Survival nomogram for patients with thymic squamous cell carcinoma, based on the SEER database and an external validation cohort.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to construct a nomogram to effectively predict the 3 years and 5 years overall survival of patients with thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). METHOD: From 2000 to 2019, a total of 355 patients with TSCC were enrolled in our research from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and used as the training cohort. 106 patients were included from the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, for the external validation cohort. A nomogram was constructed based on the risk factors affecting prognosis using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. The discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were evaluated by C-index and curve of calibration. The two cohorts were divided into low-risk and high-risk subgroups based on the median risk score. RESULTS: Age (p = 0.002), stage (p = 0.003), surgery therapy (p < 0.001), and radiotherapy (p = 0.030) were the independent prognostic factors for overall survival and were incorporated in the prognostic model. The discrimination of the nomogram revealed a good prognostic accuracy and clinical applicability as indicated by C-index values of 0.696 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.676-0.716) and 0.717 (95% CI 0.640-0.794) for the training cohort and external validation cohort, respectively. In addition, the two cohorts were divided into a high-risk group and a low-risk group according to the median risk score. Significant differences in overall survival were observed between the high-risk and low-risk groups in the training (p < 0.0001) and external validation cohort (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: We developed a nomogram to predict 3- and 5 year survival rate for TSCC. This nomogram provides a convenient and reliable tool for assessing the condition of patients with TSCC and assisting clinicians in making decisions.

The combination of etoposide and platinum for the treatment of thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: To provide real-world outcomes for the combination of etoposide and platinum as a first-line treatment for advanced thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms (TNENs). METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients with advanced TNENs confirmed by pathology who received etoposide combined with platinum as a first-line chemotherapy in our institution between 2010 and 2022. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were included in this study. Twelve patients (75%) received etoposide combined with cisplatin, and four patients (25%) received etoposide combined with carboplatin. Efficacy was evaluated in all patients, with an objective response rate of 31.3%. One patient achieved a complete response, four achieved a partial response, and in eight patients the disease remained stable; the disease control rate was 81.3%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.2 months with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.1-12.3 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 50.4 months with a 95% CI of 32.1-68.8 months. No significant difference in efficacy was observed between the treatment groups with regards to PFS (p = 0.095) and OS (p = 0.061). Treatment-related adverse events were observed in all 12 patients when evaluated for toxicity, manifesting as hematologic toxicity. Grade 3-4 bone marrow suppression occurred in six patients (50%). No treatment-related deaths were recorded. CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis, conducted in a real-life setting, suggests that the combination of etoposide and platinum has a promising anti-tumor activity in advanced TNENs, with a clinically significant overall response rate.

Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with antiangiogenic therapy for thymic epithelial tumors (TETs): a retrospective study.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with antiangiogenic therapy have shown promising antitumor activity against a range of advanced cancers. However, evidence is lacking as to whether this combination therapy could benefit thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy in advanced TETs. Methods: Ten patients with pathologically proven advanced TETs who received ICIs combined with an antiangiogenic agent from 2020 to 2022 at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital were included in the study. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the treatment efficacy and survival outcomes. Results: Of the cohort of ten patients who received immunotherapy combined with antiangiogenic targeting drugs, two patients achieved a partial response (PR) with an objective response rate of 20% and seven patients achieved stable disease (SD) with a disease control rate (DCR) of 90%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.35-8.515] and the median overall survival (OS) was 45.6 months (95% CI: 3.265-88.001). Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were only detected in one patient. No grade 4 or above TRAEs were observed. Conclusions: ICIs in combination with antiangiogenic targeted drugs may be a promising treatment for advanced TETs.

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective analysis.

The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on KRAS-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. This retrospective study compared the effects of ICIs treatment and chemotherapy on the prognosis of patients with KRAS-mutant advanced NSCLC and different mutant subtypes in the real world. The study included 95 patients with KRAS-mutant advanced NSCLC. Patients treated with first-line ICIs plus platinum-containing chemotherapy had better progression-free survival (PFS) (7.4 vs 4.5 months, P = 0.035) and overall survival (OS) (24.1 vs 13.2 months, P = 0.007) than those receiving platinum-containing chemotherapy alone, and second-line ICI monotherapy was associated with better PFS (4.8 vs 3.0 months, P = 0.043) and OS (18.0 vs 13.8 months, P = 0.013) than chemotherapy monotherapy. There was no significant difference in PFS (5.267 vs 6.734 months, P = 0.969) and OS (19.933 vs 20.933 months, P = 0.808) between patients with KRAS-mutant and KRAS-wild-type NSCLC treated with ICIs or between KRAS G12C and KRAS non-G12C patients (PFS: 8.1 vs 4.8 months, P = 0.307; OS: 21.3 vs 21.8 months, P = 0.434). In summary, patients with advanced NSCLC with KRAS mutations can benefit from ICIs, but no difference between KRAS mutant subtypes was observed.

The efficacy of small molecule anti-angiogenic drugs in previously treated Thymic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Antiangiogenic drugs have shown initial efficacy in the treatment of advanced thymic carcinomas (TCs); however, data are limited. In this study, we provide real-world data relating to the efficacy of antiangiogenic drugs for the treatment of patients with TCs. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on clinical progress after first-line chemotherapy in TCs patients who were treated with small molecule antiangiogenic drugs at our institution between January 2010 and December 2021. Tumor response was evaluated according to version 1.1 of the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Progression free survival and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients enrolled, 13 (76.5%) received apatinib and four (23.5%) anlotinib monotherapy with an objective response rate of 23.5%. Eleven (64.7%) patients had stable disease. The median follow-up period was 46.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.0-59.0 months). The median progression survival and overall survival were 7.9 months (95% CI, 6.5-9.3) and 47.0 months (95% CI, 35.4-58.6), respectively. In the 13 patients receiving apatinib, the median PFS was 7.0 months (95% CI, 5.0-9.0), compared with 8.0 months (95% CI, 2.7-13.3 months) for patients in the anlotinib group (P = 0.945). The most common grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were hypertension (n = 3, 23.1%), followed by proteinuria and hand-foot syndrome (HFS, n = 2, 15.4%). There were no grade 4 AEs although eight patients (47.1%) required mid-course discontinuation. CONCLUSION: For refractory TCs, small molecule antiangiogenic drugs are efficacious as second- or post-line treatments. The toxicity of antiangiogenic therapy is manageable.

Treatment outcomes and prognosis of immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy in patients with advanced thymic carcinoma: A multicentre retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy has demonstrated good efficacy and survival outcomes in solid tumours. However, efficacy data for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in advanced thymic carcinoma are lacking. The present study aimed to assess the activity of ICIs in advanced thymic carcinoma. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study was conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of ICIs for advanced thymic carcinoma. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were analysed. In addition, factors independently associated with treatment efficacy and survival outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients with advanced thymic carcinoma were enrolled between March 2016 and September 2021. The ORR was existing the difference between ICIs monotherapy (n = 23) and ICIs combined with chemotherapy (n = 54) (17.4% versus 44.4%, P = 0.024). The ICIs combination treatments were associated with better median PFS (mPFS) compared to ICIs monotherapy (12.7 months versus 2.1 months, P < 0.001). Notably, liver or brain metastasis was a poor prognostic factor of mPFS (1.8 months versus 3.5 months, P = 0.012) in the ICIs monotherapy group. In addition, mPFS for the first-line treatment (n = 27) was longer than that for ICIs as the second- or posterior-line treatment (n = 50) (P < 0.001). The incidence of irAEs was 54.5% (42/77) in the 77 enrolled patients. The incidence of grade 3-4 irAE was 15.6% (12/77). CONCLUSIONS: Immunotherapy is effective in advanced thymic carcinoma, especially for combination with chemotherapy showed promising antitumour activity, which indicates worthy of combination treatment strategy for further study. IrAEs also require close monitoring and management.

Author Correction: Investigation of Dietary Factors and Esophageal Cancer Knowledge: Comparison of Rural Residents in High- and Low-incidence Areas.

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Investigation of Dietary Factors and Esophageal Cancer Knowledge: Comparison of Rural Residents in High- and Low-incidence Areas.

To compare the differences in dietary status and knowledge of esophageal cancer (EC) between residents of high- and low-incidence areas. We investigated dietary conditions and EC knowledge among residents in high- and low-EC incidence areas (Yanting and Qingzhen counties). Residents in Yanting consumed more pickled vegetables, salted meat and barbecued food (P < 0.05). Analysis of the past ten-year trend in Yanting consumed fresh vegetables/fruits, beans, sauerkraut, hot food, and barbecued food had gradually increased, and the trend was less than that in Qingzhen County. However, the gradual increasing trend in consumption of pickled vegetables, pickled meat, and spicy food over the past 10 years was greater (P < 0.05). Drinking water in Yanting County was healthier than that in Qingzhen County (P < 0.05). In terms of EC knowledge, the proportions of residents in Yanting who had a clear understanding, knowledge or had heard of EC or knew the common causes, primary symptoms, therapeutic measures, preventive measures, and government interventions for EC were all higher than in Qingzhen (P < 0.05). Residents in Yanting had greater EC knowledge but more harmful dietary habits than those in Qingzhen.