The first survival score for patients with brain metastases from small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

Targeting CDH17 with Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Redirected T Cells in Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy stands as a precise and targeted approach in the treatment of malignancies. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of targeting Cadherin 17 (CDH17) with CDH17 CAR-T cells as a therapeutic modality for small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

METHODS

CDH17 expression levels were assessed in human SCLC tumor tissues and cell lines using qPCR and Western blot. Subsequently, we established CDH17 CAR-T cells and assessed their cytotoxicity by co-culturing them with various SCLC cell lines at different effector-to-target (E:T) ratios, complemented by ELISA assays. To ascertain the specificity of CDH17 CAR-T cells, we conducted experiments on SCLC cells with and without CDH17 expression (shRNAs). Furthermore, we employed an SCLC xenograft model to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of CDH17 CAR-T cells.

RESULTS

Our results revealed a significant upregulation of CDH17 in both SCLC tissues and cell lines. CDH17 CAR-T cells exhibited robust cytotoxic activity against SCLC cells in vitro, while demonstrating no cytotoxicity towards CDH17-deficient SCLC cells and HEK293 cells that lack CDH17 expression. Importantly, the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α by CDH17 CAR-T cells correlated with their cytotoxic potency. Additionally, treatment with CDH17 CAR-T cells significantly decelerated the growth rate of SCLC-derived xenograft tumors in vivo. Remarkably, no significant difference in body weight was observed between the control group and the group treated with CDH17 CAR-T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The preclinical data open further venues for the clinical use of CDH17 CAR-T cells as an immunotherapeutic strategy for SCLC treatment.

Efficacy and Safety of PD-L1 Inhibitors plus Chemotherapy versus Chemotherapy Alone in First-Line Treatment of Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Real-World Study

Background

Most patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have extensive-stage (ES) disease with a poor prognosis. Immunotherapy has shown good therapeutic effects in the treatment of ES-SCLC. We performed a real-world retrospective study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy in patients with ES-SCLC.

Method

A total of 224 patients diagnosed with ES-SCLC between March 2017 and April 2021 were included, of which 115 received only etoposide-platinum (EP) chemotherapy,and 109 received programmed cell-death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors and EP.

Results

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus platinum were associated with a significant improvement in overall survival (OS), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.60 (95% CI, 0.42–0.85; P=0.0054); median OS was 19 months in the ICIs plus EP group vs. 12 months in the EP group. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.5 and 5.0 months, respectively (HR for disease progression or death, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.31–0.57; P < 0.0001). Male patients <65 years old, Stage IV, PS 0-1, without liver and brain metastasis had a better OS in the ICIs plus EP group than the EP group. The PFS and OS in the durvalumab plus chemotherapy group were insignificantly longer than that of the atezolizumab plus chemotherapy group. Any adverse effects (AEs) of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 50 patients (45.9%) in the ICIs plus EP group and 48 patients (41.7%) in the EP alone group. The most common immune-related AEs (irAEs) were immune hypothyroidism events (17.1%, 7/41), immune dermatitis (9.8%, 4/41), and immune pneumonia (9.8%, 4/41) in the durvalumab plus platinum-etoposide group. Immune liver insufficiency (10.3%, 7/68) and immune hypothyroidism (8.8%, 6/68) were the most common irAEs in the atezolizumab plus platinum-etoposide group.

Conclusion

This study shows that adding PD-L1 inhibitors to chemotherapy can significantly improve PFS and OS in patients with ES-SCLC and demonstrates its safety without additional AEs.

A new model outperforming RPA and DS-GPA scores for individualized survival prediction of patients following whole brain irradiation for brain metastasis

PURPOSE

Survival after whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with multiple brain metastases (BM) is currently predicted by group-based scoring systems with limited usability for decision. We aimed to develop a more relevant individualized predictive model than Radiation Therapy Oncology Group - Recursive Partitioning Analysis (RTOG-RPA) and Diagnosis - Specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (DS-GPA) for patients with limited life-expectancy.

METHODS

Based on a Discovery cohort of patients undergoing WBRT, multivariable piecewise Cox regression models with time cut-offs at 1 and 3 months were developed to predict overall survival (OS). A final parsimonious model was defined, and an external validation cohort was used to assess its discrimination and calibration at one, six, and 12 months.

RESULTS

In the 173-patient Discovery cohort, the majority of patients had primary lung cancer (56%), presence of extracranial disease (ECD) (75%), Eastern Cooperative Oncolgy Group - Performance Status (ECOG-PS) score 1 (41%) and no intracranial hypertension (ICH) (74%). Most patients were classified as the RPA class II (48%). The final piecewise Cox model was based on primary site, age, ECD, ECOG-PS and ICH. An external validation of the model was carried out using a cohort of 79 patients. Individualized survival estimates obtained with this model outperformed the RPA and DS-GPA scores for overall survival prediction at 1-month, 6-months and 12- months in both Discovery and Validation cohorts. A R/Shiny web application was developed to obtain individualized predictions for new patients, providing an easy-to-use tool for clinicians and researchers.

CONCLUSION

Our model provides individualized estimates of survival for poor prognosis patients undergoing WBRT, outperforming actual scoring systems.

Development of a multivariable prediction model to estimate the remaining lifespan of elderly patients with cerebral metastases from small-cell lung cancer

Background

Prognostic tools estimating survival of elderly patients with cerebral metastases from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) improve treatment personalization. A specific tool for these patients was developed and compared to existing instruments.

Methods

One-hundred-and-forty elderly patients (≥65 years) receiving whole-brain irradiation (WBI) for cerebral metastases from SCLC were retrospectively evaluated. WBI-program, age, gender, Karnofsky performance score, number of cerebral lesions, extracerebral metastases, and interval between SCLC-diagnosis and WBI were investigated. Characteristics significantly associated with survival in the multivariate analysis were used for the tool. Scoring points were calculated by dividing 6-month survival rates (%) by 10 and added for patient scores. The tool was compared to existing diagnosis-specific instruments including updated diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment (DS-GPA), Rades-SCLC and WBRT-30-SCLC.

Results

In the multivariate analysis, KPS (P<0.001), number of cerebral lesions (P=0.013) and extracerebral metastases (P=0.049) were significantly associated with survival. Patient scores of 2 (n=37), 5 (n=69), 8 (n=20) and 11 (n=14) points were obtained; 6-month survival rates were 0%, 9%, 50% and 79% (P<0.001). The positive predictive value (PPV) of the worst group (2 points) to identify patients dying ≤6 months was 100%; PPVs of updated DS-GPA, Rades-SCLC and WBRT-30-SCLC were 94%, 100% and 94%. PPV of the best group (11 points) to identify patients surviving ≥6 months was 79%; PPVs of updated DS-GPA, Rades-SCLC and WBRT-30-SCLC were 86%, 79% and 100%.

Conclusions

The most precise instruments were the new tool and Rades-SCLC for identification of patients dying ≤6 months, and the WBRT-30-SCLC to identify patients surviving ≥6 months.

Current Predictive Indices and Nomograms To Enable Personalization of Radiation Therapy for Patients With Secondary Malignant Neoplasms of the Central Nervous System: A Review

The proper treatment of brain metastases continues to be a challenge for oncologists given the variability of individual patients' prognoses and the variety of treatment options available to address brain metasteses. There have been efforts since the 1990s to develop prognostic indices and nomograms to help clinicians determine the best approach for individuals with secondary malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system. A literature search was performed to identify the existing prognostic tools published between January 1995 and January 2017. While there have been several reported indices, many are limited by the number of patients analyzed or lack of generalizability. The most robust prognostic tools available are the Disease Specific Graded Prognostic Assessment and the Barnholtz-Sloan nomogram, both of which have online tools available to help clinicians. While these tools are helpful in stratifying different patients' outcomes, they are limited by their retrospective nature and likely underestimate survival in the modern era, where there is a rapidly growing arsenal of systemic agents available to patients with metastatic disease.

Clinical prognostic factors associated with survival and a survival score for patients with brain metastases

Aim: To identify prognostic factors of survival in patients with brain metastases (BM) and to devise a prognostic score. Patients & methods: In this single-institution retrospective study, we analyzed potential clinical prognostic factors in 1363 patients with BM. Based on the Cox proportional hazard model, we devised a BM score with three classes (score <5, 5-6 and >6). Results: The 1-year overall survival (OS) was 26%. Independent prognostic factors of OS were: age, gender, Karnofski performance status, number of BM, control of primary, presence of extracerebral metastases and type of primary tumor. The 1-year OS was 56% for score <5; 21% for score 5-6 and 4% for score >6 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The BM score we propose is effective in grouping patients according to their prognosis and can help decision making regarding treatment adjustments.

Comparison of Diagnosis-Specific Survival Scores for Patients with Small-Cell Lung Cancer Irradiated for Brain Metastases

Diagnosis-specific survival scores including a new score developed in 157 patients with brain metastases from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) receiving whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with 30 Gy in 10 fractions (WBRT-30-SCLC) were compared. Three prognostic groups were designed based on the 6-month survival probabilities of significant or almost significant factors, (age, performance score, number of brain metastases, extra-cerebral metastasis). Six-month survival rates were 6% (6–11 points), 44% (12–14 points) and 86% (16–19 points). The WBRT-30-SCLC was compared to three disease-specific scores for brain metastasis from SCLC, the original and updated diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment DS-GPA classifications and the Rades-SCLC. Positive predictive values (PPVs) used to correctly predict death ≤6 months were 94% (WBRT-30-SCLC), 88% (original DS-GPA), 88% (updated DS-GPA) and 100% (Rades-SCLC). PPVs to predict survival ≥6 months were 86%, 75%, 76% and 100%. For WBRT-30-SCLC and Rades-SCLC, differences between poor and intermediate prognoses groups and between intermediate and favorable prognoses groups were significant. For both DS-GPA classifications, only the difference between poor and intermediate prognoses groups was significant. Of these disease-specific tools, Rades-SCLC appeared to be the most accurate in identifying patients dying ≤6 months and patients surviving ≥6 months after irradiation, followed by the new WBRT-30-SCLC and the DS-GPA classifications.

Additional radiation boost to whole brain radiation therapy may improve the survival of patients with brain metastases in small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The role of the dose escalation strategy in brain radiotherapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with brain metastases (BMs) has not been identified. This study aims to determine whether an additional radiation boost to whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has beneficial effects on overall survival (OS) compared with WBRT-alone.

METHODS

A total of 82 SCLC patients who were found to have BMs treated with WBRT plus a radiation boost (n = 33) or WBRT-alone (n = 49) from January 2008 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were limited-stage (LS) SCLC at the time of the initial diagnosis, and none of them had extracranial metastases prior to detection of BMs. The primary end point was OS.

RESULTS

The median OS for all of the patients was 9.6 months and the 6-, 12- and 24-months OS rates were 69.1, 42.2 and 12.8%, respectively. At baseline, the proportion of more than 3 BMs was significantly higher in the WBRT group than in the WBRT plus boost group (p = 0.0001). WBRT plus a radiation boost was significantly associated with improved OS in these patients when compared with WBRT-alone (13.4 vs. 8.5 months; p = 0.004). Further, the survival benefit still remained significant in WBRT plus boost group among patients with 1 to 3 BMs (13.4 vs. 9.6 months; p = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Compared with WBRT-alone, the use of WBRT plus a radiation boost may prolong survival in SCLC patients with BMs. The dose escalation strategy in brain radiotherapy for selected BMs patients with SCLC should be considered.

Whole brain radiation therapy alone versus radiosurgery for patients with 1-10 brain metastases from small cell lung cancer (ENCEPHALON Trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Conventional whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) has been established as the treatment standard in patients with cerebral metastases from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), however, it has only modest efficacy and limited prospective data is available for WBRT as well as local treatments such as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS/DESIGN

The present single-center prospective randomized study, conducted at Heidelberg University Hospital, compares neurocognitive function, as objectively measured by significant deterioration in Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised total recall at 3 months. Fifty-six patients will be randomized to receive either SRS of all brain metastases (up to ten lesions) or WBRT. Secondary endpoints include intracranial progression (local tumor progression and number of new cerebral metastases), extracranial progression, overall survival, death due to brain metastases, local (neurological) progression-free survival, progression-free survival, changes in other cognitive performance measures, quality of life and toxicity.

DISCUSSION

Recent evidence suggests that SRS might be a promising treatment option for SCLC patients with brain metastases. The present trial is the first to prospectively investigate the treatment response, toxicity and neurocognition of WBRT and SRS in SCLC patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03297788 . Registered September 29, 2017.

Generation of a New Disease-specific Prognostic Score for Patients With Brain Metastases From Small-cell Lung Cancer Treated With Whole Brain Radiotherapy (BMS-Score) and Validation of Two Other Indices

INTRODUCTION

Patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) demonstrate an exception in the treatment of brain metastases (BM), because in patients with SCLC whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) only is the preferred treatment modality. The purpose of this study was to develop a prognostic score for patients with brain metastases from SCLC treated with WBRT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present study was conducted utilizing a single-institution, previously described, retrospective database of patients with SCLC who were treated with WBRT (n = 221). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to generate the "brain metastases from SCLC score" (BMS score) based on favorable prognostic factors: Karnofsky performance status (KPS > 70), extracerebral disease status (stable disease/controlled), and time of appearance of BM (synchronous). Furthermore, the disease-specific graded prognostic assessment score as well as the recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) were performed and compared with the new BMS score by using the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test.

RESULTS

BMS score and RPA showed the most significant differences between classes (P < .001). BMS score revealed a mean overall survival (OS) of 2.62 months in group I (0-1 points), 6.61 months in group II (2-3 points), and 12.31 months in group III (4 points). The BMS score also identified the group with the shortest survival (2.62 months in group I), and the numbers of patients in each group were most equally distributed with the BMS score.

CONCLUSION

The new BMS score was more prognostic than the RPA and disease-specific graded prognostic assessment scores. The BMS score is easy to use and reflects known prognostic factors in contemporary patients with SCLC treated with WBRT. Future studies are necessary to validate these findings.

State-of-the-art considerations in small cell lung cancer brain metastases

BACKGROUND

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) frequently leads to development of brain metastases. These unfortunately continue to be associated with short survival. Substantial advances have been made in our understanding of the underlying biology of disease. This understanding on the background of previously evaluated and currently utilized therapeutic treatments can help guide the next steps in investigations into this disease with the potential to influence future treatments.

DESIGN

A comprehensive review of the literature covering epidemiology, pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, prognosis, and therapeutic management of SCLC brain metastases was performed.

RESULTS

SCLC brain metastases continue to have a poor prognosis. Both unique aspects of SCLC brain metastases as well as features seen more universally across other solid tumor brain metastases are discussed. Systemic therapeutic studies and radiotherapeutic approaches are reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

A clearer understanding of SCLC brain metastases will help lay the framework for studies which will hopefully translate into meaningful therapeutic options for these patients.

A matched-pair study comparing whole-brain irradiation alone to radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy alone in patients irradiated for up to three brain metastases

Background

This matched-pair study was initiated to validate the results of a retrospective study of 186 patients published in 2007 that compared whole-brain irradiation (WBI) alone and radiosurgery (RS) alone for up to three brain metastases.

Methods

One-hundred-fifty-two patients receiving WBI alone for up to three brain metastases were matched with 152 patients treated with RS of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) alone 1:1 for each of eight factors (age, gender, Eastern Oncology Cooperative Group (ECOG)-performance score, nature of tumor, brain metastases number, extra-cerebral spread, period from cancer detection to irradiation of brain metastases, and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA)-class. Groups were analyzed regarding intracerebral control (IC) and overall survival (OS).

Results

On univariate analysis of IC, type of irradiation did not significantly affect outcomes (p = 0.84). On Cox regression, brain metastases number (p < 0.001), nature of tumor (p < 0.001) and period from cancer detection to irradiation of brain metastases (p = 0.013) were significantly associated with IC. On univariate analysis of OS, type of irradiation showed no significant association with outcomes (p = 0.63). On multivariate analyses, OS was significantly associated with ECOG performance score (p = 0.011), nature of tumor (p = 0.035), brain metastases number (p = 0.048), extra-cerebral spread (p = 0.002) and RPA-class (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In this matched-pair study, RS/FSRT alone was not superior to WBI alone regarding IC and OS. These results can be considered a revision of the findings from our retrospective previous study without matched-pair design, where RS alone resulted in significantly better IC than WBI alone on multivariate analysis.

A New Score for Estimating Survival After Definitive Radiochemotherapy of Limited Disease Small Cell Lung Cancers

INTRODUCTION

Most patients with limited disease small cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC) receive definitive radiochemotherapy. Some patients cannot withstand combined modality treatments. Patients with short life expectancies should receive less time-consuming programs. For patients with favorable prognoses, cure while avoiding late toxicity is important. Personalized treatment programs are required. An instrument to estimate the survival after radiochemotherapy of LD-SCLC was created.

METHODS

Seventy-one patients receiving definitive radiochemotherapy for LD-SCLC were retrospectively analyzed. Eight factors were evaluated for survival including gender, age, Karnofsky performance score, T-stage, N-stage, tumor substage, number of pack years, and pre-radiotherapy hemoglobin level. Factors that were significant (p < 0.05) or showed a trend (p ≤ 0.08) on multivariate analyses were incorporated in the score. Scoring points were derived from 2-year survival rates divided by 10 and added to scores for individual patients.

RESULTS

On multivariate analysis, gender (p = 0.03), performance score (p < 0.001), and pre-radiotherapy hemoglobin level (p = 0.04) were significant, and tumor substage showed a trend (p = 0.08). Taking into account the 2-year survival rates of these factors, scores for single patients ranged from 9 to 26 points. Three groups were identified: 9-13, 14-18, and 19-26 points. One-year survival rates were 8, 73, and 100 %, respectively (p < 0.001). Two-year survival rates were 0, 35, and 87 %, respectively (p < 0.001). The 3-year survival rates were 0, 19, and 75 %, respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This score including three groups with significantly different survival rates is a helpful instrument for personalization of therapy for patients with LD-SCLC. When using this instrument, the limitations if this study must be taken into account.

Differential role of angiogenesis and tumour cell proliferation in brain metastases according to primary tumour type: analysis of 639 cases

AIM

We aimed to characterize angiogenesis and proliferation and their correlation with clinical characteristics in a large brain metastasis (BM) series.

METHODS

Ki67 proliferation index, microvascular density (MVD) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) index were determined by immunohistochemistry in BM and primary tumour specimens.

RESULTS

Six hundred thirty-nine BM specimens of 639 patients with lung cancer (344/639; 53.8%), breast cancer (105/639; 16.4%), melanoma (67/639; 10.5%), renal cell carcinoma (RCC; 52/639; 8.1%) or colorectal cancer (CRC; 71/639; 11.1%) were available. Specimens of the corresponding primary tumour were available in 113/639 (17.7%) cases. Median Ki67 index was highest in CRC BM and lowest in RCC BM (P < 0.001). MVD and HIF-1 alpha index were both highest in RCC BM and lowest in melanoma BM (P < 0.001). Significantly higher Ki67 indices, MVD and HIF-1 alpha indices in the BM than in matched primary tumours were observed for breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and CRC. Correlation of tissue-based parameters with overall survival in individual tumour types showed a favourable and independent prognostic impact of low Ki67 index [hazard ratio (HR) 1.015; P < 0.001] in NSCLC BM and of low Ki67 index (HR 1.027; P = 0.008) and high angiogenic activity (HR 1.877; P = 0.002) in RCC.

CONCLUSION

Our data argue for differential pathobiological and clinical relevance of Ki67 index, HIF1-alpha index and MVD between primary tumour types in BM patients. An independent prognostic impact of tissue-based characteristics was observed in patients with BM from NSCLC and RCC, supporting the incorporation of these tissue-based parameters into diagnosis-specific prognostic scores.

A new tool predicting survival after radiosurgery alone for one or two cerebral metastases from lung cancer

Radiosurgery is frequently used for patients with few cerebral metastases. Decisions regarding personalized treatment should include the patient's survival prognosis. Prognostic tools should be available for estimating the remaining lifetime for each primary tumor and treatment. We designed such a tool for patients receiving radiosurgery alone for cerebral metastases from lung cancer. Ten variables were analyzed in 98 patients. On multivariate analysis, extra-cranial spread was significantly associated with worse survival (p < 0.001). A trend was observed for poorer performance status (p = 0.08) and greater diameter of cerebral lesions (p = 0.07). Points for the tool were derived from 12-month survival rates of these variables and added, resulting in sum scores of 10-16 points. Three groups were built, 10-12, 14-15, and 16 points with 12-month survival rates of 22, 52, and 79% (p < 0.001). This new tool enables physicians to estimate the survival of lung cancer patients with few cerebral metastases which should impact individualized treatment choices.