new trial designs, as compared with traditional trial designs, remains limited. The majority of the research focuses on methodologies, and there is a lack of in-depth insight concerning the underlying biological logic of these new clinical trial designs. Therefore, we provide this comprehensive review of the discovery and development of basket, umbrella, and platform trials and their underlying logic from the perspective of precision medicine. Meanwhile, we discuss future directions on the potential development of these new clinical design in view of the "Precision Pro", "Dynamic Precision", and "Intelligent Precision". This review would assist trial-related researchers to enhance the innovation and feasibility of clinical trial designs by expounding the underlying logic, which be essential to accelerate the progression of precision medicine.

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: A single‑institution experience

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and highly invasive lung cancer subtype with an overall poor prognosis. Due to its low incidence rate and unusual pathological features, the clinical management of LCNEC remains controversial. The present study aimed to assess the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on treatment response and survival outcomes in patients with advanced LCNEC. The clinical data from 148 patients with LCNEC treated with ICIs at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Zhengzhou, China) between January 2019 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between clinicopathological variables and patient outcomes. Patients treated with ICIs demonstrated extended median overall survival (mOS) times [23.5 months; 95% confidence interval (CI), 18.524-28.476] compared with patients who did not receive ICIs (11.2 months; 95% CI, 4.530-18.930) (P<0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that histological subtype (P=0.043), lymph node metastases (P=0.032) and number of metastatic organs (P=0.009) were associated with a poor prognosis. The heterogeneity of pathological components was associated with prognosis, and the mOS time was shorter for mixed LCNEC than that for pure LCNEC (P=0.043). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) (9.78 vs. 9.37 months; P=0.82) and mOS (20.70 vs. 25.79 months; P=0.181) times showed no significant association with regard to different regimens of immuno-based combination therapy (chemotherapy combined with ICIs vs. anti-angiogenic agents combined with ICIs). Poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (P=0.04), multiple organ metastases (P=0.02) and high cancer antigen 125 levels (P=0.01) were independent risk factors of a poor prognosis. The present findings offer valuable insights into potential prognostic markers and highlight the favorable impact of ICIs on OS in advanced LCNEC. Prospective clinical studies are required to validate the therapeutic value of ICIs in LCNEC.

The outcomes of different regimens depend on the molecular subtypes of pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A retrospective study in China

BACKGROUND

The optimal systemic treatment for pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) remains controversial, and recent advances in LCNEC molecular subtype classification have provided potential strategies for assisting in treatment decisions. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of treatment regimens, molecular subtypes and their concordance on clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with LCNEC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients diagnosed with advanced pulmonary LCNEC in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between January 2000 and October 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The tumor samples were collected and sequenced using a tumor-specific gene panel, while clinical information was retrieved from the medical records system. The survival and therapeutic response were analyzed and compared between different subgroups classified by treatment regimen (SCLC or NSCLC-based), molecular subtype (type I or II) or the combination.

RESULTS

In univariate subgroup analysis categorized only by treatment regimen or molecular subtype, there were no differences identified in DCR, ORR, PFS, or OS. Nevertheless, the group with consistent treatment regimen and molecular subtype exhibited significantly longer OS than that of the inconsistent group (median OS 37.7 vs. 8.3 months; p = 0.046). Particularly, the OS of patients with type II LCNEC treated with SCLC-based regimen was significantly prolonged than that of others (median 37.7 vs. 10.5 months; p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our study revealed the clinical outcomes of different treatment regimens for LCNEC patients highly depend on their molecular subtypes, highlighting the need for sequencing-guided therapy.

Adapting Nanopore Sequencing Basecalling Models for Modification Detection via Incremental Learning and Anomaly Detection

We leverage machine learning approaches to adapt nanopore sequencing basecallers for nucleotide modification detection. We first apply the incremental learning technique to improve the basecalling of modification-rich sequences, which are usually of high biological interests. With sequence backbones resolved, we further run anomaly detection on individual nucleotides to determine their modification status. By this means, our pipeline promises the single-molecule, single-nucleotide and sequence context-free detection of modifications. We benchmark the pipeline using control oligos, further apply it in the basecalling of densely-modified yeast tRNAs and E.coli genomic DNAs, the cross-species detection of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in mammalian mRNAs, and the simultaneous detection of N1-methyladenosine (m1A) and m6A in human mRNAs. Our IL-AD workflow is available at: https://github.com/wangziyuan66/IL-AD.

BRAF V600E-mutated large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma responding to targeted therapy: a case report and review of the literature

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and aggressive high-grade neuroendocrine tumor, commonly arising in the lung or in the gastrointestinal tract, with a frequent proportion of unknown primary origin (20%). In the metastatic setting, platinum-based or fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapeutic regimens are as considered the first-line treatment, despite the limited duration of response. To date, the prognosis of advanced high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma remains poor, suggesting the need to explore new treatment strategies in this orphan tumor. The evolving molecular landscape of LCNEC, not yet been completely defined, could explain the heterogeneous response to different chemotherapeutic regimens and suggest that treatment strategy could be driven by molecular features. v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutations, well described in melanoma, thyroid cancer, colon cancer and lung adenocarcinoma, account for approximately 2% of cases in lung LCNEC. Here, we describe the case of a patient with a BRAF V600E-mutated LCNEC of unknown primary origin who partially responded to BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors after standard treatment. Additionally, BRAF V600E circulating tumor DNA was used to monitor disease response. Thereafter, we reviewed the available literature about the role of targeted therapy in high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms to provide insight for future research to identify patients with driver oncogenic mutations, who can potentially benefit from target therapy.

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC): a population-based study addressing recent molecular-genetic advances and emerging therapeutic approaches

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung is a rare, aggressive cancer most commonly found in the lungs but not exclusively, with a worse prognosis than non-small cell lung carcinomas. Currently, LCNEC patients are treated using small cell and non-small cell protocols. This study aims to use the SEER database to identify demographic, clinical, pathological, and therapeutic factors affecting the prognosis and survival of patients with LCNEC of the lung.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and management data of patients with lung LCNEC were extracted from the SEER database for the period 2000-2018.

RESULTS

In the USA, LCNEC has a higher incidence in elderly white men: M:F ratio = 1.2:1, Caucasian: 83.3%, mean age: 67 ± 10.2 years. The most common treatment modality was chemotherapy only: 29.2%, followed by surgery: 21.5% (but in this group the statuses of chemotherapy were unknown), and combination surgery/chemotherapy: 8.8%. The overall and cause-specific 5-year survival was 17.5% (95% CI 16.3-18.8) and 21.9% (95% CI 20.5-23.4), respectively. By treatment, the best 5-year survival was for surgery alone (48%), followed by multimodality therapy (chemo + surgery + radiation) at 35% (95% CI 27-43). Age > 60 years, male gender, size > 7 cm, and nodal and liver metastasis were independent risk factors associated with increased mortality.

CONCLUSION

Lung LCNEC is an aggressive neoplasm most common in older white males that presents at an advanced stage despite small primary tumors. Most patients die within 2 years. The best predictor of survival is surgery with chemotherapy. Given its dismal prognosis, new treatment guidelines are needed for this aggressive cancer.

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (C-LCNEC) has a poor prognosis and there is no consensus about the treatment regimen for both LCNEC and C-LCNEC patients.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient was a 47-year-old female who received surgical resection. The postoperative histology and staging of the tumor suggested C-LCNEC with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma and T2aN0M0 stage IB. Next-generation sequencing test showed KIF5B/RET fusion mutation without EGFR, ALK, RB1, and TP53 alterations. Adjuvant chemotherapy with 4-cycle docetaxel plus carboplatin was given and brain metastasis occurred after 10 months.

CONCLUSIONS

C-LCNEC with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is rare and highly aggressive cancer. Surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy with SCLC regimen may improve the disease-free survival and overall survival. The accumulation of similar cases will clarify the profile and management of the disease.

The Unmet Diagnostic and Treatment Needs in Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung (LCNEC) is currently classified as a rare lung cancer subtype, but given the high incidence of lung cancer, the overall number of cases is considerable. The pathologic diagnosis of LCNEC is mainly based on the microscopic appearance of the tumor cells, the mitotic rate, the amount of intra-tumoral necrosis, and the presence of positive neuroendocrine markers identified by immunohistochemistry. Recently, a subdivision into two main categories was proposed based on mutation signatures involving the RB1, TP53, KRAS, and STK11/LKB1 genes, into SCLC-like (small cell lung cancer-like) and NSCLC-like (non-small cell lung cancer-like) LCNEC. In terms of treatment, surgery is still the best option for resectable, stage I-IIIA cases. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have conflicting evidence. Etoposide/platinum remains the standard chemotherapy regimen. However, based on the newly proposed LCNEC subtypes, some retrospective series report better outcomes using a pathology-driven chemotherapy approach. Encouraging outcomes have also been reported for immunotherapy and targeted therapy, but the real impact of these strategies is still being determined in the absence of adequate prospective clinical trials. The current paper scrutinized the epidemiology, reviewed the reliability of pathologic diagnosis, discussed the need for molecular subtyping, and reviewed the heterogeneity of treatment algorithms in LCNEC.

Systemic treatment for neuroendocrine non-small cell lung carcinoma: A cases series and a systematic review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Neuroendocrine lung cancer constitutes a continuum from carcinoid tumours (CT) to large cell neuroendocrine (LCNEC) and small-cell carcinomas (SCLC). Except for SCLC, there is no consensual agreement on systemic therapy. The aim of this study is to review our clinical experience among patients with CT and LCNEC in the light of a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

A retrospective study of all patients with CT and LCNEC receiving a systemic therapy at Institut Jules Bordet and Erasme Hospital between 01/01/2000-31/12/2020. A systematic review of the literature was performed in Ovid Medline.

RESULTS

53 patients (21 CT and 32 LCNEC) were included. Despite limited response rates, patients with CT receiving a "carcinoid-like" 1st-line regimen (somatostatin analogues (SSA), everolimus, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)) had a numerically longer survival compared to those receiving other type of regimens (median 51.4 vs 18.6 months, respectively; p = 0.17). We observed a similar survival between 1st line "SCLC-like" vs "non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-like" schemes in LCNEC (median 11.2 vs 12.6 months, respectively; p = 0.46). The systematic review identified 23 studies (12 prospective, 15 and 8 for CT and LCNEC respectively). For CT, everolimus and SSA led to prolonged disease control with an acceptable toxicity profile, while higher response rates but lower tolerance were associated with PRRT and chemotherapy regimens including oxaliplatine and dacarbazine. For LCNEC, no difference emerged when comparing "SCLC-like" and "NSCLC-like" regimens considering response rate, progression-free or overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

SSA, everolimus and PRRT present a good therapeutic index for CT, while the role of chemotherapy remains limited to aggressive and rapidly evolving CT. The best type of chemotherapy regimen remains an open question in LCNEC.

Incidence, survival comparison, and novel prognostic evaluation approaches for stage iii-iv pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are two types of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung with poor prognosis. LCNEC has not been thoroughly studied due to its rarity, data are also lacking regarding the survival comparison and prognosis analysis of patients with locally advanced or metastatic LCNEC and SCLC.

METHODS

Data of patients with LCNEC, SCLC, and other NSCLC who were diagnosed from 1975 to 2019 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to estimate incidence. Those in stage III-IV and being diagnosed from 2010 to 2015 were utilized further to investigate their clinical characteristics and prognosis. Propensity score matching (PSM) analyses at a ratio of 1:2 was used to compare their survival outcomes. Nomograms of LCNEC and SCLC were established with internal validation, and the nomogram of SCLC was externally validated by 349 patients diagnosed in Cancer hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018.

RESULTS

The incidence of LCNEC has been increasing in recent decades, meanwhile that of SCLC and other types of NSCLC were decreasing. A total of 91,635 lung cancer patients, including 785 with LCNEC, 15,776 with SCLC, and 75,074 with other NSCLC were enrolled for further analysis. The survival of stage III-IV LCNEC resembles that of SCLC, and significantly worse than other types of NSCLC before and after PSM analysis. In pretreatment prognostic analysis, age, T stage, N stage, M stage, bone metastasis, liver metastasis, and brain metastasis were found to be associated with the survival of both LCNEC and SCLC, besides sex, bilaterality, and lung metastasis were additional prognostic factors for SCLC. Two nomograms and convenient online tools respectively for LCNEC and SCLC were established accordingly with favorable predicting accuracy of < 1-year, < 2-year, < 3-year survival probabilities. In external validation of the SCLC nomogram with a Chinese cohort, the AUCs of 1-year, 2-year and 3-year ROC were 0.652, 0.669, and 0.750, respectively. All the results of 1-, 2-, 3- year variable-dependent ROC curves verified the superior prognostic value of our nomograms for LCNEC and SCLC over the traditional T/N/M staging system.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on large sample-based cohort, we compared the epidemiological trends and survival outcomes between locally advanced or metastatic LCNEC, SCLC, and other NSCLC. Furthermore, two prognostic evaluation approaches respectively for LCNEC and SCLC might present as practical tools for clinicians to predict the survival outcome of these patients and facilitate risk stratification.

Thymic atypical carcinoid tumors with elevated mitotic counts in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia: A case report

Thymic neuroendocrine tumors associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia are only defined as carcinoid and are not associated with large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). We report the case of a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 patient with atypical carcinoid tumors with elevated mitotic counts (AC-h), an intermediate condition between carcinoid and LCNEC. A 27-year-old man underwent surgery for an anterior mediastinal mass and was diagnosed with thymic LCNEC. Fifteen years later, a mass appeared at the same site, which was determined to be a postoperative recurrence based on the pathological results of a needle biopsy and the clinical course. The patient's disease remained stable for 10 months on anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody and platinum-containing chemotherapy. The needle biopsy specimen was submitted for next-generation sequencing, which revealed a MEN1 gene mutation, and after further examination, a diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 was made. A re-examination of the surgical specimen from 15 years prior showed that it corresponded to AC-h. Although thymic AC-h is classified as thymic LCNEC according to the current definition, our data suggests that a search for multiple endocrine neoplasia is warranted in such patients.

Therapeutic efficacy of platinum/etoposide regimens in the treatment of advanced poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare malignancies developed from bronchial mucosa. Because of its rarity and complex histopathology, there is limited data on the role of chemotherapy in this subset of tumors. Few studies regarding the treatment of poorly differentiated lung NENs, known as neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), are available and many limits are detectable as heterogeneity of tumor samples including different origins and different clinical behaviors, moreover, no evidence of therapeutic advances have been achieved along the last thirty years.

METHOD

We performed a retrospective analysis of 70 patients affected by poorly differentiated lung NECs: half of patients underwent a first line therapy with a combination of cisplatin plus etoposide; the remaining patients receiving carboplatin instead of cisplatin, plus etoposide. Results: In our analysis, the outcomes of patients treated with either cisplatin or carboplatin schedule are similar in terms of ORR (44% versus 33%), DCR (75% versus 70%), PFS (6.0 versus 5.0 months) and OS (13.0 versus 10 months). Median number of chemotherapy cycles was 4 (range 1-8). The 18% of patients required a dose reduction. Main toxicities reported were hematological (70.5%), gastrointestinal (26.5%) and fatigue (18%).

CONCLUSION

Survival rate in our study suggests that high grade lung NENs are characterized by an aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis, despite the treatment with platinum/etoposide according to available data. Clinical results of present study contribute to strengthen available data on the usefulness of platinum/etoposide regimen in the treatment of poorly differentiated lung NENs.

Pulmonary Combined Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Pulmonary combined large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (CLCNEC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor pertained to lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis generally. The clinical features of CLCNEC are not specific including cough, expectoration, chest distress, chest pain, etc., which are prone to have different manifestations of the mixed components. Owing to the low incidence, there are few related small-scale retrospective studies and case reports. Currently, the treatment regimen of CLCNEC mainly refers to LCNEC that complete surgical resection is preferred in the early stage and according to previous researches, platinum-based small cell lung cancer (SCLC) standard treatment regimen showed promising results in postoperative and advanced CLCNEC as compared to that of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Adenocarcinoma-CLCNEC more likely harbor driver gene mutation, and may benefit from targeted therapy. As for immunotherapy, more clinical trial data are needed to support its benefits. This article will fill the gap and will provide new insight into the clinical characteristics, pathological diagnosis and treatment endeavors of CLCNEC.

Second-line treatment and prognostic factors in neuroendocrine carcinoma: the RBNEC study

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) are aggressive malignant diseases. Etoposide-based rechallenge (EBR) and the prognostic role of RB transcriptional corepressor 1 (RB1) status in second-line chemotherapy (2L) have not been studied. The objectives of this study were to report the results of 2L including EBR as well as prognostic factors in a national retrospective multicentre study. NEC patients treated with 2L and further, with tissue samples available, were included. RB1 status and morphological classification were reviewed centrally. Among the 121 NEC patients (40% female, median age 61 years) included, there were 73 small-cell NEC (60%), 34 large-cell NEC (28%) and 14 NEC (not otherwise specified, 12%). Primary sites were lung (39%), gastroenteropancreatic (36%), other (13%) and unknown (12%). Median Ki-67 index was 80%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) under 2L were 2.1 and 6.2 months, respectively. No difference was observed between patients who received an 'adenocarcinoma-like' or a 'neuroendocrine-like' 2L or according to the RB1 status. Thoracic NEC primary was the only adverse prognostic factor for OS. EBR, administered to 31 patients, resulted in a 62% disease control rate with a median PFS and OS of 3.2 and 11.7 months, respectively. In the 94 patients with a relapse-free interval of ≥3 months after first-line platinum-etoposide chemotherapy, the median OS was 12 months in patients who received EBR as compared to 5.9 months in patients who did not (P = 0.043). EBR could be the best 2L option for patient with initial response to first-line platinum-etoposide lasting at least 3 months. RB1 status does not provide prognostic information in this setting.

Targeting ALK in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung

Background

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are known oncogenic drivers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Few case reports described the occurrence of such rearrangements in large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) of the lung without information on clinical responses to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in these cases. Currently, neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs are not screened for ALK rearrangements.

Methods

To illustrate the clinical impact of molecular characterization in LCNECs, we report the disease course in three patients with ALK-rearranged metastatic LCNEC from our clinical routine, as well as their treatment response to ALK TKIs (index cases). To gain insight into the prevalence of ALK rearrangements in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung, we analyzed a retrospective cohort of 436 tumor biopsies including LCNEC (n = 61), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (n = 206), typical (n = 91) and atypical (n = 69) carcinoids, and mixed histology (n = 9) for the presence of ALK rearrangements using a sequential diagnostic algorithm. ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) was evaluable in 362 cases; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was evaluable in 28 out of the 35 IHC-positive cases, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) that was available in 12 cases.

Results

Within the retrospective cohort, ALK IHC was positive in 35 out of 362 (9.7%) evaluable samples. FISH was positive in 3 out of the 28 (10.7%) evaluable cases: 2 with atypical carcinoids and 1 with LCNEC. Additionally, the 3 index cases showed positive ALK IHC, which was confirmed by NGS. Within the retrospective cohort, NGS confirmed the presence of an ALK genomic rearrangement in one FISH-positive atypical carcinoid where material was sufficient for sequencing. Two out of three patients with metastatic ALK-rearranged LCNEC received up-front treatment with the ALK TKI alectinib and showed rapid tumor response at all metastatic sites, including multiple brain metastases.

Conclusions

ALK rearrangements represent rare but targetable oncogenic driver alterations in LCNEC. Contrarily to NSCLC, the detection of ALK rearrangements in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung is challenging, since ALK IHC can lead to false-positive results and therefore needs confirmation by FISH or NGS. Up-front comprehensive molecular profiling with NGS should be performed in metastatic LCNEC in order not to miss actionable genomic alterations.

Neuronal survival factor VGF promotes chemoresistance and predicts poor prognosis in lung cancers with neuroendocrine feature

High-grade neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the lung consist of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Both exhibit aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. The transformation of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) to SCLC or LCNEC also contributes to acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Despite initially being responsive to chemotherapy, high-grade NET patients inevitably develop drug resistance; thus, novel therapeutic targets are urgently needed for these patients. This study reported that VGF (nerve growth factor inducible), a factor mainly expressed in neurons during neural development, is highly expressed in SCLC and LCNEC as well as in a subset of ADCs, whereas targeting VGF attenuates cancer cell growth and tumor formation. High VGF expression was associated with advanced stage SCLC and predicted poor prognosis in lung ADC. In addition, EGFR-TKI selection enriched VGF expression in TKI-resistant ADC under epigenetic control. The VGF locus possessed the HDAC1 binding site, and treatment of ADC cells with the HDAC1 inhibitor induced VGF expression. High VGF expression was associated with chemoresistance, and silencing VGF induced BMF and BCL2L11 expression and rendered lung cancer cells sensitive to chemotherapy drugs. These findings suggested the potential of VGF as a prognostic factor and therapeutic target in lung cancers with neuroendocrine feature. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic criteria and evolving molecular characterization of pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas

Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung are currently classified into two categories: small cell lung carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Diagnostic criteria for small cell- and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma are based solely on tumor morphology; however, overlap in histologic and immunophenotypic features between the two types of carcinoma can potentially make their classification challenging. Accurate diagnosis of pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas is paramount for patient management, as clinical course and treatment differ between small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Molecular-genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data published over the past decade suggest that small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are not homogeneous categories but rather comprise multiple groups of distinctive malignancies. Nuances in the susceptibility of small cell lung carcinoma subtypes to different chemotherapeutic regimens and the discovery of targetable mutations in large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma suggest that classification and treatment of neuroendocrine carcinomas may be informed by ancillary molecular and protein expression testing going forward. This review summarizes current diagnostic criteria, prognostic and predictive correlates of classification, and evidence of previously unrecognized subtypes of small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Endostar plus pembrolizumab combined with a platinum-based dual chemotherapy regime for advanced pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma as a first-line treatment: A case report

Pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and highly aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis. The proper treatment decision and possible prognosis outcome for advanced LCNEC is always an enormous challenge due to its scarcity. Here, we presented a 59-year-old male patient with advanced LCNEC with a non-neuroendocrine immunophenotype who received endostar plus pembrolizumab combined with a platinum-based dual chemotherapy regime as a first-line treatment. At present, the patient’s condition is well controlled by medication only and has a progression-free survival of more than 2 years. Adverse effects recorded for this patient during treatment courses include nausea, vomiting, II–III quality bone marrow toxicity, and PD-1 blockage-related hypothyroidism. This case report discussed the feasibility of immunotherapy, anti-angiogenesis agents, and chemotherapy as a first-line therapy in advanced LCNEC.

Different Characteristics and Survival between Surgically Resected Pure and Combined Pulmonary Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung. Little is known about the differences between the pure and combined LCNEC subtypes, and thus we conducted this study to provide more comprehensive insight into LCNEC.

METHODS

We reviewed 221 patients with pure LCNEC (P-LCNEC) and 120 patients with combined LCNEC (C-LCNEC) who underwent pulmonary surgery in our hospital to compare their clinical features, driven genes' status (EGFR/ALK/ROS1/KRAS/BRAF), and adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce selection bias.

RESULTS

The P-LCNEC group included a higher proportion of males and smokers than the C-LCNEC group. Furthermore, the C-LCNEC group had higher incidences of visceral pleural invasion (VPI), EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement compared with the P-LCNEC group. Expression of neuroendocrine markers (CD56, CGA, and SYN) and recurrence patterns were not significantly different between the two groups. The P-LCNEC group had better disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with the C-LCNEC group (median DFS: 67.0 vs. 28.1 months, p = 0.021; median OS: 72.0 vs. 45.0 months, p = 0.001), which was further confirmed by the PSM method (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adjuvant chemotherapy was also an independent factor for DFS and OS. Subgroup analysis found that regardless of whether it was for the entire LCNEC group or the P- and C-LCNEC subtypes, the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) regimens presented with superior survival compared with the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regimens.

CONCLUSION

P-LCNEC was associated with more favorable prognosis compared with C-LCNEC. SCLC-based adjuvant chemotherapy was more appropriate for LCNEC patients than NSCLC-based regimens, regardless of whether they were the pure or combined LCNEC subtypes. C-LCNEC patients may be the potential beneficiary of targeted therapy.

Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung: Current Understanding and Challenges

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung (LCNEC) is a rare and highly aggressive type of lung cancer, with a complex biology that shares similarities with both small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The prognosis of LCNEC is poor, with a median overall survival of 8-12 months. The diagnosis of LCNEC requires the identification of neuroendocrine morphology and the expression of at least one of the neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A, synaptophysin or CD56). In the last few years, the introduction of next-generation sequencing allowed the identification of molecular subtypes of LCNEC, with prognostic and potential therapeutic implications: one subtype is similar to SCLC (SCLC-like), while the other is similar to NSCLC (NSCLC-like). Because of LCNEC rarity, most evidence comes from small retrospective studies and treatment strategies that are extrapolated from those adopted in patients with SCLC and NSCLC. Nevertheless, limited but promising data about targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with LCNEC are emerging. LCNEC clinical management is still controversial and standardized treatment strategies are currently lacking. The aim of this manuscript is to review clinical and molecular data about LCNEC to better understand the optimal management and the potential prognostic and therapeutic implications of molecular subtypes.

Comprehensive Characterization of the Genomic Landscape in Chinese Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors Reveals Prognostic and Therapeutic Markers (CSWOG-1901)

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) include typical carcinoid (TC), atypical carcinoid (AC), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). The optimal treatment strategy for each subtype remains elusive, partly due to the lack of comprehensive understanding of their molecular features. We aimed to explore differential genomic signatures in pNET subtypes and identify potential prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

METHODS

We investigated genomic profiles of 57 LCNECs, 49 SCLCs, 18 TCs, and 24 ACs by sequencing tumor tissues with a 520-gene panel and explored the associations between genomic features and prognosis.

RESULTS

Both LCNEC and SCLC displayed higher mutation rates for TP53, PRKDC, SPTA1, NOTCH1, NOTCH2, and PTPRD than TC and AC. Small cell lung carcinoma harbored more frequent co-alterations in TP53-RB1, alterations in PIK3CA and SOX2, and mutations in HIF-1, VEGF and Notch pathways. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (12.7 mutations/Mb) and SCLC (11.9 mutations/Mb) showed higher tumor mutational burdens than TC (2.4 mutations/Mb) and AC (7.1 mutations/Mb). 26.3% of LCNECs and 20.8% of ACs harbored alterations in classical non-small cell lung cancer driver genes. The presence of alterations in the homologous recombination pathway predicted longer progression-free survival in advanced LCNEC patients with systemic therapy (P = .005) and longer overall survival (OS) in SCLC patients with resection (P = .011). The presence of alterations in VEGF (P = .048) and estrogen (P = .018) signaling pathways both correlated with better OS in patients with resected SCLC.

CONCLUSION

We performed a comprehensive genomic investigation on 4 pNET subtypes in the Chinese population. Our data revealed distinctive genomic signatures in subtypes and provided new insights into the prognostic and therapeutic stratification of pNETs.

Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors against Advanced or Metastatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the treatment efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in advanced/metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify studies that provide data on treatment response and/or survival outcomes of advanced/metastatic NEN patients treated with ICIs. The overall response rate (ORR) was pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-regression was performed to explore factors influencing the ORR. Individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of survival was performed using stratified Cox regression. Ten studies (464 patients) were included. The overall pooled ORR was 15.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 9.5-24.3%), and it varied according to the primary site (thoracic, 24.7%; gastro-entero-pancreatic, 9.5%), tumor differentiation (poorly differentiated, 22.7%; well-differentiated, 10.4%), and drug regimen (combination, 25.3%; monotherapy, 10.1%). All these variables significantly influenced the ORR. Tumor differentiation was associated with both overall survival and progression-free survival (hazard ratio of poorly differentiated tumors, 4.2 (95% CI, 2.0-8.7) and 2.6 (95% CI, 1.6-4.4), respectively). Thus, the treatment efficacy of ICIs for advanced/metastatic NENs varied according to primary site, tumor differentiation, and drug regimen. Poorly differentiated NENs showed a better ORR than well-differentiated NENs but had a negative impact on survival.

A Case of ALK-Rearranged Combined Lung Adenocarcinoma and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma with Diffuse Bone Metastasis and Partial Response to Alectinib

We report a rare case of stage IV pulmonary combined large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and adenocarcinoma (ACA), both demonstrating anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement by IHC and FISH. This 61-year-old lifelong nonsmoking Asian woman presented with a cough, and after diagnosis and surgical treatment, completed four cycles of adjuvant cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy. She subsequently developed recurrence with bony metastases of exclusively ALK-positive LCNEC. Alectinib was started, and the patient experienced a partial response.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of resected large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung

Purpose

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a high-grade lung neuroendocrine tumor with a poor prognosis, similar to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, it remains unclear whether to treat LCNEC as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or as SCLC. We reviewed our experiences to suggest appropriate treatment strategy for resected pulmonary LCNEC.

Materials and Methods

Forty-four patients were treated for pathologically diagnosed pulmonary LCNEC during 2005‒2018. We considered curative surgery first in early-stage or some locally advanced tumors, unless medically inoperable. Adjuvant treatments were decided considering patient’s clinical and pathological features. After excluding two stage I tumors with radiotherapy alone and three stage III tumors with upfront chemotherapy, we analyzed 39 patients with stage I‒III pulmonary LCNEC, who underwent curative resection first.

Results

Adjuvant chemotherapy (NSCLC-based 91%, SCLC-based 9%) was performed in 62%, and adjuvant radiotherapy was done in three patients for pN2 or positive margin. None received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). With a median follow-up of 30 months, the 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 68% and 51%, and the 2- and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 49% and 43%, respectively. Aged ≥67 years and SCLC-mixed pathology were significant poor prognostic factors for OS or RFS (p < 0.05). Among 17 recurrences, regional failures were most common (n = 6), and there were five brain metastases.

conclusions

Surgery and adjuvant treatment (without PCI) could achieve favorable outcomes in pulmonary LCNEC, which was more similar to NSCLC, although some factors worsened the prognosis. The importance of intensified adjuvant therapies with multidisciplinary approach remains high.

Complete remission of combined pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case report

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), which accounts for approximately 1% of all lung cancers, is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Therefore, it is important to devise an effective treatment strategy. In the treatment of locally advanced complex LCNEC, it is unique to first administer radiotherapy combined with albumin-bound paclitaxel plus carboplatin, followed by durvalumab for immune maintenance treatment after concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy to achieve complete remission. We report a 54-year-old man who smoked and who felt chest tightness for 2 weeks and was diagnosed as having combined pulmonary LCNEC. For patients with locally advanced pulmonary LCNEC, chemoradiotherapy increases overall survival. After surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy, our patient achieved complete remission. Durvalumab was then started to consolidate the treatment. After six courses of immune maintenance therapy, the patient developed grade 2 immune-related pneumonitis and took prednisone orally until the symptoms resolved, and then reached complete remission again. The patient achieved complete remission, which was a challenge with this rare carcinoma, through albumin-bound paclitaxel plus platinum-based chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and durvalumab for immune maintenance therapy. This approach may provide a treatment option for locally advanced combined pulmonary LCNEC.

A Clinical Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Pulmonary Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Patients: A Population-Based Study

Purpose

This study was designed to construct and validate a nomogram that was available for predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC).

Patients and Methods

Using the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified patients pathologically diagnosed as LCNEC from 1975 to 2016. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was conducted to assess prognostic factors of CSS. A novel nomogram model was constructed and validated by the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

A total of 624 LCNEC patients were enrolled. Five prognostic factors for CSS were identified and merged to establish nomograms. In the training and validation cohorts, calibration curves displayed the nomogram predictions are in a good agreement with the actual survival. The C-Index of the training and validation cohorts were both higher than 0.8, and the DCA results showed that the nomogram has clinical validity and utility.

Conclusion

The proposed nomogram resulted in accurate CSS prognostic prediction for patients with LCNEC.

Platinum Doublet plus Atezolizumab as First-line Treatment in Metastatic Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Single Institution Experience

BACKGROUND

Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung (L-LCNEC) is a rare type of neuroendocrine lung cancer that is increasingly diagnosed. However, the optimal management regarding the advanced stage is unclear. The purpose of this article is to present and compare our experience when L-LCNEC is treated as Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Overall, eight cases of L-LCNEC were included. We retrospectively reviewed medical files and reports by accessing the Institution's Data of patients diagnosed with L-LCNEC from April 2019 until December 2020 and evaluated their response to the combination of Platinum - Etoposide - Atezolizumab as first-line chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The overall observed response rate (ORR) of 75%. The median PFS was 6.85 months. The median response duration was 5.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparing our findings with other retrospective and prospective studies, it seems that the systematic treatment of choice and management in L-LCNEC of the lung should be that of a small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Improving differential diagnosis of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and small cell lung cancer via a transcriptomic, biological pathway-based machine learning model

•

A transcriptomic, biological pathway-based machine learning model was constructed.

•

This classification model can predict LCNEC from borderline samples.

•

The model may help clinicians choose appropriate therapy for pulmonary NETs patients.

Background

Accurately differentiating between pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is crucial to make appropriate therapeutic decisions. Here, a classifier was constructed based on transcriptome data to improve the diagnostic accuracy for LCNEC and SCLC.

Methods

13,959 genes mapped to 186 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were included. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) algorithm was used to enrich and score each KEGG pathway from RNA-sequencing data of each sample. A prediction model based on GSVA score was constructed and trained via ridge regression based on RNA-sequencing datasets from 3 published studies. It was validated by another independent RNA-sequencing dataset. Clinical feasibility was tested by comparing model predicated result using RNA-sequencing data derived from hard-to-diagnose samples of lung neuroendocrine cancer to conventional histology-based diagnosis.

Results

This model achieved a ROC-AUC of 0.949 and a concordance rate of 0.75 for the entire prediction efficiency. Of the 27 borderline samples, 17/27 (63.0%) were predicted as LCNEC, 7/27 were predicted as SCLC, and the remainder was NSCLC. Only 8 cases (29.6%) with LCNEC were diagnosed by pathologists, which was significantly lower than the results predicted by the model. Furthermore, cases with predicted LCNEC by the model had a significant longer disease-free survival than those where the model predicted SCLC (P = 0.0043).

Conclusion

This model was able to give an accurate prediction of LCNEC and SCLC. It may assist clinicians to make the optimal decision for patients with pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors in choosing appropriate treatment.

Large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma: consensus statement from The British Thoracic Oncology Group and the Association of Pulmonary Pathologists

Over the past 10 years, lung cancer clinical and translational research has been characterised by exponential progress, exemplified by the introduction of molecularly targeted therapies, immunotherapy and chemo-immunotherapy combinations to stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer. Along with squamous and small cell lung cancers, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) now represents an area of unmet need, particularly hampered by the lack of an encompassing pathological definition that can facilitate real-world and clinical trial progress. The steps we have proposed in this article represent an iterative and rational path forward towards clinical breakthroughs that can be modelled on success in other lung cancer pathologies.

Dramatic response to alectinib in an ALK-positive LCNEC patient with a poor performance status: A case report

The echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion gene, a driver mutation in lung carcinoma, is fairly common in lung adenocarcinoma but rare in large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Here we report a case of stage IV LCNEC positive for this fusion gene in a patient with a poor performance status (PS) who was effectively treated with alectinib. The patient was a 72-year-old non-smoking man diagnosed as LCNEC with multiple metastases. Because of his poor PS, cytotoxic chemotherapy was not indicated, but he was later found to be positive for the ALK fusion gene and treated with alectinib as first-line therapy. One month later, the tumour had shrunk remarkably, and the therapeutic effect was rated as a partial response. The PS also improved from 4 to 1. Investigating actionable driver mutations seems worth doing for advanced LCNEC, especially if the patient's PS is poor.

Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare, aggressive cancer with a dismal prognosis. The majority of cases occur in the lung and the gastrointestinal tract; however, it can occur throughout the body. Recently advances in the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of this disease have paved the way for additional novel promising therapies. This review will discuss the current best evidence for management of LCNEC and new directions in the classification and treatment of this rare disease.

METHODS

We performed a PubMed search for "Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma" and "High grade neuroendocrine carcinoma." All titles were screened for relevance to the management of LCNEC. Papers were included based on relevance to the management of LCNEC.

RESULTS

Papers were included reviewing both pulmonary and extra pulmonary LCNEC. We summarized the data driven best practices for the management of both early and advanced stage LCNEC. We describe emerging therapies with promising potential.

DISCUSSION

LCNEC are rare and aggressive neoplasms. In advanced disease, the historical regimen of platinum based therapy in combination with etoposide or irinotecan remains among the commonly used first line therapies, however for extra thoracic LCNEC regimens like FOLFOX, FOLFOIRI and CAPTEM can also be used. Further effective and safe treatment options are desperately needed. Recently, new advances including a new understanding of the genetic subcategories of LCNEC and immunotherapy agents may guide further treatments.

The developmental origin of cancers defines basic principles of cisplatin resistance

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been used for more than four decades as a standard therapeutic option in several tumor entities. However, being a multifaceted and heterogeneous phenomenon, inherent or acquired resistance to cisplatin remains a major obstacle during the treatment of several solid malignancies and inevitably results in disease progression. Hence, we felt there was an urgent need to evaluate common mechanisms between multifarious cancer entities to identify patient-specific therapeutic strategies. We found joint molecular and (epi)genetic resistance mechanisms and specific cisplatin-induced mutational signatures that depended on the developmental origin (endo-, meso-, ectoderm) of the tumor tissue. Based on the findings of thirteen tumor entities, we identified three resistance groups, where Group 1 (endodermal origin) prominently indicates NRF2-pathway activation, Group 2 (mesodermal origin, primordial germ cells) shares elevated DNA repair mechanisms and decreased apoptosis induction, and Group 3 (ectodermal and paraxial mesodermal origin) commonly presents deregulated apoptosis induction and alternating pathways as the main cisplatin-induced resistance mechanisms. This review further proposes potential and novel therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Comprehensive Dissection of Treatment Patterns and Outcome for Patients With Metastatic Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Lung Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Large-cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare pulmonary neoplasm with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all patients with metastatic LCNEC in the records of a large German academic center since 2010.

RESULTS

191 patients were identified with a predominance of male (68%) smokers (92%) and a median age of 65 years. The single most important factor associated with outcome was the type of systemic treatment, with a median overall survival (OS) of 26.4 months in case of immune checkpoint inhibitor administration (n=13), 9.0 months for other patients receiving first-line platinum doublets (n=129), and 4.0 months with non-platinum chemotherapies (n=17, p<0.01). Other patient characteristics independently associated with longer OS were a lower baseline serum LDH (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54, p=0.008) and fewer initial metastatic sites (HR 0.52, p=0.006), while the platinum drug type (cisplatin vs. carboplatin) and cytotoxic partner (etoposide vs. paclitaxel), patients' smoking status and baseline levels of tumor markers (NSE, CYFRA 21-1, CEA) did not matter. 12% (23/191) of patients forewent systemic treatment, mainly due to tumor-related clinical deterioration (n=13), while patient refusal of therapy (n=5) and severe concomitant illness (n=5) were less frequent. The attrition between successive treatment lines was approximately 50% and similar for platinum-based vs. other therapies, but higher in case of a worse initial ECOG status or higher serum LDH (p<0.05). 19% (36/191) of patients had secondary stage IV disease and showed fewer metastatic sites, better ECOG status and longer OS (median 12.6 vs. 8.7 months, p=0.030). Among the 111 deceased patients with palliative systemic treatment and complete follow-up, after exclusion of oligometastatic cases (n=8), administration of local therapies (n=63 or 57%) was associated with a longer OS (HR 0.58, p=0.008), but this association did not persist with multivariable testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Highly active systemic therapies, especially immunotherapy and platinum doublets, are essential for improved outcome in LCNEC and influence OS stronger than clinical disease parameters, laboratory results and other patient characteristics. The attrition between chemotherapy lines is approximately 50%, similar to other NSCLC. Patients with secondary metastatic disease have a more favorable clinical phenotype and longer survival.

FOLFIRINEC: a randomized phase II trial of mFOLFIRINOX vs platinum-etoposide for metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma of gastroenteropancreatic or unknown origin

BACKGROUND

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) are rare diseases with a poor prognosis. Platinum-etoposide (PE) has been the recommended first-line treatment for decades. FOLFIRINEC (NCT04325425) is a national multicenter randomized phase II study which aims to challenge this standard regimen.

METHODS

The primary objective is to compare the median progression-free survival (PFS) under mFOLFIRINOX versus PE. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the objective response rates (ORR), median overall survival (OS), safety and quality of life. The associated real-time translational study will establish a molecular profile for each patient enrolled.

MAIN INCLUSION CRITERIA ARE

NEC of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) or unknown origin, metastatic and RECIST 1.1 evaluable disease, tumor sample available and no contraindication to chemotherapy. Patients will be randomized 1:1 between PE every 21 days for 6-8 cycles and mFOLFIRINOX every 14 days for up to 12 cycles and stratified according to center, performance status, Ki67 and pathological subtype. This trial will randomize 218 patients (24 months of follow-up) to have 80% power to detect an improvement of the median PFS from 5 months under PE to 7.5 months under mFOLFIRINOX (HR of 0.67, α =5%, two-sided). An intermediate analysis is planned at 50% of events. Recruitment started on October 20, 2020.

Clinical-Pathologic Challenges in the Classification of Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms and Targets on the Horizon for Future Clinical Practice

Diagnosing a pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) may be difficult, challenging clinical decision making. In this review, the following key clinical and pathologic issues and informative molecular markers are being discussed: (1) What is the preferred outcome parameter for curatively resected low-grade NENs (carcinoid), for example, overall survival or recurrence-free interval? (2) Does the WHO classification combined with a Ki-67 proliferation index and molecular markers, such as OTP and CD44, offer improved prognostication in low-grade NENs? (3) What is the value of a typical versus atypical carcinoid diagnosis on a biopsy specimen in local and metastatic disease? Diagnosis is difficult in biopsy specimens and recent observations of an increased mitotic rate in metastatic carcinoid from typical to atypical and high-grade NEN can further complicate diagnosis. (4) What is the (ir)relevance of morphologically separating large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) SCLC and the value of molecular markers (RB1 gene and pRb protein or transcription factors NEUROD1, ASCL1, POU2F3, or YAP1 [NAPY]) to predict systemic treatment outcome? (5) Are additional diagnostic criteria required to accurately separate LCNEC from NSCLC in biopsy specimens? Neuroendocrine morphology can be absent owing to limited sample size leading to missed LCNEC diagnoses. Evaluation of genomic studies on LCNEC and marker studies have identified that a combination of napsin A and neuroendocrine markers could be helpful. Hence, to improve clinical practice, we should consider to adjust our NEN classification incorporating prognostic and predictive markers applicable on biopsy specimens to inform a treatment outcome-driven classification.

Treatment of Advanced-Stage Large Cell Neuroendocrine Cancer (LCNEC) of the Lung: A Tale of Two Diseases

LCNEC of the lung comprises a small proportion of pulmonary malignancies. Traditionally, they have been classified based on histologic and immunohistochemistry characteristics with features of small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment outcome of advanced-stage LCNEC of the lung is poor with response rates ranging from 34 to 46% with platinum doublets, median progression-free survival (mPFS) ranging between 4.4 and 5.8 m, and median overall survival (mOS) ranging from 8 to 12.6 m. The optimal treatment strategy for LCNEC is debated given limited data and different outcomes based on chemotherapy type reported in the available literature. Recently, genomic profiling with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has been able to sub-classify LCNEC as SCLC-like or NSCLC-like. Treatment based on this sub-classification has improved outcomes by using SCLC and NSCLC regimens based on their genomic profile in retrospective analysis. Future studies in LCNEC of the lung should incorporate this new molecular sub-classification as stratification and possibly include SCLC-like LCNEC into SCLC studies and NSCLC-like into NSCLC studies.

Prognostic factors of metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma under first-line treatment with platinum etoposide with a focus on NEC score and Rb expression: Results from the multicentre RBNEC study of the Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs Endocrines (GTE) and the ENDOCAN-RENATEN network

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are aggressive malignant diseases. Platinum-etoposide (PE) combination is the standard first-line treatment, whatever the primary location. The NEC score and also retinoblastoma protein (Rb) status have been suggested to be predictive/prognostic factors in NEC. The primary objective of our multicentric retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of the NEC score and Rb status, assessed by immunohistochemistry in PE-treated patients with metastatic NEC.

METHODS

Seven centres participated. The inclusion criteria were NEC, whatever the primary site, metastatic stage, first-line treatment with PE and tissue samples available. Rb status was determined centrally.

RESULTS

We report multicentric data from 185 metastatic patients (37% women, median age 63). There were 108 small-cell NECs (SCNECs, 58.4%), 50 large-cell NECs (LCNECs, 27%) and 27 not otherwise specified NECs (nosNECs, 14.6%). The primary sites were the thorax (37%), gastroenteropancreatic sites (38%), unknown (15%) and other (9%). The mean Ki-67 index was 76% (range 20-100). Rb status was interpretable in 122 cases. Rb expression was lost in 74% of the cases: 84% of SCNEC vs. 60% and 63% of LCNEC and nosNEC, respectively (p = 0.016). Objective response was seen in 70% of SCNEC, 45% of LCNEC and 48% of nosNEC (p < 0.001) and in 62% of Rb-negative tumours vs. 46% of Rb-positive tumours (p = 0.3). There was no difference in median progression-free survival or overall survival (OS) as per Rb status. Age, NEC score and response to chemotherapy were the main factors associated with OS in our cohort.

CONCLUSION

In our series, Rb status had no prognostic impact in PE-treated metastatic patients with NEC, whereas age, NEC score and response to chemotherapy were the main factors associated with OS.