Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA Predicts Outcomes of Short-Course Consolidation Immunotherapy in Unresectable Stage III NSCLC.

J Thorac Oncol

Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California. Electronic address:

Published: October 2024


Category Ranking

98%

Total Visits

921

Avg Visit Duration

2 minutes

Citations

20

Article Abstract

Introduction: The current standard of care for patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer includes chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by 1 year of checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy. Nevertheless, the optimal duration of consolidation CPI remains unknown. Here, we characterized the relationship between circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease (MRD) and clinical outcomes of patients with unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated on a phase 2 trial of short-course consolidation immunotherapy after CRT, with the goal of testing whether ctDNA may be able to identify patients who do not require a full year of treatment.

Methods: Plasma samples for ctDNA analysis were collected from patients on the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium LUN 16-081 trial after completion of CRT, before day 1 of cycle 2 (C2D1) of CPI (i.e., 1 mo after treatment start), and at the end of up to 6 months of treatment. Tumor-informed ctDNA MRD analysis was performed using cancer personalized profiling by deep sequencing. Levels of ctDNA at each time point were correlated with clinical outcomes.

Results: Detection of ctDNA predicted significantly inferior progression-free survival after completion of CRT (24-mo 29% versus 65%, p = 0.0048), before C2D1 of CPI (24-mo 0% versus 72%, p < 0.0001) and at the end of CPI (24-mo 15% versus 67%, p = 0.0011). In addition, patients with decreasing or undetectable ctDNA levels after 1 cycle of CPI had improved outcomes compared with patients with increasing ctDNA levels (24-mo progression-free survival 72% versus 0%, p < 0.0001). Progression of disease occurred within less than 12 months of starting CPI in all patients with increasing ctDNA levels at C2D1.

Conclusions: Detection of ctDNA before, during, or after 6 months of consolidation CPI is strongly associated with inferior outcomes. Our findings suggest that analysis of ctDNA MRD may enable personalizing the duration of consolidation immunotherapy treatment.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11666285PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtho.2024.06.024DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

consolidation immunotherapy
12
ctdna levels
12
ctdna
11
circulating tumor
8
tumor dna
8
short-course consolidation
8
stage iii
8
non-small cell
8
cell lung
8
lung cancer
8

Similar Publications

Dendritic cells: understanding ontogeny, subsets, functions, and their clinical applications.

Mol Biomed

September 2025

National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation & Institute of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in coordinating immune responses by linking innate and adaptive immunity through their exceptional antigen-presenting capabilities. Recent studies reveal that metabolic reprogramming-especially pathways involving acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA)-critically influences DC function in both physiological and pathological contexts. This review consolidates current knowledge on how environmental factors, tumor-derived signals, and intrinsic metabolic pathways collectively regulate DC development, subset differentiation, and functional adaptability.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cancer metabolic reprogramming is a fundamental hallmark that enables tumor cells to sustain their malignant behaviors. Beyond its role in supporting growth, invasion, and migration, metabolic rewiring actively contributes to anticancer drug resistance. Cancer cells not only reshape their own metabolism but also engage in aberrant metabolic crosstalk with nonmalignant components within the tumor microenvironment (TME).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Autoimmune nodopathies: emerging insights and clinical implications.

Curr Opin Neurol

October 2025

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, IR SANT PAU, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, CIBERER, Barcelona, Spain.

Purpose Of Review: Autoimmune nodopathies (AN) are a recognized distinct group of immune-mediated peripheral neuropathies with unique immunopathological features and therapeutic implications. This review synthesizes recent advances in their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management, which have refined their clinical classification and informed targeted treatment strategies.

Recent Findings: AN are characterized by autoantibodies targeting surface proteins in the nodal-paranodal area (anti-contactin-1, anti-contactin-associated protein 1, anti-neurofascin-155, anti-pan-neurofascin), predominantly of IgG4 subclass.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Consensus statement on the multidisciplinary treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with immune checkpoint inhibitors in China.

ESMO Open

September 2025

Institute of Oncology, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, China. Electronic address:

Introduction: This study aims to establish a multidisciplinary consensus on the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in China, with a particular focus on the guidelines for the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to ensure scientific and rational treatment protocols.

Methods: The consensus was formulated based on the 'guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of NPC (2024 edition)' issued by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology. The Delphi method was used to collect and consolidate expert opinions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose Of Review: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has long been a cornerstone in the treatment of eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). In this review, we analyze the evolving role of ASCT in the contemporary period.

Recent Findings: With the growing integration of modern induction regimens and advanced immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies and bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), the traditional paradigm of multiple myeloma treatment is being increasingly challenged.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF