Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are currently the first-line standard of care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that harbor EGFR mutations. Nevertheless, resistance to EGFR-TKIs is inevitable. In recent years, although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly shifted the treatment paradigm in advanced NSCLC without driver mutation, clinical benefits of these agents are limited in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Compared with wild-type tumors, tumors with EGFR mutations show more heterogeneity in the expression level of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and other tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics. Whether ICIs are suitable for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations is still worth exploring. In this review, we summarized the clinical data with regard to the efficacy of ICIs in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC and deciphered the unique TME in EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
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Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Immunotherapy ; Mutation ; B7-H1 Antigen/genetics* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objectives: Bioequivalence studies provide evidence that generic drugs can produce the same blood levels as the innovator, suggesting similar efficacy and safety and indicating interchangeability without the need to titrate dosing. This study aimed to compare the rate and extent of absorption of two simvastatin 20 mg tablets of Pascual Laboratories, Inc. with two Zocor 20 mg tablets of Merck Sharp & Dohme (I.A.) Corp. in healthy Filipinos. The study also monitored the safety and tolerability of the medications, under the same conditions. Proof of bioequivalence is required by FDA Philippines to establish the interchangeability of generic products and their innovators. Methods: Twenty-four healthy participants were administered with a single oral dose of two 20 mg simvastatin tablets under fasting conditions, in a randomized, open-label, blind-endpoint analysis, two-way crossover study, with a washout period of one week. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling was done up to 24 h post-dose. Simvastatin was measured using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry with a validated method. The geometric mean ratios for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma-concentration-time curve from time zero to the last observed concentration at time 24 h (AUC0-24) were used for bioequivalence. Results: All 24 participants, 12 males and 12 females, completed the study. Mean age was 24.21 years, mean weight was 58.81 kg, and mean BMI was 23.16 kg/m2. The ratios of Cmax and AUC0-24 were 102.17% (90% CI: 89.19-117.03), and 101.29% (90% CI: 86.87-118.10), respectively, and were both within the bioequivalence limits of 80% to 125%. No adverse event was reported and both formulations were well-tolerated. Conclusions Simvastatin 20 mg tablet of Pascual Laboratories, Inc. and the innovator Zocor 20 mg tablet are bioequivalent. Single two-tablet doses of both products are safe and well tolerated.
Simvastatin ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

INTRODUCTION: The pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) posed a serious challenge to all health care systems in the world. It has been found to be harmful in people with underlying cardiovascular diseases, particularly in patients with systemic hypertension, which may be due to upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression, which may lead to increased severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virulence. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASI) acts by blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptors, which in turn affects the production of the ACE2 protein. Hence, there have been arguments on whether to continue or discontinue this medication. Given the widespread use of RASIs globally and the fact that they are generally cardioprotective, research into the safety of continuing these maintenance medications in patients hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19 is immensely needed. METHODS: This meta-analysis involved review of observational studies among hypertensive patients on maintenance ACE inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker with confirmed mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. Analyses were performed to determine the adjusted hazard ratio of each event using the raw data obtained from each study. Random-effects model and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method were utilized at 95% confidence interval. To check for heterogeneity, χ2 test and I2 statistic were calculated. Cochrane ReviewManager (RevMan version 5.3) was used for data analysis, and forest plots were generated. RESULTS: At 95% confidence interval, the adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission at 95% confidence interval were 1.64 (1.22, 2.21) and 1.93 (1.34, 2.79), respectively. The tests of overall estimate effect for both outcomes were P < 0.0001 for all-cause mortality and P = 0.0003 for ICU admission. CONCLUSION Discontinuation of maintenance RASI during hospitalization is associated with increased all-cause mortality and ICU admission among hypertensive patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Coronavirus:COVID-19

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) accounts for approximately 30% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and is the second most common histological type of lung cancer. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive NSCLC accounts for only 2%-5% of all NSCLC cases, and is almost exclusively detected in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Thus, ALK testing is not routinely performed in the LSCC population, and the efficacy of such treatment for ALK-rearranged LSCC remains unknown. Echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4 (EML4)-ALK (V1) and TP53 co-mutations were identified by next generation sequencing (NGS) in this patient with advanced LSCC. On December 3, 2020, Ensatinib was taken orally and the efficacy was evaluated as partial response (PR). The progression-free survival (PFS) was 19 months. When the disease progressed, the medication was changed to Loratinib. To our knowledge, Enshatinib created the longest PFS of ALK-mutant LSCC patients treated with targeted therapy since literature review. Herein, we described one case treated by Enshatinib involving a patient with both EML4-ALK and TP53 positive LSCC, and the relevant literatures were reviewed for discussing the treatment of this rare disease.
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Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics* ; Mutation ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics* ; Lung/pathology* ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics*

With the development of sequencing technology, the detection rate of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with primary epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation is increasing. However, the first-line treatment for primary EGFR T790M-mutated NSCLC still lacks standard recommendations. Here, we reported three advanced NSCLC cases with EGFR-activating mutation and primary T790M mutation. The patients were initially treated with Aumolertinib combination with Bevacizumab; among which, one case was discontinued Bevacizumab due to bleeding risk after treatment for three months. Treatment was switched to Osimertinib after ten months of treatment. Another case switched to Osimertinib and discontinued Bevacizumab after thirteen months of treatment. The best effect response in all three cases was partial response (PR) after initial treatment. Two cases progressed after first-line treatment and progression-free survival (PFS) was eleven months and seven months respectively. The other one patient had persistent response after treatment, and the treatment duration has reached nineteen months. Two cases had multiple brain metastases before administration and the best response to intracranial lesions was PR. The intracranial PFS was fourteen months and not reached (16+ months), respectively. There were no new adverse events (AEs), and no AEs of grade three or above were reported. In addition, we summarized the research progress of Osimertinib in the treatment of NSCLC with primary EGFR T790M mutation. In conclusion, Aumolertinib combined with Bevacizumab in the treatment of advanced NSCLC with primary EGFR T790M mutation has a high objective response rate (ORR) and control ability of intracranial lesions, which can be used as one of the initial options for first-line advanced NSCLC with primary EGFR T790M mutation.
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Humans ; Bevacizumab ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; ErbB Receptors ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) significantly reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis and prolong survival in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but drug resistance is often inevitable. Immunotherapy has been proven effective in multiple solid tumors, but the efficacy in GIST is unclear. The efficacy of immunotherapy depends on the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoints are important components of TME, which not only participate in the regulation of tumor immune response but are also the key target of immunotherapy. A comprehensive analysis of them can clarify the mechanism of tumor immune escape. This review found that there are abundant tumor-infiltrating immune cells in GIST, which play an important role in tumor immune surveillance and escape. Although early clinical studies have shown that patients with GIST have a good tolerance to immunotherapy, the curative effect is not satisfactory. Therefore, how to select the responders of immunotherapy and coordinate the relationship between immunotherapy and TKIs is the key issue to be explored. At the same time, the gradual deepening of basic research and large sample prospective clinical trials will certainly provide more strategies for the application of immunotherapy in GIST.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors/drug therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology*

Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy* ; Consensus ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; Tyrosine Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors

Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced* ; East Asian People ; Risk Factors ; Heart Disease Risk Factors ; Lipids ; Anticholesteremic Agents/adverse effects* ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Treatment Outcome

This study aimed to identify subtypes of genomic variants associated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by conducting systematic literature search in electronic databases up to May 31, 2021. The main outcomes including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and durable clinical benefit (DCB) were correlated with tumor genomic features. A total of 1546 lung cancer patients with available genomic variation data were included from 14 studies. The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog <i>G12Ci> (<i>KRAS^G12Ci>) mutation combined with tumor protein P53 (<i>TP53i>) mutation revealed the promising efficacy of ICI therapy in these patients. Furthermore, patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (<i>EGFRi>) classical activating mutations (including <i>EGFR^L858Ri> and <i>EGFR^Δ19i>) exhibited worse outcomes to ICIs in OS (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01‍‒‍1.95; <i>Pi>=0.0411) and PFS (adjusted HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.49‍‒‍2.63; <i>Pi><0.0001), while classical activating mutations with <i>EGFR^T790Mi> showed no difference compared to classical activating mutations without <i>EGFR^T790Mi> in OS (adjusted HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.48‍‒‍1.94; <i>Pi>=0.9157) or PFS (adjusted HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.39‍‒‍1.35; <i>Pi>=0.3050). Of note, for patients harboring the Usher syndrome type-2A(<i>USH2Ai>) missense mutation, correspondingly better outcomes were observed in OS (adjusted HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32‍‒‍0.82; <i>Pi>=0.0077), PFS (adjusted HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38‍‒‍0.69; <i>Pi><0.0001), DCB (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 4.74; 95% CI, 2.75‍‒‍8.17; <i>Pi><0.0001), and ORR (adjusted OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.88‍‒‍6.33; <i>Pi><0.0001). Our findings indicated that, <i>USH2Ai> missense mutations and the <i>KRAS^G12Ci>mutation combined with <i>TP53i> mutation were associated with better efficacy and survival outcomes, but <i>EGFRi> classical mutations irrespective of combination with <i>EGFR^T790Mi> showed the opposite role in the ICI therapy among lung cancer patients. Our findings might guide the selection of precise targets for effective immunotherapy in the clinic.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics* ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics* ; Treatment Outcome