[Palliative aspects in pulmonary oncology].

Palliative medicine is an essential part in the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC. A structured palliative approach beginning from diagnoses improves quality of life and maybe even prolong survival. Besides symptom control, the disease trajectory and prognosis should regularly be re-evaluated and discussed with the patient and his loved ones.

Comparative evaluation of PD-L1 expression in cytology imprints, circulating tumour cells and tumour tissue in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Alternative sources of tumour information need to be explored in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we compared programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on cytology imprints and circulating tumour cells (CTCs) with PD-L1 tumour proportion score (TPS) from immunohistochemistry staining of tumour tissue from patients with NSCLC. We evaluated PD-L1 expression using a PD-L1 antibody (28-8) in representative cytology imprints, and tissue samples from the same tumour.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Non-metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Chance for Cure?

Immune checkpoint inhibition of programmed-death receptor 1 (PD-1) or its ligand (PD-L1) has become a standard in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, either as monotherapy or in combination. Recently, it could be shown that immunotherapy works as consolidation after chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced disease if the tumours express PD-L1. A significant and meaningful survival benefit for consolidation with durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy compared to chemoradiotherapy alone was observed in the PACIFIC trial.

Immune checkpoint blockade in small cell lung cancer.

Despite the highly immunogenic potential of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), progress in evaluating the therapeutic value of immune checkpoint agents has lagged behind that of non-small cell lung cancer. Results from a number of phase I-III clinical trials that specifically address the use of anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 agents in SCLC have now been reported. This review will focus on the available evidence for immune checkpoint blockade in SCLC and review current biomarker strategies with the aim of providing perspective and interpretation of this data for clinical practice.

Comparison of PD-L1 expression between paired cytologic and histologic specimens from non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Expression of programmed death ligand 1 assessed on histologic samples is a confirmed predictive biomarker for anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, but its evaluation is not approved for immunocytochemistry. We investigated if PD-L1 expression shows comparable results on paired cytologic and histologic tumor specimens and interobserver variability. Percentage of PD-L1-positive tumor cells of 247 paired samples of non-small cell lung cancer was evaluated by three independent investigators.

Redefining Treatment Paradigms in First-line Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer is still a devastating disease; however, treatment options have diversified dramatically in the past two decades. From unselected platinum-based chemotherapy for all patients, several different treatment groups have evolved, that is, those with "druggable" targets, those with a promising immune signature, and those without any predicting factors outlined in this article. Challenge includes the intersections between these groups and the optimal treatment path.

[Rebiopsy for Patients with Lung Cancer - Joint Opinion from both the Endoscopic and Thoracic Oncology Sections of the German Society of Pneumology (DGP)].

Performing rebiopsies for primary lung cancer and/or their metastases is becoming more and more prominent in daily practice, as the therapeutical spectrum increases and some newer strategies are dependent on immunohistochemical and/or molecular factors. In general, nearly all recurrent lesions or metastases can be reached. However, frequently invasive procedures are necessary with the need to carefully weigh risks and benefits of rebiopsies for the patient in each case.

Crizotinib.

Crizotinib is an ATP-competitive small-molecule inhibitor of the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) C-Met, ALK and ROS1. There is a robust effectiveness in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring EML4-ALK-rearrangements resulting in constitutional activation of the ALK-RTK. The drug is approved for this entity, which represents no more than 3-5% of all NSCLC.

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer: the role of PD-L1 inhibitors.

PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitors were both developed to combat a huge array of cancers. Both classes of agents block the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Unlike PD-1 inhibitors, PD-L1 inhibitors do also block the B-7.

[Lung cancer : What has been confirmed in therapy?].

Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer has now been subdivided into several subtypes. The five basic principles of treatment include chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and early palliative care. The latter should be implemented for all patients with metastatic lung cancer.

Efficacy and Safety of Nintedanib Plus Docetaxel in Patients with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma: Complementary and Exploratory Analyses of the Phase III LUME-Lung 1 Study.

Background: Nintedanib is a triple angiokinase inhibitor approved with docetaxel for adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer after first-line chemotherapy (FLT). In the phase III LUME-Lung 1 study, overall survival (OS) was significantly longer with nintedanib/docetaxel than with placebo/docetaxel in all adenocarcinoma patients and those with time from start of FLT (TSFLT) <9 months.

Objective: This study sought to extend analyses from the LUME-Lung 1 study, specifically for adenocarcinoma patients, to explore the impact of clinically relevant characteristics on outcomes such as time to progression after FLT.

[Chemotherapy in the Elderly with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Non-Interventional, Prospective, Multicentric Observational Study].

 Elderly patients (70 years or older) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) do benefit from systemic chemotherapy as shown in many studies. We prospectively collected multicentric data on therapeutic decisions from patients 70 years or older to reflect the reality in the German health care system.  Patients 70 years or older with NSCLC Stage IIIB or IV were eligible.

Second-Line Treatment Selection in Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer of Adenocarcinoma Histology: Findings From a European Survey of Treating Physicians.

Background: Guidelines provide treatment recommendations for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but physicians must also consider other factors. We surveyed physicians treating NSCLC to determine their therapy goals, drivers of treatment choice, current prescribing behavior, and therapy expectations.

Materials And Methods: In 2015, an online survey was conducted of 500 pulmonologists/oncologists treating lung adenocarcinoma in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, comprising screening and therapy decision questions.

[Targeted therapy and precision medicine : More than just words in the treatment of lung cancer].

Between 10 and 15 % of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) proliferate due to the presence of a so-called driver mutation. This molecular alteration allows the cancer to continue to proliferate and can be deliberately inhibited. In addition to mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) and translocations between the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 gene (EML 4) and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene (ALK), this applies to ROS1 gene translocations.

Measurement of quality of life in second-line patients with advanced NSCLC without targetable mutations: a review.

Quality of life (QoL) is important to cancer patients and is increasingly included as a trial end point. The methodologies/findings of randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of second-line treatments approved for use in the EU in patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC, without known targetable mutations, were evaluated. Seven trials were identified; five compared active treatments and two compared active treatment to placebo.

Immunotherapy for small-cell lung cancer: emerging evidence.

Treatment for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has changed little over the past few decades; available therapies have failed to extend survival in advanced disease. In recent years, immunotherapy with treatments such as interferons, TNFs, vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors has advanced and shown promise in the treatment of several tumor types. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, durvalumab, tremelimumab and ulocuplumab are at the forefront of immunotherapy and have achieved approvals for certain cancer types, including melanoma (ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab), non-SCLC (nivolumab and pembrolizumab) and renal cell carcinoma (nivolumab).

Afatinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring Uncommon EGFR Mutations Pretreated With Reversible EGFR Inhibitors.

Background: Afatinib, an irreversible ErbB family blocker, is approved for treatment of patients with previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Efficacy of afatinib in EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor-naïve (TKI-naïve) patients with uncommon EGFR mutations (other than exon 19 deletions or exon 21 point mutations) has been reported; however, efficacy in TKI-pretreated patients with uncommon EGFR mutations is unknown.

Materials And Methods: In the afatinib compassionate use program (CUP), patients with advanced or metastatic, histologically confirmed NSCLC progressing after at least one line of chemotherapy and one line of EGFR-TKI treatment were enrolled.

Targeting of MEK in lung cancer therapeutics.

The MAP-kinase pathway, consisting of the kinases RAS, RAF, MEK, and ERK, is crucial for cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and migration of cells. Direct inhibition of RAS is not yet possible, whereas inhibition of RAF is already established in malignant melanoma and under investigation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Due to their structure and function, the MEK proteins are attractive targets for cancer therapy and are also under investigation in NSCLC.

[Non-small cell lung cancer: news from immunotherapy].

Immune evasion is recognized as a key strategy for survival and progression of several cancer entities including non-small cell lung cancer. Hence, various approaches to restore anti-tumor immune responses are currently investigated. In particular, agents targeting immune checkpoint receptors, such as the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 receptor and programmed death-1 receptor have shown promise in early clinical trials.

Novel angiogenesis inhibitors in nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The fact that growth and spread of tumours are dependent on angiogenesis has led to the investigation of the role of antiangiogenic agents in the therapeutic strategies for thoracic tumours such as nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This review summarizes and evaluates the recent developments in this field.

Recent Findings: Bevacizumab, an antivascular endothelial growth factor antibody, has been approved for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC of nonsquamous histology in combination with a platinum-containing chemotherapy.

[A reduced TKI dosage is not associated with loss of activity in EGFR mutated NSCLC patients].

Background: Patients treated with anti-EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) may receive dose reduction due to toxicity; however, the impact on treatment efficacy and patient outcome remains unknown.

Patients And Methods: Patients with stage IV NSCLC harbouring EGFR mutations and treated at our institution were retrospectively analyzed for treatment with TKI in 2012 or later.

Results: Thirty patients with EGFR mutated adenocarcinoma were identified meeting the inclusion criteria.