Prophylactic cranial irradiation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: outcome of recursive partitioning analysis group 1 patients

Effects of Postoperative Radiotherapy on Survival of Patients With Stage IIIA Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Analysis of the SEER Database

BACKGROUND

The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients with resected stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of PORT on survival of these patients.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥18 years with stage IIIA NSCLC were identified in the SEER database from 2010 through 2015. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independant prognostic factors in patients with stage IIIA NSCLC. Subgroup analysis of patients stratified by N stage was also performed. Overall survival and lung cancer-related death were compared among the different groups by using Kaplan-Meier analysis and competitive risk analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 5,168 patients (1,711 of whom received PORT) were included in the study. In multivariable analysis, PORT was an independent prognostic risk factor for patients with N1 stage (hazard ratio [HR], 1.416, 95% CI, 1.144-1.753; P=.001). PORT was a favorable prognostic factor for patients with stage IIIA, N2 disease with ≥6 positive lymph nodes (HR, 0.742; 95% CI, 0.587-0.938; P=.012). Median survival time of patients with stage IIIA, N2 disease with ≥6 positive lymph nodes who received postoperative chemotherapy combined with PORT was significantly longer compared with those who received postoperative chemotherapy alone (32 vs 25 months, respectively; P=.009). The competitive risk model revealed that 3- and 5-year lung cancer-related mortality rates increased by 8.99% and 16.92%, respectively, in patients with N1 disease who were treated with PORT, whereas the 3-year mortality rate decreased by 4.67% and the 5-year mortality rate by 10.08% in patients with N2 disease and ≥6 positive lymph nodes who were treated using PORT.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that PORT significantly improved overall survival and decreased lung cancer-related mortality in patients with stage IIIA, N2 disease with ≥6 positive lymph node metastases. PORT was not recommended for patients with N0 and N1 disease.

Can we define any marker associated with brain failure in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

PURPOSE

To define the factors which may be related to brain metastasis (BM) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) who developed brain metastases after definitive treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 208 patients with LA-NSCLC, without BM who received definitive radiotherapy (RT) or RT+chemotherapy (CT) between January 2005 and January 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. Platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte counts, LDH, CRP, Hb levels, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte radio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte radio (PLR), advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) and FDG-PET/CT parameters (SUVmax of the primary tumor and mediastinal lymph nodes), and patient characteristics were evaluated for brain metastasis free survival (BMFS).

RESULTS

Median follow-up duration was 25 months (range: 3-130months). Cut-off values for platelet, NLR, PLR, LDH, CRP, and Hb were 290×103/μL, 2.6, 198, 468 IU/L, 2.5mg/dL, and 11.5g/dl. We defined each parameter as low or high according to the cut-off values. 56 patients (26.9%) developed brain metastases during follow-up. In univariate analysis, high NLR (P=0.001), PLR (P=0.037), LDH (P=0.028), CRP (P=0.002) values, value ≥7.5 for lymph nodes (P=0.005) and low ALI value (P=0.002) were poor prognostic factors for BMFS. In multivariate analysis, high NLR (P=0.022), PLR (P=0.017), CRP (P=0.006), stage ≥IIIB disease (P<0.001), multi-stational N2 disease (P=0.036), adenocarcinoma histology (P<0.001) and SUVmax value ≥7.5 (P=0.035) were poor prognostic factors for BMFS.

CONCLUSIONS

High NLR, PLR, LDH, CRP values, SUVmax values for lymph nodes, and low ALI which indicates high tumor burden were additional prognostic factors besides stage, histology, and lymph node status.

Risk factors for brain metastases in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Brain metastases (BM) are severe incidents in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The controversial value of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in NSCLC in terms of survival benefit prompted us to explore the possible risk factors for BM in NSCLC and identify the potential population most likely to benefit from PCI. Risk factors for brain metastases in NSCLC are reviewed in this article. Identifying patients with a higher risk of BM could possibly increase the benefit of PCI while reducing the discomfort and risks caused by unnecessary invasive procedures in the NSCLC patient population. Future studies might focus on finding a solid basis for the prediction of the occurrence of brain metastases and for the therapeutic decision on the use of PCI.

Whole brain radiotherapy in management of non-small-cell lung carcinoma associated leptomeningeal carcinomatosis: evaluation of prognostic factors

To assess the efficacy of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and prognostic factors in leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. WBRT records of 51 LMC patients confined to brain were reviewed. Eligible patients had squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) 0-3. The WBRT was either 20 or 30 Gray. The primary and secondary objectives were to determine overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors for improved treatment response, respectively. Median age was 53 years (range 39-68), 58.8 % had SCC, 74.5 % had ECOG PS 1-2, and 70.6 % had LMC accompanied by parenchymal brain metastases (BM). The median follow-up was 4.1 months (range 0.7-14.4); all patients died due to disease progression. Median OS was 3.9 months (95 % CI 3.3-4.5) with 6 and 12 month estimates of 19.6 and 5.9 %, respectively. Evaluation of prognostic factors revealed that patients with ECOG 1, longer time to LMC (TT-LMC) from NSCLC diagnosis (>11.3 months), and absence of parenchymal BM had significantly superior OS than those patients with ECOG 2 (p = 0.01) or 3 (p < 0.001), TT-LMC < 11.3 months (p = 0.001), and parenchymal BM (p = 0.012). Median OS of 3.9 months after WBRT appeared to confirm the poor prognosis of LMC. WBRT might be most effective for patients with favorable PS, longer TT-LMC, and no accompanying BM. Therefore, we identified ECOG PS 1, TT-LMC > 11.3 months, and no BM as independent prognosticators for better response to WBRT in NSCLC patients with LMC.

TGFβ1 Polymorphisms Predict Distant Metastasis-Free Survival in Patients with Inoperable Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer after Definitive Radiotherapy

Purpose

Transforming growth factor (TGF) -β1 signaling is involved in cancer-cell metastasis. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at TGFβ1 were associated with overall survival (OS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy.

Methods

We genotyped TGFβ1 SNPs at rs1800469 (C–509T), rs1800471 (G915C), and rs1982073 (T+29C) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in blood samples from 205 NSCLC patients who had had definitive radiotherapy at one institution in November 1998–January 2005. We also tested whether the TGF-β1 rs1982073 (T+29C) SNP affected the migration and invasion of A549 and PC9 lung cancer cells.

Results

Median follow-up time for all patients was 17 months (range, 1–97 months; 39 months for patients alive at the time of analysis). Multivariate analysis showed that the TGFβ1 rs1800469 CT/CC genotype was associated with poor OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.463 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.012–2.114], P = 0.043) and shorter DMFS (HR = 1.601 [95% CI = 1.042–2.459], P = 0.032) and that the TGFβ1 rs1982073 CT/CC genotype predicted poor DMFS (HR = 1.589 [95% CI = 1.009–2.502], P = 0.046) and poor brain MFS (HR = 2.567 [95% CI = 1.155–5.702], P = 0.021) after adjustment for age, sex, race, performance status, smoking status, tumor histology and volume, stage, receipt of concurrent radiochemotherapy, number of chemotherapy cycles, and radiation dose. Transfection with TGFβ1+29C (vs. +29T) stimulated the migration and invasion of A549 and PC9 cells, suggesting that TGFβ1+29C may be linked with increased metastatic potential.

Conclusions

TGFβ1 genotypes at rs1800469 and rs1982073 could be useful for predicting DMFS among patients with NSCLC treated with definitive radiation therapy. These findings require validation in larger prospective trials and thorough mechanistic studies.

Effect analysis of chemoradiotherapy after operation in patients with stage III A non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of chemoradiotherapy after surgery on III A stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

A total of 156 NSCLC patients undergoing total pneumonectomy or pulmonary lobectomy were included in this study. The chemotherapy group (n=75) received the protocol of cisplatin (DDP) + gemcitabine (GEM) / docetaxel (DOC) / vinorelbine (NVB); the radiotherapy + chemotherapy group (n=81) received sequential chemoradiotherapy. The response rate, local control rate in 1 to 2 years, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse reactions were evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was obviously higher in radiotherapy + chemotherapy group (79.4%) than in chemotherapy group (56.8%) (P<0.01). The 1 year local control rates for chemotherapy group and radiotherapy + chemotherapy group were (69.1±7.9)% and (77.8±8.2)% respectively and the difference reached statistical significance (P<0.001). The 2 year local control rates were (42.1±6.1)% and (61.5±6.9)% respectively (P<0.001). The difference in median follow-up time between the two groups did not reach statistical meaning (P>0.05), while the median PFS of two groups were 10.8 months and 16.9 months respectively (P<0.001). 1-year and 3-year survival rates were obviously higher in radiotherapy + chemotherapy group than in chemotherapy group, and the difference reached statistical significance (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The adverse reactions manifested as hematological toxicity and digestive tract reaction in the two groups. In the radiotherapy + chemotherapy group, incidences of radiation-induced esophagus injury and lung injury were 24.7% and 34.6% respectively, all occurring within 2 to 6 weeks after the start of radiation and both below grade 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemoradiotherapy after surgery can improve local control rate and reduce or prevent distant metastasis, but there are still many controversies. In clinical work, we should carefully evaluate each patient's age, lung function, basic physical condition scoring and complications to choose a therapeutic schedule that is suitable for the patient.

Impact of prophylactic cranial irradiation timing on brain relapse rates in patients with stage IIIB non-small-cell lung carcinoma treated with two different chemoradiotherapy regimens

PURPOSE

To retrospectively assess the influence of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) timing on brain relapse rates in patients treated with two different chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimens for Stage IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A cohort of 134 patients, with Stage IIIB NSCLC in recursive partitioning analysis Group 1, was treated with PCI (30 Gy at 2 Gy/fr) following one of two CRT regimens. Regimen 1 (n = 58) consisted of three cycles of induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by concurrent CRT (C-CRT). Regimen 2 (n = 76) consisted of immediate C-CRT during thoracic radiotherapy.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 27.6 months (range, 7.2-40.4), 65 patients were alive. Median, progression-free, and brain metastasis-free survival (BMFS) times for the whole study cohort were 23.4, 15.4, and 23.0 months, respectively. Median survival time and the 3-year survival rate for regimens 1 and 2 were 19.3 vs. 26.1 months (p = 0.001) and 14.4% vs. 34.4% (p < .001), respectively. Median time from the initiation of primary treatment to PCI was 123.2 (range, 97-161) and 63.4 (range, 55-74) days for regimens 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, 11 (8.2%) patients developed brain metastasis (BM) during the follow-up period: 8 (13.8%) in regimen 1 and 3 (3.9%) in regimen 2 (p = 0.03). Only 3 (2.2%) patients developed BM at the site of first failure, and for 2 of them, it was also the sole site of recurrence. Median BMFS for regimens 1 and 2 were 17.4 (13.5-21.3) vs. 26.0 (22.9-29.1 months), respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that in Stage IIIB NSCLC patients treated with PCI, lower BM incidence and longer survival rates result from immediate C-CRT rather than ITC-first regimens. This indicates the benefit of earlier PCI use without delay because of induction protocols.

Prophylactic cranial irradiation in non-small cell lung cancer patients: who might be the candidates?

Objectives

Brain metastases (BMs) often advance the course of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We performed an observational study in order to investigate the possible correlation of selected clinical and epidemiological factors with BM appearance in patients suffering from different histological subtypes of NSCLC stage I–IV.

Methods

The study included 161 consecutive patients with NSCLC. Analyzed data included patient- and tumor-related characteristics.

Results

Thirty-nine patients (24.2%) presented BMs within 12 (0–36) weeks of diagnosis. BMs decreased the mean overall survival significantly (15.6 versus 50.7 weeks, P < 0.001), with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 3.60 (2.42–5.35). The age of the patients with BM was significantly lower than that of the patients without BM (60.8 ± 8.9 versus 66.5 ± 8.5, P < 0.001). Patients with BM had significantly higher pack-years consumption (75.9 ± 23.9 versus 58.9 ± 31.9, P = 0.003) and larger tumor size compared with patients without BM (size in mm: 55.1 ± 20.1 versus 45.9 ± 19.3, P = 0.012). The presence of BM was also correlated with the absence of lung (P < 0.001), bone (P = 0.005), and adrenal (P = 0.046) metastases.

Conclusion

Younger NSCLC patients with high tobacco consumption, large tumor size, and absence of metastases in other organs (lung, bones, adrenal metastases) are at high risk of BM appearance during the course of NSCLC and are candidates for prophylactic cranial irradiation early in the course of the disease.