Influence of blood transfusions and preoperative anemia on long-term survival in patients operated for non-small cell lung cancer

Comparison of transfusion rates between robotic- and video-assisted lobectomy: a propensity score matching analysis

The objective is to compare the perioperative blood transfusion rate and postoperative complications between robot-assisted surgery and thoracoscopic surgery in lung cancer patients. This is a single-center retrospective study. Patients underwent lung cancer minimally invasive resection at Fujian Cancer Hospital from April 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023, were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into robotic-assisted lobectomy (RAL) and video-assisted lobectomy (VAL) groups according to the surgical methods. Data, including demographics, clinic variables, and endpoint outcomes were collected from the electronic medical record. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to analyze the baseline data of patients. The RAL group and the VAL group were matched 1:1. Then, the blood transfusion rates and short-term outcomes of the two groups were compared. A logistic regression was performed to analyze the independent risk factors of perioperative blood transfusion. A total of 558 patients were enrolled in this study. 166 of 558 patients were divided into the RAL group, and 392 patients were into the VAL group. A total of 118 patients were selected and analyzed following propensity score matching. After PSM, there was no difference in perioperative transfusion rates, including RBC transfusion and frozen plasma transfusion, between the VAL and RAL groups (P > 0.05). The RAL group had fewer days of drainage tubes (P = 0.036). There was no difference in other short-term outcomes, including the volume of thoracic drainage, the volume of intraoperative blood loss, the length of hospitalization, and the rate of postoperative pulmonary infection (P > 0.05). Volume of intraoperative blood loss, volume of thoracic drainage, and preoperative hemoglobin were independent risk factors of perioperative red blood cell or frozen plasma transfusion; however, RAL or VAL was not. The study showed that the rates of perioperative blood transfusion were comparable between RAL and VAL. RAL is superior for patient recovery in terms of short-term outcomes.

Autologous blood transfusion reduces the requirement for perioperative allogenic blood transfusion in patients undergoing major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: a retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery is associated with a risk of major blood loss. The authors aimed to assess whether autologous transfusion of blood salvaged intraoperatively reduces the requirement for postoperative allogenic transfusion in this patient cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this single centre study, information from a prospective database of 501 patients undergoing major hepatopancreatobiliary resection (2015-2022) was analysed. Patients who received cell salvage ( n =264) were compared with those who did not ( n =237). Nonautologous (allogenic) transfusion was assessed from the time of surgery to 5 days postsurgery, and blood loss tolerance was calculated using the Lemmens-Bernstein-Brodosky formula. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with allogenic blood transfusion avoidance.

RESULTS

32% of the lost blood volume was replaced through autologous transfusion in patients receiving cell salvage. Although the cell salvage group experienced significantly higher intraoperative blood loss compared with the noncell salvage group (1360 ml vs. 971 ml, P =0.0005), they received significantly less allogenic red blood cell units (1.5 vs. 0.92 units/patient, P =0.03). Correction of blood loss tolerance in patients who underwent cell salvage was independently associated with avoidance of allogenic transfusion (Odds ratio 0.05 (0.006-0.38) P =0.005). In a subgroup analysis, cell salvage use was associated with a significant reduction in 30-day mortality in patients undergoing major hepatectomy (6 vs. 1%, P =0.04).

CONCLUSION

Cell salvage use was associated with a reduction in allogenic blood transfusion and a reduction in 30-day mortality in patients undergoing major hepatectomy. Prospective trials are warranted to understand whether the use of cell salvage should be routinely utilised for major hepatectomy.

Preoperative anemia and long-term survival in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The impact of preoperative anemia on a survival outcome and the importance of correcting preoperative anemia in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remain controversial. This study aimed to explore how preoperative anemia affects the long-term survival of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study in which adult patients underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2014, at a large tertiary cancer center. A total of 7436 patients were enrolled in this study. Anemia was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of China (hemoglobin level < 110 g/L for women and < 120 g/L for men). The median follow-up time was 120.5 months (10.0 years). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score was used to reduce selection bias. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between patients with and without preoperative anemia using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the weighted log-rank test based on IPTW. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess factors associated with OS and DFS. Multivariable Cox regression was also used to assess red blood cell (RBC) transfusion associations between preoperative anemia and outcomes.

RESULTS

After IPTW adjustment, clinical profiles were similar, except that tumor location and TNM stage remained imbalanced between the preoperative anemia and preoperative non-anemia groups (p < 0.001). IPTW analysis showed that the 5-year OS rate (71.3 vs. 78.6%, p < 0.001) and the 5-year DFS rate (63.9 vs. 70.9%, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the preoperative anemia group. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative anemia was associated with poorer OS and DFS, while RBC transfusion may improve OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54, p = 0.054) and DFS (HR 0.50, p = 0.020) in CRC patients with preoperative anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative anemia is an independent risk factor for survival in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Strategies to reduce preoperative anemia in patients with CRC should be considered.

Preoperative risk factors predict perioperative allogenic blood transfusion in patients undergoing primary lung cancer resections: a retrospective cohort study from a high-volume thoracic surgery center

BACKGROUND

Our study aimed to identify preoperative predictors for perioperative allogenic blood transfusion (ABT) in patients undergoing major lung cancer resections in order to improve the perioperative management of patients at risk for ABT.

METHODS

Patients admitted between 2014 and 2016 in a high-volume thoracic surgery clinic were retrospectively evaluated in a cohort study based on a control group without ABT and the ABT group requiring packed red blood cell units within 15 days postoperatively until discharge. The association of ABT with clinically established parameters (sex, preoperative anemia, liver and coagulation function, blood groups, multilobar resections) was analyzed by contingency tables, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and logistic regression analysis, taking into account potential covariates.

RESULTS

60 out of 529 patients (11.3%) required ABT. N1 and non-T1 tumors, thoracotomy approach, multilobar resections, thoracic wall resections and Rhesus negativity were more frequent in the ABT group. In multivariable analyses, female sex, preoperative anemia, multilobar resections, as well as serum alanine-aminotransferase levels, thrombocyte counts and Rhesus negativity were identified as independent predictors of ABT, being associated with OR (95% Confidence interval, p-value) of 2.44 (1.23-4.88, p = 0.0112), 18.16 (8.73-37.78, p < 0.0001), 5.79 (2.50-13.38, p < 0.0001), 3.98 (1.73-9.16, p = 0.0012), 2.04 (1.04-4.02, p = 0.0390) and 2.84 (1.23-6.59, p = 0.0150), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing major lung cancer resections, multiple independent risk factors for perioperative ABT apart from preoperative anemia and multilobar resections were identified. Assessment of these predictors might help to identify high risk patients preoperatively and to improve the strategies that reduce perioperative ABT.

Effect of Socio-Economic Status on Perioperative Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy

Background: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) has been correlated with poor survival rates and surgical outcomes following lung cancer resection. This study sought to determine whether this disparity exists perioperatively in lung cancer patients following robotic-assisted video-thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy. 

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 447 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon for known or suspected lung cancer. Ten patients were excluded due to incomplete data. We used median income by residential ZIP code as a surrogate for SES status and grouped patients based on whether ZIP-based median income was less than (Group 1) or greater than (Group 2) 300% of the federal poverty income level. The effects of SES status groups on incidence of postoperative complications, chest tube duration, hospital length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality were evaluated by the logistic regression model and Inverse Gaussian regression model, respectively.

Results: Without adjustment, Group 1 tended to have a higher rate of postoperative complications, with 54% of patients experiencing complications compared to 34% of patients in Group 2 (p=0.007). Median chest tube duration and hospital LOS were also significantly longer in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p=0.034). In multivariable logistical regression analysis, while controlling for covariates and considering effect modifications, lower SES was significantly and positively associated with postoperative complications (odds ratio (OR)=1.98, p=0.039). Preoperative chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was also a positive and significant predictor of postoperative complications (OR=1.89, p=0.017), chest tube duration (p=0.020), and LOS (p=0.010).

Conclusions: Lower median income is associated with a greater number of postoperative complications following pulmonary resection for lung cancer when controlling for covariates.

Effect of Lowest Postoperative Pre-albumin on Outcomes after Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy

Objective:

Lower pre-albumin levels have been associated with increased rates of post-surgical complications, prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS), and death. This study aims to investigate the effect of postoperative pre-albumin levels on perioperative and long-term outcomes following robotic-assisted video thoracoscopic (RAVT) pulmonary lobectomy.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 459 consecutive patients who underwent RAVT pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon for known or suspected lung cancer. The lowest pre-albumin values during the postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Twenty-three patients with no pre-albumin levels available were excluded from analysis. Patients were grouped as having normal (≥ 15 mg/dL) versus low (< 15mg/dL) pre-albumin. Outcomes and demographics were compared between groups using Pearson χ², Student’s t, or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Univariate and multivariate generalized linear regression, logistic regression, or Cox proportional hazard ratio models were used to assess the association between outcomes and variables of interest. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to estimate and depict survival probabilities for each group.

Results:

Our study population comprised 436 patients. Lowest postoperative pre-albumin below 15 mg/dL was associated with more postoperative complications (44.2% vs 24.9%, p < 0.001), longer chest tube duration (6.9 vs 4.6 days, p = 0.001), and longer LOS (7.0 vs. 4.4 days, p < 0.001). In survival analysis, lowest perioperative pre-albumin levels were found to correlate with decreased 1 year (p = 0.012), 3-year (p = 0.001), and 5-year survival (p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Lower pre-albumin levels postoperatively are associated with more postoperative complications, longer chest tube duration and LOS, and decreased overall survival following robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy.

Preoperative Anemia is Associated With Worse Long-Term Survival After Lung Cancer Resection: A Multicenter Cohort Study of 5,029 Patients

OBJECTIVES

Although some evidence to suggest an association between preoperative anemia and reduced overall survival exists, contemporary studies investigating the impact of preoperative anemia on outcomes after resection for primary lung cancer are lacking.

DESIGN

A multicenter retrospective review.

SETTING

Two tertiary cardiothoracic surgery centers in the Northwest of England.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 5,029 patients between 2012 and 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients underwent lung resection for primary lung cancer. Patients were classified as anemic based on the World Health Organization definition. Men with hemoglobin <130 g/L and women with hemoglobin <120 g/L were considered to be anemic.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Outcomes assessed included perioperative mortality, 90-day mortality, and overall survival. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the impact of preoperative anemia on 90-day mortality and overall survival, respectively. Overall, preoperatively, 24.0% (n = 1207) of patients were anemic. The 90-day mortality for anemic and nonanemic patients was 5.6% and 3.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, preoperative anemia was not associated with increased 90-day mortality. However, a log-rank analysis demonstrated reduced overall survival for anemic patients (p < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, preoperative anemia was found to be independently associated with reduced overall survival (hazard ratio 1.287, 95% confidence interval 1.141-1.451, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although anemia was not an independent predictor of short-term outcomes, it was independently associated with significantly reduced survival for patients undergoing resection for lung cancer. Further work is required to understand why anemia reduces long-term survival and whether pathways for anemic patients can be adapted to improve long-term outcomes.

Blood transfusions may adversely affect survival outcomes of patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Despite common use in clinical practice, the impact of blood transfusions on prognosis among patients with lung cancer remains unclear. The purpose of the current study is to perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the influence of blood transfusions on survival outcomes of lung cancer patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid MEDLINE for publications illustrating the association between blood transfusions and prognosis among people with lung cancer from inception to November 2019. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were the outcomes of interest. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using the random-effects model. Study heterogeneity was evaluated with the I² test. Publication bias was explored via funnel plot and trim-and-fill analyses.

Results

We included 23 cohort studies with 12,175 patients (3,027 cases and 9,148 controls) for meta-analysis. Among these records, 22 studies investigated the effect of perioperative transfusions, while one examined that of transfusions during chemotherapy. Two studies suggested the possible dose-dependent effect in accordance with the number of transfused units. In pooled analyses, blood transfusions deleteriously influenced both OS (HR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14–1.61, P<0.001, I²=0%) and DFS (HR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.15–1.86, P=0.001, I²=0%) of people with lung cancer. No evidence of significant publication bias was detected in funnel plot and trim-and-fill analyses (OS: HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.07–1.49, P=0.006; DFS: HR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.08–1.69, P=0.008).

Conclusions

Blood transfusions were associated with decreased survival of patients with lung cancer.

The association of non-small cell lung cancer recurrence with allogenic blood transfusion after surgical resection: A propensity score analysis of 1,803 patients

BACKGROUND

Conflicting evidence underlies the controversial role of allogenic blood transfusion in recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Insufficient sample size and failure to measure effects of important confounders in previous studies contribute to the conflicting findings. To overcome these limitations, we applied robust statistics and weighted covariates in a large study cohort.

METHODS

Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the recurrence and survival in patients with NSCLC disease stages I through III who were transfused for a haemoglobin level less than 8.0 g/dL within seven days after surgical resection. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance covariates in the sequential cohort of patients receiving an incremental amount of blood. We applied restricted cubic spline functions to characterise dose-response effects of transfusion amount on recurrence and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 209 (11.6%) of 1803 patients received transfusions. Over a median of 42 months after surgery (interquartile range 24.9-71.9), patients who received blood had a greater risk of early recurrence (IPTW-adjusted HR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.59-2.06, P < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio, HR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.97-2.87, P < 0.001). A non-linear dose-response occurred between transfusion amount and recurrence or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The greater risk of disease recurrence and early mortality after surgical resection in NSCLC patients who receive blood transfusion supports use of clinical strategies to reduce exposure. Further studies are needed to identify benchmarks to guide evidence-based practices.

Red blood cells exposed to cancer cells in culture have altered cytokine profiles and immune function

It is now accepted that red blood cells (RBCs) from healthy individuals regulate T-cell activity through modulating cytokine interactions, and that stored RBCs or RBCs from inflammatory cohorts are dysfunctional. Our study aimed to investigate how changes in RBCs that have been intentionally modified can affect T-cell activity as a mechanistic test of this modification. Exposure to a cancer cell line in culture was used to alter the cytokine profile of intact RBCs and the effect of these modified RBCs (ccRBCs) on T-cells was evaluated using flow cytometry. We used RBCs from healthy volunteers and quantified cytokines in RBC lysates and conditioned media using Luminex technology. During in vitro cancer cell exposure, RBCs sequestered a variety of cytokines including IL-8, bFGF, and VEGF. Although unmodified RBCs (oRBCs) stimulated proliferation of T-cells (Jurkat cells and peripheral blood mononucleated cells), ccRBCs augmented this proliferative response (3.5-fold and 1.9-fold more respectively). Unlike oRBCs, T-cells stimulated with ccRBCs were no longer protected from phytohemagglutinin-P-driven overexpression of GATA-3 and T-bet and these T-cells were induced to secrete a variety of cytokines including IL-17 and MCP-3. This study supports the hypothesis that RBCs are capable of binding and releasing cytokines in blood, and that modification of these cells can then also affect the T-cell response.

Potential prognostic factors for predicting the chemotherapeutic outcomes and prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore whether pretreatment potential prognostic factors are related to chemotherapeutic outcomes and the prognosis of inpatients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) undergoing chemotherapy.

Materials and methods

Data from 71 patients with mCRC were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between the potential prognostic factors before first‐line chemotherapy and the clinicopathological characteristics and chemotherapy response of the patients was calculated using Fisher's exact test and the chi‐square test. The prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. We analyzed the subgroups using the Mann‐Whitney U test.

Results

Four factors were eventually used as prognostic factors, namely the albumin‐to‐globulin ratio (AGR), the fibrinogen‐to‐albumin ratio (FAR), the prealbumin‐to‐globulin ratio (PGR), and the fibrinogen‐to‐prealbumin ratio (FPR); the cutoff values of the four potential prognostic factors were 1.40, 10.63, 5.44, and 18.49, respectively. The high AGR and PGR groups had a higher response rate than that of the low groups. Patients in the low FAR and FPR groups showed a higher objective response rate than the high FAR and FPR groups. Patients with low FPR were associated with a higher disease control rate than patients with high FPR. Higher progression‐free survival (PFS) was observed in the high AGR and PGR and low FAR and FPR groups. The AGR, FAR, PGR, and FPR were considered reliable prognostic factors for PFS in a univariate analysis.

Conclusions

The prechemotherapy AGR, FAR, PGR, and FPR were good prognostic factors to predict the chemotherapy response and PFS in patients with mCRC.

Preoperative anemia as a prognostic factor in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

The evidence of current epidemiological studies investigating the relationship between preoperative anemia and progression of lung cancer (LC) patients remains controversial. The PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched by two independent authors to identify related epidemiological studies from inception through January 31, 2019. Similarly, two researchers separately extracted data and any differences were resolved by discussion. Summarized hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were summarized with inverse variance weighted random effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed with the I² statistic. Twenty-two studies were included in this meta-analysis. As compared with LC patients without anemia, those with pre-operative anemia were at a 1.6-fold greater risk of death (summarized HR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.44-1.75), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 53.1%). Funnel plot and statistical analyses showed no evidence of publication bias. Associations between pre-operative anemia and OS were broadly consistent across numerous subgroups analyses stratified by the study design, geographic location, number of cases, tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage, histology, quality, and adjustment for potential confounders (age, sex, body mass index, TNM stage, histology, performance status, surgery, blood transfusion, and systemic inflammatory response markers). Similar patterns were observed in the sensitivity analyses. The results of meta-regression analysis suggested no evidence of significant heterogeneity between subgroups. In conclusion, pre-operative anemia was associated with poorer overall survival among LC patients.

Prognostic impact of blood transfusion in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To investigate the prognostic effects of Allogeneic Blood Transfusion (ABT) in patients with metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) receiving Chemotherapy (CT) in the first-line treatment, comparing untransfused patients to those receiving blood transfusion during treatment period or before treatment period.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 433 patients with metastatic NSCLC receiving CT in the first-line treatment. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the transfusion strategy as follows; group-U(Untransfused patients, n = 303), group-B(patients receiving transfusion Before treatment period, n = 43), and group-D(patients receiving transfusion During treatment period, n = 87).

RESULTS

There were 433 patients in the analysis, consisting of 388 (89.6%) males, with a median age of 60 years(range, 21-92). The median Overall Survival(mOS) according to the ABT was 14 months for group-U, 9 months for group-B, and 7 months for group-D (p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, patients with squamous cell carcinoma subtype, mOS was 11 months for group-U, 12 months for group-B, and 9 month for group-D (p = 0.074) The corresponding mOS durations for adenocarcinoma subtype were 21 months, 7 months, and 6 months (p < 0.001). Performing ABT during treatment period was found to be a negative independent factor related to OS (HR 1.50 for progression-free survival, 95% CI 1.15-1.97, HR 1.36 for OS, 95% CI 1.04-1.80).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that ABT was significantly associated with earlier progression and shorter survival in patients with metastatic NSCLC, especially in adenocarcinoma histology, hence suggesting that transfusion strategy in this group should remain limited, and its benefit should outweigh the risk of progression.

The prognostic impact of decreased pretreatment haemoglobin level on the survival of patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many studies have reported the prognostic value of haemoglobin level for cancers. Whereas the prognostic impact of decreased pretreatment haemoglobin level on the survival of patients with lung cancer remains controversial, herein, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate whether a decreased haemoglobin level before treatment is a significant predictor of survival in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to evaluate the prognostic impact of a decreased haemoglobin level on the survival of patients with lung cancer. Relevant studies were retrieved from databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Reference lists were hand-searched for potentially eligible studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of included studies. Observational studies were included if they provided sufficient information for the extraction of the pooled hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for overall survival, disease-free survival, relapse-free survival, progression-free survival, event-free survival and time to progression. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were applied to explain the heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Fifty-five articles involving a total of 22,719 patients were obtained to evaluate the correlation between haemoglobin level and survival. The results indicated that decreased haemoglobin level was significantly associated with poor overall survival of patients with lung cancer (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.42-1.61), both in non-small cell lung cancer (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.44-1.72) and in small cell lung cancer (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.21-2.02). We also found that the lower the haemoglobin level, the shorter was the overall survival of patients with lung cancer (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16). However, the relationship between decreased haemoglobin and relapse-free survival was not significant (HR 1.37, 95% CI 0.91-2.05).

CONCLUSION

A decreased pretreatment haemoglobin level among patients with lung cancer is a prognostic factor of poor survival that can serve as an important indicator in survival prediction, risk stratification and treatment selection. In clinical practice, more attention should be paid to monitoring pretreatment haemoglobin levels among patients with lung cancer.

Impact of blood transfusion on outcomes following resection for colorectal liver metastases in the modern era

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that perioperative blood loss and blood transfusions are associated with poorer long-term outcomes in patients undergoing other oncological surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of patients requiring a blood transfusion post-hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

METHODS

This is a retrospective review from 2005 to 2012. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) and other clinic-pathological parameters were handled as covariates for Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Six hundred and ninety patients were included. Median follow-up was 33 months. Sixty-four (9.3%) patients required a perioperative RBCT. RBCT was a predictor for decreased OS (median 41 versus 49 months, P = 0.04). However, on multivariate regression analyses preoperative chemotherapy, post-operative complications and Clinical Risk Score were independently associated with reduced OS, though RBCT was not. There was no association between RBCT and RFS (median 15 versus 17 months, P = 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

RBCT is not independently associated with a poorer OS.

The impact of chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin on prognosis of colorectal cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The association of chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving adjuvant chemotherapy is uncertain. We sought to explore the prognostic value of chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin in CRC receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and the best cut point affecting prognosis.

METHODS

Three hundred and twenty stage II and III CRC patients receiving adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy from March 2003 to March 2012 were enrolled. The associations between chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin (the absolute levels of post-chemotherapy) or chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin change (change between the pre- and post-chemotherapy hemoglobins) and disease free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) of CRC, and the best cut point were investigated.

RESULTS

Log rank test showed the best cut points for chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin and chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin change were respectively 90 g/L, 30 g/L. Cox regression model showed chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin < 90 g/L was the independent prognostic factor for DFS (HR, 2.221; 95% CI = 1.157-4.262), OS (HR, 2.058; 95% CI = 1.009-4.197), respectively, but no association of chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin change ⩾ 30g/L and DFS (HR, 2.063; 95% CI = 0.929-4.583), OS (HR, 1.386; 95% CI = 0.553-3.471) was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemotherapy-associated hemoglobin < 90 g/L has a significant prognostic value in CRC receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, which is a significant biomarker in the individualized management and may suggest the simple indication for the treatment of anemia in adjuvant chemotherapy in CRC.

Is there any role of intravenous iron for the treatment of anemia in cancer?

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a major cause of morbidity in patients with cancer resulting in poor physical performance, prognosis and therapy outcome. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of intravenous (iv) iron administration for the correction of anemia, for the prevention of exacerbation of anemia, for decreasing blood transfusion rates, and for the survival of cancer patients.

METHODS

Patients with different solid tumor diagnosis who received iv iron during their cancer treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Sixty-three patients with hemoglobin (Hgb) levels between ≥ 9 g/dL, and ≤ 10 g/dL, and no urgent need for red blood cell transfusion were included in this retrospective analysis. The aim of cancer treatment was palliative for metastatic patients (36 out of 63), or adjuvant or curative for patients with localized disease (27 out of 63). All the patients received 100 mg of iron sucrose which was delivered intravenously in 100 mL of saline solution, infused within 30 min, 5 infusions every other day. Complete blood count, serum iron, and ferritin levels before and at every 1 to 3 months subsequently after iv iron administration were followed regularly.

RESULTS

Initial mean serum Hgb, serum ferritin and serum iron levels were 9.33 g/dL, 156 ng/mL, and 35.9 μg/dL respectively. Mean Hgb, ferritin, and iron levels 1 to 3 months, and 6 to 12 months after iv iron administration were 10.4 g/dL, 11.2 g/dL, 298.6 ng/mL, 296.7 ng/mL, and 71.6 μg/dL, 67.7 μg/dL respectively with a statistically significant increase in the levels (p < 0.001). Nineteen patients (30 %) however had further decrease in Hgb levels despite iv iron administration, and blood transfusion was necessary in 18 of these 19 patients (28.5 %). The 1-year overall survival rates differed in metastatic cancer patients depending on their response to iv iron; 61.1 % in responders versus 35.3 % in non-responders, (p = 0.005), furthermore response to iv iron correlated with tumor response to cancer treatment, and this relation was statistically significant, (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Iv iron administration in cancer patients undergoing active oncologic treatment is an effective and safe measure for correction of anemia, and prevention of worsening of anemia. Amelioration of anemia and increase in Hgb levels with iv iron administration in patients with disseminated cancer is associated with increased tumor response to oncologic treatment and overall survival. Response to iv iron may be both a prognostic and a predictive factor for response to cancer treatment and survival.

Preoperative anemia, blood transfusion, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with stage i non-small cell lung cancer

Perioperative and postoperative blood transfusions (BT), anemia and inflammation are associated with poor survivals in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study investigated the impact of perioperative BT on the survival of patients with NSCLC taking into account their preoperative inflammatory status and the presence of anemia. Demographic, perioperative, and survival data for 861 patients with stage I NSCLC was collected retrospectively. The primary endpoints of interest were recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Before and after propensity score matching, univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between covariates and survival. A neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) < 5 (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.38-0.87; p = 0.009) and normal Hb concentration (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.72; p = 0.022) were independently associated with longer RFS. The administration of blood perioperatively was associated with a trend towards worse RFS (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.47-1.02; p = 0.066). The multivariate analysis also revealed that an NLR < 5 (HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.3-0.76; p = 0.001) and the absence of BT (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.4-0.98; p = 0.04) were significantly associated with lower mortality risk. The propensity score matching analysis did not confirm the association between BT and poor RFS (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.35-1.1; p = 0.108) and OS (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.26-1.04; p = 0.06). Inflammation and anemia are common finding in patients with stage 1 NSCLC. After adjusting for these two important confounders, this study confirms that previous reports demonstrating an association between BT and poor survival after NSCLC surgery.

Anaesthetic and pharmacological techniques to decrease blood loss in liver surgery: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is increasing evidence that perioperative blood loss and blood transfusions are associated with poorer short- and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature for non-surgical measures to decrease intraoperative blood loss during liver surgery.

METHODS

The literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Google Scholar databases. The primary outcome measures were perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements. A secondary outcome measure was development of ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria and included 1573 patients. All were randomized controlled studies. In eight studies (n = 894), pharmacological methods, and in another nine studies (n = 679), anaesthetic methods to decrease blood loss were investigated. Anti-fibrinolytic drugs, acute normovolaemic haemodilution, autologous blood donation and use of inhalational anaesthetic agent may affect blood loss and post-operative hepatic function.

CONCLUSIONS

There is potential for use of non-surgical techniques to decrease perioperative bleeding. However, on the basis of this review alone, due to heterogeneity of randomized trials conducted, no particular strategy can be recommended. Future studies should be conducted looking at pathways to decrease bleeding in liver surgery.

Transfusions of blood products and cancer outcomes

Approximately half of cancer patients scheduled for major surgery are anemic. Also, a significant number of patients will present to the operating room with low platelet counts and coagulopathic disorders. Unfortunately, administration of red blood cells, platelets concentrates and fresh-frozen plasma is associated with unwanted adverse effects including fever, hemolytic reactions and transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). TRIM is a multifactorial immunologic phenomenon in the recipient mediated by donor leukocytes, microparticles such as ectosomes, and growth factors. As some of these molecules are secreted in a time-dependent manner, blood storage time may play an important in TRIM, although the evidence is limited. Perioperative administration of red blood cells and associated TRIM has also been associated with increased recurrence of certain solid tumors, such as colorectal, lung, and hepatobiliary tumors. In this continuing education article, we review the available evidence on how perioperative blood product transfusions can affect oncological outcomes, such as cancer recurrence.

An association between preoperative anemia and poor prognostic factors and decreased survival in early stage cervical cancer patients

Objective

To evaluate correlation of preoperative anemia with clinical outcomes in patients with early stage cervical cancer who were treated with radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection.

Methods

Patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection for cervical cancer from January 2001 to February 2012 were included in this study. Clinicopatholgoical factors included in univariate and multivariate analysis were age, tumor histology, FIGO (International Federation of Gyneocology and Obstetrics) stage, preoperative hemoglobin, depth of invasion, tumor size, parametrial involvement, resection margin, and lymph node status.

Results

A total of 387 patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study; 141 patients (36.4%) had preoperative anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dL) and 16 out of 141 patients (11.3%) received blood transfusion for correction of preoperative anemia. Patients with preoperative anemia showed significant association with age <50 years, more advanced stage, non-squamous cell carcinoma histology, larger tumor size, deeper stromal invasion, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Both relapse-free survival and overall survival were worse in patients with preoperative anemia in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, overall survival was worse in patients with preoperative anemia, but relapse-free survival was not associated with preoperative anemia. In the intergroup analysis of anemic patients for the effect of preoperative blood transfusion, preoperative anemia correction did not affect survival.

Conclusion

Preoperative anemia was not an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with early cervical cancer. However, it was associated with poor prognostic factors. Further study in large population is needed.

Perioperative blood transfusion adversely affects prognosis after resection of lung cancer: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

Background

It is speculated that blood transfusion may induce adverse consequences after cancer surgery due to immunosuppression. This study was intended to assess the impact of perioperative blood transfusion on the prognosis of patients who underwent lung cancer resection.

Methods

Eligible studies were identified through a computerized literature search. The pooled relative risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using Review Manager 5.1 Software.

Results

Eighteen studies with a total of 5915 participants were included for this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed that perioperative blood transfusion was associated with worse overall survival (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.13-1.38; P <0.001) and recurrence-free survival (RR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20-1.67; P <0.001) in patients with resected lung cancer.

Conclusions

Perioperative blood transfusion appears be associated with a worse prognosis in patients undergoing lung cancer resection. These data highlight the importance of minimizing blood transfusion during surgery.

Perioperative blood transfusions and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study

Background

Perioperative blood transfusions have been associated with poor clinical outcomes in the context of oncological surgery. Current literature is inconclusive whether blood transfusions are linked to shorter recurrence free and overall survival after lung cancer surgery. We hypothesize that blood transfusions in patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung cancer are associated with poor oncological survival.

Methods

After IRB approval, perioperative data from 636 patients who underwent lung cancer surgery was collected. Patients were evaluated for time to tumor recurrence and overall survival.

Results

60 patients were transfused and 576 subjects were not. Patients who received transfusion were more likely to have more advanced disease (p = 0.018), and preoperative low hemoglobin concentrations (p < 0.0001) compared to non-transfused patients. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, blood transfusion was associated with a significant reduction in recurrence free survival (p = 0.025), HR: 1.55 (95% CI: 1.06-2.27) and overall survival (p = 0.0002) HR: 2.04 (95% CI: 1.41-2.97). However, analysis after propensity score matching between the two groups revealed that the effect of blood transfusion was significant for reduction in overall survival (p = 0.0356), HR: 1.838 (95% CI: 1.04-3.22) but not for recurrence free survival (p = 0.1460), HR: 1.493 (95% CI: 0.87-2.56).

Conclusions

Perioperative administration of red blood cells appears be associated with a decreased overall survival but not recurrence free survival after lung cancer surgery. Our study has the limitations of a retrospective review. Hence, our results should be confirmed by a prospective randomized control trial.

The impact of prolonged storage of red blood cells on cancer survival

Background

The duration of storage of transfused red blood cells (RBC) has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in some studies. We sought to establish whether prolonged storage of transfused RBC in cancer patients influences overall survival (OS) or cancer recurrence.

Methods and Findings

Patients diagnosed with cancer at The Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre between January 01, 2000 and December 31, 2005 were included (n = 27,591) where 1,929 (7.0%) received RBC transfusions within one year from diagnosis. Transfused RBC units were categorized as “new” if stored for less than 14 days, “intermediate” if stored between 14 and 28 days and “old” if stored for more than 28 days. Baseline characteristics between the comparative groups were compared by ANOVA test. Categorical variables and continuous variables were compared using Chi-squared and Wilcoxan rank-sum tests respectively. Overall survival was not associated with duration of storage of transfused RBC with a median survival of 1.2, 1.7, 1.1 years for only new, intermediate and old RBC units respectively (p = 0.36). Cancer recurrence was significantly higher in patients who received a RBC transfusion than those who did not (56.3% vs 33.0% respectively; p<0.0001) but was not affected by the duration of storage of transfused RBC (p = 0.06). In multivariate analysis, lung cancer, advanced stage, chemotherapy, radiation, cancer-related surgery and cancer recurrence were associated with inferior OS (p<0.05), while age, advanced stage, lung cancer, and more than 6 units of blood transfused were associated with cancer recurrence (p<0.05). The duration of storage of RBC before transfusion was not associated with OS or cancer recurrence in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

In patients diagnosed with cancer, the duration of storage of transfused RBC had no impact on OS or cancer recurrence. This suggests that our current RBC storage policy of providing RBC of variable duration of storage for patients with malignancy is safe.

Leukocyte-depleted blood transfusion is associated with decreased survival in resected early-stage lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Blood transfusion has been shown to have deleterious effect on lung cancer survival, but little data are available that assess whether leukocyte-depleted (LD) blood has a similar adverse effect. Our institution has been using LD red cells since 2001. We sought to determine whether LD blood has an effect on survival after resection of early-stage lung cancer.

METHODS

From a prospective database, we evaluated all patients with pathologic stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Patients receiving LD blood were compared with those receiving no transfusion. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression was used to identify independent risk factors affecting survival.

RESULTS

From 2001 to 2009, 361 patients were evaluated; 63 received LD red cell cell transfusion and 298 received no transfusion. Median follow-up was 48 months. Disease-free survival (P < .001) and overall survival (P < .001) were worse in patients receiving LD blood. Stratifying for stage, disease-free survival continued to be worse with transfusion for stage IA (P = .002) and IB (P = .002). Similarly, overall survival continued to be worse with transfusion for stage IA (P < .001) and IB (P < .001). For disease-free and overall survival, univariate analysis revealed increased age, male gender, anemia, transfusion, and higher stage to be adverse factors, with transfusion and higher stage continuing to be significant adverse factors after multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that transfusion of LD blood is associated with a worse disease-free and overall survival in patients with resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Hemoglobin trends and anemia treatment resulting from concomitant chemotherapy in community oncology clinics

PURPOSE

This study describes changes in hemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients during chemotherapy before anemia treatment and in those who received no treatment, measuring time from chemotherapy initiation to Hb less than 10 g/dL and anemia treatment initiation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective longitudinal cohort study used a database of outpatient oncology practice electronic medical records from January 1, 2006, to August 6, 2009. Unit of analysis was episode of chemotherapy care, beginning at initiation and including consecutive administrations within the next 60 days. Patients received two or more administrations of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, had a cancer diagnosis with at least 60 days of follow-up, and had no myelodysplastic syndrome. A total of 4,864 episodes (4,021 patients) met selection criteria, 73% with baseline Hb of 11 g/dL or greater and 60% receiving no anemia treatment.

RESULTS

Episodes without anemia treatment increased from 44.6% (2006) to 77.8% (2009). Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) use decreased from 45.4% (2006) to 11.5% (2009). Patients receiving transfusions increased from 3.4% to 8.7% (2006 to 2009; all P < .001). Total proportion of episodes with Hb less than 10 g/dL at anemia treatment increased from 16.2% to 93.1% during the same period (P < .001). Mean Hb values before anemia treatment decreased over time from 10.8 to 8.9 g/dL (2006 to 2009; P < .001). Overall, time from chemotherapy initiation to first anemia treatment increased from 24.7 to 36.9 days (2006 to 2009; P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Results suggest increased restrictions were associated with decreased use of ESAs and increased use of transfusions as well as delays in anemia treatment and lower Hb levels before anemia treatment. Additional investigation of the overall impact of delayed treatments on long-term patient outcomes is warranted.

Does blood transfusion increase the chance of recurrence in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer?

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether blood transfusion increases the chance of recurrence in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer. Altogether 468 papers were found using the reported search, of which 21 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers were tabulated. Nineteen cohort studies (two of which examined the same or similar data sets as two other studies already included), one comment article and one meta-analysis were identified. In total, the outcomes of 5378 patients undergoing surgical resection for lung cancer were analysed. The transfusion rate varied between 15 and 67%. The primary endpoints in all 21 papers were recurrence, survival or disease-free survival. We conclude that the research undertaken to examine the relationship between blood transfusion and lung cancer recurrence, survival and disease-free survival comes to no definite conclusion. Half of the papers relating to recurrence state that there is no significantly increased risk of recurrence with transfusion, whereas the other half state that there is. However, four of the five papers examining disease-free survival demonstrate a significant adverse relationship between this primary outcome and blood transfusion. With regard to survival, five of the papers reviewed showed no effect of blood transfusion, whereas five showed some form of adverse effect. Although there is no overwhelming agreement among the presented evidence, there is a slightly larger body of evidence supporting the theory that blood transfusions are associated with poorer outcomes in patients undergoing resection for lung cancer. However, whether this is a direct effect, or a surrogate marker for other factors such as anaemia, is unclear.

Low incidence of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy for lung cancer

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) after pneumonectomy for NSCLC remains a highly morbid complication. We examined possible factors including the surgical techniques associated with BPF development. From 221 pneumonectomies for NSCLC, bronchial stump closure was mechanically performed in 192 patients and manually in the remaining 29. In all right-sided pneumonectomies mechanical closure was performed with associated stump coverage. In 114/130 left-sided procedures where mechanical closure was selected, bronchial stump remained uncovered. In the remaining 16 left-sided cases where manual stump closure was selectively performed, the stump was covered utilizing various tissues. Risk factors were classified into preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative. Five patients (2.3%) developed BPF. Univariate analysis revealed peri-operative transfusion, respiratory infection at the time of presentation, neoadjuvant therapy, right-sided pneumonectomy, manual type of bronchial closure, days of postoperative hospitalization and mechanical ventilation as significant risk factors for BPF development. Multivariate analysis followed revealing preoperative respiratory infection and right pneumonectomy as the only independent risk factors. In our series, a selected stump coverage policy showed a low incidence of BPF development. Mechanical stapling was superior to manual closure, although not as an independent factor. Early recognition of possible risk factors associated with fistula development is of paramount importance.