Perioperative strategies for resectable EGFR-Mutant NSCLC: evidence hierarchy and clinical decision-making.

ED08.04 Perspectives of Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy in Completely Resected NSCLC

Chemotherapy + PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade Should Be the Preferred Option in the Neoadjuvant Therapy of NSCLC

BackgroundPostoperative adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy had been the standard care in patients with completely resected high-risk stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for decades. However, the survival benefits were far from satisfactory in clinical practice. Thus, this meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of adjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with resected NSCLC based on updated literature and research.MethodsA systematic literature search based on random control trials (RCTs) was conducted with keywords on PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library databases. All articles compared EGFR-TKIs to placebo or chemotherapy as adjuvant therapies for early-stage resected NSCLC. A meta-analysis was performed to generate combined hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI for disease recurrence and adverse events (AEs). The Stata statistical software (version 14.0) was used to synthesis the data.ResultsA total of 9 RCTs comprising 3098 patients were included. Adjuvant EGFR-TKIs could significantly prolong DFS in patient with resected NSCLC harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29–0.72), but had no impact on OS (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.69–1.11). The subgroup analyses indicated that adjuvant EGFR-TKIs were superior in regard to DFS in most subgroups, including varied smoking status, EGFR mutations type, gender, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and adenocarcinoma. Osimertinib resulted in decreased brain recurrence than first generation of EGFR-TKIs (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.04–0.34 vs. RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.64–1.78, respectively). The AEs were generally manageable and tolerable. The incidence of high-grade (≥ 3) AEs including diarrhea (RR 5.68, 95% CI 2.94–10.98) and rash (RR 27.74, 95% CI 11.43–67.30) increased after adjuvant EGFR-TKIs treatment.ConclusionsAdjuvant EGFR-TKIs therapy could significantly prolong DFS in patients with completely resected early-stage EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, but had no impact on OS. Adjuvant EGFR-TKIs could be an important treatment option in patients with resected early-stage EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

The Lung Adjuvant Cisplatin Evaluation (LACE) meta-analysis and the meta-analysis of individual participant data reported by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Meta-analysis Collaborative Group in neo-adjuvant setting validated respectively that adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy would significantly improve overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival for resectable NSCLC. However, chemotherapy has reached a therapeutic plateau. It has been confirmed that epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) targeting therapy provides a dramatic response to patients with advanced EGFR-mutation positive NSCLC. Researchers have paid more attention to exploring applications of TKIs to early resectable NSCLCs. Several studies on adjuvant TKI treatment concluded its safety and feasibility. But there existed certain limitations of these studies as inference factors to interpret data accurately: the BR19 study recruited patients among which almost 52% had stage IB and only 15 (3.0%, 15/503) had been confirmed with EGFR-mutant type; retrospective studies performed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) selected EGFR mutant-type NSCLC patients but couldn't avoid inherent defects inside retrospective researches; the RADIANT study revised endpoints from targeting at EGFR immunohistochemistry (IHC)+ and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)+ mutation to only EGFR IHC+ mutation, leading to selective bias; despite that the SELECT study validated efficacy of adjuvant TKI and second round of TKI after resistance occurred, a single-arm clinical trial is not that persuasive in the absence of comparison with chemotherapy. Taking all these limitations into account, CTONG1104 in China and IMPACT in Japan have been conducted and recruiting patients to offer higher level of evidences to explore efficacy of preoperative TKI therapy for early resectable EGFR mutation positive NSCLC patients (confirmed by pathological results of tumor tissue or lymph node biopsy). On the other hand, case reports and several phase II clinical trials with small sample size tried to elbow their way on respect of preoperative TKI treatment and advised that TKI tended to improve response rate. However, no data on survival rate was present. The first phase II study of biomarker-guided neoadjuvant therapy for stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients stratified by EGFR mutation status, sponsored by CSLC0702, showed erlotinib tended to improve response rate, but failed to show benefits of disease-free survival (DFS) or OS. Subsequently, CTONG1103 was designed to investigate efficacy of erlotinib vs. combination of gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC) as neoadjuvant treatment in stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC with sensitizing EGFR mutation in exon 19 or 21. All these ongoing trials should be worthy of our expect to provide convincing evidences for customized therapy for patients with resectable NSCLC.

The 5-year survival outcomes analysis of EGFR-TKI or/and chemotherapy as initial adjuvant therapy for completely resected IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.

Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expression in Resected Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

e20007 Background: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor mutations ( EGFRm) are commonly found in patients with resectable and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In December 2020, the FDA approved adjuvant osimertinib, for resectable EGFRm NSCLC, based on results of the ADAURA trial which showed significant survival benefit compared to placebo post-resection, further reinforcing need for biomarker testing in NSCLC. In light of publication of Aduara this study aims to understand US oncologists' biomarker testing practices and adjuvant osimertinib use in resectable EGFRm Stage IB–IIIA NSCLC. Methods: Questions related to biomarker testing and adjuvant therapy decision-making for resectable EGFRm Stage IB–IIIA NSCLC were presented to US-based oncologists/hematologists during live meetings in June and July 2023. In addition, questions related to impact of updated overall survival data from ADAURA trial on physicians’ reported treatment preferences were presented.Up to 108 participants responded to questions, though not all participants answered each question. Aggregate responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Among respondents, 52% identified as medical oncologists and 46% as hematological oncologists, 41% identified as being from an independent community practice and 75% indicated lung cancer was among the 3 solid tumors they most often treat. For patients with newly diagnosed resectable NSCLC patients, respondents indicated that genetic testing was performed before surgery on initial diagnostic biopsy sample (73%), after surgery (44%), and upon progression/relapse (31%). Commonly utilized diagnostic tools reported by respondents included NGS testing of tissue samples (87%), NGS liquid biopsy (42%), and IHC (31%). Barriers impacting molecular testing practices for resectable NSCLC included access to tissue for testing, cost to patient, disease stage, histology, tumor burden, patient age, patient fitness, and prior authorization or time to approval. Half (50%) of respondents reported prescribing adjuvant osimertinib monotherapy for patients with resectable EGFRm NSCLC in the past 6 months. After reviewing the updated ADAURA data, most (83%) respondents indicated they would prescribe adjuvant osimertinib immediately following surgery for resectable EGFRm NSCLC, and 56% would prescribe adjuvant osimertinib with or without adjuvant chemotherapy, 21% would prescribe adjuvant osimertinib with adjuvant chemotherapy, and 17% would prescribe adjuvant osimertinib only. Conclusions: Overall, nearly three-fourths of medical oncologist respondents prefer pre-operative genetic testing and regardless of test timing, when EGFRm identified > 80% will treat adjuvantly with osimertinib. Unfortunately, multiple barriers complicate this pursuit of evidence-based medicine.

A Multi-Institutional Randomized Phase III Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy Followed By Surgery Versus Upfront Surgery in Patients With Resectable Clinical Stage II-III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: JCOG2317 (NATCH-ICI).

Outcomes with neoadjuvant osimertinib and/or chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutant resectable non-small cell lung cancers.

Role of Chemotherapy in Stages I to III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Consensus on adjuvant therapy for completely resected non-small cell lung cancer until 2002 was as follows. (1) There was no significant impact of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy based on meta-analysis and previous clinical trials. (2) Confirmatory studies are necessary in large-scale prospective clinical trials. However, recent mega trials have introduced epoch-making changes for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in clinical practice since ASCO 2003. The effectiveness of UFT in N0 patients was confirmed. Patients with completely resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer, especially T2N0 adenocarcinoma, will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT. The results of the International Adjuvant Lung Trial (IALT) have confirmed the meta-analysis in 1995. Also, both the JBR10 and Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9633 studies have also confirmed positive IALT results of the benefit for postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy in completely resected non-small cell lung cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy for pathological stage IB to II, completely resected non-small cell lung cancer is standard care based on clinical trials. UFT showed the strongest evidence for IB in Japan. Platinum doublet chemotherapy with third-generation anticancer agents is also recommended. Adjuvant chemotherapy should be offered as standard care to patients after completely resected early stage non-small cell lung cancer. However, there is no evidence of the feasibility and efficacy for adjuvant chemotherapy with the platinum-based regimen in Japan. Careful management should be necessary in such treatment.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, ranking first among men and second among women for both incidence and mortality. Surgery remains the primary treatment for early-stage, resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), encompassing stages I and selected cases of stage IIIB. For patients with stage II to III disease, as well as some stage IB tumors, neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic therapies are recommended. It is well recognized that specific driver gene mutations play a critical role in tumor progression and aggressiveness, and patients with these genetic alterations may benefit from targeted treatment approaches. These alterations are referred to as "druggable", "targetable", or "actionable", representing specific targets for personalized treatments. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are now the preferred first-line treatment for patients harboring mutations in EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF. Additionally, targeted therapies exist for patients with alterations in RET, ERBB2, KRAS, MET, and NTRK, either for those who have received prior treatments or as part of ongoing clinical trials. The success of targeted therapies is reshaping treatment approaches for NSCLC with targetable driver gene alterations, both in early-stage and locally advanced settings. This review focuses on current therapeutic strategies that combine targeted therapies with surgical resection in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring actionable driver gene alterations.

Background In patients (pts) with non-metastatic NSCLC, surgery has curative potential but 30-80% who undergo resection experience recurrence. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemo is recommended for pts with high recurrence risk; however, benefits are modest and pathological complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant chemo is low. Although immunotherapy targeting the PD-1 pathway has shown survival benefits in metastatic NSCLC, phase 3 trial results in resectable disease are yet to be reported. Recently, neoadjuvant NIVO, alone or in combination with chemo, has shown encouraging pCR rates in single-arm phase 2 studies. Here, we report the final analysis of one of the primary endpoints, pCR, of CheckMate 816 (NCT02998528)-a randomized, phase 3, open-label study evaluating NIVO + chemo vs chemo as neoadjuvant tx for resectable NSCLC. Methods Adults with clinical stage IB (≥ 4 cm)-IIIA (per AJCC 7th ed), resectable NSCLC, ECOG PS 0-1, and no known EGFR/ALK alterations were randomized to either NIVO 360 mg + platinum-doublet chemo Q3W or chemo Q3W for 3 cycles, followed by surgery. Stratification was by disease stage (IB/II vs IIIA), PD-L1 (≥ 1% or < 1%), and sex. pCR by blinded independent pathological review (BIPR) and event-free survival by blinded independent central review (BICR) are the primary endpoints. pCR was defined as 0% viable tumor cells in resected lung and lymph nodes; pts who did not undergo surgery were counted as non-responders. Overall survival, major pathological response (MPR; ≤ 10% viable tumor in both lung and lymph nodes) per BIPR, and time to death or distant metastases are secondary endpoints. Key exploratory endpoints are objective response rate (ORR) per BICR and potential predictive biomarkers including PD-L1 and tumor mutational burden (TMB). Results Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms (n = 179 each). Neoadjuvant NIVO + chemo significantly increased pCR rates vs chemo in the intent-to-treat population (ITT) (24.0% vs 2.2%; odds ratio 13.94 [99% CI 3.49-55.75]; P < 0.0001). Improvement in pCR with NIVO + chemo vs chemo was consistent across key subgroups including disease stage (IB/II [26.2% vs 4.8%]; ≥ IIIA [23.0% vs 0.9%]), PD-L1 (< 1% [16.7% vs 2.6%]; ≥ 1% [32.6% vs 2.2%]), and TMB (low [22.4% vs 1.9%]; high [30.8% vs 2.7%]). NIVO + chemo also improved MPR rates vs chemo in the ITT (36.9% vs 8.9%), as well as ORR (53.6% vs 37.4%) and radiographic down-staging rates (30.7% vs 23.5%). Definitive surgery occurred for 83.2% of pts treated with NIVO + chemo and 75.4% with chemo; surgery was cancelled rarely due to AEs (2 pts/arm) and due to disease progression in 12 and 17 pts, respectively. Grade 3-4 tx-related AEs and grade 3-4 surgery-related AEs were reported in 33.5% vs 36.9% and 11.4% vs 14.8% of pts in the NIVO + chemo vs chemo arms, respectively. Conclusions CheckMate 816 met its first primary endpoint with a statistically significant improvement in pCR with neoadjuvant NIVO + chemo vs chemo alone per independent review. The safety profile of NIVO + chemo was consistent with the known profile of this combination regimen, and the addition of NIVO did not decrease the ability to perform surgery. CheckMate 816 is the first positive phase 3 trial demonstrating a significant improvement in pathologic response with neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemo in resectable NSCLC. Citation Format: Patrick M. Forde, Jonathan Spicer, Shun Lu, Mariano Provencio, Tetsuya Mitsudomi, Mark M. Awad, Enriqueta Felip, Stephen Broderick, Julie Brahmer, Scott J. Swanson, Keith Kerr, Changli Wang, Gene B. Saylors, Fumihiro Tanaka, Hiroyuki Ito, Ke-Neng Chen, Cecile Dorange, Junliang Cai, Joseph Fiore, Nicholas Girard. Nivolumab (NIVO) + platinum-doublet chemotherapy (chemo) vs chemo as neoadjuvant treatment (tx) for resectable (IB-IIIA) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the phase 3 CheckMate 816 trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT003.

Background The use of adjuvant first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with resected EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Therefore, we performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate the overall survival (OS) in patients with resected NSCLC. Methods Relevant studies were identified from the PubMed and EMBASE databases, and pooled hazard risks were obtained by random-effects models. Results Three prospective phase III and one phase II randomized controlled trials were identified, including a total of 839 patients who had undergone resection of EGFR-sensitive mutation in our analysis, 429 of whom received adjuvant first-generation TKIs therapy. For all patients with complete resection, adjuvant first-generation TKIs therapy was associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) [hazard ratio (HR): 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30–0. 82] but not OS (HR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.48–1.27) compared with adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, we reconstructed the OS curves of the ADJUVANT and IMPACT studies, and the pooled 3- and 5-year OS rates of stage II-III patients in the TKI group and chemotherapy group were 80% vs. 79% and 66% vs. 64%, respectively. We also reconstructed the DFS curves based on the ADJUVANT, IMPACT, and EVIDENCE studies, and the pooled 1-, 3- and 5-year DFS rates of stage II-III patients in the TKI group and chemotherapy group were 87% vs. 70%, 49% vs. 37% and 28% vs. 29%, respectively. Conclusions In patients with completely resected EGFR-mutant NSCLC, adjuvant first-generation TKIs may delay disease progression but still fail to improve long-term survival compared with conventional chemotherapy.

MS 17.02 MAGRIT