Liquid Biopsy as a Tool to Evaluate Resistance to First and Third (AZD9291) (EGFR) (TKIs) in (EGFR) Mutant NSCLC

Overview

Based on the possibilities that both plasma and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) (the "liquid biopsy") may offer, we consider that it could be feasible to longitudinally monitor the genetic evolution and the biologic characteristics of CTCs, by using Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and CTCs as a source of biologic material. This approach could provide information regarding the genetic/molecular changes associated with primary and acquired resistance to AZD9291 and, thus, to facilitate to more appropriately adapt the tailored treatment in this particular group of NSCLC patients. It has been recently reported that the detection of resistant clones, based on the tumor-associated genetic aberrations in the blood, can identify treatment resistance up to 10 months earlier than the radiological methods providing, thus, the potential for an early switch to a non cross-resistant therapy in order to improve patients' outcome.

Lung cancer is among the most common tumor types representing 13% of the newly diagnosed cancers worldwide. Both the absolute and relative frequency of lung cancer has risen dramatically. Unfortunately, lung cancer remains by far the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for 18% of the total number of deaths. Non Small Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all cases of lung cancer and is further classified in several subtypes based on various molecular and histological features. The initial dose of 80 mg AZD9291 administered once daily orally in the fasted state can be reduced to 40 mg AZD9291 once daily under circumstances Single arm, open-label, phase II, multicenter study. NSCLC patients with activating EGFR mutations, who are under front line treatment with first generation EGFR TKIs according to the physicians' choice and present disease progression, will be treated with single agent AZD9291. The patients will be followed every 3 months for the detection of mutations (T790M), (C797S), (L858R), del 19 EGFR mutations as well as the mutations \[(KRAS)/(NRAS), (BRAF), (PI3K)\] in the serum/plasma, the determination of the serum levels of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), the presence of T790M (+) and C797S(+) CTCs as well as the molecular (c-MET) and (HER2 amplification) and phenotypic characterization of CTCs using the filtration platform (ISET). The elimination or the emergence of each of these circulating tumor biomarkers will be correlated with patients' clinical outcome \[objective response to treatment (ORR), (PFS) and (OS)\]. There is no specific control group in this study. Biomarkers profile at baseline will be used as internal control for each patient to monitor changes throughout treatment.