Association of positive family history with survival of patients with lung cancer

Family history of cancer and lung cancer: Utility of big data and artificial intelligence for exploring the role of genetic risk

OBJECTIVES

Lung Cancer (LC) is a multifactorial disease for which the role of genetic susceptibility has become increasingly relevant. Our aim was to use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze differences between patients with LC based on family history of cancer (FHC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From August 2016 to June 2020 clinical information was obtained from Thoracic Tumors Registry (TTR), a nationwide database sponsored by the Spanish Lung Cancer Group. In addition to descriptive statistical analysis, an AI-assisted analysis was performed. The German Technical Information Library supported the merging of data from the electronic medical records and database of the TTR. The results of the AI-assisted analysis were reported using Knowledge Graph, Unified Schema and descriptive and predictive analyses.

RESULTS

Analyses were performed in two phases: first, conventional statistical analysis including 11,684 patients of those 5,806 had FHC. Median overall survival (OS) for the global population was 23 months (CI 95 %: 21.39-24.61) in patients with FHC versus 21 months (CI 95 %: 19.53-22.48) in patients without FHC (NFHC), p < 0.001. The second AI-assisted analysis included 5,788 patients of those 939 had FHC. 58.48 % of women with FHC had LC. 9.53 % of patients had an EGFR or HER2 mutation or ALK translocation and at least one relative with cancer. A family history of LC was associated with an increased risk of smoking-related LC. Non-smokers with a family history of LC were more likely to have an EGFR mutation in NSCLC. In Bayesian network analysis, 55 % of patients with a family history of LC and never-smokers had an EGFR mutation.

CONCLUSION

In our population, the incidence of LC in patients with a FHC is higher in women and younger patients. FHC is a risk factor and predictor of LC development, especially in people ≤ 50 years. These results were confirmed by conventional statistics and AI-assisted analysis.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on Survival in Lung Cancer

The prognostic significance of body mass index in lung cancer and the direction of this relationship are not yet clear. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BMI and overall survival time of advanced-stage lung cancer patients treated in a center in Turkey, a developing country. In this study, the data of 225 patients diagnosed with stage III or stage IV lung cancer between 2016 and 2020 were analyzed. The effects of BMI and other variables on survival were examined by Cox regression analysis for NSCLC and SCLC. For NSCLC and SCLC, being underweight compared to the normal group, being diagnosed at a more advanced stage, and having a worse performance score were associated with a significantly higher risk of death. Other variables significantly associated with survival were gender, type of radiotherapy for NSCLC, age group, and family history for SCLC. This study showed that being underweight relative to the normal group was associated with worse survival for NSCLC and SCLC but did not support the obesity paradox. Studies that are representative of all BMI categories and free of bias are needed to understand the BMI-lung cancer survival relationship clearly.

Epidemiology and prognosis in young lung cancer patients aged under 45 years old in northern China

To explore the epidemiological characteristics and prognosis of lung cancer in patients aged under 45 years old in northern China. The population-based database about lung cancer cases aged under 45y selected form the Hebei Provincial Cancer Registry Center from 2010-2015. Mortality data of young death from 1973 to 1975, 1990 to 1992, and 2004 to 2005 were extracted from the national retrospective survey of death. Mortality rates were calculated by the mortality database above in this analysis. Consecutive, 954 non-selected younger patients (< 45 years) and 2261 selected older patients (≥ 45 years) with pathologically diagnosed lung cancer treated at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were included as the hospital-based database. Epidemiological, treatment outcomes and prognosis status from 2010 to 2017 were documented. A comparison with younger and older patients was also made. Multivariate analysis with young lung cancer patients was calculated by Cox regression model. The younger lung cancer mortality rate tended to slightly increase in Hebei Province, from 1.04 per100 000 in 1973 to 2.01 per 100 000 in 2015, but the PDR tended to decrease over the last 40 years. There were 954 younger and 2261 older lung cancer patients included in the hospital-based database. The proportions of patients who were female (50.84% vs 34.85%), family history of cancer (12.37% vs 6.32%), advanced stage at diagnosis (65.46% vs 60.77%) and adenocarcinoma (65.27% vs 61.11%) were relatively higher in the younger group than in the older group. The median OS were 23.0 months and 27.0 months between younger and older, the OS difference existed between the two groups (P = 0.001). In the younger patients, Cox regression showed that a family history of cancer, symptoms at diagnosis, pathology, stage at diagnosis and surgery were confirmed as independent factors affecting the prognosis. Mortality rates among younger lung cancer patients showed an increasing trend in northern China. The younger account for small but have unique characteristics, with higher proportions of female, family history of cancer, adenocarcinoma and advanced stages than the older group and had a trend of worse OS.

The clinical impact of family history of cancer in female never-smoker lung adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Accumulating evidence reveals the association between the risk of never-smoker lung cancer and family history of cancer. However, the clinicogenomic effect of family history of cancer in never-smoker lung cancer remains unknown.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We screened 3,241 lung cancer patients who (a) underwent curative resection at National Cancer Center (Goyang, Korea) between 2001-2014, and (b) completed a pre-designed interview about family/smoking history at the time of diagnosis and identified 604 female never smoker lung adenocarcinoma. A positive family history of cancer [categorized as pulmonary cancer (FH-PC) or non-pulmonary cancer (FH-NPC)] was defined as a self-reported history of cancer in first-degree relatives. Survival data were followed up until January 2017. Multiplexed targeted next-generation sequencing was performed for genetic profiling.

RESULTS

Of 604 patients, 29.1% (n = 176) had a FH, including 132 (21.9%) with FH-NPC and 44 (7.3%) with FH-PC. Patients with the FH-NPC had a higher proportion of young patients (≤45 years) than those without the FH-NPC (FH-NPC, FH-PC, and no FH; 13.6%, 2.3%, and 8.2%, respectively; P = 0.032). Patients with the FH-NPC had an increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-2.56; P<0.001) and death (HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.18-2.37; P=0.004). In contrast, the FH-PC had no prognostic effect on recurrence (HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.71-2.15; P = 0.456) and death (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.45-1.91; P=0.838). Among three driver oncogene alterations, EGFR mutation was significantly associated with the FH-PC (53.8%, 84.1%, and 65.8%, respectively; P = 0.016), ALK/ROS1/RET fusions was significantly associated with the FH-NPC (13.7%, 0.0%, and 5.0%, respectively; P = 0.004), but KRAS mutation was not associated with any type of the FH (13.8% vs. 6.0% vs. 7.8%, respectively; P = 0.288).

CONCLUSION

The type of family history of cancer was associated with distinct clinocogenomic subtypes and prognosis of never-smoker lung adenocarcinoma.

Association of family history with long-term prognosis in patients undergoing liver resection of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Family history is a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between family history of HCC and long-term oncologic prognosis among patients undergoing curative liver resection for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative liver resection of HBV-related HCC between 2003 and 2013 were consecutively enrolled. Family history was defined as a self-reported history of HCC in a first-degree relative. Propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariable Cox-regression analyses were performed to compare overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) among patients with and without a family history.

Results

Among 1,112 patients, 183 (16.5%) patients had a family history of HCC. Using PSM, 179 pairs of patients with and without a family history were created that had no differences in the baseline characteristics and operative variables. On matched analysis, family history was associated with decreased OS and RFS after curative-intent resection of HBV-related HCC in the propensity matching cohort (P=0.042 and 0.006, respectively). On multivariable Cox-regression analyses, a family history of HCC was associated with decreased OS (HR: 1.574; 95% CI: 1.171-2.116; P=0.003) and RFS (HR: 1.534; 95% CI: 1.176-2.002; P=0.002) after adjusting for other prognostic risk factors.

Conclusions

Family history was associated with decreased OS and RFS rates among patients undergoing curative liver resection of HBV-related HCC.

Prognostic impact of EGFR mutation in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with family history of lung cancer

Background

A family history can be a valuable tool in the era of precision medicine. Although a few studies have described an association of family history of lung cancer with EGFR activating mutation, their impact on survival of lung cancer patients is unclear.

Methods

The study included consecutive 829 non-small-cell lung cancer patients who received analysis of EGFR mutation in a prospective lung cancer cohort. Family history of lung cancer was obtained by face-to-face interviews at the time of diagnosis. An association of EGFR activating mutation with a family history of lung cancer in first-degree relatives was evaluated with multivariate logistic regression analysis, and its association with survival was estimated with Cox’s proportional hazards model.

Results

Seventy five (9.0%) patients had family history of lung cancer. The EGFR mutation was commonly observed in patients with positive family history compared to those with no family history (46.7% v 31.3%, χ² p = 0.007). The family history was significantly associated with the EGFR mutation (aOR and 95% CI: 2.01 and 1.18–3.60, p = 0.011). Patients with the positive family history survived longer compared to those without (MST, 17.9 v 13.0 months, log-rank p = 0.037). The presence of the EGFR mutation was associated with better survival in patients without the family history (aHR and 95% CI: 0.72 and 0.57–0.90, p = 0.005). However, this prognostic impact was not observed in patients with the positive family history (aHR and 95% CI: 1.01 and 0.50–2.36, p = 0.832).

Conclusions

In comparison to patients without the family history, EGFR activating mutation was common, and it did not affect prognosis in patients with positive family history.

Correlation between familial cancer history and epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in Taiwanese never smokers with non-small cell lung cancer: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Cigarette smoking remains a prominent risk factor, but lung cancer incidence has been increasing in never smokers. Genetic abnormalities including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations predominate in never smoking lung cancer patients. Furthermore, familial aggregations of patients with these mutations reflect heritable susceptibility to lung cancer. The correlation between familial cancer history and EGFR mutations in never smokers with lung cancer requires investigation.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study that evaluated the prevalence of EGFR mutations in lung cancer patients with familial cancer history. Never smokers with lung cancer treated at a hospital in Taiwan between April 2012 and May 2014 were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were never smokers with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Exclusion criteria involved patients without records of familial cancer history or tumor genotype.

RESULTS

This study included 246 never smokers with lung cancer. The study population mainly involved never smoking women with a mean age of 60 years, and the predominant tumor histology was adenocarcinoma. Lung cancer patients with familial cancer history had an increased prevalence of EGFR mutations compared to patients without family history [odds ratio (OR): 5.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3-10.6; P<0.001]. Specifically, 57 out of 85 cancer patients (67%) with familial cancer history had these mutations, while 41 out of 161 patients (25%) without family history harbored mutations. Subgroup analysis also revealed that patients with familial lung cancer history had stronger association with EGFR mutations (OR: 7.5; 95% CI: 3.4-16.3; P<0.001) compared to patients with family history of non-pulmonary cancers (OR: 5.0; 95% CI: 2.5-10.0; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated an increased prevalence of EGFR mutations in Taiwanese never smoking lung cancer patients with familial cancer history. Moreover, a sizable proportion of never smoking cancer patients harbored these mutations. These observations have implications for the treatment of lung cancer in never smokers.

The prognostic value of family history among patients with urinary bladder cancer

A history of urinary bladder cancer (UBC) in first-degree relatives increases UBC risk by twofold. The influence of positive family history on UBC prognosis is unknown. Here, we investigated association of first-degree UBC family history with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of UBC patients. Detailed clinical data of 1,465 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and 250 muscle-invasive or metastatic bladder cancer (MIBC) patients, diagnosed from 1995 to 2010, were collected through medical file review. Competing risk analyses were used to compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of NMIBC patients according to self-reported UBC family history. Overall survival in MIBC patients was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The added value of family history in prediction of NMIBC prognosis was quantified with Harrell's concordance-index. Hundred (6.8%) NMIBC and 14 (5.6%) MIBC patients reported UBC in first-degree relatives. Positive family history was statistically significantly associated with smaller tumor size and non-significantly with more favorable distribution of other tumor characteristics. In univariable analyses, positive family history correlated with longer RFS (p = 0.11) and PFS (p = 0.04). Hazard ratios for positive vs. negative family history after adjustment for clinicopathological characteristics were 0.75 (95% CI = 0.53–1.07) and 0.45 (95% CI = 0.18–1.12) for RFS and PFS, respectively. Five familial and 48 sporadic MIBC patients (Kaplan-Meier 10-year risk: 41% and 25%) died within 10 years. Family history did not improve the c-index of prediction models. This study shows that a first-degree family history of UBC is not clearly associated with NMIBC prognosis. Family history does not aid in prediction of NMIBC recurrence or progression.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients associated with a family history of lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with a family history of lung cancer (FHLC) have not been well established.

METHODS

Clinical records of patients with NSCLC treated at our institute from 1982 to 2010 were reviewed with special reference to family history of lung cancer and clinicopathological factors including patient's outcome. Univariate analyses of the factors between the groups of FHLC and non-FHLC were performed using unpaired two-tailed t tests or the chi-square test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio of death.

RESULTS

Of the 1013 NSCLC patients, 124 (12.2%) had a FHLC of whom 119 (96%) were the first-degree relatives. The frequency of early stages of lung cancer was high in both groups of FHLC and non-FHLC patients. Patients with FHLC had a significantly higher frequency of early pathological stages and a prepomderance of adenocarcinoma, and a hazard ratio of death of 0.870 (95% confidence interval: 0.599-1.263, p value: 0.465) compared with the non-FHLC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

NSCLC patients with FHLC could be characterized by early pathological stages and preponderance of adenocarcinoma, however they were not at a decreased hazard ratio of death. These findings emphasize the importance of early detection of lung cancer and employment of less invasive therapeutic interventions.

The impact of positive cancer family history on the clinical features and outcome of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of positive cancer/lung cancer family history (FH) on clinical features and outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We analyzed 4,491 NSCLC patients with NSCLC who presented from January 1999-December 2005. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon test were used for univariate comparisons, while Cox Proportional Hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate the adjusted risk of death. Univariate probability of survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimate and compared using the log-rank test. Of 4,491 patients, 579 patients (12.89%) had positive FH, including 233 patients (5.19%) with FH of lung cancer. Patients with positive lung cancer FH, compared to those with negative FH, were diagnosed at earlier age (57 vs. 60; P < 0.001), presented more cases of adenocarcinoma (58.80 vs. 50.69%; P = 0.016), and at more advanced stage (Stage IIIB/IV 45.74 vs. 36.79%; P < 0.001). These differences were also detected in patients with positive cancer FH. In addition, more females and non-smokers were among patients with positive cancer FH (30.05 vs. 26.15%; P = 0.045 and 39.90 vs. 33.82%; P = 0.008, respectively). Furthermore, patients with advanced cancer (stage IIIB/IV) who had positive FH had lower response rate to chemotherapy (CR&PR 24.68 vs. 34.42%; P = 0.024). Nevertheless, patients with positive lung cancer FH had better prognosis (P = 0.015), especially if diagnosed at an early stage (P = 0.035), and their adjusted relative risk of death was lower (RR 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51-0.93; P = 0.015). Definite epidemiologic and survival differences exist between NSCLC patients with positive or negative FH of cancer. Our results suggest that cancer FH is an important factor of clinical features, and could serve as a prognostic indicator for NSCLC.