Osimertinib combined with bevacizumab for leptomeningeal metastasis from EGFR-mutation non-small cell lung cancer: A phase II single-arm prospective clinical trial

[Brain and Meningeal Metastases of Lung Cancer Manifested as Brain Calcifications: A Case Report and Literature Review]

Lung cancer is still one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. With the increase of its incidence and the development of medical technology, the overall survival of lung cancer patients has significantly extended compared to before. The incidence of brain and meningeal metastases from lung cancer has also been rising year by year, but patients with brain and meningeal metastases from lung cancer have a poor prognosis and a very high mortality rate, and the diagnosis is mainly based on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging examinations. However, the imaging features are diverse and the specificity is low, which makes it easy to be misdiagnosed and missed. Therefore, accurately identifying brain and meningeal metastases and timely targeted treatment is crucial for improving patient prognosis. This paper analyzed the diagnosis and treatment of a case of lung cancer with no obvious recurrence and metastasis in nearly 7-year long-term follow-up after radical lung cancer surgery, but the patient with abnormal behavior, impaired consciousness and epilepsy in the past 5 months, and multiple punctate calcifications in the brain found by head CT and MRI. This paper consider that the patient's mental and behavioral symptoms were caused by brain and meningeal metastasis of lung cancer after excluding infectious disease and ineffective treatment of autoimmune encephalitis, and further pathological biopsy and genetic detection confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) L858R gene mutation, and the patient's symptoms were significantly improved after targeted therapy by Osimertinib. This paper also searched the relevant literatures of brain calcifications in databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, UpToDate, PubMed, etc., and found that intracerebral calcifications exist in a variety of diseases, including infectious, genetic and neurodegenerative diseases, vascular diseases, metabolic diseases and tumors. However, brain calcification in brain and meningeal metastases are often underestimated, and the consequent risk is misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Therefore, brain and meningeal metastases manifested as brain calcification should not be ignored in patients with a history of previous tumors.
.

The research progress on meningeal metastasis in solid tumors

Meningeal metastasis (MM), particularly Leptomeningeal metastases (LM), represents the advanced stage of solid tumors and poses a significant threat to patients' lives. Moreover, it imposes a substantial burden on society. LM represents the ultimate and most fatal stage of solid tumors, inflicting devastating consequences on patients and imposing a substantial burden on society. The incidence of LM continues to rise annually, emphasizing the urgent need for early recognition and treatment initiation in individuals with LM to significantly extend overall patient survival. Despite rapid advancements in current LM detection and treatment methods, the diagnosis of LM remains constrained by several limitations such as low diagnostic efficiency, the therapeutic outcomes remain suboptimal. Furthermore, there is currently no universally recognized industry standard for LM treatment, further underscoring its status as an unresolved challenge in tumor management. Additionally, progress towards elucidating the mechanisms underlying MM has stagnated. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively summarize recent research advances pertaining to MM in solid tumors by elucidating its underlying mechanisms, exploring diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers while addressing existing research challenges.

Case report: A case report and literature review on the efficacy of high-dose aumolertinib combined intrathecal pemetrexed by Ommaya reservoir for EGFR-mutated NSCLC with leptomeningeal metastasis as the initial symptoms

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a significant complication of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), occurring in only 3-5% of patients and exceedingly rare in newly diagnosed NSCLC patients. This also indicates that the tumor is highly malignant and aggressive, which brings great challenges to treatment. Here we present a case report of an EGFR-mutated NSCLC patient who presented with LM as the primary clinical manifestation, and review the latest advances in existing studies on LM-related treatment. The patient underwent multiple cycles of high-dose aumolertinib in combination with intrathecal pemetrexed administered via Ommaya reservoir. As of the submission date, the patient achieved significant remission and a LM Progression-Free Survival (PFS) exceeding 20 months. This case highlights the positive impact of high-dose aumolertinib combined with intrathecal pemetrexed on NSCLC patients presenting with severe meningeal symptoms as the initial manifestation, offering a viable therapeutic approach for managing severe meningeal symptoms associated with LM, such as headache, nausea, neck stiffness, and vomiting.

Targeting CNS Metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Evolving Approaches Using Molecular Markers: A Review

Importance

Central nervous system (CNS) metastases presenting as either brain parenchymal metastases or leptomeningeal metastases are diagnosed in up to 50% of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer during their disease course. While historically associated with a poor prognosis due to limited treatment options, the availability of an increasing number of targeted therapies with good CNS penetration has significantly improved clinical outcomes for these patients. This has occurred in parallel with a more nuanced understanding of prognostic factors.

Observations

Multiple clinical trials have reported that disease control can be observed with targeted therapies with adequate CNS penetration, particularly for patients with molecular alterations in EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and RET. For these tumors, systemic targeted therapy may be used first for the management of CNS metastases, prior to considering radiation therapy (RT). At the time of isolated progression in the CNS, RT may be considered for the progressing lesions with continuation of the same systemic therapy. For other molecular alterations as well as for patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors, data are not yet clear if systemic therapy is sufficient for untreated CNS metastases, and early RT may need to be integrated into the treatment planning. An increasing number of studies investigate the role that emerging techniques, such as the sequencing of tumor DNA from resected brain metastases tissue or cerebrospinal fluid or radiomics-based analysis of CNS imaging, can play in guiding treatment approaches.

Conclusions and Relevance

With multiple generations of targeted therapies now available, the treatment for CNS metastases should be tailored to the patients with consideration given to molecular testing results, CNS penetrance of systemic therapy, patient characteristics, and multidisciplinary review. More research is needed in understanding the clonal evolution of CNS metastases, and the development of novel therapeutics with CNS efficacy.

Advances in the Management of Lung Cancer Brain Metastases

Lung cancer, both non-small cell and small cell, harbors a high propensity for spreading to the central nervous system. Radiation therapy remains the backbone of the management of brain metastases. Recent advances in stereotactic radiosurgery have expanded its indications and ongoing studies seek to elucidate optimal fractionation and coordination with systemic therapies, especially targeted inhibitors with intracranial efficacy. Efforts in whole-brain radiotherapy aim to preserve neurocognition and to investigate the need for prophylactic cranial irradiation. As novel combinatorial strategies are tested and prognostic/predictive biomarkers are identified and tested, the management of brain metastases in lung cancer will become increasingly personalized to optimally balance intracranial efficacy with preserving neurocognitive function and patient values.

Leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors: A Society for Neuro-Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology consensus review on clinical management and future directions

Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are increasingly becoming recognized as a treatable, yet generally incurable, complication of advanced cancer. As modern cancer therapeutics have prolonged the lives of patients with metastatic cancer, specifically in patients with parenchymal brain metastases, treatment options, and clinical research protocols for patients with LM from solid tumors have similarly evolved to improve survival within specific populations. Recent expansions in clinical investigation, early diagnosis, and drug development have given rise to new unanswered questions. These include leptomeningeal metastasis biology and preferred animal modeling, epidemiology in the modern cancer population, ensuring validation and accessibility of newer leptomeningeal metastasis diagnostics, best clinical practices with multimodality treatment options, clinical trial design and standardization of response assessments, and avenues worthy of further research. An international group of multi-disciplinary experts in the research and management of LM, supported by the Society for Neuro-Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology, were assembled to reach a consensus opinion on these pressing topics and provide a roadmap for future directions. Our hope is that these recommendations will accelerate collaboration and progress in the field of LM and serve as a platform for further discussion and patient advocacy.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) is a devastating complication of advanced cancers, such as lung cancer and breast cancer, which is usually indicative of a poor prognosis. The current treatments for LMC include palliative care, with others aiming to prolong survival and relieve neurological symptoms. Traditional treatments for LMC include radiotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, and intrathecal injection. Furthermore, the application of molecularly targeted agents, such as antiepidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR), antihuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (anti-HER2), and anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, have prolonged the survival of LMC patients. Targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors has also been proven to be an effective treatment. Tyrosine kinases can be overactive or expressed at high levels in some cancer cells; therefore, the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors may prevent the activation of tumor-related pathways, preventing cancer cell growth. The EGFR family are cell surface receptors directly related to tumor occurrence with tyrosine kinase activity; it is the most widely used target for tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of LMC. In this review, we introduced the clinical manifestation and diagnostic criteria of LMC, clarified the treatment mechanism of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for LMC with mutations in EGFR, HER2, or anaplastic lymphoma kinase, reviewed the current application of various generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with LMC, and discussed new clinical trials and the future directions of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

Treatment pattern and outcomes of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in India - a retrospective study

Background

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC), the metastatic spread of cancer to the leptomeninges, is a rare complication and has a dismal prognosis. Due to limited data available on LMC from India, we conducted a country-wise audit of LMC across 15 centres in India.

Methods

The current study conducted in 2020, was a retrospective, multicentric audit of adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with diagnosis of LMC and who received treatment during 2010-2020. Baseline characteristics, details related to previous treatments, cancer sites, LMC diagnosis, treatment pattern and overall survival (OS) were collected. Descriptive statistics were performed, and Kaplan Meier analysis was performed for the estimation of OS.

Findings

Among the patients diagnosed with LMC (n = 84), diagnosis was confirmed in 52 patients (61.9%) and 'probable' in 32 (38.1%) patients. The three most common cause of malignancy were non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancer with 45 (53.6%), 22 (26.1%) and 9 (10.7%) patients respectively. Intrathecal therapy was offered in 33 patients (39.3%). The most common intrathecal agent was methotrexate in 23 patients (27.4%). The median OS was 90 days (95% CI 48-128). Among tested variables, intrathecal therapy administration (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-0.68) and primary in lung (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.23-0.83) had a favourable impact on OS.

Interpretation

Prognosis with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is poor with a significant burden of morbidity and mortality in India. This data aims to highlight the current outcomes and facilitate further research on LMC.

Funding

None.

Therapeutic role of EGFR - Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastasis

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a significant complication that advances fast and has a poor prognosis for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Current therapies for LM are inconsistent and ineffective, and established techniques such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery continue to fall short of potential outcomes. Nonetheless, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) exhibit potent anti-tumor activity and hold considerable promise for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. Thus, assessing EGFR-TKIs effectiveness in treating these central nervous system (CNS) problems is crucial. This review integrates current literature on the intracranial efficacy of EGFR-TKIs to explore the varying impacts of approved EGFR-TKIs in LM patients and the therapeutic possibilities presented by other EGFR-TKIs in development. To delineate the optimal clinical treatment strategy, further exploration is needed regarding the optimal sequencing of EGFR-TKIs and the selection of alternative therapy options following initial treatment failure with EGFR-TKIs.

Cerebrospinal fluid-administered therapies for leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors

Aims/purpose: Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Several approaches are used to treat LM, including intrathecally administered therapies. We consolidated current studies exploring intrathecal therapies for LM treatment. Patients & methods: A review of clinical trials using intrathecal agents was conducted with outcomes tabulated and trends described. 48 trials met the inclusion criteria. Initial investigations began with cytotoxic agents; following this were formulations with longer cerebrospinal fluid half-lives, targeted antibodies and radionucleotides. Results & conclusion: Outcomes were not reported consistently. Survival, when reported, remained poor. Intrathecal therapies for LM remain a viable option. Their use can be informed by an understanding of efficacy, safety and toxicity. They may be an important component of future LM treatments.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of osimertinib and first-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in TKI-untreated EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastases

BACKGROUND

Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are devastating complications of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has better penetration into the central nervous system than first-generation EGFR-TKIs, data on the distinct activity of EGFR-TKIs in untreated advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC with LM are lacking.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with EGFR-TKIs for TKI-untreated common EGFR-mutated NSCLC with LM between July 2002 and July 2021 at the National Cancer Center Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: patients treated with osimertinib (Osi group) and those treated with gefitinib or erlotinib [first-generation (1G)-TKI group].

RESULTS

Of the 967 patients, 71 were eligible, including 29 in the Osi group and 42 in the 1G-TKI group. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the Osi group were better than those in the 1G-TKI group (PFS: 16.9 months versus 8.6 months, P = 0.007, and OS: 26.6 months versus 20.0 months, P = 0.158). The LM-overall response rate (ORR) and LM-PFS were significantly better in the Osi group than in the 1G-TKI group (LM-ORR: 62.5% versus 25.7%, P = 0.007; LM-PFS: 23.4 months versus 12.1 months, P = 0.021). In the subgroup analysis of EGFR mutation status, LM-PFS for patients with exon 19 deletion was significantly longer in the Osi group than in the 1G-TKI group (32.7 months versus 13.4 months, P = 0.013), whereas those with L858R mutation in exon 21 did not differ between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, osimertinib and exon 19 deletion were significant factors for better LM-PFS and OS.

CONCLUSION

Osimertinib can be more effective for untreated common EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients with LM, especially those with exon 19 deletion, compared to first-generation TKIs.

Osimertinib Improves overall survival of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with leptomeningeal metastases

OBJECTIVE

Osimertinib is a third-generation, irreversible, small-molecule epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that can effectively penetrate the blood brain-barrier (BBB). This study mainly explored the factors affecting the prognosis of EGFR-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM), and whether osimertinib could improve the survival benefit in these patients compared with those not treated with osimertinib.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who had been admitted with EGFR-mutant NSCLC and cytologically confirmed LM to the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2013 and December 2019. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the primary outcome of interest.

RESULTS

A total of 71 patients with LM were included in this analysis, with a median OS (mOS) of 10.7 months (95% CI [7.6, 13.8]). Among them, 39 patients were treated with osimertinib after LM while 32 patients were untreated. Patients treated with osimertinib had a mOS of 11.3 months (95%CI [0, 23.9]) compared with the untreated patients who had a mOS of 8.1 months (95%CI [2.9, 13.3]), with a significant difference between the groups (hazard ratio [HR]): 0.43, 95%CI:0.22-0.66, p = 0.0009). Multivariate analysis revealed the use of osimertinib were correlated with superior OS with a HR of 0.43 (95%CI [0.25, 0.75]), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Osimertinib can prolong the overall survival of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with LM and improve patient outcomes.

Advances in the Management of Central Nervous System Metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are common among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While the presence of brain metastases has historically portended poor prognosis, recent advances in local and systemic therapies have greatly improved outcomes for NSCLC patients with CNS involvement. Stereotactic radiology surgery (SRS) has emerged as an effective radiotherapy technique with fewer toxicities compared to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Furthermore, multi-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with CNS overall response rates (ORR) of up to 70-80% are now an accepted first-line approach for a subset of advanced NSCLC patients with targetable molecular alterations. In addition, while the CNS was once considered an immunologic sanctuary site, growing evidence shows that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can induce durable responses in brain metastases as well. Ongoing efforts to optimize CNS metastases management are necessary to refine multimodal treatment approaches and develop new therapeutics with better CNS penetrance.

The Evolving Landscape of Leptomeningeal Cancer from Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) is a fatal but uncommon complication occurring in 5-15% of patients with stage IV cancer. Current treatment options are ineffective at managing leptomeningeal spread, with a median overall survival (mOS) of 2-6 months. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature to identify past and future therapies for LMC from solid tumors. Forty-three clinical trials (CTs) published between 1982-2022 were identified. Of these, 35 (81.4%) were non-randomized CTs and 8 (18.6%) were randomized CTs. The majority consisted of phase I (16.3%) and phase II CTs (65.1%). Trials enrolled patients with LMC from various primary histology (n = 23, 57.5%), with one CT evaluating LCM from melanoma (2.4%). A total of 21 trials evaluated a single modality treatment. Among CTs, 23.7% closed due to low accrual. Intraventricular (ITV)/intrathecal (IT) drug delivery was the most common route of administration (n = 22, 51.2%) vs. systemic drug delivery (n = 13, 30.3%). Two clinical trials evaluated the use of craniospinal irradiation for LMC with favorable results. LMC continues to carry a dismal prognosis, and over the years, increments in survival have remained stagnant. A paradigm shift towards targeted systemic therapy with continued standardization of efficacy endpoints will help to shed light on promising treatments.

Osimertinib Combined with Systemic Chemotherapy for EGFR Mutant, T790M-Negative, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Who Develop Leptomeningeal Metastases with Extracranial Progression to Prior EGFR TKI

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a rare but fatal clinical condition with a short survival time. The incidence of LM from epidermal growth factor receptor mutant (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has increased due to the limited efficacy of first- or second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the central nervous system (CNS). Osimertinib is a third-generation, irreversible, CNS penetrant, oral EGFR TKI that demonstrates promising efficacy in CNS metastases regardless of T790M. Herein, we report four cases of T790M-negative EGFRm NSCLC patients treated with osimertinib combined with systemic chemotherapy, who progressed on prior EGFR TKI and developed LM with extracranial lesions. The combination treatment was well tolerated, and the mean overall survival from LM diagnosis was 14.7 months (95% confidence interval, 10.4 to 19.0). These results suggest that osimertinib combined with systemic chemotherapy would be a reasonable treatment option for T790M-negative EGFRm NSCLC patients who develop LM with extracranial progression to prior EGFR TKI. A further prospective study is warranted.

[Efficacy of Osimertinib Combined with Bevacizumab in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with Acquired EGFR T790M Mutation]

BACKGROUND

Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) capable of overcoming non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR T790M mutation. Although the addition of bevacizumab to 1st generation EGFR-TKIs confers a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in treatment-naive EGFR mutant NSCLC patients, osimertinib plus bevacizumab combination failed to show prolongation in the phase 2 study WJOG8715L. Data of such combination in Chinese patients are still lacking. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of the addition of bevacizumab to osimertinib as second-line therapy in real-world data, and to evaluate the role of anti-angiogenesis plus osimertinib combination therapeutic strategies in pretreated Chinese NSCLC patients with acquired EGFR T790M mutation.

METHODS

A total of 42 advanced NSCLC patients with acquired EGFR T790M mutation after prior EGFR-TKIs treatment were collected between January 2020 to August 2021, with 16 cases treated with osimertinib plus bevacizumab and 26 cases treated with osimertinib. The treatment effect of patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The objective response rate (ORR) in combination group and osimertinib group were 43.8% and 50.0% respectively (P=0.694). No statistically significant difference in median PFS (14.0 mon vs 13.0 mon, P=0.797) and overall survival (OS) (29.0 mon vs 26.0 mon, P=0.544) between the combination group and osimertinib group were observed. Prior history of bevacizumab was identified as an independent predictor of PFS (P=0.045) and OS (P=0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that adding bevacizumab to osimertinib could not show advantages in PFS and OS in pretreated NSCLC patients harboring EGFR T790M-mutation.

Leptomeningeal metastases in non-small cell lung cancer: Diagnosis and treatment

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a rare complication of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with highly mortality. LM will occur once tumor cells spread to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space. Patients may suffer blindness, paralysis, and mental disorders that seriously affect their quality of life. There is a clear unmet need to improve the efficacy of diagnosis and treatment of LM. To better solve this problem, it is helpful to clarify the potential mechanisms of LM. Clinical manifestations, magnetic resonance imaging, and CSF biopsy are the key components in the diagnosis of NSCLC with LM. CSF cytology is insufficient and should be combined with liquid biology. The application of radiotherapy, intrathecal treatment, targeted therapy and immunotherapy provides more options for LM patients. Each treatment has a particular level of efficacy and can be used alone or in combination for individual patients. New technologies in radiotherapy, drug repositioning in intrathecal treatment, and the higher CSF permeability in TKIs have brought new breakthroughs in the treatment of LM. This review focused on clarifying the potential mechanisms, discussing the major clinical challenges, and summarizing recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of LM from NSCLC. Future research is essential to improve the efficiency of diagnosis, to optimize therapy and to enhance patient prognosis.

Osimertinib and Bevacizumab Cotreatment for Untreated EGFR-Mutated NSCLC With Malignant Pleural or Pericardial Effusion (SPIRAL II): A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Introduction

First-line treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC with erlotinib plus antiangiogenic inhibitor exhibits promising results. However, the efficacy of this combination has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of osimertinib plus bevacizumab in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC complicated with malignant pleural or pericardial effusion (MPE) for whom combination therapy may be particularly effective.

Methods

This single-arm, open-label, phase 2 study aimed to investigate the clinical benefits of the bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) and osimertinib (80 mg) combination in the first-line setting for advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC with MPE. The primary end point of this study was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary end points were objective response rate, PFS, overall survival, drainage-free survival without the need for thoracic or pericardial drainage, and safety.

Results

Between January 2019 and August 2020, a total of 31 patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC were enrolled from Japan in the study. The median PFS was 8.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.3-11.3), the 1-year PFS was 32.1% (80% CI: 21.4-43.3), and the objective response rate was 74.2% (95% CI: 56.8-86.3). The median overall survival was not reached. The median drainage-free survival was 18.4 months (95% CI: 10.3-not estimable). Anorexia was the most common grade 3 or higher adverse event (four patients, 12.9%), followed by fatigue and dyspnea (three patients, 9.7%). No treatment-related deaths were recorded.

Conclusions

Osimertinib and bevacizumab combination in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC with MPE were safe but did not effectively increase PFS when compared with the inferred value from previous literature.

Case report: Almonertinib in combination with bevacizumab for leptomeningeal metastases from epidermal growth factor receptor-mutation non-small cell lung cancer: Case series

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a lethal complication of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with rapid deterioration and poor prognosis. It has no standard treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor mutation (EGFRm) NSCLC, and improving the clinical outcomes for patients with LM has become an urgent problem in clinical treatment. Both almonertinib and bevacizumab are capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier with comparable central nervous system effectiveness. To date, the almonertinib treatment in combination with bevacizumab in EGFRm NSCLC with LM has not been studied. We herein present five cases to further evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of almonertinib in combination with bevacizumab for patients with EGFRm NSCLC and LM. For the first time, we report that almonertinib plus bevacizumab can not only effectively improve the neurological symptoms caused by LM but also prolong the survival time of patients with limited and controllable side effects, which provided a novel therapeutic approach for LM from EGFRm NSCLC.

Erlotinib plus bevacizumab versus erlotinib alone in patients with EGFR-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

Combination treatment with erlotinib plus bevacizumab has the potential to become a standard treatment regimen for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFRm⁺) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of erlotinib plus bevacizumab in patients with EGFRm⁺ advanced NSCLC.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched, from inception to 15 January 2022.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), reported in English, assessing the efficacy of erlotinib plus bevacizumab versus erlotinib monotherapy in patients with EGFRm ⁺ advanced NSCLC.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

The main objective was to assess overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and adverse events (AEs). Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A random-effects model was used where there was evidence for homogeneous effects.

RESULTS

Four RCTs (reported across six publications) were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 775 patients included in the pooled analyses of PFS, OS and ORR (387 in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab intervention group and 388 in the erlotinib group). Compared with the erlotinib alone group, the erlotinib plus bevacizumab group achieved a significantly prolonged PFS (HR: 0.59; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.72; p<0.00001; I²=0%), but OS (HR: 0.95; 95% CI 0.78 to 1.15; p=0.59; I²=0%) and ORR (OR: 1.25; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.74; p=0.19; I²=0%) were not significantly prolonged. A total of 776 cases were used for a pooled analysis of AEs. Regarding AEs, combined treatment significantly increased the incidence of diarrhoea (51% vs 43%, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.38; p=0.006), haemorrhagic events (41% vs 20%, 95% CI 1.12 to 6.31; p=0.03), proteinuria (25% vs 3%, 95% CI 4.86 to 17.66; p<0.0001) and hypertension (40% vs 8%, 95% CI 3.66 to 7.88; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Erlotinib plus bevacizumab for the treatment of patients with EGFRm⁺ advanced NSCLC was associated with significantly prolonged PFS compared with erlotinib alone, but the combination did not prolong OS.

Combination of Bevacizumab and Osimertinib in Patients with EGFR T790M-Mutated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Osimertinib may improve the prognosis of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, to date, the efficacy and safety of osimertinib plus bevacizumab have not been elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the additional effect of bevacizumab plus osimertinib compared with osimertinib alone in NSCLC patients with EGFR T790M mutation.

METHODS

In this study, 32 patients received osimertinib alone, while 20 patients received osimertinib plus bevacizumab. The median follow-up was 12 months. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated and adverse events (AEs) were compared.

RESULTS

The overall response rate (ORR) was higher in the combination group than in the osimertinib-alone group (70.0% vs. 43.8%), and the OS (12.8% ± 7.7% vs. 45.4% ± 12.0%; p = 0.038) and PFS (37.3% ± 11.9% vs. 55.3% ± 14.3%; p = 0.045) were also significantly improved in patients who underwent osimertinib plus bevacizumab. Furthermore, the incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in the combination arm when compared with osimertinib alone (p = 0.003), and the number of other AEs were not significantly increased by adding bevacizumab (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Concomitant use of bevacizumab and osimertinib in NSCLC patients with EGFR T790M mutation may have potential therapeutic effect than osimertinib alone. Further studies with a larger number of patients are warranted to confirm results of this study.

Potential benefit of osismertinib plus bevacizumab in leptomeningeal metastasis with EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

Background

EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is prone to leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) after Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treatment. Our previous study suggested that osimertinib plus bevacizumab was safe and effective in LM from EGFR-mutant NSCLC. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of osimertinib plus bevacizumab with osimertinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with LM.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data from 27 LM patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC who received osimertinib with or without bevacizumab at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Next, we investigated the antitumor efficacy of osimertinib plus bevacizumab in an LM xenograft model using the H1975 (EGFR exon20 T790M and exon21 L858R) cell line. We examined the ability of osimertinib plus bevacizumab compared with osimertinib to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and explored the potential mechanism.

Results

Our retrospective study observed the improved survival of LM patients in osimertinib plus bevacizumab group. The median overall survival (OS) of the patients who received osimertinib and bevacizumab (n = 16) compared with osimertinib group (n = 11) was 18.0 months versus 13.7 months (log-rank test, p = 0.046, HR = 2.867, 95% CI 1.007–8.162). The median intracranial Progression-free Survival (iPFS) was 10.6 months versus 5.5 months (log-rank test, p = 0.037, HR = 3.401, 95% CI 1.079–10.720). In the LM xenograft model with H1975 cells, the combined treatment significantly increased the effective intracranial concentration of osimertinib, modulated the level of E-cadherin and downregulated the levels of EGFR and downstream signaling pathways including p-AKT and reduced tumor microvessel density (TMD), indicated that combined osimertinib with bevacizumab may exhibit a synergistic effect in EGFR-mutant LM model possibly by modulating the level of E-cadherin.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate the potential benefit of osimertinib plus bevacizumab in LM with EGFR-mutant NSCLC, and more larger sample size research are still needed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03331-9.

Managing Central Nervous System Spread of Lung Cancer: The State of the Art

Brain metastases (BrM) are common in both non-small-cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer. Substantial progress in BrM management has occurred in the past decade related to advances in both radiation and medical oncology. Recent and ongoing radiation trials have focused on increasing the candidacy for focal therapy of BrM with stereotactic radiosurgery; reducing the toxicity and improving patient selection for whole brain radiotherapy; and, in small-cell lung cancer, evaluating brain magnetic resonance imaging surveillance without prophylactic cranial irradiation, hippocampal avoidance in prophylactic cranial irradiation and whole brain radiotherapy, and the role of upfront stereotactic radiosurgery for BrM. In medical oncology, the development of multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors with encouraging CNS activity and emerging data on the CNS activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in some patients have opened the door to novel systemic and multidisciplinary treatment strategies for the management of BrM. Future research will focus on more robust characterizations of the CNS activity of targeted therapy and immunotherapies, as well as optimal integration and patient selection for multidisciplinary strategies involving CNS-active drugs, radiation therapy, and CNS surveillance.

Osimertinib Rechallenge With Bevacizumab vs. Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patients With Osimertinib Resistance

At present, treatment options for osimertinib resistance are very limited. Dual inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) significantly improved the progression-free survival (PFS) of advanced EGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). After EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance, EGFR-TKI continuation combined with VEGF inhibitors still had clinical benefits. It is unclear whether the addition of bevacizumab after osimertinib progresses will prolong the duration of the osimertinib benefit. We screened 1289 patients with NSCLC and finally included 96 patients to evaluate osimertinib combined with bevacizumab (osi + bev) versus chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab (che + bev) for patients with acquired resistance to osimertinib. The overall response rate (ORR) for osi + bev and chem + bev was 15.8% (6 of 38) and 20.7% (12 of 58), respectively. The median PFS for osi + bev and che + bev was 7.0 and 4.9 months (HR 0.415 95%CI: 0.252–0.687 p = 0.001). The median OS for osi + bev and che + bev was 12.6 and 7.1 months (HR 0.430 95%CI: 0.266–0.696 p = 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that no brain metastases and osi + bev treatment after osimertinib resistance correlated with longer PFS (p = 0.044, p = 0.001), while the median PFS of osimertinib less than 6 months (p = 0.021) had a detrimental effect on sequent treatment. Only osi + bev treatment was identified as an independent predictor of OS (p = 0.001). The most common adverse events (AEs) of grade ≥3 were hypertension (13.2%) and diarrhea (10.5%) in the osi + bevacizumab group. Neutropenia (24.1%) and thrombocytopenia (19%) were the most common grade ≥3 AEs in the che + bev group. The overall incidence of serious AEs (grade ≥3) was significantly higher in the chemotherapy plus bevacizumab group. Our study has shown the superiority of osi + bev compared to che + bev after the failure of osimertinib, making it a preferred option for patients with acquired resistance to osimertinib.

A Retrospective Study of Intrathecal Pemetrexed Combined With Systemic Therapy for Leptomeningeal Metastasis of Lung Cancer

Objective This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical features of lung cancer patients with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) and explore the clinical efficacy and tolerance of intrathecal pemetrexed (IP) combined with systemic antitumor therapy. Methods Thirty-four lung cancer patients (11 men, 23 women) with LM receiving IP at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed between August 2018 and December 2019. Identified cases showed either positive cerebrospinal fluid cytology or typical findings (leptomeningeal enhancement or ventricle broadening) upon imaging examination. Results Before the diagnosis of LM, 24 (70.6%) patients received EGFR-TKI therapy with or without other agents (antivascular therapy, or chemotherapy), 5 (14.7%) patients received chemotherapy, 1 (2.9%) patient received antivascular therapy, and 3 (8.8%) patients received ALK inhibitors. Fourteen (41.2%) patients did not change the systematic regimen at the beginning of IP, while 20 (58.8%) patients changed to antitumor agents. IP was administered for a median of 3 times (range, 1-12 times). The IP dose was 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 mg in 8 (23.5%), 21 (58.8%), 2 (5.9%), 2 (5.9%), and 1 (5.9%) patient, respectively. In all IP dose levels, the major adverse events were myelosuppression and elevation of hepatic aminotransferases (EHA). Grade 1/2 myelosuppression occurred in 4 (11.8%) patients. Grade 1/2 EHA also occurred in 4 (11.8%) patients. Grades 3/4 adverse events were not observed. After IP and systematic therapy, the clinical manifestations related to LM in 26 (76.5%) patients improved. In the whole cohort, the median overall survival was 20 months. The median time from the initial IP administration until death or the last follow-up was 3.5 months. Conclusions IP showed controllable toxicity and good efficacy, prolonged the survival time, and improved the quality of life when combined with tailored systemic antitumor therapy in lung cancer patients.

Case Report: Osimertinib Followed by Osimertinib Plus Bevacizumab, Personalized Treatment Strategy for a Lung Cancer Patient With a Novel EGFR Exon 20 Insertion D770_N771insGT and Multiple Brain Metastases

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are the standard of care for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion and L858R mutations. However, no EGFR TKI has been approved for NSCLC patients harboring insertion mutations in EGFR exon 20 (EGFRex20ins), a subgroup of uncommon EGFR mutations resistant to first-generation EGFR TKIs. This unmet clinical challenge is further complicated by disease progression due to brain metastases (BMs), which limits the use of EGFR TKIs with low intracranial activity. Osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR TKI with high CNS activity, has demonstrated superior efficacy as a first-line treatment for EGFR-mutant NSCLC with or without BM. The VEGF pathway is a key mediator of cancer metastasis and resistance to EGFR TKIs. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the addition of anti-VEGF agents to EGFR TKIs provides an alternative treatment option for the clinical management of EGFR-mutant NSCLC. We herein report an NSCLC case with a novel EGFRex20ins mutation D770_N771insGT and multiple brain metastases who briefly responded to first-line osimertinib treatment and subsequently achieved prolonged disease control with osimertinib plus bevacizumab as second-line treatment. Our case suggests that osimertinib in combination with bevacizumab may be an effective option for NSCLC patients with specific EGFRex20ins mutations and brain metastases.

The safety and efficacy of erlotinib and ramucirumab combination in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) changed the natural history of EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC patients, but acquired resistance is inevitable. New strategies are being tested to overcome or prevent the emergence of resistance mechanisms to first-line TKIs, among which combinations of TKIs with antiangiogenic agents.

AREAS COVERED

We performed a literature search for preclinical and clinical data on the interplay and dual inhibition of EGFR/VEGF pathways, particularly in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. We then focused on RELAY, a placebo-controlled phase 3 trial evaluating ramucirumab combined to erlotinib in treatment-naïve advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. This article aims to summarize efficacy and safety of the ramucirumab-erlotinib combination in this setting.

EXPERT OPINION

RELAY confirmed the clinical relevance of combining EGFR and VEGF(R)-targeting therapies, previously investigated in smaller phase 2-3 trials of erlotinib and bevacizumab. However, the meaningful PFS benefit observed in the ramucirumab + erlotinib arm is counterbalanced by the toxicity profile of ramucirumab and the need for bimonthly infusions. Pending OS results are, therefore, critical to assess the real benefit from this combination, especially as first-line osimertinib has improved survival in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients and will probably remain the pivotal EGFR-TKI in this setting. However, its heterogeneous efficacy across subgroups paves the way for osimertinib-based combinations, which are being investigated in ongoing trials.