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Wu Y, Chao H, Chiang C, Luo Y, Chiu C, Yen S, Liu C, Chiou J, Burnouf T, Chen Y, Wang P, Chao T, Hsu S, Lu L. Personalized cancer avatars for patients with thymic malignancies: A pilot study with circulating tumor cell-derived organoids. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:2591-2600. [PMID: 37474689 PMCID: PMC10481139 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic therapy is the primary treatment for advanced thymic malignancies. However, there is an urgent need to improve clinical outcome. Personalized treatment based on predictive biomarkers is a potential approach to address this requirement. In this study, we aimed to show the correlation between drug sensitivity tests on CTCs-derived organoids and clinical response in patients with thymic malignancies. This approach carries the potential to create personalized cancer avatars and improve treatment outcome for patients. METHODS We previously reported potential treatment outcome prediction with patient-derived organoids (cancer avatars) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. To further investigate the feasibility of this approach in advanced thymic malignancies, we conducted a study in which 12 patients were enrolled and 21 liquid biopsies were performed. RESULTS Cancer avatars were successfully derived in 16 out of 21 samples (success rate 76.2%). We found a sensitivity of 1.0 and specificity of 0.6 for drug sensitivity tests on the cancer avatars, and a two-tailed Fisher's exact test revealed a significant correlation between drug sensitivity tests and clinical responses (p = 0.0275). CONCLUSION This study supports the potential of circulating tumor cell-derived organoids to inform personalized treatment for advanced thymic malignancies. Further validation of this proof of concept finding is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan‐Hung Wu
- Department of OncologyTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- School of MedicineNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological SciencesNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Heng‐sheng Chao
- School of MedicineNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Chest MedicineTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Lu Chiang
- School of MedicineNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Chest MedicineTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yung‐Hung Luo
- School of MedicineNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Chest MedicineTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chao‐Hua Chiu
- Department of Chest MedicineTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Taipei Cancer Center and Taipei Medical University HospitalTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Sang‐Hue Yen
- Department of OncologyTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological SciencesNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Radiation OncologyTaipei Municipal Wan‐Fang HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chun‐Yu Liu
- Department of OncologyTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- School of MedicineNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Jeng‐Fong Chiou
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Radiation OncologyTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Thierry Burnouf
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical EngineeringTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yin‐Ju Chen
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical EngineeringTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Radiation OncologyTaipei Medical University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Peng‐Yuan Wang
- Oujiang LaboratoryWenzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Tsu‐Yi Chao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tri‐service General HospitalNational Defense Medical CenterTaipeiTaiwan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal MedicineTaipei Medical University‐Shuang Ho HospitalNew Taipei CityTaiwan
- Taipei Cancer CenterTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Shih‐Ming Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological SciencesNational Yang‐Ming Chiao‐Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Long‐Sheng Lu
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical EngineeringTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Radiation OncologyTaipei Medical University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
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Falkson CB, Vella ET, Ellis PM, Maziak DE, Ung YC, Yu E. Surgical, Radiation, and Systemic Treatments of Patients With Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Systematic Review. J Thorac Oncol 2023; 18:299-312. [PMID: 36343922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thymic epithelial tumors are rare and are classified as thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and thymic neuroendocrine tumors. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the treatment options for patients with thymic epithelial tumors. METHODS This systematic review was developed by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)'s Program in Evidence-Based Care and by the Lung Cancer Disease Site Group. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies comparing surgical, radiotherapy, or systemic treatments against any combination of these treatments in patients with thymic epithelial tumors. Meta-analyses were conducted with clinically homogenous studies. RESULTS A total of 106 studies were included, mainly from observational studies. There was an overall survival benefit with postoperative radiotherapy for patients with thymic carcinoma (hazard ratio = 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.47-0.89) and for patients with thymoma (hazard ratio = 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.59-0.82), especially for those with a high risk for mortality. Patients with thymic carcinoma or thymoma had a response to chemotherapy. Selection bias affected the results for studies that evaluated neoadjuvant chemotherapy or minimally invasive surgical techniques. Furthermore, the overall survival benefit found for adjuvant chemotherapy may have been confounded by the administration of postoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS For patients with thymoma or thymic carcinoma, the literature is of low quality and subject to bias. There were overall survival benefits with postoperative radiotherapy. The results of this systematic review were used to inform treatment recommendations in a clinical practice guideline. Future large-scale prospective studies that control for confounders are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conrad B Falkson
- Radiation Oncology, Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, Kingston General Hospital and Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily T Vella
- Program in Evidence-Based Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Peter M Ellis
- Medical Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Centre and Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donna E Maziak
- Thoracic Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yee C Ung
- Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edward Yu
- Radiation Oncology, London Regional Cancer Centre and Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Dumoulin DW, Bironzo P, Passiglia F, Scagliotti GV, Aerts JG. Rare thoracic cancers: a comprehensive overview of diagnosis and management of small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and thymic epithelial tumours. Eur Respir Rev 2023; 32:32/167/220174. [PMID: 36754434 PMCID: PMC9910338 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0174-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the progress in outcomes seen with immunotherapy in various malignancies, including nonsmall cell lung cancer, the benefits are less in small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and thymic epithelial tumours. New effective treatment options are needed, guided via more in-depth insights into the pathophysiology of these rare malignancies. This review comprehensively presents an overview of the clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, staging systems, pathophysiology and treatment options for these rare thoracic cancers. In addition, opportunities for further improvement of therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne W. Dumoulin
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands,Corresponding author: Daphne W. Dumoulin ()
| | - Paolo Bironzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Francesco Passiglia
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Giorgio V. Scagliotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Joachim G.J.V. Aerts
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Jung HA, Kim M, Kim HS, Kim JH, Choi YH, Cho J, Park JH, Park KU, Ku BM, Park S, Sun JM, Lee SH, Ahn JS, Park K, Ahn MJ. A Phase 2 Study of Palbociclib for Recurrent or Refractory Advanced Thymic Epithelial Tumors (KCSG LU17-21). J Thorac Oncol 2023; 18:223-231. [PMID: 36307042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare but are the most common tumors of the anterior mediastinum. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy is the standard of care for such tumors and is associated with a 50% to 90% objective response rate (ORR) in metastatic disease. Nevertheless, there is no standard chemotherapeutic option after failure of platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Genetic alterations associated with the cell cycle, including pRB, p16INK4A, and cyclin D1, are most often observed in TETs. On the basis of these results, we conducted a phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of palbociclib in patients with recurrent or refractory advanced TETs. METHODS This is a phase 2, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of palbociclib monotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic advanced TETs who failed one or more cytotoxic chemotherapies. The patients received 125 mg of oral palbociclib daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary end points were ORR, duration of response, overall survival, and safety. RESULTS Between August 2017 and October 2019, a total of 48 patients were enrolled. The median number of previous chemotherapies was one (range: one to four), and 21 (43.7%) of 48 patients received thymectomy. By the WHO classification, the patients were type A (n = 1), type B1 (n = 2), type B2 (n = 8), type B3 (n = 13), thymic carcinoma (n = 23), and unknown (n = 1). With a median follow-up of 14.5 months (range: 0.8-38.2), the median number of cycles of palbociclib monotherapy was 10 (range: 1-40). The ORR was 12.5% (four partial responses in thymoma and two partial responses in thymic carcinoma). The PFS at 6 months was 60.2%, and the median PFS was 11.0 months (95% confidence interval: 4.6-17.4). The median overall survival was 26.4 months (95% confidence interval: 17.4-35.4). The most common treatment-related adverse events of any grade were neutropenia (62.5%), anemia (37.5%), and thrombocytopenia (29.1%), and the most common grade 3/4 treatment-related hematologic adverse event was neutropenia (41.7%). Neutropenia above grade 3 was reversible, and there were no cases with neutropenic fever. CONCLUSIONS Palbociclib monotherapy was well tolerated and had encouraging efficacy in patients with TETs who failed platinum-based combination chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ae Jung
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Su Kim
- Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Hang Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA University Bundang Medical Center, Bundang, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Hee Choi
- Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhyun Cho
- Divison of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Park
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Division of Internal Medicine, KonKuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Keon Uk Park
- Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Mi Ku
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehhoon Park
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Mu Sun
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Hoon Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Seok Ahn
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunchil Park
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Ju Ahn
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Tumour immune microenvironment in resected thymic carcinomas as a predictor of clinical outcome. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1162-1171. [PMID: 35750748 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01875-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spatial distribution of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is a novel descriptor characterising the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME). The aim of our study was to assess whether a specific TIME of surgically resected thymic carcinoma (TC) can predict tumour invasiveness, recurrence or survival. METHODS Digital microscopy was performed on 39 TCs immunohistochemically stained to investigate the activation of the immune checkpoint pathway (PD-L1/PD-1), along with density and spatial distribution of TILs phenotypes (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, FOXP3+, CD56+). The impact of PD-L1 and TIL density considering the intratumoural (iTILs) and stromal (sTILs) distribution on pathological characteristics and clinical outcomes were analysed. RESULTS In early TC stages, we observed a higher total density of CD3+ (p = 0.05) and CD8+ (p = 0.02) TILs. PD-L1 was expressed in 71.8% of TCs. In advanced TC stages, we observed a lower density of CD3+ (p = 0.04) and CD8+ (p = 0.01) iTILs compared to early stages. Serum concentrations of PD-L1 were significantly higher in TCs compared to healthy controls: 134.43 ± 18.51 vs. 82.01 ± 6.34 pg/ml (p = 0.001), respectively. High densities of stromal CD4+ TILs (54 vs. 32%, p = 0.043) and CD8+ TILs (65 vs. 17%, p = 0.048) were associated with improved freedom from recurrence (FFR) and cause-specific survival (CSS). High density of FoxP3+ TILs were associated with improved FFR (p = 0.03) and CSS (p = 0.003). DISCUSSION Mapping TIL subpopulations complement the armamentarium for prognostication of TC outcomes. The improved outcome in patients with high density of TILs supports the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in TC patients.
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Ma WL, Lin CC, Hsu FM, Lee JM, Chen JS, Huang YL, Chang YL, Chang CH, Yang JCH. Clinical outcomes for patients with thymoma and thymic carcinoma after undergoing different front-line chemotherapy regimens. Cancer Med 2022; 11:3445-3456. [PMID: 35348307 PMCID: PMC9487882 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Front‐line platinum‐base chemotherapy for advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma (TC) improves resectability and prolongs patients' overall survival (OS). In this study, we evaluated patients' outcomes given different front‐line regimens: cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (CAP); cisplatin and etoposide (EP); or cisplatin and paclitaxel (TP). Materials and Methods We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients with advanced thymoma and TC who were treated at our medical center between 2005 and 2015. We investigated objective response rates (ORRs), progression‐free survival (PFS), and OS after undergoing different front‐line regimens. Results Among the 108 enrolled patients, 37 (34%) had thymoma and 71 (66%) had TC; 45 received CAP, 36 received EP, and 27 received TP regimens. The ORRs of patients receiving CAP, EP, and TP were 51%, 50%, and 41%, respectively. For patients with stage III and IVA disease, the median PFS after CAP, EP, and TP were 34.5, 26.4, and 18.0 months (p = 0.424), respectively, and the 5‐year OS rates were 84.9%, 70.6%, and 60.0% (p = 0.509). In patients with stage IVB disease, the median PFS were 9.4, 8.2, and 11.6 months after undergoing CAP, EP, and TP (p = 0.173), respectively, and the 5‐year OS rates were 41.1%, 39.1%, and 14.3% (p = 0.788). TC pathology subtype and liver metastasis were associated with poor OS. Three patients with stage IVB TC had an OS of more than 5 years. Conclusion Different front‐line chemotherapy regimens may provide similar long‐term PFS and OS in patients with advanced thymoma and TC. In addition to TC and liver metastasis were associated with poor OS, other potential prognostic factors are warranted for studying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Li Ma
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Lin
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Ming Hsu
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jang-Ming Lee
- Division of Thoracic surgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Shing Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Lin Huang
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Leong Chang
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Hao Chang
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - James Chih-Hsin Yang
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radical surgery is the best therapeutic option for thymic malignancies. However, patients with advanced or recurrent thymic malignancies often require chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Since thymic malignancies are rare cancers, the efficacy and safety of treatments have been verified based on small Phase 2 trials or retrospective studies. AREA COVERED We comprehensively reviewed the treatment strategies for thymic malignancies, including surgery, radiotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, molecular-targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Additionally, we reviewed specific situations, such as pleural dissemination, central nervous system metastasis, and paraneoplastic syndrome. EXPERT OPINION Cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the standard option in pharmacotherapy. However, multikinase inhibitors, such as sunitinib and lenvatinib, and immune checkpoint inhibitors including pembrolizumab have been developed to treat thymic carcinomas. Now, a Phase 2 study is evaluating whether lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab benefits patients with type B3 thymoma or thymic carcinoma. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/ mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors may contribute to disease control and octreotide scan is only applicable to somatostatin analogues. Although the genomic characteristics of thymic malignancies have been analyzed, few actionable mutations have been detected in general. The development of a treatment strategy using combination pharmacotherapy is anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Muto
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yusuke Okuma
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
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Thomas QD, Basse C, Luporsi M, Girard N. Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Metastatic Thymic Carcinoma: A Case Report. Front Oncol 2022; 11:814544. [PMID: 35127529 PMCID: PMC8810527 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.814544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic thymic carcinomas have a poor prognosis. Pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, has recently been evaluated for patients with metastatic thymic carcinomas progressing after at least one line of platinum-based chemotherapy. The antitumor activity of immunotherapy appears to be promising for these patients and pembrolizumab in monotherapy is actually a treatment option in second metastatic line. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of a patient treated for metastatic thymic adenocarcinoma with a combination of chemotherapy–immunotherapy. The patient is a 46-year-old man with metastatic thymic adenocarcinoma treated in third metastatic line with a combination of pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy with a very good metabolic tumor response. He had a progression-free survival of 7.9 months and did not experience any severe side effects related to pembrolizumab. The association of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, as in non-small cell and small cell lung cancers, could be of interest for future therapeutic trials evaluating the survival of patients with metastatic thymic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Dominique Thomas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Montpellier Cancer institute (ICM), Montpellier, France
- Oncogenic Pathways in Lung Cancer, Montpellier Cancer Research Institute (IRCM), University of Montpellier (UM), Montpellier, France
- *Correspondence: Quentin Dominique Thomas,
| | - Clémence Basse
- Department of Medical Oncology, Curie Montsouris Thorax Institute, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Marie Luporsi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Girard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Curie Montsouris Thorax Institute, Institut Curie, Paris, France
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Pasquini G, Menichelli C, Pastore G, Casamassima F, Fabrini MG, Cappelli S, Valleggi S, Lucchesi M, Lucchi M, Ricciardi R, Maestri M, Guida M, Chella A, Petrini I. Stereotactic body radiation therapy for the treatment of pleural metastases in patients with thymoma: a retrospective review of 22 patients. J Thorac Dis 2022; 13:6373-6380. [PMID: 34992817 PMCID: PMC8662497 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-19-3799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Thymomas can benefit of cytoreductive surgery even if a complete resection is not feasible. The pleural cavity is the most common site of progression and the resection of pleural metastases can be performed in selected patients. We evaluated the results of stereotactic body radiation therapy for the treatment of pleural metastases in patients not eligible for surgery. Methods We retrospectively selected 22 patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy for pleural metastases between 2013 and 2019. According to RECIST criteria 1.1 modified for thymic epithelial tumors, time to local failure and progression free survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results The median age was 40 years (range, 29-73 years). There were 1 A, 3 AB, 3 B1, 3 B2, 3 B2/B3 and 9 B3 thymomas. Pleural metastases and primary tumor were synchronous in 8 patients. Five patients had a single pleural metastatic site and 17 presented multiple localizations. Sixteen patients received stereotactic body radiation therapy on multiple sites of pleural metastases. The median dose of radiation was 30 Gy (range, 24-40 Gy). With a median follow-up of 33.2 months (95% CI: 13.1-53.3 months), ten patients experienced disease progression with a median progression free survival was 20.4 months (95% CI: 10.7-30.0 months). The disease control rate was 79% and 41% after 1 and 2 years, respectively. Local disease control rate was 92% and 78% after 1 and 2 years, respectively. There were not significant differences in progression free survival between patients diagnosed with synchronous and metachronous metastases (P=0.477), across those treated or not with chemotherapy (P=0.189) and between those who received or not a previous surgical resection of the pleural metastases (P=0.871). There were not grade 3-4 toxicities related to the treatment. Conclusions Stereotactic body radiation therapy of pleural metastases is feasible and offers a promising local control of diseases. The impact of this treatment on patients' survival is hardly predictable because of the heterogeneous clinical behavior of thymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pasquini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Menichelli
- Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Clinical Research Ecomedica, Empoli, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pastore
- Department of Medical Physics, Institute of Clinical Research Ecomedica, Empoli, Italy
| | - Franco Casamassima
- Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Clinical Research Ecomedica, Empoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Marco Lucchi
- Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricciardi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Maestri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Melania Guida
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Chella
- Pneumology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- General Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Basse C, Girard N. Thymic tumours and their special features. Eur Respir Rev 2021; 30:30/162/200394. [PMID: 34670805 PMCID: PMC9488894 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0394-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic tumours are rare thoracic malignancies, that may be aggressive and difficult to treat. The pillars of the management include pathological review, consideration of differential diagnoses, staging and multidisciplinary discussion. Assessment of resectability is key to drive the treatment sequencing. Association with autoimmune diseases, especially myasthenia gravis, is observed, which impacts the oncological management. Networks are being built at the national and international levels. This article provides an overview of the most recent findings in the diagnosis, staging, histology, and management strategies of thymic tumours. Thymic tumours are rare and heterogeneous tumours. Management is based on multidisciplinary discussion and networking.https://bit.ly/3kYAZ7u
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Basse
- Institut du Thorax Curie-Montsouris, Institut Curie, Paris, France.,EURACAN, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Réseau Tumeurs Thymiques et Cancer (RYTHMIC), Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group, Mount Kisco, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Girard
- Institut du Thorax Curie-Montsouris, Institut Curie, Paris, France .,EURACAN, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Réseau Tumeurs Thymiques et Cancer (RYTHMIC), Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group, Mount Kisco, NY, USA
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11
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Müller D, Mazzeo P, Koch R, Bösherz MS, Welter S, von Hammerstein-Equord A, Hinterthaner M, Cordes L, Belharazem D, Marx A, Ströbel P, Küffer S. Functional apoptosis profiling identifies MCL-1 and BCL-xL as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in advanced thymomas and thymic carcinomas. BMC Med 2021; 19:300. [PMID: 34781947 PMCID: PMC8594228 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02158-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multi-omics studies have shown a high and lack of common driver mutations in most thymomas (TH) and thymic carcinomas (TC) that hamper the development of novel treatment approaches. However, deregulation of apoptosis has been proposed as a common hallmark of TH and TC. BH3 profiling can be utilized to study the readiness of living cancer cells to undergo apoptosis and their dependency on pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins. METHODS We screened a cohort of 62 TH and TC patient samples for expression of BCL-2 family proteins and used the TC cell line 1889c and native TH for dynamic BH3 profiling and treatment with BH3 mimetics. RESULTS Immunohistochemical overexpression of MCL-1 and BCL-xL was a strong prognostic marker of TH and TC, and BH3 profiling indicated a strong dependency on MCL-1 and BCL-xL in TH. Single inhibition of MCL-1 resulted in increased binding of BIM to BCL-xL as an escape mechanism that the combined inhibition of both factors could overcome. Indeed, the inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-xL in combination induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner in untreated and MCL-1-resistant 1889c cells. CONCLUSION TH and TC are exquisitely dependent on the pro-survival factors MCL-1 and BCL-xL, making them ideal candidates for co-inhibition by BH3 mimetics. Since TH show a heterogeneous dependency on BCL-2 family proteins, upfront BH3 profiling could select patients and tailor the optimal therapy with the least possible toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Müller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Paolo Mazzeo
- Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Raphael Koch
- Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark-Sebastian Bösherz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Welter
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Lung Clinic Hemer, Hemer, Germany
| | | | - Marc Hinterthaner
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lucia Cordes
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Lung Clinic Hemer, Hemer, Germany
| | - Djeda Belharazem
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Küffer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
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12
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Perrino M, De Pas T, Bozzarelli S, Giordano L, De Vincenzo F, Conforti F, Digiacomo N, Cordua N, D'Antonio F, Borea F, Santoro A, Zucali PA. Resound Trial: A phase 2 study of regorafenib in patients with thymoma (type B2-B3) and thymic carcinoma previously treated with chemotherapy. Cancer 2021; 128:719-726. [PMID: 34706060 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiogenesis has an important role in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). Regorafenib inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β), and fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs). This study explored the activity of regorafenib as monotherapy in patients with advanced or recurrent B2-B3 thymoma (T) and thymic carcinoma (TC) previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy. METHODS A Fleming single-arm, single-stage, phase 2 trial to evaluate the activity of regorafenib (160 mg once a day by mouth for 3 weeks on/1 week off) was planned. The study was designed to reject the null hypothesis of an 8-week progression-free survival (PFS) rate ≤25% with a type I error of 0.10 and a statistical power of 80% at the alternative hypothesis of an 8-week PFS rate of ≥50% (≥8 of 19 evaluable patients progression-free at 2 months). RESULTS From June 2016 to November 2017, 19 patients were enrolled (11T/8TC). We observed partial response (PR) in 1 patient (1T) (5.3%), stable disease (SD) in 14 patients (9T/5TC) (73.7%), and progressive disease in 2 patients (1T/1TC) (10.5%), with a disease control rate of 78.9%. According to Choi-criteria, 13 patients (68.4%) achieved PR, and 2 patients SD (10.5%). The median PFS was 9.6 months whereas median overall survival was 33.8 months. The 8-week PFS rate was 78.9% (15 of 19 patients). Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were observed in 10 patients (52.6%). CONCLUSIONS The primary end point of this study was reached. The high rate of PR (Choi-criteria) suggests antitumor activity of regorafenib in TETs. On the basis of survival outcomes, the efficacy of regorafenib should be further evaluated in larger studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Perrino
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso De Pas
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bozzarelli
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Giordano
- Biostatistic Unit, IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio De Vincenzo
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Conforti
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Nunzio Digiacomo
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Cordua
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federica Borea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Andrea Zucali
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
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13
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Future Perspective of Chemotherapy and Pharmacotherapy in Thymic Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205239. [PMID: 34680386 PMCID: PMC8533972 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Thymic carcinoma is a rare cancer, and its biology remains largely unknown. Although complete surgical resection is a standard treatment for thymic carcinoma, systemic chemotherapy is frequently administered in metastatic or recurrent cases. Given the rarity, therapeutic agents are often confirmed on the basis of the results of phase II trials or retrospective studies. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy has long been employed for treating thymic carcinoma. Recently, biomarkers have been explored, and molecular profiles and major oncogenic pathways have gradually been revealed by next-generation sequencing, resulting in the development of targeted therapies. Moreover, clinical trials assessing combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors are ongoing and are expected to be efficacious for treating thymic epithelial tumors. We reviewed the current role of systemic chemotherapy, including targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, considering recent findings regarding its biology. Abstract Thymic carcinoma is a rare cancer that arises from thymic epithelial cells. Its nature and pathology differ from that of benign thymoma, presenting a poorer prognosis. If surgically resectable, surgery alone or surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines. Metastatic and refractory thymic carcinomas require systemic pharmacotherapy. Combined carboplatin and paclitaxel, and cisplatin and anthracycline-based regimens have been shown a fair response rate and survival to provide a de facto standard of care when compared with other drugs employed as first-line chemotherapy. Cytotoxic agents have been pivotal for treating thymic carcinoma, as little is known regarding its tumorigenesis. In addition, genetic alterations, including driver mutations, which play an important role in treatments, have not yet been discovered. However, molecular pathways and biomarker studies assessing thymic epithelial tumors have been reported recently, resulting in the development of new agents, such as molecular targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors. As treatment options are currently limited and the prognosis remains poor in metastases and recurrent thymic carcinoma, genetic alterations need to be assessed. In the present review, we focused on the current role of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating thymic carcinoma.
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14
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Lourdesamy Anthony AI, Satnam Singh TK. Multifocal Primary Intrapulmonary Thymoma: A rare subtype of ectopic thymoma. Respir Med Case Rep 2021; 33:101423. [PMID: 34401269 PMCID: PMC8348171 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Intrapulmonary Thymoma (PIT) is an infrequent ectopic lung tumor that poses a diagnostic dilemma and has a poorly understood origin. We report a previously healthy 61-year-old lady who presented with cough and weight loss for a month. Diagnostic imaging showed a large left upper lobe mass and two multifocal pleural based nodules in the left lower lobe. She underwent Computed Tomography (CT) guided biopsy of the lung mass and histopathological findings was consistent with a combined Type B1 and B2 thymoma. She was planned for 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the intent of achieving tumor downstaging and resectability. Due to the lack of established evidence for management of unresectable disease, we wish to highlight the importance of multidisciplinary consensus before pursuing multimodality treatment.
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15
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Okazaki D, Shibamoto Y, Yanagi T, Ishikura S, Kondo T, Yamada Y, Niwa M. Local radiotherapy for pleural dissemination of thymic tumors after initial treatment. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2021; 62:676-681. [PMID: 34036359 PMCID: PMC8273798 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Pleural dissemination is a common pattern of failure after initial treatment of thymoma and thymic carcinoma, but there is no standardized treatment. As these tumors are relatively radiosensitive, we investigated the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Twenty patients underwent 33 series of local radiotherapy for 96 pleural dissemination lesions after initial treatment. Conventional radiotherapy (CRT), tomotherapy, and combination of the two were employed in 19, 13, and 1 series, respectively. The median follow-up period after the first irradiation for pleural dissemination was 46 months (range, 14-161). For all 20 patients, overall survival (OS) rates from initial radiotherapy for pleural dissemination were 100% at three years and 86% at five years. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates after 33 series of radiotherapy were 30% at three years and 16% at five years. Local control (LC) rates for 96 lesions were 98% at three years and 96% at five years. In-field recurrence was observed in only two among the 96 lesions. One patient (5%) developed grade 3 radiation pneumonitis and another (5%) developed grade 3 pericardial effusion. No other serious adverse events were observed. When disseminated nodules can be covered within localized fields, local radiotherapy may be a treatment option. Using tomotherapy, multiple lesions can be treated safely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Okazaki
- Corresponding author: Department of Radiology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan E-mail: ; FAX: +81-52-852-5244 Phone: +81-52-853-8274
| | - Yuta Shibamoto
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yanagi
- Narita Memorial Proton Center, 78 Shirakawa-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8021, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ishikura
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Takuhito Kondo
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital, 4-66 Syonen-cyo, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 454-8502, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kasugai Municipal Hospital, 1-1-1 Takaki-cho, Kasugai, Aichi 486-8510, Japan
| | - Masanari Niwa
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
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Rico M, Flamarique S, Casares C, García T, López M, Martínez M, Serrano J, Blanco M, Hernanz R, de Ingunza-Barón L, Marcos FJ, Couñago F. GOECP/SEOR radiotherapy guidelines for thymic epithelial tumours. World J Clin Oncol 2021; 12:195-216. [PMID: 33959475 PMCID: PMC8085511 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v12.i4.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumours (TET) are rare, heterogeneous neoplasms that range from resectable indolent tumours to aggressive thymic carcinomas with a strong tendency to metastasize. The pathological diagnosis is complex, in part due to the existence of several different classification systems. The evidence base for the management of TETs is scant and mainly based on non-randomised studies and retrospective series. Consequently, the clinical management of TETs tends to be highly heterogenous, which makes it difficult to improve the evidence level. The role of technological advances in the field of radiotherapy and new systemic therapies in the treatment of TETs has received little attention to date. In the present clinical guidelines, developed by the GOECP/SEOR, we review recent developments in the diagnosis and classification of TETs. We also present a consensus-based therapeutic strategy for each disease stage that takes into consideration the best available evidence. These guidelines focus primarily on the role of radiotherapy, including recent advances, in the management of TETs. The main aim of this document is to promote the standardisation of clinical practice and lay the foundations for future studies to clarify the main unresolved questions related to the optimal management of TET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel Rico
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Navarra, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Navarre (IdiSNA), Navarra Biomed, Pamplona 31008, Navarra, Spain
| | - Sonia Flamarique
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza 50009, Aragón, Spain
| | - Cristina Casares
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Caceres, Cáceres 10004, Extremadura, Spain
| | - Tamara García
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Fuenlabrada 28942, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam López
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza 50009, Aragón, Spain
| | - Maribel Martínez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Navarra, Spain
| | - Javier Serrano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Madrid 28027, Spain
| | - Manuel Blanco
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitario Torrecárdenas, Almería 04009, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Raúl Hernanz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid 28034, Spain
| | - Lourdes de Ingunza-Barón
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz 11009, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Francisco José Marcos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Caceres, Cáceres 10004, Extremadura, Spain
| | - Felipe Couñago
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid, Hospital La Luz, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid 28223, Spain
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Tateo V, Manuzzi L, Parisi C, De Giglio A, Campana D, Pantaleo MA, Lamberti G. An Overview on Molecular Characterization of Thymic Tumors: Old and New Targets for Clinical Advances. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:316. [PMID: 33915954 PMCID: PMC8066729 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic tumors are a group of rare mediastinal malignancies that include three different histological subtypes with completely different clinical behavior: the thymic carcinomas, the thymomas, and the rarest thymic neuroendocrine tumors. Nowadays, few therapeutic options are available for relapsed and refractory thymic tumors after a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. In the last years, the deepening of knowledge on thymus' biological characterization has opened possibilities for new treatment options. Several clinical trials have been conducted, the majority with disappointing results mainly due to inaccurate patient selection, but recently some encouraging results have been presented. In this review, we summarize the molecular alterations observed in thymic tumors, underlying the great biological differences among the different histology, and the promising targeted therapies for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tateo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (C.P.); (D.C.); (M.A.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Lisa Manuzzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (C.P.); (D.C.); (M.A.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Claudia Parisi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (C.P.); (D.C.); (M.A.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (C.P.); (D.C.); (M.A.P.); (G.L.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Campana
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (C.P.); (D.C.); (M.A.P.); (G.L.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (C.P.); (D.C.); (M.A.P.); (G.L.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (C.P.); (D.C.); (M.A.P.); (G.L.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Wong-Chong J, Bernadach M, Ginzac A, Veyssière H, Durando X. Pembrolizumab as a novel therapeutic option for patients with refractory thymic epithelial tumor: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:1139-1147. [PMID: 33644178 PMCID: PMC7896660 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i5.1139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymic epithelial carcinomas are rare and have a poor prognosis. Treatment of thymic epithelial carcinoma is multimodal and includes surgery, post-operative radiation therapy, adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or exclusive chemotherapy based on disease resectability. However, there is currently no standard treatment regimen for metastatic and recurrent thymic carcinoma.
CASE SUMMARY A 45-year-old Caucasian male, with no past medical history, presented with hepatalgia and a cervical mass. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed multiple suspect lesions in the lungs, liver, and anterior mediastinum associated with mediastinal and cervical adenopathy. CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of the liver lesions and anterior mediastinal mass were performed, confirming the histopathology of thymic epithelial carcinoma. Management consisted of several chemotherapy regimens and radiation therapy, administered between April 2016 and December 2018. The patient achieved complete metabolic response. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT performed in June 2019 showed disease relapse, with reappearance of a large hypermetabolic hepatic mass and involvement of mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes. Intravenous pembrolizumab (200 mg, every 3 wk) was administered after two prior systemic therapies. The patient’s response to treatment was last documented on March 5, 2020.
CONCLUSION Pembrolizumab was successful in treatment of a patient with programmed death-ligand 1-negative metastatic thymic carcinoma, pretreated with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Wong-Chong
- Département d’Oncologie Médicale, Centre Jean PERRIN, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- UFR Médecine, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
| | - Maureen Bernadach
- Département d’Oncologie Médicale, Centre Jean PERRIN, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- Division de Recherche Clinique, Délégation Recherche Clinique et Innovation, Centre Jean PERRIN, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- Centre d’Investigation Clinique, UMR501, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
| | - Angeline Ginzac
- Division de Recherche Clinique, Délégation Recherche Clinique et Innovation, Centre Jean PERRIN, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
| | - Hugo Veyssière
- Division de Recherche Clinique, Délégation Recherche Clinique et Innovation, Centre Jean PERRIN, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
| | - Xavier Durando
- Département d’Oncologie Médicale, Centre Jean PERRIN, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- UFR Médecine, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- Division de Recherche Clinique, Délégation Recherche Clinique et Innovation, Centre Jean PERRIN, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
- Centre d’Investigation Clinique, UMR501, Clermont-Ferrand 63011, France
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Chemotherapy-induced myasthenic crisis in thymoma treated with primary chemotherapy with curative intent on mechanical ventilation: a case report and review of the literature. J Med Case Rep 2021; 15:32. [PMID: 33526108 PMCID: PMC7852190 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-020-02601-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thymoma is an uncommon cancer often associated with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction characterized by muscular fatigability. In patients with advanced nonmetastatic thymoma, primary chemotherapy may be required to induce tumor shrinkage and to achieve radical resection. Cancer chemotherapy has been anecdotally reported as a trigger factor for worsening of myasthenia gravis in thymic epithelial cancers. The study of uncommon cases of chemotherapy-related myasthenic crisis is warranted to gain knowledge of clinical situations requiring intensive care support in the case of life-threatening respiratory failure. Case presentation We report a case of an 18-year-old Caucasian woman with advanced Masaoka-Koga stage III type B2 thymoma and myasthenia gravis on treatment with pyridostigmine, steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins, who developed a myasthenic crisis 2 hours after initiation of cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/cisplatin primary chemotherapy. Because of severe acute respiratory failure, emergency tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and temporary (2 hours) discontinuation of chemotherapy were needed. Considering the curative intent of the multimodal therapeutic program, we elected to resume primary chemotherapy administration while the patient remained on mechanical ventilation. After 24 hours, the recovery of adequate respiratory function allowed successful weaning from respiratory support, and no further adverse events occurred. After 3 weeks, upon plasma exchange initiation with amelioration of myasthenic symptoms, a second course of chemotherapy was given, and in week 6, having documented partial tumor remission, the patient underwent radical surgery (R0) and then consolidation radiation therapy with 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions in weeks 15–20. Conclusions This case report, together with the only four available in a review of the literature, highlights that chemotherapy may carry the risk of myasthenic crisis in patients affected by thymoma and myasthenia gravis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of chemotherapy continuation on mechanical ventilation in a patient with chemotherapy-induced myasthenic crisis requiring tracheal intubation. The lesson learned from the present case is that, in selected cases of advanced thymoma, the paradoxical worsening of myasthenia gravis during chemotherapy should not be considered an absolute contraindication for the continuation of primary chemotherapy with curative intent.
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Tateo V, Manuzzi L, De Giglio A, Parisi C, Lamberti G, Campana D, Pantaleo MA. Immunobiology of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Implications for Immunotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9056. [PMID: 33260538 PMCID: PMC7730788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a group of rare thoracic malignancies, including thymic carcinomas (TC) and thymomas (Tm). Autoimmune paraneoplastic diseases are often observed in TETs, especially Tms. To date, chemotherapy is still the standard treatment for advanced disease. Unfortunately, few therapeutic options are available for relapsed/refractory TETs. In the last few years, the deepening of knowledge on thymus' immunobiology and involved altered genetic pathways have laid the foundation for new treatment options in these rare neoplasms. Recently, the immunotherapy revolution has landed in TETs, showing both a dark and light side. Indeed, despite the survival benefit, the occurrence of severe autoimmune treatment-related adverse events has risen crescent uncertainty about the feasibility of immunotherapy in these patients, prone to autoimmunity for their cancer biology. In this review, after summarizing immunobiology and immunopathology of TETs, we discuss available data on immune-checkpoint inhibitors and future perspectives of this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tateo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Lisa Manuzzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Claudia Parisi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Davide Campana
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
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Hellyer JA, Ouseph MM, Padda SK, Wakelee HA. Everolimus in the treatment of metastatic thymic epithelial tumors. Lung Cancer 2020; 149:97-102. [PMID: 33007678 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is emerging evidence to support the use of mTOR inhibitor everolimus in patients with advanced, relapsed-refractory thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). However, patient selection and identifying predictive biomarkers of response remains a challenge. Here, we describe a single-center experience with everolimus in patients with TETs and provide detailed molecular analysis of their thymic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data on all patients with advanced TETs who were prescribed everolimus at Stanford University were retrospectively assessed. Time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. STAMP, a 130-gene targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) panel, was performed on each tumor sample. RESULTS Twelve patients with thymoma (T) and three with thymic carcinoma (TC) treated with everolimus were included. Patients had been heavily pre-treated with an average of three prior lines of therapy. Three patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. The average TTF was 14.7 months in T and 2.6 months in TC with median OS of 27.6 months in the entire cohort (NR T and 5.3 months TC). Two patients with paraneoplastic autoimmune diseases had improvement in autoimmunity on everolimus. Pathogenic mutations were observed in 4/15 (27 %) of patients and includedTP53, KEAP1 and CDKN2A. Several variants of unknown significance in key genes responsible for modulating tumor response to mTOR inhibition were also found. CONCLUSION As previously reported in a prospective trial, patients with previously treated advanced TETs appear to benefit from everolimus in this single institution cohort. Moreover, there was a manageable toxicity profile and no cases of everolimus-induced pneumonitis. A targeted NGS panel revealed several pathogenic mutations but there was no association between detectable tumor mutations and time to treatment failure in this cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Hellyer
- Stanford Cancer Institute/Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Madhu M Ouseph
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sukhmani K Padda
- Stanford Cancer Institute/Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Heather A Wakelee
- Stanford Cancer Institute/Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Rappaport JMP, Huang J, Ahmad U. Thymic Malignancy-Updates in Staging and Management. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 2020; 29:581-601. [PMID: 32883460 DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Thymomas are relatively indolent tumors that present with locally advanced disease in 30% of the patients. Thymic carcinoma is a more aggressive histology with shorter disease-free and overall survival. Early-stage tumors are managed best with complete resection. Multimodal therapy is the standard of care for locally advanced tumors and neoadjuvant therapy may help improve respectability. Stage and complete resection are the strongest prognostic factors for long-term survival. Based on early experience, targeted and immunotherapies have shown limited promise in advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M P Rappaport
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - James Huang
- Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Usman Ahmad
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Transplant Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Yu L, Zhang B, Du X, Yu Z, Yang X, Jiang Y. Evaluating the effectiveness of chemotherapy for thymic epithelial tumors using the CD-DST method. Thorac Cancer 2020; 11:1160-1169. [PMID: 32196982 PMCID: PMC7180557 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are frequently eligible for curative-intent surgical resection. For locally advanced TETs, chemotherapy has been used to both reduce the tumor burden and achieve prolonged disease control. However, effective therapy for this disease largely remains to be determined. Here, we report the chemosensitivity of 100 patients with TETs determined by the collagen gel droplet embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST). METHODS A total of 100 patients with TETs underwent surgical resection. The efficacy of antitumor agents on TET cells was tested by CD-DST. RESULTS Thymic epithelial tumors were pathologically confirmed after surgery: two cases were type A thymoma, 17 were type AB, 12 were type B1, 44 were type B2, 12 were type B3, and there were 13 cases with thymic carcinoma. A total of 36% patients with TETs were sensitive to different types of chemotherapeutic agents. There was no significant differences in age, histological type, clinical staging, or association with autoimmune diseases between sensitive and nonsensitive cases. Type B1 and B2 thymoma were relatively more sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents (6/12 and 18/44, respectively), while sensitivity of type B3 cases to chemotherapeutic agents was much lower (only 2/12). Cases with type A thymoma were not sensitive to any antitumor drugs. Among 11 chemotherapeutic agents tested in our study, the sensitivity of TETs to EPI was the highest (16%). No patients with thymoma were sensitive to Alimta (Pemetrexed). CONCLUSIONS Our work illuminates the effectiveness of chemotherapy for TETs and provides important clues for choosing antitumor drugs with relatively high drug sensitivity to TETs in advance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Bao‐xun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xing‐guo Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yu‐xuan Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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Conforti F, Pala L, Giaccone G, De Pas T. Thymic epithelial tumors: From biology to treatment. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 86:102014. [PMID: 32272379 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the last few years, meaningful advances have been made in the knowledge of the biology of Thymic Epithelial Tumors (TETs). Data available suggest that in most cases, the different histological subtypes could be distinct biological entities, characterized by specific molecular aberrations, rather than representing a histological continuum of diseases. Recurrent gene mutations in Thymomas and Thymic Carcinoma have been identified, but we still do not know the exact role played by these mutations in TETs pathogenesis. Relevant new data are now available on the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the association between TETs and autoimmune diseases that warrant further investigations for the potential therapeutic implications. The progress in knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in TETs pathogenesis, allowed to identify and to test target therapies potentially active in such diseases. Platinum-based chemotherapy remains the standard first line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic TETs. However, some promising data have been reported on the activity of new target therapies, including anti-angiogenic drugs, Cycline Dependent Kinases and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, as well as of Immune-checkpoint inhibitors. A number of new drugs and combinations are currently under evaluation. The efficacy of new drugs should be balanced with their toxicity profiles, in such complex patients that seem to be more susceptible to develop drug-related toxicities, in particular with immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Conforti
- Division of Medical Oncology for Melanoma, Sarcoma, and Rare Tumors, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Pala
- Division of Medical Oncology for Melanoma, Sarcoma, and Rare Tumors, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso De Pas
- Division of Medical Oncology for Melanoma, Sarcoma, and Rare Tumors, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Fan XW, Yang Y, Wang HB, Xu Y, Kang M, Xie LY, Li L, Fang WT, Zhao KL, Chen HQ, Xiang JQ, Ung YC, Wong CS, Jiang GL, Wu KL. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Plus Etoposide/Cisplatin for Patients With Limited Advanced Unresectable Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Prospective Phase 2 Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020; 107:98-105. [PMID: 31987968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This prospective phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intensity modulated radiation therapy plus etoposide/cisplatin (EP) for patients with unresectable thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). METHODS AND MATERIALS Patients with limited advanced unresectable TETs whose lesions could be encompassed within radiation fields were enrolled in this study. Two cycles of EP (75 mg/m2 etoposide and 25 mg/m2 cisplatin on days 1-3 and days 29-31) were administered concurrently with radiation therapy, followed by 2 cycles after radiation therapy. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate. The secondary endpoints were the progression-free survival rate, overall survival rate, and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS Fifty-six patients were enrolled between June 2011 and May 2018. Twenty-two and 34 patients had thymomas and thymic carcinomas, respectively. The median age was 52 (range, 21-76) years, and 30 patients (53.6%) were men. Eight patients (14.3%) had stage III tumors, 6 (10.7%) had stage IVA tumors, and 42 (75.0%) had stage IVB tumors. The objective response rate was 85.7% (95% confidence interval, 76.3%-95.2%). With a median follow-up of 46 (range, 7-101) months, the 1-, 2-, and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 66.1%, 48.0%, and 29.5%, and the 1-, 2-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 91.0%, 76.2%, and 56.2%, respectively. The most common grade 3 to 4 adverse event was leukopenia (42.9%). Pulmonary fibrosis was also observed (5.3%). CONCLUSIONS Because intensity modulated radiation therapy with EP is effective and safe for limited advanced unresectable TETs, it could be a suitable treatment option for such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Wen Fan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Bing Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yin Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Kang
- Clinical Research Center, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Yi Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Tao Fang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Kuai-Le Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-Quan Chen
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Qing Xiang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yee C Ung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - C Shun Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Guo-Liang Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai-Liang Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Carretta A, Ciriaco P, Muriana P, Bandiera A, Negri G. Surgical treatment of single and multiple thymoma recurrences. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; 68:350-356. [DOI: 10.1007/s11748-019-01229-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Yang AJ, Choi SH, Byun HK, Kim HJ, Lee CG, Cho J. The role of salvage radiotherapy in recurrent thymoma. Radiat Oncol J 2019; 37:193-200. [PMID: 31591867 PMCID: PMC6790798 DOI: 10.3857/roj.2019.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To explore the role of salvage radiotherapy (RT) for recurrent thymoma as an alternative to surgery. Materials and Methods Between 2007 and 2015, 47 patients who received salvage RT for recurrent thymoma at Yonsei Cancer Center were included in this study. Recurrent sites included initial tumor bed (n = 4), pleura (n = 19), lung parenchyma (n = 10), distant (n = 9), and multiple regions (n = 5). Three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated RT were used in 29 and 18 patients, respectively. Median prescribed dose to gross tumor was 52 Gy (range, 30 to 70 Gy), with equivalent doses in 2-Gy fractions (EQD2). We investigated overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and patterns of failure. Local failure after salvage RT was defined as recurrence at the target volume receiving >50% of the prescription dose. Results Median follow-up time was 83 months (range, 8 to 299 months). Five-year OS and PFS were 70% and 22%, respectively. The overall response rate was 97.9%; complete response, 34%; partial response, 44.7%; and stable disease, 19.1%. In multivariate analysis, histologic type and salvage RT dose (≥52 Gy, EQD2) were significantly associated with OS. The high dose group (≥52 Gy, EQD2) had significantly better outcomes than the low dose group (5-year OS: 80% vs. 59%, p = 0.046; 5-year PFS: 30% vs. 14%, p=0.002). Treatment failure occurred in 34 patients; out-of-field failure was dominant (intra-thoracic recurrence 35.3%; extrathoracic recurrence 11.8%), while local failure rate was 5.8%. Conclusion Salvage RT for recurrent thymoma using high doses and advanced precision techniques produced favorable outcomes, providing evidence that recurrent thymoma is radiosensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jihoon Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seo Hee Choi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hwa Kyung Byun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Geol Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaeho Cho
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Hakozaki T, Okuma Y, Hosomi Y, Hishima T. Radiographic Assessment of Objective Responses Using the ITMIG-Modified Criteria in Thymic Carcinoma. Oncology 2019; 97:264-269. [PMID: 31307031 DOI: 10.1159/000501104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pleural metastases are common among patients with thymic carcinoma. Accurate and consistent measurement of pleural lesions is often difficult because of their unique locations and growth patterns. To minimize intraobserver variability, the International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group (ITMIG) proposed modified criteria for measurement of tumor response for thymic epithelial tumors. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of advanced or recurrent thymic carcinoma patients treated with chemotherapy between 1980 and 2016 in our institution. The best objective responses were assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) and the ITMIG-modified criteria. RESULTS A total of 26 patients were included in the present study. According to the RECIST criteria, 1 (3.8%) patient showed complete response (CR), and 13 (50.0%), 10 (38.5%), and 2 (7.7%) showed partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD), respectively. All 26 patients had the same best overall response using the ITMIG criteria. The median time to progression (TTP) according to the RECIST criteria and the ITMIG-modified criteria was 5.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8-8.6) and 7.0 months (95% CI 3.8-9.3), respectively (p = 0.993). CONCLUSION The ITMIG-modified criteria showed a high concordance rate with RECIST 1.1 criteria in response assessment of thymic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Hakozaki
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Okuma
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, .,Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan,
| | - Yukio Hosomi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsunekazu Hishima
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Maury JM, Merveilleux du Vignaux C, Drevet G, Zarza V, Chalabreysse L, Maisse C, Gineys B, Dolmazon C, Tronc F, Girard N, Leroux C. Activation of the mTOR/ Akt pathway in thymic epithelial cells derived from thymomas. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0197655. [PMID: 30897085 PMCID: PMC6428316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors remains poorly elucidated. The PIK3/Akt/mTOR pathway plays a key role in various cancers; interestingly, several phase I/II studies have reported a positive effect of mTOR inhibitors in disease control in thymoma patients. A major limit for deciphering cellular and molecular events leading to the transformation of thymic epithelial cells or for testing drug candidates is the lack of reliable in vitro cell system. We analyzed protein expression and activation of key players of the Akt/ mTOR pathway namely Akt, mTOR, and P70S6K in eleven A, B and AB thymomas as well as in normal thymuses. While only Akt and phospho-Akt were expressed in normal thymuses, both Akt and mTOR were activated in thymomas. Phospho-P70S6K was expressed in all thymic tumors whatever their subtypes, and absent in normal thymus. Interestingly, we report the activation of Akt, mTOR and P70S6 proteins in primary thymic epithelial cells maintained for short period of time after their derivation from seven AB and B thymomas. Finally, we showed that rapamycin (100 nM) significantly reduced proliferation of thymoma- derived epithelial cells without inducing cell death. Our results suggest that the activation of the Akt/ mTOR pathway might participate to the cell proliferation associated with tumor growth. Ultimately, our data enhance the potential role of thymic epithelial cells derived from tissue specimens for in vitro exploration of molecular abnormalities in rare thymic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Maury
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lung and Heart-lung Transplantation, Groupement Hospitalier Est, HCL, Lyon, France
- National Expert Center for Thymic Malignancies, Réseau Tumeurs THYMiques et Cancer (RYTHMIC), Lyon, France
| | - Claire Merveilleux du Vignaux
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Groupement Hospitalier Est, HCL Lyon, France
| | - Gabrielle Drevet
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lung and Heart-lung Transplantation, Groupement Hospitalier Est, HCL, Lyon, France
| | - Virginie Zarza
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Groupement Hospitalier Est, HCL Lyon, France
| | - Lara Chalabreysse
- National Expert Center for Thymic Malignancies, Réseau Tumeurs THYMiques et Cancer (RYTHMIC), Lyon, France
- Department of Pathology, Groupement Hospitalier Est, HCL, Lyon, France
| | - Carine Maisse
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Gineys
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
| | - Christine Dolmazon
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
| | - François Tronc
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lung and Heart-lung Transplantation, Groupement Hospitalier Est, HCL, Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Girard
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
- National Expert Center for Thymic Malignancies, Réseau Tumeurs THYMiques et Cancer (RYTHMIC), Lyon, France
- Institut du Thorax Curie Montsouris, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Leroux
- IVPC UMR754 INRA, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, EPHE, Lyon, France
- * E-mail:
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Multimodality therapy for thymoma patients with pleural dissemination. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; 67:524-529. [PMID: 30725276 DOI: 10.1007/s11748-018-01054-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although multidisciplinary treatment is recommended for patients with advanced stage and recurrent thymoma, a detailed treatment strategy remains controversial. We have performed a multimodality therapy of induction chemotherapy (CAMP therapy: cisplatin, doxorubicin, and methylprednisolone) combined with surgery for those patients. We now conducted a retrospective study for investigating the results of this multimodality therapy for thymoma patients with pleural dissemination. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 2003 and 2017, 201 patients underwent surgical resection for thymomas. Twenty-six of them received induction CAMP therapy followed by surgery, and 19 of them with pleural dissemination were enrolled in this study. Those cohort were divided into 2 groups by employing surgical procedures: extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) group (n = 10) and resection of plural dissemination (RPD) group (n = 9). RESULTS The median age of all patients was 49 years. Based on the WHO classification, the histological diagnoses of those thymomas were as follows: Type B1 (n = 1), Type B2 (n = 13), and Type B3 (n = 5). Seven patients were complicated with myasthenia gravis (MG). Clinical stage of the 13 primary cases based on the Masaoka classification were stage IV, and the remaining six cases had recurrent pleural dissemination after surgery. Partial response in induction CAMP therapy was obtained in 78.9% (n = 15) of the patients. Adverse events (Grade 4) occurred in 2 patients (10.5%). Postoperative complications (Grade 4) were observed in 2 patients (10.5%). In all of the enrolled patients, the five-year overall survival rate (5Y-OS) and 5-year progression-free survival rate (5Y-PFS) were 76.7% and 55.1%, respectively. In the EPP group, 5Y-OS and 5Y-PFS were 83.3% and 83.3%, respectively, and in the RPD group, 70.0% and 29.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Multidisciplinary treatment using induction CAMP therapy and surgical resection for thymoma patients with pleural dissemination was effective and feasible. Because of the low recurrent rate of disease, young patients with good cardiopulmonary function and well-controlled MG might be good candidates for EPP.
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Joshi J, Rajwad L, Utpat K, Desai U. Cystic thymoma presenting as recurrent empyema. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF DR. D.Y. PATIL VIDYAPEETH 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_212_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Wang Y, Nie J, Dai L, Hu W, Chen X, Han J, Ma X, Tian G, Han S, Long J, Zhang Z, Fang J. Efficacy and toxicities of gemcitabine and cisplatin combined with endostar in advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma. Thorac Cancer 2018; 10:17-23. [PMID: 30411854 PMCID: PMC6312837 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are rare thymic epithelial tumors. We investigated the efficacy of first-line gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) chemotherapy versus gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy combined with the anti-angiogenic drug endostar (GP + E) in advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma. METHODS The records of 45 patients with invasive metastatic thymomas or thymic carcinomas treated with GP as first-line therapy between August 2008 and July 2017 at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Eighteen patients (75%) in the GP + E group achieved a partial response and six (25%) had stable disease. In GP only group, nine (42.8%) patients achieved a partial response, 11 (52.4%) had stable disease, and one (4.8%) had progressive disease. The GP + E group had a significantly higher overall response rate (75% vs. 42.9%; P = 0.028), and median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 19 and 76 months, respectively. In the GP only group, median PFS and OS were 16 and 29 months, respectively. PFS and OS were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS GP has moderate efficacy and could represent a suitable first-line therapy for thymic carcinoma and thymoma. Chemotherapy combined with endostar could improve the overall response rate, but did not prolong PFS or OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Nie
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Dai
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Weiheng Hu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jindi Han
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjuan Ma
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Guangming Tian
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Sen Han
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jieran Long
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ziran Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Fang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology II, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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Imbimbo M, Ottaviano M, Vitali M, Fabbri A, Leuzzi G, Fiore M, Franceschini D, Pasello G, Perrino M, Schiavon M, Pruneri G, Dei Tos AP, Sangalli C, Garassino MC, Berardi R, Alessi A, Calareso G, Petrini I, Scorsetti M, Scotti V, Rosso L, Rea F, Pastorino U, Casali PG, Ramella S, Ricardi U, Abate-Daga L, Torri V, Trama A, Palmieri G, Marino M, Zucali PA. Best practices for the management of thymic epithelial tumors: A position paper by the Italian collaborative group for ThYmic MalignanciEs (TYME). Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 71:76-87. [PMID: 30366202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a heterogenous group of rare tumors, with a complex histopatological classification. Furthermore, the recent introduction of the first TNM staging system, that is scheduled to replace the Masaoka-Koga system, may create further difficulties in TET management, that remains challenging. Several guidelines for treatment of TETs are available and provide recommendations based mainly on non randomized trials and retrospective or limited series. Often the lack of evidence leads to formulation of indications based on expert opinions. As for other rare cancers it is crucial to create networks to coordinate the work among centres involved in treatment of these diseases in order to offer the best diagnostic and therapeutic tools. For this purpose, in 2014 a network named TYME (ThYmic MalignanciEs), was founded in Italy with the aim of improving care and research in TETs. In September 2017 a panel of multidisciplinary experts from TYME network and from other Italian centres strongly involved in TET diagnosis and treatment convened a first Italian Expert meeting together with representatives of association for patients affected by rare thoracic cancers Tu.To.R, to explore how these tumors are managed in the different centres of Italy compared to ESMO guidelines. In this paper we summarize the issues discussed during that meeting and we propose recommandations based on Masaoka Koga and the new TNM staging system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Imbimbo
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Margaret Ottaviano
- Rare Tumors Reference Center, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Milena Vitali
- Unit of Thoracic Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fabbri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Leuzzi
- Thoracic Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Fiore
- Radiation Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Italy
| | - Davide Franceschini
- Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Giulia Pasello
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Perrino
- Department of Medical Oncology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Marco Schiavon
- Thoracic Surgery Unit Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Pruneri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Sangalli
- Department of Radiology and Radiotherapy, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Rossana Berardi
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Alessi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Calareso
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- General Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Scorsetti
- Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy; Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Vieri Scotti
- Department of Oncology, Radiation Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rosso
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Rea
- Thoracic Surgery Unit Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Ugo Pastorino
- Thoracic Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Giovanni Casali
- Adult Mesenchymal Tumor Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Ramella
- Radiation Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Valter Torri
- Laboratory of Methodology for Biomedical Research, IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Trama
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit-Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovannella Palmieri
- Rare Tumors Reference Center, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mirella Marino
- Department of Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Andrea Zucali
- Department of Medical Oncology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
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Merveilleux du Vignaux C, Dansin E, Mhanna L, Greillier L, Pichon E, Kerjouan M, Clément-Duchêne C, Mennecier B, Westeel V, Robert M, Quantin X, Zalcman G, Thiberville L, Lena H, Molina T, Calcagno F, Fournel P, Mazières J, Besse B, Girard N. Systemic Therapy in Advanced Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Insights from the RYTHMIC Prospective Cohort. J Thorac Oncol 2018; 13:1762-1770. [PMID: 30138763 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies that may be aggressive and difficult to treat. In the advanced setting, systemic treatments may be delivered as primary therapy before surgery or definitive radiotherapy, as exclusive treatment when no focal treatment is feasible, or in the setting of recurrences. Réseau tumeurs THYMIques et Cancer (RYTHMIC) is the nationwide network for TETs in France. The objective of the study was to describe the modalities and analyze the efficacy of systemic treatments for patients with advanced TETs included in the RYTHMIC prospective database hosted by the French Thoracic Cancer Intergroup. METHODS All consecutive patients for whom systemic treatment was discussed at the RYTHMIC multidisciplinary tumor board from 2012 to 2015 and who received at least one cycle of treatment were included. The main end points were objective response and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS A total of 236 patients were included in this analysis. Of those 236 patients, 91 received primary chemotherapy, leading to response rates of 83% for thymomas and 75% for thymic carcinomas and a median PFS of 23.2 months. A strong predictor of longer PFS was histologic type of thymoma (p < 0.001). Exclusive chemotherapy was delivered to 54 patients. The response rates were 31% for thymomas and 37% for thymic carcinomas. The median PFS was 6.2 months, and it was correlated to response rate (p = 0.001). Systemic therapy for a first, second, third, and fourth recurrence was delivered to 114, 81, 51, and 27 patients, respectively. The response rates ranged between 15% and 39% for thymomas and 4% to 21% for thymic carcinomas. The median PFS times were 7.7, 6.2, 5.9, and 6.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSION Patients with advanced thymic malignancies may receive multiple lines of systemic therapy, with an opportunity for clinically relevant PFS rates for which objective response may be a surrogate. Our real-life study provides landmark efficacy data that are needed when designing clinical trials to assess innovative agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Merveilleux du Vignaux
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Eric Dansin
- Medical Oncology Department, Centre Oscar Lambret, Lille, France
| | - Laurent Mhanna
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurent Greillier
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Pichon
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Tours, France
| | - Mallorie Kerjouan
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | | | - Bertrand Mennecier
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Virginie Westeel
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Marie Robert
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Nantes, France
| | - Xavier Quantin
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Gérard Zalcman
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Bichat Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Luc Thiberville
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Hervé Lena
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Thierry Molina
- Pathology Department, Necker Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Calcagno
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Pierre Fournel
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut de Cancérologie de la Loire, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Julien Mazières
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Medical Oncology Department, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Nicolas Girard
- University of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Thorax Institute Curie-Montsouris, Curie Institute, Paris, France.
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Saleh K, Khalifeh-Saleh N, Kourie HR. Where do immune checkpoint inhibitors stand in the management of thymic epithelial tumors? Immunotherapy 2018; 10:823-826. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2018-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Saleh
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nadine Khalifeh-Saleh
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hampig Raphael Kourie
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Cho J, Kim HS, Ku BM, Choi YL, Cristescu R, Han J, Sun JM, Lee SH, Ahn JS, Park K, Ahn MJ. Pembrolizumab for Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Thymic Epithelial Tumor: An Open-Label Phase II Trial. J Clin Oncol 2018; 37:2162-2170. [PMID: 29906252 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.77.3184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Limited treatment options exist for patients with thymic epithelial tumor (TET) whose disease progresses after platinum-based chemotherapy. We conducted a phase II study of pembrolizumab in patients with TET to evaluate its efficacy and safety. METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed TET whose disease progressed after at least one line of platinum-based chemotherapy were eligible for the study. Patients were excluded if they had an active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment within the past year or documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease. Patients received 200 mg of pembrolizumab intravenously every 3 weeks until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective of response rate was assessed every 9 weeks by investigators. RESULTS Of 33 patients enrolled, 26 had thymic carcinoma and seven had thymoma. Of seven thymoma, two (28.6%; 95% CI, 8.2% to 64.1%) had partial response, and five (71.6%) had stable disease. Of 26 thymic carcinoma, five (19.2%; 95% CI, 8.5% to 37.9%) had partial response and 14 (53.8%) had stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 6.1 months for both groups. The most common adverse events of any grade included dyspnea (11; 33.3%), chest wall pain (10; 30.3%), anorexia (seven; 21.2%), and fatigue (seven; 21.2%). Five (71.4%) of seven patients with thymoma and four (15.4%) of 26 patients with thymic carcinoma reported grade ≥ 3 immune-related adverse events, including hepatitis (four; 12.1%), myocarditis (three; 9.1%), myasthenia gravis (two; 6.1%), thyroiditis (one; 3.0%), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (one; 3.0%), colitis (one; 3.0%), and subacute myoclonus (one; 3.0%). CONCLUSIONS Pembrolizumab showed encouraging antitumor activity in patients with advanced TET. Given the high incidence of autoimmunity, additional studies are needed to identify those who can benefit from pembrolizumab without immune-related adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhyun Cho
- 1Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hae Su Kim
- 2Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bo Mi Ku
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Joungho Han
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong-Mu Sun
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Se-Hoon Lee
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Seok Ahn
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Keunchil Park
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myung-Ju Ahn
- 3Samsung Medical Center, Sunghyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Chaudhuri T, Lakshmaiah KC, Babu G, Dasappa L, Jacob L, Babu MCS, Rudresha AH, Lokesh KN, Rajeev LK. Metastatic thymic epithelial tumors: A regional cancer center experience. Indian J Cancer 2018; 55:288-291. [DOI: 10.4103/ijc.ijc_524_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Kaba E, Ozkan B, Erus S, Duman S, Cimenoglu B, Toker A. Role of Surgery in the Treatment of Masaoka Stage IVa Thymoma. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2017; 24:6-12. [PMID: 29225302 DOI: 10.5761/atcs.oa.17-00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze the role of surgery in patients with Masaoka stage IVa thymoma treated with multimodality therapy. METHODS Of 191 patients undergoing surgery for thymoma in our department between January 2002 and December 2015, 39 (20.4%) had Masaoka stage IVa. Histopathological tumor type, myasthenic status of the Osserman-Genkins score, Masaoka stage at the first surgery, neoadjuvant treatment, number and type of surgeries, and survival rates were recorded. RESULTS Thymoma B2 was the most common histopathological tumor type (n = 16, 41%). Twenty-six (66.7%) patients underwent primary surgeries for Masaoka stage IVa thymoma, whereas nine (23.1%) underwent secondary surgeries and four (10.3%) underwent tertiary surgeries for pleural or pericardial recurrences. Median survival was 132 ± 25 (82-181; 95% confidence interval [CI]) months. Overall 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 93%, 93%, and 56%, respectively. CONCLUSION Surgical treatment should be considered as a completion modality to oncological therapy and has the potential to provide long-term survival of Masaoka stage IVa in patients with thymoma. The type of surgery should be determined based on the invasiveness of the lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Kaba
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Bilim University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Berker Ozkan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Suat Erus
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Salih Duman
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Berk Cimenoglu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alper Toker
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals, Istanbul, Turkey
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Girard N. Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus: the oncologist point of view. J Thorac Dis 2017; 9:S1491-S1500. [PMID: 29201452 PMCID: PMC5690949 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2017.08.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Thymic malignancies represent a heterogeneous group of rare thoracic cancers, which are classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) histopathologic classification that distinguishes thymomas from thymic carcinomas and neuroendocrine tumors; neuroendocrine thymic tumors (NETTs) exhibit the same histological spectrum as in other anatomical locations, although with different frequencies. NETTs represent around 2% of all neuroendocrine tumors, and about 5% of all thymic malignancies. Overall, the management of patients with NETTs tumors requires continuous multidisciplinary expertise at any step of the disease progression. Systemic treatment relies on cytotoxic chemotherapy, as well as on somatostatin analogues and everolimus. Systemic treatment may be delivered in a curative-intent approach, for patients presenting with locally-advanced tumor at the time of diagnosis, with invasion of intra-thoracic neighboring structures. In such cases, chemotherapy has been used in an induction setting, to reduce the tumor burden-possibly allowing subsequent surgery and/or radiotherapy-or as a postoperative treatment if the tumor was resectable upfront, to reduce the risk of recurrence and achieve prolonged disease control. Systemic therapies are also a palliative-intent treatment of unresectable, metastatic, and recurrent NETTs. Chemotherapy may then be an option for aggressive disease, but somatostatin analogues and everolimus are suitable as well. Alternative options are emerging through clinical trials. As no dedicated study has ever been conducted, recommendations for systemic treatment in NETTs have been mostly based on retrospective cohorts of limited numbers patients, especially in the advanced disease setting, and expert opinion based on experience from primary pulmonary, as well as gastro-intestinal neuroendocrine tumors, for which clinical trials have been conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Girard
- University of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Expert Centre for Thymic Malignancies, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut du Thorax Curie-Montsouris, Institut Curie, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France
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Ried M, Rechenmacher M, Dietl B, Marx A, Hamer OW, Schalke B, Kirzinger L, Hofmann HS. Therapie von Thymomen und Thymuskarzinomen. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11654-017-0037-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Abstract
Thymomas are uncommon tumors that can present as locally advanced tumors in approximately 30% of the patients. Stage and complete resection are the strongest prognostic factors. For locally advanced tumors, induction treatment may improve the ability to achieve a complete resection. Combination treatment with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide is the most commonly used induction regimen. Similar rates of resectability are noted with the use of induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation therapy; however, more tumor necrosis is noted with the addition of radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Ahmad
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, J4-1, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - James Huang
- Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Kirzinger L, Boy S, Marienhagen J, Schuierer G, Neu R, Ried M, Hofmann HS, Wiebe K, Ströbel P, May C, Kleylein-Sohn J, Baierlein C, Bogdahn U, Marx A, Schalke B. Octreotide LAR and Prednisone as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients with Primary or Locally Recurrent Unresectable Thymic Tumors: A Phase II Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168215. [PMID: 27992479 PMCID: PMC5161359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options to cure advanced, recurrent, and unresectable thymomas are limited. The most important factor for long-term survival of thymoma patients is complete resection (R0) of the tumor. We therefore evaluated the response to and the induction of resectability of primarily or locally recurrent unresectable thymomas and thymic carcinomas by octreotide Long-Acting Release (LAR) plus prednisone therapy in patients with positive octreotide scans. In this open label, single-arm phase II study, 17 patients with thymomas considered unresectable or locally recurrent thymoma (n = 15) and thymic carcinoma (n = 2) at Masaoka stage III were enrolled. Octreotide LAR (30 mg once every 2 weeks) was administered in combination with prednisone (0.6 mg/kg per day) for a maximum of 24 weeks (study design according to Fleming´s one sample multiple testing procedure for phase II clinical trials). Tumor size was evaluated by volumetric CT measurements, and a decrease in tumor volume of at least 20% at week 12 compared to baseline was considered as a response. We found that octreotide LAR plus prednisone elicited response in 15 of 17 patients (88%). Median reduction of tumor volume after 12 weeks of treatment was 51% (range 20%-86%). Subsequently, complete surgical resection was achieved in five (29%) and four patients (23%) after 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. Octreotide LAR plus prednisone treatment was discontinued in two patients before week 12 due to unsatisfactory therapeutic effects or adverse events. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal (71%), infectious (65%), and hematological (41%) complications. In conclusion, octreotide LAR plus prednisone is efficacious in patients with primary or recurrent unresectable thymoma with respect to tumor regression. Octreotide LAR plus prednisone was well tolerated and adverse events were in line with the known safety profile of both agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Kirzinger
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Boy
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Marienhagen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Reiner Neu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Ried
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Stefan Hofmann
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Wiebe
- Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ulrich Bogdahn
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Berthold Schalke
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Bluthgen M, Boutros C, Fayard F, Remon J, Planchard D, Besse B. Activity and safety of oral etoposide in pretreated patients with metastatic or recurrent thymic epithelial tumors (TET): A single-institution experience. Lung Cancer 2016; 99:111-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Luo T, Zhao H, Zhou X. The clinical features, diagnosis and management of recurrent thymoma. J Cardiothorac Surg 2016; 11:140. [PMID: 27580949 PMCID: PMC5007840 DOI: 10.1186/s13019-016-0533-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymoma is a disease with malignant potential, which has a recurrence rate after complete resection ranging from 5 to 50 %. Multiple studies on the risk factors, treatment or prognosis have been reported. Many of them are controversial, however. In this review, we summarized some accepted risk factors, means of diagnosis and different treatments of recurrent thymoma. The risk factors of recurrent thymoma haven’t been well-studied, and its management remains controversial. We reviewed the literatures and found some key points which should be noticed during the surgery of initial thymoma. Although reoperation should be taken into account preferentially, multimodal treatments are also available. The prognosis are also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taobo Luo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China.,Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongguang Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China. .,Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, People's Republic of China. .,Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Esophagus), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinming Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, 310022, People's Republic of China. .,Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, People's Republic of China.
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Filosso PL, Guerrera F, Sandri A, Ruffini E. Multimodality therapy for locally-advanced thymic epithelial tumors: where are we now? J Thorac Dis 2016; 8:1428-30. [PMID: 27501118 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2016.05.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alberto Sandri
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Ruffini
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
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Qian X, Song Z. Efficacy of pemetrexed-based regimen in relapsed advanced thymic epithelial tumors and its association with thymidylate synthetase level. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:4527-31. [PMID: 27524908 PMCID: PMC4966498 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s105949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Due to the rarity of thymic epithelial tumors (TET), no standard chemotherapy regimen has been identified in the relapsed setting. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of a pemetrexed-based regimen in advanced TET as palliative treatment after failure of previous chemotherapy, and to detect its association with thymidylate synthetase (TS) level. Methods Patients with pathologically confirmed TET and treated with pemetrexed-based regimen were evaluated from 2006 to 2014 in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. TS mRNA level was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results A total of 22 TET patients were identified, of whom eight had thymoma and 14 had thymic carcinoma. In total, the objective response rate and disease control rate of the 22 patients were 22.7% and 68.2%, respectively. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.5 months and 34.9 months, respectively. A trend of lower TS mRNA levels existed in patients with disease control compared to those with progressive disease (268.0±160.5×10−4 vs 567.0±445.0×10−4, P=0.065). Conclusion Patients with advanced TET may benefit from pemetrexed-based regimen therapy. TS mRNA level is valuable for predicting the efficacy of pemetrexed in TET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Qian
- Department of Chemotherapy, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou
| | - Zhengbo Song
- Key Laboratory Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Province; Department of Chemotherapy, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Odaka M, Shibasaki T, Kato D, Mori S, Asano H, Yamashita M, Morikawa T. Comparison of oncological results for early- and advanced-stage thymomas: thoracoscopic thymectomy versus open thymectomy. Surg Endosc 2016; 31:734-742. [DOI: 10.1007/s00464-016-5027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Remon J, Lindsay C, Bluthgen M, Besse B. Thymic malignancies: Moving forward with new systemic treatments. Cancer Treat Rev 2016; 46:27-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2016.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Alberobello AT, Wang Y, Beerkens FJ, Conforti F, McCutcheon JN, Rao G, Raffeld M, Liu J, Rahhal R, Zhang YW, Giaccone G. PI3K as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Thymic Epithelial Tumors. J Thorac Oncol 2016; 11:1345-1356. [PMID: 27117832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2016.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare tumors originating from the epithelium of the thymus with limited therapeutic options beyond surgery. The pathogenesis of TETs is poorly understood, and the scarcity of model systems for these rare tumors makes the study of their biology very challenging. METHODS A new cell line (MP57) was established from a thymic carcinoma specimen and characterized using standard biomarker analysis, as well as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and functional assays. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the mutations identified by NGS. RESULTS MP57 possesses all the tested thymic epithelial markers and is deemed a bona fide thymic carcinoma cell line. NGS analysis of MP57 identified a mutation in the gene PIK3R2, which encodes a regulatory subunit of PI3K. Further analysis identified different mutations in multiple PI3K subunit genes in another cell line and several primary thymic carcinoma samples, including two catalytic subunits (PIK3CA and PIK3CG) and another regulatory subunit (PIK3R4). Inhibiting PI3K with GDC-0941 resulted in in vitro antitumor activity in TET cells carrying mutant PI3K subunits. CONCLUSIONS Alterations of PI3K due to mutations in its catalytic or regulatory subunits are observed in a subgroup of TETs, in particular, thymic carcinomas. Targeting PI3K may be an effective strategy to treat these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Teresa Alberobello
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Yisong Wang
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Frans Joseph Beerkens
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Fabio Conforti
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Justine N McCutcheon
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Guanhua Rao
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Mark Raffeld
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center of Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jing Liu
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Raneen Rahhal
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Yu-Wen Zhang
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Giuseppe Giaccone
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.
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