scholarly journals Brain Metastases in Lung Cancers with Emerging Targetable Fusion Drivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron C. Tan ◽  
Malinda Itchins ◽  
Mustafa Khasraw

The management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has transformed with the discovery of therapeutically tractable oncogenic drivers. In addition to activating driver mutations, gene fusions or rearrangements form a unique sub-class, with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) targeted agents approved as the standard of care in the first-line setting for advanced disease. There are a number of emerging fusion drivers, however, including neurotrophin kinase (NTRK), rearrangement during transfection (RET), and neuregulin 1 (NRG1) for which there are evolving high-impact systemic treatment options. Brain metastases are highly prevalent in NSCLC patients, with molecularly selected populations such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant and ALK-rearranged tumors particularly brain tropic. Accordingly, there exists a substantial body of research pertaining to the understanding of brain metastases in such populations. Little is known, however, on the molecular mechanisms of brain metastases in those with other targetable fusion drivers in NSCLC. This review encompasses key areas including the biological underpinnings of brain metastases in fusion-driven lung cancers, the intracranial efficacy of novel systemic therapies, and future directions required to optimize the control and prevention of brain metastases.

Author(s):  
Christine M. Lovly ◽  
Puneeth Iyengar ◽  
Justin F. Gainor

Targeted therapies have transformed the management of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and placed an increased emphasis on stratifying patients on the basis of genetic alterations in oncogenic drivers. To date, the best characterized molecular targets in NSCLC are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Despite steady advances in targeted therapies within these molecular subsets, however, acquired resistance to therapy is near universal. Recent preclinical models and translational efforts have provided critical insights into the molecular mechanisms of resistance to EGFR and ALK inhibitors. In this review, we present a framework for understanding resistance to targeted therapies. We also provide overviews of the molecular mechanisms of resistance and strategies to overcome resistance among EGFR-mutant and ALK-rearranged lung cancers. To date, these strategies have centered on the development of novel next-generation inhibitors, rationale combinations, and use of local ablative therapies, such as radiotherapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-248
Author(s):  
Nishitha Thumallapally ◽  
Hana Yu ◽  
Mohammad Farhan ◽  
Uroosa Ibrahim ◽  
Maricel Odiami

Empirical evidence has long suggested that oncogenic driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer are mutually independent. However, recent studies reported in pertinent literature reveal that concomitant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement can occur in a subset of patients with NSCLC. In order to shed further light on this issue, we report a case of adenocarcinoma of lung harboring both EGFR mutation in exon 21 (L861Q) and ALK rearrangement. This allows us to speculate on likely molecular mechanisms underlying this uncommon phenomenon, while also offering some practical guidelines on the therapeutic options that could benefit patients diagnosed with this dual-positive tumor.


2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin F. Gainor ◽  
Diane Tseng ◽  
Satoshi Yoda ◽  
Ibiayi Dagogo-Jack ◽  
Luc Friboulet ◽  
...  

Purpose The ROS1 tyrosine kinase is activated through ROS1 gene rearrangements in 1% to 2% of non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), which confer sensitivity to treatment with the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)/ROS1/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor inhibitor crizotinib. Currently, insights into patterns of metastatic spread and mechanisms of crizotinib resistance among patients with ROS1-positive disease are limited. Patients and Methods We reviewed clinical and radiographic imaging data of patients with ROS1- and ALK-positive NSCLC to compare patterns of metastatic spread at initial metastatic diagnosis. To determine molecular mechanisms of crizotinib resistance, we analyzed repeat biopsy specimens from a cohort of patients with ROS1-positive disease who progressed on crizotinib. Results We identified 39 and 196 patients with advanced ROS1- and ALK-positive NSCLC, respectively. Patients with ROS1-positive disease had significantly lower rates of extrathoracic metastases ( ROS1, 59.0%; ALK, 83.2%; P = .002), including lower rates of brain metastases ( ROS1, 19.4%; ALK, 39.1%; P = .033), at initial metastatic diagnosis. Despite similar overall survival between patients with ALK- and ROS1-positive NSCLC treated with crizotinib (median, 3.0 v 2.5 years, respectively; P = .786), patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC also had a significantly lower cumulative incidence of brain metastases (34% v 73% at 5 years; P < .001). In addition, we identified 16 patients who underwent a total of 17 repeat biopsies after progression on crizotinib. ROS1 resistance mutations were identified in 53% of specimens, including nine (64%) of 14 non–brain metastasis specimens. ROS1 mutations included G2032R (41%), D2033N (6%), and S1986F (6%). Conclusion Compared with ALK rearrangements, ROS1 rearrangements are associated with lower rates of extrathoracic metastases, including fewer brain metastases, at initial metastatic diagnosis. ROS1 resistance mutations, particularly G2032R, appear to be the predominant mechanism of resistance to crizotinib, which underscores the need to develop novel ROS1 inhibitors with activity against these resistant mutants.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3553
Author(s):  
Dylan A. Farnsworth ◽  
Yankuan T. Chen ◽  
Georgia de Rappard Yuswack ◽  
William W. Lockwood

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are the molecular driver of a subset of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC); tumors that harbor these mutations are often dependent on sustained oncogene signaling for survival, a concept known as “oncogene addiction”. Inhibiting EGFR with tyrosine kinase inhibitors has improved clinical outcomes for patients; however, successive generations of inhibitors have failed to prevent the eventual emergence of resistance to targeted agents. Although these tumors have a well-established dependency on EGFR signaling, there remain questions about the underlying genetic mechanisms necessary for EGFR-driven oncogenesis and the factors that allow tumor cells to escape EGFR dependence. In this review, we highlight the latest findings on mutant EGFR dependencies, co-operative drivers, and molecular mechanisms that underlie sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors. Additionally, we offer perspective on how these discoveries may inform novel combination therapies tailored to EGFR mutant NSCLC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 773-791
Author(s):  
Dhaval Sanchala ◽  
Lokesh K. Bhatt ◽  
Kedar S. Prabhavalkar

Lung cancer surfaces to be the predominant determinant of mortality worldwide constituting 13% and 19% of all new cancer cases and deaths related to cancer respectively. Molecular profiling has now become a regular trend in lung cancer to identify the driver mutations. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is the most regular driver mutation encountered in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Targeted therapies are now available for the treatment of EGFR mutant NSCLC. EGFR mutation is more frequently expressed in adenocarcinoma than squamous cell carcinoma. This article presents a detailed molecular insight of the therapeutic approaches for the treatment of EGFR mutant lung cancer. The article delineates molecular mechanism of the drugs that are approved, the drugs that are in clinical trial and the drugs that have not entered a clinical trial but shows promising future in the treatment of EGFR mutant lung cancer. Furthermore, this article provides concise information on relevant combinational or monotherapy clinical trials that have been completed for various approaches.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahraa Al-Hilli ◽  
Judy C Boughey

Amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor–2 (HER-2) gene is found in approximately 15 to 30% of breast cancers. Historically, HER-2 overexpression has been associated with aggressive disease and a poor prognosis. However, the use of targeted anti-HER2 therapy has revolutionized the treatment of HER-2-positive disease, and the use of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy is now standard of care for tumors greater than 1 cm in size and in node-positive disease. More recently, the value of dual-agent anti-HER-2 therapy has been demonstrated in large clinical trials. This review provides an overview of HER-2-positive breast cancer, its molecular basis, methods of identification, and treatment options and strategies. This review contains 2 figures and 70 references Key words: anti-HER-2 therapy, breast cancer, HER-2-positive breast cancer, HER-2 resistance, lapatinib, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pertuzumab, small HER-2-positive breast cancer, trastuzumab


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Han Woo ◽  
Tae Jung Kim ◽  
Tae Sung Kim ◽  
Joungho Han

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in CT characteristics and disease spread patterns between ROS1-rearranged adenocarcinomas and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged adenocarcinomas. Patients with stage IIIb/IV adenocarcinoma with ROS1 rearrangement, EGFR mutations, or ALK rearrangement were retrospectively identified. Two radiologists evaluated CT features and disease spread patterns. A multivariable logistic regression model was applied to determine the clinical and CT characteristics that can discriminate between ROS1-rearranged and EGFR-mutant or ALK-rearranged adenocarcinomas. A cohort of 169 patients was identified (ROS1 = 23, EGFR = 120, and ALK = 26). Compared to EGFR-mutant adenocarcinomas, ROS1-rearranged adenocarcinomas were less likely to have air-bronchogram (p = 0.011) and pleural retraction (p = 0.048) and more likely to have pleural effusion (p = 0.025), pericardial metastases (p < 0.001), intrathoracic and extrathoracic nodal metastases (p = 0.047 and 0.023, respectively), and brain metastases (p = 0.017). Following multivariable analysis, age (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12; p = 0.024), pericardial metastases (OR = 10.50; 95% CI: 2.10, 52.60; p = 0.005), and nodal metastases (OR = 8.55; 95% CI: 1.14, 62.52; p = 0.037) were found to be more common in ROS1-rearranged tumors than in non-ROS1-rearranged tumors. ROS1-rearranged adenocarcinomas appeared as solid tumors and were associated with young age, pericardial metastases and advanced nodal metastases relative to tumors with EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangement.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Xin Gui ◽  
Jun Peng ◽  
Ze-Ping Yang ◽  
Lu-Yao Chen ◽  
Hong Zeng ◽  
...  

Abstract c-Met hyperactivity has been observed in numerous neoplasms. Several researchers have shown that the abnormal activation of c-Met is mainly caused by transcriptional activation. However, the molecular mechanism behind this transcriptional regulation is poorly understood. Here, we suggest that Smad3 negatively regulates the expression and activation of c-Met via a transcriptional mechanism. We explore the molecular mechanisms that underlie Smad3-induced c-Met transcription inhibition. We found in contrast to the high expression of c-Met, Smad3 showed low protein and mRNA levels. Smad3 and c-Met expression was inconsistent between lung cancer tissues and cell lines. We also found that Smad3 overexpression suppresses whereas Smad3 knockdown significantly promotes EMT and production of the angiogenic factors VEGF, CTGF and COX-2 through the ERK1/2 pathway. In addition, Smad3 overexpression decreases whereas Smad3 knockdown significantly increases protein and mRNA levels of invasion related β-catenin and FAK through the PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, using the ChIP analysis method, we demonstrate that a transcriptional regulatory complex consisting of HDAC1, Smad3 and mSin3A binds to the promoter of the c-Met gene. By either silencing endogenous mSin3A expression with siRNA or by pretreating cells with a specific HDAC1 inhibitor (MS-275), Smad3-induced transcriptional suppression of c-Met could be effectively attenuated. These results demonstrate that Smad3-induced inhibition of c-Met transcription depends on of a functional transcriptional regulatory complex that includes Smad3, mSin3A and HDAC1 at the c-Met promoter. Collectively, our findings reveal a new regulatory mechanism of c-Met signaling, and suggest a potential molecular target for the development of anticancer drugs.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3370
Author(s):  
Nicola Personeni ◽  
Ana Lleo ◽  
Tiziana Pressiani ◽  
Francesca Colapietro ◽  
Mark Robert Openshaw ◽  
...  

Most patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) are diagnosed with advanced disease, relapse rates are high in those undergoing surgery and prognosis remains poor, while the incidence is increasing. Treatment options are limited, and chemotherapy is still the standard of care in both adjuvant and advanced disease setting. In recent years, different subtypes of BTC have been defined depending on the anatomical location and genetic and/or epigenetic aberrations. Especially for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) novel therapeutic targets have been identified, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene fusions and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mutations, with molecularly targeted agents having shown evidence of activity in this subgroup of patients. Additionally, other pathways are being evaluated in both iCCA and other subtypes of BTC, alongside targeting of the immune microenvironment. The growing knowledge of BTC biology and molecular heterogeneity has paved the way for the development of new therapeutic approaches that will completely change the treatment paradigm for this disease in the near future. This review provides an overview of the molecular heterogeneity of BTC and summarizes new targets and emerging therapies in development. We also discuss resistance mechanisms, open issues, and future perspectives in the management of BTC.


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