Synergistic effect of additional anlotinib and immunotherapy as second-line or later-line treatment in pancreatic cancer: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is in urgent need of a second-line or later-line treatment strategy. We aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of additional anlotinib, specifically anlotinib in combination with immunotherapy, in patients with PDAC who have failed first-line therapy.

Methods

Patients with pathological diagnosis of PDAC were additionally treated with anlotinib, and some patients were treated with anti-PD-1 agents at the same time, which could be retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy and safety of additional anlotinib were evaluated.

Results

A total of 23 patients were included. In patients treated with additional anlotinib, the overall median progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.8 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 6.3 months, regardless of anti-PD-1 agents. Among patients receiving additional anlotinib in combination with anti-PD-1 agents, median PFS and OS were 1.8 and 6.5 months, respectively. Adverse events (AEs) were observed in 16 patients (69.6%). In patients treated with additional anlotinib, the majority of AEs were grade 1-3. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with baseline red blood cell distribution width (RDW) <14% treated with additional anlotinib plus anti-PD-1 agents had significantly longer OS than patients with baseline RDW ≥14% (p = 0.025). Patients with additional anlotinib plus anti-PD-1 agents as second-line therapy had a longer OS than those treated as later-line therapy (p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that baseline RDW was the only independent risk factor for OS (p = 0.042).

Conclusion

The combination of anlotinib and immunotherapy represents an effective add-on therapy with tolerable AEs as second- or later-line therapy in patients with PDAC, particularly in patients with baseline RDW <14%.

Nanomedicine Combats Drug Resistance in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy are currently available as treatment methods. However, drug resistance is a significant factor in the failure of lung cancer treatments. Novel therapeutics have been exploited to address complicated resistance mechanisms of lung cancer and the advancement of nanomedicine is extremely promising in terms of overcoming drug resistance. Nanomedicine equipped with multifunctional and tunable physiochemical properties in alignment with tumor genetic profiles can achieve precise, safe, and effective treatment while minimizing or eradicating drug resistance in cancer. Here, this work reviews the discovered resistance mechanisms for lung cancer chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, and outlines novel strategies for the development of nanomedicine against drug resistance. This work focuses on engineering design, customized delivery, current challenges, and clinical translation of nanomedicine in the application of resistant lung cancer.

Case report of severe pneumothorax due to lung cancer treated with anlotinib

Anlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor for the treatment of lung cancer. Pneumothorax is a rare complication of anlotinib treatment. Here, the case of a male patient in his early seventies, with lung cancer combined with emphysema, who developed a pneumothorax during treatment with anlotinib, is described. The patient was admitted to hospital mainly for dyspnoea and was diagnosed with pneumothorax after digital radiography of the chest. The patient's symptoms improved significantly after closed chest drainage, and a repeat chest digital radiography showed a more resolved pneumothorax. The patient had no previous history of pneumothorax. After discontinuation of anlotinib, the latest follow-up chest computed tomography assessment in August 2023 showed no recurrence of pneumothorax, thus, the pneumothorax is presumed to have been associated with anlotinib in this patient. In addition, the authors speculate that emphysema may be a cause of pneumothorax in patients with lung cancer receiving anlotinib treatment. Therefore, clinicians should be alert to the risk of pneumothorax occurrence in patients with emphysema combined with lung cancer who are treated with anlotinib.

Current and Emerging Treatment Options for Patients With Relapsed Small-cell Lung Carcinoma: A Systematic Literature Review

Second-line treatment options are limited for patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). We conducted a PRISMA-standard systematic literature review to evaluate the treatment landscape for patients with relapsed SCLC (PROSPERO number: CRD42022299759). Systematic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library were performed (October 2022) to identify publications (prior 5 years) from prospective studies of therapies for relapsed SCLC. Publications were screened against predetermined eligibility criteria; data were extracted to standardized fields. Publication quality was assessed using GRADE. The data were analyzed descriptively, grouped by drug class. Overall, 77 publications involving 6349 patients were included. Studies of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with established cancer indications accounted for 24 publications; topoisomerase I inhibitors for 15; checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) for 11, and alkylating agents for 9 publications. The remaining 18 publications featured chemotherapies, small-molecule inhibitors, investigational TKIs and monoclonal antibodies, and a cancer vaccine. According to GRADE assessment, 69% of the publications reported low-/very-low-quality evidence; quality limitations included lack of randomization and small sample sizes. Only 6 publications/6 trials reported phase 3 data; 5 publications/2 trials reported phase 2/3 results. Overall, the clinical potential of alkylating agents and CPIs remained unclear; investigations of combination approaches and biomarker-directed usage are warranted. Phase 2 data from TKI trials were consistently promising; no phase 3 data were available. Phase 2 data for a liposomal formulation of irinotecan were promising. We confirmed an absence of promising investigational drug/regimens in late-stage development; thus, relapsed SCLC remains an area of high unmet need.

Challenges in the treatment of small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy and molecular classification

For many years the standard of care for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has remained unchanged. Despite decades of active research, current treatment options are limited and the prognosis of patients with extended disease (ED) SCLC remains poor. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represents an exception and the only recent approval for ED-SCLC. However, the magnitude of benefit obtained with immunotherapy in SCLC is much more modest than that observed in other malignancies. Different pro-immunogenic or immunosuppressive features within the tumor microenvironment of SCLC may either modulate the sensitivity to immunotherapy or conversely dampen the efficacy of ICIs. Beside immunotherapy, a deeper understanding of the molecular biology of SCLC has led to the identification of new therapeutic targets for this lethal malignancy. Recent epigenetic and gene expression studies have resulted into a new molecular classification of four distinct subtypes of SCLC, defined by the relative expression of key transcription regulators and each characterized by specific therapeutic vulnerabilities. This review discusses the rationale for immunotherapy in SCLC and summarizes the main ICIs-trials in this tumor. We provide also an overview of new potential therapeutic opportunities and their integration with the new molecular classification of SCLC.

A Retrospective Analysis of Conversion Therapy with Lenvatinib, Sintilimab, and Arterially-Directed Therapy in Patients with Initially Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the triple-combination therapy of lenvatinib plus sintilimab plus arterially-directed therapy as a conversion therapy for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from all HCC patients who underwent lenvatinib plus sintilimab plus arterially-directed therapy at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital between December 2018 and October 2020. Of 98 enrolled patients, 37 patients were classified as potentially resectable. We compared the potentially resectable population (PRP) with the non-potentially resectable population (NPRP). The primary study endpoint was conversion rate, and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety.

Results

The baseline characteristics were comparable between populations except for a higher proportion of patients with extrahepatic metastases in the NPRP versus PRP (23/61 [37.7%] vs 3/37 [8.1%], respectively; p=0.003). For PRP, the ORR was 67.6% based on RECIST v1.1 (75.7% based on mRECIST), conversion rate was 40.5% (15/37). Of the 15 patients who underwent surgical resection, three achieved complete pathological remission. The median follow-up for all patients was 28 months (range: 2-47). For NPRP, the ORR was 22.9% based on RECIST v1.1 (31.1% based on mRECIST), The median PFS for PRP was significantly longer than that of NPRP (25 vs 13 months, p = 0.0025). The median OS for PRP was significantly longer than that of NPRP (not reached VS 21 months, p=0.014). Hypertension was the most common grade ≥3 adverse reaction in both PRP and NPRP. No new safety signals were observed for any of the treatments.

Conclusion

The triple-combination therapy of lenvatinib plus sintilimab plus arterially-directed therapy can convert potentially unresectable HCC into resectable disease and improve long-term survival.

Anlotinib plus etoposide and cisplatin/carboplatin as first-line therapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): a single-arm, phase II study

Patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) have high relapse rates and poor prognosis. Anlotinib monotherapy has shown promising efficacy for patients with ES-SCLC and has a non-overlapping toxicity profile with chemotherapy. Therefore, the study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the addition of anlotinib to platinum-chemotherapy as first-line therapy for patients with ES-SCLC. ES-SCLC patients without systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy were recruited. Eligible patients received anlotinib (12 mg/day, on day 1-14) of a 21-day cycle, with concomitant etoposide (100 mg/m², on day 1-3) plus cisplatin (75 mg/m², on day 1) or carboplatin (AUC = 4-5, on day 1) for 4-6 cycles, followed by indefinite anlotinib maintenance therapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS). Between Jan 15, 2019 and Dec 31, 2020, 25 patients were enrolled. At the data cut-off time (November 3, 2021), the median follow-up was 14.3 months. Median PFS was 10.3 months (95% CI: 6.0-14.5) and median OS was 17.1 months (95% CI: 11.1-19.3). The ORR and DCR were 90% and 100%, respectively. The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia (50%), leukopenia (35%), thrombocytopenia (25%), fatigue (10%), nausea (10%), hyponatremia (10%), anemia (10%). One patient discontinued treatment due to treatment-related adverse events. No treatment-related death occurred. Anlotinib plus platinum-chemotherapy as first-line therapy for ES-SCLC has anti-tumor activity, and showed acceptable tolerability. These results provide a basis for future randomized controlled trials.

Screening anlotinib responders via blood-based proteomics in non-small cell lung cancer

Anlotinib has been demonstrated to be effective in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The response stratification of anlotinib remains unclear. In this study, plasma samples from 28 anlotinib-treated NSCLC patients (discovery cohort: 14 responders and 14 non-responders) were subjected to proteomic analysis, and plasma samples from 35 anlotinib-treated NSCLC patients (validation cohort) were subjected to validation analysis. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis was performed on samples with different time points, namely baseline (BL), best response (BR), and progression disease (PD). Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen for the underlying differential proteins. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect plasma ARHGDIB, FN1, CDH1, and KNG1 levels respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for biomarker-based responsive stratification. Our results indicated that differential proteins between responders and non-responders showed that proteomic technology potentially contributes to biomarker screening in plasma samples at BL. Furthermore, our results suggested that the detection of plasma ARHGDIB, FN1, CDH1, and KNG1 levels have potential predictive value for anlotinib response both in the discovery cohort and validation cohort. Collectively, this study offers novel insights into the value of plasma biomarker screening via proteomic examination and suggests that plasma ARHGDIB, FN1, CDH1, and KNG1 levels could be used as biomarkers for anlotinib stratification in NSCLC patients.

Toripalimab and anlotinib as a maintenance treatment for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: a case report

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by rapid proliferation, high growth fraction and early locoregional and distant metastases. SCLC has been found to be significantly sensitive to platinum–etoposide chemotherapy, but most patients relapse within 6 months of completing initial treatment and median overall survival is about 10 months. Despite the current immunotherapy-treatment approach, median survival time and progression-free survival remain short. This case shows the potential efficacy of maintenance therapy with toripalimab and anlotinib after first-line platinum–etoposide chemotherapy in a patient with extensive-stage SCLC. The combination treatment prolonged the progression-free survival to approximately 13 months and overall survival to 25 months; this is well above the existing standard, and this patient did not experience any major adverse effects during the course of therapy.

Efficacy and Safety of Anlotinib in the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Real-World Observation Study

Aims

This study aimed to observe the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the real world, as first-line maintenance therapy, second-line, and above.

Methods

Clinical data of 109 patients with SCLC treated with anlotinib and hospitalized at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2018 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Analysis of short-term efficacy and survival was performed, with p<0.05 being considered statistically significant.

Results

The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of anlotinib monotherapy used as first-line maintenance treatment of SCLC was 6.3 months (11.7 months in the limited phase and 5.8 months in the extensive phase) and median overall survival (mOS) was 16.7 months (not reached in limited phase, 12.6 months in extensive phase). In second-line treatment, anlotinib with chemotherapy prolonged PFS and OS as compared to anlotinib monotherapy (p<0.05). In third-line and above treatment, there was no improvement in mPFS with the chemotherapy combination regimen compared to anlotinib monotherapy (3.6 months vs. 3.8 months, p=0.398), with a trend toward impaired mOS (8.5 months vs. not achieved, p=0.060). Univariate analyses and multivariate analyses revealed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and liver metastases were independent prognostic factors affecting PFS and OS. No new anlotinib-related adverse reactions were identified.

Conclusion

Anlotinib was effective for first-line maintenance and second-line treatment, and the chemotherapy combination regimen was superior to monotherapy when applied as second-line treatment. However, this trend was not observed in third-line and above therapy.

A phase II study of anlotinib combined with etoposide and platinum-based regimens in the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this prospective, pilot, single-arm phase II trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anlotinib combined with etoposide and platinum-based regimens in the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

METHODS

This phase II study was conducted at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between December 2018 and December 2020. All patients received standard chemotherapy (etoposide plus cisplatin/carboplatin) consisting of four courses and anlotinib at 12 mg once per day for 2 weeks followed by a one-week rest. Anlotinib administration was continued until disease progression, intolerable adverse events (AEs) or patient withdrawal from the study. The primary outcome measure was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary outcome measures were overall survival (OS), objective control rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and AEs.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were included in this study, and 30 patients were eligible for efficacy analysis. ORR and DCR were 90.0% and 96.7%, respectively. The estimated PFS and OS were 6.0 months (95% CI: 1.1-11.9 months) and 14.0 months (95% CI: 8.6-19.4 months), respectively. No unexpected adverse effects were reported. Hypertension (20/37, 54.1%), anemia (16/37, 43.2%), alopecia (15/37, 40.5%), elevated transaminases (9/37, 24.3%) and alkaline phosphatase (9/37, 24.3%) were the most commonly reported AEs. Thirteen patients (35.1%) reported grade 3-5 AEs. No treatment-related deaths occurred during this study.

CONCLUSION

The addition of anlotinib to standard etoposide/platinum chemotherapy achieved encouraging PFS and OS in previously untreated ES-SCLC patients, with an acceptable tolerability profile and no new safety signals observed.

Therapeutic Modalities in Small Cell Lung Cancer: a paradigm shift after decades of quiescence

INTRODUCTION

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is known to be the most aggressive of all thoracic malignancies, notoriously known for its very poor prognosis. Platinum based chemotherapy has been the standard of care for decades. Despite years of research, no treatment novelties with significant impact on survival have been achieved until recently. The last few years have witnessed light at the end of the tunnel with immunotherapy proving to improve survival. Nevertheless, responses were not homogeneous in all subgroups, and finding who would best benefit from treatment remains unanswered. Multiple limitations exist, and the quest for optimal biomarkers seemed unfruitful until the discovery of different SCLC phenotypes.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors briefly discuss SCLC phenotypes and biomarker assays. Then, the authors continue with the main trials of SCLC treatment using chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted treatment in the front-line or subsequent line settings.

EXPERT OPINION

Research has been extensively implemented to better understand the biology of SCLC, and test for the optimal use of immunotherapy in patients with SCLC, as well as to enhance responses via possible combinations. Targeted mechanisms of action have also been attempted; yet no solid proof of efficacy has been established.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Anlotinib in Patients With Lung Cancer With or Without Previous Antiangiogenic Therapy

Objective

The purpose of this study was to initially investigate the effect of previous antiangiogenic therapy (bevacizumab and endostatin) on the efficacy of anlotinib in patients with advanced or metastatic lung cancer (LC).

Methods

We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients with LC treated with anlotinib and divided them into group A (treated with anlotinib after the failure of previous antiangiogenic drugs and group B (no prior use of antiangiogenic drugs). We used propensity score matching (PSM) for confounding factors between the groups. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also recorded.

Results

A total of 160 patients were included in the analysis. The median OS in groups A and group B was 11.8 months and 16.1 months (P=0.120), whereas the median PFS was 3.1 months and 4.7 months (P=0.009), respectively. Moreover, the objective response rate (ORR) of the two groups was 9.6% and 10.4% (P=0.874), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 71.1% and 80.5% (P=0.165).

After PSM (n=46), baseline characteristics were comparable between groups A and B. Furthermore, the median OS of the two groups was 14.6 months and 16.2 months (P=0.320), whereas the median PFS was 3.5 months and 4.5 months (P=0.040), respectively. Moreover, the ORR of the two groups were 13.0% and 10.9% (P=0.748), and the DCR were 78.3% and 82.6% (P=0.599), respectively.

Conclusions

Previous antiangiogenic treatments may affect the PFS of patients who receive anlotinib later, but it might not affect the patient’s ORR and OS.

Successful Treatment of an Elderly Patient With Combined Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Anlotinib: A Case Report

Combined small-cell lung cancer (C-SCLC) is a relatively rare subtype of SCLC and is defined by the combination of SCLC and any elements of non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Anlotinib is a novel oral multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor that led to significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival in third-line therapy of advanced SCLC in the ALTER1202 study. Antiangiogenic therapy with anlotinib in C-SCLC has not previously been reported. An 80-year-old man was admitted with a 20-day history of blood-stained sputum. Chest computed tomography revealed a soft mass (45 × 43 mm) in the right upper lobe and a mediastinal lymph node and additional lung lesions in the homo lung. Pathology confirmed C-SCLC after an ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture biopsy of the right lung tumor. The elderly patient was given anlotinib monotherapy at a dose of 10 mg/day on days 1–14 of a 21-day cycle after providing informed consent, and the outcome was assessed as continued partial response. As of the last follow-up evaluation, the patient’s progression-free survival was more than 7 months, and the treatment showed satisfactory safety. Our findings provide direct evidence of the efficacy of anlotinib in an elderly patient with C-SCLC. More studies are needed to confirm our observations.

Real-world efficacy and safety of anlotinib as third- or further-line treatment in refractory small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

As a novel antiangiogenic multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor recently approved in China, anlotinib has exhibited promising anticancer efficacy and acceptable safety profile in the salvage treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in clinical trials. Here we retrospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of anlotinib as third- or further-line treatment in patients with refractory SCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 40 patients with refractory SCLC treated with anlotinib monotherapy were included in this study. The clinicopathological data, treatment information, survival data and safety data were retrospectively collected. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was performed by log-rank testing.

RESULTS

Altogether, 40 patients of extensive-stage SCLC or progressive limited-stage SCLC received anlotinib monotherapy as third- or further-line treatment from July 2018 to June 2020. Four patients achieved partial response (PR), 14 patients achieved stable disease (SD), no complete response (CR) was recorded, and 22 patients experienced progressive disease (PD). The disease control rate (DCR) was 45.0%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.0 months (95% CI 2.241-3.759), and the median overall survival (OS) was 7.8 months (95% CI 3.190-12.410). The common adverse effects (AEs) included hypertension, fatigue, anorexia, cough, rash and nausea. Grade 3 treatment-related AEs occurred in 3 (7.5%) patients. One patient interrupted anlotinib treatment due to repeated grade 1 epistaxis. Univariate analysis revealed that patients without liver metastases, previously treated with radiotherapy or with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores of 0 or 1 had longer OS with anlotinib treatment. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that patients without liver metastases and patients with ECOG score ≤ 1 had longer PFS, while patients without liver metastases had longer OS.

CONCLUSION

Anlotinib is beneficial to refractory SCLC as third- or further-line treatment, especially in patients without liver metastasis and with better physical status. Related adverse effects are tolerable and manageable.

Effectiveness of anlotinib in patients with small-cell lung cancer and pleural effusion: Subgroup analysis from a randomized, multicenter, phase II study

Background

The presence of pleural effusion is an independent predictor for poor survival in patients with small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in patients with SCLC and pleural effusion.

Methods

This was a randomized, double‐blind, multicenter, phase II trial. Patients histologically diagnosed with SCLC and pleural effusion and had received at least two lines of chemotherapy were enrolled into the study. The patients received anlotinib 12 mg/day or a placebo.

Results

The overall response rate (ORR) was 3.7% for anlotinib (n = 27) and 0% in the placebo group (n = 15) (p = 1.000). The disease control rate (DCR) of the anlotinib group (63.0%) was higher than that of the placebo group (0%, p < 0.0001). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) increased in the anlotinib group (2.8 months) compared to the placebo group (0.7 months, HR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.03–0.28, p < 0.001). The median overall survival of the anlotinib group (6.5 months) was higher than that of the placebo group (2.8 months, HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.22–1.23, p = 0.1285). The incidence of any grade adverse events was 100% in both groups. The percentage of grade 3–4 adverse events in the anlotinib group was 44.4% (12/27) compared to 40.0% (6/15) in the placebo group. Hypertension (37.0%), fatigue (29.6%), and loss of appetite (29.6%) typically appeared in the anlotinib group.

Conclusions

In this post hoc analysis, anlotinib was associated with improved PFS in patients with SCLC and baseline pleural effusion. However, additional studies with a large sample size are necessary to substantiate the current findings.

Anlotinib, a novel TKI, as a third-line or further-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in China: A systemic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy and safety

PURPOSE

In this meta-analysis and systemic review, we focused on the effectiveness and safety of anlotinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).

METHODS

The databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and CBM were searched by 2 investigators up to April 2020. Titles and abstracts of all records were screened and eligible publications were retrieved in full. Review Manager (version 5.2, Cochrane Library) was used for data analysis. The outcomes of interest were disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse event (TRAE). Data was pooled for quantitative analysis and the effect size was reported as hazard ratio for survival outcomes and odds ratio (OR) for safety outcomes, both with a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A sum of 1480 patients were included in 11 trials ranging from 2018 to 2020. Substantial improvements of PFS, OS, and DCR were observed in patients treated with anlotinib alone or in combination with other conventional treatment. Accompanied TRAE included statistically significant higher risk for hypertension (OR = 11.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.85-15.55, P < .001), hepatic dysfunction (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.29-2.68, P < .001), diarrhea (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.17-4.16, P < .05), and hemoptysis (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.71-3.93, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that anlotinib as maintenance therapy for advanced NSCLC patients is associated with prolonged PFS and OS as well as DCR improvement, but it was accompanied by increased risk of TRAE, such as hypertension, hepatic dysfunction, diarrhea and hemoptysis. Although much effort has been made to clinical trials of anlotinib, further studies are warranted to provide more convincing evidence.

The changing landscape of anti-lung cancer drug clinical trials in mainland China from 2005 to 2020

BACKGROUND

In recent years, new drug development on lung cancer is in full swing in China. The aim of this study was to overview the changing landscape of anti-lung cancer drug clinical trials in mainland China from 2005 to 2020.

METHODS

We analysed anti-lung cancer drug clinical trials registered on three websites including the China National Medical Products Administration Centre for Drug Evaluation platform, the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov.

FINDINGS

A total of 1595 anti-lung cancer drug clinical trials from Jan 1st, 2005 to Dec 31st, 2020 were extracted, which included 630 (39•5%) investigator-initiated trials (IITs), 698 (43•8%) domestic industry-sponsored trials (ISTs), and 267 (16•7%) international ISTs. During the past 16 years, the number of anti-lung cancer clinical trials including IITs and domestic ISTs had a remarkable growth, however, the number of international ISTs increased slowly. The number of principal clinical trial units also increased significantly over time. Of the 1595 trials, the largest growth was observed in phase I trials during 2013-2020, with an average annual growth rate of 38•6%. 278 trials were led by principal investigators (PI) from Guangdong, followed by Beijing (n=273) and Shanghai (n=257). Among the 965 ISTs, clinical trials involving targeted drugs (588, 60•9%) accounted for the largest proportion, followed by immunotherapeutic drugs (284, 29•4%), cytotoxic drugs (75, 7•8%), and traditional Chinese medicine (18, 1•9%). In terms of targeted drugs, EGFR-TKIs remained the most studied drugs (225/588, 38•27%). As for immunotherapy, 125 out of 284 (44•01%) trials involved PD-1 inhibitors, 60 (21•13%) trials involved PD-L1 inhibitors, and seven (2•46%) trials involved CTLA-4 inhibitors.

INTERPRETATION

In the past 16 years, the development of anti-lung cancer drug clinical trials has achieved much progress in mainland China. The most progress lied in targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

FUNDING

This work was financially supported in part by China National Major Project for New Drug Innovation (2017ZX09304015) and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS) (2016-I2M-1-001).

Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inhibition of angiogenesis has been demonstrated to be an efficacious strategy in treating several tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important protein with proangiogenic functions and it is overexpressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against VEGF, showed a promising activity in combination with etoposide and cisplatin as first-line treatment of patients with extended stage (ES)-SCLC and two randomized studies confirmed that bevacizumab improved PFS, but failed to prolong OS. Instead, disappointing results have been observed with endostar, sunitinib, sorafenib, vandetanib, and thalidomide in combination with chemotherapy in the first-line setting, with sunitinib in the maintenance setting, with sunitinib, cediranib and nintedanib as single agents or ziv-aflibercept in combination with topotecan in second-line setting. Only anlotinib improved OS and PFS as third-line therapy in Chinese patients with SCLC, and it was approved with this indication in China. Future challenges are the evaluation of the role of angiogenesis inhibitors in combination with immune- checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy in SCLC patients and the identification of predictive biomarkers of response to both agents.

Response to first-line treatment predicts progression-free survival benefit of small-cell lung cancer patients treated with anlotinib

Background

Anlotinib significantly extended progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) as third or later line treatment.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in the clinical practice and aimed to identify risk factors for predicting the clinical benefit of anlotinib in SCLC patients. 29 SCLC patients treated with anlotinib monotherapy or combination therapy as second or later line treatment were included. PFS, OS, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed.

Results

In whole patients, the median PFS was 2.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–3.2 months); The ORR and DCR were 10.3% and 48.3%, respectively; The median OS was 7.2 months (95%CI: 3.2–11.2 months). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that response to first‐line treatment was the independent risk factor for PFS. The ORR (20.0% vs. 0%) and DCR (53.3% vs. 42.9%) were promoted in patients treated with anlotinib combination therapy comparing to anlotinib monotherapy. The most common AEs were hoarseness, fatigue, decreased appetite, oral mucositis, and anemia. No treatment‐related AEs graded 3 or more.

Conclusion

Anlotinib is an effective option for SCLC patients with tolerable toxicity as second or later line treatment. Patients sensitive to first‐line treatment had longer PFS when treated with anlotinib. Anloitnib combined with other therapy increased the efficacy without adding toxicity.

Anlotinib combined with PD-1 blockade for the treatment of lung cancer: a real-world retrospective study in China

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

SCLC (n = 28) and NSCLC (n = 177) patients who received treatment at Hunan Cancer Hospital between June 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and treatment responses were compared among patients who received combination therapy of anlotinib plus PD-1 inhibitor, or monotherapy of either chemotherapy or PD-1 inhibitor. Independent prognostic factors were identified by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with relapsed SCLC who received anlotinib plus PD-1 inhibitor as a ≥ second-line therapy (n = 14) had a significantly longer PFS than those who received PD-1 inhibitor alone (n = 14, 5.0 vs. 3.0 months; P = 0.005). For patients with previously untreated wild-type NSCLC, the combination therapy in the first-line setting (n = 6) provided a marginally longer PFS than mono-chemotherapy (n = 6, 8.0 vs. 3.0 months; P = 0.075). For patients with relapsed NSCLC, the combination therapy in the  ≥ second-line setting (n = 62) resulted in significantly higher objective response rate (19.3 vs. 5.0 vs. 2.4%; P = 0.013) and longer PFS (8.0 vs. 2.0 vs. 2.0 months; P <0.001) as compared to monotherapy of either chemotherapy (n = 41) or PD-1 inhibitor (n = 62). Anlotinib and PD-1 blockade combination therapy was an independent predictive factor of longer PFS (P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

The combination of anlotinib and PD-1 inhibitor has promising efficacy and manageable toxicity as a second- or later-line treatment of relapsed NSCLC and possibly for relapsed SCLC.

Successful treatment of advanced ovarian cancer with anlotinib: a case report

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecological malignant tumor, with relapse occurring in approximately 70% of advanced cases. Anlotinib is an oral small-molecule multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that can resist neoangiogenesis and inhibit tumor growth. Previous research demonstrated clinical antitumor activity of anlotinib in various cancers. We report the case of an elderly woman with advanced ovarian cancer who received anlotinib after failure of multiple-line chemotherapy. A partial response was observed after six cycles of anlotinib monotherapy, with a reduction in the size of the metastases and significantly decreased serum CA125 levels from 1832.7 U/mL to 118.7 U/mL. She continued to take anlotinib, with a progression-free survival time of more than 4 months. Only mild hypertension was observed during the treatment. Anlotinib monotherapy may be a novel therapeutic option for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

A phase II study of anlotinib in 45 patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer

The purpose of this prospective phase II clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Forty‐five patients with relapsed SCLC were enrolled and treated with anlotinib (one cycle of 12 mg daily for 14 days, discontinued for 7 days, and repeated every 21 days) until disease progression or intolerance of treatment. The primary end point was progression‐free survival (PFS). Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), objective control rate (ORR) and toxicity. The median PFS was 4.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4‐5.8) and the median OS was 6.1 months (95% CI 2.2‐10.0). The OS for the limited‐stage subgroup was significantly longer than that of the extensive‐stage subgroup (P = .02). The DCR was 67%, and the ORR was 11%. The most common adverse event was hypertension (13%), which was controlled well with antihypertensive drugs. In conclusion, anlotinib has likely efficacy in patients with relapsed SCLC, and the side effects can be well tolerated. A longer OS was observed in limited‐stage SCLC patients treated with anlotinib.

What's new?

Although untreated small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients are usually sensitive to chemotherapy, they are prone to relapse. Anlotinib is a novel multi‐target small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor with both anti‐angiogenesis and anti‐tumor growth effects. While anlotinib became the first drug approved for third‐line and further‐line treatment of SCLC in China, few studies have focused on anlotinib treatment in relapsed SCLC. This one‐arm, prospective phase II clinical study reports a median progression‐free survival of 4.1 months (95% CI 2.4‐5.8) and median overall survival of 6.1 months (95% CI 2.2‐10.0) for anlotinib treatment in relapsed SCLC, with relatively mild side effects.

Role of Indole Scaffolds as Pharmacophores in the Development of Anti-Lung Cancer Agents

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women worldwide, affecting millions of people. Between the two types of lung cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is more common than small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Besides surgery and radiotherapy, chemotherapy is the most important method of treatment for lung cancer. Indole scaffold is considered one of the most privileged scaffolds in heterocyclic chemistry. Indole may serve as an effective probe for the development of new drug candidates against challenging diseases, including lung cancer. In this review, we will focus on discussing the existing indole based pharmacophores in the clinical and pre-clinical stages of development against lung cancer, along with the synthesis of some of the selected anti-lung cancer drugs. Moreover, the basic mechanism of action underlying indole based anti-lung cancer treatment, such as protein kinase inhibition, histone deacetylase inhibition, DNA topoisomerase inhibition, and tubulin inhibition will also be discussed.

Landscape and Future Perspectives of Immunotherapy in Neuroendocrine Neoplasia

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are rare entities consisting of a heterogeneous group of tumors that can originate from neuroendocrine cells present in the whole body. Their different behavior, metastatic potential, and prognosis are highly variable, depending on site of origin, grade of differentiation, and proliferative index. The aim of our work is to summarize the current knowledge of immunotherapy in different neuroendocrine neoplasms and its implication in clinical practice.

RESULTS

Several studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in neuroendocrine neoplasms, in any setting of treatment, alone or in combination. Studies led to approval in neuroendocrine neoplasia of the lung, in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment or as a single-agent in a third-line setting, and Merkel cell carcinoma as a single agent. Results in other settings have been disappointing so far.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunotherapy seems a valid treatment option for high grade, poorly differentiated neoplasms. Future trials should explore the combination of immunotherapy with other agents, such as anti-angiogenic or other immunotherapy agents, in order to evaluate potential efficacy in low and intermediate grades, well differentiated tumors.