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PURPOSE: Tumor-associated serum markers have demonstrated predictive and prognostic value in patients being treated for malignancies. However, the clinical importance of tumor markers in gastric cancers (GC) is poorly standardized. OBJECTIVES: The objective is to assess the clinical utility of cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as serum tumor markers in advanced GC. METHODS: In this prospective study, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA levels were measured at baseline and after three cycles of chemotherapy in patients with advanced GC. The association of tumor marker levels with prognosis and decline of tumor markers with radiological overall response rates (ORR) and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 105 patients, the proportion of patients with elevated baseline CYFRA 21-1 and CEA levels was 55% (N = 58) and 37% (N = 39) based on predefined cutoffs. Response assessment was done for 61 patients who received a minimum of three cycles of chemotherapy. A 15% and 13% reduction of serum levels from baseline for CYFRA 21-1 and CEA were selected for defining "CYFRA 21-1 response" and "CEA-response," respectively. Both responses were significant predictors of radiological ORR. The median overall survival (OS) was 9.6 months in the entire cohort and 13 months for patients who received at least three cycles of chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, baseline CEA levels and ECOG status were significant predictors of OS. In a subset analysis of patients receiving palliative chemotherapy, any of the tumor marker responses predicted improved 1-year OS. CONCLUSION: In advanced GC, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA decline from baseline appeared to be reliable surrogate markers of chemotherapy efficacy and improved survival.
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Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and an important cause of cancer-related mortality. Recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have improved outcomes, but these have limited penetration in resource-constrained situations. We report the real-world experience in treating patients with lung cancer in India. A retrospective analysis of baseline characters, treatment and outcomes of patients with lung cancer seen between January 2015 to December 2018 ( n = 302) at our center was carried out. Survival data were censored on July 31, 2019. A total of 302 patients (median age: 57 years [range, 23-84 years]; males [ n = 203; 67.2%]) were registered. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology ( n = 225, 75%). The testing rate of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation analysis in stage IV adenocarcinoma ( n = 191) was 67% and 63%, respectively. Systemic therapy (chemotherapy/gefitinib) was started after a median of 62 days (range, 1-748) from presentation and 38 days (range, 1-219 days) from diagnosis. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 4.3 months (95% CI, 3.2-5.4) and 9.0 months (95% CI, 7.6-10.5), respectively in the 141 patient without targetable mutations who started palliative chemotherapy. Of the 58 patients who tested positive for EGFR mutation, 41 (71%) started an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and the median PFS and OS in these patients were 8.5 months (95% CI, 5.6-11.4) and 18.4 months (95% CI, 12.2-24.6), respectively. Only 1 out of 10 patients with stage IV ALK -positive adenocarcinoma was started on ALK inhibitor. On multivariate analysis of OS for patients who started on palliative chemotherapy, response to first-line treatment, long distance from the center, use of second line therapy, and a delay of > 40 days from diagnosis to treatment predicted improved survival. Despite providing free diagnostic and treatment services, there was considerable delay in therapy initiation, and a significant proportion of treatment noninitiation and abandonment. Measures should be taken to understand and address the causes of these issues to realize the benefits of newer therapies The apparent paradox of improved survival in those with long delay in initiation of treatment could be explained based on a less aggressive disease biology.
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Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving procedure often performed to cure relapsed and difficult-to-treat malignancies. Only a handful of centers in India were initially involved in the delivery of these services. However, in the last decade, more than 100 centers in the private and public domain have started offering transplant services in the country. Moreover, there are funding options, which has opened up this expensive treatment options for economically backward patients. Costs apart, there are multiple social, familial, and emotional challenges faced by these patients. A multidisciplinary support team involving social workers, psychologists, and transplant nurses, besides the treating hematologist/oncologist, is required for the optimum care of these patients. These challenges, in the Indian context, are often unique. Unfortunately, there is limited information and resource available to guide counseling of patients planned for HSCT in India. We conducted a workshop at our center where a panel of experts with experience in dealing with patients undergoing HSCT discussed issues faced by them. These discussions constitute a valuable resource for counseling patients planned for HSCT. They were transcribed by a postgraduate doctor and are summarised here in a case-based format.
