89Zr-pembrolizumab imaging as a non-invasive approach to assess clinical response to PD-1 blockade in cancer.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody treatment is standard of care for melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Accurately predicting which patients will benefit is currently not possible. Tumor uptake and biodistribution of the PD-1 antibody might play a role. Therefore, we carried out a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging study with zirconium-89 (89Zr)-labeled pembrolizumab before PD-1 antibody treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma or NSCLC received 37 MBq (1 mCi) 89Zr-pembrolizumab (∼2.5 mg antibody) intravenously plus 2.5 or 7.5 mg unlabeled pembrolizumab. After that, up to three PET scans were carried out on days 2, 4, and 7. Next, PD-1 antibody treatment was initiated. 89Zr-pembrolizumab tumor uptake was calculated as maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and expressed as geometric mean. Normal organ uptake was calculated as SUVmean and expressed as a mean. Tumor response was assessed according to (i)RECIST v1.1. RESULTS: Eighteen patients, 11 with melanoma and 7 with NSCLC, were included. The optimal dose was 5 mg pembrolizumab, and the optimal time point for PET scanning was day 7. The tumor SUVmax did not differ between melanoma and NSCLC (4.9 and 6.5, P = 0.49). Tumor 89Zr-pembrolizumab uptake correlated with tumor response (P trend = 0.014) and progression-free (P = 0.0025) and overall survival (P = 0.026). 89Zr-pembrolizumab uptake at 5 mg was highest in the spleen with a mean SUVmean of 5.8 (standard deviation ±1.8). There was also 89Zr-pembrolizumab uptake in Waldeyer's ring, in normal lymph nodes, and at sites of inflammation. CONCLUSION: 89Zr-pembrolizumab uptake in tumor lesions correlated with treatment response and patient survival. 89Zr-pembrolizumab also showed uptake in lymphoid tissues and at sites of inflammation.

Safety and tolerability of stereotactic radiotherapy combined with durvalumab with or without tremelimumab in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, the phase I SICI trial.

INTRODUCTION: This phase I study primarily addresses the safety and tolerability of Stereotactic radiotherapy on the primary tumor combined with double Immune Checkpoint Inhibition (SICI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Increasing the release of neoantigens by radiotherapy might enhance response to immunotherapy. Especially, by targeting trunk mutations in the primary tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In three sequential cohorts, immunotherapy regimes combined with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) on the primary tumor (1x20 Gy on 9 cc) were studied in stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients progressing on chemotherapy. The first cohort (n = 3) received durvalumab. The second (n = 6) received a combination of tremelimumab and durvalumab followed by durvalumab monotherapy. The third cohort (n = 6) was similar except that the combination was reversed. Descriptive statistics were used to assess safety parameters and the exploratory outcomes of efficacy. Adverse events were reported using NCI CTCAE version 4.03. Exhaled breath was analyzed at baseline. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included. Median irradiated volume was 9.13 cc, on a median primary tumor volume of 79 cc. There were seven patients with grade 1-2, and two patients with grade 3 treatment related adverse events. There was 1 dose limiting toxicity (colitis) with double immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: The combination of SBRT to the primary tumor and double immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients is safe and feasible.

Safety and Efficacy of Extended Interval Dosing for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Extended interval (EI) dosing for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) mono- or consolidation therapy initiated due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reduction in ICI-related site visits for patients with stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer. Here we report the safety and efficacy compared to standard dose (SD) schedules. METHOD: In this retrospective analysis, patients who received ICI mono- or consolidation therapy, or adjuvant ICI therapy were assessed. Safety and efficacy of EI dosing with data of SD schedules were compared. RESULTS: One hundred seventeen patients received EI dosing for ICI and 88 patients SD. Patient characteristics were comparable. We observed 237 adverse events in the EI dosing cohort versus 118 in the SD group (P= .02). Overall, there was no difference in the occurrence of grade ≥3 adverse events (EI dosing: 21/237 [8.9%]; SD group: 20/118 [17.0%], P = .42), except for the pembrolizumab EI dosing cohort. Of all patients who received an EI dosing schedule, however, only 8 (6.8%) were reduced to SD because of toxicity. In 5 (4.3%) patients ICI was permanently stopped because of severe toxicity compared to 11 (12.5%) discontinuations in the SD group. Short-term treatment interruption occurred with similar frequencies in both groups. Progression-free survival and overall survival were comparable in patients receiving pembrolizumab and in those receiving adjuvant durvalumab. Progression-free survival and OS were better in the EI dosing cohort of nivolumab. CONCLUSION: EI dosing for ICI did not lead to an increase of clinically relevant toxicities resulting in dose reduction and/or treatment discontinuation. Efficacy of EI dosing of pembrolizumab and durvalumab were comparable to SD. Based on our safety and efficacy data EI dosing for ICI seems a safe and effective strategy.

[New biopsy at lung cancer progression: rational treatment of resistant lung cancer]. / Opnieuw biopteren bij progressie van longkanker.

Nowadays, patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harbouring a driver mutation undergo targeted treatment. This results in profound tumour responses but inevitably induces resistance after approximately 9 to 12 months. In this article we consider the importance and clinical implications of taking new biopsies to retrieve information regarding resistance mechanisms. There is a shift in the use of other modalities such as radiotherapy and surgery in patients with oligometastatic disease, producing long-lasting responses. This is illustrated by three different patient cases: one with an EGFR exon 21 mutation, obtaining a T790M mutation upon treatment; another with a BRAF V600 mutation initially treated with chemotherapy and later with targeted therapy; and, finally, a patient with an ALK translocation with progression on crizotinib treatment, responding to subsequent alectinib therapy. The latter developed oligometastatic disease that was treated with radiotherapy, resulting in a complete response for at least 2 years.