Editors Choice
Brigatinib Versus Crizotinib in ALK Inhibitor–Naive Advanced ALK-Positive NSCLC: Final Results of Phase 3 ALTA-1L Trial
In the phase 3 study entitled ALK in Lung cancer Trial of brigAtinib in 1st Line (ALTA-1L), which is a study of brigatinib in ALK inhibitor–naive advanced ALK-positive NSCLC, brigatinib exhibited superior progression-free survival (PFS) versus crizotinib in the two planned interim analyses. Here, we report the final efficacy, safety, and exploratory results.Brain Metastases in EGFR- and ALK-Positive NSCLC: Outcomes of Central Nervous System-Penetrant Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Alone Versus in Combination With Radiation
Management of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in patients with driver-mutated NSCLC has traditionally incorporated both tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and intracranial radiation. Whether next generation, CNS-penetrant TKIs can be used alone without upfront radiation, however, remains unknown. This multi-institutional retrospective analysis aimed to compare outcomes in patients with EGFR- or ALK-positive NSCLC who received CNS-penetrant TKI therapy alone versus in combination with radiation for new or progressing intracranial metastases.A Phase 1 Study Evaluating Rovalpituzumab Tesirine in Frontline Treatment of Patients With Extensive-Stage SCLC
Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T) is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting DLL3, a Notch pathway ligand highly expressed on SCLC cells. Rova-T was evaluated alone or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin combined with etoposide [CE]) in frontline treatment of extensive-stage SCLC.Nivolumab Monotherapy and Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer: Results From the CheckMate 032 Randomized Cohort
Nivolumab monotherapy is approved in the United States for third-line or later metastatic small cell lung cancer based on pooled data from nonrandomized and randomized cohorts of the multicenter, open-label, phase 1/2 trial of nivolumab ± ipilimumab (CheckMate 032; NCT01928394 ). We report updated results, including long-term overall survival (OS), from the randomized cohort.Targeting MET in Lung Cancer: Will Expectations Finally Be MET?
The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET) is a potential therapeutic target in a number of cancers, including NSCLC. In NSCLC, MET pathway activation is thought to occur through a diverse set of mechanisms that influence properties affecting cancer cell survival, growth, and invasiveness. Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests a role for MET activation as both a primary oncogenic driver in subsets of lung cancer and as a secondary driver of acquired resistance to targeted therapy in other genomic subsets.Responses to Crizotinib Can Occur in High-Level MET-Amplified Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Independent of MET Exon 14 Alterations
Activation of the MET proto-oncogene (MET) highly sensitive to MET inhibition has recently been described in NSCLC through two mechanisms: high-level amplification of the MNNG HOS Transforming gene (MET) (usually expressed relative to the chromosome 7 centromere [CEP7] when using fluorescence in situ hybridization) and exon 14 alterations. As partial overlap of these biomarkers occurs, whether one is purely a surrogate for the other or both can represent true oncogenic driver states continues to be explored.Transient Asymptomatic Pulmonary Opacities Occurring during Osimertinib Treatment
Osimertinib is an EGFR inhibitor licensed for the treatment of EGFR-mutant, T790M-positive NSCLC. Previously unreported, frequent transient asymptomatic pulmonary opacities were noted in patients during osimertinib therapy at the University of Colorado.A Highly Sensitive and Quantitative Test Platform for Detection of NSCLC EGFR Mutations in Urine and Plasma
In approximately 60% of patients with NSCLC who are receiving EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, resistance develops through the acquisition of EGFR T790M mutation. We aimed to demonstrate that a highly sensitive and quantitative next-generation sequencing analysis of EGFR mutations from urine and plasma specimens is feasible.Crizotinib Effects on Creatinine and Non-Creatinine–Based Measures of Glomerular Filtration Rate
Rapid reductions in creatinine-based estimates of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) have recently been reported secondary to crizotinib use. Whether these reflect drug-induced changes in the true GFR or the validity of creatinine as a measure of kidney function in the presence of crizotinib is unknown.
