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La activación de BIM es esencial para la apoptosis desencadenada por el inhibidor de la tirosina quinasa (TKI) del receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico (EGFR) en el cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas (CPCNP) con mutación de EGFR. Una deleción en el intrón dos del gen BIM da como resultado la generación de isoformas empalmadas alternativamente que alteran su respuesta apoptótica a los TKI, lo que confiere a las células de NSCLC una resistencia intrínseca a estos medicamentos. Los pacientes con ambas alteraciones tienen mala evolución clínica. El estudio actual tuvo como objetivo investigar la eficacia clínica y la tolerabilidad de EGFR-TKI más bevacizumab (Bev) versus EGFR-TKI solos como tratamiento de primera línea en pacientes con NSCLC avanzado con mutaciones de EGFR y deleciones BIM (BIMdel). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo. BIMdel se detectó mediante análisis de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y secuenciación directa de ADN. La expresión de la proteína BIM se investigó mediante inmunohistoquímica y los niveles de ARNm de BIM mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa. Se compararon las características clínicas, la supervivencia general, la supervivencia libre de progresión (PFS), la tasa de respuesta general (ORR) y los eventos adversos relacionados con el tratamiento entre ambos grupos. RESULTADOS Se incluyeron 33 pacientes; 15 recibieron EGFR-TKI y 18 recibieron EGFR-TKI más Bev. La mediana de edad fue de 63 años, con una mayoría de pacientes mujeres reclutadas. Todos los individuos incluidos tenían una puntuación de rendimiento del Grupo Oncológico Cooperativo del Este de 2 o menos. La adición de Bev resultó en un ORR significativamente más alto (94,4 % versus 40 %, P > 0,001). La mediana de SLP fue más larga con el uso de la terapia combinada (11,12 frente a 7,87 meses; P = 0,001). La mediana de supervivencia general tendió a ser más prolongada en los inhibidores de la tirosina quinasa con EGFR más Bev (30,9 frente a 25,4 meses; P = 0,06), pero no alcanzó significación estadística. La respuesta en términos de PFS parcial y completa, así como en general, se vio afectada favorablemente. CONCLUSIÓN Los EGFR-TKI más Bev confirieron una ORR y una SLP significativamente más altas en pacientes con NSCLC avanzado con mutación de EGFR y BIMdel. Se necesitan más estudios prospectivos para validar estos hallazgos. BIM activation is essential for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)–triggered apoptosis in EGFR-mutant non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A deletion in the intron two of the BIM gene results in generation of alternatively spliced isoforms that impairs their apoptotic response to TKIs, conferring the NSCLC cells intrinsic resistance to these medications. Patients with both alterations have poor clinical evolution. The current study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of EGFR-TKIs plus bevacizumab (Bev) versus EGFR-TKIs alone as first-line treatment in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations and BIM deletions (BIMdel). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted. BIMdel was detected using polymerase chain reaction analysis and direct sequencing of DNA. BIM protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry, and BIM mRNA levels by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Clinical characteristics, overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and treatment-related adverse events were compared between both groups. RESULTS Thirty-three patients were included; 15 received EGFR-TKIs, and 18 received EGFR-TKIs plus Bev. The median age was 63 years, with a majority of recruited female patients. All included individuals had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 2 or less. The addition of Bev resulted in a significantly higher ORR (94.4% v 40%, P > .001). Median PFS was longer with the use of the combination therapy (11.12 v 7.87 months; P = .001). Median overall survival tended to be longer in the EGFR-TKIs plus Bev (30.9 v 25.4 months; P = .06) but failed to reach statistical significance. Response in terms of both partial and complete as well as overall favorably affected PFS. CONCLUSION EGFR-TKIs plus Bev conferred a significantly higher ORR and PFS in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation and BIMdel. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Precision medicine has impacted the field of medical oncology by introducing personalized therapies, improving all measurable outcomes. This field, in turn, has expanded to obtaining and analyzing a vast and ever-increasing amount of genomic information. One technique currently applied is the liquid biopsy, which consists of detecting and isolating DNA and exosomes in cancer patients. Newly developed techniques have made it possible to use the liquid biopsy in a wide range of settings. However, challenges regarding the validation of its clinical utility exist because of a lack of standardization across different techniques and tumor types, confounder genomic information, lack of appropriate clinical trial designs, and a non-measured, and therefore not estimated, economic impact on population health. Nowadays, liquid biopsy is not routinely used, but ongoing research is increasing its popularity, and a new era in oncology is developing. Therefore, it is essential to have an in-depth understanding of the liquid biopsy technique. In this review, we summarize the leading techniques and liquid biopsy applications in cancer.

We present the case of a 73-year-old male patient with a history of tobacco use who presented with a central nervous system mass that was confirmed to be a lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. High PD-L1 expression as well as negativity to other targetable drivers led to initiation of pembrolizumab monotherapy and ablative stereotactic radiation therapy on oligo­residual disease, achieving a complete response after 2 years of therapy. Following discontinuation of systemic treatment, the patient developed widespread desquamative plaques. A skin biopsy revealed subepidermal blistering and eosinophilic infiltration in conjunction with C3 and IgG depositions on the basement membrane, detected by immunofluorescence. A diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid was obtained, and systemic corticosteroids were administered with lesion progression. Infliximab was also administered without meaningful clinical improvement. Metronomic cyclophosphamide achieved a complete resolution of skin lesions and up to this day the patient continues with tumor control and is free of dermatological findings. In conclusion, bullous pemphigoid is a very rare dermatological adverse effect related with pembrolizumab treatment. Only two cases, including this one, have been reported, especially with this medication for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. With more reported cases, management strategies can be optimized even in the steroid refractory setting.

Background Thymomas are a group of rare neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment approaches in Latin America. Methods This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study including patients with histologically proven thymomas diagnosed between 1997 and 2018. Demographics, clinicopathological characteristics and therapeutic outcomes were collected locally and analyzed in a centralized manner. Results A total of 135 patients were included. Median age at diagnosis was 53 years old (19–84), 53.3% (n = 72) of patients were female and 87.4% had an ECOG performance score ranging from 0–1. A total of 47 patients (34.8%) had metastatic disease at diagnosis. Concurrent myasthenia gravis occurred in 21.5% of patients. Surgery was performed in 74 patients (54.8%), comprising 27 (20%) tumorectomies and 47 (34.8%) thymectomies. According to the Masaoka‐Koga system, overall survival (OS) at five‐years was 73.4%, 63.8% and 51%, at stages I–II, III–IVA and IVB, respectively (p = 0.005). Furthermore, patients with low lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (≤373 IU/L) at baseline and myasthenia gravis concurrence showed significantly better OS (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). In multivariate analysis, high LDH levels (HR 2.8 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–7.8]; p = 0.036) at baseline and not performing a surgical resection (HR 4.1 [95% CI: 1.3–12.7]; p = 0.016) were significantly associated with increased risk of death. Conclusions Our data provides the largest insight into the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with thymomas in Latin America. Survival in patients with thymomas continues to be very favorable, especially when subjected to adequate local control., Here, we report the largest analysis of clinical characteristics of thymomas and outcomes in Latin American patients. Out of 135 patients included in the study, 21.5% (n = 29) concurrently presented myasthenia gravis. Relapse‐free survival rates at five‐years were 58.5% for stage I–II, and 35.4% for stage III. Five‐year overall survival rates were 73.4%, 63.8% and 51%, at stages I–II, III–IVA and IVB, respectively.

Due to the widespread use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and the growing research efforts in this area, immune-mediated toxicity is well recognized. Nonetheless, few severe cases of oral or upper gastrointestinal tract mucosal involvement have been documented. Early recognition and prompt treatment are key to the adequate management of these patients. We present a male 93-year-old patient with an advanced head and neck tumor treated with nivolumab who developed severe oral ulcers. After discontinuation of nivolumab, he received initial steroid treatment without any significant improvement. Histopathologic analysis of the lesions revealed a pattern similar to graft versus host disease. Extrapolating the results of colchicine mouth washing in patients with active oral ulcers and Behçet’s disease, this strategy was implemented with concomitant metronomic cyclophosphamide, achieving complete ulcer resolution. Metagenomic oral bacterial sequencing during instauration of the lesions and highest extension revealed a significant decrease in microbiomic diversity and expansion of Haemophilus parainfluenzae similar to patients with active Behçet’s disease. In conclusion, oral ulcers associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors correspond to a difficult-to-treat entity that could physiopathologically be related to both graft versus host disease and Behçet’s disease.

Osimertinib is a third generation EGFR-TKI inhibitor approved in the first-line setting for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additionally, it represents the treatment of choice in patients who present with T790M mutations and evidence of relapse of the disease. Effectiveness and safety of this drug have been studied in multiple clinical trials and observational studies, however, information regarding outcomes among Hispanic patients treated with Osimertinib is scarce. The objective of this study was to examine real-world effectiveness and safety of first-line Osimertinib in a cohort of Hispanic patients with NSCLC, emphasizing post-progression outcomes.This is a multicenter, multinational, retrospective cohort study of Hispanic patients treated with Osimertinib as first-line for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC who received Osimertinib (80mg/day until evidence of disease progression or presence of intolerable adverse effects) were identified and included. NGS was performed in tumor samples or liquid biopsies among patients who had disease progression. The primary outcome was progression-free survival, and the secondary outcome was post-progression survival.A total of 94 patients from Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Chile and the USA were included, with a median age of 59 years. Identified mutations included EGFR Exon 19 deletions and EGFR pL858R point mutations. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.4 months (95%CI 12.4-18.2 months). Lung/pleura and lymph nodes were the most common sites of progression. Median post-progression survival was 7.73 months (95%CI 4.07 months-Not reached). Factors which negatively affected PFS included presence of liver metastases at diagnosis and a tumor mutational burden5 mut/Mb.Treatment with first line osimertinib represents an effective and safe option for Hispanic patients with metastatic NSCLC. Liver metastases and a higher tumor mutation burden were associated with a lower PFS. Despite effectiveness, different mechanisms of resistance were identified among the patients in this cohort, including mutations which can be targeted by other therapeutic options.

Highlights • The identification of the KRAS G12C mutation in non-small cell lung cancer is relevant with new molecules being introduced for treatment. • The variation of mutation prevalence among different regions indicate that certain populations are more prone to develop KRAS G12C mutations among lung cancer than others. • Using genomic markers traditionally employed for the identification of individuals we managed to construct a model that was predictive for KRAS G12C mutational incidence, further indicating that appearance of KRAS G12C follows population substructures., Background The KRAS exon 2 p. G12C mutation in patients with lung adenocarcinoma has been increasing in relevance due to the development and effectiveness of new treatment medications. Studies around different populations indicate that regional variability between ethnic groups and ancestries could play an essential role in developing this molecular alteration within lung cancer. Methods In a prospective and retrospective cohort study on samples from lung adenocarcinoma from 1000 patients from different administrative regions in Colombia were tested for the KRAS p.G12C mutation. An analysis of STR populations markers was conducted to identify substructure contributions to mutation prevalence. Results Included were 979 patients with a national mean frequency for the KRAS exon 2 p.G12C mutation of 7.97% (95%CI 6.27–9.66%). Variation between regions was also identified with Antioquia reaching a positivity value of 12.7% (95%CI 9.1–16.3%) in contrast to other regions such as Bogota DC (Capital region) with 5.4% (2.7–8.2%) and Bolivar with 2.4% (95%CI 0–7.2%) (p-value = 0.00262). Furthermore, Short tandem repeat population substructures were found for eight markers that strongly yielded association with KRAS exon 2 p.G12C frequency reaching an adjusted R2 of 0.945 and a p-value of < 0.0001. Conclusions Widespread identification of KRAS exon 2 p.G12C mutations, especially in cases where NGS is not easily achieved is feasible at a population based level that can characterize regional and national patterns of mutation status. Furthermore, this type of mutation prevalence follows a population substructure pattern that can be easily determined by population and ancestral markers such as STR.

Background: Mutations in STK11 (STK11(Mut)) and, frequently co-occurring, KEAP1 mutations (KEAP1(Mut)) are associated with poor survival in metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLC) patients treated with immunotherapy. However, there are limited data regarding the prognostic or predictive significance of these genomic alterations among Hispanics. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a cohort of Hispanic patients (N = 103) diagnosed with mNSCLC from the US and seven Latin American countries (LATAM) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) alone or in combination as first-line (Cohort A). All cases were treated in routine care between January 2016 and December 2021. The main objectives were to determine the association of mutations in STK11 or KEAP1 in these patients' tumors with overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), presence of KRAS mutations, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and other relevant clinical variables. To compare outcomes with a STK11(Wt)/KEAP1(Wt) population, historical data from a cohort of Hispanic patients (N = 101) treated with first-line ICI was used, matching both groups by country of origin, gender, and Programed Death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression level (Cohort B). Results: Most tumors had mutations only in STK11 or KEAP1 (45.6%) without KRAS co-mutation or any other genomic alteration. Besides, 35%, 8.7%, 6.8%, and 3.9% were KRAS(Mut) + STK11(Mut), KRAS(Mut) + STK11(Mut) + KEAP1(Mut), STK11(Mut) + KEAP1(Mut), and KRAS(Mut) + KEAP1(Mut), respectively. Based on KRAS status, STK11 alterations were associated with significantly lower PD-L1 expression among those with KRAS(Wt) (p = 0.023), whereas KEAP1 mutations were predominantly associated with lower PD-L1 expression among KRAS(Mut) cases (p = 0.047). Tumors with KRAS(Mut) + KEAP1(Mut) had significantly higher median TMB when compared to other tumors (p = 0.040). For Cohort A, median PFS was 4.9 months (95%CI 4.3-5.4), slightly longer in those with KEAP1(mut) 6.1 months versus STK11(Mut) 4.7 months (p = 0.38). In the same cohort, PD-L1 expression and TMB did not influence PFS. OS was significantly longer among patients with tumors with PD-L1 >= 50% (30.9 months), and different from those with PD-L1 1-49% (22.0 months), and PD-L1 < 1% (12.0 months) (p = 0.0001). When we compared the cohorts A and B, OS was significantly shorter for patients carrying STK1 [STK11(Mut) 14.2 months versus STK11(Wt) 27.0 months (p = 0.0001)] or KEAP1 [KEAP1(Mut) 12.0 months versus KEAP1(Wt) 24.4 months (p = 0.005)] mutations. PD-L1 expression significantly affected OS independently of the presence of mutations in STK11, KEAP1, or KRAS. TMB-H favored better OS. Conclusions: This is the first large Hispanic cohort to study the impact of STK11 and KEAP1 mutations in NSCLC patient treated with ICI. Our data suggest that mutations in the above-mentioned genes are associated with PD-L1 expression levels and poor OS.

Primary melanocytic tumors of the CNS are extremely rare conditions, encompassing different disease processes including meningeal melanoma and meningeal melanocytosis. Its incidence range between 3-5%, with approximately 0.005 cases per 100,000 people. Tumor biological behavior is commonly aggressive, with poor prognosis and very low survivability, and a high recurrence rate, even after disease remission with multimodal treatments. Specific genetic alterations involving gene transcription, alternative splicing, RNA translation, and cell proliferation are usually seen, affecting genes like BRAF, TERT, GNAQ, SF3B1, and EIF1AX. Here we present an interesting case of a 59-year-old male presenting with neurologic symptoms and a further confirmed diagnosis of primary meningeal melanoma. Multiple therapy lines were used, including radiosurgery, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. The patient developed two relapses and an evolving genetic makeup that confirmed the disease’s clonal origin. We also provide a review of the literature on the genetic basis of primary melanocytic tumors of the CNS. Primary melanocytic tumors of the CNS are extremely rare conditions, encompassing different disease processes including meningeal melanoma and meningeal melanocytosis. Its incidence range between 3-5%, with approximately 0.005 cases per 100,000 people. Tumor biological behavior is commonly aggressive, with poor prognosis and very low survivability, and a high recurrence rate, even after disease remission with multimodal treatments. Specific genetic alterations involving gene transcription, alternative splicing, RNA translation, and cell proliferation are usually seen, affecting genes like BRAF, TERT, GNAQ, SF3B1, and EIF1AX. Here we present an interesting case of a 59-year-old male presenting with neurologic symptoms and a further confirmed diagnosis of primary meningeal melanoma. Multiple therapy lines were used, including radiosurgery, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. The patient developed two relapses and an evolving genetic makeup that confirmed the disease’s clonal origin. We also provide a review of the literature on the genetic basis of primary melanocytic tumors of the CNS.

Background: Amplification of EGFR and its active mutant EGFRvIII are common in glioblastoma (GB). While EGFR and EGFRvIII play critical roles in pathogenesis, targeted therapy with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or antibodies has shown limited efficacy. To improve the likelihood of effectiveness, we targeted adult patients with recurrent GB enriched for simultaneous EGFR amplification and EGFRvIII mutation, with osimertinib/bevacizumab at doses described for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We retrospectively explored whether previously described EGFRvIII mutation in association with EGFR gene amplification could predict response to osimertinib/bevacizumab combination in a subset of 15 patients treated at recurrence. The resistance pattern in a subgroup of subjects is described using a commercial NGS panel in liquid biopsy.Results: There were ten males (66.7%), and the median patient’s age was 56 years (range 38-70 years). After their initial diagnosis, 12 patients underwent partial (26.7%) or total resection (53.3%). Subsequently, all cases received IMRT and concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ; the median number of cycles 9, range 6-12). The median follow-up after recurrence was 17.1 months (95% CI 12.3-22.6). All patients received osimertinib/bevacizumab as a second-line intervention with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.1 months (95% CI 2.8-7.3) and overall survival (OS) of 9.0 months (95% CI 3.9-14.0). The PFS6 was 46.7%, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 13.3%. After exposure to the osimertinib/bevacizumab combination, the main secondary alterations were MET amplification, STAT3, IGF1R, PTEN, and PDGFR.Conclusions: While the osimertinib/bevacizumab combination was marginally effective in most GB patients with simultaneous EGFR amplification plus EGFRvIII mutation, a subgroup experienced a long-lasting meaningful benefit. The findings of this brief cohort justify the continuation of the research in a clinical trial. The pattern of resistance after exposure to osimertinib/bevacizumab includes known mechanisms in the regulation of EGFR, findings that contribute to the understanding and targeting in a stepwise rational this pathway.

PURPOSE Cancer morbidity represents an increasing public health issue; this worldwide phenomenon also is true for emerging upper-middle-income countries, such as Colombia. The main purpose of this study was to uncover the relationship between scientific productivity and cancer-related mortality in our setting. METHODS We conducted a temporal-trend ecologic study by means of bibliometric analysis from records of publications from SCOPUS database with Colombian institutional affiliations between 2000 and 2015. Productivity and overall mortality were estimated and compared using econometric modeling to identify potential correlations. Additional exploratory analyses per six most frequent cancer sites were performed. RESULTS Of 2,645 publication records retrieved, 1,464 (55.3%) met selection criteria to be classified as Colombian scientific production (interobserver agreement, 92.96%; κ = 0.859; 95% CI, 0.800 to 0.918). Overall, 79.6% of the records corresponded to original or in-press articles; furthermore, almost half (49.7%) embodied descriptive study designs. Selected records reported a median of five authors and three different affiliations per publication; 66% had been cited at least once up to September 2017. The most-studied cancer-specific locations were cervix (16.1%), breast (11.5%), and stomach (9.8%), but nonspecific locations had the largest combined participation (23.4%). An increasing trend in scientific productivity was correlated to decreasing trend in overall cancer mortality, which was reported as an inverse proportional relationship in the linear regression modeling ( r = −0.958; P < .001). Graphic analyses per cancer-specific sites revealed heterogeneous behaviors of this relationship. CONCLUSION Colombian cancer-specific scientific productivity demonstrated a steady growth as opposed to a decreasing mortality trend in the recent years. The research output is predominantly descriptive with relatively low interinstitutional partnership and low impact in the international scientific community.

BackgroundLung cancer is a public health problem, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most prevalent subtype of this neoplasm. Compared to other subtypes, including adenocarcinoma, SCC is less well understood in terms of molecular pathogenesis, limiting therapeutic options among targeted agents approved for other disease subgroups. In this study, we sought to characterize the SCC genomic profile using a validated Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform.MethodsThe comprehensive NGS assay (TruSight Tumor 170) was used in order to target the full coding regions of 170 cancer-related genes on SCC samples. PD-L1 expression in tumor cells (TCs) was assessed using clone 22C3 (Dako). Clinical outcomes were correlated with molecular profile, including progression free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and overall survival (OS).ResultsA total of 26 samples were included, median age was 67 years (r, 33–83) and 53.8% were men. Tobacco consumption was identified in all subjects (mean 34-year package). For first-line treatment 80.8% of patients received cisplatin or carboplatin plus gemcitabine. In terms of molecular profile, we identified a high prevalence of inactivating mutations in TP53 (61.5%), PIK3CA (34.6%), MLL2 (34.6%), KEAP1 (38.4%), and NOTCH1 (26.9%). PD-L1 expression ranged from negative, 1, 2–49, and ≥50% in 23.1, 38.5, 26.9, and 11.5%, respectively. Interestingly, the genetic alterations did not have an effect in PFS, OS or ORR in this study. However, PDL1 expression was higher among those who had mutations in TP53 (p = 0.037) and greater expression of PDL1 was related to PIK3CA alterations (p = 0.05).ConclusionsThe genomic profile of SCC encompasses important genes including TP53, PIK3CA and KEAP1. TP53 mutations could be associated with PDL1 expression, generating hypothesis regarding specific treatment options.

A new coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 by the WHO, has rapidly spread around the world since its first reported case in late December of 2019 from Wuhan, the People's Republic of China. As of mid-April 2020, this virus has affected more than 180 countries and territories, infecting more than 1,650,000 individuals and causing over 100,000 deaths. With approximately 20 million new cases globally per year, cancer affects a substantial portion of the population. Individuals affected by cancer are more susceptible to infections owing to coexisting chronic diseases (cardiovascular, pulmonary, and diabetes), overall poor health status, and systemic immunosuppressive states caused by both cancer and the anticancer treatment. As a consequence, patients with malignancies, especially those with lung cancer who develop coronavirus disease 2019, experience more difficult outcomes. A recent multicenter study carried out by the Hubei Anti-Cancer Association has also documented that patients with lung cancer had an increased risk of death, intensive care unit requirement, risk of presenting severe or critical symptoms, and use of invasive mechanical ventilation. Here, we present two representative cases of patients with lung cancer and coronavirus disease 2019 without respiratory compromise and with atypical and severe skin manifestations-findings that could be influenced by the long-term use of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody.

Effective networking and mentoring are critical determinants of professional satisfaction and success in oncology. There are multiple benefits associated with established mentoring programs. However, these are scarce in Latin America (LATAM). The AAZPIRE project meeting was held to encourage the discussion of mentorship strategies in our region, to create new learning frameworks, and improve cancer care. A group of 30 young oncologists and investigators, together with seven members of LACOG and CLICaP experts of 8 LATAM countries, were reunited to share views and define opportunities, barriers, and possible solutions to implement mentorship programs in LATAM. For each of the mentioned topics, key points were obtained by consensus, and a literature review was conducted to support group conclusions. This article analyses mentoring in LATAM countries and its role on promoting leadership. It will address conceptual frameworks, limitations, and opportunities from the perspectives of both mentor and mentee. The creation of regional and international group stimulation programs and joint projects that impact health policies are attractive, starting points to implement mentorship scenarios.

Background The intestinal microbiota is an important factor in modulating immune‐mediated tumor cell destruction. Alterations in the microbiome composition have been linked to reduced efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies. Therefore, antibiotic treatment (ATB), which modifies the diversity of the gut bacteria populations, could lead to a reduced efficacy of ICI treatments. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with anti‐programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) alone, or in combination in three different countries in Latin America were included. After identification, patients were placed into three groups: Non‐ATB exposed (no‐ATB), exposed within 30 days of the first dose of ICI (pre‐ICI ATB) and patients receiving ATB concomitantly with ICI (ICI‐ATB). Progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and response rates to treatment with ICI were assessed. Results A total of 140 patients were included, of which 32 patients (23%) received ATB treatment. The most common ATB types were fluoroquinolones and B‐lactams. No differences in survival according to antibiotic type were identified. Median OS in patients not exposed to ATB was 40.6 months (95% CI: 32–67.7), compared with 20.3 months (95% CI: 12.1‐non‐reached [NR]) for patients with pre‐ICI ATB treatment and 24.7 months (95% CI: 13‐NR) for patients treated with ATB concomitantly with ICI. There were no significant differences in terms of PFS, or response rates across all treatment groups. Conclusions Antibiotic treatment was associated with reduced OS in Hispanic patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs., Antibiotic treatment has been shown to deter outcomes in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The effect of antibiotics is studied for the first time in Latin American patients undergoing ICI therapy. Patients treated with antibiotics prior or during ICI therapy had a significantly shorter overall survival.

PROPÓSITO En medio de una pandemia mundial, la evidencia sugiere que, al igual que otras infecciones virales respiratorias graves, los pacientes con cáncer tienen un mayor riesgo de infectarse por COVID-19 y tienen un pronóstico más precario. MÉTODOS Hemos modelado la mortalidad y el requerimiento de la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) para la atención de pacientes con cáncer infectados por COVID-19 en América Latina. Se construyó un modelo dinámico de Markov multiestatal. Las probabilidades de transición se estimaron sobre la base de informes publicados para la probabilidad acumulada de complicaciones. Los valores del número reproductivo básico (R0) se modelaron con R utilizando el paquete EpiEstim. Las estimaciones de los días de necesidad de UCI y la mortalidad absoluta se calcularon imputando el número de casos acumulados en el modelo de Markov. RESULTADOS El tiempo medio estimado de necesidad de UCI fue de 12,7 días, el tiempo medio hasta la mortalidad fue de 16,3 días después de la infección y el tiempo medio hasta el episodio grave fue de 8,1 días. La ocupación máxima de la UCI para pacientes con cáncer se calculó a los 16 días después de la infección. El análisis de sensibilidad determinista reveló un intervalo de mortalidad entre el 18,5% y el 30,4%. Con la tendencia de incidencia real, se esperaría que América Latina perdiera aproximadamente 111,725 pacientes con cáncer por SARS-CoV-2 (rango, 87,116-143,154 pacientes) para el día 60 desde el inicio del brote. Las pérdidas calculadas varían entre el 1% y el 17,6% de todos los pacientes con cáncer de la región. CONCLUSIÓN Los casos relacionados con el cáncer y las muertes atribuibles al SARS-CoV-2 ejercerán una gran presión sobre los sistemas de salud en América Latina. La implementación temprana de intervenciones sobre la base de datos proporcionados por modelos de enfermedades podría mitigar tanto las infecciones como las muertes entre los pacientes con cáncer. PURPOSE In the midst of a global pandemic, evidence suggests that similar to other severe respiratory viral infections, patients with cancer are at higher risk of becoming infected by COVID-19 and have a poorer prognosis. METHODS We have modeled the mortality and the intensive care unit (ICU) requirement for the care of patients with cancer infected with COVID-19 in Latin America. A dynamic multistate Markov model was constructed. Transition probabilities were estimated on the basis of published reports for cumulative probability of complications. Basic reproductive number (R0) values were modeled with R using the EpiEstim package. Estimations of days of ICU requirement and absolute mortality were calculated by imputing number of cumulative cases in the Markov model. RESULTS Estimated median time of ICU requirement was 12.7 days, median time to mortality was 16.3 days after infection, and median time to severe event was 8.1 days. Peak ICU occupancy for patients with cancer was calculated at 16 days after infection. Deterministic sensitivity analysis revealed an interval for mortality between 18.5% and 30.4%. With the actual incidence tendency, Latin America would be expected to lose approximately 111,725 patients with cancer to SARS-CoV-2 (range, 87,116-143,154 patients) by the 60th day since the start of the outbreak. Losses calculated vary between , 1% to 17.6% of all patients with cancer in the region. CONCLUSION Cancer-related cases and deaths attributable to SARS-CoV-2 will put a great strain on health care systems in Latin America. Early implementation of interventions on the basis of data given by disease modeling could mitigate both infections and deaths among patients with cancer.

Here we report a case of a young, never-smoker Hispanic woman with a hereditary familial overlap syndrome (Li-Fraumeni plus CDH1). The patient developed multiple synchronous primary lung adenocarcinomas related to Intra-Alveolar Tumor Spread (STAS) several years after the diagnosis of a locally advanced lower limb osteosarcoma. Comprehensive genomic profiling by next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on 90 cancer-related genes over each lung lesion (including two nodules of acinar adenocarcinoma, one lepidic spread tumor and in the STAS area). Likewise, the broad genomic analysis was performed on archival tissue from the previous bone tumor. Lung tumors were found to harbor PIK3CA (invasive lesions) and a rare in-frame insertion of nucleotides in exon 19 of EGFR (lepidic tumor). STAS area showed KRAS and BRAF mutations in two different segments, and osteosarcoma tested positive for well known PIK3CA, KRAS and CDH1 alterations. This unique case raises practical questions as to the challenges of molecular testing and highlights the potential association of germline TP53 and CDH1 mutations with concurrent somatic alterations that elucidate the basis of tumor heterogeneity.

Fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung (FLAC) is a rare tumor. It accounts for ~0.1%–0.5% of all pulmonary neoplasms. Due to its rarity, much of the world literature regarding FLAC comes from case reports and case series. FLAC is an adenocarcinoma resembling developing fetal lung in its pseudoglandular stage (8–16 weeks of gestation). It is distinguishable from pulmonary blastoma (PB) because it lacks the mesenchymal component which is a hallmark finding in PB. Due to differences in histopathology and clinical course, FLAC has been further categorized into low-grade (L-FLAC) and high-grade (H-FLAC) forms. L-FLAC displays low nuclear atypia and prominent morule formation and has a pure pattern. H-FLAC typically presents with at least 50% fetal morphology, and is often associated with other conventional types of lung adenocarcinoma. FLAC expresses neuroendocrine markers and thyroid transcription factor 1 in most cases. L-FLAC has an aberrant nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of β-catenin and presents mutations in this gene. H-FLAC overexpresses p53. These tumors have a very low frequency of mutations in KRAS and EGFR; it is thought that they are different from a molecular point of view to conventional lung adenocarcinomas. Approximately 25%–40% of patients are asymptomatic at presentation; most of them are incidental findings on chest radiographs. H-FLAC is more common in elderly male patients, with a heavy smoking history. L-FLAC tends to occur in young females. Patients with L-FLAC are usually diagnosed with stage I–II disease, while patients with H-FLAC usually present with a more advanced-stage disease. Poor prognostic factors for FLAC are thoracic lymphadenopathy, metastases at diagnosis, and tumor recurrence; however, the 10-year survival for FLAC is estimated at 75%.

The advent of immunotherapy has undoubtedly changed the current standard for cancer treatment. Immunotherapy offers the possibility of achieving excellent results-a new alternative for patients with advanced-stage or relapsed disease. Nowadays, the progress made in tumour biology has led to multiple advances in clinical and translational cancer research. Many oncogenic pathways responsible for tumour growth and metastases have been described and, consequently, multiple new cancer therapeutic agents have been developed and are under current investigation. Due to this rapid increase in knowledge and pharmaceutical development, traditional clinical trials designs have encountered major limitations. The pharmacological differences (in toxicity profiles and effectiveness patterns) between immunotherapy and chemotherapy have caused traditional clinical trials to evolve in order to meet this emerging need. This review focuses on the different options pertaining to clinical trial design that have arisen in the field of immuno-oncology, as well as the challenges of accurately interpreting traditional survival analyses within this novel area of cancer medicine.

Purpose To compare the effectiveness of octreotide/everolimus vs. sunitinib for the systemic treatment of recurrent aggressive meningiomas. Methods 31 patients with recurrent or refractory WHO II or WHO III meningiomas were examined in two reference centers in Colombia. Patients who had systemic treatment (sunitinib, everolimus/octreotide) and a complete follow-up were included. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicities were evaluated. Additionally, tissue samples were examined for PDGFR beta and VEGFR2, their expression was correlated with outcomes. Results Twenty-two patients (72%) were female with a median age of 55 years (SD +/- 15.3). The most prevalent histology was anaplastic meningioma in 20 patients (65%) with 48% of patients suffering from three previous relapses before the start of systemic treatment. A total of 14 patients received combination therapy with octreotide/everolimus, 11 received sunitinib and the remaining 6 received other second-line agents. Median OS was 37.3 months (95% CI 28.5-42.1) and the PFS during the treatment with everolimus/octreotide (EO) and sunitinib (Su) was 12.1 months (95% CI 9.2-21.1) and 9.1 months (95% CI 6.8-16.8); p = 0.43), respectively. The OS of the group treated with the EO -> Su -> Bev sequence (1st/2nd/3rd line) was 6.5 months longer than the Su -> EO -> Bev sequence (36.0 vs. 29.5 months) (p = 0.0001). When analyzing molecular markers, the positive PDGFR beta and negative VEGFR2 expression were associated with longer survival both in OS and PFS. Conclusion Sunitinib and octreotide/everolimus have similar efficacy and safety in the systemic management of refractory meningioma. VEGFR2 and PDGFR beta expression are associated with better outcomes.

El cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas (CPCNP) es responsable del 85% de los casos de cáncer de pulmón (CP). Por lo tanto, se desarrollaron inhibidores de la tirosina quinasa del receptor del factor de crecimiento epitelial (EGFR-TKI) y han mejorado los resultados clínicos de los pacientes con NSCLC con mutación en EGFR. Sin embargo, estos pacientes inevitablemente desarrollan resistencia a esos medicamentos. Algunos de los mecanismos de resistencia son la mutación T790M y la transformación de adenocarcinoma de pulmón a cáncer de pulmón de células pequeñas (CPCP). Por el contrario, solo unos pocos casos de NSCLC con mutación en EGFR informaron una supervivencia a largo plazo de más de 5 años. El presente caso se trata de una mujer de 53 años de edad, nunca fumadora, de origen hispano, que debutó con tos seca sin disnea y dolor intermitente de alta intensidad en hemitórax izquierdo y columna. Fue diagnosticada con CPNM metastásico e inició tratamiento con doble quimioterapia basada en platino. Después de que se identificara una mutación de EGFR, el paciente comenzó la terapia dirigida. A lo largo de los años, el tratamiento se intensificó debido a la resistencia que desarrolló contra los inhibidores de la tirosina quinasa. Se informó la mutación de resistencia T790M y persistió en el tiempo; además años después se constató la aparición de la mutación TP53R213. Se administró tratamiento con osimertinib con éxito durante 10 meses y posteriormente se constató progresión meníngea. Al mismo tiempo, se confirmó la transdiferenciación a SCLC mediante análisis histológico. Posteriormente se administró sin éxito carboplatino/etopósido/osimertinib. El paciente falleció en enero de 2020, tras 12,5 años de supervivencia global (SG) y 10 líneas de tratamiento. Hasta donde sabemos, este artículo presenta una de las supervivencias más largas reportadas de un paciente con LC metastásico con mutación de EGFR. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is responsible of 85% of lung cancer (LC) cases. Therefore, epithelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) were developed and have improved clinical outcomes of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. However, these patients inevitably develop resistance to those medications. Some of the resistance mechanisms are T790M mutation and transformation of lung adenocarcinoma to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Conversely, only a few EGFR-mutant NSCLC cases reported a long-term survival of more than 5 years. The present case concerns a 53-year-old never smoker woman of Hispanic origin, that debuted with dry cough without dyspnea and intermittent high-intensity pain in the left chest and spine. She was diagnosed with metastatic NSCLC and started treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy double. After an EGFR-mutation was identified, the patient started target therapy. Over the years, treatment was escalated because of the resistance she developed against TKIs. T790M resistance mutation was reported and persisted over time; additionally the appearance of TP53R213 mutation was found years later. Treatment with osimertinib was successfully administered for 10 months and after that meningeal progression was found. At the same time, transdifferentiation to SCLC was confirmed by histological analysis. Carboplatin/etoposide/osimertinib was then unsuccessfully administered. The patient died in January 2020, after 12.5 years of overall survival (OS) and 10 lines of treatment. To our knowledge, this article presents one of the longest reported survivals of a metastatic LC patient with EGFR mutation.

Objectives: Lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Presentation and prognosis are known to vary according to several factors, such as genetic and demographic characteristics. Small-cell lung cancer incidence is increasing in never-smokers. However, the disease phenotype in this population is different compared with patients who have a smoking history. Material and Methods: To further investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of this patient subgroup, a cohort of small cell lung cancer patients was divided into smokers (n = 10) and never/ever-smokers (n = 10). A somatic mutation profile was obtained using a comprehensive NGS assay. Clinical outcomes were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional models. Results: Median age was 63 years (46–81), 40% were men, and 90% had extended disease. Smoker patients had significantly more cerebral metastases (p = 0.04) and were older (p = 0.03) compared to their non-smoker counterparts. For never/ever smokers, the main genetic mutations were TP53 (80%), RB1 (40%), CYLD (30%), and EGFR (30%). Smoker patients had more RB1 (80%, p = 0.04), CDKN2A (30%, p = 0.05), and CEBPA (30%, p = 0.05) mutations. Response rates to first-line therapy with etoposide plus cisplatin/carboplatin were 50% in smokers and 90% in never/ever smokers (p = 0.141). Median overall survival was significantly longer in never smokers compared with smokers (29.1 months [23.5–34.6] vs. 17.3 months [4.8–29.7]; p = 0.0054). Never/ever smoking history (HR 0.543, 95% CI 0.41–0.80), limited-stage disease (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.40–0.91) and response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.60–0.92) were independently associated with good prognosis. Conclusion: Our data supports that never/ever smoker patients with small-cell lung cancer have better prognosis compared to their smoker counterparts. Further, patients with never/ever smoking history who present with small-cell lung cancer have a different mutation profile compared with smokers, including a high frequency of EGFR, MET, and SMAD4 mutations. Further studies are required to assess whether the differential mutation profile is a consequence of a diverse pathological mechanism for disease onset.

Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a 5-year survival of 5-16%. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, in most cases, confer sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Nonetheless, it is still unclear why clinical outcomes vary among patients with identical EGFR mutations. The amplification of the EGFR gene (EGFRamp) may play a significant role. Objective Compare the complete (CR) and partial response (PR) rates, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in Hispanic patients with lung adenocarcinoma treated with erlotinib with EGFR mutations (L858R or exon 19 deletion [Del19]) with and without concomitant EGFRamp. Patients and Methods Seventy-two EGFR-positive lung adenocarcinoma patients of Hispanic origin, who underwent first-line treatment with erlotinib, were evaluated for EGFRamp by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The clinical outcomes were analyzed according to EGFR mutations and EGFRamp status. Results 30.6% of samples showed EGFRamp, more frequently present in patients with Del19 (p = 0.05). Patients with EGFRamp had a longer PFS (in months) [(28.5, 95% CI 22.3-34.6) vs. (11.0, 95% CI 8.2-16.7); p = 0.002] and OS [(37.8, 95% CI 30.9-44.7) vs. (27.1, 95% CI 12.8-41.3); p = 0.009] than those without. EGFRamp significantly influenced the response to erlotinib (p = 0.0001). EGFRamp+/Del19 had a longer OS, 37.8 (95% CI 31.0-44.6), compared to EGFRamp+/L8585R, 27.5 (95% CI 12.4-42.5) (p < 0.001) and longer PFS (p = 0.043). Conclusion Among Hispanic patients, EGFRamp was present in 30% of patients with EGFR mutations. EGFR mutations and EGFRamp are associated with better OS, PFS, CR, and PR to erlotinib and, hence, could aid in the correct selection of patients that benefit from EGFR TKI treatment.

Objetivo. Revisar el estado del arte en relación con la información actual sobre el cáncer de pulmón de células escamosas (CPCE) y describir las anomalías genéticas reportadas, su efecto y los agentes terapéuticos más prometedores. Material y métodos. Se realizó una revisión de artículos publicados en revistas indizadas, así como las guías de tratamiento publicadas por instancias locales e internacionales. Resultados. El CPCE representa una proporción menor de la carga mundial de la enfermedad por cáncer pulmonar en comparación con su presentación más frecuente, el adenocarcinoma. Sin embargo, más de 400 000 casos son reportados anualmente, una población sustancial para quienes las opciones terapéuticas son escasas y con una eficacia limitada. Diversos grupos se han dado a la tarea de elucidar los mecanismos que conllevan al desarrollo del CPCE, incluyendo anomalías moleculares que puedan servir como blancos para el diseño de fármacos. Conclusiones. Existen blancos terapéuticos potenciales para el CPCE que deben ser estudiados en ensayos clínicos para ser validados. Objective. To review the state-of-the-art in relation to the current information on squamous cell lung cancer (SCLC). We describe the genetic anomalies reported, their effect, and fi­nally the most promising therapeutic agents. Materials and methods. We reviewed published articles in peer-reviewed journals as well as current treatment guidelines from local and international resources. Results. SCLC represents a smaller proportion of the global burden of disease for lung cancer compared to its more frequent presentation, the ade­nocarcinoma. However, more than 400 000 cases are reported annually, a substantial population for whom therapeutic op­tions are scarce and with limited efficacy. Several groups have been given the task of elucidating the mechanisms that lead to the development of SCLC, including molecular anomalies that can be used as targets for drug design. Conclusion. There are potential therapeutic targets for SCLC, which must be studied in clinical trials for validation.

e20637 Background: To compare survival outcomes of patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC who received immunotherapy at first, second or beyond versus matched patients receiving standard chemotherapy. Methods: A retrospective multicenter international cohort study of 296 patients with unresectable/ metastatic NSCLC treated with immunotherapy either as first, second, third or fourth line was conducted. A matched comparison with a historical cohort of first line chemotherapy was conducted. Results: Median age was 64 years (Range 34-90) and 40.2% were female patients. 91.2% of patients had an ECOG performance score ≤ 1. Immunotherapy as first line was given to 39 patients (13.7%), second line to 140 (48.8%), and as third line and beyond to 108 (37.6%). Median overall survival was 12.7 months (95% CI 9.67-14 months) and progression-free survival was 4.27 months (95% CI 3.97-5.0). Factors associated with increased survival included treatment as first-line (p < 0.001), type of response (p < 0.001) and PD-L1 status (p = 0.0039). Compared to the historical cohort, immunotherapy proved to be superior in terms of OS (p = 0.05) but not PFS (p = 0.2). Conclusions: Patients who receive immune checkpoint inhibitors as part of their treatment for NSCLC have better OS compared with matched patients treated with standard chemotherapy, regardless treatment line.