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K. Yoh



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    MO04 - Lung Cancer Biology I (ID 86)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Biology
    • Presentations: 1
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      MO04.10 - Identification of biological properties of intralymphatic tumor related to the development of lymph node metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma (ID 1724)

      17:10 - 17:15  |  Author(s): K. Yoh

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Intralymphatic tumors in the extratumoral area are considered to represent the preceding phase of lymph node (LN) metastasis. The aim of this study was to clarify the biological properties of intralymphatic tumors susceptible to the development of LN metastasis, with special reference to the expression of cancer initiating/stem cell (CIC/CSC) markers in cancer cells and the number of infiltrating stromal cells.

      Methods
      A total of 2087 consecutive adenocarcinoma patients underwent complete resections and systematic LN dissections between May 1998 and December 2012 were identified. Among these cases, we selected those that had been diagnosed as having lymphatic permeation in the extratumoral area (n = 107). We examined the expression levels of CIC/CSC related markers including ALDH1, OCT4, NANOG, SOX2 and Caveolin-1 in the intralymphatic and primary tumor cells to evaluate their relationship to LN metastasis. The number of infiltrating stromal cells expressing CD34, α-smooth muscle actin, and CD204 were also evaluated. Moreover, we measured E-cadherin expression to identify a correlation between CIC/CSC related molecules and epithelial - mesenchymal transition (EMT) process.

      Results
      Intrathoracic LN metastases were detected in specimens from 86 patients (80%). Among the intralymphatic tissues, low ALDH1 expression in cancer cells, high SOX2 expression in cancer cells, and a high number of CD204(+) macrophages were independent predictive factors for LN metastasis (odds ratio [95%CI] = 3.25 [1.11 – 9.82], P = 0.031 for ALDH1; 4.09 [1.38 – 13.4], P = 0.011 for SOX2; and 3.45 [1.16 – 11.4], P = 0.026 for CD204(+) macrophages). However, in the primary tumors, only a high SOX2 expression level in the cancer cells within the primary tumor was significantly correlated with LN metastasis (p=0.008); ALDH1 expression in the cancer cells and the number of CD204(+) macrophages were not correlated with LN metastasis (P = 0.230 and P = 0.088, respectively). Among these factors, only low ALDH1 expression in intralymphatic cancer cells was significantly correlated with the farther spreading of LN metastasis (mediastinal LN, pN2) (P = 0.046) and higher metastatic LN ratio (metastatic/resected) (P = 0.028). Intralymphatic cancer cells expressing low ALDH1 levels exhibited lower E-cadherin expression levels than cancer cells with high levels of ALDH1 expression (P = 0.015). The expressions of other CIC/CSC related markers, including OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, and Caveolin-1, were not correlated with the E-cadherin expression.

      Conclusion
      Intralymphatic cancer cells expressing low levels of ALDH1 and infiltrating macrophages expressing CD204 have a critical impact on LN metastasis. Especially, intralymphatic cancer cells expressing low levels of ALDH1 might acquire a metastatic aggressiveness by the EMT process. Our study highlighted the significance of evaluating the biological properties of intralymphatic tumors for tumor metastasis and suggested the possibility of usefulness as a new molecular target, especially as an adjuvant therapy.

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    P1.10 - Poster Session 1 - Chemotherapy (ID 204)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P1.10-011 - Clinicopathological analysis of long-term (more than 2 years) progression-free survivors treated with epidermal growth factor receptor - tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (ID 753)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): K. Yoh

      • Abstract

      Background
      Presence of activating EGFR mutations is known to be predictive of a favorable response to treatment with EGFR-TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Indeed, in clinical practice, EGFR-TKI treatment in patient with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations sometimes yields a progression-free survival (PFS) of more than 2 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features of patients showing long-term (in the context of this study, more than 2 years) PFS.

      Methods
      Data of 194 consecutive patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs between May 2003 and May 2011 were reviewed. PFS was measured from the date of start of EGFR-TKI treatment to the date of documentation of disease progression, death or the last follow-up.

      Results
      The characteristics of the 194 patients were as follows, male/female: 70/124; median age: 65 years (range 36-88); PS 0-1/2-3: 170/24; adenocarcinoma/non-adenocarcinoma: 189/5; advanced/recurrent: 104/90; EGFR-TKI 1st line/2nd or 3rd line: 120/74; gefitinib/erlotinib: 170/24; Exon 19 deletion/L858R/other mutations: 98/86/10. The median progression-free survival was 9.7 months. Of the 194 patients, 32 (16%) showed long-term progression-free survival. The results of univariate analyses revealed significant associations between the PFS and the PS and site of EGFR mutation. The EGFR-TKI treatment line (1st line/2nd or 3rd line) and specific EGFR TKI used (gefitinib/erlotinib) exerted no significant influence on the PFS. Multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards model identified PS0-1 and Exon 19 deletion as independent favorable prognostic factors for PFS. The median PFS in patients with PS 0-1 and Exon 19 deletion (n=88) was 13.2 months, and 20 of the 88 patients (23%) showed long-term progression-free survival.

      Conclusion
      Patients with good PS and Exon 19 deletion appear to have a higher likelihood of showing long-term progression-free survival. Therefore, the site of EGFR mutation, in addition to the PS, may be useful as a stratification factor in future clinical trials.

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    P1.11 - Poster Session 1 - NSCLC Novel Therapies (ID 208)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P1.11-011 - Observational study of treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor activating mutation positive (EGFRm+) advanced or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), after radiological progression to the first-line therapy with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). (ID 1077)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): K. Yoh

      • Abstract

      Background
      Although NSCLC with activating EGFR mutation is generally sensitive to EGFR-TKI, such as gefitinib or erlotinib, it eventually gets acquired resistance. However, the clinical course after radiological (RECIST-based) “progressive disease (PD) judgment" is highly variable. Some patients are reported to do well with continuation of TKI beyond PD, with or without local therapy. But, prior reports are only on small-numbered and selected cases. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical course and the actual pattern of care after radiological "progressive disease" to the first-line therapy with EGFR-TKI in such cases.

      Methods
      Thirty-four institutions in Japan participate in the survey of the patterns of care and outcomes of the patients with EGFRm+ advanced or recurrent NSCLC, who received first-line gefitinib or erlotinib during the period from 2009 to 2011. The primary endpoint is the time from RECIST-based radiological PD to clinical PD in patients who were continuously received EGFR-TKI beyond “RECIST PD”. Clinical PD was defined as one or more of the following events: 1) symptomatic progression, 2) worsening of performance status due to progression, 3) threat to major vital organ(s), 4) multi-organ unequivocal progression. Durations of TKI administration and reasons of discontinuation (RECEIST PD vs. clinical PD vs. toxicity), concomitant administration of chemotherapy and/or local therapy with TKI, occurrence of “flare” phenomenon after TKI stoppage, and overall survival were also recorded.

      Results
      At the time of the abstract submission, 24 institutions reported the number of patients. There were 1,177 patients (395 in 2009, 397 in 2010 and 385 in 2011) with EGFRm+ advanced or recurrent NSCLC. Among them, 602 (51.1%) received first-line EGFR-TKI. The median number of EGFRm+ patients per institution was 32 (range: 9 to 151). The rates of those who received first-line TKI varied substantially among institutions, ranging from 30% to 88%, and tended to increase over time (41.0% in 2009, 56.9% in 2010 and 55.6% in 2011). In 2009, there were no institutions which administered TKI to every EGFRm+ patient, whereas there were 1 and 3 such institutions in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

      Conclusion
      In this large observational study, we will collect data on approximately 1,600 patients with EGFRm+ NSCLC, some 800 of them received first-line EGFR-TKI. Since the median progression-free survival of those patients with TKI has generally been reported to be 1 year or less, we will be able to see the pattern of care and outcome after PD in the majority of the cases. Clinical significance of continuation of EGFR-TKI “beyond PD” in the real world will be clarified. This research was conducted by Comprehensive Support Project for Oncology Research (CSPOR) of Public Health Research Foundation. The research fund was provided to CSPOR with support from an Investigator Sponsored Study Programme of AstraZeneca. Trial registry with UMIN#000010538.

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    P2.10 - Poster Session 2 - Chemotherapy (ID 207)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.10-022 - Prospective observational cohort study of second-line chemotherapy administration after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC in Japan (SAPPHIRE study) (ID 1438)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): K. Yoh

      • Abstract

      Background
      In advanced non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), second-line chemotherapy (second-CT) after the progression of the first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (first-CT) is the standard of care. More recently, maintenance therapy after the first-CT has been reported to be beneficial. However, its impact on overall survival appears to be marginal or negligible, when most patients could receive timely active second-CT after progression. The purposes of this study are to investigate the proportion of those who actually received the second-CT, and to elucidate factors associated with its administration in advanced NSCLC patients.

      Methods
      From April 2010 to September 2011, patients with advanced NSCLC who received platinum-based first-CT at 30 institutions in Japan were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Baseline characteristics, regimens and responses to the first-CT, presence or absense of the second-CT administration, and if not administered, its reasons were recorded. This is an interim report describing patients with at least 6 months of follow up. This study was supported by the Public Health Research Center Foundation CSPOR and registered at UMIN#000006393.

      Results
      A total of 865 eligible patients with advanced NSCLC provided patient characteristics and details of the first-CT. Median age was 65 (range: 24-86), proportion of patients with adenocarcinoma/squamous/NOS/others were 70/20/8/2%, and with EGFR mutant/wild/unknown were 10/60/30%. Platinum compound used in the first-CT were: cisplatin in 38.3% of the cases, carboplatin in 57.9%, and nedaplatin in 2.8%. Of the patients with non-squamous histology, 24% received bevacizumab. At the time of cut off, 797 patients were assessable for response of the first-CT. Among them, 225 patients had either disease progression or inadequate data (NE) to the first-CT and 572 patients were evaluated CR/PR/SD; 194 (22%) received maintenance therapy, including bevacizumab. Of the 572 patients, 51 have no disease progression after the first-CT, and data are not yet available in another 13. Therefore, 508 patients were further analyzed for the administaration of the second-CT. Among those, 132 patients (26%) failed to receive the second-CT. The reasons for not receiving were as follows: declined PS, 79 (60%); patient refusal, 28 (21%); death of any cause, 6 (5%); loss of follow-up and others, 19 (14%). Explorative analysis of association between characterisics and administration of the second-CT revealed age (<65 vs ≥65, odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39-0.90, p=0.01), PS (0 vs 1-4, OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.53, p<0.0001), and smoking status (never vs ever, OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.85, p=0.01) as possible factors.

      Conclusion
      Preliminary results of this large observational study in Japan suggested that around one-fourth of the patients missed an opportunity to receive appropriate the second-CT. Further investigation is needed to clarify optimal management of the patients after the first-CT, particularly on how to identify the patients that would be less likely to receive the second-CT after disease progression and thus would be more likely to receive benefit from maintenance therapy strategy.

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    P3.06 - Poster Session 3 - Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers (ID 178)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Biology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.06-016 - Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 expression in cancer cells could have prognostic value for patients with non-small cell lung cancer who are treated with neoadjuvant therapy: identification of prognostic microenvironmental factors after chemoradiation (ID 1726)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): K. Yoh

      • Abstract

      Background
      Prognostic biomarkers for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have been treated with neoadjuvant therapy have not been fully assessed. Identifying biological prognostic markers may help to distinguish patients who are likely to benefit from additional postoperative chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to analyze prognostic biomarkers in surgically resected NSCLC after treatment with neoadjuvant therapy, with special reference to the immunophenotypes of both the cancer cells and the stromal cells.

      Methods
      A series of 66 patients with NSCLC who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or radiotherapy followed by complete resection at our hospital between April 1992 and December 2009 were reviewed. Among the 66 surgically resected specimens, case with viable tumor cells remained in the specimens were included in this study (n =52). We examined the expressions of geminin and cleaved caspase 3 (proliferation and apoptosis markers), E-cadherin and vimentin (epithelial mesenchymal transition related molecules), ALDH1 and CD44v6 (Stem cells related molecules) in the cancer cells. Furthermore in the stromal cells, the expressions of podoplanin and CD90 in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and CD204 in tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) were also examined.

      Results
      The 5-year disease-free survival rate of patients with high ALDH1 expression levels in their cancer cells was significantly lower than those with a low ALDH1 level (47.3% vs. 21.5%, respectively; P =0.023). The expression statuses of geminin, cleaved caspase 3, E-cadherin, vimentin, and CD44v6 in the cancer cells had no prognostic impact. The 5-year disease-free survival rate of patients with low or high podoplanin and CD90 levels in CAFs and CD204 levels in TAMs expression levels were not any prognostic impact in the stromal cells (37.9% vs. 29.1%, 33.8% vs. 37.5%, 38.4% vs. 29.0%, P =0.90, P = 0.75, P =0.98). In NSCLC without neoadjuvant therapy matching for clinical stage and histopathology (case control, n =104), the 5-year DFS rate of the patients with a high ALDH1 expression level was 48.3%, while that of the cases with a low ALDH1 expression level was 59.8%. The expression of ALDH1 in cancer cells was not correlated with the prognosis in NSCLC without neoadjuvant therapy (P =0.507). A multivariate analysis identified ALDH1 expression in cancer cells as significantly independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy (P =0.045).

      Conclusion
      The presence of ALDH1-positive cancer cells was an independent recurrence predictor in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, while CAFs and TAMs did not provide any predictors. Although prospective studies with a larger number of patients are required to confirm the prognostic significance of ALDH1 expression in cancer cells in validation populations with neoadjuvant therapy, our results suggest that the immunophenotypes of ALDH1 expression can serve as a guide to additional treatment after surgical resection in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy.

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    P3.10 - Poster Session 3 - Chemotherapy (ID 210)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.10-035 - Usefulness of IHC for detection of the ALK-fusion gene in non-small cell lung cancer (ID 2122)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): K. Yoh

      • Abstract

      Background
      Diagnostic guidelines on CAP-IASLC-AMP recommend the use of the ALK fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay for selecting suitable patients for ALK-TKI therapy. However, based on some reports of the usefulness of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the detection of ALK, it was considered that it may be possible to use IHC instead of FISH, which is more time-consuming and technically difficult, for the select suitable patients for ALK-TKI therapy in FFPE specimens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of IHC as compared to FISH for the diagnosis of ALK-fusion gene-positive NSCLC in clinical practice.

      Methods
      A total of 52 patients with NSCLC who were examined for the ALK-fusion gene by both IHC (Envision Flex+, Dako) and FISH (break-apart probe) at the National Cancer Center Hospital East from March 2012 to March 2013 were included in this study. The reliability and usefulness of IHC as compared to those of FISH were examined for the diagnosis of ALK-fusion gene-positive NSCLC.

      Results
      There were 26 men and 26 women, with a median age 63 years (range, 25-78 years). The pathological diagnosis, based on the examination of 20 resected specimens and 32 biopsy specimens, was adenocarcinoma in 47 cases and poorly-differentiated NSCLC in the remaining 5 cases. ALK protein overexpression was detected by IHC in 11 patients, in contrast, ALK rearrangement was detected by FISH in 9 patients. When the results of the FISH assay were considered as true-positive, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of IHC were 78%, 100%, 74%, 64%, and 93%, respectively. There were 7 patients with discordant ALK status, consisting of 2 patients who were IHC-negative/ FISH-positive, 4 patients who were IHC-positive/ FISH-indeterminate and 1 patient who was IHC-negative/FISH-indeterminate. Of these patients with discordant ALK status, three received ALK-TKI (crizotinib) therapy. The best response rate according to assessment by the RECIST was SD in the patient who was IHC-negative/ FISH-positive, and PR in both the patients who were IHC-positive / FISH-indeterminate. Figure 1

      Conclusion
      Although the ALK-true positive result remained unclear, based on the responses to crizotinib, it might be judged that the result was true-positive in the patients who were IHC-positive/ FISH-indeterminate and true-negative in the patient who was IHC-negative/ FISH-positive. Thus, it appeared that FISH could not determine the ALK status in approximately 10% of the patients, and it can therefore not be considered an absolute diagnostic method.

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    P3.11 - Poster Session 3 - NSCLC Novel Therapies (ID 211)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.11-007 - Preliminary safety results of MONET-A: A Prospective, Asian Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Trial of the Investigational agent Motesanib in Combination with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin for Asian patients of Advanced Non-squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 889)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): K. Yoh

      • Abstract

      Background
      Inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) pathway appears to be an effective treatment strategy for frontline non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but small molecule VEGFR kinase inhibitors have failed to show survival benefit. Motesanib is an orally administrated small molecule antagonist of VEGFR 1, 2, and 3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and stem cell factor receptor (c-kit). In a subgroup analysis of Asian patients (n = 227) from the global phase 3 study (MONET-1), treatment of motesanib in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin demonstrated significant improvements in overall survival (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.91), progression free survival (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.79), and overall response rate compared to placebo. To prospectively evaluate efficacy and safety of motesanib in Asian patients with NSCLC, this phase 3 study has initiated.

      Methods
      Stage IV/recurrent non-squamous NSCLC patients without prior chemotherapy receive oral motesanib (125 mg) or placebo once daily in combination with paclitaxel (200 mg/m[2]) and carboplatin (AUC = 6) every 3 weeks up to 6 cycles and continue motesanib or placebo until disease progression, consent withdrawal, or unmanageable adverse event. ECOG performance status 0 or 1 are eligible for this study regardless of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status. Patients with untreated or symptomatic central nervous system metastases are excluded. Approximately 400 patients will be randomized in a double-blind 1:1 ratio to motesanib or placebo. Stratification factors include EGFR mutation status, weight loss of ≥ 5% in the previous 6 months, and region. This MONET-A trial will be assessed twice by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC), at the time 50 and 150 patients complete their first cycle for unblinded safety data.

      Results
      This study initiated in July 2012 and is being conducted in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The enrollment is ongoing. First evaluation by IDMC was performed using the data as of 26 December 2012. A total of 64 patients were enrolled and 63 patients (63 Japanese; median age, 64.5 years) received study treatment. All the blinded patients who received study treatment experienced adverse events (AEs); Grade 3 to 5 AEs were reported in 38 patients (60.3%). Common AEs included alopecia (63.5%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (57.1%), and decreased appetite (50.8%). 7 patients had 8 serious AEs (SAEs). SAEs considered to be related to blinded study drug were cholecystitis in 2 patients, gastric ulcer haemorrhage, nausea, and upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in 1 patient. A treatment-related fatal AE (interstitial lung disease) was reported in one patient (blinded). AEs leading to permanent discontinuation of unblindedunblinded study drug (motesanib or placeco) were cholecystitis (Grade 2), liver injury (Grade 3), purpura (Grade 2), rash (Grade 3), eye haemorrhage (Grade 2), upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (Grade 3), and gamma-glutamyltransferase increased (Grade 4).

      Conclusion
      The first IDMC recommended continuation of the study after the review of unblinded data of 63 patients. Updated safety data will be presented after the second IDMC (JapicCTI-121887).