Byoung Chul Cho

Yonsei University Hospital, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

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Publications (58)217.27 Total impact

  • Article: Phase II study of camtobell inj. (belotecan) in combination with cisplatin in patients with previously untreated, extensive stage small cell lung cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of belotecan in combination with cisplatin in patients with previously non-treated extensive stage small cell lung cancer. A total of 42 patients were enrolled and treated with combination of belotecan 0.5mg/m(2) on daily basis throughout day 1-4 and cisplatin 60mg/m(2) on day 1 of a 3-week cycle, up to 6 cycles. Treatment was continued until the completion of 6 cycles of the chemotherapy, disease progression, detection of unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of the consent, or death of the patient. Response was assessed every 2 cycles of chemotherapy by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.0. Toxicity was assessed by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 3.0. The overall response rate was 73.8% in an intention to treat population and 83.9% in the evaluable patients. With the median follow up of 9.9 months, the median progression free survival was 6.9 months (95% CI, 6.6-7.2 months), and median overall survival was 11.2 months (95% CI, 9.9-12.5 months). The frequently reported grade≥3 toxicities were neutropenia (90.2%), thrombocytopenia (63.4%), and anemia (34.1%). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 16 patients (39.0%). Although most of non-hematologic toxicities were grade 1 or 2, there were 4 patient deaths caused by pneumonia complicated by septic shock. Belotecan and cisplatin combination chemotherapy demonstrated a promising efficacy in ED SCLC patients. But, the hematologic toxicity of this regimen requires considerable amount of attention.
    Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 03/2013; · 3.14 Impact Factor
  • Article: Personalized therapy on the horizon for squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
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    ABSTRACT: Squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) of the lung is the second-largest subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), causing an estimated 400,000 deaths per year worldwide. Recent developments in cancer genome sequencing technology expanded our knowledge of driver mutations, which were identified as novel candidates for targeted therapy in various cancers. Successful targeted treatments for lung adenocarcinoma, NSCLC's primary subtype, with EGFR mutation or ALK fusion are clinically available, and a clinical trial of personalized targeted therapy in patients with lung adenocarcinoma is underway by the Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium. Although there are targeted treatments for lung adenocarcinoma, no personalized therapies currently exist for SQCC. Recently, comprehensive genomic characterization of lung SQCC using massively parallel sequencing has enabled us to identify several potential driver mutations/signaling pathways. These are FGFR1 amplifications, PI3KCA mutations, PTEN mutations/deletions, PDGFRA amplifications/mutations, and DDR2 mutations. The march toward personalized therapy may have taken a step forward with the discovery of these potential biomarkers for the treatment of SQCC of the lung. This article reviewed the current knowledge of genomic landscape of lung SQCC and summarized ongoing clinical trials of targeted agents for lung SQCC. Also, we will suggest several other actionable mutations with matching drugs that should be investigated in future clinical trials for the personalized treatment of lung SQCC.
    Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 03/2013; · 3.14 Impact Factor
  • Article: Role of FGF receptors as an emerging therapeutic target in lung squamous cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Recent advances in molecular medicine and high-throughput sequencing technologies have achieved major cancer strategies and therapeutics over the past decades. For example, identification of oncogenic EGF receptor mutations that are present in up to 20% of lung adenocarcinoma patients confer exquisite sensitivity to EGF receptor inhibitors. However, currently known 'druggable' targets are enriched in the subgroup of adenocarcinomas and individuals who have never smoked. We present an overview of FGFs and FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling in cancer, and the role of FGFR1 as a novel druggable target in lung squamous cell carcinoma. FGFR1 amplification in lung squamous cell carcinoma is required for the survival of FGFR1-amplified cell lines. Currently, clinical reagents that target the FGFs and FGFRs are being developed accordingly. This review focuses on the emerging role of FGFR1 as a therapeutic target in lung squamous cell carcinoma and reviews current agents that are in clinical development for the treatment of FGFR-dependent cancer.
    Future Oncology 03/2013; 9(3):377-86. · 3.16 Impact Factor
  • Article: Randomized controlled trial of standardized education and telemonitoring for pain in outpatients with advanced solid tumors.
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    ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: Previous studies have not defined the role of telemonitoring with educational tools in outpatients with advanced cancers. We tested the effectiveness of standardized education and telemonitoring for improving pain, distress, anxiety, depression, quality of life (QoL), and performance in outpatients with advanced cancers. METHODS: A total of 108 patients were randomly assigned to receive pain education alone (control arm) or pain education plus telemonitoring (experimental arm). Nursing specialists provided video-assisted educational material in both arms and daily telemonitoring for the first week in the experimental arm. Assessment was performed at baseline and 1 week and included evaluations of pain (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI), distress (Distress Thermometer, DT), anxiety, and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), QoL (QLQ-C30), and a Karnofsky score. RESULTS: Overall (n = 108), pain intensity was significantly improved at 1 week, including worst pain (7.3 to 5.7, P < 0.01) and average pain (4.6 to 3.8, P < 0.01). Additionally, anxiety (HADS score ≥ 11, 75 % to 56 %, P < 0.01), depression (HADS score ≥ 11, 73 % to 51 %, P < 0.01), QoL (fatigue and insomnia), and the Karnofsky score (32 to 66, P < 0.01) were also significantly improved at 1 week. However, the level of distress did not improve. The telemonitoring plus standardized education group showed more significant improvement in portion of pain >4 on VAS scale (35 % vs. 19 %, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized pain education using nursing specialists is an efficient way to improve not only pain itself but also anxiety, depression, performance, and QoL. The addition of telemonitoring helps to improve pain management in the outpatient setting.
    Supportive Care in Cancer 01/2013; · 2.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: A phase I trial of gefitinib and nimotuzumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Nimotuzumab (TheraCIM(®)) is a humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) with minimal skin toxicity. Combining a different class of anti-EGFR drug with gefitinib is a new strategy to overcome intrinsic and acquired resistance to gefitinib. The aim of this phase I trial was to determine recommended phase II dose (RPIID) and the safety of gefitinib and nimotuzumab combination treatment. METHODS: Patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC were treated with escalating doses of weekly nimotuzumab (100mg or 200mg, IV) and fixed doses of daily gefitinib (250mg/day, PO) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. We planned to enroll 10 additional patients at RPIID to ascertain the safety of treatment. EGFR mutations and KRAS mutations were analyzed from available tumor samples. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were enrolled (3 in 100mg cohort, 13 in 200mg cohort). Six patients (37.5%) were female, and 5 (31.3%) were never smokers. Adenocarcinoma was the major histologic type (13 patients, 81.3%). Treatment was well-tolerated without dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Four patients (25.0%) experienced grade 2 skin toxicity (1 in 100mg cohorts, 3 in 200mg cohort). Other common grade 1/2 toxicities were fatigue (37.5%) and diarrhea (25.0%). Among 16 evaluable patients, four patients (25.0%) achieved partial response and 7 patients (43.8%) had stable disease. Two of 4 responders had EGFR mutation (exon 19 deletion). CONCLUSIONS: Dual agent molecular targeting of EGFR with nimotuzumab and gefitinib in patients with advanced NSCLC is well-tolerated. The RPIID for nimotuzumab is 200mg weekly IV and for gefitinib 250mg/day PO. Based upon this phase I trial, we are planning to conduct a randomized phase II trial comparing gefitinib and nimotuzumab with gefitinib alone in patients with advanced NSCLC.
    Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 12/2012; · 3.14 Impact Factor
  • Article: Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 Gene Amplification Is Associated With Poor Survival and Cigarette Smoking Dosage in Patients With Resected Squamous Cell Lung Cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: PURPOSETo investigate the frequency and the prognostic role of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) amplification in patients with surgically resected squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) and the association between smoking and FGFR1 amplification. PATIENTS AND METHODS Gene copy number of FGFR1 was investigated in microarrayed tumors from 262 patients with SCCL who had tumor tissue as well as smoking and survival data available. Gene copy number was evaluated by fluorescent in situ hybridization, and an FGFR1-amplified tumor (FGFR1 amp(+)) was prespecified as a tumor with nine or more copies of FGFR1. RESULTS: adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 2.24; 95% CI, 1.45 to 3.45; P < .001; OS: AHR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.89; P = .01). The frequency of FGFR1 amp(+) was significantly higher in current smokers than in former smokers and never-smokers (28.9% v 2.5% v 0%; P(trend) < .001). As the smoking dosage increased, so did the incidence of FGFR1 amp(+) (P(trend) = .002). CONCLUSIONFGFR1 amplification is an independent negative prognostic factor in surgically resected SCCL and is associated with cigarette smoking in a dose-dependent manner. FGFR1 amplification is a relevant therapeutic target in Asian patients with SCCL.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 11/2012; · 18.37 Impact Factor
  • Article: EGFR Polymorphism as a Predictor of Clinical Outcome in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients Treated with EGFR-TKI.
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    ABSTRACT: Purpose: Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been confirmed as predictors of the efficacy of treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We investigated whether polymorphisms of the EGFR gene were associated with clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with EGFR-TKI. Materials and Methods: A polymorphic dinucleotide repeat in intron 1 [CA simple sequence repeat in intron 1(CA-SSR1)] in intron 1 and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP-216) in the promoter region of the EGFR gene were evaluated in 71 NSCLC patients by restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing. The relationship between genetic polymorphisms and clinical outcomes of treatment with EGFR-TKIs was evaluated. Results: SNP-216G/T polymorphisms were associated with the efficacy of EGFR-TKI. The response rate for the SNP-216G/T tended to be higher than that for G/G (62.5% vs. 27.4%, p=0.057). The SNP-216G/T genotype was also associated with longer progression-free survival compared with the GG genotype (16.7 months vs. 5.1 months, p=0.005). However, the length of CA-SSR1 was not associated with the efficacy of EGFR-TKI. Conclusion: SNP-216G/T polymorphism was a potential predictor of clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with EGFR-TKI.
    Yonsei medical journal 11/2012; 53(6):1128-35. · 0.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Prognostic and predictive value of carcinoembryonic antigen and cytokeratin-19 fragments levels in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with gefitinib or erlotinib.
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    ABSTRACT: The prognostic and predictive value of pretreatment serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin-19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1) were assessed in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with gefitinib or erlotinib. Pretreatment CEA and CYFRA 21-1 were measured in 123 advanced NSCLC patients receiving gefitinib or erlotinib. High CEA levels (h-CEA) were significantly associated with females, patients with adenocarcinoma, and non-smokers. Low CYFRA 21-1 levels (l-CYFRA) were significantly associated with a good performance status (ECOG PS 0-1). The overall response rate (RR) was 27.6%, and higher RR was associated with adenocarcinoma, h-CEA, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. Patients with h-CEA had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) (p=0.021). Patients with l-CYFRA had significantly longer PFS and overall survival (p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively). Of note, h-CEA and l-CYFRA had good prognosis in patients with unknown EGFR mutation status or patients with squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.021 and p=0.015, respectively). A good ECOG PS (HR=0.45, p=0.017), h-CEA (HR=0.41, p=0.007), l-CYFRA 21-1 (HR=0.52, p=0.025), and an EGFR mutation (HR=0.22, p<0.001) were independently predictive of a longer PFS. h-CEA and l-CYFRA 21-1 may be prognostic and predictive serum markers for higher response and longer survival in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving gefitinib or erlotinib, especially in patients with unknown EGFR mutation status or patients with squamous cell carcinoma.
    Yonsei medical journal 09/2012; 53(5):931-9. · 0.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Activation of IL-6R/JAK1/STAT3 Signaling Induces De Novo Resistance to Irreversible EGFR Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with T790M Resistance Mutation.
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    ABSTRACT: The secondary T790M mutation in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the major mechanism of acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although irreversible EGFR TKIs, such as afatinib or dacomitinib, have been introduced to overcome the acquired resistance, they showed a limited efficacy in NSCLC with T790M. Herein, we identified the novel de novo resistance mechanism to irreversible EGFR TKIs in H1975 and PC9-GR cells, which are NSCLC cells with EGFR T790M. Afatinib activated interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R)/JAK1/STAT3 signaling via autocrine IL-6 secretion in both cells. Inhibition of IL-6R/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway increased the sensitivity to afatinib. Cancer cells showed stronger STAT3 activation and enhanced resistance to afatinib in the presence of MRC5 lung fibroblasts. Blockade of IL-6R/JAK1 significantly increased the sensitivity to afatinib through inhibition of afatinib-induced STAT3 activation augmented by the interaction with fibroblasts, suggesting a critical role of paracrine IL-6R/JAK1/STAT3 loop between fibroblasts and cancer cells in the development of drug resistance. The enhancement of afatinib sensitivity by inhibition of IL-6R/JAK1/STAT3 signaling was confirmed in in vivo PC9-GR xenograft model. Similar to afatinib, de novo resistance to dacomitinib in H1975 and PC9-GR cells was also mediated by dacomitinib-induced JAK1/STAT3 activation. Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-6R/JAK1/STAT3 signaling can be a potential therapeutic target to enhance the efficacy of irreversible EGFR TKIs in patients with EGFR T790M. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(10); 2254-64. ©2012 AACR.
    Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 08/2012; 11(10):2254-64. · 5.23 Impact Factor
  • Article: The efficacy and toxicity of S-1 and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: To assess the clinical activity and toxicity of a combination chemotherapy regimen of S-1 and cisplatin in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a retrospective study. A total of 49 patients were treated in an outpatient setting with S-1 80 mg/m(2) on days 1-14 and with cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) on day 1 every 3 weeks for a maximum of six cycles as a first-line palliative chemotherapy. Patients who achieved complete response (CR), partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) after six cycles received S-1 monotherapy as a maintenance therapy. The median patient age was 55 years (range 33-79), 89.8 % were male, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status distribution was 0/1/2 (20.4 %/73.5 %/6.1 %). Of the 43 evaluable patients, 2 (4.1 %) achieved CR and 20 (40.8 %) had a PR, for an overall response rate of 44.9 %. Thirteen patients (26.6 %) had SD. The median number of chemotherapy treatments was 4 (range 1-18). Nine patients received maintenance S-1 monotherapy after six cycles of combination chemotherapy. With a mean 10.5 months (range 1.3-25.1) of follow-up, the median progression-free and overall survival were 4.5 (95 % CI, 3.7-5.3 months) and 10.8 months (95 % CI, 5.9-15.6 months), respectively. The main grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (37 %), anemia (16 %) and general weakness (8 %). Other toxicities, including nausea/vomiting, mucositis and neuropathy, were mostly grade 1-2 and easily manageable. The combination of S-1/cisplatin therapy had a favorable efficacy with manageable toxicity as a first-line chemotherapy regimen for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 08/2012; 70(4):539-46. · 2.83 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase II study of cisplatin with irinotecan as induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy for unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: We evaluated the anti-tumor activity and safety of cisplatin with irinotecan (IP) induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy with etoposide/cisplatin (EP). Induction chemotherapy consisted of irinotecan i.v. and cisplatin i.v. and was administered on day 1 and day 8 of each cycle. Patients underwent two cycles of chemotherapy with a 3-week interval. In the absence of progressive disease, 66 Gy radiation was administered concurrently with etoposide on days 1 to 5 and 29 to 33, as well as with cisplatin on day 1, 8, 29, and 36. Twenty patients were enrolled between July 2007 and December 2009. This study was closed prematurely due to lack of efficacy in induction chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 45% [95% confidence interval (CI), 25 to 65%], which did not meet the upper limit for first stage rejection of the treatment. The rates of 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 17.1% (95% CI, 0 to 36.8%) and 25% (95% CI, 0.2 to 49.8%), respectively. The primary toxicities included neutropenia, diarrhea and fatigue. This study failed to demonstrate a benefit for induction chemotherapy which was characterized by suboptimal antitumor activity and was poorly tolerated, with excess treatment-related toxicity.
    Anticancer research 08/2012; 32(8):3515-21. · 1.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells delineated by upregulation of PD-1 and inhibitory receptors.
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    ABSTRACT: Foxp3(+) regulatory T (T(reg)) cells are dominant suppressor cells which regulate conventional T (T(conv)) cells. Inside tumor microenvironment, T(reg) cells have been known to become potent in suppressing T(conv) cell responses, thereby enabling tumor cells to circumvent immune response. However, the underlying mechanism by which tumor-infiltrating T(reg) cells display enhanced suppressive function is still unresolved. To understand characteristics and function of tumor-infiltrating T(reg) cells as well as T(conv) cells in the tumor site, we analyzed their phenotypes either within tumor burden or at distant site of tumor using both heterotopic and orthotopic mouse cancer models. Compared to CD8(+) T cells at distant site of tumor, tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells dramatically upregulated programmed death 1 (PD-1) and other inhibitory receptors, thereby being more exhausted functionally. Tumor-infiltrating CD4(+) T cells also expressed higher level of PD-1 than CD4(+) T cells at distant site of tumor but very surprisingly, upregulation of PD-1 occurred in CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T(reg) as well as CD4(+)Foxp3(-) T(conv) cells. Moreover, tumor infiltrating T(reg) cells upregulated other inhibitory receptors such as T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (TIM-3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR), and lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3). These results suggest that upregulation of PD-1 and other inhibitory receptors on tumor-infiltrating T(reg) cells is related with their enhanced suppressive function.
    Cellular Immunology 07/2012; 278(1-2):76-83. · 1.97 Impact Factor
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    Article: Differences in outcome and toxicity between Asian and caucasian patients with lung cancer treated with systemic therapy.
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    ABSTRACT: It is increasingly recognized that differences in overall survival and toxicity exist between Asian and caucasian patients with small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer, with a longer survival, higher response rates and greater toxicity to chemotherapy and targeted therapy reported in Asian patients. Two global studies are used to illustrate how the proportions of Asian patients can influence survival outcome. Ethnicity is an important and complex characteristic that should considered in the design and conduct of a global clinical study, as the safety, tolerability and response may vary between Asian and caucasian patients. Whether ethnic differences in lung cancer survival are attributed to genetic differences among races or are simply a surrogate marker of differences in access to healthcare because of socioeconomic differences is unclear. Carefully designed prospective studies investigating ethnic-specific determinants of sensitivity and toxicity to systemic therapy are warranted.
    Future Oncology 04/2012; 8(4):451-62. · 3.16 Impact Factor
  • Article: Efficacy and toxicity of belotecan for relapsed or refractory small cell lung cancer patients.
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    ABSTRACT: Belotecan (Camtobell, CKD602) is a new camptothecin-derivative antitumor agent that belongs to the topoisomerase inhibitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of belotecan monotherapy as a second-line therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Between June 2008 and August 2011, a total of 50 patients with relapsed or refractory SCLC were treated with belotecan 0.5 mg/m for 5 consecutive days, every 3 weeks. We evaluated the overall response rate (ORR), the progression-free survival (PFS), and the overall survival (OS), and toxicity according to sensitivity to initial chemotherapy. The median age was 66 years (range, 43-84 years) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance was 0 or 1 in 34 patients (68%) and 2 in 16 patients (32%). Twenty patients (40%) had sensitive relapse and 30 patients (60%) had refractory disease. The ORR, PFS, and OS for sensitive patients were 20% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8-40), 2.8 months (95% CI, 0.53-5.06), and 6.5 months (95% CI, 1.58-11.42), respectively. In the refractory group, the ORR, PFS, and OS were 10% (95% CI, 1-21), 1.5 months (95% CI, 1.25-1.75), and 4.0 months (95% CI, 3.40-4.60), respectively. Most commonly reported grade-3 or -4 adverse events included neutropenia (54%), thrombocytopenia (38%), and anemia (32%). Belotecan showed modest activity with an acceptable safety profile as a second-line therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory SCLC.
    Journal of thoracic oncology: official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 04/2012; 7(4):731-6. · 4.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: High EGFR gene copy number and skin rash as predictive markers for EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced squamous cell lung carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: This study aimed to search for predictors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) efficacy in previously treated patients with advanced squamous cell lung carcinoma in which EGFR mutations are very rare. EGFR gene copy numbers were assessed by FISH and evaluated as predictors of EGFR-TKI efficacy in 71 patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer who received gefitinib or erlotinib as a second-line or higher therapy. The tumors were classified into EGFR/FISH-positive (high polysomy/gene amplification) and EGFR/FISH-negative (other) groups. EGFR/FISH was positive in 19 (26.7%) patients. Only EGFR/FISH positive status was correlated with the EGFR-TKIs response (EGFR/FISH(+) vs. EGFR/FISH(-), 26.3% vs. 2.0%; P = 0.005). In a multivariate analysis, the risk of progression was lower in EGFR/FISH-positive patients (HR of EGFR/FISH(+) vs. EGFR/FISH(-), 0.57; P = 0.057) or patients experiencing grade 2 or more rash (HR for rash grade 2 or more vs. less than 2, 0.54; P = 0.042), compared with EGFR/FISH-negative patients or those experiencing grade of less than 2 rash, respectively. When the combined criteria of EGFR/FISH and skin rash severity were analyzed, EGFR/FISH-negative patients with grade less than 2 rash had poorer clinical outcomes than patients with positive EGFR/FISH or grade 2 or more rash, apparent as a lower response rate (0.0% vs. 21.4%; P = 0.003) and a shorter median progression-free survival (1.13 months vs. 3.90 months; P = 0.0002). EGFR/FISH and skin rash severity may be used to identify which patients are likely to gain a benefit from EGFR-TKIs in this population.
    Clinical Cancer Research 03/2012; 18(6):1760-8. · 7.74 Impact Factor
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    Article: Treatment outcome of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer: a single center experience.
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    ABSTRACT: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is known to have a poor prognosis due to its aggressive and rapid metastasis with median survival of less than 6 months. Multimodal treatment involving surgery and chemoradiotherapy has been used to improve the survival of patients. Here, we retrospectively review of treatment outcome of 13 consecutive patients who were treated at a single center. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 13 anaplastic thyroid cancer patients who received multidisciplinary treatment between 2006 and 2010. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze progression-free survival and overall survival of patients. The median patient age at diagnosis was 69 years, and six patients had stage IVc diseases. Eight patients received primary surgery followed by radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Five patients received weekly doxorubicin-based definitive CCRT, but only one patient's condition remained stable, while the rest experienced rapid disease progression. The median progression-free survival was 2.8 months (95% CI, 1.2-4.4 months), and the median overall survival was 3.8 months (95% CI, 3.0-4.6 months). Patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer showed poor prognosis despite multimodality treatment. Therefore, identification of novel therapeutic targets is warranted to take an effective mode of treatment.
    Yonsei medical journal 03/2012; 53(2):352-7. · 0.77 Impact Factor
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    Article: Elevated serum C-reactive protein as a prognostic marker in small cell lung cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with poor prognosis in several tumor types. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum CRP as a prognostic marker in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The pretreatment serum CRP level was measured in 157 newly diagnosed SCLC patients, and correlation between serum CRP level and other clinical parameters was analyzed. Multivariate analyses were performed to find prognostic markers using Cox's proportional hazards model. The initial CRP concentration was within the normal range in 72 (45.9%) patients and elevated in 85 (54.1%) patients. There was a significant correlation between serum CRP level and the extent of disease (p<0.001), weight loss (p=0.029) and chest radiation (p=0.001). Median overall survival (OS) in the normal CRP group was significantly longer than with the high CRP group (22.5 months vs. 11.2 months, p<0.001). Extent of disease (p<0.001), age (p=0.025), and performance status (p<0.001) were additional prognostic factors on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, elevated serum CRP level was an independent prognostic factor for poor survival (HR=1.8; p=0.014), regardless of the extent of disease (HR=3.7; p<0.001) and performance status (HR=2.2; p<0.001). High level of CRP was an independent poor prognostic serum marker in addition to previously well-known prognosticators in patients with SCLC.
    Yonsei medical journal 01/2012; 53(1):111-7. · 0.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: The prognostic factors of resected non-small cell lung cancer with chest wall invasion.
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    ABSTRACT: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features and surgical outcomes of patients with a surgically resected NSCLC invading chest wall in order to identify prognostic factors that impact long term survival. Between January 1990 and December 2009, 107 patients who underwent surgical resection for chest wall invading NSCLC were reviewed. Tumors invading only the parietal pleura were defined as superficial invasions, and those involving the soft tissue or ribs were defined as deep invasions. There were 91 men and 16 women; median age was 64 years (range 30 to 80 years). Overall 5 year survival rate was 26.3%. The univariate prognostic factors for survival included gender, extent of resection (pneumonectomy vs lobectomy), tumor size(> 5 cm vs ≤ 5 cm), nodal status (N0 or N1 vs N2), completeness of resection (complete vs incomplete) and completeness of adjuvant chemotherapy. At multivariate analysis, five independent prognostic factors were shown; depth of invasion (superficial vs deep), tumor size, nodal status, completeness of resection, and completeness of adjuvant chemotherapy. In patients with completely resected T3N0 NSCLC, completion of chemotherapy is the only prognostic factor for long term survival. Completeness of resection, nodal status, depth of invasion, tumor size, and adjuvant chemotherapy were prognostic factors for long-term survival in NSCLC patients with chest wall invasion. Because of poor prognosis in cases with chest wall invasion that have N2 positive LN, that is difficult to achieve complete resection and that need pneumonectomy, definite chemoradiotherapy or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy should be considered first in these cases.
    World Journal of Surgical Oncology 01/2012; 10:9. · 1.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: Distinct clinical features and outcomes in never-smokers with nonsmall cell lung cancer who harbor EGFR or KRAS mutations or ALK rearrangement.
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    ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to determine the proportions of major oncogenic alterations and to examine survival in genotype-specific subsets of never-smokers with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors concurrently analyzed mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) genes and investigated anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements in samples from 229 never-smokers with NSCLC. ALK rearrangements were identified by fluorescent in situ hybridization and were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Mutations in EGFR (exons 18 to 21) and KRAS (codons 12 and 13) were determined by direct sequencing. Of 229 tumors, the frequency of EGFR mutations, ALK rearrangements, KRAS mutations, and no mutations (wild type [WT]) in any of the 3 genes (WT/WT/WT) was 48%, 8.3%, 3.5%, and 40.2%, respectively. All genetic alterations were mutually exclusive. The median progression-free survival after treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was 12.8 months, 6.3 months, 2.1 months, and 1.6 months in patients with EGFR mutations, the WT/WT/WT genotype, KRAS mutations, and ALK rearrangements, respectively. In a Cox regression model, the adjusted hazard ratio for the risk of disease progression after treatment with EGFR TKIs was 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.87; P = .008) for patients with EGFR mutations, 4.58 (95% CI, 2.07-10.15; P < .001) for patients with ALK rearrangements, and 4.23 (95% CI, 1.65-10.8; P = .003) for patients with KRAS mutations. Overall survival also differed significantly among genotypes. To the authors' knowledge, this was the largest comprehensive and concurrent analysis to date of 3 major oncogenic alterations in a cohort of East Asian never-smokers with NSCLC. Because survival outcomes differed among genotypes, and drugs that target specific alterations currently are available, genetic profiling to identify genotype-specific subsets can lead to successful treatment with appropriate kinase inhibitors.
    Cancer 06/2011; 118(3):729-39. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Ethnic differences in survival outcome in patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer: results of a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
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    ABSTRACT: Although interethnic differences in survival to cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer exist, an analysis of survival outcomes based on ethnicity has not yet been fully evaluated systematically using large patient cohorts. Furthermore, recent trial results may be confounded by the use of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). A meta-analysis was performed using trials identified through MEDLINE. Summary data on median overall survival (OS), time to progression, progression-free survival, and overall response rate (ORR) were collected from randomized controlled trials. Outcomes were compared between Asian and Caucasian studies. Of the 1182 citations identified, 391 treatment arms (Asian 90 and Caucasian 301) were analyzed. The median OS and ORR in Asian and Caucasian studies for all chemotherapy regimens was 10.1 and 8.0 months (p < 0.001) and 32.2 and 25.9% (p < 0.001), respectively. The median OS in Asian and Caucasian studies for monotherapy, platinum doublets, and three drugs or more combination was 9.9 and 6.8 months, 10.4 and 8.6 months, and 9.4 and 8.0 months, respectively (all p < 0.001). In studies published pre-EGFR TKI, the median OS and ORR in Asian and Caucasian studies for all chemotherapy regimens was 9.1 versus 7.3 months (p < 0.001), respectively, and 29.0 and 23.0% (p < 0.006), respectively. The median OS in Asian and Caucasian studies for monotherapy, platinum doublets, and three drugs or more combination pre-EGFR TKI was 8.9 and 6.5 months (p < 0.005), 9.1 and 7.5 months (p < 0.001), and 9.3 and 7.6 months (p < 0.003), respectively. In third-generation platinum doublets, the median OS in Asian and Caucasian studies was 11.3 and 9.5 months (p < 0.001), respectively, and ORR was 35.0 and 29.8% (p < 0.001), respectively. Ethnic differences in survival and response rate to chemotherapy exist and should be considered in clinical trial designs especially in the global context.
    Journal of thoracic oncology: official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 06/2011; 6(6):1030-8. · 4.55 Impact Factor