Person:

Gangadharan, Sidhu

Despite compelling antitumour activity of antibodies targeting the programmed death 1 (PD-1): programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint in lung cancer, resistance to these therapies has increasingly been observed. In this study, to elucidate mechanisms of adaptive resistance, we analyse the tumour immune microenvironment in the context of anti-PD-1 therapy in two fully immunocompetent mouse models of lung adenocarcinoma. In tumours progressing following response to anti-PD-1 therapy, we observe upregulation of alternative immune checkpoints, notably T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (TIM-3), in PD-1 antibody bound T cells and demonstrate a survival advantage with addition of a TIM-3 blocking antibody following failure of PD-1 blockade. Two patients who developed adaptive resistance to anti-PD-1 treatment also show a similar TIM-3 upregulation in blocking antibody-bound T cells at treatment failure. These data suggest that upregulation of TIM-3 and other immune checkpoints may be targetable biomarkers associated with adaptive resistance to PD-1 blockade.

Introduction The identification of somatic genomic aberrations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is part of evidence-based practice guidelines for care of patients with NSCLC. We sought to establish the frequency and correlates with these changes in routine patient–tumor sample pairs.

Methods Clinicopathologic data and tumor genotype were retrospectively compiled and analyzed from an overall cohort of 381 patient–tumor samples.

Results Of these patients, 75.9% self-reported White race, 13.1% Asian, 6.5% Black, 27.8% were never-smokers, 54.9% former-smokers and 17.3% current-smokers. The frequency of EGFR mutations was 23.9% (86/359), KRAS mutations 34.2% (71/207) and ALK FISH positivity 9.1% (23/252) in tumor samples, and almost all had mutually exclusive results for these oncogenes. In tumors from White, Black and Asian patients, the frequencies of EGFR mutations were 18.4%, 18.2% and 62%, respectively; of ALK FISH positivity 7.81%, 0% and 14.8%, respectively; and of KRAS mutations 41.6%, 20% and 0%. These patterns changed significant with increasing pack-year history of smoking. In White patients, the frequencies of EGFR mutations and ALK FISH positivity decreased with increasing pack-year cohorts; while the frequencies of KRAS mutations increased. Interestingly, in Asian patients the frequencies of EGFR mutations were similar in never smokers and in the cohorts with less than 45pack-year histories of smoking and only decreased in the 45pack-year plus cohort.

Conclusions The frequencies of somatic EGFR, KRAS, and ALK gene abnormalities using routine lung cancer tissue samples from our United States-based academic medical practice reflect the diverse ethnicity (with a higher frequency of EGFR mutations in Asian patients) and smoking patterns (with an inverse correlation between EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement) of our tested population. These results may help other medical practices appreciate the expected results from introduction of routine tumor genotyping techniques into their day-to-day care of NSCLC.

Introduction—Identification of some somatic molecular alterations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become evidence-based practice. The success and failure rate of using commercially-available tumor genotyping techniques in routine day-to-day NSCLC pathology samples is not well described. We sought to evaluate the success and failure rate of EGFR mutation, KRAS mutation, and ALK FISH in a cohort of lung cancers subjected to routine clinical tumor genotype. Methods—Clinicopathologic data, tumor genotype success and failure rates were retrospectively compiled and analyzed from 381 patient-tumor samples. Results—From these 381 patients with lung cancer, the mean age was 65 years, 61.2% were women, 75.9% were white, 27.8% were never smokers, 73.8% had advanced NSCLC and 86.1% had adenocarcinoma histology. The tumor tissue was obtained from surgical specimens in 48.8%, core needle biopsies in 17.9%, and as cell blocks from aspirates or fluid in 33.3% of cases. Anatomic sites for tissue collection included lung (49.3%), lymph nodes (22.3%), pleura (11.8%), bone (6.0%), brain (6.0%), among others. The overall success rate for EGFR mutation analysis was 94.2%, for KRAS mutation 91.6% and for ALK FISH 91.6%. The highest failure rates were observed when the tissue was obtained from image-guided percutaneous transthoracic core-needle biopsies (31.8%, 27.3%, and 35.3% for EGFR, KRAS, and ALK tests, respectively) and bone specimens (23.1%, 15.4%, and 23.1%, respectively). In specimens obtained from bone, the failure rates were significantly higher for biopsies than resection specimens (40% vs 0%, p=0.024 for EGFR) and for decalcified compared to non-decalcified samples (60% vs 5.5%, p=0.021 for EGFR). Conclusions—Tumor genotype techniques are feasible in most samples, outside small imageguided percutaneous transthoracic core-needle biopsies and bone samples from core biopsies with decalcification, and therefore expansion of routine tumor genotype into the care of patients with NSCLC may not require special tissue acquisition or manipulation.

Introduction

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are present in 10-20% of all non-small-cell lung cancers and predict for response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, the incidence of these mutations and their ability to predict response to TKIs in high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas [i.e. small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC)] is unknown.

Methods

The presence of EGFR mutations, clinicopathologic and anti-cancer therapy response data were retrospectively compiled and analyzed from a cohort of 608 patients-lung tumors to identify EGFR mutated high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas. We identified 126 EGFR-mutated (21.8% of 578 successful genotyped cases) lung cancers and only 2 (1.6%) were high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Results

Case one was of a 63 year-old white never smoker woman with extensive stage SCLC harboring EGFR-delL747_P753insS but without EGFR protein expression. After progression on carboplatin/etoposide, the patient was treated with erlotinib and developed progressive disease with a survival <3 months from start of erlotinib. Case two was of a 73 year-old Asian 30 pack-year smoker man with metastatic LCNEC harboring EGFR-delL747_P753insQS and also lacking EGFR protein expression. The patient received first line therapy with erlotinib and had progressive disease with a survival of 4 months.

Conclusions

The lack of response to EGFR TKIs in EGFR mutated de novo SCLC and LCNEC reported here may indicate that tumor differentiation affects tumor dependency on EGFR as a driver oncogene.

Rationale: Rigid bronchoscopy–guided (RBG) percutaneous tracheostomy has been used in patients with morbid obesity, prior neck surgery, distorted airway anatomy, and uncorrected coagulopathy where standard percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is relatively contraindicated. Objectives: This study aims to describe a standardized approach to incorporate RBG-PDT in clinical practice. Methods and Measurements: Retrospective case series of patients who underwent RBG-PDT from 2008 to 2012 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Patient medical records were reviewed for demographics, comorbid conditions, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, indication for tracheostomy, duration of procedure, and periprocedural complications. Main Results: A total of 35 patients underwent RBG-PDT, including 24 men, with a mean age of 66 years (611 yr; range, 42–88 yr). The mean body mass index was 34 kg/m2. The mean procedure time was 32 (610) minutes, with a median of 33 minutes. The most common indication for tracheostomy was failure to wean from mechanical ventilation, followed by tracheal stenosis and tracheobronchomalacia. The most common indications for RBG-PDT were complex airway, obesity, and coagulopathy. There were no periprocedural complications of consequence, or mortality associated with the procedure. Conclusions: RBG-PDT is safe and effective in a population of high-risk patients who are otherwise not considered good candidates for standard PDT.

Introduction

Tumor genotyping using single gene assays (SGAs) is standard practice in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated how the introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) into day-to-day clinical practice altered therapeutic decision-making.

Methods

Clinicopathologic data, tumor genotype, and clinical decisions were retrospectively compiled over 6 months following introduction of NGS assay use at our institution in 82 patient-tumor samples (7 by primary NGS, 22 by sequential SGAs followed by NGS, and 53 by SGAs).

Results

SGAs identified abnormalities in 34 samples, and all patients with advanced EGFR-mutated or ALK-rearranged tumors received approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or were consented for clinical trials. NGS was more commonly requested for EGFR, ALK, and KRAS-negative tumors (p<0.0001). NGS was successful in 24/29 (82.7%) tumors. Of 17 adenocarcinomas (ACs), 11 (7 from patients with ≤15 pack-years of smoking) had abnormalities in a known driver oncogene. This led to a change in decision-making in 8 patients, trial consideration in 6, and off-label TKI use in 2. Of 7 squamous cell (SC) carcinomas, 1 had a driver aberration (FGFR1); 6 had other genomic events (all with TP53 mutations). In no cases were clinical decisions altered (p=0.0538 when compared to ACs).

Conclusions

Targeted NGS can identify a significant number of therapeutically-relevant driver events in lung ACs; particularly in never or light smokers. For SC lung cancers, NGS is less likely to alter current practice. Further research into the cost effectiveness and optimal use of NGS and improved provider training in genomic oncology are warranted.

The proliferation of computer-aided design and additive manufacturing enables on-demand fabrication of complex, three-dimensional structures. However, combining the versatility of cell-laden hydrogels within the 3D printing process remains a challenge. Herein, we describe a facile and versatile method that integrates polymer networks (including hydrogels) with 3D-printed mechanical supports to fabricate multicomponent (bio)materials. The approach exploits surface tension to coat fenestrated surfaces with suspended liquid films that can be transformed into solid films. The operating parameters for the process are determined using a physical model, and complex geometric structures are successfully fabricated. We engineer, by tailoring the window geometry, scaffolds with anisotropic mechanical properties that compress longitudinally (~30% strain) without damaging the hydrogel coating. Finally, the process is amenable to high cell density encapsulation and co-culture. Viability (>95%) was maintained 28 days after encapsulation. This general approach can generate biocompatible, macroscale devices with structural integrity and anisotropic mechanical properties.