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Background: Pembrolizumab improved survival as first- and second-line therapy compared with chemotherapy in patients with highly programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressing advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We report the long-term safety and clinical activity of pembrolizumab as first-line therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC and the correlation between PD-L1 expression and efficacy. Patients and methods: In the open-label phase 1b KEYNOTE-001 trial, treatment-naive patients with advanced NSCLC whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (=1% staining, assessed using a prototype assay) were randomly assigned to intravenous pembrolizumab 2 or 10 mg/kg every 3 (Q3W) or 2 (Q2W) weeks. Response was assessed per central RECIST v1.1 every 9 weeks in all patients who received =1 pembrolizumab dose. Using pre-treatment tumor tissue, a clinical assay quantified the percentage of tumor cells expressing PD-L1 as tumor proportion score (TPS). Results: Between 1 March 2013 and 18 September 2015, 101 patients received pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg Q3W (n = 6), 10 mg/kg Q3W (n = 49), or 10 mg/kg Q2W (n = 46). Of these, 27 (26.7%) had TPS =50%, 52 (51.5%) had TPS 1%-49%, and 12 (11.9%) had TPS <1%. The objective response rate (ORR) was 27% (27/101, 95% CI 18-37) and median overall survival was 22.1 months (95% CI 17.1-27.2). In patients with PD-L1 TPS =50%, ORR, 12-month PFS, and 12-month OS were higher [14/27 (51.9%; 95% CI 32%-71%), 54%, and 85%, respectively] than the overall population [27/101 (26.7%; 95% CI 18.4%-36.5%), 35%, 71%]. Pembrolizumab was well tolerated, with only 12 (11.9%) patients experiencing grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events and no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: Pembrolizumab provides promising long-term OS benefit with a manageable safety profile for PD-L1-expressing treatment-naive advanced NSCLC, with greatest efficacy observed in patients with TPS = 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Among patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), MET exon 14 skipping mutations occur in 3 to 4% and MET amplifications occur in 1 to 6%. Capmatinib, a selective inhibitor of the MET receptor, has shown activity in cancer models with various types of MET activation. METHODS We conducted a multiple-cohort, phase 2 study evaluating capmatinib in patients with MET-dysregulated advanced NSCLC. Patients were assigned to cohorts on the basis of previous lines of therapy and MET status (MET exon 14 skipping mutation or MET amplification according to gene copy number in tumor tissue). Patients received capmatinib (400-mg tablet) twice daily. The primary end point was overall response (complete or partial response), and the key secondary end point was response duration; both end points were assessed by an independent review committee whose members were unaware of the cohort assignments. RESULTS A total of 364 patients were assigned to the cohorts. Among patients with NSCLC with a MET exon 14 skipping mutation, overall response was observed in 41% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29 to 53) of 69 patients who had received one or two lines of therapy previously and in 68% (95% CI, 48 to 84) of 28 patients who had not received treatment previously; the median duration of response was 9.7 months (95% CI, 5.6 to 13.0) and 12.6 months (95% CI, 5.6 to could not be estimated), respectively. Limited efficacy was observed in previously treated patients with MET amplification who had a gene copy number of less than 10 (overall response in 7 to 12% of patients). Among patients with MET amplification and a gene copy number of 10 or higher, overall response was observed in 29% (95% CI, 19 to 41) of previously treated patients and in 40% (95% CI, 16 to 68) of those who had not received treatment previously. The most frequently reported adverse events were peripheral edema (in 51%) and nausea (in 45%); these events were mostly of grade 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS Capmatinib showed substantial antitumor activity in patients with advanced NSCLC with a MET exon 14 skipping mutation, particularly in those not treated previously. The efficacy in MET-amplified advanced NSCLC was higher in tumors with a high gene copy number than in those with a low gene copy number. Low-grade peripheral edema and nausea were the main toxic effects. (Funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals; GEOMETRY mono-1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02414139.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First-line therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that lacks targetable mutations is platinum-based chemotherapy. Among patients with a tumor proportion score for programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) of 50% or greater, pembrolizumab has replaced cytotoxic chemotherapy as the first-line treatment of choice. The addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy resulted in significantly higher rates of response and longer progression-free survival than chemotherapy alone in a phase 2 trial.Methods: In this double-blind, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned (in a 2:1 ratio) 616 patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC without sensitizing EGFR or ALK mutations who had received no previous treatment for metastatic disease to receive pemetrexed and a platinum-based drug plus either 200 mg of pembrolizumab or placebo every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by pembrolizumab or placebo for up to a total of 35 cycles plus pemetrexed maintenance therapy. Crossover to pembrolizumab monotherapy was permitted among the patients in the placebo-combination group who had verified disease progression. The primary end points were overall survival and progression-free survival, as assessed by blinded, independent central radiologic review.Results: After a median follow-up of 10.5 months, the estimated rate of overall survival at 12 months was 69.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.1 to 73.8) in the pembrolizumab-combination group versus 49.4% (95% CI, 42.1 to 56.2) in the placebo-combination group (hazard ratio for death, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.64; P<0.001). Improvement in overall survival was seen across all PD-L1 categories that were evaluated. Median progression-free survival was 8.8 months (95% CI, 7.6 to 9.2) in the pembrolizumab-combination group and 4.9 months (95% CI, 4.7 to 5.5) in the placebo-combination group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.64; P<0.001). Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 67.2% of the patients in the pembrolizumab-combination group and in 65.8% of those in the placebo-combination group.Conclusions: In patients with previously untreated metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC without EGFR or ALK mutations, the addition of pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy of pemetrexed and a platinum-based drug resulted in significantly longer overall survival and progression-free survival than chemotherapy alone. (Funded by Merck; KEYNOTE-189 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02578680 .). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ARCHER 1042, a randomized phase II trial, explored the impact of prophylactic treatment on select dermatologic adverse events of interest (SDAEI), diarrhea, and mucositis associated with dacomitinib, an oral irreversible panhuman epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) inhibitor, in development for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods: Patients with advanced NSCLC treated with dacomitinib were enrolled in two cohorts. Cohort I patients were randomized 1:1 to receive oral doxycycline or placebo (4 weeks). Cohort II patients received oral VSL#3 probiotic plus topical alclometasone. Primary end points for Cohorts I and II were incidence of all grade and grade ≥2 SDAEI in the first 8 weeks of treatment and quality of life (QoL) assessed by the Skindex-16 survey. Additional primary end points for Cohort II were incidence of all grade and grade ≥2 diarrhea and mucositis in the first 8 weeks of treatment; QoL regarding diarrhea and mucositis incidence was assessed by the modified-Oral Mucositis Daily Questionnaire. Results: Cohort I randomized 114 evaluable patients: 56 in the doxycycline arm, 58 in the placebo arm. Cohort II enrolled 59 evaluable patients. Doxycycline significantly reduced the incidence of grade ≥2 SDAEI by 50% (P=0.016) compared with placebo. The incidence of all grade SDAEI was lower with doxycycline than with placebo but did not reach statistical significance. Doxycycline was associated with less deterioration in QoL compared with placebo. Alclometasone was associated with less deterioration in QoL compared with placebo but did not statistically significantly reduce the incidence of all grade or grade ≥2 SDAEI. VSL#3 did not reduce the incidence of all grade or grade ≥2 diarrhea and did not impact mucositis scores. Conclusions: Doxycycline was effective as a prophylactic treatment for dacomitinib-induced grade =2 SDAEI. Both doxycycline and alclometasone reduced the negative impact in patient-reported dermatologic AEs. The probiotic was not effective for preventing diarrhea or mucositis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the phase I KEYNOTE-001 study, pembrolizumab demonstrated durable antitumor activity in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to characterize the relationship between pembrolizumab dose, exposure, and response to define an effective dose for these patients. Patients and methods: Patients received pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks (Q3W) (n = 55), 10 mg/kg Q3W (n = 238), or 10 mg/kg Q2W (n = 156). Response (RECIST v1.1) was assessed every 9 weeks. The relationship between the estimated pembrolizumab area under the concentration-time curve at steady state over 6 weeks (AUCss-6weeks) and the longitudinal change in tumor size (sum of longest diameters) was analyzed by regression and non-linear mixed effects modeling. This model was simultaneously fit to all tumor size data, then used to simulate response rates, normalizing the trial data across dose for prognostic covariates (tumor PD-L1 expression and EGFR mutation status). The exposure-safety relationship was assessed by logistic regression of pembrolizumab AUCss-6weeks versus occurrence of adverse events (AEs) of interest based on their immune etiology. Results: Overall response rates were 15% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7%-28%] at 2 mg/kg Q3W, 25% (18%-33%) at 10 mg/kg Q3W, and 21% (95% CI 14%-30%) at 10 mg/kg Q2W. Regression analyses of percentage change from baseline in tumor size versus AUCss-6weeks indicated a flat relationship (regression slope P > 0.05). Simulations showed the exposure-response relationship to be similarly flat, thus indicating that the lowest evaluated dose of 2 mg/kg Q3W to likely be at or near the efficacy plateau. Exposure-safety analysis showed the AE incidence to be similar among the clinically tested doses. Conclusions: No significant exposure dependency on efficacy or safety was identified for pembrolizumab across doses of 2-10 mg/kg. These results support the use of a 2 mg/kg Q3W dosage in patients with previously treated, advanced NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on the safety, pharmacokinetics, efficacy of rociletinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a mutation in the gene encoding epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The study evaluated the response rate and median progression-free survival rate of patients administered with rociletinib. The researchers examined the potential toxic effects, adverse events and anti-tumor activity of the drug.

Background Overexpression of interleukin (IL)-1β has been described in solid tumors, including lung. IL-1β can promote angiogenesis, tumor invasiveness, and induces tumor-associated immunosuppression through myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) accumulation in tumors. Pre-clinical data has shown that IL-1β inhibition reduced tumor growth, by limiting pro-tumorigenic inflammation and polarization of MDSCs into M1 phenotype. Canakinumab is a human monoclonal antibody with high affinity and specificity for IL-1β. Recently, it was found that canakinumab was associated with a significant and dose-dependent reduction in incidence and mortality from lung cancer based on CANTOS study. Trial design CANOPY-A (NCT03447769) is a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate efficacy and safety of adjuvant canakinumab vs placebo in pts with surgically resected NSCLC. This trial will enroll adult pts, with completely resected (R0) AJCC/UICC v.8 stages II-IIIA and IIIB (T > 5 cm and N2) NSCLC, who have completed standard-of-care adjuvant treatments, including cisplatin-based chemotherapy and mediastinal radiation therapy (if applicable). Prior treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or neoadjuvant radiotherapy is not permitted. Approximately 1500 pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive canakinumab (200 mg Q3W, s.c) or placebo (Q3W, s.c.) for 18 cycles or until disease recurrence, unacceptable toxicity, treatment discontinuation at the discretion of the investigator or pt, death, or loss to follow-up. Randomization will be stratified by AJCC/UICC v.8 stage, tumor histology, and region. In the amended protocol, a sub-study was included to determine the biomarker levels in the blood at pre- and post-surgery, and to establish their association with canakinumab efficacy. The primary objective is disease-free survival (per investigator assessment). Secondary objectives include overall survival (key secondary objective), lung cancer-specific survival, safety, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of canakinumab, and pt-reported outcomes. Enrollment is ongoing. Clinical trial identification CACZ885T2301. Legal entity responsible for the study Novartis. Funding Novartis. Disclosure B.C. Cho: Honoraria (self): Novartis, Bayer, AstraZeneca, MOGAM Institute, Dong-A ST, Champions Oncology, Janssen, Yuhan, Ono, Dizal Pharma, MSD; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, BMS, Ono, Yuhan, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Takeda, MSD; Research grant / Funding (self): Novartis, Bayer, AstraZeneca, MOGAM Institute, Dong-A ST, Champions Oncology, Janssen, Yuhan, Ono, Dizal Pharma, MSD; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: TheraCanVac Inc; Licensing / Royalties: Champions Oncology. G-C. Chang: Honoraria (self): F. Hoffmann–La Roche, Ltd, Eli Lilly and Company Oncology, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Merck Sharp & Dohme. Y-C. Kim: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim; Research grant / Funding (self): AstraZeneca, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim. S. Geater: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim; Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, MSD; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche. S. Saeteng: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca, Novartis : Speaker. Y. Goto: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Chugai, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ono Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, MSD, Shionogi Pharma, Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Eli Lilly, Chugai, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Glaxo Smith Kline; Research grant / Funding (self): AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ono Pharmaceutical, Daiichi Sankyo, Pfizer, Novartis, Kyorin. S. Lu: Research grant / Funding (self): AstraZeneca, Hutchison, Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hutchison MediPharma, Simcere, Roche; Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca, Roche. A. Ardizzoni: Advisory / Consultancy: MDS, Roche; Honoraria (self): MSD, BMS, Pfizer, Lilly; Research grant / Funding (self): BMS, Celgene, Roche; Leadership role: Member Educational Committee. F. Barlesi: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly Oncology,. P. De Marchi: Advisory / Consultancy: Roche, Bayer, Msd, BMS, Pfizer, AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert Testimony: Roche, Bayer, MSD, BMS, Pfizer, AstraZeneca; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche, MSD, BMS, AstraZeneca. L. Paz-Ares: Advisory / Consultancy: Roche, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, BMS, MSD, Takeda, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Janssen, Celgene; Honoraria (self): Roche, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, BMS, MSD, Amgen, Merck, Sanofi, Takeda, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Janssen, PharmaMar, Celgene. D.R. Spigel: Advisory / Consultancy: AbbVie (Inst); Amgen (Inst); AstraZeneca (Inst); Boehringer Ingelheim (Inst); Bristol-Myers Squibb (Inst); Celgene (Inst); Evelo Therapeutics (Inst); Foundation Medicine (Inst); Genentech/Roche (Inst); GlaxoSmithKline (Inst); Illumina (Inst); Lilly (Inst); Research grant / Funding (institution): AbbVie (Inst); Acerta Pharma (Inst); Aeglea Biotherapeutics (Inst); Amgen (Inst); ARMO BioSciences (Inst); Astellas Pharma (Inst); AstraZeneca (Inst); Boehringer Ingelheim (Inst); Bristol-Myers Squibb (Inst); Celgene (Inst); Celldex (Inst); Clovis Oncolog; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: AstraZeneca; Boehringer Ingelheim; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Celgene; EMD Serono; Genentech; Genzyme; Intuitive Surgical; Lilly; Merck; Pfizer; Purdue Pharma; Spectrum Pharmaceuticals; Sysmex. M. Thomas: Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis, Lilly, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD; Honoraria (self): Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lilly, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD; Research grant / Funding (self): Roche, BMS, MSD, AstraZeneca, Takeda. E.B. Garon: Advisory / Consultancy: Dracen, EMD Serono; Research grant / Funding (self): AstraZeneca, BMS, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Merck, Novartis, Neon, Iovance, Dynavax, Mirati. M. Leung: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Novartis; Full / Part-time employment: Novartis. J. Baum: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Novartis stock; Full / Part-time employment: Novartis. Spouse (Lauren Baum) – Abbot Laboratories. Z. Zewen: Full / Part-time employment: Novartis; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Novartis. B. Mookerjee: Full / Part-time employment: Novartis; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Incyte, AstraZeneca. J.C-H. Yang: Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Bayer, Roche/Genentech, Chugai Pharmaceutical, MSD, Merck Serono, Pfizer, Novartis, Celgene, Merrimack, Yuhan Pharmaceuticals, BMS, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi-Sankyo, Hansoh Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Bluep; Honoraria (self): Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Bayer, Roche/Genentech, Chugai Pharmaceutical, MSD, Merck Serono, Pfizer, Novartis, Celgene, Merrimack, Yuhan Pharmaceuticals, BMS, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi-Sankyo, Hansoh Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Bluep; Leadership role: IASLC CME activity: Author/Board of Directors/Presenter/Reviewer. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background RELAY showed significantly improved progression free survival (PFS) for RamErl over PboErl in patients with EGFR+ mNSCLC, (mPFS 19.4 vs 12.4 mo; HR 0.59, 95%CI 0.46-0.76; p < 0.0001, with consistent clinical benefit in prespecified subgroups, secondary, and exploratory analyses. Safety was consistent with established profiles for Ram and Erl in NSCLC. Here, we present patient-focused outcomes. Methods Eligible patients were randomized (1:1) to receive 150 mg daily oral Erl plus 10 mg/kg intravenous Ram or Pbo Q2W until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. Patients completed the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) and the EQ-5D at baseline, every other cycle, and the 30-day follow-up visit. Two pre-specified analyses, time to deterioration (TtD) for LCSS (secondary endpoint) and TtD in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) (exploratory endpoint) were analyzed using the Kaplan Meier method and Cox models. Changes from baseline were analyzed using a mixed-model repeated measures regression analysis. Results Patients (93.7%) maintained ECOG PS 0/1 in both arms until progression; thus, a TtD analysis was not feasible. Overall patient compliance for LCSS and EQ-5D was high (>95%). TtD for LCSS total score (HR = 0.96 [95% CI: 0.69-1.34] and average symptom burden index TtD (HR = 1.01 [95% CI: 0.73-1.40]) did not differ between treatment arms. TtD of individual LCSS items (appetite loss, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, blood in sputum [hemoptysis], and pain; symptom distress, difficulties with daily activities, and quality of life) indicated no difference between arms, except in patient-reported hemoptysis (HR = 1.99 [95% CI: 1.21, 3.28]), which favored the PboErl arm. LCSS mean changes from baseline were consistent with TtD. Mean changes from baseline in EQ-5D index score (p = 0.94) and VAS (p = 0.95) revealed no overall differences in health status between treatment arms. Conclusions The addition of Ram to Erl does not impair patient-focused outcomes in RELAY. These quality of life data support the clinical benefit of RamErl in untreated EGFR+ mNSCLC. Clinical trial identification NCT02411448. Editorial acknowledgement Susan P. Whitman, a full-time employee of Eli Lilly and Company, provided medical writing and editing support. Legal entity responsible for the study Eli Lilly and Company. Funding Eli Lilly and Company. Disclosure K. Yoh: Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli Lilly and Company, Taiho, Novartis, Ono, AstraZeneca, Chugai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer, Pfizer; Honoraria (self): BMS. S. Atagi: Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution), financial interests euro500-20000p.a.: AZ, Chugai, MSD, Ono, Taiho, BI, Pfizer, BMS, Eli Lilly; Honoraria (institution), interests euro >250000p.a.: Hoffmann-LaRoche. M. Reck: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: AbbVie, Amgen, AZ, BMS, BI, Celgene, Lilly, Merck, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche. E.B. Garon: Research grant / Funding (institution): AZ, BMS, Lilly, Genentech, Merck, Novartis, Iovance, Neon, Dynavax, Mirati; Advisory / Consultancy, advisory board and steering committee : Dracen, EMD Serono. S. Ponce Aix: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Lilly. D. Moro-Sibilot: Advisory / Consultancy: Roche, BMS, MSD, Takeda, Pfizer, Novartis, AZ, Lilly, BI. K.B. Winfree: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Eli Lilly and Company. B. Frimodt-Moller: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Eli Lilly and Company. A.H. Zimmermann: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Eli Lilly and Company. C.M. Visseren-Grul: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Eli Lilly and Company. K. Nakagawa: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): MSDKK, Eli Lilly Japan KK, BMS, Taiho, Ono, Chugai, AZ KK, Astellas Pharma, Novartis Pharma KK, Nippon BI, Pfizer Japan; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Eli Lilly and Company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy revolutionized treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, most patients progress due to primary or acquired resistance. Sitravatinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that can shift the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment toward an immunostimulatory state. Combining sitravatinib with nivolumab (sitra + nivo) may potentially overcome initial CPI resistance., Patients and Methods: In the phase III SAPPHIRE study, patients with advanced non-oncogenic driven, nonsquamous NSCLC who initially benefited from (≥4 months on CPI without progression) and subsequently experienced disease progression on or after CPI combined with or following platinum-based chemotherapy were randomized 1 : 1 to sitra (100 mg once daily administered orally) + nivo (240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks administered intravenously) or docetaxel (75 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks administered intravenously). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), duration of response (DOR; all assessed by blinded independent central review), and safety., Results: A total of 577 patients included randomized: sitra + nivo, n = 284; docetaxel, n = 293 (median follow-up, 17.1 months). Sitra + nivo did not significantly improve OS versus docetaxel [median, 12.2 versus 10.6 months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-1.05; P = 0.144]. The median PFS was 4.4 versus 5.4 months, respectively (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.89-1.32; P = 0.452). The ORR was 15.6% for sitra + nivo and 17.2% for docetaxel (P = 0.597); CBR was 75.5% and 64.5%, respectively (P = 0.004); median DOR was 7.4 versus 7.1 months, respectively (P = 0.924). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were observed in 53.0% versus 66.7% of patients receiving sitra + nivo versus docetaxel, respectively., Conclusions: Although median OS was numerically longer with sitra + nivo, the primary endpoint was not met in patients with previously treated advanced nonsquamous NSCLC. The safety profiles demonstrated were consistent with previous reports., Competing Interests: Disclosure HB reports honoraria for lectures for Amgen, Pfizer, Daiichi, and Regeneron; writing engagements (nonfinancial) with Amgen, BMS, and AstraZeneca; advisory board participation with BMS, Lilly, Genentech, Inc., Pfizer, Merck, EMD-Serono, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Genmab, Regeneron, BioNTech, Amgen, Axiom, PharmaMar, Takeda, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Daiichi, Guardant, Natera, Oncocyte, BeiGene, iTEO, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Da Volterra, Puma, and BerGenBio; full or part-time employment at Fox Chase Cancer Center; stock options from Sonnet Bio, Inspirna (formerly Rgenix) and Nucleai; research grants from BMS and Lilly; principal investigator (nonfinancial) for AstraZeneca, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., and BMS; data and safety monitoring board for the University of Pennsylvania: CAR T Program, Takeda, Incyte, Novartis, and Springworks; and travel support from Amgen, BMS, Merck, Lilly, EMD-Serono, Genentech, Inc., and Regeneron. FdM reports speaker’s bureau and advisory board participation with AstraZeneca, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, BMS, and Novartis. DD reports institutional funding from BMS; principal investigator (nonfinancial) for BMS, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., and MSD; and an advisory role (nonfinancial) for Amgen, BMS, and MSD. CR reports advisory board fees from AstraZeneca; and stocks from Gilead. WSMET reports research grants from MSD, AstraZeneca, and Sanofi/Regeneron; principal investigator (non-financial) for Roche, Mirati Therapeutics, BeiGene, and Genmab. MLJ reports research funding (institutional) from AbbVie, Acerta, Adaptimmune, Amgen, Apexigen, Arcus Biosciences, Array BioPharma, Artios Pharma, AstraZeneca, Atreca, BeiGene, BerGenBio, BioAtla, Black Diamond, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Calithera Biosciences, Carisma Therapeutics, Checkpoint Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Curis, CytomX, Daiichi Sankyo, Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Dynavax, Lilly, Elicio Therapeutics, EMD Serono, EQRx, Erasca, Exelixis, Fate Therapeutics, Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Genmab, Genocea Biosciences, GSK, Gritstone Oncology, Guardant Health, Harpoon, Helsinn Healthcare SA, Hengrui Therapeutics, Hutchison MediPharma, IDEAYA, Biosciences, IGM Biosciences, Immunitas Therapeutics, Immunocore, Incyte, Janssen, Jounce Therapeutics, Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, Kartos Therapeutics, Loxo Oncology, Lycera, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Merck, Merus, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Mythic Therapeutics, NeoImmuneTech, Neovia Oncology, Novartis, Numab Therapeutics, Nuvalent, OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Palleon Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, PMV Pharmaceuticals, Rain Therapeutics, RasCal Therapeutics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Relay Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines, Ribon Therapeutics, Rubius Therapeutics, Sanofi, Seven and Eight Biopharmaceuticals/Birdie Biopharmaceuticals, Shattuck Labs, Silicon Therapeutics, Stemcentrx, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Tarveda, TCR2 Therapeutics, Tempest Therapeutics, Tizona Therapeutics, TMUNITY Therapeutics, Turning Point Therapeutics, University of Michigan, Vyriad, WindMIL Therapeutics, and Y-mAbs Therapeutic; consulting/advisory role feed (institutional) from AbbVie, Amgen, Arcus Biosciences, ArriVent, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Axelia Oncology, Black Diamond, Calithera Biosciences, Daiichi Sankyo, EcoR1, Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Genmab, Genocea Biosciences, GSK, Gritstone Oncology, IDEAYA Biosciences, Immunocore, iTeos, Janssen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Molecular Axiom, Novartis, Oncorus, Pyramid Biosciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Revolution Medicines, Sanofi-Aventis, Seagen, Synthekine, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Turning Point Therapeutics, and VBL Therapeutics. EBG reports research grants from ABL-Bio, AstraZeneca, BMS, Dynavax, Technologies, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Genentech, Inc., Iovance Biotherapeutics, Merck, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Neon, and Novartis; an advisory role for AbbVie, ABL-Bio, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Dracen Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, GSK, Ipsen, Merck, Natera, Novartis, Personalis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Shionogi, and XILO. KH reports financial interests (personal) and advisory board participation with Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Perthera, BMS, BeiGene, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Lyell, BioNTech, and AstraZeneca; and an institutional research grant or contract with OncoC4. DP reports to be an invited speaker for AstraZeneca, Novartis, priME Oncology, Peer CME, Samsung, AbbVie, Janssen, GSK, Pfizer; advisory board fees from AstraZeneca, BMS, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Samsung, Celgene, AbbVie, Daiichi Sankyo, Janssen, Sanofi-Aventis, GSK, Seagen, Pierre Fabre, and Gilead; principal investigator for AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Medimmune, Sanofi-Aventis, Taiho Pharma, Novocure, Daiichi Sankyo, Janssen, AbbVie, and GSK. MR reports to be an invited speaker for Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Lilly, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., MSD, Merck, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; speaker’s bureau fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Lilly, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., MSD, Merck, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; advisory board fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, BioNTech, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi Sankyo, Gilead, GSK, MSD, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; and is a member of the data and safety monitoring board for Daiichi Sankyo and Sanofi. SPo reports consulting fees (personal) from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi Sankyo, GSK, Guardant Health, Incyte, Janssen, Lilly, Merck Serono, MSD, Novartis, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Takeda, Pfizer, Seattle Genetics, Turning Point Therapeutics, and EQRx; honoraria for lectures, presentations or speakers bureaus (personal) from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Guardant Health, Janssen, Merck Serono, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, and Takeda; payment for expert testimony (personal) from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Merck Serono; support for attending meetings and/or travel from Janssen and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; and leadership or fiduciary role in other board, society, committee, or advocacy group (nonfinancial) for the British Thoracic Oncology Group, ALK Positive UK, Lung Cancer Europe, Ruth Strauss Foundation, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, and ETOP-IBCSG Partners Foundation Board. RSH reports consulting fees from DynamiCure Biotechnology, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Inc., Gilead, HiberCell, Janssen, Johnson and Johnson, Loxo Oncology, Merck, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., NextCure, Novartis, Oncocyte Corp, Oncternal Therapeutics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, and AbbVie; advisory board fees from AstraZeneca, Bolt Therapeutics, BMS, Candel Therapeutics, Cybrexa Therapeutics, EMD Serono, I-Mab Biopharma, Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Normunity, Ocean Biomedical, Revelar Biotherapeutics, Ribbon Therapeutics, Xencor; stock options from Normunity, Immunocore, and Checkpoint Therapeutics; member of the board of directors for Junshi Pharmaceuticals, American Association for Cancer Research, Immunocore, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, and Southwest Oncology Group; full-time employment at Yale Cancer Center; and research support from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, and Merck. TAL reports consulting fees from Catalyst, Eisai, Jazz, Janssen, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; and advisory board participation with GI Therapeutics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Novocure, Takeda, Merck, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. RLS reports full- or part-time employment with Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.; and stocks/shares from Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. XY reports full or part-time employment with Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.; and stocks/shares from Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. RH reports full- or part-time employment with Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.; and stocks/shares from Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. SPe reports honoraria (institutional) from AiCME, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, ecancer, Eli Lilly, Foundation Medicine, GSK, Illumina, Imedex, Ipsen, Medscape, Merck Sharp, and Dohme, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Novartis, PER, PeerView, Pfizer, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd/Genentech, Inc., RTP, Sanofi, Takeda, and Galencia; financial support (institutional) from Amgen, Arcus, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, BMS, GSK, iTeos, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., Pharma Mar, Promontory Therapeutics, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd/Genentech, Inc., and Seattle Genetics; and is a member of ESMO, ASCO, AACR, IASLC, SSOM, SAKK, and ETOP; Other: Vice President of Swiss Cancer League, past President of ESMO, Strategic Advisory board SPCC (Paris-Saclay) Chair, and ETOP scientific chair. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Ramucirumab plus erlotinib (RAM + ERL) demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) over placebo + ERL (PBO + ERL) in the phase III RELAY study of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (EGFR+ mNSCLC; NCT02411448). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to identify clinically relevant alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and explore their impact on treatment outcomes., Patients and Methods: Eligible patients with EGFR+ mNSCLC were randomized 1 : 1 to ERL (150 mg/day) plus RAM (10 mg/kg)/PBO every 2 weeks. Liquid biopsies were to be prospectively collected at baseline, cycle 4 (C4), and postdiscontinuation follow-up. EGFR and co-occurring/treatment-emergent (TE) genomic alterations in ctDNA were analyzed using Guardant360 NGS platform., Results: In those with valid baseline samples, detectable activating EGFR alterations in ctDNA (aEGFR+) were associated with shorter PFS [aEGFR+: 12.7 months (n = 255) versus aEGFR-: 22.0 months (n = 131); hazard ratio (HR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-2.51]. Irrespective of detectable/undetectable baseline aEGFR, RAM + ERL was associated with longer PFS versus PBO + ERL [aEGFR+: median PFS (mPFS) = 15.2 versus 11.1 months, HR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.46-0.85; aEGFR-: mPFS = 22.1 versus 19.2 months, HR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.49-1.30]. Baseline alterations co-occurring with aEGFR were identified in 69 genes, most commonly TP53 (43%), EGFR (other than aEGFR; 25%), and PIK3CA (10%). PFS was longer in RAM + ERL, irrespective of baseline co-occurring alterations. Clearance of baseline aEGFR by C4 was associated with longer PFS (mPFS = 14.1 versus 7.0 months, HR = 0.481, 95% CI 0.33-0.71). RAM + ERL improved PFS outcomes, irrespective of aEGFR mutation clearance. TE gene alterations were most commonly in EGFR [T790M (29%), other (19%)] and TP53 (16%)., Conclusions: Baseline aEGFR alterations in ctDNA were associated with shorter mPFS. RAM + ERL was associated with improved PFS outcomes, irrespective of detectable/undetectable aEGFR, co-occurring baseline alterations, or aEGFR+ clearance by C4. aEGFR+ clearance by C4 was associated with improved PFS outcomes. Monitoring co-occurring alterations and aEGFR+ clearance may provide insights into mechanisms of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and the patients who may benefit from intensified treatment schedules., Competing Interests: Disclosure EBG declares grants from ABL-Bio, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi-Sankyo, Dynavax Technologies, EMD Serono, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Merck, Mirati Therapeutics, Neon, and Novartis; consulting fees from AbbVie, ABL-Bio, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dracen Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Eisai, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Ipsen, Merck, Natera, Novartis, Personalis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Shionogi, and Xilio; payment for expert testimony from UCLA relating to motif neoepitopes for cancer immunotherapy; leadership/fiduciary role with LUNGevity and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA. JVH declares advisory board/committee membership with Genentech, Mirati Therapeutics, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, DAVA Oncology, Regeneron, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, BerGenBio, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Curio Science, Immunocore, and Novartis; research support from AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Spectrum, and Takeda; royalties and licensing fees from Spectrum. MR declares consulting fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, BeiGene, BMS, GSK, Mirati, Merck, MSD, Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Regeneron, and Sanofi; honoraria from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, BeiGene, BMS, GSK, Mirati, Merck, MSD, Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Regeneron, and Sanofi; support for meetings/travel from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, BeiGene, BMS, GSK, Mirati, Merck, MSD, Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Regeneron, and Sanofi; board participation for Daiichi and Sanofi. KN declares grants from Nippon Boehringer-Ingelheim, West Japan Oncology Group, Thoracic Oncology Research Group, North East Japan Study Group, Clinical Research Support Center Kyushu, Nichirei Biosciences Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Hitachi, Sysmex, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical; consulting fees from SymBio Pharmaceuticals, Solasia Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical; honoraria from Chugai, Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Company, MSD, Novartis Pharma, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Merck Biopharma, Roche Diagnostics, Yakult Honsha, Guardant Health, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer-Ingelheim Japan, FUJIREBIO, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck Biopharma, Janssen Pharmaceutical Daiichi-Sankyo, and Ono Pharmaceutical. MN declares honoraria from Ono Pharmaceuticals, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eli Lilly and Company, AstraZeneca, MSD, AbbVie, Takeda, Pfizer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novartis, Nippon Kayaku, Merck, and Janssen. SN declares grants from Eli Lilly and Company; consulting fees from BMS, Eli Lilly and Company, Takeda, Roche, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, BI, MSD, AbbVie, PharmaMar, and BeiGene; support for meetings and/or travel from Eli Lilly and Company, Thermo Fisher, and Takeda; participation on advisory boards for Guardant Health, GSK, Novocure, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Eli Lilly and Company; and declares leadership/fiduciary roles as President of WALCE (Women against Lung Cancer in Europe) Onlus. LPA declares grants from MSD, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and BMS; consulting fees from Eli Lilly and Company, MSD, Roche, PharmaMar, Merck, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Servier, Amgen, Pfizer, Sanofi, Bayer, BMS, Mirati, GSK, Janssen, Takeda, and Daiichi-Sankyo; honoraria from AstraZeneca, Janssen, Merck, and Mirati; member of the board of directors of Altum Sequencing and Genomica; principal investigator for studies sponsored by Alkermes, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi-Sankyo, IO Biotech, Janssen-Cilag, Eli Lilly and Company, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, and Tesaro. SP declares consulting fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BeiGene, Blueprint, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Guardant Health, Incyte, Janssen, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Serono, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Takeda, Pfizer, Seattle Genetics, Turning Point Therapeutics, and EQRx; honoraria from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Guardant Health, Janssen, Merck Serono, Roche, Takeda, and Pfizer; payment for expert testimony from Roche and Merck Serono; support for attending meetings and/or travel from Janssen and Roche; unpaid leadership/fiduciary roles in British Thoracic Oncology Group, ALK Positive UK, Lung Cancer Europe, Ruth Strauss Foundation, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, and ETOP-IBCSG Partners Foundation Board. SPA declares no conflicts of interest. HG was an employee and stockholder of Eli Lilly and Company during the time of study analysis and manuscript preparation; contributions to the manuscript were made as part of the roles at Eli Lilly and Company. BDB and CVG are full-time employees and minor shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company. KN declares grants to institution from AstraZeneca, MSD, Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd., Novartis, Pfizer Japan Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Daiichi-Sankyo, Merck, Paraxel International Corp., PRA Health Sciences, EPS Corporation, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., PPD-SNBL K.K., SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited, IQVIA Services Japan K.K., Syneos Health Clinical K.K., Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd., EP-CRSU Co. Ltd., Mebix, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., AbbVie Inc., Bayer Yakuhin Ltd., Eisai, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Covance Japan Inc., Japan Clinical Research Operations, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Sysmex Corporation, Medical Research Support, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., SRL Inc., Pfizer R&D Japan G.K., and Amgen Inc.; consulting fees from Eli Lilly and Company, KYORIN Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and Pfizer Japan Inc.; honoraria from Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Amgen Inc. Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd., AstraZeneca K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, MSD, Pfizer Japan Inc., Nippon Boehringer-Ingelheim Co. Ltd., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Bayer Yakuhin, CMIC ShiftZero K.K., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Neo Communication, Roche Diagnostics K.K., AbbVie Inc, Merck Biopharma Co. Ltd., Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 3H Clinical Trial Inc., Care Net Inc., Medical Review Co. Ltd., Medical Mobile Communications Co. Ltd., Yodosha Co. Ltd., Nikkei Business Publications Inc., Japan Clinical Research Operations, CMIC Co. Ltd., Novartis, TAIYO Pharma Co. Ltd., KYORIN Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K.; patents planned, issued, or pending with Daiichi-Sankyo. Data sharing Lilly provides access to all individual participant data collected during the trial, after anonymization, with the exception of pharmacokinetic or genetic data. Data are available to request 6 months after the indication studied has been approved in the United States and European Union and after primary publication acceptance, whichever is later. No expiration date of data requests is currently set once data are made available. Access is provided after a proposal has been approved by an independent review committee identified for this purpose and after receipt of a signed data sharing agreement. Data and documents, including the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, clinical study report, blank or annotated case report forms, will be provided in a secure data sharing environment. For details on submitting a request, see the instructions provided at www.vivli.org., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: In the phase III KEYNOTE-189 study (NCT02578680), pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy (pemetrexed-platinum) significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with previously untreated metastatic nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) versus placebo plus pemetrexed-platinum. We report updated efficacy outcomes from the protocol-specified final analysis, including outcomes in patients who crossed over to pembrolizumab from pemetrexed-platinum and in patients who completed 35 cycles (∼2 years) of pembrolizumab., Patients and Methods: Eligible patients were randomized 2 : 1 to receive pembrolizumab 200 mg (n = 410) or placebo (n = 206) every 3 weeks (for up to 35 cycles, ∼2 years) plus four cycles of pemetrexed (500 mg/m 2 ) and investigators' choice of cisplatin (75 mg/m 2 ) or carboplatin (area under the curve 5 mg·min/ml) every 3 weeks, followed by pemetrexed until progression. Patients assigned to placebo plus pemetrexed-platinum could cross over to pembrolizumab upon progression if eligibility criteria were met. The primary endpoints were OS and PFS., Results: After a median follow-up of 31.0 months, pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed-platinum continued to improve OS [hazard ratio (HR), 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.46-0.69] and PFS (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.41-0.59) over placebo plus pemetrexed-platinum regardless of programmed death-ligand 1 expression. Objective response rate (ORR) (48.3% versus 19.9%) and time to second/subsequent tumor progression on next-line treatment (PFS2; HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.41-0.61) were improved in patients who received pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed-platinum. Eighty-four patients (40.8%) from the placebo plus pemetrexed-platinum group crossed over to pembrolizumab on-study. Grade 3-5 adverse events occurred in 72.1% of patients receiving pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed-platinum and 66.8% of patients receiving placebo plus pemetrexed-platinum. Fifty-six patients completed 35 cycles (∼2 years) of pembrolizumab; ORR was 85.7% and 53 (94.6%) were alive at data cut-off., Conclusions: Pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed-platinum continued to show improved efficacy outcomes compared with placebo plus pemetrexed-platinum, with manageable toxicity. These findings support first-line pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed-platinum in patients with previously untreated metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC., Competing Interests: Disclosure DR-A: Honoraria for lectures and consulting from BMS, MSD, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Roche, Novartis, and Pfizer. Study funding to institution from MSD. SFP: Study funding to institution from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Incyte, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Novartis, Seattle Genetics, Actuate, and Vyriad. Consulting support to the institution from Bristol-Myers Squibb. MJH: Study funding to institution from MSD. SG: Received personal fees from Merck, AstraZeneca, Genentech/Roche, Takeda/Ariad, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novocure, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AbbVie, Xcovery, Janssen, Pfizer, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Study funding to institution from MSD. Research funding from Merck. EE: Study funding to institution from MSD. EF: Received personal fees as an advisor, consultant, and/or speaker from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Guardant Health, Janssen, Medscape, Merck KGaA, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Takeda, Touchtime, BerGenBio, and Samsung; and is an independent member of the Board for Grífols. Study funding to institution from MSD. GS: Study funding to institution from MSD. FdA: Study funding to institution from MSD. MD: Received personal fees as an advisor and/or lecturer from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD, Pfizer, and Roche. Study funding to institution from MSD. SYC: Study funding to institution from MSD. HGB: Study funding to institution from MSD. NP: Received grants, personal fees, and/or honoraria as an advisor from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, NovellusDx, Foundation Medicine, and Guardant360. Study funding to institution from MSD. MR: Received personal fees/honoraria for consultancy and lectures from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Merck, MSD, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AbbVie, Roche, and Novartis. Study funding to institution from MSD. RH: Received personal fees for advisory boards from MSD, AstraZeneca, BMS, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Oncosec, Pfizer, Roche, and Seagen; and speaker honoraria from MSD, Novartis, and Roche. Study funding to institution from MSD. EBG: Received grants and research support to the institution during the conduct of this study from Merck; has received grants from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Merck, Novartis, Dynavax, Mirati Therapeutics, and Iovance Biotherapeutics; and payment for advisory boards/steering committees from Dracen Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, and Novartis. Study funding to institution from MSD. MB: Received grants and non-financial support from Merck Sharp & Dohme during the conduct of this study; has received grants and non-financial support from AstraZeneca and Genentech/Roche; and grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, Pfizer, and Novartis. Study funding to institution from MSD. TK: Received lecture fees, honoraria, or other fees from MSD, Ono, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim; and research funds from MSD, AstraZeneca, Takeda, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Novartis. Study funding to institution from MSD. JY: Employee of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. MCP: Employee of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. FS: Employee of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. MCG: Received grants and personal fees during the conduct of this study from MSD; has received grants and personal fees for clinical trials from AstraZeneca, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Pfizer, Celgene, Bayer, and MSD; grants from Tiziana Life Sciences, Clovis, Merck Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals; and personal fees from Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Incyte, Inivata, Takeda, and Sanofi-Aventis. Study funding to institution from MSD., (Copyright © 2021 European Society for Medical Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: In EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, dual EGFR/VEGFR inhibition compared to EGFR alone increases anti-tumor efficacy. The Phase III RELAY trial demonstrated superior PFS for ramucirumab plus erlotinib (RAM + ERL) over placebo plus erlotinib (PBO + ERL) (HR 0.591 [95% CI 0.461-0.760], p<0.0001). EGFR mutated NSCLC is less prevalent in Western versus Asian patients. This prespecified analysis evaluates efficacy and safety of RAM + ERL in EU and US patients enrolled in RELAY., Patients and Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1 to ERL + RAM (10 mg/kg IV) or PBO Q2W. Treatment continued until unacceptable toxicity or progressive disease. Patients were stratified by geographic region (East Asia vs "other" [EU/US and Canada (EU/US)]). Objectives included PFS, ORR, DoR, OS, PFS2, safety and biomarker analysis., Results: EU/US subset included 113/449 (25.9%) patients (58 RAM + ERL, 55 PBO + ERL). RAM + ERL improved PFS (20.6 vs 10.9 months, HR 0.605 [95% CI: 0.362-1.010]). ORR and DCR were similar, but median DoR was longer with RAM + ERL (18.0 vs 10.1 months, HR 0.527 [95% CI: 0.296-0.939]). OS and PFS2 were immature at data cut-off (censoring rates 81.0-81.8% and 67.3-79.3%, respectively). Most commonly reported Grade ≥3 TEAE for RAM + ERL was hypertension (17 [29.8%]) and for PBO + ERL, dermatitis acneiform (5 [9.1%])., Conclusion: EU/US subset analysis showed improved efficacy outcomes for RAM + ERL and a safety profile consistent with the overall population. Ramucirumab is a safe and effective addition to standard-of-care EGFR-TKI for EGFR mutation-positive metastatic NSCLC., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Although EGFR mutant tumors exhibit low response rates to immune checkpoint blockade overall, some EGFR mutant tumors do respond to these therapies; however, there is a lack of understanding of the characteristics of EGFR mutant lung tumors responsive to immune checkpoint blockade., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed de-identified clinical and molecular data on 171 cases of EGFR mutant lung tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors from the Yale Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. A separate cohort of 383 EGFR mutant lung cancer cases with sequencing data available from the Yale Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and The Cancer Genome Atlas was compiled to assess the relationship between tumor mutation burden and specific EGFR alterations., Results: Compared with 212 EGFR wild-type lung cancers, outcomes with programmed cell death 1 or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-(L)1) blockade were worse in patients with lung tumors harboring alterations in exon 19 of EGFR (EGFRΔ19) but similar for EGFRL858R lung tumors. EGFRT790M status and PD-L1 expression did not impact response or survival outcomes to immune checkpoint blockade. PD-L1 expression was similar across EGFR alleles. Lung tumors with EGFRΔ19 alterations harbored a lower tumor mutation burden compared with EGFRL858R lung tumors despite similar smoking history., Conclusions: EGFR mutant tumors have generally low response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, but outcomes vary by allele. Understanding the heterogeneity of EGFR mutant tumors may be informative for establishing the benefits and uses of PD-(L)1 therapies for patients with this disease., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology.)