Brigatinib in Patients With Crizotinib-Refractory Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Randomized, Multicenter Phase II Trial

The role of brigatinib in crizotinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer

Despite the advances in new targeted therapies in ALK positive population, most patients progress under ALK inhibitors within first 2 years; being the brain the most frequent site of relapse. ALK mutations, in ~30% of patients, are the main known mechanism of resistance. Classically, second-generation ALK inhibitors have been the standard of care in the crizotinib-resistant population; however, each ALK inhibitor has a different spectrum of sensitivity to ALK mutations, complicating the optimal treatment strategy for the resistant population. Brigatinib (AP26113) is a novel highly selective and potent inhibitor of ALK and ROS1 with a high degree of selectivity. In vitro, brigatinib not only inhibited ALK with 12-fold higher potency compared to crizotinib, but also inhibited IGF-1R, FLT3 and EGFR mutants, with some activity against the EGFRT790M resistance mutation. In xenograft models, brigatinib overcomes resistance to ALK inhibitors, including the ALK G1202R mutation, which is resistant to first- and second-generation inhibitors. The efficacy of brigatinib in crizotinib-resistant, ALK-positive patients has been demonstrated in two early studies, which led to its approval in this setting, and it is currently being investigated as the first-line therapy versus crizotinib in tyrosine kinase inhibitor-naïve patients. Brigatinib demonstrates not only promising whole-body activity, but also an impressive improvement of intracranial outcomes in terms of both objective response rate and progression-free survival in the crizotinib-resistant population, with optimal efficacy at 180 mg (following a 90 mg run-in for 7 days) and good tolerance. These data confirm brigatinib as an excellent therapeutic strategy after crizotinib failure, particularly in the setting of central nervous system involvement. In this review, we summarize the two main clinical studies reported to date with brigatinib in ALK-positive advanced NSCLC patients, in particular, in the crizotinib-resistant population. We also address the mechanism of action for development of resistance and the challenging issues of optimal implementation for sequences of administration for ALK inhibitors.

ALK is a critical regulator of the MYC-signaling axis in ALK positive lung cancer

A subset of lung cancers is dependent on the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncogene for survival, a mechanism that is exploited by the use of the ALK inhibitor crizotinib. Despite exceptional initial tumor responses to ALK inhibition by crizotinib, durable clinical response is limited and the emergence of drug resistance occurs. Furthermore, intrinsic resistance is frequently observed, where patients fail to respond initially to ALK-inhibitor therapy. These events demonstrate the underlying complexity of a molecularly-defined oncogene-driven cancer and highlights the need to identify compensating survival pathways. Using a loss-of-function whole genome short-hairpin (shRNA) screen, we identified MYCBP as a determinant of response to crizotinib, implicating the MYC signaling axis in resistance to crizotinib-treated ALK+ NSCLC. Further analysis reveals that ALK regulates transcriptional expression of MYC and activates c-MYC transactivation of c-MYC target genes. Inhibition of MYC by RNAi or small molecules sensitizes ALK+ cells to crizotinib. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a dual oncogene mechanism, where ALK positively regulates the MYC signaling axis, providing an additional oncogene target whose inhibition may prevent or overcome resistance.

Progress in the Management of Advanced Thoracic Malignancies in 2017

The treatment paradigm of NSCLC underwent a major revolution during the course of 2017. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) brought remarkable improvements in response and overall survival both in unselected pretreated patients and in untreated patients with programmed death ligand 1 expression of 50% or more. Furthermore, compelling preliminary results were reported for new combinations of anti-programmed cell death 1/programmed death ligand 1 agents with chemotherapy or anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 inhibitors. The success of the ICIs appeared to extend to patients with SCLC, mesothelioma, or thymic tumors. Furthermore, in SCLC, encouraging activity was reported for an experimental target therapy (rovalpituzumab teserine) and a new chemotherapeutic agent (lurbinectedin). For oncogene-addicted NSCLC, next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (such as osimertinib or alectinib) have demonstrated increased response rates and progression-free survival compared with first-generation TKIs in patients with both EGFR-mutated and ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene (ALK)-rearranged NSCLC. However, because of the lack of mature overall survival data and considering the high efficacy of these drugs in patients with NSCLC previously exposed to first- or second-generation TKIs, definitive conclusions concerning the best treatment sequence cannot yet be drawn. In addition, new oncogenes such as mutant BRAF, tyrosine-protein kinase met gene (MET) and erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 gene (HER2), and ret proto-oncogene (RET) rearrangements have joined the list of potential targetable drivers. In conclusion, the field of thoracic oncology is on the verge of a breakthrough that will open up many promising new therapeutic options for physicians and patients. The characterization of biomarkers predictive of sensitivity or resistance to immunotherapy and the identification of the optimal therapeutic combinations (for ICIs) and treatment sequence (for oncogene-addicted NSCLC) represent the toughest upcoming challenges in the domain of thoracic oncology.

Combination of immunotherapy with targeted therapies in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been significantly improved in recent years with the incorporation of drugs targeting antiangiogenesis and more specifically genomic alterations such as the EGFR mutations and ALK translocations. However, most patients invariably progress and die. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the pathways involved in tumor-induced immunosuppression have redefined the management of the disease, achieving significant long-lasting responses with manageable safety profiles, regardless of histology. Still, response rates with immunotherapy are deemed suboptimal. Current efforts are focusing on new potential combination strategies with synergistic antitumor activity, using immune checkpoint blockade as a partner for targeted agents. Herein we discuss the available data on the combined use of immunotherapy, including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, with EGFR and ALK inhibitors and comment on the current status of immunotherapy plus antiangiogenic drugs for molecularly unselected advanced NSCLC.

Patterns of Biomarker Testing Rates and Appropriate Use of Targeted Therapy in the First-Line, Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Setting

Despite clear clinical benefit and guideline recommendations for predictive biomarker testing and subsequent first-line targeted therapy treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there is evidence that testing has not been widely embraced in the clinical setting. This study uses clinical pathways to understand biomarker testing patterns and ensuing first-line treatment decisions. Data of patients with metastatic NSCLC were analyzed for testing rates and treatment selection at 7 cancer programs using data input by providers into the pathways software. Findings were analyzed by type of provider (community or academic). Among providers using clinical pathways, biomarker testing rates were high and appropriate selection of targeted therapy was observed. Clinical pathways can act as a tool to assist oncology practices to promote testing of key biomarkers and subsequent selection of appropriate therapy.

Precision medicine in ALK rearranged NSCLC: A rapidly evolving scenario

IMPORTANCE

The identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements in 2-5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients led to the rapid clinical development of its oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Crizotinib was the first ALK inhibitor approved and utilised in the treatment of ALK+ NSCLC patients in the second line setting first and subsequently in the first line one. Since then many other ALK inhibitors have been developed (ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, lorlatinib,etc) and the treatment paradigm of these patients has considerably drifted. The questions regarding their treatment at progression remains unanswered at the moment.

OBJECTIVE

Our review clarifies what it is the state of the art in the treatment of ALK rearranged NSCLC patients, highlights the mechanisms of primary and secondary resistance mutations and suggests a treatment algorithm based on specific primary resistance or acquired mutations.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

Studies that enrolled ALK+ NSCLC patients with locally advance or metastatic disease receiving treatment with ALK inhibitor, first or second line, were identified using electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library). Trials were excluded if they were phase 1, enrolled less than 10 patients.

FINDING

Overall 1942 patients were included in our review. It confirms the role and the efficacy in first line of Alectinib but it highlights also that all the ALK inhibitors could play a crucial role during the patients' journey. Identifying the different mutations and utilising the most active ALK inhibitor depending on the "up-to-date" driven mutation is the way forward in the management of those patients.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

the review shows the rapid drifting in the management of ALK+ NSCLC patients and the importance of fully understanding and acknowledging the role of the resistance mutation, primary or acquired. We strongly advocate a comprehensive genomic approach in the management of ALK+ NSCLC patients who develop resistance mutations that are still targetable by a different ALK inhibitor.

Second-Line Treatment Options in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Report From an International Experts Panel Meeting of the Italian Association of Thoracic Oncology

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients inevitably progress to first-line therapy and further active treatments are warranted. In the past few years, new second-line therapies, beyond chemotherapy agents, have become available in clinical practice. To date, several options for the second-line treatment of non-oncogene-addicted NSCLC patients ranging from chemotherapy in combination with antivascular endothelial growth factor receptor to immunotherapeutics are available. In oncogene-driven tumors, the better knowledge of mechanisms of acquired resistance to earlier tyrosine kinase inhibitors is leading to novel active inhibitors now available/in development. The second-line algorithm treatment of NSCLC becomes very intricate and the selection of proper patients with one of the new available therapeutic options is of paramount importance to personalize and optimize the treatment. In this review we discuss the second-line treatment opportunities of addicted as well as not-addicted NSCLC.

Targeted drugs for systemic therapy of lung cancer with brain metastases

Brain metastases are very common in lung cancer patients. The condition of these patients is complicated and difficult to treat, and adverse reactions following treatment can affect the nervous system, which severely reduces quality of life. Lung cancers are categorized as small cell lung cancers and non-small cell lung cancers. Patients with brain metastasis of small cell lung cancers are generally treated with brain radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy, but stage III/IV patients with brain metastasis of non-small cell lung cancers are generally not responsive to radiotherapy or chemotherapy. With the recent development of targeted drugs, tumor molecular profile detection allows the selection of appropriate targeted drugs for adjuvant pharmacological treatment of brain metastasis in lung cancer patients. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of certain cancers, but their efficacy in lung cancer patients with brain metastases still needs to be confirmed. This paper focuses on highlighting drugs for targeted therapy of brain metastasis in lung cancer patients and their molecular targets and mechanisms of drug resistance.

Economic Considerations in the Use of Novel Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer: Review of Current Literature

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death and economic burden worldwide. Despite the heavy toll of lung cancer, multiple new advances have improved patient outcomes, largely through precision medicine and targeted therapy. The associated rising economic burden however may impact the uptake of novel therapeutic agents in lung cancer, thereby limiting patient access. This article identifies and reviews economic evaluations of targeted agents in lung cancer in the era of precision medicine. Articles evaluating biomarker-directed test-and-treat strategies are also reviewed to evaluate the cost impact of novel therapeutic agents at a population level. The Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument is applied to assess the quality of included studies. Forty-six studies are reviewed and encompass studies of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors, vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors and immunotherapy (programmed death-1 inhibitors). Key factors influencing results of economic analyses include comparators chosen, perspective used, magnitude of clinical benefit, utility weighting of outcomes and drug acquisition costs. Biomarker-driven decision making should be integrated into cost evaluations given the important role of molecular testing for individualising treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer. We conclude that despite major clinical advances in lung cancer therapeutics, cost remains an important consideration in the adoption of novel therapies.

The Current Landscape of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Emerging Treatment Paradigms and Future Directions

Tumorigenic rearrangements in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) account for 3-7% of all non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Treatment with targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has shown impressive clinical responses. Crizotinib was the first agent approved for front-line therapy of ALK-rearranged NSCLC after it demonstrated superiority to chemotherapy in response rate, duration of response, and progression-free survival. However, eventually all patients progress on crizotinib therapy, with the central nervous system (CNS) being the most common site, which served as the impetus for the development of more potent next-generation ALK inhibitors. Currently, ceritinib, alectinib, and brigatinib are all approved for second-line therapy after progression on or intolerance to crizotinib. Investigations into whether the initiation of a second-generation ALK inhibitor as first-line therapy is the superior treatment paradigm has resulted in the approval of ceritinib as initial therapy. Alectinib has also shown impressive results as front-line therapy, as recently reported in two large randomized studies that compared it to crizotinib. There is a significant need to better understand the drivers of and mechanisms underlying resistance to ALK inhibitors. While specific mutations have been identified, there is currently only limited evidence that the identification of specific mutations should impact selection of the next ALK inhibitor. The best treatment option for patients who become TKI refractory is also unclear, though there is some evidence to suggests that these patients are not responsive to checkpoint inhibitors and may respond better to chemotherapy. Combination therapy with other classes of agents may help to overcome resistance mechanisms and should be investigated further.

Fusions in solid tumours: diagnostic strategies, targeted therapy, and acquired resistance

Structural gene rearrangements resulting in gene fusions are frequent events in solid tumours. The identification of certain activating fusions can aid in the diagnosis and effective treatment of patients with tumours harbouring these alterations. Advances in the techniques used to identify fusions have enabled physicians to detect these alterations in the clinic. Targeted therapies directed at constitutively activated oncogenic tyrosine kinases have proven remarkably effective against cancers with fusions involving ALK, ROS1, or PDGFB, and the efficacy of this approach continues to be explored in malignancies with RET, NTRK1/2/3, FGFR1/2/3, and BRAF/CRAF fusions. Nevertheless, prolonged treatment with such tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leads to the development of acquired resistance to therapy. This resistance can be mediated by mutations that alter drug binding, or by the activation of bypass pathways. Second-generation and third-generation TKIs have been developed to overcome resistance, and have variable levels of activity against tumours harbouring individual mutations that confer resistance to first-generation TKIs. The rational sequential administration of different inhibitors is emerging as a new treatment paradigm for patients with tumours that retain continued dependency on the downstream kinase of interest.

Comprehensive pancancer genomic analysis reveals (RTK)-RAS-RAF-MEK as a key dysregulated pathway in cancer: Its clinical implications

Recent advances in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) have provided remarkable insights into the genomic characteristics of human cancers that have spurred a revolution in the field of oncology. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) and its activating cell receptor, the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which together encompass the (RTK)-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK axis, are central to oncogenesis. A pan-cancer genomics analysis presented in this review is made possible by large collaborative projects, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), and others. Landmark studies contributing to these projects have revealed alterations in cell signaling cascades that vary between cancer types and within tumors themselves. We review several of these studies in major tumor types to highlight recent advances in our understanding of the role of (RTK)-RAS-RAF alterations in cancer. Further studies are needed to increase the statistical power to detect clinically relevant low-frequency mutations, in addition to the known (RTK)-RAS-RAF pathway alterations, and to refine the resolution of the genomic landscape that defines these cancer mutations. The (RTK)-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK mutation status, and their prognostic value, are also examined and correlated with clinical phenotypes. Treatments targeting various components of this pathway are ongoing, and are often effective initially in defined subgroups of patients. However, resistance to these agents can develop through adaptive mechanisms. With our steady increase in understanding the molecular biology of cancer, ongoing evaluation and monitoring through genomic analysis will continue to provide important information to the clinician in the context of treatment selection, response, resistance and outcomes.

Combating Drug-Resistant Mutants of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase with Potent and Selective Type-I1/2 Inhibitors by Stabilizing Unique DFG-Shifted Loop Conformation

Targeted inhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) dramatically improved therapeutic outcomes in the treatment of ALK-positive cancers, but unfortunately patients invariably progressed due to acquired resistance mutations in ALK. Currently available drugs are all type-I inhibitors bound to the ATP-binding pocket and are most likely to be resistant in patients harboring genetic mutations surrounding the ATP pocket. To overcome drug resistance, we rationally designed a novel kind of "bridge" inhibitor, which specially bind into an extended hydrophobic back pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site of ALK. The novel type-I1/2 inhibitors display excellent antiproliferation activity against ALK-positive cancer cells and appear superior to two clinically used drugs, crizotinib and ceritinib. Structural and molecular modeling analyses indicate that the inhibitor induces dramatic conformational transition and stabilizes unique DFG-shifted loop conformation, enabling persistent sensitivity to different genetic mutations in ALK. These data highlight a rationale for further development of next-generation ALK inhibitors to combat drug resistance.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Testing: IHC vs. FISH vs. NGS

OPINION STATEMENT

Personalized targeted therapy has emerged as a promising strategy in lung cancer treatment, with current attention focused on elucidation and detection of oncogenic drivers responsible for tumor initiation and maintenance and development of drug resistance. In lung cancer, several oncogenic drivers have been reported, triggering the application of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to target these dysfunctional genes. The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement is responsible for about 4-7% of all non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and perhaps as high as a third in specific patient populations such as younger, male, non-smokers with advanced stage, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) wild type, and signet ring cell adenocarcinoma with abundant intracytoplasmic mucin. The selection of patients based on their ALK status is vital on account of the high response rates with the ALK-targeted agents in this subset of patients. Standardization and validation of ALK rearrangement detection methods is essential for accurate and reproducible results. There are currently three detection methods widely available in clinical practice, including fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. However, the choice of diagnostic methodology for ALK rearrangement detection in clinical practice remains a matter of debate. With accumulating data enumerating the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three methods, combining more than one testing method for ALK fusion detection may be beneficial for patients. In this review, we will discuss the current methods used in ALK rearrangement detection with emphasis on their key advantages and disadvantages.

Recent Advances in Targeting ROS1 in Lung Cancer

ROS1 is a validated therapeutic target in NSCLC. In a phase I study, the multitargeted MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase/anaplastic lymphoma kinase/ROS1 inhibitor crizotinib demonstrated remarkable efficacy in ROS1-rearranged NSCLCs and consequently gained approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration and by the European Medicines Agency in 2016. However, similar to other oncogene-driven lung cancers, ROS1-rearranged lung cancers treated with crizotinib eventually acquire resistance, leading to disease relapse. Novel ROS1 inhibitors and therapeutic strategies are therefore needed. Insights into the mechanisms of resistance to ROS1-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors are now beginning to emerge and are helping to guide the development of new ROS1 inhibitors. This review discusses the biology and diagnosis of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC, and current and emerging treatment options for this disease. Future challenges in the field are highlighted.

Novel Molecular Challenges in Targeting Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase in ALK-Expressing Human Cancers

Targeting anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a receptor tyrosine kinase receptor initially identified as a potent oncogenic driver in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) in the form of nucleophosmin (NPM)-ALK fusion protein, using tyrosine kinase inhibitors has shown to be a promising therapeutic approach for ALK-expressing tumors. However, clinical resistance to ALK inhibitors invariably occurs, and the molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. Recent studies have clearly shown that clinical resistance to ALK inhibitors is a multifactorial and complex mechanism. While few of the mechanisms of clinical resistance to ALK inhibitors such as gene mutation are well known, there are others that are not well covered. In this review, the molecular mechanisms of cancer stem cells in mediating resistance to ALK inhibitors as well as the current understanding of the molecular challenges in targeting ALK in ALK-expressing human cancers will be discussed.

Lung Toxicity in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Exposed to ALK Inhibitors: Report of a Peculiar Case and Systematic Review of the Literature

Lung toxicity is a potential fatal effect involving non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients exposed to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Moving from our experience regarding a patient who developed lung toxicity while receiving 2 different anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-TKIs, we performed a systematic review to assess the epidemiologic magnitude and the clinical significance of such toxicity in NSCLC patients treated with ALK-TKIs. Studies were identified using MEDLINE and additional sources (European Society for Medical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and World Conference on Lung Cancer abstracts) in agreement with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Cochrane guidelines. Lung toxicity was reported in 105 of 4943 NSCLC patients (2.1%). Crizotinib was responsible for pulmonary adverse events (AEs) in 1.8% of exposed patients (49 of 2706). With the limit of a lower number of treated patients (n = 359), brigatinib resulted as the most frequently involved in lung toxicity (7%; n = 25). Pulmonary AEs during therapy with ceritinib, alectinib, and lorlatinib occurred in 1.1%, 2.6%, and 1.8% of the patients, respectively. Sixty-five percent of cases accounted for Grade 3 or 4 events, with a mortality rate of 9%. Radiological patterns of pneumonia were reported in 25 patients, whereas imaging evocative of interstitial lung disease in 37. Overall, 26 of 105 patients (25%) permanently discontinued treatment because of lung toxicity. Lung toxicity is a rare albeit potentially severe side effect in NSCLC patients receiving ALK-TKIs, apparently more frequent with brigatinib. Its early recognition and treatment are crucial for the best outcome of this subgroup of patients, whose overall prognosis is being improved by the availability of several targeted agents.

Lorlatinib in non-small-cell lung cancer with ALK or ROS1 rearrangement: an international, multicentre, open-label, single-arm first-in-man phase 1 trial

Background

Most patients with ALK- or ROS1-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, but resistance invariably develops, commonly within the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to determine the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of lorlatinib, a novel, highly potent, selective, and brain-penetrant ALK/ROS1 TKI with preclinical activity against most known resistance mutations, in patients with advanced ALK- or ROS1-positive NSCLC.

Methods

In this ongoing, multicenter phase 1 study, eligible patients had advanced ALK- or ROS1-positive NSCLC. Lorlatinib was orally administered at doses ranging from 10–200 mg once daily or 35–100 mg twice daily. For some patients, tumor biopsy was performed before lorlatinib treatment to identify ALK resistance mutations. Safety was evaluated in patients who received ≥1 treatment; efficacy was evaluated in the intention-to-treat population (patients who received ≥1 dose of study treatment and were positive for either ALK or ROS1 rearrangement). The primary endpoint was dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during cycle 1; secondary endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics, and overall response rate (ORR). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01970865.

Findings

Fifty-four patients were treated, including 41 with ALK-positive and 12 with ROS1-positive NSCLC. Twenty-eight patients had received ≥2 TKIs, and 39 patients had CNS metastases. The most common treatment-related adverse events among the 54 patients were hypercholesterolemia (39 [72%] of 54 patients), hypertriglyceridemia (21 [39%] of 54 patients), peripheral neuropathy (21 [39%] of 54 patients), and peripheral edema (21 [39%] of 54 patients). One DLT occurred at 200 mg (failure to deliver at least 16 of 21 prescribed total daily doses in cycle 1 because of toxicities attributable to study drug, in this case grade 2 neurocognitive adverse events comprising slowed speech and mentation and word-finding difficulty). No maximum tolerated dose was identified. The recommended phase 2 dose was selected to be 100 mg daily. Among ALK-positive patients, the ORR was 19 (46%) of 41 patients (95% CI, 31–63%); among those who had received ≥2 TKIs, the ORR was 11 (42%) of 26 patients (95% CI, 23–63%). Among ROS1-positive patients, including seven crizotinib-pretreated patients, ORR was 6 (50%) of 12 patients (95% CI, 21–79%). Responses were observed in the CNS and in patients with tumors harboring resistance mutations such as ALK G1202R.

Interpretation

In this phase 1, dose-escalation study, lorlatinib demonstrated both systemic and intracranial activity in patients with advanced ALK- or ROS1-positive NSCLC, most of whom had CNS metastases and had failed ≥2 TKIs. Therefore, lorlatinib may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for patients who have become resistant to currently available TKIs, including second-generation ALK TKIs in ALK-positive NSCLC.

Funding

Pfizer

Spotlight on brigatinib and its potential in the treatment of patients with metastatic ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer who are resistant or intolerant to crizotinib

In the last decade, there have been major therapeutic advances in the management of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Crizotinib was the first approved ALK inhibitor with significant benefits over chemotherapy. However, patients inevitably develop disease progression especially in central nervous system and acquire resistance to crizotinib. Several next-generation ALK inhibitors have been developed to overcome these resistance mechanisms and have demonstrated clinical benefits in crizotinib-refractory non-small cell lung cancer including in central nervous system. Brigatinib is a second-generation ALK inhibitor with high level of activity against ALK and several other targets. It is active in vitro against many ALK kinase domain mutations including L1196M, E1210K, and G1202R which may mediate acquired resistance to other ALK inhibitors. In Phase I/II and ALTA clinical studies, brigatinib has demonstrated substantial and durable responses and intracranial responses after progression on crizotinib. It has acceptable safety profile, but early pulmonary toxicity has been observed prompting to pursue daily dosing of 180 mg (with lead-in). Overall, 180 mg (with lead-in) has showed consistently better efficacy than 90 mg. In this review, we will discuss in detail these two pivotal trials that led to the accelerated approval for brigatinib and its future directions.

Current Landscape of Targeted Therapy in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Comprehensive genomic profiling of lung cancers revealed their genetic heterogeneity and complexity and identified numerous targetable oncogenic driver alterations. These molecular profiling efforts have made it possible to exploit the potential of molecularly targeted therapies. Selection of patients for targeted therapies is becoming biomarker-driven, where the oncogenic drivers in patient tumors are first identified, and subsequently patients bearing drug-sensitizing genetic aberrations are matched to the appropriate targeted therapy. Success of this design of clinical trials and practice was first demonstrated in EGFR inhibitor trials in lung cancer and has since been incorporated into subsequent targeted therapy trials including ALK-, ROS1-, and BRAF V600E-targeted therapies. In this review we discuss the current landscape of clinically approved and other promising molecularly targeted approaches for the treatment of lung cancers, the challenges with these approaches, and the strategies that could be deployed to overcome these challenges.

An update on the developing mitotic inhibitors for the treatment of non-small cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Mitosis is necessary to sustain life and is followed immediately by cell division into two daughter cells. Microtubules play a key role in the formation of the mitotic spindle apparatus and cytokinesis at the end of mitosis. Various anti-microtubule agents such as taxanes and vinca alkaloids are widely used in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but their use is associated with hematologic toxicity profile, acquired resistance and hypersensitivity reactions. Areas covered: The Nab-paclitaxels are the more recent antimitotic agents approved in NSCLC showing a better tolerability and activity when compared to previous ones. Despite this, the outcome of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer is poor. Due to the key role of mitosis, research is focused on the identification of new mitotic drug targets other than microtubule inhibitors, such as cell cycle targets, aurora kinases and Polo-like kinases. Expert opinion: Despite improvements in chemotherapeutic choices and supportive care, the majority of patients experience a deteriorating quality of life and significant toxicities associated to a poor outcome. Thus, the therapeutic management of patients with advanced NSCLC represents an ongoing challenge and novel agents targeting mitosis are under investigation.

Emerging uses of biomarkers in lung cancer management: molecular mechanisms of resistance

Management of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has recently been transformed by molecularly targeted and immunotherapeutic agents. In patients with EGFR/ALK/ROS mutated NSCLC, first line molecular therapy is the standard of care. Moreover, immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionary treatment options for advanced NSCLC and are now the standard of care in front-line or later line settings. Both classes of agents have led to improved patient outcomes, however, primary resistance and development of acquired resistance to both targeted and immunotherapeutic agents is commonly observed, limiting the use of these agents in clinical settings. In this review, we will discuss the most recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance, progress in the spectrum of assays detecting causative molecular events and the development of new generations of inhibitors to overcome acquired resistance.

Prioritizing molecular markers to test for in the initial workup of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: wants versus needs

The current standard of care for molecular marker testing in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been evolving over several years and is a product of the quality of the evidence supporting a targeted therapy for a specific molecular marker, the pre-test probability of that marker in the population, and the magnitude of benefit seen with that treatment. Among the markers that have one or more matched targeted therapies, only a few are in the subset for which they should be considered as most clearly worthy of prioritizing to detect in the first line setting in order to have them supplant other first line alternatives, and in only a subset of patients, as defined currently by NSCLC histology. Specifically, this currently includes testing for an activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation or an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) or ROS1 rearrangement. This article reviews the history and data supporting the prioritization of these markers in patients with non-squamous NSCLC, a histologically selected population in whom the probability of these markers combined with the anticipated efficacy of targeted therapies against them is high enough to favor these treatments in the first line setting. In reviewing the evidence supporting this very limited core subset of most valuable molecular markers to detect in the initial workup of such patients, we can also see the criteria by which other actionable markers need to reach in order to be widely recognized as reliably valuable enough to warrant prioritization to detect in the initial workup of advanced NSCLC as well.

An update on biomarkers for kinase inhibitor response in non-small-cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

The discovery of activating genetic and their use as predictive biomarkers for targeted therapy, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), has changed the treatment paradigm of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a result, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) TKIs have become the standard first-line treatment. Since then, other kinds of targetable oncogenic alterations have been identified in NSCLC. Several novel, molecularly-targeted TKIs have now achieved regulatory approval, while many others are currently in early- or late-phase clinical trial testing. These TKIs have significantly impacted and changed clinical outcomes for advanced NSCLC. Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss recent evidence and progress in targeted therapies, especially small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitors, matched with their biomarkers for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Expert commentary: Although targeted therapies dramatically improve the outcome of patients with NSCLC harboring specific oncogenic alterations, molecular and clinical resistance almost invariably develops. New TKIs specifically active in molecular subgroups of NSCLC or the resistance setting have now been developed. The development of additional TKIs and rational combinations may further improve outcomes of NSCLC.

ALK in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Pathobiology, Epidemiology, Detection from Tumor Tissue and Algorithm Diagnosis in a Daily Practice

Patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) harboring an ALK rearrangement, detected from a tissue sample, can benefit from targeted ALK inhibitor treatment. Several increasingly effective ALK inhibitors are now available for treatment of patients. However, despite an initial favorable response to treatment, in most cases relapse or progression occurs due to resistance mechanisms mainly caused by mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of ALK. The detection of an ALK rearrangement is pivotal and can be done using different methods, which have variable sensitivity and specificity depending, in particular, on the quality and quantity of the patient’s sample. This review will first highlight briefly some information regarding the pathobiology of an ALK rearrangement and the epidemiology of patients harboring this genomic alteration. The different methods used to detect an ALK rearrangement as well as their advantages and disadvantages will then be examined and algorithms proposed for detection in daily routine practice.

The between Now and Then of Lung Cancer Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Disappointingly, despite great effort in encouraging screening or, at least, a close surveillance of high-risk individuals, most of lung cancers are diagnosed when already surgically unresectable because of local advancement or metastasis. In these cases, the treatment of choice is chemotherapy, alone or in combination with radiotherapy. Here, we will briefly review the most successful and recent advances in the identification of novel lung cancer genetic lesions and in the development of new drugs specifically targeting them. However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related mortality also because, despite impressive initial responses, the patients often develop resistance to novel target therapies after a few months of treatment. Thus, it is literally vital to continue the search for new therapeutic options. So, here, on the basis of our recent findings on the role of the tumor suppressor CCDC6 protein in lung tumorigenesis, we will also discuss novel therapeutic approaches we envision for lung cancer.