Abstract
RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) can identify gene fusions in tumors, but not all these fusions have functional consequences. Using multiple data bases, we have performed an in silico analysis of ...fusions detected by RNA-Seq in tumor samples from 139 newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients to identify in-frame fusions with predictable oncogenic potential. Among 61 samples with fusions, there were 103 different fusions, involving 167 different genes, including 20 known oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), 16 associated with cancer but not oncogenes or TSGs, and 32 not associated with cancer but previously shown to be involved in fusions in gliomas. After selecting in-frame fusions able to produce a protein product and running Oncofuse, we identified 30 fusions with predictable oncogenic potential and classified them into four non-overlapping categories: six previously described in cancer; six involving an oncogene or TSG; four predicted by Oncofuse to have oncogenic potential; and 14 other in-frame fusions. Only 24 patients harbored one or more of these 30 fusions, and only two fusions were present in more than one patient:
FGFR3::TACC3
and
EGFR::SEPTIN14
. This in silico study provides a good starting point for the identification of gene fusions with functional consequences in the pathogenesis or treatment of glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent primary malignant brain tumor and has a dismal prognosis. Unfortunately, despite the recent revolution of immune checkpoint inhibitors in many solid tumors, ...these have not shown a benefit in overall survival in GBM patients. Therefore, new potential treatment targets as well as diagnostic, prognostic, and/or predictive biomarkers are needed to improve outcomes in this population. The β-galactoside binding protein Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a protein with a wide range of pro-tumor functions such as proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Here, we evaluated Gal-1 expression by immunohistochemistry in a homogenously treated cohort of GBM (the GLIOCAT project) and correlated its expression with clinical and molecular data. We observed that Gal-1 is a negative prognostic factor in GBM. Interestingly, we observed higher levels of Gal-1 expression in the mesenchymal/classical subtypes compared to the less aggressive proneural subtype. We also observed a Gal-1 expression correlation with immune suppressive signatures of CD4 T-cells and macrophages, as well as with several GBM established biomarkers, including SHC1, PD-L1, PAX2, MEOX2, YKL-40, TCIRG1, YWHAG, OLIG2, SOX2, Ki-67, and SOX11. Moreover, Gal-1 levels were significantly lower in grade 4
mutant astrocytomas, which have a better prognosis. Our results confirm the role of Gal-1 as a prognostic factor and also suggest its value as an immune-suppressive biomarker in GBM.
Background
Anti-angiogenic agents are reported to exert clinical activity in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (
EGFR
) mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated the ...outcomes of the combination of docetaxel plus nintedanib in refractory NSCLC patients harboring
EGFR
mutations.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 19 patients with advanced
EGFR
-mutant NSCLC who had progressed to
EGFR
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and platinum-based chemotherapy receiving docetaxel and nintedanib at 14 Spanish institutions from January 2013 to December 2019. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests were used to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
Results
Median age was 58.9 years (range 42.8–81), 73.7% were female. All patients were Caucasian, and 73.7% were never or light smokers. The baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) was 0–1 in 94.7% of patients. All patients had adenocarcinoma. Brain and liver metastases were present in 47.4% and 31.6% of patients, respectively. The most common
EGFR
mutations were exon 19 deletion (52.6%) and exon 21 L858R mutation (36.8%); 47.4% patients presented the
EGFR
T790M
. 94.8% of the patients had received 2–3 previous treatment lines.
Docetaxel was administered at 75 mg/m
2
/3 weeks to 16 patients, at 60 mg/m
2
to 2 patients and at 45 mg/m
2
to one patient. Nintedanib was given until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity at 200 mg twice daily except in 2 patients who received 150 mg twice daily and one patient who received 100 mg/12 h.
With a median follow-up of 11.4 months (1–38), the median PFS was 6.1 months 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.9–7.3 and the median OS 10.1 months (95% CI 5.9–14.3). The objective response rate (ORR) was 44.4% (23.7–66.8%) and the disease control rate (DCR) 72.2% (49.4–88.5%). Efficacy tended to be greater in patients with the acquired
T790M
who had received osimertinib, with a median PFS of 6.3 (95% CI 2.1–10.5)
versus
(
vs
.) 4.8 (95% CI 3.5–6.1) and a median OS of 12.3 months (95% CI 8.6–16.0)
vs.
6.7 months (95% CI 3.9–9.4), although this tendency was not statistically significant (
p
= 0.468 and
p
= 0.159, respectively).
Sixteen patients (84.2%) had a total of 34 adverse events (AEs), with a median of two (0–6) AEs per patient. The most frequent AEs were asthenia (20.6%) and diarrhea (20.6%). One treatment-related death due to portal thrombosis was reported.
Conclusions
Our data indicate that the combination of docetaxel and nintedanib can be considered to be an effective treatment for
EGFR
TKI-resistant
EGFR
-mutant NSCLC.
Lung cancer patients represent a subgroup of special vulnerability in whom the SARS-CoV-2 infection could attain higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, those patients were recommended to ...receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccines once they were approved. However, little was known at that time regarding the degree of immunity developed after vaccination or vaccine-related adverse events, and more uncertainty involved the real need for a third dose. We sought to evaluate the immune response developed after vaccination, as well as the safety and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in a cohort of patients with lung cancer. Patients were identified through the Oncology/Hematology Outpatient Vaccination Program. Anti-Spike IgG was measured before any vaccine and at 3-6-, 6-9- and 12-15-month time points after the 2nd dose. Detailed clinical data were also collected. In total, 126 patients with lung cancer participated and received at least one dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. At 3-6 months after 2nd dose, 99.1% of baseline seronegative patients seroconverted and anti-Spike IgG titers went from a median value of 9.45 to 720 UI/mL. At the 6-9-month time point, titers raised to a median value of 924 UI/mL, and at 12-15 months, after the boost dose, they reached a median value of 3064 UI/mL. Adverse events to the vaccine were mild, and no SARS- CoV-2 infection-related deaths were recorded. In this lung cancer cohort, COVID-19 vaccines were safe and effective irrespective of the systemic anticancer therapy. Most of the patients developed anti-Spike IgG after the second dose, and these titers were maintained over time with low infection and reinfection rates with a mild clinical course.
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KRAS is the most common driver mutation in lung cancer. ctDNA-based assessment offers advantages over tumor as a minimally invasive method able to capture tumor heterogeneity. ...Monitoring KRAS mutational load in ctDNA may be useful in the management of the patients.
Consecutive patients diagnosed with KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma in the tumor biopsy were included in this study. Plasma samples were obtained at different time points during the course of the disease. KRAS mutations in plasma were quantified using digital PCR and correlated with mutations in tumor and with radiological response and progression.
Two hundred and forty-five plasma samples from 56 patients were analyzed. The rate of detection of KRAS mutations in plasma in our previously characterized KRAS-mutant cases was 82% overall, reaching 96% in cases with more than 1 metastatic location. The dynamics of KRAS mutational load predicted response in 93% and progression in 63% of cases, 33 and 50 days respectively in advance of radiological evaluation. Progression-free survival for patients in whom ctDNA was not detectable in plasma after treatment initiation was significantly longer than for those in whom ctDNA remained detectable (7.7 versus 3.2 months; HR: 0.44, p=0.004).
The detection of KRAS mutations in ctDNA showed a good correlation with that in tumor biopsy and, in most cases, predicted tumor response and progression to chemotherapy in advance of radiographic evaluation. The liquid biopsies for ctDNA-based molecular analyses are a reliable tool for KRAS testing in clinical practice.
La mutación en KRAS es la mutación iniciadora más común en el cáncer de pulmón. La valoración basada en el ctDNA ofrece ventajas frente a la tumoral, al ser un método mínimamente invasivo capaz de capturar la heterogeneidad del tumor. La monitorización de la carga de KRAS mutado en el ctDNA puede ser útil en el manejo de los pacientes.
En este estudio se incluyó, mediante selección consecutiva, a pacientes diagnosticados con adenocarcinoma de pulmón con mutación en KRAS en la biopsia tumoral. Se obtuvieron muestras de plasma en diferentes momentos durante el curso de la enfermedad. Las mutaciones de KRAS en plasma se cuantificaron mediante PCR digital y se correlacionaron con las mutaciones en el tumor y con la respuesta radiológica y la progresión.
Se analizaron 245 muestras de plasma de 56 pacientes. La tasa de detección de mutaciones KRAS en plasma en aquellos casos previamente definidos con dicha mutación fue del 82% globalmente, porcentaje que alcanzó el 96% en aquellos casos con más de una ubicación metastásica. La dinámica de la carga de KRAS mutado predijo la respuesta en el 93% de los casos y la progresión en el 63%, a los 33 y 50 días, respectivamente, anteriores a la evaluación radiológica. La supervivencia libre de progresión para pacientes en los que el ctDNA no era detectable en plasma después del inicio del tratamiento fue significativamente más larga que para aquellos en los que el ctDNA permaneció detectable (7,7 frente a 3,2 meses; HR: 0,44; p = 0,004).
La detección de mutaciones KRAS en el ctDNA mostró una buena correlación con la de la biopsia tumoral y, en la mayoría de los casos, predijo la respuesta tumoral a la quimioterapia y la progresión antes de la evaluación radiológica. Las biopsias líquidas para análisis moleculares basados en ctDNA son una herramienta fiable para la valoración de KRAS en la práctica clínica.
There is a lack of useful diagnostic tools to identify EGFR mutated NSCLC patients with long-term survival. This study develops a prognostic model using real world data to assist clinicians to ...predict survival beyond 24 months. EGFR mutated stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2017 included in the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG) thoracic tumor registry. Long-term survival was defined as being alive 24 months after diagnosis. A multivariable prognostic model was carried out using binary logistic regression and internal validation through bootstrapping. A nomogram was developed to facilitate the interpretation and applicability of the model. 505 of the 961 EGFR mutated patients identified in the registry were included, with a median survival of 27.73 months. Factors associated with overall survival longer than 24 months were: being a woman (OR 1.78); absence of the exon 20 insertion mutation (OR 2.77); functional status (ECOG 0-1) (OR 4.92); absence of central nervous system metastases (OR 2.22), absence of liver metastases (OR 1.90) or adrenal involvement (OR 2.35) and low number of metastatic sites (OR 1.22). The model had a good internal validation with a calibration slope equal to 0.781 and discrimination (optimism corrected C-index 0.680). Survival greater than 24 months can be predicted from six pre-treatment clinicopathological variables. The model has a good discrimination ability. We hypothesized that this model could help the selection of the best treatment sequence in EGFR mutation NSCLC patients.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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KRAS is the most common driver mutation in lung cancer. ctDNA-based assessment offers advantages over tumor as a minimally invasive method able to capture tumor heterogeneity. ...Monitoring KRAS mutational load in ctDNA may be useful in the management of the patients.
Consecutive patients diagnosed with KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma in the tumor biopsy were included in this study. Plasma samples were obtained at different time points during the course of the disease. KRAS mutations in plasma were quantified using digital PCR and correlated with mutations in tumor and with radiological response and progression.
Two hundred and forty-five plasma samples from 56 patients were analyzed. The rate of detection of KRAS mutations in plasma in our previously characterized KRAS-mutant cases was 82% overall, reaching 96% in cases with more than 1 metastatic location. The dynamics of KRAS mutational load predicted response in 93% and progression in 63% of cases, 33 and 50 days respectively in advance of radiological evaluation. Progression-free survival for patients in whom ctDNA was not detectable in plasma after treatment initiation was significantly longer than for those in whom ctDNA remained detectable (7.7 versus 3.2 months; HR: 0.44, p=0.004).
The detection of KRAS mutations in ctDNA showed a good correlation with that in tumor biopsy and, in most cases, predicted tumor response and progression to chemotherapy in advance of radiographic evaluation. The liquid biopsies for ctDNA-based molecular analyses are a reliable tool for KRAS testing in clinical practice.
La mutación en KRAS es la mutación iniciadora más común en el cáncer de pulmón. La valoración basada en el ctDNA ofrece ventajas frente a la tumoral, al ser un método mínimamente invasivo capaz de capturar la heterogeneidad del tumor. La monitorización de la carga de KRAS mutado en el ctDNA puede ser útil en el manejo de los pacientes.
En este estudio se incluyó, mediante selección consecutiva, a pacientes diagnosticados con adenocarcinoma de pulmón con mutación en KRAS en la biopsia tumoral. Se obtuvieron muestras de plasma en diferentes momentos durante el curso de la enfermedad. Las mutaciones de KRAS en plasma se cuantificaron mediante PCR digital y se correlacionaron con las mutaciones en el tumor y con la respuesta radiológica y la progresión.
Se analizaron 245 muestras de plasma de 56 pacientes. La tasa de detección de mutaciones KRAS en plasma en aquellos casos previamente definidos con dicha mutación fue del 82% globalmente, porcentaje que alcanzó el 96% en aquellos casos con más de una ubicación metastásica. La dinámica de la carga de KRAS mutado predijo la respuesta en el 93% de los casos y la progresión en el 63%, a los 33 y 50 días, respectivamente, anteriores a la evaluación radiológica. La supervivencia libre de progresión para pacientes en los que el ctDNA no era detectable en plasma después del inicio del tratamiento fue significativamente más larga que para aquellos en los que el ctDNA permaneció detectable (7,7 frente a 3,2 meses; HR: 0,44; p = 0,004).
La detección de mutaciones KRAS en el ctDNA mostró una buena correlación con la de la biopsia tumoral y, en la mayoría de los casos, predijo la respuesta tumoral a la quimioterapia y la progresión antes de la evaluación radiológica. Las biopsias líquidas para análisis moleculares basados en ctDNA son una herramienta fiable para la valoración de KRAS en la práctica clínica.
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