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INTRODUCTION: The lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) is a biomarker that combines the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) value and the derived neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (dNLR). Its prognostic ability has been reported in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with immunotherapy. In the context of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) with chemoimmunotherapy, its role remains to be determined. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study of patients with ES-SCLC who received atezolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment was conducted. 101 patients were divided into three groups: LIPI good (n = 33), LIPI intermediate (n = 41), and LIPI poor (n = 27). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for analysis of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), using the log-rank test for comparisons. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were developed to assess the LIPI as an independent predictor of survival. RESULTS: The good LIPI group had a significantly longer median PFS than the intermediate and poor LIPI groups: 9.6 vs 5.4 vs 5.2 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Significant differences in OS between good, intermediate, and poor LIPI were also observed, with median OS of 23.4 vs 9.8 vs 6.0 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis for PFS identified liver metastases and intermediate and poor LIPI as worse prognostic factors (p < 0.050). For OS, a worse prognosis was confirmed in both the intermediate LIPI group (HR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.07-4.41, p = 0.031) and the poor LIPI group (HR: 5.40, 95% CI: 2.64-11.07, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ES-SCLC treated with chemoimmunotherapy, an intermediate and poor pretreatment LIPI score was associated with worse PFS and OS prognosis.
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Lung cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with its high mortality rate attributed mainly to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has revolutionized its treatment, patient response is highly variable and lacking predictive markers. We conducted a prospective study on 55 patients with NSCLC undergoing ICI therapy to identify predictive markers of both response and immune-related adverse events (IrAEs) in the airway microbiota. We also analyzed the clinical evolution and overall survival (OS) with respect to treatments that affect the integrity of the microbiota, such as antibiotics and corticosteroids. Our results demonstrated that respiratory microbiota differ significantly in ICI responders: they have higher alpha diversity values and lower abundance of the Firmicutes phylum and the Streptococcus genus. Employing a logistic regression model, the abundance of Gemella was the major predictor of non-ICI response, whereas Lachnoanaerobaculum was the best predictor of a positive response to ICI. The most relevant results were that antibiotic consumption is linked to a lower ICI response, and the use of corticosteroids correlated with poorer overall survival. Whereas previous studies have focused on gut microbiota, our findings highlight the importance of the respiratory microbiota in predicting the treatment response. Future research should explore microbiota modulation strategies to enhance immunotherapy outcomes. Understanding the impact of antibiotics, corticosteroids, and microbiota on NSCLC immunotherapy will help personalize treatment and improve patient outcomes.
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been proposed as the standard treatment for different stages of non-small-cell lung cancer in multiple indications. Not all patients benefit from these treatments, however, and certain patients develop immune-related adverse events. Although the search for predictors of response to these drugs is a major field of research, these issues have yet to be resolved. It has been postulated that microbiota could play a relevant role in conditioning the response to cancer treatments; however, the human factor of intestinal permeability also needs to be considered as it is closely related to the regulation of host-microbiota interaction. In this article, we analyzed the possible relationship between the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors and the onset of immune-related adverse events, gut microbiota status, and intestinal membrane permeability. In a pioneering step, we also measured short-chain fatty acid content in feces. Although the correlation analyses failed to identify predictive biomarkers, even when all variables were integrated, our patients' microbial gut ecosystems were rich and diverse, and the intestinal barrier's integrity was preserved. These results add new knowledge on the composition of microbiota and its correlation with barrier permeability and short-chain fatty acids and suggest that more studies are required before these potential biomarkers can be incorporated into the clinical management of patients via immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment.
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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been proposed as the standard first-line and subsequent treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study analyzed whether patients with good lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) have a better response to ICIs and the relationship between immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and response in clinical practice. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, single-center study. Patients with stage IV NSCLC between 2016 and 2021 were included in the study. Toxicity was assessed according to The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Response assessment was performed according to RECIST 2.0 and immuno-related criteria. Descriptive and survival analyses were conducted. Degree of toxicity and response to treatment (based on treatment and histology) were assessed. LIPI and response were assessed. LIPI included dNLR (absolute neutrophil count/(white blood cell count - absolute neutrophil count)) ≥ 3 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) greater than the upper limit of normal. Patients were stratified into good (G), intermediate (I), and poor (P) prognostic groups. Results: A total of 168 patients were included (130 men and 38 women, mean age 64.3 years). ICI use in the first- or second-line treatment was 65% and 35%, respectively. Fifteen (9%) patients showed complete response (CR), 50 (30%) showed partial response (PR), 39 (22%) had stable disease (SD), 45 (28%) had progressive disease (PD), and 19 (11%) were not evaluated (NE). Patients with good prognostic LIPI (dNLR < 3 and normal LDH levels) showed a better response. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 19 months in G, 6 months in I, and 2 months in P. Overall survival (OS) was 27 months in G, 8 months in I, and 3 months in P. One hundred fourteen patients died (56% G, 76% I, 93% P). Patients with adenocarcinoma were 116 (77 with irAEs G1-4 (13 CR, 31 PR, 21 SD, eight PD, and four NE)), and without were 39 (three PR, six SD, 21 PD, and nine NE). Fifty-two patients had squamous carcinoma (27 with irAEs G1-4 (two CR, 12 PR, nine SD, and four PD)), and 25 did not (four PR, three SD, 12 PD, and six NE)). IrAEs appearance was observed in longer PFS (19 vs. 2 months) and OS (27 vs. 4 months; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: LIPI was a positive predictor of response to ICI. The presence of irAEs is associated with a better immune response. In contrast, the absence of toxicity predicted a worse prognosis.