Survival after recurrence following surgical resected non-small cell lung cancer: A multicenter, prospective cohort study

Prospective cohort study of Suture-Line recurrence and clinical outcomes in stage 1A Non-Small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Increased lung cancer screening has made early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) more common, with lung-sparing surgery as the standard curative treatment. Our study evaluated patients who underwent surgery for pathologic stage 0/1A NSCLC and presented with suture-line recurrences-either isolated or with additional findings-and compared these patients to other types of recurrence.

METHODS

We analyzed 653 patients with pathologic stage 0/1A NSCLC from the IELCART cohort (2016-2023). Recurrences were categorized by the presence or absence of suture line involvement, and survival outcomes were assessed.

FINDINGS

Among 653 patients (median age 69), 44 (6.7 %) experienced recurrences, including 22 suture-line recurrences. Sublobar resections (19/22 vs. 11/22, p = 0.01) and smaller margins (8 mm vs. 20 mm, p < 0.001) were more frequent in patients with suture-line recurrences. Of the 22 suture-line recurrences, 13 were isolated, and 9 had additional findings. Isolated recurrences were diagnosed later (31.0 vs. 14.0 months, p = 0.01) and treated with surgery (6/13) or radiotherapy (7/13), both well-tolerated. Patients with isolated suture-line recurrences demonstrated better survival outcomes compared to all other recurrence types (overall survival: 72.0 % vs. 45.7 %, p = 0.02; lung cancer-specific survival: 90.0 % vs. 76.1 %, p = 0.19).

INTERPRETATION

Recurrences after stage 0/1A lung cancer surgery are rare, with half involving the suture line. Suture-line recurrences arise around two years post-surgery, often following sublobar resections with resection margins under 1 cm. For isolated suture-line recurrences, treatment with either radiotherapy and completion surgery were effective, yielding comparable outcomes and improved survival compared to any other recurrence types.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus immunotherapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: clinical efficacy and prognostic analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) combined with immunotherapy (IT) for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). Short-term treatment outcomes during the two-year follow-up were recorded, and 2-year survival data were collected to analyze prognosis and identify factors affecting short-term outcome. Additionally, a predictive model was developed.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 90 LA-NSCLC patients admitted between February 2018 and February 2020. Patients were grouped according to their treatment regimens: 45 patients treated with 4-6 cycles of CCRT followed by 1 year of Sintilimab therapy were assigned to the observation group, and 45 patients treated with cisplatin/carboplatin + albumin-bound paclitaxel for 4-6 cycles after CCRT were assigned to the control group. Short-term adverse reactions were recorded for both groups. Patients were followed up after 4-6 cycles of IT or chemotherapy, and short-term efficacy and toxicity were evaluated. During the 2-year follow-up, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were recorded, and survival curves were plotted. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors influencing PFS in the observation group, and a predictive model was developed. The predictive value of relevant indicators for prognosis was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

The observation group showed superior short-term efficacy, with higher objective response rates (ORR) and disease control rates (DCR) compared to the control group (both P < 0.05). Regarding toxicity, the control group exhibited more severe adverse effects, particularly grade III and higher gastrointestinal reactions, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia (all P < 0.05). The PFS was significantly higher in the observation group than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the incidence of pneumonia was higher in the observation group, but it demonstrated better 2-year OS (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that factors influencing PFS in the observation group included distant metastasis, tumor differentiation, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prealbumin (PAB). ROC analysis showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) for predicting prognosis based on PLR and PAB were 0.662 and 0.774, respectively, and the combined AUC of these indicators was 0.812.

CONCLUSIONS

CCRT combined with IT is an effective treatment for LA-NSCLC, improving survival outcomes. The predictive model developed may help assess prognosis and guide early clinical intervention. Attention should be given to pneumonia prevention and management during IT. Moreover, the combination of PLR and PAB enhances prognostic prediction for NSCLC patients undergoing CCRT plus IT.

A clinical model to predict brain metastases in resected early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite the rising diagnosis of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there remains a limited understanding of the risk factors associated with postoperative brain metastases in early-stage NSCLC. Our goal was to identify the risk factors and construct a predictive model for postoperative brain metastases in this population.

METHODS

This study retrospectively enrolled patients with resected stage I-II NSCLC at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital from January 2015 to January 2021. Risk factors were identified through univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses, followed by the construction of a nomogram. Evaluation of the model involved metrics such as the area under the curve (AUC), C-index, and calibration curves. To ensure reliability, internal validation was performed through bootstrap resampling.

RESULTS

This study included 2106 patients, among whom 67 (3.18%) patients were diagnosed with postoperative brain metastases. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that higher pT and pN stages, along with specific histological subtypes, particularly solid/micropapillary predominant adenocarcinoma, were identified as independent risk factors for brain metastases. The performance of the nomogram in the training set exhibited AUC values of 0.759, 0.788, and 0.782 for predicting 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year occurrences, respectively. Bootstrap resampling validated its reliability, with C-index values of 0.758, 0.799, and 0.792 for the respective timeframes. Calibration curves affirmed consistency of the model.

CONCLUSIONS

A nomogram was developed to predict the likelihood of postoperative brain metastases in individuals with early-stage NSCLC. The tool aids in identifying high-risk patients and facilitating timely interventions.

Late recurrence of completely resected stage I to IIIA lung adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Research into the risk factors associated with late recurrence (>2 years after surgery) of lung adenocarcinoma is limited. We investigated the incidence of and clinicopathologic and genomic features associated with late recurrence of resected stage I-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with completely resected pathologic stage I-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma (2010-2019). Patients with a history of lung cancer, neoadjuvant therapy, or mucinous or noninvasive lung adenocarcinoma, or with follow-up of less than 2 years were excluded. Cox and logistic regression modeling were used to compare clinicopathologic variables among patients with no, early (≤2 years), and late recurrence. Comparisons of genomic mutations were corrected for multiple testing.

RESULTS

Of the 2349 patients included, 537 developed a recurrence during follow-up. Most recurrences (55% [297/537]) occurred early; 45% (240/537) occurred late. A larger proportion of late recurrences than early recurrences were locoregional (37% vs 29%; P = .047). Patients with late recurrence had more aggressive pathologic features (International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer grade 2 and 3, lymphovascular invasion, visceral pleural invasion) and higher stage than patients without recurrence. Pathologic features were similar between patients with early and late recurrence, except stage IIIA disease was more common in the early cohort. No genomic mutations were associated with late recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Late recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma after resection is more common than previously reported. Patients without disease more than 2 years after surgery who had aggressive pathologic features at the time of resection have an elevated risk of recurrence and may benefit from more aggressive follow-up.

Features of late local failure of early‑stage non‑small cell lung cancer treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy

Local failure of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) often occurs within 2 years and delayed local failure is uncommon. In the present study, features of late local failure (LLF; >2 years after SBRT) after SBRT were investigated and compared with those of early local failure (ELF; ≤2 years after SBRT) to explore whether these two local recurrence features have different prognostic implications. Patients who underwent SBRT for stage I-IIA NSCLC between July 2006 and March 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, 173 patients underwent SBRT for NSCLC. The median follow-up times after SBRT were 50 and 31 months for survival and computed tomography (CT) follow-up, respectively. LLF and ELF occurred in 7 and 13 patients, respectively. The median times to LLF and ELF were 42 months (range, 31-61 months) and 13 months (range, 4-16 months), respectively. Local-only failure occurred in 14% (1/7) of LLF cases and 77% (10/13) of ELF cases, which was significantly different (Fisher's exact test, P=0.02). Curative-intent salvage treatment was impossible in all of the LLF cases and 69% (9/13) of the ELF cases, which was significantly different (Fisher's exact test, P<0.01). The median survival times after local failure were 9 and 25 months for patients with LLF and ELF, respectively. Additionally, the 1-year overall survival rates after local failure were 29 and 83% in the LLF and ELF groups, respectively, which was significantly different (log-rank test, P<0.01 at 1-year). In summary, the prognosis after LLF was significantly unfavorable compared with after ELF. Curative-intent salvage treatment is often difficult for LLF due to metastases. Therefore, it seems reasonable to decrease the frequency of follow-up CT for detecting tumor recurrence after the first 2 years post-SBRT.

Impact of timing and initial recurrence site on post-recurrence survival in resected non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

High recurrence rate following curative surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a major clinical challenge. Understanding the site and timing of recurrence and their impact on post-recurrence survival (PRS) is important for optimal postoperative surveillance and therapeutic intervention. In this study, we investigated the influence of the time to recurrence (TTR) and initial recurrence site on PRS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicentre prospective cohort study included patients who experienced recurrence after NSCLC resection between 2010 and 2015. The relationship between TTR and initial recurrence site, and their impact on PRS, was further evaluated. The hazard ratio (HR) for PRS was analysed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Among 495 patients, the median TTR was 14 (range, 1-158) months; the mode of recurrence was 11 months. Early recurrence within 6 months was observed in 17 % of patients, and 68 % of patients showed recurrence within 2 years post-surgery. The HR for PRS was the highest in patients with a TTR within 6 months, and a noticeable decline was observed after the first 6 months. The HRs of TTRs beyond 2 years were not significantly different. The liver was a significantly unfavourable prognostic site for metastases (HR 2.2; P = 0.01), and metastases frequently recurred within 6 months after surgery. The timing of brain metastasis did not significantly impact the PRS.

CONCLUSION

Earlier recurrence after surgery was associated with shorter PRS. In contrast, recurrences occurring >2 years after surgery do not significantly affect PRS.

Expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in non-small cell lung cancer: Clinical potential and efficacy in EGFR mutation subsets

Our study aimed to expand tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from primary non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and evaluate their reactivity against tumor cells. We expanded TILs from 103 primary NSCLCs using histopathological analysis, flow cytometry, IFN-γ release assays, cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays, and in vivo efficacy tests. TIL expansion was observed in all cases, regardless of EGFR mutation status. There was also an increase in the median CD4+/CD8+ ratio during expansion. In post-rapid expansion protocol (REP) TILs, 13 out of 16 cases, including all three cases with EGFR mutations, exhibited a two-fold or greater increase in IFN-γ secretion. The cytotoxicity assay revealed enhanced tumor cell death in three of the seven cases, two of which had EGFR mutations. In vivo functional testing in a patient-derived xenograft model showed a reduction in tumor volume. The anti-tumor activity of post-REP TILs underscores their potential as a therapeutic option for advanced NSCLC, irrespective of mutation status.

A retrospective analysis of treatment patterns, overall survival, and real-world disease-free survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer following complete resection

BACKGROUND

Real-world data regarding patient characteristics, adjuvant treatment patterns, and long-term survival outcomes are needed to better understand unmet needs among patients with completely resected early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Electronic medical records from the U.S.-based ConcertAI Patient360™ database were analyzed in patients with stage IB-IIIA NSCLC who underwent complete resection prior to March 1, 2016. Patients were followed until death or July 1, 2021. This study evaluated adjuvant chemotherapy use, and overall survival (OS) and real-world disease-free survival (rwDFS) outcomes using the Kaplan-Meier method. The correlation between OS and rwDFS was assessed using the Kendall rank test. Among patients who did not recur 5 years following surgery, landmark analyses of OS and rwDFS were conducted to understand the subsequent survival impact of remaining disease-free for at least 5 years.

RESULTS

Data from 441 patients with completely resected stage IB-IIIA NSCLC were included. About 35% of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy post-resection. Median OS and rwDFS from resection were 83.1 months and 42.4 months, respectively. The 5-year OS and rwDFS rates were 65.7% and 42.1%, respectively. OS and rwDFS were positively correlated (Kendall rank correlation coefficient = 0.67; p < 0.0001). Among patients without recurrence within 5 years after resection, the subsequent 5-year OS and rwDFS survival rates were 52.9% and 36.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of adjuvant chemotherapy was low, and the overall 5-year OS rate remained low despite all patients having undergone complete resection. Patients who remained non-recurrent over time had favorable subsequent long-term survival.

Preoperative predictors for recurrence sites associated with poor post-recurrence survival after surgery of non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

The recurrence site that influences post-recurrence survival (PRS) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing surgery and the preoperative predictors of recurrence remain unclear.

METHODS

Cohorts 1 and 2 had 4520 (who underwent complete resection for p-stage 0-IIIA NSCLC) and 727 (who experienced recurrence after surgery) patients, respectively. The initial sites of recurrence were the lungs (309 cases), thoracic lymph nodes (225 cases), pleura (112 cases), bone (110 cases), central nervous system (86 cases), adrenal gland (25 cases), abdomen (60 cases), cervical and axillary lymph nodes (38 cases), chest wall (13 cases), skin (5 cases), and eye and tongue (3 cases). For cohort 2 analysis, the initial recurrence site that resulted in poor PRS was analyzed by multivariable analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model. For cohort 1 analysis, the preoperative predictors of recurrence patterns with poor PRS were analyzed by multivariable analysis using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

In cohort 2 analysis, recurrence in the central nervous system (hazard ratio [HR], 1.70; p < 0.001), bone (HR, 1.75; p < 0.001), abdomen (HR, 2.39; p < 0.001), and pleura (HR, 1.69; p < 0.001) were independent poor prognostic recurrent sites for PRS and they were high-risk sites (HRS). Intrathoracic lymph nodes, cervical and axillary lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, adrenal gland, eye and tongue, and skin were low-risk sites (LRS) that did not affect PRS. Patients with multiple LRS without HRS recurrence had a worse prognosis than those with a single LRS without HRS recurrence (5-year PRS 20.2% vs. 37.7%, p < 0.001) and were comparable to those with HRS recurrence (p = 1.000). In cohort 1 analysis, preoperative predictors for HRS and multiple LRS recurrences were positron emission tomography (PET) maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) ≥ 3.2 (HR, 5.09; p < 0.001), clinical nodal metastasis (HR, 2.00; p < 0.001), tumor size ≥ 2.4 cm (HR, 1.96; p < 0.001) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ≥ 5 ng/ml (HR, 1.41; p = 0.004). The cumulative incidence rates of HRS and multiple LRS recurrences within 5 years were 55.9%, 40.9%, 26.3%, 11.1%, and 3.5% (p < 0.001) in patients with 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0 of the above risks, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HRS and multiple LRS were vital recurrences associated with poor PRS. Preoperative PET maxSUV, clinical nodal metastasis, tumor size, and CEA level predicted the incidence of vital recurrence.

Economic burden of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer: an assessment of healthcare resource utilization and medical costs

Aim: To quantify the economic burden of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among patients with and without adjuvant therapy. Methods: All-cause and NSCLC-related healthcare resource utilization and medical costs were assessed among patients with resected stage IB-IIIA NSCLC in the SEER-Medicare database (1 January 2011-31 December 2019), from NSCLC diagnosis to death, end of continuous enrollment, or end of data availability (whichever occurred first). Results: Patients receiving adjuvant therapy had the lowest mean NSCLC-related medical costs (adjuvant [n = 1776]: $3738; neoadjuvant [n = 56]: $5793; both [n = 47]: $4818; surgery alone [n = 3478]: $4892, per-person-per-month), driven by lower NSCLC-related hospitalization rates. Conclusion: Post-surgical management of early-stage NSCLC was associated with high economic burden. Adjuvant therapy was associated with numerically lower medical costs over surgical resection alone.

Genetic variants in key necroptosis regulators predict prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer after surgical resection

BACKGROUND

Necroptosis is a regulated inflammatory cell death which plays a significant role in cancer development and progression. In this study, we evaluated whether genetic variants in key regulators of necroptosis may affect survival outcome of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after surgical resection.

METHODS

A total of 674 patients who underwent curative surgery were included. Fifteen genetic variants in key regulators of necroptosis (RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL) were selected. The association of these variants with survival outcomes was evaluated.

RESULTS

Two variants, RIPK1 rs17548629C > T and MLKL rs877375G > C, were associated with better overall survival and disease-free survival in multivariate analyses. When the patients were divided according to histology, the associations were significant only in adenocarcinoma, but not in squamous cell carcinoma. RIPK1 rs17548629 C-to-T change was associated with significantly increased luciferase activity by modulating the binding of miR-642a. Promoter assays showed a significantly increased promoter activity in MLKL rs877375C allele compared to G allele. Consistently, the mRNA expression level of RIPK1 and MLKL showed significant positive correlation with RIPK1 rs17548629C-to-T and MLKL rs877375G-to-C changes.

CONCLUSION

Two genetic variants in key regulators in necroptosis, RIPK1 rs17548629C > T and MLKL rs877375G > C, may be used as biomarkers to predict survival outcomes in surgically resected NSCLC patients.

Clinical and economic impact of recurrence in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer following complete resection

Aim: Real-world data on outcomes for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are needed to better understand the benefits of new therapies. Methods: In this retrospective study using the ConcertAI Patient360™ database, overall survival and healthcare resource utilization were compared among patients with recurrent and non-recurrent completely resected stage IB-IIIA NSCLC. Results: Recurrence was associated with a shorter median overall survival compared with non-recurrence (31.5 months vs 75.6 months, respectively), lower survival probability 5-years post-resection, and higher healthcare resource utilization. Patients with late recurrence had a longer restricted mean survival time versus patients with early recurrence. Conclusion: Results from this real-world study highlight the potential value of preventing or delaying recurrence in patients with early-stage NSCLC.