KRAS-mutation incidence and prognostic value are metastatic site-specific in lung adenocarcinoma: poor prognosis in patients with KRAS mutation and bone metastasis

The HOXC10/NOD1/ERK axis drives osteolytic bone metastasis of pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer

While KRAS mutation is the leading cause of low survival rates in lung cancer bone metastasis patients, effective treatments are still lacking. Here, we identified homeobox C10 (HOXC10) as a lynchpin in pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer bone metastasis. Through RNA-seq approach and patient tissue studies, we demonstrated that HOXC10 expression was dramatically increased. Genetic depletion of HOXC10 preferentially impeded cell proliferation and migration in vitro. The bioluminescence imaging and micro-CT results demonstrated that inhibition of HOXC10 significantly reduced bone metastasis of KRAS-mutant lung cancer in vivo. Mechanistically, the transcription factor HOXC10 activated NOD1/ERK signaling pathway to reprogram epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and bone microenvironment by activating the NOD1 promoter. Strikingly, inhibition of HOXC10 in combination with STAT3 inhibitor was effective against KRAS-mutant lung cancer bone metastasis by triggering ferroptosis. Taken together, these findings reveal that HOXC10 effectively alleviates pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer with bone metastasis in the NOD1/ERK axis-dependent manner, and support further development of an effective combinatorial strategy for this kind of disease.

A Review of the Molecular Determinants of Therapeutic Response in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Brain Metastases

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Metastases in the brain are a common hallmark of advanced stages of the disease, contributing to a dismal prognosis. Lung cancer can be broadly classified as either small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC represents the most predominant histology subtype of lung cancer, accounting for the majority of lung cancer cases. Recent advances in molecular genetics, coupled with innovations in small molecule drug discovery strategies, have facilitated both the molecular classification and precision targeting of NSCLC based on oncogenic driver mutations. Furthermore, these precision-based strategies have demonstrable efficacy across the blood-brain barrier, leading to positive outcomes in patients with brain metastases. This review provides an overview of the clinical features of lung cancer brain metastases, as well as the molecular mechanisms that drive NSCLC oncogenesis. We also explore how precision medicine-based strategies can be leveraged to improve NSCLC brain metastases.

Bone metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer: genomic characterization and exploration of potential targets

Background

Bone metastasis (BM) seriously affects the quality of life and reduces the survival time of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The genomic characteristics and potential targets of BMs are yet to be fully explored.

Objective

To explore the genetic characteristics and potential targets of BM in NSCLC.

Design

In all, 83 patients with NSCLC were retrospectively selected in this study. Genomic characterization of BMs was explored with the analysis of NGS results from primary tumors and BMs in 6 patients, then combined with NGS results of lung tumors in 16 patients with initial recurrence in bone to analyze mutations potentially associated with BMs, and finally, the correlation was further validated in 61 postoperative patients.

Methods

The next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to identify genomic differences between pulmonary primary tumors and BM. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed in postoperative tumor tissues from patients who had undergone radical surgery to validate the predictive role of molecular targets for BM. The correlation between cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and BM was evaluated by Pearson's chi-square test. The university of alabama at birminghan cancer data analysis portal (UALCAN) was carried out for the detection of CDK4 expression in lung cancer and the relationship between CDK4 and clinicopathological parameters. The relationship between prognosis and CDK4 expression was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier plotter.

Results

The rate of gene amplification was increased (24% versus 36%) while gene substitution/indel was decreased (64% versus 52%) in BMs. The BM-specific mutations were analyzed in 16 recurrent patients which revealed the highest incidence of CDK4 amplification (18.8%). According to the Kaplan-Meier plotter database, the NSCLC patients with high CDK4 gene expression showed poor overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p < 0.05). The incidence of CDK4 amplification tended to be higher in recurrent patients compared to the patients without BM (18.8% versus 4.7%, p = 0.118).

Conclusion

Compared to the primary tumors of NSCLC, the genome of BMs showed an increased proportion of amplification and a decreased proportion of gene substitution/indel. Furthermore, the CDK4 amplification ratio seemed to be elevated in NSCLC patients with BM which may be associated with poor OS and RFS.

KRASG12C mutant lung adenocarcinoma: unique biology, novel therapies and new challenges

KRAS mutant lung cancer is the most prevalent molecular subclass of adenocarcinoma (LUAD), which is a heterogenous group depending on the mutation-type which affects not only the function of the oncogene but affects the biological behavior of the cancer as well. Furthermore, KRAS mutation affects radiation sensitivity but leads also to bevacizumab and bisphosphonate resistance as well. It was highly significant that allele specific irreversible inhibitors have been developed for the smoking associated G12C mutant KRAS (sotorasib and adagrasib). Based on trial data both sotorasib and adagrasib obtained conditional approval by FDA for the treatment of previously treated advanced LUAD. Similar to other target therapies, clinical administration of KRASG12C inhibitors (sotorasib and adagrasib) resulted in acquired resistance due to various genetic changes not only in KRAS but in other oncogenes as well. Recent clinical studies are aiming to increase the efficacy of G12C inhibitors by novel combination strategies.

Correlation between KRAS mutation subtypes and prognosis in Chinese advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients

PURPOSE

The relationship between mutant KRAS and the risk of disease progression and death in advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial among current studies, and the effects of distinct KRAS mutations on prognosis may be different. This study aimed to further investigate the association between them.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of the 184 patients eventually included in the study, 108 had KRAS wild type (WT) and 76 had KRAS mutant type (MT). Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to describe the survival for patients among groups, while log-rank tests were conducted to evaluate the survival differences. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression were performed to identify predictors, and subgroup analysis was used to verify the interaction effect.

RESULTS

Similar efficacy of first-line therapy was observed for KRAS MT and WT patients (p = 0.830). The association between KRAS mutation and progression-free survival (PFS) was not significant in univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.66-1.35), and no KRAS mutation subtype significantly affected PFS. However, KRAS mutation and KRAS non-G12C were associated with increased risk of death compared to KRAS WT in univariate and multivariate analysis. Univariate and multivariate analysis also confirmed that chemotherapy combined with antiangiogenesis or immunotherapy in the KRAS mutation group was associated with decreased risk of disease progression. However, the overall survival (OS) among KRAS mutant patients received different first-line treatments did not significantly differ.

CONCLUSION

KRAS mutations and their subtypes are not independent negative predictors of PFS, while KRAS mutation and KRAS non-G12C were independent prognostic factors for OS. Chemotherapy combined with antiangiogenesis or immunotherapy conferred decreased risk of disease progression to KRAS mutation patients compared to single chemotherapy.

Recent progress in targeting KRAS mutant cancers with covalent G12C-specific inhibitors

KRAS^G12C has been identified as a potential target in the treatment of solid tumors. One of the most often transformed proteins in human cancers is the small Kirsten rat sarcoma homolog (KRAS) subunit of GTPase, which is typically the oncogene driver. KRAS^G12C is altered to keep the protein in an active GTP-binding form. KRAS has long been considered an 'undrugable' target, but sustained research efforts focusing on the KRAS^G12C mutant cysteine have achieved promising results. For example, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has passed emergency approval for sotorasib and adagrasib for the treatment of metastatic lung cancer. Such achievements have sparked several original approaches to KRAS^G12C. In this review, we focus on the design, development, and history of KRAS^G12C inhibitors.

Next-generation sequencing of non-small cell lung cancer at a Quebec health care cancer centre

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Quebec has the highest lung cancer mortality out of all provinces in Canada, believed to be caused by higher smoking rates. Molecular testing for lung cancer is standard of care due to the discovery of actionable driver mutations that can be targeted with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. To date, no detailed molecular testing characterization of Quebec patients with lung cancer using next generation sequencing (NGS) has been performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aim of this study was to describe the genomic landscape of patients with lung cancer (n = 997) who underwent NGS molecular testing at a tertiary care center in Quebec and to correlate it with clinical and pathology variables.

RESULTS

Compared to 10 other NGS studies found through a structured search strategy, our cohort had a higher prevalence of KRAS mutations (39.2%) compared to most geographical locations. Additionally, we observed a significant positive association between decreasing age and a higher proportion of KRAS G12C mutations.

CONCLUSION

Overall, it remains important to assess institutional rates of actionable driver mutations to help guide governing bodies, fuel clinical trials and create benchmarks for expected rates as quality metrics.

Construction and Verification of Nomogram Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma With ≤ 5 Bone-Only Metastases Basing on Hematology Markers

Objectives

This retrospective study investigated prognostic factors in advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with one to five bone-only metastasis (BOM) and developed a nomogram model to estimate patient survival.

Methods

We investigated patients with advanced LUAD with one to five bone-only metastasis at the initial diagnosis and diagnosed between 2013 and 2019 in two hospitals. A formula named Risk-H was constructed using hematological variables screened by LASSO-Cox regression analysis in the internal set and verified by the external set. Two nomogram models were developed by clinical variables selected by LASSO-Cox regression analysis with or without Risk-H in the internal set. The concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, area under the curve (AUC), and decision curve analysis (DCA) were formulated to verify nomogram models. The primary endpoint was overall survival.

Results

We finally included 125 and 69 patients, respectively, in the internal and external sets for analysis. The following were significant hematology prognostic factors and were included in the Risk-H formula: alkaline phosphatase and albumin, leukocyte. Four clinical factors, including loss of weight, sensitive mutation status, T and N stage, with or without Risk-H were used to establish nomogram models. C-index, calibration curves, ROC analysis, AUC, and DCA showed the addition of hematological data improved the predictive accuracy of survival.

Conclusions

Pretreatment peripheral blood indexes may be a meaningful serum biomarker for prognosis in LUAD. The addition of Risk-H to the nomogram model could serve as a more economical, powerful, and practical method to predict survival for LUAD patients with one to five BOM.

Molecular typing of lung adenocarcinoma with computed tomography and CT image-based radiomics: a narrative review of research progress and prospects

Objective

The purpose of this paper was to perform a narrative review of current research evidence on conventional computed tomography (CT) imaging features and CT image-based radiomic features for predicting gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma and discuss how to translate the research findings to guide future practice.

Background

Lung cancer, especially lung adenocarcinoma, is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. With advances in the diagnosis and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma with the emergence of molecular testing, the prediction of oncogenes and even drug resistance gene mutations have become key to individualized and precise clinical treatment in order to prolong survival and improve quality of life. The progress of imageological examination includes the development of CT and radiomics are promising quantitative methods for predicting different gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma, especially common mutations, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutation.

Methods

The PubMed electronic database was searched along with a set of terms specific to lung adenocarcinoma, radiomics (including texture analysis), CT, computed tomography, EGFR, ALK, KRAS, rearranging transfection (RET) rearrangement and c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS-1), v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) mutations et al. This review has been reported in compliance with the Narrative Review checklist guidelines. From each full-text article, information was extracted regarding a set of terms above.

Conclusions

Research on the application of conventional CT features and CT image-based radiomic features for predicting the gene mutation status of lung adenocarcinoma is still in a preliminary stage. Noninvasively determination of mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma before targeted therapy with conventional CT features and CT image-based radiomic features remains both hopes and challenges. Before radiomics could be applied in clinical practice, more work needs to be done.

Analysis of risk factors and gene mutation characteristics of different metastatic sites of lung cancer

Risk factors vary in terms of the pattern of lung cancer metastasis and specific metastatic organs. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical risk factors of tumor metastasis in lung cancer patients and used second‐generation gene sequencing to characterize relevant gene mutations. The risk factors of different metastatic sites of real‐world lung cancer were explored to find the differentially expressed genes and risk factors in different metastatic organs, which laid a foundation for further study on the metastasis patterns and mechanisms of lung cancer. The clinical risk factors of tumor metastasis in 137 lung cancer patients who attended our department from May 2017 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and grouped based on bone metastasis, brain metastasis, other distant metastasis, and no metastasis. Single‐ or multi‐factor logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the effect of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio/platelet/lymphocyte ratio/lymphocyte to monocyte ratio on platelets (PLTs) and bone metastasis by combining PLT values, age, pathology type, gender, and smoking history. Based on the presence or absence of bone metastasis, distal metastasis, and PLT values of lung cancer, 39 tissue specimens of primary lung cancer were taken for 773 gene grouping and gene mutation characterization. The tumor mutation load, gene copy number instability, microsatellite instability, and tumor heterogeneity among different groups were analyzed. Age and PLT level were independent risk factors for bone metastasis and distal metastasis, but not for brain metastasis. The RB1 gene was mutated during bone metastasis, and tumor heterogeneity was less in the elevated PLT group. PLT values were an independent risk factor for distant metastases from lung cancer other than the brain. Age has a significant effect on bone metastasis formation. RB1 gene mutation was significantly associated with bone metastasis.

Fracture Risk Evaluation of Bone Metastases: A Burning Issue

Major progress has been achieved to treat cancer patients and survival has improved considerably, even for stage-IV bone metastatic patients. Locomotive health has become a crucial issue for patient autonomy and quality of life. The centerpiece of the reflection lies in the fracture risk evaluation of bone metastasis to guide physician decision regarding physical activity, antiresorptive agent prescription, and local intervention by radiotherapy, surgery, and interventional radiology. A key mandatory step, since bone metastases may be asymptomatic and disseminated throughout the skeleton, is to identify the bone metastasis location by cartography, especially within weight-bearing bones. For every location, the fracture risk evaluation relies on qualitative approaches using imagery and scores such as Mirels and spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS). This approach, however, has important limitations and there is a need to develop new tools for bone metastatic and myeloma fracture risk evaluation. Personalized numerical simulation qCT-based imaging constitutes one of these emerging tools to assess bone tumoral strength and estimate the femoral and vertebral fracture risk. The next generation of numerical simulation and artificial intelligence will take into account multiple loadings to integrate movement and obtain conditions even closer to real-life, in order to guide patient rehabilitation and activity within a personalized-medicine approach.

Non-small cell lung cancer: Emerging molecular targeted and immunotherapeutic agents

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the most common and fatal type of primary lung malignancies. NSCLC is often diagnosed at later stages and requires systemic therapies. Despite recent advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted molecular therapies the outcomes of NSCLC remain disproportionately poor. Immunotherapy is a rapidly developing area in NSCLC management and presents opportunities for potential improvements in clinical outcomes. Indeed, different immunotherapeutics have been approved for clinical use in various settings for NSCLC. Their promise is especially poignant in light of improved survival and quality of life outcomes. Herein, we comprehensively review emerging NSCLC therapeutics. We discuss the limitations of such strategies and summarize the present status of various immunotherapeutic agents in key patient populations. We also examine the data from ongoing studies in immunotherapy and consider future areas of study, including novel inhibition targets, therapeutic vaccination, tumor genome modification, and improvements to drug delivery systems.

Phase 1, pharmacogenomic, dose-expansion study of pegargiminase plus pemetrexed and cisplatin in patients with ASS1-deficient non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction

We evaluated the arginine‐depleting enzyme pegargiminase (ADI‐PEG20; ADI) with pemetrexed (Pem) and cisplatin (Cis) (ADIPemCis) in ASS1‐deficient non‐squamous non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via a phase 1 dose‐expansion trial with exploratory biomarker analysis.

Methods

Sixty‐seven chemonaïve patients with advanced non‐squamous NSCLC were screened, enrolling 21 ASS1‐deficient subjects from March 2015 to July 2017 onto weekly pegargiminase (36 mg/m²) with Pem (500 mg/m²) and Cis (75 mg/m²), every 3 weeks (four cycles maximum), with maintenance Pem or pegargiminase. Safety, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and efficacy were determined; molecular biomarkers were annotated by next‐generation sequencing and PD‐L1 immunohistochemistry.

Results

ADIPemCis was well‐tolerated. Plasma arginine and citrulline were differentially modulated; pegargiminase antibodies plateaued by week 10. The disease control rate was 85.7% (n = 18/21; 95% CI 63.7%–97%), with a partial response rate of 47.6% (n = 10/21; 95% CI 25.7%–70.2%). The median progression‐free and overall survivals were 4.2 (95% CI 2.9–4.8) and 7.2 (95% CI 5.1–18.4) months, respectively. Two PD‐L1‐expressing (≥1%) patients are alive following subsequent pembrolizumab immunotherapy (9.5%). Tumoral ASS1 deficiency enriched for p53 (64.7%) mutations, and numerically worse median overall survival as compared to ASS1‐proficient disease (10.2 months; n = 29). There was no apparent increase in KRAS mutations (35.3%) and PD‐L1 (<1%) expression (55.6%). Re‐expression of tumoral ASS1 was detected in one patient at progression (n = 1/3).

Conclusions

ADIPemCis was safe and highly active in patients with ASS1‐deficient non‐squamous NSCLC, however, survival was poor overall. ASS1 loss was co‐associated with p53 mutations. Therapies incorporating pegargiminase merit further evaluation in ASS1‐deficient and treatment‐refractory NSCLC.

Clinical and Imaging Features of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with G12C KRAS Mutation

Simple Summary

KRAS G12C mutations are important oncogenic mutations in lung cancer that can now be targeted by allosteric small molecule inhibitors. We assessed the imaging features and patterns of metastases in these lung cancers compared to other mutated lung cancers. We found that KRAS G12C NSCLC has distinct primary tumor imaging features and patterns of metastasis when compared to those of NSCLC driven by other genetic alterations. These distinct imaging features may offer clues to its presence and potentially guide management in the future.

Abstract

KRAS G12C mutations are important oncogenic mutations that confer sensitivity to direct G12C inhibitors. We retrospectively identified patients with KRAS+ NSCLC from 2015 to 2019 and assessed the imaging features of the primary tumor and the distribution of metastases of G12C NSCLC compared to those of non-G12C KRAS NSCLC and NSCLC driven by oncogenic fusion events (RET, ALK, ROS1) and EGFR mutations at the time of initial diagnosis. Two hundred fifteen patients with KRAS+ NSCLC (G12C: 83; non-G12C: 132) were included. On single variate analysis, the G12C group was more likely than the non-G12C KRAS group to have cavitation (13% vs. 5%, p = 0.04) and lung metastasis (38% vs. 21%; p = 0.043). Compared to the fusion rearrangement group, the G12C group had a lower frequency of pleural metastasis (21% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) and lymphangitic carcinomatosis (4% vs. 39%, p = 0.0001) and a higher frequency of brain metastasis (42% vs. 22%, p = 0.005). Compared to the EGFR+ group, the G12C group had a lower frequency of lung metastasis (38% vs. 67%, p = 0.0008) and a higher frequency of distant nodal metastasis (10% vs. 2%, p = 0.02). KRAS G12C NSCLC may have distinct primary tumor imaging features and patterns of metastasis when compared to those of NSCLC driven by other genetic alterations.

Structure-based inhibitor design of mutant RAS proteins-a paradigm shift

As a member of small GTPase family, KRAS protein is a key physiological modulator of various cellular activities including proliferation. However, mutations of KRAS present in numerous cancer types, most frequently in pancreatic (> 60%), colorectal (> 40%), and lung cancers, drive oncogenic processes through overactivation of proliferation. The G12C mutation of KRAS protein is especially abundant in the case of these types of malignancies. Despite its key importance in human disease, KRAS was assumed to be non-druggable for a long time since the protein seemingly lacks potential drug-binding pockets except the nucleotide-binding site, which is difficult to be targeted due to the high affinity of KRAS for both GDP and GTP. Recently, a new approach broke the ice and provided evidence that upon covalent targeting of the G12C mutant KRAS, a highly dynamic pocket was revealed. This novel targeting is especially important since it serves with an inherent solution for drug selectivity. Based on these results, various structure-based drug design projects have been launched to develop selective KRAS mutant inhibitors. In addition to the covalent modification strategy mostly applicable for G12C mutation, different innovative solutions have been suggested for the other frequently occurring oncogenic G12 mutants. Here we summarize the latest advances of this field, provide perspectives for novel approaches, and highlight the special properties of KRAS, which might issue some new challenges.

K-Ras prenylation as a potential anticancer target

KRAS is one of the most commonly mutated oncogene and a negative predictive factor for a number of targeted therapies. Therefore, the development of targeting strategies against mutant KRAS is urgently needed. One potential strategy involves disruption of K-Ras membrane localization, which is necessary for its proper function. In this review, we summarize the current data about the importance of membrane-anchorage of K-Ras and provide a critical evaluation of this targeting paradigm focusing mainly on prenylation inhibition. Additionally, we performed a RAS mutation-specific analysis of prenylation-related drug sensitivity data from a publicly available database (https://depmap.org/repurposing/) of three classes of prenylation inhibitors: statins, N-bisphosphonates, and farnesyl-transferase inhibitors. We observed significant differences in sensitivity to N-bisphosphonates and farnesyl-transferase inhibitors depending on KRAS mutational status and tissue of origin. These observations emphasize the importance of factors affecting efficacy of prenylation inhibition, like distinct features of different KRAS mutations, tissue-specific mutational patterns, K-Ras turnover, and changes in regulation of prenylation process. Finally, we enlist the factors that might be responsible for the large discrepancy between the outcomes in preclinical and clinical studies including methodological pitfalls, the incomplete understanding of K-Ras protein turnover, and the variation of KRAS dependency in KRAS mutant tumors.

Current therapy of KRAS-mutant lung cancer

KRAS mutations are the most frequent gain-of-function alterations in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) in the Western world. Although they have been identified decades ago, prior efforts to target KRAS signaling with single-agent therapeutic approaches such as farnesyl transferase inhibitors, prenylation inhibition, impairment of KRAS downstream signaling, and synthetic lethality screens have been unsuccessful. Moreover, the role of KRAS oncogene in LADC is still not fully understood, and its prognostic and predictive impact with regards to the standard of care therapy remains controversial. Of note, KRAS-related studies that included general non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population instead of LADC patients should be very carefully evaluated. Recently, however, comprehensive genomic profiling and wide-spectrum analysis of other co-occurring genetic alterations have identified unique therapeutic vulnerabilities. Novel targeted agents such as the covalent KRAS G12C inhibitors or the recently proposed combinatory approaches are some examples which may allow a tailored treatment for LADC patients harboring KRAS mutations. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the therapeutic approaches of KRAS-mutated LADC and provides an update on the most recent advances in KRAS-targeted anti-cancer strategies, with a focus on potential clinical implications.

A Historic Perspective and Overview of H-Ras Structure, Oncogenicity, and Targeting

H-Ras is a unique isoform of the Ras GTPase family, one of the most prominently mutated oncogene families across the cancer landscape. Relative to other isoforms, though, mutations of H-Ras account for the smallest proportion of mutant Ras cancers. Yet, in recent years, there have been renewed efforts to study this isoform, especially as certain H-Ras-driven cancers, like those of the head and neck, have become more prominent. Important advances have therefore been made not only in the understanding of H-Ras structural biology but also in approaches designed to inhibit and impair its signaling activity. In this review, we outline historic and present initiatives to elucidate the mechanisms of H-Ras-dependent tumorigenesis as well as highlight ongoing developments in the quest to target this critical oncogene.

The effects of bisphosphonate and radiation therapy in bone-metastatic lung adenocarcinoma: the impact of KRAS mutation

Background

KRAS mutation is the most common genetic alteration in lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) in Western countries and is associated with worse outcome in bone-metastatic cases. Yet, to date, no effective treatment guidelines were developed for these patients. Accordingly, our aim was to investigate the impact of KRAS mutation on bisphosphonate (BTx) and radiation therapy (RTx) in bone-metastatic LADC patients.

Methods

Clinicopathological variables of 134 consecutive LADC patients with bone metastases at diagnosis and known KRAS status were retrospectively analyzed. The effects of BTx, RTx and KRAS mutation on overall survival (OS) were investigated.

Results

Of the total cohort, 93 patients were identified as KRAS wild-type (WT) (69.4%) and 41 (30.6%) as KRAS mutant patients. The presence of KRAS mutation was associated with significantly reduced median OS (5.1 vs. 10.2 months in KRAS WT patients; P=0.008). Irrespective of KRAS mutational status both BTx (P=0.007) and RTx (P=0.021) conferred a significant benefit for OS. Notably, however, when analyzing the patients with KRAS-mutant and KRAS WT tumors separately, the benefit from BTx and RTx on OS remained statistically significant only in KRAS WT patients (P=0.032 and P=0.031, respectively).

Conclusions

KRAS mutation is a strong negative prognostic factor in bone-metastatic LADC patients. Both BTx and RTx can increase the OS with a pronounced benefit for patients with KRAS WT tumors. Altogether, KRAS mutational status should be considered during therapeutic decision making in bone-metastatic LADC patients.

Advances in Lung Cancer Driver Genes Associated With Brain Metastasis

Brain metastasis, one of the common complications of lung cancer, is an important cause of death in patients with advanced cancer, despite progress in treatment strategies. Lung cancers with positive driver genes have higher incidence and risk of brain metastases, suggesting that driver events associated with these genes might be biomarkers to detect and prevent disease progression. Common lung cancer driver genes mainly encode receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which are important internal signal molecules that interact with external signals. RTKs and their downstream signal pathways are crucial for tumor cell survival, invasion, and colonization in the brain. In addition, new tumor driver genes, which also encode important molecules closely related to the RTK signaling pathway, have been found to be closely related to the brain metastases of lung cancer. In this article, we reviewed the relationship between lung cancer driver genes and brain metastasis, and summarized the mechanism of driver gene-associated pathways in brain metastasis. By understanding the molecular characteristics during brain metastasis, we can better stratify lung cancer patients and alert those at high risk of brain metastasis, which helps to promote individual therapy for lung cancer.

Small-Molecule Inhibitors Directly Targeting KRAS as Anticancer Therapeutics

KRAS, the most frequently mutated oncogene, plays a predominant role in driving initiation and progression of cancers. Decades of effort to target KRAS using small molecules has been unsuccessful, causing KRAS to be considered an "undruggable" cancer target. However, this view began to change recently, as drug discovery techniques have developed several KRAS G12C allosteric inhibitors that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Herein we provide an in-depth analysis of the structure and binding pockets of KRAS, medicinal chemistry optimization processes, and the biological characterization of small-molecule inhibitors that directly target KRAS, including covalent allosteric inhibitors specific for the G12C mutant, GTP-competitive inhibitors targeting the nucleotide-binding site, and protein-protein interaction inhibitors that bind in the switch I/II pocket or the A59 site. Additionally, we propose potential challenges faced by these new classes of KRAS inhibitors under clinical evaluation.

Longitudinal analysis of complete blood count parameters in advanced-stage lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Metastatic lung cancer is a debilitating disease, but with the advances in immunotherapy, therapeutic options have vastly increased. Numerous complete blood count parameters (CBC) have been described as easily accessible biomarkers that might predict response to immunotherapy. However, to date, no comprehensive study has been performed on the longitudinal changes of these parameters during cancer progression.

METHODS

The clinicopathological variables and CBC parameters of 986 advanced stage lung cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. Blood tests were performed as part of the routine checkup and the results were recorded at the time of the diagnosis of the primary tumor, the diagnosis of brain or bone metastases, and also during the last available follow-up.

RESULTS

In the experimental subcohort, 352 and 466 patients were diagnosed with brain and bone metastases, respectively. The control group consisted of 168 patients without clinically detectable or other distant organ metastases. In our longitudinal analyses, we found significantly decreasing absolute lymphocyte count (ALC: P < 0.001), and significantly increasing absolute neutrophil count (ANC: P < 0.001) levels in all patient subgroups, irrespective of histopathological type and metastatic site. Interestingly, patients with brain metastases had significantly descending-ascending platelet count (PLT) trendlines (P < 0.001), while the bone metastatic subgroup exhibited significantly ascending-descending trendlines (P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

Significantly decreasing ALC, significantly increasing ANC and fluctuating PLT levels may be found in brain and bone metastatic lung cancer patients during disease progression. Our findings might contribute to improve personalized healthcare in this devastating malignancy.

KEY POINTS

SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: Significantly decreasing ALC, and significantly increasing ANC levels can be found in advanced-stage lung cancer patients during disease progression Patients with brain metastases have descending-ascending PLT trendlines, while patients with bone metastases exhibit ascending-descending trendlines during disease progression WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: The descending values for ALC, and the ascending mean values for PLT and ANC, might be suggestive of poor response to second- or third-line immunotherapy in advanced-stage lung cancer patients. The current study might help to improve patient selection and treatment strategies for brain and/or bone metastatic lung cancer patients.

Developing a FHIR-based Framework for Phenome Wide Association Studies: A Case Study with A Pan-Cancer Cohort

Phenome Wide Association Studies (PheWAS) enables phenome-wide scans to discover novel associations between genotype and clinical phenotypes via linking available genomic reports and large-scale Electronic Health Record (EHR). Data heterogeneity from different EHR systems and genetic reports has been a critical challenge that hinders meaningful validation. To address this, we propose an FHIR-based framework to model the PheWAS study in a standard manner. We developed an FHIR-based data model profile to enable the standard representation of data elements from genetic reports and EHR data that are used in the PheWAS study. As a proof-of-concept, we implemented the proposed method using a cohort of 1,595 pan-cancer patients with genetic reports from Foundation Medicine as well as the corresponding lab tests and diagnosis from Mayo EHRs. A PheWAS study is conducted and 81 significant genotype-phenotype associations are identified, in which 36 significant associations for cancers are validated based on a literature review.

Association of metastatic pattern and molecular status in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to investigate the association between driver oncogene alterations and metastatic patterns on imaging assessment, in a large cohort of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients.

METHODS

From January 2010 to May 2017, 550 patients with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with molecular analysis were studied retrospectively including 135 EGFR-mutated, 81 ALK-rearrangement, 47 BRAF-mutated, 141 KRAS-mutated, and 146 negative tumors for these 4 mutations (4N). After review of the complete imaging report by two radiologists (junior and senior) to identify metastatic sites, univariate correlation analyzes were performed.

RESULTS

We found differences in metastatic tropism depending on the molecular alteration type when compared with the non-mutated 4N group: in the EGFR group, pleural metastases were more frequent (32% versus 20%; p = 0.021), and adrenal and node metastases less common (6% versus 23%; p < 0.001 and 11% versus 23%; p = 0.011). In the ALK group, there were more brain and lung metastases (respectively 42% versus 29%; p = 0.043 and 37% versus 24%; p = 0.037). In the BRAF group, pleural and pericardial metastases were more common (respectively 47% versus 20%; p < 0.001 and 11% versus 3%; p = 0.04) and bone metastases were rarer (21% versus 42%; p = 0.011). Lymphangitis was more frequent in EGFR, ALK, and BRAF groups (respectively 6%, 7%, and 15% versus 1%); p = 0.016; p = 0.009; and p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

The application of these correlations between molecular status and metastatic tropism in clinical practice may lead to earlier and more accurate identification of patients for targeted therapy.

KEY POINTS

• Bone and brain metastasis are the most common organs involved in lung adenocarcinoma but the relative incidence of each metastatic site depends on the molecular alteration. • EGFR-mutated tumors preferentially spread to the pleura and less commonly to adrenals, ALK-rearrangement tumors usually spread to the brain and the lungs, whereas BRAF-mutated tumors are unlikely to spread to bones and have a serous (pericardial ad pleural) tropism. • These correlations could help in the clinical management of patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.

Genotyping KRAS and EGFR Mutations in Greek Patients With Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: Incidence, Significance and Implications for Treatment

BACKGROUND/AIM

KRAS mutations are reported in 20-25% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their prognostic role is unclear. We studied KRAS and EGFR genotyping in Greek NSCLC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

KRAS and EGFR genotypes were centrally evaluated in 421 NSCLC patients (diagnosed September 1998 -June 2013) and associated with clinicopathological parameters. Outcome comparisons were performed in 288 patients receiving first line treatment.

RESULTS

Most patients were male (78.6%), >60 years old (63.9%), current smokers (51.1%), with adenocarcinoma histology (63.9%). EGFR and KRAS mutations were found in 10.7% and 16.6% of all histologies, respectively, and in 14.9% and 21.9% of adenocarcinomas. At 4.5 years median follow-up, KRAS status was an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival (OS, p=0.016). KRAS mutations conferred 80% increased risk of death in patients receiving first-line treatment (p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

The presence of KRAS mutations is an independent negative prognosticator among Greek NSCLC patients and an independent response predictor to first line treatment.

KRAS G12C Game of Thrones, which direct KRAS inhibitor will claim the iron throne?

Mutations in Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) are among the most common aberrations in cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The lack of an ideal small molecule binding pocket in the KRAS protein and its high affinity towards the abundance of cellular guanosine triphosphate (GTP) renders the design of specific small molecule drugs challenging. Despite efforts, KRAS remains a challenging therapeutic target. Among the different known mutations; the KRASG12C (glycine 12 to cysteine) mutation has been considered potentially druggable. Several novel covalent direct inhibitors targeting KRASG12C with similar covalent binding mechanisms are now in clinical trials. Both AMG 510 from Amgen and MRTX849 from Mirati Therapeutics covalently binds to KRASG12C at the cysteine at residue 12, keeping KRASG12C in its inactive GDP-bound state and inhibiting KRAS-dependent signaling. Both inhibitors are being studied as a single agent or as combination with other targets. In addition, two novel KRAS G12C inhibitors JNJ-74699157 and LY3499446 will have entered phase 1 studies by the end of 2019. Given the rapid clinical development of 4 direct covalent KRAS G12C inhibitors within a short period of time, understanding the similarities and differences among these will be important to determine the best treatment option based on tumor specific response (NSCLC versus colorectal carcinoma), potential resistance mechanisms (i.e. anticipated acquired mutation at the cysteine 12 residue) and central nervous system (CNS) activity. Additionally, further investigation evaluating the efficacy and safety of combination therapies with agents such as immune checkpoint inhibitors will be important next steps.

Brain Metastases in Lung Cancers with Emerging Targetable Fusion Drivers

The management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has transformed with the discovery of therapeutically tractable oncogenic drivers. In addition to activating driver mutations, gene fusions or rearrangements form a unique sub-class, with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) targeted agents approved as the standard of care in the first-line setting for advanced disease. There are a number of emerging fusion drivers, however, including neurotrophin kinase (NTRK), rearrangement during transfection (RET), and neuregulin 1 (NRG1) for which there are evolving high-impact systemic treatment options. Brain metastases are highly prevalent in NSCLC patients, with molecularly selected populations such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant and ALK-rearranged tumors particularly brain tropic. Accordingly, there exists a substantial body of research pertaining to the understanding of brain metastases in such populations. Little is known, however, on the molecular mechanisms of brain metastases in those with other targetable fusion drivers in NSCLC. This review encompasses key areas including the biological underpinnings of brain metastases in fusion-driven lung cancers, the intracranial efficacy of novel systemic therapies, and future directions required to optimize the control and prevention of brain metastases.

Evidence That Established Lung Cancer Mortality Disparities in American Indians Are Not Due to Lung Cancer Genetic Testing and Targeted Therapy Disparities

BACKGROUND

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) continue to experience extreme lung cancer health disparities. The state of Minnesota is home to over 70,000 AI/AN, and this population has a 2-fold increase in lung cancer mortality compared to other races within Minnesota. Genetic mutation testing in lung cancer is now a standard of high-quality lung cancer care, and EGFR mutation testing has been recommended for all adenocarcinoma lung cases, regardless of smoking status. However, genetic testing is a controversial topic for some AI/AN.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a multisite retrospective chart review funded by the Minnesota Precision Medicine Grand Challenge as a demonstration project to examine lung cancer health disparities in AI/AN. We sought to measure epidemiology of lung cancer among AI receiving diagnosis or treatment in Minnesota cancer referral centers as well as rate of EGFR testing. The primary outcome was the rate of EGFR mutational analysis testing among cases and controls with nonsquamous, non-small-cell lung cancer. We secured collaborations with 5 health care systems covering a diverse geographic and demographic population.

RESULTS

We identified 200 cases and 164 matched controls from these sites. Controls were matched on histology, smoking status, sex, and age. In both groups, about one third of subjects with adenocarcinoma received genetic mutation testing.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in mutation testing in AI compared to non-AI controls at large health care systems in Minnesota. These data indicate that other factors are likely contributing to the higher mortality in this group.

KRAS Mutations Predict Response and Outcome in Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients Receiving First-Line Bevacizumab and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

Bevacizumab, combined with platinum-based chemotherapy, has been widely used in the treatment of advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). Although KRAS (V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mutation is the most common genetic alteration in human LADC and its role in promoting angiogenesis has been well established, its prognostic and predictive role in the above setting remains unclear. The association between KRAS exon 2 mutational status and clinicopathological variables including progression-free survival and overall survival (PFS and OS, respectively) was retrospectively analyzed in 501 Caucasian stage IIIB-IV LADC patients receiving first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (CHT) with or without bevacizumab (BEV). EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-mutant cases were excluded. Of 247 BEV/CHT and 254 CHT patients, 95 (38.5%) and 75 (29.5%) had mutations in KRAS, respectively. KRAS mutation was associated with smoking (p = 0.008) and female gender (p = 0.002) in the BEV/CHT group. We found no difference in OS between patients with KRAS-mutant versus KRAS wild-type tumors in the CHT-alone group (p = 0.6771). Notably, patients with KRAS-mutant tumors demonstrated significantly shorter PFS (p = 0.0255) and OS (p = 0.0186) in response to BEV/CHT compared to KRAS wild-type patients. KRAS mutation was an independent predictor of shorter PFS (hazard ratio, 0.597; p = 0.011) and OS (hazard ratio, 0.645; p = 0.012) in the BEV/CHT group. G12D KRAS-mutant patients receiving BEV/CHT showed significantly shorter PFS (3.7 months versus 8.27 months in the G12/13x group; p = 0.0032) and OS (7.2 months versus 16.1 months in the G12/13x group; p = 0.0144). In this single-center, retrospective study, KRAS-mutant LADC patients receiving BEV/CHT treatment exhibited inferior PFS and OS compared to those with KRAS wild-type advanced LADC. G12D mutations may define a subset of KRAS-mutant LADC patients unsuitable for antiangiogenic therapy with BEV.

Frequency and outcomes of brain metastases in patients with HER2-mutant lung cancers

BACKGROUND

Mutations in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2; also known as ERBB2) are found in approximately 2% of lung adenocarcinomas. The frequency and clinical course of brain metastases in this oncogenic subset are ill defined.

METHODS

Baseline and subsequent development of brain metastases was evaluated in consecutive patients with HER2-mutant (n = 98), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant (n = 200), and KRAS-mutant lung cancers (n = 200).

RESULTS

At metastatic diagnosis, the odds ratio (ORs) for brain metastases was similar for patients whose tumors harbored HER2 mutations (19%) in comparison with patients with KRAS mutations (24%; OR for HER2 vs KRAS, 0.7; P = .33) but lower compared to patients with EGFR mutations (31%; OR for HER2 vs EGFR, 0.5; P = .03). Patients with lung cancer and HER2 mutations developed more brain metastases on treatment than patients with KRAS mutations (28% vs 8%; hazard ratio [HR], 5.2; P < .001) and trended more than patients with EGFR mutations (28% vs 16%; HR, 1.7; P = .06). Patients with HER2 YVMA mutations also developed more brain metastases on treatment than patients with KRAS mutations (HR, 5.9; P < .001). The median overall survival (OS) was shorter for patients with HER2-mutant (1.6 years; P < .001) or KRAS-mutant lung cancers (1.1 years; P < .001) than patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers (3.0 years). Brain metastases occurred in 47% of patients with HER2-mutant lung cancers, which imparted shorter OS (HR, 2.7; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide a framework for brain imaging surveillance in patients with HER2-mutant lung cancers and underpin the need to develop HER2-targeted agents with central nervous system activity.

Tumor necrosis correlates with PD-L1 and PD-1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma

Background: Predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in lung cancer are intensively investigated; however, correlations between PD-L1/PD-1 expressions and clinical features or histopathological tumor characteristics determined on hematoxylin and eosin stained sections have not extensively been studied. Material and methods: We determined PD-L1 expression of tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC), and PD-1 expression of IC by immunohistochemistry in 268 lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) patients, and correlated the data with smoking, COPD, tumor grade, necrosis, lepidic growth pattern, vascular invasion, density of stromal IC, and EGFR/KRAS status of the tumors. Results: There was a positive correlation between PD-L1 expression of TC and IC, as well as PD-L1 and PD-1 expression of IC. Tumor necrosis was associated with higher PD-L1 expression of TC and PD-1 expression of IC. A negative correlation was observed between lepidic growth pattern and PD-L1 expression of TC and PD-L1/PD-1 expression of IC. EGFR mutation seemed to negatively correlate with PD-1 expression of IC, but this tendency could not be verified when applying corrections for multiple comparisons. No significant effect of the KRAS mutation on any of the studied variables could be established. Conclusion: Here we first demonstrate that the presence of necrosis correlates with higher PD-L1 expression of TC and PD-1 expression of IC in LADC. Further studies are required to determine the predictive value of this observation in LADC patients receiving immunotherapy.

Association of specific metastatic organs with the prognosis and chemotherapeutic response in patients with advanced lung cancer

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to investigate the influence of specific metastatic organs on the prognosis and therapeutic effect in patients with advanced lung cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 400 patients with pathologically diagnosed advanced lung cancer to determine the association of the patients' metastatic status with their prognoses and responses to first-line therapy. Metastases within the chest cavity (pulmonary metastasis, pleural effusion, and pericardial effusion) were counted as one organ.

RESULTS

The numbers of metastatic organs in the patients were as follows: one (n=199 patients), two (n=99), three (n=61), and four or more (n=41). A multivariate analysis showed that liver and muscle metastases were independently associated with shorter overall survival (median of 207 and 120 days, respectively) and shorter progression-free survival (median of 125 and 53 days, respectively). Chest cavity, bone, brain, and lymph node metastases were not associated with survival. The presence of either muscle or skin metastasis was associated with a lower response rate to first-line therapy than was the absence of each metastasis (14.3% vs. 49.4% and 11.1% vs. 48.9% in patients with vs. without muscle or skin metastasis, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Muscle and liver metastases were associated with poor outcomes. Muscle and skin metastases were associated with a lower response rate to treatment. For patients with advanced lung cancer, oncologists should select treatment strategies considering the patients' metastatic statuses as well as other clinical characteristics.

EGFR mutant locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer is at increased risk of brain metastasis

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Locally advanced EGFR+ NSCLC patients have a high likelihood of brain metastasis.

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The high likelihood of EGFR+ brain metastasis is independent of survival duration.

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Surveillance MRI may allow early identification and treatment of brain metastasis.

Background and purpose

Small studies of primarily metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have suggested an association between EGFR mutation (EGFR+) and likelihood of brain metastasis. However, these studies are confounded by follow-up time bias. We performed a competing risk analysis of brain metastasis in a more uniform locally advanced NSCLC (LA-NSCLC) cohort with known tumor genotype.

Materials and methods

Between 2002 and 2014, 255 patients with LA-NSCLC underwent tumor genotyping for EGFR, ALK and/or KRAS (180 patients had follow-up brain imaging). Cumulative incidence and Fine-Gray regression were performed on clinical variables including genotype and risk of brain metastasis, with death as a competing event.

Results

The proportion of tumors with aberrations in EGFR, ALK and KRAS were 17%, 4% and 28%, respectively. The median follow-up was 68 months. On multivariate analysis, EGFR+ was significantly associated with risk of brain metastasis in the full patient cohort (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.22–3.39, p = 0.006) as well as in the subset of patients with brain follow-up imaging (HR 1.91. 95% CI 1.17–3.13, p = 0.01). This translated to a higher cumulative incidence of brain metastasis in EGFR+ patients at 3 and 5 years (33.3% vs. 23.2 and 43.8% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Patients with EGFR+ LA-NSCLC have a significantly higher likelihood of developing brain metastasis after standard combined modality therapy, independent of their longer overall survival. This high-risk genotypic subgroup may benefit from routine surveillance with brain MRI to allow early salvage with targeted systemic- and/or radiation-therapies.

Use of cell free DNA as a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer patients with bone metastasis

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is difficult to treat when metastasis has occurred. This study explores the use of cell-free DNA in the clinical management of NSCLC patients who have Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-positive mutations and as a marker for prognosis.

METHODS

Peripheral blood collected from advanced NSCLC patients was examined with digital droplet polymerase chain reaction and ultraviolet spectrometry. KRAS mutations were analyzed and quantitated. The specificity and sensitivity of the proposed assay was computed by associating the results with tumor tissue specimens. Comparison against different sub-groups of patients with different metastatic sites and healthy volunteers were made. Patients were subsequently followed up and survival analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Among the 186 patients recruited, 150 had concordant KRAS mutational profiles using cell-free DNA with tumor tissues. The assay sensitivity and specificity were 80.6% and 100%, respectively. For the 150 patients with concordant results, the range of cell-free DNA quantities in peripheral blood was 5.3 to 115 ng. Among the patient groups with different metastatic sites, we observed that patients with bone metastasis had higher concentrations of cell-free DNA. Survival analysis showed that these patients had worse survival outcome. Patients with higher KRAS counts in peripheral blood also had worse outcome.

CONCLUSION

The use of cell-free DNA presents opportunities for risk stratification of patients and possibly aids in the clinical management of the disease. In the current study for NSCLC, patients with bone metastases showed higher cell-free DNA concentrations. Quantitating the concentrations of cell-free DNA presents a noninvasive biomarker capable of prognostic utility.

IKKβ targeting reduces KRAS-induced lung cancer angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo: A potential anti-angiogenic therapeutic target

OBJECTIVES

The ability of tumor cells to drive angiogenesis is an important cancer hallmark that positively correlates with metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Therefore, targeting angiogenesis is a rational therapeutic approach and dissecting proangiogenic pathways is important, particularly for malignancies driven by oncogenic KRAS, which are widespread and lack effective targeted therapies. Based on published studies showing that oncogenic RAS promotes angiogenesis by upregulating the proangiogenic NF-κB target genes IL-8 and VEGF, that NF-κB activation by KRAS requires the IKKβ kinase, and that targeting IKKβ reduces KRAS-induced lung tumor growth in vivo, but has limited effects on cell growth in vitro, we hypothesized that IKKβ targeting would reduce lung tumor growth by inhibiting KRAS-induced angiogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To test this hypothesis, we targeted IKKβ in KRAS-mutant lung cancer cell lines either by siRNA-mediated transfection or by treatment with Compound A (CmpdA), a highly specific IKKβ inhibitor, and used in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate angiogenesis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Both pharmacological and siRNA-mediated IKKβ targeting in lung cells reduced expression and secretion of NF-κB-regulated proangiogenic factors IL-8 and VEGF. Moreover, conditioned media from IKKβ-targeted lung cells reduced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, invasion and tube formation in vitro. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated IKKβ inhibition reduced xenograft tumor growth and vascularity in vivo. Finally, IKKβ inhibition also affects endothelial cell function in a cancer-independent manner, as IKKβ inhibition reduced pathological retinal angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Taken together, these results provide a novel mechanistic understanding of how the IKKβ pathway affects human lung tumorigenesis, indicating that IKKβ promotes KRAS-induced angiogenesis both by cancer cell-intrinsic and cancer cell-independent mechanisms, which strongly suggests IKKβ inhibition as a promising antiangiogenic approach to be explored for KRAS-induced lung cancer therapy.

Identification of a metastatic lung adenocarcinoma of the palate mucosa through genetic and histopathological analysis: a rare case report and literature review

Background

Cancers of unknown primary origin (CUPs) are reported to be the 3-4th most common causes of cancer death. Recent years have seen advances in mutational analysis and genomics profiling. These advances could improve accuracy of diagnosis of CUPs and might improve the prognosis of patients with CUPs.

Case presentation

A 76-year old male with an adenocarcinoma of unknown primary origin in the lung presented with another tumor of the palate mucosa. The tumor cells in the pleural effusion were all negative for immunohistochemical markers (TTF-1 and Napsin A) and lung-specific oncogenic driver alterations (EGFR mutation and ALK translocation). The tumor of the palate mucosa was likewise identified as an adenocarcinoma, and the cells showed cytological similarities with the tumor cells in the pleural effusion; TTF-1, Napsin A, EGFR mutation and ALK translocation were all negative. This result suggested that origins of the tumors of the palate mucosa and in the lung were the same, even though the origin had not yet been determined. Next, we addressed whether the tumor of the palate mucosa was a primary tumor or not. Secretory carcinoma (SC), which is a common type of minor salivary gland tumor (MSGT), was suspected; however, mammaglobin was negative and ETV6-NTRK3 (EN) fusion was not observed. Other MSGTs were excluded based on histological and immunohistochemical findings. Furthermore, an additional examination demonstrated an oncogenic KRAS mutation at codon 12 (p.G12D) in both palate tumor and in pleural effusion. KRAS mutation is known to exist in one-third of lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs), but quite rare in MSGTs. The possibility of metastasis from other organs was considered unlikely from the results of endoscopic and imaging studies. This result indicated that the primary site of the CUP was indeed the lung, and that the tumor of the palate mucosa was a metastasis of the LUAD.

Conclusions

A tumor of the palate mucosa that showed diagnostic difficulties was determined to be a metastatic LUAD by genomic alterations and histopathological findings.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5277-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Incidence of brain metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma at initial diagnosis on the basis of stage and genetic alterations

OBJECTIVE

Patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) are at higher risk of the development of brain metastasis (BM), and genetic alterations are associated with BM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 598 patients with lung ADC in our institution between January 2014 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the incidence of BM by stage and genetic alterations.

RESULTS

Of the 598 patients, 97 (16.2%) had BM, which occurred across all stages. The incidence of BM showed a tendency to increase as the stage increased (p < 0.001, trend test). Although patients with EGFR mutations had BM across all stages, those with ALK or K- mutations had BM only in stage III and IV diseases. Regardless of types of mutations, the incidence of BM showed a tendency to increase as the T or N staging increased (p < 0.001 for each of EGFR, ALK, and K-RAS mutations, trend test). Whereas BM incidence showed a tendency to increase as the M staging increased in patients with EGFR-mutant lung ADC (p < 0.001, trend test), there was no linear trend between M staging and ALK (p = 0.469, trend test) or K-RAS mutations (p = 0.066, trend test). After adjusting covariables, EGFR mutations were associated with BM in never-smokers (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.02-4.34) and K-RAS mutations were risk factors for BM in males (adjusted OR = 3.86, 95% CI = 1.01-14.43).

CONCLUSIONS

BM occurred in approximately 16% of lung ADC patients, including 3% with stage I diseases. Whereas EGFR-mutant lung ADC had BM across all stages, ALK- or K-RAS-mutant lung ADC had BM only in advanced stages. EGFR mutations were risk factors for BM among never-smokers and K-RAS mutations were risk factors among males.

[Association between EGFR, ALK and KRAS Gene Status and Synchronous Distant Organ Metastasis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

肺癌是我国恶性肿瘤的首位死亡疾病，据统计大约57%的肺癌患者就诊时已经出现了远处转移，临床预后较差。抗肺癌转移是当前治疗晚期转移性肺癌的新方向和思路。既往研究表明肿瘤的生物学改变在一定程度上能够影响肿瘤的转移行为和侵袭扩散模式，而目前的基础及临床研究尚未阐明导致肺癌相关信号转导途径中发生特异性器官转移的分子机制，有关驱动基因突变与器官转移之间相关性的研究也较为罕见。本篇综述旨在对近几年有关非小细胞肺癌表皮生长因子受体（epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR）、间变性淋巴瘤激酶（anaplastic lymphoma kinase, ALK）、Kristen鼠肉瘤病毒原癌基因同源体（V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue, KRAS）驱动基因表达的特点以及与转移器官分布之间相关性的文献进行小结。

Association of molecular status and metastatic organs at diagnosis in patients with stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Biological predisposition for specific metastatic organs might differ between molecular subgroups of lung cancer. We aimed to assess the association between molecular status and metastatic organs at diagnosis in a nationwide stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer ((ns)-NSCLC) cohort.

METHODS

All ns-NSCLC from 2013 that were stage IV at diagnosis were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry, which records information on metastatic organs at diagnosis. Tumors were matched to the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA) from which data on molecular status established in routine practice was extracted. Four molecular subgroups (EGFR+, KRAS+, ALK+, triple-negative) were identified. For each metastatic organ, proportions of tumors metastasized to this organ were, per molecular subgroup, compared to triple-negative tumors by multivariable logistic regression analyses (adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)), taking clinicopathological variables into account.

RESULTS

160 EGFR+ (exon 19 del, exon 21 L858R), 784 KRAS+, 42 ALK+, and 1008 triple-negative tumors were identified. Most frequent metastatic organs were the bone (34%), pleura (24%), lung (23%), and brain (22%). Compared to triple-negatives, EGFR+ tumors had more often metastases to the bone (31.5 vs 53.8%; OR 2.55 (95% CI 1.80-3.62)) and pleura (24.1 vs 37.5%; OR 2.06 (1.42-2.98)), and less often to the brain (22.0 vs 12.5%; OR 0.53 (0.32-0.88)) and adrenal glands (19.1 vs 7.5%; OR 0.46 (0.28-0.75)). Compared to triple-negatives, KRAS+ and ALK+ tumors had at diagnosis metastasized more often to the lung (20.3 vs 26.7%; OR 1.40 (1.12-1.76)) and the liver (13.1 vs 23.8%; OR 2.07 (1.00-4.32)), respectively.

CONCLUSION

NSCLC molecular status was associated with metastatic pattern at diagnosis. 54% of stage IV EGFR+ ns-NSCLC patients had bone metastases at diagnosis. These observational results are hypothesis generating, and call for a prospective study where EGFR+ patients are screened for bone metastases, and treated to prevent skeletal related events.

Bone metastases from lung cancer: A paradigm for multidisciplinary onco-rheumatology management

Bone is the third metastatic site after liver and lungs. Bone metastases occur in one out of three lung cancers and are usually of osteolytic aspect. Osteolytic bone metastases are responsible of long bone and vertebral fractures leading to restricted mobility, surgery and medullar compression that severely alter quality of life and that have a huge medico-economic impact. In the recent years, Bone Metastatic Multidisciplinary Tumour Board (BM²TB) have been developed to optimize bone metastases management for each patient in harmony with oncology program. In this review, we will go through all the different aspects of bone metastases management including diagnosis and evaluation (CT scan, Tc 99m-MDP bone scan, ¹⁸FDG-PET scan and biopsy for molecular diagnosis), systemic bone treatments (zoledronic acid and denosumab) and local treatments (interventional radiology and radiotherapy). Surgical strategies will be discussed elsewhere. Based on the last 2017-Lung Cancer South East French Guidelines, we present a practical decision tree to help the physicians for decision making in order to reach a personalized locomotor strategy for every patient.

Erlotinib for Patients with EGFR Wild-Type Metastatic NSCLC: a Retrospective Biomarkers Analysis

Erlotinib is approved for the treatment of patients with EGFR mutation positive, metastatic NSCLC. It is also approved as second/third line therapy for EGFR mutation negative patients, but in this setting the benefit of erlotinib is modest and there is no validated biomarker for selecting EGFR wild-type patients who may benefit the most from the treatment. We retrospectively assessed EGFR and K-RAS mutational status, and EGFR, c-MET and IGF1-R expression in tumor samples of 72 patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with erlotinib after at least one prior line of chemotherapy, from 2008 to 2012. We analyzed the association between biomarkers and outcome (RR, PFS, and OS). EGFR mutated patients achieved a better RR (56% vs 8%, p = .002), PFS (10 vs 3 months, HR 0.53, p = 0.48) and OS (20 vs 6 months, HR 0.55, p = .07), compared to EGFR wild-type patients. Among 63 EGFR wild-type patients, those with EGFR high-expression had a better outcome in terms of RR (40% vs 2%, p = .002), PFS (7.5 vs 2 months, HR 0.45, p = .007) and OS (30 vs 5 months, HR 0.34, p < .001) compared to patients with EGFR intermediate or low/negative-expression. IGF1-R expression, c-MET expression and K-RAS mutational status did not significantly affect the outcome; however, no patients with K-RAS mutation or c-MET high-expression achieved an objective response. In patients with metastatic, chemo-refractory EGFR wild-type NSCLC, EGFR high-expression may represent a positive predictor of activity for erlotinib, whereas K-RAS mutation and c-MET high-expression may predict lack of activity. These findings deserve further prospective evaluation.

NSCLC molecular testing in Central and Eastern European countries

Background

The introduction of targeted treatments for subsets of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has highlighted the importance of accurate molecular diagnosis to determine if an actionable genetic alteration is present. Few data are available for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) on mutation rates, testing rates, and compliance with testing guidelines.

Methods

A questionnaire about molecular testing and NSCLC management was distributed to relevant specialists in nine CEE countries, and pathologists were asked to provide the results of EGFR and ALK testing over a 1-year period.

Results

A very high proportion of lung cancer cases are confirmed histologically/cytologically (75–100%), and molecular testing of NSCLC samples has been established in all evaluated CEE countries in 2014. Most countries follow national or international guidelines on which patients to test for EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements. In most centers at that time, testing was undertaken on request of the clinician rather than on the preferred reflex basis. Immunohistochemistry, followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization confirmation of positive cases, has been widely adopted for ALK testing in the region. Limited reimbursement is a significant barrier to molecular testing in the region and a disincentive to reflex testing. Multidisciplinary tumor boards are established in most of the countries and centers, with 75–100% of cases being discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board at specialized centers.

Conclusions

Molecular testing is established throughout the CEE region, but improved and unbiased reimbursement remains a major challenge for the future. Increasing the number of patients reviewed by multidisciplinary boards outside of major centers and access to targeted therapy based on the result of molecular testing are other major challenges.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4023-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

RAS-mediated oncogenic signaling pathways in human malignancies

Abnormally activated RAS proteins are the main oncogenic driver that governs the functioning of major signaling pathways involved in the initiation and development of human malignancies. Mutations in RAS genes and or its regulators, most frequent in human cancers, are the main force for incessant RAS activation and associated pathological conditions including cancer. In general, RAS is the main upstream regulator of the highly conserved signaling mechanisms associated with a plethora of important cellular activities vital for normal homeostasis. Mutated or the oncogenic RAS aberrantly activates a web of interconnected signaling pathways including RAF-MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT (protein kinase B), protein kinase C (PKC) and ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (RALGDS), etc., leading to uncontrolled transcriptional expression and reprogramming in the functioning of a range of nuclear and cytosolic effectors critically associated with the hallmarks of carcinogenesis. This review highlights the recent literature on how oncogenic RAS negatively use its signaling web in deregulating the expression and functioning of various effector molecules in the pathogenesis of human malignancies.

Innovative methods for biomarker discovery in the evaluation and development of cancer precision therapies

The discovery of biomarkers able to detect cancer at an early stage, to evaluate its aggressiveness, and to predict the response to therapy remains a major challenge in clinical oncology and precision medicine. In this review, we summarize recent achievements in the discovery and development of cancer biomarkers. We also highlight emerging innovative methods in biomarker discovery and provide insights into the challenges faced in their evaluation and validation.

Possible application of circulating free tumor DNA in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Liquid biopsies have been heralded as a game changer in cancer management. Blood tests offer a minimally invasive, safe and sensitive complementary (or even alternative) approach for tissue biopsies. With lung cancer being the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, due to the limitations of tissue sampling, liquid biopsies must urgently materialize in the clinic. In this short review, we will present the current applications of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in lung cancer management, emphasizing on our own experience and previous work. We will also shortly comment on the challenges and need for a coordinated collaboration combining disciplines and sectors (from academia to health economies) in order to accelerate liquid biopsy development in lung cancer and other cancers.