Premorbid BMI as a prognostic factor in small-cell lung cancer-a single institute experience

Lung cancer and obesity: A contentious relationship (Review)

The global obesity epidemic, attributed to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, genetics and environmental factors, has led to over 1.9 billion adults being classified as overweight and 650 million living with obesity. Despite advancements in early detection and treatment, lung cancer prognosis remains poor due to late diagnoses and limited therapies. The obesity paradox challenges conventional thinking by suggesting that individuals with obesity and certain diseases, including cancer, may have an improved prognosis compared with their counterparts of a normal weight. This observation has prompted investigations to understand protective mechanisms, including potentially favorable adipokine secretion and metabolic reserves that contribute to tolerating cancer treatments. However, understanding the association between obesity and lung cancer is complex. While smoking is the primary risk factor of lung cancer, obesity may independently impact lung cancer risk, particularly in non‑smokers. Adipose tissue dysfunction, including low‑grade chronic inflammation, and hormonal changes contribute to lung cancer development and progression. Obesity‑related factors may also influence treatment responses and survival outcomes in patients with lung cancer. The impact of obesity on treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery is still under investigation. Challenges in managing patients with obesity and cancer include increased surgical complexity, higher rates of postoperative complications and limited treatment options due to comorbidities. Targeted interventions aimed at reducing obesity prevalence and promoting healthy lifestyles are crucial for lung cancer prevention. The impact of obesity on lung cancer is multifaceted and requires further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop personalized interventions for prevention and treatment.

Prognostic significance of body mass index and serum albumin as the indicators of nutritional status in small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin (ALB) level are long-established markers that reflect the nutritional status and eventually the prognosis of cancer patients. The objective of the study was to determine the clinical significance of these factors and specify their roles in outcomes compared with performance status (PS) and weight loss (WL), which are considered the most significant patient-related prognostic factors in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with platinum-etoposide-based chemotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 378 patients with SCLC were enrolled in the study and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

BMI values were similar by clinical stage, whereas the percentages of the patients with WL, low serum ALB, and particularly poor (≥2) PS were significantly higher in patients with extended disease SCLC (ED-SCLC) compared to those with limited disease SCLC (LD-SCLC). In LD-SCLC, patients with poor PS lived for a significantly shorter time than patients with good PS (HR: 7.791, p = 0.0001); however, BMI (HR: 1.035, p = 0.8), WL (HR: 0.857, p = 0.5), and ALB (HR: 0.743, p = 0.3) had no significant effect on the outcome. In ED-SCLC, PS (HR: 4.257, p = 0.0001), WL (HR: 1.677, p = 0.001), and ALB (HR: 0.680, p = 0.007) had an impact on survival, but BMI did not (HR: 0.791, p = 0.08). In LD-SCLC, the univariate analysis showed that only poor PS was correlated with increased mortality (HR: 7.791, p = 0.0001); yet it lost significance in multivariate analysis. In ED-SCLC, poor PS (HR: 4.257, p = 0.0001), WL (HR: 1.667, p = 0.001), and a low ALB level (HR: 0.680, p = 0.007) were shown to be factors for poor prognosis in the univariate analysis; yet only PS remained significant in multivariate analysis (HR: 2.286, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Even though BMI and serum albumin showed no prognostic value in SCLC patients treated with chemotherapy, PS was found to be the most significant prognostic factor in both LD- and ED-SCLC stages.

Body mass index, weight change, and cancer prognosis: a meta-analysis and systematic review of 73 cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Identifying the association between body mass index (BMI) or weight change and cancer prognosis is essential for the development of effective cancer treatments. We aimed to assess the strength and validity of the evidence of the association between BMI or weight change and cancer prognosis by a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of relevant cohort studies.

METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed, Web of Science, EconLit, Embase, Food Sciences and Technology Abstracts, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases for literature published up to July 2023. Inclusion criteria were cohort studies with BMI or weight change as an exposure factor, cancer as a diagnostic outcome, and data type as an unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) or headcount ratio. Random- or fixed-effects models were used to calculate the pooled HR along with the 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Seventy-three cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with normal weight, overweight or obesity was a risk factor for overall survival (OS) in patients with breast cancer (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.22-1.53; P < 0.0001), while obesity was a protective factor for OS in patients with gastrointestinal tumors (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.56-0.80; P < 0.0001) and lung cancer (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48-0.92; P = 0.01) compared with patients without obesity. Compared with normal weight, underweight was a risk factor for OS in patients with breast cancer (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.98-1.35; P = 0.08), gastrointestinal tumors (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.32-1.80; P < 0.0001), and lung cancer (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.22-1.35; P < 0.0001). Compared with nonweight change, weight loss was a risk factor for OS in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the meta-analysis, we concluded that BMI, weight change, and tumor prognosis were significantly correlated. These findings may provide a more reliable argument for the development of more effective oncology treatment protocols.

Trends in Epidemiology and Outcome of Small Cell Lung Cancer over 10 Years at Tertiary Cancer Care Center in Iran

Background

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Among different lung cancer histopathologies, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has been known to be the most aggressive and lethal nature. This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, outcomes, and trends of SCLC at a tertiary cancer care center in Iran.

Materials and Methods

Retrospectively collected demographic characteristics and survival outcome data on histologically proven SCLC patients during 2009-2019 at the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NRITLD) were reviewed.

Results

In a study of 334 SCLC patients, there were more male patients than female, with a ratio of 2.5 to 1, and the mean age at diagnosis was 58.36 years. While gender distribution and smoking status among women remained consistent over the study period, there was a significant increase in male smokers (P<0.001). Female patients were diagnosed at younger age and had a significantly lower proportion of smokers compared to males (P<0.016). The mean and median overall survival were 10.9 and 8.2 months, with one-, two-, and three-year survival rates of 21%, 10%, and 3% respectively. Younger patients and females had significantly higher survival rates. In both uni/multivariate analyses, only age < 58 years and female gender were significantly associated with longer survival.

Conclusion

The relatively unchanged trend of SCLC in our series suggests that further research on prevention strategies especially smoking cessation, early detection, and new treatment options is urgently required.

Carboplatin versus cisplatin in combination with etoposide in the first-line treatment of small cell lung cancer: a pooled analysis

Background

Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) is an aggressive disease with poor survival, and platinum-etoposide chemotherapy is indicated as the mainstay of treatment. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety between the cisplatin plus etoposide (EP) and carboplatin plus etoposide (EC) regimens.

Methods

A total of 1305 patients with previously untreated ES-SCLC were included in this study. Data from five trials were collected from the public database Project Data Sphere. Survival analysis and adverse events (AEs) analysis were conducted.

Results

Of the 1305 patients, 800 received the EC regimen whereas 505 received the EP regimen as their front-line treatment. Overall, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and the median overall survival (OS) were 172 and 289 days, respectively. The EP and EC treatment groups did not have significantly different PFS or OS. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), the EP regimen was independently associated with better PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.63–0.92, p = 0.0041) and OS (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.64–0.97, p = 0.0220) among patients who were overweight and obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). In the safety analysis, patients who received the EC treatment experienced significantly more grade ≥ 3 AEs (n = 599, 74.9%) than those who received the EP treatment (n = 337, 66.7%; p = 0.002). Furthermore, the EC regimen was associated with a higher risk of grade 3–4 neutropaenia (p = 0.001), thrombocytopaenia (p < 0.001) and hyponatraemia (p = 0.036), whereas the EP regimen was associated with a higher risk of grade 3–4 vomiting (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

In summary, this study presented the efficacy and safety of the EC and EP regimens in patients with ES-SCLC in the first-line setting. Patients who are overweight and obese benefit more from the EP regimen than EC regimen. Approaches to define the optimal chemotherapy regimen in different BMI subgroups are needed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-09034-6.

Irinotecan monotherapy as third- or further-line treatment for patients with small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive cancer and recurrence is inevitable. Treatment of recurrent disease is important for improving the prognosis of patients with SCLC.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study to investigate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan monotherapy as third- or further-line treatment in patients with SCLC.

RESULTS

Data of 15 patients who had received irinotecan monotherapy as third- or further-line treatment between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. The median progression-free survival duration (95% confidence interval) from the initiation of treatment with irinotecan was 2.7 (1.4-3.8) months, and the median overall survival duration (95% confidence interval) from the initiation of irinotecan treatment was 10.0 (3.9-12.9) months. Partial response, stable disease or non-complete response/non-progressive disease, and progressive disease were observed in 1, 6, and 8 patients, respectively. Adverse events ⩾ grade 3 in severity were observed in 2/2 (100%) patients who were homozygous for UGT1A1 mutation, 2/3 (66.7%) patients who were heterozygous for UGT1A1 mutation, 4/6 (66.7%) patients who had wild-type UGT1A1, and 2/4 (50.0%) patients in whom the UGT1A1 mutation status was unknown.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that irinotecan monotherapy can be a useful alternative treatment option in the third-line setting for patients with SCLC.

Relationship between Nutritional Status and Clinical Outcome in Patients Treated for Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Between 34.5% and 69% of the patients with lung cancer are at risk of malnutrition. Quality of life (QoL) and physical status assessment provides valuable prognostic data on lung cancer patients. Malnutrition is a prognostic parameter for clinical outcome. Therefore, the identification of significant factors affecting the clinical outcome and QoL is important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and outcome, i.e., overall survival, time to tumor progression, and QoL, in lung cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a systematic search of the Pubmed/MEDLINE databases per the Cochrane guidelines to conduct a meta-analysis consistent with the PRISMA statement, using the following keywords: "lung cancer," "malnutrition," "nutrition," "quality of life," "well-being," "health-related quality of life," and "outcome." Out of the 96 papers identified, 12 were included in our meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis shows that patients with a good nutritional status have a better QoL than malnourished patients in the following functioning domains: physical (g = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.19 to 1.46, p < 0.001), role (g = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.59, p < 0.001), emotional (g = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.97 to 1.24, p < 0.001), cognitive (g = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.06, p < 0.001), and social (g = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.56, p < 0.001). The risk of death was significantly higher in malnourished than in well-nourished patients (HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.25 to 1.86, p < 0.001). Nutritional status was significantly associated with survival, indicating that patients with a poorer nutritional status are at more risk of relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional status is a significant clinical and prognostic parameter in the assessment of lung cancer treatment. Malnutrition is associated with poorer outcome in terms of overall survival, time to tumor progression, and QoL in patients treated for lung cancer.

Curative efficacy might be an early predictor of prognosis in patients with small cell lung cancer treated with 2 cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Platinum-based chemotherapy remains the essential therapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Here, we conducted a statistical analysis to explore whether the curative efficacy of 2-cycle platinum-based chemotherapy can predict the survival of patients with SCLC.

METHODS

Fifty-six SCLC patients who had each received 2 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled. The curative efficacy of the chemotherapy was evaluated, mainly by chest computed tomography, and the treatment response was categorized according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. Patients were continuously followed up for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival. The 55 patients were separated into 2 groups by the curative efficacy of the 2-cycle first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software (version 17.0; SPSS, Inc.; Chicago, IL, USA).

RESULTS

Patients who responded to 2-cycle chemotherapy (partial response, PR) had significantly better survival than others who did not (stable disease, SD or progressive disease, PD). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) in the PR group was 6.330 months, which was significantly longer than the 2.870 months seen in SD+PD group (95% CI: 4.631-8.029 vs. 0.000-5.790, P=0.022). The median overall survival (mOS) was 10.870 months in the PR group, which was remarkably longer than the 8.970 months observed in the SD+PD group (95% CI: 9.546-12.194 vs. 6.517-11.423, P=0.028). Curative efficacy had no correlation with clinical features.

CONCLUSIONS

The curative efficacy of 2-cycle first-line platinum-based chemotherapy was significantly correlated with PFS and OS, and showed prognostic value in SCLC patients. Patients who were sensitive to chemotherapy had superior survival to those who were chemotherapy insensitive.

Analysis of systemic inflammatory biomarkers in neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung: prognostic and predictive significance of NLR, LDH, ALI, and LIPI score

Background:

Lung neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is characterized by aggressive clinical behavior and lack of treatment advances. We evaluate the prognostic and the predictive roles of systemic inflammatory biomarkers in patient circulating blood: neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI), and the Lung Immune Prognostic Index (LIPI) score.

Methods:

A total of 120 patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) (n = 110) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) (n = 10) were enrolled. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier estimator and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors associated with OS while χ² test was used for categorical data.

Results:

NLR cutoff value was 1.93. NLR was measured before and after first-line chemotherapy; 25 (21%) patients had higher NLR (delta NLR >1), whereas NLR was lower in 37 (31%). At the univariate analysis, median OS was 12 months: OS for SCLC and LCNEC were 11 months and 14 months, respectively. OS had a prognostic positive value in patients with pre-treatment NLR <1.93 (p = 0.0002), LDH <600 U/L (p = 0,03) and ALI ⩾34 (p = 0,0065). At the multivariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, LDH levels and response after first-line chemotherapy were independently associated with OS. Median OS for good, intermediate, and poor LIPI was 15 months, 11 months, and 9 months, respectively(p = 0.091). Patients with higher NLR (>1.93) had an increased probability of tumor progression (p = 0.045, χ² test).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that systemic inflammatory biomarkers could facilitate the understanding of survival differences in the clinical management of lung NEC patients, underlying the need for prospective biomarker-driven studies in the immune checkpoint inhibitors setting.

The Role of Malnutrition and Muscle Wasting in Advanced Lung Cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Malnutrition, cancer cachexia, and sarcopenia often co-occur in patients with advanced cancer and are associated with poorer response to chemotherapy and reduced survival. Here, we evaluate the current literature regarding the role of nutrition and these associated conditions in patients with advanced lung cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

While rates of malnutrition are high, nutritional intervention studies have generally been limited by small sample sizes. Novel strategies such as home-based meal delivery may have promise. While no therapy is approved for cancer cachexia, ghrelin agonists and other targeted therapies have yielded promising data in clinical trials. Recent data also suggest that obesity may improve immunotherapy responsiveness. Malnutrition and associated muscle wasting are clearly negative prognostic markers in advanced lung cancer. Patients with malnutrition should be urgently referred for dietary counseling and guidelines for nutritional support should be followed. Optimal treatment of these syndromes will likely include nutrition and anti-cachexia interventions used in combination.

Body Mass Index (BMI), BMI Change, and Overall Survival in Patients With SCLC and NSCLC: A Pooled Analysis of the International Lung Cancer Consortium

INTRODUCTION

The relationships between morbid obesity, changes in body mass index (BMI) before cancer diagnosis, and lung cancer outcomes by histology (SCLC and NSCLC) have not been well studied.

METHODS

Individual level data analysis was performed on 25,430 patients with NSCLC and 2787 patients with SCLC from 16 studies of the International Lung Cancer Consortium evaluating the association between various BMI variables and lung cancer overall survival, reported as adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) from Cox proportional hazards models and adjusted penalized smoothing spline plots.

RESULTS

Overall survival of NSCLC had putative U-shaped hazard ratio relationships with BMI based on spline plots: being underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; aHR = 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.43-1.70) or morbidly overweight (BMI > 40 kg/m2; aHR = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.95-1.26) at the time of diagnosis was associated with worse stage-specific prognosis, whereas being overweight (25 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2; aHR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85-0.95) or obese (30 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 40 kg/m2; aHR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.82-0.91) was associated with improved survival. Although not significant, a similar pattern was seen with SCLC. Compared with an increased or stable BMI from the period between young adulthood until date of diagnosis, a decreased BMI was associated with worse outcomes in NSCLC (aHR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.2-1.3) and SCLC patients (aHR=1.26 (95% CI: 1.0-1.6). Decreased BMI was consistently associated with worse outcome, across clinicodemographic subsets.

CONCLUSIONS

Both being underweight or morbidly obese at time of diagnosis is associated with lower stage-specific survival in independent assessments of NSCLC and SCLC patients. In addition, a decrease in BMI at lung cancer diagnosis relative to early adulthood is a consistent marker of poor survival.