Bevacizumab plus erlotinib versus erlotinib alone in Japanese patients with advanced, metastatic, EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NEJ026): overall survival analysis of an open-label, randomised, multicentre, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab is a promising candidate for combination treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (eg, erlotinib), which could improve outcomes for patients with metastatic EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have previously shown in NEJ026, a phase 3 trial, that the combination of bevacizumab plus erlotinib significantly prolonged progression-free survival compared with erlotinib alone in these patients. In further analyses, we aimed to examine the effects of bevacizumab-erlotinib on overall survival, time from enrolment to progressive disease during second-line treatment or death, and quality of life. METHODS: This open-label, randomised, multicentre, phase 3 trial (NEJ026) was done in 69 hospitals and medical, community-based centres across Japan. Eligible patients had stage IIIB, stage IV, or postoperative recurrent, EGFR-mutant (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 Leu858Arg point mutation) NSCLC, had not previously received systemic chemotherapy, and were randomly assigned (1:1) by a computer-generated randomisation sequence and minimisation to receive either 150 mg oral erlotinib once daily plus 15 mg/kg intravenous bevacizumab once every 21 days, or 150 mg oral erlotinib once daily, until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Randomisation was stratified according to sex, smoking status, EGFR mutation subtype, and clinical disease stage. All participants, investigators, and study personnel (including those assessing outcomes) were unmasked to treatment allocation. We report the secondary outcomes of overall survival and quality of life (the period from enrolment to confirmation of a minimally important difference on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ]-C30), and the exploratory outcome of time from enrolment to progressive disease during second-line treatment or death. Overall survival and the exploratory outcome were analysed in the modified intention-to-treat population, which comprised all randomly assigned patients who received at least one dose of the study drug and had response evaluations. Quality of life was analysed in patients in the modified intention-to-treat population who had completed the quality of life questionnaires. The trial is registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000017069, and the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs031180056, and is currently closed. FINDINGS: Between June 3, 2015, and Aug 31, 2016, 228 patients were enrolled. 112 patients who received bevacizumab-erlotinib and 112 who received erlotinib only were included in the modified intention-to-treat population. At data cutoff (Nov 30, 2019) and a median follow-up of 39·2 months (IQR 23·9-43·5), the median overall survival was 50·7 months (95% CI 37·3-not estimable [NE]) in the bevacizumab-erlotinib group and 46·2 months (38·2-NE) in the erlotinib-only group (hazard ratio [HR] 1·007, 95% CI 0·681-1·490; p=0·97). In analysis of the exploratory outcome, after a median follow-up of 23·9 months (IQR 14·2-39·1), the median time from enrolment to progressive disease during second-line treatment or death was 28·6 months (95% CI 22·1-35·9) in the bevacizumab-erlotinib group and 24·3 months (20·4-29·1) in the erlotinib-only group (HR 0·773, 95% CI 0·562-1·065). The median time between enrolment and confirmation of a minimally important difference on the EORTC QLQ-C30 was 6·0 months (95% CI 5·2-11·3) in the bevacizumab-erlotinib group and 8·3 months (5·7-13·9) in the erlotinib-only group (p=0·47). INTERPRETATION: The addition of bevacizumab to erlotinib did not prolong survival in patients with metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC, but both treatment groups had relatively long survival durations. Why the addition of bevacizumab to erlotinib did not affect overall survival is unclear, but it is possible that the beneficial effects of combination therapy were not seen because overall survival was influenced by treatment regimens used after disease progression. FUNDING: Chugai Pharmaceutical.

Evaluation of plasma EGFR mutation as an early predictor of response of erlotinib plus bevacizumab treatment in the NEJ026 study.

BACKGROUND: The NEJ026 Phase 3 study demonstrated that erlotinib and bevacizumab (BE)-treated NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations had significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) than those treated with erlotinib alone (E). This study included a prospective analysis of the relationship between the mutational status of EGFR in plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and the efficacy of TKI monotherapy or combination therapy. We describe these results herein. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from patients enrolled in NEJ026 at the start of treatment (P0), 6 weeks after the start of treatment (P1), and upon confirmation of progressive disease (P2). Plasma ctDNA was analyzed using a modified PNA-LNA PCR clamp method. PFS and OS according to EGFR status at the time of plasma collection were evaluated. FINDINGS: Plasma activating EGFR mutation (aEGFR) at P0 was detected in 68% of cases; patients without plasma aEGFR had longer PFS. The frequency of T790M mutation at P2 was similar in both arms: 8 (19.0%) in BE and 11 (20.8%) in E. Based on the aEGFR profiles, PFS was evaluated among three groups: type A [P0(-), P1(-)], type B [P0(+), P1(-)], and type C [P0(+), P1(+)]. This revealed that BE was more efficacious than E, and that BE was associated with improved PFS in all types. INTERPRETATION: Pre-treatment plasma aEGFR status have a potential of early predictor of response of TKI efficacy. Monitoring plasma aEGFR mutation will contribute to selection and continuation of treatment with BE or E. FUNDING: Chugai Pharmaceutical.

[Superior Vena Cava Syndrome].

Superior vena cava(SVC)syndrome is a syndrome caused by impaired venous return due to stenosis of the SVC. Most of such cases are due to tumors(non-small cell lungcancer, small cell lungcancer, malignant lymphoma, etc), and the most common cause of SVC syndrome is lungcancer. Symptoms of SVC syndrome are caused by external compression of the SVC, direct invasion, internal thrombus or embolization. Increased venous pressure results in objective findings including edema of the face and neck, edema of the upper limbs, superficial precordial vein distension due to collateral circulation, and hoarseness and subjective symptoms includingcoug h, dyspnea, syncope, headache, and dizziness. SVC syndrome impair the patient's quality of life(QOL). Although there are cases of spontaneous remission, SVC syndrome is recognized as one of the oncologic emergencies because brain and laryngeal edema can be fatal and urgent care should be provided. Therapeutic modalities include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, stent placement and surgery. Treatment should be determined comprehensively based on the severity, histological type, standard therapy for the histological type and its sensitivity. It is necessary to make a definitive histopathological diagnosis as soon as possible and to cooperate with other departments to promptly select the most appropriate treatment.

Erlotinib plus bevacizumab versus erlotinib alone in patients with EGFR-positive advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NEJ026): interim analysis of an open-label, randomised, multicentre, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to first-generation or second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy develops in almost half of patients with EGFR-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after 1 year of treatment. The JO25567 phase 2 trial comparing erlotinib plus bevacizumab combination therapy with erlotinib monotherapy established the activity and manageable toxicity of erlotinib plus bevacizumab in patients with NSCLC. We did a phase 3 trial to validate the results of the JO25567 study and report here the results from the preplanned interim analysis. METHODS: In this prespecified interim analysis of the randomised, open-label, phase 3 NEJ026 trial, we recruited patients with stage IIIB-IV disease or recurrent, cytologically or histologically confirmed non-squamous NSCLC with activating EGFR genomic aberrations from 69 centres across Japan. Eligible patients were at least 20 years old, and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or lower, no previous chemotherapy for advanced disease, and one or more measurable lesions based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (1.1). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive oral erlotinib 150 mg per day plus intravenous bevacizumab 15 mg/kg once every 21 days, or erlotinib 150 mg per day monotherapy. Randomisation was done by minimisation, stratified by sex, smoking status, clinical stage, and EGFR mutation subtype. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. This study is ongoing; the data cutoff for this prespecified interim analysis was Sept 21, 2017. Efficacy was analysed in the modified intention-to-treat population, which included all randomly assigned patients who received at least one dose of treatment and had at least one response evaluation. Safety was analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. The trial is registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, number UMIN000017069. FINDINGS: Between June 3, 2015, and Aug 31, 2016, 228 patients were randomly assigned to receive erlotinib plus bevacizumab (n=114) or erlotinib alone (n=114). 112 patients in each group were evaluable for efficacy, and safety was evaluated in 112 patients in the combination therapy group and 114 in the monotherapy group. Median follow-up was 12·4 months (IQR 7·0-15·7). At the time of interim analysis, median progression-free survival for patients in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab group was 16·9 months (95% CI 14·2-21·0) compared with 13·3 months (11·1-15·3) for patients in the erlotinib group (hazard ratio 0·605, 95% CI 0·417-0·877; p=0·016). 98 (88%) of 112 patients in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab group and 53 (46%) of 114 patients in the erlotinib alone group had grade 3 or worse adverse events. The most common grade 3-4 adverse event was rash (23 [21%] of 112 patients in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab group vs 24 [21%] of 114 patients in the erlotinib alone group). Nine (8%) of 112 patients in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab group and five (4%) of 114 patients in the erlotinib alone group had serious adverse events. The most common serious adverse events were grade 4 neutropenia (two [2%] of 112 patients in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab group) and grade 4 hepatic dysfunction (one [1%] of 112 patients in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab group and one [1%] of 114 patients in the erlotinib alone group). No treatment-related deaths occurred. INTERPRETATION: The results of this interim analysis showed that bevacizumab plus erlotinib combination therapy improves progression-free survival compared with erlotinib alone in patients with EGFR-positive NSCLC. Future studies with longer follow-up, and overall survival and quality-of-life data will be required to further assess the efficacy of this combination in this setting. FUNDING: Chugai Pharmaceutical.

Balloon Dilatation of a Case of Tuberculous Tracheobronchial Stenoses during the Course of Antituberculous Treatment.

We report a case of posttuberculosis (TB) tracheobronchial stenoses presented with progressive exertional dyspnea during the course of anti-TB treatment. An 83-year-old Japanese man was admitted for progressive dyspnea; chest X-ray and CT showed stenosis of distal trachea and left main bronchus. Pulmonary function test revealed reduction of FEV1. Balloon dilatation without stent insertion was the choice for this patient for multiple reasons with marked improvement of symptoms.

Influence of histological type, smoking history and chemotherapy on survival after first-line therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

The usual primary endpoint in clinical trials for first-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer is overall survival. Second-line chemotherapy can also prolong overall survival. Non-smoking history has been associated with a treatment effect for epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) versus placebo for overall survival. We performed a retrospective analysis to identify prognostic factors for progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with first-line carboplatin/paclitaxel, and to examine the effect of second-line therapy on progression-free survival and overall survival. Ninety-eight patients (median age 61 years, 35 female, 74 adenocarcinoma, 68 smokers, 56 performance status 0) fulfilled our criteria, of which 75 patients (78%) received more than second-line therapy (docetaxel [54%] gefitinib [48%] erlotinib [4%]). For overall survival, smoking history and histology were significant prognostic factors. The 2-year overall survival rates were as follows: smokers, 17%; non-smokers, 52%, P < 0.0001; adenocarcinoma, 40%; other 15%, P = 0.0017. Multivariate analysis in patients who received second-line therapy showed treatment with EGFR-TKI was an independent predictor of overall survival. Smoking history and adenocarcinoma histology were prognostic factors for an improved outcome with carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Our study results suggest that the use of EGFR-TKI after first-line treatment may be associated with an improvement in overall survival.

Phase II study of weekly paclitaxel for relapsed and refractory small cell lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of single-agent paclitaxel given weekly to patients with relapsed and refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patients were treated with 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel administered weekly for 1 h for 6 weeks in an 8-week cycle. Twenty-two patients were enrolled, 21 of whom were eligible. The patient characteristics included: 20 males, 1 female; median age 66 years (range 48-75); performance status 0/1 in 19 and 2 in 5 patients. Grade 3/4 leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in 47.5% and 64%, respectively. Other grade 3/4 toxicities included infection, skin rash, neuropathy and pulmonary toxicity. There were 5 partial responses in 3 out of the 11 sensitive cases and 2 out of the 10 refractory cases, respectively. Paclitaxel, administered as a weekly infusion at a dose of 80 mg/m2, was effective in treating relapsed and refractory SCLC.

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of combination chemotherapy using irinotecan and paclitaxel in patients with lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum tolerated doses, dose-limiting toxicities, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profiles in the combination of irinotecan and paclitaxel. Eligibility criteria included age 75 years or younger, good performance status, adequate organ function, and unresectable non-small cell or extensive disease of small cell lung cancer. Irinotecan was administered on days 1 and 8 over 90 minutes, and paclitaxel was administered on day 8 over 3 hours after 90 minutes from the end of the irinotecan infusion. Irinotecan and paclitaxel were dose-escalated from 40 and 135 mg/m and repeated every 4 weeks. The authors also administered a higher dosage with preventive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support from day 9. Thirty-one patients were assessed for toxicities and responses. Dose-limiting toxicities were neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. The dose of irinotecan 60 mg/m and paclitaxel 200 mg/m with preventive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support was tolerable and suitable for a phase II trial. Nine of 25 (36%) patients with non-small cell and all six patients with small cell carcinoma achieved partial response. The areas under the concentration versus time curves of irinotecan and its metabolites on day 8 were significantly higher than on day 1. This combination therapy must be planned only after careful consideration of the drug-drug interaction.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of IST-622, a novel synthetic derivative of chartreusin, by oral administration in a phase II study of patients with breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to analyze the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of 6- O-(3-ethoxypropionyl)-3',4'- O-exo-benzylidene-chartreusin (IST-622) and its metabolites, and to develop limited sampling models (LSM). Based on the data from 18 patients with breast cancer who were treated orally with 280 or 525 mg/m(2) of IST-622 once daily after breakfast for five consecutive days, we analyzed the relationship between the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) and toxicities using a sigmoid E-max model and logistic regression. Plasma concentrations of IST-622 and its metabolites, 3',4'- O-exo-benzylidene-chartreusin (A-132) and 3"-demethyl-3',4'- O-exo-benzylidene-chartreusin (A-132M), were measured at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h after administration on day 1. The AUC was calculated using the trapezoidal method. We also developed a LSM using stepwise linear regression analysis. IST-622 was detected in very few patients, and its concentration was very low and could be disregarded. It was suggested that meals promoted absorption of IST-622. AUCs of A-132 plus A-132M showed a better correlation with the rates of decrease and nadir counts of leukocytes, neutrophils and platelets than the AUC of each metabolite separately. Patients with the sum of AUCs more than 70 microg.h/ml showed severe myelotoxicities. Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed that grade 4 myelotoxicities would be seen in 30% of patients at an AUC of 65 microg.h/ml. We also developed an unbiased and precise LSM: AUC_0-24h=C_8hx17.6-0.95, where C(8h) denotes the sum of plasma concentrations of A-132 and A-132M. Myelotoxicities showed a good correlation with AUC(0-24h), and based on the results, it was decided that the target AUC was 65 microg.h/ml. The LSM was very convenient for estimating AUC(0-24h) and sufficiently accurate. These results show the possibility of predicting toxicities and dose adaptation for interpatient variability using LSM.