Comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic characterization of high-grade gastro-entero-pancreatic neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: High-grade gastro-entero-pancreatic neoplasms (HG GEP-NENs) can be stratified according to their morphology and Ki-67 values into three prognostic classes: neuroendocrine tumors grade 3 (NETs G3), neuroendocrine carcinomas with Ki-67 < 55% (NECs <55) and NECs with Ki-67 ≥ 55% (NECs ≥55). METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of 49 HG GEP-NENs by targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (TrueSight Oncology 500), RNA-seq, and immunohistochemistry for p53, Rb1, SSTR-2A, and PD-L1. RESULTS: Frequent genomic alterations affected TP53 (26%), APC (20%), KRAS and MEN1 (both 11%) genes. NET G3 were enriched in MEN1 (p = 0.02) mutations, while both NECs groups were enriched in TP53 (p = 0.001), APC (p = 0.002) and KRAS (p = 0.02) mutations and tumors with TMB ≥ 10 muts/Mb (p = 0.01). No differentially expressed (DE) gene was found between NECs <55% and NECs ≥55%, while 1129 DE genes were identified between NET G3 and NECs. A slight enrichment of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in NECs and of cancer-associated fibroblasts and macrophages (M2-like) in NET G3. Multivariate analysis identified histologic type and Rb1 loss as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that GEP-NET G3 and GEP-NECs exhibit clear genomic and transcriptomic differences, differently from GEP-NECs <55% and GEP-NECs ≥55%, and provided molecular findings with prognostic and potentially predictive value.

Recent advances and future strategies in first-line treatment of ES-SCLC.

Recent advancements in treating extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) have been significantly marked by incorporating immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) into platinum-based chemotherapy, leading to modest yet notable improvements in patient outcomes, which become more evident with longer follow-up. However, critical challenges persist, such as identifying effective biomarkers for accurate patient selection or finding more effective drugs. This review delves into the current and evolving treatment landscape for ES-SCLC, focusing on the most promising therapeutic strategies under investigation. We discuss the latest developments in the use of newer ICIs, antiangiogenic agents, PARP inhibitors (PARPi), lurbinectedin, and anti-DLL3 agents, offering insights into potential future directions in the management of this aggressive cancer.

Response to lorlatinib rechallenge in a case of ALK-rearranged metastatic NSCLC with a resistance mutation to second generation TKIs.

INTRODUCTION: Several anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed for the treatment of echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with the newer generation agents brigatinib, alectinib and lorlatinib showing prolonged responses. With the increasing number of target therapies available, the optimal sequence is yet to be defined, as resistance profiles may evolve over time and in response to sequential ALK inhibitors. Therefore, ALK-targeted strategies may be personalized based upon the presence of specific ALK resistance mutations. METHODS: Here, we report on the case of a patient who has been treated with a sequence of three ALK TKIs after receiving diagnosis of ALK-rearranged metastatic NSCLC in 2015 and gained further benefit upon lorlatinib rechallenge after the acquisition of the G1202R resistance mutation to second generation TKIs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In this case, the first ALK resistance mutation detected after progression on first line TKI, the I1171N, is a common resistance mutation after alectinib and confers sensitivity to brigatinib, that the patient received afterwards with a long-term disease stability. The second ALK resistance mutation detected after a chemotherapy interval, the G1202R, is the most common resistance mutation after second generation ALK TKIs and has been associated with sensitivity to third generation TKIs, such as lorlatinib. This case of a patient with EML4-ALK-rearranged NSCLC shows that sequential treatment with next-generation ALK TKIs, including rechallenge, can induce profound remissions, even in heavily pretreated patients, and that ALK-targeted strategies may be personalized by considering the presence of distinct ALK resistance mutations.

Unleashing precision: a review of targeted approaches in pleural mesothelioma.

This review delves into the intricate landscape of pleural mesothelioma (PM), emphasizing the need for nuanced therapeutic strategies. While platinum-based chemotherapy remains a cornerstone, the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), notably through the Checkmate 743 trial, has reshaped treatment paradigms. Challenges persist due to patient heterogeneity and a lack of specific biomarkers. Targeting genotypic and phenotypic alterations emerges as a promising avenue, demanding precision oncology in this rare disease. CDKN2A loss, prevalent in PM, may respond to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Defects in MMR and HR suggest tailored approaches with ICI or PARP inhibitors, respectively. Ongoing trials explore novel inhibitors and promising targets like MSLN. Implementing these strategies requires overcoming challenges in patient selection, combination therapies, biomarker identification, and cost considerations. Collaboration is crucial for transforming these insights into impactful clinical interventions, heralding the era of personalized and precision medicine for PM.

Safety and antitumor activity of metformin plus lanreotide in patients with advanced gastro-intestinal or lung neuroendocrine tumors: the phase Ib trial MetNET2.

In retrospective studies, metformin use has been associated with better clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with advanced, well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (WDNETs). However, prospective evidence of metformin safety and activity is lacking. Here, we conducted the first-in-human phase Ib MetNET2 trial to investigate the safety and antitumor activity of metformin in combination with the somatostatin analog lanreotide autogel (ATG) in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients with advanced WDNETs of the gastrointestinal (GI) or thoracic tract. Enrolled patients received lanreotide ATG 120 mg plus oral metformin, up to a maximum dosage of 2550 mg/day. We enrolled 20 patients, of whom 18 (90%) and 2 (10%) had WDNETs of the GI and thoracic tract, respectively. Fourteen patients (70%) were non-diabetic. With a 5% incidence of SAEs, the study met its primary objective of demonstrating treatment safety. With a median follow-up of 39 months (95% CI 28-NE), median PFS was 24 months (95% CI 16-NE), with 12-month and 24-month PFS probability of 75% (95% CI 58-97) and 49% (95% CI 31-77), respectively. We found no statistically significant PFS differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Among exploratory analyses, the presence of tumor genomic alterations in DNA damage pathways was associated with trend towards worse PFS, whereas a precocious reduction of HOMA-IR index and plasma cholesterol concentration showed a trend towards an association with better PFS. In conclusion, metformin plus lanreotide ATG is a safe and well tolerated combination treatment that is associated with promising antitumor activity in both non-diabetic and diabetic patients with WDNETs, and that warrants further investigation in larger clinical trials.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes predict clinical outcomes in hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Background: Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) combined with Endocrine Therapy (ET) are the standard treatment for patients with Hormone Receptor-positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (HR+/HER2- aBC). Objectives: While CDK4/6i are known to reduce several peripheral blood cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets, the impact of these modulations on clinical outcomes is unknown. Design: A multicenter, retrospective-prospective Italian study. Methods: We investigated the association between baseline peripheral blood cells, or their early modifications (i.e. 2 weeks after treatment initiation), and the progression-free survival (PFS) of HR+/HER2- aBC patients treated with ETs plus CDK4/6i. Random Forest models were used to select covariates associated with patient PFS among a large list of patient- and tumor-related variables. Results: We evaluated 638 HR+/HER2- aBC patients treated with ET plus CDK4/6i at six Italian Institutions between January 2017 and May 2021. High baseline lymphocyte counts were independently associated with longer PFS [median PFS (mPFS) 20.1 versus 13.2 months in high versus low lymphocyte patients, respectively; adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR): 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-0.92; p = 0.0144]. Moreover, patients experiencing a lower early reduction of lymphocyte counts had significantly longer PFS when compared to patients undergoing higher lymphocyte decrease (mPFS 18.1 versus 14.5 months; aHR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.73-0.93; p = 0.0037). Patients with high baseline lymphocytes and undergoing a lower reduction, or even an increase, of lymphocyte counts during CDK4/6i therapy experienced the longest PFS, while patients with lower baseline lymphocytes and undergoing a higher decrease of lymphocytes had the lowest PFS (mPFS 21.4 versus 11 months, respectively). Conclusion: Baseline and on-treatment modifications of peripheral blood lymphocytes have independent prognostic value in HR+/HER2- aBC patients. This study supports the implementation of clinical strategies to boost antitumor immunity in patients with HR+/HER2- aBC treated with ETs plus CDK4/6i.