Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration: clinical staging data

To address uncertainty of whether clinical stage groupings (cTNM) for esophageal cancer share prognostic implications with pathologic groupings after esophagectomy alone (pTNM), we report data-simple descriptions of patient characteristics, cancer categories, and non-risk-adjusted survival-for clinically staged patients from the Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration (WECC). Thirty-three institutions from six continents submitted data using variables with standard definitions: demographics, comorbidities, clinical cancer categories, and all-cause mortality from first management decision. Of 22,123 clinically staged patients, 8,156 had squamous cell carcinoma, 13,814 adenocarcinoma, 116 adenosquamous carcinoma, and 37 undifferentiated carcinoma. Patients were older (62 years) men (80%) with normal body mass index (18.5-25 mg/kg² , 47%), little weight loss (2.4 ± 7.8 kg), 0-1 ECOG performance status (67%), and history of smoking (67%). Cancers were cT1 (12%), cT2 (22%), cT3 (56%), cN0 (44%), cM0 (95%), and cG2-G3 (89%); most involved the distal esophagus (73%). Non-risk-adjusted survival for squamous cell carcinoma was not distinctive for early cT or cN; for adenocarcinoma, it was distinctive for early versus advanced cT and for cN0 versus cN+. Patients with early cancers had worse survival and those with advanced cancers better survival than expected from equivalent pathologic categories based on prior WECC pathologic data. Thus, clinical and pathologic categories do not share prognostic implications. This makes clinically based treatment decisions difficult and pre-treatment prognostication inaccurate. These data will be the basis for the 8th edition cancer staging manuals following risk adjustment for patient characteristics, cancer categories, and treatment characteristics and should direct 9th edition data collection.

Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration: pathologic staging data

We report data-simple descriptions of patient characteristics, cancer categories, and non-risk-adjusted survival-for patients with pathologically staged cancer of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction after resection or ablation with no preoperative therapy from the Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration (WECC). Thirty-three institutions from six continents submitted de-identified data using standard definitions: demographics, comorbidities, clinical cancer categories, and all-cause mortality from first management decision. Of 13,300 patients, 5,631 had squamous cell carcinoma, 7,558 adenocarcinoma, 85 adenosquamous carcinoma, and 26 undifferentiated carcinoma. Patients were older (62 years) men (80%) with normal body mass index (51%), little weight loss (1.8 kg), 0-2 ECOG performance status (83%), and a history of smoking (70%). Cancers were pT1 (24%), pT2 (15%), pT3 (50%), pN0 (52%), pM0 (93%), and pG2-G3 (78%); most involved distal esophagus (71%). Non-risk-adjusted survival for both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was monotonic and distinctive across pTNM. Survival was more distinctive for adenocarcinoma than squamous cell carcinoma when pT was ordered by pN. Survival for pTis-1 adenocarcinoma was better than for squamous cell carcinoma, although monotonic and distinctive for both. WECC pathologic staging data is improved over that of the 7th edition, with more patients studied and patient and cancer variables collected. These data will be the basis for the 8th edition cancer staging manuals following risk adjustment for patient, cancer, and treatment characteristics, and should direct 9th edition data collection. However, the role of pure pathologic staging as the principal point of reference for esophageal cancer staging is waning.

Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration: neoadjuvant pathologic staging data

To address uncertainty of whether pathologic stage groupings after neoadjuvant therapy (ypTNM) for esophageal cancer share prognostic implications with pathologic groupings after esophagectomy alone (pTNM), we report data-simple descriptions of patient characteristics, cancer categories, and non-risk-adjusted survival-for pathologically staged cancers after neoadjuvant therapy from the Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration (WECC). Thirty-three institutions from six continents submitted data using variables with standard definitions: demographics, comorbidities, clinical cancer categories, and all-cause mortality from first management decision. Of 7,773 pathologically staged neoadjuvant patients, 2,045 had squamous cell carcinoma, 5,686 adenocarcinoma, 31 adenosquamous carcinoma, and 11 undifferentiated carcinoma. Patients were older (61 years) men (83%) with normal (40%) or overweight (35%) body mass index, 0-1 Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (96%), and a history of smoking (69%). Cancers were ypT0 (20%), ypT1 (13%), ypT2 (18%), ypT3 (44%), ypN0 (55%), ypM0 (94%), and G2-G3 (72%); most involved the distal esophagus (80%). Non-risk-adjusted survival for yp categories was unequally depressed, more for earlier categories than later, compared with equivalent categories from prior WECC data for esophagectomy-alone patients. Thus, survival of patients with ypT0-2N0M0 cancers was intermediate and similar regardless of ypT; survival for ypN+ cancers was poor. Because prognoses for ypTNM and pTNM categories are dissimilar, prognostication should be based on separate ypTNM categories and groupings. These data will be the basis for the 8th edition cancer staging manuals following risk adjustment for patient, cancer, and treatment characteristics and should direct 9th edition data collection.

Outcomes of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation using intensity-modulated radiation therapy for esophageal adenocarcinoma

This study looks at toxicity and survival data when chemoradiation (CRT) is delivered using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) after induction chemotherapy. Forty-one patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with IMRT from March 2007 to May 2009 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center were analyzed. All patients received induction chemotherapy prior to CRT. Thirty-nine percent (n = 16) of patients underwent surgical resection less than 4 months after completing CRT. Patients were predominantly male (78%), with a median age of 68 years (range 32-85 years). The majority of acute treatment-related toxicity was hematologic or gastrointestinal, with 17% of patients having grade 3+ hematologic toxicity and 12% of patients having grade 3+ gastrointestinal toxicity. Only two patients developed grade 2-3 pneumonitis (5%) and 5 patients experienced post-operative pulmonary complications (29%). Eight patients (20%) required a treatment break. With a median follow up of 41 months for surviving patients, 2-year overall survival was 61%, and the cumulative incidences of local failure (LF) and distant metastases were 40% and 51%, respectively. This rate of LF was reduced to 13% in patients who underwent surgical resection. Surgery and younger age were significant predictors of decreased time to LF on univariate analysis. Induction chemotherapy followed by CRT using IMRT in the treatment of esophageal cancer is well tolerated and is not associated with an elevated risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. The use of IMRT may allow for integration of more intensified systemic therapy or radiation dose escalation for esophageal adenocarcinoma, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with this aggressive disease.

Clinical tools do not predict pathological complete response in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy

Chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with high rates of pathological complete response. A pathological complete response is recognized to be an important predictor of improved survival, to the extent that observation rather than surgery is advocated by some in patients with presumed pathological complete response based on their clinical response. The goal of this study was to look at the ability of clinical variables to predict pathological complete response after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. We reviewed retrospectively patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery and compared those with pathological complete response to patients with residual disease. Between January 1996 and December 2010, 116 patients met inclusion criteria. Fifty-six percent of patients had a pathological complete response and a median survival of 128.1 months versus 28.4 months in patients with residual disease. When compared with patients with residual disease, patients with a pathological complete response had a lower post-neoadjuvant positron emission tomography (PET) maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), a larger decrease in PET SUVmax, a less thick tumor on post-chemoradiotherapy computed tomography and a higher rate of normal appearing post-chemoradiotherapy endoscopy with benign biopsy of the tumor bed. However, none of these characteristics alone was able to correctly identify patients with a pathological complete response, and none has significant specificity. Although the rate of pathological complete response after chemoradiotherapy is high in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the ability of identifying patients with pathological complete response is limited. A reduction of the PET SUVmax by >70%, a normal appearing endoscopic examination, and no residual disease on biopsy all were seen in >65% of the patients with a pathological complete response. Even if these findings were unable to confirm the absence of residual disease in the primary tumor, they can help guide expectant management in high-risk patients.

Operative outcomes using bevacizumab, docetaxel, and cisplatin as induction therapy in patients with operable lung cancer

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Background: Induction chemotherapy in patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is better tolerated than adjuvant chemotherapy. Bevacizumab improves survival in patients with advanced NSCLC; however its impact as an induction agent in patients undergoing lung resection is unknown. Here, we evaluated surgical outcomes in patients undergoing resection for NSCLC after induction therapy with bevacizumab (Bev), docetaxel (D) and cisplatin (C). Methods: Patients with stage IB-IIIA NSCLC, who could undergo resection with curative intent, were eligible for this phase II trial. None had squamous histology, large central tumors, or recent hemoptysis. All patients received up to 4 cycles of D 75 mg/m2 and C 75 mg/m2 and also received 3 cycles of Bev 15 mg/kg, followed by surgery. Two age and stage matched controls who received induction chemotherapy were selected per study patient. Fisher's exact tests compared pathologic stage, gender, and smoking history. Conditional logistic regression explored the association between clinical variables and outcomes in study versus control patients. Results: 30 patients received Bev-DC. Gender, smoking history, operative time, blood loss, and overall 30-day morbidity was similar between study and control patients. The 30 patients who received Bev-DC preoperatively had 12 complications vs 23 in the 60 controls. In the Bev-DC group there were 7 grade 3/4 complications (abscess (1), empyema (1), bronchopleural fistula (2), sigmoid volvulus (1), anastomotic dehiscence (1), GI bleed (1)) as compared to 2 in the control group (p=0.004). There were no deaths in the Bev-DC group and 2 among the controls. After controlling for age, gender and stage, patients in the study group had a trend towards increase incidence of overall complications (OR=3.89 (95%CI: 0.61–24.77) p=0.151). Conclusions: Although rates of 30-day morbidity were comparable, patients receiving Bev-DC induction had a higher incidence of grade 3/4 complications. There was no 30-day mortality among the patients receiving Bev-DC. Based on this interim analysis, patients receiving Bev-DC in the preoperative setting merit close monitoring.

[Table: see text]

The association of PET response with complete pathological response (CPR) and residual nodal disease (RND) after induction chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and resection of esophageal cancer: A review of 493 cases

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Background: RND and lack of CPR of the primary tumor correlate with poor survival after induction CRT and resection of esophageal cancer. PET response to CRT (SUVmax change and post-induction SUVmax) is used by some clinicians as an indicator of CPR and RND in order to stratify patients after CRT to observation alone vs completion resection. We aimed to investigate the association of PET response with CPR and RND after induction CRT and resection of esophageal cancer. Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective review of an institutional surgical database identified patients who underwent resection of esophageal squamous cell (SCC) and adeno carcinoma (AC) following CRT. The database was locked on Sept 30, 2008. Categorical variables were analyzed by chi square, continuous variables by t-test, and survival by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: From 1/96 to 3/08, 493 patients were identified, 82% were male. Median age was 62, chemotherapy cisplatin-based in 87%, mean radiation 50 Gy, in-hospital mortality 4.1% and R0 resection rate 88%. Pathology revealed AC in 80%, lack of CPR in 73% and RND in 35%. While in AC patients CPR and lack of RND were both associated with prolonged survival, PET response was not associated with either. In SCC patients, prolonged survival was associated with CPR but not with lack of RND. In SCC, PET response was associated with CPR but not RND. In these patients, reduction in SUVmax <50, 50–75 and >75% was associated with CPR rates of 29, 44 and 85% respectively (p=0.02). Conclusions: These results do not support the use of PET response to justify observation alone after CRT in esophageal AC. With respect to SCC, though exploratory, these provocative results support further study of the use of PET response to predict CPR.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

EGFR and KRAS mutation status of lung adenocarcinomas in African Americans

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Background: The 2004 discovery of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor-sensitizing mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represents a major advance in the study and management of non-small cell lung cancer. Conversely, KRAS mutations in these cancers confer resistance to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib. EGFR mutations occur almost exclusively in adenocarcinoma, and are more common in never smokers, women, and people born in East Asian (compared to Whites). No comprehensive studies exist of EGFR and KRAS mutations in lung cancers from African-American patients. Methods: We collected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material from 121 resected lung adenocarcinomas from African-American patients for DNA extraction. EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R point mutations were detected by sensitive mutation-specific PCR-based methods. KRAS codon 12 and 13 mutation testing was performed by mass-spectrometry (Sequenom)-based genotyping and direct sequencing. These data were compared to Memorial Sloan-Kettering data for EGFR and KRAS mutations in all resected adenocarcinomas in white patients. Results: EGFR mutations were detected in 23 of 121 cases (19%), while KRAS mutations were found in 21 (17%). Exon 19 deletions accounted for 18 of 23 of the EGFR mutations compared to 5 EGFR L858R mutations. KRAS mutations were primarily the transversion type mutations (17 of 21). When compared to data from Memorial Sloan-Kettering for White patients (81/273, 30%), the 17% rate of KRAS mutations in lung adenocarcinomas from African-Americans was significantly lower (p=0.01). EGFR mutation status was similar between African-Americans and Whites (19% vs 18%, p=0.9) and the proportion of exon 19 deletions and L858R mutations was comparable as well. Conclusions: This is the first large series reporting results of mutation testing in lung adenocarcinoma specimens from African-Americans. African-American patients are less likely than Whites to harbor KRAS mutations in their lung adenocarcinomas. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of EGFR mutations. Since biological characteristics underlie clinical factors, these differences may help explain differences in outcomes comparing African-Americans to other groups.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Frequency of use and outcome of surgical resection in the management of malignant mesothelioma in a community-based population: Results in 5,937 patients

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Background: Multimodality therapy of mesothelioma patients treated at specialized tertiary hospitals report surgical resection rates of 42% (Flores RM et al. Prognostic Factors in the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma at a Large Tertiary Referral Center. J Thorac Oncol 2007;2(10):957–965.). Treatment strategies in the community are less well defined and surgical expertise is not readily available. We undertook this study to evaluate the rate of surgical resection and its association with survival in a non-tertiary based population. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was searched from 1990 - 2004. Variables analyzed included age, sex, race, year of diagnosis, laterality, vital status, stage, surgery, and reasons for no surgery. The association of resection on overall survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and examined in a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for covariates. Results: Pathologically proven malignant pleural mesothelioma was identified in 5,937 patients: 1,166 women, 4,771 men; median age was 70 years. Surgical resection rate was 11% (n=636). Univariate analysis demonstrated a median survival of 13 months with surgical resection and a median survival of 7 months in the non-resected group (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated improved survival for surgically resected patients (HR 0.7, p<0.0001), controlling for age, gender, and stage. Conclusions: Surgical resection was associated with improved survival when controlling for age, stage, and gender. However, the rate of surgical resection was much lower in the community when compared to tertiary referral centers. Treatment efforts should be focused on a multidisciplinary approach which includes surgical evaluation.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration

The aim of this study is to report assemblage of a large multi-institutional international database of esophageal cancer patients, patient and tumor characteristics, and survival of patients undergoing esophagectomy alone and its correlates. Forty-eight institutions were approached and agreed to participate in a worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration (WECC), and 13 (Asia, 2; Europe, 2; North America, 9) submitted data as of July 1, 2007. These were used to construct a de-identified database of 7884 esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy. Four thousand six hundred and twenty-seven esophagectomy patients had no induction or adjuvant therapy. Mean age was 62 +/- 11 years, 77% were men, and 33% were Asian. Mean tumor length was 3.3 +/- 2.5 cm, and esophageal location was upper in 4.1%, middle in 27%, and lower in 69%. Histopathologic cell type was adenocarcinoma in 60% and squamous cell in 40%. Histologic grade was G1 in 32%, G2 in 33%, G3 in 35%, and G4 in 0.18%. pT classification was pTis in 7.3%, pT1 in 23%, pT2 in 16%, pT3 in 51%, and pT4 in 3.3%. pN classification was pN0 in 56% and pN1 in 44%. The number of lymph nodes positive for cancer was 1 in 12%, 2 in 8%, 3 in 5%, and >3 in 18%. Resection was R0 in 87%, R1 in 11%, and R2 in 3%. Overall survival was 78, 42, and 31% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Unlike single-institution studies, in this worldwide collaboration, survival progressively decreases and is distinctively stratified by all variables except region of the world. A worldwide esophageal cancer database has been assembled that overcomes problems of rarity of this cancer. It reveals that survival progressively (monotonically) decreased and was distinctively stratified by all variables except region of the world. Thus, it forms the basis for data-driven esophageal cancer staging. More centers are needed and encouraged to join WECC.

Small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction: review of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering experience

BACKGROUND

Esophageal small-cell carcinoma (SCC) is rare, highly malignant and the optimal treatment approach has not been defined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report the largest single-institution retrospective review of patients with esophageal and gastroesophageal (GE) junction SCC.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were identified, with complete records available for 22. Eighty-two percent were male, 82% had pure SCC histology and 86% of tumors were in the lower esophagus or GE junction. On the basis of the Veterans' Administration Lung Study Group criteria, 14 patients (64%) presented with limited disease (LD). Median survival was 19.8 months (range, 1.5 months to 11.2+ years); for LD patients, 22.3 months (range, 6 months to 11.2+ years); for extensive disease (ED) patients, 8.5 months (range, 1.5 months to 2.2 years, P = 0.02). With a median follow-up of 38 months, six patients (27%) are alive, one with ED and five with LD. Two LD patients are alive and free of disease for >5 years. Four of the five LD patients who are long-term survivors received induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy without surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that patients with LD esophageal SCC treated with induction chemotherapy followed by consolidative chemoradiation can achieve long-term survival. The contribution of surgery remains unclear.

Mutational analysis of EGFR signaling pathway genes in lung adenocarcinomas

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Background: About fifty percent of lung adenocarcinomas harbor somatic mutations in six genes that encode signaling proteins in the EGFR signaling pathway, i.e. EGFR, HER2/ERBB2, HER4/ERBB4, PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS. We performed mutational profiling of a large cohort of lung adenocarcinomas to uncover other somatic mutations that could contribute to lung tumorigenesis. Methods: We analyzed genomic DNA from 261 resected, clinically well-annotated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens. 90% of tumors were adenocarcinomas, and 10% were squamous cell carcinomas. The coding sequences of 39 genes, encoding proteins mostly in the EGFR signaling cascade and FGFR1–4, were screened for somatic mutations via high-throughput dideoxynucleotide sequencing of PCR-amplified gene products. Mutations were considered to be somatic only if they were found in an independent tumor-derived PCR product but not in matched normal tissue. Results: First-pass analysis of 9 MB of tumor sequence identified 199 distinct types of genetic variants that differed from published reference sequences. At least one variant was found in each gene analyzed. In addition to 6 variants found in RAS genes, we further examined the 94 variants localized to exons encoding the kinase domain of respective proteins. We have thus far identified known somatic mutations in EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA, in addition to a number of previously unreported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Conclusions: Mutational profiling of genes that encode for components of the EGFR signaling pathway has revealed multiple putative genetic variants in lung adenocarcinomas. Further analysis of potential somatic mutations is in progress.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A multicenter U.S. trial of neoadjuvant pemetrexed plus cisplatin (PC) followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and hemithoracic radiation (RT) for stage I-III malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)

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Background: The optimal management for fit patients with early stage MPM remains controversial. One approach involves neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by EPP and hemithoracic RT and prior trials using gemcitabine and cisplatin have been reported (Weder JCO 2004, Flores JTO 2006). We administered PC, followed by EPP and RT to further assess feasibility and survival of trimodality therapy in a larger, multicenter study. Methods: Eligibility criteria: Stage T1–3 N0–2, no prior surgical resection, adequate organ function (including predicted post-op FEV1 >35%) and PS 0–1. Pts received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m2 with vitamin supplementation for 4 cycles. Pts without disease progression underwent EPP followed by RT (54 Gy). The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. Enrollment was completed in March, 2006. Results: 77 patients were enrolled and 72 are evaluable. Median age 63.5 (range 34–78), M:F = 51:21, Clinical stage I:II:III:IV = 5:31:33:1, epithelial:nonepithelial = 58:15, ECOG PS 0:1:2 = 28:42:2. 83% of patients completed all four cycles of PC. Grade 3/4 events related to chemotherapy included: neutropenia (4%), febrile neutropenia (3%), nausea (1%), vomiting (3%), pneumonia (6%), pulmonary embolism (1%), and chest pain (3%). Of 73 pts assessed for radiologic response, 3 CRs, 21 PRs, 36 SDs, 3 PDs, and 10 were unevaluable; (RR= 33% [95% CI, 0.22, 0.45]). Of 54 pts who underwent surgery, EPP completion rate was 87% (47/54); that is 47/77 (61%) by ITT. Pathologic stage I:II:III:IV:NE = 4:12:24:3:11. One pCR was confirmed. 35/39 completed RT. Preliminary TTP =13.1 mo (95% CI=9.6, 15.9; 48% censored) and median survival=16.6 mo (95% CI=13.9, 19.3; 55% censored;1-yr survival = 68%). Conclusions: This multicenter trial testing trimodality therapy in MPM showed that it is feasible with a high rate of chemotherapy delivery. One pCR was observed. Preliminary survival is below that reported by single institutions for patients undergoing EPP but with a high censorship rate at this early time point. Further analyses are necessary to identify a cohort of patients most likely to benefit. This study was sponsored by Eli Lilly & Company.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Minimal residual local disease predicts improved survival after chemoradiotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

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Background: Our recent analyses (JCO, in press) showed that residual nodal disease but not T-stage predicted survival after chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) and surgery for esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC). In this study, we investigated prognostic factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after CRT. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with esophageal SCC who had CRT and esophagectomy. Data collected: demographics, CRT details, pathologic findings, and survival. Statistical methods included recursive partitioning (RP) and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analyses. Results: Patients included in the study were treated between 1/1996 and 2/2006. Follow up was thru 5/06. 91 patients were appropriate for analysis. There were 56 men (61.5%) and 35 women (38.5%). 72 (79.1%) patients had clinical regional disease prior to treatment, while the rest had locally advanced disease. Median radiation dose was 5040 cGy, and 78 (85.7%) patients received cisplatin based chemotherapy. 49 (53.8%) patients had a complete local pathologic response (pCR), including 10/91 (10.9%) who had a pCR with residual nodal disease. 42 (46.2%) patients had residual local disease. RP analysis identified 3 prognostic groups: a) Group 1 (n=52), patients with minimal residual local disease (pCR & T1- regardless of nodal status), b) Group 2 (n=28), patients with residual T2 disease (N0 and N1) as well as patients with T3–4N0 disease, and c) Group 3 (n=11), patients with residual T3–4N1 disease. 3-year survival by KM analysis was 68.4% in group 1, 45.6% in group 2, and 0 % in group 3 (p<0.001). Conclusions: Unlike adenocarcinoma of the esophagus where residual nodal disease after CRT is the most significant predictor of survival, in SCC of the esophagus, the presence of minimal residual local disease after CRT, regardless of nodal status, predicts the best survival. The implications of these findings might include establishing different endpoints to assess response to treatment and prognostic criteria.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Female gender is an independent predictor of superior perioperative survival following non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resection

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Background: Selecting patients who will benefit from surgical resection of NSCLC, especially following induction therapy, can be challenging. We analyzed our modern experience to determine factors associated with superior operative outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of consecutive NSCLC patients who underwent surgical exploration for resection from January 1999 through June 2005 was performed. Factors evaluated included age, sex, co-morbidities, use of induction therapy, previous thoracic operations, extent of lung resection, and in-hospital mortality. Associations between categorical variables were evaluated with a chi-squared test and for continuous variables with an analysis of variance. Multivariate analysis was done with a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 2,524 patients underwent attempt at surgical resection, 1,398 of whom were female (55.4%). One hundred and four (4.1%) patients had exploration only. The majority of patients underwent lobectomy (1,692/2,524, 67.1%), and 6.1% (154/2,524) had a pneumonectomy. Induction therapy was given in 492 patients (19.5%). Univariate analysis showed that male gender (2.4% vs 0.93%, respectively, p = 0.003), presence of cardiac co-morbidity (p = 0.05), poor diffusion capacity (p = 0.003), and greater extent of resection (p = 0.01) were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis controlling for gender, age, diffusion capacity, cardiac, and diabetic co-morbidity, as well as prior lung cancer operation, extent of resection and use of induction therapy demonstrated that increased age, decreased diffusion capacity and greater anatomic lung resection were risk factors for higher in-hospital mortality. However, female sex was an independent predictor of lower in-hospital mortality (OR 0.41, p = 0.01). Conclusions: In addition to other previously described predictors of poor surgical outcome, such as advanced age, poor lung function and greater extent of lung removal, we observed that female gender appears to be associated with better in-hospital survival following surgical resection of NSCLC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Does endoscopy accurately predict response to chemoradiation in patients undergoing esophagectomy?

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Background: Endoscopic biopsy after chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for esophageal cancer has been used to determine response to treatment. To test the validity of this methodology, we conducted a study to determine if endoscopic biopsy can accurately establish evidence of local pathologic complete response (pCR), defined as no residual local disease in the esophagus, in patients undergoing esophagectomy after CRT. Methods: We retrospectively queried a prospectively maintained database for patients seen at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1996 to the present who underwent, 1) CRT for esophageal cancer with the intent to proceed to esophagectomy post-treatment, and 2) post-CRT endoscopic biopsy. Data points included the pathology of the post-CRT endoscopy and resected surgical specimens, tumor histology, mean time from end of CRT to endoscopic biopsy, and mean time from endoscopic biopsy to surgery. Correlations were analyzed by the chi-square test and one way analysis of variance. Results: One-hundred thirty seven patients meeting our search criteria were identified. Ninety-percent of patients received cisplatin based chemotherapy and 5040 cGy of radiation. One-hundred four patients had a negative pathology on endoscopic biopsy. A negative pathology at endoscopic biopsy was a poor predictor of pCR (Positive Predictive Value = 37.5%), with 65% of these patients having residual local disease at esophagectomy. This result was not influenced by mean time from completion of CRT to endoscopy (p=0.5), or by mean time from endoscopy to surgery (p=0.47). A positive pathology at endoscopic biopsy was highly predictive of residual disease (p<0.001). When analyzed by histology, a negative endoscopic biopsy better predicted response for squamous cell carcinomas versus adenocarcinomas (p<0.001). Conclusions: Although improved for squamous cell cancers versus adenocarcinomas, a disease free endoscopic biopsy does not appear to be a useful predictor of a complete pathologic response after CRT. Neither the time to endoscopy after CRT, nor the time to surgery after endoscopy, influence this finding.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Virally-directed fluorescent imaging (VFI) can facilitate endoscopic staging

BACKGROUND

Replication-competent, tumor specific herpes simplex virus NV1066 expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in infected cancer cells. We sought to determine the feasibility of GFP-guided imaging technology in the intraoperative detection of small tumor nodules.

METHODS

Human cancer cell lines were infected with NV1066 at multiplicities of infection of 0.01, 0.1 and 1. Cancer cell specific infectivity, vector spread and GFP signal intensity were measured by flow cytometry and time-lapse digital imaging (in vitro); and by use of a stereomicroscope and endoscope equipped with a fluorescent filter (in vivo).

RESULTS

NV1066 infected all cancer cell lines and expressed GFP at all MOIs. GFP signal was significantly higher than the autofluorescence of normal cells. One single dose of NV1066 spread within and across body cavities and selectively infected tumor nodules sparing normal tissue. Tumor nodules undetectable by conventional thoracoscopy and laparoscopy were identified by GFP fluorescence.

CONCLUSION

Virally-directed fluorescent imaging (VFI) is a real-time novel molecular imaging technology that has the potential to enhance the intraoperative detection of endoluminal or endocavitary tumor nodules.

A phase II trial of surgical resection and adjuvant high-dose hemithoracic radiation for malignant pleural mesothelioma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of malignant pleural mesothelioma is reported to have up to an 80% rate of local recurrence. We performed a phase II trial of high-dose hemithoracic radiation after complete resection to determine feasibility and to estimate rates of local recurrence and survival.

METHODS

Patients were eligible if they had a resectable tumor, as determined by computed tomographic scanning, and adequate cardiopulmonary function for extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleurectomy/decortication. After complete resection, patients received hemithoracic radiation (54 Gy) and then were followed up with serial computed tomographic scanning.

RESULTS

From 1995 to 1998, 88 patients (73 men and 15 women; median age, 62.5 years) were entered into the study. The operations performed included 62 extrapleural pneumonectomies (70%) and 5 pleurectomies/decortications; procedures for exploration only were performed in 21 patients. Seven (7.9%) patients died postoperatively. Adjuvant radiation administered to 57 patients (54 undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy and 3 undergoing pleurectomy/decortication) at a median dose of 54 Gy was well tolerated (grade 0-2 fatigue, esophagitis), except for one late esophageal fistula. The median survival was 33.8 months for stage I and II tumors but only 10 months for stage III and IV tumors (P =.04). For the patients undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy, the sites of recurrence were locoregional in 2, locoregional and distant in 5, and distant only in 30.

CONCLUSION

Hemithoracic radiation after complete surgical resection at a dose not previously reported is feasible. This approach dramatically reduces local recurrence and is associated with prolonged survival for early-stage tumors. Stage III disease has a high risk of early distant relapse and should be considered for trials of systemic therapy added to this regimen of resection and radiation.

Morbidity and mortality after neoadjuvant therapy for lung cancer: the risks of right pneumonectomy

BACKGROUND

The risks of complications in patients undergoing thoracotomy after neoadjuvant therapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer remain controversial. We reviewed our experience to define it further.

METHODS

All patients undergoing thoracotomy after induction chemotherapy from 1993 through 1999 were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate methods for logistic regression model were used to identify predictors of adverse events.

RESULTS

Induction chemotherapy included mitomycin, vinblastine, and cisplatin (179 patients), carboplatin and paclitaxel (152 patients), and other combinations (139 patients). Eighty-five patients (18%) received preoperative radiation. Operations were pneumonectomy (97 patients), lobectomy (297 patients), lesser resection (18 patients), and exploration only (58 patients). Total mortality was 7 of 297 (2.4%) and 11 of 97 (11.3%) for all lobectomies and pneumonectomies, respectively, but mortality was 11 of 46 (23.9%) for right pneumonectomy. Complications developed in 179 patients (38%). By multiple regression analysis, right pneumonectomy (p = 0.02), blood loss (p = 0.01), and forced expiratory volume in one second (percent predicted) (p = 0.01) predicted complications. No factor emerged to explain this high right pneumonectomy mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary resection after neoadjuvant therapy is associated with acceptable overall morbidity and mortality. However, right pneumonectomy is associated with a significantly increased risk and should be performed only in selected patients.

Experimental therapeutics with a new 10-deazaaminopterin in human mesothelioma: further improving efficacy through structural design, pharmacologic modulation at the level of MRP ATPases, and combined therapy with platinums

Studies described here sought to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a new 10-deazaaminopterin analogue, 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin (PDX), alone and in combination with platinum compounds in the treatment of human pleural mesothelioma. In vitro studies documented 25-30-fold and 3-fold, respectively, greater cytotoxic potency of PDX compared with methotrexate and another 10-deazaaminopterin, edatrexate, against VAMT-1 and JMN cell lines derived from human mesothelioma. These tumor cell lines were also inhibited by platinum compounds. Cisplatin (CDDP) was somewhat more inhibitory than oxaloplatin and >1 log order in magnitude more inhibitory than carboplatin (CBCDA). Against the JMN tumor xenografted in nude mice, whereas methotrexate and, more so, edatrexate, were potently growth inhibitory, only PDX brought about substantial regression. By comparison, CDDP and CBCDA, but not oxaloplatin were markedly growth inhibitory to this same tumor in vivo. This high level of therapeutic activity of PDX could be additionally enhanced by coadministration of probenecid, an inhibitor of canicular multispecific organic anion transporter/multidrug resistance-related protein (MRP)-like ATPases, which increased the number of complete regressions by >-3 fold. Canicular multispecific organic anion transporter/MRP genes, primarily 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7, were in fact expressed in these human mesothelioma cell lines as determined by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. These same MRP genes, including, to a lesser extent, MRP-4, were also expressed in pleural mesotheliomas derived from patients as shown by the same methodology. When combined with CDDP or CBCDA, PDX achieved 2-fold greater overall regression of the JMN tumor with a 3-4-fold increase in complete regressions, although some attenuation of dosages of each were required in the combination. These results strongly suggest that PDX has significant potential in the treatment of human pleural mesothelioma, particularly when coadministered with probenecid or combined with platinum compounds.

Induction chemoradiation and surgical resection for non-small cell lung carcinomas of the superior sulcus: Initial results of Southwest Oncology Group Trial 9416 (Intergroup Trial 0160)

OBJECTIVE

The rate of complete resection (50%) and the 5-year survival (30%) for non-small cell lung carcinomas of the superior sulcus have not changed for 40 years. Recently, combined modality therapy has improved outcome in other subsets of locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma. This trial tested the feasibility of induction chemoradiation and surgical resection in non-small cell lung carcinoma of the superior sulcus with the ultimate aim of improving resectability and survival.

METHODS

Patients with mediastinoscopy-negative T3-4 N0-1 superior sulcus non-small cell lung carcinoma received 2 cycles of cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy concurrent with 45 Gy of radiation. Patients with stable or responding disease underwent thoracotomy 3 to 5 weeks later. All patients received 2 more cycles of chemotherapy and were followed up by serial radiographs and scans. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors were assessed for significance by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

From April 1995 to September 1999, 111 eligible patients (77 men, 34 women) were entered in the study, including 80 (72.1%) with T3 and 31 with T4 tumors. Induction therapy was completed as planned in 102 (92%) patients. There were 3 treatment-related deaths (2.7%). Cytopenia was the main grade 3 to 4 toxicity. Of 95 patients eligible for surgery, 83 underwent thoracotomy, 2 (2.4%) died postoperatively, and 76 (92%) had a complete resection. Fifty-four (65%) thoracotomy specimens showed either a pathologic complete response or minimal microscopic disease. The 2-year survival was 55% for all eligible patients and 70% for patients who had a complete resection. To date, survival is not significantly influenced by patient sex, T status, or pathologic response.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) This combined modality treatment is feasible in a multi-institutional setting; (2) the pathologic complete response rates were high; and (3) resectability and overall survival were improved compared with historical experience, especially for T4 tumors, which usually have a grim prognosis.

Postoperative fluorescence bronchoscopic surveillance in non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Second lung primaries occur at a rate of 1% to 3% per patient-year after complete resections for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Fluorescence bronchoscopy appears to be a sensitive tool for surveillance of the tracheobronchial tree for early neoplasias.

METHODS

Patients who were disease-free after complete resection of a NSCLC were entered into a fluorescence bronchoscopy surveillance program. All suspicious lesions were biopsied along with two areas of normal mucosa to serve as negative controls.

RESULTS

A total of 73 fluorescence bronchoscopies were performed after conventional bronchoscopy in 51 patients at a median of 13 months postresection. The majority (46 of 51) of patients had stage I or II NSCLC, whereas 10% (5 of 51) had stage IIIA. Three intraepithelial neoplasias and one invasive carcinoma were identified in 3 of 51 patients (6%), all current or former smokers. Of the four lesions identified, three were in the 20 patients with prior squamous cell carcinomas. No intraepithelial neoplasias were identified by white-light bronchoscopy, whereas two of three were detected by fluorescence examination. The one invasive cancer detected was apparent on both white-light and fluorescence bronchoscopic examinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance with fluorescence bronchoscopy identified lesions in 6% of postoperative NSCLC patients thought to be disease-free. Patients with prior squamous cell carcinomas appear to be a population that may warrant future prospective study of postoperative fluorescence bronchoscopic surveillance.

Tension pneumocephalus resulting from iatrogenic subarachnoid-pleural fistulae: report of three cases

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic pneumocephalus may result from a cerebrospinal fluid leak communicating with extradural air. However, it is a rare event after thoracic surgical procedures, and its management and physiology are not widely recognized.

METHODS

During the past 2 years, we have identified 3 patients who developed pneumocephalus after thoracotomy for tumor resection. Only 1 patient had a discernible spinal fluid leak identified intraoperatively. Two patients experienced delayed spinal fluid drainage from their chest tubes and subsequently developed profound lethargy, confusion, and focal neurologic signs. The third patient was readmitted to the hospital with a delayed pneumothorax and altered mental status. Radiographic imaging in all patients showed significant pneumocephalus of the basilar cisterns and ventricles.

RESULTS

The first 2 patients were managed by discontinuation of the chest tube suction and bedrest. The third patient underwent surgical reexploration and nerve root ligation. All 3 patients had resolution of their symptoms within 72 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumocephalus is a rare, but serious, complication of thoracotomy. Previous patients reported in the literature have been managed with reoperation to ligate the nerve roots. However, the condition resolved nonoperatively in 2 of our patients. Discontinuation of chest tube suction may be definitive treatment and is always the important initial management to decrease cerebrospinal fluid extravasation into the pleural space and allow normalization of neurologic symptoms.

Neoadjuvant therapy and surgical resection for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

During the past 15 years, treatment of stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer has evolved considerably because of improvements in patients selection, staging, and combined modality therapy. Results of several clinical trials suggest that induction chemotherapy or chemoradiation and surgical resection is superior to surgery alone. However, the optimal induction regimen has not been defined. An intergroup trial is also underway to determine whether chemoradiation and surgical resection leads to better survival than chemotherapy and radiation alone. Future studies will assess ways to combine radiation and novel chemotherapeutic agents, and will identify molecular abnormalities that predict response to induction therapy.

Effects of diltiazem prophylaxis on the incidence and clinical outcome of atrial arrhythmias after thoracic surgery

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine whether early prophylaxis with an L -type calcium channel blocker reduces the incidence and morbidity associated with atrial fibrillation/flutter and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia after major thoracic operations.

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 330 patients were given either intravenous diltiazem (n = 167) or placebo (n = 163) immediately after lobectomy (> or =60 years) or pneumonectomy (> or =18 years) and orally thereafter for 14 days. The primary end point with respect to efficacy was a sustained (> or =15 minutes) or clinically significant atrial arrhythmia during treatment.

RESULTS

Postoperative atrial arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation/flutter = 60; supraventricular tachyarrhythmias = 5) occurred in 25 (15%) of the 167 patients in the diltiazem group and 40 (25%) of the 163 patients in the placebo group (P = .03). When compared with placebo, diltiazem nearly halved the incidence of clinically significant arrhythmias (17/167 [10%] vs. 31/163 [19%], P = .02). The 2 groups did not differ in the incidence of other major postoperative complications or overall duration or costs of hospitalization. No serious adverse effects caused by diltiazem were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

After major thoracic operations, prophylactic diltiazem reduced the incidence of clinically significant atrial arrhythmias in patients considered at high risk for this complication.

Factors determining outcome after surgical resection of T3 and T4 lung cancers of the superior sulcus

BACKGROUND

The treatment of superior sulcus lung cancers is evolving and preoperative chemotherapy is increasingly used. To establish a historical benchmark against which new therapies can be assessed, we reviewed our 24-year experience with patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung cancers of the superior sulcus.

METHODS

Data were acquired through retrospective chart review. Overall survival was calculated by the method of Kaplan and Meier, and prognostic factors were examined by log rank and Cox proportional hazards modeling.

RESULTS

From 1974 to 1998, 225 patients underwent thoracotomy. The patients included 144 men (64%) and 81 women with a median age of 55 years. The majority of patients (55%) received preoperative radiation, but 35% did not have any preoperative treatment. Tumor stages were IIB (T3 N0) in 52%, IIIA in 15%, and IIIB in 27% of patients. Complete resection was achieved in 64% of T3 N0 tumors, 54% of T3 N2 tumors, and 39% of T4 N0 tumors. Operative mortality was 4%. Median survival was 33 months for stage IIB and 12 months for both stages IIIA and IIIB. Actuarial 5-year survivals were 46% for stage IIB, 0% for stage IIIA, and 13% for stage IIIB. By univariate and multivariable analyses, T and N status and complete resection had a significant impact on survival. Locoregional disease was the most common form of relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide a benchmark against which new treatment regimens can be evaluated. Control of locoregional disease remains the major challenge in treating lung cancers of the superior sulcus. The potential benefit of preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy must be assessed by whether it leads to higher rates of complete resection and a lower risk of local relapse.