Volumetric-Modulated Arc-Based Re-radiosurgery With Simultaneous Reduced-Dose Whole-Brain Irradiation for Local Failures Following Prior Radiosurgery of Brain Oligometastases From Small Cell Lung Cancer.

First-line and possibly repeated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with preserving whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is an attractive and promising option for synchronous or metachronous limited brain metastases (BMs) from small cell lung cancer (SCLC), for which a modest prescription dose is generally preferred, such as a biological effective dose of ≤60 Gy, based on the linear-quadratic formula with an alpha/beta ratio of 10 (BED10). In addition, the optimal planning scheme for re-SRS for local progression after SRS of BMs from SCLC remains unclear. Herein, we describe a case of limited BMs developing after a partial response to standard chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for limited-stage SCLC. The BMs, including local failures following prior single-fraction (fr) SRS, were re-treated with volumetric-modulated arc-based SRS combined with simultaneous reduced-dose WBRT. The first SRS with 36.3 Gy/3 fr (BED10 80 Gy) for a small BM resulted in a local control of 17.2 months. However, the second SRS with 20 Gy/1 fr (BED10 60 Gy) to the 60% or 85% isodose surface (IDS) covering the gross tumor volume (GTV) of three new BMs with a paradoxical T1/T2 mismatch, that is, a visible mass on T2 larger than an enhancing area, resulted in partial symptomatic local progression of all lesions within 5.2 months, along with the development of two new lesions, despite continued amrubicin monotherapy. In contrast, the third SRS with 53 Gy/10 fr (BED10 81 Gy) to ≤74% IDSs encompassing the GTV boundary resulted in complete responses of all the lesions during six months. However, despite a combined use of WBRT of 25 Gy in the third SRS, symptomatic spinal cerebrospinal fluid dissemination and new BMs developed, the former leading to patient mortality. A BED10 of ≥80 Gy to the GTV margin and a steep dose increase inside the GTV boundary are suitable to ensure excellent local control in SRS for SCLC BMs. Re-SRS with the aforementioned scheme can be an efficacious option for local failures following prior SRS with a BED10 of ≤60 Gy. Modest dose escalation with a simultaneous integrated boost to bulky lesions in the initial CRT may reduce the development of new BM through improved control of the potential source.

Twenty-Month Regression Following Concurrent Conventional Whole-Brain Irradiation and Chemoimmunotherapy for ≥3.8 cm Cerebellar Metastasis From Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Standard whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) alone for large brain metastases (BMs) from small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has limited efficacy and durability, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone for symptomatic posterior fossa BMs >3 cm with satellite lesions is challenging. Herein, we describe the case of a 73-year-old female presenting with treatment-naïve SCLC and 15 symptomatic multiple BMs, including a ≥3.8-cm cerebellar mass (≥17.7 cm3) and two adjacent lesions; otherwise, the SCLC was confined to the thorax. The patient was initially treated concurrently with conventional WBRT (30 Gy in 10 fractions) without boost and chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) consisting of carboplatin, etoposide, and atezolizumab. Atezolizumab was excluded during irradiation. Five months after WBRT, the large cerebellar lesion had remarkably regressed, and the smaller lesions (≤17 mm) showed complete responses (CRs) without local progression at 20 months. However, six and 16 months after WBRT, the thoracic lesions had progressed, and although amrubicin was administered, four new BMs, including pons involvement, had developed, respectively. Despite the CRs of the four BMs following SRS (49.6 Gy in eight fractions) and the sustained regression of the thoracic lesions, meningeal dissemination and multiple new BMs were evident 3.5 months post-SRS. The small remnant of the large BM and/or newly developed BMs abutting the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space could have led to CSF dissemination, the presumed cause of the patient's death. Taken together, concurrent chemo-WBRT and subsequent CIT can provide excellent and durable tumor responses for SCLC BMs, but may not be fully sufficient for BMs ≥3.8 cm. Therefore, in cases with large lesions, focal dose escalation of the large lesions, consolidative thoracic radiotherapy, and dose de-escalation in the macroscopically unaffected brain region may prevent or attenuate CSF dissemination, new BM development, and adverse effects and thus should be considered.

Lung Cancer Complicated by Relapsing Polychondritis.

A 77-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of cough, pharyngeal discomfort, and weight loss. Chest radiography revealed a mass shadow in the right upper lung field. Bronchoscopy showed multiple white nodules along the tracheal cartilage ring. Although adenocarcinoma cells were detected in the mass, several biopsy specimens of the tracheal lesions exhibited no malignancy. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed an intense accumulation in the mass, nasal septum, and tracheal cartilage. Furthermore, anti-type II collagen antibody levels were elevated. We finally diagnosed him with lung cancer complicated by relapsing polychondritis. Treatment with oral prednisolone was initiated, followed by sequential chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer.

[A Case of Second Primary Small Cell Lung Carcinoma after Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer].

We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who underwent partial mastectomy due to left breast cancer(invasive ductal carcinoma)in March 20XX-4. This was followed by radiotherapy(50 Gy/25 Fr)and hormone therapy. In July 20XX, she was referred to our department because a chest computed tomography(CT)scan performed at the postoperative follow-up revealed a band-like consolidation adjacent to the pleura in the lingular segment, with enlarged ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. CT-guided lung tumor biopsy was performed, and she was diagnosed with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy with carboplatin, etoposide, and atezolizumab was initiated. Radiotherapy was not performed due to the overlap between the distribution of the lung tumor and the postoperative irradiation field of breast cancer. Due to the difference in the histopathological findings of the first and second primary tumors, and the location of the tumor in the postoperative irradiation field, the second cancer was considered to be radiation-induced cancer despite the short latency period.

Evaluation of topotecan monotherapy for relapsed small-cell lung cancer after amrubicin monotherapy failure.

Objective: The utility of topotecan monotherapy for relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) after failure of amrubicin monotherapy has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of topotecan monotherapy in patients with relapsed SCLC after amrubicin monotherapy. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 16 patients with relapsed SCLC who were treated with topotecan monotherapy after amrubicin monotherapy at our hospital. Results: The response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 0%, 32.5 days (95% confidence interval [CI] = 18-51), and 112 days (95% CI = 55-267), respectively. The most common adverse events (grade ≥3) were leukopenia (31.3%) and thrombocytopenia (31.3%), followed by anemia, anorexia, edema, and lung infections. Conclusion: The efficacy of topotecan monotherapy for relapsed SCLC after amrubicin monotherapy is inconclusive. Therefore, further studies are warranted.

Nab-paclitaxel Monotherapy for Relapsed Small Cell Lung Cancer: Retrospective Analysis and Review.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The utility of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) monotherapy in patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has not been fully evaluated. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of nab-PTX monotherapy in relapsed SCLC patients, including heavily treated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data from 17 patients with relapsed SCLC who were treated with weekly nab-PTX monotherapy at our hospital. We also reviewed past studies on nab-PTX monotherapy for relapsed SCLC. RESULTS: The response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 29.4%, 48 days (95%CI=33-89), and 134 days (95%CI=64-223), respectively. The most common adverse event of grade ≥3 was leukopenia (17.6%), followed by neutropenia, neuropathy, fatigue, and infections. Our results were consistent with previous studies. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of nab-PTX monotherapy for heavily treated relapsed SCLC patients might be moderate. Further studies to improve outcomes are warranted.

Immunonutritional status and pulmonary cavitation in patients with tuberculosis: A revisit with an assessment of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio.

BACKGROUND: Several reports have described the importance of immunological and nutritional factors in the morbidity and/or mortality of patients with tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between pulmonary cavitation and immunonutritional status, assessed by parameters such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 137 patients with culture-positive active pulmonary tuberculosis without bacterial pneumonia diagnosed at Kainan Hospital between April 2008 and March 2016. The associations between the levels of serum albumin, lymphocytes, NLR, PNI, platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and body mass index (BMI) and pulmonary cavitation were evaluated in the patients. RESULTS: A total of 83 men and 63 women (median age, 75 years; range, 16-94 years) were included in the study. Sixty-six patients had smoking history; 55 patients had respiratory symptoms, while 44 patients did not have any symptoms. Patient׳s delay, defined as medical examination performed over 60 days after the onset of symptoms was observed in 25 patients. Univariate analysis showed that high NLR (≥ 5), high PLR (≥200), low serum albumin (<3 g/dL), high neutrophil count (≥6000/mm3), and low lymphocyte count (<1000/mm3) were associated with pulmonary cavitation. Multivariate analysis showed that high NLR and low serum albumin were associated with pulmonary cavitation. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition and increased severity of inflammation may be associated with pulmonary cavitation in patients with tuberculosis. Further studies are warranted to confirm the findings of the present study.