Compromised Outcomes in Stage IV Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Actionable Mutations Initially Treated Without Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: A Retrospective Analysis of Real-World Data

Abstract

PURPOSE Identification and targeting of actionable oncogenic drivers (AODs) in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has dramatically improved outcomes. However, genomic testing uptake is variable and hampered by factors including slow turnaround time, frequently resulting in initial non–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. We investigate how this behavior affects outcomes. METHODS This retrospective analysis of real-world, deidentified data from the Integra Connect Database included adults with stage IV NSCLC newly diagnosed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020, with mutations of EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET, ERBB2, or NTRK. Outcomes were reported as time to next treatment or death (TTNT) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Five hundred ten patients harboring AODs were identified and grouped as follows: group A (n = 379) were treated after the AOD was reported and served as the comparator. One hundred thirty-one patients treated before their AOD report were divided into group B (n = 47) who were initially started on chemotherapy and/or checkpoint inhibitor but switched to appropriate TKI within 35 days and group C (n = 84) who were also started empirically on non-TKI and did not switch within 35 days. Survival (OS) was significantly superior in group A compared with group C; TTNT was significantly superior in group A compared with groups B and C. CONCLUSION For patients harboring AODs in advanced NSCLC, initial treatment before receipt of genomic test results yields significantly inferior outcomes and should be avoided. Molecular profiling panels with rapid turnaround times are essential to optimize patient outcomes and should be standard of care.