Mesothelioma in immigrants from Turkey: Genes have a minor role.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence and epidemiology of malignant mesothelioma in immigrants from Karain where there is an extraordinarily high incidence of mesothelioma, Cappadocia, Turkey, to Stockholm, Sweden, and their children over 20 years of age born in Stockholm, i.e. two genetically similar populations with and without erionite exposure. METHODS: This survey was conducted as a retrospective cohort study. Standardized average annual mesothelioma incidence rates (AAMIRs) and mesothelioma standardized incidence ratio (mSIR) were calculated. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the importance of different factors related to mesothelioma risk. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 337 people, 203 of whom were born and/or lived in Karain before immigrating to Sweden (erionite-exposed), and 134 who were born in Stockholm (erionite-unexposed). There were 69 deaths, 42 (61%) due to mesothelioma, and two patients with the disease who were still alive. Of these 44 patients, 22 were men. All mesothelioma patients were in the erionite-exposed group. In the age group 30-49 years, mesothelioma developed in 11 of 38 (29%) with erionite exposure, while there were no cases among 86 persons in the non-exposed group. For men, the AAMIR was 253.9 per 100,000 persons in the whole cohort, and for women, it was 350.9. The mSIR was 71.9 for men and 393.1 for women. Exposure to erionite exceeding 20 years and age over 40 years were associated with increased mesothelioma risk. CONCLUSION: Exposure to erionite is the leading cause of mesothelioma in Karain villagers, and genetic factors are probably of minor importance.

[Thoracal actinomycosis - a diagnostic challenge]. / Torakal aktinomykos ­ allvarlig sjukdom och en diagnostisk svår utmaning - Men med rätt behandling är prognosen god.

Actinomycotic infection of the chest structures is rare but can be serious. Diagnosis is difficult, since both culture of the bacterium and pathological investigation require special methods. Investigations therefore usually take many months before the correct treatment can be started. The most common differential diagnosis is a chest malignancy. Treatment is long-term antibiotics. We here present three cases which illustrate the clinical and radiological findings and the diagnostic difficulties.

Achieving Thoracic Oncology data collection in Europe: a precursor study in 35 Countries.

BACKGROUND: A minority of European countries have participated in international comparisons with high level data on lung cancer. However, the nature and extent of data collection across the continent is simply unknown, and without accurate data collection it is not possible to compare practice and set benchmarks to which lung cancer services can aspire. METHODS: Using an established network of lung cancer specialists in 37 European countries, a survey was distributed in December 2014. The results relate to current practice in each country at the time, early 2015. The results were compiled and then verified with co-authors over the following months. RESULTS: Thirty-five completed surveys were received which describe a range of current practice for lung cancer data collection. Thirty countries have data collection at the national level, but this is not so in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Data collection varied from paper records with no survival analysis, to well-established electronic databases with links to census data and survival analyses. CONCLUSION: Using a network of committed clinicians, we have gathered validated comparative data reporting an observed difference in data collection mechanisms across Europe. We have identified the need to develop a well-designed dataset, whilst acknowledging what is feasible within each country, and aspiring to collect high quality data for clinical research.

Ex vivo evaluation of tumor cell specific drug responses in malignant pleural effusions.

The effect of chemotherapy may be improved by combining the most effective drugs based on testing the sensitivity of the individual tumor ex vivo. Such estimations of tumor cells from effusions have so far not been implemented in the clinical routine as a basis for individualized choice of therapy. One obstacle for such analyses is the admixture of benign cells that might obscure the results. In this paper we test and compare two ways of performing the analysis specifically on tumor cells. First we enrich the tumor cells, using antibody labeled magnetic separation, and measure the effects of subsequent drug exposure with the metabolic activity assays WST-1 and alamar blue. The second way of estimating drug effects specifically on tumor cells employs multi parameter flow cytometry, measuring apoptosis with the propidium iodide / AnnexinV technique and, particularly for pemetrexed, possible effects on cell cycle progression in immunologically identified tumor cells. The two techniques produce similar results, indicating a possible use in personalized medicine. The possible predictive role of the analysis remains to be shown.

[Black smoke lung disease ­ a new disease in Sweden]. / Sotrökslunga är en ny sjukdom i Sverige - Exponering för rök från biomassa är orsaken.

Black smoke lung disease - a new disease in Sweden We describe two elderly female patients, immigrants to Sweden from Afghanistan, with intensive longtime exposure to smoke from biomass, and who presented with bronchial stenosis and severe bronchial obstruction. CT and X-ray showed bizarre perihilar infiltrates in the lungs. Bronchoscopy revealed black narrow bronchi with a middle lobe stenosis in one of the patients. These findings indicate the diagnosis bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF). The here described findings are seen mainly in elderly never-smoking women from developing countries who have spent years cooking food in poorly ventilated kitchens. With increased immigration from these countries such cases will be seen in industrialized countries as well. Active tuberculosis must always be excluded but otherwise no more active investigations such as biopsies are warranted. We suggest that this disease should be termed ¼black smoke disease« to differentiate it from coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and other classical occupational diseases which can have similar clinical and radiological pictures. This term is easily understood even by non-medical persons and illustratess both the etiology and the black bronchi.

Bilateral endoscopic volume reduction in a woman with severe emphysema.

In selected patients with severe heterogenous emphysema lung volume reduction can be performed by using endobronchial valves. So far, only unilateral procedures have been published. Here is described a patient where a right-sided closure of the right upper lobe resulted in an increase of FEV1sec of more than 50%, and some years later the procedure was repeated on the left side with further considerable improvement. A tracheal bronchus to the apical segment of the right upper lobe made measuring the collateral flow at bronchoscopy impossible, but clearly visible fissures were used as a substitute. In conclusion, valve treatment in suitable patients can give substantial improvement in lung function and quality of life and can be repeated on the other side if warranted some years later.

Occupation and mesothelioma in Sweden: updated incidence in men and women in the 27 years after the asbestos ban.

OBJECTIVES: We updated the Swedish component of the Nordic Occupational Cancer (NOCCA) Study through 2009 in order to investigate the incidence of mesothelioma of the peritoneum and pleura in both genders, and explored occupational exposures that may be associated with mesothelioma. METHODS: The Swedish component of the NOCCA Study includes 6.78 million individuals. Data from this cohort were linked to the population-based Swedish Cancer Registry and Swedish Total Population Registry for three periods between 1961 and 2009, and then further linked to the Swedish NOCCA job-exposure matrix, which includes 25 carcinogenic substances and the corresponding exposure levels for 280 occupations. Multivariate analysis was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for mesothelioma of the peritoneum and pleura by gender, occupational category, carcinogenic substance, and for multiple occupational exposures simultaneously. RESULTS: A total of 3,716 incident mesotheliomas were recorded (21.1% in women). We found a significantly increased risk of mesothelioma in 24 occupations, as well as clear differences between the genders. Among men, increased risks of mesothelioma of the pleura were observed in male-dominated occupations, with the greatest elevation of risk among plumbers (SIR, 4.99; 95% confidence interval, 4.20 to 5.90). Among women, increased risks were observed in sewing workers, canning workers, packers, cleaners, and postal workers. In multivariate analysis controlling for multiple occupational exposures, significant associations were only observed between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. CONCLUSIONS: Asbestos exposure was associated with mesothelioma incidence in our study. The asbestos ban of 1982 has yet to show any clear effect on the occurrence of mesothelioma in this cohort. Among women, the occupations of canning workers and cleaners showed increased risks of mesothelioma of the pleura without evidence of asbestos exposure.

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in Octogenarians in Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Globally, an increasing proportion of cancer patients are aged >65 years and many are aged >70 years. Treatment of the elderly with lung cancer has, therefore, become an important issue. We performed a retrospective study of our patients to demonstrate how octogenarians with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are treated in real-life clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of all elderly (≥80 years) patients with NSCLC referred to the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska Hospital, Sweden, 2003-2010, and followed until June, 2016. RESULTS: In total, 452 patients, 216 (47.8%) men and 236 (52.2%) women, were included. The mean and median age was 83 years; 28 (6.2%) were aged 90 years or more. Current or former smokers constituted 91.1%, with men having smoked more (p<0.001). There was no difference in performance status (PS) between genders with PS 0-1 in 45.4%, PS 2 in 25.6% and PS3-4 in 29%. About a third each was diagnosed in stages 1-II, III and IV. Adenocarcinoma was most common (45.6%), 18.1% had squamous cell carcinoma, while histological diagnosis was unavailable in 23.2%. Best supportive care (BSC) was given only to 209 patients (46.2%). Potentially curative therapy was administered to 16.5% of men and 20.3% of the women with surgery performed in 35 patients (7.8%) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in 48 patients (10.6%). Chemotherapy was given to 51 patients (11.2%) and palliative radiotherapy to 77 (17.0%). Second-line chemotherapy was given in 4% and third-line in 1.5%. Only one patient received fourth-line. Male patients who received chemotherapy survived a mean of 281 days and for female patients it was 332 days (not significant). Median overall survival (OS) was 115 days in patients receiving BSC and 362 days in patients given any therapy. Patients who underwent surgery for stage I-II had a median OS of 5.6 years compared to 3.5 years for patients given SBRT. CONCLUSION: Treatment of NSCLC patients 80 years and older with any modality is feasible with a good PS. Survival is fairly good with surgery or SBRT.

Lung cancer among native and foreign-born Swedes: histopathology, treatment, and survival.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, including Sweden. Several studies have shown that socioeconomic status affects the risk, treatment, and survival of LC. Due to immigration after Second World War, foreign-born people constitute 12.5% of the Swedish population. We wanted to investigate if there were any differences in LC management, treatment and survival among the foreign-born Swedes (FBS) compared to the native Swedish population (NatS) in Stockholm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2008 was made. In all, 2041 cases of LC were diagnosed, thereof 1803 with NSCLC. Of these, 211 (11.7%) were FBS. RESULTS: The mean age of NatS and FBS patients was 69.9 years, median 70 (range 26-96) and 66.0 years, median 66 (range 38-94), respectively (p < 0.001). In all, 89.8% of NatS and 90.0% of FBS were either smokers or former smokers. Adenocarcinoma was the most common subtype in both groups (NatS 54.7%, FBS 48.3%). In 140 (8.8%) of the NatS and 17 (8.1%) of the FBS the diagnosis was clinical only. There were no significant differences in stage at diagnosis, nor in performance status (PS) or different therapies between the groups. The median overall survival time for the NatS was 272 days and for FBS 328 days, again no significant difference. However, the median overall survival time for female NatS was 318 days and for female FBS 681 days (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: FBS patients were significantly younger than NatS at diagnosis, and female FBS lived longer than female NatS, but otherwise there were no significant differences between NatS and FBS patients with LC regarding diagnosis, treatment, and survival.

Chemotherapy Treatment of Elderly Patients (≥70 Years) with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study of Real-Life Clinical Practice at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden.

An increasing proportion of cancer patients are aged >65 years and many are aged >70 years. Treatment of the elderly with lung cancer has, therefore, become an important issue; so we performed a retrospective study of our patients to demonstrate how elderly patients with NSCLC are treated in real-life, clinical practice. All patients aged ≥70 years with NSCLC at our department were reviewed retrospectively. In total, 1059 patients (50.8% of all NSCLC patients). Of these patients, 243 (22.9%) received chemotherapy, 164 (70.4%) of whom were treated with a platinum doublet using carboplatin. Second- and third-line chemotherapy were given to 31.4% and 13.9% of patients, respectively. Median overall survival was 289 and 320 days for male and female patients, respectively. Patients with performance status (PS) 0 experienced significantly better survival than patients with PS1 or PS 2: 410, 314, and 204 days, respectively. Age was of less importance, with patients aged 70-79 years versus those aged ≥80 years. Treatment of elderly NSCLC patients with chemotherapy is feasible if they have a good PS and appears to prolong survival. In this study, we found no significant differences in survival either between age groups or genders.

Vorinostat in patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma who have progressed on previous chemotherapy (VANTAGE-014): a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Vorinostat is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that changes gene expression and protein activity. On the basis of the clinical benefit reported in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma treated in a phase 1 study of vorinostat, we designed this phase 3 trial to investigate whether vorinostat given as a second-line or third-line therapy improved patients' overall survival. METHODS: This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was done in 90 international centres. Patients with measurable advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma and disease progression after one or two previous systemic regimens were eligible. After stratification for Karnofsky performance status, histology, and number of previous chemotherapy regimens, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by use of an interactive voice response system with a block size of four to either treatment with vorinostat or placebo. Patients received oral vorinostat 300 mg (or matching placebo) twice daily on days 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17 of a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoints were overall survival and safety and tolerability of vorinostat. The primary efficacy comparison was done in the intention-to-treat population, and safety and tolerability was assessed in the treated population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00128102. FINDINGS: From July 12, 2005, to Feb 14, 2011, 661 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either vorinostat (n=329) or placebo (n=332) and included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Median overall survival for vorinostat was 30·7 weeks (95% CI 26·7-36·1) versus 27·1 weeks (23·1-31·9) for placebo (hazard ratio 0·98, 95% CI 0·83-1·17, p=0·86). The most common grade 3 or worse adverse events for patients treated with vorinostat were fatigue or malaise (51 [16%] patients in the vorinostat group vs 25 [8%] in the placebo group]) and dyspnoea (35 [11%] vs 45 [14%]). INTERPRETATION: In this randomised trial, vorinostat given as a second-line or third-line therapy did not improve overall survival and cannot be recommended as a therapy for patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma. FUNDING: Merck & Co.

Pemetrexed and gemcitabine versus carboplatin and gemcitabine in non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized noninferiority phase II study in one center.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages IIIb and IV is a platinum compound combined with a third-generation cytotoxic agent. We decided to conduct a phase II study to assess whether the platinum compound could be replaced with pemetrexed with similar results and without an increase in side effects. METHODS: Consecutive eligible patients were randomized to either the standard arm of gemcitabine plus carboplatin (GC) or the experimental arm of gemcitabine plus pemetrexed (GP). RESULTS: Fifty evaluable patients were enrolled in the GC arm, and 44 received GP. There were 10 partial responses in the GC arm and 16 in the GP arm. With GC, mean survival was 9 months compared with 15 months with GP. The side effects were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Pemetrexed can replace platinum compounds in the first-line treatment of stage IIIb and IV NSCLC without increasing the side effects. A trend toward better survival was observed in the patients receiving pemetrexed instead of a platinum compound, and this should be studied further.

One- to four-year follow-up of endobronchial lung volume reduction in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency patients: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Lung volume reduction surgery can improve lung function and working capacity in severe heterogeneous emphysema. Endobronchial lung volume reduction (ELVR) performed by one-way valves inserted via a flexible bronchoscope can result in a moderate but significant improvement in lung function and exercise tolerance, eliminating the surgical risks. OBJECTIVES: Most studies of this method have excluded patients with α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, but small series of cases with positive short-term outcome have been reported. The sustainability of results has been questioned and we here present our experience in AAT-deficient patients treated with ELVR followed up for up to 4 years. METHODS: From August 2008 to January 2012, 15 patients were treated with ELVR. Inclusion criteria were homozygotic AAT deficiency, age <80 years, residual volume of 140% or more, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 15-45% of predicted, severe heterogeneous emphysema, symptoms severely restricting daily life, informed consent and absence of other serious diseases. RESULTS: One patient coughed up valves after 2 months, 1 developed pneumothorax and had valve displacement and subsequent removal, and 1 improved from an FEV1 of 0.62 to 0.84 liters, but after 4 months developed repeated and severe pneumonia and the valves had to be removed. Thus, 12 patients remained and were followed up for at least 1 year. In these patients, FEV1 increased (mean: 54%), the quality of life was much improved, and 2 patients could be taken off oxygen therapy. During the 4-year follow-up, patients demonstrated no significant deterioration in lung function. CONCLUSION: In carefully selected AAT deficiency patients with severe emphysema, ELVR can be safely performed with encouraging long-lasting results.

Home administration of maintenance pemetrexed for patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: rationale, practicalities and phase II feasibility study design.

BACKGROUND: Home-based care in oncology is mainly reserved for patients at the end of life. Regulations regarding home delivery of cytotoxics differ across Europe, with a notable lack of practice guidelines in most countries. This has led to a lack of data addressing the feasibility of home-based administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. In advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, pemetrexed is approved as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy. In this setting, patients have the potential to be treated long-term with maintenance therapy, which, in the absence of unacceptable toxicity, is continued until disease progression. The favourable safety profile of pemetrexed and the ease of its administration by 10-minute intravenous infusion every 3 weeks make this drug a suitable candidate for administration in a home setting. METHODS: Literature and regulations relevant to the home-based delivery of cytotoxic therapy were reviewed, and a phase II feasibility study of home administration of pemetrexed maintenance therapy was designed. At least 50 patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1 and no progressive disease after four cycles of platinum-based first-line therapy are required to allow investigation of the feasibility of home-based administration of pemetrexed maintenance therapy (500 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity). Feasibility is being assessed as adherence to the home-based administration process (primary endpoint), patient safety, impact on patients' quality of life, patient and physician satisfaction with home care, and healthcare resource use and costs. Enrolment of patients from the UK and Sweden, where home-based care is relatively well developed, commenced in December 2011. DISCUSSION: This feasibility study addresses an important aspect of maintenance therapy, that is, patient comfort during protracted home-based chemotherapy. The study design requires unusual methodology and specific logistics to address outcomes relevant to the home-delivery approach. This article presents a study design that offers a novel and reproducible model for home-based chemotherapy, and provides an up-to-date overview of the literature regarding this type of treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01473563.

Hyaluronan and N-ERC/mesothelin as key biomarkers in a specific two-step model to predict pleural malignant mesothelioma.

PURPOSE: Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is challenging. The first available diagnostic material is often an effusion and biochemical analysis of soluble markers may provide additional diagnostic information. This study aimed to establish a predictive model using biomarkers from pleural effusions, to allow early and accurate diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Effusions were collected prospectively from 190 consecutive patients at a regional referral centre. Hyaluronan, N-ERC/mesothelin, C-ERC/mesothelin, osteopontin, syndecan-1, syndecan-2, and thioredoxin were measured using ELISA and HPLC. A predictive model was generated and validated using a second prospective set of 375 effusions collected consecutively at a different referral centre. RESULTS: Biochemical markers significantly associated with mesothelioma were hyaluronan (odds ratio, 95% CI: 8.82, 4.82-20.39), N-ERC/mesothelin (4.81, 3.19-7.93), CERC/mesothelin (3.58, 2.43-5.59) and syndecan-1 (1.34, 1.03-1.77). A two-step model using hyaluronan and N-ERC/mesothelin, and combining a threshold decision rule with logistic regression, yielded good discrimination with an area under the ROC curve of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97-1.00) in the model generation dataset and 0.83 (0.74-0.91) in the validation dataset, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A two-step model using hyaluronan and N-ERC/mesothelin predicts mesothelioma with high specificity. This method can be performed on the first available effusion and could be a useful adjunct to the morphological diagnosis of mesothelioma.