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Lung Cancer: Non-Small Cell - Stages I-IIIA
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Iressa® Improves Progression-free Survival over Standard Chemotherapy in Patients with NSCLC with EGFR Mutations (9/28/2009)
Researchers from Japan have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) alone improves outcomes of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations compared with patients receiving Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel). The details of this study were presented at the Joint ECCO 15 – 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, September 20-24, 2009.
PET-CT Detects More Advanced Disease in Patients with NSCLC (8/20/2009)
Researchers from Canada have reported that preoperative whole-body positron emission tomography, computed tomography (PET-CT), and cranial imaging identifies more patients with mediastinal and extrathoracic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than conventional staging. However, some patients were upstaged incorrectly by PET-CT. The details of this study were reported in the August 16, 2009 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
ASCO 2009: Phase I-II Results of New Bcl-2 Inhibitor, AT-101 (8/5/2009)
At the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) there were several preclinical and Phase I-II clinical presentations suggesting activity for a new inhibitor of the Bcl-2 family of proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mel-1, Bcl-W), AT-109, developed by Ascenta Therapeutics.
Steriotactic Radiotherapy Effective for Stage I NSCLC in Medically Inoperable Patients (7/13/2009)
Scandinavian researchers have reported that steriotactic radiotherapy for Stage I non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with a local control rate of 90% in patients deemed medically inoperable. These results were published in the July 10, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Preoperative PET-CT Reduces Number of Thoracotomies but Does Not Improve Survival of Patients with NSCLC (7/2/2009)
Researchers from Denmark have reported that “The use of PET-CT for preoperative staging of NSCLC [non–small cell lung cancer] reduced both the total number of thoracotomies and the number of futile thoracotomies but did not affect overall mortality.” The details of this study appeared in the July 2, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Increased Death Rate from NSCLC (6/5/2009)
Researchers affiliated with the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) have reported that menopausal women with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who receive combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen plus progestin are 61% more likely to die from the disease than their counterparts who received placebo. The details of this study were presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Orlando, Florida on May 30.
Adjuvant Paclitaxel plus Carboplatin Does Not Improve Survival in Stage IB NSCLC (1/27/2009)
Researchers affiliated with CALGB study 9633 have reported that adjuvant chemotherapy does not provide a statistically significant survival advantage for patients with Stage IB non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were published in the November 1, 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Iressa® Equivalent to Taxotere® for Previously Treated NSCLC (12/2/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the international randomized trial, INTEREST, have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) is non-inferior to Taxotere® (docetaxel) for salvage palliative treatment of patients with previously treated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the November 22, 2008 issue of Lancet.
Avastin® Increases Risk of Venous Thromboembolism (11/20/2008)
Researchers from Stony Brook University have reported that the use of Avastin® (bevacizumab) increases the risk of thromboembolism. The details of this review were published in the November 19, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Iressa® Confirmed Effective for Elderly with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (10/17/2008)
Researchers from Japan have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) is effective and well tolerated for initial treatment of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were published in the October, 2008 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Stereotactic Radiation Improves Local Control but Not Survival in Stage I NSCLC (10/1/2008)
Researchers from Denmark have reported that the addition of stereotactic radiation therapy in early-stage inoperable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) improves local disease control but does not improve overall survival. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO).
Surgery Effective in Very Elderly Patients with Lung Cancer (5/2/2008)
Researchers from the Hoag Cancer Center in California have reported that surgery for the treatment of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients 80 years and older is a safe and effective treatment approach for those who are eligible. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
DNA Test Predicts Relapse of Stage I Lung Cancer (3/13/2008)
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have reported that a gene profile was predictive of relapse in patients with surgically resected Stage I non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the March 13, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
High PET Uptake Value May Predict Relapses in Stage I NSCLC (3/3/2008)
Researchers from Washington University have reported that the maximum tumor standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of preoperative positron emission tomography (PET) is a predictor of relapse in patients with Stage I non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the February, 2008 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Provides Guidelines for Adjuvant Therapy of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (12/11/2007)
The American Society of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Care Ontario have published guidelines regarding the use of adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiation therapy in patients with Stage I-IIIA non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has been completely surgically removed. The guidelines were published in the December 1, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Benefit of Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation in stage IIIA NSCLC Defined (11/13/2007)
Researchers from Germany have reported that patients with operable stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy benefit from prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). The details of this randomized study were published in the November 1, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Possible Progress in Vaccine Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (11/1/2007)
At the 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer in September, 2007 two studies were presented which suggest that vaccine therapies may be effective in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Partial Hold on Telcyta® Development Removed (10/26/2007)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has removed the partial hold it had placed on the clinical development of Telik, Inc’s investigative small molecule Telcyta (canfosfamide HCL, TLK286).
Addition of Gemzar® to Taxotere® Improves Survival as Initial Therapy in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/19/2007)
Researchers from Greece have reported that the addition of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) to Taxotere® (docetaxel) improves survival compared with Taxotere only when used as initial therapy in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Lung Cancer.
Photodynamic Therapy Effective for Patients with Early Central Lung Cancer Not Eligible for Surgery (9/17/2007)
Researchers from the UK have reported that treatment with photodynamic therapy is an effective strategy for patients who have early central lung cancer and are not eligible for surgery. The details of this study appeared in the May 2007 issue of Thorax.
Vascular Disrupting Agent, ASA404, Improves Survival for Lung Cancer (8/29/2007)
According to a press release by Antisoma, the small molecule vascular disrupting agent (ASA404) improves anticancer responses and survival for patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Specific data including time to cancer progression and overall survival will be presented at the 2007 World Lung Cancer Conference in Seoul, Korea.
Untreated Stage I Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer is Fatal (8/23/2007)
Researchers from several California institutions have reported that untreated patients with Stage I non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a median survival time of nine months, with only 6% of patients surviving for five years. They suggest that early detection of lung cancer will not lead to over-treatment of indolent disease. The details of this study appeared in the July 2007 issue of Chest.
Ixabepilone Evaluated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Bladder Cancer and Prostate Cancer (8/17/2007)
There have been three recent clinical trials evaluating ixabepilone, in NSCLC, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Ixabepilone is an epothilone B analog that binds to microtubules and results in microtubule stabilization and mitotic arrest. There have been several recent publications demonstrating significant activity for single agent ixabepilone in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Tarceva® May Be Effective in Patients with NSCLC Progressing after Responding to Iressa® (7/11/2007)
Researchers from South Korea have reported that Tarceva® (erlotinib) may be effective in patients with stable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after treatment with Iressa® (gefitinib). The details of this study were reported in the June 20, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Stereotactic Single-Dose Radiotherapy Effective for Stage I-II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (6/22/2007)
Researchers from Germany have reported that single-dose stereotactic radiotherapy is associated with a 69% 36 month local control rate in patients with stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the July, 2007 issue of Cancer.
Response Rate to Chemotherapy for NSCLC not Affected by Ethyol® (5/2/2007)
Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center have reported that response rates for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to chemotherapy are not affected by Ethyol® (amifostine) cytoprotection. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the International Journal of RadiationOncology* Biology* Physics on February 6, 2007.
Proton Beam Therapy Confirmed Effective for Stage I NSCLC (4/30/2007)
Researchers from Japan have reported a 2 year survival of 74% and a cause-specific survival of 86% in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the InternationalJournal Radiation Oncology* Biology* Physics on March 20, 2007.
Radiotherapy May be Best Choice for Selected Patients with Stage IIIA NSCLC (3/26/2007)
Researchers affiliated with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-Lung Cancer Group have reported that patients with stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who respond to chemotherapy have equivalent survivals following radiotherapy or surgery. The details of this study appeared in the March 21, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Two Genes Predict Survival Following Surgery in Early Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (2/26/2007)
Researchers from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center have reported that expression of two proteins, RRM1 and ERCC1, can help predict which patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will have a good survival after surgery.
Carbon Ion Beam Therapy Effective for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (2/23/2007)
Researchers from Japan have reported that treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with carbon ion beam therapy results in a 95% local control rate with minimal side effects.
Five-Gene Signature Predicts Outcome of Patients with NSCLC (2/5/2007)
Researchers from Taiwan have reported that a five-gene signature is closely associated with relapse-free and overall survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Lobectomy May Improve Survival Compared to Wedge Resection in Stage IA Lung Cancers (2/1/2007)
Researchers from three tertiary medical centers have reported that patients with stage IA lung cancers have a better survival following lobectomy than following wedge resection.
Calypso® 4D Localization System May Improve Efficacy of External Beam Radiotherapy (12/1/2006)
At the 2006 meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in November there were 10 abstracts presented that describe a new system for measuring and monitoring organ motion in real time during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).
Gene Modified Allogeneic Tumor Cell Vaccine Active in NSCLC (10/12/2006)
Researchers from the Medical Research Center/Texas Oncology Professional Associates and Baylor University have reported that belagenpumatucel-L, a nonviral allogeneic tumor cell vaccine is well tolerated, produced clinical responses and may improve survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Adjuvant Platinol®/Navelbine® Improves Survival in NSCLC (10/11/2006)
Researchers affiliated with the Late Adjuvant Cisplatin Evaluation (LACE vinorelbine project) have reported that adjuvant Platinol® (cisplatin) plus Navelbine® (vinorelbine) improves survival among patients with completely resected non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Survival Benefit From Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage I But Not Stage II-IIIA NSCLC (10/5/2006)
Japanese researchers have reported that one year of adjuvant therapy with oral UFT (uracil and tegafur) improves 8-year survival for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
3D Radiotherapy Improves Outcome of Inoperable Stage I NSCLC (10/3/2006)
Researchers from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that patients with inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survived longer following 3D radiotherapy than following 2D radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Superior to Radiation Alone Following Initial Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer (9/26/2006)
Researchers from Germany have reported that chemoradiotherapy provides superior progression-free and overall survival compared to radiation therapy alone following initial chemotherapy for the treatment of inoperable Stage IIIA or IIIB non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
ERCC1 Predicts Responses to Chemotherapy in Early Lung Cancer (9/11/2006)
Researchers from Europe affiliated with the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer Biology study have reported that the excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) can identify patients who will achieve a benefit from Platinol® (cisplatin)-based adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Final Results of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Observation for Resected NSCLC Published (8/28/2006)
Researchers affiliated with the Adjuvant Navelbine International Trialist Association (ANITA) have published the final results of a randomized trial evaluating adjuvant Navelbine® (vinorelbine)/Platinol® (cisplatin) have reported that adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage II-IIIA resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) improved survival by 8.6% at 7 years.
Gene Expression Profile Predicts Survival in Early Stage Lung Cancer (8/11/2006)
Researchers from Duke University have reported that a lung metagene model accurately predicts the survival of patients with IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Surgical Removal May Improve Survival for All Stages of Lung Cancer (8/10/2006)
Researchers from Norway have reported that surgical removal of lung cancer may improve outcomes of patients with lung cancer, including those with locally advanced or metastatic disease.
Thermal Ablation Plus Radiation Therapy May Improve Survival in Early Lung Cancer (8/1/2006)
Researchers from Brown University have reported that the combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation plus radiation therapy may improve survival compared with either modality alone in the treatment of inoperable, early lung cancer.
Updated Results from CALGB 9633 Show No Benefit of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage IB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/12/2006)
Results described by a discussant as “practice changing” were presented at a lung cancer session of the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) protocol 9633, which previously reported a survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy among patients with resected stage IB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), reported that updated analyses indicate no evidence of an overall survival benefit.
Radiation Therapy Effective for Early NSCLC in the Elderly (5/3/2006)
Researchers from Spain have reported that radiation therapy alone appears to be effective and well-tolerated in elderly patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were published in the journal Lung Cancer.
Radiofrequency Ablation and Radiotherapy Combined for Treatment of Medically Inoperable Stage I NSCLC (3/16/2006)
Researchers from Brown Medical School have reported that the combined use of radiofrequency ablation and radiotherapy was an effective method of treating patients with medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer.
Small Primary or Metastatic Lung Cancers Treated Successfully with Single-Fraction Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (3/15/2006)
Researchers from Japan have reported that small peripheral primary or metastatic lung cancers can be treated successfully with a single dose of radiation therapy delivered by stereotactic techniques and a novel technique of irradiation only during the expiratory phase of respiration.
Stereotactic Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Promising for Lung Cancer (2/1/2006)
Researchers from Sweden have reported promising results of treating stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with three fractions of 15 Gy given over one week rather than smaller daily doses spread over a longer period of time.
Chinese Herbal Medicine May Increase Effectiveness of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer (1/25/2006)
A combined analysis of 34 studies, performed by researchers at the University of California at Berkeley, suggests that Astragalus-based Chinese herbal medicine may increase the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Induction Chemotherapy and Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy Promising in Stage III NSCLC (12/6/2005)
Researchers from Korea have reported that the addition of induction chemotherapy prior to a standard chemoradiotherpy regimen may improve outcomes of patients with inoperable stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Abraxane™ Effective for Initial Treatment of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (11/11/2005)
Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported that Abraxane (albumin-bound paclitaxel) appears to be effective and well tolerated as initial treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Premenopausal Women Have Improved Survival with Xyotax® for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (11/11/2005)
Retrospective subgroup analysis of two large randomized trials, STELLAR 3 and STELLAR 4, have demonstrated an improved survival with Xyotax compared to other standard chemotherapy regimens in premenopausal women with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Iressa® Offers Survival Advantage in Select Patients with Refractory Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (11/4/2005)
Researchers involved in the international multicenter Iressa Survival Evaluation in Lung Cancer (ISEL) trial have reported Iressa (gefitinib) produces a survival advantage in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of Asian ethnicity and never smokers, but still does not result in an improvement in survival for the overall group.
Dose-Dense Navelbine® and Taxotere® with Neupogen® Support for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Community Oncology Practices (10/21/2005)
Researchers affiliated with 12 community oncology practices have reported that dose-dense Navelbine (vinorelbine) and Taxotere (docetaxel) can be administered safely with Neupogen (filgrastim) support to patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with results similar or better than those achieved with platinum-based regimens administered on conventional schedules.
Vitamin D May Be Associated With Improved Survival of Early Stage Lung Cancer (10/13/2005)
Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have reported improved survivals of patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had a high intake of vitamin D and were operated on in the summer when compared to similar patients who had a low intake of vitamin D and were operated on in the winter.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Promising for Stage III Unresectable NSCLC (10/12/2005)
Researchers from the University of Alabama have reported a 3-year survival rate of 45% in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with induction Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Platinol® (cisplatin) followed by concurrent radiation and chemotherapy with Gemzar and Taxol® (paclitaxel).
Chemoradiotherapy Promising for Stage I-II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (10/3/2005)
Researchers from Yugoslavia have reported a 36% 5-year survival rate for patients with stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with radiation therapy and concurrent low-dose daily Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel).
Radiation Improves Average Survival in Early, Unresected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/16/2005)
Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Cornell Medical Center have reported that radiation therapy (RT) improves the average duration of survival for patients with Stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are not able to undergo surgery.
Radiofrequency Ablation Reported as Local Therapy for NSCLC (7/8/2005)
Researchers from Italy have reported that radiofrequency ablation appears to be a feasible and safe local therapy for patients with NSCLC who are not candidates for surgery.
Adjuvant Navelbine®/Platinol® Improves Survival in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (7/7/2005)
Final results of a trial evaluating adjuvant Navelbine (vinorelbine)/Platinol (cisplatin) in the treatment of patients with stage II and IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed that the approach provided a significant survival advantage.[1]
Benefit of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Operable NSCLC Confirmed (6/23/2005)
Researchers from Canada have reported that adjuvant chemotherapy with Platinol® (cisplatin) and Navelbine® (vinorelbine) improves outcomes of patients with stage Ib and II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Specific Mutations Associated with Improved Survival with Iressa® in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (5/8/2005)
Researchers from Korea have reported that specific mutations within the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway are associated with improved survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with Iressa® (gefinitib).
PET Scans More Accurate in Detecting Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastasis in NSCLC (2/2/2005)
According to a metanalysis published in the January 2005 issue of Annals of Thoracic Surgery, positron emission tomography (PET) scans are much more accurate that CT scans in detecting mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Randomized Study Confirms Efficacy of Gemzar® and Carboplatin for Advanced NSCLC (2/1/2005)
According to the results of a study recently published in the January 1, 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, combined chemotherapy with Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and carboplatin was well-tolerated and offered an improved survival benefit in patients with advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when compared to a cisplatin-based regimen.
FDA Releases Statement on Failure of Iressa® to Improve Survival in NSCLC (12/21/2004)
On December 17, 2004 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement warning patients that they had been notified by AstraZeneca that a large clinical trial comparing Iressa® (gefitinib) with placebo in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had failed other therapies failed to show a survival benefit.
Four-Year Update Shows Continued Benefit of Adjuvant Therapy Trial for Stage IB NSCLC (11/18/2004)
Researchers affiliated with the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) presented an update of the clinical trial comparing surgery, paclitaxel and carboplatin to surgery alone for stage IB non-small cell lung cancer (CALGB 9633) at the 2004 meeting of the European Society of Medical Oncology in Vienna ) October 29-November 2, 2004. The results of this trial were also presented at the June 2004 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Proton Beam Therapy for Stage I Lung Cancer (10/20/2004)
Researchers from Loma Linda University have reported that proton beam therapy produced a 3-year local control rate of 74% and a disease-specific survival rate of 72% in patients with stage I lung cancer. The details of this report appeared in the October, 2004 issue of Chest.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy Effective for Early NSCLC and Pulmonary Metastases in Inoperable Patients who cannot Undergo Surgery (9/14/2004)
Researchers from Germany have reported that stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is effective therapy for patients with stage I-II NSCLC and pulmonary metastases who are medically unfit for surgery. The details of this study appeared in the September 2004 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics.
Progress in Development of Vaccines for NSCLC (7/19/2004)
Two studies in the July 15, 2004 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggest that there may be progress in the development of vaccines for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Researchers from the University of Miami have reported that vaccination with a B7.1 HLA-A gene modified adenocarcinoma cell line had “minimal toxicity and good survival in this small population suggests clinical benefit from vaccination.” The second study, from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, reported that a dendritic cell vaccine “had biologic activity in a variety of NSCLC patients.”
Two Trials at ASCO Report Benefit of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Early Stage NSCLC (6/9/2004)
Two presentations at the June 2004 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) have confirmed the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Mutations Predict Response to Iressa® in Patients with NSCLC (5/5/2004)
Researchers from Harvard have identified an association between mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR and response to Iressa® (gefitinib) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this report will appear in the May 20, 2004 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine and were published online on April 29, 2004.
1
Alimta® Compares Favorably to Taxotere® in the Second-Line Treatment of NSCLC (5/3/2004)
Results of a global, phase III trial indicate that Alimta® (pemetrexed) produces a similar patient survival rate as Taxotere®, but with an improved safety profile in the second-line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Taxotere® is currently the standard of care for second-line treatment of NSCLC. This study constituted the largest head-to-head phase III trial in second-line treatment of NSCLC. The results were published in the May 1, 2004 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
More Evidence that PET Scans are Better than CT Scans for Staging Lung Cancer (4/29/2004)
Two separate studies show that PET scans lead to stage changes and alter therapy compared to conventional assessment in both NSCLC and SCLC. The NSCLC study was published in the May 2004 issue of
The International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics,
1 and the SCLC study was published in the April 2004 issue of
The American Journal of Clinical Oncology.
4
Adjuvant Uracil-Tegafur (UFT) Proven Effective for Stage I Adenocarcinoma of the Lung (4/28/2004)
Japanese researchers have reported that “adjuvant chemotherapy with uracil-tegafur improves survival among patients with completely resected pathological stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung.” The details of this report were published in the April 22, 2004 issue of
The New England Journal of Medicine.
1
U.S. and European Research Reveals an "Epidemic" of Lung Cancer among Women (4/21/2004)
A special report in the April 14, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association calls attention to the increase in lung cancer in women.
1 A similar phenomena has been reported from Europe in the June 10, 2004 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
2
Autologus GM-CSF Secreting Vaccine Has Activity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (2/23/2004)
Researchers from US Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, University of California in San Francisco, the Earl A. Chiles Research Institute, and Providence Medical Center in Portland Oregon have reported that a granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene-modified autologous tumor vaccine produces immune and clinical responses in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The report of this phase I-II trial appeared in the February 18, 2004 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
1
Taxotere®/Platinol® More Effective Than Navelbine®/Platinol® in Stage IV NSCLC (2/3/2004)
Researchers from Japan have reported that a regimen of docetaxel (Taxotere®) and cisplatin (Platinol®) was more effective than vinorelbine (Navelbine®) and cisplatin Platinol® for the treatment of patients with stage IV lung cancer. The details of this report appeared in the January 15, 2004 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Platinol(R)-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Outcomes of Patients with Completely Resected NSCLC (2/3/2004)
Researchers affiliated with the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer Trial have reported that patients with completely resected stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who receive cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy have a 5-year survival of 44.5% compared to 40.4% for a control group not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. These results were presented at a plenary session of the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago in June of 2003 and have now been published in the January 22 issue of
The New England Journal of Medicine.
1
Pentoxifylline May Prevent Radiation-Induced Lung Damage (1/16/2004)
Researchers from Turkey have reported that oral pentoxifylline (Trentel®) may reduce radiation-induced lung toxicity. The results of this randomized trial appeared in the January 2004 issue of the
International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics.
Gefitinib (Iressa®) Well Tolerated in Elderly Patients with NSCLC (1/15/2004)
Researchers from Italy have reported that Iressa® is well tolerated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are 70 years of age or older. The details of this report appeared in the January 2004 issue of the
British Journal of Cancer.
PET Scanning More Accurate Than CT for Staging of Mediastinum in Patients with NSCLC (12/4/2003)
Researchers from Stanford University have performed a meta-analysis of published reports concerning the relative accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) in mediastinal staging of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They concluded that PET was more accurate than CT but was less specific when enlarged nodes were present by CT. The results of this study and an editorial questioning the wide spread acceptance of PET for this purpose were published in the December 2, 2003 issue of the
Annals of Internal Medicine.
Benefits of Surgery in Stage IIIa NSCLC Cancelled Out by Treatment Deaths (10/24/2003)
Researchers affiliated with RTOG have reported that surgery following chemotherapy and radiation for stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) improves disease control but this benefit is cancelled out by an increase in treatment related deaths. The results of this randomized trial were reported on October 20, 2003 at the 45th annual meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Adjuvant Therapy for Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Remains Controversial (10/2/2003)
Italian researchers have reported that there was no benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy with Mutamycin®, vindesine and Platinol® (MVP) for completely resected stage I-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results of this randomized trial appeared in the October 1, 2003 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
1
Non-Platinum Combination Including Gemzar® is Suitable for First-Line Therapy of Advanced NSCLC (9/25/2003)
A study presented at the 12th European Conference on Clinical Oncology (ECCO) indicates that the non-platinum combination consisting of
Gemzar® and Navelbine® shows a favorable tolerability profile and median survival in the first-line therapy of advanced NSCLC.
Amifostine (Ethyol®) Decreases Toxicities Associated with Radiochemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/11/2003)
Researchers from Greece have reported that Ethyol® reduces “the incidence of both acute and late toxicities associated with radiochemotherapy (RCT) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without compromising efficacy.”
Older Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Benefit from Aggressive Chemotherapy (9/4/2003)
Researchers from the University of North Carolina reported in the August 15, 2003 issue of Cancer that patients aged 70 years or older with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit as much from Paraplatin® (carboplatin)/Platinol® (paclitaxel) chemotherapy as younger patients.
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CEA Levels and Vascular Invasion Predict Outcomes of Patients with Small NSCLC (8/12/2003)
Researchers from Japan reported in the August 1, 2003 issue of
Cancer that pre-surgical CEA levels and vascular invasion predict outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing surgery.
Correction of Anemia with Aranesp® Decreases Cancer Related Fatigue, Anxiety and Depression (7/24/2003)
Analysis of a large multinational randomized trial of darbepoetin alfa (erythropoietin, Aranesp®) for treatment of cancer-induced anemia demonstrated significant improvement in cancer-related fatigue, which was associated with less anxiety and depression. These result appeared in the July 2003 issue of
Cancer.
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Celebrex® May Enhance Chemotherapy Response in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (7/24/2003)
Researchers from Cornell University reported that Celebrex®, a COX-2 inhibitior, may enhance the effects of preoperative Taxol® and Paraplatin® in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results of this study were published in the July 15, 2003 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Neoadjuvant Gemzar® and Platinol® Every 3 Weeks for Advanced Inoperable NSCLC (6/24/2003)
Researchers from Italy have reported that the combination of
Gemzar® and Platinol® given every 3 weeks is a relatively effective regimen that is well tolerated for the neoadjuvant treatment of stage IIIA and IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were published in the June 15, 2003 issue of
Cancer.
Aggressive Treatment, Including Surgery, Improves Outcome of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/13/2003)
According to the results of a large inter-group trial recently presented at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery improves survival compared to radiation and chemotherapy alone in patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mediastinal nodal involvement.
Large Clinical Trial Supports Use of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Resected Stage I-III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/4/2003)
Researchers affiliated with the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer Trial have reported that patients with resected stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who receive adjuvant cisplatin based adjuvant chemotherapy have a 5 year survival of 44.5% compared to 40.4% for a control group not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.03). These results were presented at a plenary session of the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) held June 2003 in Chicago.
Bestatin Reduces Recurrences in Patients with Stage I Squamous Cell Lung Cancer (4/25/2003)
Bestatin is an immune stimulant that inhibits aminopeptidase. In vitro studies have suggested that it acts partially by apoptosis of malignant cells. This agent is used as maintenance therapy for AML and, more recently, has shown some activity in squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Japanese researchers have reported in the April 16, 2003 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute that 2 years of oral bestatin decreased the recurrence rate by approximately 10% in patients with squamous NSCLC.
Bestatin Reduces Recurrences in Patients with Stage I Squamous Cell Lung Cancer (4/25/2003)
Bestatin is an immune stimulant that inhibits aminopeptidase. In vitro studies have suggested that it acts partially by apoptosis of malignant cells. This agent is used as maintenance therapy for AML and, more recently, has shown some activity in squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Japanese researchers have reported in the April 16, 2003 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute that 2 years of oral bestatin decreased the recurrence rate by approximately 10% in patients with squamous NSCLC.
Gemzar® and Carboplatin, A Well Tolerated Regimen for Lung Cancer (4/9/2003)
Combination chemotherapy prolongs survival and improves the quality of life of younger patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are several drug combinations which appear to produce similar palliative results. The most active drugs are the taxanes, (paclitaxel and
Taxotere®), platinum compounds (cisplatin and carboploatin),
Gemzar®, and venrelbine. Various two drug combinations produce roughly equivalent results but with somewhat differing side effects. One drug combination that appears to be well tolerated is Gemzar® and carboplatin. In the April 2003 issue of the journal Lung Cancer German researchers report the results of a phase II clinical trial of Gemzar® amd carboplatin for treatment of patients with stage IIIb and IV NSCLC.
Gemzar® and Carboplatin, A Well Tolerated Regimen for Lung Cancer (4/9/2003)
Combination chemotherapy prolongs survival and improves the quality of life of younger patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are several drug combinations which appear to produce similar palliative results. The most active drugs are the taxanes, (paclitaxel and
Taxotere®), platinum compounds (cisplatin and carboploatin),
Gemzar®, and venrelbine. Various two drug combinations produce roughly equivalent results but with somewhat differing side effects. One drug combination that appears to be well tolerated is Gemzar® and carboplatin. In the April 2003 issue of the journal Lung Cancer German researchers report the results of a phase II clinical trial of Gemzar® amd carboplatin for treatment of patients with stage IIIb and IV NSCLC.
FDA Approves Taxotere® for First-Line Treatment of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (12/3/2002)
First Therapy Approved for Initial Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in More Than Four Years
Radiation Therapy or Surgery Produce Equivalent Results in Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/27/2002)
Patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are treated with surgery if they are in fit condition or with radiation therapy if they are not. For patients who receive surgery, adjuvant radiation therapy can decrease local recurrences but usually does not improve survival. The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IIIA disease is poorly documented, possibly because it is difficult to deliver full-dose therapy in these patients. More recently, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery for stage IIIA disease has improved survival.
FDA Panel Backs FDA Approval of Iressa® for Third-Line Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/26/2002)
AstraZeneca obtained accelerated approval for use of Iressa® as third-line therapy for recurrent or refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This drug has been approved in Japan, but not by any European country. Iressa® is a novel anticancer agent which selectively blocks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). A significant proportion of lung cancer expresses epithelial growth factor receptors (EGFR). EGFR is a protein that is involved in the growth and replication of a cell. In some cancers, the EGFR may not be working properly, leading to excessive replication of the cancer cell. Novel compounds still in clinical trials, called EGFR inhibitors, are targeted against the receptor. Iressa® is a small, oral agent that binds to a portion of EGFR and blocks part of the biochemical pathway initiated by EGFR that induces cancer cells to grow.
Further Evidence That Non-Platinum Containing Two-Drug Regimens Are Effective Palliation for Advanced and Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/24/2002)
Cisplatin or carboplatin-based chemotherapy has been the standard approach for the palliative treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Studies have demonstrated that two-drug regimens are in general, as effective and better tolerated than three-drug platinum-based regimens. More recently, two-drug combinations, not including cisplatin or Paraplatin®, have been shown to provide equivalent palliation with less side effects. Researchers in Greece have compared, in a randomized trial, paclitaxel and
Gemzar® with Paraplatin® and paclitaxel. The results of this study were published in the September 1, 2002 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) May Improve Outcomes of Patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (9/23/2002)
Surgery is the primary treatment for patients with stage I NSCLC. However, many patients are too elderly or too debilitated to undergo surgical treatment, or many patients refuse surgery. Radiation therapy alone can cure approximately one-third of patients with stage I NSCLC. Many patients, however, will have complications of radiation therapy including pneumonitis which can further compromise lung function. Some of the newer radiation techniques such as 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) offer more precise delivery of high-dose radiation and may improve cure rates. Another technique, IGRT, has been reported by Japanese researchers. This technique uses a CT scanner and computer modeling to determine field size and takes into account inspiration and expiration as these patients are unable to hold their breath for the treatment. As in IMRT, multiple layered columnators are used to modulate dose to different areas. The total dose of radiation was 48 or 60 Gy delivered in 8 fractions. The results of this trial were published in the September 18, 2002 issue of
Cancer.
Systematic Follow-up of Patients with Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Detects Surgically Treatable Second Cancers (9/11/2002)
Although patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be cured with surgery alone they are at significant risk for the development of a second primary lung cancer or a potentially treatable local recurrence. However, the frequency and nature of followup required to detect early curable second cancers is unknown. Researchers at the City of Hope National Medical Center evaluated the effectiveness of close follow-up of 124 patients with Stage IA NSCLC treated initially with surgery alone. Follow-up included an annual computed tomographic (CT) examination of the chest with interval chest radiography every 4 months for 2 years and every 6 months for 3 additional years. Fourteen patients were found to have a second primary NSCLC. The median diameter of resected second primary cancers detected by CT was 14 mm compared to 26.5 mm for those detected by chest X-ray. Nine of the 14 patients with second cancers were alive and free of disease at the time of this report which was a median of 20 months from surgery. Two patients were still alive but had disease, 2 died of unrelated causes and one died during surgery. These authors concluded that annual CT scans and three times per year chest X-rays detected early second NSCLC, which was often curable.
Gemzar® and Navelbine® Found Least Toxic of 4 Regimens for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/9/2002)
Many drug regimens are being compared for the palliative treatment of patients with Stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Until recently, platinum-based regimens were thought to be superior to other regimens. However, more recent comparisons have emphasized equivalent palliative effects with less toxicity and ease of administration. This is a tacit understanding that all regimens are palliative and quality of life is an important endpoint. Researchers affiliated with The Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network have recently reported that the combination of
Gemzar® and Navelbine® was probably the best of three regimens tested, based on a trend for better effectiveness and less associated toxicities. They reported their results in the September 5, 2002 issue of the journal
Cancer.
Radiation Therapy Alone Can Be Effective Treatment for Patients with Stage I-II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Who Cannot Undergo Surgery (9/6/2002)
Patients with early-stage I–II NSCLC are preferentially treated with surgery and the value of adjuvant and neoadjuvant radiation and/ or chemotherapy is controversial. Surgery is the only method that allows for precise staging for NSCLC. However, clinical staging can be relatively precise using newer scanning techniques. For clinically staged patients, the 5-year survival rates following surgery for stage I-II NSCLC range from 20% to 60% depending on size of the primary and nodal involvement. However, many patients with NSCLC are elderly or too debilitated, usually from cardiopulmonary disease, to undergo surgery. There is also a group of patients who refuse surgery due to the anticipated high risks of morbidity and mortality, especially form pneumonectomy. Such patients are offered definitive radiation therapy (RT) for treatment. In order to gain a better understanding of the outcomes of RT alone for the treatment of stage I-II NSCLC, researchers in Germany performed an extensive review of the literature. They published their results of this review in the September 2002 issue of the International
Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics.
Aranesp™ Reduces Blood Transfusions in Patients with Lung Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy (8/21/2002)
Patients with lung and other cancers receiving chemotherapy may develop anemia, which is corrected by blood transfusions. The main symptomatic side effect of anemia is fatigue. Some patients receiving chemotherapy have low levels of endogenous erythropoietin, although the cause of anemia is multifactorial and significantly includes chemotherapy suppression of blood production. Human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) can enhance red blood cell production in patients receiving chemotherapy and theoretically avoid blood transfusions despite continued myelosuppression. Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp") is a new erythropoiesis-stimulating protein that has a longer half-life than rHuEPO and can be administered less frequently.
Mortality from Major Cancer Surgery and Morbidity From Prostate Surgery Lower in High Volume Hospitals Than in Low Volume Hospitals (4/16/2002)
There were two reports in the April 11 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine which strongly support the concept that patients facing major cancer surgery should select a high volume hospital near where they live.
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