COPD Exacerbations Affect Clinical Outcome in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis

Background Non-small cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. COPD represents an independent risk factor for lung cancer. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effects of COPD exacerbations on the outcome of patients treated with cisplatin-pemetrexed in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Methods 120 patients affected by COPD and adenocarcinoma IV stage wild type for EGFR mutation, were elegible for analysis. The initial population was subdivided in two subgroups according to the presence (group 0) or absence of COPD exacerbations (group 1). Results The group of patients without COPD exacerbations (group 1) reported a better TTP (log-rank HR of 0.31; p<0.0001) compared with group 0. The TTP median value was longer in group 1 (8.2 vs 6.6 months), and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The overall response rate was major in the group 1 compared with the group 0: 45% vs 37% (p<0.001) Toxicity events were similar in both groups, except for fatigue that was lower group 1 (p<0.0001). Conclusions The presence of COPD exacerbations influences the outcome in patients treated for wild type lung adenocarcinoma, both in terms of TTP and in terms of response rate and toxicity.erature.