Combined Effects of FLT3 Ligand and Stereotactic Radiotherapy In Lung Cancer
Posted: Friday, June 22, 2018
The combination of the fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand CDX-301 and stereotactic radiotherapy may produce favorable early results for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to an ongoing prospective clinical trial. These study findings were presented by Nitin Ohri, MD, of Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care, the Bronx, New York, at the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting (Abstract CT005).
According to Dr. Ohri and his colleagues, this treatment also yields frequent abscopal effects and a high progression-free survival rate of 4 months after treatment. Through this clinical trial, they hope to determine the immunologic effects of the combined treatment in this patient population.
In a sample studied between October 2016 and 2017, nine patients with advanced NSCLC received five daily subcutaneous injections of CDX-301 and stereotactic body radiotherapy over a week. Each patient had received at least two systemic therapies prior to the combined treatment.
On positron-emission tomography performed 2 months after treatment, the researchers observed a reduction in total glycolytic activity (a volumetric measure of disease burden) of 45% or greater among 5 patients. These patients, who were previously treated with immunotherapy, also met the progression-free survival target of 4 months. After 4 to 13 months, 5 patients developed disease progression and 2 died.
Dr. Ohri and his colleagues found this treatment may be particularly effective for patients who have previously received treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.