Pleurodesis After Bronchial Occlusion for Inoperable Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

In many cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), surgery is not feasible. Furthermore, in cases with a collapsed lung or numerous air leaks, pleurodesis is ineffective, and treatment options are severely limited. For these cases, bronchial occlusion might be the only effective treatment, despite the low success rate. If, however, bronchial occlusion can expand the lung and reduce air leakage, it can positively amplify later effects on pleurodesis, resulting in a powerful treatment. We reviewed the clinical data of patients who underwent bronchial occlusion with endobronchial Watanabe spigot (BO-EWS) and pleurodesis to investigate the usefulness of bronchial occlusion therapy in inoperable SSP patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center, retrospective study reviewed 36 cases of inoperable SSP patients who underwent pleurodesis after BO-EWS from April 2007 to October 2018. Twenty cases were allocated to the air leak analysis group, and 16 cases were included in the pneumothorax volume analysis group. The Robert David Cerfolio classification and the Collins method were used to evaluate air leak and pneumothorax volume, respectively.

RESULTS

Pneumothorax volumes decreased significantly after BO-EWS from 29.1%±17.3% to 12.1%±8.8%, while the air leak score decreased from 2.9±1.4 to 1.2±1.0. The success rate for chest tube removals in cases that underwent pleurodesis after BO-EWS was 85.0% (17/20).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the synergistic effectiveness of BO-EWS and the usefulness of pleurodesis treatment in inoperable SSP patients with lung collapse or numerous air leaks. We believe that this treatment will benefit patients with inoperable SSP which, until now, has had few treatment options.

Untreated Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma May Contribute to the Occurrence of Hemophagocytic Syndrome

A 44-year-old man presented at our hospital to be evaluated for persistent fever and dyspnea. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed diffuse ground glass shadows and a left hilar tumor shadow. Upon further examination, he was found to have leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin levels. He was diagnosed with both squamous cell lung carcinoma by a transbronchial lung biopsy and hemophagocytic syndrome by a bone marrow biopsy. After receiving treatment with dexamethasone and etoposide, the blood test abnormalities and performance status improved. Chemotherapy for lung cancer was initiated. He had a partial response after first-line chemotherapy and thereafter underwent left upper sleeve lobectomy.

Combining PD-L1 Expression and Standardized Uptake Values in FDG-PET/CT Can Predict Prognosis in Patients With Resectable Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Background

This study aimed to determine the relationship of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and standardized uptake values in fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) with prognosis in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 328 NSCLC patients who underwent lobectomy/segmentectomy with lymph node dissection. PD-L1 expression was detected by immunohistochemically stained using the murine monoclonal antibody clone 22C3. The preoperative maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) of FDG-PET/CT at the primary lesion; pathological factors including histological type, microscopic lymphatic, venous, and pleural invasion; and lymph node metastases in resected specimens was determined. Significant prognostic clinicopathologic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

PD-L1 expression was higher in men, smokers, squamous cell carcinoma, advanced pathologic stages, positive venous invasion, positive pleural invasion, and high preoperative SUV_max (≥3). Postoperative survival analysis showed that both PD-L1 expression and preoperative SUV_max were significantly negative prognostic factors in univariate analysis for overall survival (OS) (P = 0.0123 and P < 0.0001) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.0012 and P < 0.0001). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the OS and RFS were the best in patients with negative PD-L1 expression and SUV_max < 3, intermediate in patients with positive PD-L1 expression and SUV_max < 3 and those with negative PD-L1 expression and SUV_max ≥ 3, and poor in patients with positive PD-L1 expression and SUV_max ≥ 3.

Conclusion

Combining PD-L1 expression and preoperative FDG-PET/CT SUV_max in primary tumor might help in accurate prediction of postoperative prognosis in NSCLC patients.

Corticosteroids for hospitalized patients with mild to critically-ill COVID-19: a multicenter, retrospective, propensity score-matched study

Corticosteroids use in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is controversial, especially in mild to severe patients who do not require invasive/noninvasive ventilation. Moreover, many factors remain unclear regarding the appropriate use of corticosteroids for COVID-19. In this context, this multicenter, retrospective, propensity score-matched study was launched to evaluate the efficacy of systemic corticosteroid administration for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 ranging in the degree of severity from mild to critically-ill disease. This multicenter, retrospective study enrolled consecutive hospitalized COVID-19 patients diagnosed January-April 2020 across 30 institutions in Japan. Clinical outcomes were compared for COVID-19 patients who received or did not receive corticosteroids, after adjusting for propensity scores. The primary endpoint was the odds ratio (OR) for improvement on a 7-point ordinal score on Day 15. Of 1092 COVID-19 patients analyzed, 118 patients were assigned to either the corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid group, after propensity score matching. At baseline, most patients did not require invasive/noninvasive ventilation (85.6% corticosteroid group vs. 89.8% non-corticosteroid group). The odds of improvement in a 7-point ordinal score on Day 15 was significantly lower for the corticosteroid versus non-corticosteroid group (OR, 0.611; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.388-0.962; p = 0.034). The time to improvement in radiological findings was significantly shorter in the corticosteroid versus non-corticosteroid group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.758; 95% CI, 1.323-2.337; p < 0.001), regardless of baseline clinical status. The duration of invasive mechanical ventilation was shorter in corticosteroid versus non-corticosteroid group (HR, 1.466; 95% CI, 0.841-2.554; p = 0.177). Of the 106 patients who received methylprednisolone, the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation was significantly shorter in the pulse/semi-pulse versus standard dose group (HR, 2.831; 95% CI, 1.347-5.950; p = 0.006). In conclusion, corticosteroids for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 did not improve clinical status on Day 15, but reduced the time to improvement in radiological findings for all patients regardless of disease severity and also reduced the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in patients who required intubation.Trial registration: This study was registered in the University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry on April 21, 2020 (ID: UMIN000040211).

Detection of a pinhole-sized bronchoesophageal fistula under bronchoscopic autofluorescence imaging

Autofluorescence imaging (AFI) is a technique for detecting early‐stage lung cancer by amplifying the difference in autofluorescence of the bronchial mucosa. However, there are few reports detailing its other applications. Here, we report the case of a 54‐year‐old woman with stage IVa esophageal cancer who completed chemoradiation therapy, but developed a bronchoesophageal fistula at the left main bronchus and underwent fasting treatment. Computed tomography confirmed that the fistula had closed; however, she subsequently developed aspiration pneumonia and underwent bronchoscopy for confirmation. Although it was difficult to identify the site of the pinhole bronchoesophageal fistula under white light, AFI could easily identify the fistula and digestive mucus in light magenta. AFI may therefore be worth considering for the detection of pinhole bronchoesophageal fistulas.

Assessment of chemotherapy regimens on radiation pneumonitis in patients with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy

Background

Consolidation therapy with durvalumab after concurrent chemoradiotherapy has been reported to significantly prolong progression‐free survival and overall survival in patients with stage III unresectable non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, which chemotherapy regimen should be selected for consolidation therapy with durvalumab is currently unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC who received concurrent definitive chemoradiotherapy with platinum‐based chemotherapy. We reviewed the timing and severity of radiation pneumonitis by assessing chemotherapy regimens and histology.

Results

A total of 103 patients were identified. Fourteen patients (13.6%) developed grade 2 or greater radiation pneumonitis within 42 days after chemoradiotherapy. No adenocarcinoma patients treated with a regimen of cisplatin plus pemetrexed developed grade 2 or greater radiation pneumonitis within 42 days; however, 20% of patients who were treated with carboplatin plus paclitaxel developed grade 2 or greater radiation pneumonitis. Furthermore, the objective response rates and disease control rates of cisplatin plus pemetrexed were equal to or greater than those of carboplatin plus paclitaxel in adenocarcinoma patients.

Conclusion

Cisplatin plus pemetrexed regimen may be a preferable option to consider for subsequent consolidation therapy with durvalumab in patients with unresectable stage III adenocarcinoma.

Assessment of Extensive Airway Obstruction Using Point-by-Point Lateral Pressure Measurements during Bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND

The positioning of the stent at the flow-limiting segment is crucial for patients with extensive airway obstruction to relieve dyspnea. However, CT and flow-volume curves cannot detect the area of maximal obstruction.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to physiologically evaluate extensive airway obstruction during interventional bronchoscopy.

METHODS

We prospectively measured point-by-point lateral airway pressure (Plat) at multiple points from the lower lobe bronchus to the upper trachea using a double-lumen catheter in 5 patients. The site of maximal obstruction was evaluated continuously to measure point-by-point Plat at multiple points when the airway catheter was withdrawn from the lower lobe bronchus to the upper trachea.

RESULTS

Remarkable pressure differences occurred at the site of maximal obstruction assessed by point-by-point Plat measurements. After initial stenting in 1 case, migration of the maximal obstruction to a nonstented segment of the weakened airway was seen with extensive stenosis from the trachea to the bronchi. In the second case, in addition to radiological analysis, point-by-point Plat measurements could identify the location of the maximal obstruction which contributed to dyspnea.

CONCLUSIONS

Point-by-point Plat measurement could be used to detect the site of maximal obstruction physiologically. Furthermore, Plat measurement could assess the need for additional procedures in real time in patients with extensive airway obstruction.

Natural closing of a tracheal tear caused by intubation in a patient with relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) often develops into severe tracheobronchial stenosis with malacia. Although tracheal tears rarely occur by intubation, treatment decisions for tears can be difficult due to airway inflammation in RP patients. In this case, due to advanced age and immunosuppressive treatment, we decided against invasive surgery.

Back to normal; serological testing for COVID-19 diagnosis unveils missed infections

Background

The gold standard for coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) diagnosis has been the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) RNA by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). On the other hand, serological testing for COVID‐19 may offer advantages in detecting possibly overlooked infections by NAAT.

Methods

To evaluate seroconversion of NAAT‐negative pneumonia patients, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG targeting the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 were semiquantified by an immunofluorescence assay. Seroconversion was confirmed by another serological method, targeting the nucleocapsid protein.

Results

Eight suspected but unconfirmed COVID‐19 pneumonia patients (median age, 39 years; range, 21–55) were included. The median period between symptom onset and NAAT sample collection was 6 days (2–27 days). None of them had tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 by NAAT. In contrast, all eight patients revealed seropositivity with the two serological methods, indicating actual seroconversion against SARS‐CoV‐2. The median period between onset and blood sampling was 26.5 days (7–51 days).

Conclusion

Eight patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia, initially tested negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 by NAAT, were finally confirmed of the diagnosis by serological testing. To cover the whole spectrum of this heterogenous infectious disease, serology testing should be implemented to the multitiered diagnostic algorithm for COVID‐19.

Correlation between Computed Tomographic Analysis and Pulmonary Function Measurements in Patients with Relapsing Polychondritis

BACKGROUND

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic disease of unknown origin, with cartilaginous involvement in multiple organs. Airway involvement is the most important prognostic factor in RP.

OBJECTIVES

Spirometric measurements and minimum tracheal cross-sectional area (mtCSA) have been reported as useful to assess the degree of airway stenosis. Because the length and severity of tracheal involvement in RP can vary, mtCSA might not provide enough information to assess tracheal abnormalities. We introduced tracheal volume (TrV) as a new method to evaluate correlations between chest computed tomography (CT) measurements and pulmonary function tests, including impulse oscillometry (IOS).

METHOD

We analyzed chest CT images, spirometry, and IOS collected at our institution from April 2004 to March 2019. We calculated correlations between chest CT measurements using software (TrV, TrV/tracheal length [TrV/TL], and mtCSA) and pulmonary function parameters.

RESULTS

Twenty-five of 73 clinically diagnosed patients with RP were included. Spirometric findings showed moderate airway obstruction. Peak flow (PEF) was strongly correlated with mtCSA, TrV, and TrV/TL (ρ = 0.74, p < 0.001). FEV1 was significantly correlated with mtCSA (ρ = 0.56, p = 0.004), TrV (ρ = 0.52, p = 0.007), and TrV/TL (ρ = 0.53, p = 0.006). Whereas respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20) and resonant frequencies (RFs) were significantly correlated with TrV (ρ = -0.46, p = 0.021; ρ = -0.46, p = 0.046; and ρ = -0.42, p = 0.037, respectively), IOS parameters and mtCSA were not.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with RP, TrV and mtCSA were strongly correlated with spirometric measurements. Respiratory resistances assessed by IOS correlated only with TrV. This suggests TrV assessment reflects pulmonary function in patients with RP more appropriately than mtCSA.

Drug-induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome by EGFR-TKI in a Patient with Lung Cancer

An 83-years-old woman diagnosed with advanced Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung adenocarcinoma was administered afatinib as a first-line treatment. On Day 17, the patient presented with grade 3 diarrhea and a blood test analysis showed an increased inflammatory response. Afatinib treatment was discontinued on the same day. On Day 26, the patient displayed blepharedema and multiple irregular erythema covering her entire body. Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) was suspected, and the systemic administration of 30 mg/day prednisolone was administered. The symptoms subsided thereafter. A blood test analysis 3 weeks after onset revealed a reactivation of Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and a diagnosis of DIHS due to afatinib therapy was confirmed.

CT texture analysis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy: Combining with US-based elastographic parameter and discrimination between sarcoidosis and lymph node metastasis from small cell lung cancer

Objectives

To investigate the potential of computed tomography (CT)-based texture analysis and elastographic data provided by endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) for differentiating the mediastinal lymphadenopathy by sarcoidosis and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) metastasis.

Methods

Sixteen patients with sarcoidosis and 14 with SCLC were enrolled. On CT images showing the largest mediastinal lymph node, a fixed region of interest was drawn on the node, and texture features were automatically measured. Among the 30 patients, 19 (12 sarcoidosis and 7 SCLC) underwent endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration, and the fat-to-lesion strain ratio (FLR) was recorded. Texture features and FLRs were compared between the 2 patient groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these measurements.

Results

Of the 31 texture features, the differences between 11 texture features of CT ROIs in the patients with sarcoidosis versus patients with SCLC were significant. Among them, the grey-level run length matrix with high gray-level run emphasis (GLRLM-HGRE) showed the greatest difference (P<0.01). Differences between FLRs were significant (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis together with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the FLR combined with the GLRLM-HGRE showed a high diagnostic accuracy (100% sensitivity, 92% specificity, 0.988 area under the curve) for discriminating between sarcoidosis and SCLC.

Conclusion

Texture analysis, particularly combined with the FLR, is useful for discriminating between mediastinal lymphadenopathy caused by sarcoidosis from that caused by metastasis from SCLC.

Suitability of transbronchial brushing cytology specimens for next-generation sequencing in peripheral lung cancer

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) enables the diagnosis of large numbers of gene aberrations during one examination, and precision medicine has been developed for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, peripheral lung lesions account for the majority of advanced lung cancers, especially lung adenocarcinoma. In these cases, it is difficult to obtain tissue samples which contain sufficient tumor cells by transbronchial biopsy (TBB) with forceps. Even when the target lesions are quite small, bronchial brushing can obtain enough tumor cells by endobronchial ultrasonography using guide sheath (EBUS‐GS). In this study, we investigate the suitability of bronchial brushing cytology specimens obtained by EBUS‐GS‐TBB to evaluate the correlation between the success rate of NGS and extracted DNA/RNA yields according to biopsy method. We prospectively collected 222 tumor samples obtained from patients with advanced lung cancer. All patients were enrolled in a prospective nationwide genomic screening project for lung cancer (LC‐SCRUM‐Japan/Asia). Genomic data were obtained from the clinico‐genomic database of LC‐SCRUM‐Japan/Asia. The extraction yields of DNA/RNA from samples obtained by EBUS‐GS‐TBB were relatively low compared with tissue samples. The success rate of DNA sequencing for EBUS‐GS‐TBB was 97.9%, with no significant differences between biopsy methods. The success rate of RNA sequencing for EBUS‐GS‐TBB was 80.4%, which was relatively low compared with surgical biopsy samples (P = 0.069). However, some rare oncogenic driver aberrations were detected from these specimens. This study demonstrated that cytology samples obtained by transbronchial brushing with EBUS‐GS‐TBB were suitable for NGS analysis.

Comparison of the 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

BACKGROUND

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive hilar mediastinal node sampling technique used for lung cancer staging and diagnosis of lesions. Besides the conventional 22-gauge (G) and 21G needles, a 25G needle is now available for this procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the 25G EBUS-TBNA needle.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA using both 22G and 25G aspiration needles from January 2017 through December 2017 at St. Marianna University School of Medicine. We identified 10 patients and compared the diagnostic yield and the sample volume for each needle.

RESULTS

Six patients were diagnosed with lung cancer and four with sarcoidosis. Total diagnostic yield was 80% (8/10) for the 22G and 60% (6/10) for the 25G (P = 0.31). In patients with lung cancer, the diagnostic yield was 67% (4/6) for the 22G and 83% (5/6) for the 25G (P = 0.50). In patients with sarcoidosis, the diagnostic yield was 100% (4/4) for the 22G and 25% (1/4) for the 25G (P = 0.07). In patients with lung cancer, the median tissue area was comparable for each needle; however, in patients with sarcoidosis, the sample area was smaller for the 25G than for the 22G. We did not encounter any major complications or bleeding during EBUS-TBNA procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Although histologic specimens obtained by the 25G needle are expected to be useful for the diagnosis of lung cancer, we found the 25G needle inadequate for diagnosing sarcoidosis due to insufficient sample size.

Successful treatment with nivolumab in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma complicated by pulmonary aspergilloma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the key drugs used in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, anti‐PD‐1 therapy might worsen chronic infection by reactivating the immune response to infectious diseases. Here, we describe a case of successful treatment with nivolumab in a patient with NSCLC complicated by pulmonary aspergilloma, which was safely treated by surgical resection before administration of nivolumab. In conclusion, to safely treat patients with locally limited chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), surgical resection should be considered before ICI therapy.

Development and Clinical Application of a Novel Non-contact Early Airflow Limitation Screening System Using an Infrared Time-of-Flight Depth Image Sensor

Obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) trigger a severe reaction at some situations. Detecting early airflow limitation caused by diseases above is critical to stop the progression. Thus, there is a need for tools to enable self-screening of early airflow limitation at home. Here, we developed a novel non-contact early airflow limitation screening system (EAFL-SS) that does not require calibration to the individual by a spirometer. The system is based on an infrared time-of-flight (ToF) depth image sensor, which is integrated into several smartphones for photography focusing or augmented reality. The EAFL-SS comprised an 850 nm infrared ToF depth image sensor (224 × 171 pixels) and custom-built data processing algorithms to visualize anterior-thorax three-dimensional motions in real-time. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the amount of air compulsorily exhaled after maximal inspiration (referred to as the forced vital capacity, FVC_EAFL–SS) from the ToF-derived anterior-thorax forced vital capacity (FVC), height, and body mass index as explanatory variables and spirometer-derived FVC as the objective variable. The non-contact measurement is automatically started when an examinee is sitting 35 cm away from the EAFL-SS. A clinical test was conducted with 32 COPD patients (27/5 M/F, 67–93 years) as typical airflow limitation cases recruited at St. Marianna University Hospital and 21 healthy volunteers (10/11 M/F, 23–79 years). The EAFL-SS was used to monitor the respiration of examinees during forced exhalation while sitting still, and a spirometer was used simultaneously as a reference. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%_EAFL–SS) was evaluated as a percentage of the FVC_EAFL–SS, where values less than 70% indicated suspected airflow limitation. Leave-one-out cross-validation analysis revealed that this system provided 81% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Further, the FEV1_EAFL–SS values were closely correlated with that measured using a spirometer (r = 0.85, p < 0.0001). Hence, EAFL-SS appears promising for early airflow limitation screening at home.

The efficacy and safety of ramucirumab plus docetaxel in older patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Ramucirumab plus docetaxel (RAM+DOC) is expected to prolong survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the efficacy and safety for older patients remains unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RAM+DOC in patients 75 years and older.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who had received RAM+DOC treatment at three institutions. We compared the efficacy and safety in patients 75 years and older to those under 75 years of age.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients were identified. The median progression-free survival, time to treatment failure and overall survival was 3.6 (95% CI: 0.4-6.7), 3.1 (95% CI: 2.4-3.9) and 11.2 months (95% CI: 5.6-16.8) in the older group (N = 23), and 4.2 (95% CI: 3.3-5.0), 3.4 (95% CI: 3.3-5.0) and 12.2 months (95% CI: 9.1-15.4) in the younger group (N = 91), respectively. Survival curves were similar for each group, while the objective response rate was 30.4% (95% CI: 13.2-52.9%) in older patients and 35.2% (95% CI, 25.4-45.9%) for the younger group. A total of 22 older patients (95.7%) and 73 (80.2%) younger patients received primary prophylactic pegylated-granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (PEG-G-CSF). Four older patients (17.3%) and 14 younger patients (15.3%) discontinued RAM+DOC due to adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

RAM+DOC is expected to be efficacious and tolerable in older patients when supported with prophylactic PEG-G-CSF therapy.

KEY POINTS

Significant findings of the study ・PFS, OS, and ORR in older patients were similar to those under 75 years of age. ・Safety of RAM+DOC was well tolerated in older patients with prophylactic PEG-G-CSF. ・Prophylactic PEG-G-CSF with RAM+DOC may contribute to better efficacy. What this study adds ・This study suggests that RAM+DOC with prophylactic PEG-G-CSF is expected to be a useful option in older patients with advanced NSCLC.

The Impact of EGFR Mutation Status and Brain Metastasis for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Ramucirumab plus Docetaxel

OBJECTIVES

Currently, combination therapy of ramucirumab (RAM) + docetaxel (DOC) must play a more important role as a second-line treatment. Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation accounts for around 50% of oncogenic driver mutations in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Asian subsets. The number of brain metastases (BM) is relatively higher in EGFR mutation-positive patients compared to EGFR wild-type patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of RAM + DOC focusing on EGFR mutation and BM.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive advanced NSCLC patients who received combination therapy of RAM + DOC at three institutions. A total of 112 patients with NSCLC were enrolled for efficacy analyses. We evaluated the efficacy of RAM + DOC for EGFR-mutated NSCLC with endpoints including progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival.

RESULTS

Median PFS was 5.7 months for the EGFR mutant group compared with 3.6 months for the EGFR wild-type group (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32-0.87; p = 0.01). Median TTF was 5.1 months for the EGFR mutant group compared with 2.8 months for the EGFR wild-type group (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33-0.85; p = 0.007). Median PFS and TTF of the EGFR mutant group was significantly longer than median PFS and TTF of the EGFR wild-type group. The multivariate analysis identified EGFR mutation status as an independent favorable factor of PFS. In subset analyses of BM, median PFS of the EGFR mutant group (2.8 months) was significantly shorter than that of the EGFR wild-type group (5.1 months) (HR 7.27, 95% CI 1.78-29.68; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that EGFR mutation status and BM might be predictive or prognostic factors for PFS.

[CHARACTERISTICS OF ADULT ASTHMATICS COMPLICATED WITH PULMONARY THROMBOEMBOLISM IN YOKOHAMA CITY SEIBU HOSPITAL]

BACKGROUND

Evidences have shown that bronchial asthma (BA) enhances the risk of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). We previously reported the cases of adult BA patients complicated with PTE. (Aim) To clarify the risk factors of PTE in BA patients, we investigated about the characteristics and risk of contrast medium about patients coexisting asthma and PTE.

METHODS

We investigated adult asthmatics who visited our hospital and examined chest contrasted CT from January 2011 to 2018.March, retrospectively.

RESULTS

Fifty seven times examinations (33 asthmatics) were detected from 304 times of enhanced chest CT. We examined twenty times enhanced CT without premedication, but no subjects had side effect such as asthma attack. And also, we diagnosed 12 asthmatics as PTE from 33 patients. The subjects with PTE were high BMI (p=0.024) heavy weight (p=0.033), compared with asthmatics without PTE. There were no significant changes about lung function test, smoking history, sex and the levels of D-dimer among two groups.

CONCLUSION

Adult asthmatics with PTE were high BMI and heavy compared with those without PTE.

Relationships among bronchodilator reversibility, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, and the parameters of the forced oscillation technique in adult asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2 agonists combination

In bronchial asthma, both airway inflammation and reversible airway narrowing require assessment and treatment. These two pathologies are treated primarily with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β2 agonists (LABA), respectively. Therefore, ICS-LABA combinations are widely used to treat asthma. Airway inflammation and reversible airway narrowing are assessed primarily with fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and bronchodilator reversibility (BDR). The forced oscillation technique (FOT) has recently attracted attention as a method for assessing obstructive respiratory disturbance. However, little is known about the relationships among these assessments. Therefore, we investigated the relationships among BDR, FENO, and FOT during ICS-LABA combination therapy. The subjects comprised 87 patients (25 men and 62 women) with asthma undergoing ICS/LABA combination therapy from July to September 2017. We applied the FENO test, FOT, and BDR testing without the patients stopping their therapy. The rates of change in FEV₁ (ΔFEV₁%) was correlated with FENO (r = 0.278). Among the FOT parameters, X5 (r = -0.263), Fres (r = 0.292), and AX (r = 0.245) were significantly correlated with ΔFEV₁%. FENO, Fres and %FEV₁ at baseline in these stable asthmatics were significantly assosiated with ΔFEV₁% independently of the effects of age, atopy and body mass index (BMI). These results suggest that FENO and the results of respiratory function testing and FOT reflect different aspects of asthma and should be combined and comprehensively evaluated.

Drastic healing process after pembrolizumab monotherapy in a case of advanced squamous cell carcinoma with severe bronchial stenosis observed over a two-year period using continuous bronchoscopy: A case report

Programmed cell death-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) antibody has proven to be effective in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients positive for programmed cell death-1 ligand-1. However, there are currently no reports which evaluate drug efficacy by continuous bronchoscopic observation. A 75-year-old man with complete right atelectasis was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the right lower lobe (tumor proportion score: TPS 90%, cT4N3M0, stage 3C). For first-line chemotherapy, carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel were effective for the primary lesion and the right lung atelectasis improved. However, due to repeated febrile neutropenia with pneumonia, treatment was modified to pembrolizumab monotherapy. Bronchoscopic rebiopsy prior to second-line treatment revealed high TPS, with a severe stenosis in the right main bronchus. After three courses of pembrolizumab, the right main bronchus opened completely, and no signs of malignancy were observed. Bronchoscopic narrow-band and autofluorescence imaging also confirmed a complete endobronchial response. Subsequent bronchoscopic observation two years after the initial diagnosis showed a complete and continued response to treatment. ICIs can result in a drastic bronchoscopic response. In this case, the healing process was notable with minimal scarring, and resulted in continued locally bronchoscopic and complete pathological response to treatment compared to previous cytotoxic chemotherapy.