Extracellular Water-to-total Body Water Ratio as an Objective Biomarker for Frailty in Lung Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Our previous study revealed the association between extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) and the therapeutic durability of chemotherapy and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced lung cancer. We retrospectively examined the usefulness of ECW/TBW in detecting frailty compared to other bioelectrical impedance (BIA) parameters in a larger number of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Lung cancer patients underwent BIA before anti-cancer therapy at our hospital between June 1, 2018 and July 31, 2020. RESULTS: Of 99 patients, 26 were assigned to ECW/TBW≥0.4 (higher group: HG) and 57 to ECW/TBW<0.4 (lower group: LG). ECW/TBW increased significantly with performance deterioration and ageing. HG patients had significantly shorter time-to-treatment failure (TTF) than LG patients. In patients with performance status 0-1, those in the HG had shorter TTF than those in the LG. ECW/TBW was the only independent predictor of TTF according to multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: ECW/TBW is an objective biomarker for detecting frailty among lung cancer patients.

Transbronchial Cryobiopsy for Miliary Tuberculosis Mimicking Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

Miliary tuberculosis is a potentially lethal type of tuberculosis that results from the hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli. We herein describe the case of a 34-year-old man that presented with a one-month history of cough and fever, while his sputum smear results were negative. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral centrilobular ground-glass opacification (GGO), suggestive of hypersensitivity pneumonitis; thus, bronchoscopy was performed. Cryobiopsy specimens revealed necrotic granulomas. A re-examination of sputum after bronchoscopy identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and miliary tuberculosis was diagnosed. A cryobiopsy might be useful for diagnosing miliary tuberculosis pathologically, particularly when miliary nodules may be masked by GGO.

Significance of Pre-treatment Interferon-gamma Release in Patients With Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We retrospectively investigated the significance of pre-treatment interferon-gamma release (IGR) as a biomarker for predicting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment (ICI-tx). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included non-small-cell lung cancer patients who received ICI-tx between January 1, 2016 and April 30, 2019. IGR was measured using the positive control of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We defined the pre-treatment cut-off level of IGR as 10 IU/ml. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were divided into two groups; those with an IGR ≤10 IU/ml (lower group: LG) (n=15) and those with >10 IU/ml (higher group: HG) (n=39). The time to treatment failure (TTF) in the HG was significantly longer than that in the LG. In multivariate analyses, C-reactive protein and IGR levels were significant risk factors for TTF. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment IGR level of >10 IU/ml is recommended to identify those patients who will respond favourably to ICI-tx.

The Association Between Extracellular Water-to-Total Body Water Ratio and Therapeutic Durability for Advanced Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) reportedly predicts clinical outcomes of various diseases. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the association between ECW/TBW and therapeutic durability of chemotherapy and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced lung cancer underwent BIA before chemotherapy and/or treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors at our hospital between June 2018 and November 2019. RESULTS: Of 75 patients, 18 with ECW/TBW ≥0.4 were assigned to the overhydrated group (OH-G) and 57 patients ECW/TBW <0.4 were assigned to the non-overhydrated group (NOH-G). The median time-to-treatment failure was significantly shorter in the OH-G than in the NOH-G (p=0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that ECW/TBW ≥0.4 predicted treatment failure [hazard ratio (HR)=2.508, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.19-5.27; p=0.01]. CONCLUSION: The ECW/TBW may be an objective parameter for predicting therapeutic durability in advanced lung cancer.

Safety and efficacy of afatinib for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer following osimertinib-induced interstitial lung disease: A retrospective study.

Background Osimertinib is one of the first-line treatments for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. However, the occurrence rate of osimertinib-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) is particularly high in Japanese patients and little information on subsequent cancer treatment options after recovery from osimertinib-induced ILD is currently available. Thus, this study aims to determine the safety and efficacy of afatinib for the treatment of NSCLC following osimertinib-induced ILD. Methods We retrospectively investigated the clinical courses of all NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations at our facility between August 2018 and September 2019, who received osimertinib as first-line treatment and were subsequently treated with afatinib after developing osimertinib-induced ILD. Results Forty-two patients received osimertinib treatment at our facility during the study period, and four patients received afatinib after developing osimertinib-induced ILD. All events of ILD improved either spontaneously or with steroid therapy before the initiation of afatinib. For the four patients who were retrospectively reviewed, the overall response rate to afatinib therapy was 75%, and the disease control rate was 100%. During the study period, no ILD recurrence was observed in any of the four patients. Conclusions According to our study findings, afatinib treatment after osimertinib-induced ILD is considered safe and effective and it can be used as one of the treatment options for NSCLC following osimertinib-induced ILD.

Development of Severe Heart Failure in a Patient with Squamous Non-small-cell Lung Cancer During Nivolumab Treatment.

Cardiac side effects associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an uncommon but serious complication with a relatively high mortality. We experienced a case of cardiomyopathy induced by nivolumab. Echocardiography showed diffuse hypo-kinesis of the left ventricular cardiac wall and a significant decrease in the ejection fraction, like dilated cardiomyopathy. The myocardial biopsy showed non-inflammatory change; cardiac function gradually improved after treatment of acute heart failure without a corticosteroid. Although non-inflammatory left ventricular dysfunction induced by ICIs is rare, it is a reported cardiovascular toxicity. Physicians should consider this complication when treating patients with ICIs for malignant diseases.

Significance of Quantitative Interferon-gamma Levels in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients' Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We aimed to study the association between the quantitative interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels and clinical outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sample collection for IFN-γ release assay (IGRA) was performed within 14 days before treatment (T1), on day 22±7 (T3), and on day 43±7 (T4). The stored specimens over 10 IU/ml in IGRA were re-examined using the dilution method (with saline as the dilution medium). The patients were classified into Lower and Higher groups by 7.06 IU/ml as a cut-off of IFN-γ levels at T1. RESULTS: Median progression-free survival in the Higher group was significantly longer than that in the Lower group. IFN-γ levels in the non-progression disease group were significantly higher than those in the progression disease group. IFN-γ levels at T1 in patients with immune-related adverse events were significantly lower compared to those at T3. CONCLUSION: IFN-γ could be a biomarker for NSCLC patients receiving ICIs.

The Levels of Interferon-gamma Release as a Biomarker for Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The present study aimed to prospectively examine the usefulness of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release (IGR) as a biomarker in non-small-cell lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment (ICI-Tx). PATIENTS AND METHODS: IGR was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at four time points: within 14 days before ICI-Tx (T1), and 8±3 (T2), 22±7 (T3), and 43±7 (T4) days after ICI-Tx. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were divided into three groups based on IFN-γ levels in the IGR-positive control: Group-1 (n=8) with <10 IU/ml at T1, Group-2 (n=12) with a decrease in IFN-γ levels to <10 IU/ml at T3 and/or T4, and Group-3 (n=9) without changes in IFN-γ levels. Early progression and ICI-induced interstitial pneumonitis were frequently observed in Group-1 and Group-2, respectively. Group-3 exhibited more treatment cycles than the other groups. All three groups showed clear differences in clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: IFN-γ levels could be a biomarker for ICI-Tx.

Comparison of the Utilities of Cryobiopsy and Forceps Biopsy for Peripheral Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to compare the efficacies of cryobiopsy and forceps biopsy for peripheral lung cancer detection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of peripheral lung cancer cases between December 2017 and April 2019 was conducted. Forceps biopsy was performed followed by cryobiopsy using a guide sheath (GS). Diagnostic yields were compared between cryobiopsy and forceps biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 53 lung cancer lesions were evaluated. The diagnostic yields of forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy were 86.8% and 81.1%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that cryobiopsy with a GS was significantly associated with increased diagnostic yield (odds ratio(OR)=11.6; p=0.044). Among the four patients who tested positive on cryobiopsy and negative on forceps biopsy, one had diffused pulmonary metastases and the others showed intratumoural air bronchograms. CONCLUSION: Cryobiopsy using a GS can significantly increase diagnostic yield and help identify lesions with intratumoural air bronchograms and external wall lesions.

A case of successful concurrent anti-cancer treatment in a patient who developed follicular lymphoma during treatment with afatinib for advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

The present report describes the case of a 64-year-old woman with advanced lung adenocarcinoma expressing mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The patient developed follicular lymphoma during treatment with the EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor afatinib. Standard immunochemotherapy for follicular lymphoma was introduced in addition to continuing treatment with afatinib for lung cancer. Immunochemotherapy was effective and improved the patient's performance status while afatinib controlled the progression of lung cancer. Our case study suggests that it is safe to introduce standard immunochemotherapy for patients who develop malignant lymphoma while continuing treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors for lung adenocarcinoma expressing mutant EGFR.

Re-challenge chemotherapy in patients with sensitive relapse small-cell lung cancer and interstitial lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Treatment modalities for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) with pre-existing interstitial lung disease (ILD) are limited. Although re-challenge with first-line chemotherapy can be effective for sensitive relapse SCLC, its safety and efficacy are uncertain in cases with ILD. This study aimed to investigate both the efficacy and safety of re-challenge chemotherapy in patients with sensitive relapse SCLC with ILD. METHODS: Patients with sensitive relapse SCLC with ILD who received re-challenge chemotherapy were studied retrospectively. Sensitive relapse was defined as a treatment-free interval (TFI) of more than 60 days after first-line platinum-based treatment. The endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS: Re-challenge platinum and etoposide were administered in 11 patients, with the median re-challenge cycle of 3. The overall response rate was 55%. The median PFS and OS from the time of re-challenge treatment were 4 months (95% CI, 2.9-NA) and 9.2 months (95% CI, 8.0-NA), respectively. One patient developed acute exacerbation of ILD 173 days after the last course of re-challenge treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Re-challenge chemotherapy can be effective and considered in SCLC patients with pre-existing ILD.

Efficacy and safety of concurrent anti-Cancer and anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy in Cancer patients with active Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In our previous study, colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with active Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) tolerated concurrent anti-cancer chemotherapy (anti-CCT) and anti-MTB chemotherapy. In this study, we retrospectively confirmed the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemotherapy in a greater number of patients with different types of malignancies. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients who were treated concurrently with anti-CCT and anti-MTB regimens between January 2006 and February 2016. Cancer and MTB treatments were administered according to the approved guidelines. RESULTS: Patient demographics included: men/woman: 24/6; median age: 66.5 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1/2/3-4: 24/4/2; Stage IIB-IIIC/IV/recurrence: 6/22/2; lung cancer (LC)/CRC/other: 15/10/5; and MTB diagnosis (before or during anti-CCT): 20/10 (LC: 8/7; CRC: 8/2; other: 4/1). For anti-CCT, 23 patients received two cytotoxic agents with or without targeted agents and 7 patients received a single cytotoxic or targeted agent. The overall response rate was 36.7%. Regarding anti-MTB chemotherapy, 22 patients received a daily drug combination containing isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol, plus pyrazinamide in 15 of the 22 patients, followed by daily isoniazid and rifampicin; the remaining 8 patients received other combinations. Hematological adverse events of Grade ≥ 3 were observed in 19 (67.9%) of 28 patients; laboratory data were lost for the remaining 2. Grade 3 lymphopenia and higher were significantly more frequent in LC compared to other malignancies (P < 0.005). Non-hematological adverse events of Grade ≥ 3 were observed in 5 (16.7%) of 30 patients. One CRC patient experienced Grade 3 hemoptysis and another 2 experienced Grade 3 anaphylaxis. One patient with cholangiocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer experienced Grade 3 pseudomembranous colitis as a result of a Clostridium difficile infection. One patient (3.3%) died of pemetrexed-induced pneumonitis. The success of the anti-MTB chemotherapy was 70.0%. There were no MTB-related treatment failures. The median overall survival (months, 95.0% confidence interval) was 10.5 (8.7-36.7), 8.7 (4.7-10.0), 36.7 (minimum 2.2), and 14.4 (minimum 9.6) for all patients combined, LC, CRC, and Other malignancies, respectively. LC patients experienced delayed MTB diagnosis and shorter overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent chemotherapy is effective and safe for treating cancer patients with active MTB.

Osimertinib Treatment Was Unsuccessful for Lung Adenocarcinoma with G719S, S768I, and T790M Mutations.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutations are the most frequent mechanism of resistance to first- and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and osimertinib is an effective treatment for patients with both EGFR-activating mutations and T790M resistance mutations. We describe the case of a 68-year-old woman with lung adenocarcinoma with G719S, S768I, and T790M mutations in which osimertinib treatment was unsuccessful. The patient died of disease progression one month after discontinuing osimertinib treatment. This case suggests that osimertinib may be ineffective for treating patients with uncommon mutations such as G719S when the patient has also acquired a T790M resistance mutation.

Impact of Pleural Effusion on Outcomes of Patients Receiving Osimertinib for NSCLC Harboring EGFR T790M.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Osimertinib has demonstrated promising efficacy in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the efficacy of osimertinib in such patients presenting with pleural effusion, which has been unclear to date. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of all patients treated with osimertinib for advanced NSCLC with EGFR T790M between April 2016 and July 2017 at our Institution were retrospectively reviewed. Time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) were determined as endpoints. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (seven with pleural effusions) were treated with osimertinib. Patients with pleural effusion had significantly shorter median TTF than those without (3.7 vs. 12.8 months, respectively, p=0.021), as well as shorter median OS (7.8 months vs. not attained, respectively, p=0.002). Metastasis to the brain, bone, and liver did not significantly influence our endpoints. CONCLUSION: Osimertinib monotherapy is less effective in patients with NSCLC with pleural effusions.

Transformation to small cell lung cancer after first-line afatinib treatment.

Acquiring resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is inevitable. Transformation to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is reported as a possible mechanism of this acquired resistance. We describe the case of a 35-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR exon 19 deletion. After 7 months of successful treatment with afatinib, he experienced relapse and rebiopsy revealed SCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletion. Tumor marker tests at this point showed normal levels of serum neuron-specific enolase and pro-gastrin releasing peptide. Our case highlights the importance of rebiopsy for revealing SCLC transformation, a potential mechanism of acquired resistance to afatinib as with other EGFR-TKIs, and normal-range values of tumor markers for SCLC cannot exclude the possibility of SCLC transformation.

Clinical predictors of bevacizumab-associated intestinal perforation in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background Bevacizumab (Bev) is generally well-tolerated, and Bev-associated intestinal perforation (BAP) is a rare albeit serious side effect in cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, the present study aimed to identify clinical predictors of BAP to help predict and manage the development of life-threatening intestinal complications among patients receiving Bev. Methods This retrospective study evaluated demographic, clinical, and treatment factors for patients with NSCLC who were treated with Bev between February 2010 and August 2015 at our center. Results We identified 314 regimens (208 patients; median age: 65 years; 115 women) for analysis, which included 119 first-line regimens, 74 s-line regimens, and 121 third-line or later regimens. BAP occurred in 7 cases (2.23% among all regimens and 3.37% among all patients), which generally occurred during first- or second-line treatment and was caused by ulcerative colitis (1 case), colon diverticulitis (1 case), and idiopathic perforations (5 cases). Univariate analyses revealed that BAP was significantly associated with deteriorating PS during the first cycle of chemotherapy (odd ratio [OR]: 11.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.37-51.63, p = 0.0022), grade ≥ 3 diarrhea (OR: 11.37, 95% CI: 2.37-54.50, p = 0.0024), febrile neutropenia (OR: 9.16, 95% CI: 1.98-42.49, p = 0.0047), and stomatitis (OR: 4.60, 95% CI: 1.01-21.04, p = 0.0492). Conclusions Among patients with NSCLC, BAP was associated with deteriorating PS during the first cycle of chemotherapy, grade ≥ 3 diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, and stomatitis. Therefore, careful observation is needed for patients with NSCLC who receive Bev in any line of treatment, especially if they develop serious side effects that affect their PS or mucous membrane.

Skin Rash Can Be a Useful Marker for Afatinib Efficacy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although afatinib has a strong efficacy, it can be toxic; hence, we aimed to determine markers of response to afatinib in order to assess prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Information on clinical background, therapeutic effects, and adverse events was collected retrospectively at one Institution from patients treated with afatinib as initial epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). We examined the relationship between different adverse events and their effects on prognosis. RESULTS: Afatinib was used in 32 patients as the initial EGFR-TKI. Adverse events of grade 3 or higher including diarrhoea (12.5%), paronychia (6.3%), and stomatitis (3.1%) were experienced by patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 15.4 months. A relationship between skin rash severity and PFS was observed. CONCLUSION: Grade 2 or higher skin rash might be a marker for long-term efficacy of afatinib when administered as a first-line treatment.

Successful osimertinib rechallenge after osimertinib-induced pneumonitis in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma.

Pneumonitis is a serious adverse event of EGFR-TKI treatment. Although several cases of EGFR-TKI rechallenge after EGFR-TKI-induced pneumonitis have been reported, little is known about post-pneumonitis osimertinib rechallenge. We describe a 69-year-old never-smoking Japanese woman with postoperative recurrent lung adenocarcinoma retreated with osimertinib after osimertinib-induced pneumonitis. Although osimertinib rechallenge must be carefully chosen based on risk/benefit analysis, osimertinib rechallenge after osimertinib-induced pneumonitis may be an option, with limited alternative therapeutic options.

Phase1 study of cisplatin plus pemetrexed with erlotinib and bevacizumab for chemotherapy-naïve advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations.

Background Cisplatin and pemetrexed are very effective against advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without EGFR mutations. Erlotinib plus bevacizumab are highly effective against advanced NSCLCs with activating EGFR mutations. We performed this phase I 'Quartet Trial' to determine the safety and efficacy of all 4 agents as a first-line treatment for non-squamous NSCLC patients harboring activating EGFR mutations. Patients and Methods Patients received escalating quartet-agent doses every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. We examined the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD). Results Ten patients (3 men and 7 women) with a median age of 69 years were enrolled. Four and 6 patients had exon 19 and 21 mutations, respectively; 8 received maintenance therapy without unexpected or cumulative toxicities. One of 6 patients experienced grade 3 vagal reflex at 60 mg/m2 cisplatin plus 500 mg/m2 pemetrexed with 150 mg erlotinib and 15 mg/kg bevacizumab, which was designated the RD. Four patients experienced no DLT with 75 mg/m2 cisplatin plus 500 mg/m2 pemetrexed with 150 mg erlotinib and 15 mg/kg bevacizumab (designated the MTD); however, 3 underwent dose reduction due to severe toxicities (grade 3 gastrointestinal hemorrhage, skin rash, nausea, and febrile neutropenia) during induction chemotherapy. The most frequent DLT-phase adverse events were nausea, anorexia, and fatigue. The overall response rate was 100%. Furthermore, the progression-free and overall survival rates were 17.9 and 32.0 months, respectively. Conclusions This quartet chemotherapy regimen was tolerable and effective in our patient population (UMIN000012536).

Mandatory dexamethasone strictly monitored by pharmacists reduces the severity of pemetrexed-induced skin rash.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to retrospectively examine the effectiveness of mandatory dexamethasone (m-DEX) strictly monitored by pharmacists collaborating with medical physicians and nurses for reducing pemetrexed (PEM)-induced skin rash in patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (ns-NSCLC). METHODS: We compared the rash grades during the first cycle of PEM-containing regimens between patients who received m-DEX after February 2012 and those who received dexamethasone (DEX) at their physician's discretion (d-DEX) before January 2012. RESULTS: Of 163 patients with ns-NSCLC included in this study, 89 received d-DEX and 74 received m-DEX. The mean DEX doses the night before and the day after PEM administration were significantly higher in the m-DEX group than in the d-DEX group. The frequency of grade ≥2 skin rash was significantly lower in the m-DEX group than in the d-DEX group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of m-DEX strictly monitored by pharmacists might significantly reduce the severity of PEM-induced skin rash.