Clinical outcomes to pemetrexed-based versus non-pemetrexed-based platinum doublets in patients with KRAS-mutant advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: KRAS mutation has been associated with enhanced dependency on the folate metabolism in preclinical studies. However, whether KRAS mutation correlates to increased sensitivity to pemetrexed in patients with advanced NSCLC is unknown. METHODS: Patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC who had a documented EGFR and ALK WT genotype with simultaneous KRAS mutation assessment were evaluated for clinical outcome to pemetrexed- and non-pemetrexed-based first-line platinum doublet according to KRAS mutation status. RESULTS: Of 356 patients identified, 138 harbored a KRAS mutation. Among KRAS-mutant NSCLCs, those treated with platinum/pemetrexed (81/138) had significantly lower ORR (30.9% versus 47.4%, P = 0.05), DCR (51.8% versus 71.9%, P = 0.02) and shorter median progression-free survival [mPFS 4.1 versus 7.1 months, HR 1.48 (95% CI 1.03-2.12), P = 0.03] and median overall survival [mOS 9.7 versus 26.9 months, HR 1.93 (95% CI 1.27-2.94), P = 0.002] compared to those who received a non-pemetrexed-based platinum doublet (57/138). No difference in ORR, DCR, mPFS and mOS was observed between KRAS WT patients who received a pemetrexed-based (124/218) versus non-pemetrexed base platinum doublets (94/218). After adjusting for performance status, age and the presence of brain metastasis at baseline, treatment with pemetrexed-based platinum doublet was associated with an increased risk of death [HR 2.27 (95% CI 1.12-4.63), P = 0.02] among KRAS-mutant patients in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma have a poorer outcome on pemetrexed-based first-line chemotherapy. Whether KRAS-mutant NSCLCs should be excluded from pemetrexed-containing regimens should be assessed prospectively.

Nivolumab versus docetaxel in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (CheckMate 017 and CheckMate 057): 3-year update and outcomes in patients with liver metastases.

Background: Long-term data with immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are limited. Two phase III trials demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) and a favorable safety profile with the anti-programmed death-1 antibody nivolumab versus docetaxel in patients with previously treated advanced squamous (CheckMate 017) and nonsquamous (CheckMate 057) NSCLC. We report results from ≥3 years' follow-up, including subgroup analyses of patients with liver metastases, who historically have poorer prognosis among patients with NSCLC. Patients and methods: Patients were randomized 1 : 1 to nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks) or docetaxel (75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) until progression or discontinuation. The primary end point of each study was OS. Patients with baseline liver metastases were pooled across studies by treatment for subgroup analyses. Results: After 40.3 months' minimum follow-up in CheckMate 017 and 057, nivolumab continued to show an OS benefit versus docetaxel: estimated 3-year OS rates were 17% [95% confidence interval (CI), 14% to 21%] versus 8% (95% CI, 6% to 11%) in the pooled population with squamous or nonsquamous NSCLC. Nivolumab was generally well tolerated, with no new safety concerns identified. Of 854 randomized patients across both studies, 193 had baseline liver metastases. Nivolumab resulted in improved OS compared with docetaxel in patients with liver metastases (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50-0.91), consistent with findings from the overall pooled study population (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.81). Rates of treatment-related hepatic adverse events (primarily grade 1-2 liver enzyme elevations) were slightly higher in nivolumab-treated patients with liver metastases (10%) than in the overall pooled population (6%). Conclusions: After 3 years' minimum follow-up, nivolumab continued to demonstrate an OS benefit versus docetaxel in patients with advanced NSCLC. Similarly, nivolumab demonstrated an OS benefit versus docetaxel in patients with liver metastases, and remained well tolerated. Clinical trial registration: CheckMate 017: NCT01642004; CheckMate 057: NCT01673867.

CNS response to osimertinib in patients with T790M-positive advanced NSCLC: pooled data from two phase II trials.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are common in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Osimertinib has shown systemic efficacy in patients with CNS metastases, and early clinical evidence shows efficacy in the CNS. To evaluate osimertinib activity further, we present a pre-specified subgroup analysis of CNS response using pooled data from two phase II studies: AURA extension (NCT01802632) and AURA2 (NCT02094261). Patients and methods: Patients with T790M-positive advanced NSCLC, who had progressed following prior epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, received osimertinib 80 mg od (n = 411). Patients with stable, asymptomatic CNS metastases were eligible for enrolment; prior CNS treatment was allowed. Patients with ≥1 measurable CNS lesion (per RECIST 1.1) on baseline brain scan by blinded independent central neuroradiology review (BICR) were included in the evaluable for CNS response set (cEFR). The primary outcome for this CNS analysis was CNS objective response rate (ORR) by BICR; secondary outcomes included CNS duration of response, disease control rate (DCR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Of 128 patients with CNS metastases on baseline brain scans, 50 were included in the cEFR. Confirmed CNS ORR and DCR were 54% [27/50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 39-68] and 92% (46/50; 95% CI 81-98), respectively. CNS response was observed regardless of prior radiotherapy to the brain. Median CNS duration of response (22% maturity) was not reached (range, 1-15 months); at 9 months, 75% (95% CI 53-88) of patients were estimated to remain in response. Median follow-up for CNS PFS was 11 months; median CNS PFS was not reached (95% CI, 7, not calculable). The safety profile observed in the cEFR was consistent with the overall patient population. Conclusions: Osimertinib demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy against CNS metastases, with a high DCR, encouraging ORR, and safety profile consistent with that reported previously. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01802632; NCT02094261.

Impact of KRAS codon subtypes from a randomised phase II trial of selumetinib plus docetaxel in KRAS mutant advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886)+docetaxel increases median overall survival (OS) and significantly improves progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) compared with docetaxel alone in patients with KRAS mutant, stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC; NCT00890825). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of OS, PFS, ORR and change in tumour size at week 6 for different sub-populations of KRAS codon mutations. RESULTS: In patients receiving selumetinib+docetaxel and harbouring KRAS G12C or G12V mutations there were trends towards greater improvement in OS, PFS and ORR compared with other KRAS mutations. CONCLUSION: Different KRAS mutations in NSCLC may influence selumetinib/docetaxel sensitivity.

Final results from the large sunitinib global expanded-access trial in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We report final results with extended follow-up from a global, expanded-access trial that pre-regulatory approval provided sunitinib to metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients, ineligible for registration-directed trials. METHODS: Patients ⩾18 years received oral sunitinib 50 mg per day on a 4-weeks-on-2-weeks-off schedule. Safety was assessed regularly. Tumour measurements were scheduled per local practice. RESULTS: A total of 4543 patients received sunitinib. Median treatment duration and follow-up were 7.5 and 13.6 months. Objective response rate was 16% (95% confidence interval (CI): 15-17). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 9.4 months (95% CI: 8.8-10.0) and 18.7 months (95% CI: 17.5-19.5). Median PFS in subgroups of interest: aged ⩾65 years (33%), 10.1 months; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ⩾2 (14%), 3.5 months; non-clear cell histology (12%), 6.0 months; and brain metastases (7%), 5.3 months. OS was strongly associated with the International Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium prognostic model (n=4065). The most common grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (10%), fatigue (9%), and asthenia, neutropenia, and hand-foot syndrome (each 7%). CONCLUSION: Final analysis of the sunitinib expanded-access trial provided a good opportunity to evaluate the long-term side effects of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used worldwide in mRCC. Efficacy and safety findings were consistent with previous results.

PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in molecularly selected non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Agents targeting programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) are showing promising results in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is unknown whether PD-1/PD-L1 are differently expressed in oncogene-addicted NSCLC. METHODS: We analysed a cohort of 125 NSCLC patients, including 56 EGFR mutated, 29 KRAS mutated, 10 ALK translocated and 30 EGFR/KRAS/ALK wild type. PD-L1 and PD-1 expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry. All cases with moderate or strong staining (2+/3+) in >5% of tumour cells were considered as positive. RESULTS: PD-1 positive (+) was significantly associated with current smoking status (P=0.02) and with the presence of KRAS mutations (P=0.006), whereas PD-L1+ was significantly associated to adenocarcinoma histology (P=0.005) and with presence of EGFR mutations (P=0.001). In patients treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (N=95), sensitivity to gefitinib or erlotinib was higher in PD-L1+ vs PD-L1 negative in terms of the response rate (RR: P=0.01) time to progression (TTP: P<0.0001) and survival (OS: P=0.09), with no difference in PD1+ vs PD-1 negative. In the subset of 54 EGFR mutated patients, TTP was significantly longer in PD-L1+ than in PD-L1 negative (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PD-1 and PD-L1 are differentially expressed in oncogene-addicted NSCLC supporting further investigation of specific checkpoint inhibitors in combination with targeted therapies.

2nd ESMO Consensus Conference on Lung Cancer: early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer consensus on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

To complement the existing treatment guidelines for all tumour types, ESMO organises consensus conferences to focus on specific issues in each type of tumour. The 2nd ESMO Consensus Conference on Lung Cancer was held on 11-12 May 2013 in Lugano. A total of 35 experts met to address several questions on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in each of four areas: pathology and molecular biomarkers, first-line/second and further lines in advanced disease, early-stage disease and locally advanced disease. For each question, recommendations were made including reference to the grade of recommendation and level of evidence. This consensus paper focuses on early-stage disease.

Clinical benefit of continuing ALK inhibition with crizotinib beyond initial disease progression in patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: Crizotinib is approved to treat advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but most patients ultimately develop progressive disease (PD). We investigated whether continuing ALK inhibition with crizotinib beyond PD (CBPD) is clinically beneficial and attempted to identify clinicopathologic characteristics associated with patients who experience clinical benefit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC enrolled in two ongoing multicenter, single-arm trials who developed RECIST-defined PD were allowed to continue crizotinib if they were deriving ongoing clinical benefit. In the present retrospective analysis, continuation of CBPD was defined as >3 weeks of crizotinib treatment after PD documentation. Patients who had PD as best response to initial crizotinib treatment were excluded. Baseline and post-progression characteristics, sites of PD, and overall survival (OS) were compared in patients who continued CBPD versus those who did not. The impact of continuing CBPD on OS after adjusting for potential confounding factors was assessed. RESULTS: Among 194 crizotinib-treated patients with RECIST-defined PD, 120 (62%) continued CBPD. A significantly higher proportion of patients who continued CBPD than patients who did not had an ECOG performance status (PS) of 0/1 at PD (96% versus 82%; P=0.02). CBPD patients had significantly longer OS from the time of PD [median 16.4 versus 3.9 months; hazards ratio (HR) 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.42; P<0.0001] and from the time of initial crizotinib treatment (median 29.6 versus 10.8 months; HR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.19-0.46; P<0.0001). The multiple-covariate Cox regression analysis revealed that CBPD remained significantly associated with improved OS after adjusting for relevant factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who continued CBPD were more likely to have good ECOG PS (0/1) at the time of PD. Continuing ALK inhibition with crizotinib after PD may provide survival benefit to patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC.

Coexistence of EGFR mutation and ALK translocation in NSCLC: literature review and case report of response to gefitinib.

The coexistence of EGFR and ALK-EML4 gene mutations represents a rare event (about 1%) in patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the few cases described in the literature have all been treated by different methods. We present the case of a 52-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma of the lung whose tumor had this double genetic aberration. The patient was immediately treated with gefitinib because the tumor was judged inoperable, but after two months she obtained an important clinical remission and was submitted to radical surgery. She is currently undergoing adjuvant treatment with gefitinib. A review of the literature on this double genetic aberration highlighted that further research is needed to define the best therapeutic approach.

Concomitant high gene copy number and protein overexpression of IGF1R and EGFR negatively affect disease-free survival of surgically resected non-small-cell-lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) represents a novel molecular target in non-small-cell-lung cancer (NSCLC). IGF1R and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation are essential to mediate tumor cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. This study investigates the prognostic role of IGF1R and EGFR in surgically resected NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IGF1R and EGFR copy number gain (CNG) were tested by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 125 stage I-II-IIIA NSCLC patients. RESULTS: Fourty-six tumors (40.3%) were IGF1R FISH-positive (FISH+), and 76 (67.2%) were EGFR FISH+. Tumors with concomitant IGF1R/EGFR FISH+ were observed in 34 cases (30.1%). IGF1R and EGFR FISH+ were associated with SCC histology (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). IGF1R and EGFR protein over-expression (IHC+) were detected in 45 (36.0%) and 69 (55.2%) cases, respectively. Tumors with concomitant IGF1R/EGFR IHC+ were detected in 31 (24.8%) patients. IGF1R/EGFR FISH+ and IGF1R/EGFR IHC+ were significantly associated (χ(2) = 4.02, p = 0.04). Patients with IGF1R/EGFR FISH+ and IGF1R/EGFR IHC+ were associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.05 and p = 0.05, respectively). Patients with concomitant IGF1R/EGFR FISH+/IHC+ had a worse DFS and overall survival (p = 0.005 and p = 0.01, respectively). The multivariate model confirmed that IGF1R/EGFR FISH+/IHC+ (hazard ratio (HR), 4.08; p = 0.01) and tumor stage (II-III vs I) (HR, 4.77; p = 0.003) were significantly associated with worse DFS. CONCLUSIONS: IGF1R/EGFR FISH+ correlates with IGF1R/EGFR IHC+. IGF1R/EGFR FISH+/IHC+ is an independent negative prognostic factor for DFS in early NSCLC. These features may have important implications for future anti-IGF1R therapeutic approaches.

Optimization of patient selection for EGFR-TKIs in advanced non-small cell lung cancer by combined analysis of KRAS, PIK3CA, MET, and non-sensitizing EGFR mutations.

BACKGROUND: We present a comprehensive analysis of KRAS, PIK3CA, MET, and non-sensitizing EGFR mutations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), with the aim of clarifying the relative contribution of these molecular alterations to resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six patients with advanced NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs with available archival tissue specimens were included. EGFR (exons 18-21), KRAS (exons 2, 3), PIK3CA (exons 9, 20), and MET (exons 14, 15) mutations were analyzed using PCR-based sequencing. Among all the mutations evaluated, only KRAS, PIK3CA, MET, and non-sensitizing EGFR mutations, defined as "TKI non-sensitizing mutations" were used for response, time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) analysis. RESULTS: TKI non-sensitizing mutations were associated with disease progression (p = 0.001), shorter TTP (p < 0.0001), and worse OS (p = 0.03). Cox's multivariate analysis including histology and performance status showed that TKI non-sensitizing mutations were independent factors for shorter TTP (p < 0.0001) and worse OS (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: When KRAS, PIK3CA, MET, and non-sensitizing EGFR mutations are concomitant, up to 96.0% of NSCLC patients unlikely to respond to TKIs can be identified, and they represented independent negative prognostic factors. Comprehensive molecular dissection of EGFR signaling pathways should be considered to select advanced NSCLC patients for TKIs therapies.

Everolimus is an active agent in medullary thyroid cancer: a clinical and in vitro study.

Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, which has been demonstrated to induce anti-tumour effects in different types of neuroendocrine tumours, has never been evaluated in patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of everolimus in combination with octreotide in MTC. Two patients with progressive metastatic MTC and high calcitonin levels were treated with everolimus 5-10 mg/day. Both patients were under treatment with octreotide LAR at the study entry. An in vitro study was also performed to assess everolimus effects on MTC cell lines (TT and MZ-CRC-1 cells). A tumour response was observed in both patients. Serum calcitonin decreased by 86% in patient 1 and by 42% in patient 2. In TT and MZ-CRC-1 cells, everolimus induced a significant dose-dependent inhibition in cell proliferation. This effect seems to be related to a cell cycle arrest in G(0) /G(1) phase in both cell lines and to the induction of cellular senescence in TT cells. Everolimus in combination with octreotide may be active as anti-tumour therapy in patients with progressive metastatic MTC, suggesting to further evaluate this agent in MTC patients in a large prospective study.

Predicting and managing the risk of pulmonary haemorrhage in patients with NSCLC treated with bevacizumab: a consensus report from a panel of experts.

BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor. Severe pulmonary haemorrhage (PH) is a rare but serious potential adverse event associated with bevacizumab therapy for advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A panel of expert oncologists, pulmonologists and radiologists reviewed the available data to identify predictive factors for PH in order to help guide physicians using bevacizumab in patients with NSCLC. RESULTS: Patients with NSCLC are at an increased risk of PH owing to the underlying disease process. Patients with squamous histology and/or a history of grade ≥ 2 haemoptysis (≥ 2.5 ml per event) should not receive bevacizumab. No clinical or radiological features (including cavitation and central tumour location) reliably predict severe PH in bevacizumab-treated patients. Major blood vessel infiltration and bronchial vessel infiltration, encasement and abutting may predict PH; however, standardised radiological criteria for defining infiltration have not been established. Eligibility for bevacizumab is not affected by patient age, performance status or anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: An individualised risk-benefit assessment should be undertaken in all patients with NSCLC in whom bevacizumab is being considered. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying PH and the clinical risk factors.

Natural history of gastro-entero-pancreatic and thoracic neuroendocrine tumors. Data from a large prospective and retrospective Italian epidemiological study: the NET management study.

BACKGROUND: The few epidemiological data available in literature on neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are mainly based on Registry databases, missing therefore details on their clinical and natural history. AIM: To investigate epidemiology, clinical presentation, and natural history of NET. DESIGN AND SETTING: A large national retrospective survey was conducted in 13 Italian referral centers. Among 1203 NET, 820 originating in the thorax (T-NET), in the gastro-enteropancreatic tract (GEP-NET) or metastatic NET of unknown primary origin (U-NET) were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: 93% had a sporadic and 7% a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)-associated tumor; 63% were GEP-NET, 33% T-NET, 4% U-NET. Pancreas and lung were the commonest primary sites. Poorly differentiated carcinomas were <10%, all sporadic. The incidence of NET had a linear increase from 1990 to 2007 in all the centers. The mean age at diagnosis was 60.0 ± 16.4 yr, significantly anticipated in MEN1 patients (47.7 ± 16.5 yr). Association with cigarette smoking and other non-NET cancer were more prevalent than in the general Italian population. The first symptoms of the disease were related to tumor burden in 46%, endocrine syndrome in 23%, while the diagnosis was fortuity in 29%. Insulin (37%) and serotonin (35%) were the most common hormonal hypersecretions. An advanced tumor stage was found in 42%, more frequently in the gut and thymus. No differences in the overall survival was observed between T-NET and GEP-NET and between sporadic and MEN1-associated tumors at 10 yr from diagnosis, while survival probability was dramatically reduced in U-NET. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained from this study furnish relevant information on epidemiology, natural history, and clinico-pathological features of NET, not available from the few published Register studies.

Increased levels of circulating DNA in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases: A possible marker of disease activity in Sjögren's syndrome.

High levels of serum and/or plasma circulating DNA (cDNA) have been described in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (SADs). However, the role of this molecule has not been clarified. Our aim was to evaluate plasma cDNA levels in 48 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 44 primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients, as compared with healthy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) subjects, and to analyse their correlation with disease activity, disease damage and clinical manifestations. Plasma DNA was extracted using Qiagen columns and quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. Disease activity and damage were evaluated in both diseases by analysis of clinical and laboratory findings. Our results showed that plasma cDNA levels were significantly higher in patients with SS (mean ± SE: 32.0 ± 7.3 ng/ml) and with SLE (35.0 ± 9.0 ng/ml) than in controls (5.1 ± 1.1 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001 for both). Disease activity index correlated with cDNA levels in SS (p = 0.02), but not in SLE, and SS subjects with active disease displayed significantly higher cDNA levels with respect to inactive patients (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between plasma cDNA levels and disease damage indexes in either SLE or SS. These results indicate that increased plasma cDNA levels can been demonstrated in SLE and in SS patients with respect to healthy subjects. Interestingly, although cDNA levels did not correlate with indexes of disease damage in these disorders, a significant correlation between cDNA concentrations and disease activity was observed in SS, but not in SLE, suggesting a possible role of cDNA as non-invasive marker of disease activity. The different results obtained in these SADs may be explained by distinct disease pathogenesis or the influence of immunosuppressive and corticosteroid therapy that, unlike in SS, is usually employed in SLE.

Carboplatin plus pemetrexed for platinum-pretreated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study with pharmacogenetic evaluation.

PURPOSE: In the present study, the combination of carboplatin (CBDCA) plus pemetrexed (PMX) for the treatment of patients with platinum-pretreated, pemetrexed-naïve, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was investigated. Also, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the XRCC3, XPD, ERCC1, GARFT, DHFR, and TS genes were investigated. METHODS: Eighty patients treated with CBDCA/PMX at two Italian institutions were evaluable. Of these, 73 patients had blood samples collected for pharmacogenetic evaluation. RESULTS: Overall, the median age was 59 years (26-78), 59 patients (73.7%) had a performance status of 0, and 34 patients (42.5%) had stage IIIB disease. Thirty-eight patients (47.5%) had responded to prior first-line platinum-based therapy. Study treatment resulted into one complete and 33 partial responses for an overall response rate of 42.5%. The disease control rate was 77.5%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.8 and 17.4 months, respectively. Responders achieved a significant longer PFS and OS versus non-responders (P = 0.007 and P = 0.003, respectively). The only grade 3-4 adverse event occurring in more than 5.0% of patients was neutropenia (6 patients, 7.5%). No statistically significant association was noted between polymorphisms of the genes analyzed and clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with platinum-pretreated, advanced NSCLC and favorable clinical prognostic factors, treatment with CBDCA/PMX is associated with a good clinical outcome and toxicity profile. None of the SNPs analyzed was found to be a useful predictor of treatment efficacy.