SC17.02 Lung Cancer in China: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer death in China. The estimated new lung cancer cases and deaths were 733,300 and 610,200 in 2015, respectively. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the predominant form of the disease in China, with majority of patients being diagnosed at advanced stages. Thus this presentation will focus on advanced stage NSCLC. The current treatment algorithm for wild-type non-squamous and squamous NSCLC were shown in Figure 1 and 2, respectively.Figure 2Treatment algorithm for advanced squamous NSCLC.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) For patients with activating EGFR mutations, EGFR-TKIs therapy will be used as front-line therapy. Commercial available EGFR-TKIs in China include Gefitinib, Erlotinib and Icotinib. For patients harboring an ALK rearrangement, crizotinib will also be considered as first-line treatment. When failed from EGFR-TKIs or ALK-Inhibitor therapy, patients will be treated according to clinical model of disease progression. For patients with asymptomatic progression, continuing EGFR-TKIs or ALK-Inhibitor is recommended. For patients with local progression, EGFR-TKIs or ALK-Inhibitor will also be continued with additional local therapy such as whole brain radiation. However, for patients with aggressive progression, EGFR-TKIs or ALK-Inhibitor will be substituted by chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it is difficult to overcome drug resistance according to molecular mechanism because novel agents such as Osimertinib and Alectinib haven’t been approved by Chinese FDA. 1. Genetic alterations assays Genetic alterations are frequent in Chinese NSCLC patients. According to PIONEER study (NCT01185314), which is a prospective molecular epidemiology study in newly diagnosed advanced lung adenocarcinoma, the EGFR active mutation rate is 50.2% in Chinese patient population. The incidence of EGFR mutations in patients who never smoked can be as high as 59.6%. ALK rearrangement is also common in this patient population. In a large cross-sectional study enrolled 1160 NSCLC patients, the incidence of ALK rearrangements is 8.1%. Noteworthy, 44% of patients younger than 30 years old harbor ALK rearrangements. However, genetic alterations test rate used to be low in China. According to a large national survey, the EGFR mutation test rate was only 9.6% in 2011. However, as the turnover time shortens, the testing fee decreases, and ctDNA testing becomes available, the EGFR/ALK assays have turned into routine practice in China. Moreover, NGS platforms detecting panels of mutations are commonly used in some leading centers now. 2. Novel agent availability There is severe delay in the approval for novel agents by Chinese FDA. For instance, Bevacizumab was approved by FDA for treatment of NSCLC in 2006, while it was approved by Chinese FDA 9 years later. To improve availability of novel agents, Chinese oncologists are active in participation in international multi-center clinical trials. In addition, more and more innovative drugs have been developed by domestic pharma industry and entered clinical trials (Table 1). Moreover, Chinese FDA makes new policies to encourage innovative drugs and accelerating new drug application.Table 1Innovative drugs from China in clinical trials 3.Agent IDClassificationIndicationPhaseAvitinibMutation selected EGFR-TKIEGFR T790M MutationPhase IApatinibVEGFR-TKINonsquamous NSCLC in 3LPhase IIIFamitinibVEGFR-TKINonsquamous NSCLC in 3LPhase IIITheliatinibEGFR inhibitorEGFR amplificationPhase IVolitinibc-MET inhibitorc-MET amplificationPhase ISHR-1210PD-1 antibodyNSCLC in 2/3LPhase I Open table in a new tab Lung cancer prevention The incidence rate of lung cancer remains high in China between 2000 and 2011. Factors that have contributed to this issue include tobacco smoking and air pollution. 50% adult Chinese men were current smokers in 2010. In addition, smoking rates in adolescents and young adults are still rising in China. To reduce tobacco use in China, the government enact a strict smoking control law in Beijing in June 2015. However, the air pollution is still a severe problem and needs to be improved urgently. 4. Economic burden There are several factors which have contributed to the heavy economic burden of lung cancer patients in China. First, the residents’ income is still low in China. In 2015, per capita disposable income (one year) was only $3300. Second, the cost of anti-cancer drugs is very high (Crizotinib/cycle $8500, Gefitinib/cycle $2200, Pemetrexed/cycle $3000, and Bevacizumab/cycle $4500). Moreover, only 20% of whole medical expense can be covered by insurance, and majority of targeted drugs can’t be covered. genetic alterations assays, lung cancer prevention, novel agents availability, economic burden