Immunotherapy for advanced-stage squamous cell lung cancer: the state of the art and outstanding questions.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment paradigm for advanced-stage squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (LUSC), a histological subtype associated with inferior outcomes compared with lung adenocarcinoma. However, only a subset of patients derive durable clinical benefit. In the first-line setting, multiple ICI regimens are available, including anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies as monotherapy, in combination with chemotherapy, or with an anti-CTLA4 antibody with or without chemotherapy.

Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib in Patients With EGFR-mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) After Progression on Osimertinib and Platinum-based Chemotherapy: Results From CHRYSALIS-2 Cohort A.

Introduction: Treatment options for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with disease progression on/after osimertinib and platinum-based chemotherapy are limited.

Methods: CHRYSALIS-2 Cohort A evaluated amivantamab+lazertinib in patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion- or L858R-mutated NSCLC with disease progression on/after osimertinib and platinum-based chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR).

Understanding the experience of Latinas in medical education: A qualitative study.

Background: Despite increased recruitment of Latina medical students, the percentage of Latina physicians has remained stagnant, suggesting unique retentive barriers affecting this population. Discriminatory experiences involving bias may contribute to difficulties in the retention and advancement of Latinas in medicine. This qualitative analysis aimed to explore thematic barriers prevalent among Latinas throughout their medical training in the United States.

Deep Learning Model for Predicting Immunotherapy Response in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Importance: Only a small fraction of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. For optimal personalized NSCLC care, it is imperative to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy.

Objective: To develop a supervised deep learning-based ICI response prediction method; evaluate its performance alongside other known predictive biomarkers; and assess its association with clinical outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Efficacy and Safety of Bintrafusp Alfa, a Bifunctional Fusion Protein Targeting Transforming Growth Factor-β and Programmed Death-Ligand 1, Plus Chemotherapy in Patients With Stage IV NSCLC.

Introduction: In a phase 1 study, bintrafusp alfa was found to have an encouraging clinical activity in patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of bintrafusp alfa with chemotherapy in patients with stage IV NSCLC regardless of the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression status.

Methods: In this open-label, phase 1b/2 study (NCT03840915), eligible patients were assigned to one of four cohorts.

Hypoxia is linked to acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer.

Despite the established use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only a subset of patients benefit from treatment and ∼50% of patients whose tumors respond eventually develop acquired resistance (AR). To identify novel drivers of AR, we generated murine Msh2 knock-out (KO) lung tumors that initially responded but eventually developed AR to anti-PD-1, alone or in combination with anti-CTLA-4. Resistant tumors harbored decreased infiltrating T cells and reduced cancer cell-intrinsic MHC-I and MHC-II levels, yet remained responsive to IFNγ.

Differentiating Separate Primary Lung Adenocarcinomas From Intrapulmonary Metastases With Emphasis on Pathological and Molecular Considerations: Recommendations From the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Pathology Committee.

Introduction: With the implementation of low-dose computed tomography screening, multiple pulmonary tumor nodules are diagnosed with increasing frequency and the selection of surgical treatments versus systemic therapies has become challenging on a daily basis in clinical practice. In the presence of multiple carcinomas, especially adenocarcinomas, pathologically determined to be of pulmonary origin, the distinction between separate primary lung carcinomas (SPLCs) and intrapulmonary metastases (IPMs) is important for staging, management, and prognostication.

Methods: We systemically reviewed various means that aid in the differentiation between SPLCs and IPMs explored by histopathologic evaluation and molecular profiling, the latter includes DNA microsatellite analysis, array comparative genomic hybridization, TP53 and oncogenic driver mutation testing and, more recently, with promising effectiveness, next-generation sequencing comprising small- or large-scale multi-gene panels.

Biochemical analysis of EGFR exon20 insertion variants insASV and insSVD and their inhibitor sensitivity.

Somatic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are a major cause of non-small cell lung cancer. Among these structurally diverse alterations, exon 20 insertions represent a unique subset that rarely respond to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Therefore, there is a significant need to develop inhibitors that are active against this class of activating mutations.

Segmentectomy vs. Lobectomy in stage IA non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of perioperative and survival outcomes.

While recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) have suggested superior overall survival (OS) outcomes with segmentectomy over lobectomy, questions remain regarding the comparability of these surgical procedures for treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthetize existing evidence and to compare the survival outcomes observed for stage IA NSCLC following segmentectomy or lobectomy. 40 studies (38 observational, 2 RCTs) encompassing 103,926 patients were analyzed.

Improving Patient Understanding and Outcomes in Lung Cancer Using an Animated Patient's Guide with Visual Formats of Learning.

Lung cancer patient education resources that address barriers to health literacy, improve understanding, and demonstrate improved patient outcomes are limited. Our study aim was to evaluate and report on learner knowledge improvement and intent to implement behavior change, and validate the benefits of the You and Lung Cancer website and YouTube resources. Our study occurred from November 2017 to December 2023.

Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Heterogeneity and Recurrence Assessed by Tissue Next-Generation Sequencing Genotyping and Circulating Tumor Cell EZH2 Characterization.

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung neoplasm. Despite surgical resection, it has a high relapse rate, accounting for 30-55% of all cases. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) based on a customized gene panel and the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can help identify heterogeneity, stratify high-risk patients, and guide treatment decisions.

Response to Crizotinib After Entrectinib Resistance in -Rearranged, -Amplified Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Crizotinib successfully overcomes MET amplification in ROS1-rearranged NSCLC after entrectinib failure.

The Next Frontier for Colorectal Cancer Screening: Blood-Based Tests.

Colorectal cancer is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Detection of early colorectal cancer is possible through approved screening tests but overall adherence is quite low. Implementation of effective noninvasive options could increase screening uptake and prevent a significant number of deaths.

Craters on the melanoma surface facilitate tumor-immune interactions and demonstrate pathologic response to checkpoint blockade in humans.

Immunotherapy leads to cancer eradication despite the tumor's immunosuppressive environment. Here, we used extended long-term in-vivo imaging and high-resolution spatial transcriptomics of endogenous melanoma in zebrafish, and multiplex imaging of human melanoma, to identify domains that facilitate immune response during immunotherapy. We identified crater-shaped pockets at the margins of zebrafish and human melanoma, rich with beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) and antigen recognition molecules.

Transferrin receptor targeting chimeras for membrane protein degradation.

Cancer cells require high levels of iron for rapid proliferation, leading to significant upregulation of cell-surface transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), which mediates iron uptake by binding to the iron-carrying protein transferrin. Leveraging this phenomenon and the fast endocytosis rate of TfR1 (refs. ), we developed transferrin receptor targeting chimeras (TransTACs), a heterobispecific antibody modality for membrane protein degradation.

Proceedings of the 1st biannual bridging the gaps in lung cancer conference.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US and globally. The mortality from lung cancer has been declining, due to a reduction in incidence and advances in treatment. Although recent success in developing targeted and immunotherapies for lung cancer has benefitted patients, it has also expanded the complexity of potential treatment options for health care providers.

New diagnostic and nonsurgical local treatment modalities for early stage lung cancer.

This paper highlights developments in diagnostic and nonsurgical local treatment modalities that have changed the management of early-stage lung cancer. These innovations aim to enhance diagnostic accuracy, minimize invasiveness, and improve patient outcomes. Liquid biopsies are emerging as promising tools for non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring, enabling earlier intervention without being standardized yet as well as not yet anchored in the guidelines.

Unveiling the impact of circulating tumor cells: Two decades of discovery and clinical advancements in solid tumors.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enumeration and molecular profiling hold promise in revolutionizing the management of solid tumors. Their understanding has evolved significantly over the past two decades, encompassing pivotal biological discoveries and clinical studies across various malignancies. While for some tumor types, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, CTCs are ready to enter clinical practice, for others, additional research is required.