Can EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) Alone Without Talc Pleurodesis Prevent Recurrence of Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background and Objective: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are effective against lung adenocarcinoma. However, limited data is available assessing the effectiveness of EGFR-TKI use in preventing re-accumulation of MPE. To our knowledge, there is no literature on comparison of talc pleurodesis with EGFR-TKIs alone on re-accumulation of MPE in Asian population. We investigated if EGFR-TKI therapy for advanced lung adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is also successful in preventing pleural fluid re-accumulation following initial drainage. Methods: An observational cohort study of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and MPE in the year 2012 was conducted. Results: 70 patients presented with MPE from lung adenocarcinoma. Fifty six underwent EGFR mutation testing of which 39 (69.6%) had activating EGFR mutation and 34 (87.1%) received TKI. 20 were managed by pleural fluid drainage only whereas 14 underwent talc pleurodesis following pleural fluid drainage. Time taken for the pleural effusion to re-accumulate in those with and without pleurodesis was 9.9 vs. 11.7 months, p=0.59 respectively. More patients (n=10, 25.6%) with activating EGFR mutation presented with complete opacification (white-out) of the hemithorax compared to none without activating EGFR mutation (p=0.02). Conclusion: In TKI eligible patients, early talc pleurodesis may not confer additional benefit in preventing re-accumulation of pleural effusion and may be reserved for non-adenocarcinoma histology, or EGFR negative adenocarcinoma. Complete opacification of the hemithorax on presentation may serve as an early radiographic signal of positive EGFR mutation status

Factors Predictive of Primary Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

10.3390/cancers15102733CANCERS151

Recurrence-free survival results from a pilot study of adjuvant gefitinib in resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

404 Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway activation or over-expression plays an important role both in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that gefitinib (G), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR, should reduce recurrence rate and/or prolong recurrence free survival when given in adjuvant setting. Methods: We designed a multicenter pilot study with a plan to enroll 40 HCC patients with complete resection and or with positive resection margin or residual disease < 0.5 cm (microscopic disease). Treatment consisted of G 250 mg orally daily for 6 months starting within 6 weeks of surgery. Follow-up included serum alpha-fetoprotein levels and imaging studies every 3 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months for years 3-5 and yearly thereafter. Main endpoints were recurrence-free survival, toxicity and correlative genetic studies. All statistical analyses were carried out on an intention-to-treat basis. The end point of recurrence free survival will be presented here. Results: 65 patients consented to the study, 40 were eligible and 25 were screen failures due to: diagnosis other than HCC (6 patients); poor post-operative recovery (9 patients); unresectable disease (3 patients); withdrawal of consent (2 patients); 1 patient had 2 cancers, and 4 developed metastatic disease.39 patients had R0 resection, whereas 1 patient had R1 resection. 4 female, 36 male. All patients completed 6 months of adjuvant G. Toxicities were mild; mainly grade 1 and 2 skin toxicity, diarrhea and pruritis. Median age - 63 years, median Child score-6, median TNM stage - II, median size - 4.9cm. 20 patients had liver cirrhosis. With a median duration of follow up of 4.1 years, the median recurrence free survival was 24 months. (95% CI 20-48). Conclusions: A median recurrence free survival of 24 months in patients with resected hepatocellular carcinoma treated with 6 months of adjuvant gefitinib compares favorably to historical data. Toxicity of gefitinib was mild and easily manageable. We await results of correlative genetic studies to identify potential prognostic and predictive biomarkers before considering embarking on a larger study. Clinical trial information: NCT00282100

Cytokine Release Syndrome in Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Series of 25 Patients and Review of the Literature

10.3389/fimmu.2022.807050FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY1

COVID-19 Severity and Waning Immunity After up to 4 mRNA Vaccine Doses in 73 608 Patients With Cancer and 621 475 Matched Controls in Singapore A Nationwide Cohort Study

10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.2271JAMA ONCOLOGY9