Mobocertinib in Patients with EGFR Exon 20 Insertion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (MOON): An International Real-World Safety and Efficacy Analysis

EGFR exon 20 (EGFR Ex20) insertion mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are insensitive to traditional EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Mobocertinib is the only approved TKI specifically designed to target EGFR Ex20. We performed an international, real-world safety and efficacy analysis on patients with EGFR Ex20-positive NSCLC enrolled in a mobocertinib early access program. We explored the mechanisms of resistance by analyzing postprogression biopsies, as well as cross-resistance to amivantamab. Data from 86 patients with a median age of 67 years and a median of two prior lines of treatment were analyzed. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 95% of patients. Grade ≥3 TRAEs were reported in 38% of patients and included diarrhea (22%) and rash (8%). In 17% of patients, therapy was permanently discontinued, and two patients died due to TRAEs. Women were seven times more likely to discontinue treatment than men. In the overall cohort, the objective response rate to mobocertinib was 34% (95% CI, 24-45). The response rate in treatment-naïve patients was 27% (95% CI, 8-58). The median progression-free and overall survival was 5 months (95% CI, 3.5-6.5) and 12 months (95% CI, 6.8-17.2), respectively. The intracranial response rate was limited (13%), and one-third of disease progression cases involved the brain. Mobocertinib also showed antitumor activity following EGFR Ex20-specific therapy and vice versa. Potential mechanisms of resistance to mobocertinib included amplifications in MET, PIK3CA, and NRAS. Mobocertinib demonstrated meaningful efficacy in a real-world setting but was associated with considerable gastrointestinal and cutaneous toxicity.

First-line immunotherapy for lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping and the relevance of TP53 mutations

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with MET exon 14 skipping (METΔ14ex) remains controversial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

110 consecutive METΔ14ex NSCLC patients receiving first-line chemotherapy (CHT) and/or immunotherapy (IO) in 10 German centers between 2016-2022 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Combined CHT-IO was given to 35/110 (32%) patients, IO alone to 43/110 (39%), and CHT to 32/110 (29%) upfront. Compared to CHT, CHT-IO showed longer progression-free survival (median PFS 6 vs. 2.5 months, p = 0.004), more objective responses (ORR 49% vs. 28%, p = 0.086) and numerically longer overall survival (OS 16 vs. 10 months, p = 0.240). For IO monotherapy, OS (14 vs. 16 months) and duration of response (26 vs. 22 months) were comparable to those of CHT-IO. Primary progressive disease (PD) was more frequent with IO compared to CHT-IO (13/43 vs. 3/35, p = 0.018), particularly for never-smokers (p = 0.041). Higher PD-L1 TPS were not associated with better IO outcomes, but TP53 mutated tumors showed numerically improved ORR (56% vs. 32%, p = 0.088) and PFS (6 vs. 3 months, p = 0.160), as well as longer OS in multivariable analysis (HR=0.54, p = 0.034) compared to their wild-type counterparts. Any second-line treatment was administered to 35/75 (47%) patients, with longer survival for capmatinib or tepotinib compared to crizotinib (PFS 10 vs. 3 months, p = 0.013; OS 16 vs. 13 months, p = 0.270).

CONCLUSION

CHT-IO is superior to CHT, and IO alone also effective for METΔ14ex NSCLC, especially in the presence of TP53 mutations and independent of PD-L1 expression, but never-smokers are at higher risk of primary PD.

Outcome of First-Line Treatment With Pembrolizumab According to KRAS/TP53 Mutational Status for Nonsquamous Programmed Death-Ligand 1-High (≥50%) NSCLC in the German National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Programmed death-ligand 1 expression currently represents the only validated predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibition in metastatic NSCLC in the clinical routine, but it has limited value in distinguishing responses. Assessment of KRAS and TP53 mutations (mut) as surrogate for an immunosupportive tumor microenvironment (TME) might help to close this gap.

METHODS

A total of 696 consecutive patients with programmed death-ligand 1-high (≥50%), nonsquamous NSCLC, having received molecular testing within the German National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer between 2017 and 2020, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status less than or equal to 1 and pembrolizumab as first-line palliative treatment, were included into this retrospective cohort analysis. Treatment efficacy and outcome according to KRAS/TP53 status were correlated with TME composition and gene expression analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas lung adenocarcinoma cohort.

RESULTS

Proportion of KRASmut and TP53mut was 53% (G12C 25%, non-G12C 28%) and 51%, respectively. In KRASmut patients, TP53 comutations increased response rates (G12C: 69.7% versus 46.5% [TP53mut versus wild-type (wt)], p = 0.004; non-G12C: 55.4% versus 39.5%, p = 0.03), progression-free survival (G12C: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.59, p = 0.009, non-G12C: HR = 0.7, p = 0.047), and overall survival (G12C: HR = 0.72, p = 0.16, non-G12C: HR = 0.56, p = 0.002), whereas no differences were observed in KRASwt patients. After a median follow-up of 41 months, G12C/TP53mut patients experienced the longest progression-free survival and overall survival (33.7 and 65.3 mo), which correlated with high tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte densities in the TME and up-regulation of interferon gamma target genes. Proinflammatory pathways according to TP53 status (mut versus wt) were less enhanced and not different in non-G12C and KRASwt, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

G12C/TP53 comutations identify a subset of patients with a very favorable long-term survival with immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy, mediated by highly active interferon gamma signaling in a proinflammatory TME.

Early mortality in German patients with lung cancer: risk factors associated with 30-and 60-day mortality

Despite therapeutic advances, early mortality in lung cancer is still prevalent. In this study, we aimed to assess risk factors for 30- and 60-day mortality in German lung cancer patients. In this retrospective cross-sectional analysis, we used data of lung cancer patients treated at LMU Hospital Munich between 2015 and 2019. We categorized patients into 30-day mortality, 60 day-mortality, and longer survival. We used Student's t-test and ANOVA to compare means and Chi2-test to compare frequencies. We used logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with a risk for early mortality. Of the 2454 lung cancer patients, 2.0% (n = 50) died within 30 and 1.7% (n = 41) within 30 to 60 days of diagnosis. Older age and advanced stage at diagnosis were significantly associated with early mortality in the univariate and the multivariate analysis. Patients in the 30-day mortality group significantly more often did not receive tumor-directed therapy. They were also more likely to die in an acute care setting compared to the 60-day mortality group. The group of patients who died unexpectedly (12.0%) was dominantly female, with a high proportion of patients with unintentional weight loss at the time of diagnosis. Our results suggest that in the treatment of patients with lung cancer there is a need for a greater focus on older patients. Moreover, physicians should pay special attention to females with recent weight loss and patients with a comorbidity of diabetes mellitus or renal impairment. Engaging a case manager focused on detecting patients with the above characteristics could help improve overall care.

Guideline adherence of tumor board recommendations in lung cancer and transfer into clinical practice

PURPOSE

Evaluating patients and treatment decisions in a multidisciplinary tumor board has led to better quality of care and longer survival in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate tumor board recommendations for thoracic oncology patients regarding guideline adherence and transferal of recommendations into clinical practice.

METHODS

We evaluated tumor board recommendations of the thoracic oncology tumor board at Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU) Hospital Munich between 2014 and 2016. We compared patient characteristics between guideline-adherent and non-guideline-adherent recommendations, as well as between transferred and non-transferred recommendations. We used multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate factors associated with guideline adherence.

RESULTS

Over 90% of recommendations by the tumor board were either adherent to the guidelines (75.5%) or over fulfilling guidelines (15.6%). Almost 90% of recommendations were transferred to clinical practice. If a recommendation was not according to the guidelines, the reason was mostly associated with the general condition (age, Charlson comorbidity index, ECOG) of the patient or due to the patients' request. Surprisingly, sex also had a significant influence on the guideline adherence of recommendations, with females being more likely to get recommendations not according to the guidelines.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the results of this study are promising, as the guideline adherence of recommendations as well as the transferal of recommendations into clinical practice were high. In the future, a special focus should be put on fragile patients as well as female patients.

Comparison of the sensitivity of different criteria to select lung cancer patients for screening in a cohort of German patients

INTRODUCTION

Trials of CT-based screening for lung cancer have shown a mortality advantage for screening in North America and Europe. Before introducing a nationwide lung cancer screening program in Germany, it is important to assess the criteria used in international trials in the German population.

METHODS

We used data from 3623 lung cancer patients from the data warehouse of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). We compared the sensitivity of the following lung cancer screening criteria overall and stratified by age and histology: the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), the Danish Lung Cancer Screening Trial (DLCST), the 2013 and 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and an adapted version of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian no race model (adapted PLCOm2012) with 6-year risk thresholds of 1.0%/6 year and 1.7%/6 year.

RESULTS

Overall, the adapted PLCOm2012 model (1%/6 years), selected the highest proportion of lung cancer patients for screening (72.4%), followed by the 2021 USPSTF (70.0%), the adapted PLCOm2012 (1.7%/6 year) (57.4%), the 2013 USPTF (57.0%), DLCST criteria (48.7%), and the NLST (48.5%). The adapted PLCOm2012 risk model (1.0%/6 year) had the highest sensitivity for all histological types except for small-cell and large-cell carcinomas (non-significant), whereas the 2021 USPTF selected a higher proportion of patients. The sensitivity levels were higher in males than in females.

CONCLUSION

Using a risk-based selection score resulted in higher sensitivities compared to criteria using dichotomized age and smoking history. However, gender disparities were apparent in all studied eligibility criteria. In light of increasing lung cancer incidences in women, all selection criteria should be reviewed for ways to close this gender gap, especially when implementing a large-scale lung cancer screening program.

Hyperinflation and reduced diffusing capacity predict prognosis in SCLC: value of extended pre-therapeutic lung function testing

BACKGROUND

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by aggressive growth and poor prognosis. Although SCLC affects nearly exclusively heavy smokers and leads to frequent respiratory symptoms, the impact of pre-therapeutic lung function testing in SCLC is sparely investigated until now. Therefore, we sought to examine whether we could find prognostic markers in pre-therapeutic lung function testing of SCLC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed a cohort of 205 patients with the diagnosis of SCLC between 2010 and 2018. Pre-therapeutic values of spirometry, body plethysmography and measurement of diffusing capacity was extracted from patients' charts. Comparisons between groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test or by chi-square tests as appropriate. Kaplan-Meier analyses and COX-regression models were performed to correlate lung function parameters with patients' outcome.

RESULTS

Airway obstruction itself, or the diagnosis chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on GOLD definitions did not correlate with survival in SCLC patients. Hyperinflation measured by increased residual volume and residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (log-rank p < 0.001) and reduced diffusing capacity (log-rank p = 0.007) were associated with reduced survival. Furthermore, patients with hyperinflation as well as impairments in gas exchange representing an emphysematic phenotype had the worst outcome (log-rank p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We recommend including body plethysmography and measurement of diffusing capacity in the pre-therapeutic assessment of SCLC patients. Our findings suggest that reduction of hyperinflation may lead to better outcome in SCLC patients. Thus, in addition to effective tumour therapy, adequate therapy of the comorbidity of COPD should also be provided. In particular, measures to reduce hyperinflation by means of dual bronchodilation as well as respiratory physiotherapy should be further assessed in this setting.

Standardized airway wall thickness Pi10 from routine CT scans of COPD patients as imaging biomarker for disease severity, lung function decline, and mortality

BACKGROUND

Chest computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for phenotyping and monitoring of patients with COPD. The aim of this work was to evaluate the association of Pi10 as a measure of standardized airway wall thickness on CT with exacerbations, mortality, and response to triple therapy.

METHODS

Patients of GOLD grades 1-4 of the COSYCONET cohort with prospective CT scans were included. Pi10 was automatically computed and analyzed for its relationship to COPD severity, comorbidities, lung function, respiratory therapy, and mortality over a 6-year period, using univariate and multivariate comparisons.

RESULTS

We included n = 433 patients (61%male). Pi10 was dependent on both GOLD grades 1-4 (p = 0.009) and GOLD groups A-D (p = 0.008); it was particularly elevated in group D, and ROC analysis yielded a cut-off of 0.26 cm. Higher Pi10 was associated to lower FEV₁ % predicted and higher RV/TLC, moreover the annual changes of lung function parameters (p < 0.05), as well as to an airway-dominated phenotype and a history of myocardial infarction (p = 0.001). These associations were confirmed in multivariate analyses. Pi10 was lower in patients receiving triple therapy, in particular in patients of GOLD groups C and D. Pi10 was also a significant predictor for mortality (p = 0.006), even after including multiple other predictors.

CONCLUSION

In summary, Pi10 was found to be predictive for the course of the disease in COPD, in particular mortality. The fact that Pi10 was lower in patients with severe COPD receiving triple therapy might hint toward additional effects of this functional therapy on airway remodeling.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01245933.

A new approach for the detection of obesity-related airway obstruction in lung-healthy individuals

BACKGROUND

Subjects with obesity show an increased prevalence of airway obstruction but it is not clear in each case whether this reflects genuine lung disease. Via intentional increase in end-expiratory lung volume we studied the detection of obesity-induced airway obstruction in lung-healthy obese subjects.

METHODS

The primary study population comprised 66 lung-healthy obese subjects and 23 normal weight subjects. Measurements were performed in a body plethysmograph allowing for recording and quantification of breathing loops in terms of specific airway resistance at both normal and intentionally elevated end-expiratory lung volume. The change in volume was documented by a shutter maneuver.

RESULTS

The voluntary increase of lung volume led to a significant reduction of expiratory airway resistance in 11 of the 66 obese subjects. This reduction could be quantified by a change of total expiratory resistance (sRtEX) of >1 kPa*s but was also clearly visible in the breathing loops. sRtEX showed the largest change among all resistance parameters. The loops of normal weight subjects remained virtually unaffected by the change in lung volume. Moreover, those of 5 obese patients with COPD who were measured for comparison partially showed a reduction of resistance but airway obstruction remained.

CONCLUSION

The proposed breathing maneuver was simple to perform and allowed for a quantitative and qualitative detection of obesity-induced airway obstruction. This might help in reducing the likelihood of misdiagnosis and overtreatment of obese patients.

Markers of Immune Cell Exhaustion as Predictor of Survival in Surgically-Treated Early-Stage NSCLC

Background

Tumor tissue as well as regional lymph nodes are removed during curative surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These tissues provide a unique snapshot of the immune cell composition at the time of surgery. We investigated the immune landscape in matched tumor tissue, tumor bearing (tb) and non-tumor bearing (ntb) N1 as well as N2 lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with NSCLC and its relation to survival.

Methods

Internal hospital databases were screened for surgically treated NSCLC patients for whom tumor tissue, tbLNs as well as N1 and N2 ntbLNs were available. Clinical as well as demographic data were extracted from hospital records. Expression profiling of 770 immune-related genes was performed using the PanCancer IO 360 panel by NanoString Technologies.

Results

We identified 190 surgically treated patients of whom 16 fulfilled inclusion criteria and had sufficient archived tissue. The Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score in N1 tumor-free lymph nodes was associated with OS. TIM-3 expression was inversely correlated with TIDE scores in affected LNs, N1 and N2 ntbLNs. Levels of CD8 expression were significantly higher in TIDE High compared to TIDE Low patients. TIM-3 and PD-L1 were selected for the final model for OS in multivariate regression in more than one tissue.

Conclusion

Levels of immune cell exhaustion markers may indicate a dysfunctional immune status and are associated with survival after curative surgery in NSCLC.

Treatment outcome of atypical EGFR mutations in the German National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer (nNGM)

BACKGROUND

Atypical EGFR mutations occur in 10-30% of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations and their sensitivity to classical EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) is highly heterogeneous. Patients harboring one group of uncommon, recurrent EGFR mutations (G719X, S768I, L861Q) respond to EGFR-TKI. Exon 20 insertions are mostly insensitive to EGFR-TKI but display sensitivity to exon 20 inhibitors. Clinical outcome data of patients with very rare point and compound mutations upon systemic treatments are still sparse to date.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective, multi-center study of the national Network Genomic Medicine (nNGM) in Germany, 856 NSCLC cases with atypical EGFR mutations including co-occuring mutations were reported from 12 centers. Clinical follow-up data after treatment with different EGFR-TKI, chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors were available from 260 patients. Response to treatment was analyzed in three major groups: (1) uncommon mutations (G719X, S7681, L861Q and combinations), (2) exon 20 insertions and (3) very rare EGFR mutations (very rare single point mutations, compound mutations, exon 18 deletions, exon 19 insertions).

RESULTS

Our study comprises the largest thus far reported real-world cohort of very rare EGFR single point and compound mutations treated with different systemic treatments. We validated higher efficacy of EGFR-TKI in comparison to chemotherapy in group 1 (uncommon), while most exon 20 insertions (group 2) were not EGFR-TKI responsive. In addition, we found TKI sensitivity of very rare point mutations (group 3) and of complex EGFR mutations containing exon 19 deletions or L858R mutations independent of the combination partner. Notably, treatment responses in group 3 (very rare) were highly heterogeneous. Co-occurring TP53 mutations exerted a non-significant trend for a detrimental effect on outcome in EGFR-TKI treated patients in groups 2 and 3 but not in group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our findings we propose a novel nNGM classification of uncommon EGFR mutations.

Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on lung cancer care and patient health in a German lung cancer center: results from a cross-sectional questionnaire

BACKGROUND

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global COVID-19 pandemic, leading to worldwide changes in public health measures. In addition to changes in the public sector (lockdowns, contact restrictions), hospitals modified care to minimize risk of infection and to mobilize resources for COVID-19 patients. Our study aimed to assess the impact of these measures on access to care and behaviour of patients with thoracic malignancies.

METHODS

Thoracic oncology patients were surveyed in October 2020 using paper-based questionnaires to assess access to ambulatory care services and tumor-directed therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, behaviour regarding social distancing and wearing of face masks were assessed, as well as COVID-19 exposure, testing and vaccination. Results are presented as absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables and means with standard deviation for numerical variables. We used t-test, and ANOVA to compare differences in metric variables and Chi2-test to compare proportions between groups.

RESULTS

93 of 245 (38%) patients surveyed completed the questionnaire. Respiration therapy and physical therapy were unavailable for 57% to 70% of patients during March/April. Appointments for tumor-directed therapy, tumor imaging, and follow-up care were postponed or cancelled for 18.9%, 13.6%, and 14.8% of patients, respectively. Patients reported their general health as mostly unaffected. The majority of patients surveyed did not report reducing their contacts with family. The majority reduced contact with friends. Most patients wore community masks, although a significant proportion reported respiratory difficulties during prolonged mask-wearing. 74 patients (80%) reported willingness to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey provides insights into the patient experience during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Munich, Germany. Most patients reported no negative changes to cancer treatments or general health; however, allied health services were greatly impacted. Patients reported gaps in social distancing, but were prepared to wear community masks. The willingness to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 was high. This information is not only of high relevance to policy makers, but also to health care providers.

Lymphocytes and sinus histiocytosis in tumor and matched lymph nodes as predictors of survival in non-small-cell lung cancer

Aim: To analyze immune cell populations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors and matched tumor-bearing and non-tumor-bearing lymph nodes (ntbLNs) to predict prognosis. Patients & methods: 71 patients with long-term disease-free survival and 80 patients with relapse within 3 years were included in this study. We used Cox regression to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Sinus histiocytosis and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density in the tumor were positively associated with PFS and OS. CD4 expression in N1 (hazard ratio = 0.72; p = 0.02) and N2 (hazard ratio = 0.91; p = 0.04) ntbLNs were positively correlated with OS and PFS, respectively. Discussion: Immunological markers in ntbLNs could be used to predict survival in NSCLC.

Basic Determinants of Disease Knowledge in COPD Patients: Results from COSYCONET

INTRODUCTION

In many chronic diseases, including COPD, the patients' basic knowledge of the disorder has been shown to be relevant for the course of the disease. We studied which clinical and functional characteristics were related to this knowledge as well as the patients' satisfaction with their knowledge about COPD.

METHODS

The study population comprised 645 patients of GOLD grades 1-4 who participated in Visit 6 of the COSYCONET cohort (COPD and Systemic Consequences - Comorbidities Network). The assessments covered a broad panel of clinical and functional characteristics, including generic and disease-specific quality of life and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). The study aim was addressed by two questions, referring to patients' knowledge of the meaning of FEV₁ and the overall satisfaction with their knowledge of COPD.

RESULTS

Knowledge of FEV₁ was higher in patients of higher spirometric GOLD grades or exacerbation risk, in males, with higher educational level, and after participation in a prior educational training on COPD. Patients with more detailed knowledge showed a higher satisfaction with their knowledge. Satisfaction was associated with higher generic quality of life and a lower CAT score. Furthermore, satisfaction was higher in patients with a treatment plan but lower in patients with cardiac comorbidities. It appeared that females with basic education, high burden from COPD and low quality of life had the greatest knowledge deficits.

DISCUSSION

The results suggest room for education programs adapted to the educational level of the participants. They also emphasize the major role of a disease management plan for the patients.

Changes in Behavior After Vaccination and Opinions Toward Mask Wearing: Thoracic Oncology Patient–Reported Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background:

The COVID-19 vaccines, face masks, and social distancing are effective interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this study, we aimed to determine lung cancer patients’ attitudes toward vaccination, changes in behavior after vaccination, and willingness to continue mask wearing after the pandemic.

Methods:

We sent out questionnaires to 220 thoracic oncology patients treated at our lung cancer center in May 2021. The questionnaire focused on patients’ vaccination status, self-reported experiences surrounding vaccination, and assessed changes in behaviors before and after vaccination as well as opinions toward mask wearing after the pandemic. Results are presented as absolute and relative frequencies and means with standard deviation and compared using t test, paired t test, and analysis of variance test as well as chi2 test, and Fisher exact text.

Results:

About 91.0% of patients reported having received at least 1 vaccination. About 73.3% of patients reported having at least 1 reaction to the vaccination. The most common reactions were pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. After vaccination, patients increased contact with family and friends, use of public transport, and grocery shopping. Overall, the level of willingness to wear masks beyond the end of the pandemic differed according to vaccination status.

Conclusions:

Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination among thoracic oncology patients in Germany was high. Overall, patients with thoracic malignancies tolerated the COVID-19 vaccination well. Rate of adverse reaction was not higher compared with the general population. After the vaccination, patients increased social contacts and usage of public transport. These changes suggest positive psychological effects on quality of life. While reducing social distancing can increase the risk of infection, our results indicate that an extension of mask mandates after the pandemic would likely be accepted by a majority of thoracic oncology patients, suggesting that our cohort was still aware and in support of other measure of protection.

Rare driver alterations in nonsmall cell lung cancer: novel targeted drugs

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current review presents clinically relevant driver alterations in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the targeted treatments currently available for clinical use as well as those in clinical trials and advanced stages of drug development.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, proto-oncogene B-RAF (BRAF), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase ROS (ROS1), rearranged during transfection (RET) and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase are rare genetic driver alterations, each present in a small subset of patients with NSCLC. Treatments targeting BRAF, ROS1, RET and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase are approved in Europe, and promising treatments targeting mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 are available in clinical trials and compassionate use programs. The response rates, duration of response and tolerability observed in trials of targeted drugs in this setting are presented in detail here.

SUMMARY

While rare driver alterations are, by definition, rare, their recognition can change the course of NSCLC for those patients affected. Targeted treatments for many rare driver alterations are well tolerated and effective. Screening for molecular changes in advanced NSCLC should include screening for rare drivers, and patients should be directed to clinical trials in setting where treatment of the driver alterations is not otherwise available.

Prediction of lung emphysema in COPD by spirometry and clinical symptoms: results from COSYCONET

Background

Lung emphysema is an important phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and CT scanning is strongly recommended to establish the diagnosis. This study aimed to identify criteria by which physicians with limited technical resources can improve the diagnosis of emphysema.

Methods

We studied 436 COPD patients with prospective CT scans from the COSYCONET cohort. All items of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, as well as data from spirometry and CO diffusing capacity, were used to construct binary decision trees. The importance of parameters was checked by the Random Forest and AdaBoost machine learning algorithms.

Results

When relying on questionnaires only, items CAT 1 & 7 and SGRQ 8 & 12 sub-item 3 were most important for the emphysema- versus airway-dominated phenotype, and among the spirometric measures FEV₁/FVC. The combination of CAT item 1 (≤ 2) with mMRC (> 1) and FEV₁/FVC, could raise the odds for emphysema by factor 7.7. About 50% of patients showed combinations of values that did not markedly alter the likelihood for the phenotypes, and these could be easily identified in the trees. Inclusion of CO diffusing capacity revealed the transfer coefficient as dominant measure. The results of machine learning were consistent with those of the single trees.

Conclusions

Selected items (cough, sleep, breathlessness, chest condition, slow walking) from comprehensive COPD questionnaires in combination with FEV₁/FVC could raise or lower the likelihood for lung emphysema in patients with COPD. The simple, parsimonious approach proposed by us might help if diagnostic resources regarding respiratory diseases are limited.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01245933, registered 18 November 2010, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT01245933.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-021-01837-2.

Prognostic and predictive value of PD-L1 expression and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TiLs) in locally advanced NSCLC treated with simultaneous radiochemotherapy in the randomized, multicenter, phase III German Intergroup lung Trial (GILT)

OBJECTIVES

Immune checkpoint inhibition after radiochemotherapy (RTCT) has become a new standard of care for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. However, little is known about the prognostic role of immune response markers in this setting. We analysed PD-L1 expression and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TiLs) in tumour biopsies from the multicenter German Intergroup Lung Trial (GILT), which previously randomised patients with stage III NSCLC to RTCT with or without consolidation chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed tumour biopsies from patients treated in the GILT trial. PD-L1 expression was analysed using the Ventana SP263 assay and TiL score (low, intermediate, high) and pattern (excluded, inflamed, desert) were assessed. The primary endpoint of the biomarker analysis was PFS in patients with PD-L1 ≥ 1% vs. PD-L1 < 1% NSCLC. Secondary endpoints explored the prognostic relevance of additional PD-L1 expression levels and TiL score and pattern.

RESULTS

Biopsies were available from 92 patients treated with RTCT. Patients with available tumor tissue did not differ significantly from the whole study population. PD-L1 scores from 78 samples were available for analysis. There was no difference in PFS in the PD-L1 < 1% vs. PD-L1 ≥ 1% subgroups. TiL score was available in 66 patients. Patients with high TiL score showed favourable overall survival compared to the low TiL subgroup. This trend was most pronounced in those patients treated with consolidative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

In this analysis, PD-L1 expression did not correlate with PFS following RTCT. However, patients with TiLs > 10% were found to have longer overall survival, especially for those patients treated with consolidation chemotherapy after the end of RTCT. Further analyses to explore the prognostic and predictive relevance of TiLs in the context of consolidative checkpoint inhibition with durvalumab are required.

Deregulated glutamate to pro-collagen conversion is associated with adverse outcome in lung cancer and may be targeted by renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) inhibition

BACKGROUND

The tumor-microenvironment (TME) represents an attractive therapeutic target in NSCLC and plays an important role for efficacy of cancer therapeutics. We hypothesized that upregulation of collagen synthesis might be associated with adverse outcome in NSCLC. Literature evidence suggests that renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) decrease collagen deposition. Therefore, we aimed to explore the prognostic role of RASi intake and their influence on the TME in NSCLC.

METHODS

Four publicly available datasets were used to evaluate the impact of key enzymes involved in collagen biosynthesis. To investigate the influence of RASi intake on the TME and prognosis we evaluated a cohort of metastatic NSCLC patients and performed histopathological characterization of the TME. A three-dimensional microtissue in vitro model was developed to define the impact of RASi on collagen synthesis.

RESULTS

Expression of three genes of the collagen synthesis pathway, ALDH18A1, PLOD2 and P4HA1, was upregulated in NSCLC compared to normal lung tissue and linked to shortened overall survival in all investigated cohorts. Together, these genes formed a 'Collagen Signature' which represents an independent unfavourable prognostic factor in two NSCLC cohorts and was linked to alterations of the extracellular matrix deposition and cell cycle pathways. In the cohort of metastatic NSCLC, RASi intake was linked to improved overall response rate and survival. Exploratory in vitro experiments revealed that RASi led to a dose dependent reduction of collagen deposition and degradation of three-dimensional lung cancer cell spheroids.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that collagen synthesis is a key upregulated process in the NSCLC TME and its transcriptional readout, the three gene Collagen Signature is independently associated with poor outcome. Pharmacological targeting of this pathways e.g. by RASi bears potential of improving outcome in NSCLC.

Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Alone or in Combination With Chemotherapy in NSCLC Harboring ERBB2 Mutations

INTRODUCTION

In contrast to other driver mutations, no targeted therapies have yet been approved in ERBB2-mutated NSCLC (HER2mu NSCLC). Nevertheless, several compounds have revealed promising early efficacy data, which need to be evaluated in the context of current standard approaches. Although data on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in second or subsequent lines of treatment remain limited and conflicting, there are virtually no data on patient outcome under ICI/platinum-doublet combinations in the first-line setting.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated outcomes of patients with HER2mu NSCLC treated with ICI alone or in combination with chemotherapy within the German National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer consortium by means of overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

ICI either in combination with chemotherapy or as monotherapy was applied as first-line treatment in 27 patients, whereas 34 received single-agent ICI in second or subsequent lines. Patient characteristics were in line with previously published data. In treatment-naive patients receiving ICI in combination with chemotherapy, the ORR, median PFS, and OS rate at 1 year were 52%, 6 months, and 88%, respectively. In second or subsequent lines, ICI monotherapy was associated with an ORR of 16%, a median PFS of 4 months, and a median OS of 10 months.

CONCLUSIONS

ICIs are effective as monotherapy and in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Therefore, ICI-based treatments may be found as the current standard of care and benchmark for targeted therapies in HER2mu NSCLC.

Osimertinib rechallenge under steroid protection following osimertinib-induced pneumonitis: three case studies

Osimertinib is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor that became the preferred first-line treatment option for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. Drug-induced pneumonitis is known to occur with osimertinib. In case of severe pneumonitis, discontinuation of treatment and therapy with corticosteroids is recommended, and a treatment switch is usually performed. We herein report the treatment course in three patients who were rechallenged with osimertinib under steroid protection following an osimertinib-induced pneumonitis. All our patients were initially re-exposed to a lower dose of osimertinib. Two patients were successfully rechallenged under prednisolone protection. The third patient, who was initially retreated with osimertinib without steroid protection, suffered from a recurrent pneumonitis, and was later rechallenged successfully under steroid protection. Our case series indicates that rechallenge with osimertinib following recovery from osimertinib-induced pneumonitis allows a successful rechallenge in individual cases when alternative treatment options are lacking. Concomitant steroids appear to protect against flares of pneumonitis during rechallenge.

Systemic inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine profile predict response to checkpoint inhibitor treatment in NSCLC: a prospective study

Treatment with single agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has tremendously changed second line therapy in NSCLC. However, there are still no reliable biomarkers predicting response and survival in this group of patients. PD-L1 revealed to be a correlating, but no perfect marker. Therefore, we sought to investigate in this prospective study, whether inflammation status and cytokine profile could serve as additional biomarkers guiding treatment decision for single agent ICIs in NSCLC. 29 stage IV NSCLC patients receiving single agent PD-1 checkpoint-inhibitor in second line were prospectively enrolled. Inflammatory scores and cytokine profiles (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNFα) have been obtained before treatment and at the time of the first staging. Cytokine profiles were correlated with response and survival. Patients with signs of pre-therapeutic inflammation (elevated, NLR, SII, IL-6, IL-8) showed significantly lower response to ICI treatment and reduced PFS. Contrary, elevated levels of IFN-γ revealed to characterize a subgroup of patients, who significantly benefits from ICI treatment. Furthermore, low systemic inflammation and high levels of IFN-γ characterized patients with long term-response to ICI treatment. Pre-therapeutic assessment of inflammation and cytokine profiles has the ability to predict response and survival in NSCLC patients treated with single agent ICIs.

New developments in locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer

Locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer, due to its varying prognosis, is grouped according to TNM stage IIIA, IIIB and IIIC. Developments over the last 3 years have been focused on the integration of immunotherapy into the combination treatment of a locally definitive therapy (surgery or radiotherapy) and chemotherapy. For concurrent chemoradiotherapy, consolidation therapy with durvalumab was established. Adjuvant targeted therapy has again gained increasing interest. In order to adapt treatment to the specific stage subgroup and its prognosis, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and pathological evaluation of the mediastinum are important. Tumours should be investigated for immunological features and driver mutations. Regarding toxicity, evaluation of pulmonary and cardiac function, as well as symptoms and quality of life, is of increasing importance. To improve the management and prognosis of this heterogeneous entity, clinical trials and registries should take these factors into account.

Treatment of COPD Groups GOLD A and B with Inhaled Corticosteroids in the COSYCONET Cohort - Determinants and Consequences

Background

In COPD patients of GOLD groups A and B, a high degree of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) has been reported, which is regarded as overtreatment according to GOLD recommendations. We investigated which factors predict ICS use and which relationship it has to clinical and functional outcomes, or healthcare costs.

Methods

We used pooled data from visits 1 and 3 of the COSYCONET cohort (n=2741, n=2053, interval 1.5 years) including patients categorized as GOLD grades 1-4 and GOLD group A or B at both visits (n=1080). Comparisons were performed using ANOVA, and regression analyses using propensity matching and inverse probability weighting to adjust for differences between ICS groups. These were defined as having ICS at both visits (always) vs no ICS at both visits (never). Measures were divided into predictors of ICS treatment and outcomes.

Results

Among 1080 patients, 608 patients were eligible for ICS groups (n=297 never, n=311 always). Prior to matching, patients with ICS showed significantly (p<0.05 each) impaired lung function, symptoms and exacerbation history. After matching, the outcomes generic quality of life and CO diffusing capacity were increased in ICS patients (p<0.05 each). Moreover, costs for respiratory medication, but not total health care costs, were significantly elevated in the ICS group by 780€ per year.

Conclusion

ICS therapy in COPD GOLD A/B patients can have small positive and negative effects on clinical outcomes and health care costs, indicating that the clinical evaluation of ICS over-therapy in COPD requires a multi-dimensional approach.

Lorlatinib in pretreated ALK- or ROS1-positive lung cancer and impact of TP53 co-mutations: results from the German early access program

Introduction:

We report on the results of the German early access program (EAP) with the third-generation ALK- and ROS1-inhibitor lorlatinib.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with documented treatment failure of all approved ALK/ROS1-specific therapies or with resistance mutations not covered by approved inhibitors or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis were enrolled and analyzed.

Results:

In total, 52 patients were included [median age 57 years (range 32–81), 54% female, 62% never smokers, 98% adenocarcinoma]; 71% and 29% were ALK- and ROS1-positive, respectively. G1202R and G2032R resistance mutations prior to treatment with lorlatinib were observed in 10 of 26 evaluable patients (39%), 11 of 39 patients showed TP53 mutations (28%). Thirty-six patients (69%) had active brain metastases (BM) and nine (17%) leptomeningeal carcinomatosis when entering the EAP. Median number of prior specific TKIs was 3 (range 1–4). Median duration of treatment, progression-free survival (PFS), response rate and time to treatment failure were 10.4 months, 8.0 months, 54% and 13.0 months. Calculated 12-, 18- and 24-months survival rates were 65, 54 and 47%, overall survival since primary diagnosis (OS2) reached 79.6 months. TP53 mutations were associated with a substantially reduced PFS (3.7 versus 10.8 month, HR 3.3, p = 0.003) and were also identified as a strong prognostic biomarker (HR for OS2 3.0 p = 0.02). Neither prior treatments with second-generation TKIs nor BM had a significant influence on PFS and OS.

Conclusions:

Our data from real-life practice demonstrate the efficacy of lorlatinib in mostly heavily pretreated patients, providing a clinically meaningful option for patients with resistance mutations not covered by other targeted therapies and those with BM or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Survival benefit and toxicity profile of adjuvant icotinib for patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung carcinoma: a retrospective study

Background

Adjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are increasing considered for the tailored management of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to analyze the survival and toxicity profile of patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC treated with adjuvant icotinib.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective study of patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC who underwent R0 (microscopically margin-negative) resection and received adjuvant icotinib between November 2011 and December 2017. The outcomes included 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate, 3-year overall survival (OS) rates, DFS, OS, and adverse events (AEs).

Results

A total of 86 patients receiving adjuvant icotinib were included. Their mean age was 59.7±10.0 years, and 26 (30.2%) patients were male. The 2-year DFS rate was 86.7%, and the 3-year OS rate was 95.3% with adjuvant icotinib. DFS (P=0.044) and OS (P=0.003) are better in stage I/II disease than in stage III disease. There seems no differences in DFS and OS between patients with low or high preoperative CEA levels (cutoff of 5 ng/mL), patients with exon 19 or 21 EGFR mutation or patients with or without smoking history. The most common AEs with adjuvant icotinib were rash (83.7%) and diarrhea (19.8%). One (1.2%) patient-reported grade ≥3 AEs. No treatment-related death occurred.

Conclusions

For patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, adjuvant icotinib might be associated with a promising survival benefit, with an acceptable toxicity profile.

Deterioration and Mortality Risk of COPD Patients Not Fitting into Standard GOLD Categories: Results of the COSYCONET Cohort

BACKGROUND

Patients with COPD-specific symptoms and history but FEV1/FVC ratio ≥0.7 are a heterogeneous group (former GOLD grade 0) with uncertainties regarding natural history.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated which lung function measures and cutoff values are predictive for deterioration according to GOLD grades and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

We used visit 1-4 data of the COSYCONET cohort. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to identify relevant parameters. GOLD 0 patients were categorized according to whether they maintained grade 0 over the following 2 visits or deteriorated persistently into grades 1 or 2. Their clinical characteristics were compared with those of GOLD 1 and 2 patients.

RESULTS

Among 2,741 patients, 374 GOLD 0, 206 grade 1, and 962 grade 2 patients were identified. GOLD 0 patients were characterized by high symptom burden, comparable to grade 2, and a restrictive lung function pattern; those with FEV1/FVC above 0.75 were unlikely to deteriorate over time into grades 1 and 2, in contrast to those with values between 0.70 and 0.75. Regarding mortality risk in GOLD 0, FEV1%predicted and age were the relevant determinants, whereby a cutoff value of 65% was superior to that of 80% as proposed previously.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding patients of the former GOLD grade 0, we identified simple criteria for FEV1/FVC and FEV1% predicted that were relevant for the outcome in terms of deterioration over time and mortality. These criteria might help to identify patients with the typical risk profile of COPD among those not fulfilling spirometric COPD criteria.

Treatment Sequencing for Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Rearranged Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Most NSCLC patients are diagnosed with advanced disease and require systemic treatment. Despite emerging advances in chemotherapy and immunotherapy, the prognosis of stage IV patients remains poor. However, the discovery of oncogenic driver mutations including mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and others, characterize a subset of patients with the opportunity of targeted therapies. Fusions between the ALK and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) are present in ∼ 3-5% of patients with NSCLC. Several first-, second-, and third-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed in the last decade and have tremendously changed treatment options and outcomes of ALK-positive NSCLC patients. With increasing treatment options, treatment sequence decisions have become more and more complex. ALK-mutations, fusion variants, or activation of by-pass pathways result in treatment resistance during the course of treatment in nearly all patients. Mutation-guided treatment sequencing can lead to better outcomes, and re-biopsy or liquid-biopsy should be performed whenever possible in case of disease progression in ALK-rearranged patients. In the future, combinational treatment of ALK TKIs with other pathway-inhibitors might further improve patients' treatment options and outcomes. Here, we review the data for currently available ALK TKIs, discuss approaches of treatment sequencing, and give an outlook on emerging developments.

Response to Checkpoint Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Molecular Driver Alterations

AIMS

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR mutations do not respond well to checkpoint inhibitors. However, little is known about the activity of immunotherapy in NSCLC with other driver mutations. The increasing use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) leads to molecular findings that face the clinician with problems while choosing the best treatment. This study aims at analyzing response of NSCLC with driver mutations to immunotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively included 84 NSCLC patients diagnosed and treated at 2 German tertiary-care lung cancer centers using NGS and treatment with immunotherapy. Response to immunotherapy was analyzed in correlation to molecular findings.

RESULTS

51 patients harbored at least 1 driver mutation. PIK3CA, EGFR, and STK11 mutations did not respond to immunotherapy. KRAS, TP53, and MET exon 14 skipping mutations responded well. One patient with NF-1 mutation showed durable response.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular testing may be of use in guiding treatment decision making in NSCLC.

Hedgehog Pathway Activation Might Mediate Pemetrexed Resistance in NSCLC Cells

BACKGROUND/AIM

Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is the main cause of reduced survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The Hedgehog (HH) pathway has been shown to be crucial in cell development and survival. Activated in several types of cancer it might be a potent bypass mechanism mediating chemotherapy resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HCC827 NSCLC cells were treated with sub-lethal doses of pemetrexed to produce pemetrexed resistance. RT-qPCR was performed to measure gene expression of HH pathway proteins. A cell growth assay was used to measure the impact of the HH-inhibitor Gant61 in naïve and chemoresistant cell lines.

RESULTS

Pemetrexed resistant cells showed significantly increased expression of HH signaling genes (GLI1, GLI2, GLI3, PTCH1, SHH). Supporting these results, pemetrexed resistant cells treated with the HH inhibitor Gant61 showed reduced proliferation compared to naïve cells.

CONCLUSION

HH pathway may play an important role in mediating pemetrexed resistance in NSCLC cells. Blocking the HH pathway may be a potential option to overcome this resistance.

Orphan Drugs in Development for the Treatment of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Emerging Data on Lurbinectedin

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death of all cancer entities and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant subtype. Despite good initial response to chemotherapy, many patients relapse early and success of second line treatment remains poor. For years, no relevant improvement of second line treatment has been achieved in the field of SCLC. Lurbinectedin, a novel RNA-polymerase II inhibitor has shown promising results in pretreated SCLC patients as single agent and in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs leading to an orphan drug designation from the FDA. This article reviews the current data on this emerging substance and its impact on the treatment of SCLC.

The association of cognitive functioning as measured by the DemTect with functional and clinical characteristics of COPD: results from the COSYCONET cohort

Alterations of cognitive functions have been described in COPD. Our study aimed to disentangle the relationship between the degree of cognitive function and COPD characteristics including quality of life (QoL).

Data from 1969 COPD patients of the COSYCONET cohort (GOLD grades 1–4; 1216 male/ 753 female; mean (SD) age 64.9 ± 8.4 years) were analysed using regression and path analysis. The DemTect screening tool was used to measure cognitive function, and the St. George‘s respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) to assess disease-specific QoL.

DemTect scores were < 9 points in 1.6% of patients and < 13 points in 12% when using the original evaluation algorithm distinguishing between < 60 or > =60 years of age. For statistical reasons, we used the average of both algorithms independent of age in all subsequent analyses. The DemTect scores were associated with oxygen content, 6-min-walking distance (6-MWD), C-reactive protein (CRP), modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale (mMRC) and the SGRQ impact score. Conversely, the SGRQ impact score was independently associated with 6-MWD, FVC, mMRC and DemTect. These results were combined into a path analysis model to account for direct and indirect effects. The DemTect score had a small, but independent impact on QoL, irrespective of the inclusion of COPD-specific influencing factors or a diagnosis of cognitive impairment.

We conclude that in patients with stable COPD lower oxygen content of blood as a measure of peripheral oxygen supply, lower exercise capacity in terms of 6-MWD, and higher CRP levels were associated with reduced cognitive capacity. Furthermore, a reduction in cognitive capacity was associated with reduced disease-specific quality of life. As a potential clinical implication of this work, we suggest to screen especially patients with low oxygen content and low 6-MWD for cognitive impairment.

Late-onset severe pneumonitis under osimertinib

Pneumonitis is a rare and possibly life threatening side effect of TKI-treatment. We present a patient with adenocarcinoma of the lung harboring an uncommon EGFR Exon 21 mutation treated with osimertinib as second-line therapy. After nine months of treatment, the patient developed progressing shortness of breath and night sweats. A severe late-onset predominantly eosinophilic pneumonitis was diagnosed, osimertinib treatment was discontinued and immunosuppressive treatment was initiated. This case report highlights late-onset pneumonitis as a side effect of third-generation TKI-treatment and possible options for subsequent tumor treatment.

Excellent platinum dependent response to chemotherapy after relapse under TKI treatment in NSCLC with sensitizing EGFR mutations and no detectable resistance mutations: three case studies

First-line tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment is the current standard for patients with metastasized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Despite good initial responses, patients treated with TKIs relapse after an average of 12 months. About half of them develop known resistance mechanisms and therefore are qualified for further targeted therapies. However, many patients still have to be treated with standard chemotherapeutic regimens. In this case series we describe three patients with similar progression patterns under TKI treatment in the absence of treatable resistance mechanisms and excellent platinum dependent response to chemotherapy and review the current literature focusing on effectiveness of standard chemotherapy in this cohort.

Characteristics and treatment of new-onset arthritis after checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may cause immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). Characterisation and data on treatment of musculoskeletal IRAEs are scarce. In this cohort study, patients receiving ICI therapy who experienced arthralgia were evaluated for the presence of synovitis. Data on demographics, ICI regime, time of onset, imaging and response to therapy of synovitis were prospectively collected. Arthritis was demonstrated in 14 of 16 patients of whom 7 showed monarthritis, 5 had oligoarthritis and 2 had polyarthritis. Patients with ICI-induced arthritis were predominantly male (57%) and seronegative (69%). Regarding the detection of synovitis in staging imaging, moderate sensitivity for contrast-enhanced CT with PET-CT as reference was observed. Disease burden at baseline was high and was significantly reduced after anti-inflammatory treatment. Nine patients were treated with systemic and eight patients with intra-articular glucocorticoids. Six patients who flared on glucocorticoid treatment on tapering were given methotrexate resulting in long-term remission. Patients with synovitis were more likely to have good tumour response. Patients with ICI-induced arthritis were predominantly male and seronegative showing different patterns of arthritis with high disease burden. Good efficacy and safety was observed for methotrexate, particularly for ICI-induced polyarthritis.