Efficacy of pemetrexed combined with erlotinib/gefitinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients during tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed combined with erlotinib/gefitinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients during tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI) treatment. Methods Thirty-two patients with advanced NSCLC were divided into two groups. Patients in the control group received continuous daily epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFRTKI) treatment, and patients in the experimental group received continuous daily EGFR-TKI along with pemetrexed treatment, which was administered on day 1 at 500 mg/m2. Erlotinib(150 mg) or gefitinib(250 mg) was administered daily from day 1 to day 21, with a cycle of every 21 days. Dexamethasone, folic acid, and vitamin B12 were also administered during the treatment. The endpoint of the primary study was the disease control rate. Results The objective response rate was 21.9%(95% CI: 7.6% to 36.3%) in the control group, whereas the disease control rate was 84.4%(95% CI: 71.8% to 97.0%) in the experimental group. The median progression-free survival was 6.2(95% CI: 2.4 to 10.0). Grades 3 or 4 adverse effects of leucopenia(15.6%), neutropenia(12.5%), anemia(3.1%), and nausea or vomiting(3.1%) were found in the experimental group.Conclusion The administration of pemetrexed combined with erlotinib or gefitinib showed a higher efficacy in TKI-resistant NSCLC patients. Further, the adverse effects of this drug combination were well tolerated by the patients. Pemetrexed combined with TKI treatment might provide a satisfactory therapeutic strategy for advanced NSCLC patients after TKI treatment.

Pemetrexed Monotherapy and Pemetrexed Plus Platinum Combination Therapy as Non-First-Line Treatments for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVE Data on the efficacy profiles of pemetrexed mono- therapy and pemetrexed plus platinum combination therapy in the non-first-line setting for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） are limited, and previous studies have reported contradictory results. This study investigated and compared the efficacy and toxicity profiles of these two regimens to provide a broader understanding of their dynamics. METHODS Previously treated patients with advanced and/or recurrent NSCLC who received pemetrexed monotherapy or peme- trexed plus platinum combination therapy between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2009, at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were evaluated. The primary endpoint of this study was progres- sion-free survival （PFS）, whereas the secondary endpoints were overall response rate （ORR）, disease control rate （DCR）, overall survival （OS）, and toxicity. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan- Meier method. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the factors potentially influencing OS, and chi-square analysis was carried out to compare ORR and DCR. RESULTS Forty-six patients with advanced and/or recurrent NSCLC were analyzed; of these patients, 25 were given pemetrexed monotherapy and 21 received pemetrexed plus platinum combina- tion therapy. The following correspond to the rates recorded for the pemetrexed monotherapy group and the pemetrexed plus platinum group： median PFS, 1.97 and 2.3 months （P=0.565）; median OS, 30.93 and 30.33 months （P=0.877）; ORR, 8% （2/25） and 9.5% （2/21） （P=0.857）; and DCR, 32% （8/25） and 57.1% （12/21） （P=0.09）. Univariate analysis revealed that no factor was correlated with OS from NSCLC （P〉0.05 for all）. Gastrointestinal toxicity in the pemetrexed plus platinum group was modestly higher than that in the pemetrexed monotherapy group （P=0.034）, but other adverse events were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION Compared with pemetrexed monotherapy, peme- trexed plus platinum combination therapy causes more gastro- intestinal toxicities and does not exhibit improved efficacy, in terms of ORR, DCR, PFS, and OS, in the non-first-line setting for NSCLC. However, further research with a higher patient population is necessary to validate this finding.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Atezolizumab plus Pemetrexed and Platinum in First-Line Treatment of Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in China

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of atezolizumab plus pemetrexed and platinum-based (APP) in the first-line treatment of non-squamous non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A partitioned survival model (PSM) was constructed based on the IMpower132 clinical trial. Total cost, quality- adjusted life years (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were the main outputs of the model. Deterministic sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were adopted to test the uncertainty of the parameters. Results: The results of the base-case analysis illustrated that compared with PP, the incremental cost of APP was CNY 591040.94, the incremental utility was 0.46 QALY, and the ICER was CNY 1291414.83/QALY. Deterministic sensitivity analysis results illustrated that atezolizumab and other parameters have a greater impact on ICER. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis results show that no matter how each parameter changes, under the willingness to pay threshold of 3-times Chinese per capita GDP, the probability of APP has cost-effectiveness is 0. Conclusion: From the perspective of the Chinese health system, APP is not cost-effective for first-line treatment of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer without sensitizing EGFR or ALK genetic alterations.

First-line pemetrexed-platinum doublet chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: A real-world propensity score-matched study in China

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of first-line bevacizumab(Bev)-containing pemetrexedplatinum chemotherapy in a real-world Chinese cohort with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer(NS-NSCLC).Methods: A total of 415 eligible patients with NS-NSCLC who received first-line pemetrexed-platinum chemotherapy at National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between February 2010 and September 2017 were reviewed retrospectively: 309 Bev(-) and 106 Bev(+) cases. Bev was administered at 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks in the Bev(+) group. To reduce the risk of a selection bias, a propensity score-matching(PSM) was conducted and 105 pairs of Bev(-) and Bev(+) cases were identified.Results: The median duration of follow-up was 15.8 months. The median progression-free survival(PFS) was prolonged significantly in the Bev(+) group than in the Bev(-) group in overall(9.8 vs. 7.8 months, P=0.006) and PSM pairs(9.8 vs. 6.6 months, P<0.001). Moreover, patients receiving maintenance therapy with pemetrexed plus Bev had longer PFS than those interrupted after induction chemotherapy, or those receiving mono-maintenance with pemetrexed(12.3 vs. 4.8 vs. 8.6 months;P<0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed Bev to be one of the favorable prognostic factors for PFS, along with the predictor of maintenance therapy.Conclusions: First-line induction and maintenance therapy with Bev(7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks) combined with pemetrexed-platinum chemotherapy was efficacious and superior to non-Bev chemotherapy in Chinese patients with advanced NS-NSCLC.

Phase II Study of Carboplatin and Pemetrexed Followed by Gefitinib for Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring Sensitive EGFR Mutation

We conducted a phase II study of combination chemotherapy with carboplatin (Cb) and pemetrexed (Pem) followed by gefitinib (Gef) to determine the effects and toxicities in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring sensitive EGFR mutation. Eligible patients received four courses of Cb at a dose corresponding to a target area under the curve equal to 6 mg/mL·min and 500 mg/m2 Pem on day 1 every three to four weeks followed by sequential Gef 250 mg once a day until tumor progression. Sixteen of registered 28 patients responded to Cb and Pem combination. Twenty-seven patients received sequential Gef and 8 non-responders to Cb and Pem achieved PR. The overall response rate was 85.7%. Among the major toxicities, grade 3 SGPT elevation, nausea and thrombosis were observed in 3, 3 and 1 patients, respectively, who received Cb and Pem, and grade 3 SGPT elevation and dry skin were observed in 5 and 1 patients, respectively, who received Gef. There was no febrile neutropenia and no treatment-related death. The median progression-free survival time was 19.1 months. Among 21 patients who were followed up for more than 2 years, 14 survived during that time. Cb and Pem followed by Gef maintenance are recommended for further evaluation for patients with metastatic NSCLC harboring sensitive EGFR mutation.

Predictive Factors of Severe Toxicities of Pemetrexed-Containing Chemotherapy in Patients with Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Pemetrexed (PEM) is an efficacious multi-targeted antifolate with acceptable toxicities for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (non-Sq NSCLC). However, in the clinical setting, PEM has more severe adverse effects than those reported. The aim of this study was to identify the factors for the toxicities of PEM-containing chemotherapy in non-Sq NSCLC patients in the clinical setting. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the factors related to PEM toxicities in chemotherapy-naive patients with non-Sq NSCLC from September 2009 to July 2013 at our hospital. Logistic regression model was used in the univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: In total, 104 patients were analyzed. Grades 3 to 5 hematologic toxicities were frequent and included neutropenia (42%), febrile neutropenia (7%), anemia (18%), thrombocytopenia (17%), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (2%). On multivariate analyses, the predictors were poor performance status (PS) [odds ratio (OR): 4.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22 - 19.4] and low body mass index (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.05 - 1.98) for febrile neutropenia;concomitant chronic infectious disease (OR: 6.63, 95% CI: 1.59 - 27.5) and bevacizumab use (OR: 3.57, 95% CI: 1.36 - 9.32) for neutropenia;poor PS (OR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.33 - 6.85) for thrombocytopenia;and low serum albumin level (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08 - 0.63) for non-hematologic toxicities. Conclusions: In addition to the previously reported predictors of PEM toxicities, the presence of concomitant chronic infectious disease was associated with hematologic toxicities. Patient groups who are not sufficiently evaluated in clinical trials should be carefully monitored for the development of more toxicities than expected.

Imbalance of Circulating Follicular Regulatory and Follicular Helper T Cell Subpopulations Is Associated with Disease Progression and Serum CYFRA 21-1 Levels in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective This study aimed to investigate the changes of follicular helper T(TFH)and follicular regulatory T(TFR)cell subpopulations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and their significance.Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 58 NSCLC patients at different stages and 38 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to detect TFH cell subpopulation based on programmed death 1(PD-1)and inducible co-stimulator(ICOS),and TFR cell subpopulation based on cluster determinant 45RA(CD45RA)and forkhead box protein P3(FoxP3).The levels of interleukin-10(IL-10),interleukin-17a(IL-17a),interleukin-21(IL-21),and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)in the plasma were measured,and changes in circulating B cell subsets and plasma IgG levels were also analyzed.The correlation between serum cytokeratin fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA 21-1)levels and TFH,TFR,or B cell subpopulations was further explored.Results The TFR/TFH ratio increased significantly in NSCLC patients.The CD45RA^(+)FoxP3^(int) TFR subsets were increased,with their proportions increasing in stages Ⅱ to Ⅲ and decreasing in stage IV.PD-1^(+)ICOS+TFH cells showed a downward trend with increasing stages.Plasma IL-21 and TGF-β concentrations were increased in NSCLC patients compared with healthy controls.Plasmablasts,plasma IgG levels,and CD45RA^(+)FoxP3^(int) TFR cells showed similar trends.TFH numbers and plasmablasts were positively correlated with CYFRA 21-1 in stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ and negatively correlated with CYFRA 21-1 in stage IV.Conclusion Circulating TFH and TFR cell subpopulations and plasmablasts dynamically change in different stages of NSCLC,which is associated with serum CYFRA 21-1 levels and reflects disease progression.

Effects of Pemetrexed and Docetaxel Combined with Cisplatin in the Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical effects of pemetrexed and docetaxel combined with cisplatin in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.A total of 58 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who were enrolled between January 2017 and January 2018 were enlisted into a randomized digital table.29 patients who have received treatment with combined pemetrexed and cisplatin were assigned to the pemetrexed group,whereas for the other 29 patients which were treated with docetaxel and cisplatin combined,were assigned to the docetaxel group to verify the calculated clinical treatment efficiency of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer,soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(SVCAM-1),and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule-1(alCAM-1)concentrations and to evaluate the quality of life scores of the patients after half a year as well as the incidences of adverse reactions following the treatments provided.The differences in SVCAM-1 and alCAM-1 concentrations and incidence of adverse reactions in patients with non-small cell lung cancer in the docetaxel group as compared with patients in the pemetrexed group after the treatments were statistically significant(P<0.05)where the calculations were performed with data sets gathered from and between the two groups.In addition,SVCAM-1 and alCAM-1 concentrations in patients in both pemetrexed group and docetaxel group demonstrated significant differences in concentrations before and after the treatments were provided,P<0.05.The comparative studies of the effects of the treatments on the quality of life scores and clinical treatment efficiency between the two groups after half a year,P>0.05,demonstrated no analytical significance.Both pemetrexed combined with cisplatin and docetaxel in combination with cisplatin as forms of treatments demonstrated significant effects in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.However,based on our study,it was found that the combined treatment involving pemetrexed and cisplatin can further reduce adverse reactions and thus is worthy of clinical application.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery

BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the clinical outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)in the perioperative period in elderly patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer(NSCLC).AIM To investigate the potential enhancement of video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS)in postoperative recovery in elderly patients with NSCLC.METHODS We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 85 elderly NSCLC patients who underwent ERAS(the ERAS group)and 327 elderly NSCLC patients who received routine care(the control group)after VATS at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital between May 2015 and April 2017.After propensity score matching of baseline data,we analysed the postoperative stay,total hospital expenses,postoperative 48-h pain score,and postoperative complication rate for the 2 groups of patients who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection.RESULTS After propensity score matching,ERAS significantly reduced the postoperative hospital stay(6.96±4.16 vs 8.48±4.18 d,P=0.001)and total hospital expenses(48875.27±18437.5 vs 55497.64±21168.63 CNY,P=0.014)and improved the satisfaction score(79.8±7.55 vs 77.35±7.72,P=0.029)relative to those for routine care.No significant between-group difference was observed in postoperative 48-h pain score(4.68±1.69 vs 5.28±2.1,P=0.090)or postoperative complication rate(21.2%vs 27.1%,P=0.371).Subgroup analysis showed that ERAS significantly reduced the postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses and increased the satisfaction score of patients who underwent lobectomy but not of patients who underwent sublobar resection.CONCLUSION ERAS effectively reduced the postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses and improved the satisfaction score in the perioperative period for elderly NSCLC patients who underwent lobectomy but not for patients who underwent sublobar resection.

Effect of Pemetrexed combined with cis-platinum chemotherapy on matrix metalloproteinase VEGF, NK cells and immune function in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Objective:To explore effect of Pemetrexed combined with cis-platinum chemotherapy on matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), vascular esandothelial growth factor (VEGF), NK cells and immune function in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.Method:A total of86 cases of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients were divided into control group (n=44) and observation group (n=42), control group was given docetaxel combined cis-platinum chemotherapy, pemetrexed combined cis-platinum chemotherapy, was applied for observation group. Compared MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF, NK cells and immune function level before and after treatment in both groups.Results: MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF, NK cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ level in both groups before treatment was no significant difference. After treatment, MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF, CD8+level in both groups was significant lower than before treatment intra-group, and observation was lower than control group, there was significant difference. After treatment, NK cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ level in both groups was increased dramatically than before treatment of intra-group, moreover, NK cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+level in observation group after treatment was obvious higher than in control group after treatment, there was significant difference.Conclusion:Pemetrexed combined with cis-platinum chemotherapy for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer could effectively decrease serum MMPs, VEGF level and increase NK cell level, regulate immune function, with definite clinical significance.

Pharmacoeconomic Study on the Treatment of Terminal Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Icotinib and Pemetrexed Combined with Cisplatin

Objective To provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment of patients with terminal non-small cell lung cancer through the analysis of the cost and adverse reactions of the joint treatment of icotinib and pemetrexed combined with cisplatin.Methods The clinical data of the patients diagnosed with terminal non-small cell lung cancer were collected and analyzed according to different drug administration schedules(n=53 of each group).The efficacy,cost and adverse reactions were evaluated respectively,aiming to provide the pharmacoeconomic evidence for the clinical applications.Results and Conclusion There was no significant difference between the efficacy of the icotinib group and the pemetrexed combined with cisplatin group,but the cost of the icotinib group was much lower,and the adverse reactions such as leukopenia,anemia,vomiting and nausea were far fewer than those in the pemetrexed combined cisplatin group.Although the two methods have similar therapeutic effects,the icotinib group has lower cost and fewer adverse reactions.Thus,from the perspective of pharmacoeconomics,icotinib has its advantage over the traditional regimen on the treatment of terminal non-small cell lung cancer.

Final Results of a Phase II Study of Bevacizumab, Cisplatin and Pemetrexed as First-Line Therapy for Patients with Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Efficacy and safety data for cisplatin and pemetrexed plus bevacizumabinnon squamousnon non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are still limited. Nevertheless, either bevacizumab plus platinum doublet or pemetrexed plus platinum is approved options for first line therapy. Predictive factors for bevacizumab are needed. KRAS is one of the most common oncogenic drivers in lung cancer. Its prognostic and predictive value in NSCLC is under investigation. Patients and methods: This trial evaluates the addition of bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg to cisplatin 75 mg/m2 plus pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 as first line treatment in stage IV non-squamous NSCLC patients. Maintenance bevacizumab was received as monotherapy until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicityor consent with drawal. The primary objective was progression free survival (PFS). Secondary objectives included overall survival (OS), safety, global objective responses and the determination of KRAS mutation at baseline. Results: From March 2009 to March 2012, 31 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 59.19 (standard deviation (SD) 8.53). From all the patients included in this trial, 67.70% were men. KRAS was wild type in 19 patients (58.06%);in 7 (22.58%) was mutated and was unknown in 6 patients (19.35%). Median PFS for KRAS mutated patients was 4 months, whereas for the KRAS wild type it was 7.9 months (P = 0.0031). Median OS was 4 months for the KRAS population, and 16.1 months for the KRAS wild type (P = 0.0032). Twenty four patients (77.42%) experienced at least a grade 3 - 4 adverse event. The most common grade 3 - 4 toxicity was asthenia. Conclusions: Both PFS and OS were statistically longer for the KRAS wild type patients compared with the KRAS mutated population (P = 0.0031). Median OS was shorter than the reported in previous trials with bevacizumab. Nevertheless, focussing on the OS for KRAS wild type patients, this achieves a result or 16.1 months. Therefore, this would be a consistent data supporting to qualify this parameter as a predictive factor before starting treatment for NSCLC.

Clinical and molecular significance of homologous recombination deficiency positive non-small cell lung cancer in Chinese population:An integrated genomic and transcriptional analysis

Objective:The clinical significance of homologous recombination deficiency(HRD)in breast cancer,ovarian cancer,and prostate cancer has been established,but the value of HRD in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)has not been fully investigated.This study aimed to systematically analyze the HRD status of untreated NSCLC and its relationship with patient prognosis to further guide clinical care.Methods:A total of 355 treatment-naïve NSCLC patients were retrospectively enrolled.HRD status was assessed using the AmoyDx Genomic Scar Score(GSS),with a score of≥50 considered HRD-positive.Genomic,transcriptomic,tumor microenvironmental characteristics and prognosis between HRD-positive and HRDnegative patients were analyzed.Results:Of the patients,25.1%(89/355)were HRD-positive.Compared to HRD-negative patients,HRDpositive patients had more somatic pathogenic homologous recombination repair(HRR)mutations,higher tumor mutation burden(TMB)(P<0.001),and fewer driver gene mutations(P<0.001).Furthermore,HRD-positive NSCLC had more amplifications in PI3K pathway and cell cycle genes,MET and MYC in epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)/anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK)mutant NSCLC,and more PIK3CA and AURKA in EGFR/ALK wild-type NSCLC.HRD-positive NSCLC displayed higher tumor proliferation and immunosuppression activity.HRD-negative NSCLC showed activated signatures of major histocompatibility complex(MHC)-II,interferon(IFN)-γand effector memory CD8+T cells.HRD-positive patients had a worse prognosis and shorter progressionfree survival(PFS)to targeted therapy(first-and third-generation EGFR-TKIs)(P=0.042).Additionally,HRDpositive,EGFR/ALK wild-type patients showed a numerically lower response to platinum-free immunotherapy regimens.Conclusions:Unique genomic and transcriptional characteristics were found in HRD-positive NSCLC.Poor prognosis and poor response to EGFR-TKIs and immunotherapy were observed in HRD-positive NSCLC.This study highlights potential actionable alterations in HRD-positive NSCLC,suggesting possible combinational therapeutic strategies for these patients.

IMpower210:A phase Ⅲ study of second-line atezolizumab vs. docetaxel in East Asian patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: IMpower210(NCT02813785) explored the efficacy and safety of single-agent atezolizumab vs.docetaxel as second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) in East Asian patients.Methods: Key eligibility criteria for this phase Ⅲ, open-label, randomized study included age ≥18 years;histologically documented advanced NSCLC per the Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system(7th edition);Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1;and disease progression following platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either atezolizumab(1,200 mg) or docetaxel(75 mg/m^(2)). The primary study endpoint was overall survival(OS) in the intention-to-treat(ITT) population with wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor expression(ITT EGFR-WT) and in the overall ITT population.Results: Median OS in the ITT EGFR-WT population(n=467) was 12.3 [95% confidence interval(95% CI),10.3-13.8] months in the atezolizumab arm(n=312) and 9.9(95% CI, 7.8-13.9) months in the docetaxel arm[n=155;stratified hazard ratio(HR), 0.82;95% CI, 0.66-1.03]. Median OS in the overall ITT population was 12.5(95% CI, 10.8-13.8) months with atezolizumab treatment and 11.1(95% CI, 8.4-14.2) months(n=377) with docetaxel treatment(n=188;stratified HR, 0.87;95% CI, 0.71-1.08). Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs) occurred in 18.4% of patients in the atezolizumab arm and 50.0% of patients in the docetaxel arm.Conclusions: IMpower210 did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint of OS in the ITT EGFR-WT or overall ITT populations. Atezolizumab was comparatively more tolerable than docetaxel, with a lower incidence of grade3/4 TRAEs.

Efficacy and safety of dacomitinib as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor 21L858R mutation:A multicenter,case-series study in China

Objective:To provide real-world evidence for the application of first-line dacomitinib treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)21L858R mutant non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients in China and to explore the factors influencing the efficacy and safety.Methods:A longitudinal,consecutive case-series,multicenter study with mixed prospective and retrospective data was conducted.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS),and the secondary endpoints included duration of treatment(DOT),overall survival(OS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR)and safety.Results:A total of 155 EGFR 21L858R mutant patients treated with first-line dacomitinib were included.The median follow-up time for these patients was 20.4 months.Among 134 patients with evaluable lesions,the ORR was 70.9%and the DCR was 96.3%.The median PFS was 16.3[95%confidence interval(95%CI),13.7−18.9]months.Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that the baseline brain metastasis(BM)status[with vs.without BM:hazard ratio(HR),1.331;95%CI,0.720−2.458;P=0.361]and initial doses(45 mg vs.30 mg:HR,0.837;95%CI,0.427−1.641;P=0.604)did not significantly affect the median PFS.The median DOT was 21.0(95%CI,17.5−24.6)months and the median OS was not reached.Genetic tests were performed in 64 patients after progression,among whom 29(45.3%)patients developed the EGFR 20T790M mutation.In addition,among the 46 patients who discontinued dacomitinib treatment after progression,31(67.4%)patients received subsequent third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.The most common grade 3−4 adverse events were rash(10.4%),diarrhea(9.1%),stomatitis(7.1%)and paronychia(4.5%).The incidence of grade 3−4 rash was significantly higher in the 45 mg group than that in the 30 mg group(21.9%vs.7.5%,P=0.042).Conclusions:First-line dacomitinib treatment demonstrated promising efficacy and tolerable adverse events among EGFR 21L858R mutant NSCLC patients in China.

Physical exercise reverses immuno-cold tumor microenvironment via inhibiting SQLE in non-small cell lung cancer

Dear Editor,Physical exercise has been shown to be associated with reduced cancer incidence and cancer-associated mortality[1,2],but the underlying mechanisms are obscure.Immunometabolic regulation has emerged as one of the most prominent mechanisms explaining the effects of exercise on cancer[1,2].Physical exercise primarily lowers blood cholesterol and triglycerides,and protects against cardiovascular diseases[3].However,whether physical exercise can modulate cholesterol metabolism in tumor cells is currently unknown.

Machine learning based on metabolomics unveils neutrophil extracellular trap-related metabolic signatures in non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing chemoimmunotherapy

BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)is the primary form of lung cancer,and the combination of chemotherapy with immunotherapy offers promising treatment options for patients suffering from this disease.However,the emergence of drug resistance significantly limits the effectiveness of these therapeutic strategies.Consequently,it is imperative to devise methods for accurately detecting and evaluating the efficacy of these treatments.AIM To identify the metabolic signatures associated with neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)and chemoimmunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC patients.METHODS In total,159 NSCLC patients undergoing first-line chemoimmunotherapy were enrolled.We first investigated the characteristics influencing clinical efficacy.Circulating levels of NETs and cytokines were measured by commercial kits.Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry quantified plasma metabolites,and differential metabolites were identified.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,support vector machine-recursive feature elimination,and random forest algorithms were employed.By using plasma metabolic profiles and machine learning algorithms,predictive metabolic signatures were established.RESULTS First,the levels of circulating interleukin-8,neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,and NETs were closely related to poor efficacy of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Patients were classed into a low NET group or a high NET group.A total of 54 differential plasma metabolites were identified.These metabolites were primarily involved in arachidonic acid and purine metabolism.Three key metabolites were identified as crucial variables,including 8,9-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid,L-malate,and bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate(18:1/16:0).Using metabolomic sequencing data and machine learning methods,key metabolic signatures were screened to predict NET level as well as chemoimmunotherapy efficacy.CONCLUSION The identified metabolic signatures may effectively distinguish NET levels and predict clinical benefit from chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC patients.

Stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer with multiple metastases to the small intestine leading to intussusception: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal tract metastasis from lung cancer is rare and compared to small cell lung cancer(SCLC),non-SCLC(NSCLC)is even less likely to metastasize in this manner.Additionally,small intestinal tumors can also present with diverse complications,some of which require urgent intervention.CASE SUMMARY In this report,we detail a unique case of stage IV lung cancer,where the presence of small intestine tumors led to intussusception.Subsequent to a small intestine resection,pathology confirmed that all three tumors within the small intestine were metastases from adenocarcinoma of the lung.The postoperative follow-up period extended beyond 14 mo.CONCLUSION In patients with stage IV NSCLC,local tumor control can be achieved with various treatments.However,if small intestinal metastasis occurs,surgical intervention remains necessary,as it may improve survival.

Research progress on dynamic monitoring of ctDNA and drug resistance related concomitant mutations in non-small cell lung cancer

Owing to significantly prolonged survival,targeted therapy has become standardized recommendation for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with mutated driver genes.However,the genetic status of lung cancer patients is dynamic.By dynamically monitoring the evolution of genes status,differential genes and concomitant genes related to progressive disease could be confirmed early,so as to achieve a more accurate and comprehensive insight of the whole process management of targeted therapy for lung cancer patients.Under the guidance of accurate genetic testing results,it is helpful to provide patients with more effective,long-term,and stable individualized targeted therapy.

Correlation between pre-anesthesia anxiety and emergence agitation in non-small cell lung cancer surgery patients

BACKGROUND Preoperative anxiety is a common emotional problem during the perioperative period and may adversely affect postoperative recovery.Emergence agitation(EA)is a common complication of general anesthesia that may increase patient discomfort and hospital stay and may be associated with the development of postoperative complications.Pre-anesthetic anxiety may be associated with the development of EA,but studies in this area are lacking.AIM To determine the relationship between pre-anesthetic anxiety and EA after radical surgery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).METHODS Eighty patients with NSCLC undergoing surgical treatment between June 2020 and June 2023 were conveniently sampled.We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale’s(HADS)anxiety subscale(HADS-A)to determine patients’anxiety at four time points(T1-T4):Patients’preoperative visit,waiting period in the surgical waiting room,after entering the operating room,and before anesthesia induction,respectively.The Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale(RSAS)examined EA after surgery.Scatter plots of HADS-A and RSAS scores assessed the correlation between patients’pre-anesthesia anxiety status and EA.We performed a partial correlation analysis of HADS-A scores with RSAS scores.RESULTS NSCLC patients’HADS-A scores gradually increased at the four time points:7.33±2.03 at T1,7.99±2.22 at T2,8.05±2.81 at T3,and 8.36±4.17 at T4.The patients’postoperative RSAS score was 4.49±1.18,and 27 patients scored≥5,indicating that 33.75%patients had EA.HADS-A scores at T3 and T4 were significantly higher in patients with EA(9.67±3.02 vs 7.23±2.31,12.56±4.10 vs 6.23±2.05,P<0.001).Scatter plots showed the highest correlation between HADS-A and RSAS scores at T3 and T4.Partial correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between HADS-A and RSAS scores at T3 and T4(r=0.296,0.314,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Agitation during anesthesia recovery in patients undergoing radical resection for NSCLC correlated with anxiety at the time of entering the operating room and before anesthesia induction.