Abstract 5189
Background
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly lethal disease. Recently, immunotherapy has demonstrated a benefit for a subgroup of patients beyond the second-line and in the first-line setting combined with chemotherapy. However, the majority of patients will not benefit and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. High baseline neutrophil count (NC) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are unfavorable prognostic factors in SCLC and might also predict for lack of response to immunotherapy. There is data suggesting that activation of the HGF/MET pathway might contribute to the recruitment of immunosuppressor neutrophils in the tumor. Our aim was to evaluate the association between HGF serum levels (sHGF) and NC in SCLC and their impact on outcome.
Methods
Serum samples from SCLC patients were obtained before starting first-line treatment. We used the Quantikine Human HGF Immunoassay to quantify sHGF. All samples were run in duplicates. NC and NLR were obtained from blood test reports before treatment initiation. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 22.0 and Prism 8.1.0. Correlation of variables was assessed by the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Multivariate analysis was performed with the Cox regression method.
Results
Samples from 105 patients diagnosed with SCLC at our institution were included. 79.1% of the cases were male, 73.3% with extensive stage, and 31.4% had an ECOG score of ≥ 2. Median sHGF, NC and NLR were 1875.38pg/ml, 6440/µl and 5.1 respectively. Patients with baseline NLR > 4 or NC above median had worse median overall survival (mOS), with 7.9 vs 15.3 months (m) (p < 0.001) and 7.2 vs 15.3m (p < 0.001) respectively. sHGF above median values was also correlated with worse mOS (7.6 vs 12.8 m; p = 0.005). Baseline sHGF levels were positively correlated with NC (r = 0.34, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis for OS, sHGF and NC remained independently associated with poor outcome (HR 1.094; p = 0.001 and HR 1.18; p = 0.003 respectively).
Conclusions
Baseline HGF levels correlate with NC in SCLC, reinforcing the hypothesis of a plausible interplay between HGF/MET axis and the immune system. The role of these parameters as predictive biomarkers of response to immunotherapy in SCLC warrants further investigation.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
E. Arriola: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Lilly; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (institution): BMS; Research grant / Funding (institution): Roche; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Research grant / Funding (institution): PGDx; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: BMS; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Lilly. All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
1269 - One-year follow-up results of eribulin for soft-tissue sarcoma including rare subtypes in a real-world observational study in Japan
Presenter: Shunji Takahashi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2868 - Prevalence of chemotherapy use and its impact on overall survival in patients with bone- and soft tissue sarcomas -A population-based analysis of 3746 patients
Presenter: Herbert Loong
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3042 - Clinical course and therapeutic management of classical and endemic Kaposi’s Sarcoma (C/E KS)
Presenter: Lina Benajiba
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3141 - The final outcomes of study on combined therapy of adult patients with localized synovial sarcoma
Presenter: Katarzyna Kozak
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5449 - Real-world Outcomes of Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Epithelioid Sarcoma
Presenter: Mrinal Gounder
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4465 - SAKK 57/16 Nab-Paclitaxel And Gemcitabine in soft tissue sarcoma (NAPAGE): results from the phase I part of a phase I/II trial
Presenter: Antonia Digklia
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5013 - Outcome of 98 patients with epithelioid sarcoma treated in curative intent: a retrospective study from the French Sarcoma Group (GSF-GETO)
Presenter: Maud Pedrono
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5614 - Comparison of filgrastim and pegfilgrastim prophylaxis in sarcoma patients receiving highly myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
Presenter: Paolo Tarantino
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1033 - Access to clinical trials for soft tissue sarcoma patients in Western and Eastern Europe
Presenter: Vasilii Ostafiichuk
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4094 - Treatment outcomes for adult patients with localized osteosarcoma treated with chemotherapy without methotrexate
Presenter: Marília Silva
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract