Application of the NSE score (Neurology-Stability-Epidural compression assessment) to establish the need for surgery in spinal metastases of elderly patients: a multicenter investigation.

PURPOSE: This retropective multicentric study aims to investigate the clinical applicability of the NSE score in the elderly, to verify the role of this tool as an easy help for decision making also for this class of patients. METHODS: All elderly patients (> 65 years) suffering from spinal metastases undergoing surgical or non-surgical treatment at the authors' Institutions between 2015 and 2022 were recruited. An agreement group (AG) and non-agreement group (NAG) were identified accordingly to the agreement between the NSE score indication and the performed treatment. Neurological status and axial pain were evaluated for both groups at follow-up (3 and 6 months). The same analysis was conducted specifically grouping patients older than 75 years. RESULTS: A strong association with improvement or preservation of clinical status (p < 0.001) at follow-up was obtained in AG. The association was not statistically significant in NAG at the 3-month follow-up (p 1.00 and 0.07 respectively) and at 6 months (p 0.293 and 0.09 respectively). The group of patients over 75 years old showed similar results in terms of statistical association between the agreement group and better outcomes. CONCLUSION: Far from the need or the aim to build dogmatic algorithms, the goal of preserving a proper performance status plays a key role in a modern oncological management: functional outcomes of the multicentric study group showed that the NSE score represents a reliable tool to establish the need for surgery also for elderly patients.

TROP-2, NECTIN-4 and predictive biomarkers in sarcomatoid and rhabdoid bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Introduction: The surface protein TROP-2/TACSTD2 and the cell adhesion protein NECTIN-4/NECTIN4 are responsible for the efficacy of anticancer therapies based on antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) targeting intracellular microtubules. In contrast with common histologic subtypes of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC), little is known of TROP-2 and NECTIN-4 expression in sarcomatoid and rhabdoid BUC. Aims: In this study, we aimed to analyze TROP-2 and NECTIN-4 expression and additional predictive biomarkers by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on 35 undifferentiated BUC (28 sarcomatoid and 7 rhabdoid). Wide genomic investigation was also performed on 411 BUC cases of the PanCancer Atlas, focusing on genes related to the microtubule pathways. Results: Seven of 35 (20%) undifferentiated BUC showed expression of TROP-2. NECTIN-4 was expressed in 10 cases (29%). Seven cases (20%) co-expressed TROP-2 and NECTIN-4. HER-2 FISH was amplified in 5 cases (14%) while HER-2 immunoexpression was observed in 14 cases (40%). PD-L1 scored positive for combined proportion score (CPS) in 66% of cases and for tumor proportion score (TPS) in 51% of cases. Pan-NTRK1-2/3 was elevated in 9 cases (26%) and FGFR-2/3 was broken in 7 of 35 cases (20%). Of 28 sarcomatoid BUC, 9 (32%) were negative for all (TROP-2, NECTIN-4, PD-L1, HER-2, FGFR and pan-NTRK) biomarkers and 3 (11%) expressed all five biomarkers. Among cases with rhabdoid dedifferentiation, 1 of 7 (14%) showed activation of all biomarkers, whereas 2 of 7 (28%) showed none. The mRNA analysis identified microtubule-related genes and pathways suitable for combined ADC treatments in BUC. Conclusion: Sarcomatoid and rhabdoid BUC do harbor positive expression of the ADC targets TROP-2 or NECTIN-4 in a relatively modest subset of cases, whereas the majority do not. Different combinations of other positive biomarkers may help the choice of medical therapies. Overall, these findings have important clinical implications for targeted therapy for BUC.

Multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, clinical phase II study to evaluate immunonutrition in improving efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, undergoing systematic nutritional counseling.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional support, including nutritional counseling and oral nutritional supplements (ONS), has been recommended as a first-line strategy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Evidence on the efficacy of immunonutrition during immunotherapy in these patients is positive, but still limited some secondary endpoints, such as treatment toxicity and tolerance. We hypothesize that early systematic provision of ONS with a high-protein-high calorie mixture containing immunonutrients (Impact®) in addition to nutritional counseling, compared to nutritional counseling alone, is beneficial to patients with NSCLC receiving immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy. We designed the present study to evaluate the efficacy of early systematic provision of ONS enriched with immunonutrients compared to nutritional counseling alone, in patients with NSCLC undergoing immunotherapy. Study endpoints were: treatment response (primary endpoint: progression-free survival), treatment tolerance and toxicity, body weight, body composition, protein-calorie intake, quality of life, fatigue, muscle strength and immunological profile. METHODS: This is a pragmatic, multicentre, randomized (1:1), parallel-group, open label, controlled, pilot clinical trial (N = 180). DISCUSSION: The improvement of efficacy of nutritional support in oncology still deserves many efforts. Immunonutrition represents a promising approach also in patients with NSCLC, but evidence on its efficacy on clinical outcomes during immunotherapy is still inconclusive. The present pilot study, which guarantees early high-quality nutritional care (assessment and treatment) to all patients in agreement with current guidelines and recommendations, could represent one of the first proofs of efficacy of early oral immunonutrition in patients with cancer undergoing immunotherapy. Further large randomized trials addressing the improvement of supportive care could be hypothesized, accordingly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05384873.

Is multidisciplinary management possible in the treatment of lung cancer? A report from three Italian meetings.

PURPOSE: To report criticisms and barriers to the "real-life" application of international guidelines and recent developments in the management of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Italy. METHODS: Three 2-day courses were organized. During the first day, experts in different fields of thoracic oncology gave their lecture on diagnosis and therapy for locally advanced NSCLC. During the second day, all participants were divided into four groups to discuss on a clinical case as a multidisciplinary team (MDT). The aim was to stimulate the discussion on practical issues in the management of NSCLC patients in the real-life practice. RESULTS: A total of 196 physicians were involved in the courses as learners. Invasive diagnosis of nodal disease for staging purposes, a priori definition of "surgical resectability" and a regular MDT with all crucial participants available were the three main key points identified for a good management of these patients. The main barriers to the clinical application of a good diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the patient were the absence of a regular and complete MDT in the South and Centre of Italy, while in the North of Italy, time for discussion of clinical cases in the MDT and waiting lists for staging and therapeutic interventions were deemed as the major concerns. CONCLUSION: The meetings showed that diagnosis and treatment of locally advanced NSCLC are still extremely variable between different Italian regions. Logistic issues, waiting lists, paucity of well-trained staff and expertise seem to be the main barriers to international guidelines application.

Poor-Performance Status Assessment of Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Remains Vague and Blurred in the Immunotherapy Era.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In the latest decade, the introduction of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. First-line ICIs or chemo-ICI trials have demonstrated OS advantages but the accrual was limited to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS)0-1 patients. ICI studies have for the vast majority excluded patients with poor performance status. PS 2 particularly is known as a negative prognostic factor for survival and a predictive factor of adverse events and poor response to treatments. Data on the activity of ICIs in PS2 patients are limited and come from heterogeneous meta-analyses and small phase II or expanded access trials. Often, terms such as "unfit" or "frail" ascertain the eligibility of patients to undergo cytotoxic chemotherapy, without specifying PS. RECENT FINDINGS: Other tools exist to aid in decision-making, and one simple, rapid, and validated screening test for frailty is the FRAIL scale consisting of 5 straightforward questions that can be self-administered and may represent an efficient and cost-effective way to screen large groups of patients for frailty. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a widely used method to determine the medical, psychological, and functional capabilities of older patients. However, CGA is time-consuming and this could represent a real barrier to its adoption in clinical practice. For this reason, a quick screening tool, the G8 questionnaire, has been developed and demonstrated validity also in a younger population. A complementary tool to assess patients' frailty is Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) which has become the most widely used clinical index for a variety of disorders and cancers. Yet, none of these tools has been validated as predictive in ICI. In conclusion, solid data regarding the benefit of ICIs in ECOG PS2 NSCLC patients are currently lacking and the role of immunotherapy remains uncertain for PS2 patients. Prospective randomized trials addressing this question are warranted or ongoing. However, we are concerned that without a more extensive and objective assessment of patients' fitness and frailty by using and validating appropriate tools a clear answer may not come to light.

Adjuvant Therapy of Resected Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: can We Move Forward?

OPINION STATEMENT: Twenty years ago, an individual patient data meta-analysis of eight cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) studies in completely resected early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) demonstrated a 13 % reduction of the risk of death favoring chemotherapy that was of borderline statistical significance (p = 0.08). This marginal benefit boosted a new generation of randomized trials to evaluate the role of modern platinum-based regimens in resectable stages of NSCLC and, although individual studies generated conflicting results, overall they contributed to confirm the role of AC which is now recommended for completely resected stage II and III NSCLC, mostly 4 cycles, while subset analyses suggested a benefit in patients with large IB tumors. Cisplatin-based therapy was the core regimen of those adjuvant clinical trials and even if a substitution with other platinum-derived was also suggested, mainly based on extrapolated data from studies in advanced disease, cisplatin was confirmed to be slightly superior to carboplatin and is still the drug of choice in the adjuvant setting. Currently, any attempt to improve efficacy of cisplatin-based chemotherapy through antiangiogenic drugs association or pharmacogenomics approaches have failed, while results of additional studies are eagerly awaited. In the context of promising targeted therapies, even if several randomized trials in the advanced setting evaluated tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKis) versus platinum-based chemotherapy and showed impressive results, clinical experience with TKIs in the adjuvant setting is still limited and most of the trials have not required patients to be molecularly tested for the drug-specific molecular predictive factor. At the present time, the role of targeted agents as adjuvant approaches remains largely not investigated. Finally, with the negative experience of the use of vaccines in this setting, the integration of immunotherapy (mainly immunocheckpoint inhibitors) in platinum-based schedules has just started to be evaluated, representing a potential future clinical option, but still far from clinical practice.

Sotorasib in KRASp.G12C mutated advanced NSCLC: Real-world data from the Italian expanded access program.

BACKGROUND: Sotorasib showed a significant improvement of progression free survival (PFS), safety and quality of life over docetaxel in patients with KRASp.G12C-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) within the CodeBreak-200 study. Here we report real-world efficacy and tolerability data from NSCLC patients who received sotorasib within the Italian expanded access program (EAP). METHODS: Sotorasib (960 mg, orally, once daily) was available on physician request for KRASp.G12C mutant advanced NSCLC patients. Clinical-pathological and molecular data were collected from the Italian ATLAS real-world registry. Patients underwent CT-scan and responses were evaluated by RECIST criteria. Efficacy and tolerability outcomes have been assessed. RESULTS: A total of 196 advanced NSCLC patients were treated across 30 Italian centers. Median age was 69 years old (range 33-86). Most patients were male (61 %), former (49 %) or current smokers (43 %), with ECOG-PS 0/1 (84 %) and adenocarcinoma subtype (90 %). 45 % and 32 % of patients received sotorasib in 2nd and 3rd line, respectively. Overall, response rate was 26 % and the median duration of response was 5.7 months (95 % CI: 4.4-7.0). Median PFS and OS were 5.8 months (95 % CI: 5 - 6.5) and 8.2 months (95 % CI: 6.3 - 9.9). Grade 3-4 TRAEs occurred in 16.5 % of patients, with Grade ≥ 3 liver enzyme increase and TRAEs-related discontinuation reported in 12 % and 4.6 % of cases. CONCLUSION: Real-world data from the Italian EAP confirm the tolerability and effectiveness of sotorasib in patients with KRASp.G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC and highlight the value of the national ATLAS network as source of real-world evidence driving the clinical management of NSCLC patients.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Opioids in Patients with Solid Tumours: Is Their Association Safe? A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent one of the most effective treatments for patients with cancer. As their activity relies on host immune system reactivity, the role of concomitant medications such as corticosteroids and antibiotics has been extensively evaluated. Preclinical data suggest that opioids may influence the immune system. METHODS: a systematic literature revision was performed using specific keywords on the major search engines. Two authors analysed all the studies and provided a selection of the following inclusion and exclusion criteria, respectively: 1. data collection of patients older than 18 years old affected by solid tumours; 2. description of ICIs efficacy in terms of PFS, OS, TTF, and ORR; 3. concomitant ICIs-opioids treatment and 1. language different from English; 2. not pertinent analyses. RESULTS: 523 studies were analysed, and 13 were selected and included in our series. A possible negative interaction between oral opioids and ICIs efficacy was observed. Most evidence was retrospective, and studies were heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: Even if oral opioids seem to impact negatively on ICIs efficacy in cancer patients, to date there is not sufficient evidence to avoid their prescription in this population.

Molecular profiling of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy approach: a multicenter Italian observational prospective study of biomarker screening in daily clinical practice.

AIMS: Heterogeneous implementation of molecular tests in current diagnostic algorithm at a European and international level is emerging as a major issue for efficient lung cancer molecular profiling. METHODS: From May 2017 until October 2017, N=1612 patients referring to 13 Italian institutions were selected, at advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and prospectively evaluated. Principal endpoints were: the percentage of diagnoses performed on cytological and histological material, the proportion of requests for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutational status, and resistance mutations detected on tissue and/or liquid biopsy samples after first-generation or second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the proportion of requests for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements, ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1) and Kirsten Rat Sarcoma (KRAS) determinations, the proportion of requests for programmed death-ligand1 (PD-L1) evaluation and, finally, the different assays used for the detection of EGFR mutations, ALK and ROS1 gene rearrangements and PD-L1 expression. RESULTS: Of 1325 patients finally included, only 50.8% requests were related to driver mutations with target agents already available in first-line at that preplanned time, while 49.2% were associated with PD-L1, ROS1, KRAS and others. Multiplex genomic assays (such as next-generation sequencing) were considered by all participating centres. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in a 'real-life daily practice' involving both pathologists and oncologists evaluating routinely workflow and trends towards improvements in molecular requests. Collected data aim to describe the applied algorithms and evolution of molecular screening for stage IV NSCLC in clinical practice.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of trials assessing PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors activity in pre-treated advanced stage malignant mesothelioma.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced stage malignant mesothelioma (asMM) patients have poor prognosis. Several trials investigated the role of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in pre-treated asMM. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature of clinical trials testing single-agent anti PD-1/PD-L1 ICIs in pre-treated asMM was performed. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) data were extracted. The predictive role of PD-L1 was assessed. RESULTS: We selected 13 studies including 888 patients. ORR and DCR were 18.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.9-22.8%) and 55.4% (95% CI: 48.1-62.5%), respectively. Median PFS and OS ranged from 2.1 to 5.9 and from 6.7 to 20.9 months, respectively. ORR according to PD-L1 was 27.0% (95% CI: 18.7-36.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-PD-(L)1 ICIs might be considered a treatment option for chemotherapy-resistant asMM, even if reliable predictive factors are still lacking.

LIGHT/TNFSF14 Promotes Osteolytic Bone Metastases in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14), LIGHT, is a component of the cytokine network that regulates innate and adaptive immune responses, which promote homeostasis of lymphoid organs, liver, and bone. Metastatic tumors often disrupt the tissue microenvironment, thus altering the homeostasis of the invaded organ; however, the underlying mechanisms required further studies. We investigated the role of LIGHT in osteolytic bone disease induced by metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients diagnosed with NSCLC bone metastasis show significantly higher levels of LIGHT expressed in monocytes compared with non-bone metastatic tumors and healthy controls. Serum LIGHT levels were also higher in patients with bone metastases than in controls, suggesting a role for LIGHT in stimulating osteoclast precursors. In bone metastatic patients, we also detected increased RNA expression and serum RANKL levels, thus by adding anti-LIGHT or RANK-fragment crystallizable region (RANK-Fc) in PBMC cultures, a significant inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was observed. To model this observation in mice, we used the mouse lung cancer cell line LLC-1. After intratibial implantation, wild-type mice showed an increased number of osteoclasts but reduced numbers of osteoblasts and decreased osteoid formation. In contrast, Tnfsf14-/- mice showed no significant bone loss or other changes in bone homeostasis associated with this model. These data indicate LIGHT is a key control mechanism for regulating bone homeostasis during metastatic invasion. Thus, LIGHT may be a novel therapeutic target in osteolytic bone metastases. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Listening understanding and acting (lung): focus on communicational issue in thoracic oncology.

BACKGROUND: In the field of oncological assistance, nowadays we have to deal with a complex scenario where patients got used to obtain a huge amount of information through internet or social media and to apply them in performing their health-related decisions. This landscape requires that clinicians become able to handle therapeutical approaches and adequate skills in communication tools to satisfy the current needs. Our project aimed to build a communication model based on clinical oncologists' real experiences in order to find a simple way to share with patients all the innovative therapeutical opportunities today available in lung cancer. The final goal is to design a flexible and personalized model adaptable to clinician's personal characteristics and to the specific patient he is facing. We applied both traditional educational tools and innovative techniques in order to make the results effective and applicable to support peer learning. METHODS: The first step consisted in a Board synthesized the definition of the diagnostic process, the identification of treatment strategies and any potential communication barrier clinicians may face dealing with patients. The second step consisted in teamwork including a theoretical part and a training part. In the third step we produce five training videos and video interviews regarding communication praxis and a "Small communication manual". The last step consisted in the publication of the produced material on website and its diffusion through the social media. RESULTS: In medicine, the universal application of a single model of communication does not represent the optimal solution. By contrary, the availability of simple and practical suggestions to improve the communicative style could allow clinicians to abandon stereotyped formulas identically repurposed to all patients. The "from bottom to top" training, starting from real-life to take advantage of the clinician's experience, give the clinicians the possibility to meditate about their own communicative style and to train in the context of a protected environment. Applying these rules, we design an effective communication model, based on healthcare humanization, which could represent a fundamental support for the patient in order to be gently driven by the clinician to the most appropriate therapeutical choice, balancing efficacy and quality of life. The relational training may improve the quality of clinician-patient communication and could be widespread to other clinicians through the media. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the innovative therapeutical options available, particularly for lung cancer patients, and the increasing access of health-related information through internet or social media the clinician-patient communication has become crucial to support the achievement of the most appropriate therapeutical choice for the patient, facing the intricate illness experience. Building a shareable and easy-to-apply communication model represents a challenge aimed to help clinicians and including technology not as a threat, but as a positive tool.

Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion in cancer patients: results of the first multicenter Italian study.

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia in cancer patients is often caused by the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). The aim of this observational multicenter study was to analyze the medical and economic implications of SIADH in this setting. METHODS: This study included 90 oncological patients from 28 Italian institutions that developed SIADH between January 2010 and September 2015. Data on clinical-pathological characteristics, anticancer therapies, hyponatremia, and related treatments were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The majority were lung cancer patients (73%) with metastatic disease at the onset of hyponatremia (83%). A total of 76 patients (84%) were hospitalized because of SIADH and less than half (41%) received tolvaptan for SIADH treatment. The duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in patients who did not receive tolvaptan and in those who do not reach sodium normalization during hospitalization. Patients who experienced a second episode of hyponatremia following tolvaptan dose modification/discontinuation presented a significantly lower serum sodium value at the time of hospitalization and minimum sodium value during hospitalization compared with patients who had not experienced another episode. The severity of hyponatremia, defined as minimum sodium value during hospitalization with a cut-off value of 110 mmol/l, and not obtaining sodium correction during hospitalization significantly correlated with overall survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Hyponatremia due to SIADH could result in longer hospitalization and in a decreased overall survival when not adequately treated, and tolvaptan represents an effective treatment with a potential effect of both improving overall survival and decreasing duration of hospitalization.

Gefitinib (ZD1839): therapy in selected patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?

PURPOSE: To evaluate response rate, toxicity and epidermal growth factor (EGFR) mutations and gene copy number as outcome predictive factors in Italian patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with gefitinib (Iressa) in an expanded access program (EAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 137 patients with advanced NSCLC received gefitinib as first line treatment or after failure of chemotherapy. In 43 cases, tissue specimens were available for EGFR status evaluation: immunohistochemical (IHC) for EGFR, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) or Chromogenic in situ hybridisation (CISH)-(ISH) analysis for EGFR and HER2 gene copy number, and PCR-DNA sequencing for mutational analysis of EGFR were performed. RESULTS: In the study population, response rate (PR) was 13%; disease stabilization (DS) 26%; overall disease control rate 39%; median survival 6.3 months and time to progression 2.7 months. Toxicity was mild (G3 skin toxicity in 3% and G3 liver toxicity in 4% of patients). An EGFR-mutation was detected in 9/43 patients: Eight deletions in exon 19 and 1 missense mutation in exon 21. Increased gene copy number for EGFR and/or HER2 was detected in 17/43 patients. Response rate was significantly higher in women, non-smokers, in mutation carriers than in wild type carriers, in EGFR-trisomy/polysomy carriers and HER2-trisomy/polysomy carriers. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, response rate and toxicity to gefitinib treatment were consistent with previously reported data for whites. Female gender, absence of smoking history, EGFR-mutations, EGFR and HER2-polysomy were significantly associated with response to gefitinib therapy in NSCLC patients.

Precision medicine in ALK rearranged NSCLC: A rapidly evolving scenario.

IMPORTANCE: The identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements in 2-5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients led to the rapid clinical development of its oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Crizotinib was the first ALK inhibitor approved and utilised in the treatment of ALK+ NSCLC patients in the second line setting first and subsequently in the first line one. Since then many other ALK inhibitors have been developed (ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, lorlatinib,etc) and the treatment paradigm of these patients has considerably drifted. The questions regarding their treatment at progression remains unanswered at the moment. OBJECTIVE: Our review clarifies what it is the state of the art in the treatment of ALK rearranged NSCLC patients, highlights the mechanisms of primary and secondary resistance mutations and suggests a treatment algorithm based on specific primary resistance or acquired mutations. EVIDENCE REVIEW: Studies that enrolled ALK+ NSCLC patients with locally advance or metastatic disease receiving treatment with ALK inhibitor, first or second line, were identified using electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library). Trials were excluded if they were phase 1, enrolled less than 10 patients. FINDING: Overall 1942 patients were included in our review. It confirms the role and the efficacy in first line of Alectinib but it highlights also that all the ALK inhibitors could play a crucial role during the patients' journey. Identifying the different mutations and utilising the most active ALK inhibitor depending on the "up-to-date" driven mutation is the way forward in the management of those patients. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: the review shows the rapid drifting in the management of ALK+ NSCLC patients and the importance of fully understanding and acknowledging the role of the resistance mutation, primary or acquired. We strongly advocate a comprehensive genomic approach in the management of ALK+ NSCLC patients who develop resistance mutations that are still targetable by a different ALK inhibitor.

Molecular profiling in Italian patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: An observational prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Molecular profiling of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is recommended according to European and Italian guidelines. However, molecular routine assessment remains still heterogeneous. This observational study aimed to take a picture of the real clinical practice in molecular testing and therapeutic choices in advanced Italian NSCLCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study prospectively enrolled newly diagnosed advanced or recurrent NSCLCs referred to 38 Italian centres, from November 2014 to November 2015. Information regarding molecular profiling and treatment choices were collected. Description of patients' outcome included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival in first (PFS1) and second-line (PFS2). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Among 1787 patients enrolled, 1388 (78%) performed at least one molecular analysis during the history of disease: 76% were tested for EGFR, 53% for ALK, 27% for KRAS, 16% for ROS1, 14% for BRAF, 5% for HER2, 4% for MET and 1% for FGFR. The remaining 399 patients (22.3%) did not receive any molecular test. Among patients receiving at least one molecular analysis, 583 (42%) presented a molecular alteration. Considering EGFR mutated and/or ALK rearranged patients (402), for which target agents were routinely reimbursed at time of study in Italy, the 86% received a personalized treatment as first and/or second line: the 90% (286) of EGFR mutants received an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, mostly gefitinib (41.1%) or afatinib (36.4%) while 74% (62) of ALK translocated patients received an ALK inhibitor, mostly crizotinib (64%). Median OS was 9.34 months (95% CI 8.62-10.0), median PFS1 was 4.61 months (95%CI 4.31-4.84) and median PFS2 was 2.76 months (95%CI 2.57-3.19). In the Italian clinical practice, routine molecular assessment was largely applied in NSCLC patients, according to national guidelines, but a low level of ALK test was reached. Most of EGFR mutants an ALK rearranged patients received a personalized treatment as first and/or second line.

Fractionated dose of cisplatin (CDDP) and vinorelbine (VNB) chemotherapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is increasing among the elderly representing about 30% of NSCLC patients over 70 years old. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response, survival and tolerability of a modified schedule with cisplatin-vinorelbine in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. METHODS: Between November 2001 and March 2003, 30 patients were included into the study. Median age was 73 (range 70-77). Male/female 27/3 (90%/10%); 60% of patients were stage IV at diagnosis and only one patient presented with brain metastasis. Treatment consisted of cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, and vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 21 days. RESULTS: A total of 120 cycles were administered with a median of four cycles per patient. The most relevant WHO toxicities were: neutropenia grade 3 in 6 (20%) patients and grade 4 in 13 (43%) patients. There were three (10%) treatment-related deaths: two caused by neutropenic fever and one due to acute pulmonary oedema. No other relevant hematological and non-hematological toxicities occurred. By intention-to-treat analysis, 10 patients (33%) showed stable disease and 10 patients (33%) showed a partial response while 10 patients (33%) showed treatment failure. Median survival time was 7.4 months; 1-year survival was 36.6% and median time to progression was 5.14 months. CONCLUSION: At this dose and schedule, the combination of vinorelbine and cisplatin obtained a response rate and survival comparable to the most active regimens. Non-hematologic toxicity was mild while neutropenia was the most relevant toxicity.

Second-line chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with small-cell lung cancer pretreated with platinum and etoposide: a single institution phase II trial.

PURPOSE: The safety and efficacy of a combined regimen of weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine was tested in patients with refractory and sensitive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Treatment consisted of paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Of the 31 patients enrolled, 10 had refractory and 21 had sensitive disease. Objective responses occurred in 8 patients (26%), including 2 out of 10 patients with refractory- and 6 out of 21 patients with sensitive SCLC. Median time to progression and median survival were 9.4 and 32 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: The schedule was very well tolerated, with grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 26% of the patients, grade 3 neutropenia in 26%, grade 3-4 asthenia in 13% and grade 1-2 sensory neuropathy in 32%. CONCLUSION: To conclude, this weekly schedule of paclitaxel and gemcitabine was found to have moderate activity in platinum-etoposide pretreated SCLC patients and a favorable toxicity profile.

Randomized phase III PITCAP trial and meta-analysis of induction chemotherapy followed by thoracic irradiation with or without concurrent taxane-based chemotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: Chemo-radiotherapy is standard of care in the treatment of unresectable stage III NSCLC. We aimed at assessing whether the addition of concurrent taxane-chemotherapy to thoracic irradiation following chemotherapy was able to improve treatment outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In PITCAP trial, patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were randomized to receive 2 cycles of platinum-paclitaxel followed by 60-61.2Gy thoracic irradiation (control arm) or by same radiotherapy with concomitant weekly paclitaxel (experimental arm). A literature-based meta-analysis including all studies with same design was also performed. RESULTS: At the time of the second interim analysis, when 151 patients were randomized, accrual was terminated. With a median follow-up of 6.1 years, median survival was 13.2 vs 15.1 months, with a 3-year survival rate of 19.5 vs 21.2% in the control and experimental arm, respectively (HR: 0.97; 95% CI 0.69-1.36; p=0.845). Treatment toxicity was manageable in both arms. The meta-analysis of 5 trials (n=866) confirmed the lack of a meaningful effect on 1-year overall survival of a taxane added concurrently to radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support a meaningful survival benefit with the addition of single agent taxane given concurrently to radiotherapy after platinum-based induction in locally advanced NSCLC.