A Phase II Study of High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Relieving Dyspnea in Advanced Cancer Patients

CONTEXT

The efficacy and tolerability of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) for relieving dyspnea in advanced cancer patients with limited prognosis requires elucidation.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of HFNC regarding dyspnea including severe as well as moderate for longer durations in patients under palliative care.

METHODS

In this prospective study, hospitalized patients with advanced cancer who had dyspnea at rest (numeric rating scale, NRS≥3) and hypoxemia were enrolled. They were treated with HFNC for five days in the respiratory unit. Primary endpoint was mean change of modified Borg scale at 24 hours. Key secondary endpoints consisted of mean changes in modified Borg scale during the study period and feasibility (Trial Identifier, UMIN000035738).

RESULTS

Between February 2019 and February 2022, 25 patients were enrolled and 21 were analyzed. Twenty patients used inspired oxygen and the mean fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) was 0.34 (range, 0.21-1.0). At baseline, mean NRS (dyspnea) was 5.9 (range, 3-10). Median survival time was 19 days (range, 3-657). The mean change of modified Borg scale was 1.4 (80% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8-1.9) at 24 hours, 12 patients (57%) showed 1.0 points improvement of modified Borg scale. Within two hours, 15 patients showed 1.0 points improvement of modified Borg scale and such early responders were likely to maintain dyspnea improvement for 24 hours. Nineteen patients could continue HFNC for 24 hours and 11 patients completed five days of HFNC.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this trial is the first prospective study to assess the five-day efficacy and tolerability of HFNC for dyspnea in patients under palliative care. Although this did not reach the prespecified endpoint, about half of the patients showed 1.0 point improvement, a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) in the chronic lung disease. HFNC can be a palliative treatment option in advanced cancer patients with dyspnea.

Machine learning analysis of pathological images to predict 1-year progression-free survival of immunotherapy in patients with small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

In small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) could be a promising biomarker for immunotherapy, but objectively evaluating TIME remains challenging. Hence, we aimed to develop a predictive biomarker of immunotherapy efficacy through a machine learning analysis of the TIME.

METHODS

We conducted a biomarker analysis in a prospective study of patients with extensive-stage SCLC who received chemoimmunotherapy as the first-line treatment. We trained a model to predict 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) using pathological images (H&E, programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and double immunohistochemical assay (cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8) and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)) and patient information. The primary outcome was the mean area under the curve (AUC) of machine learning models in predicting the 1-year PFS.

RESULTS

We analyzed 100,544 patches of pathological images from 78 patients. The mean AUC values of patient information, pathological image, and combined models were 0.789 (range 0.571-0.982), 0.782 (range 0.750-0.911), and 0.868 (range 0.786-0.929), respectively. The PFS was longer in the high efficacy group than in the low efficacy group in all three models (patient information model, HR 0.468, 95% CI 0.287 to 0.762; pathological image model, HR 0.334, 95% CI 0.117 to 0.628; combined model, HR 0.353, 95% CI 0.195 to 0.637). The machine learning analysis of the TIME had better accuracy than the human count evaluations (AUC of human count, CD8-positive lymphocyte: 0.681, FoxP3-positive lymphocytes: 0.626, PD-L1 score: 0.567).

CONCLUSIONS

The spatial analysis of the TIME using machine learning predicted the immunotherapy efficacy in patients with SCLC, thus supporting its role as an immunotherapy biomarker.

Mannitol versus furosemide in patients with thoracic malignancies who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy using short hydration: A randomized phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Mannitol is exclusively recommended in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for diuresis in cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy. The utility of furosemide, a widely used and convenient diuretic, thus requires clarification.

METHODS

This is a prospective, single-centered, open-label, noninferiority phase II study. Patients with thoracic malignancies who planned to receive CDDP-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either mannitol (arm A) or furosemide (arm B). The primary end point was set as the proportion of patients who experienced any grade of "creatinine (Cr) increased" based on the upper limit of the normal range (ULN) during the first cycle as assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0. Secondary end points were Cr increased based on the baseline value during the first cycle, Cr increased after the completion of CDDP, and the proportion of patients with phlebitis.

RESULTS

Between April 2018 and March 2022, 115 patients were enrolled and 106 were analyzed. Any grade of Cr increased based on the ULN during the first cycle was 17.3% (arm A) and 24.1% (arm B), respectively (p = 0.34). Therefore, the primary end point was not met. After completion of chemotherapy, any grade of Cr increased was observed in 23.1% (arm A) and 31.5% (arm B), respectively. However, the actual serum Cr level and Cr clearance during the courses were not different between the arms. Phlebitis occurred more frequently in arm A (28.8%) than arm B (16.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Mannitol should remain the standard diuresis in CDDP-based chemotherapy assessed by conventional CTCAE grading, but furosemide can be room for consideration when assessed by actual serum Cr level and Cr clearance.

Osimertinib as first-line treatment for elderly patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer in a real-world setting (OSI-FACT-EP)

OBJECTIVES

Osimertinib is the primary treatment for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer. However, evidence of the outcomes of osimertinib treatment in patients over 75 years of age in the real-world setting is limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed the data of 538 patients (203 elderly and 335 non-elderly) with EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer in whom osimertinib was initiated as first-line treatment between August 2018 and December 2019. Patients over 75 years of age were classified as elderly. The data cut-off date was February 28, 2022.

RESULTS

The progression-free survival (PFS) did not significantly differ between the elderly and non-elderly groups [elderly group: median PFS, 16.9 months (95 % confidence interval (CI), 14.3-20.2); non-elderly group: median PFS, 22.1 months (95 % CI: 19.5-26.3); hazard ratio (HR) for the elderly against the non-elderly: 1.21 (95 % CI: 0.98-1.50), p = 0.079]. However, the time to treatment failure (TTF) was significantly shorter in the elderly than in the non-elderly [elderly group: median TTF, 14.0 months (95 % CI: 0.98-1.50); non-elderly group: median TTF, 21.8 months (95 % CI: 18.2-24.6); HR for the elderly against the non-elderly: 1.46 (95 % CI: 1.20-1.77), p < 0.001]. Furthermore, the rate of treatment discontinuation because of adverse events was 28.6 % in the elderly and 14.9 % in the non-elderly (p < 0.001). Among patients who discontinued treatment, the conversion rate to second-line treatment was 39.6 % in the elderly and 72.8 % in the non-elderly. In addition, the median overall survival was 30 months (95 % CI: 25.8-37.7) in the elderly and not reached (NR) (95 % CI: NR-NR) in the non-elderly (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In a real-world clinical setting, elderly patients receiving osimertinib as first-line treatment should be aware of the frequent inability to transition to second-line treatment due to adverse events.

Pneumonitis associated with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Studies elucidating detailed characteristics of pneumonitis in association with chemo-immunotherapy are limited. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of images, prognostic factors, and clinical course of combination therapy associated with pneumonitis. A multicenter, retrospective cohort study of patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer who received a combination of platinum, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab was conducted. Patients with confirmed pneumonitis established by an independent multidisciplinary team were enrolled. For 53 patients with pneumonitis, radiographic features at diagnosis predominantly comprised an organizing pneumonia pattern (62%, 33/53). Twelve (23%) patients experienced a worsening respiratory status during pneumonitis management, which was associated with a high mortality rate (58%, 7/12) during treatment. Severe grade at pneumonitis diagnosis (p < 0.001), diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) pattern (p = 0.002), and disease extent ≥ 25% in the lungs (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with worsening respiratory status. Furthermore, post-diagnosis survival was significantly worse in severe pneumonitis (p = 0.02) than in mild and in patients with the DAD pattern than in those without (p < 0.0001). We showed detailed clinical course of patients with pneumonitis and reported several important influencing factors. Given the small number of trials on pneumonitis, our findings provide valuable information to guide the development of appropriate management guidelines and improve pneumonitis treatment.

Impact of pre-existing interstitial lung abnormal shadow on lung injury development and severity in patients of non-small cell lung cancer treated with osimertinib

Background

First‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI) sometimes causes lung injury, thereby affecting survival. Although pre‐existing interstitial lung abnormal shadow (pre‐ILS) increases the risk of lung injury by EGFR‐TKIs, its impact on osimertinib, a third‐generation EGFR‐TKI, remains unknown.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective cohort study consecutively enrolled patients of EGFR‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer treated with osimertinib. Computed tomography images were obtained and evaluated independently by three pulmonologists in a blinded manner. Factors associated with lung injury were assessed using a logistic regression model. Survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using a log‐rank test.

Results

Of the 195 patients, 40 had pre‐ILS, and 21 (8 with and 13 without pre‐ILS) developed lung injury during the observation period. Multivariate analysis revealed that pre‐ILS was independently associated with lung injury (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–8.2; p = 0.025). Severe (≥Grade 3) lung injury was observed in eight (4.1%) patients, of whom, two (5%) and six (3.9%) had and did not have pre‐ILS (p = 0.67), respectively. Grade 5 lung injury was not observed, and survival curves were similar between the patients who developed lung injury and those who did not (median 11 vs. 12 months; hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.56–2.7; p = 0.60).

Conclusions

Pre‐ILS increased the risk of lung injury in patients of non‐small cell lung cancer treated with osimertinib, while the severity of lung injury was not clearly affected by the presence of pre‐ILS.

Pre-treatment serum protein levels predict survival of non-small cell lung cancer patients without durable clinical benefit by PD-1/L1 inhibitors

While PD-1/L1 inhibitors are characterized by durable tumor control, they also prolong survival without prolongation of progression-free survival (PFS) in part of patients. However, little is known about the factors and mechanisms involved in this. Between December 2015 and September 2018, 106 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with ICI monotherapy were enrolled in a prospective-observational study. Sixty-nine of whom progressed or died within 6 months after ICI initiation were defined as patients without durable clinical benefit (NDBs). Clinical factors and 39 serum proteins before ICI initiation and at the time of progressive disease (PD) were explored for an association with overall survival (OS) and OS after PD (OS-PD). As a result, median PFS, OS, and OS-PD were 44 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 39-56), 211 days (95% CI: 158-425), and 193 days (95% CI: 118-349), respectively. By multivariate analysis for OS, CRP (> 1.44 mg/dl) [HR 2.59 (95% CI:1.33-5.04), P = 0.005] and follistatin (> 685 pg/ml) [HR 2.29 (95% CI:1.12-4.69), P = 0.023] before ICI initiation were significantly predictive. Notably, no serum protein at the time of PD was predictive for OS-PD. There were also no serum predictive factors of OS in the 33 patients with durable clinical benefit. In conclusion, serum levels of CRP and follistatin before ICI initiation, not at the time of PD, are predictive for OS in NDBs, suggesting long-term survivor in NDBs are predetermined by the immune status before ICI initiation.

Abstract 2976: Establishment of organoids derived from patients with advanced thoracic malignancies

Background: In the past decade, three-dimensional organoid culture derived from various tumors has been applied to cancer research. Compared to the conventional two-dimensional cell culture, organoid culture recapitulates in vivo system and furthermore, its high establishment rate may hold the potential to help decision-making for precision medicine. However, it remains challenging to establish organoids from advanced thoracic malignancies due to a limited amount of biopsy specimens. Here, we report the attempt to establish organoids from endoscopic biopsy specimens and pleural effusions in patients with advanced thoracic malignancies

Methods: Organoid culture was attempted using biopsy specimens or pleural effusions from patients who underwent transbronchial biopsy, thoracoscopic biopsy or thoracentesis. After confirming the presence of malignant cells by rapid on-site evaluation, biopsy specimens were digested with collagenase and dispase at 37°C followed by being harvested and cultured in Matrigel. As for pleural effusions, mononuclear cells were isolated by ficoll density gradient centrifugation and CD45+ cells were depleted using anti-CD45 magnetic beads. Then, the resultant cells were cultured in Matrigel. Next-generation sequencing was performed to confirm cancer-related somatic mutations using Ion PGM system. Cell viability assay was performed by resazurin assay.

Results:142 patients were registered in the study between May 2019 and October 2020 at Wakayama Medical University. Fifty-one cases were excluded because of negative diagnosis for malignancy, retraction of the consent or risk of bleeding associated with biopsy. We attempted to culture organoids using 98 samples from 91 patients. The types of malignancies were as follows: non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC)/SCLC/others, 80/8/3. A total of 33 organoids were successfully cultured with sustainable proliferation and 16 were successfully cryopreserved. Established organoids were confirmed to harbor the same mutations as detected by clinical testing with tissue samples and to form tumors in a xenotransplantation model. HLCO-75, established from pleural effusion at disease progression after osimertinib treatment was genotyped and found to gain ERBB2 V777L mutation in exon 20 in addition to original EGFR L858R mutation. Marked growth-inhibitory effect by poziotinib, a HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor with IC50 value 6 nM was observed whereas not by TAS6417, another EGFR/HER2 exon 20 inhibitor, suggesting the potential of organoid culture for decision-making in cancer precision medicine.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that organoid culture is feasible from small biopsy specimens and these organoids could be applied for personalized medicine.

Citation Format: Jun Oyanagi, Yasuhiro Koh, Koichi Sato, Masanori Tanaka, Katsuyuki Furuta, Takeya Sugimoto, Ryota Shibaki, Shunsuke Teraoka, Daichi Fujimoto, Nahomi Tokudome, Hiroaki Akamatsu, Atsushi Hayata, Atsushi Hayata, Yuichi Ozawa, Hiroki Ueda, Nobuyuki Yamamoto. Establishment of organoids derived from patients with advanced thoracic malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2976.

Tumor expression of cGAS, not STING, negatively impacts on the efficacy of PD-1/L1 inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer with PD-L1 TPS ≥50

e21048

Background: The cGAS/STING pathway is an innate immune pathway that promotes cytokine production in response to cytoplasmic DNA, and its activation is important for the induction of anti-tumor immunity. However, predictivity of cGAS/STING tumor expression on the efficacy of PD-1/L1 inhibitors and subsequent immune responses (e.g., changes in serum cytokines) remain to be elucidated. Non-small cell lung cancer with PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) of 50% or higher respond well to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy, but there is still a poor response group among them, and the extraction of such patients is an urgent issue. Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of prospective biomarker study, which enrolled 106 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with ICI monotherapy between December 2015 and September 2018. We investigated in 68 patients with preserved evaluable tissue samples taken before start of ICI treatment. cGAS, STING, and PD-L1 expression in tumors were stained by immunohistochemistry. cGAS and STING were evaluated by H-score. Using peripheral blood which was collected by the observational study, 41 serum proteins at the time of PD-1/L1 inhibitors initiation and in 4 – 6 weeks later were quantified. Results: The median cGAS and STING H-SCORE were 220 (5 – 300) and 190 (0 – 300), respectively. There were no differences in cGAS or STING H-SCORE between PD-L1 high (TPS ≥50) and low (TPS < 50) groups ( p= 0.990 and 0.283). Cases were divided into two groups according to median of the H-SCORE, respectively, and compared. Unexpectedly, cGAS high (H-SCORE ≥220) patients showed significantly shorter progression free survival of ICI when PD-L1 TPS ≥50 (median progression free survival (PFS); 143 days vs. not reached, p = 0.028) and progression free rate at 18 months was 7 and 53%, while no association was observed when PD-L1 TPS < 50 (median PFS; 47 vs. 61 days, p= 0.798). STING tumor expression was not associated with PFS regardless of PD-L1 TPS. In cytokine analysis, cGAS high was associated with significantly higher serum concentrations of TGF-β1 and β2 before ICI initiation (47.5 vs. 22.3hg/l, p= 0.023; 2118 vs. 882rg/ml, p= 0.037), and H-SCORE of cGAS, not STING, were significantly correlated with TGF-β1 and β2 basal levels (r = 0.447, p= 0.009; r = 0.373, p= 0.033). Analysis about fold change from baseline to 4 – 6 weeks later of 41 cytokines revealed that leptin significantly increased in cGAS high tumor while no difference was seen in all of cytokines between STING high and low tumor. Conclusions: Tumor expression (H-Score) of cGAS, not STING, is a candidate for predictor of poor response to ICI monotherapy in NSCLC with PD-L1 high (TPS ≥50). cGAS tumor expression may be associated with TGF-β producing, immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment in NSCLC. Clinical trial information: UMIN000024414.

The safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of niraparib in Japanese patients with solid tumours: results of a phase I dose-escalation study

Background

Niraparib is the only poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) inhibitor available as oral monotherapy for maintenance, regardless of BRCA mutational status.

Methods

This phase I, open-label, non-randomized, dose-escalation study was conducted in Japan using a 3 + 3 design. Adults (≥20 years) with metastatic or locally advanced solid tumours were enrolled. Niraparib 200 mg (cohort 1) or 300 mg (cohort 2) was administered once daily in 21-day cycles (no drug holiday between cycles) until progressive disease (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of niraparib in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours. The number of patients with dose-limiting toxicities in cycle 1 and number with treatment-emergent adverse events were primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints were pharmacokinetics and tumour response.

Results

There were three patients in cohort 1 and six patients in cohort 2. Only one patient, in cohort 2, developed a dose-limiting toxicity (grade 4 platelet count decreased). All patients in both cohorts developed treatment-emergent adverse events. The most common treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events were decreased appetite (n = 2) in cohort 1, and platelet count decreased as well as aspartate aminotransferase increased (both n = 5) in cohort 2. Mean C_max and AUC_0–24 of niraparib increased dose-proportionally after multiple doses (accumulation ratio of between 1.64 and 3.65); median t_max was 3–4 h. Two patients, both in cohort 2, had a partial response to treatment.

Conclusions

Niraparib (200 or 300 mg/day) was tolerable and had a favourable pharmacokinetic profile in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours.

A phase II study of cisplatin plus vinorelbine combined with atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer with EGFR mutation (West Japan Oncology Group 11719L/ADJUST study)

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is a standard treatment in EGFR-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, previous data have suggested that EGFR-TKI has limited potential as adjuvant therapy. On the contrary, based on subset analysis with the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutation, we hypothesized that this combination was worth testing as adjuvant therapy in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

Methods

Herein, we introduce our phase II study of cisplatin plus vinorelbine combined with atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for completely resected NSCLC with EGFR mutation. Accrued patients will be pathological stage II-IIIA with completely resected NSCLC and whose tumors have EGFR mutation. Treatment comprises four cycles of cisplatin plus vinorelbine combined with atezolizumab followed by maintenance with atezolizumab. The primary endpoint is the disease-free survival (DFS) rate at 2 years. Secondary endpoints are DFS, overall survival, and safety. In total, 18 patients will be enrolled in this study.

Discussion

Ongoing phase III trials of adjuvant ICI allow the inclusion of patients with EGFR mutation, but our current trial will provide the earliest clinical data on the efficacy of platinum-doublet chemotherapy with atezolizumab.

CD24, not CD47, negatively impacts upon response to PD-1/L1 inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer with PD-L1 tumor proportion score < 50

CD24, a heavily glycosylated glycosylphosphatidylinositol–anchored surface protein, inhibits phagocytosis as potently as CD47. The relationship between such anti‐phagocytic factors and the immune response with immune–checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) remains unexplored. We evaluated CD24 and CD47 tumor proportion scores (TPS) in 68 of the 106 patients with advanced non–small‐cell lung cancer who participated in a prospective observational study of ICI treatment. We also explored the impact of CD24 TPS and CD47 TPS on ICI efficacy and serum cytokine changes. CD24 positivity (TPS ≥ 1) was negatively associated with progression–free survival (PFS) of ICI when PD‐L1 TPS was < 50 (median PFS; 37 vs 127 d, P = .033), but there was no association when PD‐L1 TPS was ≥ 50 (median PFS; 494 vs 144 d, P = .168). CD24 positivity was also related to significantly higher increase of CCL2 from baseline to 4‐6 wk later, and such increase was notably observed only when PD‐L1 TPS < 50 (P = .0004). CCL2 increase after ICI initiation was negatively predictive for survival after initiation of ICI (median survival time; not reached vs 233 d; P = .028). CD47 TPS high (≥60) significantly suppressed the increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A, D and PDGF‐AB/BB after ICI initiation. There was no association, however, between CD47 tumor expression and the efficacy of ICI. In conclusion, CD24, not CD47, is a candidate negative predictive marker of ICI in advanced, non–small‐cell lung cancer with PD‐L1 TPS < 50. Tumor expression of both CD24 and CD47 was associated with changes in factors related to monocytes and angiogenesis after ICI initiation (UMIN000024414).

Association between serum level soluble programmed cell death ligand 1 and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with anti-PD-1 antibody

Background

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) is known to have soluble forms aside from its membrane‐bound forms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive and prognostic values of serum soluble PD‐L1 (sPD‐L1) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with anti‐PD‐1 antibody.

Methods

A total of 233 patients were enrolled in this study. We assessed the level of serum sPD‐L1 before anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) and evaluated the correlation with PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells, the response to anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment, and patient outcome.

Results

The median serum sPD‐L1 concentration was 67.7 (range, 25 to 223) pg/mL. A weak correlation between serum sPD‐L1 and tumor PD‐L1 expression was observed. The disease control rate in the high sPD‐L1 group (≥90 pg/mL) was significantly lower than that in the low sPD‐L1 group (<90 pg/mL) (37% vs. 57%, P = 0.0158). The progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the high sPD‐L1 group were significantly shorter than those in the low sPD‐L1 group (median PFS, 57 days vs. 177 days, P = 0.011; median OS, 182 days vs. not reached, P < 0.001). The high level of serum sPD‐L1 was independently associated with a shorter PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.910; P = 0.061) and OS (HR, 2.073; P = 0.034) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The serum sPD‐L1 level, which was only weakly correlated with the tumor PD‐L1 expression level, was an independent predictive and prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients receiving anti‐PD‐1 antibody.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

The disease control rate in the high sPD‐L1 group was significantly lower than that in the low sPD‐L1 group. The progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the high sPD‐L1 group were significantly shorter than those in the low sPD‐L1 group. The high level of serum sPD‐L1 was independently associated with a shorter PFS and OS in multivariate analysis.

What this study adds

This study demonstrated that serum sPD‐L1 level was an independent predictive and prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients receiving anti‐PD‐1 antibody.

Predictive value of serum VEGF levels for elderly patients or for patients with poor performance status receiving anti-PD-1 antibody therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in elderly and poor performance status (PS) patients is controversial, because clinical evidence is limited. This study aimed to find a predictive biomarker for the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibodies in these patient populations. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who were ≥ 75 years of age or classified as PS 2 and received anti-PD-1 antibody treatment between December 2015 and May 2018. We evaluated the association between the efficacy of the anti-PD-1 antibody in these patients and the clinical variables thought to affect ICI efficacy. A total of 235 patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with anti-PD-1 antibodies, among whom 31 patients were ≥ 75 years of age and 22 were PS 2. A Cox proportional hazard model showed that only high levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly associated with a shorter progression-free survival in patients aged ≥ 75 years and those with PS 2. Among these cohorts, the overall response rate to anti-PD-1 treatment tended to be lower when serum VEGF was high compared to patients with low serum VEGF. Our results demonstrate that serum VEGF concentration may be a negative predictive biomarker in elderly and poor PS advanced NSCLC patients receiving anti-PD-1 antibody treatment. This finding may help identify patients who will not benefit from anti-PD-1 antibody therapy.

Immune-Related Adverse Events by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Significantly Predict Durable Efficacy Even in Responders with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background

Although predictive value of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been suggested by several studies, their assessments were insufficient because patients were categorized only by the occurrence of irAEs. It has not been elucidated whether irAEs also play a significant role even in responders.

Materials and Methods

Between December 2015 and September 2018, 106 patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer treated with ICIs were enrolled in our prospective biomarker study. Twenty‐three of these were responders, defined as those with complete or partial response. We investigated the proportion of irAEs among overall and responders. For responders, progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival of ICIs were compared between those with and without irAEs. As an exploratory analysis, we measured 41 proteins from peripheral blood before and after ICI treatment.

Results

The proportion of irAEs was significantly higher in responders than nonresponders (65.2% vs. 19.3%, p < .01). Among responders, clinical characteristics did not differ regardless of the occurrence of irAEs. However, there was a significant difference in PFS among responders (irAE group 19.1 months vs. non‐irAE group 5.6 months; hazard ratio: 0.30 [95% confidence interval: 0.10–0.85]; p = .02). Of 41 protein analyses, fibroblast growth factor‐2 at baseline and monocyte chemoattractant protein fold change showed significant differences between them (p < .04).

Conclusion

Although this is a small sample–sized study, irAE might be a predictive factor of durable efficacy, even in patients who responded to ICIs. Investigation into the significance of irAEs in responders will contribute to the establishment of optimal administration of ICI.

Implications for Practice

Although the predictive value of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been suggested by several studies, it has not been elucidated whether irAEs also play a significant role even in responders. This study showed that more than 60% of responders had irAEs. It demonstrated the strong correlation between irAEs and efficacy even in responders. Investigation into the significance of irAEs in responders will contribute to the establishment of optimal administration of ICI.

Immune‐related adverse events might be a predictive factor of efficacy, even I patients who respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. This study investigated the significance of immune‐related adverse events in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer who had complete or partial response after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Malignant pleural effusion as a predictor of the efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the presence of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) as a negative predictor of anti‐PD‐1 antibody efficacy.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with advanced or recurrent non‐small cell lung cancer treated with an anti‐PD‐1 antibody between December 2015 and March 2018 at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan, was conducted. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients with and without MPE. Additional survival analysis according to PD‐L1 expression status was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 252 patients were identified before the commencement of anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment: 33 with MPE and 219 without MPE. PFS and OS were significantly shorter in patients with MPE than in patients without MPE (median PFS 3.0 vs. 5.8 months, hazard ratio [HR] 1.7, P = 0.014; median OS 7.9 vs. 15.8 months, HR 2.1, P = 0.001). In patients with PD‐L1 expression in ≥ 1% of their tumor cells, the PFS of patients with MPE was significantly shorter than of patients without MPE (median PFS 3.1 vs. 6.5 months, HR 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.0–3.5; P = 0.021). The presence of MPE was independently associated with a shorter PFS and OS in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

The presence of MPE in patients administered an anti‐PD‐1 antibody is associated with shorter PFS and OS, regardless of the presence of PD‐L1 expression ≥ 1% of tumor cells.

Predictive impact of PD-L1-expressing circulating tumor cells in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab

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Background: PD-L1 expression on tumor tissue is associated with response to PD-1 blockade in NSCLC. Here, we conducted a serial evaluation of PD-1-expressing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a potential real-time diagnostic modality in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab. Methods: Advanced NSCLC patients after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen received nivolumab monotherapy (3mg/kg, q2W) until progressive disease (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. Peripheral whole blood (3 mL) was collected for CTC evaluation at baseline and at week 4. CTCs were detected using microcavity array system (Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd, Chikusei, Japan). PD-L1 expression was immunohistochemically examined on both tumor tissues and CTCs. This study was registered at UMIN (ID: 000024414). Results: Thirty patients were registered in the study between January 2016 and September 2016 at Wakayama Medical University Hospital and 29 were included in the analysis. Demographics of the patients were as follows: median age 70 (range, 49 to 86); male 73 %; stage IV, 100 %; squamous/non-squamous, 27/73 %. At baseline, CTCs were detected in all patients (median, 15; range, 1 to 90) and PD-L1-expressing CTCs were detected in 87% of patients. Tumor proportion score (TPS) of PD-L1 expression on CTCs ranged from 6% to 100%, indicating intrapatient heterogeneity. Matched tumor tissues were available from 14 patients and 7 showed the PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50%. No positive correlation was observed on PD-L1 expression between tumor tissues and CTCs based on TPS (R2 = 0.0035). Overall response rate was 25% (7/29), and disease control rate was 54% (15/29). Total CTC count was significantly decreased after nivolumab treatment at week 4 (p < 0.05), but no significant change was observed in PD-L1 TPS on CTC. Patients harboring CTCs with PD-L1 TPS 50% or more at baseline were significantly more likely to achieve non-PD than those harboring CTCs with TPS less than 50% (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This is the first report on a serial monitoring of PD-L1 expression on CTCs in patients treated with nivolumab. PD-L1-expressing CTCs are suggested to hold potential for predicting clinical benefit. Clinical trial information: 000024414.

Abstract 2257: Differential expression of PD-L1 on circulating tumor cells among patients with advanced lung cancer

Background and purpose:

Immune-checkpoint blockade with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibodies is rapidly emerging for the treatment of human malignancies including lung cancer. Although programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has been studied as a predictive biomarker, detection and evaluation of PD-L1 expression level on tissue samples remain challenging due to its dynamic and unstable expression. Thus the diagnostic tool for real-time monitoring of PD-L1 expression is critically needed. Here, we assessed the expression pattern of PD-L1 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) by using microcavity array (MCA) system in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Experimental procedure:

PD-L1 staining on CTCs was established using NSCLC cell lines H820, H441, A549 and H23 expressing varying levels of PD-L1 spiked in the peripheral blood obtained from healthy donors. For clinical evaluation, 3 ml of peripheral whole blood was collected from 20 advanced lung cancer patients prior to the initiation of chemotherapy and from 10 healthy donors. Cells were captured and immuno-stained by using the automated MCA system (Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd). CTCs were defined as those positive for DAPI and cytokeratin (CK) and negative for CD45. PD-L1 expression level on CTCs was visualized by addition of PD-L1 immunocytochemistry procedure. High-resolution fluorescent images were obtained using fluorescence microscope (Carl Zeiss Microscopy Co., Ltd).

Results:

Characteristics of 20 lung cancer patients enrolled in clinical study were as follows: median age 74 (range, 48 to 84); male 60%; stage III/IV, 10/90%; NSCLC/SCLC, 70/30%. More than 2 CTCs were identified in 14 patients (median 22.5; range, 4 to 71), and PD-L1 positive CTCs were detected in 12 patients (median 5; range, 2 to 15). No correlation was detected between the number of total CTCs and that of PD-L1 positive CTCs in each patient (R2 = 0.05). We found a total of 25 CTC clusters from 20 patients, of which PD-L1 expression was both homogenous and heterogeneous. It is noteworthy that clustered CTCs have larger proportion of PD-L1 positive CTCs per whole clustered CTCs than that of non-clustered CTCs (24/54, 44% versus 51/347, 15%, respectively). We further focused on CTC-interacting white blood cells, which intensively bound with aggregated CTCs rather than single CTC (12/54, 22% versus 43/337, 13%, respectively). Our data implicate that PD-L1 expression on CTC correlates with aggregation of CTCs (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions:

Our results showed that PD-L1 expression on CTCs was detectable and there is intrapatient heterogeneity of its expression in patients with advanced lung cancer. Further investigation is warranted to better understand the biological importance of the correlation between PD-1 expression and CTC aggregation and CTC bound to white blood cells.

Citation Format: Woong Kim, Yasuhiro Koh, Hiroaki Akamatsu, Satomi Yagi, Ayaka Tanaka, Kuninobu Kanai, Atsushi Hayata, Ryota Shibaki, Masayuki Higuchi, Hisashige Kanbara, Takashi Kikuchi, Keiichiro Akamatsu, Masanori Nakanishi, Hiroki Ueda, Nobuyuki Yamamoto. Differential expression of PD-L1 on circulating tumor cells among patients with advanced lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2257.