1
|
Werner RS, Rechsteiner M, Moch H, Curioni-Fontecedro A, Weller M, Weiss T, Regli L, Le Rhun E, Mairinger F, Opitz I, Soltermann A. Genetic profiles of oligometastatic non-small-cell lung cancer and corresponding brain metastases. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2024; 65:ezae217. [PMID: 38796684 PMCID: PMC11162753 DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezae217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In patients with oligometastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), systemic therapy in combination with local ablative treatment of the primary tumour and all metastatic sites is associated with improved prognosis. For patient selection and treatment allocation, further knowledge about the molecular characteristics of the oligometastatic state is necessary. Here, we performed a genetic characterization of primary NSCLC and corresponding brain metastases (BM). METHODS We retrospectively identified patients with oligometastatic NSCLC and synchronous (<3 months) or metachronous (>3 months) BM who underwent surgical resection of both primary tumour and BM. Mutation profiling of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour cell blocks was performed by targeted next-generation sequencing using the Oncomine Focus Assay panel. RESULTS Sequencing was successful in 46 paired samples. An oncogenic alteration was present in 31 primary tumours (67.4%) and 40 BM (86.9%). The alteration of the primary tumours was preserved in the corresponding BM in 29 out of 31 cases (93.5%). The most prevalent oncogenic driver in both primary tumours and BM was a KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene) mutation (s = 21). In 16 patients (34.8%), the BM harboured additional oncogenic alterations. The presence of a private genetic alteration in the BM was an independent predictor of shorter overall survival. CONCLUSIONS In oligometastatic NSCLC, BM retain the main genetic alterations of the primary tumours. Patients may profit from targeted inhibition of mutated KRAS. Additional private genetic alterations in the BM are dismal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raphael S Werner
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rechsteiner
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Holger Moch
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Weiss
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luca Regli
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emilie Le Rhun
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Mairinger
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Isabelle Opitz
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li S, Xu S, Li L, Xue Z, He L. Efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI combined with WBRT vs. WBRT alone in the treatment of brain metastases from NSCLC: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1362061. [PMID: 38737351 PMCID: PMC11085739 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1362061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The efficacy and safety of combining epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for treating brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer patients remains to be determined. Methods A systematic search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), aiming to identify relevant clinical studies on the treatment of brain metastases originating from non-small cell lung cancer through the combination of EGFR-TKI and WBRT. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing Stata 17.0 software, covering clinical studies published until March 1, 2023. Results This analysis incorporated 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving a total of 2,025 patients. Of these, 1,011 were allocated to the group receiving both EGFR-TKI and WBRT, while 1,014 were assigned to the WBRT alone group. The findings reveal that the combination of EGFR-TKI and WBRT significantly improves the intracranial objective remission rate (RR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.42-1.74, p < 0.001), increases the intracranial disease control rate (RR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.23-1.37, p < 0.001), and enhances the 1-year survival rate (RR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.26-1.73, p < 0.001). Additionally, this combined treatment was associated with a significant survival advantage (RR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.26-1.73, p < 0.001) and a reduced incidence of adverse effects (RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.51-0.83, p < 0.001), particularly with respect to nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37-0.81, p = 0.002) and myelosuppression (RR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.40-0.87, p = 0.008). However, no statistically significant differences were observed for diarrhea (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.82-1.62, p = 0.418), and skin rash (RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.88-2.07, p = 0.164). Conclusion In contrast to WBRT alone, the combination of EGFR-TKI and WBRT significantly improves intracranial response, enhancing the objective response rate, disease control rate, and 1-year survival rate in NSCLC patients with brain metastases. Moreover, aside from mild cases of rash and diarrhea, there is no statistically significant increase in the incidence of additional adverse effects. Based on the comprehensive evidence collected, the use of third-generation EGFR-TKI combined with WBRT is recommended as the preferred treatment for NSCLC patients with brain metastases, offering superior management of metastatic brain lesions. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#, CRD42023415566.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shumei Xu
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Luwei Li
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihong Xue
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College), Affiliated Fifth People’s Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lang He
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College), Affiliated Fifth People’s Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xu J, Wang P, Li Y, Shi X, Yin T, Yu J, Teng F. Development and validation of an MRI-Based nomogram to predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy for brain metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1373330. [PMID: 38686383 PMCID: PMC11057328 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1373330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The variability and unpredictability of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating brain metastases (BMs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main concern. We assessed the utility of novel imaging biomarkers (radiomics) for discerning patients with NSCLC and BMs who would derive advantages from ICIs treatment. Methods Data clinical outcomes and pretreatment magnetic resonance images (MRI) were collected on patients with NSCLC with BMs treated with ICIs between June 2019 and June 2022 and divided into training and test sets. Metastatic brain lesions were contoured using ITK-SNAP software, and 3748 radiomic features capturing both intra- and peritumoral texture patterns were extracted. A clinical radiomic nomogram (CRN) was built to evaluate intracranial progression-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The prognostic value of the CRN was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests. Results In the study, a total of 174 patients were included, and 122 and 52 were allocated to the training and validation sets correspondingly. The intratumoral radiomic signature, peritumoral radiomic signature, clinical signature, and CRN predicted intracranial objective response rate. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed a significantly longer intracranial progression-free survival in the low-CRN group than in the high-CRN group (p < 0.001). The CRN was also significantly associated with progression-free survival (p < 0.001) but not overall survival. Discussion Radiomics biomarkers from pretreatment MRI images were predictive of intracranial response. Pretreatment radiomics may allow the early prediction of benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Peiliang Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yikun Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaonan Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Tianwen Yin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Feifei Teng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Okuno T, Isobe T, Tsubata Y. Current pharmacologic treatment of brain metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Exp Metastasis 2024:10.1007/s10585-024-10276-4. [PMID: 38466521 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-024-10276-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that can metastasize to the lungs, brain, bones, liver, adrenal glands, and other organs; however, the occurrence of brain metastases is the most common event. Symptoms of brain metastasis include motor dysfunction, mental dysfunction, seizures, headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and significantly reduce the quality of life of cancer patients. Brain metastases are a poor prognostic factor, and controlling them is extremely important for prolonging prognosis and improving the quality of life. Currently, local surgery and radiotherapy are recommended for their treatment. However, recently, cancer treatments using molecular-targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been introduced, which may also be effective against brain metastases. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether local or systemic therapy is optimal for each case. In this review, we focus on recent findings regarding drug therapy in treating brain metastases from advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takae Okuno
- Division of Medical Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, 89-1, Enyacho, Izumo, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan
| | - Takeshi Isobe
- Division of Medical Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, 89-1, Enyacho, Izumo, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan
| | - Yukari Tsubata
- Division of Medical Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, 89-1, Enyacho, Izumo, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wen J, Yu JZ, Liu C, Ould Ismail AAO, Ma W. Exploring the Molecular Tumor Microenvironment and Translational Biomarkers in Brain Metastases of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2044. [PMID: 38396722 PMCID: PMC10889194 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases represent a significant clinical challenge in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), often leading to a severe decline in patient prognosis and survival. Recent advances in imaging and systemic treatments have increased the detection rates of brain metastases, yet clinical outcomes remain dismal due to the complexity of the metastatic tumor microenvironment (TME) and the lack of specific biomarkers for early detection and targeted therapy. The intricate interplay between NSCLC tumor cells and the surrounding TME in brain metastases is pivotal, influencing tumor progression, immune evasion, and response to therapy. This underscores the necessity for a deeper understanding of the molecular underpinnings of brain metastases, tumor microenvironment, and the identification of actionable biomarkers that can inform multimodal treatment approaches. The goal of this review is to synthesize current insights into the TME and elucidate molecular mechanisms in NSCLC brain metastases. Furthermore, we will explore the promising horizon of emerging biomarkers, both tissue- and liquid-based, that hold the potential to radically transform the treatment strategies and the enhancement of patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiexi Wen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Jie-Zeng Yu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Catherine Liu
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - A. Aziz O. Ould Ismail
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Weijie Ma
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mannam SS, Bray DP, Nwagwu CD, Zhong J, Shu HK, Eaton B, Sudmeier L, Goyal S, Deibert C, Nduom EK, Olson J, Hoang KB. Examining the Effect of ALK and EGFR Mutations on Survival Outcomes in Surgical Lung Brain Metastasis Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4773. [PMID: 37835467 PMCID: PMC10572022 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of the post-genomic era, where targeted oncological therapies like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are gaining prominence, this study investigates whether these therapies can enhance survival for lung carcinoma patients with specific genetic mutations-EGFR-amplified and ALK-rearranged mutations. Prior to this study, no research series had explored how these mutations influence patient survival in cases of surgical lung brain metastases (BMs). Through a multi-site retrospective analysis, the study examined patients who underwent surgical resection for BM arising from primary lung cancer at Emory University Hospital from January 2012 to May 2022. The mutational statuses were determined from brain tissue biopsies, and survival analyses were conducted. Results from 95 patients (average age: 65.8 ± 10.6) showed that while 6.3% had anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged mutations and 20.0% had epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-amplified mutations-with 9.5% receiving second-line therapies-these mutations did not significantly correlate with overall survival. Although the sample size of patients receiving targeted therapies was limited, the study highlighted improved overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared to earlier trials, suggesting advancements in systemic lung metastasis treatment. The study suggests that as more targeted therapies emerge, the prospects for increased overall survival and progression-free survival in lung brain metastasis patients will likely improve.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Sai Mannam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David P. Bray
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Chibueze D. Nwagwu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jim Zhong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA (H.-K.S.)
| | - Hui-Kuo Shu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA (H.-K.S.)
| | - Bree Eaton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA (H.-K.S.)
| | - Lisa Sudmeier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA (H.-K.S.)
| | - Subir Goyal
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Christopher Deibert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Edjah K. Nduom
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jeffrey Olson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kimberly B. Hoang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wei Y, Xu Y, Wang M. Immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023:00029330-990000000-00586. [PMID: 37106555 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Lung cancer has the highest risk of brain metastasis (BM) among all solid carcinomas. The emergence of BM has a significant impact on the selection of oncologic treatment for patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the most promising treatment option for patients without druggable mutations and have been shown to improve survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) BM in clinical trials with good safety. Moreover, ICI has shown certain effects in NSCLC BM, and the overall intracranial efficacy is comparable to extracranial efficacy. However, a proportion of patients showed discordant responses in primary and metastatic lesions, suggesting that multiple mechanisms may exist underlying ICI activity in BM. According to studies pertaining to tumor immune microenvironments, ICIs may be capable of provoking immunity in situ. Meanwhile, systematic immune cells activated by ICIs can migrate into the central nervous system and exert antitumor effects. This review summarizes the present evidence for ICI treatment efficacy in NSCLC BM and proposes the possible mechanisms of ICI treatment for NSCLC BMs based on existing evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Mengzhao Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alimonti P, Gonzalez Castro LN. The Current Landscape of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy for Primary and Metastatic Brain Tumors. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:antib12020027. [PMID: 37092448 PMCID: PMC10123751 DOI: 10.3390/antib12020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies against immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of multiple aggressive malignancies, including melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. ICIs for the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors have been used with varying degrees of success. Here, we discuss the available evidence for the use of ICIs in the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors, highlighting challenges and opportunities for furthering this type of cancer immunotherapy in neuro-oncology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Alimonti
- Department of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - L Nicolas Gonzalez Castro
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Combination toripalimab and bevacizumab for an elderly urothelial carcinoma patient with brain metastasis who failed rapidly after radiotherapy: a case report and literature review. Anticancer Drugs 2023; 34:317-324. [PMID: 36730918 PMCID: PMC9815806 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Brain metastasis is a rare refractory event in patients with urothelial carcinoma. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the recommended first-line standard therapy for all metastasis urothelial carcinoma patients eligible for cisplatin or carboplatin. Patients ineligible for platinum may receive immunotherapy. No clear evidence exists that UC with brain metastasis is sensitive to immunotherapy, and the optimal treatment for patients with BM is uncertain. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of combined immunotherapy and antivascular therapy in an elderly patient with urothelial carcinoma with brain metastasis, and summarize the currently available evidence. First, she underwent a left nephrectomy and left ureterectomy and recovered well postoperatively. The postoperative pathologic findings were consistent with urothelial carcinoma. Approximately 2 years later, the patient developed impaired limb movement on the right side and underwent MRI, which revealed lesions in the left frontal lobe and suggested brain metastasis. The brain metastasis responded to local radiotherapy but progressed again in a short time. Then, the patient was administered toripalimab at 240 mg combined with bevacizumab at 300 mg every 3 weeks. After 1cycle of treatment, the patient achieved a quick response, and symptoms improved significantly. Repeat evaluation imaging demonstrated that the lesions in the brain and lung were significantly smaller and evaluation showed partial response. The treatment was well tolerated and the patient remained in partial response until the last follow-up by July 2022, 6 months after the initiation of treatment. This case suggests that immune checkpoint blockade combined with antivascular therapy might be a new possibility for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma, including brain metastases.
Collapse
|
10
|
D’Aiello A, Miao E, Cheng H. Advances in the Management of Central Nervous System Metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030844. [PMID: 36765802 PMCID: PMC9913558 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are common among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While the presence of brain metastases has historically portended poor prognosis, recent advances in local and systemic therapies have greatly improved outcomes for NSCLC patients with CNS involvement. Stereotactic radiology surgery (SRS) has emerged as an effective radiotherapy technique with fewer toxicities compared to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Furthermore, multi-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with CNS overall response rates (ORR) of up to 70-80% are now an accepted first-line approach for a subset of advanced NSCLC patients with targetable molecular alterations. In addition, while the CNS was once considered an immunologic sanctuary site, growing evidence shows that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can induce durable responses in brain metastases as well. Ongoing efforts to optimize CNS metastases management are necessary to refine multimodal treatment approaches and develop new therapeutics with better CNS penetrance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelica D’Aiello
- Department of Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Emily Miao
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Haiying Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-718-430-2430
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Low JL, Lim SM, Lee JB, Cho BC, Soo RA. Advances in the management of non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359221146131. [PMID: 36756143 PMCID: PMC9899956 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221146131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is one of the key oncogenic mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer with adenocarcinoma histology. Exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R substitutions account for 90%, while EGFR exon 20 insertions constitute 4-10% of EGFR mutations and are the third most prevalent activating EGFR mutations. EGFR exon 20 insertions are associated with decreased sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and, until recently, effective targeted therapy against these tumours remained an unmet clinical need and chemotherapy was the only treatment of choice available. The approval of amivantamab and mobocertinib for patients who have progressed after chemotherapy represents an important step forward in the management of these patients. Here in this review, we summarize the epidemiology, structure and the tumour microenvironment of EGFR exon 20 insertion and also review the systemic treatments, including targeted therapies and ongoing clinical trials in EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, as well as detection methods for EGFR exon 20 insertion. Lastly, resistant mechanisms and future directions are addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li Low
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National
University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of
Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South
Korea
| | - Jii Bum Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of
Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South
Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of
Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South
Korea
| | - Ross A Soo
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National
University Cancer Institute, Level 7 NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road,
Singapore 119228, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Xie M, Su C. Microenvironment and the progress of immunotherapy in clinical practice of NSCLC brain metastasis. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1006284. [PMID: 36761422 PMCID: PMC9902941 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1006284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most frequent distant metastases of lung cancer occurs in the brain. The average natural survival duration for patients with lung cancer who have brain metastases is about 1 to 2 months. Knowledge about brain metastases is currently restricted since they are more difficult to acquire than other metastases. This review begins with an analysis of the immune microenvironment of brain metastases; focuses primarily on the functions of microglia, astrocytes, neurons, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the microenvironment of brain metastases; and offers an atlas of the immune microenvironment of brain metastases involving significant cells. In an effort to give researchers new research ideas, the study also briefly covers how immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases is currently faring.
Collapse
|
13
|
Chen P, Li Y, Liu R, Xie Y, Jin Y, Wang M, Yu Z, Wang W, Luo X. Non-small cell lung cancer-derived exosomes promote proliferation, phagocytosis, and secretion of microglia via exosomal microRNA in the metastatic microenvironment. Transl Oncol 2022; 27:101594. [PMID: 36463825 PMCID: PMC9719005 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common tumor that metastasizes to the brain. It is now accepted that the successful colonization and growth of tumor cells are determined by the interaction between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Microglia, brain innate immune cells, have been reported to play a vital role in the establishment of brain metastases. As essential mediators of intercellular communications, tumor-derived exosomes have an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer by transferring their cargos to specific recipient cells. The crosstalk between microglia and tumor-derived exosomes has been extensively described. However, it is still unclear whether metastatic NSCLC cells secret exosomes to microglia and regulate the microglial functions. Here, our results showed that microglia aggregated in the brain metastatic sites. Meanwhile, microglia could take up the exosomes derived from NSCLC cells, leading to alterations of microglial morphology and increased proliferation, phagocytosis, and release of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and CXCL1. Further investigation indicated that miR1246 was the most enriched microRNA in NSCLC-derived exosomes and mediated the partial effects of exosomes on microglia. Notably, miR1246 was also upregulated in the plasmatic exosomes of NSCLC patients. These results offer a new insight into the impact of NSCLC-derived exosomes on microglia and provide a new potential biomarker for diagnosing NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yu Jin
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Minghuan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhiyuan Yu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiang Luo
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China,Correspondence author.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Genomic Profiling Identifies Putative Pathogenic Alterations in NSCLC Brain Metastases. JTO Clin Res Rep 2022; 3:100435. [PMID: 36561283 PMCID: PMC9763853 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2022.100435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Brain metastases (BM) severely affect the prognosis and quality of life of patients with NSCLC. Recently, molecularly targeted agents were found to have promising activity against BM in patients with NSCLC whose primary tumors carry "druggable" mutations. Nevertheless, it remains critical to identify specific pathogenic alterations that drive NSCLC-BM and that can provide novel and more effective therapeutic targets. Methods To identify potentially targetable pathogenic alterations in NSCLC-BM, we profiled somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) in 51 matched pairs of primary NSCLC and BM samples from 33 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 18 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, we performed multiregion copy number profiling on 15 BM samples and whole-exome sequencing on 40 of 51 NSCLC-BM pairs. Results BM consistently had a higher burden of SCNAs compared with the matched primary tumors, and SCNAs were typically homogeneously distributed within BM, suggesting BM do not undergo extensive evolution once formed. By comparing focal SCNAs in matched NSCLC-BM pairs, we identified putative BM-driving alterations affecting multiple cancer genes, including several potentially targetable alterations in genes such as CDK12, DDR2, ERBB2, and NTRK1, which we validated in an independent cohort of 84 BM samples. Finally, we identified putative pathogenic alterations in multiple cancer genes, including genes involved in epigenome editing and 3D genome organization, such as EP300, CTCF, and STAG2, which we validated by targeted sequencing of an independent cohort of 115 BM samples. Conclusions Our study represents the most comprehensive genomic characterization of NSCLC-BM available to date, paving the way to functional studies aimed at assessing the potential of the identified pathogenic alterations as clinical biomarkers and targets.
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhu X, Dong S, Tang J, Xie R, Wu H, Hofman P, Mrugala MM, Hu S. Lung cancer with brain metastases remaining in continuous complete remission due to pembrolizumab and temozolomide: a case report. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:942. [PMID: 36172106 PMCID: PMC9511178 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-4208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy has been shown to improve the overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver gene mutations. However, monotherapy with immunotherapy alone or combined with chemotherapy in NSCLC patients with untreated brain metastases (BM) is still under debate. Data regarding treatment of BM with immunotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) in patients with NSCLC is rare. Case Presentation A 60-year-old male due to cough and expectoration presented in our hospital. Chest computed tomography (CT), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immunohistochemistry of a mediastinal lymph node biopsy were administered, he was diagnosed with stage IIIB lung adenocarcinoma. Without driver gene mutations, he was treated with platinum-based chemotherapy because he refused to accept concurrent radiation therapy (RT). Heavy cough companied with hemoptysis and chest CT scan both revealed progressive disease (PD) after 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Immunotherapy was consequently considered, while two metastatic lesions in the brain were confirmed after combined treatment of pembrolizumab with docetaxel. TMZ was administered in combination with pembrolizumab (200 mg, day 1). A new metastasis in the right occipital lobe was detected on a scan 1 month later, though the other 2 lesions continued to shrink. The treatment was continued, MRI and CT scans suggested complete response (CR) was achieved for both the BM and lung lesions after 3 cycles. Consolidation therapy with TMZ and pembrolizumab (100 mg) per month was considered for another 7 months. Maintenance monotherapy with pembrolizumab (100 mg) was selected because of his stable CR status. At 59 months since diagnosis, the patient remains alive, with CR for both the primary lesions and BM. The patient experienced slight numbness on each side of his feet. There was no occurrence of adverse effects greater than grade 3. Conclusions The data indicates that immunotherapy combined with TMZ for untreated BM in NSCLC patients maybe an efficient and safe decision making therapeutic choice. Despite the encouraging efficacy of the combination, it is an isolated case and the speculation of synergism need to be proved in further pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies even in large randomized controlled trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianmin Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuang Dong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rong Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huijing Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Paul Hofman
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, FHU OncoAge, Pasteur Hospital, BB-0033-00025, CHU Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Maciej M Mrugala
- Department of Neurology and Oncology, Comprehensive Neuro-Oncology Program, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Sheng Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Liu X, Wang X, Chai B, Wu Z, Gu Z, Zou H, Zhang H, Li Y, Sun Q, Fang W, Ma Z. miR-199a-3p/5p regulate tumorgenesis via targeting Rheb in non-small cell lung cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:4187-4202. [PMID: 35844793 PMCID: PMC9274486 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.70312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, in which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for 85% and has a low survival rate of 5 years. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) can participate in tumor regulation and many major diseases. In this study, we found that miR-199a-3p/5p were down-expressed in NSCLC tissue samples, cell lines, and the patient sample database. MiR-199a-3p/5p overexpression could significantly suppress cell proliferation, migration ability and promote apoptosis. Through software prediction, ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) was identified as a common target of miR-199a-3p and miR-199a-5p, which participated in regulating mTOR signaling pathway. The same effect of inhibiting NSCLC appeared after down-regulating the expression of Rheb. Furthermore, our findings revealed that miR-199a can significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, which fully demonstrates that miR-199a plays a tumor suppressive role in NSCLC. In addition, miR-199a-3p/5p has been shown to enhance the sensitivity of gefitinib to EGFR-T790M in NSCLC. Collectively, these results prove that miR-199a-3p/5p can act as cancer suppressor genes to inhibit the mTOR signaling pathway by targeting Rheb, which in turn inhibits the regulatory process of NSCLC. Thus, to investigate the anti-cancer effect of pre-miR-199a/Rheb/mTOR axis in NSCLC, miR-199a-3p and miR-199a-5p have the potential to become an early diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Liu
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xianyi Wang
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Binshu Chai
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zong Wu
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zhitao Gu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Cancer Institute, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Jiaotong University Medical School,Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Heng Zou
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yanli Li
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Qiangling Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Cancer Institute, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Jiaotong University Medical School,Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wentao Fang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Cancer Institute, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Jiaotong University Medical School,Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhongliang Ma
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gao X, Chen M, Liu X, Shi Y, Liang H, Zhou Q, Zhao J, Pan R, Zhong W, Xu Y, Wang M. Prognostic Factors and Survival Benefits of Antitumor Treatments for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Central Nervous System Metastasis With or Without Driver Genes: A Chinese Single-Center Cohort Study. Front Oncol 2022; 12:879554. [PMID: 35558520 PMCID: PMC9090435 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.879554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastasis is poor. The treatment for CNS metastasis could prolong the overall survival of NSCLC patients. We aimed to investigate the prognostic factors of Chinese NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis and the survival benefits of various treatments for CNS metastasis in NSCLC patients with or without driver genes. Methods Based on the CAPTRA-Lung database, NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis admitted at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2010 and October 2018 were enrolled in the study. The prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results Overall, 418 patients were enrolled in the study. A total of 206 patients (49.3%) had CNS metastasis with positive driver genes, while 97 patients (23.2%) had negative driver genes. The median survival time after CNS metastasis was 20.8 months. In the multivariable analysis, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≥2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.750, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.184-2.588, P=0.005), number of CNS metastases ≥5 (HR: 1.448, 95% CI: 1.084 -1.934, P=0.012), and CNS metastasis developed during treatment (HR: 1.619, 95% CI: 1.232-2.129, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for poor survival. Lung adenocarcinoma (HR: 0.490, 95% CI: 0.279-0.861, P=0.013) and driver gene positivity (HR: 0.464, 95% CI: 0.302-0.715, P=0.001) were independent predictors of prolonged survival. Radiotherapy for CNS metastasis showed a survival benefit in NSCLC patients in the entire groups (HR: 0.472, 95% CI: 0.360-0.619, P <0.001), and in patients with positive driver genes. Conclusion Performance status, number of CNS metastases, timing of CNS metastasis, histological subtype, and driver gene status are prognostic factors for NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis. Furthermore, radiotherapy improved the survival in NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxing Gao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Minjiang Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuequan Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongge Liang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ruili Pan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Mengzhao Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Alvarez-Breckenridge C, Remon J, Piña Y, Nieblas-Bedolla E, Forsyth P, Hendriks L, Brastianos PK. Emerging Systemic Treatment Perspectives on Brain Metastases: Moving Toward a Better Outlook for Patients. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2022; 42:1-19. [PMID: 35522917 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_352320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of brain metastases has historically been a dreaded, end-stage complication of systemic disease. Additionally, with the increasing effectiveness of systemic therapies that prolong life expectancy and improved imaging tools, the incidence of intracranial progression is becoming more common. Within this context, there has been increasing attention directed at understanding the molecular underpinnings of intracranial progression. Exploring the unique features of brain metastases compared with their extracranial counterparts to identify aberrant signaling pathways, which can be targeted pharmacologically, may help lead to new treatments for this patient population. Additionally, critical discoveries outside the sphere of the central nervous system are increasingly being applied to brain metastases with the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibition, becoming a prevalent treatment option for patients with brain metastases across multiple histologies. As novel treatment strategies are considered, they require thoughtful incorporation of agents that can cross the blood-brain barrier and can synergize with pre-existing agents through rational combinations. Lastly, as clinicians and scientists continue to understand key molecular features of these tumors, they will continue to influence the treatment algorithms that are developing for the management of these patients. Due to the complexity of treatment decisions for patients with brain metastases, an emerging tool is the utilization of multidisciplinary brain metastasis tumor boards to ensure optimal treatment decisions are made and that patients are provided access to applicable clinical trials. Looking to the future, the collective effort to understand the various tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic factors that promote central nervous system seeding and propagation will have the potential to change the clinical trajectory for these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordi Remon
- Department of Medical Oncology, HM CIOCC Barcelona (Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal), Hospital HM Delfos, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Piña
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | | | - Peter Forsyth
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Lizza Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases - GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Pierret T, Giaj-Levra N, Toffart AC, Alongi F, Moro-Sibilot D, Gobbini E. Immunotherapy in NSCLC Patients With Brain and Leptomeningeal Metastases. Front Oncol 2022; 12:787080. [PMID: 35494085 PMCID: PMC9039308 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.787080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has now been integrated as a treatment strategy for most patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the pivotal clinical trials that demonstrated its impressive efficacy often did not include patients with active, untreated brain metastases or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Nevertheless, NSCLC is the most common tumor to metastasize to the brain, and patients develop brain and meningeal involvement in approximately 40 and 10% of cases, respectively. Consequently, the appropriate care of these patients is a recurrent clinical concern. Although there are many aspects that would merit further investigation to explain the mechanism of intracranial response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPs), some data suggest that they are able to cross the blood–brain barrier, resulting in local tumor microenvironment modification. This results in a similar clinical benefit in patients with stable, previously treated brain metastases compared to the general population. Despite important limitations, some real-life studies have described that the ICPs’ efficacy was maintained also in less selected patients with untreated or symptomatic brain metastases. In contrast, few data are available about patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Nevertheless, neurological complications due to ICP treatment in patients with brain metastases have to be evaluated and carefully monitored. Despite the fact that limited data are available in the literature, the purpose of this review is to show that the multimodal treatment of these patients with brain metastases and/or leptomeningeal disease should be discussed during tracing of the history of the disease, participating in the local and possibly systemic control of NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pierret
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Grenoble University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | - Niccolò Giaj-Levra
- Department of Advanced Radiation Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Alongi
- Department of Advanced Radiation Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy.,University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Denis Moro-Sibilot
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Grenoble University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | - Elisa Gobbini
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Grenoble University Hospital, La Tronche, France.,Cancer Research Center Lyon, Center Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bjørnhart B, Hansen KH, Asmussen JT, Jørgensen TL, Herrstedt J, Schytte T. Effect and Tolerability of Immunotherapy in Patients with NSCLC with or without Brain Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071682. [PMID: 35406453 PMCID: PMC8997168 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sparse data exist on immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in NSCLC patients with brain metastasis (BM), especially for those with no local therapy (LT) (whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), stereotactic RT (SRT) or neurosurgery) preceding ICI. Our aims were to investigate the prevalence of BM, rate of intracranial response (ICR), and survival and quality of life (QoL) in real-life patients with advanced NSCLC undergoing palliative ICI. This was a prospective non-randomized study (NCT03870464) with magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (MR-C) performed at baseline resulting in a clinical decision to administer LT or not. ICR evaluation (MR-C) at week 8–9 (mRECIST criteria) for group A (LT) and group B (untreated) was assessed. Change in QoL was assessed using EQ-5D-5L. Of 159 included patients, 45 (28%) had baseline BM. Median follow-up was 23.2 months (IQR 16.4–30.2). Of patients in group A (21) and B (16), 16/37 (43%) had symptomatic BM. ICR was 8/21, 38% (complete or partial response) for group A versus 8/16, 50% for group B. No statistical difference in median overall survival of patients with BM (group A: 12.3 (5.2-NR), group B: 20.5 months (4.9-NR)) and without (22.4 months (95% 16.2–26.3)) was obtained. Baseline QoL was comparable regardless of BM, but an improved QoL (at week 9) was found in those without BM. Patients with NSCLC and BM receiving ICI had long-term survival comparable to those without BM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Bjørnhart
- The Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (K.H.H.); (T.S.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløvs Vej 19,3, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløws Vej 9a, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- The Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (T.L.J.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Karin Holmskov Hansen
- The Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (K.H.H.); (T.S.)
- OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløws Vej 9a, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jon Thor Asmussen
- The Department of Radiology, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløwsvej 4, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Trine Lembrecht Jørgensen
- The Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (T.L.J.); (J.H.)
| | - Jørn Herrstedt
- The Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (T.L.J.); (J.H.)
- The Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Sygehusvej 10, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Tine Schytte
- The Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (K.H.H.); (T.S.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløvs Vej 19,3, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- The Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (T.L.J.); (J.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Efficacy of Pembrolizumab Monotherapy in Patients With or Without Brain Metastases From Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With a PD-L1 Expression ≥50%. J Immunother 2021; 43:299-306. [PMID: 32991393 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The authors conducted a multicenter retrospective study on the outcome of programmed death-ligand 1 tumor proportion score≥50% advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with first-line pembrolizumab according to the presence/absence of brain metastases. A total of 282 patients were included, of whom 56 had brain metastases that were treated with upfront local radiation therapy in 80.3% of cases. The overall response rate was 39.2% and 44.4% in patients with and without brain metastases (P=0.48), respectively, while intracranial response rate and intracranial disease control rate were 67.5% and 85.0%, respectively. The median time-to-treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) were 4.2 and 9.9 months versus 10.8 and 26.5 months for patients with and without brain metastases (P=0.06 and 0.05, respectively). Drug discontinuation rate due to treatment-related adverse events was 10.7% and 10.2% in patients with and without brain metastases, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline steroids was an independent predictor for a worse OS (P<0.001), while performance status (PS)≥2 was an independent predictor for a poorer TTF (P<0.001) and OS (P<0.001). In patients with brain metastases, only PS ≥2 was predicted for a worse TTF (P=0.02) and OS (P=0.03). Pembrolizumab has activity against brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancers with programmed death-ligand 1≥50%. Presence of brain metastases per se does not appear to be prognostic, and PS ≥2 seems to be the only factor associated with a worse outcome in patients with brain metastases.
Collapse
|
22
|
Pathak R, Amini A, Hill A, Massarelli E, Salgia R. Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases: Clinical Challenges and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3407. [PMID: 34298620 PMCID: PMC8303291 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment landscape for patients with non-small cell lung cancers. Existing treatment paradigms for brain metastases in lung cancer patients leave patients with adverse neurocognitive function, poor quality of life, and dismal prognosis, thus highlighting the need to develop more effective systemic therapies. Although data are limited, emerging knowledge suggests promising activity and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer patients. This review aims to summarize the current data, highlight the challenges of incorporating immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating these patients, and identify areas for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranjan Pathak
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.H.); (E.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Arya Amini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Addie Hill
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.H.); (E.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Erminia Massarelli
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.H.); (E.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.H.); (E.M.); (R.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sudmeier L, Tian S, Higgins KA. Multidisciplinary Management of Brain Metastases from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Era of Immunotherapy. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:77. [PMID: 34213649 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00871-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer often cause neurologic symptoms which lead to initial diagnosis or identification of recurrence. In other patients, they are identified on surveillance imaging or when a patient undergoing treatment develops neurological symptoms. Patients with symptomatic lesions should be started on dexamethasone and evaluated by a neurosurgeon as soon as possible. If feasible, surgery should be offered to decrease intracranial pressure, alleviate symptoms, and prevent irreversible neurological damage. Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to the resection cavity and any additional brain metastases should follow within 4 weeks of surgery, as early as 2 weeks post-op. Tissue from surgery is used to confirm the diagnosis and test for targetable oncogenic driver mutations. Treatment response and surveillance for development of additional lesions is assessed with MRI of the brain 1 month after SRS and every 3 months thereafter. Patients who are not surgical candidates or who have small, asymptomatic brain metastases should proceed with SRS, the preferred treatment, or sometimes whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) if multifocal disease requires more extensive treatment, such as for leptomeningeal spread of disease. The number of brain metastases that warrants use of WBRT over SRS is controversial and a topic of ongoing investigation, and is discussed in this review. When possible, SRS is preferred over WBRT due to reduce morbidity and cognitive side effects. When patients are already on systemic therapy at time of brain metastases diagnosis, systemic therapy should continue, with radiation therapy occurring between cycles. Regarding systemic therapy for new diagnosis at time of brain metastases presentation, molecular testing will guide treatment choice, when available. If there is no neurosurgical intervention, biopsy of another site of disease may provide tissue for molecular testing. If there are no targetable oncogenic driver mutations, concurrent immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and chemotherapy is preferable for patients who can tolerate it. Single-agent ICB is an alternative option for patients who cannot tolerate chemotherapy. Systemic therapy should start as soon as possible. In some patients with poor performance status, best supportive care may be the most appropriate choice. Treatment decisions should always incorporate patients' goals of care and in many cases should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sudmeier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Sibo Tian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Kristin A Higgins
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang L, Yao J, Wei Y, Zhou Z, Li P, Qu J, Badu-Nkansah A, Yuan X, Huang YW, Fukumura K, Mao X, Chang WC, Saunus J, Lakhani S, Huse JT, Hung MC, Yu D. Blocking immunosuppressive neutrophils deters pY696-EZH2-driven brain metastases. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/545/eaaz5387. [PMID: 32461334 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz5387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The functions of immune cells in brain metastases are unclear because the brain has traditionally been considered "immune privileged." However, we found that a subgroup of immunosuppressive neutrophils is recruited into the brain, enabling brain metastasis development. In brain metastatic cells, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is highly expressed and phosphorylated at tyrosine-696 (pY696)-EZH2 by nuclear-localized Src tyrosine kinase. Phosphorylation of EZH2 at Y696 changes its binding preference from histone H3 to RNA polymerase II, which consequently switches EZH2's function from a methyltransferase to a transcription factor that increases c-JUN expression. c-Jun up-regulates protumorigenic inflammatory cytokines, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which recruits Arg1+- and PD-L1+ immunosuppressive neutrophils into the brain to drive metastasis outgrowth. G-CSF-blocking antibodies or immune checkpoint blockade therapies combined with Src inhibitors impeded brain metastasis in multiple mouse models. These findings indicate that pY696-EZH2 can function as a methyltransferase-independent transcription factor to facilitate the brain infiltration of immunosuppressive neutrophils, which could be clinically targeted for brain metastasis treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongkun Wei
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhifen Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jingkun Qu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Akosua Badu-Nkansah
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiangliang Yuan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Kazutaka Fukumura
- Department of Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xizeng Mao
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei-Chao Chang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Jodi Saunus
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sunil Lakhani
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Pathology Queensland, The Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Jason T Huse
- Department of Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Dihua Yu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. .,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Yang Z, Zhang Y, Li R, Yisikandaer A, Ren B, Sun J, Li J, Chen L, Zhao R, Zhang J, Xia X, Liao Z, Carbone DP. Whole-brain radiotherapy with and without concurrent erlotinib in NSCLC with brain metastases: a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled phase III trial. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:967-978. [PMID: 33331923 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Erlotinib combined with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) demonstrated a favorable objective response rate in a phase II single-arm trial of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases. We assessed whether concurrent erlotinib with WBRT is safe and benefits patients in a phase III, randomized trial. METHODS NSCLC patients with two or more brain metastases were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to WBRT (n = 115) or WBRT combined with erlotinib arms (n = 109). The primary endpoint was intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS) and cognitive function (CF) was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS A total of 224 patients from 10 centers across China were randomized to treatments. Median follow-up was 11.2 months. Median iPFS for WBRT concurrent erlotinib was 11.2 months vs 9.2 months for WBRT-alone (P = .601). Median PFS and overall survival (OS) of combination group were 5.3 vs 4.0 months (P = .825) and 12.9 vs 10.0 months (P = .545), respectively, compared with WBRT-alone. In EGFR-mutant patients, iPFS (14.6 vs 12.8 months; P = .164), PFS (8.8 vs 6.4 months; P = .702), and OS (17.5 vs 16.9 months; P = .221) were not significantly improved in combination group over WBRT-alone. Moreover, there were no significant differences in patients experiencing MMSE score change between the treatments. CONCLUSION Concurrent erlotinib with WBRT didn't improve iPFS and excessive CF detriment either in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population or in EGFR-mutant patients compared with WBRT-alone, suggesting that while safe for patients already taking the drug, there is no justification for adding concurrent EGFR-TKI with WBRT for the treatment of brain metastases. Trial registration: Clinical trials.gov identifier: NCT01887795.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhou Yang
- Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Cancer Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rongqing Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Abulimiti Yisikandaer
- Department of Radiotherapy of the Chest and Abdomen, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Biyong Ren
- Institute for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Chongqing Sanxia Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianguo Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- Department of Oncology, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ren Zhao
- Department of Radiotherapy, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Juying Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuefeng Xia
- GenePlus-Beijing Institute, Peking University Medical Industrial Park, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongxing Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David P Carbone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lee K, Choi YJ, Kim JS, Kim DS, Lee SY, Shin BK, Kang EJ. Association between PD-L1 expression and initial brain metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and its clinical implications. Thorac Cancer 2021; 12:2143-2150. [PMID: 34121347 PMCID: PMC8327696 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain metastases frequently occur in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resulting in a poor prognosis. Here, we investigated the association between PD‐L1 expression and brain metastasis in patients with NSCLC and its clinical significance. Methods A total of 270 patients diagnosed with metastatic NSCLC who underwent PD‐L1 testing on their tumor tissue between January 2017 and March 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The VENTANA PD‐L1 (SP263) assay was used, and positive PD‐L1 expression was defined as staining in ≥1% of tumor cells. Results Positive PD‐L1 expression was observed in 181 (67.0%) patients, and 74 (27.4%) patients had brain metastasis at diagnosis. Synchronous brain metastases were more frequently observed in PD‐L1‐positive compared with PD‐L1‐negative patients (31.5% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.045). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified positive PD‐L1 expression (odds ratio [OR]: 2.24, p = 0.012) as an independent factor associated with synchronous brain metastasis, along with the histological subtype of nonsquamous cell carcinoma (OR: 2.84, p = 0.003). However, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) progression was not associated with PD‐L1 positivity, with a two‐year cumulative CNS progression rate of 26.3% and 28.4% in PD‐L1‐positive and PD‐L1‐negative patients, respectively (log rank p = 0.944). Furthermore, positive PD‐L1 expression did not affect CNS progression or overall survival in patients with synchronous brain metastasis (long rank p = 0.513 and 0.592, respectively). Conclusions Initial brain metastases are common in NSCLC patients with positive PD‐L1 expression. Further studies are necessary to understand the relationship between early brain metastasis and cancer immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungmin Lee
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon J Choi
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung S Kim
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dae S Kim
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Y Lee
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bong K Shin
- Department of Pathology, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun J Kang
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hendriks LEL, Remon J, Menis J, Besse B. Is there any opportunity for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases? Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:2868-2875. [PMID: 34295685 PMCID: PMC8264345 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Although brain metastases occur in almost one-third of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) either as monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy are the new standard of care in the first line setting, most trials excluded patients with asymptomatic and/or untreated brain metastases. Brain metastases have a major clinical impact due to the worsening of the patient's prognosis and quality of life. Furthermore, the incidence of brain metastases is increasing in NSCLC patients, due to a longer survival and better imaging techniques. Therefore, brain metastases are increasingly becoming a research topic. Recent clinical data endorses ICI as a therapeutic strategy in this subpopulation of NSCLC patients, although the immune environment in brain metastases is more immune ignorant compared with the microenvironment in the primary tumour or in the extracranial metastases. In this review we summarize the current evidence of ICI strategy in NSCLC patients with brain metastases, including trial and real-life data. We also state that the different tumor microenvironment between brain metastases and primary tumor may explain the discordance on the response rate during treatment with ICI. Last, we focus on future directions, including the role and optimal sequence of cranial irradiation and ICI, prognostic scores, the best response assessment and new imaging techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lizza E L Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi Remon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal (HM CIOCC), Hospital HM Delfos, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jessica Menis
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Medical Oncology Department, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique (IOT), Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Paris-Sud University, Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Cuppens K, Lodewyckx L, Demedts I, Decoster L, Colinet B, Deschepper K, Janssens A, Galdermans D, Pieters T. Real-World Treatment Patterns, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Testing and Outcomes in EGFR-Mutated Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Belgium: Results from the REVEAL Study. Drugs Real World Outcomes 2021; 8:141-152. [PMID: 33710523 PMCID: PMC8128953 DOI: 10.1007/s40801-021-00243-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to evolve expeditiously. OBJECTIVES This retrospective study investigated real-world treatment patterns and EGFR mutation testing in patients with EGFRm advanced NSCLC in Belgium. METHODS Data were extracted from medical records of adults diagnosed with EGFRm locally advanced/metastatic NSCLC between 1 September 2015 and 31 December 2017. Patients were followed retrospectively from diagnosis until 1 September 2018, end of clinical activity or death. Data on demographics, patient outcomes and disease characteristics, treatment patterns and EGFR mutation testing at diagnosis and progression were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS A total of 141 patients were enrolled. At diagnosis, median age was 69 years, 63.1% were female, 88.7% had metastatic disease, 94.3% had adenocarcinoma histology, 76.6% had ECOG 0/1, 70.9% had common EGFR mutations and 29.1% had only rare mutations. In first line, 73.8% of patients received first/second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (1G/2G EGFR-TKIs), while 21.9% received other systemic treatments. Among 61 patients progressing on and discontinuing a first 1G/2G EGFR-TKI, 45 (73.8%) received subsequent systemic treatment while 16 (26.2%) did not; 20 (32.8%) received osimertinib. Among 65 patients progressing on a first 1G/2G EGFR-TKI, 47 (72.3%) were tested for T790M, of whom 25 (53.2%) were positive. CONCLUSION These real-world data from Belgium show that a substantial fraction of patients with EGFRm NSCLC do not receive 1G/2G EGFR-TKIs in first line and do not receive subsequent systemic treatment after progression on 1G/2G EGFR-TKIs. Only a third receive osimertinib upon progression on 1G/2G EGFR-TKIs. These observations should be considered in first-line treatment decisions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03761901-December 3, 2018.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Cuppens
- Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | | | - Ingel Demedts
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, AZ Delta, Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Lore Decoster
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncologisch Centrum, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, BrusselJette, UZ, Belgium
| | - Benoît Colinet
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, Grand Hôpital de Charleroi, Notre Dame, Charleroi, Belgium
| | | | - Annelies Janssens
- Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | | | - Thierry Pieters
- Department of Pulmonology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sheng L, Gao J, Xu Q, Zhang X, Huang M, Dai X, Li S, Liu L. Selection of optimal first-line immuno-related therapy based on specific pathological characteristics for patients with advanced driver-gene wild-type non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:17588359211018537. [PMID: 34104227 PMCID: PMC8165528 DOI: 10.1177/17588359211018537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved survival for advanced wild-type non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a lack of direct comparisons of various first-line treatments is clouding clinical decision-making. A network meta-analysis was conducted to compare current first-line treatments and identify the optimal regimen for patients with specific characteristics. Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials databases were searched from inception to 31 July 2020. Phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing first-line treatments including chemotherapy, anti-angiogenesis, ICIs, and their combinations for previously untreated stage IIIB/IV or recurrent driver-gene wild-type NSCLC patients were included. Results Twenty-six RCTs were identified and included, involving 16,977 patients and a total of 18 regimens. ICI-containing treatments led to significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) compared with ICI-free treatments (0.82, 0.72-0.93). ICI plus chemotherapy had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS; 0.70, 0.58-0.86) and marginally longer OS (0.90, 0.79-1.05) compared with ICIs alone. Ranking highest in the Bayesian network meta-analysis, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy, nivolumab plus ipilimumab and chemotherapy, had significantly superior OS than standard chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab treatments. Pembrolizumab-chemotherapy ranked first for OS, 1-year OS rate, and subgroups of non-squamous, PD-L1 ⩾1%, non-smoking, and liver metastasis; while nivolumab-ipilimumab-chemotherapy for squamous, PD-L1 <1%, brain metastasis NSCLC. Furthermore, the ICI-containing bevacizumab-free treatments, such as pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy, nivolumab and ipilimumab with or without chemotherapy, were not significantly different from atezolizumab plus chemotherapy and bevacizumab in OS. Conclusions A combination of ICIs with chemotherapy, rather than double ICIs, is the best first-line treatment for advanced wild-type NSCLC, with synergy that leads to better long-term survival. The panoramic view of the relative efficacy of any two regimens with different rankings provides strong evidence for selecting optimal first-line ICIs according to patients' clinical characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sheng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Miao Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Song Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lian Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Galili Y, El-Far A, Tseng J, Carlan S. Role of immunotherapy in oligometastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer. BMJ Case Rep 2021; 14:14/5/e241070. [PMID: 33972298 PMCID: PMC8112438 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-241070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The approach to metastatic lung cancer has long been focused on palliation therapy and comfort care. Recently, significant subsets of patients who suffer from a limited form of the disease have shown curative outcomes. The oligometastatic disease theory was first introduced in 1995, and since has been applied to many solid tumours. In oligometastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer, current treatment strategies include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. There is evidence of astounding survival benefits in selected patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We present three cases with oligometastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and describe the outcomes. Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab appears to be an effective adjunctive treatment with low toxicity in oligometastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yehuda Galili
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Orlando Health Corp, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Ahmad El-Far
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, UF Health Cancer Center-Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Jennifer Tseng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Orlando Health Corp, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Steve Carlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orlando Health Corp, Orlando, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Teixeira Loiola de Alencar V, Guedes Camandaroba MP, Pirolli R, Fogassa CAZ, Cordeiro de Lima VC. Immunotherapy as Single Treatment for Patients With NSCLC With Brain Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis-the META-L-BRAIN Study. J Thorac Oncol 2021; 16:1379-1391. [PMID: 33964398 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brain metastases (BMs) occur in 40% of patients with lung cancer. The activity of immunotherapy in these patients, however, remains controversial, as the cornerstone treatment is radiotherapy (RT). Because RT is associated with adverse events that may impair the quality of life, the possibility of substituting it with a single systemic approach is attractive. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with NSCLC with untreated BM (unBM). METHODS Studies that enrolled patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs and specifically allowed for unBM were identified by searching the EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane, and other databases. The outcomes evaluated were intracerebral overall response rate (icORR) and intracerebral disease control rate (icDCR) for unBM, and grades 3 and 4 toxicity rate. RESULTS We included 12 studies with a total of 566 individuals in the final analysis. Anti-programmed cell death protein-1 therapy seems to be active in the central nervous system, with an icORR of 16.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.8%-24%; I2 = 33.17%) and an icDCR of 45% (95% CI: 33.4%-56.9%; I2 = 46.91%). In the meta-analysis for icORR (risk ratio = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.57-2.79) and icDCR (risk ratio = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.55-1.43) we did not observe any difference among patients with BM who were treated with RT before ICI start and those who were treated with ICI only. CONCLUSIONS ICI seems to be effective as a single treatment for active BM in selected patients with advanced NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rafaela Pirolli
- Clinical Oncology Department, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Suwinski R. Combination of immunotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Dis 2021; 13:3315-3322. [PMID: 34164224 PMCID: PMC8182508 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-2019-rbmlc-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
It was commonly assumed in the past that blood-brain barrier could efficiently prohibit penetration of large peptide molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, including programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. This belief has been recently revised by studies that demonstrate the presence of functional lymphatic vessels lining the dural sinuses. Furthermore, the activated circulating T cells have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. Such observations created strong rationale for attempts of immunotherapy for patients with brain metastases, used either alone or in combination with radiotherapy. The expected benefit from immunotherapy particularly refers to patients without targetable “driver” mutations who are not considered as candidates for novel targeted therapies. Current inference on efficacy and safety of combination of immunotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) origins, in most, from the retrospective studies. The existing data suggest that use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with brain radiotherapy improves patients outcome, compared to brain radiotherapy alone. The available data also suggest that concurrent use of ICI and stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) for brain metastases from NSCLC is tolerable and appears more effective than sequential combination of radiotherapy and ICI. Use of steroids appeared detrimental. Since a dependence between the risk of adverse events and type of ICI therapy as well as tumor pathology was found, further studies are required to establish optimal dosage, selection of drugs and sequence of ICI and brain radiotherapy in patients with brain metastases from NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Suwinski
- Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Clinic and Teaching Hospital, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pembrolizumab as First-Line Palliative Therapy in PD-L1 Overexpressing (≥ 50%) NSCLC: Real-world Results with Special Focus on PS ≥ 2, Brain Metastases, and Steroids. Clin Lung Cancer 2021; 22:411-422. [PMID: 33648877 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pembrolizumab is a highly effective standard of care in PD-L1 overexpressing (≥ 50%) non-small-cell lung cancer. However, a substantial share of patients from everyday clinical practice is treated without clear evidence from clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective multicentric study including all consecutive patients from 6 certified lung cancer centers in Berlin, Germany, having received pembrolizumab as first-line palliative therapy from January 1 until December 31, 2017. Aims were to validate published clinical trials with a special focus on efficacy and outcome in patients with reduced performance status (PS), brain metastases, and steroids. RESULTS A total of 153 patients were included (median age 69 years, 58% men, 69% adenocarcinoma). Rates for PS ≥ 2, brain metastases, and steroids were 24.8%, 20.9%, and 24.2%, respectively. Median objective response rate, progression-free and overall survival were 48.5%, 8.2 and 22.0 months for all patients and 52.4%, 8.8 and 29.2 months in patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the KEYNOTE-024 trial. Patients with a comorbidity-defined PS ≥ 2, symptomatic brain metastases requiring upfront radiotherapy, or baseline steroids had significantly reduced survival. In contrast, durable responses occurred with a tumor-related PS ≥ 2 or asymptomatic brain metastases. Grade 3/4 and 5 immune-related adverse events affected 13.7% and 2.0% of patients. CONCLUSION Real-world and clinical trial efficacy with upfront pembrolizumab correspond well. Pembrolizumab may sufficiently control asymptomatic brain metastases and may improve a cancer-related reduced PS. However, the frail share of patients with a comorbidity-defined PS ≥ 2, symptomatic brain metastases, or baseline steroids derives no relevant benefit.
Collapse
|
34
|
Recondo G, Mezquita L. Clinical efficacy, predictive biomarkers and response patterns of immunotherapy combinations for patients with cancer. Future Oncol 2020; 16:1659-1664. [PMID: 32783513 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Recondo
- Thoracic Unit, Medical Oncology, Center for Medical Education & Clinical Research (CEMIC), C1431FWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Mezquita
- Thoracic Unit, Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wei CJ, Gu SC, Ren JY, Gu YH, Xu XW, Chou X, Lian X, Huang X, Li HZ, Gao YS, Gu B, Zan T, Wang ZC, Li QF. The impact of host immune cells on the development of neurofibromatosis type 1: The abnormal immune system provides an immune microenvironment for tumorigenesis. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 1:vdz037. [PMID: 32642666 PMCID: PMC7212924 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdz037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe immune system plays an essential role in the development of tumors, which has been demonstrated in multiple types of cancers. Consistent with this, immunotherapies with targets that disrupt these mechanisms and turn the immune system against developing cancers have been proven effective. In neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, the understanding of the complex interactions of the immune system is incomplete despite the discovery of the pivotal role of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Individuals with NF1 show a loss of the NF1 gene in nonneoplastic cells, including immune cells, and the aberrant immune system exhibits intriguing interactions with NF1. This review aims to provide an update on recent studies showing the bilateral influences of NF1 mutations on immune cells and how the abnormal immune system promotes the development of NF1 and NF1-related tumors. We then discuss the immune receptors major histocompatibility complex class I and II and the PD-L1 mechanism that shield NF1 from immunosurveillance and enable the immune escape of tumor tissues. Clarification of the latest understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of the abnormal immune system on promoting the development of NF1 will indicate potential future directions for further studies and new immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Jiang Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shu-Chen Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie-Yi Ren
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi-Hui Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Wen Xu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Chou
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang Lian
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Zhou Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ya-Shan Gao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Zan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Chao Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Corresponding Authors: Zhichao Wang, MD, MPH and Qing-Feng Li, MD, PhD, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, People’s Republic of China (; )
| | - Qing-Feng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Corresponding Authors: Zhichao Wang, MD, MPH and Qing-Feng Li, MD, PhD, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, People’s Republic of China (; )
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Vilariño N, Bruna J, Bosch-Barrera J, Valiente M, Nadal E. Immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with brain metastases. Understanding brain tumor microenvironment and dissecting outcomes from immune checkpoint blockade in the clinic. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 89:102067. [PMID: 32682248 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases are frequent complications in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) associated with significant morbidity and poor prognosis. Our goal is to give a global overlook on clinical efficacy from immune checkpoint inhibitors in this setting and to review the role of biomarkers and molecular interactions in brain metastases from patients with NSCLC. METHODS We reviewed clinical trials reporting clinical outcomes of patients with NSCLC with brain metastases as well as publications assessing the tumor microenvironment and the complex molecular interactions of tumor cells with immune and resident cells in brain metastases from NSCLC biopsies or preclinical models. RESULTS Although limited data are available on immunotherapy in patients with brain metastases, immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with chemotherapy have shown promising intracranial efficacy and safety results. The underlying mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the brain niche and their influence on tumor microenvironment are still not known. Lower PD-L1 expression and less T CD8+ infiltration were found in brain metastases compared with matched NSCLC primary tumors, suggesting an immunosuppressive microenvironment in the brain. Reactive astrocytes and tumor associated macrophages are paramount in NSCLC brain metastases and play a role in promoting tumor progression and immune evasion. CONCLUSIONS Discordances in the immune profile between primary tumours and brain metastases underscore differences in the tumour microenvironment and immune system interactions within the lung and brain niche. The characterization of immune phenotype of brain metastases and dissecting the interplay among immune cells and resident stromal cells along with cancer cells is crucial to unravel effective immunotherapeutic approaches in patients with NSCLC and brain metastases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Vilariño
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Clinical Research in Solid Tumors (CReST) Group, Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer (Oncobell). IDIBELL, Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - J Bruna
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital-ICO (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - J Bosch-Barrera
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Doctor Josep Trueta University Hospital, Avinguda França-Sant Ponç, 0, 17007 Girona, Spain.
| | - M Valiente
- Brain Metastases Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Calle Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - E Nadal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Clinical Research in Solid Tumors (CReST) Group, Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer (Oncobell). IDIBELL, Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Min S, Wang X, Du Q, Gong H, Yang Y, Wang T, Wu N, Liu X, Li W, Zhao C, Shen Y, Chen Y, Wang X. Chetomin, a Hsp90/HIF1α pathway inhibitor, effectively targets lung cancer stem cells and non-stem cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2020; 21:698-708. [PMID: 32489150 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2020.1763147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains recalcitrant to effective treatment due to tumor relapse and acquired resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be one mechanism for relapse and resistance and are consequently considered promising drug targets. We report that chetomin, an active component of Chaetomium globosum, blocks heat shock protein 90/hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hsp90/HIF1α) pathway activity. Chetomin also attenuated sphere-forming, a stem cell-like characteristic, of NSCLC CSCs (at ~ nM range) and the proliferation of non-CSCs NSCLC cultures and chemoresistant sublines (at ~ μM range). At these concentrations, chetomin exerted a marginal influence on noncancerous cells originating from several organs. Chetomin markedly decreased in vivo tumor formation in a spontaneous Kras LA1 lung cancer model, flank xenograft models, and a tumor propagation flank implanted model at doses that did not produce an observable toxicity to the animals. Chetomin blocked Hsp90/HIF1α pathway activity via inhibiting the Hsp90-HIF1α binding interaction without affecting Hsp90 or Hsp70 protein levels. This study advocates chetomin as a Hsp90/HIF1α pathway inhibitor and a potent, nontoxic NSCLC CSC-targeting molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengping Min
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaoxu Wang
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qianyu Du
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Huiyuan Gong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xincheng Liu
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wei Li
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chengling Zhao
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuanbing Shen
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuqing Chen
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Henon C, Remon J, Hendriks LE. Combination treatments with immunotherapy in brain metastases patients. Future Oncol 2020; 16:1691-1705. [PMID: 32412817 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of many advanced cancers. However, in most pivotal trials, patients with brain metastases (BM) were either excluded, or only selected patients were allowed. Therefore, there are still some concerns about the safety/efficacy ratio of ICI in patients with BM. In this special report we will provide an overview on the biological rationale for using ICI in the treatment of BM, the reported BM-related outcomes of clinical trials with a focus on ICI plus chemotherapy and ICI plus ICI combinations. Last, we will provide future challenges with this strategy, as well as directions for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clemence Henon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique (IOT), Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Jordi Remon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal (HM CIOCC), Hospital HM Delfos, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lizza El Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, GROW - School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
You H, Baluszek S, Kaminska B. Supportive roles of brain macrophages in CNS metastases and assessment of new approaches targeting their functions. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:2949-2964. [PMID: 32194848 PMCID: PMC7053204 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastases to the central nervous system (CNS) occur frequently in adults and their frequency increases with the prolonged survival of cancer patients. Patients with CNS metastases have short survival, and modern therapeutics, while effective for extra-cranial cancers, do not reduce metastatic burden. Tumor cells attract and reprogram stromal cells, including tumor-associated macrophages that support cancer growth by promoting tissue remodeling, invasion, immunosuppression and metastasis. Specific roles of brain resident and infiltrating macrophages in creating a pre-metastatic niche for CNS invading cancer cells are less known. There are populations of CNS resident innate immune cells such as: parenchymal microglia and non-parenchymal, CNS border-associated macrophages that colonize CNS in early development and sustain its homeostasis. In this study we summarize available data on potential roles of different brain macrophages in most common brain metastases. We hypothesize that metastatic cancer cells exploit CNS macrophages and their cytoprotective mechanisms to create a pre-metastatic niche and facilitate metastatic growth. We assess current pharmacological strategies to manipulate functions of brain macrophages and hypothesize on their potential use in a therapy of CNS metastases. We conclude that the current data strongly support a notion that microglia, as well as non-parenchymal macrophages and peripheral infiltrating macrophages, are involved in multiple stages of CNS metastases. Understanding their contribution will lead to development of new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
40
|
Bracarda S, Mosillo C, Trippa F, Urbano F, Maranzano E, Caserta C. No paradigm changes with checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and brain metastases. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 7:612. [PMID: 31930013 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.11.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Bracarda
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria, Terni, Italy
| | - Claudia Mosillo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria, Terni, Italy
| | - Fabio Trippa
- Radiotherapy Oncology Centre, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria, Terni, Italy
| | - Federica Urbano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria, Terni, Italy
| | - Ernesto Maranzano
- Radiotherapy Oncology Centre, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria, Terni, Italy
| | - Claudia Caserta
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria, Terni, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hendriks LE, Cadranel J, Berghmans T. Current challenges in the management of nonsmall cell lung cancer brain metastases. Eur Respir J 2020; 55:55/1/1901686. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01686-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
42
|
Guo J, Li P, Liu X, Li Y. NOTCH signaling pathway and non-coding RNAs in cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2019; 215:152620. [PMID: 31564572 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2019.152620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Malignant tumors, known as cancer, seriously threaten human life and health. Cancer has the characteristics of abnormal cell differentiation, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. As a result, cancer often accompanied by poor prognosis and a lower survival rate. Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved system in many multicellular organisms, and which has been proved to play a biological role in many cancers. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that non-coding RNA can not only activate or inhibit NOTCH pathway, but also regulate the occurrence and development of cancer through NOTCH pathway. Therefore, we focus on the cancer-NOTCH-non-coding RNA axis in this review, and provide new ideas for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Ping Li
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xiaomin Liu
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yanli Li
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Muniz TP, de Jesus VHF, Sousa VAR, Barbosa MVDR, de Lima VCC. A modified recursive partitioning analysis for predicting overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and central nervous system metastases. J Thorac Dis 2019; 11:3909-3919. [PMID: 31656665 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2019.08.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of brain metastases. Nonetheless, patients with central nervous system (CNS) spread are poorly represented in clinical trials. We sought to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of patients with NSCLC and CNS metastases. Methods Patients with NSCLC and CNS metastases treated at A. C. Camargo Cancer Center from January 2007 to December 2017 were selected. The primary endpoint was OS following the diagnosis of CNS metastasis. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to calculate OS. Prognostic factors were assessed by the Cox Proportional Hazards model. As an exploratory analysis, a survival tree was generated based upon the two most statistically significant variables in the multivariate model and one additional clinically meaningful variable. Results In total, 311 patients were included. Median OS was 10.3 months (95% CI, 8.7-13.1 months). ECOG performance status 2-4 (HR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.40-3.20; P<0.01) and the absence of a driver mutation (HR 3.30; 95% CI, 1.85-5.90; P<0.01) were strongly associated with worse OS. A Modified Recursive Partitioning Analysis (mRPA) was developed based on the curves generated by the survival tree. mRPA stratified our cohort in four subgroups with significantly different OS (3.1 to 43 months) and it outperformed both RPA and GPA in predicting OS in our population. Conclusions OS in our cohort was better than previously reported. However, prognosis is widely variable and is mostly dictated by performance status and the presence of a driver mutation.
Collapse
|
44
|
You H, Baluszek S, Kaminska B. Immune Microenvironment of Brain Metastases-Are Microglia and Other Brain Macrophages Little Helpers? Front Immunol 2019; 10:1941. [PMID: 31481958 PMCID: PMC6710386 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases are common intracranial neoplasms and their frequency increases with prolonged survival of cancer patients. New pharmaceuticals targeting oncogenic kinases and immune checkpoint inhibitors augment both overall and progression-free survival in patients with brain metastases, but are not fully successful in reducing metastatic burden and still a majority of oncologic patients die due to dissemination of the disease. Despite therapy advancements, median survival of patients with brain metastases is several months, although it may vary in different types or subtypes of cancer. Contribution of the innate immune system to cancer progression is well established. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), instead of launching antitumor responses, promote extracellular matrix degradation, secrete immunosuppressive cytokines, promote neoangiogenesis and tumor growth. While their roles as pro-tumorigenic cells facilitating tissue remodeling, invasion and metastasis is well documented, much less is known about the immune microenvironment of brain metastases and roles of specific immune cells in those processes. The central nervous system (CNS) is armed in resident myeloid cells: microglia and perivascular macrophages which colonize CNS in early development and maintain homeostasis in brain parenchyma and at brain-blood vessels interfaces. In this study we discuss available data on the immune composition of most common brain metastases, focusing on interactions between metastatic cancer cells and microglia, perivascular and meningeal macrophages. Cancer cells ‘highjack’ several CNS protective mechanisms and may employ microglia and CNS-border associated macrophages into helping cancer cells to colonize a pre-metastatic niche. We describe emerging molecular insights into mechanisms governing communication between microglia and metastatic cancer cells that culminate in activation of CNS resident microglia and trafficking of monocytic cells from the periphery. We present mechanisms controlling those processes in brain metastases and hypothesize on potential therapeutic approaches. In summary, microglia and non-parenchymal brain macrophages are involved in multiple stages of a metastatic disease and, unlike tumor cells, are genetically stable and predictable, which makes them an attractive target for anticancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hua You
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Laboratory Medicine, YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China.,Affiliated Hospital of Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Szymon Baluszek
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Rassy E, Zanaty M, Azoury F, Pavlidis N. Advances in the management of brain metastases from cancer of unknown primary. Future Oncol 2019; 15:2759-2768. [PMID: 31385529 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2019-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer of unknown primary accounts for 3-5% of all cancers for which an adequate investigation does not identify the primary tumor. The particular subset of brain metastasis in cancer of unknown primary (BMCUP) is a clinical challenge that lacks standardized diagnostic and therapeutic options. It is diagnosed predominantly in male patients in the sixth decade of age with complaints of headache, neurological dysfunction, cognitive and behavioral disturbances and seizures. The therapeutic approach to patients with BMCUP relies on local control and systemic treatment. Surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery and/or whole brain radiation therapy seems to be the cornerstone of the treatment approach to BMCUP. Systemic therapy remains essential as cancers of unknown primary are conceptually metastatic tumors. The benefits of chemotherapy were disappointing whereas those of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors remain to be evaluated. In this Review, we address the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of BMCUP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elie Rassy
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mario Zanaty
- Department of Neurosurgical Surgery, University of Ioawa, Ioawa City, IA, USA
| | - Fares Azoury
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hotel Dieu de France University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Lebanon
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Crinò L, Bronte G, Bidoli P, Cravero P, Minenza E, Cortesi E, Garassino MC, Proto C, Cappuzzo F, Grossi F, Tonini G, Sarobba MG, Pinotti G, Numico G, Samaritani R, Ciuffreda L, Frassoldati A, Bregni M, Santo A, Piantedosi F, Illiano A, De Marinis F, Tamberi S, Giannarelli D, Delmonte A. Nivolumab and brain metastases in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2019; 129:35-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
47
|
Hendriks LEL, Henon C, Auclin E, Mezquita L, Ferrara R, Audigier-Valette C, Mazieres J, Lefebvre C, Rabeau A, Le Moulec S, Cousin S, Duchemann B, le Pechoux C, Botticella A, Ammari S, Gazzah A, Caramella C, Adam J, Lechapt E, Planchard D, De Ruysscher D, Dingemans AM, Besse B. Outcome of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Brain Metastases Treated with Checkpoint Inhibitors. J Thorac Oncol 2019; 14:1244-1254. [PMID: 30780002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although frequent in NSCLC, patients with brain metastases (BMs) are often excluded from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) trials. We evaluated BM outcome in a less-selected NSCLC cohort. METHODS Data from consecutive patients with advanced ICI-treated NSCLC were collected. Active BMs were defined as new and/or growing lesions without any subsequent local treatment before the start of ICI treatment. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Multivariate analyses were performed by using a Cox proportional hazards model and logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 1025 patients were included; the median follow-up time from start of ICI treatment was 15.8 months. Of these patients, 255 (24.9%) had BMs (39.2% active, 14.3% symptomatic, and 27.4% being treated with steroids). Disease-specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (ds-GPA) score was known for 94.5% of patients (35.7% with a score of 0-1, 58.5% with a score of 1.5-2.5, and 5.8% with a score of 3). The ORRs with BM versus without BM were similar: 20.6% (with BM) versus 22.7% (without BM) (p = 0.484). The intracranial ORR (active BM with follow-up brain imaging [n = 73]) was 27.3%. The median progression-free survival times were 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-2.1) and 2.1 (95% CI: 1.9-2.5) months, respectively (p = 0.009). Of the patients with BMs, 12.7% had a dissociated cranial-extracranial response and two (0.8%) had brain pseudoprogression. Brain progression occurred more in active BM than in stable BM (54.2% versus 30% [p < 0.001]). The median OS times were 8.6 months (95% CI: 6.8-12.0) with BM and 11.4 months (95% CI: 8.6-13.8) months with no BM (p = 0.035). In the BM subgroup multivariate analysis, corticosteroid use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.37) was associated with poorer OS, whereas stable BMs (HR = 0.62) and higher ds-GPA classification (HR = 0.48-0.52) were associated with improved OS. CONCLUSION In multivariate analysis BMs are not associated with a poorer survival in patients with ICI-treated NSCLC. Stable patients with BM without baseline corticosteroids and a good ds-GPA classification have the best prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lizza E L Hendriks
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France; Department of Pulmonary Diseases, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Clemence Henon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Edouard Auclin
- Gastrointestinal and Medical Oncology Department, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Laura Mezquita
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Roberto Ferrara
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Julien Mazieres
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Corentin Lefebvre
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Audrey Rabeau
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Sophie Cousin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Boris Duchemann
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Hopital Avicenne, Paris, France
| | - Cecile le Pechoux
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Angela Botticella
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Samy Ammari
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France; Imagerie par Résonance Magnétique Médicale et Multi-Modalités, IR4M, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Anas Gazzah
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France; Department of Drug Development, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Caroline Caramella
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Julien Adam
- Department of Pathology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Emmanuèle Lechapt
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Sainte Anne, Paris, France
| | - David Planchard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Dirk De Ruysscher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MAASTRO Clinic, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie Dingemans
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Institut d'Oncologie Thoracique, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France; Paris-Sud University, Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Nassif EF, Arsène-Henry A, Kirova YM. Brain metastases and treatment: multiplying cognitive toxicities. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2019; 19:327-341. [PMID: 30755047 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2019.1582336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thirty per cent of cancer patients develop brain metastases, with multiple combination or sequential treatment modalities available, to treat systemic or central nervous system (CNS) disease. Most patients experience toxicities as a result of these treatments, of which cognitive impairment is one of the adverse events most commonly reported, causing major impairment of the patient's quality of life. Areas covered: This article reviews the role of cancer treatments in cognitive decline of patients with brain metastases: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapies and hormone therapy. Pathological and molecular mechanisms, as well as future directions for limiting cognitive toxicities are also presented. Other causes of cognitive impairment in this population are discussed in order to refine the benefit-risk balance of each treatment modality. Expert opinion: Cumulative cognitive toxicity should be taken into account, and tailored to the patient's cognitive risk in the light of the expected survival benefit. Standardization of cognitive assessment in this context is needed in order to better appreciate each treatment's responsibility in cognitive impairment, keeping in mind disease itself impacts cognition in this context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise F Nassif
- a Department of Radiotherapy , Institut Curie , Paris , France
| | | | - Youlia M Kirova
- a Department of Radiotherapy , Institut Curie , Paris , France
| |
Collapse
|