EGFR Mutation Impact on Definitive Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy for Inoperable Stage III Adenocarcinoma

Osimertinib after definitive chemoradiotherapy in unresectable stage III epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer: analyses of central nervous system efficacy and distant progression from the phase III LAURA study

BACKGROUND

Distant metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are a poor prognostic factor that negatively impact quality of life. The central nervous system (CNS) is a common site of distant progression in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) NSCLC. Osimertinib is a third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor recommended for advanced EGFRm NSCLC and as adjuvant treatment for resected EGFRm NSCLC. In LAURA (NCT03521154), osimertinib demonstrated statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo in unresectable stage III EGFRm NSCLC without progression during/following chemoradiotherapy (CRT). CNS efficacy and time to death or distant metastases (TTDM) analyses are reported here.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients without progression during/following definitive platinum-based CRT were randomised 2 : 1 to receive osimertinib (80 mg daily) or placebo until progression [by blinded independent central review (BICR)] or discontinuation. The primary endpoint was PFS by BICR. CNS PFS by neuroradiologist BICR and TTDM by BICR were secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

Overall, 216 patients were randomised (143 osimertinib, 73 placebo). Median CNS PFS by neuroradiologist BICR was not reached [95% confidence interval (CI) not calculable (NC)-NC] with osimertinib versus 14.9 months (95% CI 7.4 months-NC) with placebo; hazard ratio (HR) for CNS PFS: 0.17 (95% CI 0.09-0.32). CNS PFS analysis by investigator assessment was consistent with BICR assessment. The cumulative incidence of CNS progression at 12 months was 9% (95% CI 5% to 14%) with osimertinib and 36% (95% CI 24% to 47%) with placebo. There was clinically meaningful improvement in TTDM with osimertinib versus placebo; HR for TTDM: 0.21 (95% CI 0.11-0.38). The cumulative incidence of distant metastases at 12 months was 11% (95% CI 6% to 17%) with osimertinib and 37% (95% CI 26% to 48%) with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Osimertinib demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in CNS PFS and TTDM versus placebo, supporting osimertinib post-CRT as the standard of care in unresectable stage III EGFRm NSCLC.

Predictors of nodal upstaging in clinical N1 nonsmall cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is currently the first choice for the treatment of clinical N1 (cN1) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, diagnosing cN1 correctly can be difficult, even with current imaging diagnostic technologies. We aimed to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative nodal status and the predictive factors for nodal upstaging of cN1-NSCLC.

METHODS

Patients receiving surgery for cN1-NSCLC in 2010 (n = 1040) were enrolled in the Japanese Joint Committee of Lung Cancer Registry Database. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of cN1, predictive factors for nodal upstaging, and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

The 5-year OS and RFS for all patients were 58.2% and 42.7%, respectively. The postoperative pathological nodal status included N0 (36.6%), N1 (39.7%), N2 (23.6%), and N3 (0.1%). In multivariate analysis, younger age (P = .005), no history of smoking (P = .006), and adenocarcinoma (P < .001) were significant predictive factors for nodal upstaging. Older age (P < .001) and higher clinical T (cT) factor (P < .001) were significant indicators for worse OS, while older age (P = .02), higher cT factor (P = .019), high carcinoembryonic antigen value (P = .002), and adenocarcinoma (P = .008) were significant indicators for worse RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic accuracy of cN1 in this study was ~40%. No history of smoking and adenocarcinoma were significant predictors for nodal upstaging. Although younger age was a significant predictor for nodal upstaging, it was a significant factor for better prognosis.

Consolidation Osimertinib Versus Durvalumab Versus Observation After Concurrent Chemoradiation in Unresectable EGFR-Mutant NSCLC: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Durvalumab improves survival when used as consolidation therapy after chemoradiation (CRT) in patients with stage III NSCLC. The optimal consolidation therapy for patients with EGFR-mutant (EGFRmut) stage III NSCLC remains unknown.

METHODS

In this multi-institutional, international retrospective analysis across 24 institutions, we evaluated outcomes in patients with stage III EGFRmut NSCLC treated with concurrent CRT followed by consolidation therapy with osimertinib, durvalumab, or observation between 2015 and 2022. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS, primary end point) and overall survival (secondary end point). Treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) during consolidation treatment were defined using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

Of 136 patients with stage III EGFRmut NSCLC treated with definitive concurrent CRT, 56 received consolidation durvalumab, 33 received consolidation osimertinib, and 47 was on observation alone. Baseline characteristics were similar across the three cohorts. With a median follow-up of 46 months for the entire cohort, the median duration of treatment was not reached (NR) for osimertinib (interquartile range: NR-NR) and was 5.5 (interquartile range: 2.4-10.8) months with durvalumab. After adjusting for nodal status, stage III A/B/C, and age, patients treated with consolidation osimertinib had significantly longer 24-month rwPFS compared to those treated with durvalumab or in the observation cohorts (osimertinib: 86%, durvalumab: 30%, observation: 27%, p < 0.001 for both comparisons). There was no difference in rwPFS between the durvalumab and the observation cohorts. No significant difference in overall survival across the three cohorts was detected, likely due to the limited follow-up. Any-grade trAE occurred in 52% (2 [6.1%] grade ≥3) and 48% (10 [18%] grade ≥3) of patients treated with osimertinib and durvalumab, respectively. Of 45 patients who progressed on consolidation durvalumab, 37 (82%) subsequently received EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Of these, 14 (38%) patients developed trAEs including five patients with pneumonitis (14%; 2 [5.4%] grade ≥3) and five patients with diarrhea (14%; 1 [2.7%] grade ≥3).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that among patients with stage III unresectable NSCLC with a sensitizing EGFR mutation, consolidation osimertinib was associated with a significantly longer rwPFS compared to durvalumab or observation. No unanticipated safety signals were observed with consolidation osimertinib.

Durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutation: A real-world study (HOT2101)

Durvalumab has been administered to patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it remains unclear whether durvalumab benefits these patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of patients with EGFR mutation who received chemoradiotherapy (CRT) between June 2018 and March 2021. We assessed patient characteristics, efficacy of durvalumab, and durvalumab safety before and after targeted therapy. We collected data on a total of 673 patients, of whom 401 (59.6%) underwent EGFR mutation testing. Fifty-one patients were EGFR positive and 311 were EGFR negative. In the EGFR-positive group, there were higher proportions of females, never-smokers, and patients with adenocarcinoma histology. Of the 51 patients in the positive group and 311 in the negative group who received CRT, 45 (88.2%) and 247 (79.4%) received durvalumab, with median progression-free survival of 23.0 and 24.2 months in the positive and negative groups, respectively (hazard ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.64-1.67). The main adverse event was pneumonitis (positive group: 62.2%; 4.4% grade 3; negative group: 62.3%; 6.9% grade 3). No treatment-related deaths were observed. Of the 45 patients in the positive group who received durvalumab, 14 (31.1%) received targeted therapy after durvalumab at the data cutoff. One patient discontinued targeted therapy after developing pneumonitis. In patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC with EGFR mutation, durvalumab after CRT is potentially safe and effective. This may be a suitable treatment sequence for these patients.

Targeted treatment for unresectable EGFR mutation-positive stage III non-small cell lung cancer: Emerging evidence and future perspectives

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are detected in up to one third of patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current standard of care for unresectable stage III NSCLC is consolidation durvalumab for patients who have not progressed following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (the 'PACIFIC regimen'). However, the benefit of immunotherapy, specifically in patients with EGFR mutation-positive (EGFRm) tumors, is not well characterized, and this treatment approach is not recommended in these patients, based on a recent ESMO consensus statement. EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have demonstrated significant improvements in patient outcomes in EGFRm metastatic NSCLC. The benefits of these agents have also translated to patients with EGFRm early-stage resectable disease as adjuvant therapy. The role of EGFR-TKIs has yet to be prospectively characterized in the unresectable setting. Preliminary efficacy signals for EGFR-TKIs in unresectable EGFRm stage III NSCLC have been reported from a limited number of subgroup and retrospective studies. Several clinical trials are ongoing assessing the safety and efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in this patient population. Here, we review the current management of unresectable EGFRm stage III NSCLC. We outline the rationale for investigating EGFR-TKI strategies in this setting and discuss ongoing studies. Finally, we discuss the evidence gaps and future challenges for treating patients with unresectable EGFRm stage III NSCLC.

Management of Oncogene Driven Locally Advanced Unresectable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The current standard of care of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) is concurrent chemoradiation, followed by consolidation durvalumab. However, there is evidence that the efficacy of chemoradiation and also immunotherapy in many oncogene-positive LA-NSCLC are attenuated, and dependent on the subgroup.

AREAS COVERED

We will firstly review the outcomes of standard-of-care therapy in oncogene-driven LA-NSCLC. We looked at various oncogene driven subgroups and the tumor microenvironment that may explain differential response. Finally, we review the role of targeted therapy in the treatment of LA-NSCLC.

EXPERT OPINION

Each oncogene-positive subgroup should be treated as its own entity, and continued efforts should be undertaken to incorporate targeted therapy, which is likely to yield superior survival outcomes if trial design can be optimized and toxicities can be managed.

Real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in EGFR-mutant locally advanced lung adenocarcinoma: A multi-center cohort study

Objective

To investigate the optimal management of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) mutant locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC).

Methods

Patients with unresectable stage III lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) harboring EGFR mutations from 2012 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, and were categorized into three groups according to the primary treatment: chemoradiotherpy (CRT) (group 1), combined radiation therapy (RT) and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) with/without chemotherapy (group 2), and EGFR-TKI alone until tumor progression (group 3). Inverse probability of multiple treatment weighting (IPTW) of propensity score was used to compare overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) between treatments and account for confounding.

Results

A total of 104, 105, and 231 patients were categorized into groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. After IPTW adjustment, the median PFS for each group was 12.4, 26.2, and 16.2 months (log-rank P < 0.001), and the median OS was 51.0, 67.4 and 49.3 months (log-rank P = 0.084), respectively. Compared with those in group 1, patients in group 2 had significantly improved PFS [adjusted hazard ratio HR (aHR), 0.40; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29, 0.54; P < 0.001] and OS (aHR, 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.98; P = 0.039). Patients in group 3 had prolonged PFS (aHR, 0.66; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.87; P = 0.003), but not OS (aHR, 0.90; 95% CI: 0.62, 1.32; P = 0.595). Doubly robust IPTW analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis yielded similar findings.

Conclusions

EGFR-TKIs after chemoradiation or combined with radiation alone correlated with the longest PFS and OS (versus CRT or TKIs alone) in patients with EGFR-mutant unresectable LA-NSCLC. Well-designed prospective trials were warranted.

The role of miR-128 in cancer development, prevention, drug resistance, and immunotherapy

A growing body of evidence has revealed that microRNA (miRNA) expression is dysregulated in cancer, and they can act as either oncogenes or suppressors under certain conditions. Furthermore, some studies have discovered that miRNAs play a role in cancer cell drug resistance by targeting drug-resistance-related genes or influencing genes involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. In this regard, the abnormal expression of miRNA-128 (miR-128) has been found in various human malignancies, and its verified target genes are essential in cancer-related processes, including apoptosis, cell propagation, and differentiation. This review will discuss the functions and processes of miR-128 in multiple cancer types. Furthermore, the possible involvement of miR-128 in cancer drug resistance and tumor immunotherapeutic will be addressed.

Pattern of failure and clinical value of local therapy for oligo‐recurrence in locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer after definitive chemoradiation: Impact of driver mutation status

INTRODUCTION

Considerable differences of treatment response and pattern of failure may exist between definitive chemoradiation (CRT) treated locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) patients. The clinical value of additional tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) before disease recurrence and salvage local therapy after initial recurrent disease remain controversial.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Consecutive LA-NSCLC patients receiving definitive CRT and having definite results about driver mutations (EGFR, ALK and ROS1) were retrospectively reviewed. Initial recurrent disease was classified as in-field recurrence, out-of-field recurrence and distant metastasis. Recurrent disease occurred only in the brain or limited to ≤3 extra-cranial organs and ≤5 extra-cranial lesions, was defined as oligo-recurrence. Progression free survival and overall survival (OS) were calculated from diagnosis to disease progression or death, and to death, respectively. OS2 was measured from initial disease recurrence to death among patients who had recurrent disease.

RESULTS

Of the 153 enrolled patients, 39 had driver mutations and 13 received additional TKI therapy besides definitive CRT. Patients harboring driver mutations but without additional TKI therapy had a similar PFS and significantly longer OS (p = 0.032) than those without driver mutations. Additional TKI therapy prolonged PFS (p = 0.021) but not OS among patients with driver mutations. No significant difference of pattern of failure was observed between patient subgroups stratified by the status of driver mutations and the usage of additional TKI therapy. Furthermore, 57 of the 95 patients with initial recurrent disease developed oligo-recurrence and salvage local therapy significantly improved OS2 (p = 0.01) among patients with oligo-recurrence disease.

CONCLUSION

LA-NSCLC patients receiving definitive CRT generally had similar PFS and pattern of treatment failure, regardless of driver mutation status. Additional TKI therapy besides definitive CRT could prolong PFS but not OS. The majority of recurrent disease after definitive CRT belongs to oligo-recurrence and salvage local therapy may provide survival benefit.

A phase II, multicenter study of lazertinib as consolidation therapy in patients with locally advanced, unresectable, EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (stage III) who have not progressed following definitive, platinum-based, chemoradiation therapy (PLATINUM trial)

INTRODUCTION

The PACIFIC study demonstrated that durvalumab consolidation therapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, there was no clinical benefit in both PFS and OS in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive patient groups in a post hoc exploratory analysis. Moreover, the clinical effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in EGFR mutation-positive stage IV NSCLC were demonstrated to be poor. Personalized treatment according to the mutation status is also required in stage III NSCLC. Lazertinib, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is newly developed and approved for use in Korea.

METHODS

This prospective, open, single-arm, multicenter, phase II clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lazertinib as a consolidative therapy after CCRT treatment in unresectable, EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC stage III patients. The primary endpoint of this study is PFS, and the secondary endpoints are OS, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), time to death or distant metastasis (TTDM), and safety profiles.

DISCUSSION

Our study may extend the indications for third-generation EGFR-TKIs to treat patients with stage III NSCLC. Moreover, using this drug to treat stage III NSCLC would emphasize the value of mutation analysis and personalized medicine.

Induction EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors prior to definitive chemoradiotherapy in unresectable stage III EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Increasing evidence suggests that consolidation durvalumab confers limited benefits for patients with stage III EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Induction or maintenance EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) added to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) may optimize definitive treatment, but there are limited data supporting an induction TKI strategy.

METHODS

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of induction EGFR TKIs administered before concurrent CRT in a retrospective series of patients with unresectable locally advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis was performed on a patient subset using CAPP-seq and correlated with outcomes.

RESULTS

Of six patients, three received erlotinib and three osimertinib as induction therapy before CRT. Induction TKIs were administered for a median of 2.5 months. The objective response rate after induction TKI was 83%. One patient had a complete response to induction erlotinib and continued erlotinib for 4 years until local progression, which was treated with CRT. Two patients completed maintenance erlotinib after CRT, and another received consolidation durvalumab. After a median follow-up of 20.5 months, only one patient developed disease recurrence, with rising ctDNA coinciding with recurrence. ctDNA remained undetectable in patients without recurrence, or low-level in a patient receiving maintenance erlotinib. Adverse events were mild and expected, and none developed pneumonitis.

CONCLUSION

Induction EGFR TKI before CRT may achieve high disease control rates with promising signs of durability in patients with locally advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. ctDNA analysis after CRT can correlate well with clinical outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to define the role of induction EGFR TKIs in this setting.

Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer

Studies have revealed that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations has a high incidence of brain metastases (BMs). However, the association between EGFR mutations and BMs remains unknown. This review summarizes detailed information about the incidence of BMs, clinical and imaging characteristics of BMs, brain surveillance strategies, influence of treatments on BMs, prognosis after BMs, and differences in EGFR mutations between paired primary tumors and BMs in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. The prognostic results demonstrate that patients with mutated EGFR have a higher incidence of BMs, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) (afatinib and osimertinib) delay the development of BMs, and patients with mutated EGFR with synchronous or early BMs have better overall survival after BMs than those with wild-type EGFR. The EGFR mutation status of BM sites is not always in accordance with the primary tumors, which indicates that there is heterogeneity in EGFR gene status between paired primary tumors and BMs. However, the EGFR gene status of the primary site can largely represent that of BM sites. Among patients developing synchronous BMs, patients with mutated EGFR are less likely to have central nervous system (CNS) symptoms than patients with wild-type EGFR. However, the possibility of neuro-symptoms is high in patients with metachronous BMs. Patients with mutated EGFR tend to have multiple BMs as compared to patients with wild-type EGFR. Regarding very early-stage NSCLC patients without neuro-symptoms, regular neuroimaging follow-up is not recommended. Among advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation, liberal brain imaging follow-up in the first several years showed more advantages in terms of cost.

Efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer after definitive concurrent chemoradiation or radiotherapy

PURPOSE

Whether prior radiotherapy (RT) affects the response of EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) remains elusive.

METHODS

Patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC treated with EGFR TKIs who recurred after curative treatment at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea were included. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from the initiation of EGFR TKI in patients who recurred after definitive RT were analyzed and compared to the outcomes of RT-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC treated with EGFR TKIs from previously reported prospective clinical trial results.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients who recurred after definitive RT were included. The median age was 70 years (range, 38-88), with 24 patients (40.0%) being males. Among the 60 patients, 52 patients (86.7%) had exon 19 deletion or L858R mutation, with 49 patients (81.7%) receiving gefitinib as the first-line EGFR TKI. The median PFS and OS from the initiation of EGFR TKI were 10.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4-13.2) and 21.3 months (95% CI, 13.4-28.8), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The EGFR TKI efficacy in EGFR-mutated patients with NSCLC who recurred after RT was comparable with that in historic controls of RT-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC treated with EGFR TKIs, indicating that RT may not affect EGFR TKI efficacy.

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.

An Observational Study on Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Stage III NSCLC in Taiwan: The KINDLE Study

INTRODUCTION

Patients with stage III NSCLC represent a very heterogenous group that requires different treatment strategies, especially in patients with N2 (2 nearby lymph nodes having cancer)-positive NSCLC and unresectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC. This real-world study may provide more insights into treatment decisions.

METHODS

The KINDLE study is a large, multinational real-world observational study that assessed different treatment strategies in patients with stage III NSCLC. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated and compared using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank testing. Patients were classified on the basis of disease stage, resectability, and treatment modalities.

RESULTS

The Taiwan subgroup enrolled 200 patients. The median PFS and OS values were similar among patients with stage IIIA and stage IIIB disease, but were significantly better in patients who were deemed as a resectable disease than in those who were deemed as an unresectable disease. In patients with N2-positive NSCLC, patients who underwent surgery had better PFS, but not OS, than patients administered with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (PFS 13.4 vs. 7.3 mo, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.18, p < 0.001; OS 32.4 vs. 22.0 mo, HR = 0.64, p = 0.215). Among patients with unresectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC, OS was significantly poorer after upfront EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) than after upfront CRT with sequential EGFR-TKI (27.4 vs. 49.0 mo, HR = 3.09, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that surgery could be added as part of therapy for patients with stage III N2-positive NSCLC. Moreover, upfront CRT with sequential EGFR-TKI seems to be appropriate for stage III unresectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Further randomized studies are needed to validate these results.

Targeted therapies for unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Until recently, the standard treatment in unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer was concurrent chemoradiotherapy, but often with dismal outcome. The introduction of consolidation treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors has shifted the treatment landscape and prognosis of these patients. However, patients whose tumors harbors an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation derived less benefit, with an increased risk of immune-related adverse events. Moreover, current data suggested that patients with oncogenic addicted tumors, mainly EGFR-positive tumors, and also anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive have poorer progression free survival after chemoradiotherapy. Indeed, these tumors have also inferior distant control compared with those who have wild-type disease, especially in the central nervous system, highlighting the need for assessing the role of targeted therapies in this patient population. It is speculated that outcome could probably increase with a consolidation treatment strategy including an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. However, a personalized treatment approach is not considered standard of care in this setting due to lack of robust evidence, as the majority of trials were performed in unselected patients, number of patients is limited and the majority of these studies were underpowered. In this review we summarize the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in unresectable stage III NSCLC, specifically focusing on EGFR-mutant tumors.

Evaluating the Efficacy of EGFR-TKIs Combined With Radiotherapy in Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients With EGFR Mutation: A Retrospective Study

Objective: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have been recommended as the first-line treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. This study retrospectively evaluated patients' survival and related prognostic factors from single-center, real-world data. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2020, patients detected with EGFR mutation showing unresectable clinical stages III to IV advanced lung adenocarcinoma and receiving EGFR-TKIs and radiotherapy (RT) were recruited for the study. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were statistically analyzed with SPSS 22.0 software. Results: This study included 238 patients who completed their follow-up by December 30, 2020. The 1-, 2-, 3-year and median OS were 84.4%, 59.7%, 38.7%, and 30.3 months for OS, 57.0%, 28.8%, 15.7%, and 14.1 months for progression-free survival (PFS1), and 78.9%, 71.7%, 33.3%, and 25.0 months for PFS2, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, the independent factors for OS are age, clinical stage, the sequence of TKI and CT, and the total treatment response, and total response; the independent factors for progression-free survival 1 are clinical stage and total treatment response; the independent factors for PFS2 are clinical stage, type of TKI, sequence of TKI and CT, and total treatment response. The univariate analysis also showed a significant association between RT duration (P = 0.041) and dose (P = 0.026) with PFS1. Conclusion: EGFR-TKIs combined with RT was tolerable and efficient for patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. OS and PFS prove CT sequential with TKIs. Better treatment response with CR + PR was associated with a longer duration of OS, PFS1, and PFS2. However, further study is required in a larger sample size to confirm the results.

Improved survival in patients with unresectable stage III EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma with upfront EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Although epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have been the standard treatment for advanced EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma, the effects of upfront EGFR-TKI use in unresectable stage III EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma remain unexplored. Here, we conducted a retrospective study to compare different treatment strategies in these patients.

METHODS

From October 2010 to June 2019, patients with unresectable stage III adenocarcinoma who received treatment at a tertiary referral center were enrolled. Patients were classified into three groups: EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (group 1) or EGFR-TKI (group 2) and EGFR wild-type adenocarcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (group 3). Progression-free survival, progression-free survival-2, and overall survival were estimated and compared using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

A total of 92 patients were enrolled; 10, 40, and 42 patients were assigned to groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Patients with EGFR mutations who received upfront EGFR-TKIs had significantly longer progression-free and overall survival than those who received upfront concurrent chemoradiotherapy (hazard ratio 0.33 vs. 0.34, p = 0.006 vs. 0.031) according to a Cox model adjusted for possible confounders. Moreover, upfront concurrent chemoradiotherapy did not lead to higher survival rates in patients with EGFR mutations than in those with EGFR wild-type adenocarcinoma (progression-free survival; hazard ratio 0.37, p = 0.036; overall survival; hazard ratio 0.35, p = 0.080) by Cox regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

This current study suggests that EGFR-TKIs is a better choice for patients with unresectable stage III EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma. However, further randomized studies are required to validate the results.

Development and validation of a prediction model using molecular marker for long-term survival in unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy

Background

This study aimed to establish a predictive nomogram integrating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status for 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival (OS) in unresectable/inoperable stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

A total of 533 stage III NSCLC patients receiving chemoradiotherapy from 2013 to 2017 in our institution were included and divided into training and testing sets (2:1). Significant factors impacting OS were identified in the training set and integrated into the nomogram based on Cox proportional hazards regression. The model was subject to bootstrap internal validation and external validation within the testing set and an independent cohort from a phase III trial. The accuracy and discriminative capacity of the model were examined by calibration plots, C‐indexes and risk stratifications.

Results

The final multivariate model incorporated sex, smoking history, histology (including EGFR mutation status), TNM stage, planning target volume, chemotherapy sequence and radiation pneumonitis grade. The bootstrapped C‐indexes in the training set were 0.688, 0.710 for the 3‐ and 5‐year OS. For external validation, C‐indexes for 3‐ and 5‐year OS were 0.717, 0.720 in the testing set and 0.744, 0.699 in the external testing cohort, respectively. The calibration plots presented satisfying accuracy. The derivative risk stratification strategy classified patients into distinct survival subgroups successfully and performed better than the traditional TNM staging.

Conclusions

The nomogram incorporating EGFR mutation status could facilitate survival prediction and risk stratification for individual stage III NSCLC, providing information for enhanced immunotherapy decision and future trial design.

Recent advances and new insights in the management of early-stage epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer

Patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are candidates for curative surgery; however, despite multiple advances in lung cancer management, recurrence rates remain high. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been demonstrated to significantly prolong overall survival (OS), but this benefit is modest and there is an urgent need for effective new therapies to provide a cure for more patients. The high efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) against epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFR) in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC has led to the evaluation of these agents in early stages of the disease. Multiple clinical trials have evaluated the safety and efficacy of EGFR TKIs as an adjuvant treatment, in patients with resected EGFR-mutated NSCLC, and shown that they significantly prolong disease-free survival (DFS), but this benefit does not translate to OS. Recently, an interim analysis of the ADAURA trial demonstrated that, surprisingly, osimertinib improved DFS. This led to the study being stopped early, leaving many unanswered questions about its potential effect on OS and its incorporation as a standard adjuvant treatment in this patient subgroup. These targeted agents are also being evaluated in locally-advanced disease, with promising results, although prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results. In this article, we review the most relevant studies on the role of EGFR TKIs in the management of early-stage EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

Lung cancer epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and radiotherapy response: A multicentre clinical study

Purpose

To examine the impact of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations on objective response to palliative lung radiotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials and Methods

A multicentre retrospective study was conducted of patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between March 2010 and June 2012 who received palliative radiotherapy to the chest. Patients included for study had baseline imaging and follow-up imaging 1-3 months after radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was 1-3 month local objective imaging response by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST). Patients were divided into EGFR mutation positive (EGFR+) and EGFR wild type (WT) cohorts for analysis.

Results

There were 121 patients for study inclusion: 89 (74%) were EGFR WT and 32 (26%) were EGFR+. The response rate between EGFR WT and EGFR+ cohorts was not significantly different (49 vs. 63%, p = 0.21). On multivariate analysis, initiation of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) after radiotherapy was associated with a higher rate of response (OR: 5.07, 95%CI: 1.08-23.69, p = 0.039) but EGFR mutation status was not. For the EGFR+ cohort, patients with disease progression after initial management on a TKI had a worse response rate compared to patients who were TKI-naïve before starting radiotherapy (30 vs. 77%, p = 0.018). Local control was not statistically different between the EGFR cohorts.

Conclusion

The EGFR mutation status alone was not an independent predictor of objective radiographic response to palliative thoracic radiotherapy. Acquired resistance to TKI therapy may be associated with disease cross-resistance to palliative radiotherapy.

Gefitinib induction followed by chemoradiotherapy in EGFR-mutant, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: LOGIK0902/OLCSG0905 phase II study

Background

The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) induction coupled with standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is unclear in unresectable, stage III, EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, a phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gefitinib induction followed by CRT in this disease setting.

Patients and methods

Patients with unresectable, EGFR-mutant, stage III NSCLC were administered gefitinib monotherapy (250 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Subsequently, patients without disease progression during induction therapy were administered cisplatin and docetaxel (40 mg/m² each) on days 1, 8, 29, and 36 with concurrent radiotherapy at a total dose of 60 Gy. The primary endpoint was the 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, which was hypothesized to reach 85%, with a threshold of the lower limit of 60%.

Results

Twenty patients (median age: 66 years; male/female: 9/11; histology: 20 adenocarcinoma; stage IIIA/IIIB: 9/11; and exon 19/21: 10/10) were enrolled. The 2-year OS rate was 90% (90% confidence interval: 71.4% to 96.8%), indicating that this trial met the primary objective. The overall response rate and 1- and 2-year progression-free survival rates were 85.0%, 58.1%, and 36.9%, respectively. Grade ≥3 adverse events (>10%) included hepatic toxicity during the induction phase and neutropenia and febrile neutropenia in the CRT phase. Radiation pneumonitis grade ≥3 or treatment-related death did not occur.

Conclusions

This is the first prospective study to demonstrate the favorable efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI induction followed by standard CRT in EGFR-mutant, stage III NSCLC. Further confirmatory studies are needed.

•

This is the first prospective study evaluating gefitinib induction followed by CRT in EGFR-mutated, locally advanced NSCLC.

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The 2-year OS rate was 90% (90% confidence interval: 71.4% to 96.8%), indicating that this trial met the primary objective.

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The objective response rate throughout the treatment protocol was 85.0% (17 of 20).

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The safety findings were consistent with the known safety profiles of all agents administered.

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Our results might raise a critical point that needs to be evaluated in further studies to improve the cure rate.

Gefitinib With Concurrent Thoracic Radiotherapy in Unresectable Locally Advanced NSCLC With EGFR Mutation; West Japan Oncology Group 6911L

INTRODUCTION

About 10% of patients with locally advanced NSCLC (LA-NSCLC) harbor EGFR mutation and recent reports suggested the declined benefit with an immune checkpoint inhibitor in this population. The attempt that introduces EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor into the treatment of LA-NSCLC with EGFR mutation has been warranted.

METHODS

Chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable LA-NSCLC with sensitive EGFR mutation (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R point mutation) were enrolled. Patients were treated with gefitinib (250 mg/d for 2 y) plus concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (64 Gy/32 fractions). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) at 2 years (trial identifier, UMIN000008366).

RESULTS

Between August 2012 and November 2017, a total of 28 patients were enrolled and 27 were eligible. The median age was 67 years (range: 45-74); never/current or former smoker in 15/12 patients, respectively; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0/1 in 19/8; EGFR exon 19 deletion/exon 21 L858R in 13/14; and c-stage IIIA/IIIB in 14/13. The PFS rate at 2 years by independent review was 29.6% (one-sided 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.6%-). The overall response rate was 81.5% (95% CI: 63.3%-91.3%), median PFS was 18.6 months (95% CI: 12.0-24.5 mo), and median overall survival was 61.1 months (95% CI: 38.1 mo-not reached). Approximately half of the patients exhibited solitary brain metastasis as their first site of relapse. Adverse events greater than or equal to grade 3 were fatigue, skin reaction, and appetite loss (3.7% each).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective study revealed the tolerability and the possible efficacy of gefitinib plus concurrent thoracic radiotherapy in patients with LA-NSCLC having EGFR mutation.

Good response with durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy for epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion adenocarcinoma: A case report

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion is not associated with sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy. Here, we report the case of a 41-year-old man who presented a right lower lobe nodule and mediastinal lymph node enlargement diagnosed as EGFR exon 20 insertion adenocarcinoma with high-expression programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). He showed stable disease to chemoradiation treatment at the primary tumor site. However, durvalumab treatment has good response. Non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR exon 20 insertion and high PD-L1 expression may be treated with immunotherapy exposure.

Narrative review of the emerging role of molecular biomarkers in guiding the definitive management of unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

The addition of PD-L1 targeting consolidation therapy to previously standard of care concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer resulted in dramatic improvements in clinical outcomes. However, in contrast to patients with metastatic disease, the application of immunotherapies is not currently guided by molecular characteristics of patient tumors. Furthermore, despite increasing awareness of predictive and/or prognostic genomic alterations in patients with locally advanced disease, the utility of targeted therapies, such as those aimed at alterations in EGFR or ALK, remains unclear in this subset of patients. As a result, patients with unresectable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer are treated uniformly according to histology, regardless of other molecular features despite the potential for treatment-associated risks without a clear benefit. Here, we first discuss the advantages of utilizing molecular biomarkers to guide treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on treatment outcomes in the metastatic setting. Next, we review preclinical and retrospective clinical data that supports potential further personalization of these treatment strategies in earlier stages of disease. Finally, we discuss some of the ongoing clinical trials attempting to address these hypotheses prospectively.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Mutated Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are the most common oncogenic drivers in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Significant developments have taken place which highlight the differences in tumor biology that exist between the mutant and wild-type subtypes of NSCLC. Patients with advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC have a variety of EGFR-targeting agents available proven to treat their disease. This has led to superior patient outcomes when used as a monotherapy over traditional cytotoxic systemic therapy. Attempts at combining EGFR agents with other anticancer systemic treatment options, such as chemotherapy, antiangiogenic agents, and immunotherapy, have shown varied outcomes. Currently, no specific combination stands out to cause a shift away from the use of single-agent EGFR inhibitors in the first-line setting. Similarly, adjuvant EGFR inhibitors, are yet to significantly add to patient overall survival if used at earlier timepoints in the disease course. Liquid biopsy is an evolving technology with potential promise of being incorporated into the management paradigm of this disease. Data are emerging to suggest that this technique may be capable of identifying early resistance mechanisms and consequential disease progression on the basis of the analysis of blood-based circulating tumor cells.

Real-world outcomes of chemoradiotherapy for unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer: The SOLUTION study

There are limited real‐world data on the treatment practices, outcomes, and safety of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) alone in potential candidates for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for unresectable non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we analyzed the safety and efficacy of CRT in patients who underwent CRT and would satisfy the key eligibility criteria for maintenance therapy with durvalumab (eg, no progression after CRT) in real‐world settings (m‐sub) for unresectable Stage III NSCLC between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 at 12 sites in Japan. The m‐sub comprised 214 patients with a median follow‐up of 31.6 months (range 1.9‐65.8 months). Median overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) from completing CRT were 36.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.1 months to not reached) and 9.5 months (95% CI 7.7‐11.7 months), respectively. Consolidation chemotherapy did not influence OS or PFS. Median PFS was 16.9 vs 9.1 months in patients with vs without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, with PFS rates of ~20% at 3‐4 years. Pneumonitis was the most common adverse event (according to MedDRA version 21.0J), and about half of events were grade 1. Pneumonitis mostly occurred 10‐24 weeks after starting CRT, peaking at 18‐20 weeks. Esophagitis and dermatitis generally occurred from 0 to 4 weeks, peaking at 2‐4 weeks after starting CRT. Pericarditis was rare and occurred sporadically. In conclusion, the results of the m‐sub provide real‐world insight into the outcomes of CRT, and will be useful for future evaluations of ICI maintenance therapy after CRT.

Precision radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Precision medicine is becoming the standard of care in anti-cancer treatment. The personalized precision management of cancer patients highly relies on the improvement of new technology in next generation sequencing and high-throughput big data processing for biological and radiographic information.

Systemic precision cancer therapy has been developed for years. However, the role of precision medicine in radiotherapy has not yet been fully implemented. Emerging evidence has shown that precision radiotherapy for cancer patients is possible with recent advances in new radiotherapy technologies, panomics, radiomics and dosiomics.

This review focused on the role of precision radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer and demonstrated the current landscape.

Differences in failure patterns according to the EGFR mutation status after proton beam therapy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer

We analyzed 135 patients (including 27 EGFR-mutant and 29 EGFR-wild) with T1-3N0M0 non-squamous NSCLC treated by PBT. Considering the 3-year cumulative incidence, the EGFR-mutant group showed a significantly lower infield failure rate (9% vs 27%, p = 0.02) and higher out-of-field failure rate (67% vs 40%, p = 0.02) than the EGFR-wild group.

Predictive model of the first failure pattern in patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy for inoperable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC)

Purpose

To analyze patterns of failure in patients with LA-NSCLC who received definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to build a nomogram for predicting the failure patterns in this population of patients.

Materials and methods

Clinicopathological data of patients with LA-NSCLC who received definitive chemoradiotherapy and follow-up between 2013 and 2016 in our hospital were collected. The endpoint was the first failure after definitive chemoradiotherapy. With using elastic net regression and 5-fold nested cross-validation, the optimal model with better generalization ability was selected. Based on the selected model and corresponding features, a nomogram prediction model was built. This model was also validated by ROC curves, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

With a median follow-up of 28 months, 100 patients experienced failure. There were 46 and 54 patients who experience local failure and distant failure, respectively. Predictive model including 9 factors (smoking, pathology, location, EGFR mutation, age, tumor diameter, clinical N stage, consolidation chemotherapy and radiation dose) was finally built with the best performance. The average area under the ROC curve (AUC) with 5-fold nested cross-validation was 0.719, which was better than any factors alone. The calibration curve revealed a satisfactory consistency between the predicted distant failure rates and the actual observations. DCA showed most of the threshold probabilities in this model were with good net benefits.

Conclusion

Clinicopathological factors could collaboratively predict failure patterns in patients with LA-NSCLC who are receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy. A nomogram was built and validated based on these factors, showing a potential predictive value in clinical practice.

Randomized phase II study of chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin + S-1 versus cisplatin + pemetrexed for locally advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: SPECTRA study

OBJECTIVES

SPECTRA is a multicenter, randomized phase II study of chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) plus S-1 versus CDDP plus pemetrexed (PEM) in combination with thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) for locally advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, in order to determine which of these two regimens might be preferable for comparison with standard therapies in a future phase III study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to receive CDDP + S-1 (CDDP 60 mg/m² on day 1 and S-1 80 mg/m2 on days 1-14, every 4 weeks, up to 4 cycles) or CDDP + PEM (CDDP 75 mg/m² + PEM 500 mg/m² on day 1, every 3 weeks, up to 4 cycles) combined with TRT (60 Gy in 30 fractions). The primary endpoint was the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate. The sample size had been set at 100 patients.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients were randomized to receive CDDP + S-1 or CDDP + PEM (CDDP + S-1, n = 52; CDDP + PEM, n = 50) between January 2013 and October 2016. The results in the CDDP + S1 group and CDDP + PEM group were as follows: completion rates of TRT (60 Gy)/chemotherapy (4 cycles) was 92 %/73 % and 98 %/86 %, respectively; the response rates were 60 % and 64 %, respectively; median PFS after a median follow-up of 32.1 months, 12.7/13.8 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.16; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.73-1.84); 2-year PFS rate, 36.5 % (95 % CI, 23.5-49.6)/32.1 % (95 %CI, 18.9-45.4); median OS, 48.3/59.1 months (HR = 1.05; 95 %CI, 0.58-1.90); 2-year OS rate, 69.2 % (95 %CI, 56.7-81.8)/66.4 % (95 %CI, 53.0-79.9); Grade 3 toxicities: febrile neutropenia (12 %/2 %), anorexia (8 %/16 %), diarrhea (8 %/0 %), esophagitis (6 %/8 %), and neutropenia (35 %/50 %); Grade 2 or worse radiation pneumonitis, 15 % (8 patients)/4 % (2 patients).

CONCLUSION

The 2-year PFS rate in the CDDP + S-1 arm was higher than that in the CDDP + PEM arm. Both treatments were safe, with manageable toxicities.

MicroRNA‑128‑b regulates epidermal growth factor receptor expression in non‑small cell lung cancer

The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is regulated by microRNA (miRNA)-128-b in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the association between miRNA-128-b expression and EGFR expression has not been determined in vivo. The expression of miRNA-128-b was detected by reverse transcription (RT)-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR); semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect EGFR mRNA expression; immunostaining was used to detect EGFR protein expression. The results revealed that expression of miR28b in cancer tissues was decreased compared with normal tissues, and the expression of EGFR mRNA in cancer tissues was increased compared with normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the normal tissues did not express EGFR protein, and the positive expression rate of EGFR in cancer tissues was 60%. Furthermore, the relative expression levels of miRNA-128-b were demonstrated to be correlated with EGFR mRNA and protein expression levels. In addition, the results revealed that miRNA-128-b regulated EGFR expression in NSCLC cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that miRNA-128-b may regulate the expression of EGFR in NSCLC cells, and that optimizing targeted therapy is conducive to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with lung cancer.

A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Association between EGFR Mutation Status and Brain Metastases in NSCLC

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation have different clinicopathological characteristics compared with EGFR wild type NSCLC. A growing number of studies focused on the relevance between EGFR mutation status and brain metastases (BM) in NSCLC, but it remains controversial. Therefore, this study performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to untangle this issue. Several electronic databases including Pubmed, Embase, Web of science and Cochrane database were thoroughly searched. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was pooled to evaluate the relevance. Meta-regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted according to the heterogeneity. A total of 26 studies were identified finally in this meta-analysis. The overall OR was 1.58 (95%CI: 1.36-1.84), which indicated that EGFR mutation had a positive association with BM of NSCLC. The subgroup analysis resulted from eleven studies with lung adenocarcinoma revealed a higher possibility of BM in NSCLC with EGFR mutation compared with EGFR wild (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the risk of BM between NSCLC EGFR exon 19 mutation and exon 21 point mutation (p = 0.23). This meta-analysis suggests that EGFR mutation can be a risk factor for BM in NSCLC.

Pattern of recurrence after CyberKnife stereotactic body radiotherapy for peripheral early non-small cell lung cancer

Background

The treatment efficacy after CyberKnife stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) have not been adequately addressed. The purpose of this study was to investigate pattern of recurrence according to irradiation field after CyberKnife SBRT for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with peripheral cT1/2N0M0 NSCLC that was treated with SBRT using a CyberKnife between May 2013 and March 2016 at single institute and followed up by more than two imaging examinations. Both operable and inoperable patients were included. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cumulative incidence curves of recurrence were calculated and compared using the Gray's test.

Results

Total 71 patients were included and analyzed in this study. The median follow-up period for surviving patients was 34 months (range, 7-64 months). The 2-year OS and PFS rate were 93% (95% CI: 83-97%) and 77% (95% CI: 65-86%), respectively. The 2-year cumulative incidence rate of infield recurrence and out-of-field recurrence were 6% (95% CI: 2-14%) and 17% (95% CI: 9-27%), respectively. Gross tumor volume (GTV) ≥9 mL and diagnosis-to-treatment interval (DTI) ≥90 days were significantly associated with infield recurrence (P<0.001 and P=0.007), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation was significantly associated with out-of-field recurrence (P=0.014).

Conclusions

Treatment efficacy after CyberKnife SBRT for peripheral early-stage NSCLC was identical to previous conventional linac-based SBRT reports. With short follow-up period, it was found that GTV and DTI were the significant predictive factor of infield recurrence, and EGFR mutation was the significant predictive factor of out-of-field recurrence.

Erlotinib versus gefitinib for brain metastases in Asian patients with exon 19 EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma: a retrospective, multicenter study

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of Erlotinib versus Gefitinib in the treatment of Asian patients with exon 19 EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma and newly diagnosed brain metastases.

Methods

Consecutive Asian patients with exon 19 EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma and newly diagnosed brain metastases were identified and initially received peroral administration of 150 mg/d erlotinib or 250 mg/d gefitinib during 2009–2015. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the second endpoint.

Results

The cohort consisted of 227 Asian patients (erlotinib-treated cohort: n = 112, mean age = 58.5 years [SD: 20.13]; gefitinib-treated cohort: n = 115, mean age = 58.4 years [SD: 19.52]). In a multivariate analysis controlling for age, sex and time span of smoking history, significant difference was detected in the 36-month OS between erlotinib and gefitinib groups (58.3% vs. 49.1%, p = 0.012). There was also significant difference in the 36-month PFS between erlotinib and gefitinib groups (64% vs. 53%, p = 0.013).

Conclusion

For Asian patients with exon 19 EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases, erlotinib was associated with a significantly longer OS and a more prolonged PFS and compared with gefitinib.

Outcomes by EGFR, KRAS, and ALK Genotype After Combined Modality Therapy for Locally Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose

In 699 patients with locally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with radiation therapy as part of combined modality therapy, we compared outcomes among genotyped and ungenotyped patients and by tumor genotype status ( EGFR, KRAS, and ALK).

Patients and Methods

Genotyping was performed in 250 patients: EGFR+ (19%), KRAS+ (32%), ALK+ (9%), and wild type (WT−/−/−; 40%). Outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression.

Results

With a median follow-up of 48.2 months among genotyped patients, median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer for EGFR+ and ALK+ compared with KRAS+ and WT−/−/− (55.8 months v not reached v 28.0 v 33.2 months; P = .02). There was no difference in progression-free survival (median, 15.3 v 13.7 v 13.0 v 14.5 months; P = .47) or in freedom from distant metastases by genotype (3-year estimates: 42% v 49% v 27% v 25%; P = .25). There was higher freedom from locoregional recurrence (LRR) for EGFR+ tumors and lower freedom from LRR in ALK+ tumors, compared with KRAS+ and WT−/−/− tumors (3-year: 77% v 38% v 49% v 46%). In multivariable analysis, ALK+ remained associated with increased OS (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.87; P = .03), and EGFR+ was associated with decreased LRR (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.92; P = .03). Analysis of post-recurrence survival demonstrated that EGFR+/ ALK+ patients treated with appropriate tyrosine kinase inhibitors had higher OS compared with other groups.

Conclusion

In this series of locally advanced NSCLC treated with combined modality therapy, EGFR+ and ALK+ were associated with higher OS, whereas LRR was lower in EGFR+ patients, and the risk of distant metastases was high in all subgroups. The outcomes and patterns of failure in genotypic subgroups of NSCLC from this study can inform the design of future trials integrating targeted therapies.

EGFR Mutation Is Associated with Short Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Stage III Non-squamous Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and clinical outcomes in patients with stage III non-squamous cell lung cancer treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Materials and Methods

From January 2008 to December 2013, the medical records of 197 patients with stage III non- squamous non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive CCRT were analyzed to determine progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) according to EGFR mutation status.

Results

Among 197 eligible patients, 81 patients were EGFR wild type, 36 patients had an EGFR mutation (exon 19 Del, n=18; L858R, n=9, uncommon [G719X, L868, T790M], n=9), and 80 patients had unknown EGFR status. The median age was 59 years (range, 28 to 80 years) and 136 patients (69.0%) were male. The median follow-up duration was 66.5 months (range, 1.9 to 114.5 months). One hundred sixty-four patients (83.2%) experienced disease progression. Median PFS was 8.9 months for the EGFR mutation group, 11.8 months for EGFR wild type, and 10.5 months for the unknown EGFR group (p=0.013 and p=0.042, respectively). The most common site of metastasis in the EGFR mutant group was the brain. However, there was no significant difference in OS among the three groups (34.6 months for EGFR mutant group vs. 31.9 months for EGFR wild type vs. 22.6 months for EGFR unknown group; p=0.792 and p=0.284). A total of 29 patients (80.6%) with EGFR mutation were treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (gefitinib, n=24; erlotinib, n=3; afatinib, n=2) upon progression.

Conclusion

EGFR mutation is associatedwith short PFS and the brain is the most common site of distant metastasis in patients with stage III non- squamous cell lung cancer treated with CCRT.

Radiotherapy increases plasma levels of tumoral cell-free DNA in non-small cell lung cancer patients

We investigated the plasma levels of tumor-specific cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in 17 stage I–II (early) and IV (advanced) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent radiotherapy. Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and targeted sequencing showed that total and tumor-specific cfDNA levels increased in response to radiotherapy in both early- and advanced-stage NSCLC patients. We detected high copy numbers of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations (L858R and T790M) in the cfDNA samples from stage IV NSCLC patients who underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy to treat brain metastasis related to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment failure. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that radiotherapy increases tumoral cfDNA levels in the plasma and shows potential to serve as an indicator for diagnosing drug-resistant tumor-related gene mutations in early-stage NSCLC patients or those undergoing molecular targeted therapy.

The impact of EGFR mutations on the incidence and survival of stages I to III NSCLC patients with subsequent brain metastasis

Previous studies have demonstrated the association between EGFR mutations and distant metastasis. However, the association for subsequent brain metastasis (BM) in stages I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients remains inconclusive. We conducted a retrospective analysis to clarify the impact of EGFR mutations on the incidence of BM and associated survival in patients with stage I-III NSCLC. A total of 491 patients screened for EGFR mutations were retrospectively enrolled. Brain MRI or CT was used to detect the BM. Cumulative incidence of subsequent BM and overall survival (OS) after diagnosis of BM were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank test. We performed Cox proportional hazard regression for predictors of subsequent BM and determinants of OS after BM. The cumulative incidence of BM seemed higher in patients harboring EGFR mutations than those without EGFR mutations although it did not reach statistical significance (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.73~1.81). After adjusting possible confounders, including age, smoking, stage, and tumor size, EGFR mutation became one of the predictors for subsequent BM (HR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.12~3.17, p = 0.017). Though there was no statistical difference in survival after BM between patients with EGFR mutations and wild-type EGFR (median survival: 17.8 vs. 12.2 months, HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.45–1.40), patients with EGFR 19 deletion (Del) tended to have a longer survival after BM than the non-EGFR 19 Del group (median survival: 29.4 vs. 14.3 months, HR 0.58, 95% CI = 0.32–1.09, p = 0.089). In conclusion, our data suggested EGFR mutation to be one of the predictors for subsequent BM in stage I-III patients. Given the small sample size, more studies are warranted to corroborate our results.

Impact of epidermal growth factor receptor sensitizing mutations on outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive thoracic radiation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To determine if the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sensitizing mutations improves tumor control and survival outcomes in patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received definitive thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) with or without chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE for eligible comparative studies which compared the outcomes of patients treated with definitive TRT according to EGFR mutation status. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects model. Outcomes of interest were tumor overall response rate (ORR), loco-regional (LRR), distant recurrence rates (DRR), relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AE).

RESULTS

We found seven studies including 537 patients with stage III NSCLC. Up to 45% of patients in the studies had mutations in exon 19 and 21. Patients harbouring EGFR sensitizing mutations had a trend towards improvement in ORR (risk ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 0.99-1.37, P = 0.06) compared to EGFR wild type status. There were no significant differences in LRR, DRR, RFS, OS and AE outcomes between the EGFR mutant and EGFR wild type groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of EGFR sensitizing mutations may improve tumour response rate but not survival in patients with localized NSCLC treated with definitive thoracic radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.

A phase II open-label multicenter study of gefitinib in combination with irradiation followed by chemotherapy in patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Gefitinib is an oral EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors which may act as a radiosensitizer.

Patients and Methods

This phase II study evaluated the efficacy of gefitinib 250 mg once daily in combination with thoracic radiotherapy (66 Gy in 6.5 weeks, 2 Gy/day, 5 fractions/week) followed by consolidation chemotherapy (IV cisplatin and vinorelbine) as first line treatment in a population of unselected stage IIIB NSCLC patients according to EGFR mutation status.

Results

Due to a low accrual rate in this study, the sample size (n = 50) was not reached. Sixteen patients were included in four centers, 50% had adenocarcinoma and 75% were male. Genomic alterations (7 patients studied) retrieved TP53 mutation in 2 patients and no EGFR mutation. Four weeks after radiotherapy, 3 patients (19%) had a partial response, 6 (38%) had a stable disease, and 7 had a progression (44%). Median overall survival was 11 months and median progression-free survival was 5 months. At the time of the last contact, 5 patients (31%) were still alive. Main toxicities were gastrointestinal (81%), cutaneous (81%), general (56%), and respiratory (50%). There were 12>G3 adverse events in 7 (47%) patients, and there was one toxic-death during the concomitant period due to an interstitial pneumonitis. There were two possible adverse events-related deaths during the chemotherapy period (pulmonary embolism (n = 1) and sudden death after the administration of the 3^rd course of chemotherapy (n = 1)).

Conclusion

The benefit of Gefitinib-RT could not be confirmed due to premature trial discontinuation. Further evaluation is required, especially in patients with EGFR mutated NSCLC.

Evaluation of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced NSCLC according to EGFR mutation status

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). However, the efficacy and safety of this treatment has not been compared between patients who possess epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and patients with wild-type EGFR. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of EGFR gene mutations in patients with LA-NSCLC receiving cCRT. Between January 2007 and December 2013, the records of 64 patients were reviewed retrospectively. The data were statistically analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of cCRT according to EGFR mutation status. In total, 15/64 were revealed to possess EGFR mutations, 23%, and comprised the mutant EGFR group. The progression-free survival time was significantly shorter in the mutant EGFR group compared with the patient group with tumors exhibiting wild-type EGFR, 6.3 and 9.5 months, respectively (P<0.001). The overall survival rate was longer in the mutant EGFR group compared with the wild-type EGFR group, although the difference was not statistically significant, 37.1 and 21.1 months, respectively (P=0.26). The disease recurred in all of the patients of the mutant EGFR group, whilst the recurrence rate in the wild-type EGFR group was 89%. The frequency of distant metastasis was significantly higher in the mutant EGFR group compared with the wild-type EGFR group. In conclusion, these data suggest that additional studies are required to identify strategies for reinforcing the efficacy of cCRT, with a focus on the potential use of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors for patients exhibiting an EGFR mutation.

Serine 207 phosphorylated lysyl-tRNA synthetase predicts disease-free survival of non-small-cell lung carcinoma

It has been shown that various tRNA synthetases exhibit non-canonical activities unrelated to their original role in translation. We have previously described a signal transduction pathway in which serine 207 phosphorylated lysyl-tRNA synthetase (P-s207 LysRS) is released from the cytoplasmic multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) into the nucleus, where it activates the transcription factor MITF in stimulated cultured mast cells and cardiomyocytes. Here we describe a similar transformation of LysRS due to EGFR signaling activation in human lung cancer. Our data shows that activation of the EGFR results in phosphorylation of LysRS at position serine 207, its release from the MSC and translocation to the nucleus. We then generated a P-s207 LysRS rabbit polyclonalantibody and tested 242 tissue micro-array samples derived from non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Highly positive nuclear staining for P-s207 LysRS was noted in patients with EGFR mutations as compared to WT EGFR patients and was associated with improved mean disease-free survival (DFS). In addition, patients with mutated EGFR and negative lymph node metastases had better DFS when P-s207 LysRS was present in the nucleus. The data presented strongly suggests functional and prognostic significance of P-s207 LysRS in non-small-cell lung cancer.