Recent Advances in Adjuvant Therapy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

After the successful development of targeted therapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), these innovative treatment options are rapidly being applied in the adjuvant setting for early-stage NSCLC. Some adjuvants that have recently been approved include osimertinib for epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated tumors and atezolizumab and pembrolizumab for selected patients with resectable NSCLC. Numerous studies on various targeted therapies and immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy are currently ongoing in the adjuvant setting. However, several questions regarding optimal strategies for adjuvant treatment remain unanswered. The present review summarizes the available literature, focusing on recent advances and ongoing trials with targeted therapy and immunotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of early-stage NSCLC.

Outcomes following cryoablation of stage IA non-small cell lung cancer in patients with and without interstitial lung disease: A retrospective single-center cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety and efficacy of cryoablation of treatment-naïve stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with and without interstitial lung disease (ILD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective single-center cohort study evaluated 33 consecutive patients (24 females, median age 75 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score 0-3) with ILD (9 patients) and without ILD (24 patients) who underwent 39 percutaneous cryoablations to treat 42 stage IA (8th IASLC edition) NSCLC measuring 1.2 cm (range 0.5-2.6 cm) from 2018 to 2022. Presence of ILD was determined according to 2018 American Thoracic Society Criteria on pre-ablation CT scans. The primary outcome was 90-day adverse events graded by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), local recurrence-free survival, overall survival, and the cumulative incidence of local recurrence with death as a competing risk.

RESULTS

Adverse events ranged from grade 1-3 and occurred more often in the non-ILD group (p <.001). No acute exacerbation of ILD or death occurred within 90 days after cryoablation. The median LOS was 1 day (interquartile range 1-2 days) and did not differ between groups. One patient with ILD and two patients without ILD died after 22, 26, and 27 months from causes unrelated to cryoablation. Median imaging follow-up was 11 months (range, 0-47 months) and three tumors (7%) showed local recurrence after 4, 17, and 22 months. No difference in the cumulative incidence of local recurrence (p =.56) was found. Among all patients, local recurrence-free survival on a per-tumor basis and overall survival were 97% and 100% at 1 year, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Adverse events and local recurrence following percutaneous cryoablation of stage IA NSCLC did not differ between patients with and without ILD. No acute exacerbation of ILD or death within 90 days were observed.

Osimertinib as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with EGFR-mutant resectable stage II-IIIB lung adenocarcinoma (NEOS): A multicenter, single-arm, open-label phase 2b trial

OBJECTIVES

Osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has been approved for EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant osimertinib in patients with EGFR-mutant resectable locally advanced NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-arm, phase 2b trial (ChiCTR1800016948) was conducted at six centers in mainland China. Patients with a measurable stage IIA-IIIB (T3-4 N2) lung adenocarcinoma and EGFR exon 19 and/or 21 mutations were enrolled. The patients were treated with osimertinib 80 mg orally once per day for six weeks, followed by surgical resection. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1.

RESULTS

Between October 17, 2018, and June 08, 2021, 88 patients were screened for eligibility. Forty patients were enrolled and treated with neoadjuvant osimertinib therapy. The ORR was 71.1 % (27/38) (95 % confidence interval: 55.2-83.0) in 38 patients who completed the 6-week osimertinib treatment. Thirty-two patients underwent surgery, and 30 (93.8 %) underwent successful R0 resection. Thirty (75.0 %) of 40 patients had treatment-related adverse events during neoadjuvant treatment, and three (7.5 %) had treatment-related adverse events of grade 3. The most common treatment-related adverse events were rash (n = 20 [50 %]), diarrhea (n = 12 [30 %]), and oral ulceration (n = 12 [30 %]).

CONCLUSIONS

The third-generation EGFR TKI osimertinib, with satisfying efficacy and acceptable safety profile, could be a promising neoadjuvant therapy in patients with resectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

New Targeted Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer ranks first in cancer mortality in Korea and cancer incidence in Korean men. More than half of Korean lung cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, including adjuvant therapy. Cytotoxic agents, targeted therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are used in chemotherapy according to the biopsy and genetic test results. Among chemotherapy, the one that has developed rapidly is targeted therapy. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines have been updated recently for targeted therapy of multiple gene mutations, and targeted therapy is used not only for chemotherapy but also for adjuvant therapy. While previously targeted therapies have been developed for common genetic mutations, recently targeted therapies have been developed to overcome uncommon mutations or drug resistance that have occurred since previous targeted therapy. Therefore, this study describes recent, rapidly developing targeted therapies.

Update on Adjuvant Treatment in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Potential Biomarkers Predicting Postoperative Relapse

A significant proportion of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed in the early and resectable stage. Despite the use of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy, there was only a marginal increase in overall survival and a 15% decrease in relapse. With the advents of immunotherapy and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), the landscape of adjuvant treatment in completely resectable NSCLC is changing. Postoperative radiotherapy can be beneficial to patients who underwent surgical resection in certain clinical settings. In addition, new biomarkers that predict efficacy of EGFR TKI and immunotherapy as adjuvant treatment are also necessary. In this review, recent updates in adjuvant treatment in resectable NSCLC were briefly explained.

Cell Free Tumoral DNA Versus Paraffin Block Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Detection in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Increasing knowledge about the molecular profile of tumors has led to personalized treatment for achieving better outcomes in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Currently, finding exact somatic genomic changes of tumor has gained great importance. On the other hand, crescendoing needs to actual tumor tissue at different time points during cancer treatment may produce major discomfort for NSCLC patients. Tumor genomes can be reconstructed by information obtained from circulating cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) of peripheral blood. cfDNA may be represented as a suitable alternative test  for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation detection in these patients. This study aimed to assess validity of cfDNA in somatic EGFR mutation identification in Iranian NSCLC cases.

METHODS

Somatic mutation of EGFR gene was studied in both tissue specimens and plasma. Then, mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and sequencing.

RESULTS

We observed a high concordance (90%) between tissue samples and cfDNA for EGFR gene mutation.  The sensitivity, accuracy, and positive precision value were 90%, 90% and 100%, respectively. A false negative rate of 10% was also demonstrated in this study.

CONCLUSION

We established sensitive methods for detecting EGFR gene mutation which may be very useful in clinical practice.
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Clinical Characteristics of Korean Patients with Lung Cancer Who Have Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression

BACKGROUND

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a transmembrane protein, binds to the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor, and anti-PD-1 therapy enables immune responses against tumors. This study aimed to assess clinical characteristics of PD-L1 expression using immunohistochemistry among Korean patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with pathologically proven lung cancer from a single institution. PD-L1 expression determined by Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) was detected using 22C3 pharmDx (Agilent Technologies) and SP263 (Ventana Medical Systems) assays.

RESULTS

From July 2016 to July 2017, 267 patients were enrolled. The main histologic type was adenocarcinoma (69.3%). Most participants were smokers (67.4%) and had clinical stage IV disease (60.7%). In total, 116 (42%) and 58 (21%) patients had TPS ≥1% and ≥50%, respectively. The patients were significantly older in TPS ≥1% group than in TPS <1% group (64.83±9.38 years vs. 61.73±10.78 years, p=0.014), not in TPS ≥50% cutoff value (64.69 ± 9.39 vs. 62.36 ± 10.51, p= 0.178). Regarding histologic grade, higher proportions of poorly differentiated tumor were observed in the TPS ≥1% (40.8% vs. 25.8%, p=0.020) and TPS ≥50% groups (53.2% vs. 27.2%, p=0.004). Among 34 patients examined with 22C3 and SP263 assays, 27 had positive results in both assays, with a cutoff of TPS ≥1% (r=0.826; 95% confidence interval, 0.736-0.916).

CONCLUSION

PD-L1 expression, defined as TPS ≥1%, was related to older age and poorly differentiated histology. There was a similar distribution of PD-L1 expression in both 22C3 and SP263 results.

The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Four-Weekly Docetaxel as First-Line Therapy in Elderly Lung Cancer Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Docetaxel is one of the standard treatments for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Docetaxel is usually administered in a 3-week schedule, but there is significant toxicity. In this phase II clinical study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a 4-weekly schedule of docetaxel monotherapy, as first-line chemotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma in elderly lung cancer patients.

Methods

Patients with stage IIIB/ IV lung squamous-cell carcinoma age 70 or older, that had not undergone cytotoxic chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients received docetaxel 25 mg/m² on days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks. Primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity profiles.

Results

A total of 19 patients were enrolled. Among 19 patients, 17 were for evaluated efficacy and safety. In the intent-to-treat population, ORR and disease control rate (DCR) were 11.8% and 47.1%, respectively. In the response evaluable population, ORR was 16.7% and DCR was 66.7%. Median PFS and OS were 3.1 months and 3.3 months, respectively. There were three adverse grade 3/4 events. Grade 1 neutropenia was reported in one patient.

Conclusion

Our data failed to demonstrate efficacy of a 4-weekly docetaxel regimen, in elderly patients with a poor performance status. However, incidence of side effects, including neutropenia, was lower than with a 3-week docetaxel regimen, as previously reported.

Tumor Immunology and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although progress in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been made over the past decade, the 5-year survival rate in patients with lung cancer remains only 10%–20%. Obviously, new therapeutic options are required for patients with advanced NSCLC and unmet medical needs. Cancer immunotherapy is an evolving treatment modality that uses a patient's own immune systems to fight cancer. Theoretically, cancer immunotherapy can result in long-term cancer remission and may not cause the same side effects as chemotherapy and radiation. Immuno-oncology has become an important focus of basic research as well as clinical trials for the treatment of NSCLC. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are the most promising approach for cancer immunotherapy and they have become the standard of care for patients with advanced NSCLC. This review summarizes basic tumor immunology and the relevant clinical data on immunotherapeutic approaches, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC.

Predictive Factors for Switched EGFR-TKI Retreatment in Patients with EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR-TKIs) have proved efficacious in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with acquired resistance resulting from the T790M mutation. However, since almost 50% patients with the acquired resistance do not harbor the T790M mutation, retreatment with first- or second-generation EGFR-TKIs may be a more viable therapeutic option. Here, we identified positive response predictors to retreatment, in patients who switched to a different EGFR-TKI, following initial treatment failure.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 42 NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations, whose cancers had progressed following initial treatment with gefitinib or erlotinib, and who had switched to a different first-generation EGFR-TKI during subsequent retreatment. To identify high response rate predictors in the changed EGFR-TKI retreatment, we analyzed the relationship between clinical and demographic parameters, and positive clinical outcomes, following retreatment with EGFR-TKI.

RESULTS

Overall, 30 (71.4%) patients received gefitinib and 12 (28.6%) patients received erlotinib as their first EGFR-TKI treatment. Following retreatment with a different EGFR-TKI, the overall response and disease control rates were 21.4% and 64.3%, respectively. There was no significant association between their overall responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) after retreatment was 2.0 months. However, PFS was significantly longer in patients whose time to progression was ≥10 months following initial EGFR-TKI treatment, who had a mutation of exon 19, or whose treatment interval was <90 days.

CONCLUSION

In patients with acquired resistance to initial EGFR-TKI therapy, switched EGFR-TKI retreatment may be a salvage therapy for individuals possessing positive retreatment response predictors.

Nivolumab-Induced Severe Akathisia in an Advanced Lung Cancer Patient

BACKGROUND Nivolumab is an anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor that was recently developed for cancer immunotherapy. In the clinical trials of nivolumab, its adverse effects were reported to be less likely than those of conventional anti-cancer agents; however, after practical clinical distribution, it has come to be known that nivolumab induces various immune-related adverse events. CASE REPORT A 58-year-old male with a recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma was treated with nivolumab. Only four days after the initial administration of nivolumab, the patient presented with unbearable restlessness and distress that was resistant to all therapeutic agents used, and it gradually became worse. He finally came to need deep sedation despite his cancer status being stable during the course. Clinical tests including magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid cytology, and antibodies of paraneoplastic syndrome exhibited no signs of encephalitis or another possible cause of the neuropathy. The diagnosis of akathisia could be made only by his somatoform presentation. It was uncertain whether or not this complication was correlated with the activation of his immune system. CONCLUSIONS Anti-immune check point inhibitors may induce many unknown adverse events. Severe akathisia induced by nivolumab, as in our case, has not been reported yet. Collecting every adverse event of nivolumab may be important to make a better algorithm to manage its huge variety of complications.

Predictors of Recurrence after Curative Resection in Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background

There have been various results from studies concerning the predictors of recurrence in early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, an accurate assessment is needed to guide effective adjuvant therapy. We investigated the predictors of a recurrence in patients with resected, early-stage NSCLC and the risk factors associated with locoregional or distant recurrence.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on patients at the Pusan National University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2011. Patients with pathological stages I or II were included in this study, as based on the seventh edition TNM staging system. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors associated with recurrence.

Results

Two hundred and forty-nine patients were included. Among them, 180 patients were stage I, and 69 were stage II. Overall, by multivariate analysis, the independent factors associated with a 5-year total recurrence were the presence of visceral pleural invasion (VPI) (p=0.018) and maximal standardized uptake values (SUVs) of tumors on positron emission tomography (PET) >4.5 (p=0.037). The VPI was the only independent risk factor associated with both locoregional and distant recurrence, in the analysis of the patterns of tumor recurrence and their risk factors. In the subgroup analysis of stage I patients, three variables (male, VPI and resection margin positive) were significantly associated with a 5-year recurrence.

Conclusion

The independent factors associated with postoperative recurrence in early-stage NSCLC were as follows: PET SUV >4.5 and the presence of VPI. For patients with those factors adjuvant therapy should be recommended as a more efficacious treatment.

Bilateral Ovarian Metastases from ALK Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, is a kind of driver mutation, accounts for 3%-5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC patients harboring ALK fusion genes have distinct clinical features and good response to ALK inhibitors. Metastasis from lung cancer to the ovary has rarely been known. We report a case of a 54-year-old woman with bilateral ovarian metastases from ALK rearranged NSCLC. She underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for ovary masses, which were progressed after cytotoxic chemotherapy although primary lung mass was decreased. Histopathological examination of the ovary tumor showed characteristic adenocarcinoma patterns of the lung and ALK rearrangement.

Systemic Nocardiosis Mimicking Disease Flare-up after Discontinuation of Gefitinib in a Patient with EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer

Disease flare-up after discontinuing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has been considered as a critical issue in lung cancer patients who have experienced radiologic progression after showing initial durable response. This is a case of systemic nocardiosis that occurred after chronic steroid use for radionecrosis from stereotactic radiosurgery. It was initially thought as a disease flare-up after stopping EGFR-TKI.

Immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and more than 80% of cases are of non-small cell lung cancer. Although chemotherapy and molecularly targeted therapy may provide some benefit, there is a need for newer therapies for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. Immunotherapy aims to augment the recognition of cancer as foreign, to stimulate immune responsiveness, and to relieve the inhibition of the immune response that allows tolerance to tumor survival and growth. Two immunotherapeutic approaches showing promise in NSCLC are immune checkpoint inhibition and cancer vaccination. Although currently immunotherapy does not have an established role in the treatment of NSCLC, these patients should be enrolled in formal clinical trials.

Multiple hypercoagulability disorders at presentation of non-small-cell lung cancer

Hypercoagulability disorders are commonly encountered in clinical situations in patients with a variety of cancers. However, several hypercoagulability disorders presenting as first symptoms or signs in cancer patients have rarely been reported. We herein described a case of a woman with adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting with deep vein thrombosis, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, recurrent cerebral embolic infarction, and heart failure.

Outcomes of second-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in one institution

Background

This study analyzed the negative prognostic factors in patients who received second-line chemotherapy for advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 137 patients with inoperable stage III-IV NSCLC who received second-line chemotherapy. The effects of clinical parameters on survival were analyzed and the hazard ratios (HR) for mortality were identified by a Cox regression analysis.

Results

Sex, age older than 65 years, smoking history, cell type, T-stage, best response to first-line chemotherapy and first-line chemotherapy regimen were significant negative predictors in univariate analysis. The multivariate analysis showed that patients older than 65 years (HR, 1.530; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.020-2.297), advanced T stage (T4 vs. T1; HR, 2.273; 95% CI, 1.010-5.114) and non-responders who showed progression with first-line chemotherapy (HR, 1.530; 95% CI, 1.063-2.203) had higher HR for death.

Conclusion

The age factor, T stage and responsiveness to first-line chemotherapy were important factors in predicting the outcome of patients with advanced NSCLC who received second-line chemotherapy. The results may help to predict outcomes for these patients in the future.

Update on the evidence regarding maintenance therapy

Maintenance therapy has emerged as a novel therapeutic paradigm for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Maintenance therapy that aims to sustain a clinically favorable state after first-line chemotherapy has two strategies. Switch maintenance therapy entails switching to a new and non-cross-resistant agent in an alternating or sequential manner, on completion of first-line chemotherapy. Continuous maintenance therapy keeps ongoing administration of a component of the current regimen after four to six cycles of chemotherapy, if there is a stable disease, or better response. Both maintenance therapies can be continued, until disease progression. The potential evidence regarding maintenance therapy includes providing the opportunity to receive additional treatment, through sustaining tumor shrinkage, and delayed emergence of tumor-related symptom. Thus far, debates over the parameters used to predict the effectiveness of maintenance therapy, financial burden, and uncertainty of improving the quality of life exist. Despite many debates, maintenance therapy, which is currently recommended, has been disclosed to be beneficial.

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 1 (PAI-1) A15T Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with Prognosis in Patients with EGFR Mutation Positive Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma

Background

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), an important regulator of plasminogen activator system which controls degradation of extracellular membrane and progression of tumor cells, and PAI-1 gene polymorphic variants have been known as the prognostic biomarkers of non-small cell lung cancer patients. Recently, experimental in vitro study revealed that transforming growth factor-β1 initiated PAI-1 transcription through epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. However, there is little clinical evidence on the association between PAI-1 A15T gene polymorphism and prognosis of Korean population with pulmonary adenocarcinoma and the influence of activating mutation of EGFR kinase domain.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 171 patients who were diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma and undergone EGFR mutation analysis from 1995 through 2009.

Results

In all patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, there was no significant association between PAI-1 A15T polymorphic variants and prognosis for overall survival. However, further subgroup analysis showed that the group with AG/AA genotype had a shorter 3-year survival time than the group with GG genotype in patients with EGFR mutant-type pulmonary adenocarcinoma (mean survival time, 24.9 months vs. 32.5 months, respectively; p=0.015). In multivariate analysis of 3-year survival for patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma harboring mutant-type EGFR, the AG/AA genotype carriers had poorer prognosis than the GG genotype carriers (hazard ratio, 7.729; 95% confidence interval, 1.414-42.250; p=0.018).

Conclusion

According to our study of Korean population with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, AG/AA genotype of PAI-1 A15T would be a significant predictor of poor short-term survival in patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma harboring mutant-type EGFR.

Biopsy and mutation detection strategies in non-small cell lung cancer

The emergence of new therapeutic agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) implies that histologic subtyping and molecular predictive testing are now essential for therapeutic decisions. Histologic subtype predicts the efficacy and toxicity of some treatment agents, as do genetic alterations, which can be important predictive factors in treatment selection. Molecular markers, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, are the best predictors of response to specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment agents. As the majority of patients with NSCLC present with unresectable disease, it is therefore crucial to optimize the use of tissue samples for diagnostic and predictive examinations, particularly for small biopsy and cytology specimens. Therefore, each institution needs to develop a diagnostic approach requiring close communication between the pulmonologist, radiologist, pathologist, and oncologist in order to preserve sufficient biopsy materials for molecular analysis as well as to ensure rapid diagnosis. Currently, personalized medicine in NSCLC is based on the histologic subtype and molecular status. This review summarizes strategies for tissue acquisition, histologic subtyping and molecular analysis for predictive testing in NSCLC.

Post-progression survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer with clinically acquired resistance to gefitinib

Most patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) eventually develop acquired resistance to TKIs. Factors that affect TKI-sensitive patient survival after progression during TKI treatment remain unknown. We attempted to identify factors that affected post-progression survival. We retrospectively reviewed 81 advanced NSCLC patients with disease progression following tumor response and durable (≥ 6 months) disease stabilization with first-line or second-line gefitinib. Post-progression survival (PPS) and characteristics were investigated and compared in patients who did (n = 16) and did not (n = 65) resume TKIs. Most patients were female never-smokers with adenocarcinoma. Median overall PPS was 10.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.458-13.142). Age, gender, smoking history, histology, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status at gefitinib initiation, initial stage, and platinum-based chemotherapy after gefitinib were not significant predictors of PPS. Pemetrexed use after gefitinib significantly improved PPS (18.5 vs 8.6 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.45; P = 0.008). Gefitinib reuse tended to lengthen PPS but was insignificant in multivariate analysis (27.4 vs 8.8 months; HR, 0.53; P = 0.095). NSCLC patients assumed to have clinically acquired resistance to TKIs had relatively long PPS. TKIs reuse or pemetrexed use after progression with gefitinib may improve PPS.

A Case of Primary Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma Misdiagnosed as Adenocarcinoma

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is rare, with a more favorable prognosis compared with that of other types of non-small cell lung cancers. Herein, we describe an interesting case of primary pulmonary LELC confirmed postoperatively, which had been initially diagnosed as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. We suggest that despite the rarity of pulmonary LELC, it should be included as one of the differential diagnoses for lung malignancies. Physicians should consider taking a larger biopsy, especially when histologic examination shows undifferentiated nature.

RET fusion genes in Korean non-small cell lung cancer

Recently, rearranged during transfection (RET) fusions have been identified in approximately 1% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To know the prevalence of RET fusion genes in Korean NSCLCs, we examined the RET fusion genes in 156 surgically resected NSCLCs using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Two KIF5B-RET fusions and one CCDC6-RET fusion were identified. All three patients were females and never smokers with adenocarcinomas. RET fusion genes were mutually exclusive from EGFR, KRAS mutations and EML4-ALK fusion. RET fusion genes occur 1.9% (3 of 156) of surgically treated NSCLC patients in Koreans.

Clinical features and prognostic factors in elderly koreans with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in a tertiary referral hospital

Background

More than half of cases for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occur in elderly patients with a median age at diagnosis of 70 years. The aim of our study was to examine the clinical features and prognostic factors contributing to mortality in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

Methods

Following a retrospective review of clinical data, 122 patients aged 70 years and over with a histopathological diagnosis of locally advanced (stage IIIB, n=32) and metastatic (stage IV, n=90) NSCLC between 2005 and 2011 were enrolled.

Results

The median age was 76 years (interquartile range, [IQR], 72-80 years), and 85 (70%) patients were male. Fifty-seven (46%) patients had never smoked, and 17 (19%) were in a malnourished state with a body mass index (BMI) of <18.5 kg/m². The initial treatments included chemotherapy (40%) and radiotherapy (7%), but 57% of the patients received supportive care only. The 1-year survival rate was 32%, and the 3-year survival rate was 4%, with a median survival duration of 6.2 months (IQR, 2.5-15.3 months). Male gender (hazard ratio [HR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-3.9; p=0.005), low BMI (HR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-3.9; p=0.004), and supportive care only (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.9; p=0.007) were independent predictors of shorter survival based on a Cox proportional hazards model.

Conclusion

Elderly patients with advanced NSCLC had a poor prognosis, particularly male patients, those with a low BMI, and those who received supportive care only.

Gefitinib in Selected Patients with Pre-Treated Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Results from a Phase IV, Multicenter, Non-Randomized Study (SELINE)

Background

This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of gefitinib as a second-line therapy, according to the clinical characteristics in Korean patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

In this Phase IV observational study, we recruited patients, previously failed first-line chemotherapy, who had locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, and who were found to be either epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive or satisfied 2 or more of the 3 characteristics: adenocarcinoma, female, and non-smoker. These patients were administered with gefitinib 250 mg/day, orally. The primary endpoints were to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) and to determine the relationship of ORRs, depending on each patient's characteristics of modified intent-to-treat population.

Results

A total of 138 patients participated in this study. One subject achieved complete response, and 42 subjects achieved partial response (ORR, 31.2%). The subgroup analysis demonstrated that the ORR was significantly higher in patients with EGFR mutation-positive, compared to that of EGFR mutation-negative (45.8% vs. 14.0%, p=0.0004). In a secondary efficacy variable, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.7 months (95% confidence interval, 3.9~8.4 months) and the 6-month PFS and overall survival were 49.6% and 87.9%, respectively. The most common reported adverse events were rash (34.4%), diarrhea (26.6%), pruritus (17.5%), and cough (15.6%).

Conclusion

Gefitinib was observed in anti-tumor activity with favorable tolerability profile as a second-line therapy in these selected patients. When looking at EGFR mutation status, EGFR mutation-positive showed strong association with gefitinib by greater response and prolonged PFS, compared with that of EGFR mutation-negative.

Second Complete Remission of Relapsed Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Retreatment

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer related deaths. Most patients were presented with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. In advanced NSCLC, it is almost impossible to anticipate complete remission by using only cytotoxic chemotherapy or molecularly targeted agents. In our case, two patients were diagnosed as advanced NSCLC and received chemotherapy. They achieved complete response (CR). After finishing treatment, disease recurred. They were retreated with the same regimens and achieved second CR. Until now, they have received each regimen, continuously, and the CR state has been maintained.

Predicting recurrence using the clinical factors of patients with non-small cell lung cancer after curative resection

We present a recurrence prediction model using multiple clinical parameters in patients surgically treated for non-small cell lung cancer. Among 1,578 lung cancer patients who underwent complete resection, we compared the early-recurrence group with the 3-yr non-recurrence group for evaluating those factors that influence early recurrence within one year after surgery. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed independently. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the independent clinical predictors of recurrence and Cox's proportional hazard regression method to develop a clinical prediction model. We randomly divided our patients into the training and test subsets. The pathologic stages, tumor cell type, differentiation of tumor, neoadjuvant therapy and age were significant factors on the multivariable analysis. We constructed the model for the training set with adenocarcinoma (n=236) and squamous cell carcinoma (n=305), and we applied it to the test set with adenocarcinoma (n=110) and squamous cell carcinoma (n=154). It was predictive for the in adenocarcinoma (P<0.001) and the squamous cell carcinoma (P=0.037), respectively. Our results showed that our recurrence prediction model based on the clinical parameters could significantly predict the individual patients who were at high risk or low risk for recurrence.