Min Meng

Local microwave ablation with continued EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor as a treatment strategy in advanced non-small cell lung cancers that developed extra-central nervous system oligoprogressive disease during EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment: A pilot study.

AbstractThe non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients that experienced good clinical response to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKIs) will ultimately develop acquired resistance. This retrospective study was performed to explore the potential survival benefit of microwave ablation (MWA) therapy in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant NSCLC that developed extra-central nervous system (CNS) oligoprogressive disease during TKI treatment.We retrospectively analyzed 54 NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations who showed a clinical benefit from initial EGFR-TKI therapy and developed extra-CNS oligoprogressive disease at our institutions. Twenty eight patients received MWA as a local therapy for the metastatic sites and continued on the same TKIs (MWA group). The following 26 patients received systemic chemotherapy after progression (chemotherapy group). The progression-free survival (PFS1) was calculated from initiation of targeted therapy to first progression. Progression-free survival (PFS2) was defined from first progression to second progression after MWA or chemotherapy. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the time of diagnosis to the date of last follow-up or death.The median PFS1 for both groups was similar (median 12.6 vs. 12.9 months, HR 0.63). However, the MWA group patients had a significantly longer PFS2 (median 8.8 vs. 5.8 months, hazards ratio [HR] 0.357) and better OS (median 27.7 vs. 20.0, HR 0.238) in comparison with chemotherapy group. Multivariate analysis and the internal validation identified MWA as the main favorable prognostic factor for PFS2 and OS. In the MWA group, the median PFS2 for complete ablation was significantly longer than that for incomplete ablation (11 vs. 4.2 months, HR 0.29, P < 0.05).MWA with continued EGFR inhibition might be associated with favorable progression-free survival (PFS) and OS in patients with extra-CNS oligometastatic disease. MWA as a local therapy for extra-CNS oligometastatic disease should be considered for NSCLC with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs.

Repeated percutaneous microwave ablation for local recurrence of inoperable Stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND The safety and effectiveness of repeated computed tomography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in the management of local recurrence (LR) in patients with medically inoperable Stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were retrospectively evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS From February 2008 to August 2014, 104 patients with medically inoperable Stage I NSCLC received MWA. Patients with LR were given repeat MWA. The clinical outcomes and complications of repeat MWA for LR were evaluated. RESULTS At a median follow-up of 47 months, LR occurred in 24/104 (23.1%) patients within 12 ± 8 months after MWA. LR rates were higher in tumors> 3.5 cm than that of tumors ≤3.5 cm (35.7% vs. 18.4%). Local control of the repeat MWA was achieved in 21 of 24 (87.5%) patients. Overall survival (OS) and progress-free survival (PFS) for patients without LR were similar to that of with LR and receiving repeat MWA (OS: 48 m vs. 41.5 m; PFS: 42 m vs. 32 m). The OS rates were 100%, 74.6%, 60.6%, and 27% for patients without LR at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, and they were 96.4%, 69.5%, 60.6%, and 26.1% for patients with repeat MWA for LR. Repeat MWA for LR was not associated with more significant complications. CONCLUSION The LR was higher in tumors> 3.5 cm than that of in tumors ≤3.5 cm. For patients with LR, it was feasible and effective to use MWA repeatedly to achieve the similar OS and PFS as patients without LR. No additional complications were reported in the repeat MWA compared to the original MWA.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: a rare complication after microwave ablation.

Abstract Three cases are reported of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) occurring after microwave ablation (MWA) for lung tumours. This is a rare complication that has not previously been described in the literature. The diagnosis of IPA was based on the following factors: host factors, clinical manifestations and mycological findings. The first case was a 63-year-old man treated for primary lung squamous carcinoma. Significant tumour regression was achieved by 18 days after MWA, medical treatment with itraconazole for 6 weeks, and postural drainage. The second case, a 65-year-old man, was confirmed with primary lung squamous cell carcinoma. Voriconazole administration using intravenous infusion combined with intracavitary lavage was therapeutically effective after MWA at 1 year follow-up. The third case was a 61-year-old woman with primary lung adenocarcinoma. Delayed pneumothorax and bronchopleural fistula secondary to IPA persisted. The patient died from secondary multiple organ function failure. Despite its very low incidence, the significance of early diagnosis and early administration of antifungal therapy should be highlighted because of the relentless severity of IPA in patients undergoing MWA.

Bronchopleural fistula after lung ablation: Experience in two cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) complicating lung tumor ablation is rare but severe. The purpose of this article was to study its characteristics and treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two of 682 (0.3%) sessions of lung microwave ablation (MWA) were complicated with BPF and documented. Two electronic databases were searched for reported cases of BPF after lung tumor ablation. Case selection and data collection were done by 3 independent reviewers. RESULTS A 56-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman developed BPF after MWA and died. Thirteen cases (mean age 63.8, 61.5% male) of BPF with adequate information were identified from 8 articles. Of the 13 cases, 5 (38.5%) had pulmonary co-morbidity, 3 (23.1%) had a history of pulmonary surgery, 7 (53.8%) had a target tumor adjacent or abutting pulmonary pleura, and 6 (46.2%) developed severe infections. After chest tube placement, pleurodesis, endoscopic therapy, surgery, and other treatments, 12 were cured and 1 died of BPF and pneumonia. CONCLUSION BPF is a rare but severe complication of lung ablation, and the management needs a multidisciplinary and individualized treatment strategy.

Microwave ablation as palliative treatment of locally recurrent colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Patients suffering local recurrence of colorectal cancer which cannot be surgically removed are troubled with severe pain and poor quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) as palliative treatment for recurrent unresectable colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients were suffering locally recurrent colorectal cancer underwent MWA with CT guidance. The MWA power was set at 60-80 W, 6-8 min. Effectiveness was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) with a follow-up of 6-month. Complications were also recorded. RESULTS Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean VAS preprocedure was 7.10. Mean VAS postprocedure were as follows: 1 week, 2.65 (P < 0.001); 1 month, 0.81 (P < 0.001); 3 months 0.45 (P < 0.001); and 6 months 0.19 (P < 0.001). No serious complications were observed including intestinal fistulas, bladder fistulas, or peripheral vascular or nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS CT-guided MWA as treatment of recurrent colorectal cancer can quickly and effectively relieve pain. It is a minimally invasive, safe, and efficient palliative treatment of recurrent colorectal cancer.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis secondary to microwave ablation: a multicenter retrospective study

Abstract Purpose: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening complication of microwave ablation (MWA) during the treatment of primary or metastatic lung tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, radiological and demographic characteristics and treatment responses of patients with IPA after MWA. Materials and methods: From January 2011 to January 2016, all patients who were treated by MWA of their lung tumors from six health institutions were enrolled in this study. Patients with IPA secondary to MWA were identified and retrospectively evaluated for predisposing factors, clinical treatment, and outcome. Results: The incidence of IPA secondary to lung MWA was 1.44% (23/1596). Of the 23 patients who developed IPA, six died as a consequence, resulting in a high mortality rate of 26.1%. Using computed tomography (CT), pulmonary cavitation was the most common finding and occurred in 87.0% (20/23) of the patients. Sudden massive hemoptysis was responsible for one-third of the deaths (2/6). Most patients (22/23) received voriconazole as an initial treatment, and six patients with huge cavities underwent intracavitary lavage. Finally, 17 patients (73.9%) achieved treatment success. Conclusions: Lung MWA may be an additional host risk factor for IPA, particularly in elderly patients with underlying diseases and in patients who have recently undergone chemotherapy. Early and accurate diagnosis of IPA after MWA is critical for patient prognosis. Voriconazole should be given as the first-line treatment as early as possible. Bronchial artery embolization or intracavitary lavage may be required in some patients.

Microwave ablation followed by immediate biopsy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) followed by immediate biopsy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to clarify whether pathology changes can predict treatment responses and patient survival. Methods: Patients with pathologically confirmed NSCLC pre-ablation were treated with MWA, and immediate biopsy was carried out right after ablation in one procedure. Pathology changes were categorized according to the pre- and postablation pathology: Group A, same histology type; Group B, paired histology type with burning degeneration; Group C, no definite histology type; Group D, no definite cancer cells. The internal correlations between pathology changes and baseline characteristics, responses to MWA and survival were evaluated. Results: A total of 68 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 19, 28, 11 and 10 patients were classified into Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D, respectively. In total, 85.3 and 69.1% patients were diagnosed with malignant tumors and the same pathology type, respectively. No significant difference in clinical-pathologic characteristics or response to MWA between the groups was observed. Upon combining Groups A, B and C, Group D exhibited longer progression-free survival (PFS) (Groups A + B + C versus Group D, 11.7 months, 95% CI 9.6–13.7 versus 26.6 months, 95% CI 19.0–34.2, p = .253) and overall survival (OS) (15.9 months, 95% CI 14.2–17.5, versus 29.8 months, 95% CI, 24.3–35.3, p = .395), although no significant differences were observed. Complications were identified in 63 (92.6%), of which 17 (25.0%) patients had major complications. Conclusions: Immediate biopsy post-MWA can distinguish cancer cells or histology types in most cases of NSCLC. However, pathology changes pre- and postablation could not predict the response to MWA and patient survival.

The efficacy and safety of microwave ablation in patients with retroperitoneal metastases

Abstract Background: Retroperitoneal metastases are common, and most present with symptoms; however, treatments for this condition are limited. This retrospective study verified the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in retroperitoneal metastases patients. Methods: Patients with pathologically confirmed malignant carcinoma and imaging showing retroperitoneal metastases were enrolled and underwent MWA. The end-points included objective response rate, time to local progression (TTLP), overall survival, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, dose of morphine pre- and post-ablation and complications. Results: Twenty-three patients were enrolled. The mean tumour diameter was 3.6 cm. Altogether, 29 tumour sites in 23 patients were ablated during 23 procedures; technical success was achieved in all 23 patients. The objective response and disease control rates were 95.7% and 100.0%, respectively. The mean TTLP and median OS were 22.8 months (95% CI: 16.1–29.6 months) and 10.6 months (95% CI: 7.4–13.8 months), respectively. In 13 patients with symptoms, the VAS values before ablation and 48 h, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months after ablation were 5.38, 2.77 (p = 0.015), 2.15 (p = 0.001), 2.17 (p = 0.001), 1.40 (p = 0.000) and 1.71 (p = 0.006), respectively. The corresponding morphine doses were 76.9 mg, 70.7 mg (p = 0.584), 50.7 mg (p = 0.031), 55.0 mg (p = 0.097), 46.0 mg (p = 0.057) and 40.0 mg (p = 0.363), respectively. No ablation-associated mortality was observed. Major complications, minor complications and adverse events were observed in eight (34.8%), five (21.7%) and four (17.4%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: MWA for the treatment of retroperitoneal metastases was effective and the complications were common.

Programmed death-ligand 1 expression and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with microwave ablation and chemotherapy

Abstract Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We conducted this study to evaluate the correlation between PD-L1 or CD8+ TILs expression and MWA or survival in advanced NSCLC patients treated with microwave ablation (MWA) plus chemotherapy. Methods: Previously untreated, pathologically verified advanced NSCLC patients with adequate tissues for the analysis of PD-L1 expression and the presence of CD8+ TILs were retrospectively enrolled. None of the patients had sensitive mutations, and therefore, they were treated with MWA of the primary tumors followed by chemotherapy. Results: A total of 51 patients were enrolled. PD-L1 expression and the presence of CD8+ TILs were identified in 31 (60.8%) and 9 (17.6%) patients, respectively. PD-L1 expression and CD8+ TILs had no correlation with baseline characteristics, the response to chemotherapy or MWA. Patients with PD-L1 expression had similar progression-free survival (PFS: 7.9 months for PD-L1-positive vs. 5.8 months for PD-L1-negative; p = .660) and overall survival (OS: 18.7 months for PD-L1-positive vs. 15.2 months for PD-L1-negative; p = .901). Patients with CD8+ TIL expression did not show superior PFS (CD8+ TIL vs. CD8– TIL, 8.0 vs. 6.2 months, p = .435) or OS (CD8+ TIL vs. CD8– TIL, 20.5 vs. 16.9 months, p = .653). Conclusion: PD-L1 expression and the presence of CD8+ TILs could predict neither the patients’ response to chemotherapy or MWA nor survival in advanced NSCLC patients treated with MWA plus chemotherapy.

Microwave ablation combined with EGFR-TKIs versus only EGFR-TKIs in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations

We conducted this retrospective study to investigate whether microwave ablation (MWA) of primary tumor sites plus epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) could improve survival in advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. MWA was conducted at the primary tumor sites, followed by EGFR-TKIs in the MWA plus EGFR-TKIs group. EGFR-TKIs were administered until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). A total of 58 patients were recruited, including 34 in the MWA plus EGFR-TKIs group and 24 in the EGFR-TKIs group. No significant difference in ORR was observed with MWA treatment (61.8% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.230). Patients treated with MWA plus EGFR-TKIs failed to show superior survival in either PFS (13.2 months vs. 11.6 months, p = 0.640) or OS (39.8 months vs. 20.4 months, p = 0.288). MWA was not an independent prognostic factor for PFS or OS. MWA of primary tumor sites plus EGFR-TKIs demonstrated no survival advantage compared with EGFR-TKIs alone in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR sensitive mutations. MWA should not be recommended for unselected patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations.We conducted this retrospective study to investigate whether microwave ablation (MWA) of primary tumor sites plus epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) could improve survival in advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. MWA was conducted at the primary tumor sites, followed by EGFR-TKIs in the MWA plus EGFR-TKIs group. EGFR-TKIs were administered until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). A total of 58 patients were recruited, including 34 in the MWA plus EGFR-TKIs group and 24 in the EGFR-TKIs group. No significant difference in ORR was observed with MWA treatment (61.8% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.230). Patients treated with MWA plus EGFR-TKIs failed to show superior survival in either PFS (13.2 months vs. 11.6 months, p = 0.640) or OS (39.8 months vs. 20.4 months, p = 0.288). MWA was not an independent prognostic factor for PFS or OS. MWA of primary tumor sites plus EGFR-TKIs demonstrated no survival advantage compared with EGFR-TKIs alone in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR sensitive mutations. MWA should not be recommended for unselected patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations.