Consolidation chemotherapy improves progression-free survival in stage III small-cell lung cancer following concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective study

Incidence of Pneumonitis Among Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Exposed to Concurrent Chemoradiation: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Severe pneumonitis (≥ grade 3 by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE]) is a toxicity associated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT), which is the standard first-line treatment for patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). We summarize and quantify the risk of pneumonitis in LS-SCLC patients receiving first-line CCRT. A systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis were performed in accordance with Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and non-randomized trials between 2014 to July 16, 2020. The primary outcome was incidence of pneumonitis. Thirteen studies were included in the SLR and 1539 pooled patients from 10 studies were included in the base-case meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of ≥ grade 3 pneumonitis was 3.28% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52%-5.04%) in RCTs, and 6.34% (95% CI: 3.64%-9.04%) in non-RCTs. The pooled incidence risk of grade 5 (fatal) pneumonitis was 0.29% (95% CI: 0.00%-0.62%) in RCTs and 0.88% (95% CI: 0.02%-1.74%) in non-RCT. Results from sensitivity analyses were consistent with the base-case analysis. The results from this analysis show that the incidence of ≥ grade 3 pneumonitis in patients with LS-SCLC was 3.28% to 6.34%. The incidence of pneumonitis was higher in studies conducted in non-RCTs compared to RCTs. These results can be used to understand the safety, with regard to pneumonitis, of novel therapeutic agents when administered with CCRT to treat patients with LS-SCLC. To summarize and quantify the risk of pneumonitis in LS-SCLC patients receiving first-line CCRT, a systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis were performed in accordance with Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines.

Real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in small-cell lung cancer: a systematic literature review

Background

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 12-15% of lung cancers and is associated with poor survival outcomes and high symptom burden. This study employed a broad, systematic search strategy and timeframe to identify evidence on real-world treatment patterns and outcomes for SCLC outside the USA, including understanding sub-populations such as extensive-stage (ES) or limited-stage (LS) disease.

Methods

Databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and EBM reviews) were searched for journal articles published in the English language between 1 January 2000-1 March 2020 and supplemented by hand searching of conference abstracts and posters presented at conferences between 1 January 2016-1 March 2020 reporting real-world treatment outcomes in patients with SCLC. A targeted clinical guideline review was also completed.

Results

One-hundred studies provided quantitative data; 57 were available as full-text articles, whilst the remaining 43 were presented as abstracts or posters. The majority (80 studies, 80%) of included studies reported treatment in the first-line setting, where platinum-based chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy was the most commonly used treatment strategy, in line with current treatment guidelines in SCLC. First-line treatments were found to have a high response rate; however, most patients relapsed early. No studies reported treatment or outcomes with immune-oncology therapies. Second-line treatment options were very limited, and primarily consisted of either re-treatment with first-line regimen or topotecan, but the prognosis for these patients remained poor. Outcomes were particularly poor amongst those with ES or relapsed disease vs. LS disease.

Conclusions

SCLC treatment patterns and short survival outcomes have remained constant over the previous 20 years. Due to the search timeframe, none of the studies identified reported on the impact of recently approved immune-oncology therapies in SCLC. Further data is needed on the impact of immunotherapies on treatment patterns and real-world outcomes in SCLC.

Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery and Lung Resection for Lung Cancer in Patients More than 50 Years-of-Age

Background

The co-existence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and lung cancer is increasing in an increasingly aging population. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcome from combined off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and lung resection in patients more than 50 years-of-age.

Material/Methods

A retrospective clinical study of 23 patients with a mean age of 70.2±8.4 years (range, 51–86 years) included 18 men and five women with CHD and lung cancer who underwent a single operation with combined off-pump CABG surgery and lung resection, for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (n=22) and small cell lung cancer (n=1). Surgical approaches included: median sternotomy in six patients; left lateral thoracotomy in nine patients; a median sternotomy in three patients; median sternotomy combined with thoracoscopic lobectomy in five patients.

Results

In the retrospective study of 23 patients, there were no deaths and no new cases of myocardial infarction (MI) in the immediate perioperative period. During the follow-up period, six patients died from lung cancer metastasis or recurrence; one patient died of acute renal failure; and one patient died from the effects of chemotherapy. The remaining 15 patients underwent postoperative follow-up for between 3–79 months with no deaths and no new cases of MI.

Conclusions

For patients who are more than 50 years-of-age and who have CHD and lung cancer, a single combined operation that includes off-pump CABG and lung resection can be safe and effective.