Endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 confers TKI-resistance by mediating EGFR and MET pathways in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rendering it constitutively active is one of the major causes for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and EGFR-targeted therapies utilizing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are often used clinically as the first-line treatment. But approximately half of NSCLC patients develop resistance to these therapies, where the MET proto-oncogene is amplified by EGFR through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Here we report that endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 (EPAS1), with 48% sequence identity to HIF-1α, specifically binds to TKI-resistant T790M EGFR, but not to wild-type EGFR, in NSCLC cell lines. Expression of EPAS1 enhances amplification of MET when simultaneously expressed with T790M EGFR but not with wild-type EGFR, and this enhancement is independent of ligand binding domain of EGFR. MET amplification requires EPAS1, since EPAS1 knock-down reduced MET levels. When NSCLC cells expressing T790M EGFR were treated with TKIs, reduced EPAS1 levels significantly enhanced the drug effect, whereas over-expression of EPAS1 increased the drug resistant effect. This EPAS1-dependent TKI-resistance was abolished by knocking-down MET, suggesting that EPAS1 does not cause TKI-resistance itself but functions to bridge EGFR and MET interactions. Our findings suggest that EPAS1 is a key factor in the EGFR-MET crosstalk in conferring TKI-resistance in NSCLC cases, and could be used as a potential therapeutic target in TKI-resistant NSCLC patients.     

厄洛替尼与西妥昔单抗联合应用治疗吉非替尼耐药NSCLC的疗效

本研究通过EGFR-TKI和EGFR单克隆抗体联合应用探讨治疗EGFR突变阴性和EGFR T790M突变继发性耐药的NSCLC的疗效。方法:应用EGFR突变阴性和EGFR T790M突变继发性耐药的NSCLL细胞原代培养及药敏技术检验EGFR-TKI和EGFR单克隆抗体联合应用的疗效。结果:检测厄洛替尼和西妥昔单抗联合处理对于15例EGFR突变阴性和8例T790M突变阳性的继发性耐药的NSCLC患者原代细胞的影响,应用浓度分别为50 μg/mL西妥昔单抗和1 μM厄洛替尼作用于EGFR突变阴性的NSCLC患者原代细胞,结果显示这三组间T/C值无显著性差异（P>0.05）,对于T790M突变阳性的继发性耐药的NSCLC原代细胞这三组间T/C值有显著性差异（P<0.05）,联合用药组疗效明显高于单药组。结论:进一步验证了厄洛替尼和西妥昔单抗联合应用对于EGFR突变阴性的NSCLC患者无效,但对于T790M突变阳性的继发性耐药的NSCLC患者有效。      

Poor response to erlotinib in patients with tumors containing baseline EGFR T790M mutations found by routine clinical molecular testing

BackgroundEGFR T790M is the most common mutation associated with acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Baseline EGFR T790M mutations in EGFR TKI-naïve patients have been reported, but the frequency and their association with response to EGFR TKIs remain unclear.Patients and methodsThe frequency of baseline EGFR T790M as detected by routine molecular genotyping was determined by reviewing clinical results obtained at our institution from 2009 to 2013. We also collected outcome data for treatment with EGFR TKIs.ResultsTo define the incidence of EGFR T790M, we reviewed 2774 sequentially tested patients with lung cancer who underwent molecular testing using a mass spectrometry-based assay, and 11 (0.5%) had baseline EGFR T790M. Compiling results from several molecular techniques, we observed EGFR T790M in tumors from 20 patients who had not previously been treated with an EGFR TKI. In all cases, EGFR T790M occurred concurrently with another EGFR mutation, L858R (80%, 16/20), or exon 19 deletion (20%, 4/20). Two percent of all pre-treatment EGFR-mutant lung cancers harbored an EGFR T790M mutation. Thirteen patients received erlotinib monotherapy as treatment for metastatic disease. The response rate was 8% (1/13, 95% confidence interval 0%–35%). For the patients who received erlotinib, the median progression-free survival was 2 months and the median overall survival was 16 months.ConclusionsDe novo EGFR T790M mutations are rare (<1%) when identified by standard sensitivity methods. TKI therapy for patients with baseline EGFR T790M detected by standard molecular analysis has limited benefit.     

Responses to crizotinib can occur in c-MET overexpressing nonsmall cell lung cancer after developing EGFR-TKI resistance

Evidence suggests that activation of the MET signaling pathway might be associated with EGFR-TKI resistance. EGFR TKI-resistant lung cancers often remain sensitive to inhibition of the EGFR pathway; thus, c-MET inhibitors are likely to be effective when combined with continued EGFR-TKI treatment. Here, we described a 56-year-old male who became refractory after first-line gefitinib therapy and was confirmed to have c-MET overexpression without a T790M mutation, c-MET amplification or MET exon 14 alterations. A complete response to crizotinib occurred in this patient. Our case report uncovered the underlying mechanism of c-MET overexpression in affecting EGFR-TKI sensitivity, and crizotinib may assist in overcoming this problem.     

Primary and acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer: an update

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a critical target in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The mutations involving EGFR are more prevalent in patients of Asian ancestry, women, never smokers, and those with adenocarcinoma histology. Primary mechanism of resistance to EGFR-TKIs includes in frame insertion mutation in exon 20, de novo T790M mutation also on exon 20, activating mutations in KRAS, loss of PTEN, and amplification of c-MET whereas acquired resistance results from development of secondary alteration in ATP domain of T790M. There are many novel targeting agents in development to overcome resistance to EGFR TKIs.     

Combined EGFR/MET or EGFR/HSP90 inhibition is effective in the treatment of lung cancers codriven by mutant EGFR containing T790M and MET

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that target the EGF receptor (EGFR) are effective in most non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients whose tumors harbor activating EGFR kinase domain mutations. Unfortunately, acquired resistance eventually emerges in these chronically treated cancers. Two of the most common mechanisms of acquired resistance to TKIs seen clinically are the acquisition of a secondary "gatekeeper" T790M EGFR mutation that increases the affinity of mutant EGFR for ATP and activation of MET to offset the loss of EGFR signaling. Although up to one-third of patient tumors resistant to reversible EGFR TKIs harbor concurrent T790M mutation and MET amplification, potential therapies for these tumors have not been modeled in vivo. In this study, we developed a preclinical platform to evaluate potential therapies by generating transgenic mouse lung cancer models expressing EGFR-mutant Del19-T790M or L858R-T790M, each with concurrent MET overexpression. We found that monotherapy targeting EGFR or MET alone did not produce significant tumor regression. In contrast, combination therapies targeting EGFR and MET simultaneously were highly efficacious against EGFR TKI-resistant tumors codriven by Del19-T790M or L858R-T790M and MET. Our findings therefore provide an in vivo model of intrinsic resistance to reversible TKIs and offer preclinical proof-of-principle that combination targeting of EGFR and MET may benefit patients with NSCLC.     

Different characteristics and survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with primary and acquired EGFR T790M mutation

Primary epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation can be occasionally identified in previous untreated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. To compare clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with primary and acquired EGFR T790M mutation, we collected the data of patients diagnosed with EGFR mutation from 2012 to 2017 in Shanghai Chest Hospital. Primary EGFR T790M mutation was identified in 61 patients (1.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8%–1.3%) of 5685 TKI-naive EGFR mutant patients. Acquired T790M mutation was detected in 98 patients (50.3%; 95%CI: 43.2%–57.3%) of 195 TKI-treated patients. T790M mutation always coexisted with sensitizing EGFR mutations. Primary EGFR T790M always coexisted with 21L858R (46/61) whereas acquired T790M coexisted with 19del (68/98), (p < 0.001). Among them, 18 patients with primary T790M mutation received osimertinib and 72 patients with acquired T790M mutation received osimertinib. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of osimertinib was significantly longer in primary T790M group (17.0 months, 95%CI:14.0–20.0 months) compared to acquired T790M group (10.0 months, 95%CI:8.6–11.4 months, p = 0.022). However, the median overall survival (OS) of acquired T790M mutation patients was significantly longer compared to that of primary T790M mutation patients who received osimertinib (50.4 months vs. 29.9 months, p = 0.016). Our findings suggest that primary T790M mutation likely coexists with 21L858R while acquired mutation likely coexists with 19del. Both mutations showed good response to osimertinib. Patients with primary T790M mutation experienced greater benefits from osimertinib. However, patients with acquired T790M mutation had a better overall survival during the entire clinical treatment.     

非小细胞肺癌人群中c-MET基因的扩增检测

目的：c-MET基因扩增是非小细胞肺癌对EGFR TKIs（吉非替尼或厄罗替尼）产生耐药的主要机制之一。本研究探讨没有接受TKIs治疗与TKIs治疗后耐药的NSCLC中c-MET基因的扩增是否存在差异。方法:获得55例术后非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）的肿瘤组织（基线组）以及23例对TKIs耐药的肿瘤组织（耐药组）后,通过激光显微切割筛选癌细胞后提取基因组DNA,实时荧光定量PCR TaqMan探针法检测所有标本的c-MET基因的拷贝数。 结果:1.基线组和耐药组的临床病理特征均与c-MET基因的扩增无关。2.基线组中c-MET基因扩增阳性率为5.5% (3/55);耐药组的c-MET基因扩增阳性率为21.7% (5/23)。两组之间有统计学差异（Fisher精确概率法,P=0.045）。3.在7例获得TKI治疗前后肿瘤组织的NSCLC中,TKI治疗前没有出现c-MET的基因扩增,TKI治疗后有2例患者出现了c-MET的基因扩增（2/7）。TKI治疗前后的c-MET基因扩增差异无统计学意义。结论:NSCLC的临床病理特征不能预测c-MET基因扩增;在没有接受EGFR TKIs治疗的NSCLC中,c-MET基因扩增仅为少见事件。但经过吉非替尼或厄罗替尼治疗后出现耐药情况NSCLC中,部分患者的c-MET基因出现扩增。     

Overcoming erlotinib resistance with tailored treatment regimen in patient‐derived xenografts from naïve Asian NSCLC patients

Overall benefits of EGFR‐TKIs are limited because these treatments are largely only for adenocarcinoma (ADC) with EGFR activating mutation. The treatments also usually lead to development of resistances. We have established a panel of patient‐derived xenografts (PDXs) from treatment naïve Asian NSCLC patients, including those containing “classic” EGFR activating mutations. Some of these EGFR‐mutated PDXs do not respond to erlotinib: LU1868 containing L858R/T790M mutations, and LU0858 having L858R mutation as well as c‐MET gene amplification, both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Treatment of LU0858 with crizotinib, a small molecule inhibitor for ALK and c‐MET, inhibited tumor growth and c‐MET activity. Combination of erlotinib and crizotinib caused complete response, indicating the activation of both EGFR and c‐MET promote its growth/survival. LU2503 and LU1901, both with wild‐type EGFR and c‐MET gene amplification, showed complete response to crizotinib alone, suggesting that c‐MET gene amplification, not EGFR signaling, is the main oncogenic driver. Interestingly, LU1868 with the EGFR L858R/T790M, but without c‐met amplification, had a complete response to cetuximab. Our data offer novel practical approaches to overcome the two most common resistances to EGFR‐TKIs seen in the clinic using marketed target therapies.     

Audit of Molecular Mechanisms of Primary and Secondary Resistance to Various Generations of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Known Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Centre

AimsPresently, three generations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are approved against oncogene addicted EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with actionable EGFR mutations invariably develop resistance. This resistance can be intrinsic (primary) or acquired (secondary).Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective study carried out between January 2016 and April 2021 analysing 486 samples of NSCLC for primary and secondary resistance to first- (erlotinib, gefitinb), second- (afatinib) and/or third-generation (osimertinib) TKIs in EGFR-mutant NSCLCs by next generation sequencing (NGS). Tissue NGS was carried out using the Thermofischer Ion Torrent? Oncomine? Focus 52 gene assay; liquid biopsy NGS was carried out using the Oncomine Lung Cell-Free Total Nucleic Acid assay. All cases were previously tested for a single EGFR gene with the Therascreen® EGFR RGQ PCR kit.ResultsThe results were divided into four groups: (i) group 1: primary resistance to first- and/or second-generation TKIs. This group, with 21 cases, showed EGFR exon 20 insertions, dual, complex mutations and variant of unknown significance, de novo MET gene amplification besides other mutations. (ii) Group 2: primary resistance to third-generation TKIs. This group showed two cases, with one showing dual EGFR mutation (L858R and E709A) and EGFR gene amplification. (iii) Group 3: secondary resistance to first- and second-generation TKIs. This group had 27 cases, which were previously reported negative for EGFR T790M by single gene testing. Significant findings were MET gene amplification in four cases, with one also showing MET exon 14 skipping mutation. Three cases showed small cell change and one showed loss of primary mutation. (iv) Group 4: secondary resistance to third-generation TKIs. The latter group was further subgrouped into group 4A: secondary resistance to osimertinib (third-generation TKI) when offered as second-line therapy after first- and second-generation TKIs on detection of T790M mutation. This group had 15 cases. EGFR T790M mutation was lost in 10 (10/15; 67%) cases and was retained in five cases. Patients with T790M loss experienced early resistance (6.9 months versus 12.6 months mean, P = 0.0024) compared with cases that retained T790M. Two cases gained MET amplification as the resistance mechanisms. Other mutations that were found when EGFR T790M was lost were in FGFR3, KRAS, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, BRAF genes. One case had EML4-ALK translocation. Two cases showed driver EGFR deletion 19, retained T790M and C797S mutation in Cis form. Group 4B: secondary resistance to osimertinib (when given as first-line therapy) in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. This group had three cases. The duration of osimertinib treatment ranged from 11 to 17 months. Two patients showed additional C797S mutation along with primary EGFR mutation.ConclusionThis study shows the wide spectrum of primary and secondary EGFR resistance mechanisms to first, second and third generation of TKIs and helps us to identify newer therapeutic targets that could carry forward the initial advantage offered by EGFR TKIs.     

Oncogenic activity of epidermal growth factor receptor kinase mutant alleles is enhanced by the T790M drug resistance mutation

Activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) characterize a subset of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with extraordinary sensitivity to targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). A single secondary EGFR mutation, T790M, arising in cis with the primary activating mutation, confers acquired resistance to these drugs. However, the T790M mutation is also detected in the absence of drug selection, suggesting that it may provide a growth advantage. We show here that although T790M alone has only a modest effect on EGFR function, when combined with the characteristic activating mutations L858R or del746-750, it results in a dramatic enhancement of EGFR activity. The double mutants show potent ligand-independent receptor autophosphorylation associated with altered cellular phenotypes, soft agar colony formation, and tumorigenesis in nude mice. The significant gain-of-function properties of these double mutants may explain their initial presence before drug selection and their rapid selection as the single drug resistance mutation during therapy with gefitinib/erlotinib, and suggests that they may contribute to the adverse clinical course of TKI-resistant NSCLC.     

Efficacy of immunotherapy targeting the neoantigen derived from epidermal growth factor receptor T790M/C797S mutation in non–small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKI) often have good clinical activity against non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations. Osimertinib, which is a third‐generation EGFR‐TKI, has a clinical effect even on NSCLC harboring the threonine to methionine change at codon 790 of EGFR (EGFR T790M) mutation that causes TKI resistance. However, most NSCLC patients develop acquired resistance to osimertinib within approximately 1 year, and 40% of these patients have the EGFR T790M and cysteine to serine change at codon 797 (C797S) mutations. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel treatment strategies for NSCLC patients with the EGFR T790M/C797S mutation. In this study, we identified the EGFR T790M/C797S mutation‐derived peptide (790‐799) (MQLMPFGSLL) that binds the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*02:01, and successfully established EGFR T790M/C797S‐peptide‐specific CTL clones from human PBMC of HLA‐A2 healthy donors. One established CTL clone demonstrated adequate cytotoxicity against T2 cells pulsed with the EGFR T790M/C797S peptide. This CTL clone also had high reactivity against cancer cells that expressed an endogenous EGFR T790M/C797S peptide using an interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. In addition, we demonstrated using a mouse model that EGFR T790M/C797S peptide‐specific CTL were induced by EGFR T790M/C797S peptide vaccine in vivo. These findings suggest that an immunotherapy targeting a neoantigen derived from EGFR T790M/C797S mutation could be a useful novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC patients with EGFR‐TKI resistance, especially those resistant to osimertinib.     

Acquired Resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancers Dependent on the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Pathway

Most advanced Non–Small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (exon 19 deletions or L858R) initially respond to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) gefitinib and erlotinib. However, over time (median of 6–12 months), most tumors develop acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs. Intense research in these NSCLCs has identified two major mechanisms of resistance to gefitinib/erlotinib: secondary resistance mutations and “oncogene kinase switch" systems. The secondary T790M mutation occurs in 50% of EGFR-mutated patients with TKI resistance, and in vitro, this mutation negates the hypersensitivity of activating EGFR mutations. Sensitive detection methods have identified a proportion of TKI-naive tumors that carry T790M, and these resistant clones may be selected after exposure to gefitinib or erlotinib. Other secondary resistance mutations (D761Y, L747S, T854A) seem to be rare. The amplification of the MET oncogene is present in 20% of TKI-resistant tumors; however, in half of the cases with this “oncogene kinase switch" mechanism the T790M is coexistent. It is possible that other kinases (such as insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor [IGF-1R]) might also be selected to bypass EGFR pathways in resistant tumors. The growing preclinical data in EGFR-mutated NSCLCs with acquired resistance to gefitinib or erlotinib has spawned the initiation or conception of clinical trials testing novel EGFR inhibitors that in vitro inhibit T790M (neratinib, XL647, BIBW 2992, and PF-00299804), MET, or IGF-1R inhibitors in combination with EGFR TKIs, and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors. Ongoing preclinical and clinical research in EGFR-mutated NSCLC has the potential to significantly improve the outcomes of patients with these somatic mutations.     

共突变基因与晚期非小细胞肺癌靶向治疗预后生存的相关性分析

目的:进一步验证晚期表皮生长因子受体（epidermal growth factor receptor,EGFR）突变非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)靶向治疗预后生存情况,探讨共突变基因与患者预后生存的相关性。方法:回顾性分析2016年01月至2019年12月我院经病理确诊为晚期NSCLC,二代测序（next-generation sequencing,NGS）为EGFR突变阳性,且使用表皮生长因子受体酪氨酸激酶抑制剂（epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor,EGFR-TKI）一代药物作为一线治疗的102例患者的病历和随访资料。收集其临床病理特征、治疗前的检验结果、基因检测报告、共突变基因和随访信息。采用Cox回归模型分析共突变基因与无疾病进展生存期（progression-free survival,PFS）的相关性。通过基因表达谱数据动态分析（Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis,GEPIA）公共数据库分析磷脂酞肌醇-3-激酶催化亚单位α基因（phosphoinositide-3-kinase catalytic alpha polypeptide gene,PIK3CA）、人类表皮生长因子受体2（human epidermal growth factor receptor 2,HER-2）、间质表皮转化因子（mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor,MET）三种共突变基因与肺癌总生存期（overall survival,OS）和无病生存期（disease-free survival,DFS）的相关性。结果:102例一线靶向治疗的晚期NSCLC患者中位PFS为10个月。单因素分析表明,EGFR突变合并PIK3CA突变的患者一线靶向治疗的中位PFS为8个月,不合并PIK3CA突变患者的中位PFS为11个月,差异有统计学意义（P=0.037）;EGFR突变合并T790M突变患者的中位PFS为6个月,不合并T790M突变患者中位PFS为10个月,差异有统计学意义（P=0.043）;EGFR突变合并HER-2扩增的患者中位PFS为7个月,不合并HER-2扩增的患者中位PFS为10个月,差异有统计学意义（P=0.048）;EGFR突变合并MET扩增的患者中位PFS为3个月,不合并MET扩增的患者中位PFS为10个月,差异有统计学意义（P=0.001）。多因素分析显示,合并PIK3CA突变（HR=0.536,95%CI:0.302~0.951,P=0.033）、HER-2扩增（HR=0.359,95%CI:0.142~0.909,P=0.031）、MET扩增（HR=0.139,95%CI:0.042~0.464,P=0.001）是PFS的独立预后因素。PIK3CA基因与晚期NSCLC的DFS有相关性（P<0.05）。结论:晚期NSCLC靶向治疗前合并PIK3CA突变、HER-2扩增、MET扩增是患者PFS的独立影响因素。     

BEAMing ddPCR与Super ARMS检测EGFR酪氨酸激酶抑制剂治疗后非小细胞肺癌患者循环肿瘤DNA EGFR基因突变的比较研究

背景与目的:BEAMing微滴数字PCR(droplet digital PCR,ddPCR)被认为是灵敏度极高的基因突变检测方法,探讨该方法和扩增阻碍突变系统(Super amplification refractory mutation system,Super ARMS)检测表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor,EGFR)酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(tyrosine kinase inhibitor,TKI)治疗非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)患者后循环肿瘤DNA(circulating tumor DNA,ctDNA)EGFR基因突变的灵敏度差异,进而为指导临床ctDNA检测方法的选择提供更多参考。方法:收集复旦大学附属肿瘤医院2017-2018年接受过EGFR TKI治疗的NSCLC患者血浆33例及国家病理质控评价中心(PathologyQualityControlCenter,PQCC)模拟血浆10例,采用凯杰血浆游离核酸纯化试剂盒进行循环游离DNA(circulating free DNA,cfDNA)提取,分别用ddPCR和Super ARMS方法进行EGFR基因19 del、T790M和L858R突变检测,两种结果进行对比和统计学分析。结果:33例临床样本应用两种方法检测19 del、T790M和L858R突变,阳性率分别为27.3%vs 27.3%(P=1.00)、42.4%vs 27.3%(P=0.23)和27.3%vs 27.3%(P=1.00)。10例PQCC样本结果与标准结果相比,ddPCR检测T790M符合率显著高于Super ARMS(P=0.01)。ddPCR和Super ARMS检测T790M的样本突变丰度范围分别为0.04%~7.66%和0.05%~7.66%。11例T790MddPCR(+)/Super ARMS(-)的平均突变丰度为0.19%(0.04%~0.76%),与10例Super ARMS(+)平均突变丰度[1.73%(0.05%~7.66%)]差异有统计学意义(P=0.03)。EGFR TKI耐药突变T790M突变丰度在0.01%~0.20%、0.20%~1.00%和>1.00%区间的分布分别为42.9%、14.2%和42.9%。结论:BEAMing ddPCR法较Super ARMS法具有更高的灵敏度,可检出更多T790M耐药患者,可能为更多患者选择最有效的靶向治疗方案提供参考。     

Afatinib increases sensitivity to radiation in non-small cell lung cancer cells with acquired EGFR T790M mutation

Afatinib is a second-generation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor and has shown a significant clinical benefit in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR-activating mutations. However, the potential therapeutic effects of afatinib combining with other modalities, including ionizing radiation (IR), are not well understood. In this study, we developed a gefitinib-resistant cell subline (PC-9-GR) with a secondary EGFR mutation (T790M) from NSCLC PC-9 cells after chronic exposures to increasing doses of gefitinib. The presence of afatinib significantly increases the cell killing effect of radiation in PC-9-GR cells harboring acquired T790M, but not in H1975 cells with de novo T790M or in H460 cells that express wild-type EGFR. In PC-9-GR cells, afatinib remarkable blocks baseline of EGFR and ERK phosphorylations, and causes delay of IR-induced AKT phosphorylation. Afatinib treatment also leads to increased apoptosis and suppressed DNA damage repair in irradiated PC-9-GR cells, and enhanced tumor growth inhibition when combined with IR in PC-9-GR xenografts. Our findings suggest a potential therapeutic impact of afatinib as a radiation sensitizer in lung cancer cells harboring acquired T790M mutation, providing a rationale for a clinical trial with combination of afatinib and radiation in NSCLCs with EGFR T790M mutation.     

EGFR mutation testing on plasma and urine samples: A pilot study evaluating the value of liquid biopsy in lung cancer diagnosis and management

Background: Cell free DNA (cfDNA) shed by cancer cells into blood and body fluids is a potential substrate for molecular testing. While plasma is approved for EGFR mutation testing in certain clinical settings, mutation testing on urine is not well explored in lung cancer. In this study, we assess the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of EGFR mutation analysis on plasma and urine samples. Methods: Matched plasma and urine were collected prospectively from TKI-naïve lung adenocarcinoma (ADCA) patients (Group A) with available tumor tissue. Only plasma was collected from TKI-treated, known EGFR mutant ADCA patients developing TKI resistance (Group B). qPCR (tumor tissue) or digital droplet-PCR (urine/plasma) was performed for exon 19 deletions, exon 21 L858R and exon 20 T790M. Results: Eighty-one patients (60 Group A, 21 Group B) were included. In Group A, EGFR mutations were detected in tissue in 34/60 (57%) patients. Mutations were detected in matched plasma in 24 (24/34, 70.5% sensitivity), and in matched urine in 15 (15/25, 60% sensitivity) of the 34 EGFR mutant cases, with no false positives (100% positive predictive value). Plasma and urine mutation results showed moderate agreement (70%) with a combined sensitivity of 88% (22/25). In Group B, new T790M mutations were detected in plasma in 61% (13/21) patients. Conclusion: Liquid biopsies show moderate sensitivity (plasma > urine) with 100% positive predictive rates for EGFR mutations. Testing of more than one type of liquid biopsy sample increases sensitivity. In TKI-resistant settings, liquid biopsies can obviate need for invasive biopsies in >60% patients.     

Challenges of detecting EGFR T790M in gefitinib/erlotinib-resistant tumours

For patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the introduction of the epi- dermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), gefitinib and erlotinib, into clinical practice was promising. Treatment with either of these agents is associated with an objective response in 10-20% of patients. Subsequent studies have shown that patients responsive to gefitinib/erlotinib have tumours containing somatic activating mutations in the EGFR gene. Although impressive clinical and radiological responses have been observed in these patients, tumour progression occurs after the prolonged administration of gefitinib/erlotinib as acquired resistance develops. In order to combat acquired resistance, research has been largely focused on determining the factors underlying it. Two resistance mechanisms have so far been identified: a secondary mutation in the EGFR gene, T790M, and amplification of the MET proto-oncogene. This review will centre on T790M, which is thought to cause steric hindrance and impair the binding of gefitinib/erlotinib. A novel class of irreversible TKIs currently under development may retain activity against some common resistance mechanisms, including T790M. The next challenge is to identify accurately the subgroup of patients with NSCLC whose tumours harbour EGFR T790M. To this end, post-treatment tumour specimens will be needed to establish molecular profiles for each patient. In addition, novel, highly sensitive technology will be required to detect these mutations. This is because allelic dilution, whereby the EGFR gene is amplified but only a few copies of the T790M allele are needed to confer resistance, may obscure results of conventional sequencing methods. The importance of identifying patients who harbour T790M cannot be overstated; the development of irreversible TKIs will have profound implications for their treatment. In this way, treatment strategies in NSCLC are becoming increasingly tailored to the individual, and may set an example for other areas of oncology.     

Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor T790M mutation in plasma DNA from patients refractory to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor

A secondary epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, the substitution of threonine 790 with methionine (T790M), leads to acquired resistance to reversible EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs). A non‐invasive method for detecting T790M mutation would be desirable to direct patient treatment strategy. Plasma DNA samples were obtained after discontinuation of gefitinib or erlotinib in 75 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). T790M mutation was amplified using the SABER (single allele base extension reaction) technique and analyzed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. We examined the T790M mutation status in plasma samples obtained after treatment with an EGFR‐TKI. The SABER assay sensitivity using mixed oligonucleotides was determined to be 0.3%. The T790M mutation was detected in 21 of the 75 plasma samples (28%). The presence of the T790M mutation was confirmed by subcloning into sequencing vectors and sequencing in 14 of the 21 samples (66.6%). In this cohort of 75 patients, the median progression‐free survival (PFS) of the patients with the T790M mutation (n = 21) was not statistically different from that of the patients without the mutation (n = 54, P = 0.94). When patients under 65 years of age who had a partial response were grouped according to their plasma T790M mutation status, the PFS of the T790M‐positive patients (n = 11) was significantly shorter than that of the T790M‐negative patients (n = 29, P = 0.03). The SABER method is a feasible means of determining the plasma T790M mutation status and could potentially be used to monitor EGFR‐TKI therapy.     

Mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in NSCLC patients

Mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were identified by re-sequencing all exons of this gene to evaluate the frequencies of EGFR gene mutation and identify rare or novel EGFR mutations. A total of 55 NSCLC samples from 55 patients were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted and exons 1-28 of the EGFR gene were sequenced to identify mutations. The cDNA of the EGFR gene with P848L and T790M double mutants was constructed by introducing point mutations into the wild-type EGFR vector using a site-directed mutagenesis kit. Among the 55 patients with NSCLC, 8 patients carried mutations of the EGFR gene. Notably, of the mutation-harboring patients with a pathological type of adenocarcinoma, 6 were non-smokers. The in vitro study demonstrated that the P848L mutant had a similar response to that of the wild-type EGFR after gefitinib treatment, and the P848L and T790M double mutant exhibited high resistance to gefitinib. These EGFR mutations preferentially occurred in lung adenocarcinoma patients, most of whom were non-smokers. In the in vitro study, P848L mutant EGFR had a similar response as the wild-type EGFR to gefitinib treatment, suggesting that lung cancer patients with a rare mutation of EGFR, such as the P848L mutation, do not respond to gefitinib treatment.