Dynamic cfDNA Analysis by NGS in EGFR T790M-Positive Advanced NSCLC Patients Failed to the First-Generation EGFR-TKIs

• Main Authors: Li Ma, Haoyang Li, Dongpo Wang, Ying Hu, Mengjun Yu, Quan Zhang, Na Qin, Xinyong Zhang, Xi Li, Hui Zhang, Yuhua Wu, Jialin Lv, Xinjie Yang, Ruoying Yu, Shucai Zhang, Jinghui Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-03-01
• Series: Frontiers in Oncology
• Subjects: circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA); EGFR; T790M; third-generation EGFR TKI declarations; lung cancer
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.643199/full

PurposeCirculating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) level has been demonstrated to be associated with efficacy in first generation EGFR TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the role of dynamic cfDNA analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) in patients with subsequent third-generation EGFR TKIs remains unclear.MethodsFrom 2016 to 2019, 81 NSCLC patients with EGFR T790M mutation either in tissue or plasma who received third-generation EGFR TKIs treatment were enrolled. CfDNA were sequenced by NGS with a 425-gene panel. The association of clinical characteristics, pretreatment, dynamic cfDNA and T790M level with outcomes in patients treated with the third-generation TKIs were analyzed.ResultsIn univariate analysis, the median PFS of patients with undetectable cfDNA level during treatment was significantly longer than those with detectable cfDNA (16.97 vs. 6.10 months; HR 0.2109; P < 0.0001). The median PFS of patients with undetectable T790M level during treatment was significantly longer than those with detectable T790M (14.1 vs. 4.4 months; HR 0.2192; P < 0.001). Cox hazard proportion model showed that cfDNA clearance was an independent predictor for longer PFS (HR 0.3085; P < 0.001) and longer OS (HR 0.499; P = 0.034). The most common resistant mutations of the third-generation TKIs were EGFR C797S (24%). CDK6 CNV, GRIN2A, BRCA2, EGFR D761N, EGFR Q791H, EGFR V843I, and ERBB4 mutation genes may possibly be new resistant mechanisms.ConclusionsPatients with undetectable cfDNA during the third-generation EGFR TKI treatment have superior clinical outcomes, and dynamic cfDNA analysis by NGS is valuable to explore potential resistant mechanisms.