Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma Treated with Immunotherapy or Chemotherapy: A Single Institute Experience

Plasma EBV quantification is associated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade and disease monitoring in patients with primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma

Objectives

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) is a subtype of lung carcinoma associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The clinical predictive biomarkers of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in PLELC require further investigation.

Methods

We prospectively analysed EBV levels in the blood and immune tumor biomarkers of 31 patients with ICB-treated PLELC. Viral EBNA-1 and BamHI-W DNA fragments in the plasma were quantified in parallel using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in EBNA-1 high or BamHI-W high groups. A longer PFS was also observed in patients with both high plasma EBNA-1 or BamHI-W and PD-L1 ≥ 1%. Intriguingly, the tumor mutational burden was inversely correlated with EBNA-1 and BamHI-W. Plasma EBV load was negatively associated with intratumoral CD8+ immune cell infiltration. Dynamic changes in plasma EBV DNA level were in accordance with the changes in tumor volume. An increase in EBV DNA levels during treatment indicated molecular progression that preceded the imaging progression by several months.

Conclusions

Plasma EBV DNA could be a useful and easy-to-use biomarker for predicting the clinical activity of ICB in PLELC and could serve to monitor disease progression earlier than computed tomography imaging.

The prognostic significance of histologic variant on survival outcomes in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

BACKGROUND

While the treatment guidelines have been established for pure urothelial carcinoma (pUC), patients with variant type urothelial carcinoma (vUC) face limited effective treatment options. The effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with vUC remains uncertain and necessitates additional research.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study to explore the effectiveness of ICI in patients with pUC or vUC in Taiwan. We evaluated the overall response rate (ORR) through univariate logistic regression analysis and examined the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Additionally, we employed univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the data.

RESULT

A total of 142 patients (116 pUC, 26 vUC) were included in our final analysis. The ORR was marginally higher in patients with pUC compared to those with vUC (34.5% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.26). Among all patients, 12.9% with pUC achieved a complete response (CR) after ICI treatment, while no vUC cases achieved CR (p = 0.05). There were no significant differences in PFS (median 3.6 months vs. 4.1 months, p = 0.34) or OS (median 16.3 months vs. 11.0 months, p = 0.24) when comparing patients with pUC or vUC. In the subgroup analysis, patients with pUC who underwent first-line ICI treatment exhibited significantly improved OS compared to those with vUC (24.6 months vs. 9.1 months, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The use of ICI as monotherapy is a feasible and effective treatment approach for patients with metastatic vUC.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy can be used to treat early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer; however, their effects on pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas (LELC) remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-nine patients with stages I-III LELC were treated with chemotherapy (Chemo) or neoadjuvant immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with or without chemo (IO) before radical-intent surgery. Short-term outcomes included objective response rate (ORR), major pathologic response (MPR), pathologic complete response (PCR), and event-free survival. For comparison, we used IO to treat 63 patients with pulmonary squamous cell carcinomas (SQC) and 47 with adenocarcinomas (ADC). Propensity score matching was analyzed to minimize bias.

RESULTS

ORRs of the LELC-IO and LELC-Chemo groups were 62.5% and 42.9%, respectively (odds ratio, 2.2, 95% confidence interval, 0.423-11.678, p = 0.346). Seven (21.9%) and zero patients in LELC-IO and LELC-Chemo groups, respectively, reached PCR. MPR was identified in five (15.6%) of the 32 patients with LELC-IO. The 1-year progression-free survival rates were 96.9% and 71.4% in IO and Chemo groups, respectively (p > 0.05). However, no difference was observed in ORR, PCR, and MPR between LELC and SQC groups (ORR, 63.2% vs. 68.4%, p > 0.05; PCR, 21.1% vs. 47.4, p > 0.05; MPR, 42.1% vs. 57.9%, p > 0.05) and LELC and ADC groups (ORR, 58.8% vs. 41.2%, p > 0.05; PCR, 17.6% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.672; MPR, 29.4% vs. 47.1%, p > 0.05). The plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA level in a patient was altered posttreatment.

CONCLUSION

Patients with LELC could be benefit from neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Distinct histological subtypes demonstrated comparable efficacy with respect to neoadjuvant immunotherapy.

Exploration of immunotherapy in advanced pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma

Pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) is a rare and histologically distinctive subtype of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). High expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and scarcity of druggable driver mutations raise the potential of immunotherapy for advanced PELEC. However, evidence on the clinical impact of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remained limited and unconvincing. The present study retrospectively enrolled advanced PLELC patients who received ICIs either as up-front or salvage therapy in SYSUCC between March 15, 2017 and March 15, 2022. The comparative efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy vs chemotherapy in the first-line setting and chemoimmunotherapy vs ICIs monotherapy in the ≥2 line setting was investigated. A total of 96 patients were finally enrolled; 49 PLELC patients received immunotherapy plus platinum-based chemotherapy, while 45 patients received platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment. Patients with chemoimmunotherapy significantly obtain more survival benefits than those receiving chemotherapy (median progression-free survival [PFS]: 15.6 vs 8.6 months, P = .0015). Additionally, patients with chemoimmunotherapy obtained more PFS benefits than those with ICIs monotherapy in the ≥2 line of therapy (median PFS: 21.7 months vs 7.8 months, P = .094). A significant correlation was observed between prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and favorable treatment outcomes in patients receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy (median PFS: 17.8 months vs 7.6 months, P < .0001). Likewise, patients in the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR)-high group had significantly shorter PFS than the MLR-low group (median PFS: 11.2 months vs not reached, P = .0009). Our study elucidated the superior efficacy of ICIs therapy, especially chemoimmunotherapy in advanced PLELC, which may provide new insight into the role of immunotherapy in advanced PLELC.

Anti-PD-1 antibodies, a novel treatment option for advanced chemoresistant pulmonary lymphoepithelioma carcinoma

Background

Pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) exhibits a unique immune microenvironment, including high PD-L1 expression and abundant infiltrating-immune cells. However, the availability of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with LELC is still not determined.

Methods

A total of 36 cases of pulmonary LELC treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were reviewed, including 10 cases from our institute and 26 cases included from the literature. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were utilized to analyze the survival outcomes of LELC patients receiving immunotherapy, and the factors related to immunotherapy response were further examined.

Results

Of the 10 patients from our institute, the median age was 53.5 years, adrenal glands and distant lymph nodes were the most common metastatic sites, and 4 of 8 (50%) patients had a PD-L1 TPS ≥50%. The median progression-free survival and overall survival in patients from our institute and from the literature were 11.6 and 27.3 months, 17.2 months and not reached, respectively. In all 36 patients, the objective response rate was as high as 57.6%. Patients with higher PD-L1 expression were more likely to have a tumor response, but the association of PD-L1 expression with survival time remains to be determined.

Conclusions

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with pulmonary LELC demonstrated a promising efficacy in retrospective cohorts, and deserve further validation in prospective studies administrating in front-line setting.

Clinical outcomes of non‐nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma treated with a combined modality approach: A single‐institution study

BACKGROUND

This study presents a summary of the clinical characteristics of non-nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma (NNPLEC), effects of combined modality treatment and prognostic value of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) load, with the aim of providing a reference framework for optimizing treatment practices and outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with NNPLEC treated by our center between January 2000 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

In total, 728 patients were included. The lung was identified as the most common primary tumor site (64.0%), followed by the salivary gland (19.2%). A total of 539 (74.0%) patients underwent surgery, 459 (63.0%) received chemotherapy, and 361 (49.6%) were subjected to radiotherapy. The median follow-up time was 45 months (range, 6-212 months) and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 79.1%. Increased plasma EBV-DNA load of >513.5 copies/mL was predictive of disease progression, with a specificity of 98.1% and a sensitivity of 98.9%. In multivariate Cox analysis, N stage, surgery, and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for both OS and PFS. Radiotherapy significantly improves OS in comparison with no radiotherapy group for salivary LEC, while surgery significantly improves OS for pulmonary LEC.

CONCLUSION

Based on our analysis, surgery and radiotherapy are associated with better OS and PFS for NNPLEC. Radiotherapy could be recommended for salivary LEC, while surgery remains the primary treatment strategy for pulmonary LEC patients. An increased plasma EBV-DNA load of >513.5 copies/mL is strongly predictive of disease progression, supporting the importance of regular evaluation of plasma EBV-DNA as part of the diagnostic routine.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Epithelial Associated Malignancies: Exploring Pathologies and Current Treatments

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of eight known herpesviruses with the potential to infect humans. Globally, it is estimated that between 90-95% of the population has been infected with EBV. EBV is an oncogenic virus that has been strongly linked to various epithelial malignancies such as nasopharyngeal and gastric cancer. Recent evidence suggests a link between EBV and breast cancer. Additionally, there are other, rarer cancers with weaker evidence linking them to EBV. In this review, we discuss the currently known epithelial malignancies associated with EBV. Additionally, we discuss and establish which treatments and therapies are most recommended for each cancer associated with EBV.

PD-1/PD-L1 combined with LAG3 is associated with clinical activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) is an Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-related, rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) show durable responses in advanced NSCLC. However, their effects and predictive biomarkers in PLELC remain poorly understood. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 48 metastatic PLELC patients treated with ICI. Pretreated paraffin-embedded specimens (n = 19) were stained for PD-1, PD-L1, LAG3, TIM3, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, FOXP3, and cytokeratin (CK) by multiple immunohistochemistry (mIHC). Next-generation sequencing was performed for 33 PLELC samples. Among patients treated with ICI monotherapy (n = 30), the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), and overall survival (mOS) were 13.3%, 80.0%, 7.7 months, and 24.9 months, respectively. Patients with PD-L1 ≥1% showed a longer PFS (8.4 vs. 2.1 months, p = 0.015) relative to those with PD-L1 &lt;1%. Among patients treated with ICI combination therapy (n = 18), ORR, DCR, mPFS, and mOS were 27.8%, 100.0%, 10.1 months, and 19.7 months, respectively. Patients with PD-L1 ≥1% showed a significantly superior OS than those with PD-L1 &lt;1% (NA versus 11.7 months, p = 0.001). Among the 19 mIHC patients, those with high PD-1/PD-L1 and LAG3 expression showed a longer PFS (19.0 vs. 3.9 months, p = 0.003). ICI also showed promising efficacy for treating metastatic PLELC. PD-L1 may be both predictive of ICI treatment efficacy and prognostic for survival in PLELC. PD-1/PD-L1 combined with LAG3 may serve as a predictor of ICI treatment effectiveness in PLELC. Larger and prospective trials are warranted to validate both ICI activity and predictive biomarkers in PLELC.

This study was partly presented as a poster at the IASLC 20th World Conference on Lung Cancer 2019, 7–10 September 2019, Barcelona, Spain.

Polymyositis as a paraneoplastic syndrome of a patient with primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Background

Pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare type of non-small cell lung cancer, which mostly occurred in non-smoking Asian populations. The prognosis of this tumor is better than other lung cancers. Polymyositis, a kind of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, may negatively affect the prognosis of patients with lung cancer as a paraneoplastic syndrome (PNPS). LELC is seldomly accompanied by PNPS, thus the treatment strategy and prognosis should be discussed.

Case presentation

We report a 49-year-old female patient who was hospitalized for “symmetric limb weakness and pain for more than 2 months”. Glucocorticoid-based anti-inflammatory therapy had been performed for over 3 weeks before the patient was hospitalized, however, in vain. The result of serum autoimmune antibody showed Anti-nRNP/Sm ( +). The serum level of myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase elevated significantly. An electromyogram revealed peripheral nerves injury and myogenic damages. Imaging showed a mass in the posterior basal segment of the left lung. A percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy was performed and the pathological result was LELC. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary LELC accompanied by polymyositis. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed only ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic left lower lobectomy and systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy were performed. The postoperative pathological stage was T2N2M0, IIIA (UICC 8th), and the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy. The patient was followed up for 5 months with no recurrence of tumor and the limb weakness and pain were relieved apparently after the successful comprehensive treatment of her primary tumor.

Conclusion

Pulmonary LELC is a rare subtype of non-small cell lung cancer seldomly accompanied by PNPS. Though polymyositis is associated with lung cancer, it is easy to ignore this relationship when a patient is diagnosed with LELC in the clinic. Surgery based comprehensive treatment of primary tumor can lead to a prospective prognosis in pulmonary LELC patients with PNPS. And successful treatment of pulmonary LELC can also improve symptoms of PNPS.

Epstein–Barr Virus Epithelial Cancers—A Comprehensive Understanding to Drive Novel Therapies

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous oncovirus associated with specific epithelial and lymphoid cancers. Among the epithelial cancers, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC), and EBV-associated gastric cancers (EBVaGC) are the most common. The role of EBV in the pathogenesis of NPC and in the modulation of its tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) has been increasingly well described. Much less is known about the pathogenesis and tumour–microenvironment interactions in other EBV-associated epithelial cancers. Despite the expression of EBV-related viral oncoproteins and a generally immune-inflamed cancer subtype, EBV-associated epithelial cancers have limited systemic therapeutic options beyond conventional chemotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective only in a minority of these patients and even less efficacious with molecular targeting drugs. Here, we examine the key similarities and differences of NPC, LELC, and EBVaGC and comprehensively describe the clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics of these cancers. A deeper comparative understanding of these EBV-driven cancers can potentially uncover targets in the tumour, TIME, and stroma, which may guide future drug development and cast light on resistance to immunotherapy.

Novel Multimodal Management of Post-Partum Synchronous Metastatic Pulmonary EBV-Associated Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma (LELC)-A Case Report

Primary Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV)-associated pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is an aggressive rare cancer. Higher incidences have been observed in Asian sub-populations. Multimodal treatment paradigms have emerged as promising novel strategies in the management of advanced NSCLC. In this report, we describe the case of a 34-year-old female patient of Asian origin with a post-partum initial diagnosis of pulmonary LELC. Multimodal treatment with chemoimmunotherapy and hypofractionated irradiation to the primary tumour and main metastatic sites led to a favourable response demonstrating that radiotherapy may potentially augment anti-tumour immunity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on this novel therapy strategy of multi-site hypofractionated radiotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy for metastatic pulmonary EBV-associated LELC.

Case Report: Anlotinib Reverses Nivolumab Resistance in Advanced Primary Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma With FGFR3 Gene Amplification

Background

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Currently, anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) has become an important treatment for NSCLC. Anti-human PD-1 monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, significantly prolong the survival time of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. However, there are few reports on the therapeutic effect, drug resistance mechanism, and strategies to overcome resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment in advanced pulmonary LELC. We report the case of a patient with advanced pulmonary LELC harboring fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)3 gene amplification that showed resistance to nivolumab. After treatment with anlotinib, a multi-targeted small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the patient’s resistance to nivolumab was reversed. She achieved long-term disease remission with a combination of anlotinib and nivolumab treatment.

Case Presentation

A 68-year-old woman was diagnosed with stage IVA pulmonary LELC. After multiple-line chemotherapy, her disease progressed. Since the PD-L1 expression rate of the patient was 90%, nivolumab was administered. However, the therapeutic effect of nivolumab was not ideal; the disease continued to progress, and a new cervical lymph node metastasis appeared. FGFR3 gene amplification was detected in lymph node metastasis. Based on this gene abnormality, we added anlotinib to the treatment. After two cycles of anlotinib and nivolumab, the metastatic focus of the patient was significantly reduced. The patient continued to receive this combined treatment and achieved remission for more than 15 months.

Conclusion

Pulmonary LELC with FGFR3 gene amplification may not respond well to nivolumab monotherapy. The combination of anlotinib and nivolumab can reverse the resistance to nivolumab in pulmonary LELC with FGFR3 gene amplification.