[Expectation for Surgery in Multi-modality Treatment in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

Clinical N2-stageⅢA non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) is known to be quite heterogeneous. Many clinical trials proved the effect of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced NSCLC, which is recommended as grade C1 by Clinical Guideline for Lung Cancer, however, induction treatment for clinical N2-stageⅢA remains still controversial. We showed retrospective data of concurrent chemoradiotherapy using S-1 and cisplatin followed by surgery, which may provide a better prognosis for locally advanced NSCLC patients. In addition, we summarized the findings of prospective clinical trials for treatment of clinical N2-stageⅢA NSCLC patients.

Clinicopathological features of younger (aged ≤ 50 years) lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring the EML4-ALK fusion gene

Background

The EML4‐ALK fusion gene has recently been identified as a driver mutation in a subset of non‐small cell lung cancers. In subsequent studies, EML4‐ALK has been detected in a low percentage of patients, and was associated with a lack of EGFR or KRAS mutations, younger age, and adenocarcinoma with acinar histology. Cases with the EML4‐ALK fusion gene were examined to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of young adenocarcinoma patients.

Methods

Between December 1998 and May 2009, 85 patients aged ≤ 50 with lung adenocarcinoma were treated at our hospital. We examined 49 samples from adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgical resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy for the EML4‐ALK gene. None of the patients received ALK inhibitors because these drugs had not been approved in Japan before 2012. EML4‐ALK fusion genes were screened using multiplex reverse‐transcription PCR assay, and were confirmed by direct sequencing.

Results

The EML4‐ALK fusion gene was detected in five tumors (10.2%). One patient had stage IB disease, one had stage IIIA, and three had stage IV. Histologically, there was one solid adenocarcinoma, two acinar adenocarcinomas, and two papillary adenocarcinomas. EML4‐ALK fusion genes were mutually exclusive to EGFR and KRAS mutations. The five‐year survival rate was 59.4% in patients without EML4‐ALK fusion and was not reached in patients with EML4‐ALK fusion.

Conclusion

The EML4‐ALK fusion gene may be a strong oncogene in younger patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Clinical and Genetic Implications of Mutation Burden in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

BACKGROUND

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a major histological subtype of lung cancer. In this study, we investigated genomic alterations in LSCC and evaluated the clinical implications of mutation burden (MB) in LSCC.

METHODS

Genomic alterations were determined in Japanese patients with LSCC (N = 67) using next-generation sequencing of 415 known cancer genes. MB was defined as the number of non-synonymous mutations per 1 Mbp. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression in cancer cells was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

TP53 gene mutations were the most common alteration (n = 51/67, 76.1%), followed by gene alterations in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (CDKN2B; 35.8%), CDKN2A (31.3%), phosphatase and tensin homolog (30.0%), and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2, 28.3%). Histological differentiation was significantly poorer in tumors with high MB (greater than or equal to the median MB) compared with that in tumors with low MB (less than the median MB; p = 0.0446). The high MB group had more tumors located in the upper or middle lobe than tumors located in the lower lobe (p = 0.0019). Moreover, cancers in the upper or middle lobes had significantly higher MB than cancers in the lower lobes (p = 0.0005), and tended to show higher PD-L1 protein expression (p = 0.0573). SOX2 and tyrosine kinase non-receptor 2 amplifications were associated with high MB (p = 0.0065 and p = 0.0010, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The MB level differed according to the tumor location in LSCC, suggesting that the location of cancer development may influence the genomic background of the tumor.

Cancer-associated retinopathy after surgery for breast cancer: a case report and review of the literature

We herein report a 50-year-old Japanese woman with breast cancer who complained of blurred vision and central scotoma in her left eye on the 12th day after surgery. Subsequently, the sudden-onset binocular visual disorder progressed, and she was diagnosed with cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) based on the clinical findings. Although her visual acuity temporarily improved following the start of adjuvant chemotherapy, reductions in her visual acuity progressed once again. After two courses of steroid pulse therapy initiated from the 59th day following the onset of CAR, although her visual field was still constricted, her binocular visual acuity improved from finger movement to 0.8 2 months later. The shorter the period from onset to treatment, the better the prognosis of the visual function. However, a diagnosis is often delayed because the incidence of this disease is very rare. Therefore, it is important to suspect CAR whenever a sudden visual disorder develops in cancer patients. Furthermore, treatment is believed to be effective even if steroid therapy is started up to 2 months from onset.

The Positive Relationship Between γH2AX and PD-L1 Expression in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Lung squamous cell carcinoma often arises from precancerous lesions where alterations in tumor suppressor genes and subsequent chromosomal instability are often observed due to carcinogen exposure. These tumors are often immunogenic; as such, immune checkpoint inhibitors are a promising therapeutic option. We hypothesized that the DNA damage response in tumor cells induces an immune response, thereby up-regulating programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor cells, which in turn sensitizes them to anti-PD-1 therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An immunohistochemical analysis was performed in 41 consecutive lung squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent surgery at our institution between April 2013 and March 2014.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed a high PD-L1 expression in 15 patients (37%) (p=0.028). The PD-L1 expression was positively associated with the nuclear γH2AX expression (p=0.02), that was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that nuclear γH2AX expression is positively associated with the PD-L1 expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma.

The prognostic impact of the platelet distribution width-to-platelet count ratio in patients with breast cancer

Activated platelets promote tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, and invasion. Platelet activity can be inferred by platelet volume indices (PVIs), which include platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width-to-platelet count ratio (PDW/P), and mean platelet volume-to-platelet count ratio. Platelets and platelet-related markers, such as the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, have been found to be significant prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. However, the role of PVIs for predicting survival in breast cancer remains unknown; hence, we performed this retrospective analysis of 275 patients with breast cancer. PVIs were compared with clinicopathological variables, and were assessed to identify independent indicators associated with disease-free survival (DFS) using the Cox proportional hazards model. An elevated PDW/P significantly correlated with age and HER2 status. Univariate analysis revealed that elevated PDW, MPV, and PDW/P as well as tumor size, nuclear grade, and lymph node involvement were significantly associated with inferior DFS rates (tumor size: p<0.01; nuclear grade, lymph node involvement, PDW, MPV, and PDW/P: p<0.05). On multivariate analysis, a large tumor size and elevated PDW/P were significant prognostic factors for DFS, with hazard ratios of 3.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-8.47) and 2.99 (95% CI: 1.18-7.57), respectively (p<0.05). Our study is the first to reveal that an elevated PDW/P significantly reduces DFS in patients with breast carcinoma. Measuring the PDW/P is simple, relatively inexpensive, and almost universally available using routine blood counts; this makes it an attractive biomarker for improved risk assessment.

Abstract 4107: Acquired resistance to EGFR-TKI in an uncommon G719S EGFR mutation

Background: Acquired resistance (AR) to EGFR-TKI is a common event and several underlying mechanisms, including T790M, MET amplification and PTEN downregulation have been reported for the common EGFR mutations: Deletion 19 and L858R. An EGFR G719X mutation is an uncommon mutation that was reported to show sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs in a series of clinical reports and experiments using transformed cultured cells. However, no established lung cancer or resistant cell lines harboring the EGFR G719X mutation have been reported in the literature. We established a lung adenocarcinoma cell line (G719S-GR) from the malignant pleural effusion of a patient whose tumor developed acquired resistance from initial treatment with gefitinib.

Materials and methods: G719S-GR cells were established and maintained in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 10%FBS and 10 μM ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632, Wako). The ROCK inhibitor was removed from the medium for the following experiments. Cell growth inhibition was examined with gefitinib and afatinib using CellTiter-Glo (Promega), and a comprehensive genomic analysis was performed using hybrid capture-based NGS (NCC oncopanel, Agilent; MiSeq, Illumina) for G719S-GR and MLPA (Salsa, MRC-holland) was used for the analysis of clinical tumor samples.

Results: A cell growth inhibition test revealed EGFR-TKI resistance in G719S-GR cells with an LC50 of more than 100 μM for either gefitinib or afatinib, indicating that the G719S-GR cells are also resistant to EGFR-TKI in vitro. The NGS analysis showed that G719S-GR cells harbor EGFR mutations (G719S and E709A) as well as the amplification of EGFR, IL7R, MYC and the FGFR1 locus. The homozygous deletion of CDKN2A and the loss of PTEN and TSC1 were also detected. In order to estimate the mechanism underlying the development of EGFR-TKI resistance, copy number analyses of several tumor suppressor genes were performed by an MLPA using genomic DNA from G719S-GR and a tumor biopsy sample (obtained before gefitinib treatment). Losses of CDKN2A, PTEN and TSC1 were confirmed in G719S-GR cells. Interestingly, the loss of PTEN was not observed in the gefitinib-naïve tumor sample.

Discussion: Thus far, the mechanisms underlying the development of EGFR-TKI resistance in uncommon mutations have not been investigated. The newly established G719S-GR cell line could be a useful tool for investigating the mechanism underlying the development of AR in the G719X mutation; the loss PTEN could be one such mechanism. Further experiments are warranted.

Citation Format: Atsushi Osoegawa, Tomonori Yamada, Takafumi Hashimoto, Yohei Takumi, Ryoji Kobayashi, Shuji Suehiro, Michiyo Miyawaki, Hideya Takeuchi, Tatsuro Okamoto, Kenji Sugio. Acquired resistance to EGFR-TKI in an uncommon G719S EGFR mutation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4107. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4107

Alectinib for Patients with ALK Rearrangement-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and a Poor Performance Status (Lung Oncology Group in Kyushu 1401)

INTRODUCTION

Alectinib has shown marked efficacy and safety in patients with anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase gene (ALK) rearrangement-positive NSCLC and a good performance status (PS). It has remained unclear whether alectinib might also be beneficial for such patients with a poor PS.

METHODS

Eligible patients with advanced ALK rearrangement-positive NSCLC and a PS of 2 to 4 received alectinib orally at 300 mg twice daily. The primary end point of the study was objective response rate (ORR), and the most informative secondary end point was rate of PS improvement.

RESULTS

Between September 2014 and December 2015, 18 patients were enrolled in this phase II study. Of those patients, 12, five, and one had a PS of 2, 3, or 4, respectively, whereas four patients had received prior crizotinib treatment. The ORR was 72.2% (90% confidence interval: 52.9-85.8%). The ORR did not differ significantly between patients with a PS of 2 and those with a PS of 3 or higher (58.3% and 100%, respectively [p = 0.114]). The PS improvement rate was 83.3% (90% confidence interval: 64.8-93.1%, p < 0.0001), with the frequency of improvement to a PS of 0 or 1 being 72.2%. The median progression-free survival was 10.1 months. Toxicity was mild, with the frequency of adverse events of grade 3 or higher being low. Neither dose reduction nor withdrawal of alectinib because of toxicity was necessary.

CONCLUSIONS

Alectinib is a treatment option for patients with ALK rearrangement-positive NSCLC and a poor PS.

The Prognostic Impact of Jumonji Domain-containing 2B in Patients with Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Jumonji domain-containing 2B, JMJD2B, has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer cells. However, the significance of JMJD2B in patients with lung cancer remains to be elucidated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with resected adenocarcinoma, whose data regarding oncogenic drivers in lung cancer were available, were included in the study. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with a specific antibody for JMJD2B to investigate JMJD2B expression and the significance of JMJD2B expression in survival after surgery was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the 78 patients, 50 (64%) exhibited JMJD2B immunopositivity. The overall survival (OS) of the 50 JMJD2B-positive patients after surgery was significantly inferior to that of the JMJD2B-negative patients (five-year survival=56.7% vs. 92.6%; log-rank: p=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that JMJD2B positivity was an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

JMJD2B may be a novel prognostic factor for resected lung adenocarcinoma.

Phase I study of irinotecan for previously treated lung cancer patients with the UGT1A1*28 or *6 polymorphism: Results of the Lung Oncology Group in Kyushu (LOGIK1004A)

Background

Various polymorphisms have been detected in the UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A) gene, and UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1*6 have important effects on the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and the risk of severe toxicities during irinotecan therapy. This study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of irinotecan chemotherapy according to the UGT1A1 genotype in previously treated lung cancer patients with the UGT1A1*28 or UGT1A1*6 polymorphism.

Methods

The eligibility criteria were as follows: lung cancer patients that had previously been treated with anticancer agents other than irinotecan, possessed the UGT1A1*28 or UGT1A1*6 polymorphism (group A included *28/*28, *6/*6, and *28/*6, and group B included *28/− and *6/−), were aged ≤75 years old, had a performance score of 0–1, and exhibited adequate bone marrow function. The patients were scheduled to receive irinotecan on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36.

Results

Four patients were enrolled in this trial. Two patients were determined to be ineligible. The remaining two patients, who belonged to group B, received an initial irinotecan dose of 60 mg/m², but did not complete the planned treatment because of diarrhea and leukopenia. Thus, in group B patients, 60 mg/m² was considered to be the MTD of irinotecan. The study was terminated in group A because of poor case recruitment.

Conclusions

The MTD of irinotecan for previously treated lung cancer patients that are heterozygous for the UGT1A1*28 or UGT1A1*6 gene polymorphism is 60 mg/m².

Abstract 2227: Positive correlation between the gamma-H2AX and PD-L1 expressions in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Recently, molecular targeting therapy has been developed and it has shown promising results against advanced lung cancer. Among them, lung squamous cell carcinoma has fewer treatment options because it is not driven by oncogenic mutations, but by alterations in tumor suppressor genes and subsequent chromosomal instability. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is one of the immune checkpoint molecules that is expressed on the surface of tumor cells, where it inhibits activities of cytotoxic T cells. Recent studies revealed that the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade could improve the overall survival in lung squamous cell carcinoma, potentially because it carries high mutation burdens and neoantigens which could be targeted by cytotoxic T cells. We hypothesized that DNA damage could accumulate in tumors with high mutation burdens, thereby inducing the PD-L1 expression on tumor cells, sensitizing them to anti-PD-1 therapy. An immunohistochemical analysis of 41 consecutive lung squamous cell carcinoma cases, which received surgery at our institution between April 2013 and March 2014, revealed that a high PD-L1 expression was observed in 15 patients (37%) that was associated related with a poor recurrence-free survival (p = 0.028). The PD-L1 expression level was also positively associated with the γH2AX expression (a direct marker for DNA damage) (p = 0.02). The γH2AX expression in tumor cell nuclei was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining. It forms foci in tumor cell nuclei, indicating the incidence of DNA double strand breaks. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the nuclear γH2AX expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma is positively associated with the PD-L1 expression. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether γH2AX could be a biomarker for PD-1 targeting therapy and whether combination therapy with PD-1 targeting therapy and a DNA-damaging agent has synergistic effects.

Citation Format: Atsushi Osoegawa, Takafumi Hashimoto, Yohei Takumi, Miyuki Abe, Hitomi Hiraishi, Shuji Suehiro, Michiyo Miyawaki, Kenji Sugio. Positive correlation between the gamma-H2AX and PD-L1 expressions in lung squamous cell carcinoma. [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 2227.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor luseogliflozin improves glycaemic control, assessed by continuous glucose monitoring, even on a low-carbohydrate diet

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was the first to determine the effects of luseogliflozin in combination with a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) on 24-h glucose variability, assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). A total of 18 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized into two groups, in which patients first received luseogliflozin 2.5 mg once daily then placebo for 8 days each, or vice versa. Patients took luseogliflozin or placebo with a normal-carbohydrate diet (NCD) on day 7 and with the LCD on day 8. CGM was performed on both days. Luseogliflozin significantly reduced glucose exposure in terms of the area under the curve over the course of 24 h when administered with the NCD (difference vs placebo: -555.6 mg/dl·h [1 mg/dl = 0.0556 mmol/l]; p < 0.001) or with the LCD (-660.7 mg/dl·h; p < 0.001). No hypoglycaemia was observed over 24 h with either diet. Although glucose levels were lower with the LCD than with the NCD in the placebo treatment period, luseogliflozin with the LCD improved glycaemic control throughout the day to nearly the same extent as luseogliflozin with the NCD, without inducing hypoglycaemia.

Phase II Trial of Erlotinib in Elderly Patients with Previously Treated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Results of the Lung Oncology Group in Kyushu (LOGiK-0802)

BACKGROUND

As the incidence of lung cancer in the elderly is increasing worldwide, there exists a need to develop a clinically effective, less toxic therapy for this patient population. Although erlotinib has shown proven effectiveness against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), few studies have prospectively investigated its application to elderly patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≥75 years with advanced or recurrent NSCLC including wild-type EGFR who had previously received one or two chemotherapy regimens were enrolled in this trial. Erlotinib was initially administered at a dose of 150 mg/day orally until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate.

RESULTS

Forty patients were enrolled between May 2009 and January 2014. An objective response was observed in 8 patients (20%, 95%CI=9.1-35.7%), and the disease control rate reached 62.5% (95%CI=45.8-77.3%). After a median follow-up period of 12.2 months (range=1.4-47.2 months), the median progression-free survival period was 5.0 months (95%CI=2.3-7.6 months), and the median survival period was 12.2 months (95%CI=6.1-24.7 months). Major toxicities were skin disorders, fatigue, and anorexia. Most adverse events were grade 2 or less, but 13 patients (32.5%) required a dose reduction. Two patients developed interstitial lung disease, that was nevertheless reversible, and there were no treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

Although the percentage of patients requiring dose reduction seemed relatively higher than that in previous studies, erlotinib is a potentially useful therapeutic option for unselected elderly patients with previously treated advanced or recurrent NSCLC, as has been also shown for younger patients.

Prospective study of the UGT1A1*27 gene polymorphism during irinotecan therapy in patients with lung cancer: Results of Lung Oncology Group in Kyusyu (LOGIK1004B)

Background

Uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1*27) is known to impair the effect of UGT in basic research; however, little clinical investigation has been conducted. To evaluate the effect of the UGT1A1*27 polymorphism in irinotecan therapy, we conducted a prospective study.

Methods

Eligibility criteria included: lung cancer patients; scheduled irinotecan therapy doses of single ≥ 80, combination ≥ 50, radiation with single ≥ 50, or radiation with combination ≥ 40 mg/m²; age ≥ 20; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (PS) 0–2. Patients were examined for UGT1A1*28 and *6 polymorphisms and received irinotecan. When the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism was detected, a search for UGT1A1*27 was conducted. Fifty patients were enrolled, with 48 patients determined eligible.

Results

UGT1A1 polymorphisms *28/*28, *6/*6, *28/*6, *28/−, *6/−, −/− observed 0 (0%), 1 (2%), 1 (2%), 7 (15%), 17 (35%) and 22 (46%), respectively. UGT1A1*27 were examined in nine patients including one ineligible patient; however, no polymorphisms were found. The study ceased after interim analysis. In an evaluation of the side effects of irinotecan, patients with UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1*6 polymorphisms had a higher tendency to experience febrile neutropenia than wild type (25% and 32% vs. 14%). Incidences of grade 3/4 leukopenia and neutropenia were significantly higher in patients with UGT1A1*28 polymorphisms compared with wild type (75% vs. 32%, P = 0.049; 75% vs. 36%, P = 0.039, respectively).

Conclusion

Our prospective study did not locate the UGT1A1*27 polymorphism, suggesting that UGT1A1*27 does not significantly predict severe irinotecan toxicity in cancer patients.

Pemetrexed-induced scleroderma-like conditions in the lower legs of a patient with non-small cell lung carcinoma

Pemetrexed, which is used for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma and malignant mesothelioma, induces cutaneous adverse reactions in approximately 20% of patients. There are also reports of the induction of fibrosing disorders. We describe a case of pemetrexed-induced scleroderma-like conditions in the lower legs of a patient whose pulmonary carcinoma has been relatively well controlled, with prolongation of the dose interval, in spite of the discomfort in both his legs. Skin biopsy revealed dermal fibrosis and dilated lymph vessels in the dermis, but lymphocytic infiltration around the lymph vessels, in contrast to the blood vessels, was minimal. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the major subsets of T cells that had infiltrated around blood vessels were CD3 and CD45Ro, but no B cells were detected. High serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-6 suggested that T cells, which secrete these cytokines, may be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lower extremities revealed muscular and fascial involvement. Several chemotherapeutic agents, such as taxanes, gemcitabine and bleomycin, are known to induce scleroderma-like changes, and we should also keep the side-effects of pemetrexed in mind when we encounter patients with fibrosing conditions.

The clinical manifestations and treatment of male breast cancer: a report of three cases

Male breast cancer is an extremely rare malignancy. We treated three male breast cancer patients. All three patients showed clinical N0 and received sentinel lymph node biopsy. Because the sentinel lymph node was positive for metastasis in one patient, a total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection was performed. The other two patients were negative for sentinel lymph node metastasis, and a simple mastectomy was performed. Two of the patients were postoperatively treated with tamoxifen; another patient was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy using taxotere and cyclophosphamide before tamoxifen. There was no recurrence in any of the three patients during an average follow-up period of 56.7 months (range 11.8–80.3). A sentinel lymph node biopsy is recommended for node staging in both male and female breast cancer patients as it is associated with a lower incidence of complications.