[Evaluation of population-based lung cancer screening in Niigata and analysis of interval cases based on comparison lung cancer registry with screening records]

Survival analysis has been used as one way to examine the efficacy of cancer screening. However, this type of study is susceptible to many sources of bias, especially to a length bias. In the city of Sukumo in Japan, a survival analysis considering screening history for the purpose of eliminating the length bias was conducted. The efficacy of lung cancer screening was assessed by comparing those who participated in the screening in the year preceding diagnosis, with those who did not. The 5-year survival rate was 44% in the former and 16% in the latter. We tried to evaluate population-based lung-cancer screening in Niigata using the method as that of Sukumo by comparing lung-cancer registry data with screening records, those who died of lung cancer from 1991 to 1994 in the study area and had the opportunity to be screened were categorized according to the screening history for the year preceding diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate was 41% in those who were screened and 19% in those not screened. In addition, the median survival time of the former was 37 months, significantly longer than the 12 months of the latter. Replication of study results in different populations may suggest the efficacy of lung-cancer screening on an annual basis. We also analyzed the clinical background of 47 interval cases in the search for a future direction for the improvement of the screening method.

Can persisting detrusor hyperreflexia be predicted after transurethral prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy?

Detrusor hyperreflexia (DH) is frequently found in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and persists in 30-50% of patients after successful removal of bladder neck obstruction by transurethral prostatectomy (TUR-P) or surgical enucleation of the prostate. It would be beneficial for surgeons to be able to identify patients who are at risk of persistent post-operative urinary irritation symptoms and DH. Twenty-three patients who showed DH pre-operatively were included in this study. Of these 23 patients, four had neurogenic bladder because of previous cerebrovascular disease. The other 19 patients were considered to have DH because of BPH. These 19 patients were classified according to their cystometry chart patterns. Pattern 1 was the continual sporadic onset and offset of DH, pattern 2 was a single episode of DH at a bladder volume of <160 mL, and pattern 3 was a single DH episode at a bladder volume >160 mL. Preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed on 14 patients. Cystometric findings at 3 to 6 months after surgery were compared with the pre-operative findings. Four of the six patients with pattern 2 (67%) and all patients with pattern 3 (100%) showed an absence of DH after surgery. In contrast, all five patients with pattern 1 and all four patients with neurogenic bladder showed persistent DH. Compared with pattern 3 patients, pattern 1 patients more frequently complained of urgency before surgery, and their symptoms and uroflowmetry parameters did not improve afterward. Among 14 patients who had pre-operative SPECT, all eight patients with low cerebral blood flow in the frontal region showed persisting DH. Conversely, all six patients with normal SPECT results showed no DH after surgery. When DH occurs repeatedly (pattern 1) or occurs at a bladder volume of <160 mL (pattern 2), there is a greater risk of post-operative irritation symptoms. Abnormal SPECT findings can also predict the post-operative persistence of DH. Combing these two pre-operative examinations allows us to predict better post-operative DH in patients with BPH.

Can persisting detrusor hyperreflexia be predicted after transurethral prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy?

Detrusor hyperreflexia (DH) is frequently found in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and persists in 30-50% of patients after successful removal of bladder neck obstruction by transurethral prostatectomy (TUR-P) or surgical enucleation of the prostate. It would be beneficial for surgeons to be able to identify patients who are at risk of persistent post-operative urinary irritation symptoms and DH. Twenty-three patients who showed DH pre-operatively were included in this study. Of these 23 patients, four had neurogenic bladder because of previous cerebrovascular disease. The other 19 patients were considered to have DH because of BPH. These 19 patients were classified according to their cystometry chart patterns. Pattern 1 was the continual sporadic onset and offset of DH, pattern 2 was a single episode of DH at a bladder volume of <160 mL, and pattern 3 was a single DH episode at a bladder volume >160 mL. Preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed on 14 patients. Cystometric findings at 3 to 6 months after surgery were compared with the pre-operative findings. Four of the six patients with pattern 2 (67%) and all patients with pattern 3 (100%) showed an absence of DH after surgery. In contrast, all five patients with pattern 1 and all four patients with neurogenic bladder showed persistent DH. Compared with pattern 3 patients, pattern 1 patients more frequently complained of urgency before surgery, and their symptoms and uroflowmetry parameters did not improve afterward. Among 14 patients who had pre-operative SPECT, all eight patients with low cerebral blood flow in the frontal region showed persisting DH. Conversely, all six patients with normal SPECT results showed no DH after surgery. When DH occurs repeatedly (pattern 1) or occurs at a bladder volume of <160 mL (pattern 2), there is a greater risk of post-operative irritation symptoms. Abnormal SPECT findings can also predict the post-operative persistence of DH. Combing these two pre-operative examinations allows us to predict better post-operative DH in patients with BPH.

Treatment of roentgenographically occult endobronchial carcinoma with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy: second report

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of treatment with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy for roentgenographically occult endobronchial carcinoma (ROEC).

METHOD AND MATERIALS

A total of 79 lesions (71 cases) of ROEC were treated with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy from July 1991 to December 1998. Of these lesions, 68 (64 cases) were treated with our standard dose (external beam radiotherapy of 40 Gy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy of 25 Gy) and are the subject of this report. All 64 patients were males, and their ages ranged from 55 to 80 (median, 68) years. The histologic diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in all patients.

RESULTS

In all cases, the scheduled treatment was carried out within 2 months. Follow-up period ranged from 4 to 91 (median, 44) months from the beginning of this treatment. Acute toxicity was tolerable. Grade 2 radiation pneumonitis was observed in 4 cases, and there was no case of greater than Grade 2 radiation fibrosis. Nineteen cases of bronchial stenosis and 23 cases of bronchial obstruction were observed on follow-up bronchoscopy. However, no Grade 2 or greater deterioration of respiratory function due to radiotherapy, prolonged symptoms, or fatal toxicity was observed. Nine patients suffered recurrence, 5 of whom were rescued by surgery and external beam radiotherapy, and 4 of whom died of disease. The 5-year cause-specific survival, overall-survival, and disease-free rate were 96.1%, 72.3%, and 87.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Combined treatment with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy is effective and results in acceptable complications for ROEC.

Phase II study of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term follow-up results. Japan Clinical Oncology Group Protocol 8902

BACKGROUND

Although chemoradiotherapy is standard treatment for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), few long-term survival data exist.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between October 1989 and December 1991, 74 patients with histologically or cytologically proven NSCLC, unresectable stage IIIA or IIIB, were entered into this study. Seventy patients were eligible and evaluable for response, toxicity, and survival analysis. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (100 mg/m2 on days 1, 29, and 57) and vindesine (3 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 29, 36, 57, and 64). Thoracic radiotherapy was administered for two weeks (2 Gy given 10 times, five fractions per week), and after a 14-day rest period, the previous schedule of radiotherapy was repeated for two weeks. A 10-Gy to 20-Gy dose of radiotherapy was administered during the third cycle of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Of the 70 evaluable patients, 1 (1.4%) had a complete response (CR) and 51 (72.9%) had a partial response (PR). The median survival time was 14.8 months, and the five-year survival rate was 14.8%. The major toxicity was leukopenia (> or = grade 3, 93%). Other toxicities > or = grade 3 included anemia (34%), nausea/vomiting (27%), alopecia (7%), thrombocytopenia (4%), and serum creatinine elevation (1%). Treatment related death occurred in two patients (2.8%). One patient died of pneumonia and pneumothorax, and the other of hemoptysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy has the potential to provide long-term survival with acceptable toxicities.

A case of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) together with total atelectasis of a lung caused by lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion

Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) is a clinicopathologic entity established by Frizzera in 1974. Reported cases of AILD with pleuropulmonary involvement have been increasing recently. At Nogata Central Hospital, an 82-year-old male inpatient with brain infarctions and chronic bronchitis showed a rapid growth of systemic lymphadenopathy and various other symptoms. We diagnosed the case as AILD by histopathologic examination of a lymph node. Chest radiography and computed tomography demonstrated a loss of volume of the right lung caused by intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and a pleural effusion. Although cases of AILD with pleuropulmonary involvement have been increasing, no cases with almost total atelectasis of a lung have been reported as yet. AILD should be taken into account as a disease which may cause atelectasis of a lung.

[A phase II study of irinotecan combined with cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer. CPT-11 Lung Cancer Study Group]

Based upon the results of phase I study of irinotecan (CPT-11) combined with cisplatin (CDDP) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a combination phase II study on NSCLC was carried out from Feb., 1992 to Sep., 1992. CPT-11 (60 mg/m2) and CDDP (80 mg/m2) were administered by i.v. drip infusion, with administration schedules of Days 1, 8, 15 and only Day 1, respectively. This therapy course was repeated every 4 weeks. Subjects were NSCLC patients of stage III B or IV disease. Those without prior chemotherapy (Group A) and those with prior therapy (Group B) were enrolled separately. Seventy patients were entered into Group A and 32 patients into Group B. One of the patients of Group A was ineligible. The characteristics of the eligible cases of Group A were: male/female, 51/18; median age, 61 years old; PS 0/1/2, 18/39/12; stage IIIB/IV, 26/43; and adeno/squamous/large, 51/15/3. Those of group B were: male/female, 20/12; median age, 62 years old; PS 0/1/2, 5/18/9; stage I/IIIB/IV, 1/7/24, adeno/squamous/large/ad-sq, 28/2/1/1. Thirty-three patients (47.8%) responded in Group A and B patients (25.0%) responded in Group B. Major adverse reactions (grade 3 or higher) of Group A/Group B were neutropenia (80.3%/73.3%), anemia (35.3%/34.4%), diarrhea (18.8%/28.1%) and nausea/vomiting (34.8%/34.4%). Median survival times for Group A and Group B were 308 and 295 days, respectively. CPT-11 in combination with CDDP is effective against NSCLC, suggesting that further studies are needed to determine the usefulness of this therapy.

Phase II study of area under the plasma-concentration-versus-time curve-based carboplatin plus standard-dose intravenous etoposide in elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

The target area under the plasma-concentration-versus-time curve (AUC)-based dosing of carboplatin using Calvert's formula is expected to result in more acceptable toxicity and greater efficacy in elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) than the body surface area-based dosing strategy. This phase II study was designed to determine the toxicity and efficacy of carboplatin based on Calvert's formula plus the standard dose of intravenous etoposide for elderly patients with SCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Carboplatin, dosed to a target AUC of 5 x (24-hour creatinine clearance + 25), was given intravenously on day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) was given intravenously on days 1, 2, and 3. Patients aged >/= 70 years old with a performance status of 0 to 2 were eligible.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients were enrolled onto the study. The patient characteristics were as follows: median age, 73 years; limited disease (LD), 16 patients; and extensive disease (ED), 20 patients. Grades 3 and 4 leukopenia occurred in 57% and 3% of patients, and grades 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 40% and 11% of patients, respectively. There was one treatment-related death due to hemoptysis. Other toxicities were relatively mild. There were two complete responses and 25 partial responses, for a response rate of 75%. The median survival time was 10.8 months (LD, 11.6 months; ED, 10.1 months), and the 1-year survival rate was 47%.

CONCLUSION

This carboplatin/etoposide combination chemotherapy is an active and relatively nontoxic regimen in elderly patients with SCLC, which suggests that the combination may be suitable for randomized controlled trials.

Pulmonary function after segmentectomy for small peripheral carcinoma of the lung

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare the pulmonary function after a segmentectomy with that after a lobectomy for small peripheral carcinoma of the lung.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1993 and 1996, segmentectomy and lobectomy were performed on 48 and 133 good-risk patients, respectively. Lymph node metastases were detected after the operation in 6 and 24 patients of the segmentectomy and lobectomy groups, respectively. For bias reduction in comparison with a nonrandomized control group, we paired 40 segmentectomy patients with 40 lobectomy patients using nearest available matching method on the estimated propensity score.

RESULTS

Twelve months after the operation, the segmentectomy and lobectomy groups had forced vital capacities of 2.67 +/- 0.73 L (mean +/- standard deviation) and 2.57 +/- 0.59 L, which were calculated to be 94.9% +/- 10.6% and 91.0% +/- 13.2% of the preoperative values (P =.14), respectively. The segmentectomy and lobectomy groups had postoperative 1-second forced expiratory volumes of 1.99 +/- 0.63 L and 1.95 +/- 0.49 L, which were calculated to be 93.3% +/- 10.3% and 87.3% +/- 14.0% of the preoperative values, respectively (P =.03). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the alternative of segmentectomy or lobectomy was not a determinant for postoperative forced vital capacity but did affect postoperative 1-second forced expiratory volume.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary function after a segmentectomy for a good-risk patient is slightly better than that after a lobectomy. However, segmentectomy should be still the surgical procedure for only poor-risk patients because of the difficulty in excluding patients with metastatic lymph nodes from the candidates for the procedure.

Development and evaluation of regional health database systems

We have developed information systems for regional public health in some areas. These systems have the following functions: (1) to register results of examinations, life style, follow-up data, diseases, (2) to output some reports and statistics for daily jobs, (3) to make a personal health database, (4) to display stored data by character, trend graph, radar chart or bar chart, (5) to analyze regional health problems, (6) to extract dada about persons with some conditions, (7) to compare data among some examinations, (8) to analyze risk factors. Each database can be transferred to mini-notebook type personal computers. So, they can be used anywhere and any time. Some access controls are performed for security. The systems are used in routine works, health consultation for persons and health education for groups. We have evaluated the systems and got some useful results. Using the systems, daily jobs can be performed with good accuracy and less labor, each subject can understand one's health status easily and clearly, grasps of health problems can be made quantitatively and health projects can be planned by scientific methods.

[Phase I study of gemcitabine hydrochloride (LY 188011) combination therapy with cisplatin in the patients with non-small cell lung cancer]

The combination Phase I study of gemcitabine hydrochloride with cisplatin was conducted in the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at 5 investigation sites. Gemcitabine was administrated on day 1, 8 and 15 and cisplatin on day 1 of each 28-day cycle. The dosage of cisplatin was fixed to 80 mg/m2 and the dosage of Gemcitabine was gradually escalated in 3 dosing level from 600, 800 to 1,000 mg/m2. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended dose was determined with Continual Reassessment Method. For each dose level, 6 cases, 3 cases and 6 cases were registered respectively and all 15 cases were evaluable. In the dose level 3 with 1,000 mg/m2 of gemcitabine and 80 mg/m2 of cisplatin, grade 4 neutropenia was observed as DLT in 3 out of 6 cases, thus dose level 3 was considered as MTD and the recommended dose. Major adverse events were leukopenia, neutropenia, nausea/vomiting and anorexia. The incidence of such adverse events seemed to be dose-dependent and especially the grade of neutropenia seemed to be more serious as the dose increased. Also, the grade of liver function tests abnormal seemed to be more serious as the dose increased but the incidence as well as the grade did not have tendency of dose-dependent in another events including renal function tests abnormal. On the other hand, as to the efficacy PR was observed in 4 out of 15 cases. Based upon the results, it is necessary to discuss further the efficacy in the recommended dose in the combination therapy of gemcitabine and cisplatin.

The influence of lung cancer mass screening on surgical results

BACKGROUND

After the introduction of the mass screening program for lung cancer, the number of patients detected by mass screening increased as well as the number of early staged patients. Therefore, we examined the influence of lung cancer mass screening on surgical results.

METHODS

A total of 1177 primary lung cancer cases, who underwent surgery from 1963 to 1992, were retrospectively reviewed. They were grouped according to the changes in the mass screening system: the first period (1963-1977) before lung cancer screening started, the second period (1978-1986) when mass screening was conducted by the local government, and the third period (1987-1992) after the launching of the national screening program.

RESULTS

The rate of cases detected by mass screening increased over time and the 5-year survival rate improved significantly, from 33.7% in the first period, to 51.8% in the second period and finally, to 58.4% in the third period. The improvement is attributable to a relative increase of rate of stage I cases and better stage I survival rate. Specifically, in stage I cases, improvement resulted from a relative increase of stage IA in peripheral type and roentgenographically occult lung cancer cases and from better survival rate of these two groups.

CONCLUSION

As lung cancer screening has come into widespread use, detection of peripheral small-sized lung cancer and roentgenographically occult lung cancer have increased and consequently, surgical results have improved.

Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cisplatin in patients with cancer: analysis with the NONMEM program

The population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cisplatin (CDDP) were evaluated based on a mixed-effect model using the NONMEM program. Unchanged CDDP in plasma was measured as a biologically active platinum species during CDDP chemotherapy, using high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma concentration measurements (157) of unchanged CDDP from 26 patients with cancer receiving 80 mg/m2 CDDP by infusion over 2 hours, 3.5 hours, or 4 hours were analyzed according to a one-compartment model. The influences of individual characteristics such as body weight, dose schedule, course, and clinical laboratory values (renal function markers, albumin) on total body clearance (Cl) and volume of distribution (Vd) were examined. In the final pharmacokinetic model, body surface area and dose schedule affected Cl of unchanged CDDP. The Cl of CDDP was increased by 27.3% after the 2-hour infusion schedule compared with Cl after the longer infusions. The Vd was estimated as 13.4 L/m2. The interindividual variability for Cl and Vd and residual variability were 22.9%, 30.9%, and 35.5%, respectively. The relationships between maximum concentration (Cmax) of unchanged CDDP and maximum blood urea nitrogen (BUNmax), or minimum creatinine clearance (ClCr,min) over a 1-month period after CDDP administration were evaluated according to linear, exponential, or maximum response (Emax) models. The linear or Emax model described pharmacodynamics most successfully, with relatively large interindividual variability for both slope and EC50 (more than 25%). Residual variability was 15.3% and 17.1% in BUNmax and Clcrmin, respectively. The population means and interindividual and residual variability of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CDDP were evaluated using the NONMEM program. The results of this study show that the population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic approach could be useful to manage CDDP nephrotoxicity using sparse data in a clinical setting.

Significant prognostic factors for 5-year survival after curative resection of renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients occasionally die of RCC even after curative resection. In this study, we investigated prognostic factors between survivors for more than 5 years and patients who died within 5 years after curative resection.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 111 patients who underwent RCC curative resection and were followed for more than 5 years. Patient survival at 5 years after curative resection was regarded as the end-point of this analysis. Statistical differences of 19 prognostic factors between surviving and deceased patients were determined using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Eighteen of the 111 patients died of RCC during the 5-year follow-up period. Of the 19 prognostic factors evaluated, univariate analysis showed significant differences in the body temperature, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alpha2-globulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, tumor size, Robson's stage, T classification (renal capsular involvement), pathological grade, and mode of tumor infiltration. Five significant variables (body temperature, ESR, alpha2-globulin, fibrinogen, and tumor size) were excluded from multivariate analysis because greater than 10% of the data was missing. The TNM staging system was selected as the representative variable for stage for multivariate analysis. Using the remaining 5 significant variables (hemoglobin, CRP, T stage, pathological grade, and mode of tumor infiltration), multivariate analysis showed that CRP (P = 0.0126) and T stage (P = 0.0490) were the most important prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

From this analysis, CRP and renal capsular involvement were the most important factors predicting survival for greater than 5 years after curative resection of RCC.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) value adjusted for transition zone volume and free PSA (gamma-seminoprotein)/PSA ratio in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with intermediate PSA levels

OBJECTIVES

To determine: (i) whether the accuracy of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density is improved by using the transition zone (TZ) volume instead of total prostate volume, with the gamma-seminoprotein (gamma SP, a measure of free PSA) to total PSA ratio, for detecting prostate cancer; and (ii) to assess the influence of prostate volume on PSA density and gamma SP/PSA ratio.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From April 1995 to July 1997, 297 consecutive patients (46-88 years old) were examined; all had intermediate serum PSA levels (4-10 ng/mL) and/or abnormal findings on digital rectal examination. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy, and the prostate and TZ volumes determined from TRUS. The PSA density relative to the total prostate volume (PSAD) and to the TZ volume (PSAT) were then calculated. The total PSA and gamma SP levels were measured before the diagnostic procedures.

RESULTS

Of the 297 patients, 62 (21%) were histologically confirmed to have prostate cancer by biopsy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.680 for PSA, 0.684 for PSAD, 0.764 for PSAT, 0.748 for gamma SP/PSA, 0.885 for gamma SP/PSA in patients with a prostate volume < 40 mL, while it was 0.817 for PSAT in patients with a prostate volume of > or = 40 mL. Using a PSAT threshold of 0.17 in patients with a prostate volume of 40 mL, the number of biopsies was reduced by 56% (66 of 118) and 22 of the 25 cancers (88%) were detected. In addition, a gamma SP/PSA ratio threshold of 40% in patients with a prostate volume of < 40 mL decreased the number of biopsies by 75% (88 of 117) and detected 32 of the 37 cancers (87%).

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate volume was significantly and positively correlated with gamma SP/PSA and negatively correlated with PSAT. Among patients with a PSA level of 4-10 ng/mL, a low gamma SP/PSA was most useful for detecting prostate cancer when the prostate volume was < 40 mL and a high PSAT was useful when the prostate volume was > or = 40 mL.

Lymph node metastasis in small peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung

OBJECTIVE

Our aim in this study is to clarify the clinical and pathologic features of small peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung with special emphasis on intraoperative identification of lymph node metastasis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1980 and 1996, 157 patients underwent lobectomy and complete hilar/mediastinal lymphadenectomy for small (1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter) peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung. The intraoperative assessment, the distribution of metastatic lymph nodes, and the association between the tumor's histopathologic characteristics and lymph node metastasis were retrospectively investigated in this study.

RESULTS

Postoperative examination revealed lymph node metastasis in 27 (17%) patients. Lymph node metastases were not noticed during the operation in 19 of these 27 patients. Metastases were localized in single lymph nodes in 10 patients; the metastases were distributed over a segmental, a lobar, an interlobar, and a mediastinal lymph node. The prevalence of lymph node metastasis was as follows: Of 92 patients with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, seven (8%) had lymph node metastases; of the 65 patients with other types of tumors, 20 (31%) had lymph node metastases. Of 120 patients without pleural involvement, 13 (11%) had lymph node metastases; of the 37 with pleural involvement, 14 (38%) had lymph node metastases. Five-year survivals were estimated at 91% +/- 6% (mean +/- 95% confidence interval) for 130 patients with N0 tumor and 30% +/- 22% for 27 patients with N1 or N2 tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative assessment is not reliable for identifying lymph node metastasis. Lobectomy and complete hilar/ mediastinal lymphadenectomy are necessary to determine N stage rigidly. Histologic degree of differentiation and pleural involvement are significantly associated with lymph node metastasis.

A phase II trial of combination of CPT-11 and cisplatin for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. CPT-11 Lung Cancer Study Group

A phase I trial of the combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) with cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed a very promising response rate of 54% in previously untreated NSCLC patients. This study was conducted to confirm the activity and toxicities of CPT-11 and cisplatin combination for previously untreated NSCLC in a multi-institutional phase II study. Seventy patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC received CPT-11 60 mg m(-2) intravenously (i.v.) on days 1, 8 and 15, and cisplatin 80 mg m(-2) (i.v.) on day 1 every 4 weeks. Assessments were made of response, survival and toxicities. Sixty-nine were eligible, and evaluable for toxicities and survival, and 64 patients evaluable for response. Thirty-three patients (52%; 95% confidence interval 39-64%) achieved an objective response, with one complete response (2%) and 32 partial responses (50%). The median duration of response was 19 weeks and the overall median survival time was 44 weeks. The 1-year survival rate was 33%. The major toxic effects were leucopenia and diarrhoea. Grade 3 or 4 leucopenia, neutropenia, and diarrhoea occurred in 32 patients (46%), 53 patients (80%), and 13 patients (19%) respectively. A combination of CPT-11 and cisplatin is very effective against non-small-cell lung cancer with acceptable toxicities.

Paclitaxel-induced cell-mediated hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Diagnosis using leukocyte migration test, bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy

A 73-year-old man with mild inactive interstitial pneumonitis and non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma developed a cell-mediated hypersensitivity pneumonitis within 15 days following a second exposure to paclitaxel. Histological features of transbronchial lung biopsy were consistent with interstitial pneumonitis. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed increased lymphocytes and eosinophils, and decreased helper/suppressor T lymphocyte ratio. Leukocyte migration inhibitory test was positive for paclitaxel. These results support the possibility that paclitaxel-induced pneumonitis is due to delayed type hypersensitivity; they also support the hypothesis of a central role of T lymphocytes in drug-induced pneumonitis.

Dose-finding study of irinotecan and cisplatin plus concurrent radiotherapy for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer [seecomments]

Irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) shows marked anti-tumour activity alone and in combination with cisplatin in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is necessary to investigate combined-modality therapy including novel effective anti-cancer agents to improve long-term survival of patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC. A phase I/II study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with CPT-11 and cisplatin was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and efficacy in this group of patients. Thirteen previously untreated patients with unresectable stage IIIA/B NSCLC were enrolled and efficacy and toxicity was evaluated in 12 of them; one patient was ineligible. Chemotherapy was repeated every 4 weeks for three courses. Radiation therapy was started on day 2 of the first course of chemotherapy and 60 Gy in 30 fractions was given over 6 weeks. Four of six patients enrolled at level 1 completed the scheduled treatment. Another two received only one and two courses of chemotherapy as a result of persistent leucopenia and neutropenic fever respectively. Three of six patients given level 2 therapy completed the scheduled treatment. Another three received only one and two courses of chemotherapy, two refused treatment because of diarrhoea and one died of pneumonia. Radiation therapy was inadequate in these three patients. As the CPT-11 dose intensity in this trial was low, because of the necessity of omitting CPT-11 administration on days 8 and/or 15 as a result of leucopenia or diarrhoea, and the low radiation therapy completion rate, the trial was discontinued at level 2. Five patients at level 1 and three at level 2 showed partial responses, an overall response rate of 67%. Although neither MTD nor dose-limiting toxicity could be identified, chemotherapy with CPT-11 and cisplatin plus concurrent radiation therapy was deemed unacceptable. We are now conducting a phase I/II study of chemotherapy using CPT-11 as a single agent in combination with radiation therapy.

Phase III study of intensive weekly chemotherapy with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor versus standard chemotherapy in extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer. The Japan Clinical Oncology Group

PURPOSE

To evaluate the therapeutic significance of cisplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, and etoposide (CODE) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) compared with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine, alternating with cisplatin and etoposide (CAV/PE) for extensive-disease (ED) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred twenty-seven patients were randomized. CODE consisted of cisplatin 25 mg/m2 weekly for 9 weeks; vincristine 1 mg/m2 on weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6; and doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 and etoposide 80 mg/m2 for 3 days on weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. G-CSF 50 micrograms/m2 was administered on the days when chemotherapy was not administered. CAV/PE consisted of cyclophosphamide 800 mg/m2; doxorubicin 50 mg/m2; and vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 on day 1, which alternated every 3 weeks with cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3.

RESULTS

Overall response rates were 77% for the CAV/PE arm and 84% for the CODE arm respectively (15% complete response in both arms). The median survival times were 10.9 months in the CAV/PE arm and 11.6 months in the CODE arm (P = .1034). The achieved dose-intensity for CODE was approximately twice that for CAV/PE for those drugs common to both arms. The incidence of leukopenia did not differ between the two arms, but anemia and thrombocytopenia had a significantly higher incidence in the CODE arm. Four treatment-related deaths from neutropenic fever occurred in the CODE arm.

CONCLUSION

The CODE group had a similar median survival to the CAV/PE group. It does not appear that CODE is a useful approach to improve survival in ED SCLC.