The impact of erlotinib use in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated in a private reference general hospital and in a private cancer clinic from 2005 to 2011.

OBJECTIVE: To report the demographic data and clinical outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer patients exposed to erlotinib in any line of treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients from a reference general hospital and a private oncology clinic, who received erlotinib from 2005 to 2011. Statistical analysis was performed and we evaluated demographic data and response to treatment, by correlating the results of this first cohort published in Brazil with results of current literature. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were included; 65.9% were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, and 63.6% had metastatic disease. The mean age was 63.3 years. The median follow-up was 47.9 months. Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation screening was performed in 22.7% of patients (n=10), with mutation present in 30% of patients. The median overall survival was 46.3 months, and there was a higher probability of survival at 60 months for females compared to males (29.4% versus 15.8%; p=0.042). The other variables did not present significant statistical difference. CONCLUSION: We collected the largest cohort of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who have used erlotinib in Brazil to date, and demonstrated that outcomes of patients treated at our clinic during the study period were consistent with the results of current literature in similar patients.

The impact of erlotinib use in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated in a private reference general hospital and in a private cancer clinic from 2005 to 2011 / O impacto do uso do erlotinibe em pacientes portadores de neoplasia de pulmão de não pequenas células tratados em um hospital geral de referência e clínica particular de oncologia no período de 2005 a 2011

ABSTRACT Objective: To report the demographic data and clinical outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer patients exposed to erlotinib in any line of treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients from a reference general hospital and a private oncology clinic, who received erlotinib from 2005 to 2011. Statistical analysis was performed and we evaluated demographic data and response to treatment, by correlating the results of this first cohort published in Brazil with results of current literature. Results: A total of 44 patients were included; 65.9% were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, and 63.6% had metastatic disease. The mean age was 63.3 years. The median follow-up was 47.9 months. Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation screening was performed in 22.7% of patients (n=10), with mutation present in 30% of patients. The median overall survival was 46.3 months, and there was a higher probability of survival at 60 months for females compared to males (29.4% versus 15.8%; p=0.042). The other variables did not present significant statistical difference. Conclusion: We collected the largest cohort of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who have used erlotinib in Brazil to date, and demonstrated that outcomes of patients treated at our clinic during the study period were consistent with the results of current literature in similar patients. .

RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar as características demográficas e a evolução de pacientes com neoplasia de pulmão de não pequenas células que receberam erlotinibe em qualquer linha de tratamento. Métodos: Coletamos retrospectivamente dados de pacientes portadores de neoplasia de pulmão de não pequenas células que receberam erlotinibe em qualquer linha de tratamento em um hospital geral de referência e em uma clínica particular de oncologia em São Paulo, no período de 2005 a 2011. Foi realizada a análise estatística e foram avaliados aspectos demográficos e resposta ao tratamento estabelecido, correlacionando os resultados dessa primeira coorte publicada no Brasil com resultados da literatura vigente. Resultados: Foram avaliados 44 pacientes, dos quais 65,9% eram portadores de adenocarcinoma e 63,6% tinham doença metastática. A média de idade foi de 63,3 anos. O seguimento mediano foi de 47,9 meses. A pesquisa de mutação do receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico foi realizada em 22,7% dos pacientes (n=10), resultando positiva em 30% dos avaliados. A sobrevida global mediana foi de 46,3 meses, e observou-se uma probabilidade maior de sobrevida em 60 meses para o grupo feminino, quando comparado ao grupo masculino (29,4% versus 15,8%; p=0,042). As demais variáveis não apresentaram diferença estatística significativa. Conclusão: Coletamos a maior sequência de pacientes com neoplasia de pulmão de não pequenas células que fizeram uso de erlotinibe no Brasil até a data vigente e demonstramos que a evolução dos pacientes tratados no período avaliado teve resultados concordantes com os da literatura vigente em pacientes semelhantes. .

Pretreatment CA 19-9 level as a prognostic factor in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine.

BACKGROUND: Serum levels of CA 19-9 correlate with survival among patients with pancreatic cancer treated with surgery or radiation therapy. In addition, CA 19-9 responses have been shown to predict for a better prognosis among patients with advanced disease treated with chemotherapy. The present study evaluates the predictive role of CA 19-9 pretreatment levels and response among patients treated with gemcitabine. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 28 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and baseline elevations of CA 19-9 (> 37 U/mL) who were treated with single agent gemcitabine. CA 19-9 response was defined as a > or = 50% decline at any time after treatment. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and curves were compared with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Eleven patients (39%) had a CA 19-9 response. The median survival of responding patients was longer than that of non-responding patients (13.8 vs 8 mo, p = .0272). When pretreatment CA 19-9 levels were analyzed, patients who had CA 19-9 below the median for the entire sample (1212 U/mL) lived significantly longer than patients with a CA 19-9 above the median (14.9 vs 7.4 mo, p = .0013). On multivariable analysis, pretreatment CA 19-9 level was an independent, and stronger predictor of survival (p = .0005) than CA 19-9 response (p = .0497). Other variables were not associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: CA 19-9 may be a useful adjunct to response evaluation is this setting. In addition to CA 19-9 responses, prechemotherapy levels of this marker seem to have strong prognostic significance.