Efficacy and safety of ivermectin in patients with mild COVID-19 in Japan and Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug administered to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Fundamental research suggests that ivermectin is effective against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); therefore, we investigated the efficacy and safety of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment option. METHODS: This multi-regional (Japan and Thailand), multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, Phase III study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ivermectin in patients with mild COVID-19 (IVERMILCO Study). The participants took a specified number of the investigational product (ivermectin or placebo) tablets of, adjusted to a dose of 0.3-0.4 mg/kg, orally on an empty stomach once daily for three days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time at which clinical symptoms first showed an improving trend by 168 h after investigational product administration. RESULTS: A total of 1030 eligible participants were assigned to receive the investigational product; 502 participants received ivermectin and 527 participants received a placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was approximately 96 h (approximately four days) for both ivermectin and placebo groups, which did not show statistically significant difference (stratified log-rank test, p = 0.61). The incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions did not show statistically significant differences between the ivermectin and placebo groups (chi-square test, p = 0.97, p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that ivermectin (0.3-0.4 mg/kg), as a treatment for patients with mild COVID-19, is ineffective; however, its safety has been confirmed for participants, including minor participants of 12 years or older (IVERMILCO Study ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05056883.).

Neutralizing Antibody Levels and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients with Breakthrough COVID-19 Infection in Toyama, Japan.

Breakthrough infection (BI) after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has increased owing to the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this study, we analyzed the epidemiological information and possession status of neutralizing antibodies in patients with BI using SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped viruses. Analysis of 44 specimens from patients diagnosed with COVID-19 after two or more vaccinations showed high inhibition of infection by 90% or more against the Wuhan strain and the Alpha and Delta variants of pseudotyped viruses in 40 specimens. In contrast, almost no neutralizing activity was observed against the Omicron BA.1 variant. Many patients without neutralizing activity or BI were immunosuppressed. The results of this study show that contact with an infected person can result in BI, even when there are sufficient neutralizing antibodies in the blood. Thus, sufficient precautions must be taken to prevent infection even after vaccination.

[A Retrospective Study Analyzing the Clinical Course of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Local or Systemic Therapy after Post-Operative Recurrence].

BACKGROUND: While systemic therapy is one of the therapeutic options available for post-operative recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer, efficacy of local therapy for locoregional recurrence or limited metastatic lesions has also been reported. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the clinical course of patients with post-operative recurrence(locoregional or limited metastatic lesion)after receiving local or systemic therapy. METHODS: Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and survival duration was compared using the logrank test. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were included. Median progression-free survival in patients receiving local therapy, systemic chemotherapy, or a combination of both therapies was 15.1 months, 6.3 months, and 13 months, respectively. Two patients receiving treatment with EGFR-TKI did not show disease progression at 41.3 months and 45.8 months(p=0.265). Median overall survivals in patients receiving local therapy, systemic chemotherapy, or a combination of both therapies were 26.5 months, 20 months, and 37.9 months, respectively(p=0.510). After the treatment, 6 patients showed regrowth of the recurrent lesion, 8 patients showed remote metastases, and 2 patients showed both regrowth of the recurrent lesion and remote metastases. CONCLUSION: Patients who received treatment including local therapy showed longer survival duration, but statistical significance was not detected. Our study suggested that regrowth of the recurrent lesion and remote metastases can be equally observed after treatment.

[A Case of Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting with Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis Successfully Treated with Afatinib after Erlotinib-Induced Hepatotoxicity].

A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis based on the findings of cerebrospinal fluid cytology and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Treatment with erlotinib and bevacizumab was initiated, and partial improvement in consciousness and MRI findings were obtained.However, it was difficult to continue the treatment because of elevation in levels of liver enzymes and melena.We switched the treatment to afatinib monotherapy, and his consciousness improved immediately.Progression -free survival and overall survival from the initiation of the treatment with afatinib were 7 and 9.4 months, respectively. This clinical course suggests activity of afatinib for central nervous system lesions of EGFRmutated lung cancer.

Phase I/II study of tecemotide as immunotherapy in Japanese patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Unresectable stage III NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) confers a poor prognosis and interest is growing in the use of immunotherapy to improve outcomes for patients with this disease. We investigated the safety and efficacy of maintenance tecemotide, a mucin 1 (MUC1)-specific agent that induces T-cell responses to MUC1, versus placebo in Japanese patients with stage III unresectable NSCLC and no disease progression after primary chemoradiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged ≥20 years with unresectable stage III NSCLC, stable disease or clinical response after primary chemoradiotherapy and performance status ≤1, were recruited across 25 centers in Japan. Patients were randomized 2:1 to tecemotide (930µg as lipopeptide) or placebo subcutaneously once weekly for 8 weeks, then every 6 weeks until disease progression or treatment withdrawal. Cyclophosphamide 300mg/m2 (maximum dose 600mg) was given intravenously 3days before the first dose of tecemotide. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, time to progression, time to treatment failure and safety. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat population comprised 172 patients; 114 received tecemotide and 58 placebo. Baseline characteristics were comparable between treatment arms. Most patients (94%) received primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy. There was no apparent trend toward increased OS time with tecemotide over placebo (median 32.4 versus 32.2 months, hazard ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.61-1.48; P=0.83). No improvements in secondary efficacy endpoints were observed. The frequency of treatment-related adverse events was similar, and serious adverse event rates were the same in both arms. There were no new safety signals. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support those from a randomized phase III study (START) of improved OS with tecemotide in the subgroup of patients treated with primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Relationship between Carnitine Pharmacokinetics and Fatigue in Patients Treated with Cisplatin-Containing Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 70% of the patients who receive chemotherapy suffer from fatigue, which lowers their quality of life and also has a negative influence on therapeutic efficacy. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between blood carnitine levels and fatigue. We conducted a prospective observational study to examine the relationship between carnitine pharmacokinetics and chemotherapy-induced fatigue in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy regimens that include cisplatin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 11 patients receiving chemotherapy including cisplatin (60-80 mg/m2) were included in the study. We performed 24-h urine collections and took blood samples on day 1 (before the initiation of chemotherapy) and days 2, 3, 4, and 8 in order to measure the carnitine concentrations in the serum and urine. These were compared with measures of self-reported fatigue. The primary endpoint was the change in self-reported fatigue subscales from baseline to day 8. RESULTS: Urinary carnitine concentrations differed significantly on days 2 and 3 (p = 0.003). The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale version 4A score on day 8 indicated significantly higher levels of fatigue as compared to day 1 (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is an association between urinary carnitine levels and self-reported fatigue.

A novel predictive factor for the onset time of docetaxel-induced onychopathy: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Taxanes are known to cause onychopathy. Previous studies have reported the relationship between onychopathy and paclitaxel dosing intervals and cumulative doses. However, there are no studies of the predictive factors for docetaxel-induced nail changes. The present study used the drug accumulation rate (mg/m2/day) as a novel indicator and evaluated its usefulness for the prediction of onychopathy. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2009, we examined patients who received docetaxel at the Toyama University Hospital and Tonami General Hospital to determine the time to onset of onychopathy, the accumulation rate, and the cumulative dose. We then divided the study subjects into two groups, and used Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to calculate a cut-off value. We evaluated both indicators as predictive factors for onychopathy using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were included in the present study. The results of the log-rank test sub-analysis revealed that the median number of days until onychopathy onset was significantly shorter in patients with an accumulation rate greater than the cut-off (P = 0.009), and in those with a cumulative dose below the cut-off (P < 0.001). The hazard ratios for the accumulation rate and cumulative dose, evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, were 1.44 (P = 0.036) and 0.99 (P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated that the drug accumulation rate influenced the time to onset of docetaxel-induced onychopathy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is not applicable for trial registration due to retrospective chart review without intervention.

Appetite Loss as an Adverse Effect During Treatment with EGFR-TKIs in Elderly Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

AIM: We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the frequency of appetite loss during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) in elderly patients, aged 75 years or older, with non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR gene mutations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of a total of 64 patients, including 39 relatively young (hereinafter, younger) patients and 25 elderly patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Appetite loss of all grades (p=0.074) and of grade 3 or greater (p=0.030) was more frequently observed in elderly patients. Diarrhea and oral mucositis were also more frequent in elderly patients, although they did not reach statistical significance. No apparent differences were observed in the frequency of aspartate aminotransferase/ alanine aminotransferase elevation, skin rash or fatigue between the two patient groups. The median (95% confidence interval) progression-free survival times were 10.8 (6.6-16.4) months and 11.8 (4.4-20.3) months in the younger and elderly patient groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that appetite loss is a major adverse effect in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving treatment with EGFR-TKIs.

Elevated levels of plasma lactate dehydrogenase is an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer, receiving treatment with gefitinib or erlotinib.

Treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has been shown to prolong survival in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study performed a retrospective analysis to investigate the association between the plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and survival in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC receiving treatment with EGFR-TKIs. The medical charts of patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC who were receiving treatment with EGFR-TKIs at Toyama University Hospital between 2007 and 2014 were assessed. The data from 65 patients were included in the analysis. Patients with higher plasma LDH levels exhibited shorter progression-free survival (6.2 vs. 13.2 months; P<0.01) and overall survival (10.5 vs. 36.1 months; P<0.01) periods compared with patients with lower plasma LDH levels. A Cox proportional hazards model identified that the plasma LDH level was associated with the progression-free survival (P=0.05) and overall survival (P<0.01). An association was demonstrated between the pretreatment plasma LDH level and the survival in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC receiving treatment with EGFR-TKIs. Close observation is required in EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC patients exhibiting high plasma LDH levels following the initiation of treatment with EGFR-TKIs.

Lactate dehydrogenase and body mass index are prognostic factors in patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer receiving amrubicin.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Amrubicin monotherapy can be an effective treatment option for patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We conducted this retrospective study to investigate the prognostic factors in patients with recurrent SCLC receiving amrubicin monotherapy. METHODS: The associations between survival and clinical data, including the performance status, body mass index (BMI), plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and plasma neuron-specific enolase level, were evaluated in patients with recurrent SCLC, and a subset analysis of patients with platinum-resistant disease was conducted. RESULTS: In all, 37 patients were evaluated. The median survival from the date of initiation of amrubicin monotherapy was 9.1 months (95% confidence interval 4.7-12.0 months). Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model identified the plasma LDH level (p = 0.049), BMI (p = 0.031), and platinum resistance (p = 0.032) as independent factors associated with survival. The same associations were also observed in the subset of patients with platinum-resistant disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the plasma LDH level and BMI may be useful prognostic factors in patients with SCLC receiving amrubicin monotherapy, including patients with platinum-resistant disease.

Facility-Related Factors Influencing the Place of Death and Home Care Rates for End-Stage Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, palliative home care is subject to increasing demand from patients. However, the number of deaths at home is still not as high as that of palliative home care users. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify factors influencing the place of death and home care rates, involving end-stage cancer patients targeted for palliative care by a general home-visit nursing agency. METHODS: A total of 87 patients who had used palliative home nursing care services provided by the study facility within a 6-year period after its opening were studied. RESULTS: The numbers of deaths at home supported by family physicians and those in hospital after readmission were 70 and 17, respectively. The numbers of deaths at home using services provided by the study facility and nurses belonging to it time-dependently increased, revealing a strong correlation between them. Furthermore, the place of death and home care rates were closely associated with the mean duration of home nursing services and home visits in collaboration with family physicians in charge. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that it may be possible to increase the rate of home care for end-stage cancer patients and meet their desires regarding the place of death through approaches to establish trust-based relationships with them and their families, such as strengthening manpower in home-visit nursing agencies and promoting collaboration between visiting nurses and family physicians in charge during home visits.

Plasma neuron-specific enolase level as a prognostic marker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving gefitinib.

Determination of the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation is useful for predicting the efficacy of gefitinib. However, the survival rate following the initiation of treatment with gefitinib varies among individuals. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the associations of the pretreatment serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (pro-GRP) and plasma neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels to the patient survival rate following initiation of treatment with gefitinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving gefitinib treatment. Patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR gene mutations who received gefitinib therapy between 2004 and 2012 were included in the study. Data from a total of 41 patients were analyzed. The serum pro-GRP level was measured in 31 patients and the plasma NSE in 22 patients. The progression-free survival (PFS) (P=0.013) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.014, log-rank test) rates decreased as the plasma NSE level increased. Statistical analysis using a Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted for age, gender, performance status (PS) and disease stage showed that higher NSE levels were associated with shorter PFS (P=0.021) and OS (P=0.0024). By contrast, no association was detected between the serum level of pro-GRP and survival rate. The results suggest that pretreatment NSE measurement could be clinically useful in patients with NSCLC scheduled to receive gefitinib treatment.

Stability of octreotide acetate decreases in a sodium bisulfate concentration-dependent manner: compatibility study with morphine and metoclopramide injections.

PURPOSE: Sodium bisulfate is known to affect the stability of octreotide. However, the critical concentration of sodium bisulfate is not known. Therefore, we assessed the critical concentration of sodium bisulfate needed to preserve the stability of octreotide using actual drugs containing sodium bisulfate. METHODS: Although morphine and metoclopramide preparations are considered to be compatible with octreotide, some of their products are known to contain sodium bisulfate. Thus, octreotide was mixed with preparations of sodium bisulfate solutions at serial concentrations and morphine and metoclopramide preparations containing sodium bisulfate, and octreotide stability was then evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Octreotide concentrations decreased significantly at a sodium bisulfate concentration of 0.1 mg/mL or higher after 10 days when octreotide was mixed with sodium bisulfate solutions at various concentrations. A significant decrease in octreotide concentrations also occurred when it was mixed with morphine and metoclopramide preparations containing sodium bisulfate and stored for 10 days; however, slight decreases were observed in the mixture with both preparations and were within the clinically acceptable range for morphine preparations. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the residual rate of octreotide decreases with time in a sodium bisulfate concentration-dependent manner when octreotide was mixed with morphine or metoclopramide. However, this incompatibility may be clinically acceptable when the final sodium bisulfate concentration is lower than 0.1 mg/mL and the mixed solution is used within 7 days.

Utility of creatinine/cystatin C ratio as a predictive marker for adverse effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the creatinine/cystatin C (Cr/CysC) ratio, which is influenced by muscle mass, can be used as a predictive marker of the adverse effects of chemotherapy. METHODS: This single-centre, retrospective, observational study assessed patients with lung cancer. Serum Cr and CysC levels were measured once within 1 month prior the commencement of chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients with lung cancer were enrolled in the study: 22 received first-line therapy; three received second-line therapy. A significant difference was noted regarding the Cr/CysC ratios between patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and those with small-cell lung cancer (0.78 versus 0.92, respectively). A significant difference was also noted in the Cr/CysC ratios of patients with NSCLC with toxicity grades <3 and ≥3 (0.84 versus 0.70, respectively). Similar findings were observed in patients with NSCLC who received platinum-based combination therapy (toxicity grade < 3, 0.85; toxicity grade ≥3, 0.69). CONCLUSION: The Cr/CysC ratio could serve as a useful predictive marker for chemotherapy-related adverse effects in patients with NSCLC.

Going back to home to die: does it make a difference to patient survival?

BACKGROUND: Many patients wish to stay at home during the terminal stage of cancer. However, there is concern that medical care provided at home may negatively affect survival. This study therefore explored whether the survival duration differed between cancer patients who received inpatient care and those who received home care. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the place of care/death and survival duration of 190 cancer patients after their referral to a palliative care consultation team in a Japanese general hospital between 2007 and 2012. The patients were classified into a hospital care group consisting of those who received palliative care in the hospital until death, and a home care group including patients who received palliative care at home from doctors in collaboration with the palliative care consultation team. Details of the place of care, survival duration, and patient characteristics (primary site, gender, age, history of chemotherapy, and performance status) were obtained from electronic medical records, and analyzed after propensity score matching in the place of care. RESULTS: Median survival adjusted for propensity score was significantly longer in the home care group (67.0 days, n = 69) than in the hospital care group (33.0 days, n = 69; P = 0.0013). Cox's proportional hazard analysis revealed that the place of care was a significant factor for survival following adjustment for covariates including performance status. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the general concern that home care shortens the survival duration of patients is not based on evidence. A cohort study including more known prognostic factors is necessary to confirm the results.

Relationship of the urine cortisol level with the performance status of patients with lung cancer: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Cortisol plays an important role in the physical status of patients with end-stage lung cancer, but the association of urine cortisol levels with TNM stage/performance status (PS) is unclear in patients with advanced lung cancer receiving chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to examine this association. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, cortisol concentrations in 24-h pooled urine from 22 patients with advanced lung cancer were measured over 2 days. The mean concentration in each patient was compared with PS, TNM stage, and serum sodium and potassium ion levels. RESULTS: The 24-h urine cortisol levels were higher in PS2 or PS3 cases compared to PS1 (p < 0.05) and increased proportionally with PS. Urine cortisol also increased in N2 or N3 cases compared to N1 (p < 0.01) and also increased in M1 cases (p < 0.05). Urine cortisol levels were negatively correlated with serum sodium (R = -0.49, p < 0.05) and had a tendency for a positive correlation with serum potassium (R = 0.40, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: The 24-h urine cortisol level increased in patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Low serum levels of potassium and high levels of sodium may indicate relative adrenal insufficiency.

Evaluation of A Novel Information-Sharing Instrument for Home-Based Palliative Care: A Feasibility Study.

AIM: To examine the feasibility and usefulness of a novel region-based pathway: the Regional Referral Clinical Pathway for Home-Based Palliative Care. METHOD: This was a feasibility study to evaluate the frequency of variances and the perceived usefulness of pathway using in-depth interviews. All patients with cancer referred to the palliative care team between 2011 and 2013 and received home care services were enrolled. RESULT: A total of 44 patients were analyzed, and pathway was completed in all the patients. The target outcome was achieved in 61.4% while some variances occurred in 54.5%. Nine categories were identified as the usefulness of the pathway, such as reviewing and sharing information and promoting communication, education, motivation, and relationships. CONCLUSION: This novel pathway is feasible and seems to be useful.

Outcome and prognostic factors in patients with small cell lung cancer who receive third-line chemotherapy.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: It is reported that about 20% of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) receive third-line chemotherapy. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the outcome and prognostic factors of patients with SCLC who receive third-line chemotherapy. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The medical records of patients with SCLC who received third-line chemotherapy at our institution were reviewed. Overall survival (OS) from the initiation of third-line chemotherapy was evaluated, and the association between OS and patient characteristics was assessed by the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients with SCLC were treated with cytotoxic drugs between 2004 and 2012, and 19 patients received third-line chemotherapy. Median OS from initiation of third-line chemotherapy was 8.5 months. Patients with higher body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.0071), lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P = 0.0036), higher levels of hemoglobin (P = 0.048), longer time to progression (TTP) from the initiation of second-line treatment (P = 0.0036), and better response to second-line treatment (P = 0.029) had longer duration of OS. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that TTP and tumor response in second-line chemotherapy, serum levels of LDH and hemoglobin, and BMI at initiation of third-line chemotherapy could be possible prognostic factors.

[Efficacy and toxicity of pemetrexed monotherapy for previously untreated elderly patients with non-squamous cell lung cancer with wild-type(or unknown)EGFR status].

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of docetaxel, vinorelbine, or gemcitabine monotherapy in previously untreated elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer has been reported.Pemetrexed monotherapy has shown clinically equivalent efficacy to docetaxel, a standard therapeutic option, in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer and in those with a lower incidence of toxicity such as febrile neutropenia. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of pemetrexed in previously untreated elderly patients with non-squamous cell lung cancer and compare the results with those of docetaxel, considered a standard chemotherapeutic agent. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with non-squamous cell lung cancer with wild-type(or unknown)epidermal growth factor receptor status who received pemetrexed or docetaxel monotherapy as first-line chemotherapy. RESULTS: We analyzed 6 patients with lung adenocarcinoma in the pemetrexed group and 6 patients with lung adenocarcinoma in the docetaxel group. The median progression-free survival was 3.6 months for patients receiving pemetrexed and 3.1 months for those receiving docetaxel(p=0.45). The median overall survival was 14.8 months in the pemetrexed group and 10.9 months in the docetaxel group(p=0.36).Patients who received docetaxel were more likely to have grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia than those receiving pemetrexed.However, 2 patients who received pemetrexed showed grade 3 pneumonitis. CONCLUSION: Pemetrexed monotherapy is a promising treatment for previously untreated elderly patients with non-squamous cell lung cancer.

Usefulness of the Palliative Prognostic Index in patients with lung cancer.

The usefulness of the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) has been successfully validated in a variety of clinical settings. However, while lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, patients with lung cancer accounted for only 6.9-25.8 % of the study populations in these previous studies. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the usefulness of the PPI for survival prediction in patients with lung cancer. Patients with lung cancer who were admitted to our hospital between 2009 and 2013 to receive palliative care were enrolled. The association between the Palliative Prognostic Index, determined based on the data recorded in the clinical charts at the last admission to our hospital, and survival was evaluated. The patient group with a PPI of >6 showed a significantly shorter survival time than the patient group with a PPI of ≤ 6 (P < 0.0001, log-rank test). The sensitivity and specificity of the PPI determined using the cutoff value of 6 for predicting less than 3 weeks of survival were 61.3 and 86.8 %, respectively. However, the sensitivity decreased to 50.0 % when the assessment was carried out in only patients with small cell lung carcinoma. Our findings suggest the existence of a close association between the PPI and survival in patients with lung cancer receiving palliative care. However, the sensitivity of the index for predicting less than 3 weeks of survival was relatively low in patients with small cell lung carcinoma.