Approval summary: erlotinib maintenance therapy of advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Erlotinib regulates short-term memory, tau/Aβ pathology, and astrogliosis in mouse models of AD

Introduction

Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor that is approved by the FDA to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several membrane receptors, including EGFR, interact with amyloid β (Aβ), raising the possibility that erlotinib could have therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the effects of erlotinib on Aβ/tau-related pathology and cognitive function in mouse models of AD and its mechanisms of action have not been examined in detail.

Methods

To investigate the effects of erlotinib on cognitive function and AD pathology, 3 to 6-month-old PS19 mice and 3 to 3.5-month-old 5xFAD mice and WT mice were injected with vehicle (5% DMSO + 10% PEG + 20% Tween80 + 65% D.W.) or erlotinib (20 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 14 or 21 days. Then, behavioral tests, Golgi staining, immunofluorescence staining, western blotting ELISA, and real-time PCR were conducted.

Results and discussion

We found that erlotinib significantly enhanced short-term spatial memory and dendritic spine formation in 6-month-old P301S tau transgenic (PS19) mice. Importantly, erlotinib administration reduced tau phosphorylation at Ser202/Thr205 (AT8) and Thr231 (AT180) and further aggregation of tau into paired helical fragments (PHFs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in 3-month-old and/or 6-month-old PS19 mice by suppressing the expression of the tau kinase DYRK1A. Moreover, erlotinib treatment decreased astrogliosis in 6-month-old PS19 mice and reduced proinflammatory responses in primary astrocytes (PACs) from PS19 mice. In 3- to 3.5-month-old 5xFAD mice, erlotinib treatment improved short-term spatial memory and hippocampal dendritic spine number and diminished Aβ plaque deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation. Furthermore, erlotinib-treated 5xFAD mice exhibited significant downregulation of astrocyte activation, and treating PACs from 5xFAD mice with erlotinib markedly reduced cxcl10 (reactive astrocyte marker) and gbp2 (A1 astrocyte marker) mRNA levels and proinflammatory cytokine mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, our results suggest that erlotinib regulates tau/Aβ-induced AD pathology, cognitive function, and Aβ/tau-evoked astrogliosis and therefore could be a potent therapeutic drug for ameliorating AD symptoms.

Natural Product-Based Glycolysis Inhibitors as a Therapeutic Strategy for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Targeted therapy against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising treatment approach for NSCLC. However, resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains a major challenge in its clinical management. EGFR mutation elevates the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha to upregulate the production of glycolytic enzymes, increasing glycolysis and tumor resistance. The inhibition of glycolysis can be a potential strategy for overcoming EGFR-TKI resistance and enhancing the effectiveness of EGFR-TKIs. In this review, we specifically explored the effectiveness of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitors and lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitors in combating EGFR-TKI resistance. The aim was to summarize the effects of these natural products in preclinical NSCLC models to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential therapeutic effects. The study findings suggest that natural products can be promising inhibitors of glycolytic enzymes for the treatment of EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC. Further investigations through preclinical and clinical studies are required to validate the efficacy of natural product-based glycolytic inhibitors as innovative therapeutic modalities for NSCLC.

Recent advances in targeted therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal disease with a 5-year survival rate of 8% and a median survival of 6 mo. In PDAC, several mutations in the genes are involved, with Kirsten rat sarcoma oncogene (90%), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (90%), and tumor suppressor 53 (75%–90%) being the most common. Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 represents 50%. In addition, the self-preserving cancer stem cells, dense tumor microenvironment (fibrous accounting for 90% of the tumor volume), and suppressive and relatively depleted immune niche of PDAC are also constitutive and relevant elements of PDAC. Molecular targeted therapy is widely utilized and effective in several solid tumors. In PDAC, targeted therapy has been extensively evaluated; however, survival improvement of this aggressive disease using a targeted strategy has been minimal. There is currently only one United States Food and Drug Administration-approved targeted therapy for PDAC – erlotinib, but the absolute benefit of erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine is also minimal (2 wk). In this review, we summarize current targeted therapies and clinical trials targeting dysregulated signaling pathways and components of the PDAC oncogenic process, analyze possible reasons for the lack of positive results in clinical trials, and suggest ways to improve them. We also discuss emerging trends in targeted therapies for PDAC: combining targeted inhibitors of multiple pathways. The PubMed database and National Center for Biotechnology Information clinical trial website (www.clinicaltrials.gov) were queried to identify completed and published (PubMed) and ongoing (clinicaltrials.gov) clinical trials (from 2003-2022) using the keywords pancreatic cancer and targeted therapy. The PubMed database was also queried to search for information about the pathogenesis and molecular pathways of pancreatic cancer using the keywords pancreatic cancer and molecular pathways.

PEGylated Erlotinib HCl Injectable Nanoformulation for Improved Bioavailability

The present study was undertaken to synthesize PEGylated monomethoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-Caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) block copolymer and formulate Erlotinib HCl-loaded mPEG-PCL nanoparticles for enhancing the bioavailability of the drug. Using the ring-opening polymerization technique, PEGylated mPEG-PCL block copolymer was synthesized, and the structure of the copolymer was characterized using FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and DSC techniques. The solvent evaporation approach was used to effectively encapsulate Erlotinib HCl within block copolymeric nanoparticles. Erlotinib HCl-loaded mPEG-PCL nanoparticles had a mean particle size of 146.5 ± 2.37 nm and a zeta potential of -27.8 ± 2.77 mV. The nanoparticles had a percent entrapment efficiency of 80.78 ± 0.09%. The in vitro drug release of Erlotinib HCl-loaded copolymeric nanoparticles showed a slow and sustained release behavior which could be maintained for up to 72 h. The Korsmeyer-Peppas fitting findings indicated that the drug release process followed a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. The pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of the developed nanoformulation was studied in albino Wistar rats, and the relative bioavailability of the optimized NP formulation given by intravenous route was found to be 187.33%. The PK data suggested that Erlotinib HCl-loaded mPEG-PCL copolymeric nanoparticles can dramatically alter the PK behavior of Erlotinib HCl and greatly improve the drug's bioavailability by as much as three times when compared to the oral formulation. As a result, it was established that the block copolymeric nanoparticles have promise for the effective encapsulation of Erlotinib HCL for an injectable formulation with increased bioavailability.

Primary endpoints to assess the efficacy of novel therapeutic approaches in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated, surgically resectable non-small cell lung cancer: A review

While the discovery of oncogenic driver mutations has personalized the metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment landscape with effective targeted therapies, implementation of new treatments in resectable NSCLC has been limited due to the long follow-up needed for overall survival (OS). Until recently, treatment for patients with early-stage resectable NSCLC has been limited to perioperative chemotherapy, which provides modest benefits. However, the regulatory acceptance of two surrogate endpoints for OS has allowed recent approval of both adjuvant osimertinib and atezolizumab, providing patients with new treatment options to improve outcomes. In phase 3 oncology trials, OS has historically been viewed as the gold-standard efficacy measure, but disease-free survival and event-free survival (EFS) are now validated surrogate endpoints for OS in clinical trials and should be considered when mature OS data is unavailable. Another potential surrogate endpoint in the adjuvant NSCLC setting is circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based minimal residual disease (MRD), although prospective validation is needed. For neoadjuvant targeted therapies, EFS, major pathologic response and ctDNA-based MRD are potential surrogate endpoints. To fully translate the success of the personalized treatment advances in the metastatic setting to earlier-stage disease, prospective validation studies of these potential surrogate endpoints that can accelerate the evaluation of drug efficacy are needed. A collaborative effort is also needed from all clinical and regulatory parties to collate surrogate endpoint data for large-scale validation. In this review we discuss the trends in surrogate endpoints used in oncology trials, with a focus on considerations for selecting appropriate primary endpoints in early-stage resectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC, an area of unmet need for novel treatment options.

Clinical and Molecular Attributes and Evaluation of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasm

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are all considered "Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs)" and show a varying risk of developing into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These lesions display different molecular characteristics, mutations, and clinical manifestations. A lack of detailed understanding of PCN subtype characteristics and their molecular mechanisms limits the development of efficient diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for these lesions. Proper in vivo mouse models that mimic human PCNs are also needed to study the molecular mechanisms and for therapeutic testing. A comprehensive understanding of the current status of PCN biology, mechanisms, current diagnostic methods, and therapies will help in the early detection and proper management of patients with these lesions and PDAC. This review aims to describe all these aspects of PCNs, specifically IPMNs, by describing the future perspectives.

Nanotechnology in Lung Cancer Therapeutics: A Narrative Review

To date, cancer continues to be one of the biggest challenges for medical science. Nanotechnology has enabled us to overcome some of the limitations of conventional treatment in lung cancer therapeutics. Recently, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain nanomedicines for clinical administration against lung cancer. This article presents a narrative review of approved nanomedicines in lung cancer with a special focus on the results of recently concluded and ongoing clinical trials. The limitations associated with using nanomaterials as anti-lung cancer therapeutic agents and the possible mechanisms to overcome these limitations are also discussed.

Repurposing FDA-approved drugs against the toxicity of platinum-based anticancer drugs

Platinum-based anticancer drugs (PADs), mainly cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin, are widely used efficacious long-standing anticancer agents for treating several cancer types. However, clinicians worry about PAD chemotherapy and its induction of severe non-targeted organ toxicity. Compelling evidence has shown that toxicity of PAD on delicate body organs is associated with free radical generation, DNA impairment, endocrine and mitochondrial dysfunctions, oxidative inflammation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and activation of regulator signaling proteins, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and pathways. The emerging trend is the repurposing of FDA-approved non-anticancer drugs (FNDs) for combating the side effects toxicity of PADs. Thus, this review chronicled the mechanistic preventive and therapeutic effects of FNDs against PAD organ toxicity in preclinical studies. FNDs are potential clinical drugs for the modulation of toxicity complications associated with PAD chemotherapy. Therefore, FNDs may be suggested as non-natural agent inhibitors of unpalatable side effects of PADs.

Challenge and countermeasures for EGFR targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer causes the highest mortality compared to other cancers in the world according to the latest WHO reports. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) contributes about 85% of total lung cancer cases. An extensive number of risk factors are attributed to the progression of lung cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), one of the most frequently mutant driver genes, is closely involved in the development of lung cancer through regulation of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways. As a representative of precision medicine, EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeted therapy significantly relieves the development of activating mutant EGFR-driven NSCLC. However, treatment with TKIs facilitates the emergence of acquired resistance that continues to pose a significant hurdle with respect to EGFR targeted therapy. In this review, the development of current approved EGFR-TKIs as well as the related supporting clinical trials are summarized and discussed. Mechanisms of action and resistance were addressed respectively, which serve as important guides to understanding acquired resistance. We also explored the corresponding combination treatment options according to different resistance mechanisms. Future challenges include more comprehensive characterization of unclear resistance mechanisms in different populations and the development of more efficient and precision synthetic therapeutic strategies.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Erlotinib Induces Dry Skin via Decreased in Aquaporin-3 Expression

An adverse reaction of dry skin occurs frequently during treatment with anticancer epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). In this study, we conducted basic research to clarify the mechanism of EGFR-TKI-induced dry skin and propose new treatments or preventative measures. Dermal water content was significantly lower in the erlotinib-treated mice than in the control group. An assessment of the expression levels of functional genes in the skin revealed that only the expression of the water channel aquaporin-3 (AQP3) was significantly decreased in the erlotinib-treated group. When erlotinib was added to epidermal keratinocyte HaCaT cells, the expression levels of both AQP3 mRNA and protein decreased. Erlotinib treatment also significantly decreased the expression levels of phospho-EGFR and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), both in HaCaT cells and mouse skin. Dry skin due to erlotinib may be caused by the decreased expression of AQP3 in the skin, thereby limiting water transport from the vascular side to the corneum side. The decrease in AQP3 may also be attributable to ERK suppression via inhibition of EGFR activity by erlotinib. Therefore, substances that increase AQP3 expression may be effective for erlotinib-induced dry skin.

A Self-Assembled "Albumin-Conjugate" Nanoprobe for Near Infrared Optical Imaging of Subcutaneous and Metastatic Tumors

The need for in situ accurate identification of tumor assisted real-time image-guided surgical resection calls for new near-infrared fluorescence agents with high tumor-sensitivity and excellent biocompatibility. Here, an albumin-conjugate nanoparticle system HSA-Er-RI-Cl was designed, synthesized, and applied in cancer imaging, which simultaneously achieved the EPR effect, hypoxia-targeting, and EGFR-targeting property. Our novel nanoprobe is composed of human serum albumin (HSA) and double-targeting small molecule conjugate (Er-RI-Cl): a hypoxia-targeting heptamethine carbocyanine dye (RI-Cl) conjugated with a clinic anti-EGFR antagonist (Erlotinib) by covalent bonding. This conjugate could bind to albumin proteins, forming albumin-conjugate complexes, and those complexes self-assemble into particles with diameters of approximately 100 nm in the aqueous solution. The tumor hypoxia and EGFR targeting specificity of HSA-Er-RI-Cl was, respectively, evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Using murine xenograft subcutaneous and brain metastatic tumor models, we demonstrated that HSA-Er-RI-Cl is a highly potent tumor-targeting NIR agent for noninvasive imaging with remarkable tumor localization and excellent pharmacokinetic properties.

Randomized phase 3 open label study of quality of life of patients on Pemetrexed versus Erlotinib as maintenance therapy for advanced non squamous non EGFR mutated non small cell lung cancer

Background: We planned to compare pemetrexed maintenance with erlotinib maintenance in non squamous non Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutated non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The null hypothesis for this study was that there would be no difference in quality of life (QOL) between pemetrexed and erlotinib maintenance.

Results: The QL2 scores at 3 months were 63.35 (SD 24.99) in pemetrexed arm and 63.01(SD 23.04) in erlotinib arm (p-0.793). Except in 1 domain, the scores were statistically similar between the 2 arms. In the domain of diarrhea, the score was higher as expected in the erlotinib arm (p-0.048). The median progression free survival was 4.5 months (95%CI 4.1–4.9 months) in pemetrexed arm versus 4.5 months (95%CI 3.8–5.2 months) in erlotinib arm (p-0.94). The median overall survival was 16.6 months (15.2–17.9 months) in pemetrexed arm versus 18.3 months (95% CI 13.75–22.91 months) in erlotinib arm (p-0.49).

Methods: The study was an open label, single centre, parallel, phase 3 randomized study with 1:1 randomization between maintenance pemetrexed arm and erlotinib arm. Adult patients (age > or = 18 years), with non squamous EGFR mutation, treated with first line palliative therapy, with non progressive disease post 4–6 cycles of pemetrexed-carboplatin were randomized. Primary outcome was change in the score of QOL (Global health status {QL2}) at 3 months. We estimated that with 200 patients, the study had 80% power to detect a significant difference between the two groups in the change in the global health status score at 3 months with an alpha error of 5%, with an effect size of 0.3 SD.

Conclusions: Maintenance pemetrexed post pemetrexed-platinum chemotherapy fails to improve QOL or time to event outcomes over maintenance erlotinib in EGFR mutation negative NSCLC.

Skin Toxicities with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Cancer Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

We fully investigate the skin toxicities of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in cancer patients. The studies about randomized controlled trials in cancer treatment with EGFR-TKIs were retrieved and the systematic evaluation was conducted. The results suggest that EGFR-TKIs significantly increase the risk of skin toxicities including all-grade rash, pruritus, dry skin, and high-grade rash, pruritus. However, the risk of high-grade dry skin did not increase. Rash was the most common toxicity. Physicians should be aware of skin toxicities and should monitor cancer patients when receiving EGFR-TKIs.

Molecular hydrogen attenuates gefitinib-induced exacerbation of naphthalene-evoked acute lung injury through a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation

Although inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated cell signaling by the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib is highly effective against advanced non-small cell lung cancer, this drug might promote severe acute interstitial pneumonia. We previously reported that molecular hydrogen (H₂) acts as a therapeutic and preventive anti-oxidant. Here, we show that treatment with H₂ effectively protects the lungs of mice from severe damage caused by oral administration of gefitinib after intraperitoneal injection of naphthalene, the toxicity of which is related to oxidative stress. Drinking H₂-rich water ad libitum mitigated naphthalene/gefitinib-induced weight loss and significantly improved survival, which was associated with a decrease in lung inflammation and inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Naphthalene decreased glutathione in the lung, increased malondialdehyde in the plasma, and increased 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal production in airway cells, all of which were mitigated by H₂-rich water, indicating that the H₂-rich water reverses cellular damage to the bronchial wall caused by oxidative stress. Finally, treatment with H₂ did not interfere with the anti-tumor effects of gefitinib on a lung cancer cell line in vitro or on tumor-bearing mice in vivo. These results indicate that H₂-rich water has the potential to improve quality of life during gefitinib therapy by mitigating lung injury without impairing anti-tumor activity.

EGFR first- and second-generation TKIs-there is still place for them in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients

Identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a molecular target has radically changed the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from standard chemotherapy to personalized, targeted therapy. First-, second- and third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are now available for the treatment of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. This review will focus on the clinical development of first- and second-generation EGFR TKIs. We will emphasize on essential points like the head-to-head comparison among EGFR TKIs, their activity on brain metastases, mechanisms of resistance, as well as their combination with anti-angiogenic compounds, other targeted therapies, or immunotherapy. The efficacy of first- and second-generation EGFR TKIs in early-stage EGFR-mutant NSCLC will be also finally reviewed.

The intraocular lens as a drug delivery device for an epidermal growth factor-Receptor inhibitor for prophylaxis of posterior capsule opacification

PURPOSE

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) occurs as a common complication after cataract surgery. Erlotinib is an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor-Receptor and reduces critical cellular events leading to PCO. In this in vitro study, Erlotinib-modified intraocular lenses (IOLs) employed as a drug delivery device have been evaluated for PCO prevention.

METHODS

The IC₅₀ concentration of Erlotinib was determined by using FHL-124 cells. For the human capsular bag model, 40 cadaver eyes underwent sham cataract surgery. Sixteen capsular bags were exposed to the IC₅₀ of Erlotinib. Intraocular lens (IOL) of three different materials was pharmacologically modified and tested in the anterior segment model and implanted into 24 capsular bags. To test for corneal toxicity, pairs of human cornea were exposed to high concentrations of Erlotinib and corneal endothelial cells (CEC) were exposed to the modified IOL. Release kinetics of Erlotinib from the IOL was measured.

RESULTS

IC₅₀ of Erlotinib was determined to be 10 μm. Erlotinib alone (p = 0.002) and when soaked into IOLs (p < 0.001) significantly increased the number of days needed until total cell coverage of the capsular bags in comparison with the control. Modified IOLs mitigated cell growth in the anterior segment model (p < 0.001). No short-term corneal toxicity was observed up to a concentration of 100 μm, and IOLs did not show toxicity on CEC. Erlotinib was released constantly from IOL.

CONCLUSION

Erlotinib might be of clinical relevance in PCO prophylaxis, as its short-term application induces a long-term deceleration of cellular growth. Erlotinib can be introduced into the eye via soaked IOLs.

Diffusion-weighted imaging in evaluating the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Objective:

To explore the predictive value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in evaluating the short-term efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods:

A total of 192 patients with NSCLC were selected and treated with CCRT. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging combined with DWI was performed on all patients before and after CCRT treatment. Correspondingly, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were recorded before treatment (ADCpre), during treatment (ADCmid), and after treatment (ADCpost). Tumor response was evaluated as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic power of quantitative DWI parameters in predicting the short-term efficacy of CCRT for patients with NSCLC.

Results:

There were 21 patients with CR, 82 with PR, 77 with SD, and 12 with PD. The ADCpre was negatively correlated with tumor regression rate, whereas ADCmid, ADCpost, and their respective change rates ∆ADCmid and ∆ADCpost were positively related to tumor regression rate. The ROC curve analysis suggested ADCpre = 1.38 × 10−3 mm2/s, ∆ADCmid = 14.14%, and ∆ADCpost = 20.39% as thresholds to predict the short-term efficacy of CCRT, with corresponding areas under the curve of 0.637, 0.743, and 0.752, respectively.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that DWI provides promising predictive value in evaluating the short-term efficacy of CCRT in the treatment of patients with NSCLC.

Discovering drugs to overcome chemoresistance in ovarian cancers based on the cancer genome atlas tumor transcriptome profile

Ovarian cancer accounts for the highest mortality among gynecologic cancers, mainly due to intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance. While mechanistic-based methods have been used to identify compounds that can overcome chemoresistance, an effective comprehensive drug screening has yet to be developed. We applied a transcriptome based drug sensitivity prediction method, to the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ovarian cancer dataset to impute patient tumor response to over 100 different drugs. By stratifying patients based on their predicted response to standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy, we identified drugs that are likely more sensitive in SOC resistant ovarian tumors. Five drugs (ABT-888, BIBW2992, gefitinib, AZD6244 and lenalidomide) exhibit higher efficacy in SOC resistant ovarian tumors when multi-platform of transcriptome profiling methods were employed. Additional in vitro and clinical sample validations were carried out and verified the effectiveness of these agents. Our candidate drugs hold great potential to improve clinical outcome of chemoresistant ovarian cancer.

Nanoparticulation improves bioavailability of Erlotinib

OBJECTIVES

Nanoparticulation using fat and supercritical fluid (NUFS^TM) is a drug delivery platform technology enabling efficient and effective formulation of poorly soluble drugs. We performed experiments to examine whether NUFS™ could improve poor bioavailability and reduce fed-fasted bioavailability variances of erlotinib (Ert).

METHODS

NUFS-Ert was prepared using NUFS™ technology; its physical properties were characterized, and drug release was measured. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo efficacy tests and pharmacokinetic analysis were performed.

RESULTS

NUFS-Ert nanoparticles had an average size of 250 nm and were stable for 2 months at 40 °C, 4 °C, and room temperature. The dissolution rate of NUFS-Ert increased in bio-relevant dissolution media. NUFS-Ert was more potent in inhibiting EGF signaling and in suppressing the proliferation of A549, a human non-small cell lung cancer cell line. Furthermore, A549 xenografts in BALB/c nude mice treated with NUFS-Ert regressed more efficiently than those in the mice treated with vehicle or Tarceva^®. In addition, experimental lung metastasis was more efficiently inhibited by NUFS-Ert than by Tarceva^®. The relative bioavailability of NUFS-Ert compared with that of Tarceva^® was 550% and the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of fed state to the AUC of fasted state was 1.8 for NUFS-Ert and 5.8 for Tarceva^®.

CONCLUSIONS

NUFS-Ert could improve poor bioavailability and reduce fed-fasted bioavailability variances of Ert. NUFS-Ert was more efficacious than Tarceva^®.

Targeted therapies for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer: Monoclonal antibodies and biological inhibitors

The usual treatments for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as advanced lung adenocarcinoma, are unspecific and aggressive, and include lung resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recently, treatment with monoclonal antibodies and biological inhibitors has emerged as an effective alternative, generating effective results with few side effects. In recent years, several clinical trials using monoclonal antibodies presented potential benefits to NSCLC, and 4 of them are already approved for the treatment of NSCLC, such as cetuximab, bevacizumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Also, biological inhibitors are attractive tolls for biological applications. Among the approved inhibitors are crizotinib, erlotinib, afatinib and gefitinib, and side effects are usually mild to intense. Nevertheless, biological molecule treatments are under development, and several new monoclonal antibodies and biological inhibitors are in trial to treat NSCLC. Also under trial study are as follows: anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies (nimotuzumab and ficlatuzumab), anti-IGF 1 receptor (IGF-1R) monoclonal antibody (figitumumab), anti-NR-LU-10 monoclonal antibody (nofetumomab) as well as antibodies directly affecting the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) molecule (ipilimumab and tremelimumab), to receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) (denosumab) or to polymerase enzyme (veliparib and olaparib). Among new inhibitors under investigation are poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (veliparib and olaparib) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (buparlisib). However, the success of immunotherapies still requires extensive research and additional controlled trials to evaluate the long-term benefits and side effects.

Single-agent maintenance therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials

Background

The benefit of maintenance therapy has been confirmed in patients with non-progressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after first-line therapy by many trials and meta-analyses. However, since few head-to-head trials between different regimens have been reported, clinicians still have little guidance on how to select the most efficacious single-agent regimen. Hence, we present a network meta-analysis to assess the comparative treatment efficacy of several single-agent maintenance therapy regimens for stage III/IV NSCLC.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of public databases and conference proceedings was performed. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) meeting the eligible criteria were integrated into a Bayesian network meta-analysis. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) and the secondary outcome was progression free survival (PFS).

Results

A total of 26 trials covering 7,839 patients were identified, of which 24 trials were included in the OS analysis, while 23 trials were included in the PFS analysis. Switch-racotumomab-alum vaccine and switch-pemetrexed were identified as the most efficacious regimens based on OS (HR, 0.64; 95% CrI, 0.45–0.92) and PFS (HR, 0.54; 95% CrI, 0.26–1.04) separately. According to the rank order based on OS, switch-racotumomab-alum vaccine had the highest probability as the most effective regimen (52%), while switch-pemetrexed ranked first (34%) based on PFS.

Conclusions

Several single-agent maintenance therapy regimens can prolong OS and PFS for stage III/IV NSCLC. Switch-racotumomab-alum vaccine maintenance therapy may be the most optimal regimen, but should be confirmed by additional evidence.

Metformin attenuates gefitinib-induced exacerbation of pulmonary fibrosis by inhibition of TGF-β signaling pathway

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious side-effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to study underlying mechanisms for the development of pulmonary fibrosis induced by EGFR-TKI and potential approaches to attenuate it. Metformin is a well-established and widely prescribed oral hypoglycemic drug, and has gained attention for its potential anticancer effects. Recent reports have also demonstrated its role in inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis. However, it is unknown whether metformin attenuates EGFR-TKI-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The effect of metformin on EGFR-TKI-induced exacerbation of pulmonary fibrosis was examined in vitro and in vivo using MTT, Ki67 incorporation assay, flow cytometry, immunostaining, Western blot analysis, and a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis rat model. We found that in lung HFL-1 fibroblast cells, TGF-β or conditioned medium from TKI-treated lung cancer PC-9 cells or conditioned medium from TKI-resistant PC-9GR cells, induced significant fibrosis, as shown by increased expression of Collegen1a1 and α-actin, while metformin inhibited expression of fibrosis markers. Moreover, metformin decreased activation of TGF-β signaling as shown by decreased expression of pSMAD2 and pSMAD3. In vivo, oral administration of gefitinib exacerbated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats, as demonstrated by HE staining and Masson staining. Significantly, oral co-administration of metformin suppressed exacerbation of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by gefitinib. We have shown that metformin attenuates gefitinib-induced exacerbation of TGF-β or bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. These observations indicate metformin may be combined with EGFR-TKI to treat NSCLC patients.

Delivery of RNAi Therapeutics to the Airways-From Bench to Bedside

RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent and specific post-transcriptional gene silencing process. Since its discovery, tremendous efforts have been made to translate RNAi technology into therapeutic applications for the treatment of different human diseases including respiratory diseases, by manipulating the expression of disease-associated gene(s). Similar to other nucleic acid-based therapeutics, the major hurdle of RNAi therapy is delivery. Pulmonary delivery is a promising approach of delivering RNAi therapeutics directly to the airways for treating local conditions and minimizing systemic side effects. It is a non-invasive route of administration that is generally well accepted by patients. However, pulmonary drug delivery is a challenge as the lungs pose a series of anatomical, physiological and immunological barriers to drug delivery. Understanding these barriers is essential for the development an effective RNA delivery system. In this review, the different barriers to pulmonary drug delivery are introduced. The potential of RNAi molecules as new class of therapeutics, and the latest preclinical and clinical studies of using RNAi therapeutics in different respiratory conditions are discussed in details. We hope this review can provide some useful insights for moving inhaled RNAi therapeutics from bench to bedside.

Molecular targeted therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A review of completed and ongoing late phase clinical trials

Molecular targeted therapy is widely utilized and effective in a number of solid tumors. In pancreatic adenocarcinoma, targeted therapy has been extensively evaluated; however, survival improvement of this aggressive disease using a targeted strategy has been minimal. The purpose of this study is to review therapeutic molecular targets in completed and ongoing later phase (II and III) clinical trials to have a better understanding of the rationale and progress towards targeted molecular therapies for pancreatic cancer. The PubMed database and the NCDI clinical trial website (www.clinicaltrials.gov) were queried to identify phase II and III completed and published (PubMed) and ongoing (clinicaltrials.gov) trials using the keywords: pancreatic cancer and molecular targeted therapy. The search engines were further limited by adding Phase II or III, active enrollment and North American. A total of 14 completed and published phase II/III clinical trials and 17 ongoing trials were identified. Evaluated strategies included inhibition of growth factor receptors (EGFR, PDGFR, VGFR, IGF-1R), tyrosine kinase inhibitors, MEK1/2, mTOR blockade and PI3K and HER2-neu pathway inhibitors. Only one trial conducted by the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the PANTAR trial have demonstrated a survival improvement from EGFR inhibition using erlotinib. These trials ultimately led to FDA approval of erlotinib/Tarceva in advanced stage disease. It remains unclear whether new combinations of cytotoxic chemotherapy or immunotherapy plus molecular targeted therapy will be beneficial in management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite a number of phase II and III trials, to date, only erlotinib has emerged as an approved targeted therapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. There are several ongoing late phase trials evaluating a number of targets, the results of which will become available over the next 1 to 2 years.

Dacomitinib in lung cancer: a "lost generation" EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor from a bygone era?

EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have now been firmly established as the first-line treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring activating EGFR mutations, based on seven prospective randomized Phase III trials. However, despite significantly improved overall response rate and improved median progression-free survival when compared to platinum-doublet chemotherapy, EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients treated with EGFR TKIs invariably progress due to the emergence of acquired resistances, with the gatekeeper T790M mutation accounting for up to 60% of the resistance mechanisms. Second-generation irreversible EGFR TKIs were developed in part to inhibit the T790M mutation, in addition to the common activating EGFR mutations. Dacomitinib is one such second-generation EGFR TKI designed to inhibit both the wild-type (WT) EGFR and EGFR T790M. Afatinib is another second-generation EGR TKI that has been now been approved for the first-line treatment of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients, while dacomitinib continues to undergo clinical evaluation. We will review the clinical development of dacomitinib from Phase I to Phase III trials, including the two recently published negative large-scale randomized Phase III trials (ARCHER 1009, NCIC-BR-26). Results from another large-scale randomized trial (ARCHER 1050) comparing dacomitinib to gefitinib as first-line treatment of advanced treatment-naïve EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients will soon be available and will serve as the lynchpin trial for the potential approval of dacomitinib in NSCLC. Meanwhile, third-generation EGFR TKIs (eg, CO-1686 [rociletinib], AZ9291, HM61713, EGF816, and ASP8273) that preferentially and potently inhibit EGFR T790M but not WT EGFR are in full-scale clinical development, and some of these EGFR TKIs have received “breakthrough” designation by the US Food and Drug Administration and will likely be approved in late 2015. Given the rapid development of third-generation EGFR TKIs and the approval of gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib as first-line treatment of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients, the future role of dacomitinib in the treatment of NSCLC seems to be limited.

Design Issues in Randomized Clinical Trials of Maintenance Therapies

A potential therapeutic strategy for patients who respond (or have stable disease) on a fixed-duration induction therapy is to receive maintenance therapy, typically given for a prolonged period of time. To enable patients and clinicians to make informed treatment decisions, the designs of phase III randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing maintenance strategies need to be such that their results will provide clear assessment of the relevant risks and benefits of these strategies. We review the key aspects of maintenance RCT designs. Important design considerations include choice of first-line and second-line therapies, minimizing between-arm differences in follow-up schedules, and choice of the primary endpoint. In order to change clinical practice, RCTs should be designed to accurately isolate and quantify the clinical benefit of maintenance as compared with the standard approach of fixed-duration induction followed by the second-line treatment at progression. To accomplish this, RCTs need to utilize an overall survival (or quality of life) endpoint or, in settings where this is not feasible, endpoints that incorporate the effects of the subsequent line of therapy (eg, time from randomization to second progression or death). Toxicity and symptom information over both the study treatment (maintenance) and the second-line treatment should also be collected and reported.

Risk of interstitial lung disease associated with EGFR-TKIs in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis of 24 phase III clinical trials

PURPOSE

To assess the risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib.

METHOD

PubMed databases were searched for relevant articles. Statistical analyses were conducted to calculate the summary incidence, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using either random-effects or fixed-effect models.

RESULTS

The incidence of all-grade and high-grade (≧ grade 3) ILD associated with EGFR-TKIs was 1.6% (95% CI, 1.0-2.4%) and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.6%-1.4%), with a mortality of 13.0% (95% CI, 7.6-21.6%). Patients treated with EGFR-TKIs had a significantly increased risk of developing all-grade (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.25-2.43; P = 0.001) and high-grade (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 2.18-8.79; P<0.001) ILD. No significant difference in the risk of ILD was found in sub-group analysis according to EGFR-TKIs, percentage of EGFR mutation, study location, EGFR-TKIs-based regimens, and controlled therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with EGFR-TKIs is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing ILD.

Efficacy and safety of endostar® combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas

BACKGROUND

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of tumors, and approximately 40-50% of patients with STS develop metastatic disease. The median overall survival of those patients was 12 months and their 5-year survival rate was 8%. Therefore, study on more effective treatment, especially the targeting therapies, is urgently needed.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Endostar® combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced STS.

METHODS

A retrospective case-series study was conducted in Cancer Institute of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital. A total of 71 patients suffering from advanced STS (IIB - IV) were included, of whom 49 cases treated with chemotherapy alone were defined as the control group and the rest 22 cases treated with the traditional chemotherapy combined with Endostar® were defined as the test group. The short-term therapeutic effects including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety were evaluated in the two groups. In the follow-up, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also observed.

RESULTS

In the test and control groups, the ORR was 18.2% and 12.2%, respectively (P = 0.767), and the DCR was 86.4% and 61.2%, respectively (P=0.034). The median time to progression in the test and control groups was 120 days and 70 days with significant difference (P = 0.017), while the median overall survival was 452 days and 286 days without significant difference (P = 0.503). The one-year survival rate in the test group and control group was 56.2% and 35.4%, respectively, while the two-year survival rate was 30.2% and 26.5%, respectively. No significant difference in the side effects was found between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Endostar® combined with chemotherapy resulted in a higher DCR and longer PFS in the patients with advanced STS, and the toxicity was tolerable.

How and when to use genetic markers for nonsmall cell lung cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Many driver mutations that determine the malignant behavior of lung cancer have been identified in recent years. The promise of therapies targeted to the specific molecular pathways altered by such mutations has made genetic testing in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) attractive to clinicians. We reviewed recent research on clinically relevant genetic and molecular tests for patients with NSCLC, with an emphasis on the tests linked to actionable mutations that influence therapy and improve outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) and translocations involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene have been shown to be common driver mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. The presence or absence of these mutations has been demonstrated to predict response to targeted therapy in many recent studies. Targeted therapies for patients with mutations in the EGFR domain or the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocation have been shown to be effective and are approved for use. Ongoing studies continue to define the extent of their utility and may continue to expand their indications. Sufficient tissue for genetic analysis can be obtained from cytologic samples, including those obtained from endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.

SUMMARY

Genetic testing for driver mutations is useful in identifying patients with NSCLC who are likely to respond to targeted therapy. These tests are best used in patients with adenocarcinoma who have advanced-stage cancer.

EGFR-blockade with erlotinib reduces EGF and TGF-β2 expression and the actin-cytoskeleton which influences different aspects of cellular migration in lens epithelial cells

INTRODUCTION

After cataract surgery, residual lens epithelial cells migrate and proliferate within the capsular bag resulting in posterior capsule opacification (PCO). The up-regulation of TGF-β2, EGF and FGF-2 has been identified as a key factor in PCO pathogenesis leading to actin fiber assembly and alterations in the migration pattern. In this in vitro study, the influence of Erlotinib as a selective EGFR inhibitor is investigated on the cellular features indicated, which might promote a future clinical application.

METHODS

Expression of EGF, FGF-2 and TGF-β2 was measured using RT-PCR and ELISA in human lens epithelial cells (HLEC). Computational data of an in vitro time lapse microscopy assay were used for statistical analysis of single cell migration with a particular focus on cell-cell interaction; cell velocity distribution; and displacement before, during and after mitosis. The effect of Erlotinib on the actin-cytoskeleton was evaluated using Alexa Fluor 488 Phalloidin and epifluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

EGF and TGF-β2 mRNA expression and protein levels are reduced by Erlotinib, while FGF-2 expression remained stable. Overall fluidity of cell-cell interaction is less in the presence of Erlotinib compared to the control and the velocity distribution across all cells becomes less uniform within the cell cluster. After mitosis, HLEC move significantly faster without EGFR inhibition, which can be completely blocked by Erlotinib. Furthermore, Erlotinib diminishes the amount of actin stress fibers and the stress fiber diameter.

CONCLUSION

As a novel effect of Erlotinib on HLEC, we describe the down-regulation of EGF and TGF-β2 expression, both are crucial factors for PCO development. Cellular movement displays complex alterations under EGFR inhibition, which is partly explained by actin fiber depletion. These findings further underline the role of Erlotinib in pharmacologic PCO prophylaxis.

Economic outcomes of maintenance gefitinib for locally advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer with unknown EGFR mutations: a semi-Markov model analysis

BACKGROUND

Maintenance gefitinib significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo in patients from eastern Asian with locally advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after four chemotherapeutic cycles (21 days per cycle) of first-line platinum-based combination chemotherapy without disease progression. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of maintenance gefitinib therapy after four chemotherapeutic cycle's stand first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with unknown EGFR mutations, from a Chinese health care system perspective.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A semi-Markov model was designed to evaluate cost-effectiveness of the maintenance gefitinib treatment. Two-parametric Weibull and Log-logistic distribution were fitted to PFS and overall survival curves independently. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the model designed. The model base-case analysis suggested that maintenance gefitinib would increase benefits in a 1, 3, 6 or 10-year time horizon, with incremental $184,829, $19,214, $19,328, and $21,308 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, respectively. The most sensitive influential variable in the cost-effectiveness analysis was utility of PFS plus rash, followed by utility of PFS plus diarrhoea, utility of progressed disease, price of gefitinib, cost of follow-up treatment in progressed survival state, and utility of PFS on oral therapy. The price of gefitinib is the most significant parameter that could reduce the incremental cost per QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that the cost-effective probability of maintenance gefitinib was zero under the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $16,349 (3 × per-capita gross domestic product of China). The sensitivity analyses all suggested that the model was robust.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintenance gefitinib following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced/metastatic NSCLC with unknown EGFR mutations is not cost-effective. Decreasing the price of gefitinib may be a preferential choice for meeting widely treatment demands in China.

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer reveals intrapatient similarity and interpatient heterogeneity of therapeutic kinase targets

In prostate cancer, multiple metastases from the same patient share similar copy number, mutational status, erythroblast transformation specific (ETS) rearrangements, and methylation patterns supporting their clonal origins. Whether actionable targets such as tyrosine kinases are also similarly expressed and activated in anatomically distinct metastatic lesions of the same patient is not known. We evaluated active kinases using phosphotyrosine peptide enrichment and quantitative mass spectrometry to identify druggable targets in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer obtained at rapid autopsy. We identified distinct phosphopeptide patterns in metastatic tissues compared with treatment-naive primary prostate tissue and prostate cancer cell line-derived xenografts. Evaluation of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer samples for tyrosine phosphorylation and upstream kinase targets revealed SRC, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), rearranged during transfection (RET), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and MAPK1/3 and other activities while exhibiting intrapatient similarity and interpatient heterogeneity. Phosphoproteomic analyses and identification of kinase activation states in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients have allowed for the prioritization of kinases for further clinical evaluation.

The efficacy and safety of standardized allergen-removed Rhus verniciflua extract as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Chemotherapy improves the survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but tumor progression is often inevitable. Strategies are needed to improve the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy. Over recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role of maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy. We investigated the efficacy and safety of standardized allergen-removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract (aRVS) as maintenance therapy in patients with non-progressive disease following first-line chemotherapy. We reviewed the medical records of 33 patients with advanced NSCLC, who started treatment with aRVS in a state of tumor regression or stable disease after completion of four or six cycles of induction chemotherapy at the Integrative Cancer Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from June 2006 to April 2012. The primary objective of this study was progression-free survival (PFS) of aRVS as maintenance therapy. Secondary objectives included assessments of disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and the safety of aRVS treatment. The median PFS was 5.2 months with a 6- and 12-month PFS rate of 40.6% and 12.9%, respectively. The DCR was 93.9% and the median OS was 34.8 months. The overall survival rates at 12, 24, and 36 months were 84.2%, 76.7% and 49.9%, respectively. We observed no hematologic toxicity, nephrotoxicity, or hepatotoxicity during aRVS treatment. In conclusion, maintenance therapy with aRVS for patients with advanced NSCLC is well-tolerated and offers encouraging improved PFS and OS compared with historical controls. Our data provide further evidence that aRVS may be used beyond disease progression in this clinical setting.

Increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in patients with different forms of lung fibrosis

Introduction. Emerging evidence supports the role of epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) in fibrogenesis. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression profiles of EGFR in three forms of IIPs, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). Patients and Methods. Twenty newly diagnosed patients with IPF, 15 with COP, and 15 with NSIP (cellular, n = 4 and fibrotic, n = 11) were investigated. Fifteen paraffin blocks obtained from the normal part of lungs removed for benign lesions were used as controls. Immunohistochemistry was carried out using specific monoclonal antibody. Results were verified by qRT-PCR. Results. A significant EGFR upregulation, both in protein and mRNA level, was observed in IPF, COP, and fibrotic NSIP samples compared to controls. EGFR was primarily localized in the hyperplastic alveolar epithelium surrounding areas of fibrosis in IPF, COP, and fibrotic NSIP samples, as assessed by double immunohistochemistry analysis with surfactant protein-A. EGFR mRNA levels were positively associated with indicators of lung fibrosis (type 1 collagen mRNA levels) and negatively correlated with functional prognostic parameters. Conclusions. We conclude that EGFR is upregulated in the hyperplastic alveolar epithelium in all three fibrotic forms of IIPs indicating a potential role during abnormal reepithelization.

Modeling the relationship between progression-free survival and overall survival: the phase II/III trial

The standard phase II trial design has changed dramatically over the past decade. Randomized phase II studies have essentially become the standard phase II design in oncology for a variety of reasons. The use of these designs is motivated by concerns about the use of historical data to determine if a new agent or regimen shows promise of activity. However, randomized phase II designs come with the cost of increased study duration and patient resources. Progression-free survival (PFS) is an important endpoint used in many phase II designs. In many clinical settings, changes in PFS with the introduction of a new treatment may represent true benefit in terms of the gold standard outcome, overall survival (OS). The phase II/III design has been proposed as an approach to shorten the time of discovery of an active regimen. In this article, design considerations for a phase II/III trial are discussed and presented in terms of a model defining the relationship between OS and PFS. The design is also evaluated using 15 phase III trials completed in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) between 1990 and 2005. The model provides a framework to evaluate the validity and properties of using a phase II/III design. In the evaluation of SWOG trials, three of four positive studies would have also proceeded to the final analysis and 10 of 11 negative studies would have stopped at the phase II analysis if a phase II/III design had been used. Through careful consideration and thorough evaluation of design properties, substantial gains could occur using this approach.

Interstitial lung disease associated with gefitinib in Japanese patients with EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer: combined analysis of two Phase III trials (NEJ 002 and WJTOG 3405)

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial lung disease associated with gefitinib is a critical adverse reaction. When geftinib was administered to EGFR-unknown patients, the interstitial lung disease incidence rate was approximately 3-4% in Japan, and usually occurs during the first 4 weeks of treatment. However, it has not been fully investigated in EGFR-mutated patients.

METHODS

We collected clinical records of participants of two Phase III trials (WJTOG 3405 and NEJ 002), which compared gefitinib with platinum doublet chemotherapy. All patients were EGFR mutated, chemo-naïve and had good performance status.

RESULTS

A total of 402 patients were enrolled in this study. In the gefitinib arm, 10 (5.0%) of 201 patients developed interstitial lung disease, of whom five (2.5%) were Grade 3 or greater, with two deaths (1.0%). In contrast, only one patient developed interstitial lung disease (Grade 1) in the chemotherapy arm. With regard to gefitinib, smoking history was significantly associated with developing interstitial lung disease (odds ratio 0.18; 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.74; P = 0.01). The cumulative incidence rate of interstitial lung disease was similar in the 0-4, 5-8 and 9-12 week time periods. However, between smokers and never-smokers, cumulative incidence rates in the first 4 weeks were significantly different (4.7% versus 0%, P = 0.03). Three of 10 patients developed interstitial lung disease after 8 weeks of gefitinib administration (days 135, 171 and 190, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Among EGFR-mutated patients, the incidence of interstitial lung disease associated with gefitinib was not different from that in previous reports. Smoking history was associated with developing interstitial lung disease, and smokers had a higher incidence rate of interstitial lung disease in the first 4 weeks.

Erlotinib preserves renal function and prevents salt retention in doxorubicin treated nephrotic rats

Nephrotic syndrome is associated with up-regulation of the heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF). Erlotinib blocks the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in response to HB-EGF. This study investigates the effect of Erlotinib on the progression of proteinuria, renal dysfunction, and salt retention in doxorubicin treated nephrotic rats. Male rats were divided into 3 pair-fed groups (n = 13/group) as follows: Control rats (Ctrl); rats receiving intravenous doxorubicin (Dox); and rats receiving intravenous doxorubicin followed by daily oral Erlotinib (Dox + Erl). Upon establishment of high grade proteinuria, urine sodium and creatinine clearance were measured. Kidney tissue was dissected and analyzed for γ-epithelial sodium channel (γENaC), sodium-potassium -chloride co-transporter 2 (NKCC2), sodium chloride co-transporter (NCC), aquaporin 2 (AQP2), and EGFR abundances using western blot. Creatinine clearance was preserved in the Dox + Erl rats as compared to the Dox group (in ml/min: Ctrl: 5.2±.5, Dox: 1.9±0.3, Dox + Erl: 3.6±0.5). Despite a minimal effect on the degree of proteinuria, Erlotinib prevented salt retention (Urinary Na in mEq/d: Ctrl: 2.2±0.2, Dox: 1.8±0.3, Dox + Erl: 2.2±0.2). The cleaved/uncleaved γENaC ratio was increased by 41±16% in the Dox group but unchanged in the Dox + Erl group when compared to Ctrl. The phosphorylated EGFR/total EGFR ratio was reduced by 74±7% in the Dox group and by 77±4% in the Dox + Erl group. In conclusion, Erlotinib preserved renal function and prevented salt retention in nephrotic rats. The observed effects do not appear to be mediated by direct blockade of EGFR.

Chemotherapy beyond first-line in stage IV metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Platinum-based doublet chemotherapy is considered the standard of care for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, prognosis after recurrent or progressive disease following first-line chemotherapy is usually poor. Maintenance chemotherapy, second line treatment and even third line chemotherapy are available for patients with advanced NSCLC. Unfortunately, few patients are candidates for chemotherapy beyond first line. The present study evaluated characteristics of patients with NSCLC and outcomes of the treatment of their metastatic disease, with emphasis on second and third-line chemotherapy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of 2,673 patients with metastatic, stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer admitted for treatment in two São Paulo institutions. First-line chemotherapy was defined as the first chemotherapeutic approach administered to the patient. Second and third-line chemotherapy were defined as the systemic treatment administered after discontinuing first-line chemotherapy, either for intolerance or for progressive or recurrent disease.

RESULTS

Most patients (57.9%) received first-line chemotherapy, and approximately 23.4% received second-line and 8% third-line regimens. Only 2.5% received fourth-line chemotherapy. Median overall survival (OS) was 8 months (95% CI: 8-9 months). At univariate analyses, gender (p < 0.05), histology, first-line chemotherapy, objective response to first-line chemotherapy and second-line chemotherapy (p < 0.01) were prognostic factors related to overall survival. At multivariate analysis, only performance status (p = 0.04), receiving any second-line chemotherapy (p < 0.01) and response to first-line chemotherapy (p < 0.01) were independent predictors of overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Second-line chemotherapy is a therapeutic strategy that should be considered for a selected group of patients. Performance status and response to first-line chemotherapy could be determinant characteristics to select patients who might be treated beyond first-line chemotherapy.