Effect of etoposide plus thalidomide as maintenance therapy on progression-free survival of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of etoposide plus thalidomide as maintenance therapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC） without disease progression after first-line chemotherapy.Methods After four to six cycles of platinum-based first-line therapy, 64 elderly patients with advanced NSCLC without disease progression who were treated in the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region（China） from 2014 to 2016 were enrolled in this study. According to the different maintenance treatment methods, patients were divided as having received etoposide plus thalidomide therapy（treatment group, n = 32） and best supportive care（control group, n = 32）. Disease control and progression-free survival（PFS） were compared between the two groups. Results The recent curative effect objective response rates of the treatment group and the control group were 31.3% and 3.1%, respectively, and the disease control rates were 71.9% and 31.3%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves of the two groups were significantly different（χ2 = 26.532, P = 0.001）. The median PFS for the treatment group and control group was 6.0 months [95% confidence interval（CI） = 4.3–7.9 months] and 3.2 months（95% CI = 2.6–3.8 months）, respectively. The side effects in the treatment group included hematologic abnormalities, gastrointestinal toxicity, and impaired liver function, which were relieved after symptomatic support therapy and drug withdrawal.Conclusion Etoposide plus thalidomide as maintenance therapy is associated with a significantly longer PFS with tolerable toxicity for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.AcknowledgementThe authors would like to thank Liu Zhongzheng for his technical assistance.

Influence of comorbidity on the choice of treatment and survival of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective： To identify the influence of comorbidity on the choice of treatment and survival of elderly patients （≥70 years） with advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： The clinical characteristics and the choices of treatment of 177 elderly patients, who had a good performance status （PS≤1） were retrospectively analyzed in Oncology Department, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, between January 2005 to December 2005. Survival data were only analyzed in those whose had received chemotherapy. All patients were stratified by number of comorbidity as none （0）, mild （1-2） and severe （≥ 3） groups. Results： The proportion of patients, who received chemotherapy, with none, mild and severe comorbidity was significantly different （79.3%, 76.2% and 57.4%, P=0.038）, and there was also significantly different about palliative radiotherapy rate among the three groups （21.7%, 11.7% and 37.0%, P=0.014）. The median survival and 1-year survival rate in none, mild and severe comorbidity groups, were 13.6 vs. 10.2 vs. 7.6 months and 53.5% vs. 41.3% vs. 20.8% respectively （Log-rank, P=0.071）. In univariate and multivariate Cox models analysis, only severe comorbidity was a independent hazard factor of survival of elderly patients with NSCLC. Relative ratio （RR, 95% CI）： （2.09, 1.06-4.15）, P=0.034. Conclusion： Comorbidity may affect the choice of treatment of elderly patients with advanced NSCLC slightly, but only severe comorbidity is a independent prognostic factor of survival.

Effect of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy on Diverse Organ Lesions in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Objective The combination of stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)and immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)is actively being explored in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients.However,little is known about the optimal fractionation and radiotherapy target lesions in this scenario.This study investigated the effect of SBRT on diverse organ lesions and radiotherapy dose fractionation regimens on the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs.Methods The medical records of advanced NSCLC patients consecutively treated with ICIs and SBRT were retrospectively reviewed at our institution from Dec.2015 to Sep.2021.Patients were grouped according to radiation sites.Progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were recorded using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between different treatment groups using the log-rank(Mantel-Cox)test.Results A total of 124 advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs combined with SBRT were identified in this study.Radiation sites included lung lesions(lung group,n=43),bone metastases(bone group,n=24),and brain metastases(brain group,n=57).Compared with the brain group,the mean PFS(mPFS)in the lung group was significantly prolonged by 13.3 months(8.5 months vs.21.8 months,HR=0.51,95%CI:0.28–0.92,P=0.0195),and that in the bone group prolonged by 9.5 months with a 43%reduction in the risk of disease progression(8.5 months vs.18.0 months,HR=0.57,95%CI:0.29–1.13,P=0.1095).The mPFS in the lung group was prolonged by 3.8 months as compared with that in the bone group.The mean OS(mOS)in the lung and bone groups was longer than that of the brain group,and the risk of death decreased by up to 60%in the lung and bone groups as compared with that of the brain group.When SBRT was concurrently given with ICIs,the mPFS in the lung and brain groups were significantly longer than that of the bone group(29.6 months vs.16.5 months vs.12.1 months).When SBRT with 8–12 Gy per fraction was combined with ICIs,the mPFS in the lung group was significantly prolonged as compared with that of the bone and brain groups(25.4 months vs.15.2 months vs.12.0 months).Among patients receiving SBRT on lung lesions and brain metastases,the mPFS in the concurrent group was longer than that of the SBRT→ICIs group(29.6 months vs.11.4 months,P=0.0003 and 12.1 months vs.8.9 months,P=0.2559).Among patients receiving SBRT with<8 Gy and 8–12 Gy per fraction,the mPFS in the concurrent group was also longer than that of the SBRT→ICIs group(20.1 months vs.5.3 months,P=0.0033 and 24.0 months vs.13.4 months,P=0.1311).The disease control rates of the lung,bone,and brain groups were 90.7%,83.3%,and 70.1%,respectively.Conclusion The study demonstrated that the addition of SBRT on lung lesions versus bone and brain metastases to ICIs improved the prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients.This improvement was related to the sequence of radiotherapy combined with ICIs and the radiotherapy fractionation regimens.Dose fractionation regimens of 8–12 Gy per fraction and lung lesions as radiotherapy targets might be the appropriate choice for advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs combined with SBRT.

Efficacy and feasibility of gemcitabine and carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background Although platinum-based chemotherapy is a standard first-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）, further research for the safety and efficacy of combination chemotherapy in elderly patients has been required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and carboplatin as first-line treatment in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC and to evaluate the prognostic factors. Methods Eligibility included： （1） age of 70 years or more, （2） histologically confirmed NSCLC, （3） chemotherapy-na＇l＇ve, （4） advanced disease with stage IIIB or IV, （5） Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group （ECOG） performance status （PS） 0-2, （6） adequate organ function. Patients received intravenous carboplatin （area under curve （AUC）=5） on day 1 and gemcitabine （1000 mg/m2） on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks. Results The medical records of forty patients were reviewed retrospectively. Median age was 73.9 years （range, 70- 84.6）, and there were 27 men （67.5%）. Thirty-seven patients （92.5%） had ECOG PS 0-1. Adenocarcinoma was found in 57.5%. Median cycles were administrated with 4.5 per person （range： 1-6）. Best responses were partial response in 22 （55.0%） patients and stable disease （SD）in 13 （32.5%）. The median progression free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS） were 5.9 months （95% CI： 4.5-7.3 months） and 9.6 months （95% CI： 8.2-11.0 months）, respectively. Grade 4 hematologic toxicities for neutropenia （7.5%）, thrombocytopenia （7.5%） and anemia （5.0%） were observed. Histology was significant prognostic factor for PFS （P=0.024）. Conclusion Gemcitabine and carboplatin combination chemotherapy is an effective and manageable treatment option in elderly advanced NSCLC patients with good performance status.

Gemcitabine plus carboplatin used as induction regimen for elderly patients with locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine(GEM) and carboplatin(CBP) used as induction regimen in the treatment of elderly patients with locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods:Seventy-eight cases of elderly patients have been cytologically and pathologically confirmed with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC,the age of the patients ranged from 65 to 75 years.The patients were treated with the combined regimen of gemcitabine and cisplatin.GEM 1000 mg/m2 intravenously injected by drip on the 1st,8th day and the dosage of CBP was AUC 4 that was used on the 1st day,21 days apart to each cycle,most patients received 2 cycles.Treatment response was evaluated according to the criteria of RECIST(Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor),the side effect of the regimen was judged based on WHO criteria.Results:Seventy-eight patients were evaluated and received a total of 156 cycles chemotherapy.There were no complete regression that could be observed,but 32 cases had partial regression(PR),37 cases with no change(NC) and 9 cases with progression disease(PD).The overall response rate was 41.0%.The main side effects were hematological toxicity.Conclusion:The GC regimen could be used as induction treatment for elderly patients with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC,and the regimen could be well tolerated and is safe in terms of side effects.

Clinical observation of docetaxel in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the elderly patients

Objective:The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and side effects of docetaxel as single chemotherapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Forty-two elderly patients with advanced NSCLC who were chemotherapy-naive were enrolled in this study. Docetaxel at the doses of 70 mg/m2 was administrated intravenously every 21 days as a cycle, each patient received 2-4 cycles. All patients were followed up until disease progressed or patients died. Results: Among 42 patients, 40 could be evaluated, 1 complete response (CR), 9 partial response (PR), 13 stable disease (SD), 17 progress disease (PD). The overall response rate (CR+PR) was 35% and disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 57.5%. The median time to progress (TTP) was 4.2 months, median survival time was 6.1 months and 1-year survival rate was 35.8%. The main toxicity was myelosuppression and decreasing platelet. Conclusion: Single agent docetaxel for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC is an efficient and well-tolerated chemotherapeutic approach with a low toxicity level.

Chemotherapy-free radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors:a new regimen for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

Maintenance immunotherapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy remains the standard therapeutic approach in patients with unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer(LA-NSCLC).The efficacy of pembrolizumab without chemotherapy in stage IV NSCLC has incited interest in similar approaches for LA-NSCLC.Several recent investigations involving the synergistic potential of immunotherapy combined with radiotherapy(i RT)have generated encouraging results.This review discusses the existing studies and prospective directions of chemotherapy-free i RT strategies in unresectable LA-NSCLC.Although the initial findings of chemotherapy-free i RT strategies have shown promising efficacy,we must consider the methodologic limitations of current studies and the myriad of challenges that accompany the implementation of chemotherapy-free i RT.These challenges include determining the optimal dose and fractionation,precise target volume delineation,and identification of additional suitable patient cohorts.Furthermore,the feasibility of chemotherapy-free i RT as a novel treatment modality for select patients with LA-NSCLC is contingent upon validation through randomized phase III trials.

TT genotype of GNAS1 T393C polymorphism predicts better outcome of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

AIM: To evaluate the potential prognostic value of GNAS1 T393 C polymorphism in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.METHODS: We extracted genomic DNA from the peripheral blood leucocytes of 94 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the allelic discrimination. The correlation between genotype and overall survival was evaluated using the multivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier approach.RESULTS: Thirty-eight out of 94(40%) patients displayed a TT genotype, 29 out of 94(31%) a CT genotype and 27 out of 94(29%) a CC genotype. The median survival of TT(25 mo) genotype carriers was longer than CT(12 mo) or CC(8 mo) genotype carriers. The favorable TT genotype predicted better overall survival(OS)(2-year OS: 48%; P =0.01) compared with CT(2-year OS: 18%) or CC(2-year OS: 15%) genotype. However, dichotomization between C-genotypes(CC + CT) and T-genotypes(TT) revealed significantly lower survival rates(2-year OS: 16%; P = 0.01) for C allele carriers.CONCLUSION: Our data provided strong evidence that the GNAS1 T393 C genetic polymorphism influenced the prognosis in advanced non-small lung cancer with a worse outcome for C allele carriers.

Clinical analysis of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 83 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LANSCLC). Methods:83 cases of patients who have been diagnosed for locally advanced NSCLC by determined cytology or pathology were divided into two groups randomly, 42 patients in NP group and 41 patients in EP group. All patients accepted thoracic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and concurrent either NP chemotherapy in NP group or EP chemotherapy in EP group. 3D-CRT were started on day 1 in the first cycle of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy were carried out for 4 cycles, every cycle was 21 days. Thoracic radiotherapy adopted conventional fractionated irradiation with 15 MeV-X ray, a total dose of 60 Gy. Results: In 83 patients were evaluable, there were 5 cases complete regression to be observed, 29 cases had partial regression (PR), 7 cases with stable disease (SD) and 1 case with progression disease (PD) in NP group. CR 3 cases, PR 27 cases, SD 9 cases and PD 2 cases in EP group. The overall response rate (RR) both NP group and EP group were 80.9%, 73.2%, respectively (P = 0.785).1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate were 90.5%, 69.0%, 28.6% and 82.9%, 51.2%, 21.9%, respectively (P = 0.393). The incidence of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in NP group was higher than that in the EP group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:CCRT in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, 3D-CRT with concurrent NP or EP chemotherapy. 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival (OS) and average survival time (AST) were not statistically differences, a higher incidence of toxicities were observed in NP group but can be tolerable.

The pooled analysis of single gemcitabine for non-small cell lung cancer patients with elderly age

Objective:Gemcitabine,used as single agent for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),was demonstrated effective in this population based on phase II studies.The aim of this study was to summarize all those phase II studies with the hope to get a comprehensive understanding of gemcitabine efficacy.Methods:The PubMed database was used to search all the papers on NSCLC associated with gemcitabine used as single agent in the first line setting till to March 31st,2010.And the medians and their 95% CI of overall response rate (ORR),disease control rate (DCR),progression free survival (PFS),and overall survival (OS) were calculated.Results:1.There were 7 papers including 410 patients with performance status (PS) ≤ 2 and advanced stage collected.2.The dose-intensities of gemcitabine were 843.75 mg/m 2 /week-1125 mg/m 2 /week in the 4-week schedule,and 666.7 mg/m 2 /week in the 3-week schedule.3.The median age was 73.8 (95% CI was 72.44,75.16) years old;36.1% (95% CI:31.4%,40.7%) of patients with stage IIIB and 60.5% (95% CI:55.8%,65.2%) of patients with stage IV;35.9% (95% CI:31.2%,40.5%) patients were adenocarcinomas and 43.7% (95% CI:38.9%,48.5%) patients were squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).4.The ORR,DCR,PFS/TTP,and OS were 22.3% (95% CI:18.2%,26.5%),58.4% (95% CI:53.5%,63.4%),3.6 (95% CI:2.9,5.15) months and 6.68 (95% CI:5.4,8.11) months,respectively.Conclusion:Gemcitabine as single agent applied in this special population was effective and can be well tolerated under different doses and usage.

Effects of weekly dose docetaxel monotherapy schedule for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective： To investigate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of weekly dose docetaxel monotherapy schedule in elderly with advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： 28 patients aged over 65 with advanced NSCLC were received with docetaxel （Aisu） 35 mg/m^2 on days 1, 8 and 15 every 28 days. A clinical evaluation on effectiveness, quality of life and toxicities was performed. Results： 28 patients were given 86 cycles＇ chemotherapy altogether. The overall response rate was 35.7% （10/28）. The clinical beneficial rate was 64.3% （18/28）. Mean KPS was increased from 75.5 at baseline to 87.7 after chemotherapy （P 〈 0.01）; lung cancer symptom scale （LCSS） scores of cough, hemoptysis, chest pain and dyspnea were increased from 64, 65, 62 and 65 to 90, 92, 87 and 88, respectively （P 〈 0.01）. The median time to progression （TTP） was 5.3 months; median survival time （MST） was 8.5 months. The main toxicities were fatigue, leukopenia and decrease of hemoglobin with well tolerance. Conclusion： Weekly dose docetaxel monotherapy schedule is a feasible, well-tolerated, and active scheme in the treatment of the elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

Effect of Astragalus Injection Combined with Chemotherapy on Qual ity of Life in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: To observe the effect of Astragalus injection (AI) combined with chemotherapy on quality of life (QOF) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung caner (NSCLC). Methods: Sixty NSCLC patients were randomly divided into the treated group (n=30,treated with AI combined with chemotherapy) and the control group (n=30, treated with chemotherapy alone). Chemotherapy of MVP protocol was applied to both groups. AI was supplemented to the treated group by intravenous dripping 60 ml per day. Treatment of 21-28 days consisted one treatment cycle, and 2-3 cycles were applied. WResults: The effective rate in the treated group was 40.0% and in the control group was 36.7%, the mean remission rate in them being 5.4 month s and 3.3 months, the median survival period 11 month and 7 month and the 1-year survival rate 46.75% and 30.0%, respectively, the difference of these indexes between the two groups were all significant (P<0 05). Moreover, the clinical improving rate and QOF elevation rate in the treated group was 80.4% and 43.3%, as compared with those in the control group (50.0% and 23.3% respectively), the different was also significant (P<0 01). Conclusion: AI combined with chemotherapy can significantly improve the QOF in NSCLC patients of advanced stage.

Effects of Yiqi Gu Ben Decoction combined with DC chemotherapy on serum tumor markers, inflammatory factors and immune function in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To investigate the effects of Yiqi Gu decoction combined with DC chemotherapy on serum tumor markers, inflammatory factors and immune function in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A total of 95 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer were selected as the research objects, according to the random data table they were divided into control group (n=48) and observation group (n=47), patients in the control group were given DC chemotherapy, On the basis of this treatment, the patients in the observation group were given Yiqi Gu decoction treatment, Comparison of the levels of serum tumor markers [antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)], inflammatory factor [C reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and immune function (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+)Results: Before treatment, there were no significant difference in the levels of CEA, CA19-9, CRP, TNF-α, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ between the two groups;After treatment, the CEA, CA19-9, CRP, TNF-α, CD8+ levels of two groups were significantly lower than those in the same group before treatment, and the decreased range in observation group was significantly higher than the control group, moreover the levels after treatment were obviously lower than control group;After treatment, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ in the observation group were (64.72±5.25)% , (39.51±5.14)% and (1.35±0.27), which were significantly higher than the same group before treatment, and significantly higher than the control group [(58.57±5.09)%, (31.34±5.06)%, (1.14±0.33)], differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: DC chemotherapy combined with Yiqi Guben Decoction in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, can effectively reduce the serum tumor marker levels, decrease inflammatory stress, improve immune function, has an important clinical value.

Returning from the afterlife?Sotorasib treatment for advanced KRAS mutant lung cancer:A case report

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is increasing in incidence worldwide,and targeted therapies are developing at a rapid pace.Furthermore,the KRAS specific gene is strongly associated with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have tested positive for the KRAS G12C mutation and have progressed after at least one systemic treatment are treated with sotorasib.CASE SUMMARY In this study,we report on an advanced NSCLC with a KRAS G12C mutation.The histological diagnosis indicates stage IVB left lung adenocarcinoma with pelvic and bone metastases,identified as cT4N2bM1c.Using circulating tumor DNA analysis,it was possible to determine the mutation abundance of the KRAS gene exon 2,c.34G>Tp.G12C,which was 32.3%.The patient was advised to take sotorasib as part of their treatment.The imaging data were compared before and after treatment.Furthermore,clinical reassessments and regular serial blood testing were conducted.We found that the patient’s clinical symptoms significantly improved after receiving sotorasib medication,and there were no notable side effects,such as liver toxicity,during the treatment.CONCLUSION Sotorasib has shown promising clinical efficacy in patients with the KRAS G12c mutation and has no apparent toxic side effects.

Efficacy and safety of anlotinib plus S-1as thirdly-line or later-line treatmentin advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective Anlotinib,an oral vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2)inhibitor,has confirmed antitumor activity in lung cancer in both in vitro and in vivo assays,and has been recommended as third-line treatment agent in non-oncogene driven non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).This prospective study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib plus S-1 for third-or later-line treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC.Methods Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC,and documented disease progression following second-line chemotherapy,and/or epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFR-TKI)treatment were enrolled in this study.The patients were treated anlotinib(8 mg daily d 1–14)and S-1(60 mg/m^2 d 1–14)and the treatment was repeated every 3 weeks.Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred.The objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),progression-free survival(PFS),and adverse events(AEs)were reviewed and evaluated.Results Forty-one patients were enrolled in the study between June 2018 and December 2018.The total ORR and DCR were 26.8%and 80.5%,respectively.The median PFS was 5.2 months[95%confidence interval(CI),3.9 to 6.6 months].In the univariate analysis,there was a significant difference in the median PFS between patients with brain metastases and those without brain metastases(4.8 months vs 5.9 months,respectively;P=0.039).The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG)performance status(P=0.002),lines of therapy(P=0.015),and therapeutic evaluation(P=0.014)were independent factors that influenced PFS.The most common AEs were hypertension,proteinuria,myelosuppression,gastrointestinal reactions,fatigue,and mucositis.Conclusion Anlotinib plus S-1 is an effective and safe regimen for advanced NSCLC as third-or later-line therapy.

Efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel in treating recurrent advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Objective： To observe the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel （ABP） monotherapy in treating recurrent advanced non-small-cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： We retrospectively analyzed the short-term efficacy and toxicities of ABP monotherapy in treating 21 patients who had previously undergone multiple cycles of therapy for their advanced NSCLC in our hospital since 2010. The treatment-related survival was also analyzed. Results： Of these 21 patients, the best overall response was partial response （PR） in 6 patients （28.6%）, stable disease （SD） in I0 patients （47.6%）, and progressive disease （PD） in 5 patients （23.8%）. The overall response rate （ORR） was 28.6% and the disease control rate （DCR） （PR ＋ SD） was 76.2%. The median progression-flee survival （PFS） was 4.0 months （95% CI, 5.0-7.0 months）. The main grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia （11.1%）, peripheral nerve toxicity （5.6%）, muscle and joint aches （5.6%）, and fatigue （5.6%）. Conclusions： The ABP monotherapy can achieve good objective response in advanced NSCLC patients who have previously received multiple cycles of treatment and be well tolerated.

Efficacy and safety of S-1 maintenance therapy in advanced nonsmall- cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND Previous reports have demonstrated that S-1 has remarkable effects in the maintenance treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and has less toxic and side effects than conventional drugs.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of S-1 maintenance therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.METHODS Ninety-four patients with NSCLC admitted to our hospital from September 2015 to April 2018 were included in the study and divided into the S-1 group(47 cases)and the gemcitabine group(47 cases)by random digital table method.The S-1 group was treated with S-1,while the gemcitabine group received gemcitabine treatment.The clinical efficacy and quality of life of the patients after treatment in the two groups were evaluated.RESULTS There was no significant difference in the total effectiveness rate between the two groups(P=0.519).The quality-of-life scores indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of four dimensions of the GQOLI-74 questionnaire(P=0.518,0.094,0.338,0.418).The incidence of nausea and vomiting,granulocytopenia and diarrhea in the S-1 group was significantly lower than that in the gemcitabine group(P=0.001,0.001 and 0.001,respectively).There was no significant difference in the incidence of thrombocytopenia(P=0.366),the progression-free survival(P=0.064),and the survival between the two groups(P=0.050).CONCLUSION S-1 maintenance therapy shows a significant therapeutic effect in patients with advanced NSCLC.It has the same clinical efficacy as gemcitabine,but with less toxic and side effects than conventional drugs.

Feasibility of cetuximab and chemoradiotherapy combination in Chinese patients with unresectable stage Ⅲ non-small cell lung cancer:a preliminary report

Objective： In recent years, the combination of cetuximab and chemoradiotherapy （CRT） has been used to treat stage III non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）; however, limited data are available for Chinese patients. Herein, we report preliminary data from a phase I/II study testing the combination of cetuximab with inductive chemotherapy, followed by concurrent CRT （CCRT） in Chinese patients with stage III NSCLC. Methods： Eligibility criteria were Zubrod performance status （PS） 0-1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV1） 〉_1.2 L and adequate organ function. Enrolled patients received weekly cetuximab （initial dose of 400 mg/m2 on day 1 of week 1 and a maintenance dose of 250 mg/m2 on week 2 to the end of CCRT） with cisplatin/vinorelbine （NP） chemotherapy （every 3 weeks for 2 cycles from week 2, followed by two cycles of concomitant NP chemotherapy and intensity-modulated thoracic radiotherapy （TRT） （60-66 Gy/2 Gy）. The primary endpoints were toxicity and feasibility. All patients received positron emission tomography- computerized tomography （PET-CT） scans within the 2 weeks prior to enrollment. Univariate analyses were used to assess the correlation between SUV-T, SUV-N, SUV-TOTAL, gender, age, histology, tumor-node- metastasis （TNM） stage, PS and smoking status and survival. Survival curves were generated for different populations using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using a log-rank test. Results： Seventeen patients were enrolled and 16 completed the full regime. The overall response rate （ORR） was 58.8% and 82.3% after the induction and CCRT phases, respectively. With a median follow-up duration of 27.6 months, the median survival was 27.6 months [95% confidence interval （CI）： 11.3-43.9 months] with 1- and 2-year survival rates of 88.2% （95% CI, 60.6-96.9%） and 58.8% （95% CI, 60.6-77.8%）, respectively. Three patients remain progression-free to date, and the median progression-free survival （PFS） was 13.5 months （95% CI, 6.8-20.2 months）. No treatment-related death occurred; however, 76% of the patients experienced grade 3＋ adverse events （AEs）, including nansea/vomiting, intestinal obstruction, and esophagitis （〈6%）, while other AEs were mostly of hematological nature （71%）. The cut-off values for SUV-T and SUV-TOTAL were 11 and 20, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed SUV-TOTAL （P=0.027）, SUV-T （P=0.025）, and PS （P=0.006） as potential survival predictors, with a hazard ratio （HR） of 3.4, 3.7, and 9.9, respectively. Conclusions： The combination of cetuximab with induction chemotherapy followed by CCRT appears feasible and promising. Local and locoregional maximal SUVs, defined by 18F-FDG PET-CT scanning, may represent a prognostic indicator for long-term survival for these patients, which warrants further study.

Comparison of efficacy and toxicity between gemcitabine plus cisplatin and plus carboplatin in first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To compare the efficacy and toxicity between gemcitabine plus cisplatin and plus carboplatin in first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 iv, d1, 8; cisplatin 75 mg/m2 iv, d1, or 25 mg/m2 iv, d1-3; carboplatin AUC = 5 iv, d1; repeated every 21 days. Results: All 76 cases were available for objective response. Gemcitabine + cisplatin (GCis) group: among 33 cases, CR 1 case, PR 13 cases, MR 3 cases, SD 7 cases, PD 9 cases, response rate, disease control rate, time to progress (TTP), median survival time (MST) and 1-, 2-year survival rates were 42.42% (14/33), 72.73% (24/33), 5 months, 14 months and 66.67% (22/33), 12.12% (4/33), respectively; Gemcitabine + carboplatin (GCarb) group: among 43 cases, PR 13 cases, MR 11 cases, SD 7 cases, PD 12 cases, the results while comparing with those of GCis group were 30.23% (13/43), 72.09% (31/43), 4 months, 11 months and 48.84% (21/43), 2.33% (1/43), respectively. Among them, only MST between the two groups had significant statistic difference (χ2 = 2.45, P = 0.017). Mild to modest myelo-suppression as well as nausea and vomiting were observed. Conclusion: Both GCis and GCarb regimens had active and well-tolerated toxicity for advanced NSCLC. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy yields a substantial effective advantage over carboplatin-based regimens. Therefore, carboplatin and cisplatin are not equal-active and that cisplatin-based doublet regimens should remain the standard first-line therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC with good performance status.

CLINICAL STUDY IN ACCELERATED HYPERFRACTIONATED IRRADIATION IN THE TREATMENT OF LOCAL ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Objective To evaluate the effect of accelerated hyperfractionated irradiation (AHFJ) and conventional fractionated irradiation (CFI) for local advanced non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The patients of AI-IFJ group were irradiated to large-field target volume by a daily fraction of 2Gy, and small-field target volume by a daily fraction of 1Gy with more than 6h interval. The total dose of large-field target volume was SOGy/25Fx/SW and of small-field target volume was 7SGy/SOFx/5W. The patients in CFI group were irradiated by a daily fraction of 2Gy to the total dose of 66Gy/33Fx/6. 6W. After 3 months of radiotherapy, the tumor response rates of complete recovery (CR), partial recovery (PR), and no change (NC) and 1- and 2- year survival rate in the two groups were observed. Results The tumor response rates of CR,PR,NC in AHFI group and CFI group were 22.9%(8/35), 60.0%(21/35), 17.1%(6/35) and 11.4% (4/35), 51.4% (18/35), 37.2% (13/35) respectively (P>0. 05). All patients were followed up 2 years or more. The 1- and 2- year survival rates in AHFI group and CFI group were 62.9% (22/35), 31 .4% (11/35) and 42.9% (15/35) , 17.1% (6/35) respectively (P< 0.05). The incidences of esophagitis and pneumonitis in AHFI group and CFI group were 34.3% (12/35), 22. 9% (8/35) and 40.0% (14/35), 17.1% (6/35)(P>0. 05). Conclusion In comparison with CFI, AHFI may increase 1- and 2- year sur-vival rate after treatment of local advanced non-small cell lung cancer, while the radio-reactions, either early or late, did not increase significantly.