Trends and predictors of first-line chemotherapy use among elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the United States

A Population-based Study of Treatment Patterns and Survival of Patients With De Novo Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment strategies for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are evolving rapidly and can be highly variable. Real-world evidence of treatment patterns and outcomes can provide an understanding of our current practice and offer insights on ways to incorporate emerging therapies into our treatment paradigm. In this population-based study, we investigated treatments and outcomes of stage IV NSCLC patients from a large Canadian province.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with de novo stage IV NSCLC from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2015 were identified. Data for baseline characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were obtained from provincial data sources, including the cancer registry and electronic medical records. We classified systemic treatments as chemotherapy, targeted therapy (anti-epidermal growth factor receptor, and anti-anaplastic lymphoma kinase) and immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors) and characterized clinical outcomes by treatment type.

RESULTS

A total of 6438 patients were identified with NSCLC, of whom 3606 (56%) had de novo stage IV disease. The median age of diagnosis was 69 (range: 20 to 100) years and 52.4% were men. First-line palliative treatments included: chemotherapy in 19.5% (n=703), targeted agents in 5.7% (n=204), immunotherapy in 1% (n=1), radiotherapy in 6.8% (n=246), and best supportive care in 74.8% (n=2,698). Median overall survival (mOS) from diagnosis for the whole cohort was 3.8 months. Within subgroups, mOS was 18.0 months for targeted therapies, 9.4 months for chemotherapy, and 2.5 months for best supportive care. Only 1.0% of patients (n=34) received immunotherapy at any line.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival benefit was dependent on type of treatment received, with significantly better mOS observed with the use of small-molecule targeted therapy against epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements, as compared with best supportive care.

Prevalence of functional limitations and their associations with systemic cancer therapy among older adults in nursing homes with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship of self-care task disabilities with the use of systemic cancer therapies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in nursing home patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database linked with Minimum Data Set assessments, we identified nursing home residents with advanced NSCLC from 2011 to 2015. We considered disability in activities of daily living (ADL) including dressing, personal hygiene, toilet use, locomotion on unit, transfer, bed mobility, and eating. We estimated the association between ADL disabilities and receipt of systemic cancer therapies within 3 months of diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of the 3174 patients, 2702 (85.2%) experienced disability in one or more ADLs and 64.7% had disability in 5-7 ADLs. A total of 415 (13.1%) patients received systemic therapy. There was a strong association between disability in each ADL and receipt of therapy including dressing (OR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.42-0.65]), toileting (odds ratio, OR, 0.52 [95% confidence interval, CI, 0.42-0.65]), personal hygiene (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.39-0.59]), transfers (OR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.41-0.64]), bed mobility (OR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.44-0.69]), locomotion (OR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.46-0.71]), or eating (OR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.31-0.67]). Compared to patients having no ADL disability, patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy if they had disability in 1-2 ADLs (OR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.66-1.37]), 3-4 ADLs (OR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.56-1.15]), or 5-7 ADLs (OR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.33-0.56]).

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic cancer therapy is not commonly used in this population and is strongly predicted by disability in self-care tasks.

Hospitalization rates for complications due to systemic therapy in the United States

The aim of this study was to estimate the trends and burdens associated with systemic therapy-related hospitalizations, using nationally representative data. National Inpatient Sample data from 2005 to 2016 was used to identify systemic therapy-related complications using ICD-9 and ICD-10 external causes-of-injury codes. The primary outcome was hospitalization rates, while secondary outcomes were cost and in-hospital mortality. Overall, there were 443,222,223 hospitalizations during the study period, of which 2,419,722 were due to complications of systemic therapy. The average annual percentage change of these hospitalizations was 8.1%, compared to - 0.5% for general hospitalizations. The three most common causes for hospitalization were anemia (12.8%), neutropenia (10.8%), and sepsis (7.8%). Hospitalization rates had the highest relative increases for sepsis (1.9-fold) and acute kidney injury (1.6-fold), and the highest relative decrease for dehydration (0.21-fold) and fever of unknown origin (0.35-fold). Complications with the highest total charges were anemia ($4.6 billion), neutropenia ($3.0 billion), and sepsis ($2.5 billion). The leading causes of in-hospital mortality associated with systemic therapy were sepsis (15.8%), pneumonia (7.6%), and acute kidney injury (7.0%). Promoting initiatives such as rule OP-35, improving access to and providing coordinated care, developing systems leading to early identification and management of symptoms, and expanding urgent care access, can decrease these hospitalizations and the burden they carry on the healthcare system.

Changes and Influential Factors of Chemotherapy Usage for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in China: A Multicenter 10-Year (2005-2014) Retrospective Study

Background

Chemotherapy has improved the survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients over the past few decades. However, there have not been any epidemiological studies on chemotherapy for Chinese NSCLC patients.

Patients and Methods

The patients diagnosed as primary lung cancer between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014, in eight hospitals from eight provinces in China were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from medical history systems. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the changes of chemotherapy usage and influential factors.

Results

A total of 7184 lung cancer cases were eligible, among which 6481 NSCLC cases were included in this analysis. Among stage I/II patients, the percentages of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy did not change significantly between the earlier (28.5%) and the latter five years (25.7%) (p = 0.1288). Among stage IIIA patients, the percentages of chemotherapy usage did not change significantly between the earlier and the latter five years in neo-adjuvant (7.5% vs 5.6%, p = 0.1478) and adjuvant (23.1% vs 26.8%, p = 0.1129) treatment. The proportions of first-line platinum-based doublets for stage IIIB/IV patients changed significantly over the 10 years (p < 0.0001). Patients from provinces with inferior gross domestic product, with lower medical reimbursement rates and without smoking history were more likely to use the docetaxel/paclitaxel doublets, comparing with the gemcitabine doublets.

Conclusion

From 2005 to 2014, there was no significant change in the chemotherapy pattern of early NSCLC. Economic factors mainly contributed to the significant changes in the first-line chemotherapy regimen selection for advanced patients.

Potentially avoidable hospitalizations after chemotherapy: Differences across medicare and the Veterans Health Administration

BACKGROUND

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released quality measures regarding potentially avoidable hospitalizations visits in the 30 days after receipt of outpatient chemotherapy. This study evaluated the proportions of patients treated by Medicare-reimbursed clinicians and Veterans Health Administration (VA) clinicians who experienced avoidable acute care in order to evaluate differences in health system performance.

METHODS

This retrospective evaluation of Medicare and VA administrative data used a cohort of cancer decedents (fiscal years 2010-2014). Cohort members were veterans aged 66 years or older at death who were dually enrolled in Medicare and the VA. Chemotherapy was identified through International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology (ICD-9) codes. CMS defines avoidable hospitalizations as those related to anemia, dehydration, diarrhea, emesis, fever, nausea, neutropenia, pain, pneumonia, or sepsis in the 30 days after chemotherapy. Following CMS guidance, this study compared the proportions of patients with potentially avoidable hospitalizations, using hierarchical generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

There were 27,443 patients who received outpatient chemotherapy. Patients receiving Medicare chemotherapy were significantly more likely to have potentially avoidable hospitalizations than patients receiving VA chemotherapy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.41-1.78; P < .001). In predicted estimates, 7.1% of Medicare-treated veterans had potentially avoidable hospitalizations in the 30 days after chemotherapy, compared with 4.6% of VA-treated veterans.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate veterans with cancer receiving chemotherapy in the VA have higher quality care with respect to avoidable hospitalizations than veterans receiving chemotherapy through Medicare. As more veterans seek care in the private sector under the Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, concerted efforts may be warranted to ensure that veterans do not experience a decline in care quality.

Treatment-Related Complications of Systemic Therapy and Radiotherapy

Importance

Systemic therapy and radiotherapy can be associated with acute complications that may require emergent care. However, there are limited data characterizing complications and the financial burden of cancer therapy that are treated in emergency departments (EDs) in the United States.

Objectives

To estimate the incidence of treatment-related complications of systemic therapy or radiotherapy, examine factors associated with inpatient admission, and investigate the overall financial burden.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was performed. Between January 2006 and December 2015, there was a weighted total of 1.3 billion ED visits; of these, 1.5 million were related to a complication of systemic therapy or radiotherapy for cancer. Data analysis was conducted from February 22 to December 23, 2018. External cause of injury codes, Clinical Classifications Software, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), Clinical Modification codes were used to identify patients with complications of systemic therapy or radiotherapy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Patterns in treatment-related complications, patient- and hospital-related factors associated with inpatient admission, and median and total charges for treatment-related complications were the main outcomes.

Results

Of the 1.5 million ED visits included in the analysis, 53.2% of patients were female and mean age was 63.3 years. Treatment-related ED visits increased by a rate of 10.8% per year compared with 2.0% for overall ED visits. Among ED visits, 90.9% resulted in inpatient admission to the hospital and 4.9% resulted in death during hospitalization. Neutropenia (136 167 [8.9%]), sepsis (128 171 [8.4%]), and anemia (117 557 [7.7%]) were both the most common and costliest (neutropenia: $5.52 billion; sepsis: $11.21 billion; and anemia: $6.78 billion) complications diagnosed on presentation to EDs; sepsis (odds ratio [OR], 21.00; 95% CI, 14.61-30.20), pneumonia (OR, 9.73; 95% CI, 8.08-11.73), and acute kidney injury (OR, 9.60; 95% CI, 7.77-11.85) were associated with inpatient admission. Costs related to the top 10 most common complications totaled $38 billion and comprised 48% of the total financial burden of the study cohort.

Conclusions and Relevance

Emergency department visits for complications of systemic therapy or radiotherapy increased at a 5.5-fold higher rate over 10 years compared with overall ED visits. Neutropenia, sepsis, and anemia appear to be the most common complications; sepsis, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury appear to be associated with the highest rates of inpatient admission. These complications suggest that significant charges are incurred on ED visits.

Treatment patterns and overall survival among patients with unresectable, stage III non-small-cell lung cancer

Aim: To analyze treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) across time (2009-2014) among patients with unresected, stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients & methods: Stage III NSCLC patients aged ≥65 years who initiated therapy were identified using SEER-Medicare data. Results: Among 4564 patients, 84% received chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy), and 59% received chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Carboplatin + paclitaxel was the most frequent regimen. Median (interquartile range) OS among chemotherapy patients was 13.2 (6.0-28.9) months, and 14.8 (6.7-33.4) months among CRT patients. Among CRT patients, there was no difference in OS across years of CRT initiation. Conclusion: OS remained static across 2009-2014, indicating stagnancy in clinical outcomes for stage III NSCLC patients and a need for more effective therapeutic options.

Lung Cancer in Nonelderly Patients: Facility and Patient Characteristics Associated With Not Receiving Treatment

Background: In elderly patients with lung cancer, race/ethnicity is associated with not receiving treatment; however, little attention has been given to nonelderly patients (aged ≤65 years) with a range of disease stages and histologies. Nonelderly patients with lung cancer have superior survival at NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs), although the reasons remain unknown. Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 9,877 patients newly diagnosed with small cell or non–small cell lung cancer (all stages) between ages 22 and 65 years and reported to the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program registry between 1998 and 2008. Multivariable logistic regression examined factors associated with nontreatment. Results: In multivariable analysis, race/ethnicity was associated with not receiving cancer treatment (black: odds ratio [OR], 1.22; P=.004; Hispanic: OR, 1.17; P=.04), adjusting for patient age, sex, disease stage, histology, diagnosis year, distance to treatment facility, type of facility (CCC vs non-CCC), and insurance status. With inclusion of socioeconomic status (SES) in the model, the effect of race/ethnicity was no longer significant (black: OR, 1.02; P=.80; Hispanic: OR, 1.00; P=1.00). Factors independently associated with nontreatment included low SES (OR range, 1.37–2.15; P<.001), lack of private insurance (public: OR, 1.71; P<.001; uninsured: OR, 1.30; P<.001), and treatment facility (non-CCC: OR, 3.22; P<.001). Conclusions: In nonelderly patients with lung cancer, SES was associated with nontreatment, mitigating the effect of race/ethnicity. Patients were also at higher odds of nontreatment if they did not have private insurance or received cancer care at a non-CCC facility. These findings highlight the importance of understanding how both patient-level factors (eg, SES, insurance status) and facility-level factors (eg, treatment facility) serve as barriers to treatment of nonelderly patients with lung cancer.

Treatment Patterns Among De Novo Metastatic Cancer Patients Who Died Within 1 Month of Diagnosis

Background

Little is known about patterns of and factors associated with treatment for de novo metastatic cancer patients who die soon after diagnosis. In this study, we examine treatment patterns for patients newly diagnosed with metastatic lung, colorectal, breast, or pancreatic cancer who died within 1 month of diagnosis.

Methods

We identified 100 848 adult patients in the National Cancer Database with de novo metastatic lung, colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer, diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 and who died within 1 month. We performed descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine receipt of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy by cancer type, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Results

Treatment substantially varied by cancer type, over time, age, insurance, and facility type. Surgery ranged from 0.4% in pancreatic to 28.3% in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, chemotherapy from 5.8% among CRC to 11% in lung and breast cancer patients, and radiotherapy from 1.3% in pancreatic to 18.7% in lung cancer patients. Use of some treatments (eg, surgery for CRC and breast cancer) progressively declined between 2004 and 2014. Compared with lung cancer patients treated at National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers, those treated at community cancer centers had 48% lower odds of radiation.

Conclusions

Treatment of patients diagnosed with imminently fatal de novo metastatic cancer varied markedly by cancer type and patient/facility characteristics. These variations warrant more research to better identify patients with imminently fatal de novo metastatic cancer who may not benefit from aggressive and expensive therapies.

The effect of age on referral to an oncologist and receipt of chemotherapy among small cell lung cancer patients in Ontario, Canada

OBJECTIVES

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents a significant health burden. There is a lack of information about patterns of referral and treatment for older patients over 70 years of age, in comparison to younger patients with SCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-based retrospective cohort study was undertaken for patients identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry, Canada. All cases of SCLC diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2010 were eligible. Data were extracted on demographic variables, treatment and outcome. Logistic regression analyses were performed as appropriate.

RESULTS

There were 9021 cases of SCLC, with 10% of cases ≥80 years and 32.8% of cases aged 70-79 years and 53% male. Older patients were less likely to be referred to a medical oncologist (OR 0.28 ≥ 80 years, OR 0.60 70-79 years) and less likely to receive chemotherapy (OR 0.19 ≥ 80 years, OR 0.52 70-79 years) compared to younger patients (age < 70). Age, higher comorbidity and prior receipt of home care services were all prognostic of a lower likelihood of referral to a medical oncologist and receipt of chemotherapy. Local health region was also prognostic for referral to and receipt of chemotherapy, indicative of significant regional variation in practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients with SCLC are less likely to be referred for treatment and less likely to receive treatment than younger patients. These data represent a potential gap in knowledge translation.

Real-World Treatment Patterns, Overall Survival, and Occurrence and Costs of Adverse Events Associated With Second-Line Therapies for Medicare Patients With Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Real-world data on current treatment practices for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are needed to understand the place in therapy and potential economic impact of newer therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study identified patients ≥ 65 years old in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database with first-time diagnosis of stage IIIB/IV NSCLC from 2007-2011 who received second-line therapy after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy from 2007 through mid-2013. Second-line regimens, health care resource use, adverse events (AEs), and associated costs were analyzed descriptively. Overall survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier test. Costs were adjusted to 2013 US dollars.

RESULTS

We identified 4033 patients with advanced NSCLC who received second-line therapy (47% of those who received first-line platinum-based chemotherapy). Mean (SD) age was 73 (5) years, 2246 (56%) were male; 1134 (28%) and 2899 (72%) had squamous and nonsquamous NSCLC, respectively. The 4 most common second-line regimens were pemetrexed (22%), docetaxel (12%), carboplatin/paclitaxel (11%), and gemcitabine (7%). Median overall survival from second-line therapy initiation was 7.3 months (95% confidence interval, 7.0-7.7). Dyspnea and anemia were the most common AEs of interest, affecting 29% and 26% of patients, respectively; atypical pneumonia was associated with the highest AE-related costs (mean, $5339). The mean total per-patient-per-month cost was $10,885; AE-related per-patient-per-month costs totaled $1036 (10%). Costs were highest for pemetrexed-treated patients.

CONCLUSION

These real-world data illustrate the variety of second-line regimens, poor prognosis, and high cost of second-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC treated before the approval of immunotherapies for these patients.

Racial-Ethnic Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Lung Cancer Patients: A SEER-Medicare-Based Study

INTRODUCTION

Cancer end-of-life care and associated racial-ethnic disparities have been in focus during the last few years due to concerns regarding subjective care variations and poor quality of care. Given the high mortality rate and disease burden of lung cancer, end-of-life care quality is particularly crucial for this disease. This study uses previously validated measures and examines racial-ethnic disparities in lung cancer end-of-life care quality.

METHODS

This study involves retrospective analysis of patients ≥66 years, who were diagnosed with stage I-IV lung cancer, and who died on or before December 31, 2013, using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result-Medicare data from 1991-2013. Poor quality of care was measured using three themes: (1) potentially preventable medical encounters, (2) delayed hospice referral, and (3) aggressive chemotherapy provision during end-of-life. The patients were analyzed as two separate cohorts of NSCLC and SCLC patients. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate racial-ethnic disparities in the adjusted odds of receiving poor quality end-of-life care.

RESULTS

The study found considerable racial-ethnic disparities in end-of-life care quality. The racial-ethnic minorities had higher odds of experiencing potentially preventable medical encounters in the last month of life as compared with non-Hispanic whites. Odds of delayed hospice referral and aggressive chemotherapy provision during end-of-life were lower in non-Hispanic blacks as compared with non-Hispanic whites.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings highlight the continued lack of access and care disparity among the minorities, which could precipitate potentially preventable utilizations, and limit access to hospice care during end-of-life. The study suggests the need to develop educational, patient navigational and other interventions that could potentially reduce aggressive utilizations and improve appropriate hospice care provision during end-of-life.

Sociodemographic variation in the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with stage IV lung, oesophageal, stomach and pancreatic cancer: evidence from population-based data in England during 2013-2014

BACKGROUND

Sociodemographic inequalities in cancer treatment have been generally described, but there is little evidence regarding patients with advanced cancer. Understanding variation in the management of these patients may provide insights into likely mechanisms leading to inequalities in survival.

METHODS

We identified 50,232 patients with stage IV lung, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach cancer from the English national cancer registry. A generalised linear model with a Poisson error structure was used to explore variation in radiotherapy and chemotherapy within 6 months from diagnosis by age, sex, deprivation, ethnicity, cancer site, comorbidity and, additionally, performance status.

RESULTS

There was substantial variation by cancer site, large gradients by age, and non-trivial associations with comorbidity and deprivation. After full adjustment, more deprived patients were consistently least likely to be treated with chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined compared with less deprived patients with equally advanced disease stage (treatment rate ratio: 0.82 95% CI (0.78, 0.87) for CT, 0.78 95% CI (0.71, 0.85) for CTRT p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

There was marked variation in the management of patients with stage IV cancer. Routinely collected data could be used for surveillance across all cancers to help reduce treatment variation and optimise outcomes among patients with advanced cancer.

Real-world first-line treatment and overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer without known EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements in US community oncology setting

PURPOSE

To establish a baseline for care and overall survival (OS) based upon contemporary first-line treatments prescribed in the era before the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, for people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without common actionable mutations.

METHODS

Using a nationally representative electronic health record data from the Flatiron dataset which included 162 practices from different regions in US, we identified patients (≥18 years old) newly diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC initiating first-line anticancer therapy (November 2012- January 2015, with follow-up through July 2015). Patients with documented epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation were excluded. Anti-cancer drug therapy and overall survival were described overall, and by histology.

RESULTS

A total of 2,014 patients with stage IV NSCLC without known EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations initiated systemic anticancer therapy, 22% with squamous and 78% with nonsquamous histology. Their mean (SD) age was 67 (10) years, 55% were male, and 87% had a smoking history. In nonsquamous NSCLC, carboplatin plus pemetrexed either without (25.7%) or with bevacizumab (16%) were the most common regimens; 26.6% of nonsquamous patients receiving induction therapy also received continuation maintenance therapy. In squamous NSCLC, carboplatin plus paclitaxel (37.6%) or nab-paclitaxel (21.1%) were the most commonly used regimens. Overall median OS was 9.7 months (95% CI: 9.1, 10.3), 8.5 months (95% CI: 7.4, 10.0) for squamous, and 10.0 months (95% CI: 9.4, 10.8) for nonsquamous NSCLC.

CONCLUSION

The results provide context for evaluating the effect of shifting treatment patterns of NSCLC treatments on patient outcomes, and for community oncology benchmarking initiatives.

Survival Gains from First-Line Systemic Therapy in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the U.S., 1990-2015: Progress and Opportunities

BACKGROUND

Approximately 190,000 Americans are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) annually, and about half have metastatic (Stage IV) disease. These patients have historically had poor survival prognosis, but several new therapies introduced since 2000 provide options for improved outcomes. The objectives of this study were to quantify survival gains from 1990, when best supportive care (BSC) only was standard, to 2015 and to estimate the impact of expanded use of systemic therapies in clinically appropriate patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We developed a simulation model to estimate survival gains for patients with metastatic NSCLC from 1990-2015. Survival estimates were derived from major clinical trials and extrapolated to a lifetime horizon. Proportions of patients receiving available therapies were derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and a commercial treatment registry. We also estimated gains in overall survival (OS) in scenarios in which systemic therapy use increased by 10% and 30% relative to current use.

RESULTS

From 1990-2015, one-year survival proportion increased by 14.1% and mean per-patient survival improved by 4.2 months (32,700 population life years). Increasing treated patients by 10% or 30% increased OS by 5.1 months (39,700 population life years) and 6.9 months (53,800 population life years), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although survival remains poor in metastatic NSCLC relative to other common cancers, meaningful progress in per-patient and population-level outcomes has been realized over the past 25 years. These advances can be improved even further by increasing use of systemic therapies in the substantial proportion of patients who are suitable for treatment yet who currently receive BSC only. The Oncologist 2017;22:304-310 IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Approximately 93,500 Americans are diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) annually. Historically, these patients have had poor survival prognosis, but newer therapies provide options for improved outcomes. This simulation modeling study quantified metastatic NSCLC survival gains from 1990-2015. Over this period, the one-year survival proportion and mean per-patient survival increased by 14.1% and 4.2 months, respectively. Though metastatic NSCLC survival remains poor, the past 25 years have brought meaningful gains. Additional gains could be realized by increasing systemic therapy use in the substantial proportion of patients who are suitable for treatment, yet currently receive only supportive care.

The role of docetaxel in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer lung cancer: an update

INTRODUCTION

Non-small cell lung cancer lung cancer (NSCLC) is a devastating disease, with poor prognosis for patients with metastatic disease. The management of these patients has evolved during the past decade, challenging the role of cytotoxic chemotherapy as the only available treatment option. Nevertheless, chemotherapy still retains a dominant position for the majority of both treatment naïve and pretreated patients. Among the chemotherapeutic agents, docetaxel is one of the most commonly used in 1st and subsequent treatment lines, even in the current era of precision medicine. Areas covered: We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library for randomized phase III trials that evaluated docetaxel in various clinical settings of NSCLC and for meta-analyses of such trials and we present all relevant data regarding the pharmacology and clinical use of docetaxel in NSCLC. Expert commentary: Despite its diminishing role, docetaxel in combination with novel targeted agents remains an important option of the therapeutic armamentarium in advanced NSCLC.

Assessment of Referral and Chemotherapy Treatment Patterns for Elderly Patients With Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Physiologic changes of aging in combination with greater comorbidity could lead to treatment nihilism for elderly patients (≥ 70 years old) with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Randomized trials have shown improved survival with chemotherapy since 1999, but it remains unclear whether these data have translated into practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of NSCLC cases diagnosed in Ontario, Canada from 2000 to 2010. We compared referral and treatment patterns among patients aged < 70 versus ≥ 70 years. Multivariable analyses evaluated predictors of referral to medical oncology or treatment with chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Of 61,646 patients with NSCLC, 32,131 (52.1%) were ≥ 70 years. Fewer adenocarcinomas were diagnosed in the elderly (29.8% vs. 44%), and more elderly patients lacked microscopic confirmation of malignancy (20.1% vs. 6.2%). Charlson co-morbidity scores ≥ 2 (14.0% vs. 7.4%) were higher in the elderly. Only 59.5% of elderly patients with NSCLC were referred to a medical oncologist, versus 78.5% of younger patients. Elderly patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy (18.3% vs. 46.7%), even among those referred to a medical oncologist (30.1% vs. 58.6%). Neither referral nor treatment changed substantially over time. The elderly also had a shorter median survival (5.8 vs. 9.6 months); however, there was less difference in median survival (13.6 vs. 14.9 months) among patients receiving chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients are less likely to be considered for systemic therapy for NSCLC, and evidence of benefit has had minimal impact on practice. We believe this disparity could be improved through systematically using tools to comprehensively assess elderly patients.

Is there a role of nab-paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer? The data suggest yes

Nab-paclitaxel is a novel therapeutic agent, which was approved in combination with carboplatin in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regardless of histologic subtype in the United States of America by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012 and by the European Commission in 2015. This approval was based on the results of a phase III clinical trial showing superior response rates compared with solvent-based paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin. This review will focus on the early development and clinical data to date supporting the use of nab-paclitaxel in advanced NSCLC. The clinical question central to this review is whether nab-paclitaxel has a place in the current therapeutic landscape of advanced NSCLC.

Geographic variation in the use of adjuvant therapy among elderly patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess to what extent geographic variation in adjuvant treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients would remain, after controlling for patient and area-level characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 18,410 Medicare beneficiaries with resected, stage I-IIIA NSCLC was identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database. Adjuvant therapies were classified as adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT), postoperative radiation therapy (PORT), or no adjuvant therapy. Predicted treatment probabilities were estimated for each patient given their clinical, demographic, and area-level characteristics with multivariate logistic regression. Area Treatment Ratios were used to estimate the propensity of patients in a local area to receive an adjuvant treatment, controlling for characteristics of patients in the area. Areas were categorized as low-, mid- and high-use and mapped for two representative SEER registries.

RESULTS

Overall, 10%, 12%, and 78% of patients received ACT, PORT and no adjuvant therapy, respectively. Age, sex, stage, type and year of surgery, and comorbidity were associated with adjuvant treatment use. Even after adjusting for patient characteristics, substantial geographic treatment variation remained. High- and low-use areas were tightly juxtaposed within and across SEER registries, often within the same county. In some local areas, patients were up to eight times more likely to receive adjuvant therapy than expected, given their characteristics. On the other hand, almost a quarter of patients lived in local areas in which patients were more than three times less likely to receive ACT than would be predicted.

CONCLUSION

Controlling for patient and area-level covariates did not remove geographic variation in adjuvant therapies for resected NSCLC patients. A greater proportion of patients were treated less than expected, rather than more than expected. Further research is needed to better understand its causes and potential impact on outcomes.

Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Requiring Inpatient Medical Oncology Consultation: Characteristics, Referral Patterns, and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occasionally are hospitalized at the time of initial medical oncology consultation. We investigated the characteristics and outcomes of this population.

METHODS

With ethics approval, we performed a retrospective analysis of patients with advanced NSCLC at our institution whose initial consult occurred while hospitalized from 2007 to 2012. This was an exploratory analysis. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 223 patients were included. Baseline demographics were as follows: median age, 65 years; 52% were female; median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 10; 69% performance status (PS) 3 to 4; 49% were current smokers; 90% had stage IV disease; and 52% had ≥ 5% weight loss. Only 24% received chemotherapy. Among those treated, the median time from diagnosis to chemotherapy was 43 days. Common reasons for not receiving chemotherapy included poor PS (72%) and patient choice (9%). Factors associated with receiving chemotherapy in multivariate analysis were good PS (odds ratio [OR], 9.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.55-23.26; P < .001), no leukocytosis (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.35-9.35; P = .01), and age < 70 years (OR, 6.80; 95% CI, 1.78-26.32; P = .005). Factors associated with shorter overall survival in multivariate analysis were not receiving chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.11; 95% CI, 1.28-3.48; P = .003), PS 3 to 4 (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.01-2.26; P = .045), leukocytosis (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.44-3.13; P < .001), and thrombocytosis (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.03-2.09; P = .036).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients whose first consultation with medical oncologists occurs while hospitalized are an inherently sick population. Earlier diagnosis and referral would give more patients access to treatment options before a terminal functional decline.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus with radiotherapy alone for locally advanced salivary gland carcinoma among older patients

BACKGROUND

The majority of patients with locally advanced salivary gland carcinoma will die of the disease even after curative surgery. Few studies on adjuvant therapy have been conducted. In this study, we compared adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with adjuvant radiotherapy among the older patient population.

METHODS

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database (1992-2009) was analyzed. Eligible cases were those receiving curative surgery followed by adjuvant therapy. Outcomes were overall survival and toxicity.

RESULTS

Analyses included 741 patients: 641 patients (86.5%) received adjuvant radiotherapy and 100 (13.5%) received adjuvant CRT. The median overall survival was 41.0 months with adjuvant radiotherapy and 24 months with CRT. Both multivariable and propensity score-adjusted analyses indicated that adjuvant CRT was associated with an increased mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.79 and HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.14-1.94, respectively). Toxicity rates were significantly higher in the CRT group.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with adjuvant CRT was associated with an increased mortality and toxicity when compared to adjuvant radiotherapy alone. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 863-870, 2016.

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients: A review

Over 50% of patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are 65 years old while 30% exceed 70 years old. Comparing elderly patients to their younger counterpart they poorly tolerate chemotherapy due to progressive reduction of organ function and age-related co-existing pathologies. Due to this reason elderly are usually excluded from platinum-based chemotherapy, which still represent the standard of care for advanced NSCLC. In every-day practice, single-agent schedule with a third-generation drug is the recommended option for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. A modest increase in toxicity for elderly patients has been demonstrated by subgroup analyses concluding for platinum-based combination chemotherapy being similar in young patients and fit elderly. Even though the cited evidence, feasibility of chemotherapy based on platinum remains an open question. Prospective randomised trials are warranted in order to change guide lines and give the clinicians a new therapeutic option. Recent emerging role of molecular target in selecting patients for new targeted therapies suggest dedicated trials for elderly patients. The same is for more accurate evaluation of elderly patients with increasing evidence for a comprehensive geriatric assessment as a valid tool for customized treatment in NSCLC elderly patients. Suitable evidences for the treatment of elderly patients affected by advanced NSCLC together with more appropriate and validated tools for patients selection are reviewed along the manuscript.

[Progress in Palliative Care Benefit of Elderly Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

在中国，肺癌的发病率和病死率均居恶性肿瘤的第一位。有近一半的肺癌发生在年龄大于70岁的老年患者。肺癌中约85%是非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)，且大多数肺癌患者发现时已属中晚期。老年晚期NSCLC患者具有伴随疾病多、器官功能衰退等特点。制定恰当的治疗策略是我们面临的挑战。姑息治疗作为特殊的医疗关怀，是老年晚期NSCLC的重要治疗方式之一。低剂量局部姑息放疗可以有效改善老年NSCLC患者的呼吸道症状，且副作用可以耐受；对于表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR)突变的老年晚期NSCLC，吉非替尼在疾病控制率、症状缓解等方面均可使老年患者从治疗中获益。同时，老年晚期NSCLC患者对厄洛替尼也显示出良好的耐受性；氩氦刀在治疗老年NSCLC患者的应用有增加趋势且患者对氩氦刀技术的耐受性和反应性都较好。中医药在改善临床症状、减少放化疗的毒副作用和提高生活质量方面有较好的疗效；社会心理支持疗法在一定程度上可缓解NSCLC患者的困扰，但其系统性有待完善。姑息治疗的评估和介入时机，是患者能否从中获益的重要因素。文章介绍了老年NSCLC姑息治疗获益研究的进展，为老年NSCLC的姑息治疗提供依据。

Real-world chemotherapy treatment patterns in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: Are patients undertreated?

BACKGROUND

New therapies for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have improved survival in clinical trials. However, only a minority of patients receive systemic therapy. This article reports treatment patterns and outcomes for a population of Canadian patients with metastatic NSCLC (Ontario).

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC from 2005 to 2009 were identified through multiple linked provincial databases. Patient demographics, systemic treatment, and survival were examined over time.

RESULTS

Metastatic NSCLC patients (n = 8113) were identified. The median age was 68 years; 39% had adenocarcinoma, 14% had squamous carcinoma, and a higher than expected proportion (43%) had NSCLC not otherwise specified. Only 24% the patients received first-line chemotherapy; only 31% of these received second-line chemotherapy. More patients received systemic therapy over time (from 19% in 2005 to 26% in 2009, P < .0001). Patients who were less than 70 years old or had adenocarcinoma were more likely to receive systemic therapy (P < .0001 for both). The median survival, regardless of age, for those selected to receive first-line cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy was longer than that for those receiving other nonpemetrexed platinum doublets at 11.6 months (P = .0002). Patients with nonsquamous histology who were treated with second-line pemetrexed had longer median survival than those treated with docetaxel (19.8 vs 14.1 months, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with metastatic NSCLC in the general population still do not receive systemic therapy. Those selected for first- and second-line systemic treatment, including older patients, have survival outcomes comparable to clinical trial results. Older patients and patients with squamous histology are less likely to receive chemotherapy. The low levels of treatment utilization in this study warrant further investigation.

Comparative effectiveness of adjunctive bevacizumab for advanced lung cancer: the cancer research network experience

INTRODUCTION

Bevacizumab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel (BCP) chemotherapy has Food and Drug Administration approval for advanced nonsquamous, non-small-cell lung cancer based upon improved survival in a clinical trial. However, subgroup analyses of this and other studies have suggested variable results by age and gender.

METHODS

Using data from four health maintenance organizations (HMOs) belonging to the Cancer Research Network, 1605 HMO nonsquamous, non-small-cell lung cancer patients aged younger than 21 years, diagnosed 2002-2010, who received carboplatin-paclitaxel (CP), with and without bevacizumab for first-line treatment of stage IIIB/IV disease were identified. Patients were categorized into three groups based on year of diagnosis and regimen during 120 days postdiagnosis: (1) diagnosed 2005-2010 and received BCP; (2) 2005-2010, CP (CP2005), and (3) 2002-2004, CP (CP2002). Survival differences between groups were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models with several propensity score adjustments for demographic, comorbidity, and tumor characteristics. Multivariable subanalyses were also estimated.

RESULTS

Median survival was 12.3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 6.0-29.1) for BCP patients versus 8.8 months (IQR, 3.7-21.3) for CP2005 patients and 7.5 months (IQR, 3.8-15.6) for CP2002 patients. In the propensity score-adjusted models, BCP demonstrated a significant survival benefit with a hazard ratio of BCP relative to CP2005 and CP2002 patients of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.94) and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.52-0.75), respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted subanalyses, relative to the CP2005 cohort, the BCP hazard ratios for patients age less than 65 years, age 65 years old or older, and females were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.62-1.00), 0.74 (95% CI, 0.54-1.00), and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.58-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

In this community-based, comparative effectiveness analysis, we found an overall survival benefit for adults receiving BCP compared with CP.

Non–small-cell lung cancer in elderly patients: a discussion of treatment options

Lung cancer is a disease of the elderly. In older patients, the management of a malignancy as complex and potentially as lethal as lung cancer is challenging. Despite the fact that a large proportion of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer are elderly, information remains scant on how best to treat these patients. The goal of this review is to discuss the published literature and to provide guidance on how to treat elderly patients within three broad stages: (1) metastatic cancer, (2) early-stage cancer after surgery, and (3) locally advanced inoperable cancer. Because decisions on how and when to prescribe systemic treatment can be particularly difficult, this review focuses heavily on chemotherapy-related treatment decisions with some discussion of emerging data on the use of the comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Real-world treatment patterns and costs in a US Medicare population with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Despite advances in the treatment of nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), therapeutic choices and overall disease course for squamous NSCLC have remained relatively unchanged over the past several years. We provide a detailed account of current treatment patterns, healthcare use, and survival in real-world clinical settings for metastatic squamous NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≥65 years with metastatic squamous NSCLC diagnosed 2001-2009 were identified and followed through 2010 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database. Treatment patterns were descriptively analyzed. Multivariate logistic regressions were estimated to identify predictors of treatment pattern events; generalized linear models were estimated for total all-cause and NSCLC-related costs to assess cost drivers.

RESULTS

Of 17,133 patients, 72% received cancer-directed therapy (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or biologic therapy), whereas 28% received only supportive care. Median survival was significantly longer in patients receiving cancer-directed therapy (8 months) than in patients receiving supportive care only (2 months) (P<0.0001). An agent-specific first-line chemotherapy regimen was identified for 91% of the 7700 patients who received chemotherapy. Among these, the most common first-line regimen was carboplatin-paclitaxel combination therapy (46%). Common second-line regimens were gemcitabine monotherapy (16%) and pemetrexed monotherapy (11%). Factors associated with decreased odds of receiving cancer-directed treatment were black versus white race (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64-0.82), residence in the West versus South (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.66-0.81), and metastatic disease at initial diagnosis versus progression to metastatic disease (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.70-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that prognosis remains poor for patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC, even among those receiving treatment, but particularly for patients limited to supportive care only, highlighting the continuing unmet medical need in this population. Additionally, our analysis indicates that selections for second-line and third-line chemotherapies are not necessarily consistent with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Pemetrexed versus vinorelbine treatment of advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients

Pemetrexed, a multitargeted antifolate agent, has been shown to have clear activity in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this retrospective studywas to evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of pemetrexed vs. vinorelbine in NSCLC elderly patients. Chemotherapy-naive patients aged ≥70 years with stage IIIB/IV non-squamous NSCLC and performance status ≤2 were eligible for inclusion in this study. Patients were selected to receive pemetrexed 500 mg/m² (day 1) or vinorelbine 25 mg/m² (days 1 and 8) every 21 days. In total, 62 patients were enrolled in the present study. Thirty-six patients were treated with pemetrexed, and 26 with vinorelbine. The median number of cycles received was six in the pemetrexed group vs. four in the vinorelbine group. Pemetrexed demonstrated a significantly higher disease control rate (DCR) (80.5 vs. 65.3%; P=0.011), and an improvement in progression-free survival (6.5 vs. 4.0 months; P=0.018) compared to vinorelbine. Neutropenia occurred in more patients in the vinorelbine group compared to the pemetrexed group, grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 53.8 and 11.1% of patients in the two groups, respectively (P<0.001). Pemetrexed-treated patients experienced lower frequencies of anemia, thrombocytopenia and non-hematologic toxicities compared to vinorelbine-treated patients. The toxicity profiles for the two treatment groups were mild and tolerable. In conclusion, pemetrexed improved DCR, progression-free survival, and presented a lower incidence of treatment-related adverse events compared to vinorelbine, although overall survival was not significantly improved. As a result, pemetrexed monotherapy might be considered as a good option in the treatment of elderly patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC.

Patterns of care, predictors, and outcomes of chemotherapy in elderly women with early-stage uterine carcinosarcoma: a population-based analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the patterns of care, predictors, and impact of chemotherapy on survival in elderly women diagnosed with early-stage uterine carcinosarcoma.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database was used to identify women 65 years or older diagnosed with stage I-II uterine carcinosarcomas from 1991 through 2007. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox-proportional hazards models were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 462 women met the eligibility criteria; 374 had stage I, and 88 had stage II uterine carcinosarcomas. There were no appreciable differences over time in the percentages of women administered chemotherapy for early stage uterine carcinosarcoma (14.7% in 1991-1995, 14.9% in 1996-2000, and 17.9% in 2001-2007, P=0.67). On multivariable analysis, the factors positively associated with receipt of chemotherapy were younger age at diagnosis, higher disease stage, residence in the eastern part of the United States, and lack of administration of external beam radiation (P<0.05). In the adjusted Cox-proportional hazards regression models, administration of three or more cycles of chemotherapy did not reduce the risk of death in stage I patients (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.83-2.39) but was associated with non-significant decreased mortality in stage II patients (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.32-1.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 15-18% of elderly patients diagnosed with early-stage uterine carcinosarcoma were treated with chemotherapy. This trend remained stable over time, and chemotherapy was not associated with any significant survival benefit in this patient population.

Trends in use and cost of initial cancer treatment in Ontario: a population-based descriptive study

BACKGROUND

Cancer incidence and treatment-related costs are rising in Canada. We estimated health care use and costs in the first year after diagnosis for patients with 7 common types of cancer in Ontario to examine temporal trends in patterns of care and costs.

METHODS

We selected patients aged 19-44 years who had received a diagnosis of melanoma, breast cancer (female only), testicular cancer or thyroid cancer, in addition to patients aged 45 years and older who had received a diagnosis of breast (female only), prostate, lung or colorectal cancer, between 1997 and 2007. Patients were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry. Using linked administrative databases, we determined use and costs of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cancer-related surgery, other admissions to hospital and home care. We adjusted all costs to 2009 Canadian dollars.

RESULTS

We identified 20 821 patients aged 19-44 years and 178 797 patients aged 45 years and older. The greatest increases in costs during the study period were for melanoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer (p < 0.05). For prostate and lung cancers, mean costs increased 50% (from $11 490 and $22 037 to $15 170 and $34 473, respectively). Mean costs doubled for breast (from $15 460 and $12 909 to $35 977 and $29 362 for younger and older patients, respectively) and colorectal cancers (from $24 769 to $43 964), and nearly tripled for melanoma (from $3581 to $8934). Costs related to hospital admissions accounted for the largest portion of total costs. The use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and home care generally increased for all cancers.

INTERPRETATION

The significant increase in mean costs of initial cancer treatment among the patients included in this study was primarily due to more patients receiving adjuvant therapy and home care, and to the increasing expenditures for these services and cancer-related surgeries. Understanding trends in health care use and costs can help policy-makers to take the necessary measures to achieve a more accountable, high-performing health care system.

Safety and efficacy of weekly nab®-paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin as first-line therapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

This analysis evaluates safety and efficacy in elderly (≥ 70 years old) versus younger patients enrolled in a phase III advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Untreated stage IIIB/IV patients with PS 0/1 were randomly assigned (1:1) to carboplatin AUC6, day 1 every 3 weeks, and either nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) 100 mg/m(2) weekly (nab-P/C) or solvent-based paclitaxel (Taxol) 200 mg/m(2) day 1 every 3 weeks (sb-P/C). The primary end-point was overall response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

Fifteen percent of 1052 enrolled patients were elderly: nab-P/C, n = 74; sb-P/C, n = 82. In both age cohorts, the ORR was higher with nab-P/C versus sb-P/C (age ≥ 70: 34% versus 24%, P = 0.196; age <70: 32% versus 25%, P = 0.013). In elderly patients, progression-free survival (PFS) trended in favor of nab-P/C (median 8.0 versus 6.8 months, hazard ratio (HR) 0.687, P = 0.134), and overall survival (OS) was significantly improved (median 19.9 versus 10.4 months, HR 0.583, P = 0.009). In younger patients, PFS (median 6.0 versus 5.8 months, HR 0.903, P = 0.256) and OS (median 11.4 versus 11.3 months, HR 0.999, P = 0.988) were similar in both arms. Adverse events were similar in both age groups, with less neutropenia (P = 0.015), neuropathy (P = 0.001), and arthralgia (P = 0.029), and increased anemia (P = 0.007) with nab-P/C versus sb-P/C.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly NSCLC patients, nab-P/C as first-line therapy was well tolerated and improved the ORR and PFS, with substantially longer OS versus sb-PC.

Patterns and predictors of first-line chemotherapy use among adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the cancer research network

BACKGROUND

Relatively low rates of chemotherapy receipt have been observed in older patients diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in SEER-Medicare-based studies. However, little is known about variation in first-line NSCLC chemotherapy use in younger patients, health maintenance organization (HMO)-based settings, and for high-cost, novel agents, such as bevacizumab and erlotinib.

METHODS

A cohort of 6614 stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients aged ≥ 21 years diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 was identified at four HMOs that participate in the Cancer Research Network (CRN). Demographic, comorbidity, tumor characteristics, and chemotherapy treatment data were included in logistic regression models to identify factors associated with chemotherapy receipt and tests of association examined secular and age-specific variation in first-line chemotherapy regimens.

RESULTS

Within 120 days of diagnosis, 3612 (55%) patients received chemotherapy; increasing from 52% of patients diagnosed in 2000 to 59% in 2007 (p<0.001). Receipt was significantly higher for patients aged <65 years (64% versus 46% in ≥ 65) and was inversely related to stage and comorbidites (all p<0.001). Carboplatin and paclitaxel were received most frequently. Erlotinib and bevacizumab use in the later years of the study was associated with a significant change in distributions of first-line chemotherapies (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients alive 30 days post diagnosis, chemotherapy use was higher in the aged population (>65 years) than previously published estimates, and higher still among younger patients. Chemotherapy use increased over the observation period, and the mix of first-line therapies used changed substantially over time. Of note, novel, high cost treatments were used in first-line therapy prior to FDA approval, increasing significantly throughout the study period. These findings demonstrate the utility of HMO CRN data to augment SEER-Medicare to conduct comparative effectiveness research related to chemotherapy use and the use of specific agents, especially among younger patients.

Clinical outcomes and biomarker profiles of elderly pretreated NSCLC patients from the BATTLE trial

BACKGROUND

Treating elderly non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in the salvage setting is challenging because of concerns of intolerance to therapy. Here we report outcomes (survival and toxicity) of elderly patients on the Biomarker-Integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer Elimination (BATTLE) trial.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-five chemorefractory NSCLC patients received tumor molecular analysis, and were randomized to erlotinib, erlotinib-bexarotene, vandetanib, or sorafenib. Retrospective subgroup analyses were conducted comparing outcomes among age groups (< 65 versus ≥ 65 years; < 70 versus ≥ 70 years; < 75 versus ≥ 75 years), treatments, and sex.

RESULTS

Median age was 62 years (range, 26-84); 38% were aged 65 years or more. No significant differences among age groups were seen in rates of biopsy-related pneumothorax, treatment-related death, compliance, grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicities, response rate, nor overall survival. However, older women aged 65 years or more had more grade 3 to 4 nonhematologic toxicities (p = 0.05). Elderly men aged 65 years or more (p = 0.008) had a higher disease-control rate at 8 weeks and a better progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.0068). Elderly women aged 70 years or more had a trend toward higher 8-week disease-control rate (p = 0.06). Older men aged 65 years or more treated with vandetanib had a better median PFS (p = 0.03) whereas PFS of older women aged 70 years or more was worse (p = 0.03) compared with younger patients. Elderly men aged 70 years or more treated with sorafenib had a higher overall survival compared with younger men (p = 0.04). Tumor tissue biomarkers show distinct differences by sex and age.

CONCLUSION

Fit elderly NSCLC patients should be considered for salvage targeted therapy. In this subset of patients, older men seem to have significant clinical benefit from certain agents. Tumor biomarker analysis demonstrates sex and age variations, and is hypothesis-generating.

Incidence and predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among ambulatory patients with lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The incidence and economic impact of lung cancer-associated venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in a contemporary ambulatory setting is unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the IMS Patient-Centric database of US healthcare claims and recorded VTE events occurring 3-12 months after chemotherapy initiation.

RESULTS

Lung cancer (n=6732) and control (n=17 284) cohorts had 51% women, with a mean age of 64 years. VTE occurred in 13.9% of the lung cancer cohort (odds ratio [OR], 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.55, 3.89), and 1.4% of the control cohort (P<0.0001). Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 5 (CCI; OR, 2.56; 95% CI 1.02, 6.39; P=0.045), the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs; OR, 1.63; 95% CI 1.40, 1.89; P<0.0001), and congestive heart failure (CHF; OR, 1.29; 95% CI 1.01, 1.66; P=0.045) were associated with VTE. Bleeding occurred in 22.1% of the lung cancer cohort and 7.0% of the control cohort (P<0.0001). Among lung cancer patients the average total healthcare payment was $84,187 in patients with VTE compared to $56,818 in patients without VTE (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

VTE is common among lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and is associated with increased healthcare utilization.

Lung cancer chemotherapy decisions in older patients: the role of patient preference and interactions with physicians

PURPOSE

Lung cancer chemotherapy decisions in patients ≥ 70 years old are complex because of toxicity, comorbidity and the limited data on patient preferences. We examined the relationships between preferences and chemotherapy use in this group of patients.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

We used a questionnaire describing four hypothetical lung cancer treatment options. Eighty-three elderly (≥ 70 years old) lung cancer patients were informed about their diagnosis and therapeutic choices and then asked to choose one of the four options. Patients had previously been included in a prospective study to explore geriatric evaluation in an oncology unit and all had given written informed consent.

RESULTS

Older patients (n=83) diagnosed with lung cancer (non-small- and small-cell lung cancer) from January 2006 to February 2008 were recruited from a single centre. The mean patient age was 77 years (range: 70-91). Eighty-one patients (97.6%) were men. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was the diagnosis in 63 patients (76%). Most patients selected active treatment (38.6% most survival benefit, 18% less survival benefit) and 31.3% selected no active treatment. Elderly lung cancer patients were significantly more likely to accept aggressive treatments despite high reported toxicities. Although most of the patients were symptomatic at diagnosis, the "symptom relief" option was chosen less frequently than the options that could prolong survival. Factors significantly related to patients' attitude toward chemotherapy were age (p<0.001), frailty (p=0.0039), depression and poor performance status (PS).

CONCLUSION

Elderly lung cancer patients want to be involved in the decision-making process. Survival was the main treatment objective for more than half of the patients in this study. We have not found other published studies about elderly lung cancer patients' decisions about chemotherapy.

Biweekly combination therapy with gemcitabine and carboplatin compared with gemcitabine monotherapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized, phase-II study

INTRODUCTION

The strategy of chemotherapy in the elderly is controversial. We wanted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biweekly gemcitabine and low-dose carboplatin combination therapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

In this phase-II trial, chemotherapy-naive elderly patients (aged ≥76 years) with NSCLC were randomly treated with biweekly combination therapy with gemcitabine and carboplatin (1000 mg/m(2) gemcitabine and carboplatin at an area under the curve (AUC) of 3 on days 1 and 15, every 4 weeks) or gemcitabine monotherapy (1000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 and 15, every 4 weeks). The primary endpoint was overall response rate and analysis was based on intention-to-treat.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were randomly assigned combination therapy and 30 were assigned monotherapy. The median age was 79.0 years. Response rate was 22.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.4-39.8%) for biweekly combination therapy and 10.0% (95% CI: 3.5-25.6%) for monotherapy. Median progression-free survival in combination chemotherapy was 3.9 months (95% CI: 0.5-8.5 months), which was significantly longer that that in monotherapy (2.4 months, 95% CI: 0.5-6.7 months). The prevalence of hematological and non-hematological adverse events reaching grade 3/4 was not significantly different between combination therapy and monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Biweekly gemcitabine and low-dose carboplatin combination chemotherapy showed acceptable efficacy, toxicity, and tolerability in those aged ≥76 years with NSCLC. Further investigations with a large population are required to confirm our results.

A randomized phase II trial of pemetrexed/gemcitabine/bevacizumab or pemetrexed/carboplatin/bevacizumab in the first-line treatment of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

To assess time to progression (TTP) in elderly patients with previously untreated nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer treated with pemetrexed/gemcitabine/bevacizumab or pemetrexed/carboplatin/bevacizumab.

METHODS

Eligible patients were aged 70 years or older with newly diagnosed stage IIIB/IV nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 1; adequate organ function; and no active central nervous system metastasis. Patients were randomized 1:1 to cohort A (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV, gemcitabine 1500 mg/m2 IV, and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg IV; days 1 and 15 of 28-day cycles) or cohort B (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV, carboplatin area under the concentration-time curve =5 IV, and bevacizumab 15 mg/kg IV; day 1 of 21-day cycles). After six cycles, stable/responding patients continued bevacizumab until disease progression.

RESULTS

Between March 2007 and December 2009, 110 patients (median age, 76 years; 88% stage IV) were treated for medians of 2.5 cycles (cohort A) and 6 cycles (cohort B). Overall response rate was 35% in both cohorts, with stable disease rates of 33% (A) and 45% (B). TTP by cohort was 4.7 and 10.2 months with median OS 7.5 and 14.8 months, respectively. Severe toxicities included the following: neutropenia (A, 51% and B, 45%), fatigue (A, 36% and B, 18%), anemia (A, 22% and B, 7%), infection (A, 25% and B, 7%), thrombocytopenia (A, 11% and B, 31%), and thromboembolism (A, 7% and B, 7%). Three potential treatment-related deaths occurred in cohort A (sepsis, thrombocytopenia, and myocardial infarction) and two in B (sepsis and pulmonary hemorrhage).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with pemetrexed/carboplatin/bevacizumab was associated with improved TTP and OS in this elderly population and should be further evaluated. Treatment-related toxicities were expected and usually manageable, although deaths occurred with both regimens.

Age-dependent decline in renal function in patients with lung cancer

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of aging on renal function. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and 24-h creatinine clearance (measured-CrCl) were examined in lung cancer patients and the measured-CrCl were compared with CrCl estimates by employing two commonly used equations. In total, 787 lung cancer patients who were diagnosed between 2001 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. SCr and urine creatinine, BUN and measured-CrCl were evaluated prior to treatment. The Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formulae were also used to estimate CrCl. SCr, BUN and measured-CrCl showed a significant decline in the elderly. In the 787 lung cancer patients, a significant correlation coefficient was found between measured-CrCl and age. However, in patients aged 80 years or older, no significant correlation coefficient was found between measured-CrCl and age. In the comparison between the measured CrCl and the CrCls estimated by the two formulae, the CG-CrCl levels were lower than those of the measured-CrCl, whereas the MDRD-CrCl levels were higher. Age is a crucial factor influencing renal function in patients with lung cancer. Particularly in the elderly, a decline in CrCl and greater individual variability in CrCl, as well as discrepancies in measured-CrCl and estimated CrCls are significant factors.

Safety creatinine clearance level for platinum chemotherapy in lung cancer patients

The present study was carried out to evaluate whether measured-creatinine clearance (measured-CrCl) and Cockcroft and Gault-CrCl (CG-CrCl) are capable of appropriately detecting a decline in renal function in lung cancer patients, including elderly patients, and to clarify a CrCl level with which to discriminate between patients with or without renal impairment. The measured-CrCl prior and subsequent to platinum-based chemotherapy of lung cancer patients was retrospectively analyzed. Measured-CrCl and CG-CrCl were evaluated prior and subsequent to platinum-based chemotherapy for lung cancer. Measured-CrCl and CG-CrCl in 59 lung cancer patients including 25 patients aged ≥65 years were retrospectively analyzed. In patients treated with carboplatin-based chemotherapy, measured-CrCl was indicative of a decline in renal function, whereas CG-CrCl was not. The optimal measured-CrCl level was <60 ml/min post-pretreatment and >90 ml/min at pre-treatment. In cases with pre-treatment measured-CrCl levels of >90 ml/min, favorable renal function is necessary in order to carry out platinum-based chemotherapy in lung cancer patients, including the elderly.

Survival and treatment patterns in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in Manitoba

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc) is the most common form of lung cancer, with a median age at diagnosis of 70 years. These elderly patients are often underrepresented in the randomized clinical trials upon which chemotherapy plans are based. The objective of the present study was to determine the patterns of treatment and survival in elderly patients with advanced nsclc in Manitoba.An eligible cohort of elderly patients over 70 years of age at diagnosis (n = 497) with advanced nsclc was identified from the provincial cancer registry database for the period 2001-2004. Of the 497 patients identified, only 147 had been evaluated by a medical oncologist, and 82 of the 147 had received chemotherapy treatment, which is 16.5% of the initial cohort.Patients who received chemotherapy were younger than those who did not receive chemotherapy. Most patients receiving chemotherapy (84%) received doublet chemotherapy, with an almost equal split between cisplatin and carboplatin treatment. The median survival times for patients in this cohort were 64 weeks (stage iii nsclc) and 56 weeks (stage iv) with chemotherapy treatment, and 46 weeks (stage iii) and 26 weeks (stage iv) without chemotherapy.Although 50% of patients with advanced nsclc are more than 70 years of age, few are evaluated by a medical oncologist and even fewer are treated with chemotherapy. However, it should be noted that, in the elderly patients who were treated, survival times are comparable to those experienced by younger patients, which is indicative of a benefit of chemotherapy treatment for those elderly patients.

[The status and prospects of treatment protocols for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer]

近年来，老年晚期肺癌发病率和死亡率呈明显上升趋势，但老年患者总体接受积极治疗的人数却明显少于非老年患者，同时因受到社会、经济、家庭等医疗以外诸多因素的影响，老年晚期肺癌患者治疗现状不容乐观。现就当前国内外老年非小细胞肺癌患者的治疗现状和趋势作一综述。

Clinical evidence on the undertreatment of older and poor performance patients who have advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: is there a role for targeted therapy in these cohorts?

A significant proportion of patients who have advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) do not receive treatment even though they may benefit. For instance, studies linking the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results and Medicare databases show that chemotherapy, even platinum-based doublets, produces a survival benefit in elderly patients who have NSCLC, but only about 30% receive such treatment. Patients with poor performance status and those with significant co-morbidities are also typically undertreated. However, recent clinical evidence suggests that treatment decisions for these populations must be reconsidered. With the emerging availability of validated molecular tools to predict response to specific therapies, the identification of those who may derive substantial benefit from certain interventions is possible even in currently under-served populations. All patients who have advanced NSCLC should be referred for treatment evaluation, even those who are considered ineligible for conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, and for molecular testing used to match patients with available treatment options.

Lung cancer histology, stage, treatment, and survival in American Indians and Alaska Natives and whites

BACKGROUND

Studies of lung cancer disparities between American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) and whites have yielded mixed results. To the authors' knowledge, no studies to date have investigated whether race-based differences in histology could explain survival disparities.

METHODS

Data were obtained on AIANs and whites with lung cancer from the 17 population-based cancer registries participating in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program from 1973 to 2006. Logistic regression was used to determine whether race and other covariates were associated with histology, stage at diagnosis, and receipt of surgery. Cox regression was used to determine the risk of death associated with race, after adjusting for histology, stage, and other covariates.

RESULTS

Histology, but not race, was found to be associated with stage at diagnosis, and both race and stage were found to be associated with histology. AIANs were less likely to receive surgery than whites, after adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics. Survival improved for both AIANs and whites after 2000, compared with the 1973 through 1999 period, but survival was consistently shorter for AIANs. The association between AIAN race and decreased survival was strongest in the later time period.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung cancer histology appears to be associated with tumor characteristics, treatment, and survival. AIAN race is associated with tumor histology, receipt of surgery, and survival. In the future, studies with access to smoking data, patient comorbidity information, and health systems-level data will be able to identify factors responsible for the disparities observed in these analyses.

Pattern of hypomethylating agents use among elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Little is known about how hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have been adopted into the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We conducted a population-based study to assess the use of HMAs among 4416 MDS patients (age≥66 years) who were diagnosed during 2001-2005 and followed up through the end of 2007. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to evaluate the role of various patient characteristics. 475 (10.8%) patients had received HMAs by 2007, with the proportion increasing over time. Patients who were white (odds ratio (OR)=0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46-0.95), male (OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.19-1.82), young (Ptrend<0.01), more recently diagnosed (OR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.54-2.34), had fewer comorbidities (Ptrend<0.01), or had a history of other cancer (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.00-1.63) were more likely to receive HMAs. Compared with patients with refractory anemia, those diagnosed with refractory anemia with excess blasts or refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia had a higher chance to be treated with HMAs (OR=3.52 and 2.32, respectively). Relatively few MDS patients were treated with HMAs during the introduction period of these agents, and multiple patient characteristics such as sex, comorbidities, and MDS subtype influence the likelihood a patient receives HMAs.

Looking beyond surveillance, epidemiology, and end results: patterns of chemotherapy administration for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in a contemporary, diverse population

INTRODUCTION

Chemotherapy prolongs survival without substantially impairing quality of life for medically fit patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but population-based studies have shown that only 20 to 30% of these patients receive chemotherapy. These earlier studies have relied on Medicare-linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, thus excluding the 30 to 35% of lung cancer patients younger than 65 years. Therefore, we determined the use of chemotherapy in a contemporary, diverse NSCLC population encompassing all patient ages.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC from 2000 to 2007 at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Demographic, treatment, and outcome data were obtained from hospital tumor registries. The association between these variables was assessed using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

In all, 718 patients met criteria for analysis. Mean age was 60 years, 58% were men, and 45% were white. Three hundred fifty-three patients (49%) received chemotherapy. In univariate analysis, receipt of chemotherapy was associated with age (53% of patients younger than 65 years versus 41% of patients aged 65 years and older; p = 0.003) and insurance type (p < 0.001). In a multivariate model, age and insurance type remained associated with receipt of chemotherapy. For individuals receiving chemotherapy, median survival was 9.2 months, compared with 2.3 months for untreated patients (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a contemporary population representing the full age range of patients with advanced NSCLC, chemotherapy was administered to approximately half of all patients-more than twice the rate reported in some earlier studies. Patient age and insurance type are associated with receipt of chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy and survival benefit in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Platinum-doublet chemotherapy regimens have been shown to extend survival in fit patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (AdvNSCLC). This study extends recent population-based analyses focusing on treatment and survival benefit from use of platinum-doublet therapy, and addressing the role of performance status (PS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients >or= 66 years with AdvNSCLC incident from 1997 to 2002 were identified in SEER-Medicare. Multivariate models examined tumor and patient characteristics associated with receipt of any chemotherapy and receipt of platinum-doublet compared with single-agent therapy. Nonparametric models estimated treatment effects on survival. Models controlled for patient characteristics, including a novel method to use claims-based indicators to characterize PS. Propensity score analysis adjusted for confounding.

RESULTS

Of the 21,285 patients, 25.8% received first-line chemotherapy. Multivariate analyses indicate lower use of any chemotherapy and platinum-based doublet regimens with increasing age, comorbidity, and poor PS. Receipt of any chemotherapy was associated with reduction in the adjusted hazard of death (0.558; 95% CI, 0.547 to 0.569) and an increase in adjusted 1-year survival from 11.6% (95% CI, 11.1 to 12.0) to 27.0% (95% CI, 26.4 to 27.6). Platinum-doublet receipt increased adjusted 1-year survival over single agents, from 19.4% (95% CI, 18.3 to 20.4) to 30.1% (95% CI, 28.9 to 31.4).

CONCLUSION

Most elderly patients with AdvNSCLC do not receive chemotherapy, yet there are clear survival benefits, even with controls for age, comorbidity, and PS. The benefit of platinum-based doublet regimens is greater than single-agent chemotherapy. Claims-based proxy indicators of poor PS were independent predictors of treatment and merit further exploration.