Adequacy of samples obtained via percutaneous core-needle rebiopsy for EGFR T790M molecular analysis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer following acquired resistance to first-line therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Feasibility of Interventional Pulmonology Methods for Detecting the T790M Mutation after the First or Second-Generation EGFR-TKI Resistance of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The development of third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting T790M-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has raised the importance of re-biopsy after EGFR-TKI failure. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of interventional pulmonology (IP) procedures as re-biopsy methods for identifying the T790M mutation in EGFR-TKI-resistant patients. One hundred and thirty-nine NSCLC patients who underwent IP procedures for re-biopsy as their initial investigation after EGFR-TKI treatment failure were enrolled in this study between January 2020 and August 2022. All patients underwent a first re-biopsy with IP methods, with a diagnostic yield of 81.2% and T790M mutation detection rate of 36%. Thirty patients underwent a second re-biopsy; IP methods were used for 17 (56.6%) patients and non-IP methods for 13 (43.4%) patients; the T790M mutation detection rate was 36.4%. Only six patients underwent a third re-biopsy; no T790M mutation was noted. The T790M mutation detection rate did not differ between IP and non-IP methods (33.6 % vs. 37.5%, p = 0.762). In 11 cases (7.5%), a re-biopsy revealed histologic transformation from lung adenocarcinoma. IP procedures, as first-line re-biopsy methods for NSCLC, are feasible and provide sufficient tissue for identification of the resistance mechanism and target gene T790M mutation.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided re-biopsy of non-small cell lung cancer with acquired resistance after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment

BACKGROUND

Few studies assessed the use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided re-biopsy for detecting the T790M mutation after epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) failure.

METHODS

A total of 2996 EBUS procedures were performed during the study period (January 2019-June 2022). In total, 44 consecutive patients who underwent EBUS-guided re-biopsy (56 procedures) for detecting the T790M mutation were analyzed. The success rates and T790M mutation frequencies were analyzed according to the re-biopsy site and EBUS method. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors affecting the likelihood of the T790M mutation.

RESULTS

The success rates for the mutation analyses using EBUS with a guide-sheath (EBUS-GS), EBUS guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), and EBUS-GS with EBUS-TBNA for re-biopsy were 80.6% (29/36), 93.3% (14/15), and 100% (5/5), respectively. Patients who underwent lymph node biopsy using EBUS-TBNA had an increased rates of the T790M mutation compared with those undergoing lung biopsy using EBUS-GS (EBUS-TBNA, 60.0%; EBUS-GS with EBUS-TBNA, 40.0%; EBUS-GS, 11.1%; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the use of a first-generation EGFR-TKI (odds ratio [OR], 4.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-17.58; p = 0.043) was associated with occurrence of the T790M mutation. Re-biopsy of the metastatic site tended to be associated with a higher T790M mutation rate. Mild hemoptysis occurred in 3.6% (2/56) of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

EBUS-guided re-biopsy can be used for detecting the T790M mutation in patients who failed EGFR-TKI therapy. The T790M mutation frequency differed according to the re-biopsy site. The use of a first-generation EGFR-TKI was an independent predictor of the T790M mutation.

Role of Image-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy in the Age of Precision Medicine

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With the remarkable progress in cancer precision medicine, the demand for biopsy has been increasing, and the role of biopsy has been changing. In this review, we discuss the current state and recent advances in the role of image-guided percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) in facilitating precision medicine.

RECENT FINDINGS

Biopsies are useful not only in the diagnosis of cancer and histological sub-type but also in the analysis of its molecular characteristics for targeted treatments. PNB specimens have been shown to provide high DNA yields for genomic analysis. Liquid biopsy is an emerging technology but is under development; therefore, PNB is the current standard of practice and is performed complimentarily with liquid biopsy. In the age of precision medicine, interventional oncologists play a key role in optimal tissue collection for adequate genomic analysis. Effective PNB may improve its diagnostic utility and help optimize precision medicine.