A phase II study of S-1 and cisplatin with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy followed by durvalumab for unresectable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in Japan (SAMURAI study): primary analysis.

Background: The standard of care for unresectable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) is chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by durvalumab, based on the PACIFIC study. Although multiple Japanese phase II studies have shown high efficacy and tolerability of CRT with cisplatin plus S-1 (SP), no prospective study using durvalumab after SP-based CRT has been reported. Objectives: We conducted a multicenter phase II study of this approach, the interim analysis of which showed a high transition rate to durvalumab consolidation therapy. Here, we report the primary analysis results. Design: In treatment-naïve LA-NSCLC, cisplatin (60 mg/m2, day 1) and S-1 (80-120 mg/body, days 1-14) were administered with two 4-week cycles with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (60 Gy) followed by durvalumab (10 mg/kg) every 2 weeks for up to 1 year. Methods: The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS). The expected 1-year PFS and its lower limit of the 80% confidence interval (CI) were set as 63% and 47%, respectively, based on the results of TORG1018 study. Results: In all, 59 patients were enrolled, with 51 (86.4%) proceeding to durvalumab. The objective response rate throughout the study was 72.9% (95% CI: 59.7-83.6%). After median follow-up of 21.9 months, neither median PFS nor OS was reached. The 1-year PFS was 72.5% (80% CI: 64.2-79.2%, 95% CI: 59.1-82.2%), while the 1-year overall survival was 91.5% (95% CI: 80.8-96.4%). No grade 5 adverse events were observed throughout the study. The most common adverse event during the consolidation phase was pneumonitis (any grade, 78.4%; grade ⩾3, 2.0%). Eventually, 52.5% of patients completed 1-year durvalumab consolidation therapy from CRT initiation. Conclusion: This study of durvalumab after SP-based CRT met its primary endpoint and found a 1-year PFS of 73% from CRT initiation. This study provides the first prospective data on the prognosis and tolerability of durvalumab consolidation from the initiation of CRT. Trial registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs031190127, registered 1 November, 2019, https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs031190127.

Respiratory frequency-tunable dynamic imaging for lung function: New exam method using chest X-ray cine imaging considering various respiratory diseases.

OBJECTIVES: A convenient way to conduct pulmonary function tests while preventing infectious diseases was proposed, together with countermeasures for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The correlation between diagnosis result and diagnosis result was examined for patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of the most abounding as a subject of spirometry, and the possibility of using this method as an alternative to spirometry was examined. SETTING: This study was conducted in Kanagawa, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Ten normal volunteers and 15 volunteers with mild COPD participated in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: All images were taken by EXAVISTA (Hitachi, Japan) between October 2019 and February 2020. Continuous fluoroscopic images were taken in 12.5 frames per second for 10-20 s per subject. Images that do not adopt the automatic image processing of the equipment and only carry out the signal correction of each pixel were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The mean total dose for all volunteers was 0.2 mGy. There was no major discrepancy in the detection of lung field geometry, and no diagnostic problems were noted by the radiologist and physician. CONCLUSIONS: Existing X-ray cine imaging was used to extract frequency-tunable imaging. It is possible to identify abnormal regions on the images compared to spirometry, and it does not require maximum effort respiration; therefore, it is possible to perform a stable examination because the patient's physical condition and the ability of laboratory technicians on the day are less affected. This can also be used as a countermeasure in examining patients with infectious diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN UMIN000043868.

Prospective analysis of factors precluding the initiation of durvalumab from an interim analysis of a phase II trial of S-1 and cisplatin with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy followed by durvalumab for unresectable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer in Japan (SAMURAI study).

Background: The standard of care for unresectable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) is chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by durvalumab, based on the PACIFIC trial. Disease progression and pneumonitis were reported as the main reasons to preclude the initiation of durvalumab in multiple retrospective studies. However, the transition rate and the reasons for failure to proceed to consolidation therapy with durvalumab after CRT were not evaluated prospectively. Although phase II studies in Japan have shown high efficacy and tolerability of CRT with cisplatin + S-1 (SP), no prospective study using durvalumab after SP-based CRT has yet been reported. We therefore conducted a phase II study to verify the efficacy and safety of durvalumab following SP-based CRT. In this interim analysis, we report the transition rate and the reasons for its failure. Methods: In treatment-naïve LA-NSCLC, cisplatin (60 mg/m2, day 1) and S-1 (80-120 mg/body, days 1-14) were administered with two 4-week cycles with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (60 Gy) followed by durvalumab every 2 weeks for up to 12 months. The primary endpoint was 12 month progression-free survival rate. Results: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled, of whom 86.4% (51/59) proceeded to durvalumab. All of them initiated durvalumab within 42 days after CRT [median 18 days (range: 3-38)], including 27.5% (14/51) in <14 days. Common reasons for failure to proceed to durvalumab were disease progression (2/59, 3.4%) and adverse events (6/59, 10.2%). Among the latter cases, four resumed treatment and proceeded to durvalumab within 42 days on off-protocol. The objective response rate and the disease control rate were 62.7% and 93.2%, respectively. The incidences of ⩾grade 3 pneumonitis, febrile neutropenia, and esophagitis were 0%, 8.5%, and 3.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Regarding durvalumab after CRT, this interim analysis of the SAMURAI study clarified the high transition rate, early introduction, and reasons for failure to proceed to consolidation therapy, which were not determined in the PACIFIC trial. Trial registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs031190127, registered 1 November, 2019, https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs031190127.

COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Patient Treated With Remdesivir, Dexamethasone, and Baricitinib: A Case Report.

Remdesivir, dexamethasone, and baricitinib have recently been used to treat patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and respiratory failure. However, the adverse effects of combination therapy have not been fully explored. A 64-year-old man was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was treated with remdesivir, dexamethasone, and baricitinib. His respiratory condition worsened on day 17, and in the following days, he was diagnosed with pneumomediastinum and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). His condition improved with a reduction in the corticosteroid regime and antifungal treatment. This is the first case of pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with COVID-19 that was treated with remdesivir, dexamethasone, and baricitinib.

A prospective, phase II trial of monotherapy with low-dose afatinib for patients with EGFR, mutation-positive, non-small cell lung cancer: Thoracic oncology research group 1632.

OBJECTIVES: Afatinib is an effective treatment for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the toxicity associated with this agent often leads to dose modifications. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety and plasma concentrations of low dose afatinib monotherapy in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase II trial involving treatment-naïve patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. From March 2017 to September 2018, 53 patients were enrolled from 21 institutions in Japan. Patients initially received afatinib 20 mg/day orally. For patients in whom the tumor progressed within stable disease, the investigators were able to increase the afatinib dose (10 mg increments). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The threshold and expected median PFS was 9.2 and 13.8 months, respectively. Additionally, the correlation of the plasma concentration of low-dose afatinib with clinical outcome and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 70 years (range: 37-85 years); 28 patients (52.8%) were females. The median duration of the follow-up was 20.8 months. The median PFS, and overall survival were 12.6 months (90% confidence interval [CI]: 9.7-14.3 months), and not reached, respectively. The primary endpoint was met. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 66.0% (95% CI: 51.7-78.5) and 92.5% (95% CI: 81.8-97.9), respectively. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events occurred in 12 patients (22.6%), including diarrhea in four patients (7.5%). The rate of adverse events was lower than that observed in previous phase III studies of 40 mg afatinib. CONCLUSION: Based on its promising clinical efficacy and tolerability profile, monotherapy with low-dose afatinib should become one of the standard therapies for EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC.

A phase II study of S-1 and cisplatin with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy followed by durvalumab for unresectable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in Japan (SAMURAI study).

BACKGROUND: Based on the results of the PACIFIC study, chemoradiotherapy followed by 1-year consolidation therapy with durvalumab was established as the standard of care for unresectable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). However, some topics not foreseen in that design can be explored, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after the start of chemoradiotherapy, the proportion of patients who proceeded to consolidation therapy with durvalumab, and the optimal chemotherapeutic regimens. In Japan, the combination regimen of S-1 + cisplatin (SP), for which the results of multiple clinical studies have suggested a good balance of efficacy and tolerability, is frequently selected in clinical settings. However, the efficacy and safety of consolidation therapy with durvalumab following this SP regimen have not been evaluated. We therefore planned a multicenter, prospective, single-arm, phase II study. METHODS: In treatment-naïve LA-NSCLC, two cycles of combination chemotherapy with S-1 (80-120 mg/body, Days 1-14) + cisplatin (60 mg/m2, Day 1) will be administered at an interval of 4 weeks, with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (60 Gy). Responders will then receive durvalumab every 2 weeks for up to 1 year. The primary endpoint is 1-year PFS rate. DISCUSSION: Compared with the conventional standard regimen in Japan, the SP regimen is expected to be associated with lower incidences of pneumonitis, esophagitis, and febrile neutropenia, which complicate the initiation of consolidation therapy with durvalumab, and have higher antitumor efficacy during chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, SP-based chemoradiotherapy is expected to be successfully followed by consolidation therapy with durvalumab in more patients, resulting in prolonged PFS and OS. Toxicity and efficacy results of the SP regimen in this study will also provide information important to the future establishment of the concurrent combination of chemoradiotherapy and durvalumab. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs031190127, registered 1 November 2019, https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs031190127.

Association of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics with safety and efficacy of gefitinib in patients with EGFR mutation positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Gefitinib is a potent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor and is a key drug for patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The pharmacokinetics of orally administered gefitinib varies greatly among patients. We prospectively evaluated the association of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics with the safety and efficacy of gefitinib in patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pharmacokinetics was evaluated with samples of peripheral blood obtained on day 1 before treatment and 1, 3, 5, 8, and 24h after gefitinib (250 mg per day) was administered and on days 8 and 15 as the trough values. The plasma concentration of gefitinib was analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. The genotypes of ABCG2, ABCB1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2D6 genes were analyzed with direct sequencing. RESULTS: The subjects were 35 patients (21 women; median age, 72 years; range, 53 to 90 years) with stage IV adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR mutations. The median peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was 377 (range, 168-781)ng/mL. The median area under the curve (AUC) of the plasma concentration of gefitinib from 0 to 24h was 4893 (range, 698-13991) ng/mL h. The common adverse events were skin toxicity (68% of patients), diarrhea (46%), and liver injury (63%). One patient died of drug-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD). The overall response rate was 82.9% (95% confidence interval, 66.4%-93.4%). The median progression-free survival time was 10 months, and the median survival time was 25 months. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics were not associated with significantly different toxicities, response rates, or survival times with gefitinib. However, the AUC and Cmax were highest and the trough value on day 8 was the second highest in one patient who died of drug-induced ILD. CONCLUSION: Elevated gefitinib exposure might be associated with drug-induced ILD.

Phase II study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with carboplatin and vinorelbine for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have locally advanced disease with poor prognosis. Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment, more effective regimens are required. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with a divided schedule of carboplatin and vinorelbine in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. Patients with unresectable, stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC were eligible for enrollment if they exhibited a performance status of 0-2 and were ≤75 years of age. Patients were treated with carboplatin at an area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve of 2.5 mg/ml/min and vinorelbine at 20 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Thoracic radiotherapy at a total dose of 60 Gy was concurrently administered (2 Gy per fraction). Twenty-eight patients (23 men and 5 women; median age, 67 years; range 47-75 years) were enrolled in the present study. The overall response rate was 85.7% [95% confidence interval (CI), 67.3-96.0%] and the disease control rate was 96.4% (95% CI, 81.7-99.9%). The median survival time (MST) was 23 months and the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 8 months. Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and infection in 100, 14, 46 and 36% of patients, respectively. One patient (4%) developed grade 3 radiation esophagitis that resolved completely without residual dilation. Grade 3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 2 patients (7%); however, the symptoms and radiographic abnormalities subsided with corticosteroid therapy. In conclusion, concurrent chemoradiotherapy with a divided schedule of carboplatin and vinorelbine is well-tolerated and effective in patients with locally advanced NSCLC.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of combination chemotherapy with vinorelbine and platinum agents for patients with non-small cell lung cancer with interstitial lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Acute chemotherapy-associated exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (ILD) can occur in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The safety and efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy has not yet been established for NSCLC with ILD. Thus, patients with advanced NSCLC with ILD usually receive only best supportive care. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy profiles of the combination chemotherapy of vinorelbine and a platinum agent in patients with advanced NSCLC with ILD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with advanced NSCLC with ILD treated with vinorelbine and a platinum agent, either cisplatin or carboplatin, were retrospectively reviewed to examine acute exacerbation of ILD, toxicity, response rate, and survival time. Additionally, possible predictive factors for acute chemotherapy-associated exacerbation of ILD were analyzed. RESULTS: The response rate was 42.1%, the progression-free survival time was 4.4 months, the median survival time was 7.4 months, and the one-year survival rate was 36.8%. Neutropenia was the most frequent grade 3 to 4 toxicity and it occurred in 63.2% of patients. Acute chemotherapy-associated exacerbation of ILD occurred in three patients (15.8%) and caused the death of one of these patients (5.3%). No variables were identified as being predictive factors for acute chemotherapy-associated exacerbation of ILD. CONCLUSION: The combination chemotherapy with vinorelbine and a platinum agent can be considered as a treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC with ILD, with careful management after sufficient evaluation of the risks and the benefits.

[Three cases of Mycobacterium kansasii pulmonary diseases in previously healthy young women].

Mycobacterium kansasii pulmonary diseases account for 20% of cases of non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Most patients are male. However, a recent study has found that radiological examinations in female patients often reveal nodular, bronchiectatic opacities. We describe 3 young women with cavitary opacities. Patient 1 was a 35-year-old woman in whom thin-walled cavitary opacities were detected in the upper lobe during a routine checkup. Sputum examination and fiberoptic bronchoscopy led to a diagnosis of M. kansasii pulmonary disease. Patient 2 was a 23-year-old woman who presented with hemoptysis. Thin-walled cavitary opacities were detected in the right upper lobe. Infection with M. kansasii was diagnosed after a sputum examination. Patient 3 was a 43-year-old woman in whom thin-walled cavitary opacities were detected in the left upper lobe during a routine checkup. Infection with M. kansasii was diagnosed after a fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination. Patient 1 was successfully treated with rifampicin, ethambutol, and levofloxacin, and patients 2 and 3 were successfully treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. The possibility of M. kansasii pulmonary diseases should be considered in a previously healthy young woman with thin-walled cavitary opacities in the upper lobe.

Phase II trial of the combination of carboplatin and irinotecan in elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer.

AIM: The aim of the present phase II study was to assess the antitumour activity and safety of the combination of irinotecan and carboplatin in elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with previously untreated SCLC were eligible if they had a performance status of 0-2, were 70 years or older, and had adequate organ function. Patients were treated with carboplatin at an area under the plasma concentration versus time curve of 5 min/ml on day 1 and with irinotecan at 50mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty patients (26 men and 4 women; median age, 76 years; age range, 70-86 years) were enrolled. Eight patients had limited disease (LD) and 22 patients had extensive disease (ED). The overall response rate was 83.3% (95% confidence interval: 65.3-94.4%). Response rates did not differ significantly between patients with LD (87.5%) and those with ED (81.8%; p=0.71). The median survival time was 14 months overall and was significantly longer in patients with LD (26 months) than in patients with ED (11 months; p=0.025). The median progression free survival time was 6 months overall and was significantly longer in patients with LD (12 months) than in patients with ED (6 months; p=0.016). Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia in 83% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 47%, anaemia in 60%, infection in 23%, and diarrhoea in 20%. There were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: This chemotherapy is safe and effective for elderly patients with SCLC.

Phase II trial of amrubicin and carboplatin in patients with sensitive or refractory relapsed small-cell lung cancer.

Amrubicin is a novel, totally synthesized anthracycline derivative, and has antitumor activity against several human tumor xenografts. The combination of amrubicin with platinum derivative showed additive effect against a human small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line. Until now, the combination of amrubicin plus carboplatin has not been studied in patients with previously treated SCLC. Therefore, we examined the safety and efficacy of the combination of amrubicin plus carboplatin in patients with sensitive or refractory relapsed SCLC. Patients with previously treated SCLC were eligible if they had a performance status of 2 or less, were 75 years or younger, and had adequate organ function. Twenty-five patients were enrolled (21 men and 4 women; median age, 65 years; age range 55-73 years). Patients received the combination of amrubicin (30 mg/m(2) on days 1-3) plus carboplatin (with a target area under the concentration-versus-time curve of 4 mg min/ml using the Calvert formula on day 1) every 3 weeks. The overall response rate was 36.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.0-57.5%). Response rates differed significantly between patients with sensitive relapse (58.3%; 95% CI, 27.7-84.8%) and those with refractory relapse (15.4%; 95% CI, 1.9-15.4%; p=0.03). The median survival time (MST) from the start of this treatment was 7 months (range: 1-42 months); the MST of patients with sensitive relapse (10 months) was significantly longer than that of patients with refractory relapse (5 months: p=0.004). The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 3 months (range: 1-14 months): the median PFS time of patients with sensitive relapse (5 months) was significantly longer than that of patients with refractory relapse (2 months; p=0.01). The most frequent grade 3-4 toxicity was myelosuppression, especially neutropenia, which developed in 88% of patients. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia developed in 44% of patients, and anemia developed in 56%. Nonhematologic toxicities were generally mild to moderately severe and temporary. None of the patients had cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, this therapy is effective and well tolerated for previously treated SCLC.

Phase II study of S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine, and biweekly administration of docetaxel for previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: We examined the safety and efficacy of the combination of S-1 and biweekly docetaxel in patients with previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC were eligible if they had a performance status of 2 or less, were 80 years or younger, and had adequate organ function. Forty-nine patients (38 men and 11 women; median age, 66 years; range 43-79 years) were enrolled. Patients were treated with the combination of 80 mg/m(2) per day of S-1 for 14 consecutive days and 35 mg/m(2) of docetaxel on days 1 and 15 every 4 weeks. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 16.3% (95% confidence interval, 7.6-30.5%). The disease-control rate was 49.0% (95% confidence interval, 34.4-63.7%). The median survival time after this treatment was 9 months (range 1-22 months). The median progression-free survival time was 3 months (range 1-11 months). Response rates and survival times did not differ significantly according to the histological type. Grade 3-5 toxicities included neutropenia in 51.0% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 2.0%, anemia in 20.4%, infection in 24.5%, anorexia in 12.2%, diarrhea in 14.3%, nausea in 6.1%, and dehydration in 4.2%. There was 1 treatment-related death due to severe anorexia, stomatitis, diarrhea, and, as consequence, dehydration. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of S-1 and biweekly docetaxel is an acceptable therapeutic option in patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC regardless of the histological type.

Phosphatase of regenerating liver-1 promotes cell migration and invasion and regulates filamentous actin dynamics.

The phosphatases of regenerating liver (PRLs) are a unique family of plasma membrane-associated protein tyrosine phosphatases that have been hypothesized to be involved in metastatic cancer. How PRLs control cancer cell migration, invasion, and proliferation remains largely unknown. In the current study, we demonstrate a role for PRL-1 in the regulation of filamentous actin dynamics, which could promote cell metastatic processes. Human A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cells stably expressing wild-type PRL-1 exhibited a 60% increase in migration and a 3-fold increase in invasion. Cells expressing catalytic mutants of PRL-1 (C104S and D72A) lacked increased cell migration and invasion, indicating that these phenotypic changes required PRL-1 phosphatase activity. In contrast, PRL-1 small interfering RNA decreased in vitro lung cancer cell migration and invasion. The cadherin-catenin complex and dynamic filamentous actin are believed to control cellular invasiveness. Expression of wild-type PRL-1, but not phosphatase-inactive PRL-1 (C104S or D72A), decreased E-cadherin, vinculin, and paxillin expression. Ectopic expression of wild-type PRL-1 increased RhoA levels, which have an important role in actin filament assembly and stabilization of focal adhesion, and decreased activated Cdc42 and Rac. The Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, (R)-(+)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride (Y-27632), decreased RhoA activity, actin filament levels, and cellular migration and invasion in PRL-1-expressing cells. These results suggest that PRL-1 could be a productive cancer therapeutic target and support further efforts to identify its substrates.

Phase II study of the combination of nedaplatin and weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To date, no phase II trial of nedaplatin and weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been published. The safety and efficacy of the combination of nedaplatin and weekly paclitaxel in patients with NSCLC was examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with previously untreated NSCLC, either stage IIIB with pleural effusion or stage IV, were eligible if they had a performance status of 0 to 2, were 75 years or younger and had adequate organ function. Patients were treated with nedaplatin (80 mg/m(2) on day 1) and weekly paclitaxel (90 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 and 15). RESULTS: From March 2005 through March 2008, 47 patients (31 men and 16 women; median age, 66 years; age range, 38 to 75 years) were enrolled. The overall response rate was 53.2% (95% confidence interval, 38.1% to 67.9%). The median survival time was 13 months (range, 1 to 36 months), the 1-year survival rate was 62% and the median time to disease progression was 5 months (range, 1 to 19 months). Grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia in 38.3% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 2.1% and anemia in 23.4% . Although frequent non-hematologic toxicities were nausea, hepatic dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy, all cases were of only mild to moderate severity. Although 1 patient had grade 3 pulmonary toxicity due to drug-induced pneumonia, this patient recovered after receiving steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: This combination chemotherapy is effective and well tolerated and is an acceptable therapeutic option for patients with untreated advanced NSCLC.

Patient satisfaction with sedation for flexible bronchoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patient satisfaction with health care has increasingly been recognized as an important health outcome, but few studies have examined patient satisfaction with flexible bronchoscopy (FB). The purpose of this study was to assess patient satisfaction with FB conducted under conscious sedation and to identify the aspects of the procedure related to patient satisfaction. METHODS: Patients' willingness to return for repeat FB was measured on a 5-point scale. Patients were asked whether they were bothered by the anaesthetic spray, scope insertion, shortness of breath, coughing, pharyngeal pain, chest pain or swallowing pain. Patients were asked to assess the quality of the physician, the institution and nursing, and their satisfaction with the privacy, waiting time and information provided about the procedure. RESULTS: Of 161 consecutive eligible patients who underwent FB, 129 (80.1%) completed the questionnaire. Of the 129 patients, 65.8% reported that they would return for a repeat FB (12.4% would definitely return and 53.4% would probably return). Male gender, shorter examination time, excellent physician quality and not being bothered by coughing, pharyngeal pain or swallowing pain were related to greater patient satisfaction. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that male gender was related to greater patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoscopists should try to recognize the factors that influence patient satisfaction and adjust their management accordingly.

[Two cases with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer successfully treated with cisplatin and S-1].

We report two cases with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) successfully treated with cisplatin and S-1 after multiple chemotherapy. A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, yield-T4N2M1, stage IV. She was treated with cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) (day 8) and S-1 80 mg/m(2) (days 1-21) as sixth-line chemotherapy after treatment with paclitaxel and irinotecan, cisplatin and gemcitabine, docetaxel, gefitinib, and vinorelbine. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed partial response of recurrent tumors. Another woman (56 years old) was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, yield-T0N1M1, stage IV. She was also treated with cisplatin and S-1 as fourth-line chemotherapy after treatment with nedaplatin and gemcitabine, docetaxel and irinotecan, and gefitinib. Chest CT showed a partial response of recurrent tumors. Additionally, we retrospectively reviewed 10 cases with recurrent NSCLC treated with cisplatin and S-1 during the same period. Grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity included neutropenia in 30% of these 10 patients, thrombocytopenia in 20%, and anemia in 60%. Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity included hyperglycemia and hyponatremia in 20% of the 10 patients. All side effects were manageable and there was no case of treatment-related death. Cisplatin combined with S-1 could be an option for recurrent NSCLC.

Effectiveness of intensive follow-up after response in patients with small cell lung cancer.

We investigated whether intensive follow-up leads to earlier diagnosis of recurrence, more effective treatment, and longer survival in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who had shown a complete or partial response to first-line chemotherapy. The subjects of this retrospective study were 94 patients with SCLC who had shown a complete or partial response to first-line chemotherapy. The patients were separated into two arms: an intensive follow-up arm in which patients underwent regular blood tests, chest radiography, computed tomography of the chest and upper abdomen, magnetic resonance or computed tomography of the brain, and bone scintigraphy bimonthly for 6 months and then quarterly for 1.5 years; and a nonintensive follow-up arm in which these examinations were performed at the physician's discretion. All patients also underwent interviews and physical examinations monthly for 2 years and bimonthly for a further 3 years. Patient characteristics did not differ significantly between the arms. Disease recurred in 55 of 62 patients of the intensive arm and 29 of 32 patients of the nonintensive arm. Asymptomatic recurrences were detected more frequently in the intensive arm than in the nonintensive arm. The response rate to salvage therapy among all patients with recurrent disease was significantly higher in the intensive arm (61.8%) than in the nonintensive arm (37.9%; p=0.04). Both median postrelapse survival and overall median survival were significantly longer in the intensive arm (9 and 20 months, respectively, p=0.04 and p=0.001) than in the nonintensive arm (4 and 13 months, respectively). Intensive follow-up helps detect recurrence earlier, enhances the effectiveness of treatment, and lengthens survival in patients with SCLC. Well-designed prospective, randomized trials including a cost-benefit analysis are needed to compare intensive and nonintensive follow-up regimens.

[Two cases of successfully treated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following influenza virus infection].

While invasive pulmonary aspergillosis usually occurs in immunocompromised hosts, it has been described after influenza virus infection in healthy individuals. The first case was a 76-year-old previously healthy woman admitted because of chest pain, cough, sputum, fever, and a chest radiograph abnormality. A transbronchial biopsy specimen showed fungal hyphae. Amphotericin B (AMPH) and Itraconazole (ITCZ) were given, and she improved gradually. A viral test showed a titre of 1/128 to influenza A. Case 2 was a 72-year-old previously healthy man admitted because of cough, fever, chest pain and a consolidation and cavitation on the chest radiograph. Antibiotics were ineffective. Cavitation with a halo sign appeared on the contralateral lung. Because his daughter was infected with Influenza B, we suspected he had been infected with IPA following influenza infection. AMPH and ITCZ and Micafungin sodium were given. His respiratory failure worsened, and on the tenth hospital day he required artificial ventilation; his condition improved gradually, (extubation after 40 days.) A viral test showed a titre of 1/128 to influenza B. IPA must be considered for the differential diagnosis of complications of influenza virus infection.