Life-threatening pneumonitis after first-line treatment with osimertinib for primary T790M mutated non-small cell lung cancer.

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) directed tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment is the standard approach in patients with advanced, EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although benefit/risk ratio is favorable for these TKI and side effects are manageable in the vast majority of patients, severe and even life-threatening side effects have been reported. TKI-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been reported for single cases in modest severity, predominantly in EGFR-TKI pretreated patients. Here, we report a case of successful stabilization of a life-threatening ILD in a de novo T790M mutated NSCLC during first-line treatment with osimertinib. As osimertinib will be used more often in many EGFR-positive NSCLC patients in the future, this potentially life-threatening side effect should receive special attention, especially in first-line treatment.

Introduction

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a known side effect of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) directed treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI).1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 In rare cases, ILD may be a serious and potentially life‐threatening event.7, 8, 9 With increasing numbers of EGFR‐TKI treated patients, this serious side effect becomes increasingly relevant. Incidence and severity of TKI induced ILD varies between different TKIs and between initial and re‐exposure to an EGFR‐ directed treatment or after preceding PD‐L1 directed treatment.10, 11, 12, 13 In contrast to acquired T790M mutation, data on side effects for patients with de novo/primary T790M mutated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is limited. We present a case of acute pneumonitis with resultant respiratory failure and need for mechanical ventilation after first line‐treatment with the TKI oisimertinib in a primary T790M mutated NSCLC patient.

Case report

A 79 year‐old non‐smoker, with no pre‐existing pulmonary disease, was diagnosed with NSCLC of the left upper lung complicated by adrenal and bone metastases (Fig 1a, white arrow). Molecular genetic analysis at first diagnosis revealed both an EGFR mutation p.L858R in exon 21 and a p.T790M mutation in exon 20 (but no other molecular alteration relevant for treatment). First‐line treatment with osimertinib was initiated using a standard dose of 80 mg per day (as an off label application at that time). Initial lung function showed a normal diffusion capacity and a mild pulmonary restriction with a vital capacity (VC) of 75% of predicted value.

Figure 1

High‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the thorax showing subsequent pulmonary changes. (a) Before osimertinib treatment; (b) after four months of osimertinib treatment, no clinical symptoms; (c) ongoing treatment with osimertinib, onset of dyspnea; (d) osimertinib treatment was stopped due to severe hypoxia; (e) no osimertinib, mechanical ventilation, high dose steroid treatment; (f) ongoing mechanical ventilation due to severe hypoxia, steroid treatment; (g) ongoing steroid treatment, with a slow improvement; and (h) no tumor treatment, tumor progression. White arrows mark the primary tumor, black arrows mark pulmonary infiltrates.

Osimertinib led to a partial remission of NSCLC after three months without any obvious clinical or radiological side‐effects (Fig 1b, white arrow). However, one week later, the patient presented to another hospital with sudden onset of mild dyspnoea. CT scan excluded pulmonary embolism, but showed new, predominantly subpleural, and bipulmonary opacities (Fig 1c, black arrows). The patient received no further investigation or treatment and osimertinib treatment was continued. Dyspnea worsened over the subsequent three weeks, and the patient re‐presented to the same hospital with severe hypoxemia and progressive pulmonary infiltrations (Fig 1d). He rapidly developed acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and was subsequently transferred to our hospital.

Tests showed a slight elevation of infection parameters. Serology, blood cultures and bronchoalveolar lavage failed to reveal any causal pathogen. Transbronchial biopsy for histopathological evaluation could not be performed due to gross persisting hypoxemia under mechanical ventilation with an inspiratory oxygen concentration requirement of up to 90%. Other than osimertinib there had been no change in medication in the preceding four months.

We considered osimertinib‐induced acute pneumonitis to be the first differential diagnosis in the absence of any other obvious or potential alternative, and osimertinib treatment was immediately stopped. High dose prednisolone with 500 mg over three days, followed by 100 mg per day for 14 days was given (Fig 1e). However, impaired oxygenation persisted over the next two weeks in parallel with persisting pulmonary infiltrates (Fig 1f), and the patient required tracheostomy. Steroid treatment was continued leading to stabilization and subsequent slow improvement in the lung impairment (Fig 1g), resulting in successful weaning and decannulation 47 days after intubation. Steroid treatment was tapered slowly, and stopped after a further eight weeks. The patient's condition continued to improve, although he continued to have severe restrictive pulmonary impairment (VC 37% of the predicted value) and critical care polyneuropathy.

Follow‐up at three and five months (Fig 1h) after stopping osimertinib showed accelerating tumor growth, although the patient's condition further improved to an ECOG performance status of 1–2. Following three months (six cycles) of second‐line treatment with carboplatin and gemcitabine the disease stabilized. Subsequent relapse treatment with pemetrexed was initiated which has stabilized tumor activity until now, over two years after first diagnosis.

Discussion

Although TKI treatment leads to benefits in terms of progression‐free and overall survival in EGFR‐ mutated NSCLC patients,15, 16, 17 it is necessary to be aware of potential side effects. Based on previous reports and our experience, we suggest routine clinical and lung function evaluation if respiratory symptoms develop in such patients. In case of a severe TKI‐associated ILD, osimertinib treatment should be stopped immediately. In our patient, transient mechanical ventilation and high dose steroid treatment achieved stabilization in this life‐threatening situation.

Disclosure

The authors state that they have no conflict of interest.