Yu, Nathan

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with platinum‐etoposide is the standard first‐line therapy for patients with extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer (ES‐SCLC). The phase 3 clinical trials that led to the approval of chemoimmunotherapy in ES‐SCLC excluded patients who had an Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 2–3. Therefore, data on the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy in patients with an ECOG PS of 2–3 are limited. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients diagnosed with ES‐SCLC who received chemoimmunotherapy (atezolizumab or durvalumab) within the Mayo Clinic Health System between January 2016 and January 2021. The objective of this study was to compare the overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and best clinical response to therapy in patients with an ECOG PS of 0–1 vs. patients with an ECOG PS of 2–3 who received chemoimmunotherapy for newly diagnosed ES‐SCLC. Results In total, 82 patients were included in the study. The mean ± standard deviation age was 68.1 ± 8.3 years. Of these, 56 patients were identified with an ECOG PS of 0–1, and 26 patients were identified with an ECOG PS of 2–3. The median PFS was similar regardless of ECOG PS (5.8 months [95% CI, 4.3–6.0 months] in the ECOG PS 0–1 group vs. 4.1 months [95% CI, 3.8–6.9 months] in the ECOG PS 2–3; p = .2994). The median OS was also similar regardless of ECOG PS (10.6 months [95% CI, 8.4–13.4 months] in the ECOG PS 0–1 group vs. 9.3 months [95% CI, 4.9–12.8 months]; p = .2718) in the ECOG PS 2‐3 group. Conclusions The study results demonstrated no significant difference in PFS or OS among the ECOG PS 2–3 and ECOG PS 0–1 groups. Therefore, chemoimmunotherapy should be considered for patients who have ES‐SCLC with an ECOG PS of 2–3.

In Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 90-05, the maximum tolerated dose of single-fraction radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases of 21–30 mm was 18 Gy (biologically effective dose (BED) 45 Gy12). Since the patients in this study received prior brain irradiation, tolerable BED may be >45 Gy12 for de novo lesions. We investigated SRS and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) with a higher BED for radiotherapy-naive lesions. Patients receiving SRS (19–20 Gy) and patients treated with FSRT (30–48 Gy in 3–12 fractions) with BED > 49 Gy12 for up to 4 brain metastases were compared for grade ≥ 2 radiation necrosis (RN). In the entire cohort (169 patients with 218 lesions), 1-year and 2-year RN rates were 8% after SRS vs. 2% and 13% after FSRT (p = 0.73) in per-patient analyses, and 7% after SRS vs. 7% and 10% after FSRT (p = 0.59) in per-lesion analyses. For lesions ≤ 20 mm (137 patients with 185 lesions), the RN rates were 4% (SRS) vs. 0% and 15%, respectively, (FSRT) (p = 0.60) in per-patient analyses, and 3% (SRS) vs. 0% and 11%, respectively, (FSRT) (p = 0.80) in per-lesion analyses. For lesions > 20 mm (32 patients with 33 lesions), the RN rates were 50% (SRS) vs. 9% (FSRT) (p = 0.012) in both per-patient and per-lesion analyses. In the SRS group, a lesion size > 20 mm was significantly associated with RN; in the FSRT group, lesion size had no impact on RN. Given the limitations of this study, FSRT with BED > 49 Gy12 was associated with low RN risk and may be safer than SRS for brain metastases > 20 mm.

A modern approach for brain metastases includes whole-brain radiotherapy plus simultaneous boost (WBRT+SIB). We developed a survival score in 128 patients treated with WBRT+SIB. Three models, each including three prognostic groups, were created. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for death ≤6 and survival ≥6 months were calculated. On multivariate analyses, performance score (KPS) and the number of brain metastases were significantly associated with survival. On univariate analyses, age showed a strong trend, and extra-cerebral cranial metastases a trend. In Model 1 (KPS, number of lesions), compared groups had 6-month survival rates of 15%, 38% and 57%. In Model 2 (KPS, lesions, age), rates were 17%, 33% and 75%, and in Model 3 (KPS, lesions, age, extra-cerebral metastases), 14%, 34% and 78%. PPVs for death ≤6 and survival ≥6 months were 85% and 57% (Model 1), 83% and 75% (Model 2), and 86% and 78% (Model 3). Thus, all models were accurate in predicting death ≤ 6 months; poor-prognosis patients may not benefit from SIB. Models 2 and 3 were superior in predicting survival ≥ 6 months. Given that Model 3 requires more data (including extensive staging), Model 2 is considered favorable for many patients. If extra-cerebral metastases are already known or extensive staging has been performed, Model 3 can also be used.

AbstractBackgroundThere is a knowledge gap regarding lobar versus sublobar resection for atypical carcinoid (AC) of the lung. As such, the authors sought to understand and analyze the outcomes of sublobar resection versus lobectomy in this patient population.MethodsA retrospective analysis using the National Cancer Database was performed to compare overall survival (OS) between patients treated with lobectomy and patients treated with sublobar resection for AC of the lung between the years 2004 and 2016. Patient characteristics were compared with χ2 tests. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate OS distributions, and the log‐rank test was used to compare distributions by treatment strategy. A multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess associations between the treatment strategy and OS. A propensity score matching method was also implemented to further eliminate treatment selection bias in the study sample.ResultsThe database identified 669 patients with T1–T4 and N0–N3 lung ACs that were surgically resected. Unadjusted Kaplan–Meier survival curves did not demonstrate an OS difference between lobectomy and sublobar resection (p = .094). After propensity score matching, curves demonstrated a numerical improvement in OS with lobectomy; however, it was not statistically significant (p = .5). In a subgroup analysis, lobectomy and node‐negative disease were associated with the best OS, whereas sublobar resection and node‐positive disease were associated with the worst OS (p < .0001). Nodal involvement was associated with worse survival, regardless of surgical treatment (p < .0001).ConclusionsIn patients with T1–T4 and N0–N3 ACs of the lung, lobectomy was not associated with an improvement in OS in comparison with sublobar resection.

Malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac is an exceptionally rare tumor with a poor prognosis. We report two cases of malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac: a 73 year-old female treated with primary surgical resection and a 75 year-old male treated with surgical resection, adjuvant proton beam radiotherapy, and adjuvant immunotherapy. We discuss the role of post-operative proton beam therapy and recent advancements in immunotherapy. These cases highlight the importance of early diagnosis and multi-modality treatment in this aggressive malignancy.

Retroperitoneal chordomas are exceedingly rare and account for less than 5% of all primary bone malignancies. Their etiology remains unknown. We report a rare case of an extravertebral chordoma of the retroperitoneum in a 71-year-old man treated with surgical resection and post-operative spot-scanning proton beam therapy. We describe how to safely treat a retroperitoneal target to a prescription dose over 70 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) with spot-scanning proton beam therapy and also report a dosimetric comparison of spot-scanning proton beam therapy versus intensity-modulated radiation therapy. This case not only highlights a rare diagnosis of an extravertebral retroperitoneal chordoma but it also draws attention to the dosimetric advantages of proton beam therapy and illustrates a promising radiotherapeutic option for retroperitoneal targets.