Factors associated with gene aberration test status and treatment decision in patients with unresectable Stage IIIB/IV nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer: A multicenter survey in China (CTONG 1506)

Lung Cancer. 2018 Sep:123:7-13. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.06.008. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated factors associated with (i) the likelihood of receiving a gene aberration test and (ii) the choice of treatment between chemotherapy and targeted therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data previously extracted from the medical charts of patients with unresectable Stage IIIB/IV nonsquamous NSCLC discharged from one of 12 tertiary hospitals in China between August 2015 and March 2016. Logistic regressions were applied to investigate factors associated with receiving a gene aberration test and the treatment decision.

Results: Data from 932 patients were analyzed. Patients were less likely to have a gene aberration test if they had a histologic subtype other than adenocarcinoma or a hospital waiting time for test results of >5 days. Patients were more likely to receive tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment than chemotherapy if they had a positive result for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene aberration testing. EGFR positive patients were more likely to receive TKI treatment than chemotherapy if they did not have insurance for TKI or pemetrexed treatment, and more likely to receive chemotherapy than TKI treatment if they had a waiting time for test results of >5 days. EGFR wild-type/unknown patients receiving chemotherapy were more likely to receive pemetrexed if they attended a hospital in a developed area or had insurance for pemetrexed.

Conclusion: In this real-world setting in China, the choice of first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC was appropriately guided by gene aberration testing for most patients. However, gene aberration testing and the treatment decision were influenced by practical factors such as hospital location, the waiting time for test results, and insurance coverage, which should be addressed to ensure optimal patient care.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; First-line anticancer treatment; Gene aberration test; Nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer; Real-world research; Tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / epidemiology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy
  • China / epidemiology
  • Clinical Decision-Making*
  • Disease Management
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors