Efficacy and Safety of Gefitinib as Third-line Treatment in NSCLC Patients With Activating EGFR Mutations Treated With First-line Gefitinib Followed by Second-line Chemotherapy: A Single-Arm, Prospective, Multicenter Phase II Study (RE-CHALLENGE, CTONG1304). Am J Clin Oncol. 2019;42:432-439. [PMID: 30950859 PMCID: PMC6493697 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000538]

EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Retreatment in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Previously Exposed to EGFR-TKI: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) retreatment in advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane databases, ASCO, and ESMO websites for studies evaluating EGFR-TKI retreatment in advanced/metastatic NSCLC patients. All analyses were performed using R software (v.4.2.2). We included 19 studies (9 CTs and 10 retrospective cohorts) with a total of 886 patients. In a pooled analysis of all patients during retreatment with TKI, median OS was 11.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.2-13.4 months) and PFS was 3.2 months (95% CI 2.5-3.9 months). ORR was 15% (95% CI 10-21%) and DCR was 61% (95% CI 53-67%). The subanalysis by generation of TKI in the rechallenge period revealed a slightly better ORR for patients on 3rd generation TKI (p = 0.05). Some limitations include the high heterogeneity of some of the analyses and inability to perform certain subanalyses. Our results unequivocally support the benefit of EGFR-TKI rechallenge in EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients progressing on TKI treatment after a TKI-free interval. These findings may be especially valuable in areas where access to novel therapeutic drugs and clinical trials is limited.

Investigation of the Efficacy of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Patients With EGFR Exon 21 L858R Point Mutation-Positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has a higher response rate than with conventional chemotherapy in patients positive for EGFR mutations. However, the efficacy of EGFR-TKI therapy may be reduced in patients positive for the EGFR exon 21 L858R point mutation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical characteristics of patients with EGFR exon 21 L858R point mutation-positive NSCLC who are non-responders to EGFR-TKI therapy and the factors that predict response to EGFR-TKI therapy.

METHODS

Patients with NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs were evaluated for response after treatment, and those who responded were compared with those who did not respond.

RESULTS

Of 31 patients, 21 (67.7%) responded to EGFR-TKI therapy (the response group). There were significantly more programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1)-negative patients in the response group than in the non-response group. A significantly higher number of patients in the PDL1-positive group developed interstitial lung disease (ILD) after EGFR-TKI therapy than those in the PDL1-negative group.

CONCLUSION

EGFR-TKI therapy is likely to be non-responsive in PDL1-positive patients with EGFR exon 21 L858R point mutation-positive NSCLC. The PDL1-positive group is at a high risk of developing ILD.

EGFR-TKI rechallenge in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer who progressed after first-line osimertinib treatment: A multicenter retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Rechallenge therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is known to confer some clinical benefit for patients with metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about the efficacy of EGFR-TKI rechallenge after resistance to first-line (1L) osimertinib. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI rechallenge therapy after resistance to 1L osimertinib in a Japanese clinical setting.

METHODS

Between April 2018 and August 2022, 26 patients who progressed after treatment with 1L osimertinib and received EGFR-TKI rechallenge were included in this multicenter retrospective analysis. Patients in whom 1L osimertinib was discontinued owing to toxicity and had subsequent disease progression were also included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, the objective response rate for rechallenge therapy was 23.1%. The disease control rate was 53.9%, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.4 months. Patients who discontinued 1L osimertinib for toxicity had a higher response rate (42.9% vs. 15.8%) and longer PFS than those who discontinued it due to disease progression (median: 11.4 vs. 2.7 months, P = 0.001). Three patients (11.5%) developed rechallenge therapy-associated pneumonitis, two of which were grade ≥3.

CONCLUSIONS

Rechallenge with EGFR-TKI after 1L osimertinib resistance showed limited clinical efficacy. However, it could be considered as a subsequent salvage therapeutic option for patients in whom 1L osimertinib was discontinued owing to toxicity.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of First- or Second-Generation EGFR-TKIs after Osimertinib Resistance for EGFR Mutated Lung Cancer: A Prospective Exploratory Study

BACKGROUND

Osimertinib monotherapy is a common treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, standard treatment strategies for acquired resistance to this drug have not been established. In addition, the clinical significance of first-generation (1G) or second-generation (2G) EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC and osimertinib resistance has not yet been fully evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to conduct a prospective multicenter observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1G and 2G EGFR-TKIs after the development of osimertinib resistance.

METHODS

Patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC who received 1G or 2G EGFR-TKIs after developing resistance to osimertinib monotherapy were prospectively assessed at eight institutions in Japan. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients with advanced or recurrent EGFR-mutant NSCLC were analyzed. The objective response and disease control rates were 6.9% (2/29) and 58.6% (17/29), respectively. The median PFS was 1.9 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-5.3]. There was no significant difference in PFS between the 1G and 2G EGFR-TKI groups (3.7 versus 1.5 months, log-rank test p = 0.20). However, patients with normal cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) and pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) levels experienced longer PFS than those with elevated CYFRA 21-1 and/or ProGRP (5.5 versus 1.3 months, log-rank test p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Administration of 1G or 2G EGFR-TKIs after the development of osimertinib resistance has limited efficacy in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Moreover, normal CYFRA 21-1 and ProGRP levels could be promising indicators for 1G and 2G EGFR-TKI administration after osimertinib resistance development.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000044049.

The Recent Research Progress of NF-κB Signaling on the Proliferation, Migration, Invasion, Immune Escape and Drug Resistance of Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and invasive primary central nervous system tumor in humans, accounting for approximately 45-50% of all primary brain tumors. How to conduct early diagnosis, targeted intervention, and prognostic evaluation of GBM, in order to improve the survival rate of glioblastoma patients, has always been an urgent clinical problem to be solved. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of GBM is also needed. Like many other cancers, NF-κB signaling plays a crucial role in tumor growth and therapeutic resistance in GBM. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the high activity of NF-κB in GBM remains to be elucidated. This review aims to identify and summarize the NF-κB signaling involved in the recent pathogenesis of GBM, as well as basic therapy for GBM via NF-κB signaling.

Prospective exosome-focused translational research for afatinib (EXTRA) study of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer harboring EGFR mutation: an observational clinical study

Background

The exosome-focused translational research for afatinib (EXTRA) study is the first trial to identify novel predictive biomarkers for longer treatment efficacy of afatinib in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via a comprehensive association study using genomic, proteomic, epigenomic, and metabolomic analyses.

Objectives

We report details of the clinical portion prior to omics analyses.

Design

A prospective, single-arm, observational study was conducted using afatinib 40 mg/day as an initial dose in untreated patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. Dose reduction to 20 mg every other day was allowed.

Methods

Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

Results

A total of 103 patients (median age 70 years, range 42-88 years) were enrolled from 21 institutions in Japan between February 2017 and March 2018. After a median follow-up of 35.0 months, 21% remained on afatinib treatment, whereas 9% had discontinued treatment because of AEs. The median PFS was 18.4 months, with a 3-year PFS rate of 23.3%. The median afatinib treatment duration in patients with final doses of 40 (n = 27), 30 (n = 23), and 20 mg/day (n = 35), and 20 mg every other day (n = 18) were 13.4, 15.4, 18.8, and 18.3 months, respectively. The median OS was not reached, with a 3-year OS rate of 58.5%. The median OS in patients who did (n = 25) and did not (n = 78) receive osimertinib during the entire course of treatment were 42.4 months and not reached, respectively (p = 0.654).

Conclusions

As the largest prospective study in Japan, this study confirmed favorable OS following first-line afatinib in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC in a real-world setting. Further analysis of the EXTRA study is expected to identify novel predictive biomarkers for afatinib.

Trial registration

UMIN-CTR identifier (UMIN000024935, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_his_list.cgi?recptno=R000028688.

Carbonic Anhydrase IX Controls Vulnerability to Ferroptosis in Gefitinib-Resistant Lung Cancer

Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI, such as gefitinib) in lung cancer continues to be a major problem. Recent studies have shown the promise of ferroptosis-inducing therapy in EGFR-TKI resistant cancer, but have not been translated into clinical benefits. Here, we identified carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) was upregulated in gefitinib-resistant lung cancer. Then we measured the cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and labile iron levels after the treatment of ferroptosis inducer erastin. We found that CA9 confers resistance to ferroptosis-inducing drugs. Mechanistically, CA9 is involved in the inhibition of transferrin endocytosis and the stabilization of ferritin, leading to resistance to ferroptosis. Targeting CA9 promotes iron uptake and release, thus triggering gefitinib-resistant cell ferroptosis. Notably, CA9 inhibitor enhances the ferroptosis-inducing effect of cisplatin on gefitinib-resistant cells, thus eliminating resistant cells in heterogeneous tumor tissues. Taken together, CA9-targeting therapy is a promising approach to improve the therapeutic effect of gefitinib-resistant lung cancer by inducing ferroptosis.

EGFR-TKI re-administration after osimertinib failure in T790M mutation loss cases with re-biopsy

Data on the re-administration of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) after osimertinib failure in patients with T790M-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is limited. EGFR-TKI re-administration efficacy may vary between patients with T790M loss and those with T790M persistent with re-biopsy after osimertinib treatment. Patients who received EGFR-TKI re-administration (gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, dacomitinib, and osimertinib) after osimertinib failure were identified from our database. T790M mutation status before EGFR-TKI re-administration was analyzed via repeat biopsy. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of EGFR-TKI re-administration, especially differences according to the T790M mutation status, via repeat biopsy. Until June 2020, 28 patients received EGFR-TKI re-administration and 17 underwent repeat biopsy after osimertinib failure. Patients were divided into three groups, including the T790M loss group, where active mutation persisted and T790M was lost (13/17); T790M remaining group, where both the active mutation and T790M persisted (3/17); and active mutation loss group where both the active mutation and T790M were lost (1/17). The overall response rate (ORR) of EGFR-TKI re-administration in the T790M loss group was 31% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 54%, which were higher than the ORR of 21% and DCR of 43% in the entire patient population. ORR and DCR of the not re-biopsy group were low (9% and 27%, respectively). The therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKI re-administration in patients with T790M-positive NSCLC after osimertinib failure is limited. EGFR-TKI re-administration may be considered in cases of T790M loss after repeat biopsy.

Double-dose icotinib may induce the emergence of the EGFR exon 20 T790M mutation in non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring EGFR-sensitive mutation

Background

Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) inevitably occurs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR-sensitive mutations. There are approximately half of the patients who developed resistance to EGFR-TKIs treatment, the mechanism of which remains undiscovered. We occasionally found that double-dose icotinib as further-line salvage treatment may induce the emerging mutation of EGFR exon 20 T790M in NSCLC patients. The present study, therefore, was conducted to explore the probability of the emerging T790M mutation after exposure to double-dose icotinib in metastatic NSCLC patients.

Patients and Methods

Metastatic NSCLC patients who received double-dose icotinib as salvage treatment after progression on first-generation TKIs and systematic chemotherapy were screened. Thereafter, patients who received a repeated next-generation sequencing (NGS) test with tumor sample were further enrolled. The procedure of NGS was performed with the standard criteria. Finally, the clinical characteristics, treatment procedures, and outcomes of eligible patients were reviewed and presented.

Results

Three patients have been detected with the emerging T790M mutation after double-dose icotinib exposure, with a mutation frequency of 19.6%, 8.2%, and 87.5%. During the treatment of targetable TKIs including almonertinib or osimertinib, partial response was observed in two patients, and stable disease was observed in the other. The progression-free survival by targetable TKIs for the patients was 3.7+ months (still in extension), 4.9+ months (still in extension), and 6.3 months. Manageable adverse events were observed during the treatment of TKIs.

Conclusion

The results of the present study revealed that the emerging EGFR exon 20 T790M mutation might be induced by double-dose icotinib exposure in further-line treatment. Patients with the emerging T790M mutation responded well to the treatment of targetable TKIs including almonertinib or osimertinib.

PD-1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy in EGFR/ALK-positive NSCLC patients with brain metastases and disease progression after EGFR/ALK-TKIs therapy

BACKGROUND

Resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a pervasive barrier in TKIs therapy for EGFR/ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy has exhibited an encouraging anti-tumor activity in high-selected EGFR/ALK-positive NSCLC patients with acquired resistance to TKI therapy. However, the effect of ICI plus chemotherapy therapy on those with brain metastases in this subset of patients is still unknown.

METHODS

From April 2019 to August 2021, EGFR-mutated or ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients who progressed after previous EGFR/ALK-TKIs with brain metastases and received ICI plus chemotherapy ± bevacizumab at Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) were included. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy, toxicity and progression site after ICI treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients were included in the study, including 16 (84.4%) patients with EGFR mutations, 2 (10.5%) with ALK translocations and 1 (5.3%) with RET rearrangement. All of the patients progressed after previous TKI therapy and had brain metastatic lesions when received ICI combination therapy. The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 15.8 and 57.9%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 4.7 months (95% confidence interval CI 0.43-8.96) and 19.2 months (95% CI 15.08-23.29), respectively. The intracranial ORR was 10.5% and extracranial ORR was 15.8%, and the intracranial and extracranial DCR were 68.4 and 63.2%, respectively. The most common progression pattern was extracranial failure, and primary lesions enlargement rather than new sites metastases accounted for the vast majority of progressions. The most common grade 3-4 adverse event (AE) was leukopenia (31.6%), followed by neutropenia (26.3%), thrombocytopenia (10.5%) and rash (5.3%) successively. No grade 5 AE and discontinuation of ICI therapy for severe AEs were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

ICI combined with chemotherapy ± bevacizumab might be effective and safe for EGFR/ALK-positive NSCLC patients who progressed after previous TKI therapy, and synergistic anti-tumor activity for brain metastases was also observed.

Recent Advancements of Monotherapy, Combination, and Sequential Treatment of EGFR/ALK-TKIs and ICIs in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths with high morbidity and mortality. Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 85% of all cases. Fortunately, the development of molecular oncology provides a promising and effective therapeutic strategy for lung cancers, including specific gene mutations/translocations and immune checkpoints, with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) common mutations first and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocations later as the targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as immunotherapy. This review summarized the recent therapy advancements of TKIs and ICIs in NSCLC and focused on the clinical effect of combination or sequential treatment so as to provide the effective advice for the treatment of NSCLC.

ESMO expert consensus statements on the management of EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) held a virtual consensus-building process on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer in 2021. The consensus included a multidisciplinary panel of 34 leading experts in the management of lung cancer. The aim of the consensus was to develop recommendations on topics that are not covered in detail in the current ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline and where the available evidence is either limited or conflicting. The main topics identified for discussion were: (i) tissue and biomarkers analyses; (ii) early and locally advanced disease; (iii) metastatic disease and (iv) clinical trial design, patient's perspective and miscellaneous. The expert panel was divided into four working groups to address questions relating to one of the four topics outlined above. Relevant scientific literature was reviewed in advance. Recommendations were developed by the working groups and then presented to the entire panel for further discussion and amendment before voting. This manuscript presents the recommendations developed, including findings from the expert panel discussions, consensus recommendations and a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation.

Molecular Mechanisms and Cellular Contribution from Lung Fibrosis to Lung Cancer Development

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) of unknown aetiology, with a median survival of 2-4 years from the time of diagnosis. Although IPF has unknown aetiology by definition, there have been identified several risks factors increasing the probability of the onset and progression of the disease in IPF patients such as cigarette smoking and environmental risk factors associated with domestic and occupational exposure. Among them, cigarette smoking together with concomitant emphysema might predispose IPF patients to lung cancer (LC), mostly to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), increasing the risk of lung cancer development. To this purpose, IPF and LC share several cellular and molecular processes driving the progression of both pathologies such as fibroblast transition proliferation and activation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, and many genetic and epigenetic markers that predispose IPF patients to LC development. Nintedanib, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, was firstly developed as an anticancer drug and then recognized as an anti-fibrotic agent based on the common target molecular pathway. In this review our aim is to describe the updated studies on common cellular and molecular mechanisms between IPF and lung cancer, knowledge of which might help to find novel therapeutic targets for this disease combination.

Concurrent use of anlotinib overcomes acquired resistance to EGFR-TKI in patients with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Acquired resistance development is a major challenge in the epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR–TKI) treatment of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we investigated the potential effects of the concurrent use of anlotinib and EGFR‐TKI to overcome acquired resistance.

Methods

We conducted a preclinical study to evaluate the antitumor effects of gefitinib + anlotinib in gefitinib‐resistant lung adenocarcinoma models in vitro and in vivo. We then investigated the treatment effect of EGFR–TKI + anlotinib therapy in 24 advanced EGFR‐mutant NSCLC patients after EGFR‐TKI acquired resistance between January 2018 and August 2020.

Results

Anlotinib reversed gefitinib resistance in gefitinib‐resistant lung adenocarcinoma models by enhancing the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of gefitinib. The gefitinib + anlotinib treatment exerted a synergistic antitumor effect by downregulating the activation of VEGFR2 and downstream effectors, Akt and ERK. The EGFR–TKI + anlotinib therapy exhibited an objective response rate of 20.8% and a disease control rate of 95.8%. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 11.53 ± 2.41 months, but median overall survival was not reached. The median PFS was longer in patients experiencing gradual progression (13.30 ± 1.69 months) than in patients with dramatic progression (6.80 ± 1.75 months, p = 0.017). One grade 3 adverse event was noted (diarrhea, n = 2, 8.3%), and grade 4 or 5 adverse events were absent.

Conclusions

EGFR–TKI combined with anlotinib demonstrated powerful antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Concurrent use of anlotinib overcomes acquired resistance to EGFR‐TKI in advanced EGFR‐mutant NSCLC patients.

Survival of Patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutated Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated beyond the Second Line in the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Era

Simple Summary

The identification of activating mutations in specific genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has led to the development of targeted therapies, which are currently part of the algorithm for their management. The recommendations agree on first and second-line metastatic treatments in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations patients. The aim of our retrospective, longitudinal and analytic study was to analyze the survival of EGFR-mutated patients treated beyond the second line of treatment. We confirmed in a population of 31 patients which received at least three lines of treatment that the Progression Free Survival (PFS) was best if we used chemotherapy in second-line and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in third-line. We found no difference in Overall Survival (OS) according to the pattern of treatments. In practice, in the TKI era, chemotherapy can still be used in second-line or third-line of treatment.

Abstract

Background: The identification of activating mutations in specific genes led to the development of targeted therapies for NSCLC. TKI directed against EGFR-mutations were the first to prove their major efficacy. Medical associations recommend their use as first and second-line metastatic treatments in EGFR-mutated patients. Our objective was to analyze the survival of EGFR-mutated patients treated beyond the second line of treatment. Methods: We performed a longitudinal, retrospective and analytical study at APHP (Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris) Saint Louis, Paris, France, from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020 (11 years), on EGFR-mutated patients with metastatic NSCLC which received TKI or chemotherapy (CT) in third-line. Results: Out of about 107 EGFR-mutated patients, 31 patients who benefited from TKI or CT in the third line of treatment were retained for this study. The mean age was 60.03 ± 11.93 years and the sex ratio male/female was 0.24. Mutations of exon 19, 21 and 20 were found in 21 (67.7%), 7 (22.6%) and 7 (22.6%) patients, respectively. Third-line treatment was CT for 16 patients (51.6%) and TKI for the 15 remaining patients (48.4%). Osimertinib was the most used TKI in third-line (n = 10/15; 66.67%). The median duration of third-line treatment was 5.37 months (range 0.53–37.6) and the median follow-up duration was 40.83 months (range 11.33–88.57). There was a significant difference in PFS between patients treated with TKI and CT in third-line (p = 0.028). For patients treated with CT in second-line, there was a significant difference of PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p = 0.014) in favor of the use of TKI in third-line. Conclusions: For patients receiving CT in second-line, TKI appears to be a better alternative in third-line compared to CT. Osimertinib may be used in third line treatment if not used before.

Combination atezolizumab, bevacizumab, pemetrexed and carboplatin for metastatic EGFR mutated NSCLC after TKI failure

INTRODUCTION

Acquired resistance to TKI is an important unmet need in the management of EGFR mutated lung cancer. Recent clinical trial IMPower150 suggested that combination approach with VEGF inhibitor, check point inhibitor immunotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy was effective in oncogene driven lung cancer. The current trial examined the efficacy of a modified regimen in an EGFR mutated cohort.

METHODS

An open-labelled, single arm, phase II study was conducted in patients with EGFR mutated NSCLC who had progressed on at least one EGFR TKI. For those with T790M mutation, radiological progression on osimertinib was required for enrolment. Patients were treated with combination atezolizumab (1200 mg), bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg), pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC 5) given once every 3 weeks until progression.

RESULTS

Forty patients were enrolled. Median age was 62 (range 45-76) years. More than one half (23/40, 57.5%) had progressed on osimertinib. PD-L1 expression was < 1% in 52.5%. Median follow-up time was 17.8 months. ORR was 62.5%. Median PFS was 9.4 months (95% CI: 7.6 - 12.1). One year OS was 72.5% (95% CI: 0.56-0.83). Treatment related grade 3 or above adverse events (AE) occurred in 37.5% (15/40). Immune-related AE occurred in 32.5% (13/40) patients. Quality of life measures of function and symptoms did not change significantly throughout the course of treatments. Post-trial rechallenge with EGFR TKI containing regimen resulted in PFS of 5.8 months (95% CI 3.9-10.0 months).

CONCLUSION

Combination approach of atezolizumab, bevacizumab, pemetrexed and carboplatin achieved promising efficacy in metastatic EGFR mutated NSCLC after TKI failure. The results were comparable with taxane based regimen of IMPower150 while toxicity profile was improved.

Determining lines of therapy in patients with solid cancers: a proposed new systematic and comprehensive framework

The complexity of neoplasia and its treatment are a challenge to the formulation of general criteria that are applicable across solid cancers. Determining the number of prior lines of therapy (LoT) is critically important for optimising future treatment, conducting medication audits, and assessing eligibility for clinical trial enrolment. Currently, however, no accepted set of criteria or definitions exists to enumerate LoT. In this article, we seek to open a dialogue to address this challenge by proposing a systematic and comprehensive framework to determine LoT uniformly across solid malignancies. First, key terms, including LoT and 'clinical progression of disease' are defined. Next, we clarify which therapies should be assigned a LoT, and why. Finally, we propose reporting LoT in a novel and standardised format as LoT N (CLoT + PLoT), where CLoT is the number of systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) administered with curative intent and/or in the early setting, PLoT is the number of SACT given with palliative intent and/or in the advanced setting, and N is the sum of CLoT and PLoT. As a next step, the cancer research community should develop and adopt standardised guidelines for enumerating LoT in a uniform manner.

Triple administration of osimertinib followed by chemotherapy for advanced lung adenocarcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Osimertinib is the recommended first-line treatment for adult patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, primary or acquired resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) seems inevitable, and when drug-resistance occurs during treatment with osimertinib, the standard of care is to discontinue the TKI.

CASE SUMMARY

A 57-year-old female patient with lung adenocarcinoma presented with an irritating cough accompanied by chest distress of one month duration. An enhanced head magnetic resonance imaging scan showed brain metastases. An EGFR mutation (exon 21 L858R) was detected in pleural fluid. The patient was treated with oral osimertinib (80 mg once daily) from January 2018 but developed progressive disease on December 2018. She was then successfully treated with re-challenge and tri-challenge with osimertinib (80 mg once daily) by resensitization chemotherapy twice after the occurrence of drug-resistance to osimertinib, and to date has survived for 31 mo.

CONCLUSION

This case may provide some selective therapeutic options for NSCLC patients with acquired drug-resistance who were previously controlled on osimertinib treatment.

Phase I results of S49076 plus gefitinib in patients with EGFR TKI-resistant non-small cell lung cancer harbouring MET/AXL dysregulation

BACKGROUND

MET and AXL dysregulation is reported as a bypass mechanism driving tumour progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). This non-comparative phase I study investigated the combination of gefitinib with S49076, a MET/AXL inhibitor, in advanced EGFR TKI-resistant NSCLC patients with MET and/or AXL dysregulation.

METHODS

Patients received S49076 at escalating doses of 500 or 600 mg with a fixed dose of 250 mg gefitinib orally once daily in continuous 28day cycles. MET and AXL dysregulation and EGFR/T790M mutation status were centrally assessed in tumour biopsies at screening. Tumour response was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). EGFR TKI resistance mechanisms were analysed by next-generation sequencing. The clonal evolution of tumours was monitored with the analysis of circulating tumour DNA.

RESULTS

Of 92 pre-screened patients, 22 met the molecular inclusion criteria and 14 were included. The recommended dose was 600 mg daily S49076. Best overall responses were 2 partial responses (1 patient with MET dysregulation only, 1 MET and AXL co-dysregulation) and 8 patients with stable disease. Other potential concomitant mechanisms of resistance to EGFR TKI were identified in more than half of the included patients.

CONCLUSIONS

S49076 plus gefitinib demonstrated a good tolerability with limited anti-tumour activity. Due to the low number of eligible patients, no tendency in term of activity appeared in any specific molecular subset and the data did not allow for identification of AXL overexpression as an oncogenic driver.

Clone Wars: Quantitatively Understanding Cancer Drug Resistance

A key aim of early clinical development for new cancer treatments is to detect the potential for efficacy early and to identify a safe therapeutic dose to take forward to phase II. Because of this need, researchers have sought to build mathematical models linking initial radiologic tumor response, often assessed after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment, with overall survival. However, there has been mixed success of this approach in the literature. We argue that evolutionary selection pressure should be considered to interpret these early efficacy signals and so optimize cancer therapy.

Long-term survival with targeted therapy in an advanced non-small cell lung cancer patient based on genetic profiling

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a profoundly devastating disease that is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. With the rapid development of next-generation sequencing (NGS), which has supplied the ability to decode tumors at the DNA level, so that targeted therapy plays a crucial role in improving NSCLC survival. We first reported a 32-year-old Chinese female patient received the ninth-line treatment, who was initially diagnosed with advanced NSCLC with EGFR 19 deletion. The patient had a satisfactory clinical response to initial gefitinib treatment. Subsequently, an EGFR T790M mutation was detected from plasma-derived circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by ddPCR after disease progression, while NGS did not. Osimertinib was still tried but had no therapeutic effect. Then the disease even progressed on the administration of chemotherapy and gefitinib in succession. Rebiopsy for NGS detection was performed, and gefitinib plus anlotinib/vemurafenib were tried. And then, gefitinib plus crizotinib were administrated for MET amplification after the third biopsy. Furthermore, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy was performed due to the PD-L1 positive expression. Up to now, osimertinib treatment was undertaken to base on an EGFR exon 20 T790M mutation using NGS-based genotyping in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ctDNA. Tumor genome dynamic monitoring can identify tumor driving genes and drug resistance mechanisms to guide tumor treatment. This study found that the total survival time of advanced NSCLC patients was more than four years after chemoradiotherapy and targeted therapy, indicating the significance of dynamic monitoring of gene alterations for cancer treatment.

Comparison of Regorafenib, Fruquintinib, and TAS-102 in Previously Treated Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Five Clinical Trials

Background

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature to identify key randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), followed by network meta-analysis, to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of regorafenib, fruquintinib, and TAS-102 in previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).

Material/Methods

Systematic literature review was performed using the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library online databases to identify published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the odds ratios (ORs) for the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), and fatal adverse events (FAEs) were compared indirectly using network meta-analysis based on a random-effects model.

Results

Five RCTs that included 2,604 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were analyzed. Indirect comparisons showed that fruquintinib was associated with significant superiority for PFS (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34–0.95) and DCR (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.08–3.01) when compared with TAS-102 in patients with mCRC. However, there was no significant difference between OS or ORR between regorafenib, fruquintinib, and TAS-102. Fruquintinib was associated with a significantly higher risk of SAEs when compared with TAS-102 or regorafenib. There was no significant difference in the risk of AEs or FAEs following indirect comparison between fruquintinib, regorafenib, and TAS-102.

Conclusions

The findings from network meta-analysis showed that fruquintinib was associated with significant superiority for PFS and DCR compared with TAS-102, but fruquintinib was associated with significantly increased risk for SAEs compared with regorafenib and TAS-102.