Analysis of significant weight gain in patients using alectinib for ALK-positive lung cancer.

Abstract

e21138 Background: Alectinib is standard of care for metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive (ALK+) nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Weight gain is an unexplored side effect reported in ~10%. To prevent or intervene alectinib-induced weight gain, more insight in its extent and etiology is needed. Methods: Change in body composition was analyzed in a prospective series of 46 patients with ALK+ NSCLC, treated with alectinib. Waist circumference, skeletal muscle (SM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were quantified using sliceOmatic software on computed tomography (CT) images at baseline, three months (3M) and one year (1Y). To investigate an exposure-toxicity relationship, alectinib plasma concentrations were quantified. Four patients with > 10 kg weight gain were referred to Erasmus MC Obesity Center for in-depth analysis (dietary habits, metabolic/endocrine assessment). Results: Mean increase in waist circumference was 9 cm (9.7%, p < 0.001) in 1Y with a 40% increase in abdominal obesity (p = 0.014). VAT increased 10.8 cm2 (15.0%, p = 0.003) in 3M and 35.7 cm2 (39.0%, p < 0.001) in 1Y. SAT increased 18.8 cm2 (12.4%, p < 0.001) in 3M and 45.4 cm2 (33.3%, p < 0.001) in 1Y. The incidence of sarcopenic obesity increased from 23.7% to 47.4% during 1Y of treatment. Baseline waist circumference was a positive predictor of increase in VAT (p = 0.037). No exposure-toxicity relationship was found. In-depth analysis showed increased appetite in two patients and metabolic syndrome in all four patients. Conclusions: Alectinib caused significant increased abdominal obesity, sarcopenic obesity, SAT and VAT quickly after initiation. This may lead to serious metabolic disturbances in long-surviving patients.[Table: see text]