Biomarker testing and time to treatment decision in patients with advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Testing for EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangement has become standard in managing advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, many institutions in Europe, North America and other world regions continue to face a common challenge of facilitating timely molecular testing with rapid result turnaround time. We assessed the prevalence of biomarker testing for advanced NSCLC patients and whether testing affected the timeliness of treatment decisions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of a random sample of one-quarter of all patients with advanced NSCLC referred to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2013. RESULTS: Of 300 patients reviewed, 175 seen by medical oncology had nonsquamous NSCLC, 72% of whom had biomarker testing carried out. Patients tested for biomarkers were more likely to be female (47% versus 21%, P = 0.002), Asian (27% versus 6%, P = 0.005) and never smokers (42% versus 8%, P < 0.0001). Only 21% of patients with biomarker testing had results available at their initial oncology consultation. This group had a shorter median time from consultation to treatment decision (0 versus 22 days, P = 0.0008) and time to treatment start (16 versus 29, P = 0.004). Thirteen percent underwent repeat biopsy for molecular testing after the initial consultation. Of those with positive EGFR or ALK results, 19% started chemotherapy before biomarker results became available. CONCLUSIONS: Awaiting biomarker testing results can delay treatment decisions and treatment initiation for patients with advanced NSCLC. This may be avoided by incorporating reflex biomarker testing into diagnostic algorithms for NSCLC at the level of the pathologist, and further education of specialists involved in obtaining diagnostic cancer specimens to ensure they are sufficient for molecular testing.

Use of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, dacomitinib, and icotinib in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review addresses the use of epidermal growth factor receptor (egfr) inhibitors in three populations of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc) patients-unselected, selected, and molecularly selected-in three treatment settings: first line, second line, and maintenance. METHODS: Ninety-six randomized controlled trials found using the medline and embase databases form the basis of this review. RESULTS: In the first-line setting, data about the efficacy of egfr tyrosine kinase inhibitors (tkis) compared with platinum-based chemotherapy are inconsistent. Results from studies that selected patients based on clinical characteristics are also mixed. There is high-quality evidence that an egfrtki is preferred over a platinum doublet as initial therapy for patients with an activating mutation of the EGFR gene. The egfrtkis are associated with a higher likelihood of response, longer progression-free survival, and improved quality of life. Multiple trials of second-line therapy have compared an egfrtki with chemotherapy. Meta-analysis of those data demonstrates similar progression-free and overall survival. There is consequently no preferred sequence for second-line egfrtki or second-line chemotherapy. The egfrtkis have also been evaluated as switch-maintenance therapy. No molecular marker could identify patients in whom a survival benefit was not observed; however, the magnitude of the benefit was modest. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of EGFR mutation status is essential to making appropriate treatment decisions in patients with nsclc. Patients who are EGFR mutation-positive should be treated with an egfrtki as first-line therapy. An egfrtki is still appropriate therapy in patients who are EGFR wild-type, but the selected agent should be administered as second- or third-line therapy.

Enhancing treatment decision-making: pilot study of a treatment decision aid in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

We developed a decision aid (DA) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), to better inform patients of their prognosis and treatment options, and facilitate involvement in decision-making. In a pilot study, 20 patients with metastatic NSCLC attending outpatient clinics at a major cancer centre, who had already made a treatment decision, reviewed acceptability of the DA. The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 37-77 years), 35% were male, 20% had a university education, and most (75%) had English as a first language. Most had received chemotherapy, with 65% currently on treatment. Patients were not anxious at baseline and had clear understanding of the goals and toxicity of chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. After reviewing the DA, patients' anxiety decreased slightly (P=0.04) and knowledge scores improved by 25% (P<0.001). Most improvements in understanding were of prognosis with and without chemotherapy, although patients still believed advanced NSCLC to be curable. Patients rated the DA highly with respect to information clarity, usefulness and were positive about its use in practice, although 40% found the prognostic information slightly upsetting. The DA for advanced NSCLC is feasible, acceptable to patients and improves understanding of advanced NSCLC without increasing patient anxiety.

Transarterial chemoembolisation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: results from a North American cancer centre.

AIMS: In Asian countries, transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) has long been used for palliation of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without strong evidence of improved survival or quality of life. In 2002, a survival benefi of TACE was shown in two randomised controlled trials in Europe and Hong Kong. The effectiveness of interventions fo HCC is influenced by geographical factors related to diverse patient characteristics and protocols. Therefore, the validation of TACE as palliative modality for unresectable HCC requires confirmation in diverse patient populations. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of TACE for HCC in a North American population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single centre prospective cohort study. Child-Pugh A cirrhosis or better patients wit unresectable HCC and without radiological evidence of metastatic disease or segmental portal vein thrombosis wer assessed between November 2001 and May 2004. Of 54 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria, 47 underwent 80 TACE sessions. Chemoembolisation was carried out using selective hepatic artery injection of 75 mg/m(2) doxorubicin and lipiodol followed by an injection of embolic particles when necessary. Repeat treatments were carried out at 2-3 month intervals for recurrent disease. The primary outcome was overall survival; secondary outcomes were morbidity and tumour response. RESULTS: The survival probabilities at 1, 2 and 3 years were 76.6, 55.5 and 50%, respectively. At 6 months after the first intervention, 31% of patients had a partial response and 60% had stable disease by RECIST criteria. Minor adverse events occurred after 39% of TACEs and major adverse events after 20% of sessions, including two treatment-related deaths (4% of patients). One patient had complete cancer remission after undergoing three TACE treatments. Further progression of tumour growth was prevented in 91% of tumours at the 6 month point after the first TACE. At 3 months, serum levels of the tumour marker alpha-feto protein were significantly reduced in patients with elevated levels before TACE. CONCLUSIONS: The survival probabilities at 1 and 2 years after TACE were comparable with results in randomised studies from Europe and Asia. Most patients tolerated TACE well, but clinicians need to be aware that moderately severe sideeffects require close monitoring and prompt intervention.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in patients with completely resected stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. The Lung Cancer Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Most studies of adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with complete surgical resection of disease have shown negative results. However, two studies of stage II and III disease by our Lung Cancer Study Group suggested an advantage to adjuvant therapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP). PURPOSE: Since neither of those studies had an untreated control, the Lung Cancer Study Group undertook a trial that included a control group and also offered the potential benefit of adjuvant therapy with CAP to patients with T1, N1 or T2, N0 (stage I) non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS: After complete resection, eligible patients with stage I disease were classified by known prognostic factors and randomly assigned to receive or not to receive four courses of CAP at 3-week intervals beginning on day 30 after surgery. The CAP regimen consisted of 400 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide, 40 mg/m2 doxorubicin, and 60 mg/m2 cisplatin. Stratification by prognostic factors was as follows: histology (squamous versus nonsquamous), white blood cell count before surgery (> or = 9100/mm3 versus < 9100/mm3), and Karnofsky performance status before surgery (< or = 90% versus 100%). RESULTS: Of the 269 patients entered in the study, 101 had recurrence and 127 have died. Mean time since randomization is 6.4 years; mean follow-up is 3.8 years. There were no differences in time to recurrence or overall survival (not stratified by histology) between the two groups, even when analyses were adjusted for prognostic variables. There was one treatment-related death on the CAP arm due to infection during neutropenia. Only 53% of the eligible patients received all four courses of CAP, and only 57% of such patients received all four cycles on time. In 74% of the patients, the site of initial recurrence was distant. CONCLUSIONS: The most likely explanations for the lack of efficacy of CAP are poor compliance to the protocol and relative inactivity of the regimen, compared with the activity of drug combinations used in more recent studies. On the basis of this trial, adjuvant therapy with CAP should not be recommended for patients with resected stage I lung cancer. IMPLICATIONS: Further trials to test adjuvant therapy are indicated, but investigators should use better antiemetics to improve patient compliance as well as more active chemotherapy regimens.

Second primary cancers related to smoking and treatment of small-cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer Working Cadre.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk of second primary cancers has been reported in patients who survive small-cell carcinoma of the lung. The treatment's contribution to the development of second cancers is difficult to assess, in part because the number of long-term survivors seen at any one institution is small. We designed a multi-institution study to investigate the risk among survivors of developing second primary cancers other than small-cell lung carcinoma. METHODS: Demographic, smoking, and treatment information were obtained from the medical records of 611 patients who had been cancer free for more than 2 years after therapy for histologically proven small-cell lung cancer, and person-years of follow-up were cumulated. Population-based rates of cancer incidence and mortality were used to estimate the expected number of cancers or deaths. The actuarial risk of second cancers was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Relative to the general population, the risk of all second cancers among these patients (mostly non-small-cell cancers of the lung) was increased 3.5-fold. Second lung cancer risk was increased 13-fold among those who received chest irradiation in comparison to a sevenfold increase among nonirradiated patients. It was higher in those who continued smoking, with evidence of an interaction between chest irradiation and continued smoking (relative risk = 21). Patients treated with various forms of combination chemotherapy had comparable increases in risk (9.4- to 13-fold, overall), except for a 19-fold risk increase among those treated with alkylating agents who continued smoking. IMPLICATIONS: Because of their substantially increased risk, survivors should stop smoking and may consider entering trials of secondary chemoprevention.

Effects of total parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy on the metabolic derangements in small cell lung cancer.

Changes in energy metabolism, substrate use, and hormone profiles were prospectively studied in 31 patients with small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy. Patients were randomized to receive either 4 weeks of total parenteral nutrition (n = 15) or to continue self-regulated p.o. diet (control group; n = 16). The initial actual resting energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry was 31% higher than the predicted resting energy expenditure determined by the Harris-Benedict formula. The p.o. calorie intake was inappropriately low for these hypermetabolic patients. Total parenteral nutrition resulted in a significant positive net energy balance, but in follow-up was associated with prolonged anorexia and a negative energy balance. Complete response to therapy reduced resting energy expenditure and increased calorie intake, whereas the contrary was true in nonresponders. Elevated plasma-free fatty acids (800 +/- 62 microM; S.E.) and a low respiratory quotient (0.74 +/- 0.02) indicate that the dominant energy source in patients with small cell lung cancer is fat, and that increased fat oxidation continues despite tumor response. Elevated fasting plasma catecholamines and insulin resistance may contribute to continued fat mobilization. Initially, there was a significant increase in blood lactate (1118 +/- 95 microM) suggesting either increased tumor or tumor-mediated glycolytic activity. Response to therapy was associated with a fall in blood lactate levels. The most effective way of improving the metabolic derangements in patients with small cell lung cancer was to achieve tumor response to therapy.

Limited impact of total parenteral nutrition on nutritional status during treatment for small cell lung cancer.

During a randomized trial of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in patients with small cell lung cancer, we evaluated the short- and long-term effects of 4 weeks of TPN on nutritional assessment parameters. All 119 patients who were accrued to the study received the same chemotherapy and radiotherapy protocol which extended over a 1-year period: 57 patients received TPN; and 62 served as controls. At base line, patients with greater than 5% pretreatment weight loss had significantly lower levels of serum albumin, total iron-binding capacity, and creatinine/height index. TPN administration led to a significant increase in mean caloric intake and weight compared with controls (P less than 0.0001). In the short-term study, body fat, as measured by triceps skinfold thickness, was maintained, and there was a small increase in arm muscle circumference. Serum albumin and hematocrit decreased but promptly returned to pretreatment levels when TPN was stopped. There were no long-term differences in any of the nutritional assessment parameters between the two groups.

Sites of recurrence in resected stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: a guide for future studies.

The Lung Cancer Study Group recently completed a double-blind adjuvant immunotherapy study, in which 473 patients with resected stage I non-small-cell lung cancer were randomized to either intrapleural BCG or placebo. The study showed no significant difference in time to first recurrence for the two treatment arms. The present report analyzes the distribution of the anatomic site of first relapse and relates this to TN staging, histology, and other appropriate risk factors. The overall rate of recurrence is significantly higher for increasing TN status and for nonsquamous as compared to squamous-cell type. However, the distribution of site of recurrence does not, in general, change with increasing TN status or with histology. Approximately 65% to 75% of the first recurrences involve distant sites, with the brain being by far the most common, regardless of TN staging or histology. The implications of this for planning future studies is discussed.

Cost-effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy: an economic evaluation of a randomized trial in small-cell lung cancer.

An economic evaluation of a randomized trial of cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH), and vincristine alone or alternating with etoposide (VP-16) and cisplatin in extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) was undertaken. A survival benefit of 1.6 months in favor of alternating chemotherapy was associated with an additional cost of $450 (1984 Canadian dollars) per patient. This translated to a cost of $3,370 per year of life gained. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the cost-effectiveness (CEA) of alternating chemotherapy was greatest when treatment was given on an outpatient basis. The results of the evaluation were sensitive to hospitalization rates, but even the most unfavorable analyses revealed the CEA of alternating chemotherapy to be comparable to that of treatments of common nonmalignant diseases. It is concluded that the CEA of alternating chemotherapy for SCLC was favorable when compared with accepted treatments for nonmalignant diseases. The survival benefit seen with alternating chemotherapy was felt to be clinically significant and alternating chemotherapy is recommended as routine therapy for extensive SCLC.

Meropenem versus ceftazidime in the treatment of cancer patients with febrile neutropenia: a randomized, double-blind trial.

PURPOSE: To compare meropenem, a carbapenem antibiotic, with ceftazidime for the empirical treatment of patients with febrile neutropenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted at medical centers in North America and the Netherlands. A total of 411 cancer patients (196 treated with meropenem and 215 treated with ceftazidime), who had 471 episodes of fever, participated in the trial. For each neutropenic episode, patients were allocated at random to receive intravenous administration of meropenem (1 g every 8 hours) or ceftazidime (2 g every 8 hours). Treatment could be modified at any time. Key end points were clinical and bacteriologic outcomes, eradication of infecting organism, and adverse events. RESULTS: The rate of successful clinical response at the end of therapy was significantly higher for patients treated with meropenem than for those on ceftazidime for all episodes (54% v 44%, respectively) and for episodes of fever of unknown origin (62% v 46%, respectively), but differences between groups were not statistically significant for clinically defined or microbiologically defined infections. Meropenem was significantly more effective than ceftazidime in severely neutropenic (

Influence of age on the treatment of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic importance of age on response rate and survival in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and to determine the effect of age on chemotherapy dose delivery and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective analysis of data from two multicenter, randomized trials conducted by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) in which 608 SCLC patients who presented with limited disease (LD) all received the same chemotherapy. Treatment consisted of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine (CAV), and etoposide plus cisplatin (EP) administered in an immediate or delayed alternating fashion, plus cranial and thoracic irradiation. RESULTS: There were 520 patients aged less than 70 years, and 88 > or = 70. No significant differences existed between the two age groups in baseline characteristics, including treatment protocol, performance status, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. There were more men in the older group (P = .05). Overall response rates were comparable (78% v 82%, P = .50), and 5-year survival rates were also similar (P = .14), with 11% alive in the younger group and 8% in the older group. Age was a significant predictor of overall survival when analyzed as a continuous variable in a univariate model (P = .01), but it was no longer an independent prognostic factor in our multivariate regression analysis. An analysis of chemotherapy delivery between the two age groups showed that patients aged > or = 70 years received lower total doses of each drug compared with the intended full protocol dose, primarily as a result of dose omissions, rather than dose reductions. The frequency of dose delays was not different between groups. No significant differences were seen in the incidence of either hematologic or most nonhematologic toxicities. CONCLUSION: Age is not a significant adverse prognostic variable in SCLC patients with LD. Moderately aggressive chemotherapy may be delivered safely to elderly patients with a good performance status, although modest attenuation of therapy through either dose reduction or omission may occur more frequently in this population.

Phase I dose-escalation trial of gemcitabine and cisplatin for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: usefulness of mathematic modeling to determine maximum-tolerable dose.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the maximum-tolerated doses of gemcitabine and cisplatin, each given weekly for 3 weeks with a 1-week rest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients less than 75 years of age were eligible if they had stage III/IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), life expectancy > or = 12 weeks, hemoglobin level > or = 10 g/dL, granulocyte count > or = 2 x 10(9)/L, platelet count > or = 100 x 10(9)/L, hepatic enzymes < or = three times the upper limit of normal, and creatinine concentration < or = 130 mumoles/L. The starting doses for gemcitabine and cisplatin were 1,000 mg/m2 and 25 mg/m2 per week for 3 weeks. At dose level 2, cisplatin was increased to 30 mg/m2/wk for 3 weeks, and thereafter only gemcitabine was increased by 250 mg/m2/wk at each dose level to a maximum of 2,250 mg/m2/wk. RESULTS: There were 33 men and 17 women, with a median age of 62 years. Pathology included adenocarcinoma in 35 patients, squamous in eight, large cell in six, and mixed histology in one. Sixteen patients had stage III and 34 had stage IV tumors. The median nadir granulocyte and platelet counts decreased with each dose level, but cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in > or = two patients was not encountered in cycle 1, even at the highest dose level. Cumulative marrow toxicity was seen at all levels, which resulted in frequent dose reductions or omissions. A mathematic model of all toxicities over time suggested that dose level 4 (cisplatin 30 mg/m2/wk and gemcitabine 1,500 mg/m2/wk) would be the maximum dose at which grade 4 toxicity would be expected in < or = 33% of patients over four cycles. Of 47 assessable patients, 14 achieved a partial response (30%; confidence interval, 17% to 43%). The median duration was 16 weeks and the median survival time was 24 weeks (range, 3.5-64+). CONCLUSION: Weekly gemcitabine and cisplatin are active against NSCLC, and the recommended phase II doses are 30 and 1,500 mg/m2/wk for 3 weeks, respectively.

Adjuvant chemotherapy following surgical resection for small-cell carcinoma of the lung.

Surgery alone is inadequate therapy for limited small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), resulting in less than 5% long-term survival. Since 1976, we treated patients undergoing surgery for SCLC with adjuvant chemotherapy in an attempt to prolong survival and increase cure. Seventy-seven patients who underwent surgery as their primary treatment were identified, and of these 63 (46 male and 17 female) received chemotherapy. Fifteen patients had a pneumonectomy, 46 a lobectomy, and two had wedge resections. Six patients had positive microscopic resection margins. Pathologic staging showed tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) involvement as follows: T1N0, eight; T2N0, ten; T1N1, six; T2N1, 18; T1N2, five; T2N2, nine; T3N0, three; T3N1, one; and T3N2, three. All patients received cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (doxorubicion; Adria Laboratories, Mississauga, Ontario), and vincristine; four also received etoposide (VP-16) and cisplatin, one VP-16, and four methotrexate, procarbazine, and lomustine (CCNU). Forty-nine patients received prophylactic cranial irradiation, and 35 received radiotherapy to the mediastinum and primary site. The overall median survival of the 63 patients is 83 weeks, and the projected 5-year survival is 31%. Patients with T1 or T2 tumors without nodal involvement had a median survival of 191 weeks, and projected 5-year survival of 48%. Stage II (T1N1, T2N1) and stage III (any T3 or T1-2N2) patients had median survivals of 72 weeks and 65 weeks, and projected 5-year survivals of 24.5% and 24%, respectively. Thirty-three patients have relapsed and died of disease. Only two patients had an isolated relapse at the primary site. Seven other patients have died without recurrent disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery results in prolonged survival and cure for a significant number of patients with stage I SCLC, although nodal involvement at any level is associated with shorter survival.

Etoposide (VP-16) and cisplatin: an effective treatment for relapse in small-cell lung cancer.

Seventy-eight patients with evaluable small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were treated with etoposide (VP-16) and cisplatin after their disease failed to respond to, or relapsed after, induction combination chemotherapy, consisting primarily of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and vincristine (CAV). Twenty-four patients had limited disease (LD) and 54 had extensive disease (ED). In six (8%) patients, a complete response (CR) was achieved and in 37 (47%), there was a partial response (PR). The median duration of response for responding patients was 22 weeks (range, 4 to 50 weeks) for patients with LD and 18 weeks (range, 4 to 49 weeks) for those with ED. Twelve percent of patients demonstrated stable disease, and 33% of patients had progressive disease on treatment. The median survival times of LD patients achieving a CR or PR were 59 and 34 weeks, respectively, whereas the comparable figures for ED patients were 45 and 23 weeks, respectively. Gastrointestinal toxicity was mild, but myelosuppression, predominantly leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, was common. Mild to moderate nephrotoxicity occurred in 11 patients, but was reversible in all cases. Two febrile episodes occurred during periods of drug-induced neutropenia, but no other significant toxicities were identified. These results provide further evidence that VP-16 and cisplatin is an effective and tolerable combination chemotherapy regimen for SCLC resistant to CAV.

VP-16 and cisplatin as first-line therapy for small-cell lung cancer.

Thirty-one patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were treated with VP-16 and cisplatin as first-line therapy. In the majority of cases an Adriamycin (Adria Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio) containing regimen was contraindicated because of severe cardiac or hepatic disease. Eight patients who presented with cerebral metastases were also included in the series. Eleven patients had limited disease (LD), and 20 had extensive disease (ED). Of the 28 evaluable patients, 12 (43%) achieved a complete response (CR) and 12 (43%) had a partial response (PR). Four patients (14%) either had no response or progressed on treatment. The median duration of response for patients with LD was 39 weeks and for those with ED, 26 weeks. The median survival time (MST) for the whole group of responding (CR and PR) LD patients was 70 weeks (range, 28 to 181 + weeks), and for responding ED patients, it was 43 weeks (range, 17 to 68 weeks). Gastrointestinal toxicity was mild, but leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were common. There were four febrile episodes during periods of drug-induced neutropenia and this led to one treatment-related death. Nephrotoxicity occurred in 15 patients and required discontinuation of cisplatin in two. These results compare favorably with reports of standard induction chemotherapy regimens and provide further evidence of the activity of the VP-16 and cisplatin regimen in patients with SCLC.

The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer risk index: A multinational scoring system for identifying low-risk febrile neutropenic cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Febrile neutropenia remains a potentially life-threatening complication of anticancer chemotherapy, but some patients are at low risk for serious medical complications. The purpose of this study was to develop an internationally validated scoring system to identify these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Febrile neutropenic cancer patients were observed in a prospective multinational study. Independent factors assessable at fever onset, predicting low risk of complications, on a randomly selected derivation set, were assigned integer weights to develop a risk-index score, which was subsequently tested on a validation set. RESULTS: On the derivation set (756 patients), predictive factors were a burden of illness indicating absence of symptoms or mild symptoms (weight, 5; odds ratio [OR], 8.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.15 to 16.38) or moderate symptoms (weight, 3; OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 2.18 to 6.29); absence of hypotension (weight, 5; OR, 7.62; 95% CI, 2.91 to 19.89); absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (weight, 4; OR, 5. 35; 95% CI, 1.86 to 15.46); presence of solid tumor or absence of previous fungal infection in patients with hematologic malignancies (weight, 4; OR, 5.07; 95% CI, 1.97 to 12.95); outpatient status (weight, 3; OR, 3.51; 95% CI, 2.02 to 6.04); absence of dehydration (weight, 3; OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.89 to 7.73); and age less than 60 years (weight, 2; OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.51 to 4.01). On the validation set, a Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer risk-index score >/= 21 identified low-risk patients with a positive predictive value of 91%, specificity of 68%, and sensitivity of 71%. CONCLUSION: The risk index accurately identifies patients at low risk for complications and may be used to select patients for testing therapeutic strategies that may be more convenient or cost-effective.

The prognostic significance of pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase in patients with small-cell lung cancer.

Pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were assayed in 288 patients presenting with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) between 1976 and 1985. Patients were routinely staged by physical examination, chest x-ray, bone, brain, and liver scans, and bone marrow evaluation. Clinical response and survival were assessed following treatment with combination chemotherapy as part of four clinical trials. Patients with extensive disease (ED) presented with a higher incidence (108 of 147, 73%) of abnormally elevated LDH (greater than 193 IU/L) than those (65 of 141, 46%) with limited disease (LD) (P = 2 x 10(-6)). Forty percent of patients had an initial normal LDH level and a higher response rate (89 of 108, 82%; complete response [CR], 47%) than those with elevated values of LDH (119 of 156, 76%; CR, 29%). The CR rate varied inversely with the level of LDH in patients with LD (P = .026) but not in those with ED (P = .300). The median survival time and 1-year and 2-year survival rates for patients with elevated LDH were 39 weeks and 33% and 6%, respectively, whereas for those with a normal LDH level these were 53 weeks and 54% and 16%, respectively. Patients with LD and elevated levels of LDH manifested a higher relative death rate (1.63:1) when compared with patients with LD and LDH in the normal range (P = .0083). The survival of patients with ED did not differ between those with normal and elevated levels of LDH (P = .273). A significant survival advantage persisted for patients with LDH in the normal range following adjustments for extent of disease, performance status (PS), and treatment protocol (P = .044, log-rank analysis). In conclusion, serum LDH appears to be a significant independent pretreatment prognostic factor in patients with SCLC that correlates with stage of disease, response to treatment, and survival.

Importance of clinical staging in limited small-cell lung cancer: a valuable system to separate prognostic subgroups. The University of Toronto Lung Oncology Group.

PURPOSE: In an attempt to assess the response to treatment and survival of a group of patients treated with standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we undertook a retrospective review of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated by the University of Toronto Lung Oncology Group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 264 patients with limited SCLC who were treated from 1976 to 1985. Based on radiologic review and physical examination, patients were assigned to three prognostic groups: group 1 (very limited SCLC), negative mediastinoscopy and/or no evidence of mediastinal nodes on radiologic review; group 2, x-ray evidence of mediastinal node involvement or a positive mediastinoscopy; group 3, supraclavicular adenopathy or x-ray evidence of pneumonic consolidation, pleural effusion, or atelectasis. All patients received combination chemotherapy, radiotherapy to the primary site, and prophylactic cranial irradiation. RESULTS: Complete response was seen in 52% of patients and partial response in 29%. Response rates did not differ among the three prognostic subgroups. The median survival time for patients in group 1 was 15.7 months, compared with 12 months for group 2 and 11 months for group 3 (P = .0175). Projected 5-year survival for group 1 was 18%, compared with only 6% and 2% for groups 2 and 3, respectively. There was no difference among the prognostic subgroups with respect to either local or distant recurrence rates. CONCLUSION: Using simple clinical staging techniques, we were able to identify a subgroup of patients with very limited SCLC who had a significantly better prognosis. We recommend that randomized clinical trials stratify patients according to the presence or absence of clinically detectable mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

Phase I-II study of high-dose epirubicin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: A phase I multicenter trial was performed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of epirubicin, given on 3 consecutive days every 3 weeks to previously untreated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After appropriate staging and a baseline multiple-gated angiogram (MUGA) scan, at least four patients were entered at each dose level, starting at 35 mg/m2 of epirubicin given intravenously (IV) daily for 3 days (105 mg/m2) and escalating by 5 mg/m2 per injection in each dose level (15 mg/m2 per course). Epirubicin was administered up to a maximum dose of 60 mg/m2/d for 3 days (180 mg/m2). The MTD was determined to be 55 mg/m2/d for 3 days (165 mg/m2) after treating a total of 35 (33 assessable) patients. Nadir granulocyte counts and associated febrile episodes comprised the dose-limiting toxicity, but there were no treatment-related deaths. A phase II trial was performed using a dose of 50 mg/m2/d for 3 days (150 mg/m2) every 3 weeks with no dose escalation, but with dose reduction for toxicity as required. A total of 30 patients were entered onto this phase of the study. RESULTS: The major toxicity, as in the phase I trial, was neutropenia with five febrile episodes, again with no treatment-related deaths. An overall response rate of 12 of 63 (19%) was noted in the combined patient population of the phase I-II trial, with 95% confidence intervals of 10% to 31%. When the response rate was analyzed by histology, only one of 17 (6%) patients with squamous histology, as compared with 11 of 46 (24%) with non-squamous histology, responded, but this did not reach statistical significance (P = .15). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose epirubicin is tolerable and is an active single agent in NSCLC. It should be combined with relatively nonmyelosuppressive agents such as cisplatin to try to obtain higher response rates and extend the survival in this disease.