Role of Cytomorphology in the Era of Liquid Biopsy

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 497-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Clery ◽  
Pasquale Pisapia ◽  
Elena Vigliar ◽  
Umberto Malapelle ◽  
Claudio Bellevicine ◽  
...  

In the late stages of non-small cell lung cancer, the detection of sensitizing mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is mandatory to select patients’ treatment with first- or second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In patients showing progressive disease, the assessment of the EGFR exon 20 resistance point mutation p.T790M is required for third-generation TKI administration. However, molecular analysis does not capture all the different mechanisms of resistance against these molecules. A variety of morphological changes associated with acquired resistance have also been described. Since an altered morphology may be the only clue to acquired resistance, cytopathology still plays a relevant role in this setting. In this comprehensive review, we have focused on the relevance of squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma transitions from adenocarcinoma resistant to TKIs.

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Kosaka ◽  
Ei Yamaki ◽  
Akira Mogi ◽  
Hiroyuki Kuwano

Gefitinib and erlotinib, which are epidermal growth factor receptor- (EGFR-) specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), are widely used as molecularly targeted drugs for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Currently, the search forEGFRgene mutations is becoming essential for the treatment of NSCLC since these have been identified as predictive factors for drug sensitivity. On the other hand, in almost all patients responsive to EGFR-TKIs, acquired resistance is a major clinical problem. Mechanisms of acquired resistance reported in the past few years include secondary mutation of theEGFRgene, amplification of theMETgene, and overexpression of HGF; novel pharmaceutical agents are currently being developed to overcome resistance. This review focuses on these mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs and discusses how they can be overcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
O.M. Smorodska ◽  
Yu.V. Moskalenko ◽  
I.O. Vynnychenko ◽  
O.I. Vynnychenko ◽  
V.V. Kostuchenko

Tumor molecular profiling in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is used to identify driver mutations, which lead to premature carcinogenesis in more than 80% of adenocarcinoma cases, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Identification of specific somatic aberrations allows to personalize treatment. Personalization of treatment resulted in improvement of NSCLC outcomes. The aim of our study was to consider scientific data on modern concepts of treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with previously detected oncogenic mutations, especially EGFR mutation. In our study we analyzed scientific papers and data of international scientific literature on the problem of lung cancer treatment. Methods used: scientific research, analytical and generalizing. Different drugs are used in treatment of lung cancer. Choice of treatment scheme depends on type and presence of mutations. Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and detected mutation in the EGFR can be treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Nowadays three first generation drugs are recommended by FDA: afatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib. They showed good clinical benefit. Most patients with metastatic NSCLC typically show disease progression after approximately 9 to 13 months of erlotinib, gefitinib, or afatinib therapy. The first and only commercially available third-generation EGFR TKI is оsimertinib - an oral drug, which selectively inhibits both EGFR-TKI and EGFR T790M resistance mutations. Nowadays scientists are in active investigation of mechanisms of acquired resistance to TKIs, but little is known yet. Clinical success can be observed in patients who were treated with TKIs. EGFR T790M is a mutation that leads to acquired resistance to EGFR TKI therapy. Its incidence is approximately 60% after disease progression on TKI drugs (erlotinib, gefitinib, or aphatinib). Third-generation EGFR TKIs demonstrate high efficacy, but acquired resistance development cannot be avoided. Mechanisms of acquired resistance to these agents are still investigated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 1537-1547
Author(s):  
Fumio Imamura ◽  
Madoka Kimura ◽  
Yukihiro Yano ◽  
Masahide Mori ◽  
Hidekazu Suzuki ◽  
...  

Aim: Osimertinib is a key drug for EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As the hazards ratio of overall survival in comparison with first-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors was almost similar between FLAURA and ARCHER 1050, salvage use of osimertinib is still a treatment option. Patients & methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical courses of EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC patients who were potential candidates for salvage osimertinib. Results: Among 524 patients enrolled from five hospitals, 302 patients underwent biopsy, with 52.6% detection rate of T790M. Osimertinib was administered in 93.6% of the T790M-positive patients. The overall response rate and median progression-free survival time of osimertinib were calculated with 147 patients, to be 55.6% and 17.2 months, respectively. Conclusion: Osimertinib is active for T790M-driven acquired resistance in EGFR-mutant NSCLC, but the detection of T790M was unsatisfactory. Clinical Trial Registration: UMIN000028989 (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry)


Author(s):  
Gudrun Absenger ◽  
Andreas Pircher

SummaryThis article intends to summarize personal non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) highlights of the virtual ASCO 2021 meeting. Immunotherapy is now a mainstay of advanced stage NSCLC treatment and there are several ongoing studies investigating the role of immunotherapy in early stage NSCLC. At ASCO 2021 the first data on atezolizumab in the adjuvant setting were presented and give a positive signal that immunotherapy will also become an option for patient in early stage NSCLC. Furthermore, overall survival (OS) updates of two studies investigating the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the adjuvant setting of EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients were presented. In conclusion ASCO 2021 provided the lung cancer community with inspiring new data especial in early stages and challenges the community with integration of these data into our daily clinical routine.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Adrian G. Sacher

Plasma genotyping has rapidly evolved from an investigational technology into a standard-of-care tool used to direct therapy in metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Multiple testing platforms exist for plasma genotyping, each with unique test characteristics and scientific validation. The optimal use and interpretation of plasma genotyping requires understanding of cell-free DNA biology, the assay characteristics of the available testing technologies, and the application of testing in each clinical scenario. Current recommendations for plasma genotyping in metastatic NSCLC are limited to patients with newly diagnosed disease and those with acquired resistance to targeted therapy, in particular, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors. In newly diagnosed metastatic NSCLC, under certain circumstances, plasma genotyping is useful for the detection of targetable genomic alterations or nontargetable driver alterations (eg, KRAS) that are mutually exclusive with targetable alterations. In patients with acquired resistance to therapy, such as EGFR T790M-mediated acquired resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors, plasma genotyping may detect resistance mutations missed by standard tissue genotyping because of tumor heterogeneity. In both scenarios, the high specificity and positive predictive value of validated plasma genotyping assays allow for the reliable selection of therapy on the basis of a positive plasma genotyping result. However, the modest sensitivity of these assays requires that negative results be confirmed by tissue genotyping with repeat biopsy, if necessary. There is considerable potential for plasma genotyping in the detection of early-stage disease, for patients at risk for disease recurrence, and as an integrated biomarker of therapeutic response in clinical trials of novel therapies.


Author(s):  
Christoforos Astaras ◽  
Adrienne Bettini ◽  
Daniel C. Betticher

In advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are one of the most frequent oncogenic drivers. They confer a favorable prognosis and strongly predict sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Over the last decades, several EGFR genetic alterations, common and uncommon mutations, have been described in exons 18−21. Common mutations are exon 19 deletions (most frequently E746-A750) and exon 21 L858R substitution. Uncommon mutations include exon 18 G719X, exon 20 S768l, exon 21 L861Q and many other rare ones. This report describes the case of a 55-year-old woman with a newly diagnosed metastatic lung adenocarcinoma harboring two rare EGFR mutations and showing sustained response to osimertinib.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maddalena Zippi ◽  
Angeloluca De Quarto ◽  
Chiara Marzano ◽  
Claudio Cassieri ◽  
Pietro Crispino ◽  
...  

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer related dead worldwide and account for over 85% of all lung cancers. Furthermore, the majority of patients with NSCLC present with advanced, metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. For most patients with non-small cell lung cancer, current treatments do not cure the cancer. Therefore, there is a great need for development of more effective therapies. The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) like erlotinib and gefitinib have been recognized as an important molecular target in cancer therapy and they are approved for the treatment of refractory advanced NSCLC patients. EGFR TKIs are generally well tolerated. The two most common toxicities include dermatologic and gastrointestinal side effects. Cases of gastrointestinal perforation, some of which were fatal, have also been reported in patients receiving erlotinib. Those at increased risk include those taking concomitant anti-angiogenic agents, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and/or taxane-based chemotherapy, or who have prior history of peptic ulceration or diverticular disease.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (5S) ◽  
pp. 764-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leora Horn

Clinical trial data continue to emerge on treatments in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), supporting the strategy that histology and molecular driver mutations should guide treatment selection. During her presentation at the NCCN 19th Annual Conference, Dr. Leora Horn highlighted 3 specific areas in which the 2014 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for NSCLC focus attention: updates on the assortment of chemotherapy options, targeted therapies and how acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors appears to have become the catalyst of the development of newer-generations of agents, and the revisited role of newer immunotherapeutic options.


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