Thoracic radiation in combination with erlotinib-results from a phase 2 randomized trial.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) can be used to reduce symptoms and maintain open airways for patients with non-small cell lung cancer when systemic treatment is not sufficient. For some patients, tumor control is not achieved due to radioresistance. Concurrent inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptors has been proposed as a strategy to overcome radioresistance but may increase toxicity.

Radiotherapy-related lymphopenia in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving palliative radiotherapy.

Background: Lymphopenia during radiotherapy (RT) may have an adverse effect on treatment outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate associations between lymphopenia and RT parameters in patients with advanced lung cancer. Moreover, to investigate the prognostic role of lymphopenia, blood protein levels, and treatment and patient-related factors.

Mapping Bone Marrow Response in the Vertebral Column by Positron Emission Tomography Following Radiotherapy and Erlotinib Therapy of Lung Cancer.

Purpose: To map functional bone marrow (BM) by 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the vertebral column of lung cancer patients prior to, during, and after treatment. Moreover, to identify radiation- and erlotinib-induced changes in the BM.

Procedures: Twenty-six patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, receiving radiotherapy (RT) alone or concomitantly with erlotinib, were examined by [F]FDG PET before, during, and after treatment.

Assessment of pulmonary F-FDG-PET uptake and cytokine profiles in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy and erlotinib.

Purpose: To investigate effects of radiotherapy (RT) and erlotinib on pulmonary glucose uptake using 2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) during and after treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to identify associations between serum cytokine levels and lung glucose uptake.

Material And Methods: Twenty-seven patients with advanced NSCLC, receiving RT alone or concomitant RT and erlotinib therapy, were examined by F-FDG PET before, during, and after treatment. A total of 57 F-FDG PET scans were analyzed.

A new method to assess pulmonary changes using F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography for lung cancer patients following radiotherapy.

Background: F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-FDG-PET) may be used for assessing radiation induced alterations in the lung. However, there is a need to further develop methodologies to improve quantification. Using computed tomography (CT), a local structure method has been shown to be superior to conventional CT-based analysis.

Non-small cell lung cancer is characterised by a distinct inflammatory signature in serum compared with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Development of lung cancer is closely related to smoking in a majority of patients. Most smokers, however, do not develop lung cancer in spite of a high mutational load accumulating in the lung tissue. Here we investigate whether a cancer-specific footprint can be revealed by investigating circulating inflammatory markers in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), both cohorts characterised by similar smoking history.