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Huang H, Jia S, Wang X, Miao H, Fang H, He H, Wu D, Tang Y, Li N. Quantitative evaluation of the impact of relaxing eligibility criteria on the risk-benefit profile of drugs for lung cancer based on real-world data. Thorac Cancer 2024; 15:1187-1194. [PMID: 38576119 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Restrictive eligibility criteria in cancer drug trials result in low enrollment rates and limited population diversity. Relaxed eligibility criteria (REC) based on solid evidence is becoming necessary for stakeholders worldwide. However, the absence of high-quality, favorable evidence remains a major challenge. This study presents a protocol to quantitatively evaluate the impact of relaxing eligibility criteria in common non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) protocols in China, on the risk-benefit profile. This involves a detailed explanation of the rationale, framework, and design of REC. METHODS To evaluate our REC in NSCLC drug trials, we will first construct a structured, cross-dimensional real-world NSCLC database using deep learning methods. We will then establish randomized virtual cohorts and perform benefit-risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation and propensity matching. Shapley value will be utilized to quantitatively measure the effect of the change of each eligibility criterion on patient volume, clinical efficacy and safety. DISCUSSION This study is one of the few that focuses on the problem of overly stringent eligibility criteria cancer drug clinical trials, providing quantitative evaluation of the effect of relaxing each NSCLC eligibility criterion. This study will not only provide scientific evidence for the rational design of population inclusion in lung cancer clinical trials, but also establish a data governance system, as well as a REC evaluation framework that can be generalized to other cancer studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyao Huang
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuopeng Jia
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huilei Miao
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Fang
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hanqing He
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dawei Wu
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Clinical Trials Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Griesinger F, Sebastian M, Brueckl WM, Hummel HD, Jaeschke B, Kern J, Wesseler C, Jänicke M, Fleitz A, Zacharias S, Hipper A, Groth A, Weichert W, Dörfel S, Petersen V, Schröder J, Wilke J, Eberhardt WE, Thomas M. Checkpoint Inhibitor Monotherapy in Potentially Trial-Eligible or Trial-Ineligible Patients With Metastatic NSCLC in the German Prospective CRISP Registry Real-World Cohort (AIO-TRK-0315). JTO Clin Res Rep 2024; 5:100626. [PMID: 38586301 PMCID: PMC10995980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2023.100626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical practice may often not meet the strict inclusion criteria of clinical trials. Our aim was to assess the trial eligibility of patients with mNSCLC treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy in real-world and to compare the outcome of "trial-ineligible" and "potentially trial-eligible" patients. Methods Data from the prospective, clinical research platform CRISP were used to compare patient characteristics, treatment, and outcome of patients with programmed cell death-ligand 1 tumor proportion score greater than or equal to 50% tumors treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy who are deemed either "potentially trial-eligible" or "trial-ineligible" according to inclusion and exclusion criteria of the registrational studies (KEYNOTE-024 and -042). Results Of 746 patients included, 343 patients (46.0%) were classified as "trial-ineligible" and had significantly worse outcomes compared with "potentially trial-eligible" patients (n = 403, 54.0%): median progression-free survival: 6.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.2-8.4) versus 10.3 (95% CI: 8.4-13.8) months, hazard ratio (trial-ineligible versus potentially trial-eligible) of 1.43 (95% CI: 1.19-1.72), p less than 0.001; median overall survival: 15.9 (95% CI: 11.4-20.3) versus 25.3 (95% CI: 19.8-30.4) months, hazard ratio of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.10-1.67), p equals 0.004. Conclusions Our data reveal that a considerable proportion of patients with mNSCLC are not eligible to participate in a clinical trial and were found to have worse outcomes than potentially trial-eligible patients, whose outcomes were comparable with those obtained from pivotal clinical trials. This is of substantial clinical relevance for physicians discussing outcomes to be expected with their patients and stresses the need for real-world effectiveness analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Griesinger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Department Internal Medicine-Oncology, Pius-Hospital, University Medicine Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Martin Sebastian
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wolfgang M. Brueckl
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, General Hospital Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Horst-Dieter Hummel
- Translational Oncology/Early Clinical Trial Unit (ECTU), Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken and Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bastian Jaeschke
- HELIOS Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken Wiesbaden, IM III: Hämatologie, Onkologie, Palliativmedizin, Interdisziplinäre Onkologische Ambulanz, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Jens Kern
- Klinikum Würzburg Mitte, Missioklinik, Medizinische Klinik – Schwerpunkt Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Claas Wesseler
- Asklepios Tumorzentrum Hamburg, Klinikum Harburg, Lungenabteilung, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martina Jänicke
- Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, iOMEDICO, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annette Fleitz
- Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, iOMEDICO, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Volker Petersen
- Onkologische Schwerpunktpraxis Dr. med. Volker Petersen, Heidenheim a.d.B, Germany
| | - Jan Schröder
- Gemeinschaftspraxis für Hämatologie und internistische Onkologie, Mülheim a.d.R., Germany
| | - Jochen Wilke
- Schwerpunktpraxis Hämatologie & Internistische Onkologie, Fürth, Germany
| | - Wilfried E.E. Eberhardt
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Medicine Essen - Ruhrlandklinik, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Thomas
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik, University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational, Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
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Fukuokaya W, Yanagisawa T, Hashimoto M, Yamamoto S, Koike Y, Imai Y, Iwatani K, Onuma H, Ito K, Urabe F, Tsuzuki S, Kimura S, Miki J, Oyama Y, Abe H, Kimura T. Effectiveness of pembrolizumab in trial-ineligible patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:841-849. [PMID: 36102985 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03291-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The KEYNOTE-045 trial showed that pembrolizumab therapy improved the survival of patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, its effectiveness in trial-ineligible patients remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a multicenter retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic UC who were trial-ineligible. The data of 164 consecutive patients with platinum-treated metastatic UC who received pembrolizumab as second-line therapy were analyzed. Trial eligibility was assessed using the KEYNOTE-045 criteria. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance patient characteristics. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were examined using the IPTW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier method. IPTW-adjusted restricted mean survival times (RMSTs) were compared between ineligible and eligible patients. RESULTS Seventy-five patients (45.7%) were classified as ineligible based on the KEYNOTE-045 criteria. Baseline hemoglobin concentration of less than 9.0 g/dL was the most common reason for trial protocol violation (N = 23 [14.0%]). An IPTW-adjusted logistic regression model showed that the trial-eligibility was not significantly associated with objective response (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.29, P = 0.22). Ineligible patients had similar RMST for PFS (difference: 3.8 months, 95% CI: -1.6 to 9.3, P = 0.17) and RMST for OS (difference: 1.4 months, 95% CI: -5.4 to 8.2, P = 0.93) compared with eligible patients. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the effectiveness of pembrolizumab may be retained in ineligible patients with platinum-treated metastatic UC. Expanding trial eligibility criteria for these patients may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Fukuokaya
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Takafumi Yanagisawa
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Masaki Hashimoto
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Shutaro Yamamoto
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Yuhei Koike
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Yu Imai
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Kosuke Iwatani
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Hajime Onuma
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Kagenori Ito
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Urabe
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Tsuzuki
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Shoji Kimura
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Jun Miki
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Yu Oyama
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kameda Medical Center, 929 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa City, Chiba, 296-8602, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Abe
- Department of Urology, Kameda Medical Center, 929 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa City, Chiba, 296-8602, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kimura
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
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Boys E, Gao B, Hui R, da Silva I, Hau E, Gee H, Nagrial A. Use of durvalumab in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer based on eligibility for the PACIFIC study. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:563-572. [PMID: 36627112 PMCID: PMC9968599 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiotherapy is standard treatment for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer based on the results of the PACIFIC trial. Based on trial criteria, not all patients are eligible for durvalumab in routine clinical practice. METHODS We evaluated eligibility for durvalumab in a real-world clinical setting and the impact of eligibility on outcomes. Consecutive patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy at two tertiary centers between January 2015 and June 2022 were assessed. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated based on eligibility criteria for the PACIFIC trial. RESULTS A total of 126 patients were included. Seventy patients (56%) were eligible for durvalumab. Ineligibility was associated with shorter progression-free survival of 9.7 months versus 18.4 months (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39-0.95, p = 0.029) and overall survival of 26.4 months versus 58.7 months (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.28-0.80, p = 0.005). Common reasons for ineligibility were history of previous malignancy (32%) and progressive disease or death during chemoradiotherapy (25%). Ineligible patients who received durvalumab had similar outcomes to eligible patients who received durvalumab. CONCLUSIONS In a real-world cohort, adjuvant durvalumab is safe and beneficial in a substantial proportion of patients who would not have been eligible for the PACIFIC trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Boys
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Blacktown Cancer and Haematology Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Blacktown Cancer and Haematology Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rina Hui
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Inês da Silva
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Blacktown Cancer and Haematology Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eric Hau
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Blacktown Cancer and Haematology Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Harriet Gee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adnan Nagrial
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Blacktown Cancer and Haematology Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Williams CD, Allo MA, Gu L, Vashistha V, Press A, Kelley M. Health outcomes and healthcare resource utilization among Veterans with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer treated with second-line chemotherapy versus immunotherapy. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282020. [PMID: 36809528 PMCID: PMC9942992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Until recently, multi-agent chemotherapy (CT) was the standard of care for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical trials have confirmed benefits in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival with immunotherapy (IO) compared to CT. This study compares real-world treatment patterns and outcomes between CT and IO administrations in second-line (2L) settings for patients with stage IV NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included patients in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC during 2012-2017 and receiving IO or CT in the 2L. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and adverse events (AEs) were compared between treatment groups. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in baseline characteristics between groups, and inverse probability weighting multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to analyze OS. RESULTS Among 4,609 Veterans who received first-line (1L) therapy for stage IV NSCLC, 96% received 1L CT alone. A total of 1,630 (35%) were administered 2L systemic therapy, with 695 (43%) receiving IO and 935 (57%) receiving CT. Median age was 67 years (IO group) and 65 years (CT group); most patients were male (97%) and white (76-77%). Patients administered 2L IO had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index than those administered CT (p = 0.0002). 2L IO was associated with significantly longer OS compared with CT (hazard ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.94). IO was more frequently prescribed during the study period (p < 0.0001). No difference in rate of hospitalizations was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the proportion of advanced NSCLC patients receiving 2L systemic therapy is low. Among patients treated with 1L CT and without IO contraindications, 2L IO should be considered, as this supports potential benefit of IO for advanced NSCLC. The increasing availability and indications for IO will likely increase the administration of 2L therapy to NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina D. Williams
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Mina A. Allo
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, US Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Lin Gu
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Cancer Institute, Biostatistics Shared Resource, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Vishal Vashistha
- Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical Service, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ashlyn Press
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael Kelley
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical Service, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Graf RP, Fisher V, Creeden J, Schrock AB, Ross JS, Nimeiri H, Oxnard GR, Klempner SJ. Real-world Validation of TMB and Microsatellite Instability as Predictive Biomarkers of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Effectiveness in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:1037-1048. [PMID: 36922935 PMCID: PMC10010289 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer (mEG) and tumor mutational burden ≥10 mut/Mb (TMB ≥ 10) have more favorable outcomes on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI) monotherapy compared with chemotherapy in subgroup analyses of randomized controlled trials. We sought to evaluate the robustness of these associations in real-world settings where patients and practices are more diverse. A total of 362 2 L and 692 1 L patients, respectively received ICPI (n = 99, 33) or chemotherapy (n = 263, 659) across approximately 280 U.S. academic or community-based cancer clinics March 2014-July 2021. Deidentified data were captured into a real-world clinico-genomic database. All patients underwent Foundation Medicine testing. Time to next treatment (TTNT) and overall survival (OS) comparing ICPI versus chemotherapy were adjusted for treatment assignment imbalances using propensity scores. 2L: TMB ≥ 10 had more favorable TTNT [median 24 vs. 4.1 months; HR: 0.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.44; P = 0.0001] and OS (median 43.1 vs. 6.2 months; HR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.011-0.54; P = 0.0005), TMB < 10 did not (P > 0.05). 1L: TMB ≥ 10 had more favorable TTNT (not reached vs. median 4.1 months; HR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.03-0.48; P = 0.0024) and OS (not reached vs. median 17.1 months; HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.08-1.14; P = 0.078), TMB < 10 had less favorable TTNT (median 2.8 vs. 6.5 months; HR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.25-4.45; P = 0.008) and OS (median 4.5 vs. 13.1 months; HR: 1.82, 95% CI: 0.87-3.81; P = 0.11). TMB ≥ 10 robustly identifies patients with mEG with more favorable outcomes on 2 L ICPI monotherapy versus chemotherapy. 1 L data are more limited, but effects are consistent with 2L. Significance Using real-world data, we sought to evaluate robustness of these clinical associations using the same assay platform and biomarker cut-off point used in both clinical trials and pan-tumor CDx approvals for later treatment lines. TMB ≥ 10 robustly identified patients with mEG with more favorable outcomes on ICPI monotherapy versus chemotherapy and suggests this subset of patients could be targeted for further trial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryon P Graf
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Jeffrey S Ross
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | | | | | - Samuel J Klempner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Cooper RA, Chai Y, Nieva J. Effect of sponsor on enrollment criteria in non-small cell lung cancer clinical trials. J Cancer Policy 2022; 33:100336. [PMID: 35605888 PMCID: PMC10226152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2022.100336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inclusion and exclusion criteria in clinical trials are used to mitigate the effects of confounding variables on study outcomes. In 2017 and 2021, ASCO and the Friends of Cancer Research published recommendations to loosen enrollment criteria in cancer clinical trials to improve generalizability. The purpose of this study is to determine if the source of funding influences the degree of transparency and selection of inclusion and exclusion criteria. METHODS Phase 2 and 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) drug trials on clinicaltrials.gov were grouped into one of three sponsor categories: industry, government/cooperative group, and academic. Strictness of specific criteria and the level of transparency in listing organ function requirements were analyzed using Fisher Exact tests. Independent sample t-tests were used to assess the variability in total number of criteria. RESULTS Organ function requirements listed on clinicaltrials.gov are more often vague or incomplete in industry sponsored trials compared to government/cooperative group (p = 2.3 × 10-10, α = 0.01) and academic (p = 1.8 × 10-4, α = 0.01) sponsored trials. Industry sponsored trials more often excluded patients with worse performance status scores compared to government/cooperative group sponsored trials (p = 5.7 × 10-6, α = 0.01). CONCLUSION Industry sponsored NSCLC drug trials are more likely to exclude patients with worse performance status and are less transparent in listing complete study requirements on clinicaltrials.gov. POLICY SUMMARY Unnecessarily strict enrollment criteria are increasingly seen in clinical trials sponsored by industry. Regulators responsible for drug approvals should note when studies deviate from ASCO and Friends of Cancer Research framework and question the external validity of study findings with overly narrow enrollment criteria when making decisions on drug approvals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Cooper
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 1975 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Yan Chai
- Biostatistics Core, The Saban Research Institute and Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles Los Angeles, 4551 Sunset Blvd, Rm. 102 MS 142, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
| | - Jorge Nieva
- University of Southern California/Norris Cancer Center, 1441 Eastlake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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The role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical practice: an analysis of the treatment patterns, survival and toxicity rates by sex. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04309-2. [PMID: 35997822 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04309-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our aim is to describe the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in clinical practice by providing the patient and tumor characteristics as well as survival and toxicity rates by sex. METHODS We used electronic health records to identify patients treated at the Cancer Center of the University Hospital Bern, Switzerland between January 1, 2017 and June 16, 2021. RESULTS We identified 5109 patients, 689 of whom (13.5%) received at least one dose of ICI. The fraction of patients who were prescribed ICI increased from 8.6% in 2017 to 22.9% in 2021. ICI represented 13.2% of the anticancer treatments in 2017 and increased to 28.2% in 2021. The majority of patients were male (68.7%), who were older than the female patients (median age 67 vs. 61 years). Over time, adjuvant and first line treatments increased for both sexes. Lung cancer and melanoma were the most common cancer types in males and females. The incidence of irAEs was higher among females (38.4% vs. 28.1%) and lead more often to treatment discontination in females than in males (21.1% vs. 16.8%). Independent of sex, the occurrence of irAEs was associated with greater median overall survival (OS, not reached vs. 1.1 years). Female patients had a longer median OS than males (1.9 vs. 1.5 years). CONCLUSIONS ICI play an increasingly important role in oncology. irAEs are more frequent in female patients and are associated with a longer OS. More research is needed to understand the association between patient sex and toxicity and survival.
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Randomized Versus Real-World Evidence on the Efficacy and Toxicity of Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer or Melanoma: A Meta-analysis. Target Oncol 2022; 17:507-515. [PMID: 35913645 PMCID: PMC9512877 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-022-00901-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-world evidence (RWE) studies provide results regarding the efficacy and toxicity of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients. The results from these two sources are considered complementary but whether they are comparable remains unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of checkpoint inhibitors between RCTs and RWE studies in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or melanoma. Patients and Methods Two electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies, either RCTs or RWE studies, investigating the efficacy or toxicity of checkpoint inhibitors given for indications that were approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) at the date of the last search. A meta-analysis was performed and the pooled estimates of objective response rates (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity and treatment discontinuation between RCTs and RWE studies were compared. Results In total, 43 RWE studies and 15 RCTs were eligible, with adequate data for pooled estimates for immunotherapy indications regarding NSCLC and melanoma. No statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences in terms of pooled PFS, OS, or rates of treatment discontinuation due to toxicity between RCTs and RWE studies were observed. In some indications, a higher rate of response rates and lower rate of toxicity in favor of RWE was observed. Conclusion In patients with melanoma or NSCLC, the clinical value of checkpoint inhibitors is evident in both RCTs and real-world settings. Some differences in response or toxicity rates in favor of RWE mainly reflects the inherent difficulties in evaluating these outcomes in RWE studies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11523-022-00901-1.
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10
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Graf RP, Fisher V, Huang RSP, Hamdani O, Gjoerup OV, Stanke J, Creeden J, Levy MA, Oxnard GR, Gupta S. Tumor Mutational Burden as a Predictor of First-Line Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Versus Carboplatin Benefit in Cisplatin-Unfit Patients With Urothelial Carcinoma. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 6:e2200121. [PMID: 35977348 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In real-world settings, patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) are often more frail than clinical trials, underscoring an unmet need to identify patients who might be spared first-line chemotherapy. We sought to determine whether tumor mutational burden (TMB) identifies patients with comparable or superior clinical benefit of first-line single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPI) in real-world patients deemed cisplatin-unfit. METHODS Patients with mUC treated in first-line advanced setting (N = 401) received ICPI (n = 245) or carboplatin regiment without ICPI (n = 156) at physician's discretion in standard-of-care settings across approximately 280 US academic or community-based cancer clinics between March 2014 and July 2021. Deidentified data were captured into a real-world clinicogenomic database. All patients underwent testing using Foundation Medicine assays. Progression-free survival (PFS), time to next treatment (TTNT), and overall survival (OS) comparing ICPI versus chemotherapy were adjusted for known treatment assignment imbalances using propensity scores. RESULTS TMB ≥ 10 was detected in 122 of 401 (30.4%) patients. Among patients receiving ICPI, those with TMB ≥ 10 had more favorable PFS (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.85), TTNT (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.83), and OS (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.68). Comparing ICPI versus carboplatin, adjusting for imbalances, patients with TMB ≥ 10 had more favorable PFS (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.82), TTNT (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.91), and OS (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.08) on ICPI versus chemotherapy, but not TMB < 10. Comparisons unadjusted for imbalances had similar associations. CONCLUSIONS In real-world settings, mUC patients with TMB ≥ 10 have more favorable outcomes on first-line single-agent ICPI than carboplatin, adding clinical validity to TMB assessed by an existing US Food and Drug Administration-approved platform.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mia A Levy
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, MA.,Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Shilpa Gupta
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
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11
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Efficacy and Safety of Immunotherapy-Based Combinations as First-Line Therapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in Patients Who Do Not Meet Trial Eligibility Criteria. Target Oncol 2022; 17:475-482. [PMID: 35789472 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-022-00896-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data regarding the efficacy and safety profiles of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) trial-ineligible patients in the real world remain unclear. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of trial eligibility on ICI-based combination therapy for mRCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS We collected clinical data of mRCC patients receiving ICIs since 2016, and 222 patients were registered. Among these patients, we evaluated 93 patients treated with ICI-based combination therapy, including nivolumab plus ipilimumab, pembrolizumab plus axitinib, or avelumab plus axitinib, as first-line therapy. Patients were classified into the trial-ineligible group when they had at least one of the following factors at the time of treatment initiation: Karnofsky performance status (KPS) < 70%, hemoglobin level < 9.0 g/dL, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 40 mL/min/1.73 m2, platelet count < 100,000/µL, neutrophil count < 1500/µL, non-clear cell histology, or brain metastasis. The remaining patients were classified into the trial-eligible group. RESULTS Forty-eight patients (52%) were classified into the trial-ineligible group. The frequency of patients with trial-ineligible factors was highest for low eGFR (n = 20, 45%), followed by non-clear cell histology (n = 17, 36%) and low KPS score (n = 12, 25%). There was no significant difference in progression-free survival (median: 24.0 vs. 11.0 months, p = 0.416), overall survival (1-year rate: 87.0% vs. 85.3%, p = 0.634), or objective response rate (52% vs. 42%, p = 0.308) between the trial-eligible and -ineligible patients. The incidence rate of adverse events was higher in the trial-eligible patients than in the trial-ineligible patients (91% vs. 75%, p = 0.0397); however, the rate of grade 3 or higher adverse events was comparable between the two groups (42% vs. 40%, p = 0.796). CONCLUSIONS There are many trial-ineligible patients in the real world. Nevertheless, the efficacy and safety of ICI-based combination therapy in trial-ineligible patients were non-inferior compared with those of trial-eligible patients.
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12
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van Veelen A, Abtahi S, Souverein P, Driessen JH, Klungel OH, Dingemans AMC, van Geel R, de Vries F, Croes S. Characteristics of patients with lung cancer in clinical practice and their potential eligibility for clinical trials evaluating tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 78:102149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Tang M, Lee CK, Lewis CR, Boyer M, Brown B, Schaffer A, Pearson SA, Simes RJ. Generalizability of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Trials to Real-world Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Lung Cancer 2022; 166:40-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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14
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Representativeness of Phase III Trial for Osimertinib in Pretreated Advanced EGFR-Mutated Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients and Treatment Outcomes in Clinical Practice. Target Oncol 2021; 17:53-59. [PMID: 34894319 PMCID: PMC8783869 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-021-00862-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overall survival (OS) data of osimertinib in pretreated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in real-world practice is limited, and treatment benefits for patients not represented in the pivotal trials (ineligible) are unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine the representativeness of the AURA3 trial for NSCLC patients treated with osimertinib in a real-world setting and to determine outcomes of patients who were represented in the AURA3 trial (eligible) and those who were ineligible. METHODS Advanced NSCLC patients receiving post first-line osimertinib were included in this retrospective study and were divided into two groups based on eligibility criteria of the AURA3 trial. Progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox models were used to estimate the association of eligibility criteria with OS. RESULTS 328 patients were included; 126 (38%) patients were eligible and 202 (62%) patients were ineligible. The most common ineligibility reasons were the number of earlier treatment lines and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) > 1. PFS of eligible and ineligible patients was not statistically different (8.0 vs. 5.8 months, p = 0.062). Eligible patients had a longer OS (24.0 vs. 15.4 months, p = 0.001) compared to ineligible patients. ECOG PS was the best predictor for OS. An ECOG PS of 1 was already associated with poorer survival compared to an ECOG PS of 0 (hazard ratio 1.54; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION The majority of the study population was not represented in the AURA3 trial. Survival outcomes of eligible patients are in concordance with the AURA3 trial, while OS of ineligible patients was significantly shorter compared to eligible patients.
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15
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Li N, Wang J, Zhan X. Identification of Immune-Related Gene Signatures in Lung Adenocarcinoma and Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2021; 12:752643. [PMID: 34887858 PMCID: PMC8649721 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.752643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that immunotherapy helped to improve the survival and quality-of-life of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) or lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) besides chemotherapy and gene targeting treatment. This study aimed to develop immune-related gene signatures in LUAD and LUSC subtypes, respectively. LUAD and LUSC samples were divided into high- and low-abundance groups of immune cell infiltration (Immunity_H and Immunity_L) based on the abundance of immune cell infiltrations. The distribution of immune cells was significantly different between the high- and low-immunity subtypes in LUAD and LUSC samples. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between those two groups in LUAD and LUSC contain some key immune-related genes, such as PDL1, PD1, CTLA-4, and HLA families. The DEGs were enriched in multiple immune-related pathways. Furthermore, the seven-immune-related-gene-signature (CD1B, CHRNA6, CLEC12B, CLEC17A, CLNK, INHA, and SLC14A2) prognostic model-based high- and low-risk groups were significantly associated with LUAD overall survival and clinical characteristics. The eight-immune-related-gene-signature (C4BPB, FCAMR, GRAPL, MAP1LC3C, MGC2889, TRIM55, UGT1A1, and VIPR2) prognostic model-based high- and low-risk groups were significantly associated with LUSC overall survival and clinical characteristics. The prognostic models were tested as good ones by receiver operating characteristic, principal component analysis, univariate and multivariate analysis, and nomogram. The verifications of these two immune-related-gene-signature prognostic models showed consistency in the train and test cohorts of LUAD and LUSC. In addition, patients with LUAD in the low-risk group responded better to immunotherapy than those in the high-risk group. This study revealed two reliable immune-related-gene-signature models that were significantly associated with prognosis and tumor microenvironment cell infiltration in LUAD and LUSC, respectively. Evaluation of the integrated characterization of multiple immune-related genes and pathways could help to predict the response to immunotherapy and monitor immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiahong Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianquan Zhan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Gastroenterology Research Institute and Clinical Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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16
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Jin Y, Xiao W, Wang X, Cui Y, Li B, Liu X. Response to toripalimab combined with radiotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer-not otherwise specified: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27581. [PMID: 34678907 PMCID: PMC8542166 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE The targeting of signal transduction through programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been widely applied in clinical research. However, the subtypes and treatment patterns that predict responses to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are not fully understood. Biomarkers, such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutation load, and DNA mismatch repair defects, have been used to screen patients who respond to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, but the appropriate treatment mode requires further investigation. Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with radiotherapy provide benefits from remote effects, especially in NSCLC patients with increased PD-L1 expression. PATIENT CONCERNS We report a 64-year-old man who presented with left back pain for 40 days. A computed tomography scan showed a mass in the right upper lobe of the lung, with metastases in the right hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. DIAGNOSIS NSCLC-not otherwise specified was diagnosed by computed tomography-guided lung biopsy. INTERVENTIONS After the failure of first-line chemotherapy, next-generation sequencing was performed for comprehensive gene analysis, and PD-L1 expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The patient was treated with toripalimab (a PD-1 inhibitor) concurrently with radiotherapy for bone metastases. OUTCOMES The detection results showed a high tumor mutation burden and increased PD-L1 expression. On the basis of these findings, the patient received toripalimab (PD-1 inhibitor) combined with radiotherapy for bone metastases. Partial response was achieved after 3 cycles, and the patient showed stable disease at the end of the sixth and ninth cycles of toripalimab. The patient was followed up for 26 months. At present, the patient is receiving toripalimab maintenance treatment, which has been well-tolerated without adverse events. LESSON Toripalimab combined with radiotherapy may exert a synergistic anti-tumor effect through remote effects in advanced or metastatic NSCLC with high PD-L1 expression. However, the specific treatment mode requires further confirmation by the investigation of additional cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglong Jin
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenjing Xiao
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xintong Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yinshi Cui
- Department of Cardiology, Qingdao Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiguang Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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17
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von Itzstein MS, Gonugunta AS, Mayo HG, Minna JD, Gerber DE. Immunotherapy Use in Patients With Lung Cancer and Comorbidities. Cancer J 2021; 26:525-536. [PMID: 33298724 PMCID: PMC7735252 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is now in widespread clinical use for the treatment of lung cancer. Although patients with autoimmune disease and other comorbidities were excluded from initial clinical trials, emerging real-world experience suggests that these promising treatments may be administered safely to individuals with inactive low-risk autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, mild to moderate renal and hepatic dysfunction, and certain chronic viral infections. Considerations for ICI in autoimmune disease populations include exacerbations of the underlying autoimmune disease, increased risk of ICI-induced immune-related adverse events, and potential for compromised efficacy if patients are receiving chronic immunosuppression. Immune checkpoint inhibitor use in higher-risk autoimmune conditions, such as myasthenia gravis or multiple sclerosis, requires careful evaluation on a case-by-case basis. Immune checkpoint inhibitor use in individuals with solid organ transplant carries a substantial risk of organ rejection. Ongoing research into the prediction of ICI efficacy and toxicity may help in patient selection, treatment, and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell S. von Itzstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and
Oncology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research and the
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, 75390,
USA
| | | | - Helen G. Mayo
- UT Southwestern Health Sciences Digital Library and
Learning Center, Dallas, Texas, 75390, USA
| | - John. D. Minna
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and
Oncology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research and the
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, 75390,
USA
| | - David E. Gerber
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and
Oncology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research and the
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, 75390,
USA
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, UT Southwestern
Medical Center, Texas, 75390, USA
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18
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Mojsak D, Kuklińska B, Minarowski Ł, Mróz RM. Current state of knowledge on immunotherapy in ECOG PS 2 patients. A systematic review. Adv Med Sci 2021; 66:381-387. [PMID: 34315013 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 2 (ECOG PS 2) are not included in most randomized clinical trials and registry studies. Nevertheless, immune checkpoint inhibitors are registered in the USA and Europe regardless of the performance status. Evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of such treatment in this cohort is sparse. METHODS Using PubMed (to July 2020), the relevant literature on the effect of ECOG PS 2 on the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ECOG PS 2 was searched. RESULTS A database search conducted using an international repository (PubMed) identified 191 records. Additional 3 records were identified through other sources. After pre-selection, 92 records were excluded, and 102 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. With further exclusion of articles not meeting the inclusion criteria, 44 studies were entered into the qualitative synthesis. CONCLUSIONS Immunotherapy seems to be justified in PS 2 patients with NSCLC. This method of treatment has been proven to be safe and tolerable. However, outcomes in this population remain suboptimal and the impact of immunotherapy in this cohort is less dramatic. Multiple scales evaluating many factors beyond PS scores have been suggested to help stratify the PS 2 to reinforce the chance of achieving better treatment outcomes. Randomized trials are needed to determine the benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for patients with poor ECOG PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Mojsak
- 2nd Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Beata Kuklińska
- 2nd Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Łukasz Minarowski
- 2nd Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Robert Marek Mróz
- 2nd Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
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Are clinical trial eligibility criteria representative of older patients with lung cancer? A population-based data linkage study. J Geriatr Oncol 2021; 12:930-936. [PMID: 34119452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Older adults constitute the majority of patients with lung cancer. However, they are under-represented in clinical trials as eligibility criteria often restrict enrolment based on comorbidities that are common with aging. We aimed to describe comorbidities relating to trial exclusion criteria in older adults with lung cancer, determine the proportion that would typically be excluded from trials, and examine the impact on treatment uptake. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a population-based study of people aged ≥65 years diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer using linked data for clients of the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs (2005-2015). We defined trial-typical patients based on the absence of comorbidities related to the following: inadequate organ (cardiac, renal, hepatic, marrow) function; cognitive dysfunction; poor performance status (PS); prior malignancy within 5 years. We report systemic therapy uptake within 3 months of diagnosis. RESULTS Our study included 677 patients (median age 84). Over half (53.4%) were not trial-typical, with the most common reasons being poor PS (37.5%), cardiac disease (19.2%), and prior cancer (12.9%). Eighty-two (12.1%) received systemic therapy. Patients with poor PS, cardiac disease, and dementia had lower treatment uptake rates. However, there was no significant difference in treatment uptake between trial-typical and non-trial-typical patients (13.4 vs 11.0%). CONCLUSION More than half of older adults with advanced lung cancer would be typically excluded from trial participation. Future clinical trials of older adults need to consider broader eligibility criteria to better reflect this population to gain the best evidence for their care.
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Kolla L, Gruber FK, Khalid O, Hill C, Parikh RB. The case for AI-driven cancer clinical trials - The efficacy arm in silico. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188572. [PMID: 34082064 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical agents in oncology currently have high attrition rates from early to late phase clinical trials. Recent advances in computational methods, notably causal artificial intelligence, and availability of rich clinico-genomic databases have made it possible to simulate the efficacy of cancer drug protocols in diverse patient populations, which could inform and improve clinical trial design. Here, we review the current and potential use of in silico trials and causal AI to increase the efficacy and safety of traditional clinical trials. We conclude that in silico trials using causal AI approaches can simulate control and efficacy arms, inform patient recruitment and regimen titrations, and better enable subgroup analyses critical for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Likhitha Kolla
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ravi B Parikh
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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21
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Gan CL, Stukalin I, Meyers DE, Dudani S, Grosjean HAI, Dolter S, Ewanchuk BW, Goutam S, Sander M, Wells C, Pabani A, Cheng T, Monzon J, Morris D, Basappa NS, Pal SK, Wood LA, Donskov F, Choueiri TK, Heng DYC. Outcomes of patients with solid tumour malignancies treated with first-line immuno-oncology agents who do not meet eligibility criteria for clinical trials. Eur J Cancer 2021; 151:115-125. [PMID: 33975059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immuno-oncology (IO)-based therapies have been approved based on randomised clinical trials, yet a significant proportion of real-world patients are not represented in these trials. We sought to compare the outcomes of trial-ineligible vs. -eligible patients with advanced solid tumours treated with first-line (1L) IO therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Database Consortium and the Alberta Immunotherapy Database, patients with advanced RCC, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or melanoma treated with 1L PD-(L)1 inhibition-based therapy were included. Trial eligibility was retrospectively determined as per commonly used exclusion criteria. The outcomes of interest were overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), treatment duration (TD) and time to next treatment (TTNT). RESULTS A total of 395 of 1241 (32%) patients were deemed trial-ineligible. The main reasons for ineligibility based on preselected exclusion criteria were Karnofsky performance status <70%/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >1 (40%, 158 of 395), brain metastases (32%, 126 of 395), haemoglobin < 9 g/dL (16%, 63 of 395) and estimated glomerular filtration rate <40 mL/min (15%, 61 of 395). Between the ineligible vs. eligible groups, the median OS, ORR, median TD and median TTNT were 10.2 vs. 39.7 months (p < 0.01), 36% vs. 47% (p < 0.01), 2.7 vs. 6.9 months (p < 0.01) and 6.0 vs. 16.8 months (p < 0.01), respectively. Subgroup analyses showed statistically significant inferior OS, TD and TTNT for trial-ineligible vs. -eligible patients across all tumour types. Adjusted hazard ratios for death in RCC, NSCLC and melanoma were 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-2.77), 2.21 (95% CI 1.58-3.11) and 1.82 (95% CI 1.21-2.74), respectively.. CONCLUSIONS Thirty-two percent of real-world patients treated with contemporary 1L IO-based therapies were ineligible for clinical trials. Although one-third of the trial-ineligible patients responded to treatment, the overall trial-ineligible population had inferior outcomes than trial-eligible patients. These data may guide patient counselling and temper expectations of benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun L Gan
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Igor Stukalin
- University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel E Meyers
- University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shaan Dudani
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Samantha Dolter
- University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Michael Sander
- University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Connor Wells
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Aliyah Pabani
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tina Cheng
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jose Monzon
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Don Morris
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Naveen S Basappa
- Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sumanta K Pal
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Lori A Wood
- Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Toni K Choueiri
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Y C Heng
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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Ellebaek E, Svane IM, Schmidt H, Haslund CA, Donia M, Hoejberg L, Ruhlmann C, Guldbrandt LM, Køhler UH, Bastholt L. The Danish metastatic melanoma database (DAMMED): A nation-wide platform for quality assurance and research in real-world data on medical therapy in Danish melanoma patients. Cancer Epidemiol 2021; 73:101943. [PMID: 33962356 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.101943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials enroll patients with specific diseases based on certain pre-defined eligibility criteria. Disease registries are crucial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new expensive oncology medicines in broad non-trial patient populations. METHODS We provide detailed information on the structure, including variables, and the scientific results from a nation-wide Danish database covering advanced melanoma, illustrating the importance of continuous real-world data registration. Disease status and treatment-related information on all patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition stage III or IV melanoma candidates to medical treatment in Denmark are prospectively registered in the Danish Metastatic Melanoma Database (DAMMED). RESULTS By January 1st, 2021, DAMMED includes 4156 patients and 7420 treatment regimens. Response rates and survival data from published randomized clinical trial data are compared with real-world efficacy data from DAMMED and presented. Overall, nine independent manuscripts highlighting similarities and discrepancies between real-world and clinical trial results are already reported to date. CONCLUSION Nation-wide disease registries take into consideration the complexity of daily clinical practice. We show a concrete example of how disease registries can complement clinical trials' information, improving clinical practice, and support health-related technology assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ellebaek
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Henrik Schmidt
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Marco Donia
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Lise Hoejberg
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Lars Bastholt
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Kadakia KC, Salem ME. Role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Understudied Populations. JCO Oncol Pract 2021; 17:246-248. [PMID: 33830785 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kunal C Kadakia
- Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Mohamed E Salem
- Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
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24
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Park JH, You GL, Ahn MJ, Kim SW, Hong MH, Han JY, Ock CY, Lee JS, Oh IJ, Lee SY, Kim CH, Min YJ, Choi YH, Ryu JS, Park SH, Ahn HK, Shim BY, Lee KH, Lee SY, Kim JS, Yi J, Choi SK, An H, Kang JH. Real-world outcomes of anti-PD1 antibodies in platinum-refractory, PD-L1-positive recurrent and/or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, and its potential practical predictors: first report from Korean Cancer Study Group LU19-05. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:2459-2469. [PMID: 33523301 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03527-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although immune-checkpoint inhibitors have become a new therapeutic option for recurrent/metastatic non-small cell lung cancers (R/M-NSCLC), its clinical benefit in the real-world is still unclear. METHODS We investigated 1181 Korean patients with programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥ 10% by the SP263 assay or ≥ 50% by the 22C3 assay] R/M-NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab or nivolumab after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy. RESULTS The median age was 67 years, 13% of patients had ECOG-PS ≥ 2, and 27% were never-smokers. Adenocarcinoma was predominant (61%) and 18.1% harbored an EGFR activating mutation or ALK rearrangement. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab were administered to 51.3% and 48.7, respectively, and 42% received them beyond the third-line chemotherapy. Objective response rate (ORR) was 28.6%. Pembrolizumab group showed numerically higher ORR (30.7%) than the nivolumab group (26.4%), but it was comparable with that of the nivolumab group having PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50% (32.4%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 2.9 (95% CI 0-27.9) and 10.7 months (95% CI 0-28.2), respectively. In multivariable analysis, concordance of TPS ≥ 50% in both PD-L1 assays and the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were two significant predictors of better ORR, PFS, and OS. EGFR mutation could also predict significantly worse OS outcomes. CONCLUSION The real-world benefit of later-line anti-PD1 antibodies was comparable to clinical trials in patients with R/M-NSCLC, although patients generally were more heavily pretreated and had poorer ECOG-PS. Concordantly high PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50% and development of irAE could independently predict better treatment outcomes, while EGFR mutation negatively affected OS.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- B7-H1 Antigen/genetics
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Cisplatin/therapeutic use
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Female
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/mortality
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/metabolism
- Nivolumab/therapeutic use
- Prognosis
- Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology
- Republic of Korea/epidemiology
- Survival Analysis
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyun Park
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Konkuk Medical Center, University of Konkuk College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun Lyung You
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Ju Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-We Kim
- Department of Medical Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Youn Han
- Center for Lung Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Young Ock
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Seok Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jae Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Yup Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Hyeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Min
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Hee Choi
- Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Seon Ryu
- Department of Internal Medicdine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hyo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Kyung Ahn
- Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Yong Shim
- Department of Medical Oncology, St. Vincent Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hyeong Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Yong Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiun Yi
- Health Insurance Review and Assessment, Pharmaceutical Benefits Management Division Department, Wonju, Korea
| | - Su Kyung Choi
- Health Insurance Review and Assessment, Pharmaceutical Benefits Management Division Department, Wonju, Korea
| | - Hyonggin An
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hyoung Kang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
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25
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La J, Cheng D, Brophy MT, Do NV, Lee JS, Tuck D, Fillmore NR. Real-World Outcomes for Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Veterans Affairs System. JCO Clin Cancer Inform 2020; 4:918-928. [PMID: 33074743 PMCID: PMC7608595 DOI: 10.1200/cci.20.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Increasingly broad patient groups are being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in clinical practice, but few studies have assessed their usage and outcomes in large, comprehensive real-world cohorts. We identified patients who received ICIs in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and described patient characteristics and survival outcomes across multiple indications. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis using electronic health record data from VA facilities nationwide. Overall survival (OS) from time of ICI initiation for key indications was estimated by Kaplan-Meier. We also stratified OS by frailty status, as defined by a surrogate index developed in VA data. For select indications, we further compared outcomes to historic and concurrent control patients treated with standard-of-care regimens at the VA. RESULTS We identified 11,888 patients who were treated with ICIs and determined the cancer type and indication for which they were treated. The cohort is enriched for patient groups that are under-represented in pivotal clinical trials (PCTs), including older, non-White, and/or higher disease burdened patients. Generally, OS observed in the VA cohort is lower than that reported in PCTs. After stratifying VA patients by frailty status, OS among nonfrail patients is more similar to OS reported in PCTs for some indications. Compared with internal VA control cohorts, patients treated with ICIs generally exhibited longer OS for all indications considered. CONCLUSION This study describes ICI outcomes across multiple tumor types in a real-world population at the VA. For most indications, real-world survival outcomes are observed to be lower than those reported in PCTs, but patients receiving ICIs still achieve longer survival relative to patients receiving standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Cheng
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mary T. Brophy
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Nhan V. Do
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Jerry S.H. Lee
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA
- Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
| | - David Tuck
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Nathanael R. Fillmore
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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26
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Immune checkpoint inhibition for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or Hepatitis B: Experience from a single Asian centre. Lung Cancer 2020; 146:145-153. [PMID: 32540557 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The importance of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) can no longer be understated since its move to front-line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in recent years. However, the safety and efficacy of ICI in special populations such as those with infections like tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis B (HBV) remain unknown as they are routinely excluded from clinical trials. METHODS Records of patients with advanced NSCLC who were treated with ICI from January 2014 to June 2019 at a single Asian centre were reviewed. Those with a history of HBV and/or TB were selected. In this group, safety and treatment outcomes including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and response rate were reported and compared against control. RESULTS 191 patients received ICI, 47 (24.6%) had a history of TB/HBV. The median PFS in those with a history of TB/HBV was 5.7 months (95% CI 3.9-7.6), compared to 3.1 months (95% CI 2.4-3.8) in control (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.93, p = 0.021). Median OS was 15.6 months (95% CI 10.2-21.0) compared to 11.1 months (95% CI 7.6-14.7 months) in the control group (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.99, p = 0.046). Adverse events of any grade (G) were similar in both groups; slightly more patients with TB/HBV experienced G3 or higher adverse events. Four patients developed TB after initiation of ICI, none with previously documented TB experienced reactivation. Of the 42 patients with a history of HBV, eight had inactive chronic HBV and six had detectable viral load. None of the 34 patients who were previously exposed to HBV had reactivation. CONCLUSION The use of ICI appears to be safe and efficacious in patients with TB/HBV infection. Prospective studies are required to identify those at risk in order to optimise care to these groups of patients.
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27
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Therapeutic Development of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1248:619-649. [PMID: 32185726 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-3266-5_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been proven to be an effective strategy for enhancing the effector activity of anti-tumor T cells, and checkpoint blockers targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 have displayed strong and durable clinical responses in certain cancer patients. The new hope brought by ICB therapy has led to the boost in therapeutic development of ICBs in recent years. Nonetheless, the therapeutic efficacy of ICBs varies substantially among cancer types and patients, and only a proportion of cancer patients could benefit from ICBs. The emerging targets and molecules for enhancing anticancer immunity may bring additional therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients. The current challenges in the ICB therapy have been discussed, aimed to provide further strategies for maximizing the efficacy of ICB therapy.
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28
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Donia M, Hansen SW, Svane IM. Real-world evidence to guide healthcare policies in oncology. Oncotarget 2019; 10:4513-4515. [PMID: 31360300 PMCID: PMC6642046 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) in oncology enroll patients who meet strict protocol-specified criteria. Many of these criteria overlap across multiple RCTs. A vast proportion of patients with metastatic cancer do not meet such criteria. Hence, patient populations encountered in clinical practice are essentially different from RCT-populations, questioning the representativeness of these trials. A real-world evidence approach, using data from clinical practice, is increasingly employed to complement the information on drug safety and efficacy obtained from traditional clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Donia
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Inge Marie Svane
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Herlev, Denmark
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29
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Kim R, Keam B, Kim S, Kim M, Kim SH, Kim JW, Kim YJ, Kim TM, Jeon YK, Kim DW, Chung DH, Lee JS, Heo DS. Differences in tumor microenvironments between primary lung tumors and brain metastases in lung cancer patients: therapeutic implications for immune checkpoint inhibitors. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:19. [PMID: 30616523 PMCID: PMC6322302 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-5214-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to compare intra- and extracranial responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in lung cancer with brain metastases (BM), and to explore tumor microenvironments of the brain and lungs focusing on the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) pathway. Methods Two cohorts of lung cancer patients with BM were analyzed. Cohort 1 included 18 patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab, and intra- and extracranial responses were assessed. Cohort 2 comprised 20 patients who underwent both primary lung surgery and brain metastasectomy. Specimens from cohort 2 were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for the following markers: CD3, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, and PD-1 on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and PD-L1 on tumor cells. Results Seven patients (38.9%) in cohort 1 showed progressive disease in both primary and intracranial lesions. Although the other 11 patients exhibited a partial response or stable disease in the primary lesion, eight showed a progression in BM. Interestingly, PD-1+ TILs were significantly decreased in BM (P = 0.034). For fifteen patients with adenocarcinoma, more distinctive patterns were observed in CD3+ (P = 0.078), CD8+ (P = 0.055), FOXP3+ (P = 0.016), and PD-1+ (P = 0.016) TILs. Conclusions There may be discordant responses to an ICI of lung cancer between primary lung lesion and BM based on discrepancies in the tumor microenvironment. The diminished infiltration of PD-1+ TILs in tumor tissue within the brain may be one of the major factors that hinder the response to anti–PD-1 antibody in BM. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-5214-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryul Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea. .,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.
| | - Sehui Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Miso Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, South Korea
| | - Jin Wook Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Yu Jung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, South Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Jeon
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.,Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Doo Hyun Chung
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.,Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Jong Seok Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, South Korea
| | - Dae Seog Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
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Safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis: a retrospective case series and literature review. Invest New Drugs 2018; 37:579-583. [PMID: 30298302 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-018-0673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite the lack of safety and efficacy data regarding immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for renal dysfunction, they have been approved to treat even in the patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We report our experience with ICI administration to three ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis. One of the patients had a partial response for several months; however, the other patients had a stable disease while undergoing dialysis. The toxicity was tolerable; however, one patient developed grade 2 pneumonitis. A literature review of other rarely reported cases of hemodialysis revealed that 10 out of 13 patients had a partial response or complete response; in addition, grade 3 or grade 4 immune-related adverse events occurred in 3 patients. ESRD combined with dialysis may not be a contraindication for the use of ICIs. ICIs can be beneficial to ESRD patients undergoing dialysis. However, caution is needed regarding immune-related adverse events. Further prospective studies involving pharmacokinetic analyses are necessary to obtain reliable safety and efficacy data.
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31
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Patient performance status and cancer immunotherapy efficacy: a meta-analysis. Med Oncol 2018; 35:132. [PMID: 30128793 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-018-1194-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CKIs) are therapeutic weapons in several advanced malignancies. Performance status is a validated prognostic variable in cancer patients; it possibly affects the efficiency of the immune system. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the predictive role of PS toward treatment with CKIs in cancer patients. Following PRISMA guidelines, an electronic search from PubMed, The Cochrane Library and Embase was performed, from the inception of each database to May 31, 2018. Inclusion criteria were (1) randomized trials comparing CKI with standard therapy for the treatment of patients with solid tumors; (2) information on overall survival (OS) according to PS; (3) full text available; and (4) reported in English language. Data were pooled using HRs for OS according to random effect model. The effect of experimental versus control arms was evaluated in PS = 0 and 1-2 subgroups, and the heterogeneity between the two estimates was assessed using an interaction test. The OS differences between PS = 0 and PS = 1-2 strata were evaluated in all studies and according to predefined subgroups. Eighteen studies were eligible, with 11,354 patients [PS = 0 group 5217 patients (46%); PS = 1-2 group 6137 patients (54%)]. The pooled HR for OS was 0.78 (95% CI 0.69-0.89) in PS = 0 patients. In PS = 1-2 patients, the pooled OS HR was 0.78 (95% CI 0.71-0.86). The OS difference between PS = 0 and PS = 1-2 patients treated with CKI was not significant (P = 0.99). CKI improves survival irrespective of patients' PS. PS should not guide treatment choice for anticancer immunotherapy.
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