MET Exon 14 Skipping in NSCLC: A Systematic Literature Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping is a rare oncogenic driver in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for which targeted therapy with MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was recently approved. Given the heterogeneity in published data of METex14 skipping NSCLC, we conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate its frequency, patient characteristics, and outcomes.

METHODS

On June 13, 2022 we conducted a systematic literature review of publications and conference abstracts reporting frequency, patient characteristics, or outcomes of patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC.

RESULTS

We included 139 studies reporting frequency or patient characteristics (350,997 patients), and 39 studies reporting clinical outcomes (3989 patients). Median METex14 skipping frequency was 2.0% in unselected patients with NSCLC, with minimal geographic variation. Median frequency was 2.4% in adenocarcinoma or nonsquamous subgroups, 12.0% in sarcomatoid, and 1.3% in squamous histology. Patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC were more likely to be elderly, have adenocarcinoma histology; there was no marked sex or smoking status distribution. In first line of treatment, median objective response rate ranged from 50.7% to 68.8% with targeted therapies (both values correspond to MET TKIs), was 33.3% with immunotherapy, and ranged from 23.1% to 27.0% with chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with METex14 skipping are more likely to have certain characteristics, but no patient subgroup can be ruled out; thus, it is crucial to test all patients with NSCLC to identify suitable candidates for MET inhibitor therapy. MET TKIs appeared to result in higher efficacy outcomes, although no direct comparison with chemotherapy or immunotherapy regimens was found.

Cost-Effectiveness of Tepotinib Versus Capmatinib for the Treatment of Adult Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition Exon 14 Skipping

OBJECTIVES

From the US Medicare perspective, this study compared the cost-effectiveness of tepotinib and capmatinib for treating metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with tumors harboring mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor gene exon 14 skipping.

METHODS

A 3-state partitioned survival model assessed outcomes over a lifetime horizon. Parametric survival analysis of the phase 2 VISION trial informed clinical inputs for tepotinib. Capmatinib inputs were captured using hazard ratios derived from an unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison study and published literature. National cost databases, trial data, and literature furnished drug, treatment monitoring, and disease/adverse event management expenditures (2021 US dollars) and utility inputs. Outcomes were discounted at 3% annually.

RESULTS

In the base case, tepotinib dominated capmatinib in frontline settings (incremental discounted quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs] and costs of 0.2127 and -$47 756, respectively) while realizing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $274 514/QALY in subsequent lines (incremental QALYs and costs of 0.3330 and $91 401, respectively). In a line agnostic context, tepotinib produced an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $105 383/QALY (incremental QALYs and costs of 0.2794 and $29 447, respectively). Sensitivity and scenarios analyses for individual lines typically supported the base case, whereas those for the line agnostic setting suggested sensitivity to drug acquisition costs and efficacy inputs.

CONCLUSIONS

Tepotinib could be cost-effective versus capmatinib in frontline and line agnostic contexts, considering the range of willingness-to-pay thresholds recommended by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review ($100 000-$150 000/QALY). Tepotinib could be cost-effective in subsequent lines at higher willingness-to-pay levels. These results are to be interpreted cautiously, considering uncertainty in key model inputs.

Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison (MAIC) of Tepotinib with Other MET Inhibitors for the Treatment of Advanced NSCLC with MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutations

INTRODUCTION

MET exon 14 skipping in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC), can be targeted with MET inhibitors including tepotinib, capmatinib, savolitinib, and crizotinib. Matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) methodology was used to compare outcomes data between agents and to address bias from differences in baseline characteristics.

METHODS

Patient-level data from the VISION study (tepotinib) were weighted for comparison with aggregate data from the GEOMETRY mono-1 (capmatinib), NCT02897479 (savolitinib) and PROFILE 1001 (crizotinib) studies in patients with aNSCLC, using baseline characteristics prognostic for overall survival (OS) in VISION. Overall response rate (ORR), OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and duration of response (DOR) were compared. Patients were stratified by line of therapy: overall (all lines), previously treated, and treatment-naïve.

RESULTS

Improvements in ORR and all time-to-event endpoints were predicted for tepotinib compared with crizotinib and savolitinib in the different populations, although comparisons with savolitinib were hindered by considerable differences in baseline patient populations. Tepotinib appeared to be associated with prolonged PFS and OS compared with capmatinib in previously treated patients (PFS HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.36-0.83; OS HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.42-1.06) and the overall populations (PFS HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.43-0.86; OS HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.49-1.05), with smaller improvements in DOR. The ORR comparisons between tepotinib and capmatinib identified a swing of up to ± 6 percentage points in the weighted tepotinib ORR depending on the population studied (treatment-naïve vs. previously treated patients).

CONCLUSIONS

The MAIC identified potential differences in efficacy endpoints with the different MET inhibitors, and predicted prolonged PFS and OS with tepotinib compared with capmatinib and crizotinib. Although MAIC cannot balance for unobserved factors, it remains an informative method to contextualize single-arm studies, where head-to-head trials are unlikely to be feasible.

Evaluation of Meal Carbohydrate Counting Errors in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

AIM

Correct estimation of meal carbohydrate content is a prerequisite for successful intensified insulin therapy in patients with diabetes. In this survey, the counting error in adult patients with type 1 diabetes was investigated.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients with type 1 diabetes estimated the carbohydrate content of 24 standardized test meals. The test meals were categorized into 1 of 3 groups with different carbohydrate content: low, medium, and high. Estimation results were compared with the meals' actual carbohydrate content as determined by calculation based on weighing. A subgroup of the participants estimated the test meals for a second (n=35) and a third time (n=22) with a mean period of 11 months between the estimations.

RESULTS

During the first estimation, the carbohydrate content was underestimated by -28% (-50, 0) of the actual carbohydrate content. Particularly meals with high mean carbohydrate content were underestimated by -34% (-56, -13). Median counting error improved significantly when estimations were performed for a second time (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants generally underestimated the carbohydrate content of the test meals, especially in meals with higher carbohydrate content. Repetition of estimation resulted in significant improvements in estimation accuracy and is important for the maintenance of correct carbohydrate estimations. The ability to estimate the carbohydrate content of a meal should be checked and trained regularly in patients with diabetes.

Tepotinib in patients (pts) with NSCLC with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL)

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Background: In the phase II VISION study (NCT02864992) tepotinib had promising efficacy (response rate of 40–50% & median duration of response >1 y) and tolerable safety in pts with advanced NSCLC with METex14 skipping (3–4% of NSCLC), who are typically elderly with poor prognosis. Pt reported outcomes (PROs) of HRQoL are described here. Methods: Pts with advanced NSCLC positive for METex14 skipping by tissue or liquid biopsy received oral tepotinib 500 mg once daily; PROs were assessed using QLQ-LC13 (lung cancer symptoms), EORTC QLQ-C30 (Global health status [GHS] & 5 functional scales), and EQ-5D-5L (VAS). Questionnaires were completed at baseline (BL) and every 6 weeks (Wk); results were scored from 0–100 (minimal clinically important difference [MCID] ≥10 points). Mean change from BL was analyzed at Wk 12 (predefined analyses). Results: By 19 Jul 19 cut-off, 130 pts across treatment lines were enrolled (median age 74.2 y), with PROs available for 129. Questionnaire completion rates were 90.1% at Wk 12. Symptom burden at BL was moderate for advanced NSCLC; mean change from BL for PROs are shown in the table (better functioning: lower QLQ-LC13 or higher QLQ-C30 scores). For the QLQ-LC13 symptoms, mean changes from BL indicated a meaningful improvement in coughing, with a median time to improvement (2.8 months) paralleling the onset of objective response (within first 3 months), and a numerical improvement in dyspnea (–2.3 at Wk 12) and chest pain (–4.2 at Wk 12). QLQ-C30 values remained stable over treatment as did EQ-5D-5L scores (higher=better): mean (standard deviation, SD) change from BL score (60 [20.4]) was 6 (18.6) at Wk 6 and 5 (20.9) at Wk 12. Conclusions: In this first analysis of PROs in pts with advanced NSCLC with METex14 skipping with a moderate symptom burden, treatment with tepotinib led to a clinically meaningful improvement in coughing symptoms, while maintaining HRQoL. Coupled with the efficacy and safety profile, the predefined HRQoL analysis from the VISION study supports tepotinib as a promising treatment option for this elderly population with METex14+ NSCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992 . [Table: see text]

Do Surrogate Endpoints Better Correlate with Overall Survival in Studies That Did Not Allow for Crossover or Reported Balanced Postprogression Treatments? An Application in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

In previous studies, correlation between overall survival (OS) and surrogate endpoints like objective response rate (ORR) or progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was poor. This can be biased by crossover and postprogression treatments.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relationship between these two surrogate endpoints and OS in advanced NSCLC studies that did not allow for crossover or reported balanced post-progression treatments.

METHODS

A systematic review in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving second- and further-line therapy was performed. The relationship between the absolute difference in ORR or median PFS (mPFS) and the absolute difference in median OS (mOS) was assessed using the correlation coefficient (R) and weighted regression models. The analysis was repeated in predefined data cuts based on crossover and balance of postprogression treatments. When the upper limit of R's 95% confidence interval (CI) was more than 0.7, the surrogate threshold effect (STE) was estimated.

RESULTS

In total, 146 randomized clinical trials (43,061 patients) were included. The mean ORR, mPFS, and mOS were 12.2% ± 11.2%, 3.2 ± 1.3 months, and 9.6 ± 4.1 months, respectively. The correlation coefficients of ORR and mPFS were 0.181 (95% CI 0.016-0.337) and 0.254 (95% CI 0.074-0.418), respectively, with mOS. Nevertheless, in trials that did not allow crossover and reported balanced postprogression treatments, the correlation coefficients of ORR and mPFS were 0.528 (95% CI 0.081-0.798) and 0.778 (95% CI 0.475-0.916), respectively, with mOS. On the basis of STE estimation, in trials showing significant treatment effect size of 41.0% or more ORR or 4.15 or more mPFS months, OS benefit can be expected with sufficient certainty.

CONCLUSIONS

Crossover and postprogression treatments may bias the relationship between surrogate endpoints and OS. Presented STE calculation can be used to interpret treatment effect on either ORR or PFS when used as primary endpoints.

A prospective multi-center cohort study of acute non-displaced fractures of the scaphoid: operative versus non-operative treatment [NCT00205985]

BACKGROUND

Acute scaphoid fractures are common in active adults and do lead to reasonable time lost to work. One important goal of treatment is early return to work or sport. On this background, the adequate treatment of non-displaced acute scaphoid fractures is still under discussion. The aim of this study is to compare time to return to previous activity level comparing surgical versus non-surgical treatment of non-displaced acute scaphoid fractures.

METHODS/DESIGN

The study is designed as a non-randomized multiple center cohort study including 12 sites in Germany and Austria. The inclusion period is planned to be 12 months with a follow up of 6 months. Allocation to operative or non-operative treatment is chosen by the patient together with his treating surgeon. The primary outcome is time to return to previous activity level adapted for loading of the wrist in daily life as measured by a newly developed questionnaire (PLDL-wrist). Factors identified a priori to be associated with the outcome, e.g., poverty status, age, education, smoking status, gender, and occupation, are measured to ensure adequate control for their potential confounding effects.

DISCUSSION

The rationale and the design of a multiple center cohort study are presented. As it is not considered feasible to randomize patients in this study, potential confounding effects need to be controlled adequately.

Significance of osteoporosis in craniomaxillofacial surgery: a review of the literature

Osteoporosis is a common problem in orthopedic surgery. The purpose of this review of the literature was to examine whether osteoporosis is also an important factor in patient treatment in the field of craniomaxillofacial surgery. Emphasis was given to the consequences of osteoporosis for the maxilla and mandible, the influence of osteoporosis on fracture treatment, the use of dental implants, the importance of soft tissues and the effect of osteoporosis therapies. It was found that osteoporosis does affect the bones of the skull. The effect of osteoporosis on treatment, however, is controversial and necessitates better ways of quantifying bone loss. Large inter-individual and site-specific differences in bone density, as well as other effects such as removal of teeth, periodontitis, implant insertion, augmentation procedures and altered loading with dystrophic consequences need to be considered in future studies. Special attention should be given to osteoporosis during fracture treatment.

[Measuring opening pressure in lumbar puncture--a new method]

Determination of the opening pressure (OP) during diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) yields additional information that may impact on treatment and prognosis in disorders affecting the central nervous system (e.g. meningitis). Established methods contain systematic errors as well as risks to the patient. We therefore present a new procedure that allows measurement of the OP by timing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through a capillary attached to an LP needle. A resistance located between needle and capillary slows down the flow of cerebrospinal fluid so that it becomes independent of the capillary forces acting on it. The time required for the fluid to travel between two marks on the capillary (defining a given volume) can be used to calculate the flow. Since the combined resistance of needle and resistance can be calibrated, the pressure driving the flow--in this case the opening pressure--can be calculated. A simple model was used to evaluate the impact of different resistances and different needles on OP determination. The effects of cellular elements and proteins in the CSF are discussed.