The role of anti-EGFR therapies in EGFR-TKI-resistant advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are the current recommended option for the first-line treatment of patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Resistance to first-generation TKIs led to the development of second- and third-generation TKIs with improved clinical outcomes. However, sequential administration of TKIs has led to the emergence of new EGFR resistance mutations and persistent tumor cell survival.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors as adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of the review is to summarize the current status of immune checkpoint inhibitors as adjuvant therapy in patients with resected nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Recent Findings: The IMpower010 phase 3 trial demonstrated improved disease-free survival and, in case of PD-L1 at least 50%, also improved overall survival for atezolizumab compared to best supportive care among patients with completely resected stage II-IIIA NSCLC. The PEARLS/KEYNOTE-091 trial showed increased disease-free survival for pembrolizumab among patients with stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.

Clinical insights into small cell lung cancer: Tumor heterogeneity, diagnosis, therapy, and future directions.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by rapid growth and high metastatic capacity. It has strong epidemiologic and biologic links to tobacco carcinogens. Although the majority of SCLCs exhibit neuroendocrine features, an important subset of tumors lacks these properties.

The cancer survival index-A prognostic score integrating psychosocial and biological factors in patients diagnosed with cancer or haematologic malignancies.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether (1) psychological and social indicators influence survival in patients diagnosed with cancer or haematologic malignancies when important biological aspects are controlled for, (2) psychological, social and biological indicators can be utilised to design one collated index for survival, usable in clinical practice to identify patients at risk of shorter survival and to improve personalised healthcare provision.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2263 patients with cancer or haematologic malignancies participated. We analysed 15 biological, psychological and social indicators as risk factors for survival with a Cox proportional hazards model.

Immunotherapy combinations in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of the review is to summarize immunotherapy combinations in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Recent Findings: First-line platinum-based chemotherapy plus an immune checkpoint inhibitor has improved progression-free and overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced NSCLC. Although the benefits appear to increase with higher programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, patients with low PD-L1 also benefit.

Care of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer stage III - the Central European real-world experience.

Background Management of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is affected by regional specificities. The present study aimed at determining diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including outcome of patients with NSCLC stage III in the real-world setting in Central European countries to define areas for improvements. Patients and methods This multicentre, prospective and non-interventional study collected data of patients with NSCLC stage III in a web-based registry and analysed them centrally.

mutation tracking predicts survival in advanced -mutated non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with osimertinib.

Background: Osimertinib has become standard therapy of advanced epidermal growth factor receptor ()-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and T790M-mediated resistance. We investigated the clinical utility of mutation tracking in plasma-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after start of osimertinib therapy in metastatic, -mutant NSCLC patients who had progressed on prior therapy with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Methods: We enrolled 141 patients with advanced -mutated NSCLC who underwent second-line osimertinib treatment for T790M-positive disease.

Beyond tissue biopsy: a diagnostic framework to address tumor heterogeneity in lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The objective of this review is to discuss the strength and limitations of tissue and liquid biopsy and functional imaging to capture spatial and temporal tumor heterogeneity either alone or as part of a diagnostic framework in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Recent Findings: NSCLC displays genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity - a detailed knowledge of which is crucial to personalize treatment. Tissue biopsy often lacks spatial and temporal resolution.

Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of the review is to summarize the current and future role of chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Recent Findings: Chemotherapy has been established in early-stage, locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC. Patients with driver mutation-positive NSCLC receive tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first-line therapy and chemotherapy later during the course of their disease.

EGFR Mutations in Cell-free Plasma DNA from Patients with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma: Improved Detection by Droplet Digital PCR.

Background: Analysis of cell-free DNA from blood could provide an alternative method for identifying genomic changes in the tumors of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Objective: We compared the performance of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and Cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 (Cobas) for detecting EGFR mutations in cell-free plasma DNA.

Patients And Methods: Plasma samples from patients with advanced EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma were analyzed for EGFR T790M, exon 19 deletions, and L858R mutations by both ddPCR and Cobas.

Biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been established as a new class of anticancer drugs for patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. Predictive biomarkers might help to select those patients who will derive the greatest benefit from these expensive drugs. This review summarizes the current status of predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer.

LACE-Bio: Validation of Predictive and/or Prognostic Immunohistochemistry/Histochemistry-based Biomarkers in Resected Non-small-cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) offers the potential for cure after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients may not benefit and may experience severe toxicity. There are no validated molecular tools to allow better patient selection.

Adjuvant Therapy in Patients With Completely Resected Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: Current Status and Perspectives.

Patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer undergo surgery with curative intent. Many of these patients relapse and, therefore, adjuvant therapies are important for improving survival of these patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been established and increases the 5-year survival rate.

PD-1 and PD-L1 Protein Expression Predict Survival in Completely Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Background: We assessed the prognostic value of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in patients with completely resected lung adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was determined using immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens and correlated with the clinicopathologic features and survival of 161 patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Results: PD-1 expression on immune cells was observed in 71 of 159 evaluable tumor samples (45%) and was not significantly associated with the clinicopathologic features.

Expenditures on Oncology Drugs and Cancer Mortality-to-Incidence Ratio in Central and Eastern Europe.

Background: There is a steady decline in cancer mortality in Western Europe (WE), but this trend is not so obvious in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). One of the largest discrepancies between WE and CEE is the level of investment in cancer care. The objective of our analysis was to examine the correlation between mortality-to-incidence (M/I) ratio and expenditures on oncology drugs in CEE and WE.