ASCEND-8: A Randomized Phase 1 Study of Ceritinib, 450 mg or 600 mg, Taken with a Low-Fat Meal versus 750 mg in Fasted State in Patients with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-Rearranged Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

ROS1-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer: Understanding biology and optimizing management in the era of new approvals

Rearrangements involving the ROS1 gene are infrequent in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but represent an important targetable driver alteration. Occurring most commonly in patients with adenocarcinoma who have a light or never smoking history, ROS1 rearrangements can be identified by either fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) or next-generation sequencing techniques. Multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are now available for the effective treatment of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC in the metastatic setting including crizotinib, entrectinib, and repotrectinib as first-line therapy options. In addition, newer targeted therapies with increased selectivity for ROS1 over other targets are also emerging. As treatment of the disease continues to evolve, understanding the clinical course of patients with ROS1-rearranged NSCLC as well as the data supporting the latest therapy options is key to timely, effective, and longitudinal care.

Targeting ALK receptors in non-small cell lung cancer: what is the road ahead?

INTRODUCTION

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene-rearrangements are identified in about 3-5% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), and ALK-rearranged NSCLC is to be considered an oncogene-addicted cancer with peculiar clinical characteristics.

AREAS COVERED

Several ALK inhibitors have been studied and approved for use in the treatment of advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC with reported superiority in terms of efficacy and safety profile compared with chemotherapy. Second- and third-generation ALK inhibitors (alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib) offer to NSCLC patients a clinically meaningful prolongment of survival with a very good quality of life profile. However, resistances to these agents always occur, with less satisfying options for second-line treatments. Direct comparisons among these agents are not available, and the choice among brigatinib, alectinib, and lorlatinib as first-line treatment remains challenging. Very recently, alectinib has been demonstrated to improve efficacy outcomes compared with chemotherapy also in resected stage IB-IIIA ALK-rearranged NSCLC, extending the clinical benefit offered by ALK inhibitors also to the adjuvant setting.

EXPERT OPINION

Future development of ALK inhibitors in NSCLC treatment includes the search for optimal management of acquired resistance to first-line treatments and the extension of use of ALK inhibitors also to neoadjuvant and preferably to perioperative setting.

MC-Keyboard: A Practical Phase I Trial Design for Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapies Integrating Multiple-Grade Toxicities

In targeted therapies and immunotherapies, the occurrence of low-grade (e.g., grade 1-2) toxicities (LGT) is common, while dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) are relatively rare. As a result, conventional phase I trial designs, solely based on DLTs and disregarding milder toxicities, are problematic when evaluating these novel therapies. Methods: To address this issue, we propose a novel phase I design called a multiple-constraint keyboard (MC-Keyboard) that integrates multiple toxicity constraints, accounting for both DLT and LGT, for precise dose escalation and de-escalation, and identification of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). As a model-assisted design, an important feature of MC-Keyboard is that its dose-escalation or de-escalation rule can be pretabulated and incorporated into the trial protocol before the initiation of the trial, greatly simplifying its implementation. Results: The simulation study showed that the MC-Keyboard had high accuracy in identifying the MTD and is safer than some existing designs. Conclusion: The MC-Keyboard provides a novel, simple, and safe approach to assessing safety and identifying the MTD for targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Cabozantinib in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: Towards Drug Expenses Saving Regimens

INTRODUCTION

Cabozantinib is one of the preferred treatment options in the latest metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) guidelines. Cabozantinib is also associated with high drug expenses irrespective of the used dose, because a flat-prizing model has been implemented. In addition, concomitant intake with a high-fat meal increases its bioavailability on average by 57%. Combined with the long terminal half-life of cabozantinib (99 h), this creates possibilities to extend the dosing interval to reduce drug expenses whilst maintaining equivalent exposure.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to evaluate the population pharmacokinetic (POPPK) model of cabozantinib developed for its registration using real-world patients' therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data. The secondary objective was to design, simulate, and evaluate alternative dose regimens with the aim to reduce drug expenses whilst maintaining comparable exposure.

METHODS

Retrospective TDM data from mRCC patients treated with cabozantinib were obtained. The data were evaluated using the published Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cabozantinib POPPK model, a two-compartment disposition model with a dual (fast and slow) lagged first-order absorption process derived from FDA registration documents, as a basis. Subsequently, simulations of alternative drug expenses saving regimens were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven mRCC patients with 75 pharmacokinetic observations were included. Patients were treated for a median of 75 days with a median dose of 40 mg. Model evaluation results showed that the cabozantinib TDM concentrations were adequately predicted by the published FDA cabozantinib POPPK model, except for a slightly higher clearance (CL) of 3.11 L/h compared to the reported value (2.23 L/h). The simulation study indicated that an alternative dose regimen that consists of taking 60 mg of cabozantinib for 2 days and then skipping 1 day results in comparable average exposure when compared with a 40 mg daily dose, both without food interaction, while saving 33.3% of the total drug expenses per month. The food effect of a high-fat meal was also taken into account when simulating other alternative dose regimens; 40 mg every 72 h combined with a high-fat meal resulted in comparable exposure when compared with a 20 mg daily dose fasted, while saving 66.7% in drug expenses.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the optimized cabozantinib POPPK model resulted in adequate prediction of real-world cabozantinib pharmacokinetic data. Alternative dosing regimens with and without using known food interactions were proposed that resulted in potential strategies to significantly reduce cabozantinib drug expenses.

ALK inhibitors in cancer: mechanisms of resistance and therapeutic management strategies

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements have been identified as potent oncogenic drivers in several malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The discovery of ALK inhibition using a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has dramatically improved the outcomes of patients with ALK-mutated NSCLC. However, the emergence of intrinsic and acquired resistance inevitably occurs with ALK TKI use. This review describes the molecular mechanisms of ALK TKI resistance and discusses management strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance.

Therapy for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Driver Alterations: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2023.3

PURPOSE

To provide evidence-based recommendations for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer with driver alterations.

METHODS

This ASCO living guideline offers continually updated recommendations based on an ongoing systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), with the latest time frame spanning February to October 2023. An Expert Panel of medical oncology, pulmonary, community oncology, research methodology, and advocacy experts were convened. The literature search included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials. Outcomes of interest include efficacy and safety. Expert Panel members used available evidence and informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

This guideline consolidates all previous updates and reflects the body of evidence informing this guideline topic. Eight new RCTs were identified in the latest search of the literature to date.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Evidence-based recommendations were updated to address first, second, and subsequent treatment options for patients based on targetable driver alterations.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/living-guidelines.

Mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: promising strategies to overcoming challenges

Resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a significant challenge in the treatment of this disease. The mechanisms of resistance are multifactorial and include molecular target alterations and activation of alternative pathways, tumor heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment change, immune evasion, and immunosuppression. Promising strategies for overcoming resistance include the development of combination therapies, understanding the resistance mechanisms to better use novel drug targets, the identification of biomarkers, the modulation of the tumor microenvironment and so on. Ongoing research into the mechanisms of resistance and the development of new therapeutic approaches hold great promise for improving outcomes for patients with NSCLC. Here, we summarize diverse mechanisms driving resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy in NSCLC and the latest potential and promising strategies to overcome the resistance to help patients who suffer from NSCLC.

The Weighted Toxicity Score: Confirmation of a Simple Metric to Communicate Toxicity in Randomized Trials of Systemic Cancer Therapy

INTRODUCTION

FDA's Project Optimus was developed in part to better identify appropriate dose and schedule of cancer therapeutics. The tabular method to summarize patients' maximum toxicity in a clinical trial does not allow for ready comparison to the treatment's benefit. In this manuscript, we apply a simple tool, the weighted toxicity score (WTS), to trials involving lung cancer immunotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as those cited in a recent publication as examples of trials that represent successful reduction of the appropriate dose of anti-cancer agents.

METHODS

PubMed was queried for randomized controlled trials of therapy involving immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer. Trial data from studies highlighting initial success with dose adjustments after FDA approval also were assembled and analyzed according to the WTS procedure described previously, compared to clinical outcomes data.

RESULTS

The WTS provided, with the clinical outcome(s), a data pair that leads to easy interpretation of the expected benefit versus relative toxicity of studies involving immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy in lung cancers. The WTS was consistent with the conclusions of the primary studies, helping to quantitate the toxicity difference between treatments in a previously unavailable way.

CONCLUSION

The WTS provides a tool to show the cost in toxicity of therapy in a randomized clinical trial, with applicability to studies involving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or kinase-directed therapy. Inclusion of a running tally of WTS during conduct of a trial could serve as one means to adjust dosing or to provide feedback during data safety monitoring of a clinical trial.

Understanding the feasibility of chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic targets against non-small cell lung cancers: an update of resistant responses and recent combinatorial therapies

Despite consistent progress in prompt diagnosis and curative therapies in the last decade, lung cancer (LC) continues to threaten mankind, accounting for nearly twice the casualties compared to prostate, breast, and other cancers. Statistics associate ~25% of 2021 cancer-related deaths with LC, more than 80% of which are explicitly caused by tobacco smoking. Prevailing as small and non-small cell pathologies, with respective occurring frequency of nearly 15% and 80-85%, non-small cell LCs (NSCLCs) are prominently distinguished into lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), subtypes. Since the first use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor gefitinib for NSCLC treatment in 2002, immense progress has been made for targeted therapies with the next generation of drugs spanning across the chronological generations of small molecule inhibitors. The last two years have overseen the clinical approval of more than 10 therapeutic agents as first-line NSCLC medications. However, uncertain mutational aberrations as well as systemic resistant responses, and abysmal overall survival curtail the combating efficacies. Of late, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) against various molecules including programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) have been demonstrated as reliable LC treatment targets. Keeping these aspects in mind, this review article discusses the success of NSCLC chemo and immunotherapies with their characteristic effectiveness and future perspectives.

[Prevention, Diagnosis, Therapy, and Follow-up of Lung Cancer - Interdisciplinary Guideline of the German Respiratory Society and the German Cancer Society - Abridged Version]

The current S3 Lung Cancer Guidelines are edited with fundamental changes to the previous edition based on the dynamic influx of information to this field:The recommendations include de novo a mandatory case presentation for all patients with lung cancer in a multidisciplinary tumor board before initiation of treatment, furthermore CT-Screening for asymptomatic patients at risk (after federal approval), recommendations for incidental lung nodule management , molecular testing of all NSCLC independent of subtypes, EGFR-mutations in resectable early stage lung cancer in relapsed or recurrent disease, adjuvant TKI-therapy in the presence of common EGFR-mutations, adjuvant consolidation treatment with checkpoint inhibitors in resected lung cancer with PD-L1 ≥ 50%, obligatory evaluation of PD-L1-status, consolidation treatment with checkpoint inhibition after radiochemotherapy in patients with PD-L1-pos. tumor, adjuvant consolidation treatment with checkpoint inhibition in patients withPD-L1 ≥ 50% stage IIIA and treatment options in PD-L1 ≥ 50% tumors independent of PD-L1status and targeted therapy and treatment option immune chemotherapy in first line SCLC patients.Based on the current dynamic status of information in this field and the turnaround time required to implement new options, a transformation to a "living guideline" was proposed.

Importance of ROS1 gene fusions in non-small cell lung cancer

Targeted therapy has become one of the standards of care for advanced lung cancer. More than 10 genetic aberrations have been discovered that are actionable and several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been approved to target each of them. Among several genetic aberrations that are actionable in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ROS1 translocations also known as gene fusion proteins, are found in only 1%-2% of the patient population. ROS1 mutations can usually be detected using a combination of techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), Fluorescence in-situ testing (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, RNA NGS and ctDNA NGS (liquid biopsies) also contribute to the diagnosis. There are currently numerous FDA-approved agents for these tumors, including crizotinib and entrectinib; however, there is in-vitro sensitivity data and clinical data documenting responses to ceritinib and lorlatinib. Clinical responses and survival rates with these agents are frequently among the best compared to other TKIs with genetic aberrations; however, intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms of resistance may develop, necessitating research for alternative treatment modalities. To combat the mechanisms of resistance, novel agents such as repotrectenib, cabozantinib, talotrectinib, and others are being developed. In this article, we examine the literature pertaining to patients with ROS1 tumors, including epidemiology, clinical outcomes, resistance mechanisms, and treatment options.

Targeted Toxicities: Protocols for Monitoring the Adverse Events of Targeted Therapies Used in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Targeted therapies have revolutionized the treatment for many patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Multiple new oral targeted therapies have been approved in the last decade; however, their overall efficacy may be reduced by poor adherence, treatment interruptions, or dose reductions due to adverse events. Most institutions lack standard monitoring protocols for toxicities from these targeted agents. This review describes important adverse events observed in clinical trials and reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for both currently approved and upcoming promising therapies in the treatment of NSCLC. These agents cause a range of toxicities, including dermatologic, gastroenteric, pulmonary, and cardiac toxicities. This review proposes protocols for routine monitoring of these adverse events, both prior to initiation of therapy and while on treatment.

REFINE-Lung implements a novel multi-arm randomised trial design to address possible immunotherapy overtreatment

Increasing evidence suggests that some immunotherapy dosing regimens for patients with advanced cancer could result in overtreatment. Given the high costs of these agents, and important implications for quality of life and toxicity, new approaches are needed to identify and reduce unnecessary treatment. Conventional two-arm non-inferiority designs are inefficient in this context because they require large numbers of patients to explore a single alternative to the standard of care. Here, we discuss the potential problem of overtreatment with anti-PD-1 directed agents in general and introduce REFINE-Lung (NCT05085028), a UK multicentre phase 3 study of reduced frequency pembrolizumab in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. REFINE-Lung uses a novel multi-arm multi-stage response over continuous interventions (MAMS-ROCI) design to determine the optimal dose frequency of pembrolizumab. Along with a similarly designed basket study of patients with renal cancer and melanoma, REFINE-Lung and the MAMS-ROCI design could contribute to practice-changing advances in patient care and form a template for future immunotherapy optimisation studies across cancer types and indications. This new trial design is applicable to many new or existing agents for which optimisation of dose, frequency, or duration of therapy is desirable.

Near complete response to ceritinib in a pediatric patient with metastatic ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors have significant efficacies in ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). In regard to pediatric NSCLC patients, however, there is a paradox in that on the one hand, they may have a higher probability of ALK-rearrangement positive, but on the other hand, there is no sufficient data for efficacies of ALK inhibitors in pediatric NSCLC patients. Here, we present an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with metastatic ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma. He was treated with ceritinib 450 mg with food once daily and has obtained near complete response in 18th month, with a largely regressed intrathoracic lesion and only localized residual distant metastatic disease. Meanwhile, he showed continued good tolerance after a short period of side effects at the beginning of the dose. This is the first report of the use of ceritinib in pediatric patient with NSCLC.

First-line crizotinib therapy is effective for a novel SEC31A-anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion in a patient with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma: a case report and literature reviews

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion was found in 3-7% of all patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer. The efficacy of ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ALK-TKI) in EML4-ALK has been extensively studied, whereas little evidence is available on its efficacy in rare ALK fusions. Here, we report the performance of crizotinib in a 50-year-old male lung adenocarcinoma patient with a novel rare SEC31A-ALK fusion. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple patchy high-density shadows in both lungs. The larger ones are located near the spine in the right lung lower lobe (55 × 34 mm) and the left hilar region (45 × 26 mm), with multiple enlarged mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes. Biopsy by bronchoscopy revealed invasive adenocarcinoma. The pathological stage of T4N3M1b (clinical stage: IVA) was confirmed. Next-generation sequencing revealed SEC31A: exon20~ALK: exon20 fusion, ABCB1 amplification, FGF19 amplification, DAXX p.S213L, MUTYH p.R19*(germline mutation and pathogenic) with tumor mutational burden at 3.2 mutations/Mb, microsatellite stable, proficient mismatch repair and PD-L1 positive [immunohistochemistry, tumor proportion score(TPS) 1-49% (TPS = 25%)]. Based on these findings, crizotinib was recommended for the first-line treatment at 250 mg twice daily. The first CT assessment after 2-month therapy showed partial response (PR) for the two larger lesions, multiple shadows and nodules in both lungs and the mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes. Crizotinib at 250 mg twice a day was applied in the following 9 months. Assessment at every 3 months (up to 1-year after diagnosis) showed further absorption for all lesions (continuous PR). We reported a novel rare ALK fusion SEC31A: EXON20~ALK: exon20 and showed the effectiveness of crizotinib against the fusion. This study provided strong evidence for the efficacy of ALK-TKI for rare ALK fusion.

Molecular pathways, resistance mechanisms and targeted interventions in non-small-cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The discovery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors effectively targeting EGFR mutations in lung cancer patients in 2004 represented the beginning of the precision medicine era for this refractory disease. This great progress benefits from the identification of driver gene mutations, and after that, conventional and new technologies such as NGS further illustrated part of the complex molecular pathways of NSCLC. More targetable driver gene mutation identification in NSCLC patients greatly promoted the development of targeted therapy and provided great help for patient outcomes including significantly improved survival time and quality of life. Herein, we review the literature and ongoing clinical trials of NSCLC targeted therapy to address the molecular pathways and targeted intervention progress in NSCLC. In addition, the mutations in EGFR gene, ALK rearrangements, and KRAS mutations in the main sections, and the less common molecular alterations in MET, HER2, BRAF, ROS1, RET, and NTRK are discussed. The main resistance mechanisms of each targeted oncogene are highlighted to demonstrate the current dilemma of targeted therapy in NSCLC. Moreover, we discuss potential therapies to overcome the challenges of drug resistance. In this review, we manage to display the current landscape of targetable therapeutic patterns in NSCLC in this era of precision medicine.

Malignant neoplasm of the bronchi and lung: Russian clinical guidelines

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Assessment of the Clinical Utility of Pretreatment DPYD Testing for Patients Receiving Fluoropyrimidine Chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Patients who carry pathogenic variants in DPYD have higher systemic fluoropyrimidine (FP) concentrations and greater risk of severe and fatal FP toxicity. Pretreatment DPYD testing and DPYD-guided FP dosing to reduce toxicity and health care costs is recommended by European clinical oncology guidelines and has been adopted across Europe, but has not been recommended or adopted in the United States. The cochairs of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for colon cancer treatment explained their concerns with recommending pretreatment DPYD testing, particularly the risk that reduced FP doses in DPYD carriers may reduce treatment efficacy.

METHODS

This special article uses previously published frameworks for assessing the clinical utility of cancer biomarker tests, including for germline indicators of toxicity risk, to assess the clinical utility of pretreatment DPYD testing, with a particular focus on the risk of reducing treatment efficacy.

RESULTS

There is no direct evidence of efficacy reduction, and the available indirect evidence demonstrates that DPYD-guided FP dosing results in similar systemic FP exposure and toxicity compared with standard dosing in noncarriers, and is well calibrated to the maximum tolerated dose, strongly suggesting there is minimal risk of efficacy reduction.

CONCLUSION

This article should serve as a call to action for clinicians and clinical guidelines committees in the United States to re-evaluate the clinical utility of pretreatment DPYD testing. If clinical utility has not been demonstrated, further dialogue is needed to clarify what additional evidence is needed and which of the available study designs, also described within this article, would be appropriate. Clinical guideline recommendations for pretreatment DPYD testing would increase clinical adoption and ensure that all patients receive maximally safe and effective FP treatment.

Excellent response of lung adenocarcinoma harboring a rare SLC8A1 downstream intergenic region ALK fusion to ceritinib treatment: A case report

RATIONALE

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusion, an important driver gene alteration leading to the development of lung cancer, occurs in 5% of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases in China. In addition to echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-ALK, which is the most common type of ALK fusion, various fusion partner genes have been identified in recent years. However, ALK intergenic breakpoint fusions confound fusion detection and targeted treatment.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 40-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 2-month history of a cough.

DIAGNOSIS

Based on the right hilar lymph node biopsy and positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) examination, the patient was diagnosed with "stage IV lung adenocarcinoma" showing metastases in the mediastina, right hilar lymph nodes, and C7 vertebral body. A rare solute carrier family 8 member A1 (SLC8A1) downstream intergenic region ALK fusion was identified in biopsy specimens using next-generation sequencing (NGS).

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received first-line molecular-targeted therapy (ceritinib).

OUTCOMES

After nearly 9 months, the best evaluation of partial remission (PR) was obtained.

LESSONS

This is the first clinical evidence of advanced NSCLC due to a rare SLC8A1 downstream intergenic region ALK fusion that has been effectively treated with ceritinib. Whether this finding represents an inherent property of this fusion protein or its unique clinicopathological characteristics in patients carrying this fusion protein remains to be investigated. Moreover, the patient's durable response to ceritinib and future resistance mechanisms require further follow-up.

The quantum leap in therapeutics for advanced ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer and pursuit to cure with precision medicine

Since the discovery 15 years ago, we have seen a quantum leap in the treatment and survival for individuals diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancers. Unfortunately however, for most, the diagnosis is made in an incurable circumstance given the late presentation of symptoms. Through a revolutionary wave of therapeutics, individuals may remarkably live over a decade, however many fall short of this milestone, as the molecular profile of this disease is very heterogeneous, reflected in variable survival outcomes. Despite a significant improval in survival and quality of life with ALK-inhibitor monotherapies, now available across multiple-generations, drug resistance and disease relapse remains inevitable, and treatment is offered in an empiric, stepwise, non personalised biomarker informed fashion. A proposed future focus to treating ALK to improve the chronicity of this disease and even promote cure, is to deliver a personalised dynamic approach to care, with rational combinations of drugs in conjunction with local ablative therapies to prevent and constantly proactively alter clonal selection. Such an approach would be informed by precision imaging with MRI-brain and FDG-PETs sequentially, and by regular plasma sampling including for circulating tumour DNA sequencing with personalised therapeutic switches occurring prior to the emergence of radiological and clinical relapse. Such an approach to care will require a complete paradigm shift in the way we approach the treatment of advanced cancer, however evidence to date in ALK+ lung cancers, support this new frontier of investigation.

Identification of a novel RMST-ALK rearrangement in advanced lung adenocarcinoma and durable response to ceritinib: A case report

Next-generation sequencing technology has enabled the identification of fusion partners of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in non-small cell lung cancer, and various ALK fusion partners have been confirmed. Here, a novel rhabdomyosarcoma 2-associated transcript (RMST)-ALK rearrangement was identified in an 80-year-old Chinese man with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The patient was prescribed ceritinib and achieved a partial response, which has been sustained for more than 18 months. This is the first report of the RMST-ALK rearrangement, and we showed that a patient with lung adenocarcinoma carrying this rearrangement can benefit from ceritinib treatment; therefore, this is a significant finding in clinical practice.

The Change in Paradigm for NSCLC Patients with EML4–ALK Translocation

The severe prognosis linked with a lung cancer diagnosis has changed with the discovery of oncogenic molecularly driven subgroups and the use of tailored treatment. ALK-translocated advanced lung cancer is the most interesting model, having achieved the longest overall survival. Here, we report the most important paradigmatic shifts in the prognosis and treatment for this subgroup population occurred among lung cancer.

ASCEND-7: Efficacy and Safety of Ceritinib Treatment in Patients with ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Metastatic to the Brain and/or Leptomeninges

PURPOSE

Central nervous system metastases are a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ALK-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The phase II ASCEND-7 (NCT02336451) study was specifically designed to assess the efficacy and safety of the ALK inhibitor (ALKi) ceritinib in patients with ALK+ NSCLC metastatic to the brain and/or leptomeninges.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with active brain metastases were allocated to study arms 1 to 4 based on prior exposure to an ALKi and/or prior brain radiation (arm 1: prior radiotherapy/ALKi-pretreated; arm 2: no radiotherapy/ALKi-pretreated; arm 3: prior radiotherapy/ALKi-naïve; arm 4: no radiotherapy/ALKi-naïve). Arm 5 included patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Patients received ceritinib 750 mg once daily (fasted condition). Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed whole-body overall response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR) and intracranial/extracranial responses.

RESULTS

Per investigator assessment, in arms 1 (n = 42), 2 (n = 40), 3 (n = 12), and 4 (n = 44), respectively: whole-body ORRs [95% confidence interval (CI)] were 35.7% (21.6-52.0), 30.0% (16.6-46.5), 50.0% (21.1-78.9), and 59.1% (43.2-73.7); whole-body DCR (95% CI): 66.7% (50.5-80.4), 82.5% (67.2-92.7), 66.7% (34.9-90.1), and 70.5% (54.8-83.2); intracranial ORRs (95% CI): 39.3% (21.5-59.4), 27.6% (12.7-47.2), 28.6% (3.7-71.0), and 51.5% (33.5-69.2). In arm 5 (n = 18), whole-body ORR was 16.7% (95% CI, 3.6-41.4) and DCR was 66.7% (95% CI, 41.0-86.7). Paired cerebrospinal fluid and plasma sampling revealed that ceritinib penetrated the human blood-brain barrier.

CONCLUSIONS

Ceritinib showed antitumor activity in patients with ALK+ NSCLC with active brain metastases and/or leptomeningeal disease, and could be considered in the management of intracranial disease. See related commentary by Murciano-Goroff et al., p. 2477.

Complications following novel therapies for non-small cell lung cancer

The emergence of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors has paved a new era for the management of non-small cell lung cancer, which has for many years lacked major clinical breakthroughs. Historically, 5-year overall survival remained below 5% in individuals with metastatic disease. These novel treatments have led to significant prolongation of survival in the locally advanced and metastatic setting, exceeding 25% in selected populations. However, they present new challenges to clinicians due to their inherently different spectrum of toxicity unique to each specific drug's pharmacodynamic profile. Internists commonly come across these side effects in their daily clinical practice. Their optimal recognition and management are of utmost importance, because it is associated with significant improvements in patient survival outcomes and their quality of life. The aim of this review is to summarize the complications following these novel treatments for non-small cell lung cancer.

Safety of Tepotinib in Patients with MET Exon 14 Skipping NSCLC and Recommendations for Management

INTRODUCTION

The MET inhibitor tepotinib demonstrated durable clinical activity in patients with advanced MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC. We report detailed analyses of adverse events of clinical interest (AECIs) in VISION, including edema, a class effect of MET inhibitors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Incidence, management, and time to first onset/resolution were analyzed for all-cause AECIs, according to composite categories (edema, hypoalbuminemia, creatinine increase, and ALT/AST increase) or individual preferred terms (pleural effusion, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting), for patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC in the phase II VISION trial.

RESULTS

Of 255 patients analyzed (median age: 72 years), edema, the most common AECI, was reported in 69.8% (grade 3, 9.4%; grade 4, 0%). Median time to first edema onset was 7.9 weeks (range: 0.1-58.3). Edema was manageable with supportive measures, dose reduction (18.8%), and/or treatment interruption (23.1%), and rarely prompted discontinuation (4.3%). Other AECIs were also manageable and predominantly mild/moderate: hypoalbuminemia, 23.9% (grade 3, 5.5%); pleural effusion, 13.3% (grade ≥ 3, 5.1%); creatinine increase, 25.9% (grade 3, 0.4%); nausea, 26.7% (grade 3, 0.8%), diarrhea, 26.3% (grade 3, 0.4%), vomiting 12.9% (grade 3, 1.2%), and ALT/AST increase, 12.2% (grade ≥ 3, 3.1%). GI AEs typically occurred early and resolved in the first weeks.

CONCLUSION

Tepotinib was well tolerated in the largest trial of a MET inhibitor in METex14 skipping NSCLC. The most frequent AEs were largely mild/moderate and manageable with supportive measures and/or dose reduction/interruption, and caused few withdrawals in this elderly population.

Repurposing Ceritinib Induces DNA Damage and Enhances PARP Inhibitor Responses in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma

PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have activity in homologous recombination (HR) repair-deficient, high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC). However, even responsive tumors develop PARPi resistance, highlighting the need to delay or prevent the appearance of PARPi resistance. Here, we showed that the ALK kinase inhibitor ceritinib synergizes with PARPis by inhibiting complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent induction of oxidative DNA damage that is repaired in a PARP-dependent manner. In addition, combined treatment with ceritinib and PARPi synergized in HGSOC cell lines irrespective of HR status, and a combination of ceritinib with the PARPi olaparib induced tumor regression more effectively than olaparib alone in HGSOC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Notably, the ceritinib and olaparib combination was most effective in PDX models with preexisting PARPi sensitivity and was well tolerated. These findings unveil suppression of mitochondrial respiration, accumulation of ROS, and subsequent induction of DNA damage as novel effects of ceritinib. They also suggest that the ceritinib and PARPi combination warrants further investigation as a means to enhance PARPi activity in HGSOC, particularly in tumors with preexisting HR defects. SIGNIFICANCE: The kinase inhibitor ceritinib synergizes with PARPi to induce tumor regression in ovarian cancer models, suggesting that ceritinib combined with PARPi may be an effective strategy for treating ovarian cancer.

Targeted therapy for advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (<I>ALK</I>)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Targeted therapies directed at specific driver oncogenes have improved outcomes for individuals with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Approximately 5% of lung adenocarcinomas, the most common histologic subtype of NSCLC, harbour rearrangements in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene leading to constitutive activity of the ALK kinase. Crizotinib was the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) demonstrated to be effective in advanced NSCLC. Next-generation ALK TKIs have since been developed including ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, ensartinib, and lorlatinib, and have been compared with crizotinib or chemotherapy in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). These ALK-targeted therapies are currently used in clinical practice and are endorsed in multiple clinical oncology guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ALK inhibitors given as monotherapy to treat advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC.

SEARCH METHODS

We conducted electronic searches in the Cochrane Lung Cancer Group Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and Embase. We also searched conference proceedings from the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), and International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) World Conference on Lung Cancer, as well as the reference lists of retrieved articles. All searches were conducted from 2007 until 7 January 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs comparing ALK inhibitors with cytotoxic chemotherapy or another ALK inhibitor in individuals with incurable locally advanced or metastatic pathologically confirmed ALK-rearranged NSCLC.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed studies for eligibility, extracted study characteristics and outcome data, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for each included study. We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE. Primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse events (AE); secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS), OS at one year, overall response rate (ORR) by RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours) criteria, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We performed a meta-analysis for all outcomes, where appropriate, using the fixed-effect model. We reported hazard ratios (HR) for PFS, OS, and a composite HRQoL of life outcome (time to deterioration), and risk ratios (RR) for AE, ORR, and one-year OS. We presented 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and used the I² statistic to investigate heterogeneity. We planned comparisons of 'ALK inhibitor versus chemotherapy' and 'next-generation ALK inhibitor versus crizotinib' with subgroup analysis by type of ALK inhibitor, line of treatment, and baseline central nervous system involvement.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven studies (2874 participants) met our inclusion criteria: six studies compared an ALK inhibitor (crizotinib, ceritinib, and alectinib) to chemotherapy, and five studies compared a next-generation ALK inhibitor (alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib) to crizotinib. We assessed the evidence for most outcomes as of moderate to high certainty. Most studies were at low risk for selection, attrition, and reporting bias; however, no RCTs were blinded, resulting in a high risk of performance and detection bias for outcomes reliant on subjective measurement. ALK inhibitor versus chemotherapy Treatment with ALK inhibitors resulted in a large increase in PFS compared to chemotherapy (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.52, 6 RCTs, 1611 participants, high-certainty evidence). This was found regardless of line of treatment. ALK inhibitors may result in no difference in overall AE rate when compared to chemotherapy (RR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03, 5 RCTs, 1404 participants, low-certainty evidence). ALK inhibitors slightly improved OS (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.97, 6 RCTs, 1611 participants, high-certainty evidence), despite most included studies having a significant number of participants crossing over from chemotherapy to receive an ALK inhibitor after the study period. ALK inhibitors likely increase ORR (RR 2.43, 95% CI 2.16 to 2.75, 6 RCTs, 1611 participants, moderate-certainty evidence) including in measurable baseline brain metastases (RR 4.88, 95% CI 2.18 to 10.95, 3 RCTs, 108 participants) when compared to chemotherapy. ALK inhibitors result in a large increase in the HRQoL measure, time to deterioration (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.60, 5 RCTs, 1504 participants, high-certainty evidence) when compared to chemotherapy. Next-generation ALK inhibitor versus crizotinib Next-generation ALK inhibitors resulted in a large increase in PFS (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.46, 5 RCTs, 1263 participants, high-certainty evidence), particularly in participants with baseline brain metastases. Next-generation ALK inhibitors likely result in no difference in overall AE (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.01, 5 RCTs, 1263 participants, moderate-certainty evidence) when compared to crizotinib. Next-generation ALK inhibitors likely increase OS (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.90, 5 RCTs, 1263 participants, moderate-certainty evidence) and slightly increase ORR (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.25, 5 RCTs, 1229 participants, moderate-certainty evidence) including a response in measurable brain metastases (RR 2.45, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.54, 4 RCTs, 138 participants) when compared to crizotinib. Studies comparing ALK inhibitors were conducted exclusively or partly in the first-line setting.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Next-generation ALK inhibitors including alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib are the preferred first systemic treatment for individuals with advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Further trials are ongoing including investigation of first-line ensartinib. Next-generation inhibitors have not been compared to each other, and it is unknown which should be used first and what subsequent treatment sequence is optimal.

Comparative efficacy and safety of first-line treatments for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with ALK-rearranged: a meta-analysis of clinical trials

Background

Whereas there are many pharmacological interventions prescribed for patients with advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)- rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), comparative data between novel generation ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remain scant. Here, we indirectly compared the efficacy and safety of first-line systemic therapeutic options used for the treatment of ALK-rearranged NSCLC.

Methods

We included all phase 2 and 3 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any two or three treatment options. Eligible studies reported at least one of the following outcomes: progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), or adverse events of grade 3 or higher (Grade ≥ 3 AEs). Subgroup analysis was conducted according to central nervous system (CNS) metastases.

Results

A total of 9 RCTs consisting of 2484 patients with 8 treatment options were included in the systematic review. Our analysis showed that alectinib (300 mg and 600 mg), brigatinib, lorlatinib and ensartinib yielded the most favorable PFS. Whereas there was no significant OS or ORR difference among the ALK-TKIs. According to Bayesian ranking profiles, lorlatinib, alectinib 600 mg and alectinib 300 mg had the best PFS (63.7%), OS (35.9%) and ORR (37%), respectively. On the other hand, ceritinib showed the highest rate of severe adverse events (60%).

Conclusion

Our analysis indicated that alectinib and lorlatinib might be associated with the best therapeutic efficacy in first-line treatment for major population of advanced NSCLC patients with ALK-rearrangement. However, since there is little comparative evidence on the treatment options, there is need for relative trials to fully determine the best treatment options as well as the rapidly evolving treatment landscape.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08977-0.

Ceritinib in paediatric patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive malignancies: an open-label, multicentre, phase 1, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study

BACKGROUND

Several paediatric malignancies, including anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT), neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, harbour activation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) through different mechanisms. Here, we report the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of ceritinib in paediatric patients with ALK-positive malignancies.

METHODS

This multicentre, open-label, phase 1 trial was done at 23 academic hospitals in ten countries. Children (aged ≥12 months to <18 years) diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic ALK-positive malignancies that had progressed despite standard therapy, or for which no effective standard therapy were available, were eligible. ALK-positive malignancies were defined as those with ALK rearrangement, amplification, point mutation, or in the case of rhabdomyosarcoma, expression in the absence of any genetic alteration. Eligible patients had evaluable or measurable disease as defined by either Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours, version 1.1 for patients with non-haematological malignancies, International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria scan for patients with neuroblastoma, or International Working Group criteria for patients with lymphoma. Other eligibility criteria were Karnofsky performance status score of at least 60% for patients older than 12 years or Lansky score of at least 50% for patients aged 12 years or younger. This study included a dose-escalation part, followed by a dose-expansion part, in which all patients received treatment at the recommended dose for expansion (RDE) established in the dose-escalation part. Both parts of the study were done in fasted and fed states. In the dose-escalation part, patients were treated with once-daily ceritinib orally, with dose adjusted for body-surface area, rounded to the nearest multiple of the 50 mg dose strength. The starting dose in the fasted state was 300 mg/m² daily and for the fed state was 320 mg/m² daily. The primary objective of this study was to establish the maximum tolerated dose (ie, RDE) of ceritinib in the fasted and fed states. The RDE was established on the basis of the incidence of dose-limiting toxicities in patients who completed a minimum of 21 days of treatment with safety assessments and at least 75% drug exposure, or who discontinued treatment earlier because of dose-limiting toxicity. Overall response rate (defined as the proportion of patients with a best overall response of complete response or partial response) was a secondary endpoint. Activity and safety analyses were done in all patients who received at least one dose of ceritinib. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01742286) and is completed.

FINDINGS

Between Aug 28, 2013, and Oct 17, 2017, 83 children with ALK-positive malignancies were enrolled to the dose-escalation (n=40) and dose-expansion (n=43) groups. The RDE of ceritinib was established as 510 mg/m² (fasted) and 500 mg/m² (fed). 55 patients (30 with neuroblastoma, ten with IMT, eight with ALCL, and seven with other tumour types) were treated with ceritinib at the RDE (13 patients at 510 mg/m² fasted and 42 patients at 500 mg/m² fed). The median follow-up was 33·3 months (IQR 24·8-39·3) for patients with neuroblastoma, 33·2 months (27·9-35·9) for those with IMT, 34·0 months (21·9-46·4) for those with ALCL, and 27·5 months (22·4-36·9) for patients with other tumour types. An overall response was recorded in six (20%; 95% CI 8-39) of 30 patients with neuroblastoma, seven (70%; 33-93) of ten patients with IMT, six (75%; 35-97) of eight patients with ALCL, and one (14%; <1-58) of seven patients with other tumours. The safety profile of ceritinib was consistent with that observed in adult patients. All patients had at least one adverse event. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 67 (81%) of 83 patients and were mostly increases in aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase increase in 38 [46%] patients and aspartate aminotransferase increase in 27 [33%] patients). At least one serious adverse event was reported in 40 (48%) of 83 patients and 31 (37%) of 83 patients had at least one grade 3 or 4 serious adverse event. 14 (17%) deaths occurred during the study, of which 12 were on-treatment deaths and two were after 30 days of the last dose. Of the 12 on-treatment deaths, ten were due to disease progression (neuroblastoma), one due to sepsis, and one due to intractable hypotension.

INTERPRETATION

Ceritinib 500 mg/m² once daily with food is the recommended dose for paediatric patients with ALK-positive malignancies. Ceritinib showed promising preliminary antitumour activity in patients with ALK-positive refractory or recurrent IMT or ALCL, and in a subset of patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma, with a manageable safety profile. Our data support the notion that ALK inhibitors should be considered in therapeutic strategies for paediatric patients with malignancies with genetic ALK alterations.

FUNDING

Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation.

The Resistance Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies for ALK-Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a validated molecular target for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has led to significantly improved survival benefits. However, the clinical benefits of targeting ALK using TKIs are limited due to the emergence of drug resistance. The landscape of resistance mechanisms and treatment decisions has become increasingly complex. Therefore, continued research into new drugs and combinatorial therapies is required to improve outcomes in NSCLC. In this review, we explore the resistance mechanisms of ALK TKIs in advanced NSCLC in order to provide a theoretical basis and research ideas for solving the problem of ALK drug resistance.

Ceritinib Efficacy and Safety in Treatment-Naive Asian Patients With Advanced ALK-Rearranged NSCLC: An ASCEND-4 Subgroup Analysis

Introduction

In the phase 3 ASCEND-4 study, ceritinib exhibited improved progression-free survival (PFS) by Blinded Independent Review Committee (BIRC) assessment versus the standard first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Here, we assessed the efficacy and safety of ceritinib in the subgroup of Asian patients from the ASCEND-4 trial.

Methods

Treatment-naive patients with stage IIIB or IV ALK-rearranged nonsquamous NSCLC were randomized in a one-to-one ratio to receive either oral ceritinib 750 mg/day (fasted) daily or intravenous chemotherapy ([cisplatin 75 mg/m² or carboplatin area under the curve 5–6 plus pemetrexed 500 mg/m²] every three wk, followed by pemetrexed maintenance). The primary end point was PFS by BIRC assessment.

Results

Of 376 randomized patients, 158 (42.0%) were Asian (ceritinib arm: N = 76; chemotherapy arm: N = 82). The median time from randomization to the cutoff date (June 24, 2016) was 18.3 months (range = 13.5–34.2) in the Asian subgroup. The median PFS (by BIRC assessment) was 26.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.6–not estimable) and 10.6 months (95% CI: 6.7–15.0), with an estimated 34% risk reduction in PFS (hazard ratio = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.41–1.05) in the ceritinib arm versus chemotherapy arm. The most common adverse events of any grade were diarrhea (85.5%), increased alanine aminotransferase and vomiting (73.7% each), and increased aspartate aminotransferase and nausea (69.7% each) in the ceritinib arm, and nausea (49.3%), vomiting (42.7%), and anemia (40.0%) in the chemotherapy arm.

Conclusion

Ceritinib was effective and safe in treatment-naive Asian patients with advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC. The findings were largely consistent with that of the overall study population.

Low-Dose Abiraterone in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Is It Practice Changing? Facts and Facets

PURPOSE

It is projected that approximately 50,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2020 in India. Survival has improved because of the development of effective drugs such as abiraterone acetate, but universal accessibility to treatment is not always possible because of cost constraints in lower- and middle-income countries. Recently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has included low-dose abiraterone (250 mg/day) with food as an alternative treatment option to full-dose abiraterone (1,000 mg/day) fasting.

METHODS

The Science and Cost Cancer Consortium conducted a survey to evaluate the use of abiraterone in India and the opinions of medical oncologists about using low-dose treatment. Modeling was used to estimate potential financial benefits to individual patients and to estimate overall costs of health care in India if low-dose abiraterone is prescribed.

RESULTS

Of 251 Indian medical oncologists who were invited to participate in the survey, 125 provided their e-mail address and received the survey; 118 responded (47% of the total). Of these, 25% were not aware of the recent NCCN recommendation, 55% were already prescribing low-dose abiraterone when resources were limited, 7% had already changed their practice, and 29% agreed to switch to a universal practice of using low-dose abiraterone with food; 9% of practitioners would not use low-dose abiraterone. Estimated mean per patient savings was US$3,640, with annual savings of US$182 million in India.

CONCLUSION

Use of lower-dose abiraterone would increase access to treatment in India and globally and lead to large cost savings.

A phase I study of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors

In this phase I, dose-escalation study, we sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase/c-ROS oncogene 1 receptor (ALK/ROS1) inhibitor ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. Secondary objectives were characterization of the safety profile, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of these combinations, and identification of potential biomarkers of efficacy. Ceritinib was combined with gemcitabine (Arm 1), gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (Arm 2) or gemcitabine/cisplatin (Arm 3). Drug concentrations in plasma were measured by tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS). We analyzed archival tumor tissue for ALK, ROS1, hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) expression by immunohistochemistry. Arm 2 closed early secondary to toxicity. Twenty-one patients were evaluable for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). There was one DLT in Arm 1 (grade 3 ALT increase) and three DLTs in Arm 3 (grade 3 acute renal failure, grade 3 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 dyspnea). The MTD of ceritinib was determined to be 600 mg (Arm 1) and 450 mg orally daily (Arm 3). Main toxicities were hematologic, constitutional and gastrointestinal as expected by the chemotherapy backbone. The apparent clearance for ceritinib decreased substantially after repeated dosing; cisplatin did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of ceritinib. The overall response rate was 20%; the median progression-free survival was 4.8 months. Three out of five response-evaluable cholangiocarcinoma patients had clinical benefit. Increased expression of c-MET was associated with a lack of clinical benefit. Ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine and gemcitabine/cisplatin has a manageable toxicity profile. Further development of this strategy in tumors with ALK or ROS1 fusions is warranted.

[Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Ceritinib 450 mg with Food in Chinese ALK-positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

背景与目的

间变性淋巴瘤激酶(anaplastic lymphoma kinase, ALK)染色体易位为非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)常见的驱动基因。塞瑞替尼为第二代的ALK抑制剂, 可为ALK阳性转移性NSCLC患者带来生存获益, 但国内尚无塞瑞替尼用药安全性及疗效的研究报道。因此本研究拟通过真实世界研究来探讨塞瑞替尼450 mg随餐服用治疗中国ALK阳性NSCLC患者的安全性及近期疗效。

方法

回顾性分析2018年10月-2019年12月期间就诊于四川省8家医疗机构口服塞瑞替尼450 mg/d随餐治疗的ALK阳性NSCLC患者, 收集患者基本信息、治疗期间不良事件(adverse effects, AEs)及疗效数据等资料, 评价其安全性及初步疗效。

结果

研究共纳入109例患者, 随访至2020年1月23日, 中位服药时间为5.87个月(范围：0.4个月-15.7个月), 总体不良事件发生率为89.9%, 3级-4级不良事件发生率为22.9%。最常见AEs(主要为1级-2级)为腹泻(60.6%)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase, ALT)升高(38.5%)及门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase, AST)升高(37.6%)。至随访截止, 共45例患者停药, 总体客观缓解率(objective response rate, ORR)为37.6%(95%CI: 28.5%-47.4%), 疾病控制率(disease control rate, DCR)为86.2%(95%CI: 78.3%-92.1%)。

结论

真实世界中, 塞瑞替尼450 mg随餐服用的给药方式在中国ALK阳性NSCLC患者中具有良好的安全性及疾病控制率, 但需要更大样本量的前瞻性研究来进一步验证。

The mechanisms of resistance to second- and third-generation ALK inhibitors and strategies to overcome such resistance

INTRODUCTION

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors are widely known to contribute to the long-term survival of ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Based on clinical trial data, treatment with second- or third-generation ALK inhibitors can be initiated after crizotinib therapy without analyzing resistance mechanisms, and some randomized trials have recently shown the superiority of second- or third-generation ALK inhibitors over crizotinib as the initial treatment; however, the optimal treatment for patients who relapse while on second- or third-generation ALK inhibitors is not well-defined.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an overview of the mechanisms of resistance to second- or third-generation ALK inhibitors that have been identified in both clinical and pre-clinical settings, and introduces strategies for overcoming resistance and discusses ongoing clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

The comprehensive elucidation of both ALK-dependent and ALK-independent resistance mechanisms is necessary to improve the prognosis of patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Liquid biopsy to clarify these mechanisms of resistance might play an important role in the near future.

ROS1 Targeted Therapies: Current Status

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Molecular drivers are increasingly identified as therapeutic targets for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This review focuses on the role of ROS1 inhibitors in treating relapsed/metastatic ROS-1 altered (ROS1+) NSCLC.

RECENT FINDINGS

Four FDA-approved drugs have significant activity against ROS1+ NSCLC: crizotinib, ciritinib, lorlatinib, and entrectinib. Each drug yields an overall response rates exceeding 60% with ciritinib, lorlatinib, and entrectinib possessing intracranial activity. The drugs have manageable toxicity profiles. ROS1 alterations are rare molecular drivers of NSCLC that can be effectively treated with a variety of ROS1-targetd drugs. New agents are being identified that may treat resistance mutations.

Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of the Oral Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Mobocertinib (TAK-788) in Healthy Volunteers: Low-Fat Meal Effect and Relative Bioavailability of 2 Capsule Products

Mobocertinib (TAK‐788) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor under investigation for treatment of non–small cell lung cancer with activating EGFR exon 20 insertions. This study examined the safety; tolerability; pharmacokinetics (PK), including food effects; and bioavailability of mobocertinib in healthy volunteers. In part 1, fasted volunteers were randomized to placebo or mobocertinib in single‐ascending‐dose cohorts (20‐160 mg). In part 2, mobocertinib (120/160 mg) was administered on day 1 of periods 1 and 2 under fasted or low‐fat meal conditions (2‐period, 2‐sequence crossover design). In part 3, fasted volunteers received mobocertinib 160 mg in 1 of 2 capsule products on day 1 of periods 1 and 2 with 7‐day washout. Safety and PK parameters were assessed. Sixty‐nine volunteers were enrolled (mean age, 29 years; 75% male). The most common adverse events (AEs; ≥10% of volunteers) were gastrointestinal AEs (25%‐50%) and headache (8%‐31%). No serious AEs were reported. A low‐fat meal did not affect the PK of mobocertinib or its active metabolites. The geometric mean terminal disposition phase half‐life (20 hours) supported once‐daily dosing. The 2 capsule products were bioequivalent. These data guided dosing and supported administration of mobocertinib without regard to low‐fat meal intake in ongoing and planned clinical studies.

An Arm and a Leg: The Rising Cost of Cancer Drugs and Impact on Access

Increasing cancer drug prices present global challenges to treatment access and cancer outcomes. Substantial variability exists in drug pricing across countries. In countries without universal health care, patients are responsible for treatment costs. Low- or middle-income countries are heavily impacted, with limited patient access to novel cancer treatments. Financial toxicity is seen across cancer types, countries, and health care systems. Those at highest risk include younger patients, new immigrants, visible minority groups, and those without private health coverage. Currently, cancer drug pricing does not correlate with value or clinical benefit. Value-based pricing of oncology drugs may incentivize development of higher-value medicines and eliminate excess spending on drugs that yield little benefit. Generics and biosimilars in oncology can also improve affordability and patient access, offering dramatic reductions in drug spending while maintaining patient benefit. Oncologists can promote value-based care by following evidence-based clinical guidelines that avoid low-value treatments. Researchers can also engage in value-based research that critically explores optimal cancer drug dosing, schedules, and treatment duration and defines patient populations most likely to benefit (e.g., through biomarker selection). Cancer Groundshot proposes that we improve outcomes for today's patients with cancer, including broader global access for high-value treatments, promotion of affordable cancer control strategies, and reduction of cancer morbidity and mortality through low-cost prevention and screening initiatives. Moving forward, major oncology societies recommend promoting uniform global access to essential cancer medicines and avoiding financial harm for patients as key principles in addressing the affordability of cancer drugs.

Effect of food on the single-dose pharmacokinetics and tolerability of savolitinib in Chinese healthy volunteers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a high-fat and high-calorie meal on the single-dose pharmacokinetics (PK) and tolerability of savolitinib. The study included two phases: safety run-in phase and food effect assessment phase. In the safety run-in phase, 9 healthy male volunteers were divided into three groups to be administered a single oral dose of savolitinib tablets at 200, 400, and 600 mg. In the food effect assessment phase, 16 healthy male volunteers received a single 600 mg dose of savolitinib tablets following an overnight fast or a high-fat and high-calorie breakfast prior to dosing. Blood samples were collected at the designated time points for pharmacokinetic analysis. Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout the study by clinical assessments and adverse events (AEs). A total of 25 healthy male volunteers were enrolled in the study, including 9 in the safety run-in phase and 16 in the food effect assessment phase. In the food effect assessment phase, the geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) for savolitinib dosed under the fed condition compared with that dosed under the fasting condition were 102.7% (84.9%, 124.2%) and 117.1% (103.9%, 131.9%) for C_max and AUC_0-inf of savolitinib, respectively. The T_max was delayed significantly (p = 0.023) under fed condition. The most common AEs possibly related to the study drug were dizziness, nausea, and emesis. The study indicated that a high-fat and high-calorie meal has no clinically relevant impact on the PK and bioavailability of savolitinib in healthy male volunteers.

Near-complete response to low-dose ceritinib in recurrent infantile inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour

Background

Infantile inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is rare and the majority are driven by anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements. Previous literature on the use of ALK inhibitors in paediatric IMTs is extremely limited with no published literature on the use in infants. Crizotinib and ceritinib are two ALK inhibitors which are available and have been used in IMTs; however, ceritinib is much more affordable in the low- and middle-income country (LMIC) setting than crizotinib.

Case

An 11-month-old child, who had undergone surgery for mesenteric IMT at the age of 3 months, had an unresectable recurrence with soft tissue deposits in the subdiaphragmatic location abutting the spleen and paravesical location. As surgery would have entailed splenectomy and partial cystectomy, she was treated with low-dose ceritinib (300 mg/m2/day) with which she had a near-complete response without any toxicity.

Discussion and conclusion

This is the first report of the use of ceritinib at a lower dose for infantile IMT having immense practical applications for the low- and middle-income setting.

A retrospective study of alectinib versus ceritinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer of anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion in whom crizotinib treatment failed

Background

Crizotinib is the approved treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion. Failure of crizotinib treatment frequently involves drug intolerance or resistance. Comparison of using second-generation ALK inhibitors in this setting remains lacking.

Methods

Sixty-five ALK-positive advanced NSCLC patients receiving second-generation ALK inhibitors following treatment failure of crizotinib were retrospectively analyzed for the therapeutic efficacy.

Results

Forty-three (66.2%) and 22 (33.8%) patients received alectinib and ceritinib, respectively. Comparing alectinib to ceritinib treatment: the 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate (61.0% [95% confidence interval, 47.1 to 78.9%] vs. 54.5% [95% CI, 37.3 to 79.9%]); the hazard ratio (HR) for disease progression or death, 0.61 (95% CI, 0.31–1.17; p = 0.135). Multivariate Cox regression showed ECOG PS (0–1 vs. 2–3 HR 0.09 [95% CI, 0.02–0.33]; p < 0.001) and cause of crizotinib treatment failure (resistance vs. intolerance HR 2.75 [95% CI, 1.26–5.99]; p = 0.011) were the independent predictors for the PFS of second-generation ALK inhibitors. Treatment of alectinib, compared to ceritinib, was associated with a lower incidence of CNS progression (cause-specific HR, 0.10; 95% CI 0.01–0.78; p = 0.029) and a higher efficacy in patients whose cause of crizotinib treatment failure was intolerance (HR 0.29 [95% CI, 0.08–1.06]; p = 0.050). The most commonly noted adverse events were elevated AST/ALT in 10 (23.3%) patients treated with alectinib and diarrhea in 8 (36.4%) patients treated with ceritinib.

Conclusion

Second-generation ALK inhibitors in crizotinib-treated patients showed a satifactory efficacy. Alectinib treatment demonstrated a CNS protection activity and a higher PFS in selected patients failing crizotinib treatment.

Current treatment and future challenges in ROS1- and ALK-rearranged advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Non─small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents different druggable genetic abnormalities, including ROS1 and ALK rearrangements, which share relevant clinical features and therapeutic strategies. The homology between the tyrosine kinase domains of ROS1 and ALK defines unique subsets of patients highly sensitive to targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Genomic profiling in advanced NSCLC is standard, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization being the main techniques used to detect genomic rearrangements. Personalized treatment with TKIs in ROS1- and ALK-positive NSCLC patients has dramatically improved patients' outcomes. Crizotinib has been the first-line standard of care treatment in ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients for a long time, while crizotinib still represents the best upfront therapeutic option in ROS1-positive NSCLC patients, followed by next-generation TKIs at the time of disease progression. However, the improved intracranial efficacy of next-generation TKIs has led to these drugs becoming first-line options, widening treatment opportunities for these patients. Since all patients will develop disease progression under TKI therapy, understanding the mechanisms of acquired resistance is crucial to define the optimal sequential therapeutic strategy. Despite the positive correlation between personalized treatment and patients' outcome, access to next-generation TKIs and genomic profiling at the time of disease progression are major challenges to achieving this goal. In this review, we present updated evidence on ROS1- and ALK-rearranged NSCLC regarding epidemiology and diagnostics, current therapies and the most suitable sequential treatment approaches, as well as mechanisms of acquired resistance and strategies to overcome them.

Targeted Therapy in Advanced and Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. An Update on Treatment of the Most Important Actionable Oncogenic Driver Alterations

Due to groundbreaking developments and continuous progress, the treatment of advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become an exciting, but increasingly challenging task. This applies, in particular, to the subgroup of NSCLC with oncogenic driver alterations. While the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged NSCLC with various tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is well-established, new targets have been identified in the last few years and new TKIs introduced in clinical practice. Even for KRAS mutations, considered for a long time as an "un-targetable" alteration, promising new drugs are emerging. The detection and in-depth molecular analysis of resistance mechanisms has further fueled the development of new therapeutic strategies. The objective of this review is to give a comprehensive overview on the current landscape of targetable oncogenic alterations in NSCLC.

How to select the best upfront therapy for metastatic disease? Focus on ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors have demonstrated robust clinical activity in patients with ALK-rearranged lung cancers. The echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like (EML)-ALK translocation was first discovered in 2007 and 4 years later, crizotinib, a first-generation ALK inhibitor was approved. Since then, subsequent generations of ALK inhibitors have demonstrated superior efficacy and better CNS activity compared to crizotinib. Alectinib and brigatinib, both second-generation ALK inhibitors have been compared directly to crizotinib in the first-line setting and has demonstrated improved progression free survival (PFS) and intracranial response. Ceritinib, another second-generation ALK inhibitor has been shown to be superior to chemotherapy in ALK-rearranged disease with good CNS activity. Initial responses to ALK inhibitors are not always durable and resistance can occur as on-target or off-target alterations. Lorlatinib, a third-generation ALK inhibitor, has demonstrated activity in the treatment naïve setting and in resistance to crizotinib and second-generation ALK inhibitors. Lorlatinib has also shown improved PFS in patients harboring EML4-ALK variant 3, which is associated with the development of ALK resistance mutations, specifically G1202R. Another new ALK inhibitor, ensartinib, has demonstrated efficacy in the first-line setting and in alectinib refractory disease. Additional studies are underway examining mechanisms of resistance and best treatment options post resistance.

Therapeutic Sequencing in ALK+ NSCLC

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer (ALK⁺ NSCLC) is a model disease for the use of targeted pharmaceuticals in thoracic oncology. Due to higher systemic and intracranial efficacy, the second-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) alectinib and brigatinib have irrevocably displaced crizotinib as standard first-line treatment, based on the results of the ALEX and ALTA-1L trials. Besides, lorlatinib and brigatinib are the preferred second-line therapies for progression under second-generation TKI and crizotinib, respectively, based on the results of several phase II studies. Tissue or liquid rebiopsies at the time of disease progression, even though not mandated by the approval status of any ALK inhibitor, are gaining importance for individualization and optimization of patient management. Of particular interest are cases with off-target resistance, for example MET, HER2 or KRAS alterations, which require special therapeutic maneuvers, e.g., inclusion in early clinical trials or off-label administration of respectively targeted drugs. On the other hand, up to approximately half of the patients failing TKI, develop anatomically restricted progression, which can be initially tackled with local ablative measures without switch of systemic therapy. Among the overall biologically favorable ALK⁺ tumors, with a mean tumor mutational burden uniquely below 3 mutations per Mb and the longest survival among NSCLC currently, presence of the EML4-ALK fusion variant 3 and/or TP53 mutations identify high-risk cases with earlier treatment failure and a need for more aggressive surveillance and treatment strategies. The potential clinical utility of longitudinal ctDNA assays for earlier detection of disease progression and improved guidance of therapy in these patients is a currently a matter of intense investigation. Major pharmaceutical challenges for the field are the development of more potent, fourth-generation TKI and effective immuno-oncological interventions, especially ALK-directed cell therapies, which will be essential for further improving survival and achieving cure of ALK⁺ tumors.