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Li A, Wang Y, Yu Z, Tan Z, He L, Fu S, Shi M, Du W, Luo L, Li Z, Liu J, Zhou Y, Fang W, Yang Y, Zhang L, Hong S. STK11/LKB1-Deficient Phenotype Rather Than Mutation Diminishes Immunotherapy Efficacy and Represents STING/Type I Interferon/CD8 + T-Cell Dysfunction in NSCLC. J Thorac Oncol 2023; 18:1714-1730. [PMID: 37495171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Conflicting findings have been reported regarding the association between STK11/LKB1 mutations and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICB) efficacy in NSCLC. It has been reported that tumors could exhibit impaired STK11/LKB1 function even without STK11 mutations. We hypothesized that STK11 phenotype rather than mutation may better stratify ICB outcomes. METHODS Selected functional STK11 events and LKB1 protein data were leveraged to establish a transcriptomics-based classifier of STK11 phenotype (STK11-deficient [-def] or -proficient [-prof]). We analyzed in-house and Genentech/Roche's data of three randomized trials of programmed cell death protein-1 or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibition in NSCLC (ORIENT-11, n = 171; OAK, n = 699; POPLAR, n = 192) and The Cancer Genome Atlas-NSCLC cohort. RESULTS Tissue STK11 mutation did not affect ICB outcomes. However, the survival benefit of ICB versus chemotherapy were lost or reversed in STK11-def tumors (hazard ratios for death, 95% confidence interval: OAK [0.97, 0.69-1.35]; POPLAR [1.61, 0.88-2.97]; ORIENT-11 [1.07, 0.50-2.29]), while remaining in STK11-prof tumors (hazard ratios for death, 95% confidence interval: OAK [0.81, 0.66-0.99]; POPLAR [0.66, 0.46-0.95]; ORIENT-11 [0.59, 0.37-0.92]). In tumors differentially classified by phenotype and mutation status, STK11-wild-type/def tumors had significantly worse ICB outcomes than STK11-mutated (STK11-MUT)/prof tumors (p < 0.05). The deleterious impact of STK11 deficiency was independent of STK11/KRAS/KEAP1 status or PD-L1 expression. The STING/interferon-I signaling, which was previously shown to be suppressed in STK11-MUT models, was perturbed in patients with STK11-def tumors rather than those with STK11-MUT tumors. Surprisingly, whereas high CD8+ T-cell infiltration was significantly associated with prolonged survival with ICB in STK11-prof tumors (p < 0.05 for 3 trials), it predicted an opposite trend toward worse ICB outcomes in STK11-def tumors across three trials. This suggested an association between STK11 deficiency and CD8+ T-cell dysfunction, which might not be reversed by programmed cell death protein 1 or PD-L1 blockade. CONCLUSIONS STK11 phenotype rather than mutation status can accurately identify patients with ICB-refractory NSCLC and reflect immune suppression. It can help refine stratification algorithms for future clinical research and also provide a reliable resource aiding basic and translational studies in identifying therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anlin Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of VIP Region, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zihui Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Diagnostics Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengting Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Linfeng Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhichao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaqing Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of VIP Region, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfeng Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaodong Hong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South People's Republic of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Optimal Management of Patients with Advanced NSCLC Harboring High PD-L1 Expression and Driver Mutations. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2020; 21:60. [PMID: 32588244 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-020-00750-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Patients with stage IV or recurrent/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors harbor high PD-L1 expression and driver mutations with approved targeted treatments (EGFR, ALK, BRAFV600E, ROS1) should receive initial therapy with targeted therapy based on impressive clinical activity. PD-(L)1 inhibitors have demonstrated minimal activity in many driver mutation subsets including EGFR and ALK and appears to have more benefit in smoking-associated oncogenic drivers (KRAS, BRAF). For KRAS-driven tumors, co-mutations such as STK11/LKB1 are negative predictive markers of immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Therefore, driver mutations need to be evaluated before pursuing immunotherapy independent of PD-L1 expression level. Caution should be used with TKIs following or concurrent with immunotherapy owing to potentially increased toxicity. New immunotherapy combinations are needed especially for oncogene-driven tumors associated with never or light smoking history.
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Vernieri C, Ganzinelli M, Rulli E, Farina G, Bettini AC, Bareggi C, Rosso L, Signorelli D, Galli G, Lo Russo G, Proto C, Moro M, Indraccolo S, Busico A, Sozzi G, Torri V, Marabese M, Massimo B, Garassino MC. LKB1 mutations are not associated with the efficacy of first-line and second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a post hoc analysis of the TAILOR trial. ESMO Open 2020; 5:e000748. [PMID: 32467099 PMCID: PMC7259832 DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, the impact of LKB1 mutations on cytotoxic chemotherapy efficacy remains poorly explored. Here, we aimed at investigating the potential impact of LKB1 mutational status on chemotherapy efficacy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients enrolled in the TArceva Italian Lung Optimisation tRial (TAILOR) trial. METHODS The multicenter TAILOR trial randomised patients with EGFR-wild type (wt) advanced NSCLC progressing on/after previous platinum-based chemotherapy to receive docetaxel or erlotinib. Here, we evaluated the impact of LKB1 mutational status on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with second-line docetaxel/erlotinib or during prior platinum-based chemotherapy. RESULTS Out of 222 patients randomised in the TAILOR trial, left-over tumour tissues were available for 188 patients, and 120 patients with evaluable LKB1 status were included. Of them, 17 (14.17%) patients had LKB1-mutated tumours, while 103 (85.83%) had LKB1-wt disease. During second-line treatment, PFS and OS were not statistically significantly different in patients with LKB1-mutated when compared with LKB1-wt NSCLC (adjusted HR (aHR)=1.29, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.21; p=0.364 and aHR=1.41, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.44; p=0.218, respectively). Similarly, we found no significant association between LKB1 mutations and patient PFS or OS during prior first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (aHR=1.04, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.97; p=0.910 and aHR=0.83, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.65; p=0.602, respectively). CONCLUSION Among advanced NSCLC patients receiving two lines of systemic therapy, LKB1 mutations were not associated with PFS or OS during second-line docetaxel or prior first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. While larger prospective trials are needed to confirm our findings, cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the backbone of investigational combination strategies in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Vernieri
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy; IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milano, Italy.
| | - Monica Ganzinelli
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Eliana Rulli
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Oncology Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Sede di Milano, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Gabriella Farina
- Department of Oncology, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Bareggi
- Oncology Unit, La Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore di Milano Policlinico, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rosso
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplant Unit, La Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore di Milano Policlinico, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Diego Signorelli
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Giulia Galli
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lo Russo
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Claudia Proto
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Massimo Moro
- Tumor Genomics Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Stefano Indraccolo
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Padova, Veneto, Italy
| | - Adele Busico
- Pathology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Gabriella Sozzi
- Tumor Genomics Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Valter Torri
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Oncology Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Sede di Milano, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Mirko Marabese
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Oncology Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Sede di Milano, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Broggini Massimo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Sede di Milano, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Marina C Garassino
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
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Remon J, Passiglia F, Ahn MJ, Barlesi F, Forde PM, Garon EB, Gettinger S, Goldberg SB, Herbst RS, Horn L, Kubota K, Lu S, Mezquita L, Paz-Ares L, Popat S, Schalper KA, Skoulidis F, Reck M, Adjei AA, Scagliotti GV. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Thoracic Malignancies: Review of the Existing Evidence by an IASLC Expert Panel and Recommendations. J Thorac Oncol 2020; 15:914-947. [PMID: 32179179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the past 10 years, a deeper understanding of the immune landscape of cancers, including immune evasion processes, has allowed the development of a new class of agents. The reactivation of host antitumor immune response offers the potential for long-term survival benefit in a portion of patients with thoracic malignancies. The advent of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death ligand-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), both as single agents and in combination with chemotherapy, and more recently, the combination of ICI, anti-programmed cell death protein 1, and anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 antibody, have led to breakthrough therapeutic advances for patients with advanced NSCLC, and to a lesser extent, patients with SCLC. Encouraging activity has recently emerged in pretreated patients with thymic carcinoma (TC). Conversely, in malignant pleural mesothelioma, pivotal positive signs of activity have not been fully confirmed in randomized trials. The additive effects of chemoradiation and immunotherapy suggested intriguing potential for therapeutic synergy with combination strategies. This has led to the introduction of ICI consolidation therapy in stage III NSCLC, creating a platform for future therapeutic developments in earlier-stage disease. Despite the definitive clinical benefit observed with ICI, primary and acquired resistance represent well-known biological phenomena, which may affect the therapeutic efficacy of these agents. The development of innovative strategies to overcome ICI resistance, standardization of new patterns of ICI progression, identification of predictive biomarkers of response, optimal treatment duration, and characterization of ICI efficacy in special populations, represent crucial issues to be adequately addressed, with the aim of improving the therapeutic benefit of ICI in patients with thoracic malignancies. In this article, an international panel of experts in the field of thoracic malignancies discussed these topics, evaluating currently available scientific evidence, with the final aim of providing clinical recommendations, which may guide oncologists in their current practice and elucidate future treatment strategies and research priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Remon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal (HM-CIOCC), Hospital HM Delfos, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Passiglia
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, AOU S. Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Myung-Ju Ahn
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Fabrice Barlesi
- Multidisciplinary Oncology and Therapeutic Innovations Department, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, APHM, Marseille, France
| | - Patrick M Forde
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Edward B Garon
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Translational Research in Oncology US Network, Los Angeles, California
| | - Scott Gettinger
- Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sarah B Goldberg
- Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Roy S Herbst
- Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Leora Horn
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kaoru Kubota
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun Lu
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Laura Mezquita
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sanjay Popat
- Medical Oncology Department, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Medical Oncology Department, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kurt A Schalper
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ferdinandos Skoulidis
- Department of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Martin Reck
- Lung Clinic Grosshansdorf, Airway Research Center North, German Center of Lung Research, Grosshansdorf, Germany
| | - Alex A Adjei
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Giorgio V Scagliotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, AOU S. Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Italy.
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