Impact of the response to platinum-based chemotherapy on the second-line immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer with PD-L1 expression ≤49%: a multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: The efficacy of second-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is limited in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with ≤ 49% PD-L1 expression. Although chemoimmunotherapy is a promising strategy, platinum-based chemotherapy followed by ICI monotherapy is often used to avoid synergistic adverse events. However, predictors of the efficacy of ICI monotherapy after platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC with ≤ 49% PD-L1 expression remain scarce. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study evaluated 54 advanced or recurrent NSCLC patients with ≤ 49% PD-L1 expression who were treated with second-line ICI monotherapy following disease progression on first-line platinum-based chemotherapy at nine hospitals in Japan. The impact of response to platinum-based chemotherapy on the efficacy of subsequent ICI monotherapy was investigated. Results: The response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy was divided into two groups: the non-progressive disease (PD) group, which included patients who did not experience disease progression after four cycles of chemotherapy, and the PD group, which included patients who showed initial PD or could not maintain disease control during the four cycles of chemotherapy and switched to second-line ICI monotherapy. Among the 54 patients, 32 and 22 were classified into the non-PD and PD groups, respectively. The non-PD group showed better response rates (p = 0.038) and longer overall survival (OS) with ICI monotherapy (p = 0.023) than the PD group. Multivariate analysis identified that maintaining a non-PD status after four cycles of chemotherapy was an independent prognostic factor for ICI monotherapy (p = 0.046). Moreover, patients with a modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) of 0 showed a tendency for longer OS with ICI monotherapy (p = 0.079), and there was a significant correlation between maintaining non-PD after four cycles of chemotherapy and an mGPS of 0 (p = 0.045). Conclusion: Maintaining a non-PD status after four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy was a predictor of OS after second-line ICI monotherapy. These findings will help physicians select the most suitable treatment option for NSCLC patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and switched to second-line treatment. Those who experienced early PD during platinum-based chemotherapy should not be treated with ICI monotherapy in the second-line setting.

First-Line Chemoimmunotherapy versus Sequential Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Followed by Immunotherapy in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with ≤49% Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression: A Real-World Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The long overall survival (OS) observed among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) groups in previous phase III trials suggests the limited efficacy of CIT among the subgroup with ≤49% PD-L1 expression on tumor cells. Hence, sequential treatment with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy followed by second-line immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment (SEQ) is an option. This study examined whether first-line CIT would provide better outcomes than SEQ in patients with advanced NSCLC with ≤49% PD-L1 expression. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated patients with untreated NSCLC who received first-line CIT or SEQ at nine hospitals in Japan. OS, progression-free survival (PFS), PFS-2 (the time from first-line treatment to progression to second-line treatment or death), and other related outcomes were evaluated between the CIT and SEQ groups. RESULTS: Among the 305 enrolled patients, 234 eligible patients were analyzed: 165 in the CIT group and 69 in the SEQ group. The COX proportional hazards model suggested a significant interaction between PD-L1 expression and OS (p = 0.006). OS in the CIT group was significantly longer than that in the SEQ group in the 1-49% PD-L1 expression subgroup but not in the <1% PD-L1 expression subgroup. Among the subgroup with 1-49% PD-L1 expression, the CIT group exhibited longer median PFS than the SEQ group (CIT: 9.3 months (95% CI: 6.7-14.8) vs. SEQ:5.5 months (95% CI: 4.5-6.1); p < 0.001), while the median PFS in the CIT group was not statistically longer than the median PFS-2 in the SEQ group (p = 0.586). There was no significant difference between the median PFS in the CIT and SEQ groups among the <1% PD-L1 expression subgroup (p = 0.883); the median PFS-2 in the SEQ group was significantly longer than the median PFS in the CIT group (10.5 months (95% CI: 5.9-15.3) vs. 6.4 months (95% CI: 4.9-7.5); p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: CIT is recommended for patients with NSCLC with 1-49% PD-L1 expression because it significantly improved OS and PFS compared to SEQ. CIT had limited benefits in patients with <1% PD-L1 expression, and the median PFS-2 in the SEQ group was significantly longer than the median PFS in the CIT group. These findings will help physicians select the most suitable treatment option for patients with NSCLC, considering PD-L1 expressions.

Endobronchial metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Lenvatinib: A case report.

Endobronchial metastasis (EBM) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare though HCC often metastasizes to the lungs. In this case report, a 74-year-old man with a history of HCC with chronic hepatitis C experienced hemoptysis and a dry cough. During immunotherapy for postoperative recurrent HCC, chest computed tomography (CT) revealed soft tissue shadows in the right upper and lower lobe bronchi, and we pathologically diagnosed as EBM of HCC using bronchoscopy. Although the prognosis of HCC with EBM is poor, lenvatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was administered and resulted in improved symptoms, decreased tumour markers, and reduced EBM shadows on chest CT scans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of lenvatinib monotherapy for EBM of HCC. It is important to perform a bronchoscopy for early diagnosis of EBM, followed by lenvatinib treatment.

Atezolizumab in combination with carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel for managing combined large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A case report.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), categorized as high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas, account for approximately 3% of resected lung cancers. LCNECs containing other components are called 'combined LCNECs' and have no standard treatment. A 73-year-old male with a metastatic brain tumour from a combined LCNEC of the lung containing adenocarcinoma and sarcomatoid components was referred to our department. The patient was treated with chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin and nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel in combination with atezolizumab, which was decided in accordance with the histological evaluation of the components. This treatment resulted in partial response and remained durable for 12 months with an ongoing regimen. The current case suggests that the constituents of chemoimmunotherapy should be selected in accordance with the reported efficacy of relevant regimens for each component of the combined LCNEC.

Pulmonary Pleomorphic Carcinoma Harboring EGFR Mutation Successfully Treated with Osimertinib: A Case Report.

Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC) is well-known for its aggressive nature that is usually resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy. On the other hand, the efficacy of an immune checkpoint inhibitor-based regimen in PPC has been elucidated. PPCs harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are extremely rare, and the efficacy of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in PPC is limited compared to their efficacy in EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma. A 43-year-old female patient presenting with a lung mass with multiple brain metastases, carcinomatous pericarditis, and multiple bone metastases was referred to our department. Transbronchial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PPC harboring an EGFR mutation with exon 19 deletion. Subsequently, she was treated with osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which resulted in partial response with shrinkage of the primary lesion and brain metastases. This partial response remained durable for 11 months with an ongoing regimen. The current case suggests that osimertinib would show promising effects as a first-line treatment for PPCs harboring EGFR mutations, as well as a reasonable sequence of therapy followed by immune checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens.

Nasogastric administration of osimertinib suspension for an epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated lung cancer causing an esophageal stricture: case report.

An esophageal stricture is an abnormal esophageal narrowing, usually caused by esophageal diseases and rarely by lung cancer. They cause malnutrition, performance status (PS) deterioration, and difficulty in the oral administration of antitumor drug tablets. A 78-year-old female patient with lung adenocarcinoma, harboring an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-sensitizing mutation, experienced dysphagia due to an esophageal stricture caused by retrotracheal lymph node metastases. Osimertinib is a third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is efficacious against EGFR-sensitizing mutations. The esophageal stricture hampered food intake and oral administration of osimertinib, causing severe malnutrition and deterioration to PS 3. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed severe and entire circumferential stenosis (7 cm in length) of the upper esophagus without mucosal abnormality. A nasogastric tube was inserted under EGD guidance, and an osimertinib suspension was administered accordingly: a tablet containing 80 mg of osimertinib was suspended in 50 mL of sterile hot water (55 ℃) for ten minutes, and the suspension was administered through a nasogastric tube once daily. Dysphagia improved 15 days after the introduction of osimertinib. After 21 days, the patient could take foods and drugs orally, and her PS improved to 1. Administering an osimertinib suspension via a nasogastric tube was a viable option in managing esophageal strictures in patients with EGFR-sensitizing mutations.

Entrectinib for ROS1-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer after crizotinib-induced interstitial lung disease: A case report.

Chromosomal rearrangements involving the c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) are identified in approximately 1% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Crizotinib is the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) against ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. G2032R, a secondary resistant mutation, is observed in 41% of patients treated with crizotinib. Entrectinib, a TKI against neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase, is reportedly efficacious against ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. However, ROS1-G2032R is resistant to entrectinib both in vitro and in vivo. We report an 85-year-old female patient with ROS1-rearranged NSCLC, who developed drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DI-ILD) 2 months after crizotinib treatment, and was treated with prednisolone followed by entrectinib. Entrectinib treatment resulted in stable disease with a marginal response after a partial response to crizotinib. Entrectinib treatment following crizotinib cessation due to DI-ILD was efficacious, which suggested that ROS1-G2032R gatekeeper mutation, frequently observed in crizotinib-resistant disease, was absent.

Bevacizumab-Containing Chemoimmunotherapy for Recurrent Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer after Chemoradiotherapy: Case Report.

Chemoimmunotherapy has become the standard of care as the first-line treatment of advanced or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The bevacizumab-containing chemoimmunotherapy regimen is theoretically more effective than a non-bevacizumab-containing regimen via two mechanisms: a superior outcome of bevacizumab-containing chemothrerapy than the standard platinum doublet regimen, and the synergistic effect of bevacizumab with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Bevacizumab effectively normalizes vascularization, especially when the vascular bed is damaged by previous treatment. Bevacizumab promotes immunomodulation when used with ICI. We describe a patient with nonsquamous NSCLC who returned 2.5 years after definitive chemoradiotherapy for postoperative locoregional recurrence in the right supraclavicular lymph node. Considering the destroyed vascular bed due to prior chemoradiotherapy, attaining vascular normalization was critical for effective drug delivery. The patient was treated with a bevacizumab-containing chemoimmunotherapy regimen, which resulted in a complete metabolic response. The patient responded well for 23 months and is receiving ongoing treatment. Thus, bevacizumab-containing chemoimmunotherapy could be advantageous in some recurrent cases after chemoradiotherapy.

The Impact of VEGF Inhibition on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Immunotherapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in combination with chemotherapy have increased survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis, is an immunological modulator; therefore, it is expected that anti-VEGF therapy in combination with ICIs enhances the antitumor effect of ICIs. In the present study, we investigated the impact of VEGF inhibition on clinical outcomes of NSCLC patients, including the efficacy of ICI treatment. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with advanced NSCLC who had been treated with ICIs were retrospectively analyzed to examine the relationship between the history of treatment with anti-VEGF agents and the clinical outcomes with ICI monotherapy. RESULTS: Patients who had received anti-VEGF therapy prior to ICIs showed shortened progression-free survival of ICI treatment and a decreased overall response rate to ICI treatment. By contrast, anti-VEGF therapy after ICI treatment was associated with increased survival, especially in patients who had also received anti-VEGF therapy prior to ICI therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These retrospective observations suggest that anti-VEGF therapy prior to ICIs might be a negative predictor of response to ICIs. The sequence of anti-VEGF therapy might play a role in its ability to predict survival in NSCLC patients. Further investigation is warranted to identify the role of VEGF inhibition in altering clinical outcomes after immunotherapy.

Early responders within seven days of dupilumab treatment for severe asthma evaluated by patient-reported outcome: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The management of severe asthma-associated symptoms is essential since they are distressing to the affected patients, and also greatly impair their quality of life. Dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody, blocks interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 signaling, both of which are crucial in acquired and innate immunity pathways through fast signal transduction, leading to an early response to treatment. Although rapid improvement within 1-3 days after dupilumab treatment was observed in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, an early response within 7 days of dupilumab treatment in severe asthma has not been reported. METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients with severe asthma who were newly treated with dupilumab between July 2019 and April 2020 were retrospectively investigated. We evaluated the early response (within 7 days) of patients with severe asthma receiving dupilumab therapy. Asthma control test (ACT) and the daily ACT, which was modified from the ACT to evaluate daily symptoms associated with asthma, were adopted as patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at week 8 and within 7 days, respectively. Patients were stratified into early responders (7 days), late responders (week 8), and non-responders without significant improvement in PROs. Descriptive statistics were adopted due to the limited number of patients. RESULTS: Four of these 12 patients were early responders, with the following baseline characteristics: body mass index, <25 kg/m2; without depression; baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second, <1.50 L; and more than one exacerbation in 1 year. On the other hand, five were late responders, and 44.4% of the nine responders were early responders. The higher the eosinophilic count and/or FeNO did not show any relationship between the early responder and nonresponder. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of dupilumab on severe asthma in patients with atopic features could be started earlier than 2 weeks, similar to atopic dermatitis. Daily ACT may be useful in monitoring the early efficacy of dupilumab in treating severe asthma.

Predictors of survival among Japanese patients receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: First-line chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) has improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The immunological and nutritional statuses of patients fluctuate during treatment using immune checkpoint inhibitors, and are closely related to treatment outcomes. However, it is unclear whether these markers are significant in patients who are receiving CIT. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study evaluated 34 consecutive Japanese patients with NSCLC who were treated using first-line CIT. Previously reported markers that reflect immunological and nutritional statuses were evaluated at three time points: at the start of CIT, after three weeks, and at the end of induction therapy. RESULTS: The median PFS was 7.2 months (95% confidence interval: 6.3 months-not reached) and the median OS was not reached (95% confidence interval: 9.6 months-not reached). The PFS duration was significantly associated with the baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the three-week values for the modified Glasgow prognostic score, C-reactive protein-albumin ratio, prognostic nutrition index, and advanced lung cancer inflammation index. The OS duration was significantly associated with the pre-treatment values for the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and advanced lung cancer inflammation index, as well as the prognostic nutrition index at the end of induction therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Immunological and nutritional markers could be useful for predicting the outcomes of CIT for Japanese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The timing of their evaluation may also be important. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: Overall survival in patients receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy for advanced lung cancer were associated with pretreatment values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, advanced lung cancer inflammation index, and the prognostic nutrition index at the end of induction therapy. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Repetitive evaluation of immunological and nutritional markers may be useful for guiding prognostication and treatment selection for Japanese patients with advanced lung cancer.

Osimertinib-Associated Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in a Lung Cancer Patient Harboring an EGFR Mutation-A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are life-threatening dermatologic adverse events in the same category, caused by a delayed-type drug hypersensitivity reaction. Although skin toxicity is common during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), osimertinib-associated TEN is quite rare-thus far, only one report has been published from China. We report a case of an 80-year-old Japanese woman with lung adenocarcinoma harboring an EGFR-sensitizing mutation who was treated with osimertinib as the first-line treatment. Forty-six days after osimertinib induction, diffuse erythematous rash rapidly spread over the patient's trunk along with vesicles and purpuric macules; furthermore, she developed targetoid erythema on the face. Despite osimertinib discontinuation and corticosteroid treatment, diffuse erythema with Nikolsky's sign, general epidermal detachment, erosion and loose blisters developed over her entire body including the face. Based on her symptoms, TEN was diagnosed and thus, intravenous immunoglobulin was immediately administered for 4 days. The treatment ameliorated TEN-associated skin toxicity and caused epithelialization. Reports on osimertinib-associated SJS/TEN are scarce and only one report each on SJS and TEN from China is available. This is the first report of osimertinib-associated TEN from Japan. Cases of EGFR-TKI-associated SJS/TEN have been reported predominantly from Asian countries, suggesting ethnicity and genetic linkage play a role in the underlying mechanism.

Atezolizumab in combination with carboplatin and etoposide for heavily treated small cell lung cancer.

Atezolizumab was the first immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) to be introduced as a first-line treatment option for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), in combination with carboplatin and etoposide (CE) chemotherapy. However, SCLC treatment options after progression to first-line chemotherapy are limited, warranting the readministration of previously used drugs. In combination with atezolizumab, CE readministration may theoretically be effective, based on two tentative mechanisms: its additive and synergistic effects on cytotoxic chemotherapy. The additive effect is based on the IFCT-1603 trial in which the Kaplan-Meier estimates of both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the atezolizumab group exhibited a tail plateau in the selected population. Conversely, an anti-PD-L1 antibody synergistic effect on platinum compounds was assessed in a preclinical study, which was reinforced by clinical data. Thus, atezolizumab in combination with CE may be a treatment option in heavily treated patients. Here, we describe the first case of a heavily treated ES-SCLC patient treated with chemoimmunotherapy, resulting in a partial response and a durable PFS. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY AND WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: CE readministration with atezolizumab may be effective based on two tentative mechanisms. Additive and synergistic effects of atezolizumab on CE have been previously suggested via a clinical trial and preclinical study, respectively. This is reflected in the current case in clinical settings.