Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring BRAF mutations
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Published on: September 8, 2021
Haowei Wang1, Lei Cheng2, Chao Zhao2
1Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Despite immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) being widely used to treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), few studies examine the role of ICI in patients with proto-oncogene B-Raf, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) mutations.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted for patients with BRAF-mutant NSCLC who received treatment at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between 2014 and 2022. Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end point was best response (RECIST, version 1.1).
Results:
The study involved a total of 34 patients with 54 treatments recorded. The median PFS for the whole cohort was 5.8 months and the overall objective response rate (ORR) was 24%. Patients who were treated with ICI combined with chemotherapy reported a median PFS of 12.6 months and an ORR of 44%. Those who were treated with non-ICI therapy came with a median PFS of 5.3 months and an ORR of 14%. Specifically, patients had better clinical benefits with first-line ICI-combined therapy. The PFS was 18.5 months whereas that of non-ICI group was 4.1 months. The ORR was 56% in ICI-combined group and 10% in non-ICI cohort.
Conclusions:
The findings observed an evidential and significant susceptibility to ICIs combined therapy in patients with BRAF-mutant NSCLC, especially in first-line treatment.
Insights
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) combined with chemotherapy show significant promise for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with BRAF mutations, particularly in first-line treatment. This combination therapy improves progression-free survival and objective response rates.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Genetics
Background:
- Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment often involves immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).
- The efficacy of ICI in NSCLC patients with proto-oncogene B-Raf, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) mutations is under-researched.
- BRAF mutations are a key driver in a subset of NSCLC cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with BRAF-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- To compare the efficacy of ICI-based therapies versus non-ICI therapies in this specific patient population.
- To evaluate the impact of first-line treatment strategies on progression-free survival and response rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 34 patients with BRAF-mutant NSCLC treated between 2014 and 2022.
- Analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) as the primary endpoint.
- Assessment of best overall response using RECIST criteria (version 1.1) as a secondary endpoint.
Main Results:
- The overall cohort (54 treatments) had a median PFS of 5.8 months and an objective response rate (ORR) of 24%.
- Patients receiving ICI combined with chemotherapy demonstrated a median PFS of 12.6 months and an ORR of 44%.
- First-line ICI-combined therapy yielded superior outcomes with a median PFS of 18.5 months and an ORR of 56% compared to non-ICI therapy.
Conclusions:
- BRAF-mutant NSCLC patients exhibit significant susceptibility to ICI combined therapy.
- First-line ICI-combined treatment offers substantial clinical benefits for patients with BRAF-mutant NSCLC.
- These findings support the use of combination immunotherapy in this targeted NSCLC population.
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