Natasha Leighl

Dr. Natasha Leighl


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

21Years (2006-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 October 2021 in Journal of Clinical Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
KPKeunchil Park
Keunchil Park
EHEric B. Haura
Eric B. Haura
NLNatasha Leighl
Natasha Leighl
PMPaul Mitchell
Paul Mitchell
CSCatherine A. Shu
Catherine A. Shu
BCByoung Chul Cho
Byoung Chul Cho
PURPOSE: Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) exon 20 insertion (Exon20ins) mutations exhibits inherent resistance to approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Amivantamab, an EGFR-MET bispecific antibody with immune cell–directing activity, binds to each receptor's extracellular domain, bypassing resistance at the tyrosine kinase inhibitor binding site. METHODS: CHRYSALIS is a phase I, open-label, dose-escalation, and dose-expansion study, which included a population with EGFR Exon20ins NSCLC. The primary end points were dose-limiting toxicity and overall response rate. We report findings from the postplatinum EGFR Exon20ins NSCLC population treated at the recommended phase II dose of 1,050 mg amivantamab (1,400 mg, ≥ 80 kg) given once weekly for the first 4 weeks and then once every 2 weeks starting at week 5. RESULTS: In the efficacy population (n = 81), the median age was 62 years (range, 42-84 years); 40 patients (49%) were Asian, and the median number of previous lines of therapy was two (range, 1-7). The overall response rate was 40% (95% CI, 29 to 51), including three complete responses, with a median duration of response of 11.1 months (95% CI, 6.9 to not reached). The median progression-free survival was 8.3 months (95% CI, 6.5 to 10.9). In the safety population (n = 114), the most common adverse events were rash in 98 patients (86%), infusion-related reactions in 75 (66%), and paronychia in 51 (45%). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were hypokalemia in six patients (5%) and rash, pulmonary embolism, diarrhea, and neutropenia in four (4%) each. Treatment-related dose reductions and discontinuations were reported in 13% and 4% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Amivantamab, via its novel mechanism of action, yielded robust and durable responses with tolerable safety in patients with EGFR Exon20ins mutations after progression on platinum-based chemotherapy.

1 August 2019 in Clinical Cancer Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
NLNatasha Leighl
Natasha Leighl
RPRay D. Page
Ray D. Page
VRVictoria M. Raymond
Victoria M. Raymond
DDDavey B. Daniel
Davey B. Daniel
SDStephen G. Divers
Stephen G. Divers
VPVassiliki A. Papadimitrakopoulou
Vassiliki A. Papadimitrakopoulou
Purpose: Complete and timely tissue genotyping is challenging, leading to significant numbers of patients with newly diagnosed metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) being undergenotyped for all eight genomic biomarkers recommended by professional guidelines. We aimed to demonstrate non-inferiority of comprehensive cell-free DNA (cfDNA) relative to physician discretion standard-of-care (SOC) tissue genotyping to identify guideline-recommended biomarkers in patients with mNSCLC. Experimental Design: Prospectively enrolled patients with previously untreated mNSCLC undergoing physician discretion SOC tissue genotyping submitted a pre-treatment blood sample for comprehensive cfDNA analysis (Guardant360Ò). Results: Among 282 patients, physician discretion SOC tissue genotyping identified a guideline-recommended biomarker in 60 patients versus 77 cfDNA identified patients (21.3% vs 27.3%; p98.2% with 100% positive predictive value for cfDNA versus tissue (34/34 EGFR, ALK, or BRAF positive patients). Utilizing cfDNA in addition to tissue increased detection by 48%, from 60 to 89 patients, including those with negative, not assessed, or insufficient tissue results. cfDNA median turnaround time was significantly faster than tissue (9 vs 15 days; p<0.0001). Guideline-complete genotyping was significantly more likely (268 vs. 51; p<0.0001). Conclusions: In the largest cfDNA study in previously untreated mNSCLC, a validated comprehensive cfDNA test identifies guideline-recommended biomarkers at a rate at least as high as SOC tissue genotyping, with high tissue concordance, more rapidly and completely than tissue-based genotyping.


20 March 2021 in Journal of Clinical Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
NHNasser H. Hanna
Nasser H. Hanna
Andrew G. RobinsonAndrew G. Robinson
Andrew G. Robinson
STSarah Temin
Sarah Temin
SBSherman Baker
Sherman Baker
JBJulie R. Brahmer
Julie R. Brahmer
GMGregory Masters
Gregory Masters
PURPOSE: To provide evidence-based recommendations updating the 2017 ASCO guideline on systemic therapy for patients with stage IV non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with driver alterations. A guideline update for systemic therapy for patients with stage IV NSCLC without driver alterations was published separately. METHODS: The American Society of Clinical Oncology and Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) NSCLC Expert Panel updated recommendations based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from December 2015 to January 2020 and meeting abstracts from ASCO 2020. RESULTS: This guideline update reflects changes in evidence since the previous update. Twenty-seven RCTs, 26 observational studies, and one meta-analysis provide the evidence base (total 54). Outcomes of interest included efficacy and safety. Additional literature suggested by the Expert Panel is discussed. RECOMMENDATIONS: All patients with nonsquamous NSCLC should have the results of testing for potentially targetable mutations (alterations) before implementing therapy for advanced lung cancer, regardless of smoking status recommendations, when possible, following other existing high-quality testing guidelines. Most patients should receive targeted therapy for these alterations: Targeted therapies against ROS-1 fusions, BRAF V600e mutations, RET fusions, MET exon 14 skipping mutations, and NTRK fusions should be offered to patients, either as initial or second-line therapy when not given in the first-line setting. New or revised recommendations include the following: Osimertinib is the optimal first-line treatment for patients with activating epidermal growth factor receptor mutations (exon 19 deletion, exon 21 L858R, and exon 20 T790M); alectinib or brigatinib is the optimal first-line treatment for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusions. For the first time, to our knowledge, the guideline includes recommendations regarding RET, MET, and NTRK alterations. Chemotherapy is still an option at most stages. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/thoracic-cancer-guidelines .

28 April 2015 in Annals of Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CLC. Lim
C. Lim
MTMing Tsao
Ming Tsao
LLL. W. Le
L. W. Le
FSF. A. Shepherd
F. A. Shepherd
RFR. Feld
R. Feld
NLNatasha Leighl
Natasha Leighl
Testing for EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangement has become standard in managing advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, many institutions in Europe, North America and other world regions continue to face a common challenge of facilitating timely molecular testing with rapid result turnaround time. We assessed the prevalence of biomarker testing for advanced NSCLC patients and whether testing affected the timeliness of treatment decisions. We conducted a retrospective chart review of a random sample of one-quarter of all patients with advanced NSCLC referred to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2013. Of 300 patients reviewed, 175 seen by medical oncology had nonsquamous NSCLC, 72% of whom had biomarker testing carried out. Patients tested for biomarkers were more likely to be female (47% versus 21%, P = 0.002), Asian (27% versus 6%, P = 0.005) and never smokers (42% versus 8%, P < 0.0001). Only 21% of patients with biomarker testing had results available at their initial oncology consultation. This group had a shorter median time from consultation to treatment decision (0 versus 22 days, P = 0.0008) and time to treatment start (16 versus 29, P = 0.004). Thirteen percent underwent repeat biopsy for molecular testing after the initial consultation. Of those with positive EGFR or ALK results, 19% started chemotherapy before biomarker results became available. Awaiting biomarker testing results can delay treatment decisions and treatment initiation for patients with advanced NSCLC. This may be avoided by incorporating reflex biomarker testing into diagnostic algorithms for NSCLC at the level of the pathologist, and further education of specialists involved in obtaining diagnostic cancer specimens to ensure they are sufficient for molecular testing.

1 September 2017 in Lung Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Catherine LabbéCatherine Labbé
Catherine Labbé
MCMichael Cabanero
Michael Cabanero
GKGrzegorz J. Korpanty
Grzegorz J. Korpanty
PTPascale Tomasini
Pascale Tomasini
MDMark K. Doherty
Mark K. Doherty
FSFrances A. Shepherd
Frances A. Shepherd