Overall survival analysis of patients enrolled in a randomized phase III trial comparing gefitinib and erlotinib for previously treated advanced lung adenocarcinoma (WJOG5108LFS).

BACKGROUND: Since the overall survival (OS) of patients enrolled in the first clinical phase III trial (WJOG5108L) was not recorded owing to time constraints, the present study (WJOG5108LFS) with a longer follow-up (66.6 months) aimed to compare OS of those treated with erlotinib (ER) and gefitinib (GE) for lung adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. METHODS: Among 536 enrolled patients, 362 (67.5%) were EGFR mutation-positive, including 182 in the ER arm and 180 in the GE arm. Median survival time (MST) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. OS and PFS were determined for patients with EGFR mutation. RESULTS: MSTs of ER (n = 182) and GE arms (n = 180) were 31.97 and 27.98 months, respectively (P = 0.3573, hazard ratio = 1.116). MSTs of exon 19 mutation patients in ER (n = 99) and GE arms (n = 89) were 37.49 and 28.91 months, respectively (P = 0.3791). MSTs of L858 mutation patients in ER (n = 82) and GE arms (n = 89) were 22.98 and 27.79 months, respectively (P = 0.7836). In patients with brain metastasis harboring mutation, response rates were 32.8% and 22.2% (P = 0.160), MSTs were 23.46 and 23.89 months (P = 0.7410), and PFS were 9.49 and 6.98 months (P = 0.1481) in the ER (n = 67) and GE arms (n = 72), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in OS were observed between the ER and GE arms in all patients with EGFR mutation and those with brain metastasis harboring EGFR mutation.

A phase I/II study of weekly nab-paclitaxel plus cisplatin in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus cisplatin in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC were eligible. In the phase I dose-escalation cohort (3 + 3 design), patients received nab-paclitaxel (80 or 100 mg/m2 given intravenously on days 1, 8 and 15) plus cisplatin (60 or 75 mg/m2 given intravenously on day 1) every 4 weeks. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m2 given intravenously on days 1, 8 and 15) plus cisplatin (75 mg/m2 given intravenously on day 1) every 4 weeks was selected for the phase II cohort. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (phase I, n = 6; phase II, n = 17) were enrolled, and 22 patients were eligible. The median age was 67.5 years (range 37-75), 90.9% were males, 45.5% had adenocarcinoma and 81.8% had stage IV disease. The ORR was 59.1% (90% confidence interval (CI); 41.8-74.4), and the disease control rate was 86.4% (95% CI; 66.7-95.3). The median progression-free survival was 5.1 months (95% CI; 4.0-6.7), and the median overall survival was 24.2 months (95% CI; 8.4 months to not estimable). The common grade ≥ 3 adverse events were neutropenia (31.8%), leukopenia (27.3%), lung infection (18.2%) and hyponatremia (18.2%). There was one instance of grade 2 interstitial pneumonia and no treatment-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Nab-paclitaxel plus cisplatin was well tolerated and associated with encouraging response outcomes in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC. Further investigation is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000011776; Date of registration: 17 September 2013; Date of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: 23 January 2014.

Efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies after discontinuation due to adverse events in non-small cell lung cancer patients (HANSHIN 0316).

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as promising therapeutic agents in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the duration for which ICIs should be continued remains a clinical problem. METHODS: We examined the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors after the discontinuation of antibodies due to adverse events (AEs) in patients with NSCLC. This was a multicenter retrospective study that analyzed NSCLC patients who were treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors by August 2016. RESULTS: The patients with NSCLC were 18 males and 1 female at a median 67 years of age (range: 49-80 years). Eighteen of 19 patients were treated with nivolumab, one was with atezolizumab. Approximately half of AEs were interstitial pneumonia. Fourteen patients (73.7%) were treated with steroid therapy. The median number of treatment cycles was 7 (range, 1-70), and the median duration of treatment was 2.8 months (range, 1 day-32.9 months). The overall response rate with confirmation during treatment was 21.1%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.2-17.1 months) and 5.6 months (95% CI = 0-12.2 months) from the initiation and the discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1 treatment, respectively. The median PFS after discontinuation according to the confirmed response during administration was not reached for partial response (PR) and 4.9 months (95% CI, 3.7-6.0) for stable disease (SD) patients (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The PFS of the PR patients was completely different from that of the SD patients. The cases with PR prior to the onset of AE tended to show a durable response after the discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

The safety and efficacy of carboplatin plus nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease.

BACKGROUND: The optimal chemotherapy regimen for non-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease is unclear. We therefore investigated the safety and efficacy of carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel as a first-line regimen for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with interstitial lung disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease who received carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel as a first-line chemotherapy regimen at Hyogo Cancer Center between February 2013 and August 2016. interstitial lung disease was diagnosed according to the findings of pretreatment chest high-resolution computed tomography. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included (male, n = 11; female, n = 1). The overall response rate was 67% and the disease control rate was 100%. The median progression free survival was 5.1 months (95% CI: 2.9-8.3 months) and the median overall survival was 14.9 months (95% CI: 4.8-not reached). A chemotherapy-related acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease was observed in one patient; the extent of this event was Grade 2. There were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel, as a first-line chemotherapy regimen for non-small cell lung cancer, showed favorable efficacy and safety in patients with preexisting interstitial lung disease.

Bevacizumab beyond disease progression after first-line treatment with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (West Japan Oncology Group 5910L): An open-label, randomized, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy has been established as a standard treatment option in the first-line setting for advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there has been no evidence to support the use of bevacizumab beyond disease progression in such patients. METHODS: West Japan Oncology Group 5910L was designed as a multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase 2 trial of docetaxel versus docetaxel plus bevacizumab every 3 weeks for patients with recurrent or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC whose disease had progressed after first-line treatment with bevacizumab plus a platinum-based doublet. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: One hundred patients were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel (n = 50) or docetaxel plus bevacizumab (n = 50), and this yielded median PFS times of 3.4 and 4.4 months, respectively, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.71 and a stratified log-rank P value of .058, which met the predefined criterion for statistical significance (P < .2). The median overall survival also tended to be longer in the docetaxel plus bevacizumab group (13.1 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.6-21.4 months) versus the docetaxel group (11.0 months; 95% CI, 7.6-16.1 months) with an HR of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.46-1.19; stratified log-rank P = .11). No unexpected or severe adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Further evaluation of bevacizumab beyond disease progression is warranted for patients with advanced NSCLC whose disease has progressed after treatment with bevacizumab plus a platinum-based doublet.

Phase 2 study of S-1 and carboplatin plus bevacizumab followed by maintenance S-1 and bevacizumab for chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: A previous phase 3 trial demonstrated noninferiority in terms of overall survival for combined S-1 (an oral fluoropyrimidine) and carboplatin compared with combined paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the current study, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined S-1, carboplatin, and bevacizumab followed by maintenance with S-1 and bevacizumab in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC. METHODS: Patients received carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve, 5 mg mL(-1) per minute) and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) on day 1 plus oral S-1 (80 mg/m2 per day) on days 1 through 14 every 21 days for up to 6 cycles. For patients without disease progression, S-1 and bevacizumab were continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity developed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled in the phase 2 study; of these, 35 patients (72.9%) completed at least 4 cycles. Most toxicities of grade ≥3 were hematologic, and no increase in relative incidence associated with maintenance with S-1 and bevacizumab was observed. The objective response rate was 54.2% (95% confidence interval, 39.2%-68.6%), and the median progression-free survival was 6.8 months (95% confidence interval, 4.3-8.2 months). CONCLUSIONS: The regimen of combined S-1, carboplatin, and bevacizumab followed by maintenance with S-1 and bevacizumab was active and feasible as first-line treatment for advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.

Bevacizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized, open-label phase 2 study (CLEAR).

BACKGROUND: Atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy is a standard treatment for advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (nsNSCLC). We aimed to determine the most effective platinum-based combination, such that future studies with atezolizumab can be conducted to further improve patient outcomes. METHODS: This phase 2 study enrolled treatment-naïve patients with advanced or recurrent nsNSCLC who were randomly assigned to either cisplatin (75 mg/m2) + pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) + bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) (CisPemBev) followed by maintenance PemBev (N=132) or carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve of 6 mg/mL/min) + paclitaxel (200 mg/m2) + bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) (CarPacBev) followed by maintenance Bev (N=67). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS, by central review). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and overall response rate (ORR). Adverse events (AEs) were evaluated for safety. This study was designed with the point estimate of the hazard ratio (HR) for PFS calculated based on an expected HR <0.830 with a probability ≥80%. RESULTS: The HR for PFS (CisPemBev/CarPacBev) was 0.825 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.600-1.134, median PFS, 7.6 vs. 7.0 months]. Because the observed point estimate of the HR for PFS was <0.830, the primary endpoint was met, and CisPem doublet therapy was deemed to be more effective than CarPac in terms of PFS. Median OS was 23.4 months for CisPemBev and 21.6 months for CarPacBev (HR 0.845; 95% CI, 0.583-1.242). The ORR was 57% for CisPemBev and 55% for CarPacBev. Both CisPemBev and CarPacBev were well tolerated; grade ≥3 AEs were reported in 67% and 82% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CisPem combined with Bev was more effective in improving PFS compared with CarPacBev in patients with advanced nsNSCLC. CisPemBev was also well tolerated by this patient population. A study to evaluate the efficacy of atezolizumab plus CisPemBev is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (ID: UMIN000013354).

The efficacy of carboplatin plus nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel after cisplatin plus pemetrexed in non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Carboplatin plus nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) is one of the available first-line treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the efficacy of carboplatin plus nab-PTX as second-line, remains unknown. We examined the efficacy of carboplatin plus nab-PTX after cisplatin plus pemetrexed in non-squamous NSCLC patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients who received carboplatin plus nab-PTX as a second-line chemotherapy regimen after cisplatin plus pemetrexed in our hospital between March 2013 and December 2017. We assessed clinical characteristics, efficacy, and toxicities. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were recruited. The overall response rate (ORR) was 29% and the disease control rate (DCR), 69%. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 3.7 months (95% CI: 2.4-5.5 months) and the median overall survival, 16.6 months (95% CI:8.8-19.5 months). We assessed the ORR and mPFS using the best overall response in the prior regimen. The ORR and mPFS were better in the PD group (ORR; 44% and mPFS: 5.6 months). CONCLUSIONS: Carboplatin plus nab-PTX after cisplatin plus pemetrexed in non-squamous NSCLC patients is a treatment option. There were several cases where cisplatin plus pemetrexed was not effective, but Carboplatin plus nab-PTX was.

Exploration of germline variants responsible for adverse events of crizotinib in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer by target-gene panel sequencing.

OBJECTIVES: Crizotinib is a standard treatment for advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)- or ROS1-fusion-gene-positive non-small cell lung cancer; however, serious adverse events (AEs), including elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and interstitial lung disease (ILD), develop occasionally. Here, we evaluated relationships between clinically significant crizotinib-associated AEs and germline variations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA obtained from 75 patients allowed selection of 147 genes according to function, exon identification and sequencing, and determination of germline single nucleotide variants (SNVs). Correlations between clinically significant AEs and presence of germline variants were estimated by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: We defined clinically significant AEs as grade 4 hematological toxicity, grade ≥3 non-hematological toxicity, and any grade of ILD. These AEs were observed in 26 patients (35%), with elevated AST/ALT (15%) the most common, followed by neutropenia (5%), ILD (4%), and thromboembolic events (4%). Nonsynonymous SNVs in epoxide hydrolase 1 (EPHX1) [odds ratio (OR): 3.86; p = 0.0009) and transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) (OR: 2.51; p = 0.025) were associated with the presence of clinically significant AEs. CONCLUSION: Nonsynonymous EPHX1 and TCF7L2 SNVs might be associated with clinically significant crizotinib-associated AEs. These data indicated that target-gene sequencing could be feasible for predicting anticancer-agent toxicity, and that germline multi-gene information might be useful for predicting patient-specific AEs to promote precision medicine.

Immune-related Colitis Induced by the Long-term Use of Nivolumab in a Patient with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

We herein report a case of immune-related colitis induced by the long-term use of nivolumab. A 62-year-old Japanese man was treated with nivolumab at 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks for advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The patient was admitted to our hospital due to non-bloody watery diarrhea after the 70th dose of nivolumab. A biopsy specimen of the colon mucosa revealed evidence of colitis with cryptitis and crypt microabscesses. He was diagnosed with immune-related colitis and started on predonisolone 60 mg/day. Subsequently, his symptoms remarkably resolved. Consideration of immune-related adverse events up to several years after the initiation of nivolumab is important.

Phase II trial of gefitinib plus pemetrexed after relapse using first-line gefitinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR gene mutations.

OBJECTIVES: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (i.e., EGFR-TKIs) improve the survival of lung cancer patients harboring EGFR mutations. Despite the initial efficacy of EGFR-TKIs, the disease progression caused by acquired resistance to these inhibitors is inevitable. T790M mutations represent a major resistance mechanism to EGFR-TKIs but can be overcome using osimertinib. The IMPRESS trial revealed that the continuation of EGFR-TKI beyond progressive disease (PD) concurrent with platinum-doublet chemotherapy was not beneficial. However, various clinical trials have suggested that EGFR-TKI beyond PD plus single-agent chemotherapy may be a possible treatment strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a single-arm phase II trial. Patients with EGFR-activating mutations (del19 and L858R) that progressed using first-line gefitinib treatment were enrolled and treated with gefitinib beyond PD plus pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 q3w. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Mutation-biased polymerase chain reaction quenching probe, which is the original method for detecting T790M mutations in cell-free plasma DNA, was used prior to treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were enrolled between May 1, 2013, and March 31, 2016. One patient was excluded before starting the treatment. Among the 35 patients, 15 patients had del19 mutations, and 20 patients had L858R mutations; 33 patients were evaluable for response by using radiographic findings. The median PFS was 6.7 months (95% confidence interval: 4.4-7.7 months). Nineteen patients were T790M positive. No significant difference in PFS was found in a subgroup analysis of EGFR mutation status and T790M positivity. All toxicities were tolerable. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib plus pemetrexed treatment following relapse using gefitinib in patients with Non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR mutations demonstrated preferable PFS with mild toxicity. This combination therapy may be considered for platinum-unfit patients without T790M with disease progression using first-line gefitinib. (This clinical trial was registered in UMIN-CTGR as UMIN000010709).

Prolonged survival of a patient with lung cancer after treatment with S-1, a new oral fluoropyrimidine anticancer drug.

A 36-yr-old woman complaining of cough and body weight loss at a health checkup and referred to us after an abnormality was noted on the chest X-ray was diagnosed with clinical stage IV (cT2N3Ml) non-small-cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma). She received three courses of chemotherapy. The response to treatment was stable disease. She was subsequently enrolled in a clinical trial of S-1, a new oral fluoropyrimidine anticancer drug, and received a total of 22 courses of S-1 over a period of 2 yr 5 mo. At the end of treatment, she was classified as having a partial response. A bronchoscopic biopsy disclosed no cancer cells. Remission continued for 1 yr 7 mo after treatment. The patient died of primary disease 8 yr after the initiation of treatment with oral S-1. Non-small-cell lung cancer was approved as a new indication of S-1 in 2004 in Japan, but the number of patients receiving it for this indication remains limited. Here, we describe our experience with a patient with adenocarcinoma of the lung who survived for a prolonged period after treatment with S-1. Our findings suggest that S-1 is effective for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Usefulness of the oximetry test for the diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome in Japan.

We evaluated the usefulness of oximetry tests that are frequently used as screening tools for sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) by determining the level of agreement between oximetry test results and polysomnography test (PSG) results. We retrospectively examined 135 patients suspected of having SAS. Although the oximetry desaturation index (DSI) seemed better than the oximetry apnea index in the agreement with the polysomnography respiratory disturbance index (RDI), the criteria of DSI greater than or equal to 15 was not sensitive enough to screen for moderate SAS (PSG-RDI >or= 20). Multivariate analyses revealing that body mass index (BMI) as well as DSI correlated well with PSG-RDI, we established a new criterion by adding the BMI score (DSI >or= 15 or BMI >or= 25), which remarkably improved the sensitivity. This criterion may be useful not only in clinical practice but also in medical checkups for asymptomatic patients, and also suggests that obese patients with sleep disturbance should undergo PSGs, irrespective of the DSI score.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and S-1 or vinorelbine for patients with stage III unresectable non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the preferred treatment for stage III unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there have been few reports on combination chemotherapy with radiation for second- and third-generation antitumor drugs, although clinical guidelines have recommended the use of these drugs along with platinum agents. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin and either S-1 or vinorelbine for treating stage III unresectable NSCLC patients who were treated with CCRT. RESULTS: Between September 2006 and May 2014, 56 patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were treated with CCRT with S-1 and cisplatin (median age: 63 years) and 58 patients were treated with CCRT with vinorelbine and cisplatin (median age: 61 years). The median follow-up time was 14.6 months in the S-1 arm and 28.0 months in the vinorelbine arm. We found no significant difference in progression-free survival (15.8 months vs. 10.1 months; p=0.15) and overall survival (33.7 months vs. 31.1 months; p=0.63) between the S-1 and vinorelbine arms, respectively. Severe (more than grade 3) leukopenia (35.7% vs. 98.2%; p<0.01), neutropenia (44.6% vs. 98.2%; p<0.01), and febrile neutropenia (1.8% vs. 46.6%, p<0.01) were significantly less frequent in the S-1 arm than in the vinorelbine arm. Treatment-related deaths were not observed in either arm. CONCLUSIONS: CCRT with both S-1 or vinorelbine with cisplatin appears feasible based on their efficacy and toxicity profiles. Both treatments may be recommended as treatment options for patients with stage III unresectable NSCLC.

Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Gefitinib With Erlotinib in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma: WJOG 5108L.

PURPOSE: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase has been an important target for non-small-cell lung cancer. Several EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are currently approved, and both gefitinib and erlotinib are the most well-known first-generation EGFR-TKIs. This randomized phase III study was conducted to investigate the difference between these two EGFR-TKIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previously treated patients with lung adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to receive gefitinib or erlotinib. This study aimed to investigate the noninferiority of gefitinib compared with erlotinib. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Five hundred sixty-one patients were randomly assigned, including 401 patients (71.7%) with EGFR mutation. All baseline factors (except performance status) were balanced between the arms. Median PFS and overall survival times for gefitinib and erlotinib were 6.5 and 7.5 months (hazard ratio [HR], 1.125; 95% CI, 0.940 to 1.347; P = .257) and 22.8 and 24.5 months (HR, 1.038; 95% CI, 0.833 to 1.294; P = .768), respectively. The response rates for gefitinib and erlotinib were 45.9% and 44.1%, respectively. Median PFS times in EGFR mutation-positive patients receiving gefitinib versus erlotinib were 8.3 and 10.0 months, respectively (HR, 1.093; 95% CI, 0.879 to 1.358; P = .424). The primary grade 3 or 4 toxicities were rash (2.2% for gefitinib v 18.1% for erlotinib) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation (6.1%/13.0% for gefitinib v 2.2%/3.3% for erlotinib). CONCLUSION: The study did not demonstrate noninferiority of gefitinib compared with erlotinib in terms of PFS in patients with lung adenocarcinoma according to the predefined criteria.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate induces alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in lung fibroblasts via Rho-kinase.

Transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is an important phenomenon that contributes to airway remodeling in bronchial asthma. Although several articles have recently indicated that a bioactive lysosphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) plays roles in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, the role of S1P in the remodeling process is poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of S1P on alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression and the morphology in lung fibroblasts. S1P stimulated the expression of alpha-SMA in a human lung fibroblast cell line WI38 that expresses EDG/S1P receptors. These processes were inhibited by Y-27632, but not by pertussis toxin. These results suggest that S1P induces a phenotypic change of lung fibroblasts via Rho-kinase that may lead to airway remodeling.

A phase 2 study of bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer harboring mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) after failing first-line EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (HANSHIN Oncology Group 0109).

OBJECTIVES: We have conducted a phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab in patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive and for whom EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) 1st-line has failed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with stage IIIB or IV non-squamous NSCLC harbored activating EGFR mutations that has failed 1st-line EGFR-TKI and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 were included in this study. Patients received carboplatin at an area under the concentration-time curve 5 or 6, paclitaxel 200mg/m(2), and bevacizumab 15mg/kg on D1. The combination therapy was repeated every 21 days for up to three to six cycles. Bevacizumab was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for patients without disease progression (PD). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled between March 2010 and January 2013, with 30 patients being eligible. ORR was 37% (90% CI; 24-52%) and disease control rate, 83% (95% CI; 66-92%). The median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.6 months (95% CI; 4.8-12.0 months) and median overall survival, 18.2 months (95% CI; 12.0-23.4 months). The most common grade ≥3 hematologic toxicity was neutropenia (93%), and non-hematologic toxicity, febrile neutropenia (20%). There were no clinically relevant grade ≥3 bleeding events and no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: The combination therapy of carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab did not achieve the initial treatment goal.

Effectiveness of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Japanese Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring Minor Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations: Results from a Multicenter Retrospective Study (HANSHIN Oncology Group 0212).

AIM: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with minor mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, except for the common 15 base-pair deletions in exon 19 and the L858R mutation in exon 21, is rare, and only few data exist on this patient population. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical characteristics and to clarify the efficacy of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with NSCLC harboring minor mutations of the EGFR gene. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective study that analyzed specimens from patients with NSCLC who had minor EGFR gene mutations and were treated with EGFR-TKIs between June 2002 and March 2012. RESULTS: Out of 56 patients with minor mutations of the EGFR gene, 44 were treated with either gefitinib or erlotinib. Mutation sites were G719X in exon 18 (n=35), L861Q in exon 21 (n=11), and G874S in exon 21 (n=1). Three patients had both the G719S and the L861Q mutation. The response rate to TKI treatment was 29.5%, and the disease control rate was 63.6%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI)=2.06-8.66 months]. The median PFS was 7.2 months (95% CI=4.23-12.3 months) in 32 patients who received first- or second-line treatment with EGFR-TKIs, whereas the median PFS was 1.57 months (95% CI=0.73-3.8 months) in 12 patients treated with EGFR-TKIs as a third-line or later treatment. In multivariate Cox analysis, erlotinib therapy was associated with a longer PFS than gefitinib (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: Patients with NSCLC harboring minor mutations of the EGFR gene exhibited a modest response to EGFR-TKI treatment. Treatment with first-generation EGFR-TKIs, in particular erlotinib, may be considered a first- or second-line option for patients with NSCLC with minor EGFR mutations.

A phase II study of pemetrexed monotherapy in chemo-naïve Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2 patients with EGFR wild-type or unknown advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (HANSHIN Oncology Group 002).

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed monotherapy in chemo-naïve Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 2 patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild-type or unknown advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Pemetrexed was administered at 500 mg/m(2) triweekly until progression with supplementations in chemo-naïve ECOG PS 2 patients with EGFR wild-type or unknown advanced non-squamous NSCLC. RESULTS: Between September 2009 and April 2013, twenty-eight patients were enrolled. Median age was 75 (range 59-89). Nineteen (68 %) of 28 were ever smoker, and 18 (64 %) had pulmonary emphysema. Sixteen (57 %) had comorbidities such as hypertension, heart disease, and/or diabetes. In 26 eligible patients, the overall response rate, disease control rate, median PFS, and median overall survival were 11.5, 53.8 %, 3.0 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.9-5.7] months and 9.5 (95 % CI 3.3-12.5) months, respectively. Median administered course number was 3 (range 1-14). Median duration of PS maintenance ≤2 was 4.9 (95 % CI 1.3-9.7) months. Common (≥10 %) grade 3/4 toxicities included 7 (27 %) neutropenia, 7 (27 %) leukopenia, 4 (15 %) fatigue, and 3 (12 %) thrombocytopenia. Febrile neutropenia and interstitial lung disease were not observed. There were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: Pemetrexed monotherapy demonstrated moderate efficacy and good safety in chemo-naïve PS 2 patients with EGFR wild-type or unknown non-squamous NSCLC. It can be a therapeutic option in "frail" PS 2 non-squamous NSCLC patients without the indication of combination regimens, if the patient is EGFR wild-type.