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Introduction: In Cuba, lung cancer represents the first cause of mortality for both sexes. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent histology. Overall, 75-85% of NSCLC overexpress EGFR and its ligands. EGFR overexpression has been implicated in the malignant transformation by promoting cell proliferation and survival. CIMAvax-EGF is a therapeutic vaccine composed of recombinant-human EGF conjugated to a carrier protein and Montanide as an adjuvant. CIMAvax-EGF is intended to induce antibodies against self-EGF that block the EGF-EGFR interaction. Objectives: To characterize the efficacy and safety of CIMAvax-EGF as maintenance in NSCLC patients treated in the real-world setting. Results: 106 patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, who had at least stable disease after first-line therapy, were enrolled in the study. The initial four CIMAvax-EGF doses were administered every 2 weeks and then, patients received monthly re-immunizations. Globally, 52.8% of the patients were 65 years or older, 77.4% had an ECOG 1 and 62.3% had an adenocarcinoma. The median survival time (MST) was 14.6 months. Patients younger than 65 years had a MST of 16.7 months and subjects with ECOG 0 survived for 29 months. The median progression-free survival was 8.16 months. Overall, 36.8% and 19.8% of patients maintained disease control at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The most frequent adverse events were pain (27.3%) or induration (7.3%) at the injection site and local erythema (10.9%). Conclusion: CIMAvax-EGF, as an EGF depleting immunotherapy used as switch-maintenance was safe and effective in patients with NSCLC.
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'Multifocal bone lymphoma' or 'polyostotic lymphoma' is a neoplasm with exclusive multifocal involvement of the skeleton, without affecting lymph nodes or other soft tissues. Knowledge on this uncommon condition is limited because the related literature is sparse and fragmentary. We reviewed cases of multifocal bone diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (MB-DLBCL) registered in a clinico-pathological database of the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group that includes 499 cases of bone lymphoma. Clinical features, management and prognosis of 37 MB-DLBCL patients and 63 'controls' (stage-IV DLBCL and skeletal involvement) were analysed. Presentation and treatment of MB-DLBCL and controls were identical. At a median follow-up of 52 months (10-189), MB-DLBCL patients exhibited a significantly better response rate (92% vs. 65%; P = 0·002), progression-free survival (5-year: 56 ± 9% vs. 34 ± 6%; P = 0·003) and overall survival (5-year: 74 ± 8% vs. 36 ± 7%; P = 0·002). Among MB-DLBCL patients, the use of post-chemo radiotherapy was associated with better overall survival (5-year: 83 ± 12% vs. 55 ± 16%; P = 0·003). Two MB-DLBCL patients (5·4%) with spine and skull involvement experienced central nervous system (CNS) relapse. Thus, MB-DLBCL patients exhibit a significantly better prognosis compared to patients with advanced-stage DLBCL, and should be treated with conventional anthracycline-based chemotherapy, keeping intensified treatment for relapsing cases, considering involved-field radiotherapy, and CNS prophylaxis in high-risk patients.
