Appetite Loss as an Adverse Effect During Treatment with EGFR-TKIs in Elderly Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Prevalence of acute oral mucosal damage secondary to the use of systemic antineoplastics: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of acute oral mucosal toxicities in non-irradiated patients treated with systemic antineoplastics agents. The secondary objective was to find out differences in its prevalence among the different types of systemic antineoplastics.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Articles from 2010 to July 2022 were retrieved and included if patients were adults undergoing oral assessment after administration of commercially available systemic antineoplastics. Data was extracted and pooled proportions were estimated using random-effect model method (Der Simonian and Lair).

RESULTS

Eighty-two articles were included in the study. The overall prevalence of acute oral mucosal damage across studies was 38.2% (95% CI: 33.1%-43.3%). The prevalence was 42.9% (95% CI: 32.8%-53%) in patients treated with chemotherapy alone, 38% (95% CI: 29.1%-47%) in patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapies, and 32.1% (95% CI: 26.8%-37.5%) in targeted therapies alone-treated patients. No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of oral mucosal toxicities between the different types of systemic antineoplastic treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral mucosal toxicity is a major side effect in non-irradiated cancer patients undergoing systemic antineoplastics.

Targeted Therapy for Older Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Systematic Review and Guidelines from the French Society of Geriatric Oncology (SoFOG) and the French-Language Society of Pulmonology (SPLF)/French-Language Oncology Group (GOLF)

Simple Summary

Targeted therapy has become essential in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are currently no guidelines for older patients who are frailer with regard to this type of treatment. Two learned societies, the French Society of Geriatric Oncology (SoFOG) and the French-language Society of Pulmonology (SPLF)/French-language Oncology Group (GOLF), joined forces to conduct a systematic review of the literature from May 2010 to May 2021 regarding the efficacy, toxicity, and feasibility of targeted therapy in older patients with NSCLC. Guidelines were then drawn up to enable clinicians to adapt the type of targeted therapy proposed according to the oncological and geriatric profile of the older patient with NSCLC.

Abstract

Systematic molecular profiling and targeted therapy (TKI) have changed the face of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) treatment. However, there are no specific recommendations to address the prescription of TKI for older patients. A multidisciplinary task force from the French Society of Geriatric Oncology (SoFOG) and the French Society of Pulmonology/Oncology Group (SPLF/GOLF) conducted a systematic review from May 2010 to May 2021. Protocol registered in Prospero under number CRD42021224103. Three key questions were selected for older patients with NSCLC: (1) to whom TKI can be proposed, (2) for whom monotherapy should be favored, and (3) to whom a combination of TKI can be proposed. Among the 534 references isolated, 52 were included for the guidelines. The expert panel analysis concluded: (1) osimertinib 80 mg/day is recommended as a first-line treatment for older patients with the EGFR mutation; (2) full-dose first generation TKI, such as erlotinib or gefitinib, is feasible; (3) ALK and ROS1 rearrangement studies including older patients were too scarce to conclude on any definitive recommendations; and (4) given the actual data, TKI should be prescribed as monotherapy. Malnutrition, functional decline, and the number of comorbidities should be assessed primarily before TKI initiation.

Comprometimento do apetite e fatores associados em pessoas idosas hospitalizadas com câncer

Resumo Objetivo Investigar o comprometimento do apetite em pessoas idosas hospitalizadas com câncer e sua associação com estado nutricional e presença de caquexia. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com pessoas idosas de ambos os sexos, diagnosticadas com neoplasia maligna, de julho de 2017 a março de 2019 em um hospital universitário. A amostra final foi composta por 90 pacientes. O comprometimento do apetite foi identificado pelo Questionário de Apetite e Sintomas para Pacientes com Câncer (CASQ) e o estado nutricional pela Avaliação Subjetiva Global Produzida pelo Próprio Paciente (ASG-PPP). A presença de caquexia foi avaliada pela perda de peso >5% nos últimos 6 meses; ou índice de massa corporal (IMC) <20 kg/m2 e perda de peso >2%; ou índice de músculo esquelético apendicular consistente com sarcopenia e perda de peso >2%. Resultados Houve predomínio de indivíduos do sexo masculino (56,7%), autodeclarados não brancos (56,7%), com tumores localizados no trato gastrointestinal (75,6%) e mediana de idade de 67 anos. 75,6% dos indivíduos apresentaram comprometimento do apetite, 57,8% suspeita de desnutrição ou desnutrição de algum grau, 54,4% caquexia e 92,2% necessidade de intervenção nutricional. Houve associação entre as categorias do CASQ com estado nutricional (p=0,001) e presença de caquexia (p=0,050). Após análise de regressão logística, a desnutrição permaneceu associada ao comprometimento do apetite [OR: 4,68 (IC 95%: 1,50–14,56), p=0,008]. Conclusão A presença de desnutrição aumentou as chances de comprometimento do apetite, o que reforça a necessidade da triagem e intervenção nutricional precoces, a fim de reduzir e/ou evitar os agravos nutricionais.

Clinical Significance of Adverse Events for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Lenvatinib: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

We sought to investigate the clinical profile(s) associated with the discontinuation of lenvatinib (LEN) due to severe adverse events (DLSAE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study enrolled 177 patients with HCC treated with LEN. Independent factors associated with DLSAE were advanced age, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade 2, fatigue grade ≥ 3, and appetite loss ≥ 2. The overall survival (OS) in the group that did not require DLSAE was significantly longer compared to the group that did require DLSAE (median survival time (MST): not reached vs. 12.8 months, p < 0.001). Moreover, advanced age was the most important variable for DLSAE in a decision tree analysis. Hypertension and hand-foot-skin-reaction (HFSR) were also significantly associated with longer survival, and the occurrence of hypertension was the earliest predictor for improved prognosis, while appetite loss and development of grade ≥ 3 fatigue were predictive of a poor prognosis. We concluded that the appearance of hypertension has potential as an early surrogate marker to predict improved prognosis. Moreover, careful management to avoid discontinuation of treatment leads to longer survival in patients receiving LEN.