bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and prognosis of sequential 2G ALK-TKI in ALK-positive advanced NSCLC after crizotinib resistance: A real-world single-center research.
Authors: He Liyuan , Zuo Jing , Feng Li , Fan Zhisong , Wang Long , Zhou Xinliang , Han Jing , Zhang Xue , Liu Jiayin , Li Dan , Liu Feiran , Zhao Honghui , Wang Yudong 
Published: June 2022

e21075 Background: Advanced-stage anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion-positive (ALK[+]) NSCLC has significantly benefited from ALK-TKI. It is still uncertain which second-generation(2G) ALK-TKI will benefit patients more after crizotinib resistance. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the treatment history of 104 patients with ALK[+] NSCLC. Grouping was determined according to the type of 2G TKI patients selected after failure of crizotinib, including systemic and intracranial. Results: Overall, the median follow-up time was 24.2 (95%CI: 21.3-27.1) months, and 45(43.2%) eligible patients were alive at the end of follow-up. After Crizotinib treatment failure, 91(87.5%) patients received subsequent therapy (including targeted therapy and chemotherapy), and 90.1% (82/91) of patients received sequential 2G TKI treatment, with overall ORR of 68.3%, mPFS of 13.4 (95%CI:10.0-16.7) months, and mOS of 26.3 (95%CI:11.6-41.1) months. The mOS for Alectinib, Ceritinib, and Brigatinib were 34.5 (95%CI: 14.8-54.3), 19.4 (95%CI: 11.8-27.0) and 43.8 (95%CI: 10.0-77.6) months, respectively. The mPFS of Alectinib, Ceritinib, Brigatinib and Ensartinib were 17.3 (95%CI: 12.9-21.8) months, 13.4 (95%CI: 9.5-17.8) months, 10.7 (95%CI: 6.6-14.9) months and 8.4 (95%CI: 1.3-14.8) months, ORR were 68.6%, 70.8%, 69.2% and 60.0%, respectively (Table.1). For crizotinib resistant patient, 2G TKI showed no significant difference in prolonging PFS (P = 0.599) and OS (P = 0.681). Brain metastases were found in 67.1% (55/82) of crizotinib resistant patients, and mPFS of Alectinib, Ceritinib, Brigatinib and Ensartinib were 22.1 (95%CI:9.6-30.6) months, 12.6 (95%CI:8.3-16.9) months, 21.0 (95%CI:0.5-45.7) months and 14.7 (95%CI:3.8-25.5) months; ORR were 72.4%, 50.0%, 66.7% and 40.0%, respectively (Table.1). In particular, the ORR of Alectinib and Brigatinib was significantly higher than that of Ceritinib and Ensartinib (P < 0.000), while the mPFS of Alectinib was significantly better than Ensartinib (P = 0.029). Conclusions: After crizotinib resistance, nearly 90% of patients choose sequential 2G TKI. There was no significant difference in mPFS and mOS among patients treated with different 2G ALK-TKI. For patients with CNS metastases, treatment with Alectinib and Brigatinib results in higher ORR and PFS.[Table: see text]
Improved response prediction to immune checkpoint inhibition by combining TMB and WGS-based genomic features in NSCLC.
Authors: Pacewicz Klaudia , Kraszewski Andrzej , Medzin Michal , Nawrocka-Muszynska Paulina , Sypniewski Mateusz , Sielski Dawid , Sztromwasser Paweł , Majer-Burman Weronika , Piernik Maciej , Wozna Alicja , Zawadzki Paweł 
Published: June 2022

e21077 Background: The appearance of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized treatment strategies in advanced NSCLC. The clinical efficacy and indications for ICIs are currently estimated using the immunohistochemistry (IHC) profile of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein. Recent findings indicate that tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a unique feature that may improve response prediction to ICIs across multiple cancer types [1]. Nevertheless, only a minority of NSCLC patients will benefit from ICIs. Therefore, unraveling the genomics of NSCLC and the subsequent discovery of novel predictive biomarkers remains a high unmet need. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) bounded with AI may identify biomarkers and composed signatures which will better than TMB or PD-L1 predict response to ICIs. Methods: To develop the PD1Dx classifier with the highest predictive value for ICI response, we combined WGS data analyses with machine learning approaches. Consistently, we divided WGS data of 57 NSCLCs derived from the Hartwig Medical Foundation (HMF) database into training (n = 39) and hold-out (n = 18) sets. Patients treated with pembrolizumab or nivolumab alone were labeled based solely on clinical metadata provided by the repository, reaching a total of 22 responders and 35 non-responders. Results: Recursive Feature Elimination using SHAP importance (ShapRFECV) selected 15 top predictive genomic features, based on which the final random forest model was built. The random forest model achieved the best performance, with an accuracy of 0.72, a recall of 0.73, and a precision of 0.80. Using the same learning method and dataset, we built a model based on a single TMB feature whose performance determined by accuracy, recall and precision was 0.67, 0.64, and 0.78, respectively. Apart from TMB, we also identified other predictive features, among the 15 top of which were, e.g., features related to transcriptional strand bias and C > A/T single nucleotide variants correlating with mismatch repair. Conclusions: Our results confirm the predictive value of features other than TMB alone in predicting ICI responses in NSCLC. Further investigation is required to validate biomarkers of sensitivity and resistance to ICIs. Krieger T, Pearson I, Bell J, Doherty J, Robbins P. Targeted literature review on use of tumor mutational burden status and programmed cell death ligand 1 expression to predict outcomes of checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Diagn Pathol 2020;15:6.
The impact of pre-treatment plasma sex hormones on the immune checkpoint inhibitors response to metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Authors: Zhang Yumeng , Darville Lancia , Hogue Stephanie , Hallanger-Johnson Julie E. , Kim Youngchul , Gray Jhanelle Elaine , Robinson Lary A. 
Published: June 2022

e21088 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have changed the outcomes in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). The immune system partially determines the response to ICI. The impact of sex hormones on immune responses is well recognized in autoimmune disease and vaccine response. Little is known about the interplay between the sex hormones and the response to ICI in mNSCLC. Methods: This prospective, observational study included patients with mNSCLC at Moffitt Cancer Center who received ICI as monotherapy or combination with chemotherapy. Plasma was collected before the first ICI infusion. Extraction and detection of the hormones were optimized by modifying the previous method. Hormone levels were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Estrogens included propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), 17β-estradiol (E2), and S-equol. Androgens included 5-androstenediol, 3β-androstenediol (3β-diol), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).Patients were divided based on clinical benefits, defined as a complete or partial response or stable disease for at least 12 months. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test or Fischer exact test; continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Sixty-one patients were included and 50.8% were female. The median age was 67 years. Twenty-eight patients had clinical benefits from ICI. Patients in the clinical benefit group had higher BMI. The clinical benefit group had significantly lower androgen levels but no difference in estrogen levels. The median DHEA level was 3.7 ng/ml in the clinical benefit group and 9.6 ng/ml in the group without (p < 0.001). The 5-Androstenediol was also lower in the clinical benefits group (table I). When normalized to the age/sex-adjusted reference range, the difference of DHEA and 5-androstenediol was retained (p < 0.001 and 0.014, respectively). 3β-diol was below the limit of detection. Conclusions: The serum DHEA and 5-androstenediol levels were lower in mNSCLC patients who benefited from ICI, regardless of sex. Larger studies are needed to confirm the role of pre-treatment androgens levels as negative biomarkers for ICI response. [Table: see text]
The use of medical cannabis concomitantly with immune-check point inhibitors (ICI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A sigh of relief?
Authors: Waissengrin Barliz , Leshem Yasmin , Merimsky Ofer , Wolf Ido 
Published: June 2022

e21097 Background: In recent years, the use of medical cannabis rapidly increased among cancer patients in Israel. Yet, cannabinoid receptors are abundantly expressed on immune cells and modulate their activity. It is abundantly being use by metastatic NSCLC patients, shortly following diagnosis and is taken in parallel to first line treatment with ICI. Recent studies suggested that the use of cannabis may reduce the efficacy of ICI. However, these studies were biased by the heterogeneity of patients and the increased use of cannabis specifically in highly symptomatic patients with high disease burden. Methods: We first tested the interaction anti-PD-1 antibody and Δ−9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a preclinical model consisting of CT26 tumor-bearing mice, and examined the effects on tumor size, T-cell infiltrates, and mice survival. Mice were euthanized when tumor volume reached above 700 mm3. Next, we conducted a retrospective study of NSCLC patients, treated at a tertiary center, and included all consecutive patients treated with a single agent pembrolizumab as a first line treatment for advanced disease and evaluated clinical outcome and response to treatment. Results: Studies using the CT26 mice cancer model, indicated a potential beneficial effect for the combination an anti-PD-1 antibody and THC with a median overall survival (OS) of the mice receiving no treatment, THC, anti-PD-1 antibody or their combination being 21 days, 24, 31 days and 54 days, respectively (p < 0.05). Data of 201 NSCLC cancer patients who received first-line single agent pembrolizumab for metastatic disease, 102 (50.7%) patients received cannabis and 99 (49.3%) were cannabis naïve was analyzed. Their median age was 68 for the cannabis treated group and 74 for the cannabis naïve (p = 0.003), 34 (34.3%) in the cannabis treated group and 62 (60.8%) for the cannabis naïve were women (p = 0.002). Similar distribution of histology, smoking status and PDL1 expression was noted between the groups. The efficacy of pembrolizumab, as determined by time to progression (TTP) was similar for cannabis-naïve and cannabis-treated patients (6.1 vs. 4.8 months, respectively, p = 0.386), while OS was higher, though not statistically significant, in the cannabis-naïve group (54 vs. 23.3 months, respectively p = 0.08). Conclusions: Both preclinical and clinical data suggest no deleterious effect of cannabis on the activity of pembrolizumab as first line monotherapy for advanced NSCLC. The differences in OS can be most likely by attributed to higher disease burden and more symptomatic disease in the cannabis-treated group. While additional validation is required, these data provide somewhat reassuring data regarding the absence of a deleterious effect of cannabis in this clinical setting.
Transcriptional analysis of small cell lung cancer transformation in epidermal growth factor receptor mutated lung adenocarcinomas.
Authors: Xie Tongji , Li Yan , Hao Xuezhi , Wang Yan , Hu Xingsheng , Wang Lin , Wang Shouzheng , Teng Fei , Xu Ziyi , Ying Jianming , Junling Li , Xing Puyuan 
Published: June 2022

e21100 Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR)-mutated lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) could benefit from EGFR-TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) treatment, but drug resistance seems to be inevitable. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation counts for 3-15% of the resistance mechanism, and was amply studied at genomics level but rarely at transcriptional level. Methods: The expression of 730 mRNAs were investigated by Nanostring nCounter Pancancer Pathway Panel on 72 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from 27 EGFR-mutated LUAD patients with SCLC transformation after EGFR-TKIs therapy (19 LUAD samples before transformation, LUAD-BT; 21 SCLC samples after transformation, SCLC-AT), 12 EGFR-mutated LUAD patients never SCLC transformed after EGFR-TKIs therapy (12 samples, LUAD-NT) and 20 stage IIĨIV primary SCLC patients (20 samples, SCLC-P). For patients enrolled in LUAD-NT group, tissue biopsies were performed at least twice, which were all diagnosed as pure LUAD, and the overall survival (OS) since first line therapy was longer than the median transformation time (mTt) of SCLC-transformed patients in our study. mRNA expression patterns and biological pathway scores were compared among four groups. The candidate predictive biomarkers from mRNA expression pattern analysis were validated by area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and the logarithm of fold change to the base 2 (log2FC). Results: On the last day of follow up (1st February 2022), the shortest OS of LUAD-NT patients was 28.4 months, whereas the mTt was 27.5 months. Among four groups, LUAD-NT and LUAD-BT showed the most similar mRNA expression patterns, and SCLC-P were significantly different from the others. 8.6% (63/730) mRNA showed significant downregulation after SCLC transformation, while 3.6% (26/730) showed significant upregulation ( p value adjusted by Benjamin & Hochberg’s method < 0.05, SCLC-AT vs LUAD-BT). In pathway enrichment analysis, the score of RAS and TGF-β pathways were significantly lower in SCLC-AT than LUAD-BT. Compared with SCLC-P, 6 upregulated mRNAs in SCLC-AT were observed (log2FC > 2, AUC > 0.85 and each raw p value < 0.05), including AR, COL5A1, GHR, HMGA2, IGFBP3 and IL6R, which could be further validated as diagnostic markers in a larger cohort. Moreover, compared with LUAD-NT, 4 mRNAs ( BRIP1, CCNE2, CDKN2A and MCM2) were found to be significantly upregulated (log2FC > 1, AUC > 0.75 and each raw p value < 0.05) in LUAD-BT, indicating the predictive value of SCLC transformation. Conclusions: The transformation of LUAD to SCLC may be promoted by transcriptional events. We also described some significantly different expressed mRNAs that could candidate as predictive or diagnostic markers for SCLC transformation, which should be further validated in a larger cohort.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein as prognostic and predictive marker in metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma : A prospective single center study.
Authors: Mondal Debapriya , Ganguly Sandip , Ghosh Joydeep , Roy Somnath , Pandey Prashant , Dabkara Deepak , Nair Reena , Biswas Bivas 
Published: June 2022

e21101 Background: Systemic inflammation has been linked to incidence, progression, and poor outcomes in various cancers including non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) assays, generally used to assess cardiovascular risk, have rarely been evaluated in lung cancer studies. This study aimed to evaluate if baseline and on-treatment measurements of serum hs-CRP could provide prognostic and predictive information for patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with chemotherapy. Methods: In this single institutional prospective study 85 patients with metastatic NSCLC without targetable alterations who were treated with chemotherapy were included between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020, with a minimum follow-up duration of 6 months. Patients with coronary artery disease, active infections, autoimmune conditions, and chronic liver disease were excluded. Measurements of hs-CRP for all patients were done at baseline and every 12 weeks while on treatment. Patients were grouped by changes in hs-CRP levels compared to baseline levels as reduction (≥ 20% decline), and non-reduction (< 20% decline) to assess association with radiologic response and progression- free survival (PFS). Results: Pre-treatment hs-CRP values were elevated for the majority (92.9% patients with ≥ 1 mg/L, 70.6% with ≥ 3 mg/L, and 42.3% with ≥ 10 mg/dL). No significant association was detected between the pre-treatment hs-CRP value and the number of metastatic sites (P = 0.4), histology (P = 0.3), or smoking status (P = 0.7). At a median follow-up of 13.7 months, the median PFS was 7.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.3 - 10.3). Patients with hs-CRP ≥10 mg/L had shorter PFS than those with hs-CRP < 10 mg/L (Median PFS 7.5 months [95% CI 4.9 - 10] vs. 8.4 months [95% CI 0.1 - 17.4]; hazard ratio [HR] 1.8, 95% CI 1-3.4, P = 0.04). hs-CRP reduction (≥20% decline) after 12 weeks of treatment initiation predicted radiological response (P < 0.001). Median PFS was 14.7 months (95% CI 7.4 – 22.1) in patients who demonstrated hs-CRP reduction (≥20% decline) at 12 weeks compared to 3.1 months (95% CI 2.3 – 3.9) in patients who did not (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.08 - 0.33, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Elevated hs-CRP at baseline was found to be a poor prognostic factor, while hs-CRP reduction by 20% or more on treatment predicted radiologic response and longer PFS in metastatic NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. Our findings of potential predictive and prognostic value of hs-CRP in metastatic NSCLC warrant validation in larger prospective studies.
Selecting optimal timing of cranial radiotherapy-based on the graded prognostic assessment for lung cancer using molecular markers (Lung-molGPA) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases.
Authors: Zhai Xiaoyang , Li Ji , Jing Wang , Jia Wenxiao , Zhu Hui , Yu Jinming 
Published: June 2022

e21105 Background: The updated Graded Prognostic Assessment for Lung Cancer Using Molecular Markers (Lung-molGPA) index will provide more accurate prediction of expected survival for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases (BM). This retrospective study aims to evaluate optimal timing of cranial radiotherapy (RT) in NSCLC patients with BM stratified by Lung-molGPA index. Methods: This study retrospectively screened patients with NSCLC and initially diagnosed BM in our cancer center between February 2012 and July 2018. These enrolled patients were scored and stratified based on lung-molGPA index. The primary endpoint was overall survival time (OS), defined as the interval from the initiation of BM diagnosis to death caused by any reason or the last follow-up. And the secondary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), referred to the interval from the initiation of BM diagnosis to disease progression or death caused by any reason. The effect of radiotherapy timing on survival time in groups stratified by lung-molGPA index was evaluated. The early RT was defined as receiving RT within three months after initial diagnosis of BM with no progression of BM prior to RT. And the delayed RT was defined as receiving RT after progression of BM or initial diagnosis of BM three months later. Results: Overall, 471 patients were enrolled in our study, including 260 patients receiving RT. The median follow-up time was 48 months. In entire cohort, median OS time and PFS were 15.0 and 9.0 months, respectively. In lung-molGPA0-2 group, OS of patients with or without RT was no statistical difference (HR, 0.78, 95%CI, 0.59-1.04, P= .071). While in lung-molGPA2.5-4 group, the addition of RT could prolong OS and PFS of patients (OS: HR, 0.51, 95%CI, 0.39-0.67, P< .001; and PFS: HR, 0.66, 95%CI, 0.51-0.85, P< .001). Moreover, in patients scored as 2.5-4.0, the median OS of early RT and delayed RT was 24.0 months and 15.0 months, respectively, and OS of patients receiving early RT was significantly superior to patients receiving delayed RT (HR, 0.50, 95%CI, 0.31-0.79, P< .001). While for patients scored as 0-2, no statistical difference was between OS of patients receiving early RT and delayed RT (HR, 0.75, 95%CI, 0.51-1.10, P= .115). Conclusions: With regards as patients scored 2.5-4.0 based on lung-molGPA index, early addition of cranial radiotherapy could benefit patients’ survival. While for patients scored 0-2, the survival benefit from cranial radiotherapy was limited.
A real-world study update: Efficacy and safety of anlotinib for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Authors: Wang Jinlin , Yi Tienan , Dong Youhong , Xu Xinhua , Cao Fengjun , Ran Ruizhi , Yin Yifa , Li Yinping , Fu Yang , Xu Yanhua , Kuang Li , Chen Guiming , Qu Guangqiao , Li Jun , Luo Zhiguo , Chen Yuan , Song Qibin , Chu Qian 
Published: June 2022

e21106 Background: Anlotinib is an oral novel receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) inhibitor targeting multiple RTKs including VEGFR, PDGFR, FGFR, and c-kit. Due to its high efficacy and low side effects in ALTER 0303 trial, Anlotinib has been approved as a 3rd line therapy for pts with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by NMPA in May 2018. The interim results of our real-world study suggested anlotinib substantially prolonged the progression-free survival (PFS) with manageable toxicity in later lines treatment of advanced NSCLC patients. Here, we update our latest results on the treatment experience in a broad NSCLC population. Methods: This is a multi-center, non-interventional, prospective real-world study. All registered data are collected from real-life clinical practice setting. Patients with advanced NSCLC treating with anlotinib were included. The primary endpoint was PFS, and the secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety. Results: As of January 2022, a total of 371 pts were enrolled, of whom 347 were evaluable, with a median age of 63 years, 232 males (66.9%). There were 40 pts (11.5%) with brain metastasis, 52 pts (15.0%) with bone metastasis, and 29 pts (8.4%) with liver metastasis at baseline. 109 pts (31.4%) received anlotinib as first/second line treatment, whereas 238 pts (68.6%) as third/later line treatment. In the overall population, DCR and ORR were 84.7% and 18.7% respectively. The mPFS was 6.3 months (95%CI, 5.7, 6.9) and the mOS was 12.2 months (95%CI, 9.5,14.9). Subgroup analysis showed more details. A trend towards better ORR (33.3%) was observed in the first line setting while a significantly better DCR (89.5%) was observed in the second line setting. The mPFS of first-/second-line treatment (6.9 months) was longer than that of the third-line or above treatment (5.8 months). The mOS of the first-/second- and third-line or above treatment were 10.4 (7.8,13) and 13.5 (8.9,18.1) months respectively. 52 pts (15%) had any grade of adverse events, of which 10 pts (2.9%) had grade 3 or above AEs. The most common AEs were hypoalbuminemia (3.5%), alanine aminotransferase reduction (1.4%), proteinuria (1.2%) and hyponatremia (1.2%). Conclusions: The updated results showed that anlotinib prolonged not only PFS but also OS significantly with a favorable safety profile, especially for OS benefits in third-line or later treatment. These data also indirectly revealed that anlotinib is a promising treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC despite of treatment line in the real world.