Brain Metastases in EGFR- and ALK-Positive NSCLC: Outcomes of Central Nervous System-Penetrant Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Alone Versus in Combination With Radiation

Management of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in patients with driver-mutated NSCLC has traditionally incorporated both tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and intracranial radiation. Whether next generation, CNS-penetrant TKIs can be used alone without upfront radiation, however, remains unknown. This multi-institutional retrospective analysis aimed to compare outcomes in patients with EGFR- or ALK-positive NSCLC who received CNS-penetrant TKI therapy alone versus in combination with radiation for new or progressing intracranial metastases. A total of 147 patients were included (EGFR n = 94, ALK n = 52, both n = 1). In patients receiving radiation, larger metastases, neurologic symptoms, and receipt of steroids were more common. There were no significant differences between TKI and CNS radiation therapy plus TKI groups for any of the study outcomes, including time to progression (8.5 versus 6.9 mo, p = 0.13 [EFGR] and 11.4 versus 13.4 mo, p = 0.98 [ALK]), time to intracranial pr..... READ ARTICLE

Journal of Thoracic Oncology DOI:10.1016/j.jtho.2021.08.009

Authors: Nicholas J.Thomas, Nathaniel J. Myall, Fangdi Sun, Tejas Patil, Rao Mushtaq, Chandler Yu, Sumi Sinha, Erqi L. Pollom, Seema Nagpal. Ross Camidge, Chad G. Rusthoven, Steve E. Braunstein, Heather A. Wakelee and Caroline E. McCoach