Noted Medical Oncologists, Dr. Vishwanath Sathyanarayanan and Dr. Vinayak Maka pick 3 India-relevant studies in lung cancer, presented at this year's ESMO (European Society of Medical Oncology) Asia 2018 and provide their key takeaway messages. 

The ESMO Asia 2018 Congress recently took place in Singapore between 23 to 25 November 2018. It comprised of both scientific and educational tracks presented by subject experts from Europe and Asia which are relevant to current oncology practice. Here we are critically reviewing scientific data presented as oral and poster presentation sessions which may be clinically applicable to oncologists treating lung cancer in India.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

GioTag study

Afatinib followed by Osimertinib in patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC: A real-world study (GioTag)

This was a retrospective observational study to evaluate the outcomes of patients who sequentially received the first-line Afatinib followed by Osimertinib in patients with EGFR positive advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). In around 204 patients which were included, around 25% were Asians.

• Median time on Afatinib and Osimertinib was 11.9 months (90% CI: 10.9–12.2) and 14.3 months (90% CI: 12.8–15.9), respectively
• 2-year OS rate was 78.9%
• Time on treatment was longer in Asian patients (n = 50; median 46.7 months; 90% CI: 26.8–not reached) and in those with Del19-positive disease (n = 150; median 30.3 months; 90% CI: 27.6–44.5)

IMpower150 trial

IMpower150: An exploratory analysis of efficacy outcomes in patients with EGFR mutations

This was an exploratory analyses of the Phase III IMpower150 study in patients with EGFR or ALK genomic alterations. This study looked at over 1000 patients who received Atezolizumab (A) 1200 mg + bevacizumab (B) 15 mg/kg + carboplatin (C) AUC 6 + paclitaxel (P) 200 mg/m2 (ABCP) or A + C + P (ACP) or B + C + P (BCP) by IV q3w for 4 or 6 cycles per investigator (INV) decision, then q3w maintenance with Atezolizumab + bevacizumab, Atezolizumab or bevacizumab, respectively.

In the exploratory analyses, the authors looked at OS and investigator-assessed PFS in patients with EGFR-mutations (EFGR-mt) disease, patients with sensitising EGFR mutations and patients with EGFR-mt disease who had prior TKI therapy.

• 124 patients were EFGR-mt, including 91 with a sensitising mutation 
• Baseline characteristics of EGFR-mt pts across the treatment arms were generally comparable to the ITT population 
• OS was improved with ABCP vs BCP in EGFR-mt pts, especially in patients with sensitising EGFR mutations (HR, 0.31 [95% CI: 0.11, 0.83])
• Benefit extended to PFS (HR, 0.41 [95% CI: 0.23, 0.75])

ALESIA trial

Primary results of ALESIA: phase III, randomised open-label study of alectinib (ALC) vs crizotinib (CRZ) in Asian patients (pts) with treatment-naïve ALK+ advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

In the phase III ALESIA study, Asian patients with treatment-naïve ALK+ advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were treated with either Alectinib or crizotinib to assess PFS benefits seen with ALEX study. ALC significantly reduced the risk of progression/death (INV PFS) vs CRZ which was consistent with the ALEX study.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

Dr. Vishwanath Sathyanarayan is a Medical Oncologist from Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore with a fellowship from MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Vinayak Maka is a Senior Medical Oncologist who teaches and practice at the MS Ramaiah Medical College and the HCG MSR Cancer Centre, Bangalore.