Virtual Library

Start Your Search

H. Schildhaus



Author of

  • +

    MO18 - NSCLC - Targeted Therapies IV (ID 116)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      MO18.07 - The Network Genomic Medicine: A prospective comprehensive molecular screening network for NSCLC (ID 2898)

      16:15 - 17:45  |  Author(s): H. Schildhaus

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      The potential of personalized medicine for improvement of lung cancer patient outcome has been paradigmatically shown by the treatment of advanced EGFR mutation- and ALK translocation positive NSCLC patients with the respective tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Furthermore numerous targeted drugs for molecular defined subgroups of NSCLC (e.g. ROS1- rearrangements) are in clinical development with the potential to improve outcome. Therefore one of the major challenges today is the implementation of comprehensive high-quality real time molecular diagnostics and personalized therapy for all NSCLC patients regardless of where they are treated.

      Methods
      To increase the availability of molecular testing and subsequently personalized treatment options for NSCLC patients in the catchment area of our cancer center, we established the Network Genomic Medicine (NGM) in January 2010. NGM is a collaborative network currently encompassing more than 40 different health care providers representing the full spectrum of lung cancer care in Germany including university hospitals, large non-university lung clinics and office based oncologists. NGM is based at the Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), i.e. the joint comprehensive cancer center of the University Hospitals of Cologne and Bonn. At the NGM - headquarter genetic and clinical data are analysed and patients without approved targeted treatment options are screened for recruitment into NGM-linked personalized trials offered by the Lung Cancer Group Cologne (LCGC). Before the introduction of routine Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) within NGM in 06/2013 we screened lung adenocarcinomas (AD) via single gene assays for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA, for amplifications in HER2 and translocations in ALK, ROS1 and RET. Squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) patients were screened for amplifications in FGFR1 and mutations in DDR2.

      Results
      We screened 5,145 lung cancer patients from January 2010 till April 2013. Genomic testing was feasible in 3,863 tumor samples (75%). 63% of the patients were male and 65% of samples were AD. In AD the following frequencies of genetic lesions were detected: EGFR 13.8% (288/2078); ALK 3.3% (54/1618); KRAS 33.8% (831/2457); BRAF 3.5% (76/2123); PIK3CA 3.1% (70/2190); HER2 amplified 3.6% (62/1717); RET 4.7% (4/85) and ROS1 5.1% (7/135). In SCC we found a frequency of 21% (279/1333) for FGFR1 amplification and 2.1% (11/505) for DDR2 mutations. Further we saw 18 KRAS/PIK3CA, 5 EGFR/PIK3CA, 5 BRAF/PIK3CA double mutant samples and 3 samples where a FGFR amplification was co-occurring with a DDR2 mutation. Overall 40% of NSCLC patients harboured a potentially targetable molecular alteration. In addition we could allocate more than 40 patients to early personalized clinical trials via the close collaboration of the partners within NGM and LCGC. *The frequencies of RET and ROS1 are biased, because of a preselection of pan negative patients.

      Conclusion
      NGM is one of the largest prospective molecular screening efforts for NSCLC worldwide, with currently more than 3000 samples analysed per year. Our experiences so far underline that central comprehensive high-quality real time molecular diagnostics is feasible in a large health care provider network and allows implementation of personalized medicine in routine clinical care of lung cancer patients.

      Only Members that have purchased this event or have registered via an access code will be able to view this content. To view this presentation, please login, select "Add to Cart" and proceed to checkout. If you would like to become a member of IASLC, please click here.

      Only Active Members that have purchased this event or have registered via an access code will be able to view this content. To view this presentation, please login or select "Add to Cart" and proceed to checkout.

  • +

    P1.06 - Poster Session 1 - Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers (ID 161)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Biology
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P1.06-023 - Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-detection in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: results of the first European IHC-based (D5F3-Optiview) panel test within 16 institutes (ID 1825)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): H. Schildhaus

      • Abstract

      Background
      The study was supported by Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a Member of the Roche Group Background: The reliable identification of NSCLC patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement is crucial for the prescription of ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g. crizotinib). Whereas the US FDA-approval (2011) is based upon FISH-testing, the European EMA-approval (2012) refers to the definition of “ALK-positive” NSCLCs without mandating a particular test. Therefore a reliable ALK-immunohistochemistry (IHC) could be a promising option in daily routine practice.

      Methods
      Material and methods: To test the reliability of ALK-IHC-diagnosis in a multi-centre environment (17 European institutes from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Scotland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) two tissue microarrays (TMA) consisting of 15 NSCLC cases (all adenocarcinomas; 3 cores for each case) were independently tested for ALK-expression by each laboratory using Ventana Medical System’s ALK (D5F3) primary antibody combined with OptiView DAB IHC detection and OptiView Amplification kits. Cases included in the study were unequivocal ALK-break positive or negative (by FISH), as well as so called “ALK-borderline” cases (low percentage of ALK-break positive cells by FISH, around the cut-off of 15%, therefore challenging in diagnosis, but PCR-confirmed as harbouring EML-4-ALK-fusion variants and thus eligible for therapy). Prior to the TMA-based case testing, each participating instrument was qualified using the VENTANA ALK 2 in 1 Control Slides. To provide a uniform baseline interpretation, a webinar-based training was given to all observers. This training included an overview of the ALK Interpretation Guide, a guided review of 50 patient cases using digital whole slide images, and a proficiency exam certifying each observer.

      Results
      Results: Detailed data analysis was only partly accomplished at the time of abstract submission and will be presented in detail at the “World Conference on LUNG Cancer” in Sydney. Besides the binary evaluation of the cases (ALK-negative vs. ALK-positive) observers were asked to estimate the staining intensity (0-3) within positive cases in correlation to the number of tumor cells and to generate the H-score.

      Conclusion
      Conclusion: Referring to the EMA-approval text our multi-centre study may contribute to validation and accuracy of IHC-based ALK-testing. Such a validated and reliable IHC-assay could be used: (a) as a good pre-screening method reducing time consuming and costly FISH analysis (shorten turn-around time for test results) and (b) as a final predictive approach in cases with reduced interpretability of FISH results (e.g. minimal tumor cell content in small biopsies, decalcified or artificial altered tissue, FISH in doubt/”borderline”).

  • +

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

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P1.11-041 - Overall survival of ALK translocation - and of EGFR mutation positive NSCLC patients treated with and without personalized therapy. A retrospective analysis within the Network Genomic Medicine (ID 2916)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): H. Schildhaus

      • Abstract

      Background
      Erlotinib, Gefitinib and Crizotinib have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of molecular defined patient subgroups with advanced EGFR mutation positive (EGFR M+) and ALK translocation positive (ALK +) NSCLC, respectively. In randomized clinical trials for ALK + and EGFR M+ patients comparing standard chemotherapy to TKI treatment so far no significant improvement in overall survival (OS) could be shown, based on the high crossover rate of patients initially treated in the standard chemotherapy arm into the TKI arms upon progression. Since prevention of crossover is obsolete due to ethical reasons, registry data may gain in importance for investigating the impact of new effective targeted drugs on OS in the near future.

      Methods
      Since January 2010 EGFR sequencing and ALK FISH analysis for lung adenocarcinoma was performed within the Network Genomic Medicine (NGM) as part of a broad genetic screening effort. This included mutation screening for EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA as well as HER2 amplification and recently also translocations of RET and ROS. Clinical and follow-up data were extracted from medical records, directly collected from physicians and patients and additionally matched with data of the Epidemiological Cancer registry of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

      Results
      So far, we included a total of 44 ALK+ and 143 EGFR M+ patients into our analysis. The median age of the ALK + and EGFR M+patients was 53.5 yrs and 71 yrs, respectively. 39% of the ALK+ patients received crizotinib and 54% of the EGFR M+ patients received an EGFR TKI during the course of their disease. The median OS (mOS) of patients with an initial stage IIIb/IV was 14 months (95% CI 6.2 - 21.8) for ALK+ and 29 months (95% CI 16 - 41) for EGFR M+ patients. Both groups showed a significant difference in mOS when separated by targeted treatment status. ALK+ patients who received crizotinib had a mOS of 23 months (95% CI 12.2 - 33.8) and patients who did not receive crizotinib had a mOS of 8 months (95% CI 0.0 - 17.4) (p = 0.01). EGFR M+ patients who received an EGFR TKI had a mOS of 31 months (95% CI not computable) and patients who did not receive an EGFR TKI had a mOS of 9 months (95% CI 4.9 - 13.1) (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences with regard to treatment of a platinum-containing chemotherapy, age or sex between the two groups.

      Conclusion
      Screening patients for genetic driver mutations identified patients with EGFR mutations and ALK translocations that were not treated with a kinase inhibitor. Comparing these cohorts of patients that only received standard chemotherapy to those subsequently treated with a personalized approach showed a significant improvement in OS. This confirms the predictive value of ALK translocations and EGFR mutations for treatment with the respective TKIs

  • +

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

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P2.11-045 - TRY: A phase II study to evaluate safety and efficacy of combined trastuzumab and AUY922 in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with HER2 overexpression or amplification or mutation. (ID 3057)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): H. Schildhaus

      • Abstract

      Background
      HER2 amplifications and/or mutations are rare genetic alterations in NSCLC accounting for approximately 4%. Preliminary clinical data suggested efficacy of trastuzumab in patients with HER2 IHC3+ status or FISH positivity. The heat shock protein HSP90 is a molecular chaperone that modulates stability and/or transport of intracellular client proteins including HER2. In breast cancer HSP90 inhibition has shown anticancer activity in HER2-positive patients after trastuzumab failure. Here we are investigating the efficacy of the combination of trastuzumab and the HSP90 inhibitor AUY922 in lung cancer patients with aberrant HER2.

      Methods
      This phase II study recruits metastatic NSCLC patients with HER2 overexpression (immunohistochemistry, DAKO-score 3+) or amplification (fluorescence in situ hybridization) or activating mutation after at least one previous standard treatment. In the first part of the study, patients are treated with trastuzumab only. CT scans are scheduled every 6 weeks during treatment. In case of disease progression, patients receive the combination of trastuzumab and AUY922.

      Results
      The study was initiated this year and NSCLC patients are screened within the Network of Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer on HER2 overexpression, amplifications and mutations. Until now, we tested 720 tumor samples by FISH and 63 by genomic sequencing. We identified 55 patients with HER2 amplification, 34 with HER2 overexpression (Dako score 3+) and 7 patients showed a mutation in the HER2 gene (1 exon 19; 6 exon 20).

      Conclusion
      HER2 overexpression, amplification or mutation is a rare genetic alteration in NSCLC patients. Data on treatment with HER2 antibody trastuzumab and HSP90 inhibitor AUY922 will be presented.