microRNA classifiers are powerful diagnostic/prognostic tools in ALK-, EGFR-, and KRAS-driven lung cancers.

microRNAs (miRNAs) can act as oncosuppressors or oncogenes, induce chemoresistance or chemosensitivity, and are major posttranscriptional gene regulators. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), EGF receptor (EGFR), and V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) are major drivers of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to assess the miRNA profiles of NSCLCs driven by translocated ALK, mutant EGFR, or mutant KRAS to find driver-specific diagnostic and prognostic miRNA signatures. A total of 85 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples were considered: 67 primary NSCLCs and 18 matched normal lung tissues. Of the 67 primary NSCLCs, 17 were echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-ALK translocated (ALK(+)) lung cancers; the remaining 50 were not (ALK(-)). Of the 50 ALK(-) primary NSCLCs, 24 were EGFR and KRAS mutation-negative (i.e., WT; triple negative); 11 were mutant EGFR (EGFR(+)), and 15 were mutant KRAS (KRAS(+)). We developed a diagnostic classifier that shows how miR-1253, miR-504, and miR-26a-5p expression levels can classify NSCLCs as ALK-translocated, mutant EGFR, or mutant KRAS versus mutation-free. We also generated a prognostic classifier based on miR-769-5p and Let-7d-5p expression levels that can predict overall survival. This classifier showed better performance than the commonly used classifiers based on mutational status. Although it has several limitations, this study shows that miRNA signatures and classifiers have great potential as powerful, cost-effective next-generation tools to improve and complement current genetic tests. Further studies of these miRNAs can help define their roles in NSCLC biology and in identifying best-performing chemotherapy regimens.

Targeting c-MET in the battle against advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The mesenchymal-epidermal transition (c-MET) receptor tyrosine kinase has a central role in the cancer cell's survival. MET and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), have recently been identified as promising targets in solid tumors, including nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RECENT FINDINGS: Aberrant MET activation can be the result of different mechanisms such as MET and HGF overexpression, MET gene amplification or mutation. Retrospective studies in NSCLC showed that MET gene copy number is a negative prognostic factor, although few data are available on the role of MET mutations. In preclinical models, cell lines with MET gene amplification are extremely sensitive to MET inhibition. Although the inner presence of gene amplification is a rare event (1-7% cases), MET amplification has emerged as one of the critical events for acquired resistance in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutated lung adenocarcinomas refractory to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In NSCLC with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs, MET amplification occurs in up to 20% cases and preclinical and clinical data indicated MET and EGFR co-inhibition as a potential effective strategy to overcome resistance. SUMMARY: MET has recently emerged as a promising target, and ongoing trials will clarify the role of anti-MET strategies in NSCLC.

Rare mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer.

In the last decade, new insights in molecular biology have changed the therapeutic landscape of non-small-cell lung cancer. Since 2004, when activating mutations of the EGFR were firstly identified, several genetic aberrations have been discovered, mainly in adenocarcinoma. EGFR mutations are a relatively frequent event in non-small-cell lung cancer, generally consisting of exon 19 deletion or exon 21 substitution. In adenocarcinoma, additional rare mutations are detectable in the EGFR gene, as well as in other genes, including ALK, ROS1, RET, HER2 and BRAF. Recent studies in squamous cell carcinoma identified TP53 as the most frequent mutation, followed by additional more rare mutations, including PI3KCA, PTEN, DDR2 and FGFR. The aim of the present review is to analyze the potential prognostic and predictive role of rare mutations.

Chest wall reconstruction in benign and malignant tumors with non-rigid materials: An overview.

Several materials and techniques have been described for the procedure of chest wall reconstruction: the choice of using a technique or a material over another relies mainly on the surgeon's experience as well as thoracic defect localization and dimension, local availability of materials, and costs. From a technical point of view, autologous and alloplastic reconstruction are available, and, in both cases, rigid and non-rigid prostheses are found. Each material has its peculiarities, with advantages and disadvantages; thus, it is mandatory to be confident when planning the intervention to foresee possible complications and minimize them. We have reviewed the literature on chest wall reconstruction in chest wall tumors (both malignant and non malignant) with non-rigid prosthetic materials, focusing on safety outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with carboplatin and pemetrexed as first-line induction therapy followed by anlotinib plus pemetrexed as maintenance therapy in EGFR/ALK wild-type advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in China: a multicenter, single-arm trial.

Background: The efficacy and safety of chemotherapy strategies combining the multi-target receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with advanced EGFR/ALK wild-type non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (nsq-NSCLC) are undetermined. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with carboplatin/pemetrexed-based chemotherapy followed by maintenance therapy (anlotinib plus pemetrexed) in advanced EGFR/ALK wild-type nsq-NSCLC. Methods: Eligible patients with wild-type EGFR/ALK advanced nsq-NSCLC who received first-line therapy in Henan Province from March 2019 to February 2021 were recruited. All patients were treated with anlotinib in combination with carboplatin/pemetrexed-based chemotherapy, followed by maintenance therapy (anlotinib plus pemetrexed). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events (AEs). Response and AEs were assessed based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (1.1) and National Cancer Institute - Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v.4.0.3, respectively. The follow-up interval for survival was 6 weeks and the safety follow-up was performed until the end of treatment. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the median PFS and OS. Results: Thirty-eight participants with median age of 62 (range, 33-75) years were evaluated. Five participants were still on maintenance therapy until the end of the study. The majority were non-smokers (68.4%). The median follow-up was 13.6 (range, 12.3-14.9) months. The median PFS (mPFS) was 10.5 (95% CI: 4.1, 17.0) months, and the median OS was 23.4 [95% CI: not evaluable (NE), NE] months. The DCR and ORR were 94.7% and 60.5%, respectively. Grade 3 and above treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) happened to 12 participants. The most common TRAEs were hypertension (23.7%), neutropenia (19.4%), and bone marrow toxicity (10.5%). Seven patients discontinued treatment, including two patients during induction and five patients during maintenance treatment. No grade 5 TRAE was reported. In the non-smoker participants, the mPFS was 14.5 (95% CI: 4.0-25.0) months. Conclusions: Anlotinib in combination with carboplatin/pemetrexed-based chemotherapy followed by anlotinib plus pemetrexed as maintenance therapy might be an effective choice in treating patients with wild-type EGFR/ALK advanced nsq-NSCLC.

Cisplatin plus gemcitabine as adjuvant chemotherapy for radically resected non-small-cell lung cancer: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The combination cisplatin/gemcitabine is one of the most active and well-tolerated regimens in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We undertook this pilot study to evaluate postoperative drug delivery and toxicity of cisplatin plus gemcitabine in patients with radically resected stage IB-III NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients were treated with cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 and gemcitabine 1200 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks for 4 planned courses. Most patients (50%) had pathologic stage IIIA disease; all had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1. The median age was 63 years (range, 56-73 years). Six out of 22 patients (27.3%) had undergone pneumonectomy. RESULTS: A total of 85 courses of chemotherapy were administered, and the median number of courses was 4 (range, 1-4 courses); twenty-one out of 22 patients received the planned 4 courses of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy caused grade 3 anemia in 1 patient, grade 3 thrombocytopenia in another patient, and grade 3/4 neutropenia in 4 patients; grade 3 vomiting was observed in 3 patients, and grade 3 anorexia and grade 3 asthenia were both observed in 1 patient. No treatment-related deaths occurred. The median delivered dose intensities of cisplatin and gemcitabine were 24.3 mg/m2/week (97.2%) and 700.9 mg/m2 weekly (87.5%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The combination of cisplatin/gemcitabine is a feasible and well-tolerated regimen in the adjuvant setting. Future trials should better define the best strategy in terms of efficacy, toxicity, and quality of life between this combination and the standard regimen, cisplatin plus vinorelbine.

Programmed death ligand 1 expression in early stage, resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: For several years non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been considered non-immunogenic. Recent advances in antitumor immunity brought to the discovery of checkpoints that modulate immune response against cancer. One of them is programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1). Although PD-L1 expression seems predictive of response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, its prognostic value is unclear. In this study we investigated the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression and its correlation with clinical-pathological characteristics in a cohort of surgically resected NSCLC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PD-L1 expression was evaluated in 289 surgically resected NSCLC samples by immunohistochemistry. Our cohort included patients not exposed to adjuvant chemotherapy. PD-L1 status was defined as: 1) PD-L1 high (tumor proportion score, TPS≥50%), PD-L1 low (TPS 1-49%), PD-L1 negative (TPS<1%); 2) PD-L1 positive (TPS≥50%) and negative (TPS<50%); 3) as a continuous variable. RESULTS: Patients were mostly males (79%), former or current smokers (81%), with a median age of 67 years, non-squamous histology (67.5%) and high-grade tumors (55%). PD-L1 tumors were 18.7%. There was no significant association with sex, age, smoking status and histology. A strong correlation between high PD-L1 expression and tumor grade was detected. The difference in median OS in the different groups of patients was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 is not prognostic in surgically resected NSCLC. The association with tumor differentiation suggests that grading could represent an easy-to-assess tool for selecting subjects potentially sensitive to immunotherapy warranting further investigations.

Tremelimumab combined with durvalumab in patients with mesothelioma (NIBIT-MESO-1): an open-label, non-randomised, phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND: Tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody, initially showed good activity when used alone in patients with mesothelioma, but did not improve the overall survival of patients who failed on first-line or second-line chemotherapy compared with placebo in the DETERMINE study. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of first-line or second-line tremelimumab combined with durvalumab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, in patients with malignant mesothelioma. METHODS: In this open-label, non-randomised, phase 2 trial, patients with unresectable pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma received intravenous tremelimumab (1 mg/kg bodyweight) and durvalumab (20 mg/kg bodyweight) every 4 weeks for four doses, followed by maintenance intravenous durvalumab at the same dose and schedule for nine doses. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with an immune-related objective response according to the immune-related modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST; for pleural mesothelioma) or immune-related RECIST version 1.1 (for peritoneal mesothelioma). The primary analysis was done by intention to treat, whereas the safety analysis included patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This trial is registered with the European Clinical Trials Database, number 2015-001995-23, and ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02588131, and is ongoing but no longer recruiting patients. FINDINGS: From Oct 30, 2015, to Oct 12, 2016, 40 patients with mesothelioma were enrolled and received at least one dose each of tremelimumab and durvalumab. Patients were followed-up for a median of 19·2 months (IQR 13·8-20·5). 11 (28%) of 40 patients had an immune-related objective response (all partial responses; confirmed in ten patients), with a median response duration of 16·1 months (IQR 11·5-20·5). 26 (65%) patients had immune-related disease control and 25 (63%) had disease control. Median immune-related progression-free survival was 8·0 months (95% CI 6·7-9·3), median progression-free survival was 5·7 months (1·7-9·7), and median overall survival was 16·6 months (13·1-20·1). Baseline tumour PD-L1 expression did not correlate with the proportion of patients who had an immune-related objective response or immune-related disease control, with immune-related progression-free survival, or with overall survival. 30 (75%) patients experienced treatment-related adverse events of any grade, of whom seven (18%) had grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events. Treatment-related toxicity was generally manageable and reversible with protocol guidelines. INTERPRETATION: The combination of tremelimumab and durvalumab appeared active, with a good safety profile in patients with mesothelioma, warranting further exploration. FUNDING: Network Italiano per la Bioterapia dei Tumori Foundation, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, AstraZeneca, and Istituto Toscano Tumori.

Circulating programmed death ligand-1 (cPD-L1) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at investigating feasibility of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) testing in plasma samples of advanced NSCLC patients receiving first-line treatment, assessing whether circulating (c)PD-L1 levels were modified by the therapy and whether baseline cPD-L1 levels were associated with patients' clinical responses and survival outcome. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 16 healthy volunteers and 56 newly diagnosed NSCLC patients before and at 12th week during the course of first-line therapy. The level of PD-L1 was measured in plasma samples using the human (PD-L1/CD274) ELISA kit (CUSABIO, MD, USA). The Mann Whitney test or Fisher's test were used for comparisons. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan Meyer method, providing median and p-value. RESULTS: Baseline median cPD-L1 was 42.21 pg/ml (range 12.00-143.49) in NSCLC patients and 37.81 pg/ml (range 9.73-90.21) in healthy control cohort (p = 0.78). Median cPD-L1 increased in patients treated with first-line chemotherapy (63.20 pg/ml vs 39.34 pg/ml; p = 0.002), with no changes in patients exposed to non-chemotherapy drugs (42.39 pg/ml vs 50.67 pg/ml; p = 0.398). Time to progression and overall survival were 4.4 vs 6.9 months (p = 0.062) and 8.8 vs 9.3 months (p = 0.216) in cPD-L1 positive vs cPD-L1 negative patients. Baseline cPD-L1 levels increased with the ascending number of metastatic sites, even if the association was not statistically significant (p = 0.063). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that cPD-L1 testing is feasible, with chemotherapy influencing PD-L1 plasma levels. The possibility of using such test for predicting or monitoring the effect of immunotherapy or combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy warrant further investigations.

Immune checkpoint therapy of mesothelioma: Pre-clinical bases and clinical evidences.

Treatment with immune-checkpoint blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) is demonstrating a significant efficacy in different tumor types. Here, we discuss the impact of this promising approach in malignant mesothelioma (MM), a still dreadful disease in which medical treatment has been set on platinum based chemotherapy for decades with unsatisfactory results.

The neuropilin 2 isoform NRP2b uniquely supports TGFß-mediated progression in lung cancer.

Neuropilins (NRP1 and NRP2) are co-receptors for heparin-binding growth factors and class 3 semaphorins. Different isoforms of NRP1 and NRP2 are produced by alternative splicing. We found that in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß) signaling preferentially increased the abundance of NRP2b. NRP2b and NRP2a differ only in their carboxyl-terminal regions. Although the presence of NRP2b inhibited cultured cell proliferation and primary tumor growth, NRP2b enhanced cellular migration, invasion into Matrigel, and tumorsphere formation in cultured cells in response to TGFß signaling and promoted metastasis in xenograft mouse models. These effects of overexpressed NRP2b contrast with the effects of overexpressed NRP2a. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced phosphorylation of the kinase AKT was specifically promoted by NRP2b, whereas inhibiting the HGF receptor MET attenuated NRP2b-dependent cell migration. Unlike NRP2a, NRP2b did not bind the PDZ domain scaffolding protein GAIP carboxyl terminus-interacting protein (GIPC1) and only weakly recruited phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), potentially explaining the difference between NRP2b-mediated and NRP2a-mediated effects. Analysis of NSCLC patient tumors showed that NRP2b abundance correlated with that of the immune cell checkpoint receptor ligand PD-L1 as well as with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypes in the tumors, acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, disease progression, and poor survival in patients. NRP2b knockdown attenuated the acquisition of resistance to the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib in cultured NSCLC cells. Thus, in NSCLC, NRP2b contributed to the oncogenic response to TGFß and correlated with tumor progression in patients.

Contribution of KRAS mutations and c.2369C > T (p.T790M) EGFR to acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in EGFR mutant NSCLC: a study on circulating tumor DNA.

INTRODUCTION: KRAS oncogene mutations (MUTKRAS) drive resistance to EGFR inhibition by providing alternative signaling as demonstrated in colo-rectal cancer. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the efficacy of treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) depends on activating EGFR mutations (MUTEGFR). However, inhibition of EGFR may select resistant cells displaying alternative signaling, i.e., KRAS, or restoration of EGFR activity due to additional MUTEGFR, i.e., the c.2369C > T (p.T790MEGFR). AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the appearance of MUTKRAS during EGFR-TKI treatment and their contribution to drug resistance. METHODS: This study used cell-free circulating tumor DNA (cftDNA) to evaluate the appearance of codon 12 MUTKRAS and p.T790MEGFR mutations in 33 advanced NSCLC patients progressing after an EGFR-TKI. RESULTS: p.T790MEGFR was detected in 11 (33.3%) patients, MUTKRAS at codon 12 in 3 (9.1%) while both p.T790MEGFR and MUTKRAS codon 12 were found in 13 (39.4%) patients. Six patients (18.2%) were KRAS wild-type (WTKRAS) and negative for p.T790MEGFR. In 8 subjects paired tumor re-biopsy/plasma samples were available; the percent concordance of tissue/plasma was 62.5% for p.T790MEGFR and 37.5% for MUTKRAS. The analysis of time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) in WTKRAS vs. MUTKRAS were not statistically different, even if there was a better survival with WTKRAS vs. MUTKRAS, i.e., TTP 14.4 vs. 11.4 months (p = 0.97) and OS 40.2 vs. 35.0 months (p = 0.56), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MUTKRAS could be an additional mechanism of escape from EGFR-TKI inhibition and cftDNA is a feasible approach to monitor the molecular development of drug resistance.

Current and Emerging Options in the Management of EGFR Mutation-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Considerations in the Elderly.

The elderly population with cancer is increasing worldwide. Currently, the median age at lung cancer diagnosis is approximately 70 years. Clinicians are increasingly dealing with a population of elderly non-small-cell lung cancer patients characterised by relevant co-morbidities and ageing-related characteristics, making treatment choice more challenging. Robust evidence demonstrated that activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are the best predictor for sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Nine large phase III trials conducted in both the Asian and Caucasian populations demonstrated that gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib are superior to standard platinum-based chemotherapy as front-line treatment and subgroup analyses confirmed the superiority of erlotinib or gefitinib over chemotherapy in the second-line setting. Although no large phase III trials have been specifically conducted in EGFR mutation-positive (EGFR (mut+)) elderly non-small-cell lung cancer patients, available data, coming from subgroup analysis, retrospective series or small prospective phase II trials, replicated in the elderly the results observed in the general population, thus suggesting that age per se does not represent a criterion for treatment selection. In addition, the favourable toxicity profile of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors makes these agents the preferred option in such a group of patients, for which concomitant medications are often required.

MicroRNAs and Targeted Therapies in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Minireview.

The discovery of driver oncogene alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as EGFR, EML4-ALK, MET and RAS, as well as the identification of their specific targeted inhibitors have led to new opportunities for treatment of this tumor. Drug resistance, intrinsic or acquired, represents the major cause of failure of novel biological agents. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small non-coding RNAs that can silence their cognate target genes by specifically binding mRNAs or inhibiting their translation. The recent evidences that several micro-RNAs can modulate the oncogenic driver pathways in NSCLC and that they are involved in drug resistance of their targeted inhibitors, have paved the way for new therapeutic strategies. This minireview aims 1) to explore the potential mechanisms by which key miRNAs may up-regulate or down-regulate specific oncogenic driver pathways; 2) highlight the role of microRNAs in the mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies; 3) discuss the therapeutic potential by using short-interfering RNAs or artificial miRNAs as anti-cancer therapies.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) polymorphisms are associated with clinical outcome of docetaxel in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

PURPOSE: Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is involved in the metabolism of anticancer agents; its overexpression was associated with resistance to docetaxel, a commonly used drug for second-line treatment of NSCLC. Several functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with CYP1B1 expression and activity. The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the correlation of CYP1B1 SNPs with the outcome of NSCLC patients treated with docetaxel in second or third line. METHODS: Associations between CYP1B1 4326C>G and 4390A>G polymorphisms with response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Pearson χ(2) test, Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test; a multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: A total of 65 advanced NSCLC patients were enrolled into the analysis. Median age was 66 years (range 46-81). Forty-nine patients were male; only five were never smokers. Performance status (PS) was 0 in 25 patients, 1 in 28 and 2 in 12. Histology was adenocarcinoma in 28 patients, squamous carcinoma in 22, other NSCLC in the remaining 15. At univariate analysis, stage and CYP1B1 4326C>G SNPs are associated with PFS, while PS and CYP1B1 4326C>G SNPs correlated with OS. In particular, patients with CYP1B1 4326-GG genotype had shorter PFS and OS than patients with other genotypes (PFS 1.80 vs. 2.70 months, p = 0.12; OS 3.63 vs. 9.83 months, p = 0.039). CYP1B1 4326C>G SNPs were also associated with response rate. Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent prognostic/predictive role of CYP1B1 4326C>G SNPs on OS (p = 0.042) with only a trend for PFS (p = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS: CYP1B1 4326C>G polymorphism emerged as possible prognostic/predictive marker of activity and efficacy of docetaxel in NSCLC patients.

Cancer Stem Cells Sensitivity Assay (STELLA) in Patients with Advanced Lung and Colorectal Cancer: A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells represent a population of immature tumor cells found in most solid tumors. Their peculiar features make them ideal models for studying drug resistance and sensitivity. In this study, we investigated whether cancer stem cells isolation and in vitro sensitivity assay are feasible in a clinical setting. METHODS: Cancer stem cells were isolated from effusions or fresh cancer tissue of 23 patients who progressed after standard therapy failure. Specific culture conditions selected for immature tumor cells that express markers of stemness. These cells were exposed in vitro to chemotherapeutic and targeted agents. RESULTS: Cancer stem cells were extracted from liver metastases in 6 cases (25%), lung nodules in 2 (8%), lymph node metastases in 3 (12.5%) and pleural/peritoneal/pericardial effusion in 13 (54%). Cancer stem cells were successfully isolated in 15 patients (63%), including 14 with lung cancer (93.3%). A sensitivity assay was successfully performed in 7 patients (30.4%), with a median of 15 drugs/combinations tested (range 5-28) and a median time required for results of 51 days (range 37-95). CONCLUSION: The approach used for the STELLA trial allowed isolation of cancer stem cells in a consistent proportion of patients. The low percentage of cases completing the full procedure and the long median time for obtaining results highlights the need for a more efficient procedure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinalTrials.gov NCT01483001.

Protein kinase inhibitors to treat non-small-cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Activating mutations of the EGFR and rearrangement of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) best illustrate the therapeutic relevance of molecular characterization in NSCLC patients. AREAS COVERED: For this review article, all published data on the most relevant Phase III trials with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of NSCLC were collected and analyzed. EXPERT OPINION: Eight Phase III trials clearly established EGFR TKIs as the best therapeutic option for front-line therapy in EGFR-mutated patients. In pretreated NSCLC, EGFR TKIs are considered more effective than standard monotherapy with cytotoxics in presence of classical EGFR mutations, whereas in the EGFR wild-type population, a similar efficacy to docetaxel or pemetrexed in term of survival has been demonstrated. In ALK-translocated NSCLC, a Phase III trial demonstrated the superiority of a multi-target TKI, including ALK, in terms of progression-free survival, response rate and toxicity profile when compared to standard second-line chemotherapy. New agents targeting EGFR or ALK are under evaluation particularly in individuals with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs or crizotinib.

MicroRNA signature in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether microRNAs are predictive of sensitivity to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS: A total of 183 mCRC cases from 2 independent cohorts (cohort 1: 74 cases; validation cohort: 109 cases) treated with cetuximab or panitumumab were included in the study. MiRNA arrays were analyzed using Agilent's miRNA platform. RESULTS: The study identified the cluster Let-7c/miR-99a/miR-125b as a signature associated with an outcome different from that of anti-EGFR therapies. In the first cohort, patients with high-intensity signatures had a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) (6.1 vs. 2.3 mo; P = .02) and longer overall survival (OS) ( 29.8 vs. 7.0 mo, P = .08) than patients with low-intensity signatures. In the validation cohort, patients with high signature had significantly longer PFS and OS than individuals with low-intensity signatures (PFS 7.8 vs. 4.3 mo, P = .02; OS 12.8 vs. 7.5 mo, P = .02). In the KRAS wild-type population (n = 120), high-intensity signature patients had a significantly longer PFS (7.8 vs. 4.6 mo, P = .016) and longer OS (16.1 vs. 10.9 mo, P = .09) than low-signature individuals, with no difference in KRAS mutated patients. CONCLUSION: The MiR-99a/Let-7c/miR-125b signature may improve the selection of patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC as good candidates for anti-EGFR therapy.

EGFR and K-Ras mutations in women with lung adenocarcinoma: implications for treatment strategy definition.

BACKGROUND: We aimed at investigating the outcomes of female patients with stage IIIB-IV adenocarcinoma of the lung according to EGFR and K-Ras mutational status. METHODS: One hundred and three consecutive female patients genotyped at a single Italian Institution were analyzed. Patients were planned to receive first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (CT) and a salvage treatment with anti-EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was proposed irrespective of tumor mutational status. EGFR (exons 18-21) and K-Ras (exon 2, codons 12-13) mutations were evaluated by real-time PCR and pyrosequencing. The association of mutational status with clinical variables and treatment benefit was investigated by chi-square test and log-rank test. RESULTS: EGFR and K-Ras mutations were found in 31 (30%) and 13 (15%) cases, respectively. Sixty-six patients received platinum CT: no correlation was observed between EGFR or K-Ras mutational status and response rate (RR) (p > 0.05). However, patients treated with first-line CT harboring EGFR activating mutations experienced a significantly reduced progression-free survival (PFS) in comparison with wild-type ones (4.4 vs. 6.4 months, respectively; HR 0.597, 95% CI 0.287-0.975; p = 0.048). Thirty-nine patients received salvage treatment with erlotinib: EGFR activating mutations were significantly correlated with RR (60% vs. 12.5%; p = 0.004) and PFS (11.4 vs. 4.5 months; HR 0.491, 95% CI 0.216-0.936; p = 0.044). Responses to erlotinib were not reported among women with K-Ras mutant tumors, while 50% of those with wild-type K-Ras achieved an objective remission (p = 0.296). Median PFS (3.5 vs. 8.8 months; HR 0.284, 95% CI 0.015-0.510; p = 0.010) and OS (3.9 vs. 19.8 months; HR 0.158, 95% CI 0.001-0.075; p < 0.001) were significantly shorter among K-Ras mutant patients treated with TKI. CONCLUSIONS: In our population of Caucasian women with advanced lung adenocarcinoma we observed that the presence of EGFR activating mutations correlates with a significant reduction in the benefit from first-line platinum-based CT, emphasizing the importance of an upfront use of anti-EGFR TKIs in this patient subset. K-Ras mutations seem to correlate with a detrimental effect from anti-EGFR TKI, but this finding deserves further investigation.