Trilaciclib Shows Potential to Lower Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression Episodes in ES-SCLC

Lowell Hart, MD, FACP

Treatment with trilaciclib (Cosela) may lead to reduction in chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression (CIM) among patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), according to real-world research. These findings warrant a confirmatory study.¹

“Protecting bone marrow function is especially important for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer,” said Lowell Hart, MD, FACP, a medical oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) and first author of the study, in a press release.² “My colleagues and I are pleased with the promising results obtained during our statewide study.”

The retrospective real-world study was conducted because of the frequent CIM events experienced by patients with ES-SCLC. CIM can cause a reduction in white blood cell production, reduction in red blood cell production, and reduction in platelet count. According to FCS, grade ≥3 CIM episodes in ≥1 lineage occurs in 62.1% of patients treated in FCS community oncology clinics and cases of grade ≥3 CIM in ≥2 lineages occur in 33.9% the patients.¹

The study looked at FCS’ medical record of adult patients with ES-SCLC who were treated with trilaciclib during chemotherapy between February 1, 2021–May 15, 2022. The records included descriptive statistics on the occurrence of CIM events, including anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, as well as the grade of the events. These events must have occurred within 21 days from the start of the trilaciclib treatment cycle. Patients who were enrolled in a clinical trial or those who had <14 days of follow-up were excluded from the study.

A total of 50 patient records were identified. The cohort had an average age of 67.8 years. Females made up 56.0% of the cohort, and 56.0% of patients identified as White.

At a median follow-up of 2.7 months, grade ≥ 3 CIM episodes in ≥ 1 lineage occurred in 42.0% of patients. These events included grade 3 anemia in 18.0% of patients, grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 20.0%, grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 6.0%, grade 3 neutropenia in 24.0%, and grade 4 neutropenia in 4.0%. In addition, grade ≥ 3 CIM events in ≥ 2 lineages were observed in 18.0% of patients.

“Thanks to our ongoing participation in clinical research and real-world evidence studies, FCS is on the leading edge of improving cancer treatments. We are able to offer our patients the most innovative therapies to achieve the best possible outcomes,” said Lucio Gordan, MD, FCS chief medical officer of Therapeutics and Analytics, at FCS, in the press release.

_REFERENCES:

_{1. Hart L, Ogbonnaya A, Boykin K, et al. Evaluation of Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression in Patients with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Trilaciclib: Retrospective Analysis of Florida Community Oncology Practices. IJCCD. 2022;2(Supp2). doi:10.53876/001c.38337}

_{2. Clinical study conducted by Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute finds new therapy may improve treatment outcomes for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. News release. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. November 9, 2022. Accessed November 18, 2022. https://bit.ly/3glDNNZ}