Longitudinal liquid biopsy anticipates hyperprogression and early death in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Abstract

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionised treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC), but a proportion of patients had no clinical benefit and even experienced detrimental effects. This study aims to characterise patients experiencing hyperprogression (HPD) and early death (ED) by longitudinal liquid biopsy. Methods aNSCLC receiving ICIs were prospectively enrolled. Plasma was collected at baseline (T1) and after 3/4 weeks of treatment, according to the treatment schedule (T2). Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was quantified and analysed by NGS. cfDNA quantification and variant allele fraction (VAF) of tumour-associated genetic alterations were evaluated for their potential impact on outcome. The genetic alteration with the highest VAF (maxVAF) at baseline was considered as a reference. Results From March 2017 to August 2019, 171 patients were enrolled. Five cases matched criteria for HPD and 31 ED were recorded; one overlapped. Quantification of cfDNA at T2 and its absolute and relative variation (T2–T1) were significantly associated with the risk of ED (P = 0.012, P = 0.005, P = 0.009). MaxVAF relative change (T2–T1/T1) was significantly associated with the risk of HPD (P = 0.02). After identifying optimal cut-off values, a two-step risk assessment model was proposed. Discussion Liquid biopsy performed early during treatment has the potential to identify patients at high risk of ED and HPD.