Phase II study of erlotinib for previously treated patients with EGFR wild-type non-small-cell lung cancer, following EGFR mutation status reevaluation with the Scorpion Amplified Refractory Mutation System

The mTOR Signaling Pathway and mTOR Inhibitors in Cancer: Next-generation Inhibitors and Approaches

mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase that plays various roles in cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. mTOR signaling in cancer becomes irregular. Therefore, drugs targeting mTOR have been developed. Although mTOR inhibitors rapamycin and rapamycin rapalogs (everolimus, rapamycin, temsirolimus, deforolimus, etc.) and new generation mTOR inhibitors (Rapalink, Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, etc.) are used in cancer treatments, mTOR resistance mechanisms may inhibit the efficacy of these drugs. Therefore, new inhibition approaches are developed. Although these new inhibition approaches have not been widely investigated in cancer treatment, the use of nanoparticles has been evaluated as a new treatment option in a few types of cancer. This review outlines the functions of mTOR in the cancer process, its resistance mechanisms, and the efficiency of mTOR inhibitors in cancer treatment. Furthermore, it discusses the next-generation mTOR inhibitors and inhibition strategies created using nanoparticles. Since mTOR resistance mechanisms prevent the effects of mTOR inhibitors used in cancer treatments, new inhibition strategies should be developed. Inhibition approaches are created using nanoparticles, and one of them offers a promising treatment option with evidence supporting its effectiveness.

Dual-probe ligation without PCR for fluorescent sandwich assay of EGFR nucleotide variants in magnetic gene capture platform

A simple, rapid, and highly efficient fluorescent detection technique without PCR through dual-probe ligation with the genetic capture of magnetic beads and reported probe was developed for determination of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene exon 19 deletions. The EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation makes up 48% of all mutations associated with anti-tyrosine kinase inhibition sensitivity, and thus, the EGFR nucleotide variant is very important in clinical diagnosis. In this approach, the dual-probe ligation was designed to target exon 19 deletion. The magnetic genetic captured system was then applied to capture the successful dual-probe ligation. Thereafter, a reporter probe which is coupled with 6-fluorescein amidite (6-FAM) was introduced to hybridize with dual-probe ligation product on the surface of streptavidin magnetic beads, and finally, the supernatant was taken for fluorescence measurements for distinguishing mutant types from wild types. After optimization (the RSD of the fluorescent intensity was less than 4.5% (n = 3) under the optimal condition), 20 blind DNA samples from the population were analyzed by this technique and further confirmed by direct sequencing. The results of our assay matched to those from direct sequencing data, evidencing that the developed method is accurate and successful. These 20 blind DNA samples were diagnosed as wild and then spiked with different percentages of the mutant gene to quantify the ratio of the wild and mutant genes. This strategy was also successfully applied to quantify the ratio of the wild and mutant genes with good linearity at the λex/λem of 480 nm/520 nm (r = 0.996), and the limit of detection reached 1.0% mutant type. This simple fluorescent detection of nucleotide variants shows its potential to be considered a tool in biological and clinical diagnosis. Importantly, this strategy offers a universal detection capability for any kind of mutation (point, deletion, insertion, or substitution) in a gene of interest.

Fatal toxic effects related to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors based on 53 cohorts with 9,569 participants

Background

To estimate the incidence and susceptible factors of fatal toxic effects related to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs).

Methods

PubMed and Embase were thoroughly searched for clinical trials based on the following terms and corresponding Medical Subject Heading ones: “erlotinib”, “gefitinib”, “afatinib”, “dacomitinib”, “osimertinib”, and “non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)”. A total of 53 eligible cohorts with 9,569 participants were collected.

Results

A total of 105 cases of fatal toxic effects related to EGFR-TKIs occurred in 53 cohorts. The overall incidence was 1.33% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.63%]. The odds and incidence were apparently higher in Japanese group (compared with non-East Asian group) [2.72 vs. 1.30, P=0.015; odds ratio (OR): 2.26, 95% CI: 1.17–4.37, P=0.015], in first-line treatment group (compared with EGFR-TKI retreatment group) (1.54 vs. 0.69, P=0.028; OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.10–5.26, P=0.028), and in the trial phase II (compared with trial phase III) (1.82% vs. 1.11%, P=0.009; OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.15–2.62, P=0.009). Notably, the Japanese group was higher than non-East Asian group after controlling for the treatment-line and trial phase (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.12–4.16, P=0.022). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) was predominant in 29 fatal causes followed by pneumonia, respiratory failure and diarrhea.

Conclusions

The overall incidence of fatal toxic effects related to EGFR-TKIs was 1.33%, and the major fatal cause was ILD, followed by pneumonia, respiratory failure and diarrhea. The susceptible factor of fatal toxic effects related to EGFR-TKIs was the Japanese group. This study provided a capability for clinicians to predict and detect high-risk populations of fatal toxic effects.

Eye, hepatobiliary, and renal disorders of erlotinib in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis

Background

Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat EGFR mutation positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Skin rash and diarrhea are well-known and common adverse events in patients receiving erlotinib, whereas other adverse events, including eye, liver, or renal disorders have not been evaluated adequately. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the ocular, hepatobiliary, and renal toxicities of erlotinib in patients with NSCLC cancers.

Methods

In total, sixty studies were assessed, and the results of the included studies were quantitatively integrated using meta-analysis. The incidence of ocular, hepatobiliary (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and bilirubin elevations; other hepatic adverse events), and renal adverse events were estimated. Additionally, the erlotinib-treated groups and the control groups (placebo or other treatment) were compared with respect to ocular disorders and ALT elevation. The study protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42018093758.

Results

The overall incidence of ocular disorders was 3.30% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.20%–5.00%). The incidence of ALT elevation, bilirubin elevation, and other hepatobiliary disorders was 6.40% (95% CI 3.90%–10.4%), 3.80% (95% CI 2.30%–6.10%), and 1.00% (95% 0.60%–1.80%), respectively. The incidence of renal disorder was 3.10% (95% CI 1.90%–5.00%). The risk of ocular toxicity in the erlotinib treatment group was significantly increased (risk ratio = 2.91; 95% CI 1.70–4.98) compared to that in the control group. ALT elevation was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion

Based on the results, careful monitoring of ocular toxicity in patients receiving erlotinib should be recommended and closer monitoring of hepatic toxicity should be also recommended in patients with liver-related risk factors.

A phase II study of carboplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab followed by erlotinib and bevacizumab maintenance for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with wild-type EGFR (HOT1101)

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of switch maintenance erlotinib and bevacizumab after induction therapy with carboplatin/pemetrexed/bevacizumab for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with wild-type EGFR.

METHODS

Enrolled patients had treatment-naïve, advanced non-squamous NSCLC with wild-type EGFR. Carboplatin [area under the curve (AUC) 5.0], pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) were administered on day 1 every 3 weeks for 4-6 cycles. Maintenance therapy with erlotinib (150 mg/body) on day 1 through 21 plus bevacizumab on day 1 every 3 weeks was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), toxicity, and quality of life (QOL).

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients were enrolled between September 2011 and June 2014. The median number of cycles for induction and maintenance therapy was 4 (range 1-6) and 4 (range 1-20). Twenty-nine patients (58%) received maintenance therapy. The 6-month PFS rate was 59.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 45.0-72.6%]. The ORR was 48.0% (95% CI 34.8-61.5%), and disease control rate was 86.0% (95% CI 73.8-93.0%). The median PFS and OS were 6.5 months (95% CI 5.8-7.2 months) and 21.4 months (95% CI 15.9-26.9 months), respectively. Although grades ≥ 3 adverse events were observed in 33 patients (66.0%), most were hematologic; there was no febrile neutropenia. QOL was maintained throughout treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Carboplatin/pemetrexed/bevacizumab followed by erlotinib and bevacizumab maintenance showed modest efficacy and was well tolerated in non-squamous NSCLC patients with wild-type EGFR.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000005872.

Molecular Pathology of Lung Cancer Cytology Specimens: A Concise Review

CONTEXT

- There has been a paradigm shift in the understanding of molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer. A number of oncogenic drivers have been identified in non-small cell lung carcinoma, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK) gene rearrangement. Because of the clinical presentation at an advanced stage of disease in non-small cell lung carcinoma patients, the use of minimally invasive techniques is preferred to obtain a tumor sample for diagnosis. These techniques include image-guided biopsies and fine-needle aspirations, and frequently the cytology specimen may be the only tissue sample available for the diagnosis and molecular testing for these patients.

OBJECTIVE

- To review the current literature and evaluate the role of cytology specimens in lung cancer mutation testing. We reviewed the types of specimens received in the laboratory, specimen processing, the effect of preanalytic factors on downstream molecular studies, and the commonly used molecular techniques for biomarker testing in lung cancer.

DATA SOURCES

- PubMed and Google search engines were used to review the published literature on the topic.

CONCLUSIONS

- Mutation testing is feasible on a variety of cytologic specimen types and preparations. However, a thorough understanding of the cytology workflow for the processing of samples and appropriate background knowledge of the molecular tests are necessary for triaging, and optimum use of these specimens is necessary to guide patient management.

Treatment outcome comparisons between exons 19 and 21 EGFR mutations for non-small-cell lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion after first-line and second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Recent studies demonstrated a significantly increased frequency of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of first-line and second-line EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of NSCLC with MPEs harboring exon 19 deletion and L858R mutation. From 2010 to 2015, 203 NSCLC patients with MPEs harboring EGFR mutation treated with EGFR-TKIs were reviewed. The efficacy were evaluated with Pearson chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) for patients treated with first-line and second-line EGFR-TKIs were 21.9%, 91.4% and 14.7%, 85.3%, respectively. The overall median PFS and OS of enrolled NSCLC patients with MPE were 9.3 months (95% CI, 8.4-10.2 months), 20.9 months (95% CI, 18.9-22.9 months) after first-line TKIs, and 7.6 months (95% CI, 6.6-8.6 months), 15.3 months (95% CI, 13.6-15.9 months) after second-line TKIs. The exon 19 deletion arm had a longer median PFS (9.4 vs 7.1 months, p=0.003) and OS (16.8 vs 13.8 months, p=0.003) compared with the L858R mutation arm after second-line TKIs. In a conclusion, EGFR genotype was an independent predictor of PFS and OS. No significant side effects differences between the two mutation groups was observed for first or second-line EGFR-TKIs. This study demonstrated that EGFR mutations are significant predictors for advanced NSCLC patients with MPE receiving second-line EGFR-TKIs treatment.

Efficacy of Second-line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Metastatic Advanced Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Harboring Exon 19 and 21 EGFR Mutations

Background: Although superior clinical benefits of first-line epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) had been reported with different sensitivity, the sensitivity of second-line TKIs in NSCLC patients with different EFGR mutations was unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical outcome of second-line EGFR-TKIs in the treatment of NSCLC patients according to different EGFR genotypes.

Methods: The treatment outcomes of 166 NSCLC patients with different EGFR mutations treated by second-line TKIs were retrospectively reviewed. The efficacy was evaluated with Pearson chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: The disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR) of enrolled NSCLC patients were 77.7% and 11.4%, respectively. The exon 19 deletion group had a significantly longer median progression-free survival (PFS) (6.7 vs. 4.5 months, P=0.002) and overall survival (OS) (13.7 vs. 11.7 months, P=0.02) compared with the exon 19 L858R mutation group for NSCLC patients, as well for patients with brain metastasis [PFS: (6.7 vs. 3.9 months, p<0.001), OS: (13.7 vs. 7.9 months, p=0.006)]. No significant difference on PFS and OS was observed between exon 19 deletion and L858R mutation group for patients with bone metastasis. EGFR genotype and ECOG PS were independent predictors of PFS. Never smoking, exon 19 deletion, EGOC PS (0-1) and no brain metastasis were correlated with longer OS. No significant difference on side effect between exon 19 and 21 mutation group was observed.

Conclusions: NSCLC patients harboring exon 19 deletion achieved better PFS and OS than those with L858R mutation, indicating that EGFR mutation is a significant prognostic factor for advanced NSCLC patients with and without brain metastasis receiving second-line EGFR-TKIs treatment.