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Updated: Aug 20, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
NSCLC with uncommon EGFR mutations treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy
Arne Trummer1, Andre Bethge2, Nicolas Dickgreber3
1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Städtisches Klinikum, Braunschweig, Germany.
Objectives:
For refractory NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations, recent studies have demonstrated a favorable response to the combination of anti-angiogenic therapy and checkpoint inhibition but included only very few patients with uncommon EGFR mutations for which treatment options are still limited despite new targeted treatments.
Materials And Methods:
Sixteen stage IV NSCLC patients with uncommon EGFR mutations from 9 different German centers were treated in first or further line with Atezolizumab, Bevacizumab, Carboplatin and (nab-)Paclitaxel (ABCP). PFS was evaluated from start of ABCP and OS from time of initial diagnosis of stage IV.
Results:
Patients with either an Exon 20 insertion (n = 9) or other uncommon EGFR mutations (n = 7) received ABCP in first, second or further line. Nine patients had received a TKI therapy in first line with an ORR of 66.7 % and a median time-to-next-treatment of 6.7 months. After a median number of 4 ABCP cycles, 4 patients (25.0 %) required a dose reduction of chemotherapy and 5 patients (31.3 %) suffered from grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Overall response rate was 81.3 % and disease control rate 87.5 %. 14 patients (87.5 %) received a maintenance with AB and the median follow-up after initial diagnosis was 24.3 months. Median PFS was 13.6 months for both the entire cohort and for Exon 20 insertions. Corresponding median OS was either not reached or 30.7 months. Landmark analysis at 12 months gave a PFS of 42.8 % and an OS of 93.3 %. Four patients were rechallenged with ABCP while progressing under maintenance and responded again. In further line therapy, clinical benefit was achieved in all of 3 patients receiving Amivantamab, but in only one of four patients receiving mobocertinib.
Conclusion:
In this retrospective analysis, ABCP achieves an encouraging outcome for patients with uncommon EGFR mutations and is a valuable option in the early treatment course.
Insights
The ABCP combination therapy showed an 81.3% overall response rate in patients with uncommon EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. This treatment is a promising option for early-stage refractory NSCLC with these mutations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- Refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with uncommon EGFR mutations has limited treatment options.
- Recent studies suggest anti-angiogenic therapy combined with checkpoint inhibition benefits NSCLC patients, but data on uncommon EGFR mutations is scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Atezolizumab, Bevacizumab, Carboplatin, and (nab-)Paclitaxel (ABCP) in patients with stage IV NSCLC harboring uncommon EGFR mutations.
- To assess treatment outcomes in a cohort of patients with rare EGFR mutations who received the ABCP regimen.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 16 stage IV NSCLC patients with uncommon EGFR mutations treated with ABCP across 9 German centers.
- Evaluation of progression-free survival (PFS) from ABCP initiation and overall survival (OS) from stage IV diagnosis.
Main Results:
- The overall response rate (ORR) was 81.3% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 87.5% in the entire cohort.
- Median PFS was 13.6 months for both the overall cohort and the Exon 20 insertion subgroup. Median OS was not reached or 30.7 months.
- Grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred in 31.3% of patients, with 25.0% requiring chemotherapy dose reduction.
Conclusions:
- The ABCP regimen demonstrates encouraging outcomes and is a valuable treatment option for patients with uncommon EGFR mutations in NSCLC, particularly in the early treatment course.
- Maintenance therapy with Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab (AB) was utilized in 87.5% of patients, with some patients responding to rechallenge with ABCP after progression.
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