Adjuvant chemotherapy after radical surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized study

Global analysis of a cancer model with drug resistance due to Lamarckian induction and microvesicle transfer

Development of resistance to chemotherapy in cancer patients strongly effects the outcome of the treatment. Due to chemotherapeutic agents, resistance can emerge by Darwinian evolution. Besides this, acquired drug resistance may arise via changes in gene expression. A recent discovery in cancer research uncovered a third possibility, indicating that this phenotype conversion can occur through the transfer of microvesicles from resistant to sensitive cells, a mechanism resembling the spread of an infectious agent. We present a model describing the evolution of sensitive and resistant tumour cells considering Darwinian selection, Lamarckian induction and microvesicle transfer. We identify three threshold parameters which determine the existence and stability of the three possible equilibria. Using a simple Dulac function, we give a complete description of the dynamics of the model depending on the three threshold parameters. We also establish an agent based model as a spatial version of the ODE model and compare the outputs of the two models. We find that although the ODE model does not provide spatial information about the structure of the tumour, it is capable to determine the outcome in terms of tumour size and distribution of cell types. We demonstrate the possible effects of increasing drug concentration, and characterize the possible bifurcation sequences. Our results show that the presence of microvesicle transfer cannot ruin a therapy that otherwise leads to extinction, however it may doom a partially successful therapy to failure.

Time-to-event endpoints in operable non-small-cell lung cancer randomized clinical trials

INTRODUCTION

No guideline for time-to-event endpoints (TTEE) definitions in lung cancer trials exists. Areas covered: The aim of the study was to evaluate the reporting of TTEE in operable non-small-cell lung cancer randomized clinical trials. Expert commentary: Sixty-two TTEE were recorded. In the Methods section, using four key points to define TTEE we observed that the 'starting point', 'events', 'information on censoring', 'assessment of events' were clearly defined for 43 (69.4%), 34 (54.8%), 6 (9.7%), 33 (53.2%) endpoints respectively. In the results section, using five key points, we observed that the 'Kaplan-Meier estimation', 'estimation of effect size', 'precision (confidence interval)', 'number of events', 'number of patients at risk', 'multivariate analysis' were clearly identified for 46 (74.2%), 31 (50%), 30 (48.4%), 37 (59.7%), 28 (45.2%), and 17 (27.4%) endpoints, respectively. A majority of articles failed to provide a complete reporting of TTEE. Guidelines for TTEE is warranted.

Meta-analysis of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy without radiotherapy in early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Many clinical trials have confirmed that postoperative adjuvant therapy can prolong survival of non-small cell lung cancer. However, the efficiency of postoperative chemotherapy without radiotherapy is unclear, especially in early stage (stages I and II). We aimed to assess the effect of postoperative chemotherapy without radiotherapy in early stage patients.

Methods

Databases and manual searches were adopted to identify eligible randomized control trials. Hazard ratio (HR) was used to assess the advantage of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) by fixed or random-effects models.

Results

Fourteen trials with 3,923 patients were included based on inclusion criteria. Compared with surgery alone, postoperative chemotherapy significantly improved DFS and OS with HR of 0.71 (P=0.005) and 0.74 (P<0.00001), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed both cisplatin-based (HR: 0.75, P<0.0001) and single tegafur–uracil (UFT) chemotherapy (HR: 0.72, P=0.002) yielded significant survival benefits, but the latter did not improve DFS (HR: 1.04, P=0.81). Indirect treatment comparison showed cisplatin-based chemotherapy was superior to single UFT in DFS, but comparable in OS. The benefits of postoperative chemotherapy were maintained in patients in stage I (HR: 0.74, P<0.00001) and IB (HR: 0.74, P=0.0003), but not in stage IA, although the trend supported chemotherapy (HR: 0.76, P=0.43).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrates that postoperative chemotherapy without radiotherapy improves survival of stage I–II, I, and IB non-small cell lung cancer patients, but not for IA. Meanwhile, efficacy of cisplatin-based chemotherapy is comparable to single UFT in OS, but better in DFS, which should be paid more attention in future clinical practice.

Meta-analysis of time-to-event outcomes from randomized trials using restricted mean survival time: application to individual participant data

Meta-analysis of time-to-event outcomes using the hazard ratio as a treatment effect measure has an underlying assumption that hazards are proportional. The between-arm difference in the restricted mean survival time is a measure that avoids this assumption and allows the treatment effect to vary with time. We describe and evaluate meta-analysis based on the restricted mean survival time for dealing with non-proportional hazards and present a diagnostic method for the overall proportional hazards assumption. The methods are illustrated with the application to two individual participant meta-analyses in cancer. The examples were chosen because they differ in disease severity and the patterns of follow-up, in order to understand the potential impacts on the hazards and the overall effect estimates. We further investigate the estimation methods for restricted mean survival time by a simulation study.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy for the Completely Resected Stage IB Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for postoperative stage II-IIIB nonsmall cell lung cancer patients. However, its effect remains controversial in stage IB patients. We, therefore, performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy versus surgery alone in stage IB patients. Six electronic databases were searched for relevant articles. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The time-to-event outcomes were compared by hazard ratio using log-rank test. Sixteen eligible trials were identified. A total of 4656 patients were included and divided into 2 groups: 2338 in the chemotherapy group and 2318 in the control group (surgery only). Patients received platinum-based therapy, uracil-tegafur, or a combination of them. Our results demonstrated that patients can benefit from the adjuvant chemotherapy in terms of OS (HR 0.74 95% CI 0.63-0.88) and DFS (HR 0.64 95% CI 0.46-0.89). Patients who received 6-cycle platinum-based therapy (HR 0.45 95% CI 0.29-0.69), uracil-tegafur (HR 0.71 95% CI 0.56-0.90), or a combination of them (HR 0.51 95% CI 0.36-0.74) had better OS, but patients who received 4 or fewer cycles platinum-based therapy (HR 0.97 95% CI 0.85-1.11) did not. Moreover, 6-cycle platinum-based therapy (HR 0.29 95% CI 0.13-0.63) alone or in combination with uracil-tegafur (HR 0.44 95% CI 0.30-0.66) had advantages in DFS. However, 4 or fewer cycles of platinum-based therapy (HR 0.89 95% CI 0.76-1.04) or uracil-tegafur alone (HR 1.19 95% CI 0.79-1.80) were not beneficial. Six-cycle platinum-based chemotherapy can improve OS and DFS in stage IB NSCLC patients. Uracil-tegafur alone or in combination with platinum-based therapy is beneficial to the patients in terms of OS, but uracil-tegafur seems to have no advantage in prolonging DFS, unless it is administered with platinum-based therapy.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for resected early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effects of administering chemotherapy following surgery, or following surgery plus radiotherapy (known as adjuvant chemotherapy) in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),we performed two systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all randomised controlled trials using individual participant data. Results were first published in The Lancet in 2010.

OBJECTIVES

To compare, in terms of overall survival, time to locoregional recurrence, time to distant recurrence and recurrence-free survival:A. Surgery versus surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapyB. Surgery plus radiotherapy versus surgery plus radiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapyin patients with histologically diagnosed early stage NSCLC.(2)To investigate whether or not predefined patient subgroups benefit more or less from cisplatin-based chemotherapy in terms of survival.

SEARCH METHODS

We supplemented MEDLINE and CANCERLIT searches (1995 to December 2013) with information from trial registers, handsearching relevant meeting proceedings and by discussion with trialists and organisations.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included trials of a) surgery versus surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy; and b) surgery plus radiotherapy versus surgery plus radiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy, provided that they randomised NSCLC patients using a method which precluded prior knowledge of treatment assignment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We carried out a quantitative meta-analysis using updated information from individual participants from all randomised trials. Data from all patients were sought from those responsible for the trial. We obtained updated individual participant data (IPD) on survival, and date of last follow-up, as well as details of treatment allocated, date of randomisation, age, sex, histological cell type, stage, and performance status. To avoid potential bias, we requested information for all randomised patients, including those excluded from the investigators' original analyses. We conducted all analyses on intention-to-treat on the endpoint of survival. For trials using cisplatin-based regimens, we carried out subgroup analyses by age, sex, histological cell type, tumour stage, and performance status.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 35 trials evaluating surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy versus surgery alone. IPD were available for 26 of these trials and our analyses are based on 8447 participants (3323 deaths) in 34 trial comparisons. There was clear evidence of a benefit of adding chemotherapy after surgery (hazard ratio (HR)= 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 0.81 to 0.92, p< 0.0001), with an absolute increase in survival of 4% at five years.We identified 15 trials evaluating surgery plus radiotherapy plus chemotherapy versus surgery plus radiotherapy alone. IPD were available for 12 of these trials and our analyses are based on 2660 participants (1909 deaths) in 13 trial comparisons. There was also evidence of a benefit of adding chemotherapy to surgery plus radiotherapy (HR= 0.88, 95% CI= 0.81 to 0.97, p= 0.009). This represents an absolute improvement in survival of 4% at five years.For both meta-analyses, we found similar benefits for recurrence outcomes and there was little variation in effect according to the type of chemotherapy, other trial characteristics or patient subgroup.We did not undertake analysis of the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on quality of life and adverse events. Quality of life information was not routinely collected during the trials, but where toxicity was assessed and mentioned in the publications, it was thought to be manageable. We considered the risk of bias in the included trials to be low.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Results from 47 trial comparisons and 11,107 patients demonstrate the clear benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for these patients, irrespective of whether chemotherapy was given in addition to surgery or surgery plus radiotherapy. This is the most up-to-date and complete systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis that has been carried out.

Early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer: overview of adjuvant chemotherapy and promising advances

SUMMARY Adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer has become standard of care, after three recent meta-analyses validated survival benefit of approximately 5% at 5 years. Subgroup analyses, however, demonstrated that the benefit appears largely confined to patients with stage II disease; however, 25–30% of patients with stage I disease are at high risk of relapse and death within 5 years. Therefore, there is a need to predict more accurately which patients are likely to relapse after surgery and thus benefit from adjuvant therapy. Recent studies indicate that molecular biomarkers, gene-expression profiling and gene-mutation analysis may not only identify those tumors that are more likely to respond to adjuvant chemotherapy, but also to specific cytotoxic agents. These novel bioanalyses will allow physicians to deliver personalized medicine that utilizes cancer therapeutic drugs more cost effectively, thereby improving response rates and, hopefully, conferring survival advantage.

The future of adjuvant chemotherapy for resected non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer is a frequent type of cancer, with approximately 1.2 million cases per year expected worldwide. A total of 20-30% of patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer are amenable to radical surgery, although only 40-50% of these patients are cured. An improvement in survival has never been demonstrated for postoperative radiotherapy. However, a major step forward is several recent large randomized studies that have demonstrated improved survival with postoperative chemotherapy. This review covers the historic data on adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer, meta-analyses, modern studies with cisplatin-based or other chemotherapy, implications for current clinical practice and guidelines, some practical recommendations and, finally, the questions for future studies.

Non-cancer-related mortality after cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a study-level meta-analysis of 16 randomized trials

Adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with increased overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but is associated with high-grade toxicity. The effect of cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy on non-lung cancer-related mortality is not well investigated. We conducted a systematic review and a study-level meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in order to determine the overall risk of non-lung cancer-related mortality associated with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in NSCLC. PubMed was searched to identify relevant studies. Eligible publications included prospective RCTs in which cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy plus local therapy was compared with local therapy alone in NSCLC. Summary incidence rates, relative risks (RRs), and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Primary endpoint was non-lung cancer-related mortality risk (due to cardiovascular, respiratory or second malignancy deaths for example), and secondary endpoints were chemotherapy-related, second primary tumor-related, cardiovascular-related, and unknown cause mortalities. A total of 6,430 patients with NSCLC from 16 RCTs were included in the analysis. Compared with no chemotherapy, the use of cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with an increased risk of non-lung cancer-related death, with an RR of 1.30 (95 % CI 1.1-1.53; P = 0.002; incidence, 9.3 vs. 7.2 %; absolute difference 2 %). Cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy was also associated with a greater risk of chemotherapy-related mortality (RR 2.16, 95 % CI 1.15-4.06; P = 0.02). Second primary tumor-related mortality and cardiovascular-related mortality were similar. In this meta-analysis of RCTs in NSCLC, cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a 30 % increase in non-lung cancer-related mortality compared with local therapy alone.

Role of adjuvant chemotherapy after pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

Adjuvant chemotherapy is used as an alternative treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the efficiency of post-pneumonectomy adjuvant chemotherapy in NSCLC has not been clarified. In the present study, patients who benefited from adjuvant chemotherapy with TP/NP/GP were identified. A total of 217 patients who underwent pneumonectomy were identified in this study. Of these, 87 underwent pneumonectomy combined with adjuvant chemotherapy (TP/NP/GP regimen) and 130 underwent pneumonectomy only in the initial management. The primary endpoint of the present study was overall survival. Actuarial survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved the survival rate of patients who underwent left pneumonectomy and in patients with a preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) greater than or equal to 21. Age had no effect on the survival rate of patients with or without postoperative adjuvant therapy. Post-pneumonectomy adjuvant chemotherapy is an efficient therapy in NSCLC for patients with preoperative FEV1 greater than or equal to 21 or who received left pneumonectomy.

Combined Modality Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Among all nonmetastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, the best survival rates are observed in patients who undergo surgery. Nevertheless, 5-year survival rates vary between 20% and 60% depending on the stage of the disease. Several combined modality treatments have been investigated to improve outcome in localized NSCLC. These include local treatment, systemic before local treatment, concomitant systemic and local treatments, and systemic after local treatment. Preoperative irradiation was shown to be of no benefit on local recurrence rates or overall survival. Even doses of radiation >/=40 grays (Gy) were associated with lower survival rates. Postoperative irradiation did not influence survival in stage III disease and seemed to be deleterious in stages I and II disease. Modern radiotherapy techniques might be of interest in this setting but have been insufficiently tested. The early phase III studies of preoperative chemotherapy versus primary surgery in stage III NSCLC showed a tremendous difference in favor of chemotherapy. A larger study did not confirm these results but suggested that preoperative chemotherapy might have a greater effect in stages I and II of the disease. In locally advanced disease, chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy was shown to increase survival when compared with radiotherapy alone. Studies comparing concurrent chemoradiation with radiotherapy only were in favor of the concomitant schedule, which improved local control. Promising results have been reported with chemoradiation followed by surgery in stage IIIa and even stage IIIb disease. Randomized studies of postoperative chemotherapy demonstrated a 5% improvement in 5-year survival over adjuvant-free treatment. Postoperative chemoradiation showed no advantage over postoperative radiotherapy. Several trials that are ongoing or whose accrual was recently completed should further define the role of perioperative chemotherapy in resectable NSCLC and of trimodality treatments in advanced disease. Targeted agents are being developed in the postoperative setting. New schedules of chemoradiation with higher therapeutic indexes are also being investigated in nonresectable stage III NSCLC.

Better estimates of survival for patients considering adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery for early non-small-cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to summarise and describe survival data from contemporary randomised trials of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The goal was to assist clinicians to provide better estimates of survival for patients considering adjuvant chemotherapy following surgical resection for NSCLC.

METHODS

Randomised trials of cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy for resected NSCLC were identified. Survival rates at 1, 2, 5, 7 and 10 years and the following percentiles (scenario): 90th (worst case), 75th (lower typical), median, 25th (upper typical) and 10th (best case) were extracted from each overall survival (OS) curve.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight OS curves from 19 trials (7042 patients) were analysed. With adjuvant chemotherapy, the median OS rate (interquartile range) at 1 year was 91% (85-95), 2 years was 73% (69-88), 5 years was 61% (45-65) and 7 years was 49% (38-65). With observation only, the median OS rate (interquartile range) at 1 year was 88% (83-92), 2 years was 74% (65-82), 5 years was 55% (42-58) and 7 years was 40% (34-45). In both arms, survival rates at 2, 5 and 7 years were well estimated by raising the 1-year survival rate to the power of two, five and seven respectively. Few trials reported survival rates at 10 years.

CONCLUSION

Simple percentages and their powers provide a useful starting point for estimating and describing survival to patients considering adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery for NSCLC.

A critical appraisal of the adjuvant chemotherapy guidelines for patients with completely resected T3N0 non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

A Joint Expert Panel recently published guidelines for adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy, recommending routine use in patients with completely resected stage II (T1-2N1 and T3N0) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, these two tumor subgroups should be considered as different entities. While the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy has been established in patients with T1-2N1 NSCLC, its benefit in patients with T3N0 tumor remains questionable.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed an extensive review of the literature using the Joint Expert Panel guidelines as a start point. Altogether, we identified 76 potentially relevant articles. Basing on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 of the 76 articles were eventually included in this review.

RESULTS

After careful evaluation of the selected articles, we found no information on the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with T3N0 NSCLC.

DISCUSSION

In the absence of evidence-based data, we recommend that the lack of information on the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for T3N0 tumors be discussed with patients and propose chemotherapy as an individual option. While the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy will be difficult to assess prospectively through a large randomized clinical trial, a pooled-analysis of the existing data would quickly and with a limited effort provide a preliminary answer.

Adjuvant chemotherapy, with or without postoperative radiotherapy, in operable non-small-cell lung cancer: two meta-analyses of individual patient data

BACKGROUND

Many randomised controlled trials have investigated the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in operable non-small-cell lung cancer. We undertook two comprehensive systematic reviews and meta-analyses to establish the effects of adding adjuvant chemotherapy to surgery, or to surgery plus radiotherapy.

METHODS

We included randomised trials, not confounded by additional therapeutic differences between the two groups and that started randomisation on or after Jan 1, 1965, which compared surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy versus surgery alone, or surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy versus surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy. Updated individual patient data were collected, checked, and included in meta-analyses stratified by trial. The primary endpoint was overall survival, defined as time from randomisation until death by any cause. All analyses were by intention to treat.

FINDINGS

The first meta-analysis of surgery plus chemotherapy versus surgery alone was based on 34 trial comparisons and 8447 patients (3323 deaths). We recorded a benefit of adding chemotherapy after surgery (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.92, p<0.0001), with an absolute increase in survival of 4% (95% CI 3-6) at 5 years (from 60% to 64%). The second meta-analysis of surgery plus radiotherapy and chemotherapy versus surgery plus radiotherapy was based on 13 trial comparisons and 2660 patients (1909 deaths). We recorded a benefit of adding chemotherapy to surgery plus radiotherapy (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.97, p=0.009), representing an absolute improvement in survival of 4% (95% CI 1-8) at 5 years (from 29% to 33%). In both meta-analyses we noted little variation in effect according to the type of chemotherapy, other trial characteristics, or patient subgroup.

INTERPRETATION

The addition of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery for patients with operable non-small-cell lung cancer improves survival, irrespective of whether chemotherapy was adjuvant to surgery alone or adjuvant to surgery plus radiotherapy.

FUNDING

UK Medical Research Council, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique (AOM 05 209), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, and Sanofi-Aventis.

Preoperative versus postoperative chemotherapy in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer: systematic review and indirect comparison meta-analysis of randomized trials

INTRODUCTION

A large number of trials have evaluated the efficacy of postoperative chemotherapy on survival after resection for lung cancer, and a smaller number have evaluated preoperative chemotherapy on survival for potentially resectable lung cancer, but no direct comparison has yet been published comparing the two approaches.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of randomized trials, extracted time-to-event data using Parmar methods (when not reported), used random effects meta-analysis to evaluate overall and disease survival treatment effects and performed indirect comparison meta-analysis to obtain the relative hazards of postoperative to preoperative administration on survival.

RESULTS

Data were abstracted from 32 randomized trials involving more than 10,000 participants, with 22 trials administering postoperative and 10 trials administering preoperative chemotherapy. For overall survival, the hazard ratios were 0.80 (0.74-0.87; p < 0.001) and 0.81 (0.68-0.97; p = 0.024) in postoperative chemotherapy group and preoperative chemotherapy group, respectively. Using indirect comparison meta-analysis, the relative hazards of postoperative compared with preoperative administration was 0.99 (0.81-1.21; p = 0.91). For disease-free survival, the hazard ratios were 0.76 (0.67-0.86; p < 0.001) and 0.79 (0.63 to 1.00; P = 0.050) in postoperative chemotherapy group and preoperative chemotherapy group, respectively. Using indirect comparison meta-analysis, the relative hazards of postoperative compared with preoperative administration was 0.96 (0.77-1.20; p = 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with resectable lung cancer, there was no evidence of a difference in overall and disease-free survival between the timing of administration of chemotherapy (postoperative versus preoperative).

Cancer Care Ontario and American Society of Clinical Oncology adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiation therapy for stages I-IIIA resectable non small-cell lung cancer guideline

PURPOSE

To determine the role of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with completely resected stage IA-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

The Cancer Care Ontario Program in Evidence-Based Care and the American Society of Clinical Oncology convened a Joint Expert Panel in August 2006 to review the evidence and draft recommendations for these therapies.

RESULTS

Available data support the use of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in completely resected NSCLC; however, the strength of the data and consequent recommendations vary by disease stage. Adjuvant radiation therapy appears detrimental to survival in stages IB and II, with a possible modest benefit in stage IIIA.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy is recommended for routine use in patients with stages IIA, IIB, and IIIA disease. Although there has been a statistically significant overall survival benefit seen in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) enrolling a range of people with completely resected NSCLC, results of subset analyses for patient populations with stage IB disease were not significant, and adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IB disease is not currently recommended for routine use. To date, very few patients with stage IA NSCLC have been enrolled onto RCTs of adjuvant therapy; adjuvant chemotherapy is not recommended in these cases. Evidence from RCTs demonstrates a survival detriment for adjuvant radiotherapy with limited evidence for a reduction in local recurrence. Adjuvant radiation therapy appears detrimental to survival in stage IB and II, and may possibly confer a modest benefit in stage IIIA.

Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer-Stage IIIA

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer represents a relatively heterogeneous group of patients with metastatic disease to the ipsilateral mediastinal (N2) lymph nodes and also includes T3N1 patients. Presentations of disease range from apparently resectable tumors with occult microscopic nodal metastases to unresectable, bulky multistation nodal disease. This review explores the published clinical trials to make treatment recommendations in this controversial subset of lung cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Systematic searches were made of MEDLINE, HealthStar, and Cochrane Library databases up to May 2006, focusing primarily on randomized trials, with inclusion of selected metaanalyses, practice guidelines, and reviews. Study designs and results are summarized in evidence tables.

MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS

The evidence derived from the literature now appears to support routine adjuvant chemotherapy after complete resection of stage IIIA lung cancer encountered unexpectedly at surgery. However, using neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery for known stage IIIA lung cancer as a routine therapeutic option is not supported by current published randomized trials. Combination chemoradiotherapy, especially delivered concurrently, is still the preferred treatment for prospectively recognized stage IIIA lung cancer with all degrees of mediastinal lymph node involvement. Current and future trials may modify these recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodality therapy of some type appears to be preferable in all subsets of stage IIIA patients. However, because of the relative lack of consistent randomized trial data in this subset, the following evidence-based treatment guidelines lack compelling evidence in most scenarios.

Non-small cell lung cancer: Adjuvant and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy

Of all cancers, non-small cell lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed and is the deadliest. With a dismissal survival rate even in the early stages of disease, investigations of adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapy have not had much impact until the 21st century. Starting in 2004, several randomized trials have shown significant improvements in survival treating patients with stage II and III disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial in patients with stage I disease, in which most trials have not demonstrated a survival advantage. Investigators are studying molecular and genetic factors, which may predict who might benefit most from adjuvant therapy. While adjuvant therapy is now standard, neo-adjuvant therapy either with chemotherapy alone or with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation has shown promise, but has yet to become a clear standard of care. Data are presented to support the standard use of adjuvant therapy in patients with stage II and III disease, as well as data supporting the use of neo-adjuvant therapy in selected patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Les traitements adjuvants dans les cancers bronchiques non à petites cellules

If surgery remains the cornerstone for the curative treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, failures are common especially for stage III disease and adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) may be justified. After the two meta-analyses, new trials have showed a moderate but significant benefit from cisplatin based chemotherapy. The role of radiotherapy is still controversial but from some clinical observations, a new trial using the modern radiation technology should address the question.

Postsurgical chemotherapy in stage IB nonsmall cell lung cancer: Long-term survival in a randomized study

Although surgical resection is considered the adequate treatment in early stages of nonsmall cell lung cancer, long-term survival is not satisfactory and recurrence rate is high. We previously showed that postoperative chemotherapy at stage IB reduces recurrences and prolongs overall survival. We extended size and observation period of the study sample and performed a separate analysis for minimally resected patients. The trial was designed as a randomized, 2-armed study with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy versus surgery alone as control group. All patients had stage IB disease (pT2N0) assessed after a radical surgical procedure (defined as anatomical or minimal). Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (100 mg/m2 day 1) and etoposide (120 mg/m2 days 1-3) for 6 cycles. The primary endpoint was overall survival; secondary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS). One hundred and forty patients entered the study: 70 were assigned to the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 70 to the control group. Groups were homogeneous for conventional risk factors. There was no clinically significant morbidity associated to chemotherapy. Patients were followed for a mean period of 40.31 +/- 30.86 months. A significant difference in overall (p = 0.02) and disease-free (p = 0.0001) survival was observed between patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy vs. control group. Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved both overall (p = 0.02) and DFS (p = 0.003) of anatomically resected patients, but only the DFS (p = 0.02) of minimally resected patients. Our results confirm that adjuvant chemotherapy may have a real impact on long-term survival in patients with stage IB nonsmall cell lung cancer being this effect especially evident for those anatomically resected.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: the past, the present and the future

Complete resection is mandatory in order to achieve a cure in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, despite complete resection, a substantial proportion of patients have disease recurrence, with distant metastases being the primary sites of failure. Recent trials have conclusively demonstrated the benefit of platinum-based adjuvant therapy in patients with resected stage IB and II NSCLC. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage III NSCLC is less clear, with trials showing conflicting results. The role of targeted agents in this setting is being investigated. Gene expression profiling studies should help direct chemotherapy to those who would actually benefit from it, thereby saving others from unnecessary toxicity.

Postoperative Chemotherapy in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

A systematic review of the evidence for postoperative chemotherapy in completely resected nonsmall cell lung cancer was conducted. Seven meta-analyses and 25 randomized trials met the pre-defined eligibility criteria for the review. The evidence indicates that postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy improves survival compared with surgery alone; for patients with a good performance status who are fit enough for chemotherapy, the survival benefits strongly outweigh the adverse effects of treatment. To date the trials restricted to stage IB or II disease have obtained the greatest survival benefits with postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy. The evidence does not support the use of postoperative radiotherapy with chemotherapy.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for completely resected non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review

PURPOSE

To conduct a systematic review and to evaluate the impact of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy on the survival of patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Relevant randomized trials and meta-analyses, published as articles or abstracts, were identified through electronic and hand searches by two reviewers.

RESULTS

Seven meta-analyses and 26 randomized trials comparing surgery with or without chemotherapy met the pre-defined eligibility criteria for the review. The meta-analyses all showed a survival advantage for platinum- or UFT-based postoperative chemotherapy, although the results did not always achieve statistical significance. The results of individual trials were inconsistent, although recent trials have detected a large survival advantage with postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy. Differences in trial design, patient characteristics, disease stage, use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimen may explain the variation in results.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy improves survival compared with surgery alone in completely resected non-small cell lung cancer. In patients fit for chemotherapy, the survival benefits strongly outweigh the adverse effects of the treatment.

Advances in our understanding of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

After publication in 1995 of a meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC, a number of randomized trials investigated adjuvant chemotherapy using more active chemotherapeutic regimens and larger numbers of accrued patients per trial. This review will focus on recent clinical trials for adjuvant chemotherapy, and will help to interpret the applicability of these results to daily clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

Four large-scale randomized trials that used platinum-based chemotherapy have reported positive results during the last 3 years. These trials included cisplatin-based chemotherapy [the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer (IALT) trial], cisplatin plus vinorelbine [the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) BR10 trial], and carboplatin plus paclitaxel [the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9633 trial]. More recently, another adjuvant trial [Adjuvant Navelbine International Trialist Association (ANITA)] was reported, which has added greatly to our understanding of the potential role of adjuvant treatment. Regarding adjuvant UFT (tegafur and uracil) chemotherapy, an individual patient data-based meta-analysis demonstrated its significant effect on survival in selected patients with completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer.

SUMMARY

Recent trials indicate a survival benefit of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings are anticipated to change the clinical management of patients with completely resectable non-small-cell lung cancer.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Studies of adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) did not provide a consistent disease-free survival or overall survival benefit in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, recently reported studies have changed the practice of NSCLC treatment, for which adjuvant chemotherapy is now considered the standard of care. This review outlines the issues that may have limited the detection of beneficial effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in early trials and provides detailed analysis of the results of recently published trials of adjuvant chemotherapy for NSCLC.

Re-Examining the Role of Elective Nodal Irradiation

OBJECTIVE

Elective nodal irradiation (ENI) of regional lymphatics has been a foundational paradigm for radiation oncologists in the treatment of nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its utility has recently been called into question. This review summarizes the controversies surrounding ENI and reviews the therapeutic options available to treat regional lymphatics in NSCLC.

METHODS

Local failure after conventional radiotherapy (RT) occurs in 40% to 80% of patients fueling the investigation of more aggressive RT regimens. As the dose is increased and accelerated the volume of normal lung tissue treated becomes a limiting factor. Thus elimination of ENI followed by further dose escalation has become a commonly pursued solution. When ENI is excluded, treatment is restricted to clinically positive disease and negative lymph node stations are left untreated.

RESULTS

Radiographic and surgical data suggest our ability to determine the true extent of disease is imperfect and therefore the elimination of ENI likely leaves microscopic NSCLC untreated.

CONCLUSIONS

At our institution we have concluded that the prophylactic treatment of regional lymph nodes is best reserved for patients most likely to achieve local control and are designing treatment protocols including chemotherapy to take advantage of this improvement in local control.

Postoperative adjuvant cisplatin, vindesine, plus uracil-tegafur chemotherapy increased survival of patients with completely resected p-stage I non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for completely resected p-stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent complete resection with lymph node dissection for p-stage I NSCLC (T1N0, T2N0, adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, were eligible. After surgery, 150 patients were stratified according to tumor size and histologic type, and then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (50 patients each group): surgery alone (control group), surgery with chemotherapy; PVU group (2 courses of cisplatin 80 mg/m2, i.v. x 1 (day 1), vindesine 3 mg/m2, i.v. x 1 (days 1 and 8) and UFT 400 mg/day, p.o. for a period of 2 years), and UFT group (UFT 400 mg/day, p.o. for 2 years).

RESULTS

The 5-year survival rates of the PVU group, the UFT group, and the control group were 87.9, 67.7, and 66.3%, respectively. The difference in 5-year survival between the PVU group and the control group was statistically significant (p = 0.045, log rank). The 5-year disease-free survival rate of the PVU group (81.1%) was also significantly better than that of the control group (66.5%) (p = 0.042, log rank). According to multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model, the only significantly positive factor on outcome was PVU chemotherapy after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative PVU chemotherapy is effective for Japanese patients with completely resected p-stage I NSCLC.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the developed world. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of cases of lung cancer, and patients have a poor 5-year survival rate. Approximately one third of NSCLC patients present with early-stage disease that is amenable to potentially curative resection and multimodality therapy. Several randomized trials now have confirmed the survival benefit with adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy, as seen in the 1995 meta-analysis from the NSCLC Collaborative Group. The International Adjuvant Lung Cancer Collaborative Group Trial demonstrated a 4.5% improvement in survival for patients with stage I to III NSCLC. Studies from Japan have reported an improvement of 15.4% in the 5-year survival rate among patients with T1N0 disease after they had received adjuvant therapy with a combination of platinum and uracil-tegafur, and an improvement in the 5-year survival of 11% rate favoring chemotherapy with uracil-tegafur in a subgroup analysis of patients with T2N0 disease. Two recently published meta-analyses have estimated a relative risk reduction in mortality of 11 to 13% at 5 years. Significant improvement in the long-term survival rate has been demonstrated for patients with stage IB and II disease by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B 9633 trial (4-year survival rate, 12%) and the The National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group BR.10 trial (5-year survival rate, 15%; risk reduction for recurrence, 40%). Thus, there is compelling evidence to now recommend adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy for patients after resection of early-stage NSCLC.

Adjuvant therapy for resected non-small-cell lung cancer: past, present, and future

Non-small-cell lung cancer has the highest mortality of all malignancies worldwide. Unfortunately, only the minority of patients diagnosed will have potentially curable disease. Over the past 30 years, dozens of trials have been conducted assessing adjuvant treatments to augment the survival advantage offered by surgery. It has only been in the past 5 years that promising results have begun to be seen. Cisplatin-based therapy has now been shown to provide an additional survival benefit in several trials and in a recent meta-analysis. The goal of this paper is to review the data on adjuvant therapies that have emerged over the past 30 years, focusing specifically on the trials that have been published in the past 5 years.

Compliance with post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. An analysis of National Cancer Institute of Canada and intergroup trial JBR.10 and a review of the literature

Resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has 5-years survival rates of 30-70%. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy remains unclear with poor compliance reported in most trials. The compliance with adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for stage IB and II NSCLC was analyzed using data from a North American multi-centre phase III study (accrual 1994-2001) that compared adjuvant chemotherapy to observation. Planned chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (CIS) 50 mg/m2 days 1, 8 and vinorelbine (VIN) 25 mg/m2 days 1, 8, 15, 22 for four cycles; the VIN dose had been reduced from 30 mg/m2 after an initial cohort of patients experienced unacceptable toxicity. Four hundred and twenty-four patients were randomized after the amendment, 215 to the chemotherapy arm. Median age was 60 years, 64% were male and 84% had stage II disease. Thirty-seven patients completed one cycle, 14 completed two, 20 completed three and 108 patients completed all four cycles. Ten patients received no therapy. Multivariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in compliance with extent of surgery, gender and age. Patients randomized in Canada were more likely to fail to complete chemotherapy due to refusal of therapy than their American counterparts. Patients who had pneumonectomies were more likely to discontinue therapy due to toxicity than those who had lesser resections. Extent of surgery may play a role in both the compliance and toxicity of ACT. Differences between nations in the perception of the risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, both between physicians and patients, should be investigated further.

Survival improvement in resectable non-small cell lung cancer with (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy: Results of a meta-analysis of the literature

The recent publication of many randomised trials about (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has prompted our group to update a prior meta-analysis of the literature. Randomised studies published in French and English between 1965 and June 2004 were included in this analysis. A qualitative assessment of each trial was first performed using the European lung cancer working party (ELCWP) and the Chalmers' scales. In absence of statistically significant quality difference between positive and negative trials, a quantitative aggregation (meta-analysis) of the individual results was performed. Two trials for which data were available on ASCO virtual meeting website were also included in the meta-analysis. Twenty-five studies eligible for this analysis assessed chemotherapy as induction (n = 6) or adjuvant to surgery (n = 19). No quality difference was detected between positive and negative trials according to the two scores, whatever all trials were combined or only adjuvant chemotherapy studies were considered. The overall meta-analysis showed that the hazard ratio (HR) of the combined results was 0.66 (95% CI 0.48-0.93) in favour of the addition of induction chemotherapy to a standard surgical procedure and 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.89) in favour of adjuvant chemotherapy. The effect was significant for adjuvant chemotherapy in stages I and II with a HR of 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.94). It was not statistically significant in stage III although the trend was in favour of chemotherapy whatever adjuvant (HR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.69-1.04) or (neo)adjuvant (HR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.41-1.04) chemotherapy was tested. In conclusion, our meta-analysis shows the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in stages I and II resected NSCLC. More data are needed to confirm such a role for induction chemotherapy. Further trials should separate stage III disease from earlier stages.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Approximately 80% of lung malignancies are non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Patients diagnosed with early-stage disease (about 30% of patients) undergo surgery, but up to 50% develop local or distant recurrence. In an effort to improve survival for patients with resectable NSCLC, chemotherapy has been explored in the adjuvant setting. Several adjuvant trials were launched in the mid 1990s after an individual data-based meta-analysis suggested a 5% survival benefit at 5 years. Among those, the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer Trial (IALT) study, with 1,867 patients included, confirmed the benefit of postoperative chemotherapy in resected NSCLC. More recently, modern platinum-containing doublets showed a 10% to 15% overall benefit compared to no adjuvant treatment. In this article, the current status of adjuvant chemotherapy is reviewed, and future prospects are discussed.

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy in non-small cell lung cancer

The 5-year survival rates for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ranges from 9% to 61% following resection, depending on clinical stage; survival rates post-surgery (pathologic stage) range from 25% to 67%. Most stage I and II patients eventually experience recurrent disease: two thirds occur systemically, one third locally. Surgical resection remains the standard of care in early stage NSCLC, although the role of surgery in stage IIIA [N 2 ] disease is controversial. Despite resection, the vast majority of lung cancer patients will experience recurrent and/or metastatic disease; therefore, supplementing surgery with adjuvant therapy is a rational treatment strategy. Recent data indicate that adjuvant chemotherapy should now be considered the standard of care for the treatment of patients with completely resected early stage NSCLC, with the single exception of patients with stage IA disease, where the prognosis is relatively favorable and there is currently no evidence supporting the efficacy of adjuvant therapy. While recent data from trials of adjuvant chemotherapy have shown promising results, no study has yet compared the utility of adjuvant versus neoadjuvant, or induction, chemotherapy. From the current data, more than 90% of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy undergo the planned surgical resection. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may also downstage the disease before surgery and decrease perioperative tumor seeding, and molecularly targeted approaches with neoadjuvant therapy appear promising.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Completely Resected Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Surgery alone has long been the standard treatment for patients with operable non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, despite complete resection, 5-year survival rates have been disappointing, with about 50% of patients eventually suffering relapse and death from disease. Randomized trials conducted in the 1980s hinted at a survival benefit for postoperative cisplatin-based regimens, but they were underpowered. A meta-analysis published in 1995 found a nonsignificant 13% reduction in the risk of death associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, with an increase of survival of 5% at 5 years. This led to renewed interest in adjuvant chemotherapy in resected NSCLC. Thousands of patients have been included in a new generation of randomized trials in the last 10 years. Most of these recent studies have now been reported and several have demonstrated a clear survival advantage for patients treated with platin-based adjuvant therapy. These results also suggest a greater benefit with modern two-drug regimens. In view of the most recent data, postoperative platin-based chemotherapy can now be considered the standard of care for completely resected NSCLC patients with good performance status.

A randomized phase III trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT for completely resected pathological stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: the West Japan Study Group for Lung Cancer Surgery (WJSG)--the 4th study

PURPOSE

To examine the efficacy of UFT, an oral 5-fluorouracil derivative agent, as post-operative adjuvant therapy for pathologic (p-) stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), because a previous randomized study had suggested it was efficacious for early-stage NSCLC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with completely resected p-stage I, adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma were eligible. A total of 332 patients were randomized to the surgery-alone group (control group) and the treatment group (UFT 400 mg/m(2) for 1 year after surgery, UFT group) after stratification by the histologic types.

RESULTS

For all patients, the 5- and 8-year survival rates for the UFT group were 82.2% and 73.0%, and those for the control group were 75.9% and 61.2%, respectively; no statistically significant improvement of survival was achieved by UFT administration (P=0.105). For Ad patients, the 5- and 8-year survival rates of the UFT group (n=120) were 85.2% and 79.5%, respectively, which seemed better than those of the control group (n=121) (79.2% and 64.0%, respectively; P=0.081). For squamous cell carcinoma patients, there was also no difference in survival between the control group (n=48) and the UFT group (n=43) (P=0.762). For all pT1 patients, the 5- and 8-year survival rates of the UFT group were 83.6% and 82.1%, respectively, significantly better than those of the control group (77.9% and 57.6%, respectively, P=0.036); UFT was not significantly effective for pT2 patients. For pT1 adenocarcinoma patients, UFT administration markedly improved the survival (P=0.011).

CONCLUSION

Post-operative UFT administration did not significantly improve post-operative survival of p-stage I NSCLC patients. Subset analyses suggested that UFT might be effective in pT1N0M0 adenocarcinoma patients.

Adjuvant therapy of resected non-small-cell lung cancer

Surgical resection of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the standard of care in patients fit for surgery. Careful preoperative staging is imperative, as is pathologic documentation of the mediastinal nodal contents. Adjuvant postoperative thoracic radiation therapy (RT) clearly has an impact in reducing locoregional recurrence but has no clear impact on survival. The Postoperative RT (PORT) metaanalysis raised concerns about PORT, particularly in stage I/II NSCLC, suggesting it may negatively impact survival. This was not a concern in stage III NSCLC, in which the risk of locoregional recurrence is higher. However, distant recurrence remains the dominant pattern in resected NSCLC, suggesting that the majority of patients with early-stage resected NSCLC harbor occult micrometastatic disease. Historically, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy has been controversial, and its routine use was not supported by the published data, which consisted of a small number of underpowered trials using inadequately delivered, antiquated chemotherapy. More recently, larger trials have been reported with conflicting results. Like adjuvant PORT, chemotherapy combined with RT has not improved survival over PORT alone. The use of adjuvant cisplatin-based therapy did not show a survival advantage in the Adjuvant Lung Project Italy study but did in the International Adjuvant Lung Trial, creating controversy in the routine implementation of adjuvant therapy in all patients. Recently completed randomized trials by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B and the National Cancer Institute of Canada provide convincing evidence of a substantial benefit from adjuvant therapy in well-staged and completely resected stage I/II NSCLC. Currently, the totality of the data supports a discussion with patients with resected NSCLC regarding the potential benefits of adjuvant therapy.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy of Lung Cancer: Methodologic Issues and Therapeutic Advances

This article discusses methodologic issues relevant to the interpretation of recent studies focusing on adjuvant chemotherapy of lung cancer. It also attempts to conclude where we currently stand in this field.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for radically resected non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The impact of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in the management of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is highly debated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of this category of patients, treated at the Military Hospital Bucharest (surgery) and Institute of Oncology Bucharest (CT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the survival data according to various patients' characteristics, the corresponding pattern of relapses, along with the data concerning the CT program.

RESULTS

A number of 311 consecutively treated patients (pts.), between January 1994 and October 2002, were evaluated. All patients were radically resected and received adjuvant CT. Chemotherapy was planned to be cisplatin-based and to be delivered for six cycles. In addition, 141 pts. (45%) received post-operative irradiation (RT). demographics: sex, M 252 (81%)/F 59 (19%) and median age: 58 (range 31-75). Stage: I 55 (17%), II 71 (23%), III A 140 (45%) and III B 45 (15%). After a median follow-up of 46 months, the overall median survival (MS), considering all the patients, was 42 months and the 5-year survival rate (5-year SR) was 44%. According to stage, MS and 5-year SR were as follows: Stage I = not reached/94%; Stage II = 54 months/59%; Stage III A = 28 months/37% and Stage III B= 18 months/27%. According to lymph node status, the MS was not reached for pN-negative pts. and 26 months for pN-positive pts. (P = 0.0002), while the 5-year SR was 75% versus 35%, respectively. Platinum-based CT was delivered in 295 pts. (95%). The medium number of cycles was five. A number of 86 (28%) relapses were recorded, of which 50 (16%) were distant, 25 (8%) local and 11 (4%) distant and local. The sites of the 50 distant relapses were BRA 24 (48%), OSS 10 (20%), PUL 6 (12%) and OTH 10 (20%).

CONCLUSION

Our analysis shows good long-term survival data for adjuvant CT following surgery in NSCLC, which looks comparatively superior to those communicated for surgery-only series. Pathologic invasion of the lymph nodes has a strong adverse effect on patients' outcome. The positive impact of CT in this setting is indirectly sustained by the pattern of relapses, which place the brain sanctuary on the first rank. Overall, the patients' compliance was good and we delivered a medium of five cycles of adjuvant platinum-based CT.

Current Development of Adjuvant Treatment of Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Although radical surgery remains the mainstay therapeutic modality for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), long-term survival of patients with completely resected NSCLC tumors remains suboptimal. Globally, the 5-year survival rate of patients who undergo complete surgical resection is in the range of 40%-50%. The majority of postsurgical relapses are represented by distant metastases, with the risk of a local recurrence being < 10%. Postoperative treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both, have been widely evaluated during recent decades. After almost 2 decades of disappointing results, the positive outcomes of 3 randomized studies have recently generated new hopes for a significant impact on survival by adjuvant chemotherapy. The 2 largest randomized studies of adjuvant chemotherapy in all stages (I-IIIA) of completely resected NSCLC that were adequately powered to detect small differences in survival yielded partially conflicting results but indicated that, if any benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy exists, it is approximately 5% at 5 years, as previously anticipated by a metaanalysis. More recently, 2 other randomized studies in selected subgroups of patients (one selectively performed in stage IB disease, the other in stage IB/II disease) indicate an unexpected significant benefit of approximately 15% at 5 years. Potential confounding factors may have contributed to such a significant benefit. A feature common to all these trials is the suboptimal therapeutic compliance to adjuvant chemotherapy, suggesting the need for careful selection of patients to be considered for adjuvant treatment. Genomic- and proteomic-driven chemotherapy as well as molecularly targeted therapies may represent additional areas of near-future clinical investigations.