Abstract Background Various cutoffs have been used to diagnose computed tomography (CT)‐defined low skeletal muscle mass; however, the impact of this variability on predicting physical functional limitations (PFL) remains unclear. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic test metrics for predicting PFLs using a fixed cutoff value from previous reports and sought to create a prediction score that incorporated the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and other clinical factors. Methods In this cross‐sectional study including 237 patients with lung cancer, the SMI was assessed using CT‐determined skeletal muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra. Physical function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) test, with PFL defined as an SPPB score ≤9. We analyzed the diagnostic metrics of the five previous cutoffs for CT‐defined low skeletal muscle mass in predicting PFL. Results The mean age of participants was 66.0 ± 10.4 years. Out of 237 patients, 158 (66.7%) had PFLs. A significant difference was observed in SMI between individuals with and without PFLs (35.7 cm 2 /m 2 ± 7.8 vs. 39.5 cm 2 /m 2 ± 8.4, p < 0.001). Diagnostic metrics of previous cutoffs in predicting PFL showed suboptimal sensitivity (63.29%–91.77%), specificity (11.39%–50.63%), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values (0.516–0.592). Age and the SMI were significant predictors of PFL; therefore, a score for predicting PFL (age – SMI + 21) was constructed, which achieved an AUC value of 0.748. Conclusion Fixed cutoffs for CT‐defined low skeletal muscle mass may inadequately predict PFLs, potentially overlooking declining physical functions in patients with lung cancer.
Background In the Phase 3 POSEIDON study, 1L T+D+CT demonstrated statistically significant improvements in PFS and OS (OS HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.65-0.92; p=0.0030; mFU 34.9 mo in censored pts) vs CT alone in pts with mNSCLC. D+CT showed a statistically significant improvement in PFS and a positive trend for OS improvement vs CT that did not reach significance (OS HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.72-1.02; p=0.0758). Here we report an updated exploratory analysis of OS, and histology and mutational status subgroups, after a mFU of ~4y.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers and it is the leading cause of cancer death globally. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in cancer progression, including lung cancer. Therefore, it would be interesting to determine key modulators that can suppress VEGF production. This study aimed to identify miRNAs regulating VEGF using systematic reviews and bioinformatics tools. We further validated miRNA expression and VEGF level using qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. A total 17 studies were selected using systematic review. 97 miRNAs were found to be up-regulated in serum of NSCLC compared to controls. miR-145 was selected to further validate in clinical samples. Serum miR-145 expression in NSCLC (10.77±3.40) was lower than patient with other lung diseases (25.10±7.90) with p-value of 0.019. The VEGF level in serum of NSCLC was significantly higher than other lung diseases and healthy persons with p-value of 0.003 and 0.002, respectively. However, a weak negative correlation of miR-145 and VEGF in serum of NSCLC was observed without significant difference. In conclusion, the expression of miR-145 and VEGF in NSCLC patients may be involved with lung tumorigenesis; however, the VEGF is not regulated by miR-145 in lung cancer.
Background: In MYSTIC (NCT02453282), an open-label, Phase 3 study of first-line D (anti-PD-L1) ± tremelimumab vs platinum-based CT in mNSCLC, while not statistically significant, a clinically meaningful improvement in OS was seen with D vs CT in pts with tumour cell PD-L1 expression ≥25% (PD-L1 TC ≥25%; HR 0.76 [97.54% CI 0.56–1.02], p=0.036). Here we describe subsequent treatment patterns and explore the effect of subsequent IO on the OS outcome with D vs CT. Methods: IO/CT-naïve mNSCLC pts were randomised to D (20 mg/kg i.v. q4w until disease progression) or CT (up to 6 cycles; pemetrexed maintenance permitted). In-study crossover from CT to D was not allowed. For D vs CT, the primary endpoint was OS in pts with PD-L1 TC ≥25%. Three statistical models were employed in exploratory analyses to evaluate the effect of subsequent (post-study) IO on the OS data: the rank preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) method, the inverse probability of censoring weighting (IPCW) method, and a 2-stage method. Results: 163 and 162 pts with PD-L1 TC ≥25% were randomised to D and CT, respectively. At data cut-off (04 Oct 2018), 44.8% of pts in the D arm and 58.6% of pts in the CT arm had received subsequent treatment (Table). Most pts started subsequent treatment within 2 mos of discontinuing study treatment. Among pts who received subsequent treatment, IO was administered to 10/73 (13.7%) pts in the D arm and 64/95 (67.4%) pts in the CT arm; most commonly nivolumab. Using the 2-stage method, which was the most appropriate for evaluating the effect of subsequent IO, OS was improved with D vs CT (HR 0.66 [95% CI 0.51, 0.86]).TableLBA4Durvalumab (n=163)Chemotherapy (n=162)Pts who received study treatment, n (%)161 (98.8)153 (94.4)→Pts who discontinued study treatment136 (83.4)152 (93.8)→Pts remaining on study treatment25 (15.3)1 (0.6)Pts who received any subsequent treatment, n (%)73 (44.8)95 (58.6)→Immunotherapy10 (6.1)64 (39.5)→→Nivolumab3 (1.8)50 (30.9)→→Pembrolizumab4 (2.5)11 (6.8)→→Atezolizumab2 (1.2)3 (1.9)→→Durvalumab02 (1.2)→→Tremelimumab01 (0.6)→→Other immunotherapy1 (0.6)2 (1.2)→Cytotoxic chemotherapy70 (42.9)58 (35.8)→Other systemic therapies*Excluding immunotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy.18 (11.0)18 (11.1)Denominators for percentages are the number of pts randomised.* Excluding immunotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Open table in a new tab Denominators for percentages are the number of pts randomised. Conclusions: In the MYSTIC study, a markedly higher proportion of pts in the CT arm than in the D arm received subsequent IO, which may have confounded the primary OS outcome. An exploratory analysis showed increased OS benefit with first-line D vs CT after adjusting for the effect of subsequent IO. Editorial acknowledgement: Medical writing support, which was in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines, was provided by Samantha Holmes, PhD, of Cirrus Communications (Macclesfield, UK), an Ashfield company, and was funded by AstraZeneca. Legal entity responsible for the study: AstraZeneca PLC. Funding: AstraZeneca. Disclosure: N. Reinmuth: Personal fees: BMS, Roche, AstraZeneca, Takeda, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD, Lilly, outside the conduct of the study. B.C. Cho: Grants/research support: Novartis, AstraZeneca, Yuhan, ONO/BMS, MSD, Bayer; Advisor/honoraria fees: AstraZeneca, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Yuhan, BMS, MSD, Novartis; Speaker's bureau fees: AZ, BMS, MSD, Novartis. J. Schneider: Stock/other ownership: AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Celgene, Loxo; Consulting/advisory role: Takeda Oncology; Research funding: AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb. F.A. Shepherd: Consultancy/advisory role: Lilly, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck Serono; Stock ownership: Lilly, AstraZeneca; Honoraria: Lilly, AstraZeneca, BMS, Roche/Genentech, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Merck Serono, Boehringer Ingelheim; Research funding: Lilly, Pfizer, BMS, AstraZeneca, Roche Canada, Merrimack. S. Peters: Personal fees: AbbVie, Amgen, AZ, Bayer, Biocartis, BI, BMS, Clovis, Daiichi Sankyo, Debiopharm, Eli Lilly, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Foundation Medicine, Illumina, Janssen, MSD, Merck Serono, Merrimack, Novartis, Pharma Mar, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Takeda; Non-financial support: Amgen, AZ, BI, BMS, Clovis, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Illumina, MSD, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pfizer. S.L. Geater: Research grants/funding: AstraZeneca, Roche, Novartis. T. Van Ngoc: Research funding: AstraZeneca, GSK, Novartis. M.C. Garassino: Personal fees: Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Otsuka Pharma, AstraZeneca, Novartis, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Celgene, Incyte, Inivata, Takeda, Tiziana Science, Clovis, Merck Serono, Bayer, MSD, GSK. F. Liu, D. Clemett, P. Thiyagarajah, M. Ouwens, U. Scheuring: Full-time employment: AstraZeneca. N. Rizvi: Advisory boards: AbbVie, AZ, BMS, EMD Serono, Genentech, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Neogenomics, Oncomed, Gritstone, Bellicum; Equity: Oncomed, Gritstone, Bellicum, ARMO; Royalties: PGDX (patent filed by MSKCC). All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Background Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is an acceptable and noninvasive marker for defining eosinophilic airway inflammation. Further study is necessary to clarify the role of FeNO in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to determine the association between FeNO levels and clinical outcomes. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at Songklanagarind Hospital from October 2020 to November 2022. FeNO testing and spirometry were performed at the initial visit and 12-month follow-up. Exacerbation, hospitalization, lung function decline, and all-cause mortality were analyzed to determine the association between FeNO levels and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 60 patients with COPD were enrolled, 88.3% of whom were male, with a mean age of 71.3±9.5 years. There were 18 patients (30%) in the high FeNO group (≥25 ppb) and 42 patients (70%) in the low (<25 ppb) FeNO group. The mean blood eosinophil count (BEC) was significantly higher in the high FeNO group (p<0.001). After a 12-month follow-up period, high FeNO group had higher exacerbation events (HR of 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10–1.97, p 0.025). Hospitalization and mortality rates were significantly higher in the high FeNO group. Regardless of the inhaled corticosteroids used, patients with high BEC and FeNO levels tended to have a greater risk of exacerbation. Conclusion In patients with COPD, FeNO levels are strongly correlated with BEC. Poor clinical outcomes were reported in patients with high FeNO levels. FeNO may be a useful biomarker for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with COPD.
MicroRNA (miRNA), a short noncoding RNA, is claimed to be a potential blood-based biomarker. We aimed to identify and evaluate miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods:
Profiles of 745 miRNAs were screened in the serum of 8 patients with NSCLC and 8 age- and sex-matched controls using TaqMan low-density arrays (TLDAs) and validated in 25 patients with NSCLC and 30 with other lung diseases (OLs) as well as in 19 healthy persons (HPs). The diagnostic performance of the candidate miRNAs was assessed in 117 cases of NSCLC and 113 OLs using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Differences in miRNA expression between patients with NSCLC and controls were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was obtained based on the logistic regression model.
Results:
Ten miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between patients with NSCLC and controls, including miR-769, miR-339-3p, miR-339-5p, miR-519a, miR-1238, miR-99a#, miR-134, miR-604, miR-539, and miR-342. The expression of miR-339-3p was significantly higher in patients with NSCLC than in those with OLs (P < 0.001) and HPs (P = 0.020). ROC analysis revealed an miR-339-3p expression AUC of 0.616 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.561–0.702]. The diagnostic prediction was increased (AUC = 0.706, 95% CI: 0.649–0.779) in the model combining miR-339-3p expression and other known risk factors (i.e., age, smoking status, and drinking status).
Conclusions:
MiR-339-3p was significantly upregulated in patients with NSCLC compared with participants without cancer, suggesting a diagnostic prediction value for high-risk individuals. Therefore, miR-339-3p expression could be a potential blood-based biomarker for NSCLC.
Abstract Introduction Pleural procedures are performed to prove the diagnosis of pleural effusion. This study was to assess the incidence and outcome of pleural procedure‐related tumour seeding in lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion, and to review the characteristics of the implanted tumours on computed tomography ( CT ) images. Methods From January 2008 to December 2010, 165 patients with the diagnosis of lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion, who underwent at least one pleural procedure and had follow‐up CT , were included. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the presence of implanted tumours and their manifestations on CT images. The incidence of tumour seeding, the time to tumour seeding, and hazard ratios for death associated with the procedures and presence of tumour seeding were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables that were independently associated with procedure‐related tumour seeding. Results The incidence of procedure‐related tumour seeding was 22.4%. Conventional intercostal drainage ( ICD ) was the independent predictor of tumour seeding. Patients with a history of ICD rapidly developed implanted tumours ( P = 0.0319). The estimated mean time of tumour seeding was 2.9 months. There was an increased risk of death with the presence of tumour seeding ( HR : 3.35, 95% CI : 1.87–6.01). The majority of CT features showed ill‐defined margins with heterogeneous enhancement. Conclusion Pleural procedure‐related tumour seeding in lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion is common. There was a significantly increased risk of death with the presence of tumour seeding. The majority of the CT features in implanted tumours were ill‐defined margins with heterogeneous enhancement.