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Martin Schuler



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    MA17 - Molecular Mechanisms and Therapies (ID 143)

    • Event: WCLC 2019
    • Type: Mini Oral Session
    • Track: Biology
    • Presentations: 1
    • Now Available
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      MA17.07 - Identification of AHR as a Novel Regulator of Lung Cancer Metastasis (Now Available) (ID 2331)

      15:45 - 17:15  |  Author(s): Martin Schuler

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background

      Curative treatment of early stage and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) relies on surgery and radiotherapy. Adjuvant or simultaneous platin-based chemotherapy is used for risk reduction in patients with large tumors and/or lymph node metastases. Still a large fraction of curatively treated patients dies from metastatic relapse. A better mechanistic understanding of lung cancer metastasis is expected to guide the development of novel rational interventions from prevention, early detection and treatment.

      Method

      Using a barcoded shRNA library we performed a functional in vivo screen in an orthotopic NSCLC mouse model to find target genes involved in metastatic processes. Barcoded shRNAs with significantly different representation between primary tumors and metastases were identified by next generation sequencing. Prioritized hits were functionally validated by targeted suppression in NCI-H1975 cells. Mechanistic studies were conducted in several NSCLC models in vivo and in vitro.

      Result

      We identified AHR, a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in regulation of biological responses to planar aromatic hydrocarbons, as potential modulator of lung cancer metastasis. Suppression of endogenous AHR by shRNA enhanced the migratory and invasive capacity of NSCLC cells in vitro. Importantly, NCI-H1975 with targeted suppression of AHR showed increased metastasis formation in an orthotopic model in vivo. High RNA expression of AHR correlates with lower likelihood of progression and superior overall survival in patients with stage I NSCLC. Mechanistically, AHR impacts matrix remodeling genes (MMP19, MMP24) as well as asparagine synthetase (ASNS), all of which have been implied in metastatic progression.

      Conclusion

      AHR is a novel metastasis-modulating factor in NSCLC. Its mechanism of action provides rational targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

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    P1.14 - Targeted Therapy (ID 182)

    • Event: WCLC 2019
    • Type: Poster Viewing in the Exhibit Hall
    • Track: Targeted Therapy
    • Presentations: 1
    • Moderators:
    • Coordinates: 9/08/2019, 09:45 - 18:00, Exhibit Hall
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      P1.14-43 - A Novel Patient Derived Synchronous Cell Pair with Different Mutations in an ALK-Rearranged Lung Adenocarcinoma Underlines Tumor Heterogeneity (ID 2162)

      09:45 - 18:00  |  Author(s): Martin Schuler

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background

      ALK targeted therapy can provide prolonged clinical response rates in ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) patients. However, most tumors relapse within a few years of treatment pressure due to a variety of resistance mechanisms, including intratumoral heterogeneity. Understanding these mechanisms is of utmost importance to more precisely tailor future targeted therapies.

      Method

      We established a novel synchronous ALK-translocated lung ADC cell pair from the malignant pleural effusion (PF240-PE) and the pleural carcinosis (PF240-PC) of a 38-year-old female patient following sequential ALK targeted therapy. Immunohistochemistry and mutational analyses were executed in pleural carcinosis tissue specimens and in the tumor cell lines. SRB assays were performed for viability testings following different generations ALK inhibitor treatment alone and combined with SAHA, a pan-HDAC inhibitor. As positive control for all treatment lines we used PF521, another newly established ALK-rearranged but treatment naïve lung ADC cell line. In vivo tumorigenicity was evaluated by performing subcutaneous xenografts.

      Result

      We identified two distinct resistance mutations in both tissue specimens: a so far non-characterized E1161K and the already described L1152R. Strikingly, PF240-PC harbored E1161K and PF240-PE carried L1152R. Immunohistochemistry showed changes from epithelial/carcinomatous to mesenchymal/sarcomatous differentiation following resistance acquisition. In vitro testing revealed that both cell lines were significantly different in morphology and sensitivity to different generation ALK inhibitors including crizotinib, alectinib and lorlatinib. However, the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor entrectinib was effective in both E1161K and L1152R mutant cells. Importantly, combination treatment of crizotinib or alectinib plus pan-HDAC inhibitor SAHA yielded strong synergism. Of note, both novel cell lines were highly tumorigenic in vivo. In vivo treatment response profiles are currently under evaluation.

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      Conclusion

      This is the first evidence of the synchronous establishment of two highly distinct patient-derived ALK translocated lung ADC cell lines carrying different resistant mutations. This concept supports the paramount significance of spatiotemporal intratumoral heterogeneity under targeted therapy. Furthermore, our findings showed that HDAC inhibition could enhance sensitivity of resistant tumor cells to ALK targeted therapy in vitro. Altogether, our findings provide strong evidence for the synchronous emergence of multiple resistance mechanisms and emphasize the importance of multiple site re-biopsies to better identify acquired resistance mechanisms under targeted therapy.

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    P2.01 - Advanced NSCLC (ID 159)

    • Event: WCLC 2019
    • Type: Poster Viewing in the Exhibit Hall
    • Track: Advanced NSCLC
    • Presentations: 1
    • Moderators:
    • Coordinates: 9/09/2019, 10:15 - 18:15, Exhibit Hall
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      P2.01-94 - Advanced Age and High Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score Are Associated with Increased Complications After Pneumonectomy   (ID 2964)

      10:15 - 18:15  |  Author(s): Martin Schuler

      • Abstract

      Background

      Pneumonectomy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared to parenchyma sparing anatomic lung resections. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors in lung cancer patients undergoing curative intent pneumonectomy.

      Method

      All newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy in curative intent as the primary surgical procedure between 1/2013 and 12/2018 were retrospectively analyzed. We reviewed demographic, clinical, functional and surgical variables. Postoperative complications and 30‐ as well as 90‐ day mortality were analyzed to identify risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality .

      Result

      103 lung cancer patients (67% male; mean age 62.3 ± 8.5) who underwent pneumonectomy with a curative intent have been identified. 62 patients (60%) received neoadjuvant treatment with chemotherapy (n=20) chemoradiation (n=42). Postoperative complications were registered in 35 (34%) patients (34%), with a major complication rate of 12%. Patients older than 65 years had a significantly higher risk for complications (p=0.0039). There was a strong trend in patients with modified Glasgow Prognostic Score >1 for higher postoperative complications (p=0.0715). There was no increase in postoperative morbidity in patients who underwent neoadjuvant treatment. 30‐ and 90‐day mortality was 2.9% and 2.9%, respectively.

      Conclusion

      Pneumonectomy for lung cancer can be done with low postoperative morbidity and mortality. Elderly patients should receive a careful preoperative evaluation. Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score can be considered for risk stratification for this procedure.

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    P2.14 - Targeted Therapy (ID 183)

    • Event: WCLC 2019
    • Type: Poster Viewing in the Exhibit Hall
    • Track: Targeted Therapy
    • Presentations: 1
    • Moderators:
    • Coordinates: 9/09/2019, 10:15 - 18:15, Exhibit Hall
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      P2.14-60 - Afatinib in EGFR Mutation-Positive NSCLC: Activity in Patients with Brain Metastases, and Impact on CNS Progression/Spread (ID 1664)

      10:15 - 18:15  |  Author(s): Martin Schuler

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background

      In the LUX-Lung 3 and 6 trials, first-line afatinib significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR mutation-positive (EGFRm+) NSCLC and baseline brain metastases (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; P=0.0297).1 In LUX-Lung 7, similar PFS improvement with afatinib versus gefitinib was observed in patients with, and without, brain metastases (HR, 0.76 and 0.74; Pint=0.93).2 The aims of this study were to assess: i) the impact of afatinib on central nervous system (CNS) progression or metastatic spread in LUX-Lung 3, 6, and 7; ii) efficacy of afatinib in patients with brain metastases in a similar setting to ‘real-world’ practice.

      Method

      Competing risk analysis of CNS/non-CNS progression or death was performed in patients who received afatinib in LUX-Lung 3, 6, and 7, based on the cumulative frequency of the event of interest versus the competing risk event. Separate analysis was performed of an Asian phase IIIb study, which assessed afatinib in a broad population of EGFR TKI-naïve patients with EGFRm+ NSCLC (NCT01953913).3 PFS and time-to-symptomatic progression (TTSP) in patients with baseline brain metastases were calculated by Kaplan–Meier methodology.

      Result

      In patients with baseline brain metastases receiving afatinib in LUX-Lung 3 and 6 (n=48; median follow-up: 10.3 months), the risk of CNS progression was 40% lower than the risk of extracranial progression; 31.3%/52.1% of patients had CNS/non-CNS progression, respectively. In patients without baseline brain metastases receiving afatinib in LUX-Lung 3, 6, and 7 (n=485; median follow-up: 13.0 months), the risk of de novo CNS/non-CNS progression was 6.4%/78.4%. Cumulative risk of CNS/non-CNS progression was 1.3%/17.2% at 6 months and 2.6%/41.2% at 12 months. In the Asian phase IIIb study, there was no difference in PFS (median 10.9 vs 12.4 months; P=0.18) or TTSP (median 14.8 vs 15.4 months; P=1.0) between patients with (n=92) or without (n=387) brain metastases.

      Conclusion

      Competing risk analyses of LUX-Lung 3, 6, and 7 suggest that afatinib delays the onset/progression of brain metastases. Real-world data are consistent with LUX-Lung 3, 6, and 7, and support the use of afatinib in patients with EGFRm+ NSCLC and baseline brain metastases.

      1. Schuler, M. et al. J Thorac Oncol 2016;11:380‒90

      2. Park, K. et al. Lancet Oncol 2016;17:577‒89

      3. Wu YL, et al. J Thorac Oncol 2017;12(suppl 2):abstract P3.01-036

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