EGFR PDX Study

EGFR Mutant Tumors for PDX Study

Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

EGFR mutations are detected in approximately 15% of all patients diagnosed with lung cancer. There are several types of EGFR mutations including both the common L858R and exon 19 deletions (accounting for 85%) or the rare exon 20 insertion (accounting for 5-8%) EGFR mutations.

Different types of therapies are being used for these two groups of EGFR mutations. Osimertinib is an EGFR inhibitor approved for patients newly diagnosed with EGFR exon 19 or L858R mutations and for patients who have been treated with a prior EGFR inhibitor but have developed EGFR T790M as a resistance mechanism. In contrast, there are no approved EGFR inhibitors for patients with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations although several therapies are under evaluation in clinical trials.

The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) would like to focus on studying the cancers of patients previously treated with osimertinib or those with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations. The goal is to better understand how these tumors respond to drugs, and what happens when tumors stop responding to drugs. By studying these cancers we hope to accelerate the development of new therapeutic approaches for patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer.

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Study Purpose

Patient Derived Xenografts (PDXs) are models to study cancer. These models are developed by implanting a fresh piece of tumor specimen from a patient into a special type of mouse, which has a limited immune system. These mice act as ‘hosts’ to allow the tumor to grow. Numerous peer-reviewed and published experimental studies have now shown that PDX models maintain features similar to the original tumor from the patient. PDX models can be used to study tumor growth, to evaluate the response to anti-cancer therapies, and to study the mechanisms resistance to anti-cancer therapies.

The purpose of this study is to develop at least 10 PDX models for EGFR driven cancers to be used for research purposes only. That is, these patient derived PDX models will have no immediate benefit to the patient from whom the tumor specimen was obtained. Rather, these PDX models will be used to inform the study of EGFR driven cancers at large.

We are working with Champions Oncology, a company that specializing in PDX models, to create PDX models from EGFR driven cancers. To learn more about Champions Oncology, visit their website at https://championsoncology.com/.

What is a PDX Mouse Model?

The Champions Oncology team will implant and grow a piece of a patient’s live tumor in immune-deficient mice. With the Champions technology, the PDX tumor can maintain the characteristics of the patient’s tumor, with all of its different cells and connective tissue, inside a living environment (an immune deficient mouse). The resultant PDX models will be used in the future for research to understand how cancer begins and spreads in these tumors, how these tumors respond to treatment and what happens when tumors stop responding to treatment.

The process begins with a piece of your live tumor, so it is best to plan in advance of your biopsy or surgical procedure.

The process is simple:

What Should You Expect in This Study

The research study has certain requirements that must be met. If you do not meet the requirements, you will not be able to participate in this research study. This study will include individuals with an:

EGFR T790M tumor that has progressed on osimertinib or other EGFR inhibitors like osimertinib (often referred to as 3^rd generation or mutant selective inhibitors) or
EGFR L858R tumor that has progressed on first line osimertinib or
EGFR exon 19 del tumor that has progressed on first line osimertinib or
Exon 20 mutation (EGFR Exon 20 insertion or HER2 Exon 20 mutation)

The process begins when you have a surgery or biopsy of your EGFR mutant cancer scheduled. You will speak with a member of our study team to learn about the study activities. After you speak with our team, you will be provided with an informed consent form to review. The consent form explains this research study in detail. You will also provide us with a copy of your pathology and molecular analysis reports to determine your eligibility for this study.

If you are eligible for the study, you will work with the Champions Oncology team to coordinate the collection and shipment of your tumor to their facility. It is very important that you work in collaboration with the Champions team.

You will call your physician/surgeon and let them know that you want to donate a portion of your tumor to this research study and that Champions Oncology will be in contact with them.
You will be provided a letter to give to your physician/surgeon notifying them of your participation in this research study.
You will be in contact with Champions Oncology team as they attempt to train your physician/surgeon on the collection and shipment procedures.

How To Participate

Closed to enrollment.

Contact Form

EGFR PDX Study (ALCMI-012)

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