Local microwave ablation with continued EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor as a treatment strategy in advanced non-small cell lung cancers that developed extra-central nervous system oligoprogressive disease during EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment: A pilot study

Radiotherapy for oligoprogressive disease in non-small cell lung cancer treated with pembrolizumab in first-line setting: a retrospective study

Background

Oligoprogression (OP) is common in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study aims to assess the benefit and the safety profile of ablative radiotherapy (RT) for OP in mNSCLC treated with pembrolizumab in first-line setting.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed records of all consecutive mNSCLC patients who underwent treatment with pembrolizumab (+/- chemotherapy) in first-line setting and developed an OP treated with ablative RT while continuing pembrolizumab, in a French Hospital from 2019 to 2022. Primary endpoint was time to next systemic treatment (TTNT). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and safety profile. Furthermore, we investigated features associated with clinical outcomes.

Results

Thirty-six patients were included and 47 OPs were reported (27 patients experienced one OP, 7 two OP, and 2 three OP). The median TTNT (mTTNT) after the first OP was 19.6 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.4-not reached (NR)]. The median PFS (mPFS) after the first OP was 12 months (95% CI: 6.1-NR) and 10.4 months (95% CI: 3.9-NR) after the second or third OP. The median OS (mOS) from the first OP and from pembrolizumab initiation were NR. In multivariable analysis, the presence of adrenal gland was associated with shorter TTNT and OS, while OP involving bone metastasis was associated with shorter PFS. The ORR of the lesions treated with RT was 70.2%. No RT-induced severe adverse event was reported. Three patients experienced severe pembrolizumab-induced adverse events.

Conclusions

In this study, RT alongside the maintenance of pembrolizumab for patients experiencing OP during first-line pembrolizumab-based therapy for mNSCLC demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and favorable outcomes. Data from phase 3 randomized trials are needed to clearly establish the benefits of this strategy in treating oligoprogressive mNSCLC.

Efficacy and Safety of a Therapy Combining Sintilimab and Chemotherapy With Cryoablation in the First-Line Treatment of Advanced Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Protocol for a Phase II, Pilot, Single-Arm, Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has significantly advanced lung cancer treatment, particularly in nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with overall response rates between 50% and 60%. However, about 30% of patients only achieve a stable disease state. Cryoablation has shown potential to enhance immunotherapy by modifying the tumor's immune microenvironment through the release of antigens and immune factors. Addressing how to boost the immune response in these patients is critical.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of immunochemotherapy in combination with cryoablation as a first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC.

METHODS

This is a phase II, pilot, open-label, single arm, single center, interventional study. Patients with stage IIIB to IIIC or IV NSCLC with T staging ranging from T1 to T2b will receive sintilimab (200 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) and chemotherapy. After 2 cycles, the feasibility of cryoablation will be considered for those with stable disease by a multidisciplinary team. Cryoablation with 3 freeze-thaw cycles will be performed for the main lesion. The third cycle of systemic therapy will begin 7 (SD 3) days after cryoablation. A total of 20 patients will be enrolled. Treatment will continue until the disease progresses, there is unacceptable toxicity, a participant withdraws consent, other discontinuation criteria are met, or the study reaches completion. The primary objective is to assess progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary objective is to assess efficacy through duration of response, disease control rate, overall survival (OS), and the safety profile. The exploratory objective is to investigate and compare immune factor changes after 2 cycles of immunochemotherapy and at 1, 3, and 7 days after cryoablation. Survival time will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method to calculate median PFS and OS. Any adverse events that occur during the trial will be promptly recorded.

RESULTS

The project was funded in 2024, and enrollment will be completed in 2025. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2027.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will provide evidence for the efficacy and safety of the combination of immunochemotherapy and cryoablation as a first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC. Although it has a limited sample size, the findings of this study will be used in the future to inform the design of a fully powered, 2-arm, larger-scale study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06483009; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06483009.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/64950.

Additional local therapy before disease progression for EGFR-mutated advanced lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

International guidelines recommend the use of local therapy (LT) to limited progression in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the use of LT before disease progression has not been extensively analyzed. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of administering additional LT in conjunction with first-line EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) before disease progression in patients with EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published up until May 31, 2023. The LT group consisted of patients who received first-line EGFR-TKIs in conjunction with additional LT, while the TKI group comprised participants treated with first-line EGFR-TKIs alone. Studies comparing the survival outcomes of the LT and TKI groups were included in this analysis. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). This review was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023439913).

Results

Among the 11 investigated studies covering 1,313 patients, the LT modalities included radiotherapy, surgery, and ablation therapy, which accounted for 91%, 27%, and 27% of the studies, respectively. The pooled hazard ratios of median PFS and OS were 0.34 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22-0.53; P<0.001] and 0.42 (95% CI: 0.36-0.48; P<0.001), respectively, which indicated significant benefits for the LT group compared to the TKI group. There was no significant difference between the LT and TKI groups (P=0.473) regarding the incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the strategic use of additional LT before disease progression is a promising approach for the treatment of EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC.

Image-guided thermal ablation for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant nonsmall cell lung cancer

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is treated by various therapies such as surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Currently, molecular targeted therapy, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) and Kirsten Rat Sarcoma viral Oncogene (KRAS) inhibitors, has received much attention and improved the prognosis of NSCLC. Nevertheless, the terminal point of molecular targeted drugs is resistance. Drug resistance has been classified into oligoprogression and extensive progression based on the tumor lesion progression after drug resistance. There is extensive research demonstrating that local therapy (surgical resection, radiotherapy, and thermal ablation) can prolong the survival of patients with drug resistance. This review is intended to determine the efficacy of image-guided thermal ablation in patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutation.

SPACES: Our team's experience in lung tumor microwave ablation

The standard treatment of stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer is lobectomy with systematic mediastinal lymph node evaluation. Unfortunately, up to 25% of patients with stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer are not candidates for surgery due to severe medical comorbidities (poor cardiopulmonary function). Image-guided thermal ablation is an alternative for those patients, includes radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation (MWA), cryoablation, and laser ablation. Compared to them, MWA is a relatively new technique with some potential advantages, such as faster heating times, higher intralesional temperatures, larger ablation zones, less procedural pain, relative insensitivity to "heat sinks," and less sensitivity to tissue types. However, some advantages of MWA mentioned above (such as higher intralesional temperatures, larger ablation zones) also have potential risks and problems, and an innovative and standardized guidance system is needed to avoid and solve these risks and problems. This article combs our team's clinical experience over the past decade, summarizes a systematic and standardized guidance system, and names it SPACES (Selection, Procedure, Assessment, Complication, Evaluation, Systemic therapy). Both primary and metastatic pulmonary tumors can be efficiently treated with image-guided thermal ablation in selected candidates. The selection and use of ablation techniques should consider the size and location of the target tumor, the risk of complications, and the expertise and skills of the professionals, among which the size of the target tumor (<3 mm) is a major factor determining the success of ablation.

Microwave ablation treatment for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancers: long-term results

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, we aim to show the results of microwave ablation (MWA) for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

From Feb 2011 to Mar 2016, patients with histologically proven clinical stage I NSCLC were treated with CT-guided MWA and retrospectively analyzed. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 105 patients with 105 lesions underwent MWA. The mean age was 70.7 years (range: 40-86 years), and the mean diameter of all lesions was 2.40 cm (range: 0.9-4.0 cm). Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type (77, 73.3%), followed by squamous cell carcinomas (21, 20%) and undefined NSCLC (7, 6.7%). With a median follow-up of 54.8 months, the median DFS was 36.0 months, and 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 89.5%, 49.4%, and 42.7%, respectively. The median CSS and OS were 89.8 and 64.2 months, respectively. The OS rate was 99% at 1 year, 75.6% at 3 years, and 54.1% at 5 years, while the CSS rates were 99%, 78.9%, and 60.9%, respectively. Patients with stage IB lesions had significant shorter DFS (22.3 months vs. undefined, HR: 11.5, 95%CI: 5.85-22.40) and OS (37.3 vs. 89.8 months, HR: 8.64, 95% CI: 4.49-16.60) than IA disease.

CONCLUSION

MWA is a safe, effective, and potentially curative therapy for medically inoperable stage I NSCLC patients.

KEY POINTS

• In this multicenter retrospective study which included 105 patients, we found the median overall survival (OS) was 64.2 months. The OS rate was 99% at 1 year, 75.6% at 3 years, and 54.1% at 5 years. • Procedures were technically successful and well tolerated in all patients. Most MWA complications were mild or moderate.

Survival prediction for non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with CT-guided microwave ablation: development of a prognostic nomogram

OBJECTIVES

To explore the outcomes of CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and then develop an effective nomogram to predict the survival.

METHODS

NSCLC patients treated with MWA were randomly allocated to either the training cohort or the validation cohort (3:1). The primary outcome measurement was overall survival (OS), whose predictors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses in the training cohort. Then, a predictive nomogram was developed to predict the OS, with the predictive accuracy evaluated by C-statistic and receiver operating characteristic in both the training and validation cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 234 patients (training cohort: n = 176; validation cohort: n = 58) and 271 tumors with a median OS of 17.0 ± 12.2 months were included. The predictors selected into the nomogram included tumor diameter (hazard ratio [HR], 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-3.30; p < 0.001), extrapulmonary metastases (HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.06-2.95; p = 0.030), tumor stage (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.07-1.79; p = 0.013), tumor type (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.48-2.72; p < 0.001) and post-MWA TKIs (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34-0.89; p < 0.001), based on the results of univariate and multivariate analyses. The C-statistic showed good predictive performance, with a C-statistic of 0.838 (95% CI, 0.779-0.897) internally and 0.808 (95% CI, 0.695-0.920) externally (training cohort and validation cohort, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram was effective in predicting the OS in NSCLC patients treated with MWA, and could be applied to identify patients who may benefit most from MWA and be helpful for clinical decision making.

Management of Oligometastasis and Oligoprogression in Patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation-Positive NSCLC in the Era of Third-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

This review covers the importance of local consolidative therapy (LCT) in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive with oligometastatic and oligoprogressive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With the advent of third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, a more updated review is necessary. We review the efficacy of LCT, pathophysiological background, and treatment modalities other than radiotherapy. In addition, we also discussed when and how LCT should be applied to patients with oligometastatic and oligoprogressive NSCLC.

[Advances and Challenges of Local Thermal Ablation in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）是原发性肺癌的主要类型，手术切除、放化疗、靶向治疗及免疫治疗等是其主要的治疗模式。近年来，热消融在各期NSCLC的临床应用中受到越来越多的关注。热消融作为一种安全、高效的局部治疗手段，合理的临床应用可以给NSCLC患者带来更多的临床获益。然而其在NSCLC中的应用仍然存在许多尚待研究探讨的问题。本文对近年来热消融在NSCLC中的应用现状作以综述，旨在探讨目前存在的争议问题和未来研究方向。

Camrelizumab combined with microwave ablation improves the objective response rate in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Aim

The present study evaluated the safety and efficacy of camrelizumab (a programmed death-1 antibody) in combination with microwave ablation (MWA) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials and Methods

A total of 21 patients were prospectively enrolled. MWA was performed in 25 pulmonary lesions during 21 sessions. Camrelizumab was administered 5-7 days after MWA as a dose of 200 mg, which was repeated every 2 weeks until disease progression or intolerable toxicities. The primary endpoints were safety and the objective response rate (ORR). Other endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

The technical success rate was 100%. No treatment-associated deaths were identified. Major complications, minor complications, and side effects of MWA were observed in 9, 8, and 14 patients, respectively. The main major complications included pneumothorax, pneumonia, hemorrhage, and pleural effusion. The adverse events of camrelizumab included reactive skin capillary hyperplasia (n = 9), hypothyroidism (n = 5), pneumonia (n = 4), fatigue (n = 2), leukopenia (n = 1), and neutropenia (n = 1). Grade 2 and 3 camrelizumab adverse events were identified in eight and three patients, respectively. The ORR was 33.3%, with two patients achieving complete response and five patients achieving partial response. The median PFS was 5.1 months and OS was not reached.

Conclusions

Camrelizumab administration combined with MWA was safe in the treatment of advanced NSCLC, and the combination improved the ORR of camrelizumab alone compared to previous reports.

Combined microwave ablation and antiangiogenic therapy to increase local efficacy

Purpose: We aim to evaluate the efficacy, safety and survival time of microwave ablation (MWA) with adjuvant antiangiogenic therapy-endostatin in animal models.Material and methods: A total of 40 rabbits successfully implanted with VX2 tumors were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: Group A underwent only microwave ablation of the tumors; Group B received only antiangiogenic drugs endostatin; Group C received endostatin immediately after MWA; Group D followed up without treatment.Results: Two months post-treatment, tumor sizes of Group A and Group C were reduced to 1.936 ± 0.373 cm3 and 1.592 ± 0.382 cm3, respectively. However, tumors grew to 15.091 ± 1.735 cm3 and 47.825 ± 7.664 cm3 in Group B and the control group. Three months post-treatment, tumor sizes in Group A and Group C maintained as 1.395 ± 0.394 cm3 and 1.482 ± 0.305 cm3, significantly smaller than Group B (35.277 ± 6.019 cm3). All animals in the control group died, while four (40%) survived in Group B (Endo Group). The numbers of survivals in Groups A and C were seven (70%) and eight (80%), respectively. The lowest metastasis rate (2/10, 20%) was observed in Group C (combination therapy).Conclusion: The combination of MWA and antiangiogenic therapy triggered a significant reduction in the growth rate and metastases of tumors and may potentially improve survivals.

Microwave ablation as local consolidative therapy for patients with extracranial oligometastatic EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer without progression after first-line EGFR-TKIs treatment

OBJECTIVES

Evidence from multiple clinical trials showed that local consolidative therapy (LCT) improved survival in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In the present study, we aim to explore the potential role of microwave ablation (MWA) as LCT for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant advanced NSCLC patients with extracranial oligometastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2015 to December 2018, a total of 86 EGFR-mutant stage IIIB or IV NSCLC patients with extracranial oligometastasis were enrolled for retrospective analysis. MWA was used as LCT for all oligometastatic lesions and/or primary tumors in 34 patients without progression after first-line EGFR-TKIs therapy (consolidation group), while the other 52 patients received only TKIs until disease progression (monotherapy group). We calculated and compared the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the two groups.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Patients with MWA consolidation therapy had significantly improved PFS (median 16.7 vs. 12.9 months, HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.88, P = 0.02) and OS (median: 34.8 vs. 22.7 months, HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.88, P = 0.04) than monotherapy group. MWA for LCT was identified as the independent predictive factor for better PFS (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.37-0.82, P < 0.01) and OS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.91, P = 0.02). Most toxicities were mild and well tolerated. No patient had to discontinue EGFR-TKIs because of MWA complications. These findings suggest that MWA as local consolidative therapy after first-line EGFR-TKIs treatment leads to better disease control and survival than TKIs monotherapy in EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC patients with extracranial oligometastasis. MWA as a novel option of LCT might be considered for clinical management of these patients.

Local ablative therapy of oligoprogressive TKI-treated thyroid cancer

Metastatic cancer patients generally respond well to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, TKI resistance occurs in almost all cases and often leads to a change in treatment. Recent guidelines, including thyroid cancer, raised the possibility of locally treating TKI-resistant oligoprogressive disease, i.e., one or a few progressing lesions in an otherwise treatment-responsive metastatic cancer, thereby obviating the need to change the ongoing TKI. To determine the benefits of this intervention, we reviewed studies on the use of LAT for TKI-treated oligoprogressive cancers. We found that in non-small cell lung cancer at least, LAT prolongs disease control and the duration of exposure to a TKI irrespective of the LAT used. Moreover, we reviewed the local ablative therapies (LATs) that are feasible for the local control of oligoprogressive thyroid cancer. Lastly, we report two illustrative cases of patients with oligoprogressive thyroid cancer treated with two different LATs while on therapy with TKIs. Both LATs extended the duration of disease control and the time of exposure to the ongoing TKI, thereby indicating that LAT is a favorable option for TKI-treated oligoprogressive thyroid cancer. Prospective randomized studies are needed to verify the benefit of LATs in terms of progression-free and overall survival in this increasingly frequent clinical setting.

Usefulness of percutaneous microwave ablation for large non-small cell lung cancer: A preliminary report

The role of microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains ill-defined. This retrospective study evaluated the oncological outcomes of CT-guided MWA in patients with large NSCLC. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The log-rank test was used to compare survival between patients with an NSCLC size greater or smaller than 4 cm. The likelihood of local tumor progression (LTP) was analyzed using a multivariable regression model. A total of 53 patients with 65 tumors were analyzed. The mean tumor size was 5.0±1.8 cm. At the 1-month CT scan, complete tumor ablation was observed in 44.6% of cases. In 18.5% of cases a redo-MWA session was carried out, while in 4.6%, a third MWA was necessary to obtain complete tumor necrosis. The mean follow-up was 28.1±20.6 months with a median duration of 21.5 months. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 78.2, 48.3, 34.8 and 18.3%, respectively. The median CSS was 25 months (95% CI 15.5–34.5). The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year CSS rates were 84.3, 53.7, 42.1 and 30.0%, respectively. OS in patients with tumor size ≥4 cm was significantly lower when compared with those having smaller tumors (P=0.03). LTP was observed in 19 patients (35.8%). Incomplete tumor ablation [odds ratio (OR) 6.57; P<0.05] and tumor size ≥4 cm (OR 0.18; P<0.05) were significant independent predictors of LTP. In conclusion, CT-guided MWA may represent a useful tool in the multimodality treatment of patients with large advanced NSCLC.

Local Thermal Ablation with Continuous EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for EGFR-Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancers that Developed Extra-Central Nervous System (CNS) Oligoprogressive Disease

BACKGROUND

Most epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) experience oligoprogressive disease. Local ablation for isolated resistant sites continued with the original EGFR-TKI showed good efficacy in these patients. We conducted this multicenter retrospective study to investigate the potential benefit of thermal ablation in NSCLC patients that developed extra-central nervous system (CNS) oligoprogressive disease during TKI treatment.

METHODS

A total of 71 EGFR-mutant patients treated with EGFR-TKIs were identified. Progression-free survival 1 (PFS1) was calculated from the initiation of TKI treatment to first progression. Patients with metastatic sites ≤ 3 in less than 3 extra-CNS organs suitable for local ablation therapy received either radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation to these sites and continued on the original TKIs. PFS2 was defined from the first progression to second progression after ablation.

RESULTS

The median PFS1 for all patients was 11.8 months. Eighty extra-CNS oligoprogressive lesions in 71 patients were ablated. Thirty-six of 71 patients progressed after thermal ablation and 31 of whom died during the study period. The median PFS2 after thermal ablation was 10.0 months, and the median overall survival was 26.4 months. PFS1 and PFS2 were highly correlated with OS, whereas PFS1 was not correlated with PFS2. The numbers of oligoprogressive lesions were significantly and independently associated with PFS2.

CONCLUSION

Local thermal ablation for the oligoprogressive lesions with continuous EGFR-TKI treatment is associated with additional 10 months of disease control and should be recommended in TKI acquired resistant-NSCLC patients.

Microwave ablation with continued EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy prolongs disease control in non-small-cell lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Background

Although patients with EGFR‐mutant non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit from treatment with EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), outcomes are limited by the eventual development of acquired resistance. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of EGFR‐TKI therapy beyond focal progression, associated with microwave ablation.

Methods

Patients with metastatic EGFR‐mutant NSCLC treated with EGFR‐TKIs at our institutions from May 2012 to December 2017 were identified. Patients with single lesion progression, treated with MWA, and continually administered EGFR‐TKI therapy until further progression, were included in the study. Initial response to target therapy, median progression‐free survival (PFS1), and first progression site were recorded. The median time to progression after local therapy (PFS2) was also assessed. Overall survival was calculated from the initiation of EGFR‐TKIs to the date of final follow‐up or death.

Results

Fifteen out of 205 patients (10%) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Local therapy was well tolerated, and complete ablation was performed in 11 (73.3%) patients. The median PFS1 was 9.5 months (range 6–41), and the median PFS2 was 8 months (range 3–24). The corresponding 6 and 12 month PFS rates were 73.3% and 26.7%, respectively. Median overall survival was 23 months (range 15–64).

Conclusion

The longer disease control observed in our patients suggests that continuation of EGFR‐TKI beyond focal progression associated to microwave ablation is an efficacious therapeutic strategy.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis secondary to microwave ablation: a multicenter retrospective study

PURPOSE

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening complication of microwave ablation (MWA) during the treatment of primary or metastatic lung tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, radiological and demographic characteristics and treatment responses of patients with IPA after MWA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2011 to January 2016, all patients who were treated by MWA of their lung tumors from six health institutions were enrolled in this study. Patients with IPA secondary to MWA were identified and retrospectively evaluated for predisposing factors, clinical treatment, and outcome.

RESULTS

The incidence of IPA secondary to lung MWA was 1.44% (23/1596). Of the 23 patients who developed IPA, six died as a consequence, resulting in a high mortality rate of 26.1%. Using computed tomography (CT), pulmonary cavitation was the most common finding and occurred in 87.0% (20/23) of the patients. Sudden massive hemoptysis was responsible for one-third of the deaths (2/6). Most patients (22/23) received voriconazole as an initial treatment, and six patients with huge cavities underwent intracavitary lavage. Finally, 17 patients (73.9%) achieved treatment success.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung MWA may be an additional host risk factor for IPA, particularly in elderly patients with underlying diseases and in patients who have recently undergone chemotherapy. Early and accurate diagnosis of IPA after MWA is critical for patient prognosis. Voriconazole should be given as the first-line treatment as early as possible. Bronchial artery embolization or intracavitary lavage may be required in some patients.

Microwave ablation combined with EGFR-TKIs versus only EGFR-TKIs in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations

We conducted this retrospective study to investigate whether microwave ablation (MWA) of primary tumor sites plus epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) could improve survival in advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. MWA was conducted at the primary tumor sites, followed by EGFR-TKIs in the MWA plus EGFR-TKIs group. EGFR-TKIs were administered until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). A total of 58 patients were recruited, including 34 in the MWA plus EGFR-TKIs group and 24 in the EGFR-TKIs group. No significant difference in ORR was observed with MWA treatment (61.8% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.230). Patients treated with MWA plus EGFR-TKIs failed to show superior survival in either PFS (13.2 months vs. 11.6 months, p = 0.640) or OS (39.8 months vs. 20.4 months, p = 0.288). MWA was not an independent prognostic factor for PFS or OS. MWA of primary tumor sites plus EGFR-TKIs demonstrated no survival advantage compared with EGFR-TKIs alone in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR sensitive mutations. MWA should not be recommended for unselected patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations.

[Primary Application of Radiofrequency Ablation after Locally Progression of EGFR-TKIs in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

背景与目的

表皮生长因子受体酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, EGFR-TKIs)是EGFR敏感突变非小细胞肺癌患者的主要治疗手段之一，但是部分患者在EGFR-TKIs治疗有效后出现原发灶局部进展。本文研究了射频消融在EGFR-TKIs治疗EGFR突变非小细胞肺癌后局部进展的临床应用结果。

方法

入组符合条件的28例非小细胞肺癌患者，肺部肿瘤经过射频消融和后续的EGFR-TKI或化疗，观察其安全性及治疗效果。

结果

所有患者无围手术期死亡。平均随访17.25个月。局部进展率为10.7%(3/28)，局部进展时间平均为16.6个月。平均肿瘤无进展时间为(24.55±5.36)个月(95%CI: 14.04-35.05)，平均总生存时间(overall survival, OS)为(25.57±5.45)个月(95%CI: 14.88-36.27)。射频消融后续治疗分为EGFR-TKIs组和化疗组，两组平均肿瘤无进展时间分别为(27.82±7.58)个月(95%CI: 12.97-42.68)和(17.88±3.76)个月(95%CI: 10.52-25.25)(P > 0.05)；平均OS分别为(29.42±7.68)个月(95%CI: 14.36-44.48)和18.44±3.87(95%CI: 14.89-36.27)(P > 0.05)。

结论

针对EGFR敏感突变的非小细胞肺癌患者，应用EGFR-TKIs治疗有效后出现原发灶局部进展，射频消融可提高局部控制率，并延长肿瘤无进展生存期和总生存期。

Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) increased the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death around the world. Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) is an emerging treatment strategy for medically inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we investigated the association of MWA and serum angiogensis promoters VEGF and MMP-9 in these patients subgroup.

METHODS

We enrolled 52 patients with Stage I NSCLC patients in this study. For each patient, blood samples were drawn by venous puncture, one immediately prior to MWA and the others on Post-Procedure Days (PPD) 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14. Serum samples were analysed for VEGF and MMP-9 levels with use of commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Also, blood samples of 28 healthy volunteers were set as the healthy controls.

RESULTS

We did not observe a significant difference of serum VEGF and MMP-9 between NSCLC patients and healthy controls. The VEGF levels increased on the first day (256.0 ± 6.16 pg/ml, p < 0.05) after MWA and peaked on the PPD3 (418.0 ± 14.54 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Although it gradually reduced afterwards, its levels on PPD14 (141.2 ± 4.41 pg/ml, p < 0.05) was still higher than pre-procedure level. The serum MMP-9 level was significantly elevated from PPD1 (231.3 ± 7.93 ng/ml, p < 0.05) until PPD10 (155.3 ± 5.62 ng/ml, p < 0.05), while it normalised to pre-procedure level on PPD14 (90.78 ± 3.36 ng/ml, p > 0.05). The highest MMP-9 level was observed on PPD5 (399.7 ± 17.70 ng/ml, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary results indicated that percutaneous MWA resulted in increased serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in Stage I NSCLC patients. Antiangiogenesis approaches may be helpful for patients defending against metastases during the immediate post-ablation time window.

An injectable ionic hydrogel inducing high temperature hyperthermia for microwave tumor ablation

Microwave tumor ablation is of clinical significance and has been considered as a promising cancer minimally invasive therapy.