An observational study on the efficacy of targeted therapy for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Background: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare tumor that is resistant to cytotoxic agents. This observational study aimed to evaluate the detection rate of driver gene alteration and the efficacy of targeted therapy for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Methods: We established a database of patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma and their clinical information, including EGFR mutation, ALK fusion gene, ROS1 fusion gene, BRAF mutation, and MET exon 14 skipping mutation.

Comparison of the efficacy of first‑/second‑generation EGFR‑tyrosine kinase inhibitors and osimertinib for EGFR‑mutant lung cancer with negative or low PD‑L1 expression.

In epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with negative or low programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression, the acquisition rate of the T790M mutation is higher after treatment with first-/second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and the progression-free survival (PFS) is longer in patients treated with osimertinib. The present study compared the clinical course after the initiation of each EGFR-TKI monotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC with negative or low PD-L1 expression. Data of patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC with negative or low PD-L1 expression who were treated with EGFR-TKI monotherapy were retrieved and retrospectively analyzed.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy for Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Ineligible for Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy.

Background/aim: Combined therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors plus platinum doublet chemotherapy has a survival advantage over platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. However, a variety of factors make it difficult to administer treatment with platinum doublet chemotherapy in many patients in clinical practice and there are few reports on the efficacy and safety of first-line treatments with immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients who are ineligible for platinum doublet chemotherapy. This observational study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for this population.

Peripheral CD4 memory T cells predict the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved the prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, compared with cytotoxic agents. However, the prediction of treatment response is often difficult, even after assessing the tumor programmed death-ligand 1 expression. We conducted this observational study to analyze the association between the differentiation of peripheral CD4 + T cells and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Association Between the Severity of Immune-related Adverse Events and the Prognosis in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Background/aim: Among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), survival is reported to be longer in those experiencing immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We evaluated the progression-free survival (PFS) in the absence of further treatment after ICI therapy was discontinued because of the emergence of irAEs in patients with NSCLC.

Patients And Methods: Data from patients with NSCLC in whom ICI therapy was discontinued because of the development of irAEs were retrospectively analyzed.

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma in clinical practice.

Objective: Studies have suggested the potential efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. This multicenter observational study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of systemic ICI therapy and chemoradiation followed by durvalumab therapy for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Methods: We analyzed the data of patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma who received systemic ICI therapy or chemoradiation followed by durvalumab therapy between 2016 and 2022.

Associations of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy efficacy with clinical parameters and tumor‑infiltrating CD68‑positive cell counts in patients with EGFR‑mutant non‑small cell lung cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has been less effective in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations than in patients with EGFR wild-type NSCLC. This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the associations of clinical parameters with the efficacy of ICI therapy in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Clinical information was retrieved from the medical charts, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed in some cases to determine the tumor-infiltrating CD68-positive cell count.

Association of Tumor PD-L1 Expression With Time on Treatment Using EGFR-TKIs in Patients With EGFR-Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: The association between tumor PD-L1 expression and the rate of acquisition of the T790M mutation during treatment with first-/second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is a matter of study. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the association of tumor PD-L1 expression with the time on treatment under EGFR-TKIs in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treated with first-/second-generation EGFR-TKIs.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical charts of patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC treated with first- /second-generation EGFR-TKIs.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With Negative or Low Tumor PD-L1 Expression.

Background/aim: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the survival durations of 25 patients diagnosed as having non-squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer with negative or low tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy.

Patients And Methods: The progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival were calculated from the initiation of ICI monotherapy. The association between the patient characteristics and the PFS was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model.

Irinotecan monotherapy as third- or further-line treatment for patients with small cell lung cancer.

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive cancer and recurrence is inevitable. Treatment of recurrent disease is important for improving the prognosis of patients with SCLC.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study to investigate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan monotherapy as third- or further-line treatment in patients with SCLC.

Case Series of Pleomorphic Carcinoma of the Lung Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Aim: We report, herein, three cases of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Case 1: A 73-year-old man was diagnosed as having pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung and treated with pembrolizumab alone. However, he showed no response and died 4 months after the initiation of the treatment.

Association of Tumor PD-L1 Expression with the T790M Mutation and Progression-Free Survival in Patients with EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving EGFR-TKI Therapy.

Background: Among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we compared the progression-free survival (PFS) and proportion of acquisition of T790M mutation of the epidermal growth receptor gene (EGFR) after first-line treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patient groups with and without tumor expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1).

Methods: Data of patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor PD-L1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the 22C3 antibody.

Relationship between Patient Characteristics and the Timing of Provision of Explanation about DNAR to Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer.

Objective The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the patient characteristics and the timing of provision of an explanation about "Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR)" by attending physicians to advanced lung cancer patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with advanced or postoperative recurrent lung cancer in whom systemic therapy was initiated between 2015 and 2016. Results The data of a total of 74 patients with lung cancer, including 59 patients with non-small cell lung cancer and 15 with small cell lung cancer were analyzed.

Peripheral PD1-positive CD4 T-Lymphocyte Count Can Predict Progression-free Survival in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor.

Background/aim: Little information is available about the association between peripheral T-lymphocyte expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We analyzed the PD1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4) expression in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of patients with NSCLC receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Patients And Methods: Patients with NSCLC who were scheduled to receive treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors were prospectively enrolled in this study between November 2017 and November 2018.

Clinical Parameters for Predicting the Survival in Patients with Squamous and Non-squamous-cell NSCLC Receiving PD-1 Inhibitor Therapy.

We explored the associations between progression-free survival (PFS) after the initiation of PD-1 inhibitor therapy and the clinical parameters in patients with NSCLC. We reviewed the clinical data of patients with NSCLC treated with PD-1 inhibitor. Data of a total of 36 patients, including 16 patients with squamous cell NSCLC and 20 patients with non-squamous cell NSCLC were reviewed.

[A Retrospective Study Analyzing the Clinical Course of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Local or Systemic Therapy after Post-Operative Recurrence].

Background: While systemic therapy is one of the therapeutic options available for post-operative recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer, efficacy of local therapy for locoregional recurrence or limited metastatic lesions has also been reported.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical course of patients with post-operative recurrence(locoregional or limited metastatic lesion)after receiving local or systemic therapy.

Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and survival duration was compared using the logrank test.

[A Case of Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting with Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis Successfully Treated with Afatinib after Erlotinib-Induced Hepatotoxicity].

A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis based on the findings of cerebrospinal fluid cytology and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Treatment with erlotinib and bevacizumab was initiated, and partial improvement in consciousness and MRI findings were obtained.However, it was difficult to continue the treatment because of elevation in levels of liver enzymes and melena.

Relationship between Carnitine Pharmacokinetics and Fatigue in Patients Treated with Cisplatin-Containing Chemotherapy.

Background: Approximately 70% of the patients who receive chemotherapy suffer from fatigue, which lowers their quality of life and also has a negative influence on therapeutic efficacy. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between blood carnitine levels and fatigue. We conducted a prospective observational study to examine the relationship between carnitine pharmacokinetics and chemotherapy-induced fatigue in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy regimens that include cisplatin.

Lactate dehydrogenase and body mass index are prognostic factors in patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer receiving amrubicin.

Aims And Background: Amrubicin monotherapy can be an effective treatment option for patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We conducted this retrospective study to investigate the prognostic factors in patients with recurrent SCLC receiving amrubicin monotherapy.

Methods: The associations between survival and clinical data, including the performance status, body mass index (BMI), plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and plasma neuron-specific enolase level, were evaluated in patients with recurrent SCLC, and a subset analysis of patients with platinum-resistant disease was conducted.

Appetite Loss as an Adverse Effect During Treatment with EGFR-TKIs in Elderly Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Aim: We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the frequency of appetite loss during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) in elderly patients, aged 75 years or older, with non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR gene mutations.

Patients And Methods: Data of a total of 64 patients, including 39 relatively young (hereinafter, younger) patients and 25 elderly patients were analyzed.

Results: Appetite loss of all grades (p=0.

Elevated levels of plasma lactate dehydrogenase is an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer, receiving treatment with gefitinib or erlotinib.

Treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has been shown to prolong survival in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study performed a retrospective analysis to investigate the association between the plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and survival in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC receiving treatment with EGFR-TKIs. The medical charts of patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC who were receiving treatment with EGFR-TKIs at Toyama University Hospital between 2007 and 2014 were assessed.

Plasma neuron-specific enolase level as a prognostic marker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving gefitinib.

Determination of the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor () gene mutation is useful for predicting the efficacy of gefitinib. However, the survival rate following the initiation of treatment with gefitinib varies among individuals. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the associations of the pretreatment serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (pro-GRP) and plasma neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels to the patient survival rate following initiation of treatment with gefitinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving gefitinib treatment.

Utility of creatinine/cystatin C ratio as a predictive marker for adverse effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine whether the creatinine/cystatin C (Cr/CysC) ratio, which is influenced by muscle mass, can be used as a predictive marker of the adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Methods: This single-centre, retrospective, observational study assessed patients with lung cancer. Serum Cr and CysC levels were measured once within 1 month prior the commencement of chemotherapy.