ARCHIVED

Medical Policy

Policy Num:       11.003.099
Policy Name:     Circulating Tumor DNA for Management of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (Liquid Biopsy)
Policy ID:          [11.003.099][Ac B  M P ][2.04.143]

Last Review:      December 10, 2021
Next Review:      N/A
Issue:                  12:2021

Related Policies:

2.04.143 - Circulating Tumor DNA Management of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (Liquid Biopsy)
2.04.45 - Molecular Analysis for Targeted Therapy or Immunotherapy of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
2.04.62 - Multimarker Serum Testing Related to Ovarian Cancer

ARCHIVED

Circulating Tumor DNA for Management of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (Liquid Biopsy)

Summary

Summary

Proteomic testing has been proposed as a way to predict survival outcomes, as well as the response to and selection of targeted therapy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One commercially available test (the VeriStrat assay) has been investigated as a predictive marker for response to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

For individuals with newly diagnosed NSCLC and wild-type EGFR-variant status who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes retrospective studies and a prospective nonrandomized study. Relevant outcomes are overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. No published studies were identified that assessed the prognostic use of VeriStrat proteomic testing in newly diagnosed stage I or II NSCLC. For individuals with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC and EGFR-negative variant status without prior systemic therapy, 5 studies have assessed the use of VeriStrat (“good” or “poor”) as a prognostic test to discriminate between OS(primary) and progression-free survival (PFS) (secondary) outcomes. All studies were retrospective and intended to validate the extent to which the VeriStrat proteomic classification correlated with OS or PFS. Only 1 of the 5 studies reported the percentage of participants who were EGFR-negative, but it did not report outcomes based on variant status. One observational, nonrandomized study with prospective sample collection for proteomic testing before NSCLC treatment reported the percentage of participants who were EGFR-negative, but it did not report outcomes based on variant status. This was also the only study that included a first-line treatment consistent with current guideline-based recommendations¾platinum-doublet-based chemotherapy plus cisplatin or carboplatin plus pemetrexed. The VeriStrat classification was not used to direct the selection of treatment in any of the clinical trials from which the validation samples were derived. Disposition of populations with variant status “not reported” was generally not clear and could not be construed as “unknown” when wild-type or positive were reported. No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform therapeutic options for patients with stage I or II NSCLC if surgery or surgery plus radiotherapy have been completed or who were upstaged as a result of surgical findings. No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform therapeutic options for patients with stage I or II NSCLC who were considered medically inoperable. No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to predict response to first-line targeted therapies or first-line chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

For individuals with newly diagnosed NSCLC and unknown EGFR-variant status who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT), 4 retrospective studies, and a prospective study. Relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. All study populations were either unselected for EGFR-variant status or status was expressly reported as unknown in conjunction with negative or positive status reports. None of the studies that reported unknown EGFR-variant status reported outcomes for the proteomic score based on unknown EGFR-variant status. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

For individuals with NSCLC and wild-type EGFR-variant status and disease progression after first-line systemic therapy who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes a RCT and a retrospective analysis. Relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. No studies were identified that reported or analyzed outcomes using the proteomic test as a prognostic tool in EGFR-negative variant status populations. The evidence includes an RCT (PROSE) using proteomic testing to predict response to erlotinib compared with chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, stratified by performance status, smoking history, treatment center, and (masked) pretreatment VeriStrat classification. In a multivariate model to predict OS, which included clinical characteristics and EGFR-variant status, VeriStrat classification was significantly associated with OS(hazard ratio for VeriStrat “good” vs “poor,” 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 2.84; p=0.003). However, 62% of the combined study population was EGFR-negative. A retrospective analysis was also performed on the MARQUEE trial, a phase 3 RCT in patients with stage IIIB or IV nonsquamous NSCLC, comparing the patient response to erlotinib in conjunction with either tivantinib or a placebo; patients were stratified by EGFR and KRAS variant status, sex, smoking history, and treatment history. Protocol treatments were subsequently discontinued by 93% of patients, and the trial discontinued after prespecified interim futility analysis. In a multivariate model to predict OS, which included clinical characteristics and EGFR-variant status, VeriStrat classification was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio for VeriStrat “good” vs “poor,” 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.40 to 0.67; p<0.001). Ninety percent of the combined study population was EGFR-negative. An interaction between treatment and VeriStrat status was significant for multivariate analysis including EGFR status (p=0.036) but not significant for multivariate analysis including both EGFR and KRAS variant status (p=0.068). Currently, the use of erlotinib in patients unselected for the presence or absence of an EGFR-sensitizing variant is not standard clinical practice. It is recommended that variant status be determined, if not previously ascertained, before selecting treatment after progression or recurrence. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

For individuals with NSCLC and unknown EGFR-variant status with disease progression after first-line systemic therapy who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes 2 RCTs and 3 retrospective studies. Relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. The use of VeriStrat as a prognostic test to discriminate between good and poor survival outcomes was assessed in 3 retrospective studies intended to validate the extent to which VeriStrat proteomic classification correlates with OS or PFS. The VeriStrat classification was not used to direct treatment selection in any of the trials from which the validation samples were derived. None of the clinical trials from which the samples for VeriStrat proteomic classification were derived used a therapy consistent with current guidelines-based recommendations. The populations in all 3 studies were unselected for EGFR-variant status. In the PROSE RCT, using a multivariate model to predict OS, which included clinical characteristics and EGFR-variant status, VeriStrat classification was significantly associated with OS(hazard ratio for VeriStrat “good” vs “poor,” 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 2.84; p=0.003). However, 32.6% of the combined study population had unknown EGFR status. In the EMPHASIS RCT, there were no significant differences in PFS or OS among patients with VeriStrat “good” status receiving erlotinib or chemotherapy or among patients with VeriStrat “poor” status receiving erlotinib or chemotherapy. The results of the EMPHASIS RCT were restricted to squamous NSCLC histology. Currently, the use of erlotinib in patients unselected for the presence or absence of an EGFR-sensitizing variant is not standard clinical practice. It is recommended that variant status be determined, if not previously ascertained, before selecting treatment after progression or recurrence. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this evidence review is to determine whether the use of proteomic testing to select therapy improves the net health outcome in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

POLICY

The use of proteomic testing, including but not limited to the VeriStrat assay, is considered investigational for all uses in the management of non-small-cell lung cancer.

POLICY GUIDELINES

Please see Codes table for details.

BENEFIT APPLICATION

Blue Card/National Account Issues

State or federal mandates (eg, Federal Employee Program) may dictate that certain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved devices, drugs, or biologics may not be considered investigational, and thus these devices may be assessed only by their medical necessity.

BACKGROUND

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U. S., with an estimated 228,150 new cases and142,670 deaths due to the disease in 2019.^1, NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancer cases and includes nonsquamous carcinoma (adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, other cell types) and squamous cell carcinoma.

Diagnosis

The stage at which lung cancer is diagnosed has the greatest impact on prognosis.^2, Localized disease confined to the primary site has a 55.6% relative 5-year survival but accounts for only 16% of lung cancer cases at diagnosis. Mortality increases sharply with advancing stage. Metastatic lung cancer has a relative 5-year survival of 4.5%. Overall, advanced disease, defined as regional involvement and metastatic, accounts for approximately 80% of cases of lung cancer at diagnosis. These statistics are mirrored for the population of NSCLC, with 85% of cases presenting as advanced disease and up to 40% of patients with metastatic disease.

In addition to tumor stage, age, sex, and performance status are independent prognostic factors for survival particularly in early-stage disease. Wheatley-Price et al (2010) reported on a retrospective pooled analysis of 2349 advanced NSCLC patients from 5 randomized chemotherapy trials.^3, Women had a higher response rate to platinum-based chemotherapy than men. Additionally, women with adenocarcinoma histology had greater overall survival than men. A small survival advantage exists for squamous cell carcinoma over non-bronchiolar nonsquamous histology.^4,

The oncology clinical care and research community use standard measures of performance status: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale and Karnofsky Performance Scale.

Treatment

Treatment approaches are multimodal and generally include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy (either alone or in combination with another treatment, depending on disease stage and tumor characteristics). Per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, the clinical management pathway for stage I or II NSCLC is dependent on surgical findings and may involve resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or chemoradiation. First-line chemotherapy regimens for neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy utilize platinum-based agents (eg, cisplatin, carboplatin) in combination with other chemotherapeutics and/or radiotherapy. Treatment recommendations are based on the overall health or performance status of the patient, presence or absence of metastases, as well as the presence or absence of a treatment-sensitizing genetic variant. These aspects inform the selection of targeted and systemic therapies.^1,

For patients who experience disease progression following initial systemic therapy, subsequent treatment regimens are recommended, mainly featuring novel programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. For patients with sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, recommendations include first-line therapy with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) afatinib, erlotinib, dacomitinib, gefitinib, or osimertinib and subsequent therapy with osimertinib. The NCCN does not make any recommendations for the use of EGFR TKIs in the absence of a confirmed sensitizing EGFR mutation. For patients with progression on TKIs other than osimertinib, testing for T790M is recommended, however, switching to osimertinib can be considered regardless of mutational status. Osimertinib carries a Category 1 recommendation for T790M+ patients with disease progression on an alternative EGFR TKI. For progression on osimertinib with limited and/or isolated lesions, a continuation of osimertinib and definitive local therapy via surgery, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, or stereotactic radiosurgery is recommended. Initial systemic therapy recommendations can be considered for multiple, symptomatic, systemic lesions.^1,

Genomic Alterations

Several common genetic alterations in NSCLC have been targets for drug therapy, the most well-established of which are TKIs targeting the EGFR and crizotinib targeting the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement.

EGFR Variants

EGFR, a tyrosine kinase (TK) receptor, is frequently overexpressed and activated in NSCLC. Drugs that inhibit EGFR-signaling either prevent ligand-binding to the extracellular domain (monoclonal antibodies) or inhibit intracellular TK activity (small molecule TKIs). These targeted therapies dampen signal transduction through pathways downstream to the EGFR, such as the RAS/RAF/MAPK cascade. RAS proteins are G proteins that cycle between active and inactive forms in response to stimulation from cell surface receptors such as EGFR, acting as binary switches between cell surface EGFR and downstream signaling pathways. These pathways are important in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and the stimulation of neovascularization.

Variants in 2 regions of the EGFR gene, including small deletions in exon 19 and a point mutation in exon 21 (L858R), appear to predict tumor response to TKIs such as erlotinib. The prevalence of EGFR variants in NSCLC varies by population, with the highest prevalence in nonsmoking Asian women with adenocarcinoma; for that subpopulation, EGFR variants have been reported to as high as 30% to 50%. The reported prevalence of EGFR variants in lung adenocarcinoma patients in the U. S. is approximately 15%.^5,

ALK Variants

For 2% to 7% of NSCLC patients in the U. S., tumors express a fusion gene comprising portions of the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) gene and the ALK gene (EML4-ALK), which is created by an inversion on chromosome 2p.^6, The EML4 fusion leads to ligand-independent activation of ALK, which encodes a receptor TK whose precise cellular function is not completely understood.EML4-ALK variants are more common in never smokers or light smokers, tend to be associated with younger age of NSCLC onset, and typically do not occur in conjunction with EGFR variants.

Testing for the EML4-ALK fusion gene in patients with adenocarcinoma-type NSCLC is used to predict response to the small molecule TKI crizotinib.

Other Genetic Variants

Other genetic variants, identified in subsets of patients with NSCLC, are summarized in Table 1. The role of testing for these variants is to help select targeted therapies for NSCLC is less well-established than for EGFR variants.

Table 1. Non-EGFR Variants in NSCLC

ALK: anaplastic lymphoma kinase; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; HER: human epidermal growth factor receptor; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; TK: tyrosine kinase; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Targeted Treatment Options

EGFR-Selective Small Molecule Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Five orally administered EGFR-selective small-molecule TKIs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating NSCLC: gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, dacomitinib, and osimertinib (see Table 2). Although the FDA approved gefitinib in 2004, a phase 3 trial has suggested gefitinib was not associated with a survival benefit. In 2003, the FDA revised gefitinib labeling, further limiting its use to patients who had previously benefited or were currently benefiting from the drug; no new patients were to be given gefitinib. However, in 2015, the FDA approved gefitinib as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic, sensitizing EGFR-variant positive NSCLC.

In 2015, osimertinib (Tagrisso), an irreversible selective EGFR inhibitor that targets T790M variant-positive NSCLC, received the FDA approval for patients with T790M variant-positive NSCLC who have progressed on an EGFR TKI.

A meta-analysis by Lee et al (2013) assessing 23 trials on the use of erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib in patients with advanced NSCLC reported improved progression-free survival (PFS) in EGFR variant-positive patients treated with EGFR TKIs in the first- and second-line settings and as maintenance therapy.^7, Comparators were chemotherapy, chemotherapy and placebo, and placebo in the first-line, second-line, and maintenance therapy settings. Among EGFR variant-negative patients, PFS was improved with EGFR TKIs compared with placebo for maintenance therapy but not in the first- and second-line settings. OS did not differ between treatment groups in either variant-positive or variant-negative patients. Statistical heterogeneity was not reported for any outcomes. Reviewers concluded that EGFR-variant testing is indicated to guide treatment selection in NSCLC patients.

On the basis of the results of 5, phase 3 randomized controlled trials, the American Society of Clinical Oncology has recommended that patients with NSCLC being considered for first-line therapy with an EGFR TKI (patients who have not previously received chemotherapy or an EGFR TKI) should have their tumor tested for EGFR variants to determine whether an EGFR TKI or chemotherapy is the appropriate first-line therapy.^5,

The primary target population for TKIs in NSCLC is for EGFR variant-positive patients with advanced NSCLC. The use of TKIs in NSCLC for patients with non-sensitizing, wild-type EGFR-variant status is controversial. The TITAN trial as reported by Ciuleanu et al (2012) demonstrated no significant differences in OS between erlotinib and chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for patients unselected on the basis of EGFR-variant status, with fewer serious adverse events in erlotinib-treated patients.^8, Karampeazis et al (2013) reported similar efficacy between erlotinib and standard chemotherapy (pemetrexed) for second-line therapy in patients unselected on the basis of EGFR-variant status.^9, By contrast, in the TAILOR trial, as reported by Garassino et al (2013), standard chemotherapy was associated with longer OS than erlotinib for second-line therapy in patients with wild-type EGFR.^10, Auliac et al (2014) compared sequential erlotinib plus docetaxel with docetaxel alone as second-line therapy among patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR wild-type or unknown status.^11, Based on Simon’s optimal 2-stage design, the erlotinib plus docetaxel strategy was rejected. Despite the rejection, it is worth noting that in the erlotinib plus docetaxel arm 18 of the 73 patients achieved PFS at 15 weeks; comparatively, in the docetaxel arm, 17 of 74 patients achieved PFS at 15 weeks.

Cicenas et al (2016) reported on results of the IUNO randomized controlled trial, which compared maintenance therapy using erlotinib followed by second-line chemotherapy if progression occurred with placebo followed by erlotinib if progression occurred in 643 patients who had advanced NSCLC and no known EGFR variant.^12, Because there were no significant differences between groups in PFS, objective response rate, or disease control rate, maintenance therapy with erlotinib in patients without EGFR variants was not considered efficacious.

Exon 19 deletions and p.L858R point mutations in exon 21 are the most commonly described sensitizing EGFR mutations, or mutations in EGFR that are associated with responsiveness to EGFR TKI therapy. According to the NCCN, most recent data indicate that NSCLC tumors that do not harbor a sensitizing EGFR mutation should not be treated with an EGFR TKI in any line of therapy.^1,

Anti-EGFR Monoclonal Antibodies

For the treatment of KRAS-mutated NSCLC, anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies have been investigated as possible treatment options. Available anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies include cetuximab and panitumumab. The NCCN states that a combination of afatinib and cetuximab may be considered in patients harboring sensitizing EGFR mutations with disease progression on EGFR TKI therapy.^1,

Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Inhibitors

Some tumors, including some NSCLCs, express aPD-L1 on the cell surfaces to interact with host T cells and evade the immune system. Several humanized monoclonal antibodies have been developed to act as immune checkpoint inhibitors by interfering with this interaction, to interact with the PD-L1, block cancer/T-cell interaction, and thus act as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and atezolizumab, which inhibit the programmed death 1 receptor, and atezolizumab, which inhibits the PD-L1, are used in NSCLC that have a PD-L1 expression on its cells. Durvalumab also targets the PD-L1 protein but is used in unresectable, stage III NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Other Targeted Therapies

Crizotinib is a novel MET, ROS1, and ALK TKI, and associated with improved PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC who test positive for ALK gene rearrangements.^13, Crizotinib is considered first-line therapy for advanced ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma.^1, Other small-molecule TKIs, designed to selectively bind to and inhibit ALK activation, have the FDA approval: ceritinib, alectinib, and brigatinib.

Proposed targeted therapies for other genetic alterations in NSCLC are trastuzumab for HER2 variants, crizotinib for MET amplification and ROS1 rearrangement, vemurafenib and dabrafenib for BRAF variants, and cabozantinib for RET rearrangements.

Proteomics Testing for Selecting Targeted Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The term proteome refers to the entire complement of proteins produced by an organism, or cellular system and proteomics refers to the large-scale comprehensive study of a specific proteome. The proteome may differ from cell to cell and may vary over time and in response to selected stressors.

A cancer cell’s proteome is related to its genome and genomic alterations. The proteome may be measured by mass spectrometry (MS) or protein microarray. For cancer, proteomic signatures in the tumor or bodily fluids (ie, pleural fluid or blood) other than the tumor have been investigated as a biomarker for cancer activity.

A commercially available serum-based test (VeriStrat) has been developed and proposed to be used as a prognostic tool to predict expected survival for standard therapies used in the treatment of NSCLC. The test is also proposed to have predictive value for response to EGFR TKIs.^14, The test uses matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization MS analysis, and a classification algorithm was developed on a training set of pretreatment sera from 3 cohorts (Italian A, Japan A, Japan B) totaling 139 patients with advanced NSCLC who were treated with second-line gefitinib.^15, The classification result is either “good” or “poor". Two validation studies using pretreatment sera from 2 cohorts of patients (Italian B, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 3503) totaling 163 patients have been reported (see Tables 3 and 4).

This assay uses an 8-peak proteomic signature; 4 of the 8 have been identified as fragments of serum amyloid A protein 1.^16, This protein has been found to be elevated in individuals with a variety of conditions associated with acute and chronic inflammation.^{17,18,19,20,21,} The specificity for malignant biologic processes and conditions has not been determined.^22, With industry support, Fidler et al (2018) used convenience biorepository samples to investigate 102 analytes for potential correlations between the specific peptide and protein biomarkers and VeriStrat classification.^23,The VeriStrat test is currently marketed as a tool to measure a patient's "immune response to lung cancer." Biodesix indicates that a VeriStrat "Good" result indicates "a disease state that is more likely to respond to standard of care treatment," whereas a VeriStrat "Poor" rating indicates a chronic inflammatory disease state associated with aggressive cancer and patients that "may benefit from an alternative treatment strategy." The Biodesix website does not indicate whether the VeriStrat test should be reserved for use in patients with advanced lung cancer.^14,

Although the VeriStrat matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization MS-based predictive algorithm has the largest body of literature associated with it, other investigators have used alternative MS methods, such as surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight MS, and alternative predictive algorithms, to assess proteomic predictors of lung cancer risk.^24,

Best practices for peptide measurement and guidelines for publication of peptide and protein identification have been published for the research community.²⁵

Table 2. Targeted Treatment Options Approved by FDA

ALK: anaplastic lymphoma kinase; BLA: biologics license application; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration; NDA: new drug application; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; PD-L1: programmed death-ligand 1; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor; TPS: Tumor 

Regulatory Status

Clinical laboratories may develop and validate tests in-house and market them as a laboratory service; laboratory-developed tests must meet the general regulatory standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. The commercially available proteomic test (VeriStrat®; Biodesix) is available under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. Laboratories that offer laboratory-developed tests must be licensed by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments for high-complexity testing. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has chosen not to require any regulatory review of these tests.

Regulatory Status

Regulatory Status

Clinical laboratories may develop and validate tests in-house and market them as a laboratory service; laboratory-developed tests must meet the general regulatory standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. The commercially available proteomic test (VeriStrat®; Biodesix) is available under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. Laboratories that offer laboratory-developed tests must be licensed by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments for high-complexity testing. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has chosen not to require any regulatory review of these tests.

Rationale

This evidence review was created in October 2014 and has been updated regularly with searches of the PubMed database. The most recent literature update was performed through August 20, 2020.

Evidence reviews assess whether a medical test is clinically useful. A useful test provides information to make a clinical management decision that improves the net health outcome. That is, the balance of benefits and harms is better when the test is used to manage the condition than when another test or no test is used to manage the condition.

The first step in assessing a medical test is to formulate the clinical context and purpose of the test. The test must be technically reliable, clinically valid, and clinically useful for that purpose. Evidence reviews assess the evidence on whether a test is clinically valid and clinically useful. Technical reliability is outside the scope of these reviews, and credible information on technical reliability is available from other sources.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Clinical Context and Test Purpose

The purpose of proteomic testing in individuals with NSCLC who have wild-type or unknown epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-variant status is to predict expected survival when receiving standard therapies for the treatment of NSCLC. More specifically, the testing could impact the decision point for the selection of treatment based on a prediction of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). That is, that the VeriStrat classification might be predictive of a differential response to EGFR TKIs.

The questions addressed in this evidence review are: Does proteomic testing in patients with NSCLC who have wild-type or unknown EGFR-variant status predict survival after receiving standard therapies, predict response to systemic therapy, and improve the net health outcome?

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations

The relevant populations of interest is patients with wild-type or unknown EGFR-variant status NSCLC who are newly diagnosed or who have progressed after first-line treatment.

Interventions

The test being considered is management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select systemic therapy. The test is available commercially through a single laboratory.

Comparators

The following practice is currently being used to manage NSCLC: standard medical management. See the Background section for a discussion of standard treatment pathways, protocols, and agents.

Outcomes

The outcomes of interest are overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The timing of testing is prior to treatment following a new diagnosis of NSCLC or with disease progression after first-line systemic therapy.

Technically Reliable

Assessment of technical reliability focuses on specific tests and operators and requires a review of unpublished and often proprietary information. Review of specific tests, operators, and unpublished data are outside the scope of this evidence review, and alternative sources exist. This evidence review focuses on the clinical validity and clinical utility.

Clinically Valid

A test must detect the presence or absence of a condition, the risk of developing a condition in the future, or treatment response (beneficial or adverse).

Proteomic Testing in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for Disease Prognosis

The largest body of evidence on the clinical validity of proteomic testing for NSCLC relates to its ability to predict disease outcomes.

No published studies were identified that assessed the use of VeriStrat proteomic testing in newly diagnosed stage I or II NSCLC.

For individuals with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC without prior systemic therapy, multiple studies (Taguchi et al [2007],^15, Amann et al [2010],^26, Kuiper et al [2012],^27, Akerley et al [2013],^28, Gautschi et al [2013],^29, Stinchcombe et al [2013],^30, Grossi et al [2017]^31,, Grossi et al [2018]^32,, Lee et al [2019]^33,) have assessed the use of VeriStrat score (good or poor) as a prognostic test to discriminate between OS (primary outcome) and PFS (secondary outcome) outcomes. Most studies were retrospective and intended to validate the extent to which the VeriStrat proteomic classification correlated with OS or PFS. Grossi et al (2017) was an observational nonrandomized study with prospective sample collection for proteomic testing before NSCLC treatment and reported PFS as the primary outcome.^31, This is the only study that included a first-line treatment consistent with current guidelines-based recommendations; platinum-doublet-based chemotherapy with cisplatin or carboplatin in combination with pemetrexed.

A summary of the characteristics and results of these studies is presented in Tables 3 and 4.

The VeriStrat classification was not used to direct the selection of treatment in any of the clinical trials from which the validation samples were derived. Testing for the presence of a sensitizing variant (EGFR) for targeted therapy with TKIs was variably performed in these studies. When testing was performed and results known as wild-type (negative) or positive, the analysis of OS and PFS was variably adjusted for variant status. The relationship between VeriStrat classification and OS and PFS in populations with unknown variant status, when reported, was not analyzed. Disposition of populations with variant status “not reported” was generally not clear and could not be construed as “unknown” when wild-type or positive variant status was reported.

For individuals with advanced NSCLC who had recurrent disease or who had failed prior systemic therapy, multiple studies assessed the use of VeriStrat as a prognostic test to discriminate between good and poor survival outcomes (Taguchi et al [2007],^15, Carbone et al [2010],^34, Keshtgarpour et al [2016],^16, Spigel et al [2018]^32,). All studies were retrospective and intended to validate the extent to which VeriStrat proteomic classification correlated with OS or PFS. The VeriStrat classification was not used to direct the selection of treatment in any of the clinical trials from which the validation samples were derived. None of the trials from which the samples for VeriStrat proteomic classification were derived used a therapy consistent with current guidelines-based recommendations. The populations in all studies were unselected for EGFR-variant status.

A summary of the characteristics and results of these studies is presented in Tables 3 and 4.

Grossi et al (2018) conducted a retrospective study that combined samples from 3 separate cohorts of treatment-naive recurrent or advanced NSCLC patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy.^35, One cohort, identified as Italian, is duplicative of the population reported in Grossi et al (2017).^31, The NExUS and eLung cohorts reported data that is only referenced in abstracts in Grossi et al (2018) and, thus, is of limited value to the evidentiary appraisal of VeriStrat classification. The data imported into the publication for the PFS outcome showed that the median PFS of 5.7 months for VeriStrat “good” is included in the outer bound of the confidence interval (CI) for VeriStrat “poor” in the NExUS cohort. The median PFS of 5.1 months for VeriStrat “good” is included within the CI of VeriStrat “poor” in the eLung cohort. A summary of the study characteristics and results of this study is presented in Tables 3 and 4. Appendix Table 1 summarizes the treatment regimens used in Grossi et al (2018). As noted, only the Italian cohort included from Grossi et al (2017) represents current approaches to treatment. Cetuximab does not have an established role in the treatment of NSCLC either as a component of initial therapy or as second-line therapy.

While most of the literature has focused on the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) techniques and predictive algorithms similar to those used in the VeriStrat assay, other MS techniques, and predictive algorithms have been investigated. Jacot et al (2008) used surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight MS technology in combination with a predictive algorithm to discriminate between malignant and benign disease and between good and poor outcomes.^24, Using data from a population of 87 patients with stage III or IV NSCLC receiving conventional first-line chemotherapy and with at least 1-year follow-up available, the authors developed a predictive survival classifier to differentiate between poor prognosis (n=33; OS <12 months) and good prognosis (n=54; OS >12 months). In the multivariate analysis, the proteomic-based predictor was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.45; 95% CI, 1.22 to 6.13; p<0.001).

The purpose of the limitations tables (see Tables 5 and 6) is to display notable limitations identified in each study. This information is synthesized as a summary of the body of evidence following each table and provides the conclusions on the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the position statement.

The characteristics and results of additional studies using non-VeriStrat proteomic assays are summarized in Table 7.

Table 3. Clinical Validity Study Characteristics of Proteomic Testing in NSCLC for Disease Prognosis

adeno: adenocarcinoma; CCI: Charleston Comorbidity Index; ECOG: European Cooperative Oncology Group; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; KPS: Karnofsky Performance Status; LCC: large cell carcinoma; NOS: not otherwise specified; NR: not reported; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; PET: positron emission tomography; PFS: progression-free survival; PS: Performance Status; RCT: randomized controlled trial; VS: VeriStrat; WT: wild-type.a Number of prior chemotherapy regimens.b Industry sponsorship or collaboration.

Table 4. Clinical Validity Study Results of Proteomic Testing in NSCLC for Disease Prognosis

ALK: anaplastic lymphoma kinase; CI: confidence interval; CCI: Charleston Comorbidity Index; ECOG: European Cooperative Oncology Group; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; HR: hazard ratio; NR: not reported; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor; TTP: time to progression; VS: VeriStrat; WT: wild-type.a Adjusted based on age, performance status, sex, histology, smoking history, and MALDI-MS classification.b Adjusted based on age, number of involved sites, prior weight loss, histology, and MALDI-MS classification.c Adjusted based on clinical characteristics: VS classification, sex, smoking status (ever vs never), ECOG PS (≥1 vs 0), KRAS status (mutant vs WT or unknown), KRAS (known vs unknown), maintenance (yes vs no).d Adjusted based on clinical characteristics and treatment: VS classification, sex, cisplatin/pemetrexed vs carboplatin/pemetrexed smoking status (ever vs never), ECOG PS (≥1 vs 0), KRAS status (mutant vs WT or unknown), KRAS (known vs unknown), maintenance (yes vs no).e Adjusted for VS status, histology (other histologies vs adenocarcinoma), race (nonwhite vs white), sex (female vs male), treatment arm (erlotinib vs gemcitabine), treatment arm (gemcitabine/erlotinib vs gemcitabine), smoking history (never vs ever), PS (2 vs 0 or 1), stage IV vs IIIB.

Table 5. Clinical Validity - Study Relevance Limitations for Proteomic Testing in NSCLC for Disease Prognosis

The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment.ALK: anaplastic lymphoma kinase; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; FU: follow-up; MALDI-MS: matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor.a Population key: 1. Intended use population unclear; 2. Clinical context is unclear; 3. Study population is unclear; 4. Study population not representative of intended use.b Intervention key: 1. Classification thresholds not defined; 2. Version used unclear; 3. Not intervention of interest.c Comparator key: 1. Classification thresholds not defined; 2. Not compared to credible reference standard; 3. Not compared to other tests in use for same purpose.d Outcomes key: 1. Study does not directly assess a key health outcome; 2. Evidence chain or decision model not explicated; 3. Key clinical validity outcomes not reported (sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values); 4. Reclassification of diagnostic or risk categories not reported; 5. Adverse events of the test not described (excluding minor discomforts and inconvenience of venipuncture or noninvasive tests).e Follow-Up key: 1. Follow-up duration not sufficient with respect to natural history of disease (true-positives, true-negatives, false-positives, false-negatives cannot be determined).

Table 6. Clinical Validity - Study Design and Conduct Limitations for Proteomic Testing in NSCLC for Disease Prognosis

The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment.ALK: anaplastic lymphoma kinase; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival; PS: performance status.a Selection key: 1. Selection not described; 2. Selection not random or consecutive (ie, convenience).b Blinding key: 1. Not blinded to results of reference or other comparator tests.c Test Delivery key: 1. Timing of delivery of index or reference test not described; 2. Timing of index and comparator tests not same; 3. Procedure for interpreting tests not described; 4. Expertise of evaluators not described.d Selective Reporting key: 1. Not registered; 2. Evidence of selective reporting; 3. Evidence of selective publication.e Data Completeness key: 1. Inadequate description of indeterminate and missing samples; 2. High number of samples excluded; 3. High loss to follow-up or missing data.f Statistical key: 1. Confidence intervals and/or p values not reported; 2. Comparison with other tests not reported.

Table 7. Clinical Validity Results of Proteomic Testing in NSCLC for Disease Prognosis Non-VeriStrat Assays

adeno: adenocarcinoma; CI: confidence interval; ECOG: European Cooperative Oncology Group; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; HR: hazard ratio; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor; WT: wild-type.a Adjusted based on age, sex, histology.b Adjusted based on metastatic site and performance status.c Test based on 11 m/z features.d Test based on 3 peptides/proteins.e Test based on 5 peptides/proteins.

Proteomic Testing in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to Predict Response to Therapy

No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform therapeutic options for patients with stage I or II NSCLC if surgery or surgery plus radiotherapy had been completed or who were upstaged as a result of surgical findings.

No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform therapeutic options for patients with stage I or II NSCLC who were considered medically inoperable.

Based on the association between VeriStrat status and outcomes in patients treated with EGFR TKIs, it was postulated that VeriStrat testing might predict response to EGFR TKIs.

No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to predict response to first-line targeted therapies or first-line chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC.

Randomized Controlled Trials

In the PROSE trial, Gregorc et al (2014) prospectively evaluated the VeriStrat test in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing erlotinib with chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, stratified by performance status, smoking history, treatment center, and (masked) pretreatment VeriStrat classification.^40,

In a multivariate model to predict OS, which included clinical characteristics and EGFR-variant status, VeriStrat classification was significantly associated with OS (HR for VeriStrat “good” vs “poor,” 1.88; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.84; p=0.003).

In the entire analysis cohort, the median OS was 9.0 months in the chemotherapy group and 7.7 months in the erlotinib group; OS did not differ significantly by treatment group in adjusted or unadjusted analyses. Moreover, PFS did not differ significantly by treatment group in the unadjusted analysis but was improved for the chemotherapy group in adjusted analysis (HR=1.35; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.73; p=0.020). Stratification of patients by VeriStrat classification changed the estimate of the effect of chemotherapy. In the VeriStrat “good” group, there was no significant difference in OS between the 2 treatment groups, whereas,in the VeriStrat “poor” group, OS was shorter for patients treated with erlotinib (see Table 8-9).

The authors of the PROSE trial concluded that the VeriStrat proteomic test predicted differential benefit for erlotinib compared with chemotherapy as second-line treatment of NSCLC, suggesting that patients classified as VeriStrat “poor” would have better outcomes with chemotherapy than erlotinib.

Peters et al (2017) published a randomized phase 2, open-label (EMPHASIS) trial exploring the differential effect of second-line erlotinib vs docetaxel in VeriStrat “good” vs VeriStrat “poor” patients.^41, Patients had stage IIIB or IV squamous cell NSCLC and had failed first-line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. Recruitment for the trial ended early due to low enrollment and the release of results from other trials (eg, PROSE). The EMPHASIS investigators analyzed trial findings and conducted an exploratory analysis combining EMPHASIS results with those from the squamous cell NSCLC cohort in the PROSE trial. Eighty patients were randomized, of whom 58 (72.5%) were categorized as VeriStrat “good.” The primary endpoint was PFS and was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. After a median follow-up of 20.5 months, 73 patients had experienced disease progression (median PFS, 2.7 months). Median PFS was 1.6 months in the erlotinib group and 3.0 months in the docetaxel group; the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p=0.37). PFS did not differ significantly by VeriStrat status, and there was no significant interaction between treatment and VeriStrat status (p=0.80). These trial characteristics and results, as well as results for the secondary outcome OS, are presented in Tables 8 and 9. This trial was restricted to squamous NSCLC histology, and the treatment decision model is not representative of current guideline recommendations.

Lee et al (2019) published results from a randomized, double-blind trial (TOPICAL) in patients (n=527) with previously untreated advanced-stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who were considered unfit for platinum doublet chemotherapy due to poor performance status (PS 2: 56%; PS 3: 27%) and/or the presence of multiple comorbidities.^33, Patients were unselected for EGFR status and randomized for treatment with erlotinib or placebo and active supportive care. This treatment approach is not consistent with current guidelines that cite recent data indicating that NSCLC tumors that do not harbor a sensitizing EGFR mutation should not be treated with an EGFR TKI in any line of therapy. For patients with comorbidities and PS 0-1, carboplatin-based regimens are often used. For patients with PS 2, several alternative systemic therapy regimens not involving platinum-based agents are also available, including paclitaxel, albumin-bound paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine, gemcitabine/docetaxel, gemcitabine/vinorelbine, and pemetrexed.^1, Fifty-five percent of patients were categorized as VeriStrat 'good,' which includes 164 patients in the erlotinib arm and 124 patients in the placebo arm. Forty-five percent of patients were classified as VeriStrat 'poor,' which includes 115 patients in the erlotinib arm and 124 patients in the placebo arm. For patients with VeriStrat 'good' vs 'poor' scores, median OS was 4.6 months vs 2.9 months in the placebo group (HR=0.54; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.78; p<0.001) and 4.9 months vs 3.1 months in the erlotinib group (HR=0.60; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.77; p<0.001). The difference between groups was not statistically significant in the unadjusted analysis (HR=0.93; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.11; p=0.41). EGFR-variant status was known in 41.2% of patients, which includes EGFR-variant positive status in 21/288 (7.3%) with a VeriStrat 'good' score and 6/239 (2.5%) with a VeriStrat 'poor' score. were EGFR-variant positive. Both VeriStrat "good" vs "poor" classification and EGFR-variant positive vs wild-type status were found to have prognostic value for OS. Only VeriStrat classification was found to have prognostic value for PFS. VeriStrat classification did not have predictive value for response to erlotinib vs placebo. The authors indicate that the VeriStrat assay was able to stratify patients within ECOG PS grades 0-1 and 2-3, however, CIs for these groups were not reported. EGFR-variant status was not reported according to respective treatment groups. Trial characteristics and results are presented in Tables 8-9.

Retrospective Studies

Several retrospective analyses of data from RCTs evaluating the efficacy of TKIs have examined VeriStrat as a prognostic and/or predictive test. Carbone et al (2012) investigated the prognostic and predictive effects of VeriStrat classification on response to treatment and survival in a subset of patients enrolled in a phase 3 trial of erlotinib vs placebo.^42, BR.21, a randomized, placebo-controlled study of erlotinib, enrolled 731 previously treated patients with advanced NSCLC. In the primary study, PFS and OS were prolonged by erlotinib. EGFR variants were prognostic for OS, but not predictive of erlotinib benefit, while increased EGFR copy number variants were both prognostic and predictive of erlotinib benefit. For the present trial, plasma from 441 patients was tested with the VeriStrat test, of which 436 (98.9%) could be classified as “good” or “poor.”

Among the 144 placebo patients, VeriStrat test results were prognostic, with “good” patients (median OS=6.6 months; 95% CI, 4.4 to 8.2 months) surviving significantly longer than “poor” patients (median OS=3.1 months; 95% CI, 2.2 to 3.7 months; HR=0.44, 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.63; p<0.001). Similar results were seen for PFS, with VeriStrat “good” patients having longer PFS than “poor” patients (HR=0.59; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.86; p=0.002). Median survival was 10.5 months for VeriStrat “good” patients treated with erlotinib and 6.6 months for those on placebo (HR=0.63; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.85; p=0.002), while for VeriStrat “poor” patients, the median survival for erlotinib was 3.98 months and 3.09 months for placebo (HR=0.77; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.06; p=0.11). For 252 erlotinib-treated patients with data available to evaluate for objective response, VeriStrat “good” patients (n=157 [62%]) had a significantly higher response rate (11.5%) than VeriStrat “poor” patients (1.1%; p=0.002). In a Cox multivariate regression model to predict OS, the interaction between VeriStrat status and treatment type was not statistically significant, indicating that both “good” and “poor” cohorts derived a similar survival benefit from erlotinib. The authors concluded that VeriStrat status predicted response to erlotinib but did not predict differential benefit from erlotinib for OS or PFS.

Gadgeel et al (2017) retrospectively analyzed data from the LUX-Lung 8 trial, which compared second-line treatment with 1 of 2 TKIs (erlotinib, afatinib) in patients with advanced-stage IIIB or IV squamous NSCLC.^43,EGFR-variant status was not considered in study eligibility. Blood samples for VeriStrat analysis were available for 691 (87%) of 795 randomized patients; of these, 12 were indeterminate results, and 4 could not be analyzed. The primary objective of the analysis was to evaluate whether VeriStrat status pretreatment is associated with OS and in the afatinib vs erlotinib groups. In the cohort with VeriStrat results (n=675), OS was significantly longer in the afatinib group (median, 7.8 months) than in the erlotinib group (median, 6.9 months; p=0.03). When stratified by VeriStrat status, OS was significantly longer with afatinib than with erlotinib in the VeriStrat “good” group (median, 11.5 months vs 8.9 months; HR=0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.98) but not the VeriStrat “poor” group (median, 4.7 months vs 4.8 months; HR=0.90; 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.16). In the VeriStrat stratified analysis, findings were similar for PFS. The study lacked a group receiving chemotherapy with which to compare the efficacy of TKIs.

Buttigliero et al (2018)^44, retrospectively examined VeriStrat as a prognostic and/or predictive test in a randomized controlled phase 3 RCT (MARQUEE trial^45,) of previously treated patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC who were given erlotinib plus tivantinib or placebo. EGFR-variant status was not considered in trial eligibility, and patients previously treated with EGFR inhibitors were excluded from the trial. Of the 1048 patients assigned to treatment protocols, 976 (93%) patients discontinued treatment by protocol (duration of therapy, 0.1-92 weeks), which was discontinued for futility at an interim analysis. In this cohort, no significant difference was seen between the treatment arms for OS. Intention-to-treat analysis of VeriStrat pretreatment status was performed on data for 996 patients.

When stratified by VeriStrat status, PFS and OS were significantly longer for patients in the VeriStrat “good” group than the VeriStrat “poor” group for both treatment arms (p<0.01); no direct comparison of treatment arms within the VeriStrat “good” or “poor” groups was performed. A prespecified Cox multivariate regression analysis of OS for the cohort demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference between VeriStrat “good” and “poor” groups (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between treatment and VeriStrat status (p=0.037) in multivariate analysis considering EGFR variant status; this interaction was no longer significant (p=0.068) when KRAS variant status was entered into the analysis. For patients who were EGFR wild-type (n=895 [90%]), OS was higher for both treatment arms in the VeriStrat “good” group (tivantinib arm median, 10.3 months; 95% CI, 8.9 to 11.5 months; placebo arm median, 9.2 months; 95% CI, 7.8 to 10.2 months) than in the VeriStrat “poor” group (tivantinib arm median, 3.9 months,;95% CI, 3.1 to 4.3 months; placebo arm median, 3.8 months; 95% CI, 2.9 to 5.4 months). The trial was restricted to nonsquamous NSCLC and lacked a group receiving chemotherapy with which to compare the efficacy of TKIs.

Section Summary: Clinically Valid

No published studies were identified that assessed the prognostic use of VeriStrat proteomic testing in newly diagnosed stage I or II NSCLC.

For individuals with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC without prior systemic therapy, 5 retrospective studies assessed the use of VeriStrat (“good” or “poor”) as a prognostic test to discriminate between OS (primary outcome) and PFS (secondary outcome) using available samples from previously conducted clinical trials as validation of the classification. Classification based on proteomic testing (ie, VeriStrat “good” vs “poor”) was associated with survival outcomes in analyses that were primarily unadjusted for clinical and patient factors known to be associated with disease survival. The evidence is limited by heterogeneity in the patient population characteristics such as histology and the treatment regimens used. The treatment regimens using EGFR TKIs represent an outdated clinical decision model. The populations studied were unselected for EGFR-sensitizing variants or unknown variant status was excluded. The use of erlotinib (or other TKIs) in EGFR variant-negative or unknown population is no longer an accepted treatment approach. Combination EGFR plus VEGF inhibition therapy is not an accepted treatment approach. The disposition of indeterminate proteomic test results varied, and sample sizes in the classification groups were small. There is a single observational, nonrandomized study with prospective sample collection for proteomic testing before NSCLC treatment; it reported PFS as the primary outcome. This is the only study that included a first-line treatment consistent with current guidelines-based recommendations (platinum-doublet-based chemotherapy with cisplatin or carboplatin in combination with pemetrexed). Participant recruitment was nonrandom from a single lung cancer treatment unit. Adjusted analyses for PFS and OS did not include age or other sensitizing variants (EGFR, ALK), although data were reported. Overall, sample sizes in classification groups were small and limited generalizability.

For individuals with advanced NSCLC that was recurrent or had advanced on prior systemic therapy, retrospective studies have assessed the use of VeriStrat (“good” or “poor”) as a prognostic test to discriminate between OS (primary outcome) and PFS (secondary outcome) using available samples from previously conducted clinical trials as validation of the classification. None of the trials from which the samples for VeriStrat proteomic classification were derived used a therapy consistent with current guidelines-based recommendations. The populations in all studies were unselected for EGFR-variant status. One study used pre- and posttreatment proteomic test scores and added an indeterminate result to the “good” result data pool.

One additional retrospective study (Grossi et al [2018]) has limited evidentiary value. It combined the previously reported single prospective study cohort with results from 2 cohorts that are only referenced in abstract form.

No published studies were identified that assessed the use of VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform treatment options in newly diagnosed stage I or II NSCLC.

No published studies were identified that assessed the use of VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform treatment options for newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC patients who had not received prior systemic therapy.

The literature on the predictive value of proteomic testing consists of 2 RCTs in patients with advanced NSCLC who failed first-line chemotherapy. The 2 RCTs demonstrated that classification based on proteomic testing (ie, VeriStrat “good” vs “poor”) is associated with survival outcomes. The evidence is limited by heterogeneity in the treatment regimens used and patient population characteristics. In the PROSE RCT, for patients classified as VeriStrat “good,” there were no significant differences in OS between the erlotinib and chemotherapy groups; however, for patients classified as VeriStrat “poor,” there was a significantly longer median OS in patients in the erlotinib group. In the EMPHASIS trial, there were no significant differences in PFS or OS among patients with VeriStrat “good” status receiving erlotinib or chemotherapy or among patients with VeriStrat “poor” status receiving erlotinib or chemotherapy. Moreover, in both the PROSE and EMPHASIS RCTs, there were no significant benefits to PFS or OS with erlotinib treatment compared with chemotherapy overall, making the application of VeriStrat in this population uncertain.

Tables 8 and 9 summarize study relevance, design, and conduct limitations analyses for proteomic testing in NSCLC to predict response to therapy.

Table 8. Clinical Validity Study Characteristics of Proteomic Testing in NSCLC to Predict Response to Therapy

adeno: adenocarcinoma; ECOG: European Cooperative Oncology Group; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; PS: performance status; VS: VeriStrat; WT: wild-type.a Industry sponsor or collaborator.

Table 9. Clinical Validity Results of Proteomic Testing in NSCLC to Predict Response to Therapy

ASC: active supportive care; CI: confidence interval; HR: hazard ratio; NR: not reported; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival.

Table 10. Clinical Validity - Study Relevance Limitations for Proteomic Testing in NSCLC to Predict Response to Therapy

The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment.EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; MALDI-MS: matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor.a Population key: 1. Intended use population unclear; 2. Clinical context is unclear; 3. Study population is unclear; 4. Study population not representative of intended use.b Intervention key: 1. Classification thresholds not defined; 2. Version used unclear; 3. Not intervention of interest.c Comparator key: 1. Classification thresholds not defined; 2. Not compared to credible reference standard; 3. Not compared to other tests in use for same purpose.d Outcomes key: 1. Study does not directly assess a key health outcome; 2. Evidence chain or decision model not explicated; 3. Key clinical validity outcomes not reported (sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values); 4. Reclassification of diagnostic or risk categories not reported; 5. Adverse events of the test not described (excluding minor discomforts and inconvenience of venipuncture or noninvasive tests).e Follow-Up key: 1. Follow-up duration not sufficient with respect to natural history of disease (true-positives, true-negatives, false-positives, false-negatives cannot be determined).

Table 11. Clinical Validity - Study Design and Conduct Limitations for Proteomic Testing in NSCLC to Predict Response to Therapy

The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment.EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival.a Selection key: 1. Selection not described; 2. Selection not random or consecutive (ie, convenience).b Blinding key: 1. Not blinded to results of reference or other comparator tests.c Test Delivery key: 1. Timing of delivery of index or reference test not described; 2. Timing of index and comparator tests not same; 3. Procedure for interpreting tests not described; 4. Expertise of evaluators not described.d Selective Reporting key: 1. Not registered; 2. Evidence of selective reporting; 3. Evidence of selective publication.e Data Completeness key: 1. Inadequate description of indeterminate and missing samples; 2. High number of samples excluded; 3. High loss to follow-up or missing data.f Statistical key: 1. Confidence intervals and/or p values not reported; 2. Comparison with other tests not reported.

Clinically Useful

A test is clinically useful if the use of the results informs management decisions that improve the net health outcome of care. The net health outcome can be improved if patients receive correct therapy, or more effective therapy, or avoid unnecessary therapy, or avoid unnecessary testing.

Direct Evidence

Direct evidence of clinical utility is provided by studies that have compared health outcomes for patients managed with and without the test. Because these are intervention studies, the preferred evidence would be from RCTs.

The proposed clinical utility of VeriStrat is for use by physicians to predict expected survival for standard therapies in the treatment of patients with NSCLC. Clinical utility is also proposed for physicians to use VeriStrat to select patients for systemic therapy based on the presence or absence of EGFR-sensitizing variants. Direct evidence from studies that demonstrate improved outcomes for patients managed with a strategy that includes proteomic testing compared with a strategy that does not, is not available for use of proteomic testing to select targeted therapy or other systemic therapy for NSCLC. Confidence that the proteomic classifier is independent of EGFR-variant status, as well as other tumor and patient characteristics, has not been demonstrated and, thus, VeriStrat lacks clinical validity. The identity of the proteins that make up the MALDI-MS features was still being investigated at the time of publication of the studies for both prognostic and predictive uses, further challenging the specificity for malignant biologic processes and conditions.

Chain of Evidence

Indirect evidence on clinical utility rests on clinical validity. If the evidence is insufficient to demonstrate test performance, no inferences can be made about clinical utility.

Absent direct evidence, a chain of evidence could be used to support the use of VeriStrat to select patients for EGFR TKI therapy. If EGFR TKI therapy were used as a standard of care in patients with unknown or negative EGFR status in the first-, second-, or third-line settings, proteomic testing could be used to select patients who are least likely to benefit. However, the IUNO trial did not find that erlotinib was efficacious in patients with NSCLC with no known EGFR variant, and the PROSE and EMPHASIS trials found that OS did not differ significantly for patients with advanced NSCLC treated with second-line erlotinib or chemotherapy. There were mixed findings on PFS in the PROSE and EMPHASIS trials. Due to study findings and the lack of support from guidelines for EGFRTKIs in this setting, EGFR TKI therapy is no longer standard therapy for any EGFR-negative or -unknown patients. Platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy (based on programmed death-ligand 1 testing) are the guidelines-based options for previously untreated advanced EGFR-negative or -unknown patients with NSCLC or those with recurrent NSCLC or who have progressed on prior systemic therapy.

The available evidence does not demonstrate that the addition of a VeriStrat proteomic classification of “good” or “poor” to the standard clinical assessment of prognosis would influence treatment or define a treatment pathway. Similarly, there is no evidence to demonstrate the impact of the substitution of a VeriStrat proteomic classification in the standard of care treatment pathways. The negative predictive value of a VeriStrat “poor” score has not been demonstrated; there has been no validation in patients who received no or surgical therapy only.

Although studies of physician decision making using VeriStrat proteomic testing have been reported; they did not evaluate patient outcomes and did not evaluate the impact of EGFR testing on treatment recommendations (the number of patients who had previously received EGFR tests was not reported). Thus, these studies are insufficient to demonstrate clinical utility.

Two studies have evaluated the impact of VeriStrat testing on physician treatment recommendations. Akerley et al (2013) reported on 226 physicians who provided pre- and post-test treatment plan information for 403 VeriStrat tests.^47, In the 262 cases where pretreatment recommendations were for erlotinib only, for those patients who were classified as VeriStrat “poor,” physicians recommended erlotinib in 13.3%. In a larger study, Akerley et al (2017) reported on 2411 physicians who received 14327 VeriStrat test results.^48, The investigators only included tests that were ordered for NSCLC, were ordered as the sole test, were not indeterminate, and were not ordered in patients with known EGFR-variant status. VeriStrat findings were a classification of “good” for 1950 (78.2%) patients and “poor” for 544 (21.8%) patients. After receiving the test results, physicians changed their treatment recommendations in 28.2% of the cases; within this group, 13.2% were classified as VeriStrat “good” and 81.6% as VeriStrat “poor.” Physicians initially considered treatment with an EGFR TKI in 484 (89.0%) of 544 classified as VeriStrat “poor”; after receiving test results only, 49 (10%) were actually recommended EGFR TKI treatment.

Section Summary: Clinically Useful

No direct evidence for a serum proteomic test for the selection of an NSCLC treatment strategy was identified. In the absence of direct evidence, a chain of evidence could be developed to support the use of VeriStrat to select patients for EGFR TKI therapy. If EGFR TKI therapy were used as a standard of care in patients with EGFR-unknown or wild-type status in the first-, second-, or third-line settings, proteomic testing could be used to identify patients who are least likely to benefit. However, given the evidence from the available trials and the lack of support from guidelines for EGFR TKIs in this setting, EGFR TKI therapy is no longer standard therapy for any patient with wild-type or unknown EGFR-variant status. There are no studies that have directly evaluated the use of the proteomic classification to inform treatment selection based on current treatment pathways that consider other targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy options. Two studies by the same research group evaluated changes in treatment recommendations before and after receiving VeriStrat test results; patient outcomes were not reported.

Population Reference No. 1 Policy Statement

For individuals with newly diagnosed NSCLC and wild-type EGFR-variant status who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes retrospective studies and a prospective nonrandomized study. Relevant outcomes are overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. No published studies were identified that assessed the prognostic use of VeriStrat proteomic testing in newly diagnosed stage I or II NSCLC. For individuals with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC and EGFR-negative variant status without prior systemic therapy, 5 studies have assessed the use of VeriStrat (“good” or “poor”) as a prognostic test to discriminate between OS(primary) and progression-free survival (PFS) (secondary) outcomes. All studies were retrospective and intended to validate the extent to which the VeriStrat proteomic classification correlated with OS or PFS. Only 1 of the 5 studies reported the percentage of participants who were EGFR-negative, but it did not report outcomes based on variant status. One observational, nonrandomized study with prospective sample collection for proteomic testing before NSCLC treatment reported the percentage of participants who were EGFR-negative, but it did not report outcomes based on variant status. This was also the only study that included a first-line treatment consistent with current guideline-based recommendations¾platinum-doublet-based chemotherapy plus cisplatin or carboplatin plus pemetrexed. The VeriStrat classification was not used to direct the selection of treatment in any of the clinical trials from which the validation samples were derived. Disposition of populations with variant status “not reported” was generally not clear and could not be construed as “unknown” when wild-type or positive were reported. No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform therapeutic options for patients with stage I or II NSCLC if surgery or surgery plus radiotherapy have been completed or who were upstaged as a result of surgical findings. No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to inform therapeutic options for patients with stage I or II NSCLC who were considered medically inoperable. No studies were identified that used VeriStrat proteomic testing to predict response to first-line targeted therapies or first-line chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

Population Reference No. 2 Policy Statement

For individuals with newly diagnosed NSCLC and unknown EGFR-variant status who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT), 4 retrospective studies, and a prospective study. Relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. All study populations were either unselected for EGFR-variant status or status was expressly reported as unknown in conjunction with negative or positive status reports. None of the studies that reported unknown EGFR-variant status reported outcomes for the proteomic score based on unknown EGFR-variant status. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

Population Reference No. 3 Policy Statement

For individuals with NSCLC and wild-type EGFR-variant status and disease progression after first-line systemic therapy who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes a RCT and a retrospective analysis. Relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. No studies were identified that reported or analyzed outcomes using the proteomic test as a prognostic tool in EGFR-negative variant status populations. The evidence includes an RCT (PROSE) using proteomic testing to predict response to erlotinib compared with chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, stratified by performance status, smoking history, treatment center, and (masked) pretreatment VeriStrat classification. In a multivariate model to predict OS, which included clinical characteristics and EGFR-variant status, VeriStrat classification was significantly associated with OS(hazard ratio for VeriStrat “good” vs “poor,” 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 2.84; p=0.003). However, 62% of the combined study population was EGFR-negative. A retrospective analysis was also performed on the MARQUEE trial, a phase 3 RCT in patients with stage IIIB or IV nonsquamous NSCLC, comparing the patient response to erlotinib in conjunction with either tivantinib or a placebo; patients were stratified by EGFR and KRAS variant status, sex, smoking history, and treatment history. Protocol treatments were subsequently discontinued by 93% of patients, and the trial discontinued after prespecified interim futility analysis. In a multivariate model to predict OS, which included clinical characteristics and EGFR-variant status, VeriStrat classification was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio for VeriStrat “good” vs “poor,” 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.40 to 0.67; p<0.001). Ninety percent of the combined study population was EGFR-negative. An interaction between treatment and VeriStrat status was significant for multivariate analysis including EGFR status (p=0.036) but not significant for multivariate analysis including both EGFR and KRAS variant status (p=0.068). Currently, the use of erlotinib in patients unselected for the presence or absence of an EGFR-sensitizing variant is not standard clinical practice. It is recommended that variant status be determined, if not previously ascertained, before selecting treatment after progression or recurrence. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

Population Reference No. 4 Policy Statement

For individuals with NSCLC and unknown EGFR-variant status with disease progression after first-line systemic therapy who receive management with a serum proteomic test to predict survival and select treatment, the evidence includes 2 RCTs and 3 retrospective studies. Relevant outcomes are OS, disease-specific survival, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. The use of VeriStrat as a prognostic test to discriminate between good and poor survival outcomes was assessed in 3 retrospective studies intended to validate the extent to which VeriStrat proteomic classification correlates with OS or PFS. The VeriStrat classification was not used to direct treatment selection in any of the trials from which the validation samples were derived. None of the clinical trials from which the samples for VeriStrat proteomic classification were derived used a therapy consistent with current guidelines-based recommendations. The populations in all 3 studies were unselected for EGFR-variant status. In the PROSE RCT, using a multivariate model to predict OS, which included clinical characteristics and EGFR-variant status, VeriStrat classification was significantly associated with OS(hazard ratio for VeriStrat “good” vs “poor,” 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 2.84; p=0.003). However, 32.6% of the combined study population had unknown EGFR status. In the EMPHASIS RCT, there were no significant differences in PFS or OS among patients with VeriStrat “good” status receiving erlotinib or chemotherapy or among patients with VeriStrat “poor” status receiving erlotinib or chemotherapy. The results of the EMPHASIS RCT were restricted to squamous NSCLC histology. Currently, the use of erlotinib in patients unselected for the presence or absence of an EGFR-sensitizing variant is not standard clinical practice. It is recommended that variant status be determined, if not previously ascertained, before selecting treatment after progression or recurrence. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

Supplemental Information

Clinical Input From Physician Specialty Societies and Academic Medical Centers

While the various physician specialty societies and academic medical centers may collaborate with and make recommendations during this process, through the provision of appropriate reviewers, input received does not represent an endorsement or position statement by the physician specialty societies or academic medical centers, unless otherwise noted.

In response to requests, input was received from 1 academic medical center and 2 community health systems, one of which provided 4 responses, while this policy was under review in 2017. Input was uniform that erlotinib is not considered routine for individuals with non-small-cell lung cancer who are epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-negative or EGFR-status unknown in the second-line setting. Reviewers had limited confidence that there was adequate evidence that the use of VeriStrat to guide treatment selection would improve outcomes for individuals with non-small-cell lung cancer who are EGFR-negative or EGFR-status unknown in the second-line setting.

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (v8.2020 )^i,ii guidelines on the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) recommend routine testing for EGFR variants in patients with advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC (category 1 recommendation) and consideration for EGFR-variant testing in patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC who were never smokers or with small biopsy specimens or mixed histology (category 2A recommendation).^1, Recommendations for first-line treatment for EGFR-positive patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, and EGFR-negative or -unknown patients as well as for patients in either category who have progressed on therapy are provided. See the Background section for additional information.

i Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer V.8.2020. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. Accessed August 29, 2020. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.ii NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.

American Society of Clinical Oncology

In 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology updated its clinical practice guidelines on systemic therapy for stage IV NSCLC.^33, New or revised recommendations included the following recommendations: first-line treatment for patients with nonsquamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma (without positive markers, eg, EGFR, ALK, ROS1), based on programmed death-ligand 1 expression; second-line treatment in patients who received first-line chemotherapy, without prior immune checkpoint therapy based on programmed death-ligand 1 expression; as well as recommendations for those patients who cannot receive immune checkpoint inhibitor. Recommendations are included for patients with a sensitizing EGFR variant, for patients with disease progression after first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy based on the results of T790M variant testing, and for patients with ROS1 gene rearrangements without prior crizotinib may be offered crizotinib, or if they previously received crizotinib, they may be offered chemotherapy.

The Society (2018) endorsed practice guidelines from other medical associations (College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, Association for Molecular Pathology) addressing molecular testing for the selection of patients with lung cancer for treatment with targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors.^49,

American College of Chest Physicians

In 2013, the American College of Chest Physicians updated its evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of stage IV NSCLC.^50, Based on a review of the literature, the College reported improved response rates, progression-free survival, and toxicity profiles with first-line erlotinib or gefitinib compared with first-line platinum-based therapy in patients with EGFR variants, especially exon 19 deletion and L858R variant. Moreover, the College recommended, “testing patients with NSCLC for EGFR mutations at the time of diagnosis whenever feasible, and treating with first-line EGFR-TKIs if mutation-positive.”

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations

Not applicable.

Medicare National Coverage

Novitas Solutions established a local coverage determination for the VeriStrat test in June 2013 in the local coverage determination Biomarkers for Oncology (L35396).

Ongoing and Unpublished Clinical Trials

Some currently ongoing and unpublished trials that might influence this review are listed in Table 12.

Table 12. Summary of Key Trials

NCT: national clinical trial.a Denotes industry sponsorship or co-sponsorship.* No results reported

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (v8.2020 )^i,ii guidelines on the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) recommend routine testing for EGFR variants in patients with advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC (category 1 recommendation) and consideration for EGFR-variant testing in patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC who were never smokers or with small biopsy specimens or mixed histology (category 2A recommendation).^1, Recommendations for first-line treatment for EGFR-positive patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, and EGFR-negative or -unknown patients as well as for patients in either category who have progressed on therapy are provided. See the Background section for additional information.

i Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer V.8.2020. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. Accessed August 29, 2020. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.ii NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.

American Society of Clinical Oncology

In 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology updated its clinical practice guidelines on systemic therapy for stage IV NSCLC.^33, New or revised recommendations included the following recommendations: first-line treatment for patients with nonsquamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma (without positive markers, eg, EGFR, ALK, ROS1), based on programmed death-ligand 1 expression; second-line treatment in patients who received first-line chemotherapy, without prior immune checkpoint therapy based on programmed death-ligand 1 expression; as well as recommendations for those patients who cannot receive immune checkpoint inhibitor. Recommendations are included for patients with a sensitizing EGFR variant, for patients with disease progression after first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy based on the results of T790M variant testing, and for patients with ROS1 gene rearrangements without prior crizotinib may be offered crizotinib, or if they previously received crizotinib, they may be offered chemotherapy.

The Society (2018) endorsed practice guidelines from other medical associations (College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, Association for Molecular Pathology) addressing molecular testing for the selection of patients with lung cancer for treatment with targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors.^49,

American College of Chest Physicians

In 2013, the American College of Chest Physicians updated its evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of stage IV NSCLC.^50, Based on a review of the literature, the College reported improved response rates, progression-free survival, and toxicity profiles with first-line erlotinib or gefitinib compared with first-line platinum-based therapy in patients with EGFR variants, especially exon 19 deletion and L858R variant. Moreover, the College recommended, “testing patients with NSCLC for EGFR mutations at the time of diagnosis whenever feasible, and treating with first-line EGFR-TKIs if mutation-positive.”

Medicare National Coverage

Novitas Solutions established a local coverage determination for the VeriStrat test in June 2013 in the local coverage determination Biomarkers for Oncology (L35396).

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Codes

Appplicable Modifiers

Some modifiers

Policy History