Early mortality in real-life nationwide epidemiological study on lung cancer in non-academic French public hospitals

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Background: Each decade since 2000, the French College of General Hospital Pulmonologists (CPHG) conducts a real-life nationwide prospective epidemiological, observational, multicenter study on lung cancer (LC). In 2020, the CPHG constituted the third cohort, KBP-2020-CPHG. We reported here the data on one-month and three-month mortality among general population of this cohort and compared them with 2010 cohort. Methods: Collection of all consecutive LC histologically or cytologically confirmed between 01/01 and 12/31/2020 in non-academic public hospital pulmonology or oncology units in France. A Scientific Committee controlled inclusion exhaustivity and quality in each center. Results: 82 centers collected 8,999 patients in 2020. One-month mortality was 8.8% (734/8,999) and 9.7% (680/7,051) in 2010. Three-month mortality was 21.5% (1,771/8,999) in 2020 and 23.3% (1,624/7,051) in 2010 (Table 1). According to sex, mortality at one and three months mainly affected men (525/734; 71.5% and 1,259/1,771; 71.1% respectively). Mean age at diagnosis was older than in the cohort population (67.8 y-o); respectively 69.9 and 69.8 at one and three months. At diagnosis, patients were in poorer ECOG mainly grade 2 (211/697; 30.3%) or 3 (194/697; 27.8%) for one-month and mainly grade 1 (549/1,703; 32.2%) or 2 (547/1,703; 32.1%) for three-month mortality. Among ECOG grade 3 and 4, 34.8% (194/557) and 57.1% (93/163) were dead at one month respectively; 63.5% (350/551) and 83.4% (136/163) respectively were dead at three months. According to histology, adenocarcinoma was the most common (308/734; 42%), followed by small cell lung cancer (170/734; 23.2%) at one-month; adenocarcinoma was also the most common (822/1,771; 46.4%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (380/1771; 21.5%) at three-month mortality. Most patients who died early were stage 4, metastatic/disseminated (respectively 625/702; 89% and 1,488/1,715; 86.8% for one- and three-month mortality). In patients with COVID19 infection (n=547), mortality at one and three months was respectively 36.4% (174/478) and 46.7% (228/488). Conclusions: Early mortality has not improved over the two decades and remains high. KBP-2020-CPHG study was performed during COVID-19 pandemic, which may have generated delays in diagnosis and limited access to care and hospital. Early mortality at one and three months concerned mostly men, mean age nearly 70 y-o, adenocarcinoma, metastatic disease and frail patients. This confirms the potential value of LC screening program in a targeted population. [Table: see text]

Combined, patient-level, analysis of two randomised trials evaluating the addition of denosumab to standard first-line chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC - The ETOP/EORTC SPLENDOUR and AMGEN-249 trials

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy of adding denosumab to standard first-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC patients has been evaluated in two separate randomised trials (SPLENDOUR and AMGEN-249). In this pooled analysis, we will assess the combination-treatment effect in the largest available population, in order to conclude about the potential impact of denosumab in NSCLC.

METHODS

Both trials included in this combined analysis, were randomised (SPLENDOUR 1:1, AMGEN-249 2:1) multi-centre trials stratified by histology, bone metastasis, geographical region and for SPLENDOUR only, ECOG PS. Cox proportional hazards models, were used to assess the treatment effect with respect to overall survival (OS; primary endpoint) and progression-free survival (PFS; secondary endpoint). Heterogeneity between trials was assessed, and subgroup analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The pooled analysis was based on 740 randomised patients (SPLENDOUR:514; AMGEN-249:226), with 407 patients in the chemotherapy-denosumab arm and 333 in the chemotherapy-alone arm. In the chemotherapy-denosumab arm, at a median follow-up of 22.0 months, 277 (68.1%) deaths were reported with median OS 9.2 months (95%CI:[8.0-10.7]), while in the chemotherapy-alone arm, with similar median follow-up of 20.3 months, 230 (69.1%) deaths with median OS 9.9 months (95%CI:[8.2-11.2]). No significant denosumab effect was found (HR = 0.98; 95%CI:[0.82-1.18]; P = 0.85). Among subgroups, interaction was found between treatment and histology subtypes (P = 0.020), with a statistically significant benefit in the squamous group (HR = 0.70; 95%CI:[0.49-0.98]; P = 0.038), from 7.6 to 9.0 months median OS. With respect to PFS, 363 (89.2%) and 298 (89.5%) events were reported in the chemotherapy-denosumab and chemotherapy-alone arms, respectively, with corresponding medians 4.8 months (95%CI:[4.4-5.3]) and 4.9 months (95%CI:[4.3-5.4]). HR for PFS was 0.97(95%CI:[0.83-1.15]; P = 0.76), indicating that no significant denosumab benefit existed for PFS.

CONCLUSION

In this pooled analysis, no statistically significant improvement was shown in PFS/OS with the combination of denosumab and chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC and no meaningful benefit in any of the subgroups.

Potential Antiangiogenic Treatment Eligibility of Patients with Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: EPISQUAMAB Study (GFPC 2015-01)

BACKGROUND

Antiangiogenic agents have improved the prognosis of non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), even though all the patients are not eligible to receive them because of counterindications linked to the tumor's characteristics or comorbidities. Much less information is available about the eligibility of patients with squamous non-small-cell lung cancers (SQ-NSCLCs) to receive antivascular endothelial growth-factor (VEGF) treatments, even though such molecules are being developed for this histology. This study was undertaken to determine the percentage of advanced SQ-NSCLC patients who would be eligible to receive an antiVEGF agent as second-line systemic therapy.

METHODS

This observational, multicenter, prospective study evaluated advanced SQ-NSCLC patients' criteria for ineligibility to receive an antiVEGF during a multidisciplinary meeting to choose their standard second-line systemic therapy.

RESULTS

Among the 317 patients included, 53.6% had at least one ineligibility criterion, and ~20% had at least two, with disease extension to large vessels (39.8%), tumor cavitation (20.5%), cardiovascular disease (11%) and/or hemoptysis (7.2%) being the most frequent. Patients with an ECOG performance score of 1/2 had more cardiovascular contraindications that those with scores of 0.

CONCLUSION

Almost half of the SQ-NSCLC patients included in this study would have been eligible to receive an antiVEGF agent. The development of these molecules for these indications should be encouraged.

Cost-utility analysis of maintenance therapy with gemcitabine or erlotinib vs observation with predefined second-line treatment after cisplatin-gemcitabine induction chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC: IFCT-GFPC 0502-Eco phase III study

Background

The IFCT-GFPC 0502 phase III study reported prolongation of progression-free survival with gemcitabine or erlotinib maintenance vs. observation after cisplatin–gemcitabine induction chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This analysis was undertaken to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of these strategies for the global population and pre-specified subgroups.

Methods

A cost-utility analysis evaluated the ICER of gemcitabine or erlotinib maintenance therapy vs. observation, from randomization until the end of follow-up. Direct medical costs (including drugs, hospitalization, follow-up examinations, second-line treatments and palliative care) were prospectively collected per patient during the trial, until death, from the primary health-insurance provider’s perspective. Utility data were extracted from literature. Sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results

The ICERs for gemcitabine or erlotinib maintenance therapy were respectively 76,625 and 184,733 euros per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Gemcitabine continuation maintenance therapy had a favourable ICER in patients with PS = 0 (52,213 €/QALY), in responders to induction chemotherapy (64,296 €/QALY), regardless of histology (adenocarcinoma, 62,292 €/QALY, non adenocarcinoma, 83,291 €/QALY). Erlotinib maintenance showed a favourable ICER in patients with PS = 0 (94,908 €/QALY), in patients with adenocarcinoma (97,160 €/QALY) and in patient with objective response to induction (101,186 €/QALY), but it is not cost-effective in patients with PS =1, in patients with non-adenocarcinoma or with stable disease after induction chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Gemcitabine- or erlotinib-maintenance therapy had ICERs that varied as a function of histology, PS and response to first-line chemotherapy.

A phase II study of cisplatin with intravenous and oral vinorelbine as induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy with oral vinorelbine and cisplatin for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CT-RT) is the recommended treatment for unresectable locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractionated oral vinorelbine with cisplatin as induction CT followed by CT-RT.

Methods

Patients with stage III NSCLC received 2 induction cycles of intravenous vinorelbine 25 mg/m² and cisplatin 80 mg/m² on day 1 and oral vinorelbine 60 mg/m² on day 8. Responding patients received 2 more cycles of cisplatin 80 mg/m² on day 1 and oral vinorelbine 20 mg on days 1, 3 and 5 concomitantly with radiotherapy 2 Gy daily, 5 days/week for a total of 66 Gy.

Results

Seventy patients, median age 61 years, were enrolled. Overall response rate (ORR) was 50.0%; Disease Control Rate was 81.42%. Median PFS was 14.58 months [95% CI, 10.97-18.75]. Median OS was 17.08 months [95% CI, 13.57-29.57]. One-year and 2-year survival rates were 68.6% [95% CI, 57.7-79.4] and 37%. One patient had a grade 3 pulmonary radiation injury and 26.5% had graded 1/2 esophagitis.

Conclusion

In non-operable IIIA-IIIB NSCLC, the combination oral vinorelbine (fractionated fixed dose) plus cisplatin, during concomitant CT-RT, could offer a well-tolerated option, with comparable activity to I.V. vinorelbine-based chemoradiotherapy regimens.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01839032

Randomized, phase III study of gemcitabine or erlotinib maintenance therapy versus observation, with predefined second-line treatment, after cisplatin-gemcitabine induction chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

This phase III study investigated whether continuation maintenance with gemcitabine or switch maintenance with erlotinib improves clinical outcome compared with observation in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease was controlled after cisplatin-gemcitabine induction chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Four hundred sixty-four patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC without tumor progression after four cycles of cisplatin-gemcitabine were randomly assigned to observation or to gemcitabine (1,250 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle) or daily erlotinib (150 mg/day) study arms. On disease progression, patients in all three arms received pemetrexed (500 mg/m(2) once every 21 days) as predefined second-line therapy. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

PFS was significantly prolonged by gemcitabine (median, 3.8 v 1.9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.56; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.72; log-rank P < .001) and erlotinib (median, 2.9 v 1.9 months; HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.88; log-rank P = .003) versus observation; this benefit was consistent across all clinical subgroups. Both maintenance strategies resulted in a nonsignificant improvement in overall survival (OS); patients who received second-line pemetrexed or with a performance status of 0 appeared to derive greater benefit. Exploratory analysis showed that magnitude of response to induction chemotherapy may affect the OS benefit as a result of gemcitabine maintenance. Maintenance gemcitabine and erlotinib were well tolerated with no unexpected adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Gemcitabine continuation maintenance or erlotinib switch maintenance significantly reduces disease progression in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with cisplatin-gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy. Response to induction chemotherapy may affect OS only for continuation maintenance.

Efficacy of pemetrexed as second-line therapy in advanced NSCLC after either treatment-free interval or maintenance therapy with gemcitabine or erlotinib in IFCT-GFPC 05-02 phase III study

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Background: Continuous exposure of tumor cells to maintenance therapy in advanced NSCLC might lead to resistance to subsequent treatments. IFCT–GFPC 0502 study showed a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit with gemcitabine (G) or erlotinib (E) maintenance compared to observation (O) after cisplatin-G induction chemotherapy. The trial included a pre-defined second-line therapy with pemetrexed (P), allowing post-hoc assessment of its efficacy according to previous maintenance treatment or treatment-free interval. Methods: Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients (pts) with a PS of 0-1 were randomized after 4 cycles of cisplatin-G chemotherapy to O or to receive maintenance therapy with G or E until disease progression. P was given as second-line treatment on disease progression in all arms. PFS and OS were assessed from the beginning of P therapy according to randomization arm. Tumor response to P and tolerance were also analyzed. Results: Of the 464 pts randomized to either O (155), G (154) or E (155), 360 pts (78 %) received P as second-line therapy, i.e. 130 (84%), 114 (74%) and 116 (75%) in O, G and E arm, respectively. Baseline characteristics remained well balanced between arms (overall median age of 58 years, 28% female, 91% stage IV, 41% PS 0, 65/19/16%, adenocarcinoma/squamous/other, 10% non-smokers and 56% responders to induction CT). Median number of delivered P cycles was 3 (1-40) in all arms. Response rate was 19%, 7% and 15% for non-squamous pts in O, G and E, respectively. Median PFS did not significantly differ between G and O (4.2 vs 3.9 months, HR [95% CI] 0.81 [0.62-1.06]) or E and O (4.2 vs 3.9 months, HR 0.83 [0.64-1.09]). OS data showed a non-significant improvement with G vs O (HR 0.81 [0.61-1.07]) or E vs O (HR 0.80 [0.61-1.05]), with a median of 7.5, 8.3 and 9.1 months for O, G and E, respectively. Results were similar when analysis was restricted to non-squamous pts. Grade 3-4 treatment-related AEs were similar in O (33.1%), G (31.6%) and E (25%). Conclusions: Maintenance therapy with continuation of G or switch to E does not impair the efficacy of second-line P by comparison with administration after a treatment-free interval.

Randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy (Cx) with cisplatin plus gemcitabine (CG) versus cisplatin plus docetaxel (CD) in patients (pts) with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with quality of life (QoL) as the primary objective

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Background: Adjuvant Cx with vinorelbine plus cisplatin (VC) improves survival of resected NSCLC but has an immediate negative impact on QoL (Bezjak, JCO 2008). In advanced stages NSCLC, GC and DC have comparable efficacy and might be superior to VC in QoL outcomes. This trial was designed to provide with data on other adjuvant Cx regimens for pts with resected NSCLC. Methods: Pts with stage IB to III resected (R0) NSCLC, without major postoperative complication, were eligible. Surgery has to be standardized. Cx consisted of cisplatin (75 mg/m2, D1) plus gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 (D1,8) or docetaxel (75 mg/m2 D1) for 3 cycles. The primary endpoint was QoL (EORTC QLQC30) and the trial was designed to detect a 10 points difference in QoL scores (α=0.05; power 80%). Relapse-free survival, overall survival (OS), safety profile and costs were the secondary endpoints. Results: 136 pts (median age: 57 yrs, 74% males, pTNM: 32% IB, 34% II, 34% III; histology: 55% ADC, 23% SCC) were included. 67 and 69 pts were randomized in the GC and DC arms, respectively. Surgery was a (bi)lobectomy in 85% of cases. No imbalance was found between arms regarding major pts characteristics. Overall, a Gr3/4 hematological toxicity occurs for 33.8% and 21.7% of pts (p=0.11) and a Gr3/4 non-hematological toxicity occurs for 33.8% and 26.1% of pts (p=0.33), in the GC and DC arms. Compliance to QoL assessment was good (93%). At inclusion, global health status (GHS) scores (/100) were comparable between arms (mean score, 63.5 and 62.7, in the GC and DC arms, p=0.8). At the end of treatment (3rd month), GHS scores have slightly improve (mean score, 64.5 and 65.4, in the GC and DC arms, p=0.8). At the time of analysis, 15 pts (7 GC, 8 DC) have died. At 1 year, 100 and 96.8% of the pts were alive in the GC and DC arms; At 2 years, 92.9 and 89.8% of the pts were alive in the GC and DC arms (log-rank, p=0.88). Conclusions: Adjuvant GC and DC have comparable effect on post-operative QoL and equivalent efficacy among pts with resected NSCLC. The GC and DC efficacy, safety profiles and QoL outcomes favorably compare with the results reported for the VC regimen. Detailed analyses will be presented at the meeting.

[Table: see text]

An open multicenter phase II trial of weekly docetaxel for advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer in elderly patients with significant comorbidity and/or poor performance status: The GFPC 02-02b study

CONTEXT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and activity of weekly docetaxel monotherapy in frail elderly patients with advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer, selected on the basis of their precise age, general condition, and number of comorbid disorders (Charlson score).

METHODS

Analysis of the response rate, toxicity, quality of life, median survival and 1-year survival rates after 1-3 six-week cycles of docetaxel 30mg/m(2) weekly.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were enrolled and 42 were assessable. Five patients (10%, [3.7-22.6]) had objective responses, 14 (28%, [16.9-41.6]) had stable disease, and 23 (46%, [32.6-52.8]) progressed. The main grade 3-4 toxicity was fatigue (30%). Quality of life remained stable during treatment. The median survival time was 4.3 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 21.8%.

CONCLUSION

In frail elderly patients selected on the basis of their age, general condition and comorbidity, weekly docetaxel monotherapy has acceptable toxicity and does not negatively affect quality of life. In contrast, it has only moderate activity.

Improvement in anemia management with epoietin alfa (EA) in elderly and/or poor performance status (PS) patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (GFPC 0202)

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Background: EA at a starting dose of 40000 UI sc once weekly (qw) has been show to be effective in the treatment of chemotherapy (CT) induced anemia in cancer pts and early intervention with EA appears important for anemia prevention and reduce CT toxicity in elderly pts. Methods: In this multicenter phase II study, chemonaive pts with stage IIIB (pleural effusion) and IV 50 pts with mild co-morbidity (Charlson score) and good performans status (PS) received docetaxel 30 mg/m2 weekly (6 wks, 2 wks off) and gemcitabine 900 mg/m2 (only on day 1, 8, 22, 29) arm A and 50 pts with higher co-morbidity and/or poor performans status (PS) received docetaxel 30 mg/m2 weekly (6 wks, 2 wks off) arm B. Anemic pts with Hb <11.5 g/dl received EA 40000 UI/qw until a target = 13 g/dl with maintenance phase during CT and 28 days after the end of CT to maintain Hb 11.5 to 12.5 g/dl. Dose could be increased to 60000 UI/qw after 4 wks depending on Hb response. Quality of life (Qol: LCSS, Spitzer score) was assessed at baseline, 8, 16 and 24 wks. This trial assessed the effect of EA on Hb level after 4 and 8 wks, tranfusion requirements and Qol. Results: From Jun 2003 to Dec 2004 100 pts were enrolled, median age was 72,7 (66–82) arm A, 76,6 (70–84) arm B, median co-morbidity 1 (0–4) arm A; 1,9 (0–5) arm B. 59 pts received EA (58% arm A; 60% arm B), mean Hb level was 11.6 at the start of CT, and 10.42 before EA. Mean Hb increase after 4 wks was 0.77 ± 1.11 (p < 0.05), and 1.63 ± 1.36 after 8 wks (p < 0.05). Only 14.1% received transfusions. There was no significant change in global Qol and fatigue (LCSS). The main grade 3/4 CT toxicity was fatigue 25% and neutropenia in arm A and fatigue 50% in arm B. Conclusions: Weekly EA increase Hb level, early EA intervention maintain Qol and decrease red blood transfusions, and mild anemia is probably associated with significant impairment in toxicity in elderly pts with advanced NSCLC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Radio-chemotherapy combinations in non operable localized non small cell lung carcinoma: updates and perspectives]

Optimal treatment of non operable localized non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) continues to evolve. Increasing overall survival must evolute through improving local tumoral control and eradication of probable occult metastasis. Historically, median survival varies between 7 and 10 months with a standard conventional fractionated radiotherapy (RT). Induction chemotherapy (CT) followed by RT has demonstrated its superiority over RT alone, modality which is widely utilised. Other studies revealed best results with decreasing metastatic relapses. Three independent meta-analysis confirmed benefit obtained with cisplatin based CT followed by RT that allowed to consider this association as a gold standard. Other authors demonstrated an improvement of local control and survival with concomitant RT-CT or hyperfractionated accelerated RT. Results of all of these new therapeutic modalities still poor. Implication of new CT drugs has conducted for an emergence of new studies finding to demonstrate more encouraging results. Randomized trials are conducted in this way.

Migratory bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia after unilateral radiation therapy for breast carcinoma

We report the case of a 59 year old woman who developed cough, dyspnoea and fever with patchy migratory airspace infiltrates, 2 months after right breast radiation therapy for breast carcinoma. Lung infiltrates were initially localized in the irradiated area and spread to the contralateral lung. Lung biopsy, performed in an unirradiated area of the contralateral lung 9 months after completion of radiotherapy, revealed a typical histological pattern of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. No cause of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia other than radiation was found. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in rapid clinical improvement and complete resolution of airspace opacities. This case suggests that localized lung irradiation might trigger the development of a bilateral lung disease, with a histological pattern of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.