Population-based incidence rates and increased risk of EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer in Māori and Pacifica in New Zealand.

Background: Non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation benefit from targeted treatments. Previous studies reported EGFR mutation-positive proportions among tested non-squamous NSCLC patients. However, incidence rates and population risk of EGFR mutation-positive and EGFR mutation-negative non-squamous NSCLC have not been assessed.

Factors associated with overall survival in a population-based cohort of non- squamous NSCLC patients from northern New Zealand: A comparative analysis by EGFR mutation status.

Background: Previous studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations on overall survival in patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study assesses the effect of EGFR mutation on overall survival, and how the effects of other survival predictors differ by EGFR mutation status.

Methods: The study used a population- based cohort of 1534 non-squamous NSCLC patients diagnosed in northern New Zealand between 1st February 2010 and 31st July 2017.

Development and validation of a predictive model for estimating EGFR mutation probabilities in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in New Zealand.

Background: Targeted treatment with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is superior to systemic chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR gene mutations. Detection of EGFR mutations is a challenge in many patients due to the lack of suitable tumour specimens for molecular testing or for other reasons. EGFR mutations are more common in female, Asian and never smoking NSCLC patients.

Lung cancer mutation testing: a clinical retesting study of agreement between a real-time PCR and a mass spectrometry test.

To investigate the clinical validity and utility of tests for detecting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor () gene mutations in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients, tumour DNA extracts from 532 patients previously tested by the cobas EGFR Mutation Test (RT-PCR test) were retested by the Sequenom/Agena Biosciences MassArray OncoFocus mass spectrometry test (MS test). Valid results from both tests were available from 470 patients (88%) for agreement analysis. Survival data were obtained for 513 patients (96%) and 77 patients (14%) were treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

EGFR Mutation Testing of non-squamous NSCLC: Impact and Uptake during Implementation of Testing Guidelines in a Population-Based Registry Cohort from Northern New Zealand.

Background: Since 2013, clinical practice guidelines recommend EGFR mutation testing of non-squamous NSCLC to select advanced-stage patients for first-line treatment using EGFR-TKIs.

Objective: We aimed to determine population-based trends in the real-world uptake and impact in routine practice of these recently updated testing guidelines.

Patients And Methods: A population-based observational study was conducted of notifications to the New Zealand Cancer Registry of patients eligible for EGFR testing diagnosed in northern New Zealand between January 2010 and April 2014.

Predicting effects on oxaliplatin clearance: in vitro, kinetic and clinical studies of calcium- and magnesium-mediated oxaliplatin degradation.

This study evaluated the impact of calcium and magnesium on the in vitro degradation and in vivo clearance of oxaliplatin. Intact oxaliplatin and Pt(DACH)Cl were measured in incubation solutions by HPLC-UV. A clinical study determined changes in plasma concentrations of calcium and magnesium in cancer patients and their impact on oxaliplatin clearance.

Phase I drug-interaction study of effects of calcium and magnesium infusions on oxaliplatin pharmacokinetics and acute neurotoxicity in colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Calcium and magnesium (Ca/Mg) infusions have been suggested as an effective intervention for preventing oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity, but the effects of Ca/Mg infusions on oxaliplatin pharmacokinetics, motor nerve hyperexcitability and acute neurotoxicity symptoms are unclear.

Methods: In this double blind crossover study, colorectal cancer patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were randomised to receive Ca/Mg (1g Ca Gluconate plus 1g MgSO4) on cycle 1 and placebo (vehicle alone) on cycle 2, or to receive the same treatments in the opposite sequence. Study endpoints included plasma pharmacokinetics of intact oxaliplatin and free platinum; electromyography (EMG) detection of abnormal spontaneous high-frequency motor unit action potential discharges; and patient-reported acute neurotoxicity symptoms and their preferred study treatment for reducing these symptoms.