Gene mutation analysis in EGFR wild type NSCLC responsive to erlotinib: are there features to guide patient selection?

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are very efficacious in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring activating Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations. However, about 10% of EGFR wild type (wt) patients respond to TKI, with unknown molecular mechanisms of sensitivity. We considered a case series of 34 EGFR wt NSCLC patients responsive to erlotinib after at least one line of therapy. Responsive patients were matched with an equal number of non-responsive EGFR wt patients. A panel of 26 genes, for a total of 214 somatic mutations, was analyzed by MassARRAY® System (Sequenom, San Diego, CA, USA). A 15% KRAS mutation was observed in both groups, with a prevalence of G12C in non-responders (80% vs. 40% in responders). NOTCH1, p53 and EGFR-resistance-related mutations were found more frequently in non-responders, whereas EGFR-sensitizing mutations and alterations in genes involved in proliferation pathways were more frequent in responders. In conclusion, our findings indicate that p53, NOTCH1 and exon 20 EGFR mutations seem to be related to TKI resistance. KRAS mutations do not appear to influence the TKI response, although G12C mutation is more frequent in non-responders. Finally, the use of highly sensitive methodologies could lead to the identification of under-represented EGFR mutations potentially associated with TKI sensitivity.

[Activity and efficacy of vinflunine in third line in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis, progressing to immunotherapy.] / Attività ed efficacia di vinflunina in terza linea in paziente con carcinoma uroteliale avanzato della pelvi renale, in progressione a immunoterapia.

The clinical case concerns a 72-years-old woman diagnosed with an urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis with hepatic and lymph node metastases. The disease was rapidly progressing to a first line of platinum-based chemotherapy and to a second line with immunotherapy; a clinical and instrumental benefit was then observed with vinflunine used as third line regimen.

Frequency of actionable alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild type non-small cell lung cancer: experience of the Wide Catchment Area of Romagna (AVR).

BACKGROUND: Molecular diagnostics for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become the standard of care for personalized treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and EML4-ALK translocation represent the two most important alterations in first-line treatment decision-making. However, other potentially targetable alterations are also present. METHODS: One thousand consecutive NSCLC patients with EGFR wild type (wt) tumors diagnosed by routine molecular analysis were considered. KRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, PIK3CA, NRAS, ALK, MAP2K1, RET and DDR2 gene mutations were analyzed using the multiparametric Sequenom MassARRAY® platform. EML4-ALK and ROS1 rearrangements were also assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization. HER4 status was determined by direct sequencing. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-eight (34.8%), 31 (3.1%), 39 (4.4%), 14 (1.8%), 6 (0.7%), 16 (1.8%), 5 (0.6%) and 9 (0.9%) patients showed an alteration in KRAS, BRAF, ALK, ROS1, NRAS, PIK3CA, MAPK1/2 and HER2 genes, respectively. Of the 657 patients for whom all markers were determined, 318 (48%) patients had at least one alteration. Eight patients showed overlapping mutations, 4 KRAS mutation/EML4-ALK translocation, one KRAS mutation/ROS1 rearrangement, 2 KRAS/PIK3CA mutations, and one BRAF/PIK3CA mutations. CONCLUSIONS: About 50% of our patients had a potentially targetable alteration, confirming the usefulness of a multiparametric approach for routine molecular diagnostics aimed at identifying potential therapeutic targets.

[Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome related to Oxalyplatin Cancer Chemotherapy responsive to Eculizumab]. / Sindrome emolitico uremica atipica secondaria a chemioterapia con Oxaliplatino responsiva a Eculizumab.

We describe the case of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the colon treated with FOLFOX-4 (5-Fluorouracil, Folinic acid, Oxalyplatin), with subsequent appearance of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). From 1999 to 2009, 13 cases of atypical HUS receiving chemotherapy with oxaliplatin have been described, as well as some sporadic cases. None of these cases has been treated with eculizumab. This is the first report of a patient with aHUS secondary to Oxalyplatin treated with Eculizumab. This treatment induced a complete remission of the syndrome and, later on, it has been discontinued with clinical and laboratory permanent remission. We identified some genetic mutations in this patient that might have a pathogenic role in the determining aHUS when associated with exposure to Oxalyplatin. Oxalyplatin withdrawal and its replacement to Irinotecan allowed the patient to receive first line chemotherapy continuation (FOLFIRI) with the same life expectancy and the same symptoms free period.

Impact of TP53 Mutations on Outcome in EGFR-Mutated Patients Treated with First-Line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

Purpose: To analyze the impact of TP53 mutations on response to first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Experimental Design: 136 EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients receiving first-line TKIs were analyzed. TP53 mutations were evaluated in 123 patients in relation to disease control rate (DCR), objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).Results:TP53 mutations were observed in 37 (30.1%), 10 (27.0%), 6 (16.2%), 9 (24.3%), and 12 (32.4%) patients in exons 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively. DCR was 70% in TP53-mutated patients compared with 88% in TP53-wild type (wt) patients [relative risk, RR, of disease progression: 3.17 (95% CI, 1.21-8.48), P = 0.019]. In particular, a 42% DCR was observed in patients with TP53 exon 8 mutation versus 87% in exon 8 wt patients [RR of disease progression 9.6 (2.71-36.63), P < 0.001]. Shorter median PFS and OS were observed in patients with TP53 exon 8 mutations compared with others (4.2 vs. 12.5, P = 0.058, and 16.2 vs. 32.3, P = 0.114, respectively); these differences became significant in the subgroup with EGFR exon 19 deletion (4.2 vs. 16.8, P < 0.001, and 7.6 vs. not reached, P = 0.006, respectively), HR 6.99 (95% CI, 2.34-20.87, P < 0.001) and HR 4.75 (95% CI, 1.38-16.29, P = 0.013), respectively.Conclusions:TP53 mutations, especially exon 8 mutations, reduce responsiveness to TKIs and worsen prognosis in EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients, mainly those carrying exon 19 deletions. Clin Cancer Res; 23(9); 2195-202. ©2016 AACR.

Prognostic Evaluation of Disease Outcome in Solid Tumors Investigated With 64Cu-ATSM PET/CT.

PURPOSE: Cu-ATSM is a very promising PET radiopharmaceutical for tumor imaging of hypoxia. One of the advantages of this compound compared with other hypoxia-avid tracers is the high tumor-to-background signal offered, which guaranties facilitated tumor delineation. This study analyzes optimal semiquantitative and quantitative parameters obtained by Cu-ATSM PET/CT in the same cohort of patients with special focus on their correlation to disease outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective recruitment of 18 consecutive patients (M:F, 13:5; mean age, 60.7 years) with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (n = 7) or head and neck cancer (HNC) was performed. Each participant received 105 to 500 MBq of tracer according to body size and was scanned in a 3-dimensional mode PET/CT 60 minutes after tracer injection. PET images were reconstructed and visualized on a GE Advanced 4.6 workstation for the definition of semiquantitative and quantitative parameters: SUVmax, SUVratio-to-muscle, hypoxic tumor volume (HTV), and hypoxic burden (HB = HTV × SUVmean). These data were subsequently correlated to disease outcome, expressed in terms of progression-free survival calculated on a follow-up period with a median of 14.6 months. RESULTS: All patients showed a moderately to highly increased uptake of Cu-ATSM in tumor lesions, with a mean SUVmax of 5.2 (range, 1.9-8.3) and mean SUVratio of 4.4 (range, 1.6-6.8). In addition, a broad range of HTV and HB was defined as mean values of 99.3 cm (range, 2.5-453.7 cm) and 301 (4.2-1134), respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified as reference cutoffs with respect to disease outcome with the following values: SUVmax >2.5 (AUC, 0.57; sensitivity, 88.9%; specificity, 50%), SUVratio ≤4.4 (AUC, 0.60; sensitivity, 50; specificity, 83.3%), HTV >160.7 cm (AUC, 0.61; sensitivity, 55.6%; specificity, 75%), and HB >160.7 (AUC, 0.67; sensitivity, 58.3%; specificity, 83.3%). In our cohort, HB showed a statistically significant difference in terms of mean values on the analysis of variance test with respect to disease progression (P = 0.04). On univariate analysis, Cox regression confirmed these findings and showed a significant correlation to progression-free survival for HB (P = 0.05) and HTV (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, the definition of optimal semiquantitative and quantitative parameters on Cu-ATSM PET/CT seems feasible and in line with previously published data. However, when considering the prognostic role with respect to disease outcome, the more robust parameters are represented by HTV and HB.

Nonsquamous, Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Who Carry a Double Mutation of EGFR, EML4-ALK or KRAS: Frequency, Clinical-Pathological Characteristics, and Response to Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations, and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation are generally considered to be mutually exclusive. However, concomitant mutations are found in a small number of patients and the effect of these on response to targeted therapy is still unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We considered 380 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent nonsequential testing for EGFR and EML4-ALK translocation. KRAS mutation analysis was also performed on 282 patients. RESULTS: We found 1.6%, 1.1%, and 2.5% of patients who showed a double mutation comprising EGFR and EML4-ALK, EGFR and KRAS, and EML4-ALK and KRAS, respectively. Twenty-eight patients with EGFR mutation underwent first-line therapy with a tyrosine kinase receptor; a clinical benefit was observed in 81.8% of patients with EGFR mutations only and in 67% of those who also showed an EML4-ALK translocation. Twelve patients with an EML4-ALK translocation received crizotinib and 7 of these had disease progression within 3 months (2 had a concomitant KRAS mutation and 1 had a concomitant EGFR mutation). Two patients showed stable disease, 1 of whom also had a KRAS mutation. Two patients obtained a partial response and 1 had a complete response; all harbored an EML4-ALK translocation only. The median overall survival of patients who carried an EML4-ALK translocation alone or concomitant with a KRAS mutation was 57.1 (range, 10.7-not reached) and 10.7 (range, 4.6-not reached) months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Concomitant EGFR, EML4-ALK, or KRAS mutations can occur in NSCLC. Concomitant KRAS mutation and EML4-ALK translocation represents the most common double alteration and confers a poor prognosis.

Hepatic artery administration of docetaxel in liver metastases from breast carcinoma: a feasibility study.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Taxanes are largely metabolized and almost exclusively excreted in the feces by the liver through the biliary pathway, thus providing a rationale for investigating the activity of their hepatic artery delivery in case of liver metastases. STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of administering docetaxel via the hepatic artery in advanced breast cancer patients in whom the liver was the only or the predominant site of metastatic involvement. The dose was increased cycle by cycle in a prospective manner. RESULTS: Ten eligible patients were enrolled. The median administered dose in the last cycle was 65 mg/m2 (range, 40-100 mg/m2). The treatment was generally well tolerated, and only one patient stopped after two cycles because of toxicity. Four of the 9 eligible patients with assessable liver tumors achieved an objective response. After a median follow-up of 41 months, 4 of the 10 eligible (and 11 treated) patients were alive with a median overall survival of 46 months. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of docetaxel via the hepatic artery is feasible. The highly interesting response and survival results observed in this limited series of patients warrant further studies.

[A rare cardiac tumor: the malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Description of a case]. / Una rara neoplasia cardiaca: l'istiocitoma fibroso maligno. Descrizione di un caso.

The present report describes the case of a 61-year-old woman with malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the left atrium originating from the left atrial free wall, operated on in emergency for a suspected large left atrial myxoma that, at the echo scan, was consistently protruding through the left atrioventricular orifice at each diastole and was almost completely occluding the left ventricular inflow, causing signs of congestive heart failure and severe dyspnea. Surgery was performed as radically as possible, but the histological examination of the specimen revealed the exact diagnosis of the neoplasm. About 75% of primary tumors are benign and 75% of these are atrial myxomas. The malignant tumors consist of various sarcomas: myxosarcoma, liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, reticulum cell sarcoma, neurofibrosarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The long-term results for sarcomas are very poor and there are few survivors after several months from surgery due to the extent of local spread and invasion or because of the frequent distant metastases. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma constitutes about 2% of all cardiac malignancies, which might grow within several localized areas, occasionally in the heart. Echocardiography represents the best examination procedure for both diagnosis and follow-up of patients with cardiac tumors.

Gemcitabine and paclitaxel combination as second-line chemotherapy in patients with small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study.

BACKGROUND: Although small-cell lung cancer is a chemosensitive malignancy, most patients rapidly relapse. Results of second-line treatment are generally poor. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the activity and toxicity of a combination of gemcitabine and paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 and measurable disease. Paclitaxel was administered at 135 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8 immediately followed by gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks up to 6 courses. Restaging of disease was scheduled every 3 courses. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were enrolled. The median age was 65 years. Nineteen patients were considered refractory (progressive disease during or within 90 days from completion of first-line treatment), whereas 22 patients were chemotherapy sensitive. A total of 135 courses was administered (range, 1-6; median, 3). Nine patients achieved a partial remission (partial response, 22%), and 10 patients had stable disease (24%), with a disease control rate (partial response + stable disease) of 46%: in 12 (55%) of 22 patients who were sensitive and in 7 (37%) of 19 patients with refractory disease, respectively. All partial responses but one were observed in the sensitive group. The median duration of response was 5 months. The most-frequent severe toxicities were neutropenia grade 3-4 and neurologic grade 3 in 24% and 7% of delivered courses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gemcitabine and paclitaxel investigated in our study achieved a high disease control rate, but the schedule we adopted appeared to be quite toxic.

Oxaliplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC).

OBJECTIVE: Treatment options for advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (A/MGC) are limited and inclusion of novel substances is necessary. Few studies have confirmed the activity and tolerability of the combination of oxaliplatin (OXA) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) modulated with leucovorin (LV) administrated to patients with A/MGC. The goal of current study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Folfox-4 regimen in patients with A/MGC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients were treated with Folfox-4 regimen. Treatment was continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or until a patient chose to discontinue treatment. Responses to treatment and toxicity were recorded according to the WHO criteria and NCI toxicity criteria. RESULTS: All patients were assessable for toxicity and response. Patients (71.4% male, 28.6% female) had a median age of 65 years (range, 28-78). All patients had histologically confirmed metastatic (89.3%) or advanced (10.7%) gastric cancer. Response was evaluated every 6 weeks; 1 complete (1.8%) and 23 (41.1%) partial remission were observed (overall response rate 42.9%). Twenty patients (35.7%) showed stable disease and 12 (21.4%) had a progressive disease. Median overall survival, time to progression and follow up were 10 months, 6 months, and 11.5 months, respectively. WHO grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities included leucopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. No patient experienced neutropenic fever. Other grade 3/4 toxicities included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, and anorexia. Three patients (5.3%) experienced grade 3 peripheral neuropathy. No treatment-related deaths were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Folfox-4 regimen is active and well tolerated in patients with advanced/metastatic gastric cancer.