Koichi Okudera

Small adenocarcinoma of the lung: prognostic significance of central fibrosis chiefly because of its association with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

To clarify the reason why central fibrosis (CF) is an important histological prognostic factor in small adenocarcinoma (SA) of the lung, tumor tissues from 50 patients with SA ≤2 cm in diameter were investigated using immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analysis for factors relating to extracellular matrix and vessels. CF was observed in 33/50 cases (66%). In adenocarcinoma areas, positive activity was observed with both primary antibodies and probes for matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) in 11/50 patients (22%), membrane‐type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) in 39/50 patients (78%) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP‐2) in 49/50 patients (98%). In CF areas, the positive activity of fibroblastic cells was seen for only TIMP‐2 in 32/33 patients (97%). In CF areas, both CD34‐positive (blood and lymphatic) vessels and D2‐40‐positive lymphatic vessels were semiquantitatively increased in 16/33 patients (48.5%) by immunohistochemistry. Tumors with increased vessel density were associated with statistically lower disease‐free survival curves compared with tumors without increased vessels. Lymphatic vessels in some CF showed intravasation by carcinoma cells. In conclusion, CF could be an important histological prognostic factor in SA chiefly because of its association with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

A phase II study of erlotinib monotherapy in pre-treated non-small cell lung cancer without EGFR gene mutation who have never/light smoking history: Re-evaluation of EGFR gene status (NEJ006/TCOG0903)

OBJECTIVES Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors are particularly effective in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring active EGFR mutations. However, some studies have reported survival benefits in NSCLC patients with wild-type EGFR upon erlotinib treatment. This trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of erlotinib monotherapy and investigate the predictive values of several biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with previously treated NSCLC but without EGFR gene mutations that had never or light smoked were eligible for this study. Gene status screening was performed using the PNA-LNA PCR clamp method. Erlotinib was administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred. EGFR gene status was re-evaluated using the fragment method to detect exon 19 deletions and the Cycleave-PCR method to detect point mutations. Expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Met, and thymidylate synthase (TS) were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Forty-seven patients were enrolled in the study between March 2010 and November 2011. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 15.2% and 41.3%. Re-evaluations for EGFR gene were performed in 32 tumor samples. EGFR gene mutations were found in eight samples (5:exon 19 deletion, 2:G719X, 1:L858R). Six patients had PR and two had SD among these eight patients. A total of 24 patients were confirmed as wild-type EGFR using different methods. ORR and DCR were 4.2% and 41.7%. The median progression free survival (PFS) and median survival times were 2.0 and 6.0 months, respectively. Patients with tumors expressing HGF showed shorter PFS but not MET or TS. CONCLUSIONS Re-examination of EGFR gene status using different detecting method or different sample should be considered to grasp a chance of erlotinib treatment after first line treatment. In confirmed EGFR wild NSCLC, negative HGF staining could be a biomarker for longer PFS by erlotonib treatment.

Phase II study of amrubicin combined with carboplatin for refractory relapsed small-cell lung cancer: North Japan Lung Cancer Group Trial 0802

BACKGROUND Amrubicin (AMR), a new anthracycline agent, has shown promising results for advanced small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), although the efficacy of AMR alone against refractory relapsed SCLC is insufficient. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of AMR and carboplatin (CBDCA) in patients with refractory relapsed SCLC. METHODS Patients with advanced SCLC who relapsed within 90 days after the completion of first-line chemotherapy received AMR (30mg/m(2), days 1-3) and CBDCA (area under the curve 4.0mgmL(-1)min(-1), day 1) every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint of this study was the overall response rate (ORR), and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and the toxicity profile. Assuming that an ORR of 45% in eligible patients would indicate potential usefulness and an ORR of 20% would be the lower limit of interest, with α=0.10 and β=0.10, at least 24 patients were required. RESULTS Among 29 eligible patients, the ORR was 34% (90% confidence interval, 20-48). The median PFS was 3.5 months, whereas the median survival time was 7.3 months. The most common grade 3-4 toxicity was neutropenia (79%), although only one patient (3%) suffered from febrile neutropenia. Non-hematological toxicities were of moderate severity and no treatment-related death was observed. CONCLUSIONS This is the first prospective study of AMR combined with CBDCA for refractory relapsed SCLC, which was effective and well tolerated. However, further investigation of this regimen is warranted.