Dimitrios Latsios

Immunomodifiers in combination with conventional chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer: a Phase II, randomized study

Purpose To evaluate the effect of immunotherapy on response, survival, and certain immune markers in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who are receiving chemotherapy. Patients and methods Patients with SCLC (n = 164) were assigned to receive either chemotherapy alone (group A) or a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy as follows: interferon α (IFN-α; 3 million IU) 3 times per week (group B); IFN-γ (3 million IU) 3 times per week (group C); and IFN-α and IFN-γ (1.5 million IU of each) 3 times per week (group D). Chemotherapy was the same for all groups and consisted of eight cycles with carboplatin 5.5 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, ifosfamide 3.5 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, and etoposide 200 mg/m2 total dose taken orally on days 1 through 3, every 28 days. Patients completing chemotherapy were restaged, and those who were found to have limited disease received primary site and prophylactic cranial irradiation. Immunotherapy was continued throughout these treatments and during the follow-up period. Blood was taken before each course of chemotherapy and during follow-up to measure CD3+ lymphocytes, CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes, CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and natural killer T cells. Results Differences in response and survival were not significantly different when all patients were considered. However, among patients with limited disease, Kaplan–Meier analysis disclosed a survival benefit for group B (P , 0.05). The analysis of immunologic measurements revealed that the improvement of immune markers was always accompanied by clinical improvement, whereas deterioration of all markers was accompanied by disease progression (result not statistically significant except for group C; P , 0.05). Conclusion Among cytokines used in the study, only IFN-α seems to confer a survival benefit to patients with SCLC with limited disease. However, immunotherapy remains a challenge in the treatment of lung neoplasms and should be further explored.

New dilemmas in small-cell lung cancer TNM clinical staging

Background Many patients with limited disease (LD) behave similarly to those with extensive disease (ED) from a prognostic point of view. On the other hand, a proportion of patients with ED small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) behave similarly to those with LD. Patients and methods In this retrospective study analysis, 764 patients with proven SCLC were included and managed with the same therapeutic protocols. Of these patients, 278 (36.4%) had LD, while 486 (63.6%) had ED. Results No statistically significant difference was observed for survival for IA and IB disease stages (P = 0.254) and between IIA and IIB stages (P = 0.256) according to the new tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging classification classification. In addition, no statistical significant difference was observed for survival between patients with (IIA + IIB) and IIIA (P = 0.951), (IIA + IIIA, P = 0.658), and (IIB + IIIA, P = 0.573) stages. Statistical significant difference was observed for survival among the LD SCLC patients with (IA + IB), (IIA + IIB + IIIA), and IIIB stages (P < 0.001). Similarly, statistical significance was observed for ED SCLC patients with (IIA + IIB + IIIA), IIIB, and IV stages (P < 0.001). Conclusions Although stratification of SCLC patients in LD and ED is generally satisfactory, the TNM staging system is recommended for more detailed prognostic information and treatment evaluation in these patients.

The role of second-line chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis

Background To evaluate the benefit of second-line chemotherapy with platinum-based treatment in patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patients and methods A total of 535 patients continued with follow-up or best supportive care if needed, and 229 patients who progressed after the completion of first-line chemotherapy were treated with second-line chemotherapy at the time of progression. In total, 103/229 patients received paclitaxel 190 mg/m2 and carboplatin 5.5 area under the curve while 126/229 patients received etoposide 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin 5.5 area under the curve every 28 days. Results Patients administered second-line chemotherapy lived significantly longer, with a median survival of 422 days compared to 228 days in patients with best supportive care alone (P<0.001). Patients who received paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy lived for an average of 462 days (95% confidence interval: 409–514), versus 405 days in the etoposide group (95% confidence interval: 371–438), which was not statistically significant (P=0.086). The overall response rate was 8% for the paclitaxel group and 6% for the etoposide group. Patients with progression of the disease in more than 3 months had significantly better survival compared with those that progressed in less than 3 months (P<0.001). Conclusion Continuation with carboplatin/paclitaxel or carboplatin/etoposide as second-line chemotherapy has no significant survival impact, and it did not improve response rates.

Iliopsoas tuberculous abscess associated with cervical and axillary tuberculous lymphadenopathy

The authors report a case of iliopsoas tuberculous abscess without obvious spinal column involvement. Cervical and axillary tuberculous lymphadenopathy were also presented. Despite appropriate antituberculous treatment, patient required percutaneous drainage with CT-guided catheter insertion.

AB 42. Paclitaxel and carboplatin in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer patients

Background To compare the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin (PC) versus other anticancer regimens in previously untreated, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients.

AB 82. Specific nasal challenge induces late phase reactions in asthmatics sensitive to Alternaria

Background Specific challenges provide a better understanding of the underlying inflammatory mechanisms in asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate and late phase asthmatic response after specific nasal challenge (SNC) in asthmatic patients sensitive to Alternaria.