Induction or consolidation chemotherapy for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation: a randomised phase II trial GFPC – IFCT 02-01

Pneumonitis Risk After Chemoradiotherapy With and Without Immunotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is the standard of care for patients with unresectable and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of ICIs to CRT is associated with an increased risk of pneumonitis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for eligible studies published between January 1, 2015, and July 31, 2023. The outcome of interest was the incidence rate of pneumonitis. A random-effects model was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 185 studies with 24,527 patients were included. The pooled rate of grade ≥2 pneumonitis for CRT plus ICIs was significantly higher than that for CRT alone (29.6%; 95% CI, 25.7%-33.6% vs 20.2%; 95% CI, 17.7%-22.8%; P < .0001) but not that of grade ≥3 (5.7%; 95% CI, 4.8%-6.6% vs 5.6%; 95% CI, 4.7%-6.5%; P = .64) or grade 5 (0.1%; 95% CI, 0.0%-0.2% vs 0.3%; 95% CI, 0.1%-0.4%; P = .68). The results from the subgroup analyses of prospective studies, retrospective studies, Asian and non-Asian studies, concurrent CRT (cCRT), and durvalumab consolidation were comparable to the overall results. However, CRT or cCRT plus PD-1 inhibitors not only significantly increased the incidence of grade ≥2 but also that of grade ≥3 pneumonitis compared to CRT alone or cCRT plus PD-L1 inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with CRT alone, durvalumab consolidation after CRT appears to be associated with a higher incidence of moderate pneumonitis and CRT plus PD-1 inhibitors with an increased risk of severe pneumonitis. Nevertheless, these findings are based on observational studies and need to be validated in future large head-to-head studies.

Population Survival Kinetics Derived from Clinical Trials of Potentially Curable Lung Cancers

Using digitized data from progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival Kaplan-Meier curves, one can assess population survival kinetics through exponential decay nonlinear regression analyses. To demonstrate their utility, we analyzed PFS curves from published curative-intent trials of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant osimertinib in resected EGFR-mutant NSCLC (ADAURA trial), chemoradiotherapy for inoperable NSCLC, and limited small cell lung cancer (SCLC). These analyses permit assessment of log-linear curve shape and estimation of the proportion of patients cured, PFS half-lives for subpopulations destined to eventually relapse, and probability of eventual relapse in patients remaining progression-free at different time points. The proportion of patients potentially cured was 41% for adjuvant controls, 58% with adjuvant chemotherapy, 17% for ADAURA controls, not assessable with adjuvant osimertinib, 15% with chemoradiotherapy, and 12% for SCLC. Median PFS half-life for relapsing subpopulations was 11.9 months for adjuvant controls, 17.4 months with adjuvant chemotherapy, 24.4 months for ADAURA controls, not assessable with osimertinib, 9.3 months with chemoradiotherapy, and 10.7 months for SCLC. For those remaining relapse-free at 2 and 5 years, the cure probability was 74%/96% for adjuvant controls, 77%/93% with adjuvant chemotherapy, 51%/94% with chemoradiation, and 39%/87% with limited SCLC. Relatively easy population kinetic analyses add useful information.

Comparison of post-chemoradiotherapy pneumonitis between Asian and non-Asian patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Pneumonitis is a common complication for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). It remains unclear whether there is ethnic difference in the incidence of post-CRT pneumonitis.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for eligible studies from January 1, 2000 to April 30, 2023. The outcomes of interest were incidence rates of pneumonitis. The random-effect model was used for statistical analysis. This meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023416490).

Findings

A total of 248 studies involving 28,267 patients were included. Among studies of CRT without immunotherapy, the pooled rates of pneumonitis for Asian patients were significantly higher than that for non-Asian patients (all grade: 66.8%, 95% CI: 59.2%-73.9% vs. 28.1%, 95% CI: 20.4%-36.4%; P < 0.0001; grade ≥2: 25.1%, 95% CI: 22.9%-27.3% vs. 14.9%, 95% CI: 12.0%-18.0%; P < 0.0001; grade ≥3: 6.5%, 95% CI: 5.6%-7.3% vs. 4.6%, 95% CI: 3.4%-5.9%; P = 0.015; grade 5: 0.6%, 95% CI: 0.3%-0.9% vs. 0.1%, 95% CI: 0.0%-0.2%; P < 0.0001). Regarding studies of CRT plus immunotherapy, Asian patients had higher rates of all-grade (74.8%, 95% CI: 63.7%-84.5% vs. 34.3%, 95% CI: 28.7%-40.2%; P < 0.0001) and grade ≥2 (34.0%, 95% CI: 30.7%-37.3% vs. 24.6%, 95% CI: 19.9%-29.3%; P = 0.001) pneumonitis than non-Asian patients, but with no significant differences in the rates of grade ≥3 and grade 5 pneumonitis. Results from subgroup analyses were generally similar to that from the all studies. In addition, the pooled median/mean of lung volume receiving ≥20 Gy and mean lung dose were relatively low in Asian studies compared to that in non-Asian studies.

Interpretation

Asian patients are likely to have a higher incidence of pneumonitis than non-Asian patients, which appears to be due to the poor tolerance of lung to radiation. Nevertheless, these findings are based on observational studies and with significant heterogeneity, and need to be validated in future large prospective studies focusing on the subject.

Funding

None.

Induction Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Chemotherapy Before Definitive Chemoradiation Therapy for Patients With Bulky Unresectable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

In the era of immunotherapy, the treatment for bulky, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) remains challenging. This study explored the feasibility of induction immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus chemotherapy before definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for bulky LA-NSCLC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients with bulky, unresectable stage III NSCLC (primary tumor ≥5 cm in greatest dimension or metastatic lymph nodes ≥2 cm in shortest diameter) receiving ICIs and chemotherapy before CRT from 2018 to 2022 were identified. Survival outcomes and toxic effects were analyzed. Radiation therapy plans on computed tomography images before and after 2 cycles of induction chemoimmunotherapy were simulated to evaluate dosimetric outcomes.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients were included. One- and 2-year overall-survival (OS) rates were 91.5% (95% CI, 85.2%-98.3%) and 75.1% (95% CI, 64.1%-88.0%), respectively. One- and 2-year progression-free-survival (PFS) rates were 85.8% (95% CI, 78.0%-94.4%) and 64.2% (95% CI, 52.5%-78.6%), respectively. Median OS was not reached (NR). Median PFS was 30.6 months (95% CI, 25.9 months to NR). Grade 2 and ≥3 pneumonitis occurred in 26.7% and 9.3% of patients, respectively. Grade ≥3 pneumonitis was significantly associated with poorer OS (P = .003) and PFS (P = .018). Treatment discontinuation was significantly associated with shorter OS (P = .023) and PFS (P = .047). Patients with consolidation ICIs exhibited numerically better OS than those without consolidation ICIs (2-year OS, 85.8% vs 64.2%; P = .170). The objective response rate was 76.1% for induction treatment and 86.7% for induction treatment plus CRT. The disease control rate after 2 cycles of induction therapy was significantly greater than after 4 (P = .046) or more cycles (P = .025). Simulated radiation plans indicated that all target volumes, mean lung dose, and volume of lung parenchyma receiving ≥5 Gy, ≥20 Gy, and ≥30 Gy significantly decreased after 2 cycles (all P < .005).

CONCLUSIONS

Two cycles of induction ICIs plus chemotherapy before definitive CRT were feasible for bulky LA-NSCLC, with significant tumor reduction and normal lung protection. Further investigations on CRT combined with induction and consolidation ICIs are warranted.

Consolidation Systemic Therapy in Locally Advanced, Inoperable Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer-How to Identify Patients Which Can Benefit from It?

BACKGROUND

Consolidation systemic therapy (ST) given after concurrent radiotherapy (RT) and ST (RT-ST) is frequently practiced in locally advanced inoperable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Little is known, however, about the fate of patients achieving different responses after concurrent phases of the treatment.

METHODS

we searched the English-language literature to identify full-length articles on phase II and Phase III clinical studies employing consolidation ST after initial concurrent RT-ST. We sought information about response evaluation after the concurrent phase and the outcome of these patient subgroups, the patterns of failure per response achieved after the concurrent phase as well as the outcome of these subgroups after the consolidation phase.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven articles have been initially identified, of which 20 studies were excluded for various reasons, leaving, therefore, a total of 67 studies for our analysis. Response evaluation after the concurrent phase was performed in 36 (54%) studies but in only 14 (21%) response data were provided, while in 34 (51%) studies patients underwent a consolidation phase regardless of the response. No study provided any outcome (survivals, patterns of failure) as per response achieved after the concurrent phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Information regarding the outcome of subgroups of patients achieving different responses after the concurrent phase and before the administration of the consolidation phase is still lacking. This may negatively affect the decision-making process as it remains unknown which patients may preferentially benefit from the consolidation of ST.

Management of Stage III Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: ASCO Guideline

PURPOSE

To provide evidence-based recommendations to practicing clinicians on management of patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

An Expert Panel of medical oncology, thoracic surgery, radiation oncology, pulmonary oncology, community oncology, research methodology, and advocacy experts was convened to conduct a literature search, which included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published from 1990 through 2021. Outcomes of interest included survival, disease-free or recurrence-free survival, and quality of life. Expert Panel members used available evidence and informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 127 relevant studies to inform the evidence base for this guideline.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Evidence-based recommendations were developed to address evaluation and staging workup of patients with suspected stage III NSCLC, surgical management, neoadjuvant and adjuvant approaches, and management of patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/thoracic-cancer-guidelines.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment-related toxicities of curative and palliative radiation therapy in non-small cell lung cancer

Treatment-related toxicity is an important component in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management decision-making. Our aim was to evaluate and compare the toxicity rates of curative and palliative radiotherapy with and without chemotherapy. This meta-analysis provides better quantitative estimates of the toxicities compared to individual trials. A systematic review of randomised trials with > 50 unresectable NSCLC patients, treated with curative or palliative conventional radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy. Data was extracted for oesophagitis, pneumonitis, cardiac events, pulmonary fibrosis, myelopathy and neutropenia by any grade, grade ≥ 3 and treatment-related deaths. Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect method was used to obtain pooled risk ratio. Forty-nine trials with 8609 evaluable patients were included. There was significantly less grade ≥ 3 acute oesophagitis (6.4 vs 22.2%, p < 0.0001) and any grade oesophagitis (70.4 vs 79.0%, p = 0.04) for sequential CRT compared to concurrent CRT, with no difference in pneumonitis (grade ≥ 3 or any grade), neutropenia (grade ≥ 3), cardiac events (grade ≥ 3) or treatment-related deaths. Although the rate of toxicity increased with intensification of treatment with RT, the only significant difference between treatment regimens was the rate of oesophagitis between the use of concurrent and sequential CRT. This can aid clinicians in radiotherapy decision making for NSCLC.

The Role of Additional Chemotherapy in Combination with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Inoperable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 12 Randomized Trials

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of chemotherapy before (I-CRT) or after (CRT-C) chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for inoperable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). According to the object response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR), there were no differences among I-CRT, CRT, and CRT-C treatments. I-CRT did not have significant survival benefits compared with CRT alone. Similar results comparing CRT-C with CRT were observed. Furthermore, I-CRT was not associated with improved survival compared to CRT-C with respect to OS and PFS. Our meta-analysis suggests the effects of additional chemotherapy added to CRT were limited for unselected LA-NSCLC.

Chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone following induction chemotherapy for elderly patients with stage III lung cancer

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether adding concurrent chemotherapy (CT) to definitive radiotherapy (RT) following induction CT is a tolerable and cost effective treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients aged 70 years or older with comorbidities. This study evaluated the actual clinical outcomes between concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and RT alone following induction CT or not in patients (≥70 years) in a single institution's clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 82 patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC between 2004 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Their treatment tolerance and clinical outcomes such as overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), treatment toxicities and distant metastasis (DM) were evaluated. Early mortality rates were also evaluated as 4-month mortality after RT.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients received CCRT and 28 patients received RT alone. Induction CT before RT was performed for 68.5% and 50.0% in CCRT and RT alone groups. Treatment tolerance was significantly worse in CCRT (p = 0.046). The median survival was 21.1 and 18.1 months for CCRT and RT alone, which was not statistically significant. LRR and DM were also not different. Most early deaths after CCRT were attributed to non-cancer-related mortality. Acute esophagitis of grade ≥2 occurred more following CCRT (p = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of ≥5 and a weight loss of ≥5% after RT were associated with poor OS. The factors adversely affecting 4-month survival were a CCI of ≥5 and CCRT.

CONCLUSION

There were no significant differences in OS, LRR, and DM between CCRT and RT alone treatment in elderly patients. However, there was a poorer tolerance and higher incidence of acute esophagitis in the CCRT group. Specifically, when the patients had a CCI of ≥5, RT alone seems to be reasonable with a low probability of early death.

Oral vinorelbine-based concomitant chemoradiotherapy in unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy administered concomitantly to thoracic radiotherapy is the treatment recommended by the European guidelines for fit patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cisplatin may be combined with etoposide, vinorelbine or other vinca alkaloids, which act also as radiation sensitizers. Initially administered intravenously, vinorelbine is also available as oral formulation and is the only orally available microtubule-targeting agent. In addition, the oral formulation avoids the risk of extravasation and phlebitis. Areas covered: A literature search has been performed for articles reporting phase II-III trials aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of oral vinorelbine-based chemoradiotherapy in unresectable locally advanced NSCLC. Expert commentary: In a series of trials with various protocols published from 2008 to 2018, mostly phase II studies, oral vinorelbine demonstrated a significant activity in concomitant chemoradiotherapy for unresectable locally advanced NSCLC typically as part of combination schedules with cisplatin. Main toxicities were hematologic (neutropenia and anemia); non-hematological toxicities included esophagitis and gastro-duodenal adverse events. Large prospective phase III trials are needed to confirm the role of vinorelbine-based chemotherapy associated to thoracic radiotherapy in unresectable stage III NSCLC and more particularly trials with metronomic oral vinorelbine.

Phase I study of concurrent and consolidation cisplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy with thoracic radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

Background

We designed a phase i study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (ccrt) with docetaxel (D) and cisplatin (C), followed by consolidation dc, for unresectable stage iii non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc).

Methods

Patients with histologically proven and unresectable stage iii nsclc were eligible. During ccrt, C was given every 3 weeks (75 mg/m²) and D given weekly. The starting dose of D was 20 mg/m², escalated in cohorts of 3 to define the maximum tolerated dose (mtd). Radiotherapy was prescribed to a dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. This was followed by 2 cycles of consolidation dc, which were dose escalated if ccrt was tolerated.

Results

Twenty-six patients were enrolled, with 1 excluded following evidence of metastatic disease. Nineteen patients completed both phases of treatment. There were 7 grade 3 events during ccrt (5 esophagitis, 2 nausea), and 8 grade 3 events during consolidation (2 neutropenia, 2 leukopenia, 1 esophagitis, 2 nausea, and 1 pneumonitis). Three patients had grade 4 neutropenia. No patients died due to toxicities. The mtd of concurrent weekly D was 20 mg/m². Consolidation D and C were each dose escalated to 75 mg/m² in 8 patients. The median overall survival (os) and progression-free survival (pfs) of all patients were 33.6 months and 17.2 months, respectively, with median follow-up of 26.6 months (range 0.43-110.8).

Conclusions

The use of docetaxel 20 mg/m² weekly and cisplatin 75 mg/m² every 3 weeks concurrent with thoracic radiotherapy, followed by consolidation docetaxel and cisplatin, both given at 75 mg/m² every 3 weeks, appears to be safe in this phase i trial.

A phase III randomised study comparing concomitant radiochemotherapy with cisplatin and docetaxel as induction versus consolidation treatment in patients with locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

To assess if induction radiochemotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy (arm A) will improve survival in comparison with the same chemotherapy given as induction followed by consolidation concurrent radiochemotherapy (arm B) in patients with unresectable non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Chemotherapy consisted in a combination of cisplatin with docetaxel, with one initial course for each patient, two courses in single modality therapy and weekly administration during chest irradiation (66 Gy).

RESULTS

A total of 125 patients were randomised before early closure of the study because of poor accrual and an unplanned blind interim analysis which suggested that the continuation of the study would have been futile. Mature survival results showed no significant difference between both modalities with median survival times, respectively in arms A and B, of 19.6 months and 18.3 months, two years survival rates of 44% and 44% and five years survival rates of 23% and 26%. Toxicity was acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

Our randomised study did not demonstrate survival difference between induction concurrent radiochemotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy and induction chemotherapy followed by consolidation concurrent radiochemotherapy.

The effect of induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer who received chemoradiotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published papers to quantitatively evaluate the potential benefit of induction chemotherapy.

METHODS

Eligible studies of induction chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy were retrieved through extensive searches of the PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, and Cochrane library databases from 1994 to 2015. We excluded studies that using non-English. Our primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), secondary end point was toxicity.

RESULTS

Two studies of induction chemotherapy followed by CCRT versus CCRT alone and 5 studies of induction chemotherapy followed by CCRT versus CCRT followed by consolidation chemotherapy published in the same period were selected and analyzed. Our results showed that there was significant benefit of induction chemotherapy plus CCRT compared to CCRT alone on 5-year OS without 1, 2, 3, and 4 years OS. Our analysis also indicated that induction chemotherapy was as effect as consolidation chemotherapy for patients who received CCRT on overall response and OS. Treatment-related toxicity was similar between the 2 group; however, leucopenia was significant decreased in patients treated by induction chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.62; P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

Five year OS could be improved when induction chemotherapy was added into CCRT for patients of NSCLC. Except low rate of leucopenia, induction chemotherapy was no difference compared to consolidation chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC treated by CCRT.

From chemotherapy to target therapies associated with radiation in the treatment of NSCLC: a durable marriage?

INTRODUCTION

The integration between radiotherapy and drugs, from chemotherapy to recently available target therapies, continues to have a relevant role in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Aim of the present review is to evaluate the promising and emerging application of the best interaction between new drugs and new modalities of radiotherapy. Areas covered: We searched Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertation, and Theses databases for reports published in English. A study was included when it reported on cancer-related radiotherapy and included patients with NSCLC treated with chemo and/or target therapies. Review articles were excluded from the analysis. Expert commentary: Chemo-radiotherapy still represents the standard of choice in locally advanced NSCLC, while to date the addition of target therapies to chemo-radiotherapy did not demonstrate any robust advantage in this stage of disease. Considering the absence of randomized controlled trials, the role of target therapies in early stage adjuvant NSCLC is not yet recommended in clinical practice. On the contrary, in the setting of oligometastatic and oligoprogressive disease, new molecules demonstrated to be safe and effective, opening to a promising and emerging application of the best interaction between new drugs and new modalities of radiotherapy.