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P. Berzinec



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    P2.11 - Poster Session 2 - NSCLC Novel Therapies (ID 209)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 2
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      P2.11-018 - EGFR mutations in NSCLC patients in Central Europe: the INSIGHT observational study (ID 1635)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): P. Berzinec

      • Abstract

      Background
      Central European countries are among those with the highest incidence rates of lung cancer and most of these cancers are smoking-related. The INSIGHT observational study aimed at assessing prevalence and treatment of patients with EGFR mutations in clinical practice in Central Europe. Here we report on the overall findings of this study.

      Methods
      Patients with NSCLC and tested for EGFR mutations between 15 November 2011 and 31 March 2013 in 14 centers from 6 Central European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia) were enrolled. EGFR mutations were determined by sequencing, PCR or other techniques.

      Results
      Here we report data on 1009 NSCLC patients who had been enrolled into the INSIGHT study. The patients had the following characteristics: median age 64 (range 29-93), 62% male, 38% female, 99.9% Caucasians, ECOG performance status 0-1, 2 and 3-4 in 79%, 17% and 4%; 19% never-smokers, 46% former smokers, 35% current smokers; 79% adenocarcinomas, 2% adenosquamous carcinomas, 7% squamous cell carcinomas, 9% NSCLC NOS and 3% others; tumor stages I-II, III and IV in 15.5%, 24% and 60.5% of the patients. EGFR mutations were found in 163 (16%) patients. Patients with mutations had the following characteristics: age median 66 (range 34-89) years, 46% male, 54% female, 47% never-smokers, 38% former smokers, 15% current smokers; performance status was recorded in 153 patients and was 0, 1, 2 and 3 in 30%, 50%, 14% and 6% of the patients. The mutation-positive tumors had the following characteristics: 85% adenocarcinomas, 4% adenosquamous carcinomas, 4% squamous cell carcinomas, 2% NSCLC NOS, and 5% others. Among patients with mutations, exon 18 mutations were seen in 7% of the patients, exon 19 mutations in 50% of the patients including deletions in 39%, exon 20 mutations in 12%, exon 21 mutations in 39% including L858R in 28% of the patients. Detailed data on systemic treatment were available for 122 patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC and most of these patients received EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors during the course of their disease.

      Conclusion
      The INSIGHT observational study demonstrated that EGFR mutation testing has been established in the participating centres in Central Europe. The mutation rate of 16% is on the upper limit of the range seen in Western European countries but a potential selection bias for testing of patients with higher likelihood of harboring EGFR mutations cannot be excluded. Systemic treatment in patients with EGFR mutations is similar to treatment patterns observed in other countries. This study was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Regional Center Vienna.

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      P2.11-019 - Treatment strategies in patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC in Central Europe: Findings from the INSIGHT observational study (ID 1640)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): P. Berzinec

      • Abstract

      Background
      The INSIGHT observational study aimed at assessing the management of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations in clinical practice in 10 centres from 6 Central European countries. As part of this project, the treatment strategies used in these patients have been determined.

      Methods
      Between 15 November 2011 and 31 March 2013, EGFR mutations were determined by one of the established methods in 1009 patients with NSCLC. The systemic treatments of patients with EGFR mutation positive NSCLC were assessed.

      Results
      Comprehensive data on systemic treatment were available for 122 patients with EGFR mutation-positive tumors. Mutations were located in exon 19 (52.5%), exon 21 (38.5%), exon 20 (10.7%), and exon 18 (6.6%). In 8 patients, mutations were present in 2 or 3 exons. Patients with mutation-positive tumors had the following characteristics: median age 66 (range 41-83) years; 58 (48%) males, 64 (52%) females; 51 (42%) never smokers, 51 (42%) former smokers, and 19 (16%) current smokers; performance status at diagnosis ECOG 0, 1, and equal or above 2 in 28 (23%), 60 (49%), 20 (16.5%) of patients; in 14 (11.5%) patients PS was not recorded; adenocarcinomas 98 (80%), adenosquamous 6 (5%), squamous 7 (6%), not otherwise specified 2 (2%) and 9 (7%) patients had other types of carcinoma. A total of 116 patients presented with stage IIIB or IV and received the following first-line therapy: gefitinib in 66 (57%), erlotinib in 4 (3%), chemotherapy in 43 (37%), and chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in 3 (3%) patients, respectively. In 22 (19%) patients EGFR test results were obtained after initiation of first-line therapy and the majority of these patients (n=20) received chemotherapy as first-line therapy. For patients tested before the first-line treatment initiation, median time between the date of test result and initiation of first-line therapy was 16 days. Regardless of the lines of treatment, EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors were administered to 90 out of 116 (78%) patients. No major differences in treatment strategies between various countries were observed.

      Conclusion
      The INSIGHT observational study demonstrated that most patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC had been treated with EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors either in the first- or second-line setting. This study was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Regional Center Vienna.

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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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      P3.11-038 - EGFR mutations in squamous NSCLC - prevalence and treatment results with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Slovak Republic (ID 2731)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): P. Berzinec

      • Abstract

      Background
      Wide screening for EGFR mutations in locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC (SQLC) is not recommended by internationally accepted guidelines, mainly due to low prevalence. However, the COSMIC database shows the increasing incidence of EGFR mutations in SQLC, in 2008: 2,6% (upper limit of 95%CI: less than 3,6%), in 2012: 5%, and in April 2013: 6% (upper limit of 95%CI: 6,9%). In spite of this, there are only very limited data about the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with SQLC containing activating EGFR mutations. The Purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of EGFR mutations in SQLC in the Slovak Republic, and to assess the treatment results with TKIs in this group of patients.

      Methods
      A nationwide multicentre retrospective study was designed, and approved by the Ethical Committee of the National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia. The databases of the participating institutions were searched for patients with locally advanced or metastatic SQLC tested for EGFR mutations between March 2010 and March 2013. The time limit reflects the fact, that the EGFR mutation testing has been available for all patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC in the Slovak Republic since March 2010.

      Results
      Altogether 1502 patients with NSCLC were tested for EGFR mutations, among them 585 with SQLC. EGFR mutations were found in 26 SQLC cases, which give the prevalence 4.4%, 95%CI: 3.1 – 6.4%. Thirteen patients received treatment with EGFR TKIs, 10 with gefitinib, 3 with erlotinib. Patients’ characteristics: M/F: 10/3, age: median 65yrs (55 – 83), PS: 1/2/3: 1/10/2, all with stage IV SQLC, cytologically and histologically confirmed in 11 (85%), cytologically only in 2 (15%) patients. Treatment results: RR: PR: 7/11 (64%), SD: 2/11 (18%), PD: 2/11(18%), UNK: 2/13, PFS: median: 5.5 months (1 – 36+). PFS over 12 months was seen in 3 patients. There were no unexpected or treatment related SAEs.

      Conclusion
      EGFR mutations in SQLC as well as the treatment efficacy of EGFR TKIs in patients with SQLC containing EGFR mutations deserve further attention. EGFR mutation testing should be available also for patients with SQLC.

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    P3.18 - Poster Session 3 - Pathology (ID 177)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Pathology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.18-005 - EGFR mutation testing methods in clinical practice in Central Europe: findings from the INSIGHT observational study (ID 1639)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): P. Berzinec

      • Abstract

      Background
      The INSIGHT observational study aimed at assessing the management of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations in clinical practice in Central Europe. As part of this project, pathological findings including molecular testing methods were assessed.

      Methods
      Fourteen Pathology Departments from 6 Central European countries participated. Between 15 November 2011 and 31 March 2013, EGFR mutations were determined by one of the established standard methods in patients with NSCLC.

      Results
      Here we report data on 1009 patients who had been enrolled into the INSIGHT study. These patients consisted of 626 (62%) males and 383 (38%) females, 347 (35%) smokers, 452 (46%) former smokers and 182 (19%) never-smokers. Pathological diagnosis was based on histology (41%), cytology (19%) or both (40%) and revealed the following results: 54% non-mucinous adenocarcinomas, 4% mucinous adenocarcinomas, 21% unspecified adenocarcinomas, 9% NSCLC NOS, 7% squamous cell carcinomas, 2% adenosquamous carcinomas, and 2% others. Tumor material was obtained by bronchoscopy (44%), transthoracic needle biopsy (11%), surgery (19%), or other techniques. Specimens were either from primary tumor (88%), lymph node metastases (2.5%) or distant metastases (9.5%). EGFR mutation testing was done by PCR-RFLP (43%), Roche Cobas EGFR mutation test (26%), Sanger sequencing (18%), high resolution melting followed by sequencing (13%) or another method (11%). EGFR mutations were found in 163 (16%) of the patients. Among patients with mutations, the following mutations were found: 12 (7% of mutation-positive patients) exon 18 mutations, 82 (50%) exon 19 mutations including 63 (39%) deletions, 20 (12%) exon 20 mutations including 3 (2%) T790M, 63 (39%) exon 21 mutations including 45 (28%) L858R. Multiple mutations, both common and uncommon, were found in 12 (7%) of the patients. Mutations were found in 8% of smokers, 14% of former smokers and 43% of never-smokers. Mutations rates varied between centers which most likely reflected different patient selection criteria for EGFR mutation testing.

      Conclusion
      The INSIGHT project demonstrated that EGFR mutation testing by one of the standard tests in patients with NSCLC has been established in participating centers in Central Europe. EGFR mutation distribution is similar to other European and American NSCLC patient populations. This study was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Regional Center Vienna.

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    P3.24 - Poster Session 3 - Supportive Care (ID 160)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Supportive Care
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.24-036 - Lung cancer awareness months in Slovakia - what have they changed? (ID 2630)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): P. Berzinec

      • Abstract

      Background
      The tradition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) started in Slovakia in November 2008 with the help of several organizations, including Slovak Oncological Society, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Roche Slovakia, leading lung cancer centers, and many others, including volunteers, with the main purpose to raise awareness about all aspects of lung cancer. Several interesting projects were realized as a part of LCAMs in 2008 – 2012. Among them were the press conferences with participation of patients, leading experts, well known persons from cultural and political life; lung function testing in the Parliament of the Slovak Republic; lung function testing and educational leaflets distribution in the largest shopping centers in the country; the moving exhibition of lung models colored by the VIPs from the Slovakian cultural and sport life, i.e. by well known writers, actors and actresses, and sport stars; teaching activities at the secondary schools; publishing of free educational materials for patients and their relatives. In addition, during the LCAM in 2011 the Second Breath (Druhy Dych) Citizens Organization was established to help patients with lung cancer, and successfully continues with their activities (www.druhydych.eu). We decided to assess the influence of LCAMs on public awareness of lung cancer.

      Methods
      1. Search for the Slovak web pages containing the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer“) was done in Google.sk for the time periods: 01.NOV.2007 – 31.DEC.2007, 01.NOV.2008 – 31.DEC.2008, and 01.NOV.2012 – 31.DEC.2012. 2. Another search was done in a Newton Media Database, aimed at the major Slovak media, for the years 2007 and 2012 to find the entries with the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer”).

      Results
      1. The number of the Slovak web pages with the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer”) in the time periods 01.NOV. – 31.DEC.2007, 01.NOV. – 31.DEC.2008, and O1.NOV. – 31.DEC.2012 was 14, 58, and 130, respectively. 2. The number of entries with the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer”) in the Newton Media Database was 16 in 2007, and 36 in 2012.

      Conclusion
      Our results confirm, that LCAMs in Slovakia attracted media and public attention and thus increased the awareness of lung cancer. We believe that this has a positive impact on lung cancer patients’ care, and encourages us to continue with the LCAMs tradition.