Baseline results of the Depiscan study: a French randomized pilot trial of lung cancer screening comparing low dose CT scan (LDCT) and chest X-ray (CXR).

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer has the highest mortality-rate per cancer, with an overall 5-year survival <15%. Several non-randomized studies pointed out the high sensitivity of low dose computed tomography (LDCT) to detect early stage lung cancer. In France, Depiscan, a pilot RCT of LDCT versus chest X-ray (CXR), started on October 2002 to determine the feasibility of enrollment by general practitioners (GPs), investigations and diagnostic procedures by university hospital radiologists and multidisciplinary teams, data management by centralized clinical research assistants, and anticipate the future management of a large national trial. METHODS: GPs and occupational physicians (OPs) selected and enrolled 1000 subjects in 1 year. Eligible subjects were asymptomatic males or females aged 50-75 years with a current or former cigarette smoking history of >/=15 cigarettes per day for at least 20 years (former smokers having quit <15 years prior to enrollment). Based to randomization, annual LDCT or CXR screenings were planned at baseline and annually for 2 years. RESULTS: Between October 2002 and December 2004, 765 subjects were enrolled by 89 out of the 232 participating GPs and OPs. Complete clinical and imaging baseline data were available for 621 individuals out of the 765 enrolled, due to 144 noncompliant subjects who withdrew their consent. At least one nodule was detected in 152 out of 336 subjects (45.2%) in the LDCT screening, versus 21 out of 285 subjects (7.4%) in the CXR screening arm. Eight lung cancers were detected in the LDCT arm and one in the CXR arm. DISCUSSION: This pilot trial allows estimating that non-calcified nodules are 10 [6.36-17.07] times more often detected from LDCT than from CXR. However enrollment by GPs was more difficult than expected with 41% active investigators and a high rate (19%) of noncompliant patients. This experience speaks to the need for a high level of GPs formation and a large, coordinated clinical research team in such a trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: 02526.

Tumor lysis associated with sudden onset of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion is frequent in small-cell lung carcinomas. We report on a case of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion after each of the first 2 cycles of chemotherapy for small-cell lung cancer. The association with chemotherapy-induced tumor lysis is proposed, particularly based on the course of antidiuretic hormone levels, and a review of the literature is presented. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion can occur during tumor lysis syndrome.

Care organization in oncology / Organisation des soins en cancérologie

Care organization in oncology. The health care organization for cancer patients has been built with the passing and current cancer plans, and the coordination of all the actions against cancer by the French national cancer institute. The authors describe the several phases of a patient pathway during and after cancer treatment, underline the importance of supporting good practice guidelines for health professionals, certification criteria and cancer authorization decrees for health care institutions, as well as coordination structures, and describe the specific organizations for children and elderly patients with cancer and for patients with rare cancers. Constant adaptation of the health care organization for cancer is necessary because of the rapid evolution of the treatments, as the development of ambulatory surgery and of oral chemotherapy in outpatients.

Organisation des soins en cancérologie. L'organisation des soins en cancérologie s'est structurée au fil des Plan cancer successifs et de la coordination par l'Institut national du cancer de toutes les actions de lutte contre le cancer. Sont décrits ici les différents temps du parcours d'un malade atteint de cancer, pendant et au décours de son traitement, l'encadrement des pratiques des professionnels de santé par les référentiels nationaux de bonne pratique, l'encadrement règlementaire des établissements de santé délivrant les traitements des patients, les structures de coordination, les organisations spécifiques pour les enfants, les sujets âgés et les patients ayant des cancers rares. L'évolution rapide des traitements du cancer nécessite une adaptation constante de l'organisation des soins en cancérologie. C'est le cas pour la chirurgie ambulatoire et le développement des traitements médicaux du cancer (chimiothérapie et thérapie ciblée) par voie orale.

Preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery compared with primary surgery in resectable stage I (except T1N0), II, and IIIa non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether preoperative chemotherapy (PCT) could improve survival in resectable stage I (except T1N0), II, and IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized trial compared PCT to primary surgery (PRS). PCT consisted of two cycles of mitomycin (6 mg/m(2), day 1), ifosfamide (1.5 g/m(2), days 1 to 3) and cisplatin (30 mg/m(2), days 1 to 3), and two additional postoperative cycles for responding patients. In both arms, patients with pT3 or pN2 disease received thoracic radiotherapy. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-five eligible patients were randomized. Overall response to PCT was 64%. There were two preoperative toxic deaths. Postoperative mortality was 6.7% in the PCT arm and 4.5% in the PRS arm (P =.38). Median survival was 37 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.7 to 48.3) for PCT and 26.0 months (95% CI, 19.8 to 33.6) for PRS (P =.15). Survival differences between both arms increased from 3.8% (95% CI, 1.3% to 25.1%) at 1 year to 8.6% (95% CI, 2.64% to 24.4%) at 4 years. A quantitative interaction between N status and treatment was observed, with benefit confined to N0 to N1 disease (relative risk [RR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.96; P =.027). After a nonsignificant excess of deaths during treatment, the effect of PCT was significantly favorable on survival (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.99; P =.044). Disease-free survival time was significantly longer in the PCT arm (P =.033). CONCLUSION: Although impressive differences in median, 3-year, and 4-year survival were observed, they were not statistically significant, except for stage I and II disease.

[Aging and cancer care in France: hospitalization requirement in 2012]. / Sujets âgés atteints de cancer en France : quel recours à l'hospitalisation en 2012 ?

INTRODUCTION: French national cancer plans were rolled out oncogeriatric coordination units in France in particular to enable all elderly people with cancer in each region to benefit from a specific care management. METHODS: The national hospital discharge database was analyzed in order to analyze hospitalizations related to cancer care in ≥75 years patients for year 2012. RESULTS: A total of 358,721 patients with 1,492,935 hospitalizations were recorded, respectively with chemotherapy (32.4%), radiotherapy (23.0%), surgery (10.6%), palliative care (3.9%), or other care (30.9%). Hospital activity was distributed in hospitals (36.3%), clinics (23.4%), academic hospitals (20.9%), cancer centers (11.8%). Their respective share varied according to care. Total activity volume and number of health care facilities involved were highly variable in the different regions. CONCLUSION: These data would permit development of a national oncogeriatric policy through the action of regional oncogeriatric coordination units. These units should prioritize training actions and good practice guidelines dissemination in health care institutions with a high activity volume in this domain.

[Standards, Options and Recommendations for the management of non-small cell lung carcinoma patients]. / Standards, Options et Recommandations 2000 pour la prise en charge des patients atteints d'un cancer bronchopulmonaire non á petites cellules (rapport abrégé).

CONTEXT: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of French Cancer Centers (FNCLCC), the 20 French cancer centers and specialists from French public university and general hospitals and private clinics. Its main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop, according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations, clinical practice guidelines for the management of non small cell lung carcinoma patients. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline and the personal reference lists of members of the expert groups, then submitted for review to independent reviewers. This is a short version of the SOR guideline covering diagnosis, treatment and follow-up and includes the algorithms for the management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

[2000 Standards, Options and Recommendations for prognostic value of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in non small cell lung cancer]. / Standards, Options et Recommandations 2000 pour l'intérêt pronostique des oncogènes et gènes suppresseurs de tumeurs dans les cancers bronchopulmonaires non à petites cellules.

CONTEXT: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of French cancer centers (FNCLCC), the 20 French cancer centers, and specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and the outcome of cancer patients. The methodology is based on a literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines for non small cell lung cancer patients according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations project. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline , web sites, and using the personal reference lists of members of the expert groups. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent reviewers. RESULTS: This article presents the chapter "Prognosis significance of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes" from the full report "Standards, Options and Recommendation for non small cell lung cancer" validated in August 2000. The main recommendations are: 1) No clear clinical prognostic value of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (p53, bcl-2, Ki-ras, c-erbB-2, Rb, p16) in non small cell lung cancer, can be established from the available evidences (standard, level of evidence C). 2) Prospective multicenter studies should be performed to assess prognostic significance of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in non small cell lung cancer.

[Secondary tumoral pleurisy]. / Les pleurésies tumorales secondaires.

WHEN THE PRIMARY CANCER IS KNOWN: Secondary tumoral pleurisy can develop at any stage in the evolution of a neoplastic disease and its diagnosis is easy when the primitive cancer is known. Cytological analysis of the pleural liquid and/or biopsy often provides material and the slides can then be compared with those of the primitive cancer and a relationship established. However, a probabilistic diagnosis should not be in haste, without anatomopathological confirmation, since the causes of pleurisy in a cancer patient are varied. WHEN THE PRIMARY CANCER IS NOT KNOWN: The most difficult situation is that when the pleurisy is revelatory of a neoplastic disease. In this case, explorations should be limited to a few essential examinations guided by the clinical profile, without being tempted to carrying out exhaustive explorations of the primitive cancer, which would not change the prognosis. Before such explorations, it is essential to obtain a precise pleural diagnosis, and for this, the indication for a pleuroscopy must be easily and rapidly accessible. FROM A THERAPEUTIC POINT OF VIEW: Once the diagnosis of pleurisy has be established, treatment is in two parts, associated or not: local treatment consisting in pleural sympysis and general treatment (chemotherapy or even hormone therapy, adapted to the primitive neoplasia). Pleural sympysis is often performed using talc, either during the pleuroscopy (talc insufflated under visual control), or during thoracic draining (talc slurry).

Aging and cancer - addressing a nation's challenge.

The incidence of cancer will increase dramatically among elderly people in the 21st century. The first French National Cancer Plan (2003-2006) with the French Ministry of Health supported the creation of 15 pilot coordination units in oncogeriatrics (UPCOG) in 13 out of the 27 French regions. The second French National Cancer Plan (2009-2013) continues to support oncogeriatrics. Based on evaluation of the pilot experiment in 2010, requirement specifications for an oncogeriatric coordination unit were defined and rolled out nationwide. The following missions were set out: to adjust cancer treatment in elderly people and enable all elderly cancer patients to benefit from this oncogeriatric approach; to stimulate specific research in oncogeriatrics; to promote training of health professionals, and to promote information. The clinical use of a geriatric prescreening tool as a routine procedure needs to become more widespread. Lastly, recommendations for treatment strategies tailored to elderly persons with high-incidence cancer must be developed. Fifteen oncogeriatrics coordination units were founded since 2011, covering 11 regions. Roll-out continues in 2012.

Randomized phase II trial of gefitinib or gemcitabine or docetaxel chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and a performance status of 2 or 3 (IFCT-0301 study).

BACKGROUND: To compare 3 treatment strategies in chemotherapy naive patients with advanced NSCLC and a PS 2-3. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were assigned to gefitinib 250mg daily (n=43) or to gemcitabine (1250mg/m(2) d 1, 8 q 21d) (n=42) or docetaxel (75mg/m(2) d 1 q 21d) (n=42). Treatments were taken until progression or toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Secondary end points were response and overall survival. RESULTS: Disease control rates were 20.9%, 33.4% and 38.1%, respectively. Median PFS was 1.9 months in the gefitinib arm, 2.0 months in the gemcitabine arm and 2.0 months in the docetaxel arm (HR gemcitabine versus gefitinib: 0.74, 95%CI: [0.48; 1.16], HR docetaxel versus gefitinib: 0.67, 95%CI: [0.43; 1.05]). Median survival times were 2.2, 2.4 and 3.5 months, respectively (HR gemcitabine versus gefitinib: 0.76, 95%CI: [0.48; 1.20], HR docetaxel versus gefitinib: 0.69, 95%CI: [0.44; 1.09]). There were more grade 3-4 adverse events in the docetaxel arm when compared with either the gefitinib arm or the gemcitabine arm. CONCLUSION: In unselected NSCLC patients with PS 2-3, gefitinib, gemcitabine and docetaxel achieved similar results. Docetaxel was associated with higher rates of adverse events.

[Update of pemetrexed in thoracic oncology]. / Actualités du pemetrexed dans les cancers intrathoraciques.

Efficacy of pemetrexed has been demonstrated in malignant pleural mesothelioma. This is based on the result of a phase III trial comparing cisplatin and pemetrexed to cisplatin alone, with a significant improvement of median survival in the doublet arm (11.4 versus 8.8 months, p = 0.048). This combination represents a new standard of chemotherapy in this disease. In non small cell lung cancer, pemetrexed has been compared as second line chemotherapy to docetaxel : efficacy was comparable (median survival of 8.3 months with pemetrexed and 7.9 months with docetaxel) but significant less hematological toxicity was observed in the pemetrexed arm compared to the docetaxel arm, especially grade 3-4 neutropenia (respectively 5.3 and 40.2%) and febrile neutropenia (1.9 versus 12.7%). The place of pemetrexed in elderly patients is under evaluation.

[Lung cancer treatment in elderly patients]. / Traitement du cancer bronchique du sujet âgé.

The treatment of an elderly patient with a bronchial carcinoma is a daily challenge for the physician, because of the high incidence of lung carcinoma and a population getting older. The treatment has to be adapted, after geriatric assessment and evaluation of comorbidities, iatrogenic complications being more frequent and more severe in these patients. At the opposite, these patients are to often under-treated. This article will update the therapeutic strategy for non-small cell and small-cell lung carcinoma in the elderly.