Intercalated combination of chemotherapy and erlotinib for patients with advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer (FASTACT-2): a randomised, double-blind trial. Lancet Oncol. 2013;14:777-786. [PMID: 23782814 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(13)70254-7]

A new fluorescent oxaliplatin(iv) complex with EGFR-inhibiting properties for the treatment of drug-resistant cancer cells

Platinum chemotherapy is part of every second anticancer treatment regimen. However, its application is limited by severe side effects and drug resistance. The combination of platinum-based chemotherapeutics with EGFR inhibitors has shown remarkable synergism in clinical treatment. To enhance the tolerability of this combination, we designed a novel multi-action oxaliplatin-based platinum(iv) complex with an EGFR-inhibiting moiety (KP2749). KP2749 releases two independent cytotoxic agents upon reduction: oxaliplatin and the EGFR inhibitor KP2187, which was selected for its strong intrinsic fluorescence that became quenched upon complexation to metal ions. In particular, KP2749 demonstrated high stability and specific KP2187 release, with quenched fluorescent properties in its intact form, facilitating the investigation of its intracellular reduction. Notably, by exploiting its fluorescence, we demonstrated that intact KP2749 itself exhibited EGFR-inhibitory properties. Furthermore, subsequent experiments indicated that our complex was able to overcome resistance to oxaliplatin and EGFR inhibitors in vitro and in xenograft models in vivo. These effects were not only based on EGFR inhibition and DNA damage, but also improved cellular drug uptake. Finally, in silico docking analysis confirmed that the intact KP2749 complex had EGFR-binding properties, which were different from free KP2187. Consequently, these data suggested that the coordination of EGFR inhibitors to metal cores (like platinum) allow the fine-tuning of their EGFR-targeting properties. In conclusion, this study not only presents a new potential anticancer drug but also offers a novel fluorescent tool to study the intracellular drug release kinetics of platinum(iv) complexes.

Pharmacokinetics, mass balance, and metabolism of [14C]PLB1004, a selective and irreversible EGFR-TKI in humans

PURPOSE

PLB1004, developed by Beijing Avistone Biotechnology Co., Ltd., is a safe, highly selective, and efficient irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) employed in treating non-small-cell-lung-cancer (NSCLC). This study investigated its pharmacokinetics, mass balance, and metabolism in 6 healthy Chinese male subjects treated with 160 mg (70 µCi) [14C]PLB1004.

METHODS

Following drug administration, samples of blood, urine and feces were collected for quantitative determination of total radioactivity and metabolites were identified through radioactivity detection coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

Following drug administration, the median radioactive Tmax was 4.17 h in plasma, with the average t1/2 of PLB1004-related components in plasma of approximately 54.3 h. Over 264 h post-administration, the average cumulative excretion among the six subjects was 95.01% of the administered dose, with 84.71% and 10.30% excreted in feces and urine, respectively. Nine metabolites were characterized and identified and the parent drug PLB1004 was detected in plasma, urine, and feces. Among these metabolites, M689 was the most prevalent one in plasma, urine, and feces, constituting 25.37% of the total plasma radioactivity, and 55.88% and 1.73% of the administrated dose in feces and urine, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Fecal excretion emerged as PLB1004 excretion route, while urinary excretion via the kidneys served as the secondary route. The primarily metabolic pathways are oxidation, demethylation, dehydrogenation, and cysteine conjugation in humans.

The Role of ctDNA in the Management of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the AI and NGS Era

Liquid biopsy (LB) involves the analysis of circulating tumour-derived DNA (ctDNA), providing a minimally invasive method for gathering both quantitative and qualitative information. Genomic analysis of ctDNA through next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables comprehensive genetic profiling of tumours, including non-driver alterations that offer prognostic insights. LB can be applied in both early-stage disease settings, for the diagnosis and monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD), and advanced disease settings, for monitoring treatment response and understanding the mechanisms behind disease progression and tumour heterogeneity. Currently, LB has limited use in clinical practice, primarily due to its significant costs, limited diagnostic yield, and uncertain prognostic role. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field is a promising approach to processing extensive information and applying it to individual cases to enhance therapeutic decision-making and refine risk assessment.

What is the optimal first-line regimen for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

There are currently various tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-based regimens available, and it can be challenging for clinicians to determine the most effective and safe option due to the lack of direct comparisons between these regimens. In this study, we conducted a network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of distinct regimens to determine the optimal regimen for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, thereby facilitating clinical decision-making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases and international conference databases were comprehensively searched from their inception to 02 April 2024 for collecting data regarding efficacy and safety from eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Following literature screening and data extraction, a NMA was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety among 21 regimens with a random-effects consistency model in a Bayesian framework using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation technique within the GEMTC package.

RESULTS

A total of 35 RCTs were included, involving 9718 individuals and 21 regimens. Compared with other interventions, combination therapies based on third-generation TKIs, especially osimertinib plus ramucirumab, showed the most favorable PFS prolongation in overall patients. Consistently, subgroup analyses showed that third-generation TKIs-based combination regimens were superior to other regimens in most prespecified subgroups with distinct clinicopathological characteristics. In terms of overall survival, despite the combination regimens based on third-generation TKIs also showing relatively superior outcomes, erlotinib plus chemotherapy and gefitinib plus chemotherapy were ranked more favorably. In terms of safety profile, combination therapies based on third-generation TKIs did not significantly increase the incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events compared with other regimens.

CONCLUSION

Our study concluded that combination regimens based on third-generation TKIs (osimertinib plus ramucirumab, osimertinib plus chemotherapy, osimertinib plus bevacizumab, amivantamab plus lazertinib and aumolertinib plus apatinib) could be the new and clinically preferable first-line, standard of care for EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The protocol was registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO CRD42023480596).

Proportional Hazards Violations in Phase III Cancer Clinical Trials: A Potential Source of Trial Misinterpretation

PURPOSE

Survival analyses of novel agents with long-term responders often exhibit differential hazard rates over time. Such proportional hazards violations (PHV) may reduce the power of the log-rank test and lead to misinterpretation of trial results. We aimed to characterize the incidence and study attributes associated with PHVs in phase III oncology trials and assess the utility of restricted mean survival time and maximum combination test as additional analyses.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed were searched to identify two-arm, randomized, phase III superiority-design cancer trials with time-to-event primary endpoints and published results through 2020. Patient-level data were reconstructed from published Kaplan-Meier curves. PHVs were assessed using Schoenfeld residuals.

RESULTS

Three hundred fifty-seven Kaplan-Meier comparisons across 341 trials were analyzed, encompassing 292,831 enrolled patients. PHVs were identified in 85/357 [23.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 19.7%, 28.5%] comparisons. In multivariable analysis, non-overall survival endpoints [OR, 2.16 (95% CI, 1.21, 3.87); P = 0.009] were associated with higher odds of PHVs, and immunotherapy comparisons [OR 1.94 (95% CI, 0.98, 3.86); P = 0.058] were weakly suggestive of higher odds of PHVs. Few trials with PHVs (25/85, 29.4%) prespecified a statistical plan to account for PHVs. Fourteen trials with PHVs exhibited discordant statistical signals with restricted mean survival time or maximum combination test, of which 10 (71%) reported negative results.

CONCLUSIONS

PHVs are common across therapy types, and attempts to account for PHVs in statistical design are lacking despite the potential for results exhibiting nonproportional hazards to be misinterpreted.

Afatinib plus PEM and CBDCA overcome osimertinib resistance in EGFR-mutated NSCLC with high thrombospondin-1 expression

Osimertinib induces a marked response in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations. However, acquired resistance to osimertinib remains an inevitable problem. In this study, we aimed to investigate osimertinib-resistant mechanisms and evaluate the combination therapy of afatinib and chemotherapy. We established osimertinib-resistant cell lines (PC-9-OR and H1975-OR) from EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma cell lines PC-9 and H1975 by high exposure and stepwise method. Combination therapy of afatinib plus carboplatin (CBDCA) and pemetrexed (PEM) was effective in both parental and osimertinib-resistant cells. We found that expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) was upregulated in resistant cells using cDNA microarray analysis. We demonstrated that TSP-1 increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases through integrin signaling and promotes tumor invasion in both PC-9-OR and H1975-OR, and that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was involved in H1975-OR. Afatinib plus CBDCA and PEM reversed TSP-1-induced invasion ability and EMT changes in resistant cells. In PC-9-OR xenograft mouse models (five female Balb/c-Nude mice in each group), combination therapy strongly inhibited tumor growth compared with afatinib monotherapy (5 mg/kg, orally, five times per week) or CBDCA (75 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, one time per week) + PEM (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, one time per week) over a 28-day period. These results suggest that the combination of afatinib plus CBDCA and PEM, which effectively suppresses TSP-1 expression, may be a promising option in EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients after the acquisition of osimertinib resistance.

First-line concomitant EGFR-TKI + chemotherapy versus EGFR-TKI alone for advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC: a meta-analysis of randomized phase III trials

INTRODUCTION

A tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) is indicated as a first-line treatment for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring an epidermal growth-factor - receptor (EGFR) mutation. Chemotherapy (ChT) given in combination with an EGFR-TKI in this setting is of interest.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of phase III randomized trials comparing EGFR-TKI + ChT vs. EGFR-TKI alone as first-line therapy for advanced NSCLC harboring an activating EGFR mutation.

RESULTS

Three studies evaluated gefitinib + ChT (NEJ009, GAP-Brain, and Noronha et al.) and another evaluated osimertinib + ChT (FLAURA-2). Those four eligible studies included 1413 patients with non-squamous NSCLCs, 826 (58%) with an exon-19 deletion (ex19del) and 541 (38%) with EGFRL858R. The EGFR-TKI + ChT combination was significantly associated with prolonged PFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45-0.59]; p < 0.0001) and OS (HR: 0.69 [0.52-0.93]; p = 0.01). PFS was particularly improved for patients with brain metastases (HR: 0.41[0.33-0.51]; p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with untreated, advanced, EGFR-mutated NSCLCs, the EGFR-TKI + ChT combination, compared to EGFR-TKI alone, was associated with significantly prolonged PFS and OS. However, further studies are needed to identify which patients will benefit the most from the combination.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42024508055.

Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Atypical EGFR Mutations

OPINION STATEMENT

EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) should always be considered when treating advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with atypical EGFR mutations. The first choice of TKI depends on the specific mutation(s) present and its effect on structure and function of the EGFR protein. Afatinib is the only EGFR TKI currently FDA approved for atypical EGFR mutations and has the strongest data to support its use in PACC mutations, a subgroup of atypical EGFR mutations which includes G719X and S7681. Dacomitinib may also be an option for these mutations given similar efficacy to afatinib. In contrast, for classical-like mutations such as L861Q, osimertinib should be considered the first choice given that their behavior mimics that of the classical mutations exon 19 deletion and L858R. Osimertinib should also be utilized in the setting of a concurrent T790M mutation. Superior CNS penetrance and well managed toxicity profile may also be reasons to consider osimertinib. Given that the choice of TKI may depend on the specific mutation, it is crucial that every patient diagnosed with NSCLC undergo comprehensive sequencing to identify these mutations.

Using cfDNA and ctDNA as Oncologic Markers: A Path to Clinical Validation

The detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid biopsy samples as an oncological marker is being used in clinical trials at every step of clinical management. As ctDNA-based liquid biopsy kits are developed and used in clinics, companies work towards increased convenience, accuracy, and cost over solid biopsies and other oncological markers. The technology used to differentiate ctDNA and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) continues to improve with new tests and methodologies being able to detect down to mutant allele frequencies of 0.001% or 1/100,000 copies. Recognizing this development in technology, the FDA has recently given pre-market approval and breakthrough device designations to multiple companies. The purpose of this review is to look at the utility of measuring total cfDNA, techniques used to differentiate ctDNA from cfDNA, and the utility of different ctDNA-based liquid biopsy kits using relevant articles from PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov, FDA approvals, and company newsletters. Measuring total cfDNA could be a cost-effective, viable prognostic marker, but various factors do not favor it as a monitoring tool during chemotherapy. While there may be a place in the clinic for measuring total cfDNA in the future, the lack of standardization means that it is difficult to move forward with large-scale clinical validation studies currently. While the detection of ctDNA has promising standardized liquid biopsy kits from various companies with large clinical trials ongoing, their applications in screening and minimal residual disease can suffer from lower sensitivity. However, researchers are working towards solutions to these issues with innovations in technology, multi-omics, and sampling. With great promise, further research is needed before liquid biopsies can be recommended for everyday clinical management.

Clinicopathologic outcomes of preoperative targeted therapy in patients with clinical stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Targeted therapy improves outcomes in patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in the adjuvant setting, but data on its use before surgery are limited. We sought to investigate the safety and feasibility of preoperative targeted therapy in patients with operable NSCLC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients with clinical stage I to III NSCLC who received targeted therapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, before surgical resection with curative intent, treated from 2004 to 2021. The primary outcome was the safety and feasibility of preoperative targeted therapy; secondary outcomes included objective response rate, major pathologic response (defined as ≤10% viable tumor) rate, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival.

RESULTS

Of the 51 patients included, 46 had an activating epidermal growth factor receptor gene alteration and 5 had an anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion. Overall, 37 of 46 evaluable patients experienced at least 1 adverse event before surgery; however, only 3 patients experienced a grade 3 or 4 event. The objective response rate was 38% (17/45) for all evaluable patients and 44% (14/32) for patients with clinical stage II or III disease. The major pathologic response rate was 20% (9/44); 2 patients had a complete pathologic response. Median RFS was 3.8 years (95% CI, 2.8 to not reached). Targeted therapy alone was associated with better RFS than combination therapy (P = .009) in patients with clinical stage II or III disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative targeted therapy was well tolerated and associated with good outcomes, with or without induction chemotherapy. In addition, radiographic response and pathologic response were strongly correlated.

The Use of Cytotoxic Drugs as First Line Chemotherapy for EGFR (+) Nonsquamous NSCLC: A Network Meta-Analysis

Objective

To assess the use of cytotoxic drugs as first-line chemotherapy for nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutation.

Method

This study uses the network meta-analysis (NMA) method, with the inclusion of prospective randomized control studies related to the treatment of EGFR-positive nonsquamous NSCLC, to compare the efficacy of various EGFR-TKIs. As of September 4, 2022, 16 studies on a total of 4180 patients were included. The retrieved literature was comprehensively evaluated as per the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, and valid data were extracted and included for analysis.

Results

The 6 treatment regimens included cetuximab, CTX (cyclophosphamide), icotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and erlotinib. All of the 16 studies reported their findings about overall survival (OS), and 15 of them also reported findings about progression-free survival (PFS). The NMA results showed that there was no significant difference in OS among the 6 treatment regimens. It was observed that erlotinib had the highest likelihood of obtaining the best OS, followed by afatinib, gefitinib, icotinib, CTX, and cetuximab, in descending order. This indicates that the highest possibility of achieving the best OS was with erlotinib, while the lowest was with cetuximab. The NMA results also showed that the PFS achieved with treatment using afatinib, erlotinib, and gefitinib were all higher than that with treatment using CTX, with statistically significant differences. The results showed that there was no significant difference in PFS among erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, cetuximab, and icotinib. CTX, cetuximab, icotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and erlotinib were ranked in descending order based on the PFS indicator SUCRA values, which implied that erlotinib had the highest possibility in achieving the best PFS, while CTX had the lowest. Discussion. EGFR-TKIs must be carefully selected for the treatment of different histologic subtypes of NSCLC. For EGFR mutation (+) nonsquamous NSCLC, erlotinib is most likely to achieve the best OS and PFS, which makes it the first choice in the formulation of a treatment plan.

Gefitinib Plus Chemotherapy vs Gefitinib Alone in Untreated EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Patients With Brain Metastases: The GAP BRAIN Open-Label, Randomized, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study

IMPORTANCE

Use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is the standard therapy for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases. Several studies have shown that adding chemotherapy to EGFR-TKIs could improve progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC; however, the efficacy of these agents in patients with brain metastases remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of gefitinib plus chemotherapy (pemetrexed with platinum) compared with gefitinib alone in patients with untreated EGFR-mutant NSCLC brain metastases.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This open-label prospective, multicenter, phase 3 randomized clinical trial was conducted in 6 centers in China from January 13, 2016, to August 27, 2021. The median follow-up time was 21.1 months (IQR, 13.5-31.8 months). Patients with untreated confirmed brain metastases and EGFR-sensitive mutated NSCLC were enrolled.

INTERVENTIONS

The eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive gefitinib plus chemotherapy or gefitinib alone.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was intracranial PFS; secondary end points included PFS, overall survival (OS), intracranial objective response rate, overall objective response rate, and safety. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 161 patients (87 [54.0%] women; mean [SD] age, 55 [9.8] years; range, 26-80 years) were enrolled and randomized to receive gefitinib (n = 81) or gefitinib plus chemotherapy (n = 80). The median intracranial PFS was 15.6 months (95% CI, 14.3-16.9 months) in the gefitinib plus chemotherapy group vs 9.1 months (95% CI, 8.0-10.2 months) in the gefitinib group (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.25-0.53; P < .001). Similarly, the median PFS was significantly longer with gefitinib plus chemotherapy than gefitinib alone (16.3; 95% CI, 14.4-18.2 months vs 9.5; 95% CI, 8.3-10.8 months; P < .001). Gefitinib plus chemotherapy had a better intracranial objective response rate (85.0%; 95% CI, 77.0%-93.0% vs 63.0%; 95% CI, 52.2%-73.7%; P = .002) and overall objective response rate (80.0%; 95% CI, 71.0%-89.0% vs 64.2%; 95% CI, 53.5%-74.9%; P = .03) than gefitinib alone. At data cutoff, the median OS was also significantly longer in the gefitinib plus chemotherapy group vs the gefitinib group (35.0 vs 28.9 months; hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.43-0.99; P = .04). Grade 3 or worse adverse events were more common with gefitinib plus chemotherapy, most of which were manageable.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this randomized clinical trial, gefitinib plus chemotherapy significantly improved intracranial PFS, PFS, and OS compared with gefitinib alone in patients with untreated EGFR-mutant NSCLC brain metastases and could be an optional first-line treatment for these patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01951469.

Sex differences in drug effects and/or toxicity in oncology

The prevalence, incidence, and severity of a wide variety of diseases and ailments are significantly influenced by the significant disparities that occur between the sexes. The way that men and women react to pharmacological treatment also varies. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend these reactions in order to conduct risk assessment correctly and to develop safe and efficient therapies. Even from that limited vantage point, the manner and timing of our drug usage might have unintended and unanticipated consequences. There are sex-specific differences in the incidence and mortality of certain malignancies. One of the most important discoveries in cancer epidemiology is the gender inequalities. Cancer incidence differences between the sexes are thought to be regulated at the genetic and molecular levels and by sex hormones like oestrogen. Differences based on sex and gender are among the least investigated factors impacting cancer susceptibility, progression, survival, and therapy response despite their established importance in clinical care. The molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in particular are poorly known, hence the majority of precision medicine approaches employ mutational or other genetic data to assign therapy without taking into account how the patient's sex may affect therapeutic efficacy. In patients receiving chemotherapy, there are definite gender-dependent disparities in response rates and the likelihood of side effects. This review explores the influence of sex as a biological variable in drug effects or toxicity in oncology.

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.

Comparing the Therapeutic Efficacies of Lung Cancer: Network Meta-Analysis Approaches

BACKGROUND

In recent years, reduction of nuclear power generation and the use of coal-fired power for filling the power supply gap might have increased the risk of lung cancer. This study aims to explore the most effective treatment for different stages of lung cancer patients.

METHODS

We searched databases to investigate the treatment efficacy of lung cancer. The network meta-analysis was used to explore the top three effective therapeutic strategies among all collected treatment methodologies.

RESULTS

A total of 124 studies were collected from 115 articles with 171,757 participants in total. The results of network meta-analyses showed that the best top three treatments: (1) in response rate, for advanced lung cancer were Targeted + Targeted, Chemo + Immuno, and Targeted + Other Therapy with cumulative probabilities 82.9, 80.8, and 69.3%, respectively; for non-advanced lung cancer were Chemoradio + Targeted, Chemoradi + Immuno, and Chemoradio + Other Therapy with cumulative probabilities 69.0, 67.8, and 60.7%, respectively; (2) in disease-free control rate, for advanced lung cancer were Targeted + Others, Chemo + Immuno, and Targeted + Targeted Therapy with cumulative probabilities 93.4, 91.5, and 59.4%, respectively; for non-advanced lung cancer were Chemo + Surgery, Chemoradio + Targeted, and Surgery Therapy with cumulative probabilities 80.1, 71.5, and 43.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic strategies with the best effectiveness will be different depending on the stage of lung cancer patients.

Efficacy Differences of First-line EGFR-TKIs Alone vs in Combination with Chemotherapy in Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients with Sensitive EGFR Mutation and Concomitant Non-EGFR Genetic Alterations

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are often associated with non-EGFR genetic alterations, which may be a reason for the poor efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Here we conducted this study to explore whether EGFR-TKIs combined with chemotherapy would benefit advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with both sensitive EGFR mutation and concomitant non-EGFR genetic alterations.

METHODS

Cases of advanced lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation combined with concomitant non-EGFR genetic alterations were retrospectively collected. And the patients were required to receive first-line EGFR-TKIs and chemotherapy combination or EGFR-TKIs monotherapy. Demographic, clinical and pathological data were collected, and the electronic imaging data were retrieved to evaluate the efficacy and time of disease progression. Survival data were obtained through face-to-face or telephone follow-up. The differences between the two groups in objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated.

RESULTS

107 patients were included, including 63 cases in the combination group and 44 cases in the monotherapy group. The ORR were 78% and 50% (P=0.003), and DCR were 97% and 77% (P=0.002), respectively. At a median follow-up of 13.7 mon, a PFS event occurred in 38.1% and 81.8% of patients in the two groups, with median PFS of 18.8 mon and 5.3 mon, respectively (P<0.000,1). Median OS was unreached in the combination group, and 27.8 mon in the monotherapy group (P=0.31). According to the Cox multivariate regression analysis, combination therapy was an independent prognostic factor of PFS CONCLUSIONS: In patients with EGFR-mutant advanced lung adenocarcinoma with concomitant non-EGFR genetic alterations, combination of TKIs and chemotherapy was significantly superior to EGFR-TKIs monotherapy, which should be the preferred treatment option.

Making the Rounds: Exploring the Role of Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Advancements in the clinical practice of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are shifting treatment paradigms towards increasingly personalized approaches. Liquid biopsies using various circulating analytes provide minimally invasive methods of sampling the molecular content within tumor cells. Plasma-derived circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), the tumor-derived component of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), is the most extensively studied analyte and has a growing list of applications in the clinical management of NSCLC. As an alternative to tumor genotyping, the assessment of oncogenic driver alterations by ctDNA has become an accepted companion diagnostic via both single-gene polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) for advanced NSCLC. ctDNA technologies have also shown the ability to detect the emerging mechanisms of acquired resistance that evolve after targeted therapy. Furthermore, the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) by ctDNA for patients with NSCLC after curative-intent treatment may serve as a prognostic and potentially predictive biomarker for recurrence and response to therapy, respectively. Finally, ctDNA analysis via mutational, methylation, and/or fragmentation multi-omic profiling offers the potential for improving early lung cancer detection. In this review, we discuss the role of ctDNA in each of these capacities, namely, for molecular profiling, treatment response monitoring, MRD detection, and early cancer detection of NSCLC.

Sequence-dependent synergistic effect of aumolertinib-pemetrexed combined therapy on EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung carcinoma with pre-clinical and clinical evidence

BACKGROUND

Inevitably developed resistance of the third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) limited its clinical benefit on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Upfront combination therapy is promising to prevent this resistance. Compelling clinical evidence indicated the failure of third-generation EGFR TKIs combined with either immunotherapy or antiangiogenic agents. In comparison, combined treatment of third-generation EGFR TKIs and chemotherapy might be a favorable choice. Herein, we systematically analyzed and compared the effects of pemetrexed and a novel third-generation EGFR TKI aumolertinib combined in different sequences, subsequently revealed the potential mechanisms and proved the optimal combination schedule with clinical retrospective study.

METHODS

Three combination schedules involving pemetrexed and aumolertinib in different sequences were developed. Their inhibition effects on cell proliferation and metastasis were firstly compared upon three human NSCLC cell lines in vitro, by cell counting kit-8, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays respectively. Further evaluation in vivo was proceeded upon H1975 and HCC827 xenograft model. Gene and protein expression were detected by Q-PCR and western blot. Drug concentration was determined by LC-MS/MS. VEGF secretion was determined by ELISA. Tumor vessel was visualized by immunofluorescence. Lastly, a clinical retrospective study was raised with 65 patients' data.

RESULTS

The combination of pemetrexed and aumolertinib exhibited a sequence-dependent and EGFR mutant-dependent synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo. Only treatment with aumolertinib following pemetrexed (P-A) exhibited synergistic effect with stronger anti-tumor growth and anti-metastasis ability than monotherapy and also other combination sequences. This synergism could exclusively be observed in H1975 and HCC827 but not A549. Pathway analysis showed that P-A significantly enhanced the suppression of EGFR pathway. In addition, our results intriguingly found an obvious reduction of VEGF secretion and the accompanying normalization of the intratumor vessel, consequently increasing intratumoral accumulation of pemetrexed in P-A group. Finally, the clinical retrospective study verified the synergistic effect of P-A combination by significantly superior tumor response than aumolertinib monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Aumolertinib-pemetrexed combined therapy is promising for EGFR mutant NSCLC but only in right administration sequence. P-A could become an advantageous combination strategy in clinical with synergistic inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis.

Application of Approved Cisplatin Derivatives in Combination Therapy against Different Cancer Diseases

The problems with anticancer therapy are resistance and toxicity. From 3000 Cisplatin derivatives tested as antitumor agents, most of them have been rejected, due to toxicity. The aim of current study is the comparison of therapeutic combinations of the currently applied in clinical practice: Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Oxaliplatin, Nedaplatin, Lobaplatin, Heptaplatin, and Satraplatin. The literature data show that the strategies for the development of platinum anticancer agents and bypassing of resistance to Cisplatin derivatives and their toxicity are: combination therapy, Pt IV prodrugs, the targeted nanocarriers. The very important strategy for the improvement of the antitumor effect against different cancers is synergistic combination of Cisplatin derivatives with: (1) anticancer agents-Fluorouracil, Gemcitabine, Cytarabine, Fludarabine, Pemetrexed, Ifosfamide, Irinotecan, Topotecan, Etoposide, Amrubicin, Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, Vinorelbine, Docetaxel, Paclitaxel, Nab-Paclitaxel; (2) modulators of resistant mechanisms; (3) signaling protein inhibitors-Erlotinib; Bortezomib; Everolimus; (4) and immunotherapeutic drugs-Atezolizumab, Avelumab, Bevacizumab, Cemiplimab, Cetuximab, Durvalumab, Erlotinib, Imatinib, Necitumumab, Nimotuzumab, Nivolumab, Onartuzumab, Panitumumab, Pembrolizumab, Rilotumumab, Trastuzumab, Tremelimumab, and Sintilimab. An important approach for overcoming the drug resistance and reduction of toxicity of Cisplatin derivatives is the application of nanocarriers (polymers and liposomes), which provide improved targeted delivery, increased intracellular penetration, selective accumulation in tumor tissue, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. The advantages of combination therapy are maximum removal of tumor cells in different phases; prevention of resistance; inhibition of the adaptation of tumor cells and their mutations; and reduction of toxicity.

The Relationship Between Short-Term Surrogate Endpoint Indicators and mPFS and mOS in Clinical Trials of Malignant Tumors: A Case Study of Approved Molecular Targeted Drugs for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in China

Objective: Due to the initiation of the priority review program in China, many antitumor drugs have been approved for marketing based on phase II clinical trials and short-term surrogate endpoint indicators. This study used approved targeted drugs for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China as an example to evaluate the association between short-term surrogate endpoints [objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR)] and median progression-free survival (mPFS) and median overall survival (mOS). Methods: Five databases, i.e., MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data were searched, for phase II or phase III clinical trials of all molecular targeted drugs that have been marketed in China for the treatment of NSCLC. After screening the literature and extracting information, both univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed on the short-term surrogate indicators and mPFS and mOS to explore the relationship. Results: A total of 63 studies were included (25 studies with only ORR, DCR, and mPFS and 39 studies with ORR, DCR, mPFS, and mOS). In terms of the targeted drugs for the treatment of NSCLC, in addition to the good but not excellent linear relationship between DCR and mOS (0.4 < R2 adj = 0.5653 < 0.6), all other short-term surrogate endpoint indicators had excellent linear relationships with mPFS and mOS (R2 adj≥0.6), while mPFS and mOS had the most excellent linear relationships (R2 adj = 0.8036). Conclusion: For targeted drugs for the treatment of NSCLC, short-term surrogate endpoint indicators such as ORR and DCR may be reliable surrogate indicators for mPFS and mOS. However, whether short-term surrogate endpoint indicators can be used to predict final endpoints remains to be verified.

Correlation between treatment effects on response rate and progression-free survival and overall survival in trials of targeted therapies in molecularly enriched populations

Background

The number of randomized trials of agents targeting oncogene-addicted tumors has surged in the past 10 years. Using a meta-analysis, we explored whether improvements in objective response rate (ORR) in comparative trials using targeted agents could serve as a potential surrogate endpoint for improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) in populations with oncogene-addicted cancer.

Patients and methods

Using commercial text mining software I2E, we searched ClinicalTrials.gov and MEDLINE databases for randomized, phase III trials based on prospectively defined criteria, including (i) use of agents targeting EGFR activating mutations, ALK rearrangements, BRAF V600E or V600K mutations, and BCR-ABL fusion protein; (ii) molecularly enriched trial population or subpopulation; (iii) control arm only randomized to chemo/cytotoxic therapy. Correlative analyses were performed using ORR, OS, and PFS data from trials that met these criteria.

Results

A total of 62 trials were identified; 15 met all of the prespecified criteria. The ORR effect size (both the difference in ORR between arms and the log odds ratio) and log PFS hazard ratio were strongly correlated: –0.78 (P = 0.0007) for the ORR difference model; –0.74 (P = 0.0017) for the log odds ratio model. ORR effect size was positively correlated with the log OS hazard ratio, but more weakly: –0.67 (P = 0.013) for the ORR difference model and –0.58 (P = 0.036) for the log odds ratio model. Analysis of the treatment effects between OS and PFS found no correlation.

Conclusions

These analyses identified a strong correlation between treatment effects on ORR and PFS in randomized clinical trials investigating agents targeting oncogene-driven cancers. A weaker correlation was observed between ORR and OS. These meta-analysis results support the use of a high ORR forming the basis of an initial regulatory approval in biomarker-driven studies.

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Meta-analysis of trials comparing an agent targeting a primary oncogenic driver versus nontargeted therapy.

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Correlative analysis showed that ORR effect size and log PFS HR were strongly correlated.

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ORR effect size was positively correlated with the log OS HR ratio, but more weakly.

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Analysis of the treatment effects between OS and PFS found no correlation.

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Results support the use of a high ORR forming the basis of an initial regulatory approval in biomarker-driven studies.

A Need for More Molecular Profiling in Brain Metastases

As local disease control improves, the public health impact of brain metastases (BrM) continues to grow. Molecular features are frequently different between primary and metastatic tumors as a result of clonal evolution during neoplasm migration, selective pressures imposed by systemic treatments, and differences in the local microenvironment. However, biomarker information in BrM is not routinely obtained despite emerging evidence of its clinical value. We review evidence of discordance in clinically actionable biomarkers between primary tumors, extracranial metastases, and BrM. Although BrM biopsy/resection imposes clinical risks, these risks must be weighed against the potential benefits of assessing biomarkers in BrM. First, new treatment targets unique to a patient's BrM may be identified. Second, as BrM may occur late in a patient's disease course, resistance to initial targeted therapies and/or loss of previously identified biomarkers can occur by the time of occult BrM, rendering initial and other targeted therapies ineffective. Thus, current biomarker data can inform real-time treatment options. Third, biomarker information in BrM may provide useful prognostic information for patients. Appreciating the importance of biomarker analyses in BrM tissue, including how it may identify specific drivers of BrM, is critical for the development of more effective treatment strategies to improve outcomes for this growing patient population.

Incorporating circulating tumor DNA detection to radiographic assessment for treatment response in advanced EGFR-mutant lung cancer

PURPOSE

Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) has limitations but remains the conventional approach for tumor assessments. We explored whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be incorporated into RECIST to provide a more robust measure of tumor response in advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In FASTACT-2, patients with advanced NSCLC received platinum/gemcitabine intercalated with erlotinib or placebo. EGFR mutation (tumor and plasma ctDNA) was detected using cobas v2. Patients selected for this hypothesis-generating analysis had EGFR mutations (on either tumor or plasma) at baseline and evaluable week 8 plasma EGFR. Week 8 ctDNA and radiologic response status were correlated with survival using landmark cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of the original 451 patients, 86 (19.1%) were eligible for this analysis. 73% (n = 63) had detectable ctDNA at baseline. At week 8, 40% (n = 34) had radiologic partial response (PR), 60% (n = 52) had stable disease (SD); 80% (n = 69) had a ctDNA response (undetectable ctDNA). In patients who had initial PR and undetectable ctDNA, 93% (28/30) had ongoing PR subsequently at week 16. The median duration of response was 14.9 months. In patients with SD and undetectable ctDNA at week 8, 28% had radiological PR at week 16. Amongst those with PR at week 8, survival outcomes for those with undetectable vs detectable ctDNA were not statistically significant (PFS HR 0.49, 95%CI 0.16-1.48, p = 0.21; OS HR 0.39, 95%CI 0.13-1.19, p = 0.10). Amongst those with SD at week 8, there was significantly longer survival for those with undetectable vs detectable ctDNA (PFS HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.13-0.57, p < 0.0001; OS HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20-0.80, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

In patients with SD, undetectable ctDNA at week 8 correlated with survival improvement. Both radiologic and ctDNA responses are prognostic of PFS. Incorporation of ctDNA with RECIST may improve tumor response assessment in EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

BRCA1 Expression and Outcome in Patients With EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Treated With Gefitinib Alone or in Combination With Olaparib

Introduction

DNA repair capacity, as exemplified by BRCA1 gene expression, is related with outcome to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, reduces BRCA1 expression. Olaparib was tested in combination with gefitinib versus gefitinib single agent, as a first-line therapy for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC in the GOAL study (trial registration: NCT01513174). Here, we report the results of the biomarker-related prespecified secondary objectives of the GOAL study.

Methods

We evaluated the impact of BRCA1 mRNA expression in 91 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Of those 91 patients, 51 were randomized to treatment with gefitinib and 40 were randomized to treatment with gefitinib plus olaparib. We explored in vitro whether BRCA1 mRNA levels are related with outcome to gefitinib plus olaparib. The expression levels of 53BP1, CtIP, and AXL were also explored and correlated with the treatment outcome.

Results

Overall, as what happened in the GOAL study, no statistically significant difference was observed in median progression-free survival (PFS) between the two treatment arms, for the 91 patients of the present study (p = 0.2419). For patients with high BRCA1 mRNA expression (BRCA1-high group), median PFS was 12.9 months in the gefitinib plus olaparib arm, compared with 9.2 months in the gefitinib arm (p = 0.0449). In the gefitinib arm, median PFS was 9.1 months for the BRCA1-high group and 10.2 months for the BRCA1-low group (p = 0.0193). We observed a more pronounced synergism of gefitinib plus olaparib in cells with higher BRCA1 compared with those with low BRCA1 mRNA expression.

Conclusions

High BRCA1 mRNA expression identified patients with NSCLC who benefited from gefitinib plus olaparib in the GOAL phase 2 clinical trial.

Hype or hope - Can combination therapies with third-generation EGFR-TKIs help overcome acquired resistance and improve outcomes in EGFR-mutant advanced/metastatic NSCLC?

Three generations of epidermal growth factor receptor - tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have been developed for treating advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR-activating mutations, while a fourth generation is undergoing preclinical assessment. Although initially effective, acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs usually arises within a year due to the emergence of clones harboring multiple resistance mechanisms. Therefore, the combination of EGFR-TKIs with other therapeutic agents has emerged as a potential strategy to overcome resistance and improve clinical outcomes. However, results obtained so far are ambiguous and ideal therapies for patients who experience disease progression during treatment with EGFR-TKIs remain elusive. This review provides an updated landscape of EGFR-TKIs, along with a description of the mechanisms causing resistance to these drugs. Moreover, it discusses the current knowledge, limitations, and future perspective regarding the use of EGFR-TKIs in combination with other anticancer agents, supporting the need for bench-to-bedside approaches in selected populations.

Coregulation of pathways in lung cancer patients with EGFR mutation: therapeutic opportunities

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in lung adenocarcinoma are a frequent class of driver mutations. Single EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) provides substantial clinical benefit, but almost nil radiographic complete responses. Patients invariably progress, although survival can reach several years with post-treatment therapies, including EGFR TKIs, chemotherapy or other procedures. Endeavours have been clinically oriented to manage the acquisition of EGFR TKI-resistant mutations; however, basic principles on cancer evolution have not been considered in clinical trials. For years, evidence has displayed rapidly adaptive mechanisms of resistance to selective monotherapy, posing several dilemmas for the practitioner. Strict adherence to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) guidelines is not always practical for addressing the clinical progression that EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients suffer. The purpose of this review is to highlight regulatory mechanisms and signalling pathways that cause therapy-induced resistance to EGFR TKIs. It suggests combinatorial therapies that target EGFR, as well as potential mechanisms underlying EGFR-mutant NSCLC, alerting the reader to clinical opportunities that may lead to a deeper and more durable response. Molecular reprogramming contributes to EGFR TKI resistance, and the compiled information is relevant in understanding the development of new combined targeted strategies in EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

Concurrent chemotherapy and first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with or without an antiangiogenic agent as first-line treatment in advanced lung adenocarcinoma harboring an EGFR mutation

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated the combination of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and other antitumor agents may delay drug resistance. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the efficacy and safety of first-line concurrent EGFR-TKIs and platinum-based doublet chemotherapy with or without an antiangiogenic agent for advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients in the real world.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and activating EGFR mutations concurrently received an EGFR-TKI and platinum-based doublet chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab. The safety profile and efficacy were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

At the median follow-up time of 22.1 months, 18 patients had experienced disease progression, and six patients had died because of disease. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 21.2 months (95% CI: 12.631-29.798). Of the 28 patients who had measurable lesions, the objective response rate and disease control rate were 71.4% and 96.4%, respectively (one patient achieved complete remission, 19 patients had a partial response and seven patients had stable disease). Male patients had significantly longer mPFS than female patients (32.6 vs. 14.6 months, HR = 3.593, 95% CI: 1.158-11.148, p = 0.027). The most frequently seen grade 3/4 adverse events were hematological toxicities, seen in three cases (10%). Three patients ceased bevacizumab due to vascular events, including hypertension (grade 2, 6.7%) and venous thrombosis (grade 2, 3.3%), and continued EGFR-TKI and platinum-based doublet chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of first-generation EGFR-TKIs with platinum-based chemotherapy may be a first-line treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring activated EGFR mutations and is well tolerated.

Efficacy and safety of first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) combined with chemotherapy or antiangiogenic therapy as first-line treatment in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize the results of published randomized controlled trials conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor - tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) combined with chemotherapy or antiangiogenic therapy.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched and literatures from international conferences were read to identify eligible studies. The primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and progression free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS) and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

RESULTS

10 studies, all on first-generation EGFR-TKI combination therapy, involving 2367 patients were included. Combination therapy resulted in significant improvements in ORR (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.06-1.17, P < 0.001), DCR (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05, P = 0.007), PFS (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.51-0.62, P < 0.001), OS (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64-0.84, P = 0.002) over monotherapy. This improvement was more apparent in the EGFR-TKIs combination chemotherapy group, and indirect comparisons revealed that EGFR-TKIs combined with chemotherapy appeared to be superior to combined with antiangiogenic therapy in ORR (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.32), DCR (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08), and OS (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.96). Of additional concern is the increased incidence of TEAEs in combination therapy.

CONCLUSION

As a first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), first-generation EGFR-TKIs combined with chemotherapy or antiangiogenic therapy was associated with significant improvement in ORR, DCR, PFS and OS compared with monotherapy.

Sintilimab Plus Platinum and Gemcitabine as First-Line Treatment for Advanced or Metastatic Squamous NSCLC: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Trial (ORIENT-12)

INTRODUCTION

The standard chemotherapy for squamous NSCLC (sqNSCLC) includes platinum plus gemcitabine. Sintilimab, an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody, plus platinum and gemcitabine (GP) has revealed encouraging efficacy as first-line therapy for sqNSCLC in a phase 1b study. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study to further compare the efficacy and safety of sintilimab with placebo, both in combination with GP.

METHODS

ORIENT-12, a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study, was conducted at 42 centers in the People's Republic of China (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03629925). Patients with locally advanced or metastatic sqNSCLC and without EGFR-sensitive mutations or ALK rearrangements were enrolled in the study. The stratification factors included clinical stage, choice of platinum, and programmed death-ligand 1 tumor proportion score. The patients, investigators, research staff, and sponsor team were masked to treatment assignment. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1, using an integrated web-response system, to receive sintilimab 200 mg or placebo plus GP every 3 weeks for four or six cycles, followed by sintilimab or placebo as maintenance therapy until disease progression or 2 years. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS), assessed by an independent radiographic review committee.

RESULTS

Between September 25, 2018 and July 26, 2019, a total of 543 patients were screened, of whom 357 patients were randomized to the sintilimab-GP group (n = 179) and the placebo-GP group (n = 178). After a median follow-up period of 12.9 months, sintilimab-GP continued to reveal a meaningful improvement in PFS than placebo-GP (hazard ratio = 0.536 [95% confidence interval: 0.422-0.681], p < 0.00001). Treatment-emergent adverse events of grade 3 or worse occurred in 86.6% patients in the sintilimab-GP group and in 83.1% in the placebo-GP group. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse event leading to death was 4.5% and 6.7% in the two treatment groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding PFS, sintilimab plus GP reveals clinical benefit than GP alone as first-line therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic sqNSCLC. The toxicity was acceptable, and no new unexpected safety signals were observed.

Real-world utilization of EGFR TKIs and prognostic factors for survival in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases

Brain metastases (BMs) cause morbidity and mortality in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The optimal management of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC with BM is debatable. We aimed to investigate the impact of different treatments among patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. A cohort of 2058 lung cancer patients with BM between 2013 and 2018 was retrospectively studied. A total of 571 patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC and BM were enrolled. All patients had received EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Overall survival (OS) was measured from the diagnosis of BM to death or last follow-up. With a median follow-up of 35.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 31.8-38.6), the median survival after BM was 21.3 months (95% CI, 19.0-23.6). Osimertinib resulted in significantly superior survival after resistance to front-line TKIs (P < 0.0035); the median OS reached 28.0 months (95% CI, 23.0-32.9), and the T790M status showed no difference in clinical effectiveness (P = 0.386). The combination of TKIs and chemotherapy/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors (anti-VEGF) tended to have longer OS (P = 0.271). Intracranial local radiotherapy significantly improved survival (P = 0.0008). In multivariable analysis, we noted that age, Karnofsky performance score, EGFR mutation type, number of BMs and the presence of extracranial metastasis were independent pretreatment prognostic factors. In conclusion, EGFR TKIs have a significant effect on patients with EGFR-mutant BM, and the application of osimertinib further improves survival outcomes regardless of T790M status. Patients who undergo intracranial local therapy can achieve a survival benefit.

SH-1028, An Irreversible Third-Generation EGFR TKI, Overcomes T790M-Mediated Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

SH-1028 is an irreversible third-generation EGFR TKI. Both SH-1028 and osimertinib have a pyrimidine structure (a typical mutant-selective EGFR TKI structure). Compared with osimertinib, SH-1028 is modified on the indole ring, thus resulting in a more stable 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-pyrrolo [1, 2-a] indol structure. In this study, we explored the anti-tumor effect of SH-1028 in vitro and in vivo, the inhibition of cell signal, such as EGFR and ERK phosphorylation, and verified the relationship between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic responses. Firstly, SH-1028 selectively inhibited EGFR sensitive and resistant mutations, with up to 198-fold more effective compared with wild-type EGFR cells. Then, in mouse xenograft models, oral administration of SH-1028 at a daily dose of 5 mg/kg significantly inhibited proliferation of tumor cells with EGFR sensitive mutation (exon 19 del) and resistant mutation (T790 M) for consecutive 14 days, with no TKI-induced weight loss. Moreover, SH-1028 exhibited good bioavailability, and was distributed extensively from the plasma to the tissues. The main metabolite of SH-1028, Imp3, was tested and showed no wild-type EGFR inhibition or off-target effects. In conclusion, SH-1028 is a new third-generation EGFR inhibitor that exhibits potent activity against EGFR sensitive and resistant (T790 M) mutations.

First-line treatment of advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive (M+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an important subtype of lung cancer comprising 10% to 15% of non-squamous tumours. This subtype is more common in women than men, is less associated with smoking, but occurs at a younger age than sporadic tumours.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical effectiveness of single-agent or combination EGFR therapies used in the first-line treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR M+ NSCLC compared with other cytotoxic chemotherapy (CTX) agents used alone or in combination, or best supportive care (BSC). The primary outcomes were overall survival and progression-free survival. Secondary outcomes included response rate, symptom palliation, toxicity, and health-related quality of life.

SEARCH METHODS

We conducted electronic searches of the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2020, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1946 to 27th July 2020), Embase (1980 to 27th July 2020), and ISI Web of Science (1899 to 27th July 2020). We also searched the conference abstracts of the American Society for Clinical Oncology and the European Society for Medical Oncology (July 2020); Evidence Review Group submissions to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; and the reference lists of retrieved articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Parallel-group randomised controlled trials comparing EGFR-targeted agents (alone or in combination with cytotoxic agents or BSC) with cytotoxic chemotherapy (single or doublet) or BSC in chemotherapy-naive patients with locally advanced or metastatic (stage IIIB or IV) EGFR M+ NSCLC unsuitable for treatment with curative intent.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified articles, extracted data, and carried out the 'Risk of bias' assessment. We conducted meta-analyses using a fixed-effect model unless there was substantial heterogeneity, in which case we also performed a random-effects analysis as a sensitivity analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-two trials met the inclusion criteria. Ten of these exclusively recruited people with EGFR M+ NSCLC; the remainder recruited a mixed population and reported results for people with EGFR M+ NSCLC as subgroup analyses. The number of participants with EGFR M+ tumours totalled 3023, of whom approximately 2563 were of Asian origin. Overall survival (OS) data showed inconsistent results between the included trials that compared EGFR-targeted treatments against cytotoxic chemotherapy or placebo. Erlotinib was used in eight trials, gefitinib in nine trials, afatinib in two trials, cetuximab in two trials, and icotinib in one trial. The findings of FASTACT 2 suggested a clinical benefit for OS for participants treated with erlotinib plus cytotoxic chemotherapy when compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy alone, as did the Han 2017 trial for gefitinib plus cytotoxic chemotherapy, but both results were based on a small number of participants (n = 97 and 122, respectively). For progression-free survival (PFS), a pooled analysis of four trials showed evidence of clinical benefit for erlotinib compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy (hazard ratio (HR) 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25 to 0.39 ; 583 participants ; high-certainty evidence). A pooled analysis of two trials of gefitinib versus paclitaxel plus carboplatin showed evidence of clinical benefit for PFS for gefitinib (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.48 ; 491 participants high-certainty evidence), and a pooled analysis of two trials of gefitinib versus pemetrexed plus carboplatin with pemetrexed maintenance also showed evidence of clinical benefit for PFS for gefitinib (HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.74, 371 participants ; moderate-certainty evidence). Afatinib showed evidence of clinical benefit for PFS when compared with chemotherapy in a pooled analysis of two trials (HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.53, 709 participants high-certainty evidence). All but one small trial showed a corresponding improvement in response rate with tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) compared to chemotherapy. Commonly reported grade 3/4 adverse events associated with afatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib and icotinib monotherapy were rash and diarrhoea. Myelosuppression was consistently worse in the chemotherapy arms; fatigue and anorexia were also associated with some chemotherapies. Seven trials reported on health-related quality of life and symptom improvement using different methodologies. For each of erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib, two trials showed improvement in one or more indices for the TKI compared to chemotherapy. The quality of evidence was high for the comparisons of erlotinib and gefitinib with cytotoxic chemotherapy and for the comparison of afatinib with cytotoxic chemotherapy.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib and icotinib are all active agents in EGFR M+ NSCLC patients, and demonstrate an increased tumour response rate and prolonged PFS compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy. We found a beneficial effect of the TKI compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy in adverse effect and health-related quality of life. We found limited evidence for increased OS for the TKI when compared with standard chemotherapy, but the majority of the included trials allowed participants to switch treatments on disease progression, which will have a confounding effect on any OS analysis. Single agent-TKI remains the standard of care and the benefit of combining a TKI and chemotherapy remains uncertain as the evidence is based on small patient numbers. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is less effective in EGFR M+ NSCLC than erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib or icotinib and is associated with greater toxicity. There are no data supporting the use of monoclonal antibody therapy. Icotinib is not available outside China.

Outcomes of concurrent versus sequential icotinib therapy and chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer with sensitive EGFR mutations

Abstract

To explore a better treatment strategy for patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer harboring sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor mutations, a total of 271 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: the combination group (58 cases), which received concurrent icotinib, pemetrexed, and platinum treatment, and the sequential group (213 cases), which received the sequential pemetrexed and platinum therapy, followed by icotinib treatment. The primary end points were progression‐free survival (PFS) and PFS on the subsequent line of therapy (PFS2). PFS in the combination group was significantly higher compared with that in the sequential group (16.89 months vs. 9.90 months; p < 0.001). PFS in the combination group was also significantly higher than PFS2 in the sequential group (16.89 months vs. 14.05 months; p = 0.009). The overall survival (OS) of the patients was 33.22 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.99–37.01) in the combination group and 26.47 months (95% CI: 25.05–26.95) in the sequential group (p < 0.001). The combination group’s objective response rate was superior to that of the sequential group (79.31% vs. 52.11%; p < 0.001). Propensity score matching also revealed that icotinib therapy combined with chemotherapy extended the PFS, PFS2, and OS of the patients (p < 0.0001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.001, respectively). The combination group’s objective response rate was also better compared with the sequential group (79.31% vs. 51.72%; p = 0.001). In conclusion, our study demonstrated icotinib combined with chemotherapy can improve survival efficacy better than the separated two‐line therapy.

Impact of Advantage in Tumor Response on the Correlation Between Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival: Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Progression-free survival (PFS) has not been validated as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate an impact of advantage in tumor response on the correlation between PFS and OS in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Based on a literature search, we identified randomized controlled trials of first-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The impact of absolute difference in objective response rate between treatment arms on the correlation between hazard ratios (HRs) for PFS and OS was evaluated based on Spearman rank correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Sixty trials with a total of 29,134 patients were identified. The HR for PFS showed a relatively higher correlation with HR for OS (r_s = 0.75) when the trials were limited to those that demonstrated a larger advantage in objective response rate, compared with the case for trials that demonstrated a smaller advantage (r_s = 0.66). This tendency was also observed in the subgroup analysis stratified by the types of treatment agents (non-targeted, anti-angiogenic, and immunotherapy) except for the group of epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted agents.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnitude of advantage in tumor response was suggested to contribute to a better prediction of OS-HR based on PFS-HR in clinical trials in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Model to Explore Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Response in Patients With Stage IV EGFR Variant-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

IMPORTANCE

An end-to-end efficacy evaluation approach for identifying progression risk after epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with stage IV EGFR variant-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To propose a clinically applicable large-scale bidirectional generative adversarial network for predicting the efficacy of EGFR-TKI therapy in patients with NSCLC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This diagnostic/prognostic study enrolled 465 patients from January 1, 2010, to August 1, 2017, with follow-up from February 1, 2010, to June 1, 2020. A deep learning (DL) semantic signature to predict progression-free survival (PFS) was constructed in the training cohort, validated in 2 external validation and 2 control cohorts, and compared with the radiomics signature.

EXPOSURES

An end-to-end bidirectional generative adversarial network framework was designed to predict the progression risk in patients with NSCLC.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was PFS, considering the time from the initiation of therapy to the date of recurrence, confirmed disease progression, or death.

RESULTS

A total of 342 patients with stage IV EGFR variant-positive NSCLC receiving EGFR-TKI therapy met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 145 patients from 2 of the hospitals (n = 117 and 28) formed a training cohort (mean [SD] age, 61 [11] years; 87 [60.0%] female), and the patients from 2 other hospitals comprised 2 external validation cohorts (validation cohort 1: n = 101; mean [SD] age, 57 [12] years; 60 [59.4%] female; and validation cohort 2: n = 96, mean [SD] age, 58 [9] years; 55 [57.3%] female). Fifty-six patients with advanced-stage EGFR variant-positive NSCLC (mean [SD] age, 52 [11] years; 26 [46.4%] female) and 67 patients with advanced-stage EGFR wild-type NSCLC (mean [SD] age, 54 [10] years; 10 [15.0%] female) who received first-line chemotherapy were included. A total of 90 (26%) receiving EGFR-TKI therapy with a high risk of rapid disease progression were identified (median [range] PFS, 7.3 [1.4-32.0] months in the training cohort, 5.0 [0.6-34.6] months in validation cohort 1, and 6.4 [1.8-20.1] months, in validation cohort 2) using the DL semantic signature.The PFS decreased by 36% (hazard ratio, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.30-3.49; P < .001) compared with that in other patients (median [range] PFS, 11.5 [1.5-64.2] months in the training cohort, 10.9 [1.1-50.5] in validation cohort 1, and 8.9 [0.8-40.6] months in validation cohort 2. No significant differences were observed when comparing the PFS of high-risk patients receiving EGFR-TKI therapy with the chemotherapy cohorts (median PFS, 6.9 vs 4.4 months; P = .08). In terms of predicting the tumor progression risk after EGFR-TKI therapy, clinical decisions based on the DL semantic signature led to better survival outcomes than those based on radiomics signature across all risk probabilities by the decision curve analysis.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This diagnostic/prognostic study provides a clinically applicable approach for identifying patients with stage IV EGFR variant-positive NSCLC who are not likely to benefit from EGFR-TKI therapy. The end-to-end DL-derived semantic features eliminated all manual interventions required while using previous radiomics methods and have a better prognostic performance.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Mutated Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are the most common oncogenic drivers in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Significant developments have taken place which highlight the differences in tumor biology that exist between the mutant and wild-type subtypes of NSCLC. Patients with advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC have a variety of EGFR-targeting agents available proven to treat their disease. This has led to superior patient outcomes when used as a monotherapy over traditional cytotoxic systemic therapy. Attempts at combining EGFR agents with other anticancer systemic treatment options, such as chemotherapy, antiangiogenic agents, and immunotherapy, have shown varied outcomes. Currently, no specific combination stands out to cause a shift away from the use of single-agent EGFR inhibitors in the first-line setting. Similarly, adjuvant EGFR inhibitors, are yet to significantly add to patient overall survival if used at earlier timepoints in the disease course. Liquid biopsy is an evolving technology with potential promise of being incorporated into the management paradigm of this disease. Data are emerging to suggest that this technique may be capable of identifying early resistance mechanisms and consequential disease progression on the basis of the analysis of blood-based circulating tumor cells.

Refined Stratification Based on Baseline Concomitant Mutations and Longitudinal Circulating Tumor DNA Monitoring in Advanced EGFR-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma Under Gefitinib Treatment

INTRODUCTION

The optimal treatment for EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains challenging because of intratumor heterogeneity. We aimed to explore a refined stratification model based on the integrated analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tracking.

METHODS

ctDNA was prospectively collected at baseline and at every 8 weeks in patients with advanced treatment-naive EGFR-mutant LUAD under gefitinib treatment enrolled in a phase 2 trial and analyzed using next-generation sequencing of a 168-gene panel.

RESULTS

Three subgroups categorized by baseline comutations-EGFR-sensitizing mutations (59, 32.8%), EGFR-sensitizing mutations with tumor suppressor mutations (97, 53.9%), and EGFR-sensitizing mutations with other driver mutations (24, 13.3%)-exhibited distinct progression-free survival (13.2 [11.3-15.2] versus 9.3 [7.6-10.5] versus 4.0 [2.4-9.3] months) and overall survival (32.0 [29.2-41.5] versus 21.7 [19.3-27.0] versus 15.5 [10.5-33.7] months, respectively), providing evidence for initial stratification. A total of 63.7% of the patients achieved week 8 ctDNA clearance, with significant difference noted among the three subgroups (74.5% versus 64.0% versus 29.4%, respectively, p = 0.004, Fisher's exact test). Patients without week 8 ctDNA clearance had worse progression-free survival (clearance versus nonclearance 11.2 [9.9-13.2] versus 7.4 [5.6-9.6] months, p = 0.016, Cox regression], especially in the second subgroup [5.8 (5.6-11.5) months], suggesting the necessity of adaptive stratification during treatment. During follow-up, 56.0% and 20.8% of the patients eventually harbored p.T790M and non-p.T790M mutations, respectively, with a significant difference in non-p.T790M mutations among the three subgroups (7.5% versus 15.7% versus 80.0%, respectively, p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test), giving clues to postline treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients with baseline comutations and ctDNA nonclearance at first visit might require combined therapy because of the limited survival benefit of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy. We proposed a refined stratification mode for the whole-course management of EGFR-mutant LUAD.

Modeling Resistance and Recurrence Patterns of Combined Targeted-Chemoradiotherapy Predicts Benefit of Shorter Induction Period

Optimal integration of molecularly targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation (CRT) to improve outcomes in genotype-defined cancers remains a current challenge in clinical settings. Important questions regarding optimal scheduling and length of induction period for neoadjuvant use of targeted agents remain unsolved and vary among clinical trial protocols. Here, we develop and validate a biomathematical framework encompassing drug resistance and radiobiology to simulate patterns of local versus distant recurrences in a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population with mutated EGFR receiving TKIs and CRT. Our model predicted that targeted induction before CRT, an approach currently being tested in clinical trials, may render adjuvant targeted therapy less effective due to proliferation of drug-resistant cancer cells when using very long induction periods. Furthermore, simulations not only demonstrated the competing effects of drug-resistant cell expansion versus overall tumor regression as a function of induction length, but also directly estimated the probability of observing an improvement in progression-free survival at a given cohort size. We thus demonstrate that such stochastic biological simulations have the potential to quantitatively inform the design of multimodality clinical trials in genotype-defined cancers. SIGNIFICANCE: A biomathematical framework based on fundamental principles of evolution and radiobiology for in silico clinical trial design allows clinicians to optimize administration of TKIs before chemoradiotherapy in oncogene-driven NSCLC.

A meta-analysis of the therapeutic effect of gefitinib combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone in treating non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Whether the combination of gefitinib and chemotherapy is beneficial for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. This study aimed to summarize the currently available evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of gefitinib combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for treating advanced NSCLC.

METHODS

Literature on comparing the effects of gefitinib combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone in treating NSCLC was retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Database. The primary outcome measures included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Revman 5.3 was used for data processing.

RESULTS

Seven randomized controlled trials were included, involving a total of 1418 patients. There appeared a significant improvement in PFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.60 [95% CI 0.43, 0.82], P = .001) after treatment with gefitinib combined with chemotherapy when compared with chemotherapy alone. The subgroup analysis showed a significant advantage of sequential administration (HR = 0.67 [95% CI 0.57, 0.79], P < .00001). There was no significant improvement in OS (HR = 0.92 [95% CI 0.71, 1.20], P = .54), and no significant improvement in overall response rate (ORR) (HR = 0.98 [95% CI 0.67, 1.44], P = .93). The risks of rash and diarrhea (odds ratios) were higher in gefitinib combined with chemotherapy group when compared with chemotherapy alone, and there were significant differences on grade 3/4 rash and thrombocytopenia between 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Gefitinib combined with chemotherapy is superior to chemotherapy alone in PFS, sequential administration prolongs the patients' PFS, however, a survival advantage is not shown in OS or ORR. Gefitinib combined with chemotherapy aggravates rash, diarrhea and thrombocytopenia.

A comprehensive study on the oncogenic mutation and molecular pathology in Chinese lung adenocarcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

Several genetic driver alterations have been identified in micropapillary lung adenocarcinoma (MPA). However, the frequency of co-alteration of ROS1, EGFR, and EML4-ALK is yet unclear. Herein, we investigated the relationship between clinicopathologic characteristics and well-identified driver mutations of MPA compared with non-micropapillary lung adenocarcinoma (LA).

METHODS

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections derived from lung adenocarcinoma patients who never received adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy prior to surgical resection were collected from October 2016 to June 2019. EGFR mutations, ROS1 rearrangements, and EML4-ALK fusion were identified in a set of 131 MPA and LA cases by using the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). The response rate and duration of response were assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1).

RESULTS

EGFR mutations had occurred in 42 (76.4%) MPA patients and 42 (55.3%) LA patients. Interestingly, ROS1 rearrangements were highly enriched only in the MPA cases (6/55, 10.9%) but rarely in the LA cases (1/76, 1.3%). Furthermore, 7.3% (4/55) MPA samples had double gene mutations, while only 1.3% (1/76) LA cases had double gene alterations. Of 5 patients with harboring two driver oncogene mutations, four patients (80%) obtained partial response, and one patient (20%) suffered recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher prevalence of ROS1 rearrangement or combined mutations of ROS1, EGFR, and EML4-ALK may play a critical role in the tumorigenesis of MPA. These findings provide a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with malignant MPA through combining TKIs than one TKI.

EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) Combined With Concurrent or Sequential Chemotherapy for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer and Gradual Progression After First-Line EGFR-TKI Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Study

INTRODUCTION

Continuing tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy may be beneficial when patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and EGFR mutations experience gradual disease progression after initial EGFR-TKI treatment. We aimed to compare the efficacy of simultaneous EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy with that of sequential treatment after patients' disease gradually progressed after first-line EGFR-TKI treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with gradual progression who were EGFR-T790M mutation negative were randomly divided into two groups. In the concurrent group, patients were treated with pemetrexed plus cisplatin along with the same EGFR-TKI. In the sequential group, patients continued with EGFR-TKI until the disease progressed again, according to RECIST, then switched to chemotherapy. We evaluated the patients' progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival times.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine patients were enrolled: 49 in the concurrent group and 50 in the sequential group. The median PFS (mPFS) was 7.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-11.7) in the concurrent group and 5.7 months (95% CI, 3.5-7.9) in the sequential group (hazard ratio = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.44-1.00; P = .026), respectively. For the sequential group, the mPFS1 and mPFS2 were 1.8 months (95% CI, 1.4-2.3) and 3.8 months (95% CI, 3.1-4.5), respectively. The median overall survival of the concurrent group was longer than that of the sequential group (20.0 vs. 14.7 months; hazard ratio = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32-0.85; P = .038).

CONCLUSION

For patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and gradual progression who are EGFR-T790M mutation negative after initial EGFR-TKI therapy, EGFR-TKI combined with chemotherapy confers longer PFS and overall survival than sequential EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy does.

Chemotherapeutic Effectiveness of Combining Cetuximab for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treatment: A System Review and Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis used the database including PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Chinese-Cqvip, and Wanfang for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the clinical effectiveness for combining cetuximab treatment with chemotherapy for treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A total of 12 RCTs involved 7,108 patients with mCRC were included. The patients received chemotherapy with (3,521 cases) or without cetuximab (3,587 cases). Outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), overall response rate (ORR), odd ratio (OR), and risk ratio (HR). Our results showed that the chemotherapy alone group has shorter OS, PFS, and ORR than the chemotherapy plus cetuximab group, with significant differences (PFS:HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.72–0.82, P < 0.00001; OS:HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79–0.99, P = 0.03; ORR:OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.30–2.47; P = 0.0003). Results of subgroup analysis showed that cetuximab treatment prolonged PFS and OS in KRAS wild-type patients, with statistically significant differences (PFS:HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65–0.95, P = 0.01; OS:HR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.74–0.98, P = 0.02). Combining cetuximab with chemotherapy, the PFS and OS of wild-type KRAS patients and the ORR of all patients were significantly improved.

First-iGAP: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase II Study of First-line Intercalated Gefitinib and Pemetrexed-Cisplatin Chemotherapy for Never-Smoker Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate whether intercalated combination of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib and chemotherapy improves survival outcomes in never-smokers with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Never-smokers with chemo-naive stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to receive either gefitinib or placebo on days 5 to 18 of a 3-weekly cycle of pemetrexed and cisplatin. Chemotherapy was given up to 9 cycles, after which gefitinib or placebo was given daily. Patients in the placebo arm who had progression were crossed over to receive gefitinib.

RESULTS

Between June 2012 and December 2014, 76 patients with median age of 58.0 years were randomized, 39 on gefitinib and 37 on the placebo arm. EGFR mutation was positive in 34 (44.7%) patients. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the 2 arms. The gefitinib arm had a better response rate (79.5% vs. 51.4%, P = .010) and median progression-free survival (PFS) (12.4 vs. 6.7 months, hazard ratio [HR] 0.49, P = .005) than the placebo arm; however, there was no statistically significant difference in median overall survival between the 2 arms (31.8 vs. 22.9 months, HR 0.78, P = .412). The PFS benefit of intercalated use of gefitinib over placebo was more apparent for patients with EGFR-mutant tumors (13.3 vs. 7.8 months, P = .025) than those with EGFR-wild-type tumors (8.2 vs. 6.6 months, P = .063). Overall, there was no difference in the frequency of severe adverse effect between the 2 arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Intercalated combination of gefitinib with pemetrexed and cisplatin was well tolerated and improved PFS in never-smoker patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Applications of cell-free circulating tumor DNA detection in EGFR mutant lung cancer

Analyses of cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) have provided a non-invasive strategy for cancer diagnosis, the identification of molecular aberrations for treatment identification, and evaluation of tumor response. Sensitive and specific ctDNA sequencing strategies have allowed for implementation into clinical practice for the initial genotyping of patients and resistance monitoring. The specific need for EGFR mutation detection for the management of lung cancer patients has been an early imperative and has set the stage for non-invasive molecular profiling across other oncogenic drivers. Ongoing efforts are demonstrating the utility of ctDNA analyses in the initial genotyping of patients, the monitoring resistance clones, and the initial evaluation of response.

Therapeutic options for advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: a Bayesian network secondary analysis

The most favorable treatments for advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC are less indicated. Forty-one studies were eligible for this Bayesian network secondary analysis. For PFS, erlotinib (Erlo)+bevacizumab (Bev) (HR 0.26, 95% CrI: 0.08-0.75 vs placebo), osimertinib (Osi) (HR 0.29, 0.11-0.70 vs placebo), and afatinib (Afa) were top-ranking individual treatments, while immunotherapy (IT)+anti-VEGFR (aVEGFR)+platinum-based therapy (Plat) (HR 0.42, 0.06-2.63 vs placebo), EGFR-TKI (ET)+aVEGFR (HR 0.35, 0.14-0.85 vs placebo), and ET+aVEGFR+Plat were top-ranking medication classes. For OS, Osi (HR 0.52, 0.10-2.00 vs placebo), cetuximab (Cet)+Bev+Plat (HR 0.51, 0.06-3.38 vs placebo), and cilengitide (Cil)+Cet+Plat were top-ranking individual treatments, while ET+aVEGFR+Plat, ET+Plat, and third-generation EGFR-TKI (3^rd ET) were top-ranking medication classes. For PFS regarding the EGFR genomic aberration status, Erlo+Bev, Osi, and Afa were superior for exon 19 deletion status, whereas ET+Bev, Osi, and gefitinib (Gef)+pemetrexed (Peme) were excellent for exon 21 L858Arg mutation status. The results were consistent in terms of the ORR and DoR and remained robust across sensitivity analyses. However, Erlo + Bev had the most grade 3 or higher adverse events. Osi, Erlo+Bev, and Erlo+Bev+Plat are reasonably recommended to balance PFS and OS, but adverse events should be considered. IT+aVEGFR+Plat shows potential superiority, but more clinical evidence is needed.

Acquired Resistance in Lung Cancer

The last decade has witnessed a transformation in the treatment of advanced-stage lung cancer from a largely palliative approach to one where long-term durable remissions and even cures might be within reach. In this review, we discuss the current state of oncogene-directed precision medicine therapies in lung cancer and focus on the major cause of mortality for lung cancer patients: acquired resistance. We consider the multifaceted resistance mechanisms tumors utilize, often simultaneously. We then present areas for future scientific and clinical investigation with an emphasis on population dynamics, early detection, combinatorial therapies targeting resistance mechanisms, and understanding the drug-tolerant persister state.

Long-term safety of icotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective, real-world study

Background

Lung cancer is a global health problem with a high mortality, and the development of target therapy has led to a revolution in the treatment of lung cancer in recent years. Favorable efficacy and safety of icotinib have been demonstrated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Currently, minimal data are available to describe the long-term safety of icotinib in NSCLC patients.

Methods

We reviewed the safety data from 1,321 advanced NSCLC patients who were treated with icotinib. The primary endpoint was the long-term safety, defined as any adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurred after 6 months of icotinib administration.

Results

Fewer ADRs were noticed over 6 month administration of icotinib than within 6 months in overall population (24.3% vs. 65.4%), and elderly patients (23.6% vs. 66.9%). The majority of ADRs were grade 1–2 in severity over 6 month exposure of icotinib in overall population as well as elderly patients. In overall population, the most common ADRs of icotinib during long-term use were rash (16.4%) and diarrhea (5.3%), while the incidences were 31.8% and 13.2% in the induction period, respectively. In elderly population, the most common ADRs of icotinib during long-term use were rash (15.7%) and diarrhea (4.7%), while the incidences were 27.8% and 14.9% in the induction period, respectively, and more inching was observed in the induction period as compared with long term use (6.3% vs. 0.3%).

Conclusions

There was an evidence of decreased frequency of icotinib-induced ADRs over time, and icotinib was well-tolerated in elderly NSCLC patients.