Impact of Radiotherapy on the Efficacy and Toxicity of anti-PD-1 Inhibitors in Metastatic NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: The impact of radiotherapy (RT) on the efficacy and toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with the anti-programmed death 1 antibodies nivolumab or pembrolizumab between January 2016 and May 2019 at 3 tertiary centers, who were also treated with palliative RT either during or within 3 months of starting anti-programmed death 1 treatment. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment history were collected. Response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed and correlated with RT use. RESULTS: A total of 269 patients were identified, with a median follow-up of 19.4 months. The median age was 70 years (range, 35-90 years), and they were 63% male, 60% smokers, and 65% had adenocarcinoma histology. At the commencement of ICI treatment, the majority (86%) had ≥ 1 line of prior therapy and 34% had brain metastases. A total of 102 (38%) patients received RT within 3 months of starting ICI or subsequently during ICI treatment. Of patients that received RT, 86 (84%) received conventional hypofractionated RT, and, in the majority, 81 (79%) the intent of RT was symptom control. The use of RT did not increase grade 3/4 immune-related adverse events. The overall median PFS was 2.0 months (95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.6 months) and the median OS was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval, 6.4-9.5 months). There were no significant differences in median PFS (3.0 vs. 2.0 months; P = .515) and median OS (9.0 vs. 9.0 months; P = .917) in the patients who received RT versus those that did not. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with metastatic NSCLC, the addition of RT to ICI was not associated with increased toxicity or improved survival.

Osimertinib in NSCLC: Real-World Data From New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are more effective than chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Disease progression on EGFR TKI therapy occurs most often owing to acquired resistance from the gain of an EGFR T790M mutation. Osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR TKI, significantly improves outcomes in patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC compared with platinum-pemetrexed chemotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed clinical outcomes for patients receiving osimertinib through a compassionate access program in New Zealand. METHODS: Patients with a biopsy-proven or plasma-circulating tumor-DNA-proven EGFR T790M mutation received osimertinib. Data on patient and tumor characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were collected retrospectively. Survival outcomes were calculated from the time of osimertinib commencement. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were enrolled, and data from 37 patients were analyzed. EGFR T790M status was found from plasma samples in six of 37 (16%) patients. A total of 27 of 37 patients (73%) used osimertinib as a second-line treatment. At the time of data analysis, median follow-up was 18.8 months (range 1.5-29). Overall response rate was 70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 53-84) (26 of 37). Progression-free survival (PFS) at 12 months was 62% (95% CI: 44.8-77.5), and median PFS was 14.6 months (95% CI: 12.4-16.8). Median overall survival was not reached. Osimertinib was well tolerated, with grade 1 gastrointestinal and skin toxicity as the most common adverse effects. Three patients required dose adjustments or cessation owing to toxicity. CONCLUSION: Osimertinib is an effective treatment for New Zealanders with EGFR T790M mutated NSCLC who have progressed after first or subsequent lines of therapy.

Investigating strategies to improve clinical trial opportunities for patients with cancer in New Zealand-INSIGHT.

AIMS: Fewer than 5% of adult cancer patients participate in clinical trials, with multiple patient, clinician and institutional barriers identified. This study aimed to explore patient factors that impact access to cancer trials in New Zealand. METHODS: A questionnaire that included demographics and factors that might impact trial participation was circulated via nine district health boards (DHBs) and four cancer foundations to patients with a cancer diagnosis. RESULTS: Between July 2016 and August 2017, 691 patients responded, 62% female and 77% aged >50 years. Most patients (86%) would consider trial participation, which differed by income (p=0.0001) but not by age, tumour type or gender. Patients would consider attending another hospital (44%) or relocating (11%); 10% considered trials a last resort. Advantageous factors to participation included: benefiting others (92%), better treatment (82%), more scans and longer follow-up (47% and 51%). Disincentives included fear of randomisation (78%), treatment toxicities (71%), time and cost of more visits (40%) and unspecified future research (32%). CONCLUSION: Identified barriers to trial participation were similar in New Zealand to other developed countries. In this motivated cohort, patients are very interested in trial participation at any stage of their treatment and did not mind extra travel or tests.