Immune checkpoint inhibitors as subsequent treatment in older adults with non-small cell lung cancer and synchronous brain metastases.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the mainstay treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there is a lack of studies assessing ICIs as subsequent treatment in older adults with NSCLC and brain metastasis (BM). This retrospective cohort study compared the real-world survival of older patients with NSCLC and BM at diagnosis [synchronous BM (SBM)] previously treated with chemotherapy receiving ICI versus chemotherapy as subsequent treatment.

Stem Cell Origin of Cancer: Clinical Implications beyond Immunotherapy for Drug versus Therapy Development in Cancer Care.

Although immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer care, there is still an urgent need to enhance its efficacy and ensure its safety. A correct cancer theory and proper scientific method empower pertinent cancer research and enable effective and efficient drug versus therapy development for patient care. In this perspective, we revisit the concept of immune privilege in a cancer cell versus normal cell, as well as in a cancer stem cell versus normal stem cell.

Real-World Survival of First-Line Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment Versus Chemotherapy in Older Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Synchronous Brain Metastases.

Purpose: This study assessed real-world survival among older patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain metastases (BMs) at diagnosis (synchronous BM [SBM]) receiving first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) compared with chemotherapy only.

Methods: Patients with NSCLC and SBM age 65 years or older at diagnosis from 2010 to 2019 SEER-Medicare database and received US Food and Drug Administration-approved ICIs (pembrolizumab/nivolumab/ipilimumab/atezolizumab/durvalumab/cemiplimab) and/or chemotherapy (platinum-based doublets/taxane/pemetrexed/gemcitabine) as first-line systemic treatment were included, excluding those with no cranial radiation or ever being treated with targeted therapies. Overall survival time was from the start of systemic treatment (ICI/chemotherapy) to death, censored at disenrollment from Medicare part A/B, enrollment in part C, or end of the study period (December 31, 2019).

Stem Cell Theory of Cancer: Implications for Translational Research from Bedside to Bench.

A stem cell theory of cancer considers genetic makeup in the proper cellular context. It is a unified theory of cancer that unites the genome with the epigenome, links the intracellular with the extracellular, and connects the cellular constituents and compartments with the microenvironment. Although it allies with genomic medicine, it is better aligned with integrated medicine.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors-Associated Cardiotoxicity.

Large population-based studies examining differences in ICI-associated cardiotoxicity across cancer types and agents are limited. Data of 5518 cancer patients who received at least one cycle of ICIs were extracted from a large network of health care organizations. ICI treatment groups were classified by the first ICI agent(s) (ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab, avelumab, atezolizumab, or durvalumab) or its class (PD-1 inhibitors, PD-L1 inhibitors, CTLA4-inhibitors, or their combination (ipilimumab + nivolumab)).